#LPGA Ko Jin-young overcomes injury, personal ordeal in outstanding 2021 LPGA season With a brilliant performance at the final tournament of the 2021 LPGA season that helped her bag the top individual honor, South Korean star Ko Jin-young showed once again who's bo...Prime Minister Narendra Modi will campaign for the BJP candidates in Madhya Pradesh, and hold 10 public meetings over 5 days in the poll-bound state.

State BJP President Rakesh Singh said that between November 16 and November 25, Modi will tour the state, addressing people in several districts.



Voting for the 230-seat Madhya Pradesh assembly will taken place on November 28, and results are expected on December 8.



The Prime Minister will address public meetings in Gwalior and Shahdol on November 16, and in Chhindwara and Indore on November 18, Singh said.





Modi will seek votes for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in Jhabua and Rewa on November 20, while he will address public meetings in Mandsaur and Chhatarpur on November 23.



On November 25, he will address public meetings in Vidisha and Jabalpur.Across page 2 of the Samoa Observer yesterday, the story titled Unprofessional nurses irritate P.M. Tuilaepa was published.

Just down below the headline, the Prime Minister is being quoted from his weekly media programme, slamming the attitude of certain nurses whom he was clearly unhappy with.

What triggered Prime Minister Tuilaepas outburst couldnt be ascertained. Whether he has had a bad experience at the hospital or perhaps hes had people getting into his ear about the issue, he did not say.

What he did say though was not only sad; it raised a lot of eyebrows given the fact that not all nurses are unprofessional as he claimed. Okay there might be a few who are the bad apples. But the truth is that here are also many of them, who work diligently and honestly to serve the people of Samoa, to the best of their ability.

In generalizing his comments about members of the nursing profession, Prime Minister Tuilaepa obviously did not consider the hard working nurses, who are often overworked and worst of all underpaid.

Which is the sad thing about all this. Its so easy to point the finger, especially to a defenseless group of professionals  whom in Samoa are mostly women.

Listen to the Prime Minister again: The nurses need to stick to their profession and stop telling-off patients. This is not the first time that I have been informed about such unprofessional behavior towards patients.

The Prime Minister added that the behaviour of nurses today, is not like that of nurses in the past, where they were courteous, professional and polite.

Nowadays, it appears the nurses with degrees think they know better, Tuilaepa said, adding that it appears their qualifications have gotten into their heads and they forget their job is to serve the patients and not scold them.

Well is that right?

How is it humanly possible for the Prime Minister to know what has gone into the nurses heads? Is he an expert in reading other peoples minds and body language now? If thats the case, what can he tell us about all these factions we are seeing in his Government today?

Of course he did not stop there. He went to accuse them of being rude to doctors.

This is the same attitude they display towards the doctors, Tuilaepa said.

I am telling you (nurses), if you want to be a doctor, go back to school to get your doctors degree. But for now you are a nurse, stick to being nurse.

If you are a nurse, work in accordance with your abilities, but dont work like you are the doctor when in fact you are a nurse.

Was this really necessary? Bullying tactics yes, but demeaning nurses in such a manner, and insulting them too like they are little kids? Seriously? Ive never heard of a case where a nurse has pretended to be a doctor? Not in Samoa anyway.

It would be wonderful to hear what the nurses think. The Samoa Nurses Association should issue a response, and tell the Prime Minister where he needs to go.

The point is that while Tuilaepas anger might be justified in the case of some nurses, he should think before he leaps. There are far more nurses doing a great job to serve the people of Samoa, than the ones who ruin their work.

Come to think of it, this doesnt just happen in the nursing profession. Bad attitude is an issue across the board, its a global problem. Which is why it is unfair to crucify the poor nurses in the manner with which Prime Minister Tuilaepa has done.

And heres another thing Prime Minister Tuilaepa should consider. It was only a few months ago that a Commission of Inquiry, to consider the proposed organizational structure of the merger between the Ministry of Health and the National Health Services, highlighted the friction between the nurses and doctors.

The report by the Commission clearly highlighted how leaders of the health sector in Samoa exist in a state of warfare.

There is a fundamental lack of effective leadership over and within the health sector, which is now in a critical state of dysfunction, and has been torn asunder by sector-wide hostility, suspicion and conflict, the report reads.

This woeful state of affairs has been allowed to continue, and indeed flourish through a lack of attention, and an unwillingness at the highest level to stamp out the destructive behavior and arrogant behavior of certain sector health leaders and their followers.

So what the solution?

The Commission strongly recommends the conduct of a formal process of reconciliation between the leaders of the warring occupational groups, the report says.

(There is also) a need for a nationwide resetting of health sector goals where the best interests of patients and the needs of the public, dictate the form of health administration we have, (and not groups of privileged self- centered office bound jet setting combatants), whilst the vast majority of ill- treated underpaid staff continue to work hard and do the best with what they have, whilst the war rages above and around them.

Has the Government moved to implement this recommendation at all? Or was the Commissions report in vain?

And with Prime Minister Tuilaepa taking sides, as he has clearly done in ridiculing nurses publically, isnt it obvious then why the health sector is in such a mess today? Shouldnt our leaders be impartial in their judgment and be sensitive about what they say? Or have they become too powerful they just dont care? What do you think?

Have a restful Sunday Samoa, God bless!Dear Dr. Khulmann,

People choose to believe in what they deem as believable. So if L.D.S. Missionaries go about their business proselytizing in the streets of Apia using a belief system alien to yours ...then welcome to the real world .

Who cares if the L.D.S are not a member of the World Council of Churches?

Who cares if they conduct religious ceremonies unlike your own? So you call them a cult? They must be the only cult in the world which has a social welfare programme for the poor and needy. Yes, they spend millions of their own members tithing to fund programmes which would put any nations social welfare programme to shame, including the U.S.A.

What irks me is that you choose easy targets to promote your twisted version of history and religion.

Everyone knows Samoa is a predominantly Christian country.

But you seem to ignore the fact that the people of Samoa make the religion, make the churches, believe in God and pray some standing, some singing, some kneeling, some sleeping and some even drunk!

But the people choose how they pray, when to pray and who to pray to.

We dont run down to the streets of Apia to interrogate missionaries doing nothing but Gods work ? (their way)

And then following it up with a scathing article supporting your preposterous version of the L.D.S. Church.

What is more sinister is the fact that you include Piula Theological College as your place of residence as to give credence to your off the charts opinions on religion.

If you think the L.D.S. had hard times in history, what about Christian Europe? Spanish inquisition ...does that ring a bell? .... or the Crusades and how to commit murder that looks like murder but really isnt murder?

Or when the Pope during the time of Gallileo maintained that the Sun moved around the earth and imprisoned Gallileo for being too fiapoto (a smart aleck).

Furthermore, you mention the dark and seedy history of the L.D.S. Church as if any scholar worth his pen paper couldnt research the history himself?

Well many have including here in Samoa plus the ones at Piula College and I can assure you, none of them have come away from chatting to two missionaries with a slanderous and spiteful attitude like yours.

Your views are too ethnocentric and prejudiced.

They also dismiss the natural capacity of Samoans to hold their own deeply rooted belief systems. L.D.S. members in Samoa are just like me and I am not an L.D.S. member just a Samoan who rejects uninformed commentary .

Willy S.The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, yesterday paid tribute to the late Sau Justina Fiapaipai Sau, saying she was a bold, committed and a fearless leader in the Government.

The Minister joined family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the late bureaucrat at the Catholic Church in Manono-uta.

He spoke during the funeral service on behalf of the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, who was not able to attend.

A pillar in the Samoan government, Sau was a bold, committed and fearless leader who took risks and speaks volume. Sau played an enormous role in the economic growth of government finances today, he said.

Sili said it was hard to accept that Sau was no longer alive and highlighted qualities, which he said made her unique from her peers.

She is highly intelligent who is well known for quick reaction to solve significant issues. She is full of humility, unlike many who praise themselves, but not Sau, she was a down-to-earth human being.

Sau was the first Chief Executive Officer of the Governments investment arm, Unit Trust of Samoa (U.T.O.S.), and played a key role in its establishment.

Her contribution to the Government and its privatization policies was also highlighted by the Minister in church yesterday, he said: Furthermore, when considering her education background and her role in privatization of some Government services and the establishment of U.T.O.S. I can confidently say there is no one like Sau. She is very knowledgeable on vast projects that are undergone by U.T.O.S.

Sofia Evile, the mother of the deceased, said her daughter had a challenging life at a young age and survived drowning and getting hit by a truck.

At the age of three she almost drowned and fortunately she was revived."

Two years later Sau was struck by a pickup truck and she suffered severe injuries, but she beat the odds and lived to be 43-years-old.

Sau from the villages of Apolima, Faala Palauli and Ululoloa leaves behind four children - two boys and two girls.

She was into her third term as the C.E.O. of U.T.O.S. when she died last month, and was previously a lecturer at the National University of Samoa and the University of Auckland.

Her achievements at U.T.O.S. included the first ever dividend payment of seven sene per unit to all unit holders in 2012, and the increase in membership to 881 in the same year which catapulted the organisation to the top in terms of shareholder numbers.

Three years later U.T.O.S. improved its performance and declared a net profit of $1,003,726 (compared to $937,301 for the previous year). These achievements were made during her term in office.

Besides being the C.E.O. of U.T.O.S. she also sat on the boards of Samoa Submarine Cable Company, Bluesky Samoa Limited, Samoa Institute of Directors and the Marist Brothers Governance (Education) Board.Savaii could hold the key to establishing a thriving organic honey industry in Samoa, says beekeeping expert, Stephen Suti Agalo.

Mr. Agalo is from the Solomon Islands and was in Samoa over the past two weeks conducting a series of workshops and trainings in Upolu and Savaii with Women In Business Inc. (W.I.B.D.I.) staff and beginners from the organic certified villages.

The workshops aim to build capacity and enable trainees to share their knowledge and support areas needed to create a sustainable honey bee industry.

Mr. Agalo, while inspecting hives and calculating the level of honey that can be sourced from Savaii, was encouraged by what he discovered. During the harvesting module of the training in Asau, Mr. Agalo and his trainees extracted about 70 kilos of honey from just a few hives at the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopaoo Natanielu Muas, family cocoa plantation.

What I have found out now and my conclusion was that the potential of Samoa as a country with all the abundance of flowers, plants, fruit trees and vegetables - all these things that provide the pollen for the bees is in abundance here in Samoa. From an economic point of view, money is just dripping from the trees, Mr. Agalo said. Particularly in Savaii where there are organic certified villages and in the western end where there is less rainfall than the rest of the country. These factors combined could see high turn around in the production of honey and I truly believe that there is amazing potential for organic honey production that hasnt been seen before.

Beekeeping and honey production is widely known as one of the easiest commercial interests to pursue because of the minimum amount of work required after the needs of the bees are met properly with Mr. Agalo adding that farmers only need to check on the hives every two weeks.

According to Mr. Agalo, it is paramount that trainees learn the importance and the skills of rearing the queen bee to ensure that hives can be multiplied at a fast rate to harness the favourable environment found in Samoa for the bees.

As a beekeeper, you would be looking at the health and the capacity of the queen bee that is in the hives because the queen lies between one thousand to three thousand eggs a day, said Mr. Agalo.

To provide for that capacity, you need to understand the biological connection that the queen has and use that potential to increase economical benefitting outcomes. More bees, more workers, and more workers mean more outcomes - the outcome that you are looking for is the honey.

With 30 years beekeeping experience, Mr. Agalo and his wife have been instrumental in the small but now thriving bee keeping practices in Simbo, one of the islands in the Solomon Islands.

According to Mr. Agalo, part of the projects success started with the friendship W.I.B.D.I. extended in 2012 when the Samoan organisation helped the isolated island by donating its first 15 Nucs (nucleus colonies) and beekeeping starter kits to help replicate W.I.B.D.Is system of strengthening village economies.

My wife, Esther, made a partnership with Adi at W.I.B.D.I in 2012, and it was very generous for them to help her with her vision to help the women in Simbo. Adi was familiar with the Solomons as well as the women of the Pacific and what they are thinking.

Since the beekeeping initiative in 2012, the honey production in Simbo went from 50 litres in 2016 to 1,780 litres in 2017. This year they raised their production numbers to 1,085 litres and sold that amount of honey for SB$279,000 (T$90.9) with all the profits going directly back to the families keeping the bees.

W.I.D.B.I. helped us with the 15 Nucs and we have broken it up to 229 hives and next year we are going to double that because we now have the patience to work from and we will be able reach up to 400 hives. We will be able to produce two tonnes of honey a year and that it is quite a large amount of money for an island like Simbo, which has 2000 people and it is less than 2 square kilometres.

For the couple, sharing their beekeeping knowledge to help improve the living standards of their people and the people of Samoa is a real labour of love and to this day, they do not own a single hive preferring a communal approach to their work.

I have a passion to train and facilitate trainings for people out of my passion of beekeeping and that is what Esther and I are living on at the moment - just sharing our expertise. We are not living from what we are doing with beekeeping because we believe that when you share your expertise, your resources, God is going to bless you.

Mr. Agalo is currently working on putting together manuals on the theory and practice of beekeeping to help support the revival and strengthening of the industry.Leading telecommunications company Bluesky has splashed $1.7 million worth of prizes and sponsorship this year with its customers.

And the recent unveiling of its Journey with Bluesky this Christmas campaign - where customers have the chance to win $150,000 tala worth of prizes - adds to the investment it is making back into the community.

Bluesky general manager, Alex Abraham, said their company takes their responsibility to the public very seriously.

We greatly appreciate our customers and we take our responsibility seriously to not only deliver the best mobile service to each and every one of them, but we also give back to our customers through our promotions and sponsorships, he said.

This Christmas Bluesky will give its customers a chance to win a brand new 2019 Toyota Hilux, plus the latest mobile phones such as the iPhone Xs, Samsung Galaxy S9, a Samsung J7, and also a Yamaha Generator just by E-Charging $7 or more to secure one entry into the draw.

There will also be daily prizes with $50 tala free credit given to five lucky winners every day, added Mr Abraham. Bluesky customers will also receive free-calling minutes with every E-Charge of $2, $7 or more.

This is our way of taking our valued customers on a Christmas journey, one they will remember for a lifetime, he added.

For Samoans, Christmas is synonymous with family gatherings, gift sharing, lots of food, and family trips to the beach in a back of the pickup truck.

This is why Bluesky is giving away a brand new 2019 Toyota Hilux, a Christmas a gift that will help families for the long run. Remember you must be a Bluesky customer to enjoy their promotions and be eligible to win your dream pickup truck or dream mobile phone this Christmas.

Therefore pick up your free super SIM at any of their branches near you and instantly receive Free 100 calling minutes, Free 500MB and every time you make an E-Charge of $3 tala you receive another free 20minutes to call + 20 SMS to stay connected with loved ones this Christmas, Mr. Abraham said.A group from the United States of America is in Samoa to visit school students and understand their needs.

Organised by the Asian Pacific Cultural Centre President, Faaluaina Pritchard, Samoan correspondent, Leota P. Strickland said the visit is to find out ways that the group can lend a helping hand in developing the education of children in Samoa.

Before flying into Samoa, the group held a meeting in American Samoa to discuss the different issues students face and to also see how they can be of assistance.

Were here with the President of one of the highest technical colleges from where hes from, and he came to share about his knowledge and expertise for the students, which is why we made promises to stay in touch and come back, Leota said.

He added these are the types of knowledge the students here in Samoa barely have access to and this is the gap they want to fill as they are also Samoans.

E lele le toloa ae maau i le vai, I always remember this Samoan quote that always leads me back here to where I belong, Leota said.

This is their first visit to Samoa and they have been visiting some of the primary schools, including Magiagi and Vaimea Primary School.Think a minuteThe famous scientist Albert Einstein did not always follow social customs. One evening the president of a university hosted a dinner to honor Einstein and give him an award. Einstein was not scheduled to speak at the dinner, but after he received the award the audience began cheering and calling for him to give a speech.

The president asked him to say a few words. So reluctantly Einstein returned to the stage, except this is all he said: Ladies and gentlemen, Im very sorry but I have nothing to say. Then he sat down. A few seconds later Einstein stood back up and said: In case I do have something to say, I will come back.

About six months later, Einstein sent this message to the president of the university: Now I have something to say. So another dinner was held and this time Einstein gave a full speech.

There is a saying: If your mind goes blank, dont forget to turn off the sound. Its simple: If you have nothing to say, then say nothing. Someone observed that Wise men talk because they have something to say, but fools talk because they always have to say something.

If you do have something worth saying, it is better to use as few words as possible. If we keep it short and sweet, we might keep more friends. Or as someone said: The reason a dog has so many friends is he wags his tail, not his tongue.

The Bible says that everyone should be slow to speak and quick to listen. Since we have two ears and one mouth, we should probably do at least twice as much listening as we do speaking. Besides, we will never learn anything new if we do all the talking. Silence is golden. Silence can bring you both wisdom and true friends, which are worth far more than gold. Someone said: A good listener is not only popular, but he knows a lot.

The Greek philosopher Publius said: I have often been sorry for my speech, but almost never sorry for my silence. Why dont you ask Jesus to forgive you for not controlling your words and talking? Then ask Him to help you start changing and learning to listen, so you can say a lot with your silence. Just think a minuteApia played host to another cruise ship and its passengers of tourists yesterday morning  the second vessel to visit our shores in five days.

The word at Matautu wharf yesterday is that another cruise ship is due in Apia today, which if true would make it vessel # 3 in six days. Apia residents would probably be unfazed with the increasing regularity of visiting cruise ships, but ask a tourism expert and they would probably make reference to cruise tourism.

Cruise Tourism revolve around cruise liners, their destination countries, and the business opportunities that it could offer to the residents and communities at those destinations.

A 2016 report on Cruise Tourism commissioned by the Netherlands government describes this component of tourism as, one of the fastest growing segments in the tourism industry which can make a significate contribution to a destinations economy and local communities.

According to the report, the market has experienced growth from approximately 3.8 million passengers in 1990 to over 22.2 million in 2015. The growth projections in the same report estimate that by next year 25.3 million passengers would have gone on cruise liners.

But what are economic benefits of Cruise Tourism? The report states that Cruise Tourism industry globally represented roughly 119.9 billion in economic impact and 39.3 billion in wages and 939,00 jobs in 2014. The Caribbean and Europe (Mediterranean) continue to be main attractions for cruise liners according to the report, thanks to their weather and seasonality.

But if Samoa can get three cruise liners in six days each with 500 to 1000 passengers  then we can conclude that this island paradise is in the top bracket in terms of destinations in the Pacific Islands. Perhaps more investment in Samoas tourism marketing strategy will go a long way in ensuring luxury cruise line operators around the world put the island on their bucket list. Food for though for the Samoa Tourism Authority.

And while we celebrate the arrival of another cruise liner to our shores, with much needed revenue for our local tourism industry operators, we cannot help but notice developments in the west with Fiji counting down to their general election. Fijis eligible voters will cast their votes on Wednesday.

The countrys political parties and their candidates have been on the campaign trail in recent weeks, with the current Prime Minister and Fiji First leader Frank Bainimarama going head-to-head with the Sodelpa Party leader and former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. The two party leaders are bother former military commanders, who instigated coups that overthrew democratically-elected governments in 1987 and 2006.

The 2018 election campaign in Fiji has not been without drama with Mr. Rabuka summoned to police headquarters last week, in relation to comments he made on a radio talkback show while on air with Mr. Bainimarama. Mr. Rabuka is already in court over a separate matter, alleged electoral offences.

Yesterday Mr. Bainimarama made headlines when he told an Australian journalist covering the elections to go back to Australia, when the reporter asked him about media restrictions that his government imposed in Fiji through the 2010 Media Industry Development Decree.

Australias SBS News reported that Fijis current P.M. was visibly irritated when SBS News asked if he encouraged criticism during the campaign.

I think you go back to Australia. Go back to Australia and then come back to Fiji and see what life is all about in Fiji, he said.

The response of the current P.M. is probably an indication that a Fiji First-led coalition government will keep the draconian media law, if it is voted back into power. The 2010 Media Industry Development Decree has been an impediment to press freedom in Fiji and we hope the new government of Fiji  regardless of whether it is led by Fiji First or Sodelpa Party or any other party for that matter  makes it its business to remove the oppressive law and consign it to the annals of history. All the best to the people of Fiji at this critical juncture of their journey as a nation.

And further to the west, the regions largest nation Papua New Guinea (P.N.G.) is preparing to host the leaders of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (A.P.E.C.) from November 17-18 in the capital Port Moresby. The A.P.E.C. Leaders Summit this Saturday and Sunday will be the largest international conference that the country has ever hosted in its 43-year history. Chinas President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will join leaders from the other member economies at a conference hosted by what some commentators have described as the regional groupings poorest member economy.

Prime Minister Peter ONeill and senior members of his Cabinet have over the last 24 months talked about the economic benefits that would trickle into the PNG economy following its hosting of A.P.E.C. Only time will tell if the countrys hosting of this international conference  which has come at a big price to ordinary PNG citizens with millions of PNG Kina diverted away from basic services  will have a transformational effect on the lives of its 8 million people. If there are lessons to learn from PNGs hosting of conferences of this magnitude, it should not be done at the expense of delivering essential basic services to the masses.

Nonetheless, it is the start of another working week in this island paradise. Have a lovely week Samoa and God bless.Apia yesterday played host to another cruise shipthe second vessel laden with tourists to visit Samoa in five days.

The MV Seabourn Sojourn is operated by American-based luxury cruise line company Seabourn Cruise Line.

The vessel docked at the Matautu wharf yesterday morning with some of its 450 passengers disembarking to go out for sightseeing walks around Apia town.

The expedition officer on the vessel, Natasha Hanson, told the Samoa Observer that it was the ships first ever stopover in Samoa and they were happy to visit.

This cruise started in Hawaii, some guests started in Los Angeles, others came from Hawaii, and others came in from Papeete. The guests check in from different ports and the cruises final destination is in Auckland, New Zealand.

If I estimate the time frame from Papeete and ending in New Zealand that would make up 17 days out in the sea. Samoa is a unique country thus the reason behind our visit, she said.

The passengers were from various countries including the United States, England, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and France.

American couple, David and Anna Truetel, said that it was their first time in Samoa.

We are from New Orleans and we got the chance to see the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, American Samoa yesterday and now we are here in the beautiful capital of Apia.

The purpose behind our trip was not only for a holiday but also a wonderful opportunity to go out and see the world.

We also want to find inspiration on what we should do in the future, David said.

The cruise ship left Apia at 5.00 pm yesterday for Auckland, New Zealand where the cruise will end.Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi last week criticised the performance of nurses in Samoa and accused them of unprofessional behaviour. Our reporter Yolanda Lavatai in a Street Talk hears the views of members of the public and what they think of Tuilaepas criticism.





Nervin Laauli, Vaiusu, 28

I go to the hospital often and when I do go I dont have any complaints. The nurses and doctors are really good with their service. I dont know about the rest of the public but that is my opinion. Not all nurses and doctors are like what the Prime Minister says they are. A lot of them I know do care about what they do.





Faagoto Vaapuu, Aleisa, 20

I couldnt agree more with the Prime Minister. There are nurses who want to be a doctor someday but havent yet attained that status and I think they should stick to what their qualification is. Not only that but It is an issue that when people go to the hospitals, the nurses do not always tend to the patients, who are waiting for the usual medical procedures before seeing the doctor. 





Fialogo Lemi, Sataoa, 20

In a way I understand where the Prime Minister is coming from because I have seen nurses act out that way at times. Their job is not easy and I will never know the full burden of being a nurse, but you know that is what a nurse should do  assist the doctors with the patients. But believe me we are grateful for their efforts, but they really need to improve on their services and attitude.





Paletina Lauofo, Lotuanuu, 38

Honestly I have seen in the hospitals where the lobby would be full of people waiting to get assistance and get checked, but the nurses are scrolling through their phones and sitting around. When we ask for assistance they are unhappy that we have bothered them. You know, all I am saying is that the same compliance and services they would give their families should be the same for everyone else.





Leone Leota, Talimatua, 21

A lot of the nurses that I have come across dont have a good attitude. For instance, when we come into the hospital we are really ill and the last thing we need is a nurse that does not treat us nicely. There are sick people coming in and out of the hospital every day, and a lot of us just want to know if we can really count on them to do the job right.





Mauga Foe, Aleisa, 40

In my own personal opinion the nurses are doing what they can in assisting the patience and they have acquired knowledge for the job they are doing. There are people who have complaints about the nurses and the service they provide, and honestly if they have an issue, they should address it properly with the nurse responsible in the best manner.





Pua Pou, Falelauniu Tai, 43

It depends you know. Not every nurse is the same  some are really great in responding to the patients and others not so much. However, with what the Prime Minister had said, I know hes referring to the nurses that are not doing their jobs well. For them they really need to understand that people come from afar to seek their help, and how they treat people and tend to them is very important. 





Edmune Ioka, Paploloa, 35

Its true there are nurses who act like they are doctors. A nurses sole responsibility is to help the doctors, leave the doctors responsibility to the doctors. They are the ones who have the proper qualifications to do their job. What nurses could really improve on their attitude. I can tell when I go into the hospital they dont really bother to tend to some of the patients. The other thing the nurses could improve on is their service. I know that if the service is really good than everything else would be too.











For the sixth year, The Union-Tribune partnered with Philadelphia-based Energage, the employee research and culture technology firm, to determine the San Diego areas Top Workplaces based solely on employee survey feedback.

About 1,530 employers in the region were invited to take the employee survey. For 2018, 70 San Diego-area employers scored well enough to earn recognition on the Top Workplaces list.

Here are the winners.Company meetings can be the dreariest part of the workday, but some corporate executives have found the elixir needed to keep attendees awake and on point, not off on a tangent.

At Coyne & Associates, an Encinitas company treating children with autism and other disabilities, Executive Director Len Levin overhauled his traditional meeting approach after attending a business practices conference earlier this year.

Instead of a free-flowing conversation, meetings now are structured to deal with information, discussion and action items.

Instead of going around the room to ask what every employee is up to, that information is circulated by email. Now, only the information of interest to the entire company is presented.

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Discussions, rather than focused on solving some problem or structuring a project, allow for brainstorming and all attendees are encouraged to weigh in.

We as leaders try to be as quiet as possible during those topics so more of the participants will become comfortable in participating and we dont monopolize the ideas in the room, Levin said. Sometimes ideas come up that become seeds that an executive or manager can talk about later.

The action portion of allows for one more review to address any last-minute questions before a plan is adopted.

At the commercial company BB&T-John Burnham Insurance Services, President Karen Reid stresses preparation before meetings and she circulates agendas that lay out in advance what will be covered.

She typically holds day-long, annual planning meetings offsite for 15 to 20 managers to minimize in-office distractions.

With leaders we talk about how they as individuals contribute to corporate goals, she said. We separate into breakout sessions, talk about different goals and come back and share ideas and brainstorm where we can get buy-in from the team -- what are the roadblocks, what can we do to meet the goals.

Hour-long monthly meetings by managers in the sales and administrative staffs occur in the companys downtown conference room. Reid reviews the latest financial results and what needs to be adjusted.

Inevitably, some meeting attendees talk more than others and it takes a bit of subtle nudging to get the quiet ones to pipe up.

If someone is particularly quiet, I will ask them what their thoughts are around a particular subject or topic, Reid said. I try not to put somebody on the spot.

Beforehand, if someone has told her privately about some individual accomplishment, shell encourage that story be shared at the next group meeting.

On the other hand, discussions can veer off into personal stories and jokes and the meeting leader has to gently crack the whip.

OK, guys, lets get down to business here -- we have an hour, Reid will say. Its important to be respectful of everybodys time.

Levin admitted that he has often dominated meetings and now tries to back off and let others speak.

You have to ask pointed questions and dont say what I think but actively solicit other information from other people, he said.

He said he likes to schedule most meetings in the morning when fresh brains are at the table.

Levin said he tries to the conversation positive and constructive so that no one feels inhibited from speaking up.

Reid said she lightens up meetings with caught in the act awards for those who have gone out of their way to help a client. Theres also the Spirit of Burnham Award, named for the companys former chairman, Malin Burnham, whose motto is community before self.

Of course, the mouse in the room is the cellphone, which sits in front of every attendee, afraid of missing a message or an email or some news bulletin flashed on their screen. This is particularly problematic with younger staffers whose smartphones have become a virtual appendage to their brain and body.

I dont think they realize how disruptive it is to be paying attention to the phone and not to the people in the room, Reid said.

Levin said he encourages managers to serve as role models in proper cellphone etiquette. He shuts off his phone or laptop unless its needed during the meeting.

Everyone is pretty much self-trained to step out of a meeting to text or take phone calls, he said.

Related: More winners

Winners: The list of 70 winners for 2018s Top Workplaces in San Diego County.

Top-ranked large company: Sycuan Casino offers opportunity to rise from entry level to executive level

Top-ranked midsize company: Listening to resort employees is key to success at Lowes

Top-ranked small company: With plenty of perks, Smashtech finds workers who fit its culture

Leadership winner, large company  Jamie Lemon of the Rancho Bernardo Inn

Leadership winner, medium company  Kevin Gorman of Neurocrine Biosciences

Leadership winner, small company  Samer Khouli of TargetCW

Spotlight Awards: These 12 companies received special recognition for excellence in key areas

Business

Roger Showley is a freelance writer. He can be reached at (619) 787-5714 and rmshowley@yahoo.comCITY COUNCILS

ESCONDIDO

The Escondido City Council met in closed session Wednesday to discuss property negotiations. In regular session, the council introduced a resolution to amend the citys contract with the administrative board of the California Public Employees Retirement System for Escondido police and firefighters to contribute 1 percent more towards the citys pension costs. The council also reviewed its 2017-2018 Action Plan, and awarded a $687,276 contract to DBX Inc. for the Highway Safety Improvement Signals project.

OCEANSIDE

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The Oceanside City Council met in closed session Wednesday to discuss labor negotiations, litigation and property negotiations. In regular session, the council voted 3-2 to introduce an ordinance changing the zoning and permitting 47 apartment units in six buildings within the Riverview Springs complex at 4398 Ranier Way. A request by Mayor Peter Weiss and Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery to clarify the citys zoning ordinance to limit residential building heights to 27 feet in the Seaside Neighborhood was approved.

POWAY

The Poway City Council met Wednesday and approved a request to expand a veterinary clinic at 12775 Poway Road. An ordinance was introduced to change the land use designation on 39.5 acres at Scripps Poway Parkway and General Atomics Way from Industrial Park and South Poway Commercial to Light Industrial. The council also adopted a resolution amending its fee schedule for accessory dwelling units. The council then went into closed session to discuss litigation.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

BONSALL

The Bonsall Unified School District board met in closed session Thursday. The board approved a settlement with former superintendent Dr. Justin Cunningham. In regular session, Superintendent David Jones reported that bond Measure EE had probably been defeated, and that some board candidate races were too close to call at this time. The district held its second pre-map hearing on its transition to by-district elections, and the districts legal and demographer team answered questions and heard comments from four speakers. The next such hearing will be Dec. 6. The board also agreed to apply for a Johnson OMalley Grant of roughly $23,200 for 2019-2021. The grant is a federally funded program providing supplemental education for Native American students.

CARDIFF

The Cardiff School District board met Thursday and heard various reports, including on local performance indicators, the bond program, and the Measure GG expense report. Staff presented site plan updates, including a three-phase construction approach to rebuild and remodel Cardiff School, as opposed to two phases in the draft presented last April. The board then went into closed session to discuss personnel and litigation.

ENCINITAS

The Encinitas Union School District board held a special workshop Tuesday to hear the Single Plans for Student Achievement and progress updates from each of its schools.

FALLBROOK

The Fallbrook Union Elementary School District board met in closed session Monday to discuss litigation and personnel. In regular session, the board heard a presentation on the California Voting Rights Act and adopted a resolution starting the process of moving to district elections. The board approved adding three part-time Special Education Program assistants, one at Fallbrook STEM Academy and two at Maie Ellis Elementary; and approved an agreement for a free three-year program from the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation for all middle school grades. The program includes units on safety, situational awareness and suicide prevention.

The Fallbrook Union High School District board met in closed session Monday to discuss labor negotiations and litigation. In regular session, the board reviewed the districts initial contract proposals for the Fallbrook Union High School Teachers Association and received the associations proposals. The board approved a resolution to transition its trustee elections to by-district rather than at-large.

SOLANA BEACH

The Solana Beach School District board met in closed session Thursday to discuss litigation and negotiations. In regular session, the board discussed how to accommodate students in the residential areas of Pacific Highlands Ranch. The board also heard an update on the California School Dashboard, which shows various progress indicators for school districts.

laura.groch@sduniontribune.com

laura.groch@sduniontribune.comIt is morning in Sydney, Australia, and author Liane Moriarty is resting up from a United Kingdom book tour and preparing to embark on the U.S. tour that brings her to the University of San Diego on Friday.

Moriarty quite enjoys book tours. The author of Big Little Lies, What Alice Forgot and the new Nine Perfect Strangers likes how the tours give her the chance to be cheeky and social for a change. She loves meeting readers and hearing about the many ways her fictional characters have struck a real chord in their lives.

By the end of her road trips, however, she is sort of over Liane Moriarty.

After a few months, the self-loathing sets in, Moriarty said, with a bit of cheek. I do get the feeling at the end that I got drunk at a party and talked too much about myself. I prefer to listen.

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And it is the listening that makes Moriartys novels such a joy to read.

Moriarty has written seven New York Times bestsellers, three of which hit No. 1. The HBO series based on Big Little Lies won four Golden Globe Awards and eight Emmy Awards. A sequel  with Meryl Streep joining returning stars Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley  is in the works.

Readers and movie stars alike cannot get enough of Moriarty and her addictive novels, which explore the secrets of suburbia with wit, empathy and enough plot twists to have Alfred Hitchcock applauding from the grave. Moriarty also has a sharp ear for the way people of all ages and temperaments talk and a keen sense of what that talk does and does not reveal.

Her heroines are usually middle- to upper-middle class women dealing with the small indignities of suburban life (gossipy neighbors, ungrateful children) while navigating the darker chasms (abusive husbands, infertility) lurking beneath the bright, charmed surface.

Readers might be hooked by each novels central mystery  Who died in Big Little Lies? What happened at the barbecue in Truly, Madly, Guilty? What is the husband hiding in The Husbands Secret?  but its the human drama that keeps the writer coming back for more.

Anne Tyler is my favorite author of all time. I feel like she has had the biggest influence on my work, said Moriarty, who has cited Tylers The Accidental Tourist as the book that helped her realize it was possible to write absorbing fiction featuring ordinary people and their not-extraordinary problems.

I dont know if I could name a particular technique (for doing that), except to write about what I find interesting. I have never written about anyone who is purely evil. I dont know what I would say about that. I am more interested in when good people do bad things and bad people do good things. Thats what I find interesting.

All in the family

The oldest of six children, Moriarty grew up in a family that believed in the power of storytelling in a big way. Her father paid Moriarty and her siblings to write stories, which they did with entrepreneurial gusto. At one point, Liane and her sisters had their own magazine, the smartly titled Sister Scoop.

Liane considered journalism, but she went into copy writing instead. She was good at writing snappy advertisements, and she might have kept doing it, if younger sister Jaclyn hadnt gone and written a book.

Jaclyn Moriartys debut  a young-adult novel called Feeling Sorry for Celia  came out in 2000. Motivated by a bit of sisterly envy and her own long-burning love of writing, Liane promptly started working on her own book.

Lianes debut novel, Three Wishes, was published in 2003. Jaclyn continued writing novels, and sister Nicola followed suit.

Like the books that followed, Three Wishes started with a mystery. In this case, what terrible thing caused the Kettle triplets 34th birthday dinner to go off the rails in such a destructive way?

But in the process of finding out what made one Kettle sister attack another Kettle sister with a fondue fork, readers find out what readers of Liane Moriarty novels always find out. That no marriage is as perfect as it looks, no life is as enviable as it seems, and even the most hair-raising plot twist is rooted in the rich soil of your basic messy human life.

Her books are really accessible, said Julie Slavinsky, director of events for Warwicks bookstore in La Jolla, which is sponsoring Moriartys USD visit, her only California appearance.

She always has these great characters that you kind of love to hate. And there is something about that twist that she throws in. She is a master of that. She was a perennial favorite author here long before the HBO series.

In Moriartys brand new book, Nine Perfect Strangers, the usual mystery twist is replaced by an unfolding series of revelations about how her nine title characters ended up at Tranquillum House, the exclusive health resort where they have gathered to reboot their lives.

With the promise of transformation gleaming like the sun on Gwyneth Paltrows hair, these nine needy souls put themselves in the manipulative hands of Masha, a guru with a messiah complex and a strong belief in the power of smoothies.

As in Moriartys previous books, we see the story from multiple points of view. But it wasnt supposed to be that way. Moriartys original plan was to focus on Frances, a formerly bestselling romantic novelist who comes to Tranquillum House to recover from career implosion, romantic humiliation and a vicious review that threatens to scar her writers ego for life.

In the end, Moriartys love of people and their enticing piles of baggage won out, and readers end up hearing from all nine perfect strangers, and then some.

Readers keep saying I have too many characters, but I couldnt resist the opportunity to jump out of Frances head, Moriarty said. First I decided I wanted to do Masha, too, and before I knew it, I was doing it from all of their perspectives.

Its the novel that matters

So you will hear from Tony, the grump with the big chip on his burly shoulder. And from Lars, the handsome divorce lawyer with some domestic issues of his own. And from Napoleon, Heather and Zoe, a family bound by tragedy and separated by secrets.

And of course, will still hear plenty from the wise-cracking Frances. And because Frances and Moriarty are both authors of a certain age who love Bellini cocktails and hate the way writers of female-centric novels are written off as interchangeable fluff merchants, you might be think she is speaking for her creator. On the topic of soul-crushing reviews, you would be right.

Any bad review hurts, but certain reviews, you just cant get that voice out of your head for some reason, said Moriarty, who has gotten her share of raves and raspberries. I thought I should pretend that reviews dont matter, but when I wrote Frances, I wanted to be true to this character. And the truth is, some reviews do break your heart.

Readers of Nine Perfect Strangers also hear from Ben and Jessica, whose lives have been changed by a stroke of luck that comes with multiple strings attached. Thanks to the success of Big Little Lies  the best-selling book and the Emmy-winning series  Moriarty knows how your life can be upended by incredible good fortune.

Moriarty also knows herself well enough to keep her eye on what she prizes the most. She wrote a new Big Little Lies novella to give the HBO folks fodder for their sequel, but because it is not a faithful sequel to the book version  which was tweaked in multiple ways for the TV series  it isnt being published.

Hollywood may have put Moriarty in the spotlight, but it hasnt changed her focus.

Some people think I moved to Hollywood, but Im still in Sydney sitting at the computer writing stories, Moriarty said. I made a conscious decision not to let (Hollywood) influence my writing. I am aware that not all books make a good film, and I dont want that to be the ultimate goal. For me, the book is the ultimate goal. To me, what is special is what is between me and the readers. It is the novel that matters.

Liane Moriarty, in conversation with Orly Lobel

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: University of San Diegos Shiley Theatre, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego

Tickets: $31.24-$41.24, which includes one pre-signed copy of Nine Perfect Strangers. Seating is first come, first served.

Phone: (858) 454-0347

Online: warwicks.com

Twitter: @karla_peterson

karla.peterson@sduniontribune.comRetired San Diego police officer T.B. Smith, also a novelist and Shakespeare expert, created Cop World Press last year to help give those in law enforcement a literary voice.

Police are often asked for their expertise by crime writers, explained Smith, whose non-nom de plume is Tim. When I speak to writers at conferences, they ask about police work, whether they got this right or that right.

Cops have such a good background and have had interesting experiences. So, as opposed to participating in the stories of non-police writers, they can write their own stories.

In its first year, Cop World Press acquired rights to several previously published police-centered books. They include two that Smith penned: The Sticking Place and A Man of Infinite Jest, featuring a Shakespeare-quoting San Diego Police Department rookie named Luke Jones.

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Last spring, Smiths company released a brand-new novel, A Man in Heat, written by Dallas Barnes, a former Los Angeles Police Department detective.

This is the sixth novel by Barnes  a best-selling author in the 1970s and 80s  but his first in 30 years. Also successful as a TV scriptwriter, Barnes wrote episodes of several series, including Wonder Woman, T.J. Hooker and City of Passion, a three-part 1987 show based on his novel of the same name.

Barnes, who now lives in central Pennsylvania, discovered Smiths publishing endeavor through Jean Jenkins, a San Diego-based editor he had asked to go over his draft of A Man in Heat. When Barnes asked for Jenkins recommendations for possible agents for his novel, Jenkins  who also edits books for Cop World Press  suggested that Barnes contact Smith.

Jean was a key player in getting us together, Barnes recalled. She described Tims vision. I saw the venture as supporting those of us who write about cops. Tim has the mechanics to help a newer novelist who needs help learning the craft. His staff can also help them get what all writers want: published.

In a world where publishers are taking money and not giving much in return, Cop World Press and Tim are completely different.

The difference most likely lies in Smiths affection for both literature and police work. In 1978, after graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in literature, a minor in creative writing and a long-lasting love for Shakespeare, he joined the San Diego Police Department.

A couple of years later, British author James McClure accompanied Smith and his partner on ride-alongs as research for his nonfiction book Cop World: Inside an American Police Force, published in 1984.

The name of Smiths main character in his novels is no coincidence. McClures pseudonym for Smith was Luke Jones.

The rookie in Smiths novels is not far from the real-life cop McClure profiled. Smith chuckled when recounting the first time he quoted Shakespeare to fellow officers. He was in a local tavern, standing on top of the bar, reciting from Romeo and Juliet. After that, he regularly invoked the Bard while on the job.

I was somewhat notorious for it, he said. Some people liked it, others hated it.

I like great books by great writers, but Shakespeare is the most inspiring to me. He wrote 38 plays. Most people know about a dozen. In my books, I use more obscure works.

Now based in Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Smith is writing his third Luke Jones novel, The Winter of Our Discontent. The Cop World Press novel, like his first two books, is set in San Diego and has a Shakespeare-related title.

Both Smith and Barnes credit a more contemporary writer for inspiring them and other law enforcement scribes. A former Los Angeles Police Department detective, Joseph Wambaugh, now 81, has written more than 30 police-focused books, including The Onion Field, a best-seller.

There was a time when cop stories could be written by any good writer, Barnes said. They didnt have to bring a significant amount of experience. But Joe Wambaugh changed all that and opened the door for the rest of us. I continued his legacy of police officers who could write. It worked to my benefit  and Tims.

Smith believes that, in general, cops are great storytellers. But because he knows that doesnt necessarily mean they are skilled at writing, Cop World Press offers mentoring and careful collaboration.

Most traditional publishing companies say yes or no. But we say yes, if youre willing to work, Smith explained. We require a fee. Our standards are high. We have a fabulous editor in Jean Jenkins. If an author has talent, we help them bring their writing to our standards and we publish it.

Well consider fiction and nonfiction. Were not looking for pristine stories. Our main goal is to give law enforcement officers a venue to get their work out there.

A Man in Heat by Dallas Barnes; Cop World Press; 288 pages

A Fellow of Infinite Jest by T.B. Smith; Cop World Press; 250 pages (originally Hellgate Press, 2013)

Wood is a freelance writer.On Wednesday, Robin Adler and Dave Blackburn attended the second of two all-star JONI 75: A Birthday Celebration concerts at the Music Center in Los Angeles.

On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 11, the veteran San Diego husband-and-wife music team will revisit Mitchells music, but in San Diego.

They will do so in a far more intimate setting, the all-ages Dizzys, where they will be joined by former George Benson/Lee Ritenour keyboardist (and La Jolla High alum) Barnaby Finch.

Adler and Blackburn have paid tribute to Mitchell in concert here annually, since 2006, with skill and sensitivity. During that time, they have performed various Mitchell albums, live in their entirety, and havent shied away from from some of her most challenging works.

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On Sunday, they and Finch will perform Mitchells landmark 1971 album, Blue, in its entirety. They will also do some other Mitchell songs, including a few that have never been officially released.

Celebrating Joni, featuring Robin Adler, Dave Blackburn and Barnaby Finch: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Dizzys, Arias Hall (behind the Musicians Association building), 717 Morena Blvd., Bay Park. $20. (858) 270-7467. robinadler.com/calendar/

george.varga@sduniontribune.com

Twitter @georgevargaThe book was better.

Thats the typical refrain when a beloved novel is adapted into a film. Maybe its because readers become intimately aware of what the characters are thinking in a way viewers dont get to experience. Or, due to a films time limitations, the cinematic version just cant cover all the territory explored in a lushly layered book. More likely, its because Hollywood cant resist giving it the Hollywood treatment  turning deeply nuanced characters into caricatures, sexing up even the most chaste storylines or wrapping everything up with the treacliest of bows.

None of that happened with the HBOs deliciously dark Big Little Lies. The star-studded, critically acclaimed seven-part series, starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley, brought Australian author Liane Moriartys bitingly funny novel to the small screen in a way that had readers of the book weighing which version they loved more.

Both delved into the secrets and lies of everyday life and the varying horrors of domestic abuse, bullying and betrayal. But as written by TV legend David E. Kelley (L.A. Law, Ally McBeal), the award-winning HBO series was true to the main themes and spirit of the book without being a slavish, page-by-page clone. That gives fervent fans of each the best of all adaptation worlds  you dont have to choose which was superior; you can just say, theyre different.

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Here are some of the ways theyre different.

Setting

Book: The fictional Pirriwee Peninsula, Australia

Screen: Monterey Bay, Calif.

Tone

Book: Dark but funny, with a Greek chorus of side voices supplying much of the sharply worded mirth.

Screen: Pitch black and brooding, like a socked-in Monterey morning; the only levity comes via stinging one-liners from Madeline (Witherspoon).

Demographics

Book: All of the main characters except for Jane (Woodley) are well off.

Screen: All of the main characters except for Jane are insanely well off.

Portrayal of domestic violence

Book: Insidiously scary but viewed solely through the self-blaming lens of Celeste (Kidman), also somewhat less visceral on the page.

Screen: In-your-face violent and shocking, theres (thankfully) no softening on Perry (Alexander Skarsgard) being an outright monster.

(Side note: According to an interview on ELLE.com, Moriarty had only one condition when Kidman, a fellow Aussie, told her she wanted to option the film. I said to her that it was very important to me that her character doesnt just take the abuse  she hits back. That was my only stipulation. I didnt want her to be a passive pretty victim. I wanted to show how these relationships become tangled and confused.)

Extramarital affairs

Book: Renata (Laura Dern) and Harper (Kelen Coleman) find out at trivia night that their husbands had affairs with Renatas French nanny.

Screen: No French nanny revelations but Madeline has an affair with community theater director Joseph (Santiago Cabrera).

Janes torment

Book: Jane takes an active role in trying to hunt down the man who raped her years before. At one point, the reader is convinced she found him and was going to kill him.

Screen: Jane is essentially paralyzed by her PTSD-fueled fog.

The ending (spoiler alert!)

Book: Bonnie (Zoe Kravitz) did it. She confessed to the police to killing Perry and later admits she grew up in a household marred by domestic abuse.

Screen: Bonnie did it. But she doesnt confess. She, Celeste, Jane, Renata and Madeline form a bond based on their collective secret and lies. While with their kids at the beach, a still-suspicious detective observes the women from afar. What comes into focus? The basis for Season 2.

Liane Moriarty will make a stop in San Diego Friday as part of her book tour for the newly-released Nine Perfect Strangers. Below are the details.

What: Liane Moriarty, in conversation with Orly Lobel

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: University of San Diegos Shiley Theatre, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego

Tickets: $31.24-$41.24, which includes one pre-signed copy of Nine Perfect Strangers. Seating is first come, first served.

Phone: (858) 454-0347

Online: warwicks.com

The cast of Big Little Lies, celebrating the HBOs series success at the 75th Golden Globes, included Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Kravitz, Resse Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley. Season 2, based on a novella by BLL author Liane Moriarty, will air in 2019. (LUCY NICHOLSON / Reuters Photo)

michele.parente@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @sdeditgirlFirst, it was the story of religion in a scenic mountain metropolis  and maybe, to some degree, the story of any place in America confronting tensions between the secular world and communities of faith.

Then, in the middle of its creation, This Beautiful City also became the story of a scandal that rocked the rising evangelical movement  both in Colorado Springs, Colo., and across the nation  to its core.

Now, a decade later, the documentary-based, music-laced play has become a period piece, says Steven Cosson, who co-wrote This Beautiful City for his New York-based theater company, The Civilians.

But not so much in the sense of being dated. Cosson means simply that on the surface, a lot has changed since the 2008 premiere of the play, which is about to receive a 10th-anniversary production (and its San Diego premiere) at the LGBTQ-centered Diversionary Theatre in University Heights.

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For example: Despite fierce opposition by many evangelicals, marriage equality is now the law in the United States, and such discriminatory policies as the militarys dont ask dont tell have gone by the wayside.

Just last week, Colorado itself also became the first state in U.S. history to elect an openly gay candidate as governor.

And yet, says Cosson, the cultural fault lines that first informed This Beautiful City remain.

Its the same game, just being played a little bit differently. And in many ways I think it has intensified, says Cosson, a UC San Diego grad whos the longtime artistic director of The Civilians.

Certainly at the time of This Beautiful City, any sort of validation of same-sex relationships was being used as a political pawn. And I think that is certainly still the case.

Cosson mentions the rise of religious-freedom laws, which typically aim to shield those who dont want to hire or do business with gay people by defining their decisions as religious expression.

And the fault lines are seen even more intensely, he adds, in such developments as the Trump administrations apparent inclination toward narrowing the official definition of gender, a prospect that has outraged those in the transgender community and their allies.

So it seems a pretty sensible time to revisit This Beautiful City and its look at beliefs and institutions that have loomed so large not only in the fight over same-sex rights but in the larger culture wars over the past decade-plus.

Diversionary executive artistic chief Matt M. Morrow, whos directing the production, was moved to bring the play to Diversionary in part as a tribute to Michael Friedman, the much-admired composer and charter Civilians member who died from complications of HIV/AIDS at age 41 last year.

Friedman, an Obie Award-winning artist whos perhaps best-known for scoring the convention-flouting rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (which made its way to Broadway in 2010), also came to San Diegos La Jolla Playhouse in 2004 for a developmental Page to Stage production of Paris Commune, a piece he wrote with Cosson.

His music for This Beautiful City takes some cues from the Christian rock that flourishes in the communities the play explores.

Director Morrow sings the praises of This Beautiful City as a really well-balanced, unusual musical. Its sort of like Working meets The Laramie Project.

And its a really fair and balanced approach to the evangelical movement, and why people have faith and dont have faith.

Scandal erupts

This Beautiful City is based on extensive interviews that members of The Civilians conducted in Colorado Springs with a wide range of people  evangelicals, progressives, even a Celtic Wiccan.

The project started with me being interested in the subject of the religious right and their influence on politics and civic life nationally, Cosson says. And we initially tried to partner with a regional theater that was in an area with a megachurch, with the hopes we could then form a relationship with that megachurch and get access  be allowed to go in and interview people and spend time with them.

When those efforts proved challenging, Cossons co-writer, Jim Lewis  who had grown up in Colorado Springs  suggested they check out the citys burgeoning evangelical presence.

I think Colorado Springs was also the best choice because it was someplace where the evangelical churches had tried to fulfill their mission of transforming a city, says Cosson. Colorado Springs is not in the heart of the Bible Belt, and into the 1970s it wasnt a particularly religious place.

And then these national evangelical organizations moved their headquarters there. So we thought it would offer us a very interesting microcosm to tell the story of what happens when things go in the direction of what the proselytizing evangelical churches want: To transform the world according to their faith.

But Cosson and Co. couldnt have imagined just how interesting things would get.

While they were researching the piece, news broke that the pastor Ted Haggard founder of the huge New Life Church and former head of the powerful National Association of Evangelicals  had been in a sexual relationship with a male prostitute, and had been involved with drugs as well.

Haggard initially denied the allegations, but eventually admitted to indiscretions and resigned. The episode, meanwhile, unavoidably became the center of This Beautiful City  although Cosson says that because The Civilians already had been working on the project for months, the Haggard affair was contextualized within a larger story.

(It wasnt), Heres a play by a bunch of New York liberals about how an evangelical leader is a hypocrite, he says. Hopefully we teased out that the particular tensions that pulled Ted Haggards life apart are tensions that resonate through all the threads of the story.

In a sense, what wed set out to do was try to write a play about a city. And I think there ended up being a very telling parallel between the story of New Life Church trying to perfect the city of Colorado Springs, (and) a very American idea going back to the crazy Puritans who came to this country and tried to make a perfect city on a hill.

That idea got resurrected with Ronald Reagan. Its a myth we believe in. And its an impossible myth. Its one that fell apart with the Puritans. Its one that will self-destruct. And I think Ted was the living embodiment of that contradiction.

I think especially when it comes to sexuality  which is very much at the center of all the stories we tell in This Beautiful City  theres this idea that the person that you are, and the person you were born to be, could be, according to your religion, inherently wrong.

And that can mean you are constantly in this process of trying to curb aspects of desires and drives that you have. And in the case of Ted Haggard, youre working really hard to try to somehow square a contradiction thats just not going to be squared.

Its perhaps a measure of the respect The Civilians accorded to the subjects of their story that Haggard and his wife eventually came to see This Beautiful City in New York. While Cosson wasnt there when that happened, he was told later that Haggard had invited those involved with the play to have dinner with him in Colorado Springs.

I think I would say that we wanted to spend enough time in this world to have enough of a sense to tell a story that was truthful and authentic, Cosson says of how The Civilians approached the piece.

I dont think we ever talked about it as being evenhanded  in many ways the show isnt truly evenhanded. It doesnt really, from an authorial point of view, put out the idea that religious conservatives should have power and influence over society in America, or be allowed to determine codes as to how people should live.

But I think the whole point of the project was in a way to get past the rhetoric, get past what might be said by the leaders, and try to engage on a very human level with whats happening in this place  whats driving them to make the choices theyre making.

I think I would say its evenhanded in that, yes, we value the humanity of everyone in the show equally.

And I would say that as politically liberal people, that is something we are supposed to believe in.

This Beautiful City

When: In previews. Opens Nov. 17. 7 p.m. Thursdays (no performance Nov. 22); 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; plus 7 p.m. Nov. 21 and 26 (industry night). Through Dec. 9.

Where: Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights.

Tickets: $27-$55 (discounts available)

Phone: (619) 220-0097

Online: diversionary.org

jim.hebert@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @jimhebertOfficials from Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain have listened to audio recordings related to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkeys president said Saturday, in the first public acknowledgement of the existence of tapes of the slaying.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also told reporters that Saudi Arabia had to act fairly and disclose those responsible for the Oct. 2 killing of the Washington Post journalist to rid itself of suspicion.

We gave them the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to America, to the Germans, the French, to the British, to all of them, Erdogan said before departing for Paris to attend ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

They [Saudi officials] also listened to the conversations and they know. There is no need to distort this. They know for certain who among the 15 is the killer or are the killers, he said.

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He was referring to an alleged 15-member assassination squad that Turkey believes was sent to kill Khashoggi at the consulate where he had arrived to obtain papers to marry his Turkish fiancee.

CIA Director Gina Haspel, who visited Turkey last month for information on the investigation, is reported to have heard the audio recordings of the killing. The existence of the recordings was leaked to the media but never openly confirmed until now.

Turkey says Khashoggi, who was critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was strangled and dismembered at the consulate as part of a premeditated killing. Media reports have suggested that his body could have been chemically dissolved.

Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 suspects who have been detained in Saudi Arabia, so they can be put on trial in Turkey. They include the 15 members of the alleged assassination squad.

Saudi Arabia had insisted for weeks after Khashoggi disappeared that he had walked out of the consulate, before changing its account to say he died in a brawl.

Last month, Saudi Arabia acknowledged that Turkish evidence indicates that Khashoggis killing was premeditated, shifting its explanation in an apparent effort to ease international outrage over the death.

Saudi officials characterize the killing as a rogue operation carried out by Saudi agents who exceeded their authority. Yet some of those implicated in the killing are close to the crown prince, including a member of the princes entourage on foreign trips who was seen at the consulate before Khashoggis slaying.

Erdogan accused Saudi Arabias chief prosecutor, who was sent to Istanbul last month as part of a joint probe, of employing delaying tactics.

Saudi Arabia needs to accept that [the killer] is among the 18 and needs to get rid of the suspicion by responding to Turkeys goodwill and acting fairly, Erdogan said.Big boxes of beef jerky, granola bars, crackers, cookies, chocolate bars confronted some five dozen volunteers who converged on Saturday at San Diego International Airport. Their challenge: to fill 4,000 drawstring bags destined for members of the U.S. military who will be traveling during the Christmas season.

So for several hours, they formed an industrious line  retirees, elementary school students, and everything in between  who donated their time to the annual Waves of Appreciation event that thanks U.S. service men and women at a time many are flying home for the holidays.

The annual effort, now in its eighth year, is spearheaded by the San Diego alumni group from Malibu-based Pepperdine University. But it also depends on scores of volunteers from area church groups and service organizations, as well as donations from businesses that contribute the 17 snack items that make up the gift bags.

Saturdays supporters came from all over the county. Pediatrician Trish Ghosh, 49, came from Escondido with daughters Rebecca, 15, and Isabella, 10.

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Its a beautiful day, its San Diego, it was close by and we could help out, she said.

Megan Carolin, a 31-year-old preschool teacher and 2009 Pepperdine graduate, drove in from San Carlos: San Diego is such a big military town, so its important to show we appreciate them in everything they do.

Members of the Santa Fe Christian Dance Troupe perform during the Waves of Appreciation event at the USO Neil Ash Airport Center in San Diego on Saturday. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The project is done in collaboration with the United Service Organizations, a nonprofit group chartered by Congress whose facilities worldwide serve as a home-away-from home for members of the U.S. military. The event was staged outside the USO San Diego Neil Ash Airport Center, which each year sees some 120,000 traveling members of the U.S. armed services.

The first Waves of Appreciation event took place in 2011 after Pepperdine parent Reed Reichert contacted USO staff as he searched for a project that could benefit the military.

Our message was one of respect and love for our military, and respect and love for the great things that the USO does, Reichert said.

The gift bags come in handy during the holiday season, said Sgt. Maj. Bobby Woods, director of the airport center, as purchasing food at the airport or during flights can be especially costly for young service members.

Inside the center, 18-year-old Jonathan Sandoval sat with his family after completing boot camp at Camp Pendleton. He was preparing for a few days back home outside Peoria, Ill., before returning for training in the Infantry Training Batallion. A gift bag, he said, would be in my mind, kind of like Christmas.

The bags will be distributed to traveling service members who pass through the San Diego International Airport between Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 22.

Volunteer Ken Stephens, who passed out bags last Christmas, said participating was a rewarding experience.

You think about the people that are sacrificing so much, said Stephens, 60, the father of a Pepperdine graduate. Its a wonderful opportunity to stop for a moment, celebrate the holidays, and say, Thank you for what you do. 

To volunteer in passing out bags this December, go to the Waves of Appreciation website at www.wavesofappreciation.org.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibbleAt the 32nd annual San Diego Veterans Day Parade, it was easy to get a picture of the regions military presence.

That portrait includes John Pernicano, 91, playing Youre a Grand Old Flag on his harmonica. Like his eight older siblings, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Its quite an honor for me to be here, he said. Im representing my eight brothers.

Another part of this mosaic: Kinyatta Cooper, a U.S. Navy senior chief riding an 1800 Honda Goldwing with Oceansides Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, a tribute to the post-Civil War African-American cavalry units.

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Its always good to give back, Cooper said.

Then there was Blanca Rodriguez, a former Army supply specialist who mustered out in 2017. Its an honor to see all these veterans who have served, she said, past and present.

The 11 a.m. parade, which moved down Harbor Drive from Waterfront Park to Seaport Village, was like any other. Music filled the air  the Marine Corps Band from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot delivered a stirring rendition of John Philip Sousas Semper Fidelis  and dignitaries rolled by in sleek roadsters like Steve Moxleys 2015 deep impact blue Mustang convertible.

On a deeper level, though, the parade was unique. The largest Veterans Day procession in the nation, it illustrated the depth and breadth of San Diegos ties to the military.

This is one of the greatest expressions of diversity in this county, said Jack Harkins, president of the parades sponsoring group, Veterans Week San Diego. We are proud of having that kind of support from across the community.

On this sunny fall day, the honorees included Pearl Harbor survivors, retired and active duty submariners, recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross, battle-scarred survivors of battles in Europe and the Pacific, Korea and Vietnam. The Paralyzed Veterans of America were there, as were the Veterans Jobs Project, the San Diego Veterans Coalition, the San Diego Veterans for Peace, and, beneath a fluttering rainbow banner, San Diego Prides Military Department.

Large units, small contingents, young privates and old admirals, all were warmly received by the estimated 30,000 lining the bayside route.

Now, people stand up and salute us, said Jim Brown, 73, an artillery lieutenant in Vietnam who later became president of San Diego Veterans for Peace. It wasnt always like that.

On a grassy patch near the USS Midway Museum, Browns group had set up the Hometown Arlington West Memorial. Each of the 320 Southern Californians who have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars was marked with a temporary headstone.

His chapter is about 100 strong, most of them combat veterans. We all agree that most of these wars dont work, Brown said.

Despite this groups message and the presence of the occasional politician  Assemblyman Todd Gloria took a victory lap here, after winning re-election Tuesday  overt political messages were rare. There was an implied message, though: support the men and women in our armed forces, because of theirs sacrifices on active duty, and their contributions when they come home.

Once the arrow of service has left the bow, it keeps flying  you keep serving, said Jack Lyon, the parades grand marshal and founder of Veterans Village of San Diego, a nonprofit that helps homeless veterans find jobs, housing and purpose. Veterans know that the way to have buoyancy in your life is to be of service to others.November 10, 1888 The San Diego Union

The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year.

Saturday, November 10, 1888

In 1888 a series of grisly murders of women in Londons impoverished East End terrorized the city and captured the imagination of the public in a way that few crimes have.

On Aug. 31, 1888, the body of Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols was discovered at the end of Bucks Row, a dirty cobblestone street in the Whitechapel district of London.

Newspapers worldwide picked up the sensational story of the murders in Whitechapel and a killer dubbed, "Jack the Ripper."

"Several murders of the most appalling nature have taken place in Whitechapel within the past two months, The Union reported on Oct. 2, all of them having been committed on the person of poor women. The police are completely baffled. Bodies are found, dissected with some rude skill and mutilated in grotesque and horrifying forms. In many cases not more than five minutes could have elapsed between the murder and the discovery, and may of the crimes have been done by daylight and in the streets.

By the time the last victim, Mary Jane Kelly, was killed on Nov. 8, 1888, the slaying was front page news in The San Diego Union, nearly half a world away.

Then the killings simply stopped.

No one was ever convicted, and the identity of the murderer has remained one of history's more tantalizing mysteries.

Here are the first few paragraphs of the story:

WHITECHAPEL.

Another Woman Horribly Mutilated in London.

[Western Associated Press Dispatches.]

LONDON, Nov. 9.  Another horrible murder in the East End, of a womans body hacked and cut into pieces, was reported this morning in Dorset street. The police are endeavoring to track the murderer with bloodhounds. This is the ninth in the series of woman murders, all of the frail class. She was killed in her own room. The rigid patrol of the district has somewhat relaxed, owing to the demand for extra police to keep order during the Lord Mayors parade. The body was shockingly mutilated.

The murdered woman told a companion lat evening that she was without money and would commit suicide if she did not obtain a supply. It has been learned that a man, respectable dressed, accosted the victim and offered her money. They went to her lodging. No noise was heard during the night, and nothing was known of the murder until the landlady went to the room early this morning to ask for her rent. The first thing she saw on entering the room was the womans breasts and viscera lying on the table.

View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories.November 11, 1918 The San Diego Union

The San Diego Union-Tribune will mark its 150th anniversary in 2018 by presenting a significant front page from the archives each day throughout the year.

Monday, November 11, 1918

In 1918 the Allies and Germany signed an armistice to end fighting in the World War. The guns on the battlefields of Europe were finally silenced at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918  the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year.

In honor and recognition of the veterans of World War I and veterans of wars thereafter, the nation now celebrates Veterans Day every Nov. 11.

Here are the first few paragraphs of the story:

WORLD WAR ENDS

(Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.---The world war will end this morning at 6 oclock Washington time. The armistice was signed by the German representatives at midnight. The announcement was made by the State Department at 2:50 oclock this morning.

The announcement was made verbally by an official of the state department in this form:

The armistice has been signed. It was signed at 5 oclock a.m. Paris time and hostilities will cease at 11 oclock this morning, Paris time.

The terms of the armistice, it was announced, will not be made public until later. Military men here regard it as certain that they will include:

Immediate retirement of the German military forces from France, Belgium and Alsace-Lorraine.

Disarming and demobilization of the German armies.

Occupation by the Allied and American forces of strategic points in Germany as will make impossible a renewal of hostilities.

Delivery of part of the German high seas fleet and a certain number of submarines to the Allied naval forces.

Disarmament of all other German warships under supervision of the Allied and American navies, which will guard them.

Occupation of the principal naval bases by sea forces of the victorious nations.

Release Allied and American soldiers, sailors and civilians held prisoner by Germany without such reciprocal action by the associated governments.

There was no information as to the circumstances under which the armistice was signed, but since the German courier did not reach German military headquarters until 10 oclock yesterday morning, French time, it was generally assumed here that the German envoys within the French lines had been instructed by wireless to sign the terms.

Forty-seven hours had been necessary for the courier to reach German headquarters and unquestionably several hours were necessary for the examination of the terms and a decision. It was regarded as possible, however, that the decision may have been made at Berlin and instructions transmitted from there by the new German government.

Germany has been given until 11 oclock this morning, French time, t oclock Washington time, to accept. So hostilities will end at the hours set by Marshal Foch for a decision by Germany for peace or for continuation of the war.

The momentous news that the armistice had been signed was telephoned to the White House for transmission to the president a few minutes before it was given to the newspaper correspondents. Later it was said that there would be no statement from the White house at this time. The armistice therms signed by Germany under which hostilities will end at 6 oclock this morning, Washington time, 11 oclock Paris time, will not be made public by the state department before 8 oclock this morning. This was stated officially.

This story behind the World War Ends headline appeared in the next days Union:

UNION GAVE NEWS TO CITY AT 3 A.M. AND IN A FEW MINUTES CELEBRATION BEGUN

The whirr of The Union-Tribune press at 3 oclock yesterday morning started the big celebration. It was press time with but a few gathered at the window above. After a few papers had been whirled off, the press was stopped, and the big type World War Ends could be plainly seen from above.

Give me a paper, quick, an individual called down.

He was informed it was contrary to the rules under the circumstances, the pressmen not being part of the circulation department.

Oh, have a heart, he pleaded.

He got a paper.

In a few minutes the boys were out on the streets and a noise was started that gradually assumed the proportions of a tumult and was at its height between 5 and 6 oclock. There were all sorts of noises between 3 and 4 oclock, whistles, shooting, auto honking and all manner of blasts.

An impromptu parade at 4 oclock and with about 500 in line, headed by a snare drum and two bass drums, first marched to in front of The Union building, and after singing Hail, Hail, the Gangs All Here, wended its way along the downtown streets.

The big news was thus given to the city.

View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories.The caravans of Central Americans currently traveling northward through Mexico are but the tip of the iceberg of a massive and unseen flow of migrants at Mexicos southern border from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, said a high-ranking appointee in the incoming administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The caravans are not the problem, said Tonatiuh Guillen Lopez, who will take over as head of Mexicos National Migration Institute, known as INAMI, when the new administration takes office on Dec. 1. The issue is the movements we do not see, those who are not in the caravan, that is the big issue.

President Donald Trump, angered by the thousands of Central Americans making their way in large caravans to the U.S. border, has been pushing Mexico to step up enforcement efforts. But Mexicos incoming president is championing a different approach: to invest in impoverished areas of Central America and southern Mexico so that people dont feel forced to leave.

The central question is what is being done so that people have opportunities at home, Guillen said in an interview last week in Tijuana. You cant manage these movements if at the same time you dont have a development program, these have to go hand in hand.

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The caravans have put the spotlight on the rising numbers of Central Americans who are fleeing communities that are beset by poverty and rampant violence.

If we dont come up with development initiatives based on international cooperation, and we dont confront the problem of Honduras and its crisis, were going to have the same cycle, each time more amplified, Guillen said.

The numbers are reaching levels not seen for more than a decade, said Ernesto Rodriguez Chavez, a migration scholar at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, a government-funded think tank with offices along the northern border and Mexico City.

His estimates put the current annual flow of undocumented crossings from Central America to the United States through Mexico at between 350,000 and 400,000; the calculations consider crossings, rather than people, as some individuals may cross more than once. Much of the traffic takes place out of sight, at night, in smaller flows, Rodriguez said, to escape the attention of Mexican migration authorities.

Rodriguez said that compared with the earlier flows, the current exodus includes a rise in the proportion of women and particularly children, though male migrants continue to make up the largest proportion of those attempting to reach the United States.

Many dont make it to the U.S. border, as Mexican authorities detain tens of thousands each year. INAMI reported from January through September 2018 nearly 80,000 deportations from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, with close to half from Honduras.

Still, the hardening of the U.S. border means that growing numbers of Central Americans are opting to stay in Mexico, and this poses a challenge for Mexicos new president, who has vowed to respect human rights and promote social welfare.

Mexico has always seen itself as a transit country and not a receiving country for migrants, said Eric Olson, a senior adviser at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C. But the reality seems that more and more Central Americans are settling in Mexico. What kind of policy is Mexico going to adopt to make sure that those people settling in Mexico are going to receive the protections they deserve?

As he prepares to assume the presidency, Lopez Obrador has said he will offer work permits to Central Americans in Mexico, and is asking the collaboration of the United States and Canada to invest in southern Mexico and Central America as a means to stem migration.

This is not a problem that can be confronted only with the use of force, with coercive measures, human rights must be guaranteed, he said last month during a stop in Chiapas.

Lopez Obradors approach of investing in the communities that so many are fleeing is the right long-term approach to stop out-migration, but its unlikely to have much effect in the short-term, said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

With the Trump administrations pressure to immediately stop the northbound flow, and Lopez Obradors focus on getting to the root causes, the path forward will not be easy.

Trump has pressed for Mexico to accept a safe third country agreement to require asylum seekers who are transiting through Mexico to apply there rather than the United States, but the incoming Mexican administration has signaled no interested in such an accord.

Mexico would have no reason to do this, Guillen said. We all need to share responsibility. Mexico already is receiving large numbers of Central Americans and the main issue is that we need to move forward in a regional approach.

Tonatiuh Guillen Lopez has been named to lead Mexicos National Migration Institute starting Dec. 1 under the next president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. (Colegio de la Frontera Norte)

Guillen will be one of a handful of players involved in crafting and carrying out the incoming administrations immigration policies. His agency is staffed by 5,800 employees who carry out a wide range of roles  from citizenship services to migrant protection to border enforcement.

An academic, Guillen brings a different profile to an agency whose leadership in recent years has come from the intelligence and law enforcement communities, and has been criticized by human rights groups and migrant advocates for its opaque bureaucracy that fostered corruption and abuses against migrants.

Guillen has spoken out against the use of force last month by Mexican Federal Police at the southern border against members of the first Central American caravan who were pushing through, calling it a serious error.

INAMI, has not been as professional an agency as it needs to be, and its just a basic institutional challenge in creating a modern immigration agency out of what has been a second thought for the Mexican government, Selee said.

As Mexico increasingly becomes a destination for Central American migrants, this implies changes in the regulations, and above all in the operations of Mexicos immigration agency, said Rodriguez of the Colegio de la Frontera Norte.

A social scientist by training, Guillen has specialized in the study of public administration and for many years was based in Tijuana, where he rose to become president of the Colegio de la Frontera Norte. When his term ended last year, he transferred to a public research center in Mexico City, Centro Geo, heading up an ambitious project involving 91 researchers and 36 subject areas focused on Mexicos southern border.

Mexicos border with Guatemala has ceased to be a traditional border, one mostly involving the mobility of indigenous groups, small transactions and economies mainly tied to Guatemala, he said.

The cross-border labor market is enormous...this is not just a labor market, but about many other things, culture, social structure, services, he said. An economy grows, commerce grows, and youve created a region, the Mexico-Guatemala region.

The new administration is also thinking beyond the southern border, envisioning development programs in areas of Central America that many have been fleeing  programs that could be supported by a coalition of countries, including Mexico, the United States, Canada and members of the European community.

While the vision is toward large long-term solutions, Guillen said the first step can be through pilot projects in the emigrating communities.

We can start with five in Honduras, and two in Guatemala and El Salvador, he said. We have to start, and if we dont, were going to continue to have these problems, but worse.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibbleA forecast that includes several days of gusting Santa Ana winds has fire officials worried about the possible spread of the 85,500-acre Woolsey fire straddling Ventura and Los Angeles counties, officials said Sunday.

The blaze, which has claimed two lives and forced more than 250,000 people from Malibu to Thousand Oaks to evacuate, was 15% contained as of Sunday night.

But expected wind gusts of 40 mph or stronger over the next several days have officials concerned the fire could spread in a quick and unprecedented fashion, and they urged residents who were sheltering in place to evacuate immediately.

Maybe 10 or 20 years ago you stayed in your homes when there was a fire and you were able to protect them, Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said. Were entering a new normal. Things are not the way they were 10 years ago.

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Shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, a mandatory evacuation was issued for the entire city of Calabasas at the western end of the San Fernando Valley near the Ventura County line, as the winds continued to kick up.

The fire has destroyed more than 177 buildings, and about 57,000 structures are still threatened, officials said. But footage from television helicopters seemed to show much more widespread property damage, and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby acknowledged the number of structures lost will increase once damage-assessment teams can better survey the area.

Osby and other fire officials remained focused on the potential for wind gusts to suddenly change the direction and behavior of the fire. Throughout the day, Osby said, firefighters had to battle flare-ups near Bell Canyon and the Pacific Coast Highway, and although they were able to keep spot fires from growing too large, there is still a fear that a rogue ember could get beyond containment lines.

Sources: National Weather Service, Cal Fire, Nextzen, OpenStreetMap (Los Angeles Times)

The coming wind gusts could also severely reduce the effectiveness of aerial water and retardant drops, leaving firefighters to battle the flames solely from the ground, officials said.

Several parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties  including Malibu, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Hidden Hills, and sections of West Hills, Monte Nido, Gated Oaks and Topanga  remained under voluntary or mandatory evacuation order Sunday, officials said.

Fire officials repeatedly emphasized that residents who had insisted on sheltering in place, specifically those in Topanga Canyon, needed to evacuate immediately. Their presence, officials said, was interfering with firefighter operations.

Evacuation orders in some parts of Ventura County, including Camarillo Springs and sections of Newbury Park, have been lifted, said Sgt. Eric Buschow, a Ventura County Sheriffs Office spokesman. Homes were also being threatened early Sunday in the West Hills neighborhood at the western edge of the San Fernando Valley.

Wildfires across California have scorched nearly 200,000 acres and killed 31 people in total in recent days, according to fire officials. The Camp fire in Butte County has left at least 29people dead and all but destroyed the city of Paradise.

With destructive fires burning in both the northern and southern parts of the state, Gov. Jerry Brown requested a presidential disaster declaration early Sunday.

We have the best firefighters and first responders in the country working in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable. Were putting everything weve got into the fight against these fires, and this request ensures communities on the front lines get additional federal aid, Brown said in a statement. To those who have lost friends and family members, homes and businesses, know that the entire state is with you. As Californians, we are strong and resilient, and together we will recover.

Two fatalities were reported Friday afternoon in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway in Malibu, according to L.A. County sheriffs officials. The bodies of two people were severely burned inside of a stopped vehicle located on a long residential driveway, authorities said. On Sunday, investigators said they believed the driver had become disoriented while trying to flee the fire and the vehicle was overtaken by flames.

Malibu City Councilman Jefferson Wagner also suffered serious injuries while trying to protect his home from the fire, said another city councilman, Skylar Peak.

Wagner was hospitalized with injuries related to smoke inhalation sometime Friday after he ignored an evacuation order and tried to fend off flames at a house he owned on Old Chimney Road in in Latigo Canyon, Peak said.

Peak said Wagners wife told him late Saturday night that the well-known surf shop owner was in an intensive care unit at a hospital, but he is expected to survive. Wagners house was destroyed, Peak said.

Several firefighters have also suffered minor injuries, Osby said.

On Sunday morning, Pepperdine University announced it would cancel classes and events on its Malibu and Calabasas campuses through Nov. 26. About 3,600 students have been sheltering in place at the universitys beachside campus, officials said.

From Saturday night into Sunday morning, firefighters were able to increase containment and battle hot spots flaring up in several areas, Osby said.

But with strong wind gusts forecast through Tuesday, Osby said he is concerned that the fire could prove much more dangerous in the days ahead.

Theres a lot of fuel that has not burned, Osby said, repeating others warnings to evacuate. Your home can be rebuilt. We cant bring your life back.

On Sunday evening, a standing-room only crowd of more than 300, mostly people who had to abandon their homes, packed an auditorium at Taft Charter High School in Woodland Hills.

The mood was polite, even grateful  with a prolonged standing ovation for the firefighters and police officers battling to save their homes.

But the weariness was obvious. After several days almost everyone was tired of staying in hotels, bunking in tight quarters with relatives or simply sleeping in their cars wherever they can find a safe place to park.

A groan went up about 40 minutes into the meeting when fire officials announced a mandatory evacuation of Calabasas.

Frankie Palmer, of Malibu, stood in the back of the room surveying the packed auditorium.

She fled her Point Dume home with her family and their two dogs, but she knows shes luckier than so many of the people sitting in front of her.

Her house is safe and shes been able to stay, relatively comfortably, with nearby family.

Were so fortunate that were safe and we dont have to worry about hotel bills, Palmer said, I know not everyone has been so lucky.

Early Sunday afternoon, L.A. County Fire Engineer Scott Pishe and other firefighters stood guard outside several multimillion-dollar homes on Malibu Crest Drive as air tankers and helicopters bombarded the slopes of Malibu Canyon with fire retardant and water.

Earlier in the day, flames had tried to make a run into a chute formed by the canyon, but the air attack had succeeded in keeping the fire at bay.

If it had gotten into that chute, we wouldve been in trouble, Pishe said. All of that is because of the birds. The aircraft assault has been nonstop.

In Bell Canyon, fire crews raced through the intersection of Bell Canyon Road and Valley Circle late Sunday morning to stamp out hot spots that flared up at the base of the road as reinvigorated Santa Ana winds began to blow.

A crowd of about 30 people stood at the corner, their cellphones out recording video and taking photos as firefighters hiked up the hillside beneath a cloud of thick smoke.

The crews, shouting instructions above the roar of a helicopter and sirens, trained their hoses on a palm tree as it erupted in flames. Bone-dry brush quickly caught fire like tinder, setting off a front of flames that inched toward a home at the top of a ridge.

Like an evil game of whack-a-mole, firefighters would extinguish one hot spot only to have another ignite.

Richard Levy, 62, president of the Bell Canyon community services district, mingled with other residents observing the battle. He estimated that about 35 houses had burned in his neighborhood.

I took a couple who had just moved in in June to see their house, he said. A 5,600-square-foot house, and there was nothing left. It was traumatic for them. The wife cried.

When the wildfire had first arrived in the neighborhood, Levy said he and the president of the local homeowners association had driven around and tried to put out fires on their own with garden hoses and whatever else was available. He recalled saving one house but then having to watch helplessly as the house next door ignited.

As he spoke, the crowd of onlookers erupted in cheers and applause as a helicopter dropped water on the ridge above.

Irene Shaffa, who lives across the street from Levy, said she has been staying at her business warehouse in Chatsworth with some neighbors since evacuating.

We come back every day, she said. We have nowhere to go.

Everyone who had gathered, she said, was hoping to get down the road to check on their home.

Shane Clark walked through the wreckage of his Bell Canyon home on Hitching Post Lane Sunday afternoon and sifted through the ash to salvage what he could. His mother, Joline Clark, stood and watched from the driveway as he scoured the space where the house used to stand.

Clark turned around, triumphant, and held up a large sword in the rubble with winter is coming engraved on the hilt. A Game of Thrones fan, he was happy to find a couple of pieces of memorabilia in the wreckage.

I feel gratitude that the firefighters saved as much as they could, he said. I knew the house was gone. Its certainly sad, but we will be able to rebuild.

By Sunday afternoon, Zuma Beach in Malibu had become something of a way station for Malibu residents who had been forced to evacuate their homes but didnt want to stray too far in the hopes that an evacuation order might be lifted.

About 8 a.m., Pam Whitman was walking her dog Trapper along the sands with a mask covering her face and a wooden walking stick in her right hand.

We wanted to be close to home. We have evacuated to Zuma before, said Whitman, a Realtor who has lived in Malibu for 40 years.

Whitman said she was worried about the dozens of parakeets her husband has raised in their home. The recreational vehicle she has been staying in was running low on gas, but Whitman said she doesnt want to drive out of the area as authorities will deny reentry to anyone in an evacuation zone.

The area had become a dead zone for cellphone service, and most people were without power as of Sunday morning. Nearby, the charred husks of several homes and cars could be seen along Merritt Drive above Malibu High School. One of the few things that remained intact was a metal sign reading Welcome.

For some, battling the frustration of fighting a persistent fire on difficult-to-navigate terrain was setting in. About 10:30 a.m., several Long Beach firefighters could be seen lying in the grass near the driveway of a home that had been engulfed in flames only hours earlier.

Working with a fire crew from San Gabriel, they had snuffed out the blaze, but now one of their trucks had a flat tire. One firefighter with a bushy mustache and a Long Beach State hat was slurping down an energy drink as he looked out at the smoldering canyon.

What day is it even? he asked a colleague.

james.queally@latimes.com

joel.rubin@latimes.com

benjamin.oreskes@latimes.com

jack.dolan@latimes.com

sarah.parvini@latimes.com

UPDATES:

9:25 p.m.: This story was updated with new fire figures.

6:20 p.m.: This story was updated with new information from a town hall meeting in Woodland Hills.

5:50 p.m.: This story was updated with new information from fire officials.

4:05 p.m.: This story was updated with additional comments from residents in the fire zone.

3:10 p.m.: This story was updated with more information from Malibu.

12:35 p.m.: This story was updated with additional reporting from Malibu.

11:30 a.m.: This story was updated with additional information about evacuations, injuries suffered by a Malibu city councilman and potential looting in evacuation areas.

This story first published at 10:35 a.m.A crackdown that gave homeless people in San Diego just three hours to clear tents and other items left unattended downtown was lifted last month, but residents and business owners say sidewalks and other public places still appear generally free of clutter.

Anecdotally, it doesnt seem like there has been a direct impact to our small businesses and to storefronts, said Dora McCann Guerreiro, executive director of the East Village Association.

Under a 2011 lawsuit settlement agreement, city crews had left 72-hour notices before impounding tents and other unattended items. Those notices were rolled back to just three hours in June as an incentive for homeless people to start using a new 500-bin storage center in Sherman Heights.

The storage center reached capacity on Oct. 17, triggering a return to the three-day notices.

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McCann Guerreiro said she didnt notice more tents or other items on sidewalks after the three-hour notice was lifted, and she didnt even know of the change until it came up at an Oct. 25 Business Improvement District Alliance meeting.

She thinks many people still may not know about the change, and said she doesnt suspect that homeless people will start leaving their things on sidewalks once the word spreads.

LIke McCann Guerreiro, East Village resident Jan Bourgeois hasnt seen any recent changes to the appearance of downtown sidewalks, which she said are much cleaner than they were earlier this year.

Its dramatically different, she said, adding that she believes the three-hour notices did contribute to the improvement. Bourgeois also said she would like the city to expand the storage center so more people can use it.

Attorney Scott Dreher also thinks expanding it would be a good idea and said he plans to bring it up to the judge that oversees the 2011 settlement.

In the lawsuit that led to that settlement, Dreher and the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties sued the city after cleaning crews threw away possessions left on the sidewalk by homeless people who were getting a meal inside a downtown church.

The city agreed to give 72-hour notices before impounding possessions, and Dreher agreed to amend the settlement to three hours this year on the condition that homeless people had a place to store their property.

Dreher said U.S. Magistrate Judge William Gallo had been skeptical about the change when the request went before him this year, but was willing to amend the settlement when the center opened.

With the center full and streets still largely clear of unattended items, Dreher said he plans to go back before the judge and suggest that the center expand, which would reinstate the three-hour notices.

Its good that its full because it shows people are using it, he said about the center reaching capacity. Lets open some more.

The storage center originally was proposed as a 1,000-bin facility, but concerns about how it would impact the neighborhood prompted the City Council to scale it back to 500 when approving it in March.

The City Council is not scheduled to reconsider the size of the center in any upcoming meetings, but the city has been holding regular meetings with Sherman Heights residents to hear any concerns about the facility.

Homeless advocate Michael McConnell said he also has noticed that downtown sidewalks are clearer, but isnt ready to credit the storage center or the three-hour notices.

Its a tough question, he said. I dont know if I have any great insight on that, because theres too many things happening at the same time.

McConnell said the cleaner sidewalks might be a result of homeless people moving from downtown to avoid police.

Ive been spending a lot more time outside of downtown, and I see a lot more people with shopping carts or just sitting on the sidewalks with bags of belongings or stuff on blankets, he said.

McConnell said he has seen increases in communities from City Heights to Kearny Mesa, and in a recent visit to Encinitas he recognized a man he used to see downtown.

Like Dreher, McConnell said he would like more storage centers, as well as other homeless services, open in other parts of the city rather than being concentrated downtown.

Homeless Playlist  On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939World leaders with the power to make war but a duty to preserve peace solemnly marked the end of World War Is slaughter 100 years ago at commemorations Sunday that drove home the message never again but also exposed the globes new political fault lines.

As Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and dozens of other heads of state and government listened in silence, French President Emmanuel Macron used the occasion, as its host, to sound a powerful and sobering warning about the fragility of peace and the dangers of nationalism and of nations that put themselves first, above the collective good.

The old demons are rising again, ready to complete their task of chaos and of death, Macron said.

Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism, he said. In saying Our interests first, whatever happens to the others, you erase the most precious thing a nation can have, that which makes it live, that which causes it to be great and that which is most important: Its moral values.

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President Trump is backdropped by headstones as he prepares to speak during an American Commemoration Ceremony on Nov. 11, 2018, at Suresnes American Cemetery near Paris. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP)

Trump, ostensibly the main target of Macrons message, sat stony-faced. The American president has proudly declared himself a nationalist. But if Trump felt singled out by Macrons remarks, he didnt show it. He later described the commemoration as very beautiful.

As well as spelling out the horrific costs of conflict to those with arsenals capable of waging a World War III, the ceremony also served up a joyful reminder of the intense sweetness of peace, when high school students read from letters that soldiers and civilians wrote 100 years ago when guns finally fell silent on the Western Front.

Brought alive again by people too young to have known global war themselves, the ghostly voices seemed collectively to say: Please, do not make our mistakes.

I only hope the soldiers who died for this cause are looking down upon the world today, American soldier Capt. Charles S. Normington wrote on Nov. 11, 1918, in one of the letters. The whole world owes this moment of real joy to the heroes who are not here to help enjoy it.

The Paris weather  gray and damp  seemed aptly fitting when remembering a war fought in mud and relentless horror.

The commemorations started late, overshooting the centenary of the exact moment when, 100 years earlier at 11 a.m., an eerie silence replaced the thunder of war on the front lines. Macron recalled that 1 billion shells fell on France alone from 1914-1918 .

As bells marking the armistice hour rang across Paris and in many nations ravaged by the four years of carnage, Macron and other leaders were still on their way to the centennial site at the Arc de Triomphe.

Under a sea of black umbrellas, a line of leaders led by Macron and his wife, Brigitte, marched in silence on the cobbles of the Champs-Elysees, after dismounting from their buses.

Trump arrived separately, in a motorcade that drove past three topless protesters with anti-war slogans on their chests who somehow got through the rows of security and were quickly bundled away by police. The Femen group claimed responsibility. French authorities said the three women faced charges of sexual exhibitionism. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited security protocols for the presidential motorcades solo trip down the grand flag-lined avenue, which was closed to traffic.

Last to arrive was the Russian president, Putin, who shook Trumps hand and flashed him a thumbs-up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was positioned in pride of place between Trump and Macron, an eloquent symbol of victors and vanquished now standing together, shoulder to shoulder. Overhead, fighter jets ripped through the sky, trailing red, white and blue smoke in homage to the French flag.

The geographical spread of the more than 60 heads of state and government who attended, silent and reflective, showed how the war to end all wars left few corners of the earth untouched but which, little more than two decades later, was followed so quickly and catastrophically by the even deadlier World War II.

On the other side of the globe, Australia and New Zealand held ceremonies to recall how the war killed and wounded soldiers and civilians in unprecedented numbers and in gruesome new, mechanized ways.

Those countries lost tens of thousands of soldiers far away in Europe and, most memorably in the 1915 battle of Gallipoli, in Turkey. In central London, Britains Queen Elizabeth II, clad in black, watched from a balcony as her son Prince Charles laid a wreath on her behalf at the foot of the Cenotaph memorial that honors the fallen. Britain had 880,000 military dead in the war.

The gulf between Trumps America First credo and European leaders was starkly underscored again later Sunday, when Trump went his own way.

He visited an American cemetery outside Paris at precisely the moment that Macron, Merkel and other dignitaries were opening a peace forum where the French leader again sounded the alarm about crumbling international harmony as he ruminated about the legacy of the mornings commemorations.

Will it be the shining symbol of durable peace between nations or will it be a picture of a last moment of unity before the world goes down in new disorder? Macron asked. It depends only on us.

While praising France for a wonderful two days, Trump described his rainy stop at the American cemetery at Suresnes as the highlight of the trip.

On Saturday, Trump drew criticism for canceling a separate commemorative visit to theBelleau Wood battleground northeast of Paris because of rain.

Remembered for brutal trench warfare and the first use of chemical weapons, WWI pitted the armies of France, the British empire, Russia and the U.S. against a German-led coalition that included the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires. Almost 10 million soldiers died, sometimes tens of thousands on a single day.

The U.S. came late to the war, in April 1917, but over 1 years it became a key player and tipped the scales for the allies. At the wars end, the U.S. had 2 million troops in Europe and another 2 million ready to cross the Atlantic if needed, a force that turned the United States into a major military power whose soldiers then fought and died again for Europe in World War II.

Even though Germany was at the heart of provoking two world wars over the past century, the nation has become a beacon of European and international cooperation since.

With so many leaders in Paris, the commemoration also provoked a flurry of diplomacy on the sidelines, with conflict in Yemen and Syria among the hot-button issues.

On Sunday, Merkel met with the head of the United Nations, an organization born from the ashes of World War II, and the president of Serbia. It was a Serb teenager, Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated the Austro-Hungarian crown prince in Sarajevo in 1914 to set off events which led to the outbreak of war.

Associated Press writers Angela Charlton, Sylvie Corbet, Elaine Ganley and Thomas Adamson contributed to this report.A fire that heavily damaged a community activist organizations Chula Vista office was being investigated on Saturday as suspicious, authorities said.

The blaze was reported about 11:50 p.m. Friday at the H Street office of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action.

Police said boxes of T-shirts inside burned, and the office interior was heavily damaged.

The cause of the fire wasnt immediately known, but Chula Vista police Lt. Gino Grippo said it appeared suspicious enough for police to work with fire investigators.

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A website for the alliance described the statewide grass roots organization as being focused on issues including worker justice, housing and equitable neighborhood investment. The group supported the Proposition 10 initiative for rent control at the local level, but it failed at the ballot box on Tuesday.

pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @pdrepardA motorcyclist died after he was ejected over the side of a transition road near La Jolla early Sunday, a California Highway Patrol sergeant said.

Officers believe the rider was on the north Interstate 5 transition to west state Route 52, also called La Jolla Parkway, when the crash happened about 1:10 a.m., CHP Sgt. Brent Lowry told OnScene TV.

Officers located the wrecked motorcycle on the ramp. The rider was later found on the freeway below.

The motorcyclist may have been travelling at a fast rate of speed when he crashed in the transitions curve, witnesses told investigators. The rider died before he could be taken to a hospital, Lowry said.

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His name and age were not released pending notification of family.

Twitter: @LAWinkley

(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.comA domestic violence suspect held off San Diego police with one of their own pepper-ball guns while holed up in a Clairemont apartment Saturday night.

The 90-minute standoff ended when officers told him theyd leave if he would just toss their weapon outside. He did so, and quickly locked his door again, police said.

Officers went to the apartment complex at Diane Avenue and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard about 5:25 p.m. to investigate a report of domestic violence, police Lt. Brent Williams said.

A man there was reported to have violated a temporary restraining order and threatened to hurt himself. A woman got out of the apartment safely.

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Officers went into the apartment, but apparently felt threatened in some way and quickly retreated, police said. One officer dropped a pepper-ball launching gun inside. A police flashlight also was dropped.

The man refused for some time to come out and a SWAT team was going to be called in. However, authorities requested a less heavy response from an emergency response team and the apartment was surrounded by officers. Roadways near the complex were blocked off.

They made several attempts using a public address system to persuade the man to come out and he was seen peering out of windows and a glass door over the next hour.

Shortly before 7 p.m., police said the man asked them what would happen if he gave up the pepper-ball gun. Officers who were negotiating with him were told to tell him police would leave if they got the gun back. Moments later, he opened a door, tossed out the gun and locked himself back inside.

They found their missing flashlight on his front door mat, too.

By 7:30 p.m., police were planning to leave the apartment complex.

pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @pdrepardSheriffs officials warned San Diego County residents this week to stay alert for phone scams in which the caller claims to be a sheriffs deputy and solicits a payment in exchange for making a fictitious arrest warrant go away.

Such calls have targeted residents recently in Poway and the surrounding areas, sheriffs Lt. Christopher Collier said.

These incidents involve unknown persons representing themselves as members of the Sheriffs Department, and claiming the person they have called has a warrant for their arrest, or somehow otherwise owes money to either the County of San Diego or the Sheriffs Department, Collier said in a statement.

Sometimes the scammers provide the targeted individual with a real callback number from the Sheriffs Department, and in the past have actually used the names of real department employees, Collier said.

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In an effort to appear legitimate, the scammers sometimes request a meeting in the parking lot of a government building or a sheriffs substation, the lieutenant said.

Collier reminded residents that no employees of the Sheriffs Department or county will ever call a resident and solicit payments in exchange for taking care of an arrest warrant.

Nor would any employees ever try to arrange a meeting to allow the payment to be made, Collier said.

The lieutenant urged residents to immediately hang up the phone if they receive a call from a person claiming to be a Sheriffs Department employee and soliciting a payment.

Collier said this and other such scams should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov.

If someone falls victim to a scam, believes a crime has been committed and lives within Sheriffs Department jurisdiction, theyre asked to call the Department at (858) 565-5200. Victims who live in other cities and believe a crime has been committed should contact their local law enforcement agency.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.comRep. Dana Rohrabacher has lost the congressional seat he held for 30 years in one of the most conservative stretches of Orange County, a stunning defeat for the GOP as other Republicans early leads receded in the latest ballot counts, putting the party in fear of losing all six tightly contested House races in California.

The defeat to Democrat real estate entrepreneur Harley Rouda represents a landmark shift away from the GOP for suburban America. No county  no part of a county  has been at the heart of conservatism since the 1960s like the coast between Dana Point and the Los Angeles County line.

This was John Wayne country.

Even now Republicans have a 10-point voter registration advantage in Rohrabachers 48th Congressional District  but President Trump and his supporters in Congress do not.

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The loss was projected Saturday night by the Associated Press. Dale Neugebauer, a spokesman for Rohrabacher, noted that there were more ballots to be tallied and the campaign would not have an official statement until the count was complete.

Rouda, a former Republican, had already declared victory Saturday morning, saying he was deeply humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve.

Roudas win came after two decades of erosion in the Republican base and at a time when Rohrabachers ties to Russians have become more controversial.

The Russian thing was ridiculous, said Tony Quinn, demographer and California campaign analyst. That didnt help him.

Neither did his support for the president.

During the election, Rohrabacher, a speechwriter for President Reagan, doubled down on his advocacy for Trump and his hard-line immigration policies  neither of which are popular in the college-educated suburbs he represented. And his vocal support for President Vladimir Putin became a heavy liability after Russias suspected meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Few members of Congress have been as enigmatic as Rohrabacher: a Hawaiian-shirt-wearing Orange County surfer who has crusaded with equal quixotic passion for the Kremlin and federal marijuana legalization  and once took up arms with the mujahedin in Afghanistan.

He has been an avuncular presence in his district, going to Eagle Scout badge-pinning ceremonies, speaking at junior high schools, opening yacht club sailing seasons in Newport Harbor.

Rohrabacher, 71, of Costa Mesa, had not had a serious challenge to the seat until this year, when discontent with Trump ran high in the 48th.

The district became much more of an anti-Trump suburb, and he no longer connected to the people there, Quinn said. He had an opponent who was a former Republican businessman, not some wild-eyed lefty. And for at least two years, people were willing to try something new.

It is a stark change for the region once embodied by the legendary movie cowboy John Wayne  its international airports namesake  who was an ultra-right John Birch Society member and lived on the harbor in Newport Beach.

Republicans have now lost three of the six races Democrats targeted most in the state. They have fallen behind or are holding thin leads in the remaining unresolved races, as suburban voters nationwide rebuked Trump and his allies in the House of Representatives.

Democrats earlier won the seats of GOP Reps. Darrell Issa of Vista, who declined to seek reelection, and Steve Knight of Palmdale, who was ousted by Katie Hill.

On Friday, Democrat Josh Harder overtook Republican Rep. Jeff Denham in the latest tally in a Modesto-area district.

In two other races, GOP Rep. Mimi Walters, who represents the Irvine area, and Republican candidate Young Kim of Fullerton are holding thin leads over their Democratic opponents, who have gained votes with each ballot count since election night.

With the three losses, Republicans will hold, at most, 11 of Californias 53 seats in the House. Overall, Democrats are now in a position to make the greatest gains their party has seen in the chamber since Watergate.

This is more than just a bad year, said Mike Madrid, a GOP political strategist. This is essentially a realignment in California politics, and the traditional base that has served the Republican Party no longer exists.

Madrid said a clean sweep of GOP incumbents was possible. He said he expects the party to see worse results in 2020 because it didnt have leadership with the strength and the foresight to get us out of this.

Election officials could take several more weeks to tally up the final ballots. As of Saturday, 934,000 ballots remained uncounted in Los Angeles County alone.

In Orange County, 365 employees have been working 12 hours a day, six days a week, to process 365,000 uncounted ballots. Saturdays tally gave Rouda a lead of more than 8,500 over Rohrabacher.

Walters has seen her election-night lead of 6,233 votes plummet to 2,009 in her race against Democrat Katie Porter. Kims lead against Democrat Gil Cisneros has shrunk from 3,879 to 2,423 votes in a congressional district containing pieces of Orange, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Andrew Acosta, a Democratic strategist in Sacramento, called the ballot counts a slow-moving train wreck for Republicans.

I believe Mimi Walters and Young Kim are breathing a little easier, but it is not done yet, Acosta said. Count the ballots before you spike the ball.

Historically, votes tallied latest in the state have tended to skew Democratic.

Denham on Friday fell 3,362 votes behind Harder after leading the Democrat by 1 percentage point in a district spanning Stanislaus County and southern San Joaquin County. Harder called the latest results extremely encouraging.

San Joaquin County, where 91,700 ballots remain uncounted, is expected to release its next round of results on Tuesday. Stanislaus County elections officials plan to tabulate all their remaining uncounted ballots  roughly 20,000  before releasing more results.

If the trend continues, I will work every single day in Congress to put the Central Valley first, said Harder, who had volunteers from across the state pour into his district in the final days of the election to knock on doors and get out the vote.

Times staff writer Maya Sweedler contributed to this report.

So, let's get this straight: Rohrabacher & Knight are done in #CA48 & #CA25. Dems already picked up open #CA49. Denham now well behind in #CA10. Walters & Kim hanging on for dear life in #CA45 & #CA39.



This could easily turn into a six seat bloodbath for CA Republicans.  Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 10, 2018

maya.sweedler@latimes.com

Twitter: @mayasweedler

UPDATES:

9:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about Rohrabacher.

This article was originally published at 7:20 p.m.John Rogers, San Diego Comic-Con Internationals low-profile but influential president, died Saturday after a brief battle with brain cancer. He was 57.

He was never the one who was before the camera, never the one who took the credit, said his wife, Janet Tait, a fantasy and adventure writer. He made sure it was the team that got the credit.

After being elected Comic-Cons president in 1986, Rogers was credited with creating a solid financial base for the show and transforming it from an amateurish event with a small following to a world-renowned celebration of all things pop culture.

More than anyone else, said Mike Towry, part of the crew who founded this show in 1970, he made Comic-Con durable, giving it a solid business foundation so it could grow.

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Rogers worked behind the scenes, routinely ignoring interview requests from TV networks and international media outlets. He stepped into the limelight just once a year, on the final day of Comic-Con, taking fans questions and complaints in the annual talk back session.

That was doing the honorable thing, said Heidi MacDonald, founder of editor in chief of The Beat, an online publication that focuses on comics. You face the music, even if you stay quiet the rest of the year.

Those sessions could be bruising, and Tait was never comfortable seeing her husband field brickbats and the occasional bouquet.

John always felt that people deserved to be heard and deserved to be heard venting, if thats what it was, she said. And they deserved to be heard from the person at the top.

John Geoffrey Rogers was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He was an 18-month-old toddler when his parents moved to San Diego County, settling on Mount Helix. The family later moved to Del Cerro, where John attended Patrick Henry High School.

At UC San Diego, he studied computer science and began volunteering at Comic-Con, running the film program and later becoming technical coordinator. He met another undergraduate volunteer, Tait, and they started dating in 1986.

That same year he was elected president of Comic-Con, a position he held until his death. Although he was passionate about movies and science fiction novels, as president, Rogers left most programming decisions to others and focused on the shows finances.

In the late 70s and early 80s there were a lot of touch-and-go years, a lot of financial problems, Towry said. Then Rogers became president: After that, it wasnt long before Comic-Con started having such huge growth. I dont think that would have been possible without John.

Since 1982, the show has been based at the San Diego Convention Center. In meetings with the staff there, Rogers impressed many with his institutional memory and grasp of all aspect of the massive show.

He knew just about everything about Comic-Con, said Gil Cabrera, president of the Convention Center Corporation board. He had just an encyclopedic knowledge of the event and its history, and he always knew what was going on.

He was determined to improve the show, Tait said. At the time a lot of fan conventions were very amateurishly run, she said. It was, Give us your money and come see William Shatner. But he felt the fans are there and they deserve to get a really great experience for what they are paying.

In fact, tickets went on sale Saturday, a few hours after Rogers death at 2:44 a.m.

On Sept. 10, Rogers was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. A private person who loved movies, theater, travel and being in his University Heights home with Tait and their mixed-breed dog, Parker, Rogers did not widely share the news of his illness.

He is survived by his wife Janet Tait; a sister, Barbara, of Northern California; and a brother, David, of San Diego. The family suggested donations to the American Brain Tumor Association or the American Civil Liberties Union in lieu of flowers.

A memorial service is being planned.Reporter Sandra Dibble covers the Tijuana-San Diego border. This week, she looks at how Mexicos incoming president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, is approaching the issue of migration from Central America.

Q. The U.S. administration has been very much against the caravans heading towards the U.S. How is the incoming administration of Lopez Obrador preparing to grapple with this issue?

A. There are more than two weeks to go, and much can happen in this period of time. How many of these caravan members will ultimately make it to the border, and of those how many will petition for asylum or try in some way to cross? No matter how this particular situation plays out, the issue of Central Americans fleeing poverty and violence through Mexico is not going to fade away.

Lopez Obrador has been stressing human rights and respect for migrants, and has called on the U.S. government to collaborate on programs that improve conditions in Central America and southern Mexico and keep migrants in their home communities.

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Q. Historically, how has Mexico looked at migrants coming into its country?

A. Mexico has traditionally been a transit country for migrants headed to the United States, with some notable exceptions. In the 1930s, it took in tens of thousands of refugees from the Spanish Civil War. And more recently, in the late 1980s, Mexico offered refuge to some 80,000 Guatemalans fleeing a counter-insurgency war in their country.

Q. You spoke with a high-ranking official of the Lopez Obrador administration who said the caravans getting all the publicity are not the main issue. Why is that?

A. I spoke with Tonatiuh Guillen Lopez, who will be Mexicos immigration commissioner in the new administration that takes office on Dec. 1. He called the caravans the tip of the iceberg, and said the issue is much larger than a few thousand people, one that is deeply entrenched and requires addressing the root causes of this exodus of people.

Q. One gets the sense from the Trump Administration that Mexico is doing nothing to stop Central American migrants from getting to the U.S. border but that is not exactly true right?

Mexico apprehends large numbers of Central Americans and deports them to their home countries every year. From Jan. 1 through Sept. 30th, it has deported close to 80,000 undocumented Central Americans. But in addition to that, authorities believe that growing numbers of Central Americans are settling in Mexico, some undocumented, others with legal immigration status.

Q. Lopez Obrador has a plan to invest economically in Central American countries to keep people from fleeing. How is that supposed to work?

A. Mexicos answer to these large migratory flows is promoting economic development in the poorest regions of southern Mexico and Central America. He is calling on the United States and Canada to collaborate with Mexico to invest in these hard-hit regions and create conditions so that people wont feel forced to flee.

sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com

@sandradibbleGunman sought in Southeast San Diego shooting San Diego Police are seeking the shooting suspect after a 17-year-old man was hit by several bullets Friday night in the Webster/Ridgeview areaSanta Ana winds gusted more than 40 mph across inland San Diego County on Sunday, elevating the risk of wildfires in a region thats steadily slipping into drought.

A red flag fire weather warning is in effect for the coastal regions of the county, and a high wind warning is in effect for the valleys, foothills and mountains.

The warnings arent scheduled to expire until Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service issued the warnings due to the dangerous mix of Santa Ana winds, warm temperatures and extremely low relative humidity.

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Through 3 p.m. Sunday, the humidity had fallen to 14 percent at San Diego International Airport. The RH was 6 percent in Alpine and Ramona and 5 percent in Fallbrook.

Forecasters say the wind has gusted to 45 mph at Volcan Mountain, 40 mph at Campo, 36 mph at Mt. Laguna, and 36 mph at Boulevard, in far eastern San Diego County.

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November 11, 2018 De Lima refutes Guevarra's claims, maintains DOJ illegally used convicts as state witnesses vs her Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has refuted Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra's claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) did not use convicted felons as state witnesses in the trumped-up drug trade cases against her. De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, maintained that the DOJ violated the law when it admitted into the Witness Protection Program (WPP) 13 state witnesses convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude. "Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra says there are no convict State Witnesses being used against me because no convict has been discharged as such under Sec. 17, Rule 119 of the Rules of Court," she said in her Dispatch from Crame No. 418. "He seems to be ignorant that this is not the only legal provision that turns a person into a State Witness," she added. The Senator from Bicol reminded Guevarra that state witnesses are not only provided for in Section 17 Rule 119 of the Rules of Court but as well as under the Witness Protection Security and Benefits Program (WPSBP) that he himself is expected to administer as Justice Secretary. De Lima said, "Guevarra should read that specific provision in the law. It is prefaced as 'State Witness', and it provides for the circumstances, conditions, and qualifications on how one becomes a State Witness under the WPSBP." According to Sec. 10 (e) of RA 6981, criminals convicted of such crimes are not qualified to turn State Witness, she recalled. De Lima recently filed administrative and criminal complaints against former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Guevarra, the former's successor, for illegally admitting and continuing the unlawful admission, respectively, of 13 convicted felons as state witnesses against her. De Lima charged Aguirre and Guevarra before the Office of the Ombudsman 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. Aside from the said charges, De Lima also charged Guevarra with gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct for continuing the failure of the DOJ to prosecute the convicts despite their public admission of their involvement in the illegal drug trading inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). While Guevarra claimed that he has yet to see De Lima's complaint, he insisted that "no convicted person has been used as a state witness under Rule 119 against Senator Leila de Lima." On her part, De Lima maintained that Guevarra has no excuse in not knowing the status of the 13 criminal convicts as State Witnesses under his witness protection program. "His prosecutors are using them illegally as witnesses against me. His department granted them immunity illegally so they can testify against me," she said. The former justice secretary slammed Guevarra for illegally excluding the 13 convicts from the criminal charges filed against her amid their confessions of involvement to illegal drug trading. "Malinaw na hindi naman sila papayag na mag-testigo kung wala silang immunity. Ang immunity na iyan sa ilalim ng WPP Law at iba pang mga pinangako sa kanila ni dating SOJ Aguirre, bukod sa matinding pressure sa kanila, ang motibo nila sa pag-testigo laban sa akin base sa mga kasinungalingan," she said. De Lima further asked: "Kung totoong ordinary witnesses lang sila, ibig sabihin wala silang immunity, bakit hindi sila kinasuhan ng DOJ kahit malinaw na inamin nila ang pagkasangkot nila sa Bilibid drug trade? This is more than prosecutorial misconduct!" She continues to face fabricated drug charges in both Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court, Branches 205 and 206, but she has refused to enter any plea in what she considered as a sham trial based on orchestrated lies.Press Release

November 11, 2018 Renowned designer dedicates unique gown in honor of De Lima's courage Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima may be detained on trumped-up drug charges but her continued political persecution did not stop her from inspiring Filipinos here and abroad who recognize her steadfast fight for justice and human rights. Take internationally-acclaimed Filipino fashion designer Mitch Desunia who went the extra mile to honor De Lima's courage and resilience by creating a special gown dedicated to the Senator. Desunia, previously based in London, United Kingdom, presented the blue gown with black shawl/"panuelo" at the first Manila Fashion Ball which was organized for the benefit of single mothers and women suffering from domestic violence. "I made this gown for her para sa Manila Fashion Ball. This is representing her. Sinukat niya mismo ito when I visited her at Camp Crame, Custodial Center. I chose the blue color kasi yung color na ito yung favorite color niya talaga," Desunia said in an interview. "This black ribbon ('panuelo') symbolizes sadness and oppression na gliterry siya because sometimes kahit tayo ay oppressed at malungkot, we still have to put some spark in our lives," added the fashion designer. The Fashion Ball, which happened last Oct. 25 at the Manila Polo Club, Makati City, showcased Desunia's designs which were modelled mostly by Rotarians and businesswomen. Since it was not possible for De Lima to grace the event, Desunia displayed the gown she created for the Senator on stage - a gesture De Lima "appreciated." In her message read by Fr. Robert Reyes during the ball, De Lima pointed out that gender does not limit what women can be and what they can contribute to society. "We have successful women who have done exemplary works in politics, business, and in various sectors and different industries and professions. They have marked their place in history and continue to inspire people around the world with their strength, courage and leadership," she said. However, despite the rise of empowered women, De Lima lamented that many women continue to be abused and discriminated but choose to be mum about it. "Many women, unfortunately, choose to keep quiet and submissive despite the physical, emotional and psychological abuses they suffer because of threats on their lives and fear of unfair public judgment," she said. As Senator, a mother of two, a daughter, a woman, and a Filipina, De Lima vowed to never be silenced despite the prevailing culture of misogyny and discrimination against women here in the country and even abroad. "My personal and professional experience have taught me how society can be cruel and sometimes even brutal towards women. But I choose to fight and to stand up amid these very challenging times," De Lima said, adding that she will "not waver in fighting for our dreams, rights, and freedom." In these times where being a woman remains a challenge, Desunia said she hopes the event can remind women of the battle De Lima is fighting and encourage them to stand up and fight their respective battles, especially if they are fighting for what is right and just.Kiwifruit grower and marketer Seeka plans to raise about $50 million from shareholders to help fund its ongoing expansion.

The firm is offering existing investors the chance to buy one new share for every 1.5 shares held at $4.25 each. That is 25 percent less than the price the shares closed at on Friday, and a 17 percent discount on an ex-rights basis.

The rights offer is fully underwritten by First NZ Capital which is being paid 2.75 percent of the offer proceeds.

Seeka will use the capital raised to strengthen our balance sheet, repay bank debt, undertake planned capital expenditure and give us greater financial flexibility and freedom to deliver better value for our shareholders, chair Fred Hutchings said in a statement filed with NZX.

The firms shares were recently unchanged at $5.70, down about 13 percent this year.

Te Puke-based Seeka is the biggest kiwifruit producer in New Zealand and Australia. In Australia it also grows and markets nashi and pears, and in New Zealand it grows avocados and kiwiberry (like a bite-sized, smooth-skinned kiwifruit), and imports and distributes bananas.

Earlier this year, the company acquired Turners & Growers Northland horticulture business to gain scale and improve efficiencies.

Seeka said it expects to undertake about $32 million of capital expenditure during the 2019 financial year, including upgrades of its processing plants at Te Puke and Kerikeri.

From the end of next year, it wants to hold net debt at 1.5- to 2.5-times long-term maintainable earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

The company last month agreed to sell five of its Northland kiwifruit orchards to new long-term suppliers for $15.9 million. Today it said it was expecting further Northland sales over the next 12 months. This, combined with other initiatives, will help reduce debt during 2019.

The company, which also plans to introduce a grower share scheme early next year, reiterated its operating earnings guidance for the December 2018 financial year at between $24 million and $25 million.

It is picking ebitda to increase to between $27.5 million and $28.5 million in the 2019 year, assuming normal operating conditions in Australia and New Zealand and increased kiwifruit volumes.

(BusinessDesk)

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China-backed trade deal centre stage at summit as US retreats



Singapore, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2018



World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering.

Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia.

Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China.

His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment.

The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest.

Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP.



- US commitment questioned -



She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points.

The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies.

The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang.

Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant.

Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials.

"We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats. "That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration."



- Nukes, sea tension -



Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday.

She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since.

Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region.

Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade. The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP.

mba-sr/dan/amz/gle

ANZ - AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP

MARKITSmoke forces Air France-Shanghai flight to divert to Siberia



Moscow, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2018



An Air France flight carrying 282 passengers from Paris to Shanghai made an unexpected stop in Siberia on Sunday after smoke and a bitter smell filled the cabin, the company said.

No passengers were hurt and they were put up in a hotel near Irkutsk airport in eastern Siberia, Air France told AFP.

"The crew of AF116 on a Boeing 777 from Paris to Shanghai decided to divert to Irkutsk in Russia after an acrid smell and light smoke appeared on board," the French carrier told AFP.

"The flight landed normally in Irkutsk at 8:10 Paris time (0710 GMT)," it said.

Officials at the airport confirmed to Russian news agencies that no one was injured and that experts had been sent to the airport to assess the aircraft.

Air France said the flight could continue to Shanghai after technical clearance.

bur-pop/bp/achHe held a news conference in Riyadh today. Yemeni journalist asked him: How will you respond to Houthi media, when they will blame you?. Jaber answered: I will stand against their lies and fabrications, something that I was part of. Than journalist threw shoe at him. pic.twitter.com/yCuTTEVNKaColombia's Duque calls for iaction against Venezuelan 'dictatorship'



Leticia, Colombia, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2018



Colombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave.

"The real cause of this migration shock is the dictatorship," the right-wing leader told AFP. "We must use all the diplomatic mechanisms, all the multilateral mechanisms available to allow this dictatorship to end."

During an official visit to France from November 11-13, Duque, who has been in power since August 7, will take part in Sunday's Forum for Peace organized by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prior to his departure he urged the need for countries worldwide to fight drug trafficking, in a wide-ranging interview with AFP that also touched on peace talks with Colombia's last active guerrilla group and the election of an extreme-right leader in Brazil.



- 'Shared struggle' -



Duque accused Maduro -- leader of Venezuela, where economic woes began in 2014 with the crash in the price of crude -- of "clinging to power and exacerbating patriotic feelings in his favor."

Maduro's government has been slapped with a range of sanctions over its crackdown on the opposition and civil society critics.

The Colombian president said its neighbors "huge humanitarian crisis" is leaking over the border: "We have received nearly a million migrants in less than two years."

"Colombia is facing a difficult situation," he said, calling on the international community to help with "significant means to face this challenge."

He echoed the need for international cooperation on the issue of drug trafficking: "All countries of the world must strengthen their policies to prevent consumption," he said."

"The fight against drugs must be a shared struggle."

Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 percent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), according to the United Nations.



- Threat of 'offensive' action -



Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is just emerging from over a half century of civil war waged by guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and drug traffickers.

Asked about 2016's peace agreement between the ex-rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), now a political party, and the government, Duque emphasized that he "never campaigned saying that we are going to destroy the agreements."

Duque has vowed to fix "flaws" in the agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos.

He has in particular criticized the FARC deal as being too lenient in allowing former rebels accused of atrocities to serve as lawmakers.

Duque said the "most important issue is... to ensure that those holding political representation mandates, tried by transitional justice and whose human rights violations are upheld, receive proportionate sentences and leave political office."

Concerning Colombia's last active guerrilla rebels, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Duque reiterated his position that he is "ready to sit down and speak with them if, and only if, they release all the hostages" and halt all criminal activities."

"If that does not happen, we will have to act... firmly" he continued. "In a dissuasive and offensive way."



- Private development -



Peace talks have been suspended since the beginning of August when Santos admitted defeat in his bid to reach a conclusion before handing over power to Duque.

The ELN has insisted that they will not suspend their insurgency until Duque names a new team of peace negotiators to restart the Cuban-hosted talks.

Concerning Brazil's new far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, Duque said "my interest is to continue to strengthen relations with Brazil."

"Brazil is an important country for Colombia, not only because it shares a border, but for the market it represents; for its weight in regional geopolitics."

"If in Brazil, conditions are met for a government favorable to the development of the private sector, interregional trade, cross-border investments -- I think it will be a great success."

"I hope this will be President Bolsonaro's line of work."Hundreds flee after Boko Haram militant raid in northeast Nigeria



Kano, Nigeria, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2018



Hundreds of villagers fled their homes in Nigeria's northeast late on Saturday after an attack by Islamist militants from the Boko Haram group, militia officials and witnesses said.

No casualties were reported but the raid highlighted fragile security in Nigeria's northeast, where the army is still battling to end a conflict that erupted in 2009.

Militants arrived in trucks in Jimmi, 5 km (3 miles) from Maiduguri city, and opened fire, setting homes ablaze and also attacking an informal refugee camp.

"Boko Haram terrorists this evening attacked Jimmi village," militia leader in Maiduguri Musa Ari said. "They burnt homes in Jimmi and tents in the camp."

Military authorities scrambled reinforcements and fighter jets to repel the attack, said militia leader Ibrahim Liman.

Panicked villagers from the area fled to nearby Maiduguri, capital of Borno state which along with neighbouring Yobe state has been at the centre of the jihadist insurgency.

"We left our village to escape Boko Haram who attacked our neighbours in Jimmi," said Bale-Shuwa village resident Suleiman Balarabe.

He said villagers saw military jets flying overhead towards Jimmi.

"The sounds of guns coming from Jimmi terrified us and made us leave our homes because we were afraid they were going to attack our neighbourhood," said Sanda Gini, a resident of Jiddari-Polo area on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

In April, scores of Boko Haram fighters launched a gun and suicide attack on Jiddari-Polo when they advanced on Giwa barracks where hundreds of their militant comrades are being detained.

Insurgents fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at troops before they were repelled with aerial support.

Despite government insistence Boko Haram jihadists are near defeat, in recent months the militant group has carried out major attacks on military targets, killing dozens.

Boko Haram's nine-year conflict has killed an estimated 27,000 people and displaced two million, creating a humanitarian crisis and spilling into Nigeria's northern neighboursColombia's Duque calls for action against Venezuelan 'dictatorship'



Leticia, Colombia, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2018



Colombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave.

"The real cause of this migration shock is the dictatorship," the right-wing leader told AFP. "We must use all the diplomatic mechanisms, all the multilateral mechanisms available to allow this dictatorship to end."

During an official visit to France from November 11-13, Duque, who has been in power since August 7, will take part in Sunday's Forum for Peace organized by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prior to his departure he urged the need for countries worldwide to fight drug trafficking, in a wide-ranging interview with AFP that also touched on peace talks with Colombia's last active guerrilla group and the election of an extreme-right leader in Brazil.



- 'Shared struggle' -



Duque accused Maduro -- leader of Venezuela, where economic woes began in 2014 with the crash in the price of crude -- of "clinging to power and exacerbating patriotic feelings in his favor."

Maduro's government has been slapped with a range of sanctions over its crackdown on the opposition and civil society critics.

The Colombian president said its neighbors "huge humanitarian crisis" is leaking over the border: "We have received nearly a million migrants in less than two years."

"Colombia is facing a difficult situation," he said, calling on the international community to help with "significant means to face this challenge."

He echoed the need for international cooperation on the issue of drug trafficking: "All countries of the world must strengthen their policies to prevent consumption," he said."

"The fight against drugs must be a shared struggle."

Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 percent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), according to the United Nations.



- Threat of 'offensive' action -



Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is just emerging from over a half century of civil war waged by guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and drug traffickers.

Asked about 2016's peace agreement between the ex-rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), now a political party, and the government, Duque emphasized that he "never campaigned saying that we are going to destroy the agreements."

Duque has vowed to fix "flaws" in the agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos.

He has in particular criticized the FARC deal as being too lenient in allowing former rebels accused of atrocities to serve as lawmakers.

Duque said the "most important issue is... to ensure that those holding political representation mandates, tried by transitional justice and whose human rights violations are upheld, receive proportionate sentences and leave political office."

Concerning Colombia's last active guerrilla rebels, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Duque reiterated his position that he is "ready to sit down and speak with them if, and only if, they release all the hostages" and halt all criminal activities."

"If that does not happen, we will have to act... firmly" he continued. "In a dissuasive and offensive way."



- Private development -



Peace talks have been suspended since the beginning of August when Santos admitted defeat in his bid to reach a conclusion before handing over power to Duque.

The ELN has insisted that they will not suspend their insurgency until Duque names a new team of peace negotiators to restart the Cuban-hosted talks.

Concerning Brazil's new far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, Duque said "my interest is to continue to strengthen relations with Brazil."

"Brazil is an important country for Colombia, not only because it shares a border, but for the market it represents; for its weight in regional geopolitics."

"If in Brazil, conditions are met for a government favorable to the development of the private sector, interregional trade, cross-border investments -- I think it will be a great success."

"I hope this will be President Bolsonaro's line of work."Exchange of fire during Israel operation in Gaza, six dead: officials



Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Nov 11 (AFP) Nov 11, 2018



Israel's army said an exchange of fire erupted on Sunday during an operation in the Gaza Strip, while Palestinian officials reported six people killed, including a local commander of Hamas's armed wing.

"During (Israeli military) operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved. More details to follow," an Israeli army statement said.

Palestinian security sources said the clash occurred east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said six Palestinians were killed. One of the dead was a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, a local hospital reported.

After the clash erupted, sirens were reported in southern Israel, indicating possible rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said all Israeli soldiers involved had returned to Israel.

"IDF operated in the Gaza Strip, exchange of gunfire ensued," he wrote on Twitter, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

"All IDF soldiers back in Israel. Several alarms have sounded in southern Israel."

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, denounced a "cowardly Israeli attack."

Hamas's armed wing alleged in a statement that an Israeli special forces team infiltrated near Khan Yunis in a civilian car.

Israel's military had not confirmed those details.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman held security consultations at military headquarters, his office said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Paris for World War I commemorations.

The clash comes after months of deadly unrest along the Gaza-Israel border had appeared to be calming.

Recent weeks have seen Israeli decisions to allow Qatar to provide the Gaza Strip with millions of dollars in aid for salaries as well as fuel to help ease an electricity crisis.

Netanyahu had earlier Sunday defended his decision to allow Qatar to transfer the cash to Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move, saying he wanted to avoid a war if it wasn't necessary.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008, and recent months of unrest have raised fears of a fourth.

Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, since the demonstrations began, while others died in tank fire or air strikes.

One Israeli soldier has been killed along the Gaza border in that time.Cadiz (Spain), Nov 08, 2018 (SPS)  Sahrawi delegation headed by the Prime Minister, Mohamed Luali Akeik took part at the conference of Municipal Policies in the face of the decolonization of Western Sahara with the presence of Spanish municipalities, parliamentarians and researchers on various aspects related to the question of Western Sahara

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mohamed Luali Akeik has called the attendee to press through all political platforms for the acceleration of the completion of the process of decolonization in Western Sahara.

The Association of Families of Saharawi Prisoners and Disappeared (AFAPREDESA), has organized on the sidelines of the said conference an exhibition in which his president, Abdsalam Omar has where briefed on the participant on the oppressive practices against our people in the occupied territories, highlighting the crucial role played by International observers in revealing the situation of human rights in the occupied parts of Wetern Sahara. SPS

125/090/TRAAt the Battle of the Codecs, Answers on AV1, HEVC, and VP9

On October 17, I moderated an event entitled the Battle of the Codecs: AV1 vs VVC, presented by Bitmovin as an adjunct to the Demuxed conference in San Francisco. I learned a lot about how many companies were using or planning to use codecs like VP9, AV1, and HEVC, and their experiences with these technologies to date, which Ill share with you in this article.

[Editor's Note: Those interested in the next generation of codecs will want to attend the Video Engineering Summit, part of Streaming Media West.]

The structure of the event was as follows: The audience of about a hundred was divided into five groups representing the H.264, VP9, HEVC, AV1, and VVC (Versatile Video Coding) codecs. These groups were led by Thierry Fautier, vice president of video strategy at Harmonic (H.264), Colleen Henry from Facebook Video (VP9, presenting her views, not presenting on behalf of Facebook), Tom Vaughan, vice president of strategy at Beamr (HEVC), Christian Feldmann, codec engineer at Bitmovin (AV1), and Oliver Gunasekara, CEO at NGCodec (VVC). Note that the group leaders were somewhat randomly assigned and do not necessary imply stronger support for a particular codec.

Initially, the groups met to rank each codec against the other codecs in the characteristics defined in Figure 1.

Figure 1. We ranked the codecs on these characteristics.

Then we reconvened into one large group to discuss and agree on these rankings, which we accomplished by physically placing the experts along a line marked from low to high (Figure 2). This exercise was more an entertaining voicing of opinions than a research- and fact-based comparison, and there was seldom unanimous agreement on the final ranking.

Figure 2. Codec experts try to line up in order of compression efficiency.

During this group discussion, users could share their experiences with the different technologies and ask questions. At the end of the discussion, each group moderator identified the markets they felt represented to strongest business case for codec adoption.

Figure 3. The codec scorecard

Figure 3 presents the scorecard for the event, and though there were few surprises, many of the categories elicited new information from the moderators or attendees. For example, in the first category, encoding performance (which really should be called encoding time, not performance), one encoding engineer from YouTube reported that encoding times for AV1 were now only about 16X those of VP9, a significant drop from the 1000x+ encoding times reported just a few short weeks ago. This was a nice real-word verification for the encoding time improvement that we reported here, though AV1 still ranked last in this criteria.

In terms of decode performance, one attendee reported that a major social media company was already distributing AV1 streams to mobile viewers with efficient playback, using decoders included in the companys iOS and Android apps. I shared my finding that Chrome and Firefox were playing 1080p video on a single-CPU HP ZBook notebook using between 15 and 20 percent of CPU resources. At least from the perspectives of encoding time and decode performance, these discussions alleviated two of the initial concerns about deploying AV1.

However, the next category raised significant issues regarding AV1s compression efficiency, with Fautier revealing an Harmonic-sponsored codec evaluation that found that AV1 produced similar compression efficiency to HEVC, which he said was similar to findings from the BBC and encoding vendor ATEME.

There was substantial animated discussion regarding the comparative efficiency of HEVC and AV1; you can see the disparity between the line-up in Figure 2, which had HEVC well ahead of VP9, and the conclusion in Figure 3. Though the group good-naturedly settled on equal quality, most (but not all) third-party analyses rate HEVC higher in this regard. While some in the group believed that AV1 was superior to HEVC and VP9, they also agreed that it trailed VVC, though this technology is still at least two years out.

TCO was a complicated factor that balanced bandwidth savings against encoding, licensing, and other deployment costs when producing a given compression quality target. Whatever the formula, the results shown in Figure 3 make little sense that none of the moderators could explain, so please ignore.

IP Framework relates to the licensing structure where open-source royalty-free codecs like VP9 and AV1 enjoy a distinct advantage. While some in the audience felt that AV1 may be challenged by IP claims, these concerns were offset by the IP defense fund that the Alliance for Open Media has established, plus the sheer size and technology savviness of the member companies. Most in the group seemed to agree that companies that implemented VP9 had little risk of any IP-related lawsuit or challenge.

While the HEVC licensing structure has been widely criticized, several in the audience felt that the criticism was overblown, with one attendee commenting that HEVC royalty rates were comparable to other technologies like Dolby audio. Many agreed that while the HEVC licensing model was challenging for freely distributed software like browsers, it was workable for hardware devices where the costs could be passed along to the ultimate buyer.

Meet the Media Coding Industry Forum (MC-IF)

Though VVC ranked as the most complex from a licensing perspective, there was some hope that VVC will be handled more effectively than HEVC. As an attendee explained, these hopes relate to the formation of a new industry group called the Media Coding Industry Forum (MC-IF). According to the groups website, MC-IF will work on the non-technical aspects of deployment of media standards, notably including licensing, by facilitating cross-industry discussion.

Multiple companies that are members of the MC-IF were represented at the event, and we heard that achieving a rational licensing policy for VVC was a primary goal. However, these attendees also clarified that the MC-IF would have no ability to dictate policy to the VVC IP owners so that its success was far from guaranteed. Notably, a few days after the event, several outlets reported that Apple had joined the MC-IF.

Next up on the scorecard is the installed base of decoders, which H.264 handily won since it plays almost everywhere. VP9 was next, with playback on all major browsers other than Safari, and most major platforms including an increasing share of connected TV, set-top boxes, and OTT devices (like Roku 4). Though VP9 doesnt play natively on iOS or Apple TV devices, software-based playback (as opposed to hardware accelerated playback) may be supplied via apps. Of course, while this works well when you have a must-have app like YouTube or Netflix, it may not be effective for smaller companies with less ubiquitous apps. Though there have been some third-party attempts to deploy VP9 decoders on AppleTV devices, the 4K AppleTV can reportedly only display YouTube in 1080P or lower resolutions, which likely means no VP9 playback on what likely is a very well distributed Apple TV app.

Still, the platforms available for VP9 far outnumber those available for HEVC, which lacks playback support in Chrome and Firefox, but does play on Android and iOS devices, and virtually all STBs, connected TVs, and current models of OTT devices like the Roku 4, as well as the native browsers on most current Windows computers and all Macs. As one participant pointed out, nearly all HEVC playback is accomplished in hardware, which is much more CPU/battery efficient than software-based playback and produces a more consistently high-quality experience.

AV1 is barely out of the gate so enjoys no hardware-based playback, though it is supported by the most current versions of Firefox and Chrome on some platforms. As mentioned above, one prominent social media company is already distributing AV1 streams to mobile users for playback via its iOS or Android applications. If AV1 produces the promised 20 to 30 percent encoding efficiencies, you would expect many similarly large companies to do the same. Obviously, since its not yet released in any form, VVC ranked last.

The final characteristic was ecosystem adoption, which measured the range of available hardware and software encode/decode implementations, including contribution, live encoding, and support for non-streaming applications like security, low-latency, and military. Here, H264 still dominated, with VP9 ranked second primarily because of the range of decode options. However, most panelists expected existing non-streaming applications to migrate from H.264 to HEVC, pointing to multiple devices like HEVC live streaming encoders and on-camera encoders, and the total dearth of those devices for VP9. Both AV1 and VVC ranked last as hardware options werent available for either technology.

Looking forward, the H.264 advocate predicted that while H.264 would lose share in streaming markets, it still had room to grown in non-streaming markets that needed high quality, low latency video at reasonable bitrates, with reasonable decoding requirements, and reasonable costs. The HEVC advocate felt that HEVC usage would dominate in distribution to OTT and connected TV devices, with a significant pickup in HEVC distributed via HLS to Apple desktops, mobile devices, and the AppleTV 4K.

VP9 seemed destined for high-volume, long-tail content for OTT and UGC markets, succeeded by AV1 in the short to mid-term. VVC was too far out to predict.

The Major Takeaways

For me, the most significant takeaways related to AV1, which seems a lot closer to deployment than it did six weeks ago. There are doubts as to encoding efficiency, though well know a lot more in the next few months as real-world deployments happen. It was also interesting to see that in addition to the connected TV and similar markets, HEVC is destined to succeed H264 as the codec of choice for a broad range of non-streaming markets like on-camera encoders, security, and contribution, where VP9 appears unlikely to play any significant role.

The big question with VVC is whether the IP owners can come together to offer an all-inclusive royalty package at a competitive rate. While MC-IF offers some hope, it clearly doesnt have the authority to dictate this result.

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Companies and Suppliers Mentioned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 special tribute party was held last week to honour Shelagh Tennant, proprietor of one of the first English pubs in Torremolinos.

Shelagh, a former model noted for being the person who helped bring the Beatles to Spain, owned Shelagh's Bar during the early 1960s. The bar was one of the liveliest venues in the town and attracted both local expat residents and a string of visiting celebrities.

The party, held in the Galloping Major Bar, which is situated just a few doors along from Shelagh's old venue (now Tina's Pub) was organised by Torremolinos Chic, an online platform dedicated to preserving the history of Torremolinos. Around a hundred friends and family of the former wild-child, some of whom she hadn't seen in many years, gathered to reminisce about a period that most remember as 'the golden years of Torremolinos'.

Shelagh was overwhelmed by the turnout and spent the evening chatting with friends from both Torremolinos and Fuengirola, where she now lives.

I didn't expect so many people to be here, but it is so lovely to see lots of familiar faces after such a long time, an emotional Shelagh told SUR in English.

Long-time resident of Torremolinos, Lyn Volgarino, frequented Shelagh's pub during the 60s and she pointed out that it was definitely one of the liveliest haunts in the area: It was one of those places that we all went to because Shelagh would get the best of British and American music long before anyone else. It really was one of the places that got it all going in Torremolinos. Shelagh and her staff were always very hospitable and I am so pleased to be here to celebrate with her tonight.Optus Cyber Security, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications, has recently signed an agreement to fully acquire Australia-based cyber security consulting firm Hivint. The deal will help Optus to gain trust with enterprise customers through consulting engagements in Australia and potentially across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Hivint provides a suite of security professional services including technical, governance, risk and compliance services. It has a Security Colony SaaS platform offering a library of information security management system (ISMS), policies, standards and templates. The Melbourne-based start-ups advisory services will be integrated into Singtels wholly-owned Trustwaves managed security offerings across Australia and APAC.

Siow Meng Soh, Technology Analyst at GlobalData, says: This is a positive move for Singtel and Optus because while Hivint is a relatively young company, it has built a credible team of cyber-security specialists across Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and gained strong market traction. The acquisition of Hivint helps to ramp up Optus cyber-security advisory capabilities in Australia.





Cyber-security is a major concern for companies looking at transforming their business using digital technologies. They need technology partners that can provide guidance on cyber-security. With stronger capabilities to offer advisory services, Singtel/Optus are better placed to sell digital solutions (e.g., big data analytics and IoT) to large enterprises and government organizations.





Soh adds: Hivints knowledge base and the systematic approach to reuse material that it has created for various clients means that the company can offer professional services more cost-effectively. This is important for Singtel and Optus as they attempt to grow the security business and customers are looking for advice on cyber-security preparedness instead of just another piece of security technology.





However, retaining staff will be a major challenge for Singtel/Optus since people are the main asset of Hivint. Since the companys business is mainly in Australia, it is practically unknown in the APAC region and it does not have strong credential in supporting governance and compliance in other countries.





Soh concludes: While Singtel can tap into Hivints expertise for professional services in the region, it will be more costly to do so compared to having security consultants on the ground. Nevertheless, this does give Singtel the possibility to replicate Hivints business model and the Security Colony platform elsewhere across the APAC region.. ,                  COVID    ,        ,    (RTVS).     ,     , :     ,    ...Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia  Mon, November 12, 2018 00:01 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ba2dce 4 Inforial Free

The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) is seeking to accelerate the growth of Indonesias highly promising digital economy, which might be the future of the countrys economy amid depleting oil and gas resources, by encouraging more investors to invest in the sector.

According to data from the BKPM, currently Indonesia has four startups with assets exceeding US$1 billion: online ride-hailing app Go-Jek, travel services provider Traveloka as well as online retailers Bukalapak and Tokopedia.

Startups with more than $1 billion in assets are commonly referred to as unicorns, using the mythical animal as a metaphor for these startups success in solving consumers problems while creating various economic multiplier effects along the way.

The BKPM data also recorded that the Indonesian digital economy had been growing impressively within the last five years, with $3 billion foreign direct investment realized in the sector during the period. Due to the amount of investment poured in to the sector, the BKPM has ranked digital economy at the top of Indonesias most promising investment sources.

One way in which the BKPM strives to help the Indonesian digital economy move faster is by encouraging the sector to remain minimally regulated by the government, as it currently is, because minimum regulation could help spur innovations in the sector.

The BKPM, meanwhile, attributed the success of our local digital economy to the high chunk of young digital natives entering their productive ages, plus the countrys growing middle-class with their enhanced access to resources and assets to start their own businesses.

Europe, for instance, has only produced four unicorns so far. Indonesia is advantageous in this sector owing to the fact that it is one of the four most populous countries  China is on top of the list followed by India and the United States. The three countries digital economies are also thriving thanks to their big populations.

Keeping this in mind, the Chairman of BKPM Thomas Lembong voiced his concerns about Indonesias complicated bureaucracy, with its excessive and rigid procedures, which he saw as a serious hindrance to the effort of the countrys digital economy players, especially those working in the services sector, to adopt more sophisticated innovations to enhance their businesses.

He added that it was essential for Indonesia to move faster to adopt these new innovations, as the digital economy was evolving rapidly and would transform our world impressively in the next 15 to 20 years.

Furthermore, Thomas also warned that Indonesia should not be sluggish in adopting new innovations supporting business operations; otherwise the country would be left behind in the global economy.

He mentioned the health services sector as an example.

Lets take telemedicine as an example. Perhaps 10 to 15 years later we would have a gadget which allows individuals to independently monitor their own health by conducting independent heart rate and blood pressure examinations, before uploading them to an application for doctors to analyze. That could make health examinations affordable, while solving health problems faster along the way, he said recently.

If Indonesia cannot adopt these new innovations rapidly due to bureaucracy, he explained, then Indonesians might prefer to install applications developed by other countries instead. Worse, the countrys infamous red tape could also hinder its adoption of innovations in other sectors related to public welfare, such as transportation, energy and urban planning, he added.

It is inevitable that digital transformation will affect all aspects of our lives [including public services] to make them better, Thomas said.

Thomas said that the BKPM strove to maintain the simplicity of investment permit issuance procedures in the digital economy sector while enhancing its services to investors who would like to invest in the sector to lay fertile ground for technologically savvy Indonesian youngsters and middle-class members to take their digital entrepreneurship higher.

He added that the BKPMs strategy of cutting red tape  known as the greatest hindrance to investment in Indonesia  to support the digital economy was much better to help local players expand their operations internationally to embrace global competition than taking protectionist measures. Due to the digital economys seamless nature, protectionist approaches would not do much to help local players at all, he explained.

Instead of being afraid of global competition, Indonesians should embrace it as motivation to further boost their business qualities instead, he explained, adding, Local players should endeavor to sharpen their competitive advantages to go global, or at least go regional. Go-Jek, for instance, has expanded its operations to other Southeast Asian countries. So far it has been officially operating in Vietnam, while Philippines and Singapore have shown positive responses to the brands expansion plan to their countries. Currently, the brand is attempting to expand to Malaysia as well, despite facing some difficulties in their attempt to penetrate into the countrys market.

He added that the Indonesian digital economy could in fact thrive thanks to minimum protectionist measures on the governments part. He continued by saying that the highly protected conventional sectors did not show the same rate of growth as the digital economy exactly because of these protectionist regulations, which might hinder local players from exchanging expertise and knowledge with their international counterparts.

According to Thomas, that protectionist measures hinder the economy this way has also been seen in other countries. He also encouraged Indonesian policymakers to learn from how other countries regulated their digital economy sector.

We should regulate the digital economy for sure, like in terms of how much tax they have to pay. It would be much easier for us to just model policies which have been proven effective in other countries, he said, concluding the interview.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Prague, Czech Republic  Sun, November 11, 2018 12:17 1107 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9b3f7 2 Art & Culture Milan-Kundera,novelist,Literature,citizenship,Czech-Republic Free

Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Saturday he had proposed restoring writer Milan Kundera's Czech nationality, stripped from him by the country's former communist regime nearly four decades ago.

Kundera, whose novel "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" was turned into a 1987 film starring Daniel Day-Lewis, became a naturalized French citizen after emigrating when he was prevented from publishing in his native country.

"He really deserves to have his citizenship again," Babis told Czech CTK agency in Paris where he was attending a commemoration of the 1918 armistice to end WWI.

Kundera, now 89, and his wife Vera, were stripped of their nationality in 1979 by the communist regime of then Soviet-era Czechoslovakia. They emigrated to France in 1975.

Read also: Haruki Murakami to donate manuscripts, vinyl records to Waseda University

The author's "The Book of Laughter and Forgetting" published in 1979 explored how citizens lived under the regime.

His own life had been under surveillance by the StB secret police. His first novel "The Joke" -- his take on the one-party state -- led to a ban on his publishing at home.

Kundera, born in 1929 in Brno, maintained a complex relationship with his homeland even after the Velvet Revolution in 1989 ended one-party rule in Prague.

According to Babis, the author refused to make public appearances in Czech Republic even after he returned several times following the fall of communism in 1989. He said Kundera had last visited 22 years ago.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Mon, November 12, 2018 05:15 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ba528e 4 Health depression,stress,mental-health,Facebook,social-media,social-network,health,#health Free

Many factors can cause depression and the condition is currently still under intense study. One such study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Stony Brook University was recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

We want to think of new ways to get people resources and identification for depression earlier, said Dr. Raina Merchant, director of the Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health and one of the study's authors.

Researchers observed a group of less than 700 Facebook users  recruited for the study from a hospital emergency department  and their more than 500,000 Facebook posts, focusing on the words, post lengths, frequency of posting and timing of posts. They found, after receiving permission to access the users' electronic medical records and Facebook history, that for every participant of the study that had been diagnosed with depression, five more had not been diagnosed with depression. This helped them to create a sample that reflected the rates of depression in the average population.

The study suggested that the analysis of the language used online by users could predict whether or not a user was depressed, three months before the person using the account received a medical diagnosis of depression.

Researchers cautioned, however, that their work was still in its very early stages.

Depression is a really debilitating disease and we have treatments that can help people, said Merchant.

Read also: Social good of social media

It seemed that indicators such as I, my, and me as well as hurt, tired and hospital were used more often by participants in the preceding months to their diagnosis of having depression. From this, a computer model was designed to predict which people would receive a diagnosis of depression  the model seemed to work best when using Facebook data from three months before a study participant received their diagnosis.

However, when more than three months of data was used, the model became less precise in its predictions.

We are at the very beginning of trying to understand how this data is sometimes people just saying hi to each other. Merchant said. But sometimes, it can give us insight into the health of individuals and communities.

An assistant professor in Georgia Techs school of interactive computing, Dr. Munmun De Choudhury, who has previously conducted separate research into Twitter data, said, With social media and other data, you can start to fill in those gaps.

Dr. De Choudhury said that in the future, if patients shared social media data with their doctors, healthcare could become more personalized. You shouldnt be using such an algorithm by itself at any point in time. We should see this data the way we do any health data. It is the data of the patients."

Dr. Merchant agreed that more research was needed. We need a better understanding of not just how it tells us about our health, but also how the use of technology affects our health. (acr/kes)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 16:16 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9e7e9 4 People mobile-application,electricity,innovation Free

Listriku app creator Imam Pesuwaryantoro received the "Best Leading Innovation Award" and a gold medal at the recent Bixpo Award 2018 in South Korea.

"The International Invention Fair was held by Korea Electric Power Corporation from Oct. 29 until Nov. 3 in South Korea," said Imam, who is a Bekasi, West Java, resident, as quoted by Tempo.co.

The competition was attended by participants from 100 countries, including Peru, Hong Kong, Morocco and Iran.

Imam developed Listriku, which translates as "my electricity", along with a colleague, Fardhan Adharizal, with the aim of reducing electricity usage at home.

"At that time, my electricity bill had reached Rp 4 million [US$ 273] per month, but I didn't know how to calculate it," he said.

Imam, a graduate from Diponegoro University in Semarang, Central Java, said he was motivated to develop Listriku because of a lack of an accessible electricity usage-tracking tool from service providers in Indonesia.

The app features pages that among other things include waste calculations to assess the potential savings in electricity usage at home, savings recommendations, recommendations for changing equipment and electrical components.

There is also a control feature that oversees the house with a system connected to the internet, where it captures the time interval for the use of electronic items and calculates the cost in rupiah.

Read also: Five useful earthquake-monitoring apps

Imam said the application worked through users entering data related to the name of the electrical product used and the data would be stored in the PHP variable.

"The type of product, for example, could be a fluorescent lamp, LED lamp, incandescent lamp or pump. Entering the product type in more detail will provide a reference for further recommendations," he said.

A "Paid Info" page also presents comparisons between the normal costs and possible savings in accordance with the recommended products.

The most important thing in the Listriku app, said Imam, was the warning service to users if there is an electric anomaly, such as a short circuit or overload.

"This system is useful for providing an early warning to the public if there is the potential for a fire or damage to the electrical installation because of an anomalous situation," he said.

Listriku also implements an automated-notification system for users to take a number of steps to save electricity.

"There will be notifications like this, Hai Fardhan, by turning off the lights before going to bed tonight, you have saved 125 watts," he said.

With the app, Imam hopes the occurrence of a surge in electricity bills that shocked him and other electricity users will no longer occur because everything can be controlled. (liz/mut)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 08:57 1107 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9810e 4 Lifestyle Happy-Hearts-Indonesia,schools,charity,auction,art,artists Free

The NGO Happy Hearts Indonesia recently held an art charity auction in Jakarta to raise funds for its #IAMCHANGE campaign dedicated to rebuilding schools in underdeveloped regions.

Launched in March, #IAMCHANGE is a five-year program that aims to rebuild 200 schools in East Nusa Tenggara by 2023.

The auction on Wednesday evening put under the hammer creations and exclusive artworks by masters from across the country, including Arahmaiani, Oky Rey Montha, Labaudio Piko, Sinta Tantra, Arkiv Vilmansa and Alexander Thian. In collaboration with furniture company BIKA Living, the artists put a one-of-a-kind artistic touch on different pieces of furniture.

Having always been interested in design and art, BIKA has provided luxurious furniture for more than 40 years and is delighted to collaborate with design artists in supporting a good cause, said Karina Cheung, the creative leader of BIKA Living.

LASVIT, a furniture company that focuses on glass-based lighting sculptures, also dedicated various glass pieces by prominent international artists for sale and auction. Highlighted pieces include "The Martian" by Rene Roubicek, as well as a contemporary interpretation of a classical chandelier titled Neverending Glory by Jan Plechac and Henry Wielgus.

Read also: Half the world's schools lack clean water, toilets and handwashing

The collaboration between quality furniture and modern art [makes] raising money for charity more engaging in a creative way, as we explore the intersection between art and lifestyle design, said Deborah Iskandar, founder and principal of ISA Art Advisory, who oversaw auctioneering of the artworks.

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta and supported by the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the event also featured musical performances by contemporary Czech violinist Jaroslav Sveceny and prominent classical guitarist Miloslav Klaus.

The international non-profit organization Happy Hearts, founded in 2005 by supermodel Petra Nemcova, began rebuilding schools in Yogyakarta after the devastating earthquake of 2006. It rebuilt more than 30 schools at the time.

In 2013, Happy Hearts opened its first chapter in Indonesia, Happy Hearts Indonesia (Yayasan Hati Gembira Indonesia), to support the reconstruction of schools destroyed by natural disasters.

Since 2006, HHI has built more than 132 schools, including 17 in East Nusa Tenggara, and reached more than 50,000 children in Indonesia. (liz/kes)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Devina Heriyanto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 17:05 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9ef7c 1 Books Bloomsbury,Barack-Obama,letter,nonfiction,letter-writing,politics,US,Book,#books Free

Every day during his presidency, United States President Barack Obama read 10 sample letters, carefully chosen from among 10,000 letters that Americans had written to the White House.

This seemingly simple routine owed its existence to the Office of Presidential Correspondence (OPC), which curates and responds to the complaints, criticisms, thank you notes and other requests addressed to the president.

The letters vary vastly in nature, some call for an immediate if not urgent response, while some are simple and lighthearted. A child, for instance, sent a letter asking Obama to take a look at his homework.

Letter written by Kenneth Jops (Courtesy of Bloomsbury/File)

It is during Obamas presidency that the office gained newfound popularity, as the samples often played a role in influencing Obamas policies.

To Obama: With Love, Joy, Hate and Despair by Jeanne Marie Laskas sheds light on how the OPC works, from the selection of the sample letters to the impact of this correspondence on public policies and the people inside the administration.

The Jakarta Post talked to Laskas about the letters, Obamas presidency and his legacy to democracy.

What's your personal favorite from all the samples you've seen?

My all-time favorite is the first letter in the book, from Bobby Ingram, of Oxford, Mississippi, an unemployed land surveyor who wrote in 2009 to tell Obama about the hands he was no longer proud of. Where he once had calluses, he now had none. My hands defined my work, passions, my life, he wrote. Bobby captures the mournful cry of Americas economic crisis in his letter, which reads like a poem, and what I love most about it is that hes not asking for anything. Instead, its a gesture of encouragement for the incoming president. I kneel nights and clutch new hands together, praying we all can recover what seems lost.

Bobbys letter is the one that set me off on the journey to write this book. Why did he do it? Who writes to the president? And what does that gesture10,000 people a day writing to the presidentsay about America? Those were some of the central questions I went on to chase in the book.

Read also: Jokowi's dramatic entrance to Asian Games ceremony becomes talk of town

Letter written by Bobby Ingram (Courtesy of Bloomsbury/File)

In an early part of the book, you said that knowing how the mailroom worked was "a chance to get to know Obama in a way most people hadn't". What did you discover about him only after this "back door" swung open?

One of the surprising things I discovered was how sensitive he was to criticismespecially if he felt he was misunderstood. You can see it in his responses. The longest letters he writes are to people who are critical of his administration.

Are you going to keep even one campaign promise upon which you built your presidency? a woman in California writes, complaining, incorrectly, that Obama was going to fund his new healthcare plan but cutting her Medicare.

Obamas reply is twice as long as the womans letter. He challenges her assumptions, corrects her conclusions. Thats a lot of time and attention to some stranger who may or may not ever vote for him.

Have you written a letter to the president? Why or why not?

It never occurred to me to write to the president before I started researching this book. To me it would have been like writing to Santa Clausa lot of wishful thinking. Turns out, there was a whole listening machine going on at the White House. A team of staffers who imagined themselves providing a megaphone for the voices. Id like to think that every elected official can and should figure out a way to do that, if they havent already. I mean if the president of the United States could read his mail [] Democracy depends on an engaged citizenry. Heres one way to engage.

You mentioned that people in the OPC didn't like talking about their work to "preserve illusion". Are you not afraid of breaking the illusion with this book?

Actually, I was thrilled to break it because behind the illusion was an inspiring world of staffers who did all this work of listening, and responding, and elevating the voices of the letter writersand not for glory. And not even for the president, or for a political ideology. They did it because they believed that democracy works best when people who speak out are heard. That was the job, and thats what they were committed to. I was glad to pull back the curtain and show that that stuff was happening. To me, its inspiring. Its like, wait, public servants really do exist.

In relation to your conversation with Obama, on shared stories and democracy, how do you plan to duplicate these moments and connections between fellow citizens?

My job as a journalist is as much about listening as it is reporting and documenting. Working on this book has heightened my sense of my role as a listenerand a translator. Why tell stories? To connect people to people with their common humanity. To forge a path so that people might empathize rather than scorn, or mock, or hate. Thats how I see my role, increasingly.

"Over to you, citizens," is a very strong phrase, almost perfect as a closing to your book. What has been the reception from the citizens, at least those who have read your book?

A lot of tears. But not sloppy, nostalgic tears. What Im hearing again and again is that people are touched by the notion that individual voices matter. The idea that you dont have to be fancy, or rich, or of a certain race, or from a certain family, in order to have a voice. America is built on the idea that everyone matters. We may forget that those ideals still exist. This book is a reminder. (kes)Hundreds of people could be seen flocking to Central Java Cultural Park (TBJT) in the Jebres district of Surakarta (Solo) to watch a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance.

The show is held regularly from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday evenings  or Kliwon according to the Javanese calendar  at the pendopo, a Javanese pavilion. People usually start arriving in the afternoon.

Wayang puppet theater is one of Indonesias most prized cultural heritages, and has several forms including wayang kulit, wayang orang (a theatrical dance derived from wayang puppetry) and wayang golek (wooden puppet theater). UNESCO inscribed wayang kulit on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Nov. 7, 2003. The date is now celebrated as the National Wayang Day in Indonesia.

Wayang kulit is a puppet show induring which a dalang (master puppeteer) manipulates puppets cut from leather and projects their shadows against a cloth screen to bring to life a tale from the ancient Indian epics, The Ramayana or The Mahabharata.

Read also: 'Wayang kulit' craftsmanship still flourishing in Wonogiri village

The show is accompanied by a Javanese gamelan orchestra and a traditional female vocalist, warangana, and a male vocalist, wiraswara.

During the performance, audience members and other visitors can browse the night bazaar around the pendopo. They can enjoy dishes and treats like steamed peanuts, wedang ronde (glutinous rice balls in sweet ginger broth) and kupat tahu (chopped fried tofu served with rice cakes, blanched bean sprouts and peanut sauce), and even buy books or traditional handicrafts made from wood or buffalo horn.

A night bazaar always accompanies a wayang kulit show. Together, they are a tourist attraction that offers the complete experience of traditional performing arts and foods. It also offers a cultural platform for socializing with local residents. (iru/kes)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 15:14 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9d90b 4 Environment BKSDA,Yogyakarta,crested-serpent-eagle Free

The Yogyakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) released two crested serpent eagles (Spilornis cheela) into the wild at the flora and fauna station of Bunder Forest Park, Playen subdistrict, Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta on Monday.

We received the eagles from locals and had vets check whether they were carrying any diseases or had any physical deformities, Kuncoro, head of Bantul and Gunung Kidul BKSDA area two conservation told Antara.

He said the eagles were trained to hunt for two years before they were released.

The eagles released are a male and a female, Kuncoro went on to say.

Read also: Taman Safari Indonesia Zoo breeds Javan hawk-eagle

Bunder Gunung Kidul BKSDA is currently hosting 18 eagles of various species, such as crested hawk eagles, black eagles, sea eagles, crested goshawks and crested honey buzzards.

Kuncoro asked the public to not hunt protected species and announced that his team was constantly tackling protected species hunting.

We need to raise awareness among young children on the eagles status as protected species, he said.

Yogyakarta BKSDAs functional staff for forest ecosystems control Andie Chandra Herwanto said the survey of the population of new raptors will focus on Gunung Kidul and Kulon Progo regencies.

The aim of the survey is for us to see the actual habitat of the eagles, while at the same time determine the best locations for releasing eagles into the wild, Andie explained. (iru/mut)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 10:09 1107 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b990db 1 Lifestyle yves-saint-laurent,YSL,YSL-Beauty,makeup,jakarta,beauty Free

Luxury interactive makeup experience YSL Beauty Hotel is set to attract its highest visitor count in Jakarta, as the pop-up installation makes its 11th global stop in the Indonesian capital on Nov. 9-11, after first debuting in January in Paris.

Erlangga Rahman, PR digital and event manager at YSL Beauty Indonesia, said the Hotel's concept responded to the popularity of interactive art installations and combined it with a beauty experience.

Opened in Plaza Indonesia's The Warehouse on Friday evening, the Hotel welcomes guests until Sunday. Although admission is free, visitors must sign up online and register for designated 30-minute time slots, which also has limited space.

"We had planned to open for two days, but we had an overwhelming number of interest where 17,400 people signed up online following the announcement. So, we opened for another day and organized time slots to accommodate as many guests as we can," Erlangga said.

Read also: Rihannas Fenty Beauty launches ultrametallic looks for holiday season

With restricted time slots, the Hotel now has more than 6,200 guest reservations, reflecting the potential in Jakartas beauty market.

The Hotel's unique digital concept allows makeup enthusiasts to experience various YSL products in six specially-designed rooms, with each featuring interactive installations, along with photo and video opportunities that could also be uploaded straight to each guest's online profile as registered.



"All the elements inside each room are inspired by YSL products, reflecting our brand's signature identity of edge and luxury," Erlangga said.

Previously, YSL Beauty Hotel also welcomed guests in such large cities as New York in the United States, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. (wng)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Sat, November 10 2018

Steven Ciobo (Courtesy of Australian Embassy)

Indonesia is currently developing its own defense industries to meet domestic needs, such as of the Indonesian Military, the National Police and several other agencies, through cooperation with various countries. Among those that have a strong presence at the 2018 Indo Defense Expo and Forum is Team Defense Australia. The Jakarta Posts Novan Iman Santosa conducted a written interview with Australian Minister for Defense Industry Steven Ciobo about possible cooperation. The following are excerpts of the interview:

Question: Indonesia is currently modernizing and upgrading its major weapons systems (Alutsista). How can Australia help Indonesia achieve its aims?

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Linkedin Winny Tang (The Jakarta Post) Shanghai, China  Sun, November 11, 2018 14:29 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9d04f 1 Business Alibaba,technology,supermarket,shopping,grocery,artificial-intelligence Free

Chinese multinational conglomerate Alibaba has reiterated its plan to merge online and offline shopping experiences to better serve customers and improve efficiency, through among other measures, the rapid expansion of its grocery store Hema Supermarkets in China.

Hema CEO Hou Yi said the group planned to open nine more stores by Dec. 12, from 91 stores it operates at present in 16 cities, including Shanghai, Beijing, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Guiyang.

By next month, we will have 100 Hema stores [] Hema is the first retail store where all products can be bought offline and online, he told reporters during a media briefing in Shanghai on Saturday.

Hou Yi, said the company was currently focusing on expanding to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China.

Hema is an example of a new retail model that Alibaba has incubated since 2015. The store provides a retail experience that uses a technology-driven concept for in-store purchases, online delivery and in-store consumption.

Shoppers can purchase products by using the Hema mobile app, which is linked to their Alipay account. Those living within a radius of 3 kilometers from the store can also use its home delivery services.

At Hemas robotic restaurant in Shanghai, customers are served by robots that deliver dishes right to their table. (dwa)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) South Tangerang  Sun, November 11, 2018 16:47 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b9ec59 1 City accident,work-accident,construction,BSD Free

A construction worker was found dead on Saturday after a ladder fell on him in a housing complex in Serpong, South Tangerang.

The worker, who has been identified as Riswanto Sabin, died after falling from a set of scaffolding while holding the ladder, which then fell on him resulting in fatal injuries.

The ladder hit his head so hard, causing the left side of his skull to crack and making him bleed through his ear, Jakarta Police spokesperson Comr. Argo Yuwono said on Sunday as quoted by Tempo.co.

Riswanto was holding the ladder while his friend, Kosman, climbed to install electricity in a house located in the De Latinos BSD housing complex in Rawabuntu, Serpong. However, both workers lost their balance and fell down.

Kosman suffered several injuries as a result of the fall, but Riswanto was unable to survive his injuries. They were both taken to Eka Hospital in Serpong for examination. (ris)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 18:15 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ba0b68 1 Politics #Jokowi,Jokowi,#maruf-amin,Maruf-Amin,West-Java,#WestJava,2019-presidential-election,#2019PresidentialElection Free

President Joko Jokowi Widodo is aiming to win 60 percent of the vote in West Java in next years presidential election, Jokowi-Maruf Amin West Java regional campaign chairman Dedi Mulyadi said on Sunday, as quoted from kompas.com.

I am targeting 60 percent. The synergy between all the components is relatively good, Dedi said during Jokowis campaign stop in Bandung, West Java.

With a population of over 47 million West Java is Indonesias most populous province, and at almost 97 percent Muslim it is also widely regarded as among the most religiously conservative provinces in the country.

During the 2014 elections, West Java was one of the 10 provinces that Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto won, securing 59.7 percent of the vote compared to Jokowis 40.22 percent.

Dedi said the province's political map had changed since then and he was confident that the Jokowi-Ma'ruf ticket would prevail over Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno.

"Now in the south [Jokowi-Maruf is more popular], in Bandung city, Bandung regency, West Bandung and also Tasikmalaya, [we are] starting to win, in Purwakarta [we are] also starting to win," he said, adding that Jokowi was only behind in the areas of West Java that bordered Jakarta and Banten.

He said that Jokowi's West Java team was focused on campaigning on Jokowi's programs and countering black campaign issues such as allegations about Jokowi's ties to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) or that he is a foreign lackey. (kmt/ipa)Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 07:32 1107 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877b976a7 1 National BNN,Central-Java Free

As bizarre as it sounds, young Indonesians have found another affordable way to get tipsy  boiling sanitary pads and drinking the water.

Police in Jakarta; Bekasi, West Java; and Kudus, Central Java, have arrested several teenagers caught while experimenting with unusual methods of getting intoxicated. Most used menstrual pads to make the formula.

Adj. Sr. Comr. Suprinarto, the head of the Central Java chapter of the National Narcotics Agency, said it was the chlorine in the boiled mixture that created a feeling of "flying" and hallucinations similar to the sensation experienced when taking certain drugs.

"The used pads they took from the trash were put in boiling water. After it cooled down they drank it together, Suprinarto said, as quoted by kompas.com.

Jimy Ginting, an advocate for safe drinking, said that it was not a new phenomenon.

In 2016, groups of teenagers in Belitung, Bangka Belitung Islands, and Karawang, West Java, did the same.

I dont know who started it all, but I knew it started around two years ago. There is no law against it so far. There is no law against these kids using a mixture of mosquito repellent and [cold syrup] to get drunk, Jimy told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.Share this article Whatsapp

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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sun, November 11, 2018 19:09 1106 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877ba1532 1 News Industry-4-0,human-resources,workplace,technology Free

Human resource departments (HRD) must adapt to new technologies to adequately prepare for Industry 4.0, experts have said.

The fourth industrial revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0, is bringing rapid technological advancements, changing the nature of work and increasing demand for a skilled workforce.

Suwandi Soh, founder and CEO of HR and Accounting software platform Sleekr, said many businesses, including small and medium enterprises, were still practicing manual data input, or limited exposure to digitization platforms and practices across the office.

To adapt, Suwandi highlighted human resource departments as an entering point for businesses to keep up with the latest industrial revolution.

"For us to go to Industry 4.0, we have to start small, start from the most basic," Suwandi told a press conference at the Next HR Summit in Jakarta on Thursday.

General Electric HR director Rudy Affandi said the use of technology in HR had also advanced rapidly in the past few years, from merely speeding up processes in managing data to now being able to be used for in-depth analysis.

"Data can now be used to analyze the best candidates to fill various positions. And, with even more adequate data, it could even make predictions, such as on whether an employer is likely to leave the company," Rudy said.

He added that innovation now allowed HR to work in more advanced ways that would add value to their respective companies.

Read also: Commentary: Skills are best buffer for disruptive impact of technological change

Fintech company DANA Indonesia HR director Agustina Samara said technology's impact in the workforce was inevitable, adding that the most important action was responding to digital developments to optimize the workforce and its talents.

"In the HR department, especially, as the backbone of a company, technology can directly enhance the department's capacity to contribute toward optimizing the skills of its human resources," Agustina said.

With automation solutions simplifying and speeding up processes, Agustina added, the HR department would have more time to build strategies to improve employee capacity and increase productivity.

Transitioning into Industry 4.0 has been a highlighted issue of the government. Among Indonesia's adaption efforts in regard to the industrial revolution, triggered by the growing digital economy, the Trade Industry this year received an additional Rp 2.57 trillion (US$178 million) after House of Representatives Commission VI overseeing industry affairs agreed to financially support the development of Industry 4.0.

The approval brings the ministrys total budget to Rp 5.3 trillion.

With a focus on manufacturing, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said the funds would be used to help adjust and improve competitiveness in five industry segments, namely textile, garment, automotive, electronics and chemical. (kes)Sian Nicholas, Aberystwyth University

During World War I, the only way to keep in touch with loved ones who were serving in the armed forces was through letters. Sent back and forth over periods of months or even years, they tell the day-to-day stories of soldiers lives and those of the people they had left behind. We are fortunate that so many of these letters were kept and treasured to this day so that we can retell their tales.

Agnes Kantaruk/Shutterstock Sending my love.

I have been working on the Heritage Lottery Fund-sponsored community project, Aberystwyth at War 1914-1919: Experience, Impact, Legacy , to bring some of the towns war stories back to life using letters and other evidence. One of the most intriguing that we have uncovered so far is that of Billy and Dot, an army captain and a university student who sent each other love letters during his deployment.

Stanley Wilbrahim Burditt (Billy) was a captain in the Cheshire Regiment, who spent part of 1915 in camp in Aberystwyth, on the coast of west Wales. Agnes Dorothy French (Dot) was

a undergraduate

student at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. They appear to have met at a series of social gatherings arranged between the visiting officers and female undergraduates. When the Cheshires left Aberystwyth for France in July 1915, Dot promised to write to Billy. Their wartime correspondence, comprising more than 170 letters, provides a personal insight into two young people whose lives were irrevocably shaped by the war.

Jane Bradly , Author provided

Billy and Dots love story was a complicated one. Billy was clearly besotted from the start. Dots early letters are affectionate but light-hearted. When in February 1917 Billy openly declares his love for her, Dots response is raw in its confusion and honesty. She had no idea he felt that way, indeed would never have written in that tone if she had. She is uncertain of her own feelings  she is desperate to remain friends  but she fears to make promises she cant keep.

Billy is duly apologetic in turn, and Dot agrees to be his fiancee pendant la guerre  (girlfriend for the duration). As the letters continue into the summer of 1917, Billys feelings persist and Dots soften. By July they are both desperate for Billy to come home on leave so they can meet again and assess their feelings. For, as Dot notes, she has never actually seen him out of uniform. He finally gets home leave in late August and they spend two chaste but emotionally intense days together. They begin to plan their future. On September 30 Billy is killed by a German bomb.

Jane Bradly , Author provided

Through their

letters

the correspondents characters shine through. Dots are open and impulsive; Billys are solicitous and romantic. The early letters talk a lot about the books they have read and the plays they have seen, as they find interests and tastes in common (Peter Pan is a constant reference point). Dots letters recount in self-deprecating detail her wartime life as, first, an ill-fated voluntary aid detachment (VAD) nurse (she is invalided out after contracting scarlet fever), and then a sadly

disorganised

schoolteacher.

Billys letters are more serious and lyrical, seeking to describe and make order of the world around him, from his  Bairnsfather  farmhouse billet, to  in one striking passage  a Nevinson scene of a German plane pinpointed in a black night sky by British searchlights, reminiscent of the artists depictions of the horrors of modern war. And throughout their letters they are seeking, haltingly and touchingly, to articulate and

analyse

their feelings towards each other in a world of strict social and sexual convention.

Like so many letters of this kind, the couple constantly

skirt

around the grief of war. At one point Dot asks Billy to try to find her young uncles grave near

Couin

in northern France and he reassures her of the peacefulness of the spot. There is a conversation where Dot broaches, very tentatively, how she might find out if the worst does happen to

Billy,

and another where she dreams of him coming home with a Blighty injury (serious but not fatal). The deaths of friends are reported sadly but not lingered over.

And the letters are a story in themselves. They are initially irregular, but

eventually

Dot and Billy are writing almost daily. They take anything from a few days to several weeks to be delivered, so their narrative is characteristically fragmented, with conversations jumping across and between letters. Sometimes there is a lull, filled by what they call deaf and dumbs (field postcards with pre-printed messages).

Reading such letters provokes a range of emotions. They are not historically important  indeed, they are in places determinedly trivial. They say nothing at all about the horrors of war, that was not why either of them wrote. But we are drawn intimately into the couples daily lives, thoughts and hopes  whether Billys reminiscences of tea parties at Aberystwyth, Dots of university life once the men had gone (very quiet), the disappearance of chocolate biscuits from the shops, the pilfering of Billys spare kit by person or persons unknown  or the mutual happiness that ends almost as soon as it has begun.

Dot would live to the age of 94. She would never marry. Her letters to Billy were returned to her after his death and she kept the complete correspondence her whole life. That, too, is a story of the war.The desire to travel is nothing out of the ordinary. Yet, while many people share a dream of exploring the world, travelling is not the same for everyone. Peoples experiences can differ for a wide range of reasons including their age, gender, confidence, mental health, nationality, religion, and economic situation.

As a young woman with anxiety who has recently travelled solo, I admit that for all my dreams of travelling the world, I was initially apprehensive about straying too far out of my comfort zone. At the same time, I yearned for the challenge, feeling angry at myself for letting other peoples opinions of certain countries colour my own. Pulled between the need to be safe and sensible and my desire to travel to places neither I nor my family had been to before, I decided travelling with a tour group would be the best option.

Image credit: rawpixel.com on Pexels

There will be people out there who scoff at this decision, pointing out the restrictions travelling with a tour involves or criticising my choice to go with a safe option rather than really get out and explore on my own. However, as a solo traveller who has never travelled outside of Europe without my family, I am a relatively inexperienced traveller. As such, I needed to take things at my own pace and push myself within reason.

Some people are able to jump in the deep end by travelling to countries vastly different to their own without any hesitation. Personally, although I am open to new experiences, my confidence before the trip was not at a place where I would feel comfortable travelling completely on my own. Travelling with a tour group seemed to me as the best of both worlds: a way to meet other travellers while still having the option to spend time exploring places on my own.

After some research, I chose to travel with G Adventures on two tours that would take me from Mexico to Costa Rica over a period of 32 days. It is always difficult to judge something from how it looks online, especially when you have no experience with the company. However, I liked most of what they advertised, especially the amount of free time it seemed travellers would be given.

One benefit of travelling with a tour group is the social aspect. It was pleasant to have other people around me, especially since I was travelling in the off-season meaning there were fewer young people backpacking.

Image credit: Soloman Soh on Pexels

It was also a relief to be able to sit back and relax while our guides took care of the nitty-gritty details such as transport arrangements and hotel bookings. The guides were experienced and informed about each destination so they let us know about opportunities and activities which we might have otherwise missed. Unsurprisingly, being accompanied by guides who spoke the local language was also a huge aid, although it is always nice to try to learn some of the languages before departure.

While I largely enjoyed my trip, travelling with a tour group comes with its own set of problems. As an introvert, I am prone to tiring after a prolonged period surrounded by other people. Being mindful of your personality and triggers for anxiety should be a big factor in deciding which tour to choose. While tours are a great way to see many sights in a short period of time, longer tours like mine can be exhausting.

Researching your tour extensively before booking is also essential to finding a compatible tour where you can manage your anxiety. Naturally, organised trips take away your complete freedom to rest and recuperate, making it more difficult to check-in with your mental health. Travellers who prefer to tick activities off a bucket list or have more control over the pace, accommodations, and knowledge about the transport plans may struggle with organised travel.

Navigating new places with a tour group is like having a safety net, and this sense of security was particularly important to me. It gave me the confidence to go out on my own and explore without fear because I knew there was someone who could help me if something went wrong or who would notice if I did not arrive home safely. Had I travelled on my own, there would have been the temptation to stay indoors and I suspect I would not have felt comfortable enough to wander around some of the places we visited on my own.

Of course, the anxieties and difficulties are different for every person with an anxiety disorder. However, in my experience, travelling with a tour group was a great way to dip my toes in the water while I built up my confidence.

After nearly five weeks travelling through Central America, I returned to the UK energised by my experiences and keen to travel more. While there are still some countries I will visit (at least partly) as part of a tour, I am also keen to do some travel in the near future completely on my own, and I look forward to learning from these experiences as well.

remaining of

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To get into "Safe Mode" please do the following.



1. First turn off the tablet.



2. Next press and hold "Power" until you see the manufacturers logo on the screen, then release the power button.



3. "Quickly" press "Volume Down" and hold it for few seconds until you see the message "Safe mode: ON" or something similar.



4. If you wanted disable it, simply repeat the steps above, and you should see "Safe Mode: OFF" rather than on.

Researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences Archaeological Institute found a previously unknown ancient Greek settlement in eastern Crimea on Friday, a TASS report notes.

Chairman of the State Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Yefimov, told the Russian news agency Researchers from the RAS Institute of Archeology uncovered a new ancient Greek settlement during their excavation near Kerch, which, preliminarily, dates back to the 4th-3rd century BC, a period when the Bosporan Kingdom was flourishing. This is an important finding not just for Crimea but for all of Russia, he added, pointing out that the discovery was made yesterday.

Yefimov further clerified that the community, called Manitra, occupied an area of about 5,000 square meters. The outpost consists of an estate-like residential area and a domestic zone, made up of livestock pens and middens.

He also revealed that a necropolis was found near the settlement, which hadnt been looted, meaning there might be important findings to be made there.The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) today issued for consultation the draft rules on open banking, which is a relatively new concept based on the idea of interconnecting licensed retail banks and other financial institutions to FinTech firms which provide new innovative services to consumers.

Open banking services covered by the draft rules entail the provision of account information services which is a service akin to those provided by an aggregator for information pertaining to customers dealing with various banks, card companies and other payment service providers and payment initiation services which involves the payment transfer initiation from any licensee connected by the customer on a single app or application software, mobile device or other media, the CBB said.

This initiative is part of a larger upgrade of the Bahraini financial sector which must remain competitive in the face of demand for connectivity within financial services and with the e-commerce industry. The growing number of new disruptive business models (FinTech), rapid strides in technology and global e-commerce connectivity are at the centre of the regulatory initiatives in many parts of the globe in opening up banking to third party for payment and related solutions, the bank said.

The rules are targeted at ensuring that the CBB helps foster innovation, competition and enhanced efficiency within the financial system keeping in view changing consumer trends. More specifically, following are some of the anticipated effects on the banking system from a consumer perspective:

 New channels for internet payments without the use of credit cards/debit cards;

 Aggregation or global view of account or financial position data from different providers (banks and other financial institutions);

 Proactive financial management and budgeting tools for users;

 Likely downward impact on fees and costs to customer.

The key benefits of open banking will only be derived if there is wide acceptance, and the interconnections made securely and cost effectively, it said.

As part of the consultation, the CBB is seeking views from the industry on the draft rules which would be finalised soon.

Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor of the CBB, said: We are pleased to announce the CBBs roll out of the open banking initiative in line with its hard push to modernise the sector and help set best regulatory standards for new and innovative services in financial services. The regulatory framework is in line with international best standards thus creating a sound ecosystem to maintain Bahrains strong position as a leading financial hub in the region.

The CBB is seeking feedback on the consultation by November 25, in order to thereafter finalise the regulatory rules before the end of the year. The consultation paper will be available on the CBB website (www.cbb.gov.bh) under the open consultations section. TradeArabia News ServiceSNC-Lavalin, one of the worlds leading engineering, design and project management companies, estimates that oil and gas operators can reduce their costs by 30 per cent across the design-build-operate lifecycle of oil and gas projects.

At Adipec 2018 this week, the company intends to showcase its end-to-end solutions across the value chain from consulting and engineering to project delivery, completions and commissioning, asset integrity, and maintenance and operations.

Through live demonstrations, experts will explain how immersive technology is transforming the oil and gas sector with live, in-booth demonstrations on how the company has reduced cost and schedule and improved productivity and safety for its customers. Experts will also discuss structural integrity, safety management and other upstream onshore, offshore and downstream refining and petrochemical advancements.

SNC-Lavalin will also feature in the Adipec Technical Programme. On November 13, Simon Evans, director, digital engineering, will discuss Digital Transformation in Downstream Operations, and on November 15, Dr Sachi Maiti, director, global technology taskforce, will speak on 'Investment Planning for an Integrated Refining and Petrochemical Complex to Optimise Risk and Profit'.

Two of the many examples showcased include virtual reality and augmented reality for design and operational reviews, allowing customers to see and analyse their facility prior to construction. This improves efficiency, simplifies decision-making and reduces costs.

Through a multi-user platform, the technology is also used to facilitate and enrich global collaboration by bringing together project and client teams from around the world simultaneously into a 3D virtual environment using virtual avatars, enabling on-screen, instantaneous design planning and amendments.

Another example is SNC Lavalins spares optimisation solution, which enabled a 50 per cent reduction in spares inventory for a major oil and gas operators range of assets. For one basin alone, this equated to a potential savings of $179 million from $214 million operational spares inventory, including opex savings, lower labour costs, and reduced capex spending on unnecessary stock. To date, the client has confirmed savings of over $94 million, the company said.

With the potential to reduce capex and opex by up to 30 per cent, SNC-Lavalin Oil and Gas is improving the way we work for our customers, by streamlining work processes and leveraging our data to drive insight. Digital is a key enabler of our success, but it is our experts and changing culture that are driving the change. As one of the largest contractors in the Middle East region, we look forward to sharing the engineering, project delivery and operational advancements we have implemented for our customers, said Maggie Seeliger, senior vice president, strategy and marketing, Oil and Gas, SNC-Lavalin.

SNC Lavalin has about 15,000 employees in the Middle East and has operated in the region for more than 50 years, with recent awards including the engineering, design and delivery of an advanced topping refinery in the UAE, a greenfield chlor-alkali PVC plant in Oman, project support services for West Qurna Phase Two oilfield surface facilities in Iraq, and commissioning management support services for the Al-Zour Refinery in Kuwait. - TradeArabia News ServiceBin Faqeeh, a leading Bahrain-based privately-owned real estate investment company will be promoting Hidd Heights at the upcoming winter edition of Gulf Property Show, the boutique showcase for the real estate and property development sectors in the Northern Gulf region, taking place at The Avenues - Bahrain.



To be held from November 21 to 24, Gulf Property Show at The Avenues - Bahrain complements its flagship event that takes place annually every April, said the organisers Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions (HCE).



Hidd Heights is situated between Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Causeway and the bay in the island of Muharraq. The 13-storey complex provides 189 units consisting of studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments with a study room and two-bedroom apartments, said a statement from Bin Faqeeh.



The key facilities include a cinema, dedicated gymnasiums for men and women, sauna, steam room, multipurpose hall, games room, arcade room, nursery, outdoor playground, coffee shop and swimming pool, it stated.



Chairman Faisal Faqeeh said: "The Gulf Property Show is our go-to-event to promote our leading developments. As a founder exhibitor we are excited by the concept of its winter edition at the Avenues as a boutique real estate festival in Bahrains leading leisure complex."



On the new project, General Manager Abdulrahman Alkooheji said: "Our project focus for Gulf Property Show is Hidd Heights. The premium development offers modern luxury living minutes away from downtown."



HCE Managing Director Jubran Abdulrahman said: "The Gulf Property Show at the Avenues offers a different experience for visitors at the mall event in comparison to our annual show. The emphasis is specifically on developments available for shoppers."



"Bin Faqeehs developments at this event assures visitors of some of the best property deals to make their real estate investment dreams come true," he noted.



The Gulf Property Show carries the strategic sponsorship of El Mercado Village and the strategic organisational support of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority of Bahrain (Rera), Survey and Land Regulatory Bureau (SLRB) and the Urban Planning and Development Authority of Bahrain.



HCE have partnered with Colours Events & Exhibitions for the operational organisation of the Avenues  Bahrain event and have added Careem as the Ride Partners to facilitate easy access to the event for visitors.-TradeArabia News ServiceScotland-based ROVOP, an independent provider of subsea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) services, has expanded in the Middle East  opening a new base in the region to offer the highest quality ROV service.



Two senior members of staff, operations director Doug Middleton and business development consultant Michael ODonnell, will staff the new Middle East operation. The pair will be relocating to the region to lead the expansion of services to clients, said a statement from the company.



The Middle East will now have the largest independent ROV operator providing the highest quality services to clients across the drill support, IRM, and construction markets within the oil and gas sector, underpinned by operational excellence and a diverse fleet of ROVs, all managed and operated in-country, it said.



Middleton said: We look forward to expanding our services and number of clients in the Middle East  which will be bolstered by having a hub in the region, along with the provision of a quality of ROV service that was not widely available there previously.



Our company already has equipment on the ground in the region, and so is ready to fulfil our customers needs immediately in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, he added.



The company is currently expanding, having added 19 ROVs to its fleet last month, bringing ROVOPs total operational fleet to 51, said a statement.



The addition of these ROV systems to the fleet will enable ROVOP to better support customers with the appropriate ROVs for their requirements based on capability and greater cost efficiency.



These systems will perfectly match the needs of customers in the region for a higher quality but cost-effective service.



Steven Gray, chief executive officer at ROVOP, said: We have continued to provide the highest quality service and ROV offerings to our clients over the past seven years.



Our goal of having a base located in the Middle East is to continue our excellent track record of service and to offer our newly expanded ROV fleet to our clients in the region, he added.  TradeArabia News ServiceA high-level Bahrain business delegation will land in China this week on a visit organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) aiming to strengthen economic and trade ties between the two countries.



Bilateral relations have gathered momentum since HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas visit to China in 2013 and Bahrain is perfectly positioned to play a central role in Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative, said a statement.



Led by Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Governor of Capital Governorate, the Bahraini delegation is comprised of Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive of EDB, Dr Anwar Alabdulla, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bahrain to China, Sameer Abdulla Nass, chairman of BCCI, and representatives from the private and public sectors, it said.



Shenzhen will be the first stop of a nine-day tour of Chinas principal commercial centres. The delegation will successively visit Hangzhou, Shijiazhuang, and Beijing, as it continues to explore deeper economic ties with China.



Over the length of this official visit, the delegation will meet with Chinese government officials, with Chen Rugui, Mayor of the Shenzhen, with the Governor of Zhejiang and Hebei Provinces, and with several Chinese business leaders.



In addition to attending the Bahrain-Shenzhen Economic Forum and the China High-Tech Fair, the most prominent high-end technology event in China and Huawei R&D Center.



The delegation is also expected to sign landmark agreements and sign a number of MoUs with its Chinese counterparts. The fair, which is organised annually by several Chinese ministries and government agencies, highlights the latest trends in Chinas technology sector and plays an important role in the implementation of the national development strategies for China.



Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Capital Governor, said: Such high-level visits across China emphasise the continuous interest of the Kingdom of Bahrain for deeper economic ties with China and the spirit of collaboration that is growing between our two nations over the years.



These visits highlight our mutual desire to expand cooperation at all levels, from financial services to ICT, tourism, manufacturing, transportation and logistics services, he said.



Our long-established bilateral relations, dating back 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, are based on solid foundations and with these visits, we intend to share more experiences, establish more partnerships and take the relationship between Bahrain and China to new heights, he added.



Khalid Al Rumaihi, chief executive of the Bahrain EDB, said: Visits like these support the organisations mandate to attract inward investment, grow the local economy and create quality jobs.



We are particularly excited to be taking part in the China High Tech Fair for the third year and showcase areas in which Chinese businesses, particularly in the ICT sector, can tap into Bahrain and the wider region, he added.



This is the fifth consecutive year that a Bahrain delegation has visited China. In 2017, the delegation conducted a visit to China and Hong Kong during which significant MoUs were signed with Chinese businesses and trade organisations.



These include MoUs on Shenzhen-Bahrain Cross-Border E-commerce Cooperation, Shenzhen-Bahrain Innovation and Entrepreneurship Express and Huawei-Bahrain Telecom Talents Training Agreement.



Manama and Shenzhen became sister cities in 2016 and Bahrain EDB inaugurated in June 2018 its representative office for Southern China in the city, to facilitate more investments by Chinese companies in Bahrain.



Foreign investments in Bahrain have increased from $142 million in 2015 to $810 million in the first three quarters of 2018. Bahrain has already attracted some big Chinese names to invest in the country, including the ICT giant company Huawei and China International Marine Containers Company (CIMC).



The total goods traded between Bahrain and China excluding oil, increased from $872 million in 2009 to over $1.7 billion in 2017, it stated.  TradeArabia News ServiceThe Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), in collaboration with Stargems Group, has announced the completion of six successful rough diamond tenders of SACIM goods (Anhui-Congo Mining Investment Company) with over 2 million carats sold.

The tenders were held at the Almas Tower with around 200 diamond companies in attendance and were facilitated by the Dubai Diamond Exchange in a secure, transparent and regulated environment.

DDE is a subsidiary of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a flagship free zone and Dubai government authority on commodities trade and enterprise.

Earlier this year, DMCC signed a strategic partnership with Stargems, specialised in the sourcing and supply of fine diamonds, to host a series of rough diamond tenders. The agreement enables members, miners and suppliers from around the world to trade and distribute rough diamonds at Stargems events hosted at DDEs headquarters in Almas Tower.

The six tenders offered clients the opportunity to bid for rough diamonds from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa. More than 2 million carats have been sold at the tenders, which achieved prices and volume expectations and reflect the constant demand for rough diamonds and the positive sentiment across the industry.

In the first nine months of 2018, the DDE recorded a remarkable increase in rough diamond tenders and total sales of just under $200 million, up by 75 per cent compared to 2017.

A combination of Dubais unique geographic position between producing and consuming markets and DDE as a leading diamond trading hub in the centre of the region has helped Stargems secure strong volume and sales for their diamonds. Our partnership with Stargems is part of our ongoing efforts to present real and tangible opportunities for members of the diamond industry, and bridges the gap between the diamond producing nations and the manufacturers. These are essential in helping traders conduct their business safely, efficiently and confidently, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman, DMCC and DDE chairman, said.

Dubai is the third biggest diamond trading hub in the world with $16.7 billion of rough diamonds traded in 2017, and will continue to play a central role for the diamond trade, Ahmed Bin Sulayem added.

Shailesh Javeri, group chairman and founder of Stargems Group, said: Since we started our operations and collaborated with DMCC in early 2018, we have experienced continuous growth. We continue to enjoy an increasing number of participants from across the leading diamond centres. Our partnership with the DDE will undoubtedly enable us to continue this growth trend.

The DDE is the only World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) accredited exchange in the Middle East. It provides its members and industry participants with the appropriate infrastructure, products, services and regulation they require to grow, succeed and trade with confidence. - TradeArabia News ServiceThe per-capita international tourism spending from the Gulf visitors was 6.5 times higher than the global average last year, with expenditure estimated to be more than $60 billion last year, up from $40 billion in 2010, said a new report from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Travel Commission (ETC).

The outbound tourism from the fast-growing markets of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE has been growing strongly in the recent years, stated the report.

The report, entitled 'The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Outbound Travel Market, which has been prepared by UNWTO and ETC with the support of Value Retail, examines the fast-growing GCC outbound market with an additional focus on the image of Europe as a tourism destination.

"GCC countries constitute a fast-growing market with the potential to make a significant contribution to European tourism, diversifying demand and promoting new tourism segments," remarked UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili after launching the report.

Amongst the key findings in the report are that outbound travel from GCC countries to European destinations has benefited from the unprecedented growth in air travel during the past decade, with Gulf carriers becoming major players in long-haul aviation.

Air connectivity between Europe and the GCC has seen exponential growth, providing easy access to travel between the two regions, it stated.

The report also pointed out that the GCC travellers were mostly young and family-oriented, with large disposable incomes, and looking for high-quality accommodation, food and retail services.

These familes value Europes variety of attractions and landscapes, developed infrastructure and common visa and currency systems, which make multi-destination travel easier, it added.

"These nations remain a growing source market for European destinations, which should themselves capitalize on the potential of a younger, value-driven, well-informed and technology-savvy GCC traveller," remarked ETC President Peter de Wilde.

According to the report, Europe is seen by these GCC families as offering diversity in experiences as well as opportunities to shop for luxury and designer fashion.

The report pointed out that the key barriers for GCC visitors while booking a trip to Europe include safety and security concerns, the language barrier and the high cost of holidays.

The report concludes with specific recommendations on how to position and market Europe to GCC tourists.

It also finds that destinations should focus on promoting specific tourism products and develop pan-European themes to attract tourists looking to visit multiple destinations.

The launch of the study will be supported by a webinar providing an overview of prospects in the GCC outbound travel market, insights into the profile and behaviour of GCC travellers, and appropriate targeted marketing strategies and messages for GCC consumers, it added.-TradeArabia News Service ServiceVFS Global has signed a contract with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic for providing visa services in 10 countries worldwide.



As per this new contract, VFS Global will now provide visa services for Slovakia in China, India, Kazakhstan, Palestine, Belarus, Russia, Kuwait, UAE, Turkey and Egypt, through 38 visa application centres.



The rollout of all these new operations is expected to be completed by December. Under the new contract, VFS Global will accept both short and long-term visa applications on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.



Chris Dix, head  business development, VFS Global, said: We are excited about our new partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. The countries where we will be operating are markets where VFS Global has worked for several years, and whose travellers are familiar with our services and expertise. We are also pleased to have the opportunity to serve our new clients in new locations, and bring applicants in these locations the same benefits and high-quality service that we have been offering our customers worldwide for the last 17 years.



Over the last three months, VFS Global also signed eight new contracts with other European governments, reaffirming its position as a market leader in the visa facilitation space. In total, VFS Global is the trusted outsourcing services provider of 30 European governments out of 62 client governments served worldwide. - TradeArabia News Service

The number of Indian visitors travelling to the GCC over the coming five years will create an extra 10.8 million room nights, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2019 (ATM), which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28  May 1, 2019.



The latest research published by Colliers International predicts around nine million Indians will travel to the GCC by 2022  37 per cent of Indias total outbound market  with business, place of work and leisure underpinning this demand.

Indian outbound tourists will account for 22.5 million worldwide tourists in 2018, with reports from the UNWTO estimating this figure will increase by 122 per cent to reach over 50 million by 2022.



Adding to this, Indian tourists are among the worlds highest spenders per visit made abroad, with visitor spend expected to increase from $23 billion in 2018 to $45 billion by 2022.



Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: Despite recent weak Rupee exchange rates, which have seen the Rupee lose around 14 per cent of its value against the US dollar over the last 12 months, the Indian outbound market has continued to grow at an average annual growth rate of 10-12 per cent over the last seven years.



The GCC has benefited from this trend with Indian travellers willingness and ability to spend on outbound travel supported by the countrys pace-setting 7 per cent GDP growth and a new generation of leisure attractions in the GCC as well as increased business opportunities and relaxed visa regulations for Indian nationals.



We are witnessing this growth first hand with Indian visitors to ATM increasing 27 per cent YoY between 2017 and 2018.



In 2017, the UAE welcomed 2.3 million Indian tourists, accounting for 13 per cent of its total annual visitors, with this figure expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 per cent to 2022.



India retained top spot on Dubais list of source markets for inbound tourism, with over 1 million Indian tourists arriving in the emirate during the first half of 2018, registering a 3 per cent rise over the same period in 2017. Relaxed visa restrictions and the introduction of a free two-day transit visa have contributed to this growth.



According to ATMs official research partner, Colliers International, Saudi Arabia will also experience a comparative growth of 7 per cent - while the remaining GCC countries Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will all witness an increase of 6 per cent between 2018 and 2022.



Curtis said: The influx of Indian visitors to the GCC shows no sign of abating, with every reason to believe India will maintain its position as a top source market, moving forward."



Supporting this demand, in the UAE alone, there are currently 1,065 weekly flights to India corresponding to 130,000 seats per week. Meanwhile, on-going bilateral talks are continuing to take place to increase airline frequency between India and all GCC countries.



Looking to the future, the Colliers research suggests India will rank as the worlds youngest country demographically, with 65 per cent of the total population categorised as Gen X or Gen Y by 2025.



A rapidly growing younger population combined with a burgeoning middle class  currently representing 350 million of Indias total population  who have an increasing amount of disposable income, provide strong indications that the country will continue to see a steep rise in the number of nationals travelling abroad over the coming years, Curtis added.



ATM 2019 had adopted cutting-edge technology and innovation as its main theme and this will be integrated across all show verticals and activities, including focused seminar sessions, featuring dedicated exhibitor participation.



ATM  considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector - welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2018 event, showcasing the largest exhibition in the history of the show, with hotels comprising 20 per cent of the floor area. - TradeArabia News Service

Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, announced today that its Germany-based associate company, FAI Aviation Group, will participate for the first time in the Bahrain International Airshow this week.

The air show will take place from November 14 to 16 at Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain.

FAI Aviation, a leading provider of mission-critical aviation services, is one of the worlds largest air ambulance jet operators by revenue. It has logged more than 200,000 hours flying air ambulance missions. It is also Germanys largest general aviation operator by fleet, operating over 13,000 hours of airtime in 2017.

The company offers fixed-wing air ambulance, special missions, charter and aircraft management, in addition to full MRO services. Mumtalakat acquired a 30 per cent stake in the company in 2017.

During the three-day event, FAI will showcase their D-AFAN Challenger 850 aircraft, which offers spacious cabins that provide maximum flexibility for VIP transport and air ambulance requirements.

This luxury aircraft can carry up to 14 passengers. Moreover, the aircraft can be configured as a specially-equipped air ambulance, with a complete set of medical and technical equipment that meets the highest international standards.

Mahmood H Alkooheji, Mumtalakat chief executive officer, commented: Bahrain has achieved tremendous success in hosting the International Airshow during the past four years. It is a valuable networking opportunity for the aviation industry and we are pleased that FAI will be joining our other key subsidiaries this year. The aviation sector is a growing and promising sector. In fact, by the year 2030, it is expected that 36 million new aviation-related jobs will be created. Our investment in FAI marks our first investment in Germany  within an important sub-sector of the aviation and consumer industries - and is in line with our ongoing efforts in diversifying our portfolio assets.

Dr Siegfried Axtmann, FAI Aviation chairman, added: Being an Associate of Mumtalakat and being the largest ambulance jet provider in the Arabian Gulf already, it is an honour and pleasure to present FAIs services at the Bahrain International Airshow to attract more clients to experience FAIs excellent service when it comes to VIP-Charter, aircraft management and maintenance of Bombardier Aircraft.

Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) is held under the patronage of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, with the supervision of Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and chairman of the BIAS Organising Committee.

It brings together around 150 international exhibitors with daily tours and extensive aircraft displays both on the ground and in the air. Among the main participants within the Mumtalakat Group are the National Bank of Bahrain, Gulf Air, Bahrain Airport Company, Batelco, Gulf Aviation Academy and FAI Aviation Group.  TradeArabia News ServiceContributed by Jonathan Stevenson / The First World War  known as the Great War before it became necessary to number them  is one of historys most celebrated lessons on two subjects in particular: how ominously easily it can be for a major war to arise, and the senseless cruelty and calamity of armed conflict between well-equipped adversaries who are determined not to lose. The war began with a Serbian nationalists assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This was seemingly a containable act, but Austria-Hungary secured Germanys support for the armed suppression of Serbian nationalism while Serbia gained Russias support for armed resistance. What ensued was the reactive, often opportunistic, and spiraling mobilization of two pre-existing military alliances  the Triple Entente between Russia, France and Great Britain (the United States would ultimately join them), and the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary and eventually the Ottoman Empire. The war did not end until November 11, 1918, exactly a century ago. In a little more than four years of combat, over 14 million died. Europeans and their leaders commemorate the armistice with fitting solemnity.

Germany and its allies had to fight enemies on two fronts: the eastern front, where it faced mainly Russia, and the western front, where it confronted the armies of France and Great Britain, mostly in French territory. On the western front in particular, trench warfare, sometimes involving the use of chemical weapons, produced nightmarish, industrial-scale carnage. For literally years, in agonizingly slow campaigns of attrition, troops fought and died in the tens of thousands over incommensurately small swathes of territory. In Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World, her book about the aftermath of the war, Margaret MacMillan wrote:

A quarter of French men between eighteen and thirty had died in the war, over 1.3 million altogether out of a prewar population of 40 million. France lost a higher proportion of its population than any other of the belligerents. Twice as many again of its soldiers had been wounded. In the north, great stretches of land were pitted with shell holes, scarred by deep trenches, marked with row upon row of crosses. Around the fortress of Verdun, site of the worst French battle, not a living thing grew, not a bird sang. The coalmines on which the French economy depended for its power were flooded; the factories they would have supplied had been razed or carted away into Germany. Six thousand square miles of France, which before the war had produced 20 percent of its crops, 90 percent of its iron ore and 65 percent of its steel, were utterly ruined.

Historically bloody battles took place in France. Some, like the First and Second Battles of the Marne (1914 and 1918, respectively), were very close to Paris, whose inhabitants felt under siege for the entire war. In the countryside, farmers tending their crops could hear artillery in the distance; the young men of the family serving in the army would come home on leave, dimly hopeful, until they didnt. In Europe, an entire generation not only in France but also in Germany and Great Britain was hollowed out demographically and spiritually. Governments preoccupied with war efforts were also more vulnerable to revolutionary political movements: both the Russian Revolution, stemming from an ideological impulse, and the Anglo-Irish War, from an anti-colonial one, began during the First World War.

In the wake of such comprehensive devastation and instability, the pre-war Belle Epoque (beautiful era), which had been singularly optimistic and peaceful, obviously could not pick up where it had left off. And any notion that war might somehow be cathartic  the Italian Futurists had momentarily embraced it  was thoroughly invalidated. Despair and disaffection, and the urge to condemn, inter, and escape a grim and tragic reality, would inevitably have profound impacts on art of all types. The postwar period was one of disruption and iconoclasm that turbocharged Modernism. Resolutely frank and acerbic German Expressionists like Otto Dix and George Grosz, who had served in the German army and emerged from the Weimar Republic, were immediate and vivid examples, while Dada embraced the comprehensive rejection of the cultural tropes that had nourished the war. Surrealism was perhaps the most intuitive reaction to the carnage. Implicit was the hope that the conflict was, as it was called, the war to end all wars. Peace, of course, would not endure.

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Art and politics spiral downhill at the GuggenheimA Rohingya refugee family from Myanmar at a shelter in Nayapara camp, south-east Bangladesh.  UNHCR/Chris Melzer

UNHCR supports the voluntary and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees in safety and in dignity to their places of origin or choice, and will work with all parties towards this goal. The repatriation of refugees is premised upon the free and informed decision by refugees, on an individual basis, to return. Refugee returns should only take place at their freely expressed wish based on relevant and reliable knowledge of the conditions within the country of origin and the area of return.

The best way to provide that knowledge to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is to allow them to go and see the conditions in Myanmar for themselves. Before making a choice of whether to return or not, the refugees reportedly verified by Myanmar as having the right to return should be allowed to visit their places of origin in Rakhine State, or other places to which they might choose to return, so that they themselves can make an independent assessment of whether they feel they can return there in safety and dignity. Myanmar authorities should allow these refugees to undertake such go-and-see visits without prejudice to their right to return at a later date, if indeed the refugees decide after the visits that the current conditions in Rakhine State would not allow them to return in safety and dignity.

The responsibility to improve those conditions rests with Myanmar. Although UNHCR does not believe current conditions in Rakhine State are conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees from Bangladesh, we remain committed to supporting the Government of Myanmars efforts to create such conditions, under the terms of the tripartite Memorandum of Understandig (MoU) signed by UNHCR, UNDP and Myanmar authorities in June. And we remain deeply grateful to the Government of Bangladesh as it continues to generously host Rohingya refugees until they can voluntarily return to Myanmar in safety and dignity.2019 Climate Summit: Luis Alfonso de Alba appointed as Special Envoy

United Nations, Nov 11 (UNI) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has announced the appointment of Luis Alfonso de Alba of Mexico as his Special Envoy for the 2019 Climate Summit.

Mr de Alba will be the task of providing 'leadership, guidance and strategic direction' towards Summit and will be engaging key strategic climate change leaders, including governments, and coalitions, to galvanize climate action ahead of the event, United Nations news reported.

The 2019 Climate Summit will be held with the objective of building momentum, enhancing national ambition, as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.Bangladesh Speaker meets British PM

Dhaka, Nov 10 (UNI) Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury called on British Prime Minister Theresa May at the latters office, an official statement said on Saturday.

The Speaker is currently in the UK to attend the Women MPs of the World Conference on which was held November 8 to mark the 100 years of the women MPs.

Ms Shirin Sharmin wished a successful completion of the conference and thanked the British Prime Minister for inviting her to the event.Jaipur, Nov 10 (UNI) With the date of start of process of elections for constituting the 15th Rajasthan state assembly two days away, political activities in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the principal opposition Indian National Congress have picked up.

The election process for filling the 200 seats in the House will begin on Monday with issuance of the notification and start of filing the nominations. The submission of the papers will continue till November 19, scrutiny will be carried out the next day and November 22 is set for the deadline for withdrawals.

On December 7, the single-phased polling in all the 200 constituencies would take place.The announcement of the mandate will take place four days later, along with Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Mizoram.

Keeping in view the election schedule, the selection of candidates has become the top priority for all parties, as barring the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, no other political outfit has so far declared names of their candidates.

The leadership of the ruling BJP, as well as the rival Congress, have been occupied for several days, with deliberations on the panels of their respective ticket aspirants, prepared by the district and state level functionaries.

While the members of the core committee of the BJP were in discussion with the central leadership in New Delhi on Saturday, the screening committee members of the Congress were also holding prolonged rounds of deliberations on the tentative proposals for each and every seat.

On Friday too, the Congress leaders held informal deliberations.However, AICC General Secretary and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and PCC President Sachin Pilot could not grace the consultations.

Now the BJP central election committee is expected to meet on Sunday in the national capital to discuss and approve the names for the first list of nominees which could be released on the same day or on Monday.

Congress CEC will meet as per the availability of the party chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday or so and no list is expected to be released before Monday.

In the meantime, the AAP, that is trying to create a political space for itself in this desert state has already declared candidates on 78 seats.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati-led BSP has also released two lists of a total of 17 candidates so far.

The Communist Party of India, an ally in the newly floated non-BJP non-Congress third front, held a meeting of its state committee in the state capital here on Saturday to discuss various poll related issues, a party functionary said.

The Left party has finalised names of nominees on 18--19 seats but deferred the release of the list until November 13 or 14 to facilitate more discussion with other front partners, he said.

Communist Party of India Marxist, Janata Dal (Secular) and other parties are yet to take a call on their respective nominees and the constituencies.

While the ruling BJP has been facing an uphill task to defend its towering tally of 163 seats, that it won amid strong Modi wave in December 2013 elections, their traditional rival Congress--in upbeat moods-, has apparently posed a serious challenge before the saffron brigade to retain power.

In 2013, the BJP had won 163 seats in the 200-member House, pushing the Congress to 21, the all time low for it. Independents (seven) and other parties had a tally of 16 seats.

Now as per the present party wise position in the House, the BJP holds 160 seats, Congress 25, BSP and National Union of Zamindaran Party(NUZP) (two-each), National Peoples Party (one), Independents-(seven) and vacant seats(three).

UNI SS RP1950Citizens demand independent probe on attack on Meghalaya womens activist

Shillong, Nov 10 (UNI) A group of citizens here in Meghalaya on Saturday demanded an independent inquiry into the murderous attack on womens activists, Agnes Kharshiing and her aide in coal-rich district of East Jaintia Hills.

Political leaders, rights activists and others assembled near the additional secretariat condemning the attack on Kharshiing and her aide Amita Sangma.

On Thursday, Kharshiing, who is also the President of Civil Society Women's Organisation, along with her aides Amita Sangma and E Kurbah were brutally attacked after they had gone to the Lad Rymbai police station to lodge a complaint about the illegal transportation of coal in violation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order.New Delhi/Raipur, Nov 10 (UNI) Charging Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh of being involved in corruption, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that no action had been taken by the state government on the chit fund scam and the PDS scam.



Addressing a public rally at Kanker , Rahul said no action was taken in the chit fund scam because of the direct involvement of the CM.



Modi ji says he's fighting against corruption. But when he comes to Chhattisgarh he doesn't tell you the Chief Minister is corrupt. Your Rs 5000 Cr disappeared in chit-fund scam, 310 FIRs were registered but no action was taken because the CM was involved, Rahul said.



Attacking the State government on the PDS scam, he said, Rs 36,000 Cr of the people of Chhattisgarh was looted. Diary mili, diary mein likha tha 'CM Madam ko paisa diya. Dr Sahab ko paisa diya.'(A diary was found in which it was written that CM madam was given the money and Dr Sahab was given the money). I ask Raman Singh ji who is this CM Madam and Dr Sahab whose names were found in the diary in connection with the scam.



Rahul also asked the Chief Minister why no action has been taken against his son, whose name appeared in Panama papers.



The Chief Minister should explain why no action has been taken against his son, whose name appeared in Panama papers? In Pakistan the PM is jailed because his name appeared in Panama papers,Rahul said.



Charging the CM of stealing from the people and helping 15-20 of rich industrialist friends, he said,

Chhattisgarh is a prosperous state, but the BJP govt steals from the people and helps 15-20 of rich industrialist friends. 



Attacking the chief Minister of failing to fulfil the promises made to farmers, he said,chief minister Raman Singh had promised MSP of Rs 2100 for paddy, but today, farmers get only Rs 1500. Congress government will provide MSP of Rs 2500 for paddy. We will also give bonus to farmers that BJP promised and failed to fulfill.



He also assured people that the Congress, when it comes to power, will enforce Tribal Rights Act, PESA Act and Land Acquisition Act that protects farmers' and Aadivasis' land.

UNI AR ADG 1454New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) When the flood hit Kerala in August, it destroyed more than 228 libraries in the state. But roughly after a trimester, the libraries are renovating under a new idea-- funds and books for libraries through public participation.

'One Library Per Village' (OLPV), a non-profit organisation, conducting a campaign for bring back the libraries that destroyed in the deluge.

Each of the partially or fully destroyed libraries in the state had about 12,000 to 15,000 books, estimate a loss of around 25 lakh books. These libraries are mostly located in the flood-affected areas of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Thrissur districts.

According to reports, the loss of books, furniture, and other equipment totals over 12 crore.

OLPV founder Sujai G Pillai is heading the #RebuildLibrary #RebuildKerala campaign told UNI on Sunday that the people around the world are donating books or support in developing infrastructure of village libraries through the campaign.

"The mobile apps associated with this campaign #BookBucketChallenge, help users to locate the nearest local library and also guide them in donating books & educational materials. This campaign aims to convert libraries into collaborative learning center and local co-working area for all age group of people," he said.

Thiruvananthapuram MP, Dr Shashi Tharoor a strong supporter of this campaign mentioned in his tweet, More than 228 Libraries partially or fully destroyed in #KeralaFloods. Lakhs of books lost. "One Library Per Village" campaign by promoters of #BookBucketChallenge organizing #RebuildLibrary campaign across Kerala: http://www.savelibrary.in & http://www.olpv.org/p/rebuild.html. This reached millions of people and created great impact among readers and libraries.

Other aim of this campaign is to preserve good hard copy books for future generation. Many houses have large volume of books that lying untouched and getting destroyed. Many of these books are not in print or available in market. These books have to be brought to local libraries. Connemara Public Library, Chennai is willing to compensate and award the donors of the rare books, first editions valuable books and palm leaf manuscripts, said Mr Pillai.

In 2015, the organisation raised Rs 50 Lakh worth books to compensate the lose occurred due to Chennai Floods.

OLPV with mission Each one  Reach one , Reach one - Teach one, until everyone is Learned has organised various social events and also was listed in Limca Book of Records for conducting 'Cyber Sureksha Pledge' in 15,000 schools in Kerala.

The #BookBucketChallenge campaign for listing favorite 10 books is considered as one among the top 10 viral campaigns in the Internet and was nominated for 'Social Media for Empowerment' Award for SAARC nations organised by Digital Empowerment Foundation.

UNI JW NC0651Chandigarh, Nov 10 (UNI) Given the inter-state and international ramifications of the case, the Central and Punjab governments have decided to hand over the investigations into the case involving the arrest of 3 armed Kashmiri students, associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The three students were arrested last month in a joint operation by the Punjab Police and Special Operations Group (SoG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police from the hostel of CT Institute of Engineering Management and Technology, located in Shahpur on the outskirts of Jalandhar. Two weapons, including an Assault Rifle, were also seized from them along with explosives.

The decision to hand over the case was taken after discussions on the issue between the Punjab government and the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to DGP Punjab Suresh Arora.

Initial investigations had revealed that the students, identified as Zahid Gulzar, Mohd. Idriss Shah and Yusuf Rafiq Bhatt, were associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH), a Kashmir-based terrorist outfit with reported links to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The outfit is reportedly headed by Zakir Rashid Bhatt@ Zakir Mussa.

In deciding to hand over the case to NIA, the two governments had also taken note of the fact that after these arrests, two more Kashmiri students were also arrested by the Punjab Police in connection with the Maqsudan Police Station hand-grenade blasts case of September 14. Two of their accomplices were reported to be still absconding.

This was indicative of efforts by Pakistans ISI to expand the arc of militancy on Indias western border, said Arora, underlining the need to unravel the entire conspiracy and network built by these outfits/individuals in Punjab and J&K, said the DGP.

Arora said the decision to hand over the investigations to NIA, the countrys Central Counter Terrorism Investigation Agency, was aimed at ensuring speedy and more effective probe into the matter. The State government was also of the view that the growing attempts by Pakistan-based ISI and terror outfits/elements based abroad to revive terrorism in Punjab required strong and concerted efforts by the National Agency which has the mandate to investigate all over the country and even abroad.

The Punjab Police, he said, would extend all necessary support and help to NIA to ensure that the investigations are completed, and the complete nexus of terrorist outfits/elements based in India and abroad is identified and broken at the earliest.

The DGP said while the state police were keeping a close eye on activities of Kashmiri students to pre-empt any further incidents of targetting of police stations and police officers in Punjab, it was felt necessary to take all the required steps to ensure that militant elements and anti-national forces are not allowed to disturb the peace and communal harmony in the state.

UNI JS SHK2034Country

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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Nov. 05, 2018 | PADUCAH

By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 05, 2018 | 06:37 PM | PADUCAH

The 62nd annual Telethon of Stars is hosting a watch party for their celebration concert on Saturday, Nov. 17.



A kickoff party will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Haws Gym on the WKCTC Paducah campus. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and there will be a silent auction, music, dancing, and more fun for the whole family.



It all leads up to the Celebration Concert Watch Party, broadcast LIVE from 6:00 - 10:00 pm on WPSD. The concert by Wynonna & The Big Noise, along with Collin Raye and Craig Wayne Boyd, which was held Sept. 22 at the Carson Center, will be broadcast.



The celebration concert is an added fundraiser for the telethon, which in recent years has changed from an all-night format to a shorter length. Money raised will be divided between three organizations; TLC of Southern IL, Easter Seals West Kentucky, and the UT-Martin Infant Stimulation Program.



The annual gospel concert will be broadcast on Sunday morning, Nov. 18 from 9:00 - 10:30 am on WPSD.By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 10, 2018 | 10:47 PM | PADUCAH

"We want to honor our service men and woman for putting themselves in harm's way for our freedom," said Amanda Stringer, WKCTC dental assisting/hygiene instructor. "It's not only a wonderful learning experience for our dental hygiene students, but they are looking forward to meeting the veterans and thanking them personally for their service."





The students, under the supervision of WKCTC dental hygiene faculty, will treat the military patients on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 am or 1 pm in the dental clinic located in the Anderson Technical Building, Room 230. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 270-534-3437. Proof of military affiliation and a photo ID is required. The plan of care can take three to three and a half hours.





"We want to take our time and provide great dental care for our veterans," said Stringer.



West Kentucky Community and Technical College will offer "Smiles and Salutes," a dental hygiene clinic to provide dental cleanings for military veterans during the month of November. Veterans will receive a special price of $20.By West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 11, 2018 | 12:00 AM | GRAVES COUNTY

A Graves County man faces charges after he allegedly fired several gunshots at a moving vehicle.

The incident took place Thursday around 12:20 pm at a home in the 1000 block of Almus Road. According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, 71-year-old Richard Jackson, of Cuba, fired three shots at a vehicle driven by Melissa Chambers Turner, also of Cuba.

Two of the bullets reportedly struck Turner's vehicle on the lower fender near the rear tire. Turner was not injured during the incident.

Deputies said Jackson was disgruntled with renters in a home of which he's a landlord.

Jackson was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief. He was lodged in the Graves County Jail.



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Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 01:41:04|Editor: ZD

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PARIS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron hailed Saturday his three-hour talk with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump as "fruitful", despite their brief spat on Europe-U.S. defense cooperation.

"We have decided, President Trump and I, to work together for the stability of the Middle East, which will have a positive impact on the price of oil," he said on his twitter account, noting that their close-door conversation focused on issues of counter-terrorism, European defense, Iran, Syria, the Gulf region and Libya, among others.

Earlier Saturday, Macron received Trump at the Elysee Palace. In his opening remarks, Macron told reporters that he "do share Trump's view that we need a better budgetary within NATO ... because it means more Europe and more capacity within NATO, in order to keep ourselves secure."

Responding to a spat between him and Trump over his proposal for a "real European army", Macron insisted that his proposal "is truly consistent with" Trump's demand for European NATO members to raise their defense budget.

Hours ago, upon his arrival in Paris, Trump slammed Macron's suggestion of "a real European army" as "very insulting".

"Perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!" he tweeted.

Trying to defuse the episode, Macron recalled "the tremendous solidarity" linking the "oldest allies" in his opening remarks.

For Trump, security cooperation between his country and Europe should be more fairness-oriented. He told reporters in the Elysee Palace that the United States wants a secure Europe and wants to help, "but it should be fair."

The United States can only do so much in fairness of itself, said Trump, adding that "different countries have to also help."

Trump had been frequently criticizing European nations for failing to meet the official annual defense spending target of 2 percent of gross domestic product set by NATO.

According to NATO figures, only five of 29 allies, namely Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Britain and the U.S., met their defense spending targets this year.

In July this year, Macron said that a NATO summit statement had confirmed the goal of 2 percent by 2024.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 03:16:14|Editor: yan

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NAIROBI, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan conservationist on Saturday urged African nations to boost resources for wildlife conservation.

Jim Nyamu, executive director of Elephant Neighbor Center, told journalists in Nairobi that most wildlife agencies in the continent are underfunded due to the lack of prioritization of wildlife conservation.

"Africa has to take up the responsibility to conserve their wildlife heritage including key cornerstone species such as elephant and rhinos," Nyamu said after completing a tour in five African countries.

In July, Nyamu led a team of Kenyan environmentalists on a 3,900-km walk through Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of the African elephant.

The executive director said that his walk managed to bring all the eastern and southern African elephant rangelands states together to discuss the welfare of the elephant.

"During my walk I held talks with policymakers and lawmakers in Africa on the need to upscale efforts to save the African elephant from extinction," he added.

Nyamu said that the population of the African elephants has declined from 3.5 million in the 1970s to approximately 415,000 currently.

He observed that 37 African states used to host elephants but a number of them have completely lost their elephant population.

Human wildlife conflict caused by expanding human population is another emerging threat to the conservation efforts, he said.

"Increasingly, we are witnessing communities surrounding wildlife areas killing animals because they don't see any benefits of the wildlife," he added.

Nyamu noted that climate change is also a threat to wildlife population because it reduces the amount of food available for animals.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 03:26:15|Editor: Yang Yi

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Lack of adequate information is one of the major challenges faced by traditional Chinese medicine, said Holly Shaw, a representative to the United Nations DPI & ECOSOC, at the 2018 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Culture International Development Symposium in the past week.

Hosted by the Sino-American Culture and Arts Foundation (SACAF), the symposium gathered Chinese medicine experts and scholars from the United States, as well as UN officials.

In her remarks, Holly noted that the ultimate vision is to use traditional Chinese medicine and life science to benefit human beings, which is closely related to the UN's goal of promoting sustainable development.

"We know that western medicine is very limited, traditional Chinese medicine offers a great amount of hope," said the DPI Representative, adding that to inform people about the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine is important.

"Just because something is traditional doesn't necessarily mean it is not applicable in contemporary," said Holly.

The symposium aimed to promote the strong integration of modernization of Chinese medicine and modern biomedical technology in the new era and to make the supply of traditional Chinese medicine health services more diversified, multi-levelled and multi-category, according to the host.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 03:51:21|Editor: yan

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MOSCOW, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Joint anti-piracy naval drills of Russia and Japan had kicked off in the Gulf of Aden, Russia's Northern Fleet said Saturday.

Combat ships of the Russian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force participated in the drills, including the Northern Fleet's Severomorsk anti-submarine ship and the Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi, according to Northern Fleet's spokesman Vadim Serga.

"Such interaction between Northern Fleet's sailors and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is taking place for the first time in the history of the Russian Navy," Serga was quoted as saying by Russia's Interfax news agency.

The naval drills were aimed at increasing cooperation between the Russian and Japanese warships in the fight against piracy and terrorism, Sputnik news agency cited Serga as saying.

During the exercises, the crews of the ships will exchange information, detect suspicious vessels, train sorties of shipborne helicopters, conduct simulated attacks and carry out excursions, according to Serga.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 05:16:33|Editor: Yang Yi

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Liu Baohua, deputy administrator of China's National Energy Administration (NEA), speaks during a conference of the sixth session of the Arab-China Cooperation Conference on Energy in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 5, 2018. Arab and Chinese officials and businessmen have met in the Egyptian capital Cairo to discuss future cooperation in the field of energy, particularly renewable energy. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

by Mahmoud Fouly, Li Binian

CAIRO, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Arab and Chinese officials and businessmen have met in the Egyptian capital Cairo to discuss future cooperation in the field of energy, particularly renewable energy.

During the sixth session of the Arab-China Cooperation Conference on Energy from Nov. 5 to 8, the two sides highlighted the significance of the ongoing energy projects carried out by Chinese corporations in Arab states, as well as opportunities for further Arab-China collaboration.

The fields of sustainable, renewable and clean energy were highlighted as a key area of energy cooperation between the two sides.

"Energy has become a matter of national security for every state all over the world, including China, Egypt and all Arab countries," said Mohamed Mousa, head of the Arab delegation in the forum, and the first undersecretary for research, planning and international cooperation at Egypt's Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy.

"Arab states can cooperate with China in this field and there are large opportunities in Arab states to establish renewable energy plants and manufacture their equipment," Mousa told Xinhua on the sidelines of the conference.

Liu Baohua, deputy administrator of China's National Energy Administration (NEA) who led the Chinese delegation, said that the pragmatic cooperation between China and the Arab world in the fields of oil and gas, electricity, nuclear power and renewable energy continues to deepen, describing it as "solid and fruitful."

"Energy cooperation has become the focus of China-Arab economic and trade cooperation," Liu said during the conference.

JOINT MEGA PROJECTS

Chinese giant energy corporations, including State Grid Corporation of China, Sinohydro, Dongfang Electric, Shanghai Electric, have been carrying out mega projects in Arab states including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco and Jordan over the past few years.

The projects include the construction of solar energy complexes and coal-fired power plants as well as upgrade of major grids and extension of power transmission lines.

In Egypt, Dongfang Electric and Shanghai Electric corporations are currently working on building a coal-fired power plant in Hamrawein region at the Red Sea coast with a total generating capacity of 6,000 megawatts.

"We're also working with China's Sinohydro on the construction of a major pumped-storage hydropower plant in Ataqah Mountain in Suez province northeastern Egypt with a capacity of 2,400 megawatts, besides our cooperation with State Grid Corporation of China and Huawei," Mousa said.

He added that Chinese experts also train Egyptian engineers every year in China to familiarize them with all new technologies in the field of energy.

Sinohydro has also been working on the establishment of a huge solar energy complex in Morocco's southeastern province of Ouarzazate that is expected upon completion by 2020 to provide clean energy for more than 1 million Moroccan homes, with even surplus electricity to export to Europe.

Moroccan officials say Noor solar complex will be the largest multi-technological solar production site in the world with a capacity of 580 megawatts, considering it a major step in the country's plan to generate 42 percent of its electricity consumption from renewable energy by 2020 and 52 percent by 2030.

Meanwhile in the UAE, China's Harbin Electric International works with Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power on a joint venture to build the Hassyan clean coal plant in Dubai that comprises four units to generate 600 megawatts each after completion, using ultra-supercritical technology.

FUTURE EXPECTATIONS

Although the current energy source of Arab countries is still dominated by oil and gas, which are relatively cheaper, the Arab countries are undergoing transformation to sustainable and renewable energy.

China, the second largest trade partner with the Arab world, has advanced technologies and expertise to help energy transformation in the Arab region through win-win partnership.

"China has accelerated energy restructure and built a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, while Arab countries actively seek energy transformation and changing the situation of relying on fossil energy," said Liu.

He stressed that China and Arab states share a common vision on energy development that will take their cooperation in the field to a new height.

"In order to promote cooperation in the field of clean energy, the NEA of China and the Arab League (AL) decided to establish a China-Arab clean energy training center," said the Chinese official.

Yang Kai, head of the Egyptian branch of the Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Limited, revealed his company's plan to invest in Egypt to build a high-end 300-megawatt photovoltaic industrial park project with an investment of more than 450 million U.S. dollars, which will provide jobs for 3,000 people.

"The project has already got a partner in Egypt and we have begun its feasibility study," the Chinese businessman told Xinhua.

"Egypt with its 100-million population is a promising market for Chinese corporations and China is a promising source of energy technology transfer and training for Egypt and Arab states," said Mousa.

Economist Mahmoud Fath-Allah from the AL economic affairs sector highlighted the significance of such Chinese training programs for the Arab world.

"One of the most important aspects of energy cooperation with China is the training part due to China's expertise in this regard, which will make a difference in the future of renewable energy in the Arab region," he added.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 05:51:39|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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French President Emmanuel Macron (3rd L) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2nd L) attend a solemn joint ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, near the town of Compiegne, France, Nov. 10, 2018. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel clasped hands on Saturday during a solemn joint ceremony at a historic site, in a vow of peace and unity. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

by Sonia Ounissi

PARIS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel clasped hands on Saturday during a solemn joint ceremony at a historic site, in a vow of peace and unity.

The two leaders made pilgrimage to Compiegne in eastern France, where the Allies and Germany signed an initial ceasefire accord which put an end to the First World War.

They laid a wreath and unveiled a plaque celebrating Franco-German reconciliation.

"On the centenary of the Nov. 11, 1918 armistice, Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Mrs Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, here reaffirmed the value of Franco-German reconciliation in the service of Europe and peace," read the plaque.

Macron sent a tweet with a picture of the two leaders standing closely to each other in front of the plaque, with a single word "United" as its text.

"Our Europe has been at peace for 73 years ... It has been in peace because ... the French and the Germans wanted it," Macron told a group of young people on the sidelines of the ceremony.

"The message is not to yield to temptations of division. French and German youths must continue to lead common projects, to build the future together," he added.

They also signed the visitors' book in a replica of a famous railway carriage, known as the Compiegne Wagon, where as revenge, Adolf Hitler forced France to sign its capitulation in June 1940.

Since last week, Macron has visited a string of former battlefields of northern and eastern France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

On Sunday morning, he will light the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arch of Triumph to celebrate the Armistice alongside foreign leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 06:46:46|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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LONDON, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- In a televised commemorative show on Saturday evening, British Queen Elizabeth II led tributes to soldiers who died in conflict since the beginning of the First World War.

The commemorative show was held at London's Royal Albert Hall (RAH), and was organized by the main veterans' charity association the Royal British Legion (RBL).

The annual RBL Festival of Remembrance show in front of the RAH's 5,000-strong audience and millions of TV viewers featured songs from Welsh stars Tom Jones and Bryn Terfel, who were joined by several choirs, military bands and serving soldiers.

The Festival of Remembrance began in 1927 and is always held on the evening before the official day of remembrance for dead soldiers on Remembrance Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday in November, the closest Sunday to Nov. 11 which is the day on which the First World War ended in 1918.

This year the Festival and Remembrance Sunday have special significance as they come on the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Events have been held this week in northern France and in Paris featuring British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron along with United States president Donald Trump to mark the anniversary.

Elsewhere on Saturday evening a candlelit vigil was held at the National Arboretum in the English midlands county of Staffordshire, to mark fallen soldiers since 1914.

The National Arboretum is a woodland area which contains 350 memorials to those who served or died in conflicts.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 09:47:10|Editor: Yang Yi

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BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China has seen rapid growth in its publishing industry over the past four decades, with the number of publishing houses increasing from 105 to over 580, data from National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) showed.

In 2017 alone, nearly 500,000 varieties of books were published, compared with 15,000 in 1978. A total of 9.24 billion copies were printed, generating a total sales volume of 370.4 billion yuan (53.5 billion U.S. dollars), according to the NPPA.

Since the reform and opening up, China's publishing industry has evolved in areas of management, ownership, supplies of cultural products and services and integration with other sectors, said NPPA official Liu Xiaokai at an event commemorating the publishing industry's development this week.

Physical bookstores in China have taken the path of integrated development and transformation and upgrading, thanks to favorable policies introduced in recent years, said Liu.

Ai Limin, director-general of the Books and Periodicals Distribution Association of China, said that it has become a main-stream trend for bookstores to promote the integration of online and offline stores.

Meanwhile, multiple publishing patterns, including traditional printed publishing and emerging electronic, digital, internet and big data publishing, have changed the way of reading.

Director-general of the Publishers Association of China Liu Binjie suggested the publishing industry adopt advanced technologies to foster new reading mode.

Li Guoqing, the founder of China's e-commerce platform dangdang.com, pledged efforts in areas of original online content, e-books, videos and audio books in the next three years.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 11:17:23|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SINGAPORE, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Heads of state and government of the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered here on Nov. 11-15 for their 33rd summit and related meetings, under the theme "Resilient and Innovative."

ASEAN, a regional bloc comprising 10 Southeast Asian nations, aims to promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitate economic integration among its members.

It was established in August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The group later expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

ASEAN population in 2017 reached 642 million, accounting for 8.5 percent of the world's total. In 2017, the region recorded a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 2.77 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 3.5 percent of world GDP, according to Statistics Singapore.

ASEAN celebrated its 50-years anniversary in 2017. Integration is gaining momentum in recent years as the regional bloc announced the establishment of the ASEAN Community in December 2015.

The ASEAN Community has three pillars: the Political-Security Community, Economic Community and the Socio-Cultural Community.

At its 28th and 29th summits held in Vientiane in September 2016, the leaders adopted the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan III and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, an integral part of the ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, in a bid to advance the ASEAN community building process.

The highest decision-making body of ASEAN is the summit meeting of the ASEAN heads of state and government. The ASEAN summit is convened every year and Singapore is this year's chair. According to the ASEAN Charter, the chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually among the member states.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 14:12:51|Editor: mmm

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GUANGZHOU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge, as the world's longest cross-sea bridge, is expected to have 5G service in the future, according to Fang Zheng, vice general manager of the WLAN office of ZTE Corp., the bridge's network operator.

The 55-km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge that opened last month connects the mainland province of Guangdong with the country's two special administrative regions, Hong Kong and Macao.

"The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge now has good coverage of 4G service," said Fang. "Experts and workers have overcome the difficulties of a complex construction environment and the lack of an optical fiber to provide tailored 4G solutions for the bridge and prepare for the future upgrading of 5G service."

Experts and workers extended the coverage area of the optical fiber to 20 kilometers, double the conventional maximum onshore coverage of 10 kilometers, to ensure the full coverage of network signal along the bridge, according to the constructors.

"The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge can be seen as a unique application of wireless technology, highlighting the high-quality products and advanced technology provided by China's communication sector," said Fang.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge is now ready for the access of Internet of Things, a major business to be achieved by 5G technology. From the very beginning, the technological base needed for 5G has been considered in terms of network architecture, room for 5G station and the installment of fiber, according to Fang.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 14:37:57|Editor: ZD

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BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's imports of solid waste slumped further in the first 10 months of 2018 as the government stepped up enforcement on a ban on solid waste imports.

Imports of plastic, paper and metal waste totaled 17.27 million tonnes in the January-October period, down 51.5 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs.

In October alone, solid waste imports were 1.64 million tonnes.

The country began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and for years has been the world's largest importer, despite its weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies illegally bring foreign waste into the country for profit, posing a threat to the environment and public health.

Given rising public awareness and China's green development drive, the government last year decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable.

The government banned imports of 24 types of solid waste, including plastics and paper, and has imposed tough quality restrictions on other recyclable materials.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 14:48:50|Editor: ZD

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Photo taken on Nov. 10, 2018 shows the scene of an award ceremony of a general knowledge contest in Dhaka, Bangladesh. CRI has held a general knowledge contest titled "Charm of Chinese" in Bangladesh recently. On Saturday night at a ceremony hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, winners of the contest were given certificates and prizes. (Xinhua)Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 14:47:58|Editor: ZD

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ZHENGZHOU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- "With just a few clicks of the mouse, Chinese farmers can sell their products to places thousands of miles away from their home. That's amazing," said Ismaev Malik, a 39-year-old farmer from Kyrgyzstan, during his visit to an e-commerce company that makes the online sales possible for farmers in Puyang City of central China's Henan Province.

Malik's visit was part of the courses offered by a training school in Puyang which was founded to provide training for local village chiefs. In recent months, the school has joined an assistance program to share Chinese wisdom and knowledge on agriculture with foreign officials and agricultural experts from countries along the Belt and Road.

In addition to Malikhas, a group of nearly 30 trainees from Kyrgyzstan's agriculture sector also attended the course covering topics on farming and processing, the operation of agricultural machinery and etc., lasting until Nov. 13.

Malik was a steelworker before the steel factory he worked with went down in 2012. He was then employed by a Chinese company that has acquired a collapsing local farm and turned it into the region's biggest farm.

After working with the Chinese company, Malik has learned how to raise sheep, cows and chicken. Moreover, the job brings him more than 3,000 yuan (about 430 U.S. dollars) each month, two times of his previous income at the steel factory.

"The corn output of our farm has doubled thanks to the quality seeds, advanced technology and equipment brought by the Chinese company. Now, the farm has nearly 600 employees, helping to relieve the local unemployment pressure," Malik said. "So I want to learn more during my time in China."

"Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country short of arable land; China's irrigation and deep processing technologies will be very helpful," according to Mambetova Zhazgul, an agricultural official from Kyrgyzstan.

The training also organized discussions and meetings for trainees to exchange ideas and seek business opportunities with Chinese enterprises. During a meeting, more than 10 potential agreements have been reached, according to the organizer.

In addition to the courses Malik attended, the training school in Puyang has also provided courses on poverty alleviation and community development for trainees from South Sudan.

In recent years, China has shared its experience and wisdom with more developing countries, especially countries along the Belt and Road. The training programs cover a wide range of fields including plantation, agricultural machinery and the prevention and control of animal diseases.

"The agricultural development not only depends on investment but also requires good management and advanced technology," said Luo Ming who works with the international exchange office of China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. "We expect that our foreign trainees will bring back the experience after learning about the agricultural management in China."

"I am lucky to have a bond with China," said Malik in fluent Chinese who has become an expert of livestock farming. "I am also looking forward to more visits to China and more Chinese investment in Kyrgyzstan."Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 15:18:02|Editor: mmm

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called on the Sri Lankan government to ensure peace and safety of all Sri Lankans and respect democratic values and constitutional provisions and process amid deepening political crisis in the country.

Farhan Haq, UN deputy spokesman, said on Saturday that Guterres "underlines the utmost importance of respecting democratic processes and institutions and resolving differences in accordance with the rule of law and due process."

Sri Lanka has been facing a political turmoil since Oct. 26 when President Maithripala Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and appointed former president Mahinda Rajapakse to the post, which means the cabinet was automatically dissolved.

Sirisena dissolved the parliament late Friday and declared Jan. 5 as the date for a snap parliamentary election.

The president suspended the parliament till Nov. 14.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 15:23:03|Editor: mmm

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MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Police on Saturday raided a gambling house in Mazar-e-Sharif city, capital of Afghanistan's northern Balkh province, killing a gambler and arresting 65 others, said a police statement released on Sunday.

The police personnel, according to the statement, raided the gambling home in Darwaza Shadian area of Mazar-e-Sharif city late Saturday night and after gunning down its ringleader, the police rounded up 65 more gamblers for investigation.

Gambling, like poppy cultivation and drug business, is illegal in Afghanistan. But the practice of testing chance for wining money goes operational with police connivance in many parts of the insurgnecy-hit country, locals said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 15:23:03|Editor: mmm

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Security Council on Saturday condemned the terrorist attacks in Mogadishu, which killed 50 people one day ago.

Friday's triple bomb blasts rocked the Somali capital. The first explosion hit a hotel, followed by two more nearby. The al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and government of Somalia.

They underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all states to cooperate actively with the government of Somalia and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

Earlier Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attacks. He reiterated the support and solidarity of the United Nations with the people and government of Somalia in this endeavor.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 16:23:11|Editor: ZX

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese pharmaceutical companies boosted their exports to the United States at an exhibition in Las Vegas on Thursday and Friday, with an actual transaction of more than 2.3 million dollars.

It was the second edition of China Pharmaceutical Ingredients Brand Pavilion, which selected 63 elite enterprises from 20 provinces of China, with a net exhibit area of about 800 square meters.

The Chinese pavilion was staged at Supplyside West, one of the top conventions in the international healthcare ingredients industry, which gathered more than 1,600 exhibiting companies from all over the world.

According to China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, during the two-day event, Chinese exhibitors received more than 3,000 professional customers.

Around 80 percent of those customers are American buyers. According to incomplete statistics, the amount of intentional transactions reached by Chinese exhibitors was over 6.6 million U.S. dollars, and the actual transaction amount was about over 2.3 million dollars.

Wang Maochun, vice president of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products, noted that Chinese medicine has received special attention and recognition from the international healthcare market in recent years.

"With diversified resource and advanced technology, China has become the largest suppliers of plant extracts in the world," he told Xinhua.

"The United States is the primary export market for plant extract products of China. From 2013 to 2017, China's exports of plant extracts to the United States totaled 8.86 billion U.S. dollars with an average compound annual growth rate of nearly 15 percent," Wang said.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 17:48:20|Editor: ZX

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ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Armed confrontations between Yemen's government forces and the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah left around 80 dead within the past 24 hours, local sources said on Sunday.

A medical source based in the city confirmed to Xinhua that "the majority of the killed people were Houthi fighters targeted by Saudi-led airstrikes during the ongoing fighting in Hodeidah."

"Hospitals in Hodeidah received up to 61 bodies of Houthi fighters who were killed either by airstrikes or during fighting with the government forces," the source added.

In the government-controlled province of Aden, a medical source at Jamhuriah public hospital provided Xinhua with the death toll of soldiers who were killed in fighting with Houthis in Hodeidah.

"A total of 19 soldiers were killed in Hodeidah. They were transferred to Aden and then to different areas in neighboring southern provinces," the source said.

He added that most of the killed soldiers were from Abyan while others from Lahj and joined the anti-Houthi campaign in Hodeidah a few days ago.

Meanwhile, warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition launched heavy airstrikes and targeted a number of Houthi-controlled areas in Hodeidah, causing huge blasts.

Earlier in the day, the Houthi fighters and pro-government Yemeni forces exchanged heavy artillery bombardment, according to local residents.

On Saturday, forces loyal to the Saudi-backed Yemeni government continued heavy clashes and pushed deeper toward the strategic port city of Hodeidah following several days of ferocious fighting with the Houthi rebels.

Air-covered by warplanes of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, the pro-government forces largely advanced on-ground and managed to enter a number of neighborhoods in Hodeidah after expelling the Houthi rebels.

The Saudi-backed government forces vowed to continue to push forward in an attempt to seize full content over the city's strategic port, but Houthis face the offense with stiff resistance.

Yemen's Internationally-backed government and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly accused the Houthi rebels of using Hodeidah's port to smuggle Iranian weapons. Both Houthis and Iran denied the accusation.

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 Arab coalition intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 to roll back Shiite Houthi rebels and reinstate Yemen's legitimate President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 17:53:21|Editor: ZX

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ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia have pledged to work towards the integration of the Horn of Africa region, according to a joint statement released by the three leaders on Saturday.

In a press statement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, said they would work towards the historic transformation of the Horn of Africa region towards peace and integration.

The three leaders issued the joint statement at the end of a two-day meeting they had in the northern Ethiopia city of Bahir Dar, the second meeting the trio had in two months.

"The three leaders reviewed developments and achievements since the signing of Asmara joint declaration on friendship and comprehensive cooperation in September and noted with satisfaction the tangible and positive outcomes already registered and agreed to consolidate their mutual solidarity and support in addressing challenges that they face individually and collectively," said the statement.

"The three leaders also welcomed the impending lifting of all sanctions against Eritrea and underscored their conviction the lifting of the sanctions would reaffirm their commitment to an inclusive regional peace and cooperation," it further said.

Eritrea has been subjected to a UN arms embargo since 2009, after UN experts accused Eritrea of providing political, financial and logistical support to armed groups opposing the central government in Somalia. Eritrea has denied the accusations.

The UN Security Council is expected to meet next week to review the sanctions. Eritrea hopes the sanctions will be lifted. Ethiopia and Somalia have supported the possible lifting of the sanctions on Eritrea.

The meeting of the three leaders comes amidst wide-spread optimism in the Horn of Africa region that it would move from a chronically unstable region to one of political cooperation and economic integration.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 18:23:25|Editor: mmm

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KIEV, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai is an important platform to link Ukrainian entrepreneurs with Chinese partners to the benefits of both sides, Ukrainian business and non-governmental organization leaders have said.

At the CIIE, "we received a large number of requests and proposals for the supply of our products," Vadym Lubianko, head of a Kiev-based plant Impuls that participated in the expo, told Xinhua.

The expo, which concluded Saturday, provides a unique chance for the Ukrainian state-run plant, which produces spare parts of prostheses, to enter the Chinese market, said Lubianko, adding that "the expo provided an opportunity to approach the rapidly developing Chinese market and present our products on this market."

Besides, the CIIE enables the Ukrainian plant to discover options for working with buyers in different countries around the globe.

"At the expo, all interested parties had the opportunity to find partners for the realization of their commercial goals and get access to new markets," Lubianko said.

He noted that at the CIIE, Impuls found potential buyers not only in China but also in Europe.

More than 3,600 companies from 172 countries, regions and international organizations have showcased their achievements at the CIIE, looking for more chances of international cooperation.

Dozens of Ukrainian enterprises showcased their products at the expo, from food to innovative gadgets, at the national exhibition booth al well as commercial pavilions.

Ukraine's presentation of itself at this international exhibition shows "its capabilities, as well as investment and export potential," said Gennady Chizhikov, president of the non-governmental Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chizhikov, who often participates in international exhibitions around the world, told Xinhua via phone that he was impressed by the scale and diversity of the CIIE.

Countries and thousands of companies gathered together at the expo, "providing an opportunity to find a buyer or a supplier in a very short period of time," said Chizhikov, adding that "this (is) exactly what modern business needs and this is very important."

He spoke highly of the organization, saying the expo was held "at a very high level."

"From the very beginning, the participants saw and felt the most important thing -- the hospitality of the organizers," Chizhikov said. "Besides, there was a high level of technological organization -- we experienced no difficulties with entering the exhibition, which is very important in terms of saving time."

The expo became an important platform to link Ukrainian entrepreneurs with Chinese partners to the benefits of the two countries, Chizhikov added.

"I think this exhibition will help small and medium-sized businesses of our countries to establish cooperation," Chizhikov said. "It will also help Ukrainian entrepreneurs to better understand how to work in the Chinese market, and this will ultimately give an impetus to the development of relations between our countries."

He also stressed that such large-scale expos are of particular importance for the development of regional and global trade.

"We hope this exhibition will be held on a regular basis," Chizhikov said. "Not only China needs it, but Ukraine needs it and the whole world needs it."Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 20:08:43|Editor: mmm

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LONDON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- As Europe commemorates the centenary of the end of the First World War, now is the right time for Britain to put the record straight on Chinese laborers' contribution and thank them, said a lead campaigner.

Steve Lau, chair of the Ensuring We Remember campaign for a permanent memorial in Britain to the Chinese Labor Corps, said in a written interview that the purpose of the memorial is to give the Chinese laborers the same dignity as everyone else.

An estimated 100,000 Chinese volunteers were recruited for the British Chinese Labor Corps and transported to the western front to assist the Allies. Some 40,000 others were estimated to have served with the French forces.

World leaders gathered on Sunday morning at the Arch of Triumph in Paris to mark the Armistice Day.

Despite suffering heavy casualties - estimates are in tens of thousands - from the war as well as harsh conditions, the contribution of the Chinese laborers, who were referred to as "coolies" (laborers), or "chinks" at the time, has routinely been overlooked or relegated to a footnote in history.

"I feel that Britain made a promise "Never to Forget" and each year on November 11," said Lau, "It's time to make good on that promise for the Chinese - I do not believe the Chinese should be treated any better than any other group, but equally, they should not be treated any worse. Unfortunately, they have been treated worse for a very long time."

There's a lot of room for increased research into Chinese laborers, he said.

In one episode, there were some 3,000 stranded Chinese sailors who arrived in the UK on British ships that were then requisitioned by the military, and could find no ship to work on, Lau said.

These men worked in munitions factories, build many of the new aerodromes and famously there is a flood defence wall build at Orford Ness known even today as the Chinese wall. There is no published research on these men either, according to Lau.

"It is also good to remind the British people that China was a friend and ally in both World Wars, and that China remains a friend of the UK," Lau said.

"The so-called China threat is a myth created by people who do not understand China or deliberately want to paint a bad picture of China's rise. The story can show the other side of the argument, not of a China threat, but of the China friend," Lau said.

A memorial in honor of the Chinese laborers slated to be erected in Britain is currently under construction in China, Lau added.File photo: In this Nov. 13, 1974 file photo, Yasser Arafat clasps his arms over his head as he addresses the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters. (AP photo)

by Fatima Aruri

RAMALLAH, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- A new film about the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, the Photography of the Siege, was screened in Ramallah city in the West Bank, marking the 14th anniversary of Arafat's death.

It unveiled the man's personal relationship with his aides and close companions during the Israeli imposed siege on his compound in Ramallah city between 2000-2004.

The film, by Palestinian photojournalist Jamal Arouri, is based on a book he assembled two years after Arafat died, putting together photos he took to document the life of the charismatic president's last years.

"As a photojournalist, I documented a significant number of photos which are being revived to the screen," said Arouri.

"This film, the Photography of the Siege, includes a number of people from the presidential guard, international solidarity activists, foreign ministers, Arab and Jewish Knesset members in addition on European parliament members," he added.

Arouri told Xinhua that he took specific photos to individuals and asked them to comment on the pictures and the moment it was taken, which gave the film an emotional and personal aspect.

Mohammad Al-Ashi, a personal guard of late Arafat, said that in the few years the film depicts, the president did his best to live with his besieged companions a normal life. He described the siege as a conspiracy against Arafat, who was known as Abu Ammar.

"What happened in Ramallah the last five years in Abu Ammar's life was a large conspiracy on the president that lead to his passing in the way that is known to all," Al-Ashi said.

Many of those who stayed close to Arafat under the siege said they were touched by the man's human and described him as humble and wise, especially during the difficult moments.

The film interviewed another Arafat's close guard, General Mohammad Wishah, who said "it was a harsh and unjust military siege."

He recalled that "sometimes we couldn't find a piece of bread to eat. But it was a rich experience that revealed the humanitarian aspect of the leader Yasser Arafat and the men around him who were all united."

"Yasser Arafat made us feel his tenderness as a father during the siege, that when he saw us tired and asleep, he would cover us, check on each of us and tour all locations although we were besieged inside the building, but we had taken all necessary measures to fight back any assault from the Israeli side," he added.

Arafat died on Nov. 11, 2004 at the age of 75 at a hospital in France due to an unknown illness, amidst Palestinian accusations of Israeli poisoning him.

Israel denies such accusations.

Arafat's wife has resorted to the French judiciary to look into her husband's death, but no results were made public.

Arafat had lead the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) since 1969 and became the first president of the Palestinian Authority (PA) since its establishment in 1994, following the signing of the interim Oslo Accords between the PLO and Israel in 1993.

In 1994, Arafat received the Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres for the achievement of the historic deal.The final quarter of 2021 is on its way and theres so much positivity about the rapid growth of the...Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 20:33:47|Editor: ZX

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TIANJIN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Recreational vehicle (RV) culture is catching on among drivers in China as the country is witnessing a booming tourism industry, industry insiders said.

Wang Kai, an exhibitor at the China Tourism Industries Exposition that opened Friday in Tianjin, said he has received many visitors during the three-day event, an indicator of people's growing enthusiasm for RV.

According to the Chinese website campave.com, the number of RV in China was about 48,000 by the end of 2017, and 4,500 new RVs were sold that year alone, a year-on-year increase of 28 percent. This year, RV sales are estimated to grow at least 40 percent, and the RV rental market is also growing rapidly.

It is estimated that there are about 150 RV producers in China.

"The rapid expansion of the RV industry is driven by people's upgrading of their consumption," said Feng Biao, who works with a Tianjin-based RV sales company. "People are becoming wealthier and are more willing to spend on new products to improve their life qualities."

Meanwhile, a growing RV market relies on more well-managed camping sites. Statistics show that the number of campsites in China has increased about 33 percent to exceed 1,200 in 2017.

China plans to complete building of 2,000 campsites for visits including RV tours by 2020, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.The Chinese-built Maputo Bay Bridge in Maputo, Mozambique. (Xinhua/Wang Teng)

MAPUTO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The longest suspension bridge in Africa, the cross-sea Maputo Bay Bridge with its link roads in Mozambique, was officially open to traffic here on Saturday.

The three-kilometer twin-tower suspension bridge extends with a main span of 680 meters over the Maputo Bay of the Indian Ocean. The bridge is part of the Maputo Bridge and Link Roads project built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with Chinese financing and standards.

Speaking at the inauguration, President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyusi said that the project will facilitate transport and connectivity between the country with other parts of the African continent.

The president expressed his gratitude to the government and friendly people of China for the support in funding this infrastructure and care given to the project.

Nyusi also highlighted that the bridge has fulfilled the wish of the people, with its potential to contribute to the sectors of tourism and logistics, the national economy and the global idea for regional integration.

Chinese Ambassador Su Jian said the project is a remarkable mark in the development process of Mozambique and it has potential to promote social and economic development by forming a transport artery from south to north across the country.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 22:09:03|Editor: mmm

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MADRID, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish National Police on Sunday confirmed their participation in a joint operation with French authorities and Europol which has produced nine arrests and dismantled a people trafficking organization dedicated to taking Palestinians from Lebanon to Europe.

The network is thought to have introduced around 1,200 Palestinians into Spain through Madrid's Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport, before transporting them to Belgium and Germany.

Five suspects, including the leader of the organization, were arrested in Spain and four in France, with police reporting that the group charged 8,000 euros (9,000 U.S. dollars) per person for its services and had estimated total earnings of around 9 million euros.

Police also searched 3 buildings (2 in France and one in the Spanish capital of Madrid), seizing 10,000 euros and 8,000 dollars in cash, as well as seven vehicles, computer hardware and documents "among which was a diary containing the identity and money paid relative to the trafficking of 475 people."

The police add that they "expect more arrests" as part of an operation "which is ongoing."

The people trafficking organization used a complicated route to bring the Palestinians to Spain via Ethiopia, Brazil and Bolivia. When the Palestinians then made a stopover at Madrid's Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport, supposedly on-route from Bolivia to Lebanon, they requested International Protection "as a way of gaining access to Schengen territory."

The police explain that "far from intending to continue with the administrative procedures which resulted for their request, the organization transported the Palestinians to Belgium and Germany in 'people carrier' vehicles."

In order to ensure the maximum security possible the network changed both vehicle and driver in the French city of Bordeaux before continuing with the journey to northern Europe. (1 euro = 1.14 US dollars)Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 22:34:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Nathan Morley

NICOSIA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot farmers are hailing a new protocol for the export of Cypriot dairy products to China as an 'important step forward' for their industry.

Earlier this week, the two countries signed a protocol which is hoped will lead to the export of Cypriot dairy products, including the popular halloumi cheese to China.

"Absolutely we have high expectations for China, because we believe there is a big demand and a potential demand," said John Pittas, the export manager for Pittas Dairy Industries, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Pittas is one of the leading halloumi producers on the island, employing over 200 people making traditional local cheeses. Their best seller is called halloumi, which is popular given its high melting point, making it ideal for grilling and frying.

"We are ready for China. We have the labels ready, we have prepared everything. All we are waiting for now is the approval, and then we will send the first container," Pittas added.

Halloumi has become an increasingly profitable export. As it stands, Pittas cheeses are sold in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Australia and Japan accounting for more than 50 percent of the total exports of local dairy products. In all - between several dozen producers - it's estimated that over 6,000 families depend on the industry.

During a meeting in China on Tuesday, the Cypriot Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis and Chinese Minister of the General Administration of Customs Ni Yuefeng also discussed the future export of local red-soil potatoes and fishery products to China.

Kadispaid a visit to the First China International Import Expo, which marked a new era in opening the Chinese market to third countries as the country becomes a global market importer. He also embarked on a series of meetings with wine and food distributors in an effort to penetrate the lucrative Chinese market.

Pittas said he was confident that given the latest developments, he will be at the same event next year.

"We know about the Import Expo, and now that there is a potential market for us, we will definitely be there in 2019," Pittas added. The 6-day expo, which was held in Shanghai, gave more than 400,000 buyers a chance to meet with more than 3,600 businesses from 172 countries.

Relations between China and Cyprus have been expanding rapidly on a number of fronts. Last year, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasidies said Chinese investors buying local property had contributed to the recovery of the beleaguered construction sector after a financial crisis hit the island in 2013.

Next year, the Cypriot Finance Minister, Harris Georgiades, and China's Vice Minister of Commerce Fu Ziying, will hold an intergovernmental conference in China to further promote economic and trade relations, according to a statement from Cypriot Finance Ministry last month. The past few years have seen growth in trade, investment, and plans for more tourism between the two countries.

The countries are getting closer in other areas too. Last summer, the second Cyprus Chinese Cultural Festival was held in the resort city of Limassol which aimed at offering a role in promoting more cultural exchanges.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 22:54:17|Editor: Chengcheng

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Belgian King Philippe mourns during a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day of WWI in Brussels, Belgium, on Nov. 11, 2018. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Belgian King Philippe delivered a speech Sunday morning at the Congress column in Brussels, calling on young people to become "heroes" and build a peaceful world. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Belgian King Philippe delivered a speech Sunday morning at the Congress column in Brussels, calling on young people to become "heroes" and build a peaceful world.

The military ceremony, which is held every year at the Congress Column in Brussels, started with King Philippe leading a one minute's silence to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Later, he delivered a heartfelt speech calling on the youth in Belgium and around the world to become true heroes.

"I would like to say to the young people here, the day will come when we will no longer enjoy the heartening presence of the veterans who defended our territory. I am committed to keeping alive, with you, the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for us and the values for which they fought", said the Belgian sovereign.

"This Congress column, erected in honor of our first parliament and our first sovereign, is guarded by the unknown soldier. It embodies a message from the past, but it also points the way to our future", he added in a speech to Presidents of the House and Senate, Siegfried Bracke and Christine Defraigne, representatives of the government and the corporate bodies.

Since the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Belgium has organized a series of commemorative events every year on the 11th of November.

In recent years, Belgium has also began commemorating the contribution of Chinese workers during the First World War. On Nov. 9 of this year, an exhibition of photographs took place in Bruges in memory of the "Chinese Labor Corps" active throughout the First World War.

A day later, the Chinese Embassy in Belgium organized a ceremony in Poperinge, West Flanders, to commemorate the "Chinese Labor Corps" who made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to peace and reconstruction in Europe during and after the First World War.

The First World War broke out in 1914 and ended in 1918. Belgium, having been invaded by German forces in 1914, was one of the main and most bloody battlefields of the First World War.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 22:59:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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PARIS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- With world leaders gathered, church bells rang and Bach's Sarabande played, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday held a solemn ceremony to mark the centenary of the Armistice of the First World War.

Around 11 a.m. local time (1000 GMT), Macron and delegates from around 70 countries walked side by side towards the Arc de Triomphe to pay tribute to around 10 million soldiers killed during the 1914-1918 war.

In a wintry and rainy day, 40-year-old Macron inspected troops. In his following speech, the president reminded the gathering that "during these four years, Europe had come close to committing suicide. 10 million dead, 6 million injured," ringing an alarm bell for the rising nationalism, which, according to him, would put on edge fragile world peace.

100 years on, the French president warned "the old demons are rising again. New ideologies manipulate religions, history threatens to resume its tragic course.

"Let us build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other," he said.

"The lesson we draw of the great war cannot be rancor and resentment against other nations. And it cannot be allowing the past to be forgotten. The great war is a foundation that obliges us to think forward to the future and think of our essential values," he noted.

At Sunday's commemoration, young students, born decades after the World Word II, read out in English, Chinese and French etc. testimonies written by French, German, British and American soldiers when the guns fell silent on Nov. 11, 1918.

Culminating a week of World War I memorials, Macron also lighted a flame and laid a wreath to honor an unknown soldier who was killed in the war and whose remains are buried with others under the arch.

Starting from July 28, 1914, and ended on Nov. 11, 1918, the First World War is one of the bloodiest wars in history. Involving five European empires and dozens of world powers, it ended up with a Europe left in ruins and almost a generation of youth depleted.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 22:59:19|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ISLAMABAD, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani authorities have detained 12 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary, security officials said on Sunday.

The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) said two boats of the fishermen were also seized, adding that the Indian fishermen were involved in illegal fishing in Pakistani water.

The arrested fishermen were handed over to police by the MSA officials. They will be produced in a court for legal proceedings, police said.

India and Pakistan routinely arrest fishermen on charges of entering each other's waters as the maritime boundaries between the two countries were poorly defined and many fishing boats lack technologies on locating their precise places.

Earlier on Oct. 24, Pakistani authorities detained 16 Indian fishermen and seized three boats during an operation in open sea for violating the Pakistan's coastal territory.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:09:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MADRID, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish authorities recovered the bodies of four immigrants on the Spanish coast on Saturday, local media reported on Sunday.

Spanish national TV network RTVE explained that two bodies were discovered inside a four-meter long inflatable dinghy which reached the Chilches beach close to the town of Velez-Malaga in Andalusia, southern Spain.

A further body was recovered close to the Canos de Meca beach in Cadiz, southwest Spain, while the body of a sub-Saharan African was found floating off the coast of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The forth body which was found close to the Canos de Meca beach is thought to be one of the 14 people who went missing after a dinghy carrying 40 migrants hit rocks 150 meters from the shore on November 6.

22 of those migrants were able to reach the beach, with fours deaths confirmed on the same day.

Earlier this week, three further bodies were recovered on Wednesday and Thursday and four more on Friday, but some migrants still remain to be found.

The Andalusian regional authority on Saturday issued a statement in which it "vehemently" stressed the need for "solutions" to prevent further tragedies and asking for "greater collaboration" with European institutions.

On Nov. 5, the Spanish Ministry for the Interior and the International Organization for Migration published figures which showed that an estimated 564 people lost their lives when attempting to cross from North Africa to Spain during the first 10 months of 2018.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:29:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KIEV, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Residents of the insurgent-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine cast their ballots on Sunday in local elections amid harsh criticism from Kiev.

People in the conflict-hit Donetsk and Lugansk regions, together known as Donbas, are set to elect both "presidents" and members of "parliaments" of the self-proclaimed republics.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has voiced protest in the wake of the elections, saying that their results will be "null" and "void" and would have no legal consequences.

Ukraine will not recognize the elections, the ministry said, emphasizing that Kiev believes that elections in Donbas can be held only under the Ukrainian legislation and in full compliance with the standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called the elections "fake" and said: "they will not have any legal force nor be recognized by the international community."

In April 2014, armed groups seized the cities and villages in eastern Ukraine and declared independence from Kiev. The Ukrainian army launched offensives against the insurgents.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:29:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LIBREVILLE, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The state of health of Gabon's head of state, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been hospitalized since October 24 in Saudi Arabia as a result of "persistent malaise and vertigo", has improved significantly, according to a statement read Sunday from the presidential palace by the spokesman of the Presidency, Ike Ngouoni.

"The state of health of the President of the Republic, Head of State, has significantly improved. This positive development has accelerated significantly in recent days," the statement said.

"Today, the President of the Republic is in a recovery phase of the fullness of his physical faculties," it said.

According to the statement, the president had "persistent discomfort and dizziness" on October 24, 2018 while he was at a hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

After being examined by his personal doctor, Ali Bongo Ondimba was immediately transported to King Faysal Hospital in Riyadh for appropriate treatment and further investigation.

"Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Republic, Head of State continues to carry out his duties", said the statement, adding that "the institutions of our Republic are now functioning perfectly in strict compliance with the Constitution".Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:29:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NANNING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 Yangshuo Climbing Festival concluded on Sunday, featuring 82 rock climbers both at home and abroad during the three-day event.

Those rock climbers from Britain, Poland, Russia, Singapore, the United States and host China competed in both redpoint and bouldering events.

Fifty routes were set up in Mt Jiuping, Mt Yueliang and Mt Leipi, and Liu Jia of China won the redpoint competition with 15 routes completed.

Against the wall of 23 meters in length and 4.5 meters in height, Liu Yongcheng of China and Przybysz Aleksandra of Poland won their respective men's and women's bouldering titles.

"Sometimes missing a route is even worse than losing millions of dollars," said Zhang Yong who dedicated himself to develope routes of rock-climbing for many years.

Zhang said he has met a great number of close friends through rock climbing.

There are more than 1,000 routes in Yangshuo, accounting for one third of the routes in China, attracting some 300 rock climbing lovers from all over the world to stay in Yangshuo all year round.

"Yangshuo is a unique destination nestled among the majestic karst pinnacles of south China's Guangxi Province," said Andrew, an American man who decided to live in Yangshuo after his first visit 10 years ago, "Yangshuo rock encompasses all styles of climbing from three dimensional body torquing routes to technical mentally demanding climbs."Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:39:30|Editor: Chengcheng

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Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (from L to R) attend the annual remembrance ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in London, Britain on Nov. 11, 2018. Queen Elizabeth II was joined on Sunday morning by thousands of former and current soldiers, leading politicians and diplomats in marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War at the annual Remembrance Day parade in central London. (Xinhua/Ray Tang)

LONDON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Queen Elizabeth II was joined on Sunday morning by thousands of former and current soldiers, leading politicians and diplomats in marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War at the annual Remembrance Day parade in central London.

As 11 a.m. was tolled out by neighboring Big Ben, the Queen watched as her memorial wreath of dead poppies was placed on the Cenotaph by her son Prince Charles.

The annual remembrance service and parade has been held at the site of the Cenotaph in Whitehall since 1919. Until the end of the Second World War it was always held on November 11, at 11 a.m., the exact time of the armistice which marked the end of the First World War but since 1945 the remembrance service has been held on the second Sunday in November.

For the first time, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was present at the ceremony and laid a wreath at the Cenotaph at the invitation of the British government, a gesture of reconciliation between Germany and Britain which were on opposite sides during both World Wars.

The Queen joined thousands of other people in two minutes of silence as a mark of respect to those who died in conflicts since 1914.

The two minutes silence was observed across Britain, and at its conclusion, church bells rang out.

The Queen will attend a church service on Sunday evening at Westminster Abbey dedicated to remembering those who died in conflicts.

Throughout the day, thousands of members of the public drew portraits of dead soldiers in the sands along the British coastline in an event entitled Pages of the Sea.

The portraits etched in sand would all be washed away by the tide, symbolizing the passage of time and the act of remembrance.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:44:31|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GUANGZHOU, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Air Force on Sunday announced a roadmap for building a stronger modern air force in three steps.

The building of a stronger modern air force is in line with the overall goal of building national defense and the armed forces, Lieutenant General Xu Anxiang, deputy commander of Chinese Air Force, said at a press conference on celebrating the 69th anniversary of the establishment of Chinese Air Force held in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province.

According to Xu, the first step is to, by 2020, build a strategic force that integrates aviation and space power, and strike and defense capabilities, in which the fourth generation of equipment serves as backbone and the third generation of equipment as mainstay. The systematic combat capabilities will be enhanced.

The second step requires the air force to improve strategic capabilities and modernize its theory, organizational structure, service personnel, and weaponry. The building of a modern and strategic air force will be basically completed by 2035, Xu said.

The third step will see the air force fully transformed into a world-class force by mid-21st century, according to Xu.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-11 23:59:36|Editor: Chengcheng

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CAIRO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit urged on Sunday Libyan parties to reach a consensus on political, constitutional and electoral steps aspired by the Libyan people.

Aboul-Gheit called on the Libyan political parties to overcome the current political impasse and division in the war-torn Arab country, AL spokesman Mahmoud Afifi said in a statement.

Aboul-Gheit also expressed his hope that the Libyans would reach an agreement on a complete roadmap to pave the way for the expected political and legislative elections on sound legal and constitutional bases, Afifi added.

Despite signing a UN-sponsored peace agreement by the Libyan political parties in 2015, Libya remains politically divided between the eastern- and western-based governments, both competing for legitimacy.Belgium Queen Mathilde (L) and King Philippe during a ceremony commemorating the centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918, at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Congres Column, in Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, Belgian King Philippe delivered a speech Sunday morning at the Congress column in Brussels, calling on young people to become "heroes" and build a peaceful world.

The military ceremony, which is held every year at the Congress Column in Brussels, started with King Philippe leading a one minute's silence to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Later, he delivered a heartfelt speech calling on the youth in Belgium and around the world to become true heroes.

"I would like to say to the young people here, the day will come when we will no longer enjoy the heartening presence of the veterans who defended our territory. I am committed to keeping alive, with you, the memory of those who sacrificed themselves for us and the values for which they fought", said the Belgian sovereign.

"This Congress column, erected in honor of our first parliament and our first sovereign, is guarded by the unknown soldier. It embodies a message from the past, but it also points the way to our future", he added in a speech to Presidents of the House and Senate, Siegfried Bracke and Christine Defraigne, representatives of the government and the corporate bodies.

Since the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Belgium has organized a series of commemorative events every year on the 11th of November.

In recent years, Belgium has also began commemorating the contribution of Chinese workers during the First World War. On Nov. 9 of this year, an exhibition of photographs took place in Bruges in memory of the "Chinese Labor Corps" active throughout the First World War.

A day later, the Chinese Embassy in Belgium organized a ceremony in Poperinge, West Flanders, to commemorate the "Chinese Labor Corps" who made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to peace and reconstruction in Europe during and after the First World War.

Belgium King Philippe arrives at a ceremony commemorating the centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918, at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Congres Column, in Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

The First World War broke out in 1914 and ended in 1918. Belgium, having been invaded by German forces in 1914, was one of the main and most bloody battlefields of the First World War.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-12 02:19:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Kuwaiti minister said on Sunday that Kuwait and Iraq are prepared to strengthen cooperation in various fields, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

The remarks were made by Kuwaiti Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, after Iraqi President Barham Salih arrived in Kuwait for an official visit earlier in the day, KUNA said.

During a meeting between Salih and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to upgrade the frameworks of cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

They also discussed ways to support security and stability of Iraq to achieve its unity and territorial integrity, efforts to combat and eliminate terrorism, as well as the latest regional and international developments.

After the meeting, Salih told the press that Iraq and Kuwait are joined by ties of close historical relations and their common aspirations for a prosperous future of the two countries.

He expressed his hope to see more Kuwaiti investment projects in Iraq to serve the interests of both countries.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-12 03:55:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIRUT, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Sunday that the risk now facing Lebanon is economic, not military, as Israel dare not attack Lebanon, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

"Hezbollah, in addition to our national unity, will not allow Israel to launch any aggression against Lebanon," Berri was quoted by the NNA as saying.

If the situation remains unchanged, we will be going into a dangerous zone, he added, hinting at the delay in government formation.

The Lebanese speaker has, on many occasions, urged all political parties to compromise in a bid to reach a consensus in government formation amid economic deterioration.

Lebanon's public debt reached 82.95 billion U.S. dollars at the end of June, up from 76.5 billion dollars a year ago, according to Byblos Bank's weekly economic publication.

Lebanon needs to undertake major reforms to curb its public debt, including an overhaul of the electricity sector which costs more than 2 billion dollars annually.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-12 04:05:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HOUSTON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices dropped again after the fourth-week loss. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for December delivery and Brent crude for December delivery lost 4.7 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively, during the week ending Nov. 9.

In the previous week ending Nov. 2, WTI and Brent lost 6.6 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively, and WTI and Brent settled at 63.14 U.S. dollars and 72.83 dollars per barrel, respectively, at the end of the week.

On Monday, oil prices dipped slightly as Washington's sanctions against Iran and waivers from the sanctions came into force on this day. WTI dropped 0.04 U.S. dollar to settle at 63.1 dollars a barrel, while Brent was up 0.34 dollar to close at 73.17 dollars a barrel.

The United States re-imposed sanctions against Iran's oil exports, which had been lifted under the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement to curtail Iran's nuclear program.

Tehran, in response, dismissed Washington as Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a TV speech that it will "proudly break the unjust sanctions" and continue to sell oil.

The sanctions lifted supply concerns and concerns over economic slowdown, which may curb fuel demand. Despite the sanctions against Iran, the supply of oil is ample as output from the world's top three producers - Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia - is rising.

On Tuesday, oil prices declined as the United States allowed eight major importers to continue buying oil from Iran for 180 days despite its sanctions against the Middle East country. WTI dropped 0.89 U.S. dollar to settle at 62.21 dollars a barrel, while Brent was down 1.04 dollars to close at 72.13 dollars a barrel.

Analysts said the continued high output of U.S. shale oil and the scheduled outage of U.S. refineries lately had increased crude storage levels, leading to the continued weakness of WTI price.

Washington has granted 180-day waivers to Iran's eight biggest buyers, who imported over 80 percent of Iran's oil exports last year. Analysts believed the exemptions relieved concerns over volatility in global market caused by U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Analysts estimate Iran's oil exports have fallen since U.S. President Donald Trump said in May he would re-impose sanctions, but exemptions could allow exports to rise again after November.

However, worries over excessive supply from the world's major oil producers still persist, as Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia collectively produced more than 33 million barrels per day for the first time in October, amounting to more than one third of the world's almost 100 million barrels per day of crude oil consumption.

On Wednesday, oil prices decreased as U.S. crude inventories recorded a seventh consecutive increase. WTI dropped 0.54 dollar to settle at 61.67 dollars a barrel, and Brent was down 0.06 dollar to close at 72.07 dollars a barrel.

U.S. crude oil stockpiles in the week ending Nov. 2 increased by 5.8 million barrels, or about 3 percent above the five-year average for this time of year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

U.S. gasoline inventories increased by 1.9 million barrels, while distillate fuel inventories decreased by 3.5 million barrels, EIA said.

U.S. crude oil imports averaged 7.5 million barrels per day in the week, up by 195,000 barrels per day from the previous week. U.S. crude oil exports averaged 2.4 million barrels per day, down by 80,000 barrels per day from the previous week.

Concerns still permeated the global market that the rising oil inventories would lead to supply surplus, which seems to prompt major market players to take actions.

Russia and Saudi Arabia have reportedly started discussions over the potential output cuts in 2019. Moreover, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is reportedly considering cutting oil productions again next year following the output curbs issued in 2017.

EIA's November Short Term Energy Outlook's estimate of production from OPEC for 2018 and 2019 was revised up by 60,000 barrels per day to 39.1 million barrels per day and 40,000 barrels per day to 38.8 million barrels per day, respectively.

U.S. crude oil production increased at a faster rate than EIA previously anticipated, putting further downward pressure on crude oil prices. EIA estimated that U.S. crude oil production will average 10.9 million barrels per day in 2018 and 12.1 million barrels per day in 2019, an increase of 160,000 barrels per day and 300,000 barrels per day, respectively.

On Thursday, oil prices fell as the global market has remained bearish following October's downturn amid worries of potential supply glut from world's major oil producers. WTI dropped 1 dollar to settle at 60.67 dollars a barrel, while Brent was down 1.42 dollars to close at 70.65 dollars a barrel.

Meanwhile, investors' sentiment is clouded by uncertainty over how oil demand would develop, as some industry insiders predicted deteriorating demand.

On Friday, oil prices extended further losses as U.S. crude has entered a "bear market territory" due to lingering concerns over excessive supply and shrinking demand. WTI dropped 0.48 dollar to settle at 60.19 dollars a barrel, while Brent was down 0.47 dollar to close at 70.18 dollars a barrel.

In the week ending Nov. 9, the number of active drilling rigs in the United States increased by 14 to 1,081, and the number of rigs operating in U.S. oil fields increased by 12 to 886.

The market will keep a close watch on the following U.S. oil inventories. From now on, U.S. sanctions on Iran are unlikely to cut supply as much as expected.

Meanwhile, the market will focus on the news of any meeting between officials from China and the United States aiming at seeking solution to the ongoing trade tensions.Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-12 05:15:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Horn of Africa, once considered Africa's troubled region, has witnessed a new high in the relations among neighboring countries as leaders of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia declared new partnership initiative.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, stressed in a joint statement released after their two-day meeting in Ethiopia' s northern city of Bahir Dar late Saturday that they would work towards the historic transformation of the Horn of Africa region towards peace and integration.

The three leaders' commitment marked a new beginning to Africa' s most restive region, which is long attributed for a deadliest war and the subsequent two-decade armed standoff between Ethiopia and Eritrea, terrorism in Somali as well as blame game among countries for supporting rebels and terrorist.

"The three leaders reviewed developments and achievements since the signing of Asmara joint declaration on friendship and comprehensive cooperation in September and noted with satisfaction the tangible and positive outcomes already registered and agreed to consolidate their mutual solidarity and support in addressing challenges that they face individually and collectively," the joint statement reads.

The three leaders' latest meeting was a follow up to the previous discussion, and an eventual peace accord, that was held in September this year in Asmara, capital of Eritrea.

During the Asmara tripartite meeting, they had signed a Joint Declaration Agreement on Comprehensive Cooperation, which also followed by a tripartite summit on the enhancement of regional ties of partnership.

"Sharing close ties of geography, history, culture, religion and vital common interests the peoples of Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea need to further respect each other's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," the joint declaration said.

After decades of hostility and rivalry, a recent thaw in relations between the three Horn of Africa nations is considered as a new beginning towards normalizing diplomatic relations in the troubled region.

Eritrea and Somalia that have been blaming each other for supporting rebel and terrorist groups, had recently commenced diplomatic relations, marking a new beginning among the two countries.

Recent positive developments between Ethiopia and Eritrea also came after two decades long bitter armed standoff since the two countries bloody two-year border war from 1998-2000, that killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides.

After 20 years of hostility, the two countries resumed diplomatic relations on July 8, when Ethiopia's PM Ahmed made a landmark visit to the Red Sea nation and a week after, Eritrea's Afwerki paid a courtesy visit to Ethiopia.

Amid the easing tensions, telecom services between the two countries have resumed, embassies resumed diplomatic relations, and agreements were made to strengthen economic ties.

The two countries' flag carriers - Ethiopian Airlines and Eritrean Airlines - have also started flights to Asmara and Addis Ababa respectively.

Leaders of the two countries, in another bid to augment their growing ties, had also agreed to increase the movement and amount of bilateral trade through Eritrea's port city of Assab to landlocked Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

In addition to diplomatic relations, Ethiopia and Eritrea are also undertaking steps to strengthen cultural and people-to-people links between the two countries.

A cultural symposium, which was held last month here in Addis Ababa, had brought together 500 participants drawn from both countries, including senior government officials from both countries, who discussed various issues that include ways to enhance the cultural and linguistic ties as well as the need for cultural collaboration between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Peoples of the three countries - who shared similar socio-cultural traits and language, are also currently celebrating the normalization of ties among countries in the region.

With the re-opening of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border in September in the aftermath of the fast paced diplomatic rapprochement, Zalambessa and other Ethiopian entry points are busy serving as a gateway and meeting point in renewed commercial and cultural interaction between the two countries.

Fiyori Bizen, an Ethiopian mother of three living on the outskirts of Ethiopia's border town of Zalambessa, is a member of the border community that are celebrating the new positive diplomatic ties.

Speaking to Xinhua in a recent interview, Bizen confirmed that her house has transformed from a shelter to one that is facilitating her new business of providing coffee drinks to travelers from both countries.

"I have an increasing customer list of drivers, regular commuters and soldiers from both countries, ever since my coffee drinks business opened a week ago," said Bizen.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...Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Mii de oameni au participat duminica, la Bruxelles, la un mars impotriva restrictiilor impuse in contextul pandemiei. Au avut loc violente intre politie si demonstranti. Politia a utilizat tunuri cu apa si gaze lacrimogene impotriva unui grup de persoane care lansau proiectile. Manifestantii au avut

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- Prime Minister Florin Citu says that the Liberals have nothing to discuss with USR PLUS at the moment, but that after Tuesday, when the no confidence motion is voted, all options will be considered. "PNL has nothing to discuss with a party that overthrows the government of the National Liberal

- Dupa iesirea din inchisoare, fostul lider al PSD Liviu Dragnea face dezvaluiri despre averea sa si verificarile Autoritatii Nationale pentru Integritate. "Am avut doua cercetari din partea ANI in ceea ce...

- Liviu Dragnea, fostul presedinte al PSD, lanseaza o serie de acuzatii la adresa lui Klaus Iohannis, in prima aparitie intr-un studio TV dupa condamnarea din 2019. Vizati de atacurile lui Dragnea sunt si Florin Citu si PSD. Ce este acum in Romania este o dictatura a lui Iohannis. Este vizibilaAccident cu opt raniti, in Giurgiu. Victimele, duse la spitale din Capitala

Opt persoane au fost ranite, duminica noaptea, dupa un accident intre doua masini, in localitatea Campurelu, din judetul Giurgiu. Victimele au fost preluate cu ambualnte si duse la spitale din... [citeste mai departe]Lauren Underwood was on almost nobody's radar screen in the frantic run-up to last Tuesday's midterm election, and that's not surprising.

As the Democratic candidate in Illinois' 14th Congressional District, the unknown Underwood faced a GOP incumbent (Rep. Randy Hultgren) who'd won the district  exurban homes sprouting across flat prairielands west of Chicago  by 19 points in 2016, on the night that Donald Trump (who endorsed Hultgren this year at a rally) was elected president.

Underwood is a 32-year-old registered nurse and health-policy expert who'd never run for office before. She was an African-American running in a district that is 86 percent white. Her center-left campaign was not loud but persistent  playing up her support for expanding health coverage in contrast with her opponent's votes to repeal Obamacare.

But while the pundits and the pollsters largely ignored Illinois CD-14, an army of volunteers  most of them women energized by Trump's shock election  worked the district and small donations to the tune of $4 million poured in. And when the votes were counted on Tuesday night, the newcomer had ousted the four-term incumbent.

"Together we have built a movement," Underwood told her supporters. "That is democracy." Then, according to the Chicago Tribune, she declared, "The girlfriends are winning!" As she left the stage, Alicia Keyes' "Girl on Fire" blared.

The girls were on fire across America on Tuesday, from the Illinois cornfields to the red hills of Georgia to the oil derricks of Oklahoma. Female candidates won more than 100 congressional races  smashing records  and it was striking to see so many women like Underwood who'd never sought office breaking new ground where conventional candidates had failed.

Outside Atlanta in Georgia's 6th District. Democrat Lucy McBath  an African American gun-control advocate who only became involved in politics after the high-profile murder of her son Jordan Davis  succeeded where a white male candidate (Jon Ossoff) with wads of money and bland focus-group positions had failed.

The four women from eastern Pennsylvania  Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlihan, Madeleine Dean and Susan Wild  who shattered the glass ceiling of the state's 18-man hegemony in the House were very much the archetype of what worked in 2018. Center-left women who promised liberal-but-not-radical reforms to health care and education, who rarely even mentioned Trump because the contrast between their upbeat persistence and the rantings of a short-fingered vulgarian were self-evident. The only Democrat who fell short in the highly flippable Philadelphia suburbs was the party's only male candidate, Bucks County's Scott Wallace.

What happened on Tuesday across America was historic in its own right, not just because of the awesome power of women and the gains for a diverse Congress that will look more like America than ever before, but because Democratic control of the House provides a glimmer of hope that the decline of democracy under Trump can be checked. But  like it or not  the sun also rose Wednesday on the start of the 2020 presidential race. The midterm election was a learning lab for what works in today's U.S. politics  and we learned quite a bit.

The opposition party showed on Tuesday that Democrats can win in the upper Rust Belt, starting at Philadelphia's City Line Avenue and spreading west all the way to Iowa and Minnesota, but it takes the right kind of candidate: Office-seekers whose belief that the goodness of a diverse and open society trumps non-stop blather about "American carnage," and a reform-minded approach to schools, health care and climate, And being a woman is a huge motivator.

In so-called "flyover country," voters seem to be clamoring to replace the crudest and meanest president in American history with "Midwestern nice." If you went into the lab and ran Tuesday's algorithms to design the perfect Democrat for 2020, she would look almost exactly like Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who won a landslide re-election in her purple (in more ways than one) state on Tuesday.

And guess what? Klobuchar is available.

Klobuchar feels like the fulfillment of what many of us have been saying since November 9, 2016  that the Democrat who can beat Trump in 2020 was out there hiding in plain sight amid the baggage-carrying, way-too-familiar front-runners like Joe Biden (age in January 2021: 78), Sen. Bernie Sanders (who'll be 79), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (71 in 1/21).

Just re-elected to her third term carrying all but two of Minnesota's counties, including rural ground that was won by Trump in 2016, Klobuchar is a former county prosecutor who'll be hitting the sweet spot of age 60 when the next president is sworn in. Much of what has enabled Klobuchar to fly under the radar screen for the last 12 years  a decent low-key approach, and a belief in bipartisanship that may sound naive but has helped her get more bills passed than any other current senator  is suddenly what makes her a strong foil to the orange menace at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

And Klobuchar got something of a political break  even if America didn't  when she found herself facing off in the Senate Judiciary Committee with embattled jurist Brett Kavanaugh, who tried to bully the Minnesotan. When Klobuchar mentioned her father's struggles with alcohol and pressed the nominee on his own alleged drinking problem, Kavanaugh bizarrely tried to throw shade back on her, saying "I think you've probably had beers, senator," and asking her if she'd blacked out. Klobuchar responded with dignity and grace ("I have no drinking problem, Judge") while staying on course with tough questioning. The moment made Klobuchar a star, if not yet a superstar.

Two things. First, the notion of a pro-Prince president following Trump is exhilarating. More importantly, she's absolutely right on the politics. The Democrats' best hope of regaining the White House is to hold the reliably blue states won by Hillary Clinton, regain the three critical states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin and at least put the GOP on defense in Iowa and Ohio. Is there a candidate who speaks with a Heartland political accent who could better energize the Trump-resistance groups like Indivisible than Klobuchar? I don't think so.

Sure, her name recognition is still pretty low. Klobuchar would face opposition in the Democratic primaries from voters who find her style a little too accommodating for the Trump era, or those who view her politics as too centrist at a time when many young voters are more jazzed over the more radical politics of a Sanders or Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Some will point to a fresher face like California Sen. Kamala Harris as someone who's more aggressive  and the face of America's growing diversity. As someone who was a Bernie enthusiast in 2016, I totally get all of that.

Plus, she's a Vikings fan.

But Klobuchar's politics  a much-desired "F" rating from the NRA, opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal that mirrors Sanders, pro-liberalization of marijuana laws  are arguably a bit left of Clinton, and would help progressives get not maybe not they want but what they need, which is a complete reversal of Trumpism. And ultimately, the only real way to erase the damage of these last two years is to find someone who can win. You want a little more excitement on the ticket, and an even younger look? Vice President Beto O'Rourke could easily fix that problem.

American voters made a powerful statement on Tuesday over all the cable TV shouting. There's a majority of folks who want a White House that's honest, decent but determined, and reflecting the best of the country instead of the worse. That desire is stronger than any ideology. The girl doesn't have to be on fire. "Minnesota Nice" would be just fine.JAGDALPUR: As many as 18 sensitive assembly seats spread in eight districts of Chhattisgarh will go to polls in the first phase of assembly elections here on Monday. Around 1 lakh security personnel have been deployed in Chhattisgarh for smooth conduct of the first phase of polling on November 12.

Around 1 lakh security personnel, including central paramilitary force, have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling in the first phase, Chhattisgarh's Special Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations) DM Awasthi informed.

A total of 650 companies, including those from paramilitary units like CRPF, BSF, ITBP and around 65,000 personnel from police forces of other states, have been sent by the Centre for the assembly polls, he said.

These units are apart from existing paramilitary personnel and 200 companies of state forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, the Special DG said.

He informed that around 650 polling booth parties were airlifted by helicopters Saturday to remote areas while other teams would be sent by road Sunday.

Indian Air Force and BSF choppers were pressed into service for the purpose, he said.

Naxal outfits have given calls for a boycott of the elections and have also carried out three major attacks in the last fortnight which have claimed the lives of 13 people, including eight security personnel.

In the last 10 days, over 300 IEDs were recovered from Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district by security forces, he said, adding that all necessary measures had been taken to thwart attempts by Maoists to disrupt the poll process.

Chief Minister Raman Singh is hoping to continue his victory spree from the Rajnandgaon seat for the third consecutive term.

This time he is seeking re-election against Karuna Shukla of the Congress party, who is the niece of former Prime Minister and prominent BJP leader late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Shukla was a BJP Member of Parliament from Janjjir Lok Sabha constituency but she left the party in 2013 and joined the Congress in 2014.

The same year during the General Elections while contesting on the Congress ticket from Bilaspur, she lost to the BJP candidate Lakhanlal Sahu.

Since then, she has been actively engaged in the state politics, particularly in Rajnandgaon.

At present, the Congress rules over 39 seats in the state, while the ruling BJP holds 49 seats in the region.

In the previous assembly elections held in 2013, the BJP, although retained power in the state, lost its mark in Bastar division and the Congress had an upper hand in the region.

Out of a total of 12 seats, the Congress grabbed eight seats while the BJP managed to win only four seats.

In the past five years, the Raman Singh-led government has reportedly undertaken plenty of development works in Bastar.

There are many assembly constituencies in Bastar division, where the BJP has given tickets to the old faces.

In Rajnandgaon district, the party has fielded new faces in the region, which has six constituencies at stake.

The BJP government has claimed to have taken strict steps in tackling Naxalism. However, local residents of Bastar are still struggling with the decade-long problem.

This factor could damage the BJP`s prospects this time around.

The BJP and the Congress leaders have left nothing unturned to turn the table on each other during their campaign.

Speaking at a rally in the state where the first phase voting will take place on November 12 and second phase on 20, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of supporting 'Urban Naxals.'

He said, "Children who should hold pens in their hands, they are now holding guns in a monstrous manner. Urban Maoists live a luxurious lifestyle while they ruin the lives of children belonging to the tribal community, and Congress supports these people (urban Maoists)."

Similarly, Congress has tried to woo the voters promising immediate loan waivers to poor farmers within 10 days of forming the government in the state.

The party has also promised better healthcare facilities and a safer society for women in Chhattisgarh.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly asserted his resolve to ensure all-round development of the state if his party is voted to power.

(With Agency inputs)INDORE: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P Chidambaram has said that his party hopes to form state-wise coalitions ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls and remains confident of forging an electoral alliance with like-minded parties.

The former Finance Minister said that if the Congress-led coalition wins in each state, it would ensure the victory of the Grand Alliance or the 'Mahagathbandhan' in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

''We hope to form state-wise coalitions and if the coalition wins in each state then that is the victory of the 'Mahagathbandhan'. We are confident that we can form coalitions in each state,'' Chidambaram was quoted as saying by ANI.

We hope to form state-wise coalitions and if the coalition wins in each state then that is the victory of the 'Mahagathbandhan'. We are confident that we can form coalitions in each state: Congress leader P Chidambaram on 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in Madhya Pradesh's Indore pic.twitter.com/5zlQpky6xW  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

The Congress veteran made these remarks in Indore in the poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.

Defending the Congress's manifesto promising to restrict RSS shakhas in government offices in Madhya Pradesh, Chidambaram said that there was nothing wrong in it and maintained that governments servants, as long as they are working, shouldn't openly associate with a political party.

''RSS is a political organisation. If Congress party in MP in their manifesto has said that it will put an end to this practice, I see nothing wrong with that. Governments servants as long as they are working in government shouldn't openly associate with a political party,'' Chidambaram said.

RSS is a political org. If Congress party in MP in their manifesto has said it will put an end to this practice, I see nothing wrong with that. Governments servants as long as they are working in govt shouldn't openly associate with a political party: Congress's P Chidambaram pic.twitter.com/14RinugpsI  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

Earlier, attacking the ruling BJP dispensation, Chidambaram had said that the saffron party tries to polarise the nation over Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid issue right before elections after every five years.

This is a familiar story. Every five years before elections, BJP will try to polarise views on Ram Mandir. Congress party's position is that the matter is before SC, everyone should wait until SC decides questions before SC. I don't think we should jump the gun, said the former Union minister, as reported by ANI.

The former finance minister, who heads manifesto committee of the Congress, said that lack of jobs, the safety of women and children and price rise are among the major issues that will haunt the ruling BJP in the coming elections.

Chidambaram said these words shortly after the Supreme Court moved the hearing on the case to January 2019.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, said an "appropriate bench" will decide January next year the future course of hearing on the appeals filed against the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case.

"We will fix the date of hearing of the Ayodhya dispute case before the appropriate bench in January," the bench, which also comprised Justices S K Kaul and KM Joseph, said.

Earlier, a three-judge bench, by a 2:1 majority, refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.The Congress on Saturday released its election manifesto ahead of the upcoming Madhya Pradesh assembly elections with several promises. Incidentally one of the promises made in the manifesto is to not allow the RSS 'shakhas' from entering government buildings.

Titled as "Vachan Patra", the manifesto clearly states that if the Congress party comes to power then the 'shakhas' of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) would not be allowed inside the government buildings and its premises.

The 112-page manifesto also asserted that the order, issued earlier, to allow government employees to attend the 'shakhas' of the RSS will be revoked.

RSS 'shakhas' refer to the regular gatherings of the RSS workers for meetings, activities, and exercises.

The tiff between the Congress and the RSS has been continuing for several decades now.

Attempting to portray a "soft Hindutva" face with references to Lord Ram, Narmada river and cow urine, the Congress released its manifesto.

The manifesto was released at a press meet in the presence of state Congress president Kamal Nath, state campaign committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh.

It promises an "adhyatmik vibhag" (spiritual department) in the state, as well as plans to promote the Sanskrit language, speaks of developing the "Ram path" -- a mythical route taken by Lord Ram during his 14-year exile -- and the commercial production of 'gaumutra' (cow urine) and 'kanda' (cow dung cakes).

The manifesto talks of setting up 'gaushalas' (cowshed) in every village panchayat and making arrangements for the upkeep of injured cows.

It also states a host of measures for the conservation of the Narmada that is considered holy by the Hindus. The party said it would develop religious places along the river at a cost of Rs 1,100 crore, besides enacting the "Maa Narmada Nyas Adhiniyam" for its conservation. The river has been at the centre of the state politics for a long time now, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party organising a "Narmada Sewa Yatra" earlier and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh carrying out a 3,500-kilometre 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of the river by foot.

The Madhya Pradesh polls is scheduled to take place on November 28. The counting of the votes will take place on December 11.At least one BSF jawan was killed on Sunday in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast after a Naxal attack at Kanker district in election-bound Chhattisgarh.

A team of the Border Security Force (BSF) was out on an area domination operation when the Naxals attacked and set off the IED in a forest between Kattakal and Gome villages, located around 200 km from here, Kanker Superintendent of Police K L Dhruv told news agency PTI. Sub-inspector Mahendra Singh who had earlier sustained injuries in the explosion succumbed later.

A set of six IEDs were planted in a series and were set off in one go between the villages of Gome and Gattakal in Koyali beda.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the injured personnel was evacuated from the forest, he said. A search operation was conducted in the region.

Meanwhile, in an encounter with security forces, a Maoist was killed and another apprehended in Bijapur district on Saturday. Reportedly, arms and ammunition were also recovered.

The attacks come in less than a fortnight after two security forces personnel and Doordarshan cameraman was killed in an attack by Naxals in Aranpur in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

This is the fourth IED blast triggered by Naxals in Chhattisgarh in the last 15 days.

Naxalites have called for a boycott of polls in the state and have executed half-a-dozen attacks in the last 15 days, three of them major ones which left 13 people dead, including a cameraperson of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign.

Two BSF jawans were injured in an IED blast on November 2 in the same area in Kanker district.

On October 27, four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and two others injured after Maoists blew up their bulletproof bunker vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district.

On November 8, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when Naxals detonated an IED in Dantewada district.

Polling parties are being sent to their destination amid tight security, election authorities said.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to polls in two phases -- on November 12 and 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11. The first phase of polls on Monday will cover 18 constituencies of eight Naxal-affected districts that include Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon.

with PTI inputsThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released a list of 131 candidates for Rajasthan ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Union Minister JP Nadda released the list of candidates, news agency ANI reported.

The list has 12 women candidates, 17 Scheduled Caste candidates, 19 Scheduled tribe candidates. BJP has introduced 25 new faces while there are 85 sitting candidates in the list.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met with BJP leaders for the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in the Delhi party office.

Rajasthan is scheduled to go to polls on December 7. The last date for filing nominations in the state is November 19. The date of counting has been fixed on December 11.

The BJP in Rajasthan had on Saturday launched 'Mera Parivar-BJP Parivar' campaign to reach out to masses ahead of the assembly polls in the state.

Jaipur MP Ramcharan Bohra said during the campaign, party workers will meet residents of each constituency and put BJP flags and stickers on their houses.

The party has also released a special poster for this mass contact programme.

Bohra said since November 2, the BJP has been conducting booth-level programmes, under which the party's public representatives inform people about policies of both central and state governments.Panaji: Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday underwent a routine check-up at a state-run hospital near here, a statement issued by his office said.

"The Chief Minister undergoes a routine check-up at the Goa Medical College," it said.

Parrikar is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer and has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and Delhi for nearly nine months.

He returned from New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences on October 14 and has not moved out of his private residence, for any official event since.

The Opposition has been demanding Parrikar's resignation, claiming that the administration has come to a standstill due to his absence.Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has banned plying of school buses older than 15 years and fixed the age of drivers to 60 to ensure the safety of students, an official said here on Sunday.

"The government has decided to cap the life of all school vehicles, including buses and cabs, to 15 years," the government spokesperson said.

The stringent rules come in the wake of a school bus accident in Nurpur town in Kangra district on April 9 that claimed 28 lives, including 24 students in the age group of nine to 12 years.

A notification in this regard was issued by Principal Secretary (Transport) Jagdish Sharma last week.

The new rules included that the drivers above 60 years of age will be debarred from driving and a driver must have a five-year experience of driving heavy vehicles. The driver will also have to undergo eye check-up every year.

The new guidelines will be applicable to all modes of transport, including buses and small vehicles like cabs and vans.

As per the notification, each school transportation vehicle must have a vehicle tracking system, CCTV cameras and a speed limit of 40 km per hour, besides provision of grills on the bus windows.

The carrying capacity of each school vehicle be limited to one and a half times the seating capacity declared in the registration certificate.

The driver and the conductor should be neatly dressed and wear name tags.RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday will visit Varanasi, a day ahead of PM Narendra Modi's visit to his constituency.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will be holding a six-day meeting in Varanasi from November 11 to November 16. Bhagwat will be in Koirajpur to discuss the ideology and nationalism with the RSS workers. The issues of Ram Temple and Lok Sabha will also be discussed. RSS workers alonwith senior officials of RSS will be attending the meet.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Varanasi on November 12, but this will be for the first time when Modi and Bhagwat will be in Varanasi together. However, it is not cleared but it is expected that the RSS chief and PM Modi might meet in Varanasi for a short while.

Th prime minister will dedicate two important national highways in Uttar Pradesh`s Varanasi on November 12. The total length of the highways is 34 kilometres and is constructed at a cost of over Rs 1,500 crore.

The two projects will reduce travel time in the area and will also provide easier and more convenient access to Sarnath, which is an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage.

PM Modi will also dedicate an inland waterways terminal to the nation on river Ganga in Varanasi. This will be the first of the four multi-modal terminals on River Ganga, which is a part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India. The multimodal terminals aim to develop the stretch of River Ganga between Varanasi to Haldi for navigation of large vessels up to 1500-2000 tonnes weight, with an objective to promote inland waterways as a cheaper and more environment-friendly means of transport.

The estimated cost of this project is Rs 5,369.18 crores on a 50:50 sharing basis between the Indian government and the World Bank. Apart from this, he will also receive India's First Container Cargo being transported on an Inland Waterway.

Operation, management and further development of the multimodal terminal is proposed to be entrusted to an operator on Public-private partnership (PPP) model. Selection of the PPP operator through an International Competitive Bidding is at an advanced stage and expected to be completed by December 2018.

Prime Minister will also receive India`s first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata, carrying cargo of PEPSICO (India).The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) vessel, MV Rabindranath Tagore is transporting 16 containers and it will make its return journey with fertilizers from IFFCO.NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to the Indian soldiers who fought in World War I nearly a hundred years ago and reaffirmed the country's commitment towards global peace.

The PM took to Twitter to pay tributes to the Indian World War I heroes and pledged to create an atmosphere where wars do not occur.

"Today, as we mark 100 since the end of the horrific first World War, we reiterate our commitment towards world peace and pledge to work to further an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood so that the trail of death and destruction caused by wars does not occur," PM Modi said in a tweet.

India remembers our brave soldiers who fought in WW-1 This was a war in which India was not directly involved yet our soldiers fought world over, just for the cause of peace. Here is what I had spoken about India and WW-1 during last month's #MannKiBaat. https://t.co/DTdwxxrEK3  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018

Recalling the contribution and bravery of the Indian soldiers who fought in the WWI, the Prime Minister said that though India was not directly involved, its soldiers fought across the world just for the sake of peace.

"I have had the honour of paying tributes at the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial in France and at the memorial in Israel`s Haifa, places associated with India`s role in the first World War. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to India, we paid tributes at the Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk,'' PM Modi said in another tweet.

I have had the honour of paying tributes at the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial in France and at the memorial in Israel's Haifa, places associated with India's role in the First World War. When PM @netanyahu came to India, we paid tributes at the Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk. pic.twitter.com/6u6hcaUUt9  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018

PM Modi had acknowledged the contribution of Indian soldiers in the First World War during his popular monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat' last month.

The first World War lasted from July 28, 1914, to November 11, 1918.

(With Agency Inputs)The Delhi Police on Sunday continued to check the entry of vehicles in the national capital as the entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles has been banned till November 12.

The police checked entry of trucks in the Badarpur border area, news agency ANI reported.

Entry of vehicles carrying essential commodities is allowed in Delhi and all other heavy and medium good vehicles are banned in the national capital due to an increase in pollution.

More than 450 vehicles on Saturday were denied entry in Delhi due to pollution.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar, 1,559 vehicles were checked and 1,078 vehicles were allowed entry from 11 pm on Friday till 6 am on Saturday as they were carrying essential goods.

As many as 481 vehicles were returned from the Delhi borders, Kumar added.

The Delhi government's transport department had issued a notification, banning the entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles into the region from 11 pm on Thursday till 11 pm on Sunday. It has also appealed to private diesel car owners to avoid using their vehicles during the period.

However, vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, eggs, ice and other essentials, and tankers carrying petroleum products are exempted from the ban.

Delhi's air quality remained in the "severe" category on Sunday owing to unfavourable weather conditions and a significant increase in contribution from stubble burning, authorities said.

The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 423, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. The city's air quality was recorded in the "very poor" category on Saturday morning, but it again slipped to the severe level in the evening.

Twenty-eight areas in Delhi recorded air quality in the "severe" category, while seven areas recorded "very poor" air quality, according to the CPCB.

Delhi's air quality has remained in the "severe" category for the past two days with the highest pollution level of the year recorded a day after Diwali on Thursday at an AQI of 642.

The Environment Pollution Control Authority has asked the departments concerned to extend the ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass and entry of trucks till November 12 in view of the situation.

The bans were extended by the Supreme Court-appointed agency on the recommendations of a Central Pollution Control Board-led task force, which reviews the national capital's air quality.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had informed EPCA on November 9 that given the prevailing adverse conditions these measures will remain implemented till November 12, when it will further review the situation and inform the latter accordingly.

"The EPCA has written to authorities concerned to extend the ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass and entry of trucks till November 12," a member of the agency said.

Special emphasis has also been given to extend the closure of the Mundka industrial area where during inspection massive amounts of industrial waste was found, he said.

Delhi-NCR recorded its worst air quality a day after Diwali. The air quality index was 642 and in the 'severe' category.

(With Agency Inputs)RAIPUR: Taking a dig at the Narendra Modi government at the Centre for not revealing the cost of the Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has said that the present BJP dispensation considers it as a "national secret" though many people know about the same.

"The PM knows. Anil Ambani knows. Hollande & Macron know. Every journalist now knows. Defence Ministry babus know. All of Dassault knows. All Dassault's competitors know. But the price of the #RAFALE is a National Secret, that cannot be revealed even to the Supreme Court," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

The PM knows.

Anil Ambani knows.

Hollande & Macron know.

Every journalist now knows.

Defence Ministry babus know.

All of Dassault knows.

All Dassaults competitors know. But the price of the #RAFALE is a National Secret, that cannot be revealed even to the Supreme Court. https://t.co/1W8Z3JXQCc  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 10, 2018

Rahul is currently on the campaign trail in poll-bound Chhattisgarh.

The controversial Dassault Aviation-made Rafale deal was renegotiated during the tenure of French president Francois Hollande, who was succeeded by Emmanuel Macron.

Rahul, Congress and Opposition parties had been asking the Modi government to reveal the price of the aircraft, as negotiated by the NDA government.

The Congress chief has also accused the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of renegotiating the price of the aircraft and purchasing it at a price three times higher than what was negotiated by the erstwhile UPA government.

He alleged corruption in the deal and favouritism towards the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Group, a charge denied by both the government and the company.

Rahul had earlier claimed that the Prime Minister won't remain in office if an inquiry is started to look into allegations of his government's misdeeds.

Rahul said that the entire Rafale deal reeked of corruption.

"If an inquiry starts on this, Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed. One, because of corruption. Two, because it's very clear who the decision maker was. It was Narendra Modi and it was a deal done by Narendra Modi to give Anil Ambani Rs 3,0000 Cr," the Congress president said during a press conference.

"Rafale is an open and shut case. It is simply a PM Modi-Anil Ambani partnership," he added.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had on October 31 directed the Centre to submit the price and other details of the Rafale fighter jet deals in a sealed envelope within 10 days to the top court.

Clarifying that it doesn't want technical details pertaining to the Rafale deal, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to share information which can be brought in the public domain with the petitioners. Details considered "strategic and confidential" can be held back, added the top court.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising of Justices U U Lalit and K M Joseph, was listening to two PILs filed lawyers Manohar Lal Sharma and Vineet Dhanda on India's deal with France to buy the fighter jets.Srinagar: An Army soldier on Sunday lost his life during cross-border firing along the Line of Control in Nowshera Sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. He was identified as Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir.

The soldier, manning a forward post in Kalal area of Noushera sector, was shot by a Pakistani sniper, resulting in his death.

The Indian troops guarding the border retaliated strongly and effectively and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued for some time.

On Saturday, another soldier was killed and two BSF jawans were injured in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Rangers in Sunderbani sector of the district.

The number of ceasefire violations this year by Pakistan has been the highest in the past eight years.

The first seven months of this year saw 52 deaths and 232 people getting injured in 1,435 ceasefire violations in the state, according to an RTI reply by the Home Ministry.

(With inputs from agencies)BENGALURU: Former Karnataka minister and Ballari mining baron G Janardhana Reddy was on Sunday arrested by the Crime Branch officials in connection with an alleged bribery case.

Reddy was arrested in Bengaluru, according to ANI.

Central Crime Branch arrests G Janardhan Reddy in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case. pic.twitter.com/GO9hhkOGAM  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

Ali Khan, a close associate of Reddy, was also arrested the Crime Branch officials, said media reports.

Reddy, who was absconding untill recently, had on Saturday arrived at the Crime Branch office in Bengaluru for questioning in connection with the Ambident Group alleged bribery case.

The influential mining baron, who came to the Central Crime Branch office in a car along with his battery of lawyers, had earlier released a video message from an unknown location, saying that he would appear for questioning in the case.

After arriving at the Crime Branch office, Reddy claimed that there was a 'political conspiracy' and added that he had full faith in the police.

In his video message, Reddy had claimed that he was not absconding and was very much in the city while asserting that there was no need for him to flee.

He also rubbished media reports that he had fled to Hyderabad or some other city, as per PTI.

"I have not committed anything wrong. The police do not have a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his message broadcast by TV news channels.

"Now that the notice has been issued by the police, I have decided to appear before the Central Crime Branch today (Saturday) itself although the notice says I should appear on Sunday," Reddy said.

"I decided to make this video to let people know the truth. I have faith in the police and believe that they would not succumb to any political pressure," he added.

The CB had launched a hunt for him since Wednesday in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a Ponzi scheme being run by Ambident Group, a private enterprise, which allegedly cheated thousands of depositors.

Its owner Syed Ahmed Fareed had claimed that he allegedly paid Rs 18 crore to Reddy for help after his group came under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate.

Reddy, a powerful 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.

(With Agency Inputs)NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on Monday where he will inaugurate several development projects that will have a 'transformative' impact on the holy city and the state of Uttar Pradesh.

"I look forward to being in Kashi to inaugurate development projects that will have a transformative impact on the city and the rest of Uttar Pradesh, especially Poorvanchal," PM Modi said in a series of tweets.

On the 12th of this month, I look forward to being in Kashi to inaugurate development projects that will have a transformative impact on the city and the rest of UP, especially Poorvanchal. https://t.co/3lleUXKCdy  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2018

Thanking people of Kashi for the unconditional love and support, the PM assured to do everything to transform the ancient Hindu city.

"Kashi has blessed me with unparalleled affection. I am doing everything possible to transform the ancient city and strengthen it with the modern infrastructure it deserves,'' the PM said in one of the tweets.

Kashi has blessed me with unparalleled affection. Am doing everything possible to transform the ancient city and strengthen it with the modern infrastructure it deserves. https://t.co/gg6f3IBMR9  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2018

"A major infrastructure project, which will enhance 'Ease of Living' for the people of Varanasi," the Prime Minister said.

A major infrastructure project, which will enhance 'Ease of Living' for the people of Varanasi. https://t.co/dpawafUlv4  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2018

In an official release, the Road and Surface Transport Ministry had informed that PM Modi will on Monday dedicate to the nation two important national highways in Varanasi, having a total length of 34 km built at a cost of Rs 1571.95 crore.

It said that the 16.55 km Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been completed at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the work of four-laning and construction of 17.25 km Babatput-Varanasi road on NH-56 has cost Rs 812.59 crore.

According to the release, the Babatpur Airport highway will link Varanasi to the airport and extend to Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow.

"With a flyover at Harhua and a road-over-bridge (ROB) at Tarna, the road will reduce the travel time from Varanasi to the airport and will prove a big relief to the residents, tourists and other visitors," it said.

The Ring Road, with two ROBs and a flyover, will provide a way for traffic on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya-Varanasi highways to bypass Varanasi city, thereby reducing traffic congestion in the city.

According to the release, these projects will also provide employment opportunities and development of small and medium industries in the area.

Currently, there are 2,833 km long of National Highway projects costing Rs 63,885 crore underway to link Varanasi to other places in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

During his visit, Modi will also dedicate the newly constructed Multi-Modal Terminal on River Ganga to the nation.

"This is the first of the four multi-modal terminals being constructed on NW-I (River Ganga) as part of the World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project of the Inland Waterways Authority of India," it said.

The Prime Minister will also receive India's first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata.

"This consignment containing food and beverage set sail from Kolkata in the last week of October," it said.

(With Agency inputs)KOLKATA: Locket Chatterjee, a senior West Bengal BJP leader, is facing criticism for saying that her party will hold 'rath yatras' to ''save democracy'' in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state and those who oppose it will face severe consequences.

Chatterjee has warned that those trying to stop the party's scheduled 'rath yatra' in the state "will be crushed under the wheels of the chariot".

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Chatterjee, who is BJP's West Bengal Mahila Morcha president, said that the 'rath yatra' is being organised to restore democracy in the state.

"The main purpose of the 'rath yatra' is to restore democracy in West Bengal. We have said this earlier too that the heads of those who try to stop the 'rath yatra' will get crushed under the wheels of the chariot," Chatterjee said after attending a party meet at Malda district.

We will hold Rath Yatras to save democracy in West Bengal. Nobody can stop it and if anyone tries to stop it then they will be crushed under the wheels of the chariot: Locket Chatterjee, BJP State Mahila Morcha President pic.twitter.com/Jjr9BvWimb  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

It may be recalled that BJP president Amit Shah is set to kick off three 'rath yatras' with an aim to cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal beginning December 5, 7 and 9.

After the conclusion of the 'yatra', the BJP will hold a massive rally in Kolkata which is also likely to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Chatterjee's comments have drawn a sharp response from the ruling TMC, which said that the BJP leaders were making provocative statements to disturb peace and stability in the state.

"The BJP's main aim is to push its communal agenda in Bengal. That is why they are making these provocative comments. But the people of Bengal will defeat the divisive politics of the BJP," TMC secretary-general Partha Chatterjee said.President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko together with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the issue of an immediate returning to negotiations on the exchange and release of the Ukrainian citizens, political prisoners who are illegally detained in the Russian Federation and in the occupied territories of Donbas and Crimea. This is reported by the press service of the head of state.



"The issue of the release of political prisoners who are illegally detained in prisons of the Russian Federation, in prisons in occupied Crimea and an urgent return to the exchange of our heroes, including the military who are illegally detained in the occupied territory of Donbas, was discussed," Poroshenko said.Open source

A meeting of the Ukraine-U.S.strategic partnership commission at the level of foreign ministers will be held in Washington on November 16. This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron.



He noted that on November 10, he had a short meeting with US President Donald Trump, and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin met with U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.According to Austrian outlet, he is a member of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism

Open source

Another possible spy revealed in Austria. Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung reported.

According to the edition, it is about a member of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism. The suspect has allegedly sent secret information to the Russian intelligence.

Related: Pro-Kremlin propagandist tries attacking Ukrainian ambassador in Austria

According to the Austrian legislation, such actions are punished by ten years of imprisonment.

The outlet specifies that searches have been conducted in the department and in two other places a few weeks ago precisely because of suspicion against this person.

Related: Austrian Foreign Minister goes after lifting sanctions off Russia

Earlier, it became known about the detention of the former colonel of the Austrian armed forces who was suspected of having worked for the Russian intelligence for 20 years.Kyiv International Airport cancels several flights due to fog Source : 112 Ukraine The passengers were told that they would be able to fly out as soon as weather conditions permit 11:51, 11 November 2018

If you find an error, highlight the desired text and press Ctrl + Enter, to tell about itThe deputy's place of residence was searched in the murder investigation of Khersons Mayor Adviser Handziuk; the law enforcers had no search warrant

The personnel of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) searched the place of deputy of Kherson Regional Council Mykola Stavytsky within the investigation of the murder of Adviser of Khersons Mayor, public activist Kateryna Handziuk. Dmytro Ilchenko, deputy of Kherson City Council, reported this on Facebook.

Related: Ukraine's Security Service eager to find Handziuk's murderer soon

The personnel of SBU broke into the apartment of Deputy of the regional council Stavytsky. They are searching for the evidence of his participation in the murder of Kateryna Handziuk. They had no search warrant. The SBU officers didnt have any documents. They refused to tell what they are looking for, the deputy who was at the scene, as a defender claimed.

After the searches, Ilchenko claimed that he signed a nondisclosure agreement and he cant tell things in details.

November 4, it became known that Kateryna Handziuk, Adviser of Kherson's Mayor, died aged 34. She was doused with sulphuric acid in July this year. According to preliminary information, the death was caused by thrombus detachment.

Besides, the official reason for the death of Handziuk was specified. It is multiple organ failure and chemical burns.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko expressed his condolences in accordance with the death of the adviser. He required the law enforcement bodies to do everything possible to find the murderers and punish them.Occupation authorities brought cheap products to the polling stations in occupied Donbas to increase turnout. Ukraine's Security Service reports about it on its Facebook page.



The Kremlin has set the task: to notify about at least 50% of the voters turnout before 12:00. Mystifications occur massively, for the sake of a television picture with crowds of people who want to vote. Points for selling cheap products were opened at the polling stations - bread (but no more than 2 loaves for one person), vegetables, butter," Security Service reports.



In addition, not all residents of the pseudo-republic take the elections seriously - they spoil the ballots by writing there the name of Chuck Norris. Security Service jokingly reports this is the most popular candidate. "Even the mobile connection and the site of the so-called "CEC" of the terrorists did not withstand such a frank fake and is not working," the Security Service adds.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko urged Ukrainians living in the occupied Donbas not to vote in the fake elections on November 11. The president said this during his visit to Paris; there's a video published on his Facebook page.



'I appeal to those Ukrainians who are now forced to reside in the occupied territories - do not give your vote, do not participate in the fake elections,' Poroshenko said.



The president added that Russia was behind the so-called elections in the Donetsk and Luhansk occupied territories in order to choose the puppets they had already appointed.

Related: Donbas elections not to be recognized either by Ukraine or international community, - MFAOpen source

Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses a categorical protest against the illegitimate actions of Russia in conducting pseudo-elections today in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. This is reported in a statement released by the press service of the Foreign Ministry.



"The results of these pseudo-elections are legally null and void; they do not create any legal consequences and will not be recognized either by Ukraine or by the international community. Legitimate elections in Donbas can only be held in full compliance with Ukrainian legislation and OSCE standards with the provision of OSCE observation. We are grateful to our international partners for confirming their continued support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders."

Today, November 11, so-called voting for heads of the republics and the peoples deputies is taking place in Luhansk/Donetsk People's Republics.

The Ukrainian part of the Trilateral Contact Group has stressed that all organizations related to elections" must be held responsible, and has also reminded that Russia with its actions violates the fundamental norms and principles of international law and Ukraine's legislation:

"We demand the immediate holding of an extraordinary convocation of the Trilateral Contact Group and we appeal to the member countries of the Normandy format with a request to hold special consultations with a demand to the Russian Federation to abandon the destructive scenarios of destabilization of the situation in Donbas."The residents of the occupied territories are driven to vote for heads of pseudo republics and deputies of peoples councils

So-called voting for heads of the republics and the peoples deputies is taking place in Luhansk/Donetsk People's Republics (LPR/DPR) today, November 11. Ukraine and the international community have already condemned these elections.

The voting will last from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m., although polling stations opened at 7 a.m. Kyiv time, since the pseudorepublics have switched to Moscow time.

Related: Poroshenko urges Ukrainians in Donbas not to vote in fake elections

Five candidates claim for the position of head of the republic in DPR, including provisional of DPR head Denis Pushilin. Besides, 100 deputies will be elected for the so-called legislative body.

Four candidates claim for the position of head of LPR, including acting head of the republic Leonid Pasechnik. 50 deputies will be elected for so-called parliament.

Related: U.S. urges residents of occupied Donbas to boycott "elections"

The representatives of the Kremlin stated that they decide on recognition or non-recognition after the final results.

In connection with the elections in occupied Donbas, Head of Ukrainian MFA Pavlo Klimkin threatened on Twitter that Ukraine and its international partners are working on increasing sanctions against Russia.

Related: Ukraine's Security Service reveals "results" of "elections" in occupied Donbas

The issue of the illegal hold of elections in occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is included in the agenda for the meeting of the EU Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and will also be considered at the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

On Monday, November 12, the issue of illegal elections in occupied Donbas will be out of turn on the agenda at the OSCE Permanent Council session. Poroshenko claimed that Ukraine was consulting on this issue with the permanent members of the UN Security Council in New York.PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)News

VIDEO: Anger tears through many cities in Europe over coronavirus restrictions

Violence broke out at a protest against anti-COVID measures in Brussels on Sunday, in which police said tens of thousands of people took part. And Dutch police faced a second night of rioting  this time in The Hague  after the previous nights violence in the port city of Rotterdam.10:46 | Lima, Nov. 11.

"The presence of Their Majesties in Peru has particular significance, as it helps strengthen the solid friendship with Spain and renew deep historic-cultural, economic, and cooperation ties binding the two nations ," it said in a press release.Fresh Look

Ed Lynn has a simpler plan for the Farmers Market.

by Jan Schlain

From the November, 2018 issue

Two years ago, the city-owned market seemed on the verge of adding a new, winterized building. Encouraged by a $175,000 grant from the DDA, City Council approved the project in August 2016.



But instead of breaking ground that fall, Ed Lynn says, a letter went out delaying it "because the approved budget of $875,000 wasn't enough. The estimates to build the building  were closer to $1,375,000."



Some longtime vendors were fine with that-they'd complained that the building's small stalls would serve only boutique growers and prepared-food vendors, leaving them out in the cold. But to Lynn, it was a chance to rethink a plan that had struck him as ill-conceived from the start. He wanted to go back to basic questions like "What is the future of a farmers market?" and "What does ours look like in ten years?"



Before retiring, Lynn headed Ford's European office for business and management. There, he and his wife, Barbara, discovered how much they enjoyed an urban life and shopping on foot. They chose a spot less than a block from the farmers market to build their retirement home in 2011. "We buy all our food on foot," Lynn says, from the farmers, the People's Food Co-op, Sparrow Market in Kerrytown, and Zingerman's Deli; Knight's Market on Miller marks the edge of their shopping universe.



But Lynn says he's noticed the farmers market isn't as busy in its peak season as it was four or five years ago. True, Fifth Ave. is under construction, but he wonders, "how much is it farmers are finding other farmers markets? It seems to be a lot slower."



Besides the new markets in Ann Arbor and nearby towns, he points out, there are the two Argus Farm Stops that sell directly from growers and producers. Amazon is delivering food, and Kroger is talking about it. "What is the future of the farmers market?" he asks. "Does anyone know? If not, why put all that money

...continued below...

into it?"Since it was built in the 1930s, the market's central arm has been cut short on the Fourth Ave. side. The city bought the house that stood there many years ago on a life lease, and demolished it after the owner's death.So when the market wanted to add winterized space, that was the obvious place to do it. It was designed to connect the short arm-sometimes called "Dead Man's Alley" because it gets much less traffic than the longer arms along Detroit St. and next to Kerrytown-to a new entrance on Fourth Ave.But to Lynn, the obvious place was the wrong place. "What were they thinking?" he asks."They're trying to put in a flat floor at the most uneven part of the site-that Fourth Avenue part has to be jacked up." The new entrance would be impeded by steps, and growers would have to haul their apples or potatoes up a zigzag ramp. "And there are no bathroom facilities attached," he adds. "If you need to use a restroom, you have to go outside and down to the [market] office."He joined a market advisory committee, "but they were already cemented to what they were going to do," he says. "I asked if this was a done deal. 'Yes,' it was."Concluding that "it was not useful to firebomb the meetings," he instead started working out his own alternative plan: "Just double the width of the main walking paths" along Detroit St., he says. "That's where people want to shop." That area is less sloped, and it's next to the market office, and "cheap, cheerful, lightweight" plastic curtains could add protection in cold weather initially, he says, with the option to add roll-up doors later. That would not only be cheaper, he says, but it "allows you to stay flexible and expandable for the future, since no one can know what the future of farmers markets will look like."[Originally published in November, 2018.]YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has arrived in Paris, France on a working visit, the PMs office said.

On November 10, Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan visited the Picasso  Blue and Rose exhibition in Musee dOrsay dedicated to Pablo Picassos blue and rose periods.

Other heads of delegations that arrived in Paris for the 100th anniversary of World War I Armistice also visited the exhibition.

The exhibition was opened September 18 and will run through January 6, 2019. More than 300 paintings of Picassos early period are displayed.

The Armenian caretaker PM and his wife also attended an official dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in honor of the delegations taking part in the ceremony on commemorating the centenary of the Armistice that brought World War One to an end.

On November 11, Pashinyan will participate in the 100th anniversary of World War I Armistice ceremony and the Paris Peace Forum.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations of Armenia has clarified the information about the Armenians involved in a car crash in Georgia.

Initial reports said six Armenian citizens were injured in the crash, whereas actually five ethnic Armenian citizens of Georgia have been involved in the incident.

They have been taken to hospitals in Akhaltsikhe and Tbilisi.

The ethnic Armenian Georgian citizens injured in the crash are 3,6,29,31 and 51 years of age. Other details werent immediately available.

One Georgian national died in the crash.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanYEREVAN, NOVEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) will run for parliament in the upcoming early election of parliament.

Today the HHK elected ex-defense minister Vigen Sargsyan (HHK) to serve as First Vice President of the party.

Speaking to reporters today after a HHK Council session, Sargsyan (no relation to President Serzh Sargsyan) said that he will lead the proportional list of the party for the December 9 polls.

The list will be comprised of both our party friends and candidates representing other parties or independent candidates. Anyone included in the list will also be in the [district] list, Sargsyan said.

Sargsyan refused to disclose other names in the list and said that it will be published November 14.

He said that HHK President Serzh Sargsyan, the former President of Armenia, and ex-PM Karen Karapetyan, wont participate in the election.

We are going through a very interesting process: it is a transformation of status after being [government], he told reporters, adding that the HHK, in its new status, as an opposition force, is seeking ways to use its knowledge and experience for the countrys progress.

Vigen Sargsyan said that the HHK Council today discussed a very important document, which stipulates the Republican Partys approaches for all processes taking place in the country, the results of the incumbent governments activities and the problems which the party sees in terms of policy and ideological approaches.

Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan resigned on October 16 to trigger the process of disbanding the parliament.

Pashinyan took office after massive protests in April forced president-turned PM Serzh Sargsyan to resign. But Sargsyans Republican Party (HHK) still has most seats in the 105-seat parliament. Since taking office, Nikol Pashinyan has numerously said that the incumbent parliament doesnt represent the people and that early elections should take place as soon as possible.

In accordance to the Constitution, when a Prime Minister resigns the parliament must elect a new PM within two weeks. Lawmakers deliberately failed to elect a new PM as a formality in order to pave the way for dissolution.

The last round took place on November 1 and the parliament was dissolved by virtue of law.

Later on the same day, President Armen Sarkissian signed an order on dissolving the parliament and calling early elections on December 9.

The parliament will function until the new parliament is elected.

The government is formally a caretaker government until a new government is formed after the election.

Edited and translated by Stepan KocharyanAnother resident, Dickson Theophilus, says they were only given a day's notice.

"My grandchild also died, we buried my grandchild last week."

"Everything from the house has been buried into the ground. I've made a tent and I live in it," she said.

The grandmother is among a group of families whose homes have recently been bulldozed. She sits behind a big patch of dirt where the houses used to be and cries.

PORT MORESBY - Tears roll down Rose Maino's cheeks as she describes the past few weeks of her life.

"There used to be seven houses here, all these houses they are no longer here," he said.

"They demolished them with big machines.

"We have nowhere to go."

The houses were cleared to allow for the road they were built alongside to be expanded into four lanes.

Even the people who still have their homes are living in poverty.

It is a 10-minute drive from Sabama, where they are living in tents, to APEC Haus, the magnificent venue built off the coast of Port Moresby where the world's leaders will meet this week for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Summit.

The Governor of the National Capital District, Powes Parkop, told the ABC the road is expected to be extended to four lanes after the APEC summit, when funding is available.

He said he regrets families have been affected, but it's only those who have encroached on land reserved for the road.

The residents deny they were encroaching on the planned road and say they feel abandoned.

"The leaders are giving more attention on the APEC, and they've forgotten us," Mr Theophilus said.

"They demolished us, they just destroyed everything.

"More attention is given on APEC, we are suffering here."

There is a sense of excitement in Port Moresby as the country gets ready to host APEC; it's a significant moment for the developing nation.

But in a country where poverty is rife, medication shortages are biting and there's just been a polio outbreak, some people are struggling to square their day-to-day lives with the money being spent on the summit.A Somali-born Australian who went on a deadly knife rampage in the country's second-largest city Melbourne was inspired by Islamic State but did not have a direct link to the jihadist group, the government said Sunday. Hassan Khalif Shire Ali stabbed to death well-known local cafe co-owner Sisto Malaspina and injured two other men in Bourke Street in the heart of Melbourne on Friday afternoon before he was shot and killed by police. The 30-year-old had gone to the bustling city in a utility vehicle filled with gas cylinders before setting it alight. Islamic State (IS) said via its propaganda arm that Shire Ali was an "Islamic State fighter and carried out the operation", but provided no evidence to back its claim. "In relation to his connections with ISIL (another name for IS) or with any terrorist group... there's not, as I'm advised, a membership of an organisation or a definite link to ISIL," Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told reporters in Brisbane. "The working theory is at the moment a case where this person has been downloading information or receiving messages in his own mind about what he should be doing. It's inspired as opposed to affiliation or membership." Shire Ali, known to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), had his passport revoked in 2015 on fears he was trying to travel to Syria to join IS. But he was also assessed by authorities as not being a domestic threat. Dutton defended the actions of ASIO, saying they had more than 400 investigations and people of interest to monitor. "Police did not have intelligence in relation to this person that he was about to commit an act," he added. "The fact is that many people, particularly where there is a low level of sophistication, where you have someone who can grab a knife from a kitchen drawer... it is impossible for authorities to cover every one of those circumstances." Dutton's comments came as Melbourne's Herald Sun reported Sunday that Shire Ali had drug and alcohol problems, and had split from his wife and become distanced from his family. Melbourne's The Age raised questions about his mental health, quoting a local imam as saying Shire Ali told him he was being "chased by unseen people with spears". Meanwhile more than Aus$50,000 (US$36,000) has been raised on GoFundMe for a bystander dubbed "trolley man", who was hailed as a hero for trying to stop Shire Ali by knocking him over with a shopping cart. The man, named in local media as Michael Rogers, is homeless according to the GoFundMe page creators. Authorities say more than a dozen terrorist attacks have been prevented in recent years, but several have taken place, including a cafe siege in Sydney in 2014 where two hostages were killed. Shire Ali's brother will go on trial next year on separate terror-related charges -- accused of trying to acquire a firearm and kill people in a New Years' Eve crowd. Cafe owner Sisto Malaspina was stabbed to death in a terror attack in Melbourne on FridayWorld leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda. China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering. Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia. Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China. His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment. The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest. Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP. - US commitment questioned - She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points. The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies. The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang. Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant. Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials. "We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats. "That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration." - Nukes, sea tension - Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday. She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since. Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region. Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade. The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP. China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could this week announce broad agreement on a trade pact covering half the world's population Donald Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the Singapore meetingsColombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave. "The real cause of this migration shock is the dictatorship," the right-wing leader told AFP. "We must use all the diplomatic mechanisms, all the multilateral mechanisms available to allow this dictatorship to end." During an official visit to France from November 11-13, Duque, who has been in power since August 7, will take part in Sunday's Forum for Peace organized by French President Emmanuel Macron. Prior to his departure he urged the need for countries worldwide to fight drug trafficking, in a wide-ranging interview with AFP that also touched on peace talks with Colombia's last active guerrilla group and the election of an extreme-right leader in Brazil. - 'Shared struggle' - Duque accused Maduro -- leader of Venezuela, where economic woes began in 2014 with the crash in the price of crude -- of "clinging to power and exacerbating patriotic feelings in his favor." Maduro's government has been slapped with a range of sanctions over its crackdown on the opposition and civil society critics. The Colombian president said its neighbors "huge humanitarian crisis" is leaking over the border: "We have received nearly a million migrants in less than two years." "Colombia is facing a difficult situation," he said, calling on the international community to help with "significant means to face this challenge." He echoed the need for international cooperation on the issue of drug trafficking: "All countries of the world must strengthen their policies to prevent consumption," he said." "The fight against drugs must be a shared struggle." Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 percent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), according to the United Nations. - Threat of 'offensive' action - Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is just emerging from over a half century of civil war waged by guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and drug traffickers. Asked about 2016's peace agreement between the ex-rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), now a political party, and the government, Duque emphasized that he "never campaigned saying that we are going to destroy the agreements." Duque has vowed to fix "flaws" in the agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos. He has in particular criticized the FARC deal as being too lenient in allowing former rebels accused of atrocities to serve as lawmakers. Duque said the "most important issue is... to ensure that those holding political representation mandates, tried by transitional justice and whose human rights violations are upheld, receive proportionate sentences and leave political office." Concerning Colombia's last active guerrilla rebels, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Duque reiterated his position that he is "ready to sit down and speak with them if, and only if, they release all the hostages" and halt all criminal activities." "If that does not happen, we will have to act... firmly" he continued. "In a dissuasive and offensive way." - Private development - Peace talks have been suspended since the beginning of August when Santos admitted defeat in his bid to reach a conclusion before handing over power to Duque. The ELN has insisted that they will not suspend their insurgency until Duque names a new team of peace negotiators to restart the Cuban-hosted talks. Concerning Brazil's new far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, Duque said "my interest is to continue to strengthen relations with Brazil." "Brazil is an important country for Colombia, not only because it shares a border, but for the market it represents; for its weight in regional geopolitics." "If in Brazil, conditions are met for a government favorable to the development of the private sector, interregional trade, cross-border investments -- I think it will be a great success." "I hope this will be President Bolsonaro's line of work." Colombian President Ivan Duque, who took office in early August 2018, wants international support to help solve the crisis in neighboring Venezuela Colombian President Ivan Duque says the leftist president of neighboring Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro (pictured), is "clinging to power" A member of the "Omar Gomez" Western War Front of the National Liberation Army (ELN) in a camp on the banks of the San Juan River, Choco department, Colombia Colombian President Ivan Duque met with local teachers in early November 2018 on a trip to Leticia, on the border with Peru and Brazil

A female Queensland Police officer has shot dead a wanted criminal after he brutally bashed her inside a hospital.

Tyson Jessen, 28, complained of chest pain after being taken into custody on Friday, and remained under police guard in Ipswich Hospital for 24 hours.

Jessen had been arrested over violent crimes he committed in Victoria, including lighting a disabled man on fire in 2008 and numerous offences involving firearms.

Victoria Police issued a warrant for his arrest on Tuesday on armed robbery offences.

The officer is recovering from the ordeal in hospital. Source: 7 News

Police gather at Ipswich Hospital. Source: 7 News

Seven News understands one of the officers guarding Jessen had left the room on Saturday night when Jessen called over Senior Constable Leesa Richardson.

With his legs shackled he pushed her to the ground, beat her repeatedly and smashed her head on the floor until she fired her weapon.

Its believed multiple shots were fired.

Hospital staff immediately began treating Jessens wounds but he died at the scene.

Ipswich Hospital. Source: Google Maps (File pic)

Its understood Jessen was handcuffed throughout the ordeal.

A nurse was also hit after walking in on the attack.

Snr Cst Richardson was photographed battered and bruised in bed. She also suffered a concussion and is currently recovering at home.

Ian Leavers from the Queensland Police Union said the officers injuries could have been worse.

We are very, very lucky we did not have a police officer murdered last night, Mr Leavers said.

The incident remains under investigation.Major oil producers meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to consider reverting to output cuts after a sharp slide in crude prices revived fears of a 2014-style crash. Oil prices shed a fifth of their value in just one month after surging to a four-year high in early October, driven by a combination of factors centred on higher supply and fears of sluggish demand. Brent crude dropped below $70 a barrel on Friday for the first time since April while the New York's West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sank below $60 a barrel, a nine-month low. The United States has upped production of shale oil, while Saudi Arabia, Russia and others have raised supplies of crude amid signs of slowing demand. The slide also comes during signs of a softer-than-expected impact from US sanctions on Iran oil exports. "Prices have been falling amid a continued rise in crude supplies from big producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the US, more than compensating for lost Iranian barrels," Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada told AFP. "With the Iranian sanctions not being as severe as initially feared, officials from the OPEC and non-OPEC producers may discuss at the weekend the need to bring compliance back down towards the 100-percent level or risk another 2014-style slide in prices," he said. Energy ministers of top producers Russia and Saudi Arabia will join other OPEC and non-OPEC officials for the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which oversees production levels. The world's second and third crude producers -- after they were overtaken by the United States thanks to shale oil -- Russia and Saudi Arabia are the core of an alliance of producer nations that succeeded in solidifying oil prices after the 2014 crash. Through large production cuts starting at the beginning of 2017, they managed to push up oil prices from below $30 a barrel to over $85 a barrel in October, strongly improving their revenues. But the producer nations eased the output cuts in June after signs of a tight market and higher prices, allowing hundreds of thousands of extra barrels into the market. Saudi Arabia raised its production from around 9.9 million barrels per day in May to around 10.7 million bpd in October, according to Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih. Kuwait, Iraq, Russia and the United Arab Emirates also boosted their output. Cailin Birch, analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said a slowing oil demand is beginning to appear in China, the world's largest importer of crude oil. "The recent drop in oil prices reflects a combination of factors. For one, signs of slowing oil demand are beginning to appear; the rate of GDP growth in China is beginning to ease," Birch told AFP. The meeting, which will also be attended by the oil ministers of Kuwait, Venezuela and host nation the UAE, is not due to make decisions but will most likely send signals. The JMMC, a technical committee, is expected to make important recommendations on production cuts to a key ministerial meeting in Vienna next month for the OPEC and non-OPEC producers. Commerzbank, Germany's second-largest lender, said Friday oil producers must act to prevent a free fall of prices. "If they fail to signal any intention to reverse the latest increase in production, oil prices threaten to slide further," the bank said in a note. Oil prices lost a fifth of their value in just one month, driven down by higher supply and fears of slowing demand

A young British carpenter died after moving to Australia to start a new life  and was killed by his party lifestyle, an inquest has heard.

Zac Taylor, 28, emigrated to New South Wales with his girlfriend Danielle Treharne to start living their dream together.

The gifted carpenter and builder was about to get his Australian residency after living in the country for seven years.

But just before his residency medical examination Zac was found dead at a party.

An inquest into his death heard carpenter Zac had gone off for a year travelling the world from the family home in Porthcawl, near Bridgend, South Wales.

But he decided to settle in Manly, Sydney, and become an Australian resident.

Zac Taylor, 28, emigrated to New South Wales with his girlfriend Danielle Treharne to start living their dream together. Source: WNS/Australscope

Mum Jane Taylor said she spoke to her son the night before his death in October last year  and he was happy, laughing and joking.

The inquest heard Zac was found unresponsive on a bed by his girlfriend Miss Treharne.

The hearing was told how friends were woken by her frantic screams as Zac lay unconscious.

Geraint Evans, a friend who was at the party, began chest compression in a desperate bid to save Zac.

Zac liked to take drugs and hed been taking recreational drugs for a long time, Geraint said.

He said it felt like ages before the ambulance arrived and Zac was pronounced dead at the scene.

Zac wouldve had some sort of illicit drug and alcohol on the night, Dr Alan Woo, a pathologist, said.

I believe this would have played a significant role in how he passed away that night.

The gifted carpenter and builder was about to get his Australian residency after living in the country for seven years. Source: WNS/Australscope

Toxicology reports found non-toxic levels of Xanax and Valium.

Zacs alcohol levels were 127ml per decilitre  two to three times the New South Wales drink-drive limit.

His parents, who were present for the inquest, suggested said Zac had been living a clean lifestyle for a long time as he prepared for an Australian residency medical.

Glamorgan Coroner Graeme Hughes concluded that Zac had died of a combined multi drug (Oxycodone/Benzodiazepines) and alcohol toxicity at the inquest in Pontypridd.

Story continues

He said: Zac was an intermittent abuser of alcohol and drugs.

That evening he was taking quantities of alcohol and drugs.

Thusly it became toxic, causing respiratory depression leading to his death.

Pictured is Zac Taylor with his girlfriend Danielle Treharne. Source: WNS/Australscope

After the hearing, his mother Jane said: Zac was an amazing person that would go above and beyond to help people family, friends and strangers.

He genuinely had a heart of gold and he made people feel happy with his smile.

We and all his family and friends are devastated to lose him. He is and always will be a most wonderful son and brother.

 AustralscopeMominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim shared a record partnership with centuries apiece to put Bangladesh in a strong position in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Dhaka on Sunday. Mominul made 161 while Mushfiqur added an unbeaten 111 as Bangladesh reached 303-5 at stumps on the opening day at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. Mominul and Mushfiqur shared 266 runs in their fourth wicket stand, helping Bangladesh bounce back from 26-3 to cross the 200-run mark for the first time in their last nine Test innings. Mominul faced 242 balls and hit 19 fours in his seventh Test century, while Mushfiqur smashed nine fours for his sixth Test hundred. They surpassed Bangladesh's previous record-high for a fourth wicket stand of 180 runs, shared by Mominul and Liton Das against Sri Lanka earlier this year. After some early success, Zimbabwe had to wait for the second new ball to break the partnership, when Tendai Chatara forced Mominul to give a catch at gully to Brian Chari. "There's a bit of regret of course. My dismissal brought along another wicket. It would have been better had I batted for longer for the team," Mominul said. "It was the type of wicket where losing a wicket was always around the corner. So it was important that we were concentrating fully." Kyle Jarvis removed nightwatchman Taijul Islam for four in the penultimate over of the day to give Zimbabwe a boost before stumps. Zimbabwe, buoyed by their 151-run victory in Sylhet -- their first Test win in five years -- applied pressure in the first hour through their seamers and were rewarded early. The visitors hammered Bangladesh in the morning session as paceman Jarvis removed openers Imrul Kayes and Liton while Donald Tiripano handed debutant Mohammad Mithun a duck. Jarvis forced an inside edge from Imrul Kayes to earn the first breakthrough as wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva took the catch. Imrul, who faced 16 balls, was unable to open his account. Fellow opener Liton picked out the midwicket fielder Brendon Mavuta after he flicked Jarvis in the bowler's next over. Liton earlier was reprieved on nought as the third umpire Rod Tucker overturned a caught behind dismissal following a replay. Mominul and Mushfiqur joined together after Mithun poked Tiripano at slip for a catch of Taylor. Chari dropped Mominul on nine at the backward point off Chatara before the left-hander eased the pressure with some positive strokes and put Bangladesh in command slowly. Zimbabwe's Kyle Jarvis (R) celebrates after the dismissal of Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes (L) during the first day of the second TestIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended allowing Qatar to transfer millions of dollars to Hamas-run Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move aimed at restoring calm after months of unrest. The Israeli-authorised money transfer appeared to be part of talks that would see Islamist movement Hamas end months of often violent protests along the border in exchange for Israel easing its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Border protests have been much calmer the past two Fridays, the day they usually peak. Netanyahu's remarks late Saturday were his first on the issue since Israel allowed the money transfer to the enclave controlled by Hamas, which Israel, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist movement. "I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security establishment, to return quiet to the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis," Netanyahu said, referring to Israeli towns near the Gaza border and deteriorating conditions in the enclave. Netanyahu said the Israeli security establishment supported the move and that ministers in his security cabinet approved it. "We held serious discussions," he said ahead of his flight to Paris to join world leaders marking the centenary of the end of World War I. "I think we're acting in a responsible and wise way," he said. Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu's education minister and right-wing rival, compared the cash flow to "protection money" paid to criminals. - Critics of Gaza cash - On Friday, Palestinian civil servants began receiving payments after months of sporadic salary disbursements in cash-strapped Gaza, with $15 million delivered into the enclave through Israel in suitcases. A total of $90 million is to be distributed in six monthly instalments, Gaza authorities said, primarily to cover salaries of officials working for Hamas. Qatar has also said it would hand out $100 to each of 50,000 poor families, as well as larger sums to Palestinians wounded in clashes along the Gaza-Israel border. General elections in Israel are due in a year but could take place earlier, and Netanyahu is widely seen as wanting to avoid a conflict that holds unpredictable risks before then. On Sunday, the premier said that he would steer clear of another Gaza war if possible. "I do not shrink from a necessary war but I want to avoid it when it is not essential," Netanyahu said at a press conference for Israeli journalist accompanying him in Paris. He said that his Hamas policy consisted of two phases. "First of all calm and afterward to look at the possibility of an agreement. We're not there yet and I can't promise that we shall get there," he said Sunday. But if the current lull in border violence was not maintained, he pledged to use "maximum force". Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30. At least 221 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, since the protests began, while others died in tank fire or air strikes. One Israeli soldier has been killed along the Gaza border in that time. Netanyahu's political opponents on the right and left have criticised the Gaza cash deal. "You might buy short-term quiet, but you accustom the other side to applying violence as a way of advancing its interests," Bennett, a member of the security cabinet, told public radio Sunday. Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he had opposed "transferring the money to Hamas". It was also criticised by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, which saw it as undermining reconciliation efforts with rivals Hamas and its attempts to return to power in Gaza. The cash transfer was the latest Qatari assistance to Gaza approved by Israel in recent weeks. The Gulf emirate has also started buying additional fuel for Gaza's sole power station, allowing outages to be reduced to their lowest level in years. Egypt and the United Nations have been brokering indirect negotiations for a long-term truce with Israel, against which Hamas has fought three wars since 2008. A Palestinian woman counts her money after receiving her salary in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on November 9, 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended allowing Qatar to send millions of dollars to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip despite criticism from within his government Palestinians line up to receive their delayed salaries in the cash-strapped Gaza Strip on November 9, 2018 after Israel authorised Qatar to transfer funds into the territory A Palestinian protester hurls rocks at Israeli forces during a demonstration near the border between Israel and Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on November 9, 2018Palestinians on Sunday marked 14 years since the death of iconic leader Yasser Arafat, with their campaign for statehood still deadlocked and beset by internal divisions. Arafat, who for decades embodied the struggle for independence, died aged 75 in a French hospital on November 11, 2004, with fellow Palestinians accusing Israel of having poisoned him. The Israeli government firmly denies the allegation. His body was exhumed in 2012 for tests but a subsequent French investigation found no proof of poisoning. Swiss experts, however, said they found high levels of radioactive polonium on his personal effects. Arafat's successor, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, laid a wreath at his tomb in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Sunday, flanked by senior officials of his Palestinian Authority. After paying tribute to "the leader of the nation and the leader of the martyrs", Abbas went on to accuse Israel and the United States of seeking to sabotage Palestinian statehood through a nascent peace plan that President Donald Trump calls "the ultimate deal". "There is an American conspiracy through the ultimate agreement and the Israelis are conspiring to implement it," he said. Abbas suspended diplomatic contact with Washington following Trump's 2017 recognition of the disputed city of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Palestinians claim the Israeli-annexed eastern part of the city as the capital of their future state. Abbas added that the Islamist Hamas movement, his bitter rival which rules the Gaza Strip, was also hindering the cause. "Another plot, by Hamas, aims to disrupt the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," he said. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Abbas's Palestinian Authority in a 2007 near civil war. Multiple reconciliation attempts aimed at restoring the PA to power in Gaza have failed. In recent weeks, Abbas has been angered by indirect truce negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by the United Nations and Egypt, that have bypassed the PA. A girl holds a portrait of late leader Yasser Arafat as Palestinians mark the 14th anniversary of his death in the West Bank city of Ramallah on November 11, 2018 A poster of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah on November 11, 2018French police on Sunday arrested three topless rights protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump on the Champs-Elysees in Paris heading to a ceremony marking 100 years since the end of World War I. One of the protesters, who had slogans including "fake peacemakers" and "hypocrisy parade" written on their chests, got within metres of the rear of the motorcade after jumping over a barricade. She was grabbed by a police officer, while a second woman could be seen being hauled away by security services on the edge of the famous thoroughfare. A third woman, who was positioned a little higher up the avenue, also managed to breach the security cordon and run towards Trump's convoy with her arms raised. She too was quickly overpowered by the police and all three were arrested. The incident revealed chinks in the tight security put in place for the event, with some 10,000 security force members deployed around a city which has been hit by a series of jihadist attacks since 2015. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Trump's security had "in no way been threatened". Inna Shevchenko, one of the leaders of radical feminist group Femen, confirmed the group was behind the protest. "FEMEN activists 'welcomed' the cortege of @realDonaldTrump twice on his way to Arc de Triumph," she tweeted. Constance Lefevre, another activist who was among the crowd but did not participate in the protest, told AFP that Femen was protesting the presence in Paris of leaders "who are responsible for most of the world's conflicts". She cited Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among others. Trump's motorcade briefly paused due to the breach of security before continuing on to the Arc de Triomphe where around 70 world leaders had gathered to mark the centenary of the Armistice. Three Femen protesters had already demonstrated at the Arc De Triomphe on Saturday morning to denounce the presence of "war criminals" among the guests at the ceremony. The three were also arrested. One of the protesters got within metres of the rear of Trump's motorcade after jumping over a barricadeAt least 14 people have died in Brazil after a landslide struck their homes in the southeastern city of Niteroi in Rio de Janeiro state, officials said Sunday. The tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday after heavy rainfall caused a huge boulder to slide down a slope, hitting at least nine homes and a pizzeria. Eleven people were rescued alive on Saturday, but four who remained missing were found dead in the early hours of Sunday, according to locals. Two people rescued remained in critical condition. "It rained a lot over the past two days, Niteroi was in a state of attention and alert ... The community was advised of the situation, with the recommendation that they find safe places to stay," fire chief Roberto Robadey told Globo News. Niteroi Mayor Rodrigo Neves told a press conference the area was not considered to be high risk. But neighborhood association president Claudio dos Santos said one of the homes on the precarious slope had been vacated some time ago due to the risk of collapse. Robadey said early information suggested not all the houses were occupied at the time of the landslide. In 2010 nearly 50 people died in a landslide following heavy rains in Niteroi, which is connected to Rio de Janeiro city by a stretching bridge. Officials said according to early information, not all the houses impacted were occupied at the time of the landslideSerbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday accused Kosovo of "undermining regional cooperation and stability" by raising taxes on Serbian goods. A dialogue between the two former foes is stalled for months and the latest Pristina move illustrates lasting tensions two decades since the Kosovo war. The 1998-1999 conflict between Belgrade forces and pro-independence ethnic Albanians claimed more than 13,000 lives. Kosovo's decision to raise taxes by 10 percent this week was "violating achieved agreements and undermining regional cooperation and stability," a statement from Vucic's office said. It was issued after he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris on the sidelines of World War I commemoration services. Pristina's move, a retaliation for Serbia's longtime diplomatic offensive to convince countries to revoke their recognition of Kosovo's independence, sparked criticisms also from the European Union. Kosovo says its 2008 independence from Serbia is recognised by about 115 countries. But Serbia claims it has managed to convince a dozen nations to revoke their decision. Kosovo and Serbia are "miles from reaching an agreement," Vucic told Serbian reporters in Paris quoted by the state-run RTS television. Vucic said he did not understand Pristina's decision to raise taxes. With annual exports of 400 million euros ($454 million), Serbia is Kosovo's top regional trade partner "When you are dealing with people who are doing this it is clear you should be afraid what they can do next. "I'm horribly frightened for future since I don't know what these heads can do," Vucic said. Another dispute between the two sides is Kosovo's decision to create its own army, which was confirmed to AFP by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who also said he met Merkel in France. That decision has provoked anger from Kosovo's own ethnic Serb minority as well as from Serbia. NATO, which leads a military force that ensures Kosovo's security, has also expressed serious reservations. Serbia, and its main ally Russia, refuse to recognise independence of majority ethnic-Albanian Kosovo. Kosovo's decision to raise taxes by 10 percent was "violating achieved agreements and undermining regional cooperation and stability," a statement from Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic's office saidSri Lanka's speaker on Sunday accused President Maithripala Sirisena of usurping parliament and urged public servants to defy his "illegal orders", as the president scrambled to defend his controversial sacking of the legislature. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said Sirisena's actions over the past two weeks in sacking prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and dissolving parliament undermined the freedoms of the people. "I have watched over the last two weeks as the executive branch has seized the rights and usurped the powers of members of parliament who were elected to represent the people," he said. "I call upon all public servants to refuse to execute any illegal orders they may receive, no matter from whom....We must all act with patriotism and independence to safeguard the future of democracy in our country." He urged public officials to uphold "the independence of the public service, police and the judiciary". Sirisena triggered an unprecedented constitutional crisis last month when he sacked Wickremesinghe and replaced him with former strongman Mahinda Rajapakse before suspending parliament. In his first address to the nation since the sacking of parliament, Sirisena defended his move -- which has alarmed the international community -- saying violent clashes among rival MPs could have led to "civil unrest" across the country if the legislature had met. Sirisena said there were media reports that politicians would clash during a vote to decide between the two men claiming the premiership. "If I allowed the parliament to meet on November 14, there would have been violence in the House and it could have spread to our villagers and towns," Sirisena said in his televised address. "I acted to prevent civil unrest." He also claimed that he was disturbed by reports that MPs were being "bought" for up to $2.8 million dollars each. His party had secured the defection of eight MPs from Wickremesinghe's side. Sirisena's rivals maintain that he had no constitutional power to sack the assembly until it completed four-and-a-half out of its five-year term that ends in August 2020. Despite bowing to international pressure and repeatedly promising that he would reconvene parliament, he instead dismissed MPs and called a snap election for January 5, nearly two years ahead of schedule. Wickremesinghe's United National Party as well as several other groups representing a majority of 124 members in the 225-member House are due to petition the highest court on Monday against Sirisena's actions. "Since the president has prevented parliament from ruling on the legitimacy of the president's actions, it will be up to the Supreme Court to determine the legality of these actions," Jayasuriya said. - International ridicule - Sirisena's party had acknowledged that it did not have a majority in the assembly, despite arranging defections. The president's new foreign minister, Sarath Amunugama, had told diplomats on Saturday that the assembly was sacked because speaker Jayasuriya planned to block an address to the legislature by the president. Jayasuriya hit back saying the excuse was laughable. "I wish that the purported minister had proposed a more honest and plausible excuse for the actions of his colleagues, that would have drawn less ridicule to our country on the world stage," Jayasuriya said. "Based on this fiction, several of his cohorts have openly threatened to send me to jail," Jayasuriya said, adding that he would gladly face any consequence for his actions to defend the rights of MPs. Wickremesinghe insists he still heads the government and has refused to vacate the prime minister's official residence in Colombo until the highest court decides on the power struggle. Hundreds of his supporters staged a candle-light vigil near a lake in the capital to protest his sacking. His rival Rajapakse said that nobody would stop the snap elections going ahead. "The international community must realise that this is democracy. They must understand our position. We are seeking a mandate from the people," he said. Only China has recognised the appointment of Rajapakse, who during his decade as president relied heavily on Beijing for both diplomatic and financial support as the West shunned him over his human rights record. The United States has led a chorus of international voices expressing concern over threats to democracy in the island of 21 million people strategically located in the Indian Ocean. "The US is deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis," the US State Department said in a statement. Election monitors have questioned the legality of the election. The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections said it had already asked the independent Elections Commission to seek an opinion from the attorney general and an order from the Supreme Court. In his first address to the nation since the sacking of parliament, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena defended his move, which alarmed the international community Mahinda Rajapakse says the snap polls will go ahead despite facing legal challenges to his appointment as prime minister Karu Jayasuriya said President Maithripala Sirisena's actions over the past two weeks have undermined the country's freedoms Sri Lanka's ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe insists he still heads the government and has refused to vacate the prime minister's official residence in Colombo until the highest court decides on the power struggleNear the recently reopened border with Jordan, former Syrian rebel fighter Bahaa al-Masri sells date-filled pastries and sesame biscuits to Jordanians flocking across the frontier to snap up bargains. Syrian regime forces retook control of the Nassib border crossing from rebels in July, and last month reopened it after a three-year closure. Just several hundred metres (yards) from the frontier, 26-year-old Masri counts the boxes of biscuits he still has left in a green plastic crate strapped to the back of his motorbike. "For two weeks I have been bringing sweets from Damascus and selling them to Jordanians who come to buy them here because they're cheaper," says the ex-combatant, wearing a black jacket and woollen hat. "I sell 27 to 30 boxes a day." Masri hawks the pastries every day in a rest area on the edge of Syria's southern province of Daraa for three Jordanian dinars each (around $4, 3.5 euros). "Thank God, when the border opened there was work again here, after I spent around six years without a job," Masri tells AFP. Because money was tight, he joined a rebel group that paid him a monthly wage to fight. "I picked up arms so we could eat and live," he says, crates of green apples and oranges stacked behind him. - 'Just for breakfast' - Daraa was once seen as the cradle of Syria's seven-year uprising, but in July regime forces took back control through a military push and deals that saw rebels surrender. Under those agreements, brokered by regime ally Russia, many fighters chose to leave with their families to remaining opposition areas in northern Syria. But Masri opted to stay and settled his status officially with the returning government authorities, a move likely to see him called up for military service. Until the summons comes from the army, he is happy taking advantage of the money-making opportunities on offer now the border is open. Also looking to cash in are Jordanian drivers, jokingly dubbed "sailors", who ferry goods from Syria across the frontier for a small commission. A whole economy has sprung up again since the border begun working. At the crossing itself cars sit side by side in several long queues waiting to cross over into Syria. Large trucks, some refrigerated, also wait their turn. Before the war, "we used to come over to Syria every day -- sometimes just to have breakfast", says Mohammed Sayes, a 25-year-old from Jordan's adjacent border town of Ramtha. It was his second such trip since the border reopened "to see the sights, go out and eat" cheap, he says. "Yes, Syria lived through a war, but we suffered a siege," says the specialist in tourism management. "When the border reopened, it was like paradise opened up again." - Fuel 'half the price' - Further up, dozens of people stand in line outside a row of small pre-fabricated buildings to have their Jordanian passports stamped by Syrian officials. Jordanian driver Muflah al-Hurani, 53, is crossing the border to drive a family back home from the Syrian capital Damascus just over 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the north. He has been going in and out of Syria on an almost daily basis since Nassib reopened, to transport passengers or shop for relatives. "I bring back fruit and vegetables including potatoes, onions, garlic, as well as children's clothes made of cotton," he says. "And I fill up my car will fuel... It's less than half the price (in Syria) despite the war." Not far off, the former arrivals hall is being repaired after it was damaged in the war. Workers carry rubble away and a rebel slogan is still visible. Damascus hopes the reopening of Nassib will boost its war-ravaged economy. Before the conflict, the crossing was a key passage for trade, linking Syria -- but also Lebanon and Turkey -- with Jordan and the Gulf beyond. Syrian officials have registered more than 33,000 arrivals since October 15, against 29,000 departures. Among those waiting to head across the border are also Syrians returning home, car roofs piled high with suitcases and blankets. Last week, a Jordanian official said 6,000 Syrians had gone back to their country, among them 517 registered refugees. The head of the Nassib crossing Colonel Mazen Ghandour says the number of people heading into Syria is increasing daily, and that most of those coming are Jordanians. "Most Jordanians come to shop and then go home," Ghandour says. "Others go to see Damascus." A few metres away, a Syrian woman living in Jordan smiles as she waits to cross over with her family for a two-week visit. "Damascus is a blessing... That's why everybody wants to visit after being cut off for so long," she says. Syrian regime forces retook control of the Nassib border crossing from rebels in July Bahaa al-Masri sells date-filled pastries and sesame biscuits to Jordanians at the recently reopened Nassib border post in Daraa, south of DamascusA 50-year-old Queensland woman could face ten years behind bars after being charged for the needle contamination crisis.

Supermarkets were forced to pull fruit from shelves and farmers had to dump their products in September.

Her DNA was found on one of the needles inside a strawberry, and she has been charged with seven counts of goods contamination.

Police say one occasion of aggravation contamination will be alleged, meaning the woman will face a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Watch the full story above.All of their friends and family knew that their wedding plans were to be married in the Bahamas and have a reception when they returned. So it would be an understatement to say that the guests were surprised when the bride showed up late to their own Labor Day picnic in a limo, and wearing a wedding dress! Many of the guests piled into the limo, and the rest followed close behind. Shortly after, they were married in the park while all of their friends and family looked on, still soaking up the excitement of the change of events. A few family and friends who had successfully kept the secret were among the wedding party: Sarah Mosher (maid of honor), Chelsea Heath (bridesmaid), Nelson Spears (best man), John and Chase Alnutt (groomsmen), Ethan Mosher (groomsman), Connor Mosher (ring bearer) and Bailey Alnutt (flower girl).For the first time in more than eight decades, Cayuga County will not have a state representative in the majority of either house when the New York Legislature begins session in January.

Democrats retained their stranglehold on the state Assembly and won control of the state Senate Tuesday. Some races are too close to call, but Democrats could wind up with 39 or 40 seats in the 63-seat state Senate.

Cayuga County has an all-Republican state legislative delegation. Assemblyman Gary Finch was re-elected to represent the 126th district, while GOP hopeful Brian Manktelow won the race to succeed retiring state Assemblyman Bob Oaks.

On the Senate side, state Sens. Pam Helming and Jim Seward cruised to victory. In the contest to replace retiring state Sen. John DeFrancisco, Onondaga County Comptroller Bob Antonacci is the likely winner.

Helming, R-Canandaigua, acknowledged that it's going to be a change from the current makeup of the state Senate. Republicans held the majority for most of the past 50-plus years, with the exception of a two-year gap in 2009-10.

However, Helming isn't changing her approach. Even though she will be in the minority conference, she pledged to be a "fierce advocate" for Cayuga County and the 54th Senate District.

Jobs and the economy will remain priorities, she explained. Public safety and environmental issues are at the top of the list, too.

"These are all bipartisan issues that I think everyone can get behind and support," she said, adding that she hopes the Democratic majority will "share resources more equitably."

The sharing of resources is a concern for Seward, the senior member of the county's state legislative delegation. The Milford Republican explained that equitable state funding has been allocated in the past. One example is funding to combat harmful algal blooms in Owasco Lake and other upstate water bodies.

If the new Democratic majority is smart, he said, they will continue to provide an equal share of state resources to address upstate needs.

"I'm just going to keep pressing for the needs for our region of the state and hope for the best," said Seward, who represents the 51st district.

Seward, who was first elected in 1986, has spent 30 of his 32 years as a state senator in the majority. Helming, who was elected in 2016, spent her freshman term as a majority member. Along with DeFrancisco, the deputy majority leader of the state Senate, Cayuga County had three lawmakers well positioned to secure state aid.

The last time the county didn't have state legislators in the majority of either chamber was in 1935, when Democrats controlled both houses of the state Legislature. The county's representatives at the time were state Sen. Charles Hewitt, a Republican, and GOP Assemblyman Andrew Burgdorf.

In 2009-10, the last time Democrats held the majority of seats in the Assembly and Senate, the county had one lawmaker in the majority: state Sen. David Valesky, whose district includes a portion of Auburn and nine towns in Cayuga County.

There is agreement among the GOP lawmakers and legislators-elect that they will seek to build relationships with Democrats to advance legislation and ensure Cayuga County receives state funding.

"I certainly hope that there will be an open door on both sides of the aisle," said Antonacci, whose district will include most of Auburn and the towns of Brutus, Cato, Ira and Sennett. "I'm looking forward to working with (Gov. Andrew Cuomo) because we have to. We have to move the community forward."

For Manktelow, he expected to be part of the Assembly minority. Democrats have long controlled the chamber, and their majority wasn't threatened in the most recent election.

But he admitted that it will be challenging to secure resources and raise awareness about issues important to his district now that Republicans won't hold a majority of seats in the state Senate. He hopes to work with Democrats in the Assembly and members of the Senate to draw more attention to his district, which includes the northern towns in Cayuga County.

"Sometimes you've gotta look at the state as a state and not worry whether you're a Democrat or Republican and try to do what's best for the area," he said.

Helming and Seward highlighted past efforts that required bipartisan support. A bill to provide flood recovery aid to communities along Lake Ontario was sponsored by Helming and outgoing Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, a Rochester-area Democrat.

Helming referenced another bill that would eliminate trash incinerators from the state's Article X siting process. That, too, has Democratic support.

She extended an open invitation to her Democratic colleagues, especially those from downstate, to visit her district "so that they can better understand the unique challenges to upstate."

"I am going to count on (Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins)  it looks like she will be the new majority leader  to make sure that upstate gets their fair share," Helming said.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1AUBURN  People from a smorgasbord of life experiences were available as "human books" Saturday at Seymour Library.

The Auburn library took part in a Human Library event, in which people of wide-spread beliefs and backgrounds could be "checked out" as if they were books for 30 minute conversations.

The Human Library organization in Denmark uses the same concept. The event is part of the library's civic literacy series, library director Lisa Carr said. The "titles" for the human books included Asexual: Not Loud, but Proud, Living in Recovery, Syrian Visual Artist/Curator, and Man of Science and Faith.

"We felt that while it's not civics, civility is critical to civics," Carr said. "How can she work together if we can't even talk to each other? So we go down to the very basic building blocks and try to break down those stereotypes. We have so much more in common than we have differences."

One of the conversations that unfolded was between Jill Fandrich, who went under the title of Presbyterian Elder, and David Kauber, who said he doesn't support organized religion. Kauber asked Fandrich  who belongs to the Westminster Presbyterian Church  if she was sure there was a god. Fandrich said that she wasn't absolutely sure, but she hopes so and that she believes there is. Kauber asked her if she thought she would be a Buddhist if she had been born in an area such as Japan, to which Fandrich replied that she probably would be. She said she believes her faith tradition "points me to God, it doesn't define God." The two ended the conversation with smiles on their faces.

Kauber said had originally been reading in the library, but heard library employees talking about the Human Library event, so he decided to participate. He said he likes to see where people get their viewpoints and how strong those beliefs are. Kauber said he appreciated that Fandrich acknowledged the cultural context of her faith.

"I'm giving her a lot of credit for not being a hypocrite," Kauber said with a laugh.

Before the conversation, Fandrich said she believes there are many people who don't understand what it means to be means to be a Presbyterian or a Christian, so she wanted to represent people of "a particular faith tradition," she said.

"It's too easy to oversimplify people and to make assumptions about what they think, and having a conversation with someone is the first step toward understanding differences," Fandrich said.

Colleen Keefer, sister of Jackie Kolb, the library's community service coordinator, was also available to chat under the "Female Scientist." She said she weathers disparaging comments from people who don't take her seriously as a scientist because she's a woman, often comparing her to a Girl Scout, or say that she's "too pretty" to be a scientist. As an employee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office with an undergraduate degree in both chemistry and environmental science at SUNY Brockport and a master's degree in Great Lakes ecosystem science at Buffalo State University, Keefer said she wants to be living proof for young women that they can pursue any field they choose, despite any stereotypes.

"I don't want any girl growing up to think they have to fit into a mold," Keefer said.

Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.

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The Oath of Enlistment (for enlisted):



"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."



The Oath of Office (for officers):







"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the _____ (Military Branch) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."



THEY SERVED.

President of the United States

JUST A VETERAN



It isan exclusive club reserved for a select few people in the population. It may come as a surprise to some but a veteran is also someone who was discharged under less than honorable circumstances. It is important to separate the government benefits of the Veterans who served honorably and were discharged honorably from others. But make no mistake those who served at ANY,ANY,ANY LENGTH or ANY ANY ANY TIME are no less veterans though their service may have ended under less than honorable circumstances.I was a witness at the court martial of one of my combat brothers who was being tried for desertion. That is a story for another day. But my point is he served for a time under the flag of the United States honorably. He faced the same danger as the rest of our combat brothers. For that service he fits the definition of Veteran regardless of his final disposition of service.It is almost impossible to tell a Veteran from the rest of us. There is no uniform or lapel pin that everyone wears to show their historical status as a Veteran. Some Veterans show their pride of service by wearing the unit patch, bumper sticker, or perhaps a tattoo earned through the pain of a drunken night on the town. Others just go about their business with no mention or outward appearance of their status. Some bury there service deep within themselves never to be seen but by a few.If you plotted the demographics of Veterans, it would look like the rest of the country or any country. It would include every race, gender, nationality, religion or any other measure we use to separate us from each other.Let us take a Google Earth tour of the USA in search of Veterans. Here is the view from Google Earth.If you plotted the location of all Veterans with red dots, you would get a red haze over the land mass and a good portion of the Ocean.Let's just zoom in a bit closer and you would see a mass of nothing but red dots in every land mass and perhaps a large portion of the oceans.Bear with me for just one more zoom which may hit closer to home. You may see a few veterans you know here. Click here to see your county So what in the hell makes a Veteran so special from the rest of us? It is simple go back to the top of this article.At some point in their life, a Veteran submitted themselves to the authority of their government in the Armed Forces. They took the Oath at Induction into the service. They pledged to give their very life if called upon in the service of their country. Some did so willingly by joining others merely answered the draft call when it existed.http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/swearing-in-for-military-service.htmlThat is the only distinction between a Veteran and the rest of us. Their willingness to submit to the authority of others for the benefit of us all. Some were cooks, some were clerks, some never left their home area, some only served once a month and two weeks during the summer. But regardless of where, when and how, the did the one thing that makes them different.That and a buck or two will get them a cup of coffee.We are currently engaged in an Election where we will be electing aThat person will have life and death control over a select group of people under his or her service. And by extension, when you vote you will be designating life and death control over the same select group of people under your service. If we chose wisely, then those current members of the Armed Forces will hopefully one day join the ranks of being:Outside spending in the 2nd, 9th, and 13th Congressional Districts totaled $15.5 million.

Provisional votes usually favor Democrats, and mail-in absentee votes traditionally favor Republicans. Given this year's electoral dynamics, those trends might flip.

Early voting turnout still skews Democratic, but Republicans are now coming to the polls earlier. Data show 27 percent of early voters on Tuesday had waited until election day to cast ballots in 2014, and Republicans accounted for more of that new segment.

This year's overall voter turnout was slightly more than 52 percent. The average midterm election turnout is 42 percent. In 2006, the last blue moon midterm election in which there wasn't a presidential, gubernatorial, or U.S. Senate candidate on the ballot, turnout was 36.5 percent.

Now that Democrats have erased the GOP's veto-proof majorities for the 2019 legislative session, Republican lawmakers could try to rush initiatives through a lame duck legislative session scheduled for Nov. 27, a top political observer says.Democrats gained ground by wiping out Republican legislative delegations in Wake and Mecklenburg counties.Jonathan Kappler, executive director of the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation who closely tracks state elections, offered those takeaways during a Wednesday, Nov. 7, post-election analysis.Republicans muscled their agenda through the first two years of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's administration. They swatted down 20 of a record 25 Cooper vetoes.when the new General Assembly is sworn in on Jan. 1, Kappler said of Cooper vetoes. Without veto-proof majorities, Republicans will need Democratic votes to override them.That is an unlikely prospect. The parties have a rancorous relationship, and Democrats frequently express discontent about exclusion from formative levels of policy discussions where the die often is cast on pending legislation.Kappler said the parties enjoyed goodwill during hurricane relief efforts, but the cooperation is now much more likely to wither than persist. And Republicans could further strain relations if they use their lame-duck supermajorities to jam last-minute bills through.Lawmakers could take up contentious enabling legislation for the just-passed voter ID constitutional amendment to specify what forms of identification will be accepted to vote, Kappler said,Already whispers are resurfacing that Republicans might increase the number of seats on the state Supreme Court in hopes of offsetting Tuesday's election loss, Kappler said. Republican incumbent Barbara Jackson lost to Democrat Anita Earls, increasing Democrats' majority from 4-3 to 5-2.Democrats also won three Court of Appeals races, narrowing their deficit from 10-5 to 8-7. Kappler said the Democrats' appellate courts sweep was an oddity. Republicans generally fare well in Court of Appeals races.Voters rejected two of six constitutional amendments , and Kappler said Republicans might have dropped the ball. Amendments usually are added to the ballot in the summer, and there are generally only one or two proposed. They typically are introduced backed by well-structured financing and voter education.That didn't happen this time, Kappler said.As better funded, organized opposition emerged, final votes narrowed in comparison to earlier favorable poll results on the right to hunt and fish, a victim's rights bill, an income tax cap, and voter ID.Amendments to change the way judicial vacancies are filled and to create a new state elections board failed by large margins. Voters likely struggled to understand the wordy, process-oriented ballot language.Kappler said he never heard a compelling reason to put them on the ballot.Kappler said Tuesday's vote in Wake and Mecklenburg counties - where 1 in 5 North Carolina voters reside - illustrates the state's increasing divide between rural areas and urban/suburban ones.Raleigh and Charlotte, and their adjacents suburbs, dominate Wake and Mecklenburg counties.and quickly, partly due to an influx of out-of-state residents, Kappler said. Similar but slower transitions are taking place in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Asheville, and Wilmington.Republicans disappeared from Wake County's House delegation altogether after Tuesday's losses, going from 8-3 to 11-0 Democratic. House District 40 in Wake County was even redrawn to make it more favorable for a Republican candidate, Kappler said. Yet in a rematch from 2016 Democratic incumbent Joe John beat Marilyn Avila by an even wider margin. Wake County's Senate delegation switched from 3-2 Republican to 4-1 Democratic. Only Republican Sen. John Alexander remains.Mecklenburg County's House delegation almost turned solid blue: from an 8-4 Democratic majority to 11-1 Democratic. Lone GOP survivor Rep. Bill Brawley was clinging to a tenuous 52-vote lead before provisional and absentee mail-in ballots are counted. His margin of victory is eligible for a recount challenge. Democrats increased their 3-2 hold on Mecklenburg's Senate delegation to 4-1, with Sen. Dan Bishop the sole Republican survivor.Shifting red-blue allegiances were evident as several rural districts with ancestral Democratic roots have moved to Republican control, Kappler said.Senate District 13 once was solidly Democratic, Kappler said. But incumbent Republican Danny Britt was re-elected with nearly 63 percent of the vote over Democrat John Campbell.Likewise, Kappler said, House District 6 transitioned into a Republican stronghold. Bobby Hanig won the open seat with 55 percent of the vote over Democrat Tess Judge.Kappler said, but still couldn't pry the seat loose from Republicans. Judge's third quarter campaign expense report showed she spent $383,366 compared to $68,403 by Hanig, who ended with a cash on hand deficit of more than $16,000.Kappler also offered these election nuggets:Dana Rohrabacher was an oddity: a Republican lawmaker sent from Democratic stronghold to the California legislature he's now out of a job).



Rohrabacher was a genuinely terrible lawmaker: in ten years, the Tea Party darling voted to hand the president all-pervasive, permanent, unchecked spying powers; claimed the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville was a Democratic Party conspiracy; was tricked into screaming racist slurs by Sacha Baron Cohen; called the cops on a constituent who asked him persistent questions; etc.

But one thing you may not remember is that Rohrabacher, a man who claims to venerate private property rights above all others, rented a house in Orange County, changed the locks to deny the owner entry, then trashed the place, filling it with garbage, destroying the fixtures, furniture and appliances; cutting the phone lines; and leaving behind squirming maggots under the stove. The damage cost $28,500 to fix.

Then Rohrabacher sued his landlord for not refunding his security deposit.



In August, a year after he, his wife and their triplets left the disaster and stiffed Polyniak out of a week of due rent, the congressman hired a lawyer, Devon R. Lucas, to file a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court. According to the complaint, Rohrabacher, who skipped all military service when he was eligible to fight in Vietnam and nowadays hails himself "a patriot," thinks he and his wife are the victims in the dispute. He wants Polyniaka soft-spoken construction subcontractor who honorably served in the U.S. Marinesto pay him $20,000 for not refunding his security deposit in a timely manner. With a scheduled April 2014 court-management conference, the case doesn't look close to a respectable resolution. Lucas has sent Polyniak more than 50 hostile letters, a tactic apparently designed to win a default by handing the ex-landlord ever-increasing legal bills. What expenses Rohrabacher is incurring, if any, in the battle are unknown. Lucas, who lists his law-office address as a Costa Mesa mail drop, did not respond to inquiries about whether he is providing the congressman free or discounted services. In September, Polyniak filed a cross-complaint in court. That lawsuit alleges in part that the Rohrabachers "failed to perform their obligations under the lease and have breached the terms and conditions of the lease in numerous, material ways." Among the breaches: The congressmanwho'd quietly bought a $1 million home in another part of Costa Mesarefused to provide a forwarding address for an extended period of time.



Dana Rohrabacher Is Dirty [R. Scott Moxley/OC Weekly]





Rohrabacher Comes Clean About Messy Housing Dispute [Warren Rojas/Rollcall]





(Thanks, Fipi Lele!)People who live out in the rural areas of South Africa can't always get to the doctor or dentist when they need to. So that's why one dentist goes to the people to helps them with any dental problems they have.

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Hennie Muller recently told his story on Facebook. He realised that people from the Kalahari don't have easy access to dentists.

So he packs up his dental equipment and visits these communities, offering them the help they need.

Walking with a toothache is horrible, and Hennie knows this. That's why he travels all the way to the Kalahari to help those in need.

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Hennie and his team visited Mata Mata and Nossob this time and helped 15 people who couldn't travel to Upington to see a dentist.

For Hennie, seeing the joy on his patients' faces is a huge reward. He recounts that one of the people he recently helped jumped around from happiness.

He says it's an honour and a privilege to help these people.

It's selfless, caring acts by ordinary South Africans like Hennie that remind us of the beauty that is everywhere in South Africa.

READ ALSO: Video shows woman confronting her hubby's mistress and nobody intervenes

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Source: Briefly.co.zaSocial media platforms can be used to do great evil or great good - it all depends on who is on the other side of the keyboard. Recently, South Africans celebrated a local pilot's success on Twitter, showing the awesome side of social media.

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A local tweep who is known for spreading good news, advice and generally good vibes on social media, Sure Kamhunga shared a South African pilot's story and it touched the hearts of many.

The writer has gained quite a reputation as a person who shares positive messages, encourages positive debates and offers great advice.

He shared Nkululeko Sokweba's story and tweeps joined in celebrating the young man's achievement.

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Nkululeko is from Madelakufa Informal Settlement Area in Tembisa and dreamed of being a pilot since he was 4 years old.

His father, a cleaner at OR Tambo International Airport, used to take him to the airport on weekends and he would imagine himself in one of the big planes.

The young man has since put in 400 hours in the air and enrolled for BSc in mathematics & physics.

His achieving his dream. We wish this young man only the best on his journey through the clouds.

Here's what South Africans had to say:

READ ALSO: AKA celebrates new milestone as Touch My Blood goes platinum

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Source: Briefly.co.zaA South African paraplegic pilot will fly around the globe to spread a message of humanity and inclusion. Mike Lomberg is part of the Handiflight project and will be joined by other paraplegic pilots along his way.

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Mike Lomberg will be taking flight around the world as part of his mission to spread a message of inclusion.

The Handiflight RTW project is how he hopes to use his love for flying to inspire others to break down the barriers that they have in their minds and allow themselves to do what seems impossible.

The tour aims at spreading Handiflights message of inclusion and hopes to raise funds for paraplegics.

GoodThingsGuy reports that the pilots involved in the tour will be stopping in 40 different countries and they have 150 stopovers planned.

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The pilots will fly more than 80 000 kilometres and they will spend roughly 400 hours in the air.

Mike joined the SA Air Force and earned his military wings in 1978. He had a full and wonderful career as pilot until he was left paralysed after a car accident.

He returned to work but couldn't fly anymore. He couldn't do the one thing he was passionate about.

After many years, Mike bought himself a Glasair Sportsman aircraft, in which a friend installed hand controls.

This allowed me to regain my civilian flying licences and to once again enjoy my first love: flying aeroplanes. My flying home is now the Morningstar Flying Club which is based at Morningstar Airfield just north of Cape Town. It is home to more than 300 members and 200 aircraft.

READ ALSO: Woman finally graduates after 6 years and South Africans are inspired

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Source: Briefly.co.zaNews / National

by Staff reporter

People at Jerera growth point and surrounding areas were thrown into jitters last Thursday after an army helicopter landed twice in the area.Various leaders in Zaka confirmed that there was an army helicopter which landed but no one knew exactly the reason why it was there.Most people in the country remain fearfully respectful of the army especially after the overthrow of Robert Mugabe last year, and the killing of at least six people in Harare on August 01.When contacted for comment, Headquarter 4 Infantry Brigade public relations officer (PRO) Shelom Mudhara said he had no knowledge that a military helicopter had landed there."We do not know of any military helicopter landing in Zaka. There was no army business in Zaka which required a helicopter," said Mudhara.However, Ward 19 councillor, Peter Imbayarwo confirmed an army helicopter landed once then took off, came back and land again before taking off for good."I saw the helicopter, it first landed near the booster hill and took off. It then went away and came back and landed at an open space near the police base," said Imbayarwo.Zaka Central MP Davison Svuure corroborated Imbayarwo, saying he heard about the helicopter which landed in Jerera and one of the people on board was a local army officer."I heard that there was an army helicopter in Jerera and one of the people who were on board is from Madzivire area," said Svuure.District Administrator (DA) Ndeya Nyede and Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Majaura all said they only heard about the helicopter but they did not see it and they did not know why it was in Zaka.Some residents said the army wanted to establish a base in the Mutamba area while others said the army was there to enforce price controls.News / National

by Staff reporter

Intense jostling for control of the ruling Zanu-PF between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga is escalating into public fights between backers of the two heavyweights amid claims of counter plots.Zanu-PF youths set the cat among the pigeons a fortnight ago when they declared that Mnangagwa was the party's undisputed presidential candidate for 2023.The statements were seen as being targeted at Chiwenga, who has been touted in some circles as Mnangagwa's successor, with suggestions that the Zanu-PF leader will only serve one term.Mnangagwa allies Pupurai Togarepi, who is also the Zanu-PF youth secretary, and Zanu-PF Harare youth provincial chairman Godwin Gomwe told The Standard that their names were being dragged into the alleged fight between the president and VP by bitter people."A false, unfounded and malicious message has been circulating on social media lately."The nefarious and misleading message states that: I Godwin Gomwe have verbally attacked the Honourable Vice-President Cde Constantino Chiwenga and Zanu-PF chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri at Machipisa flea market in Highfield," Gomwe said."Bitter people are hurt by the current unity prevailing in the party; they have resorted to penning falsehoods to achieve evil goals. The said message is merely a figment of someone's imagination."Togarepi said he was not aware of any factions in the ruling party and that Zanu-PF youths supported both Chiwenga and Mnangagwa."It's all hogwash from overzealous cyber criminals. What was said during our youth assembly is on record and those keen on knowing the truth can get what was said verbatim," he said when asked about the alleged infighting."The youth league respects and supports the president and his vice-presidents."I haven't seen any divisions among the members of the youth league and should that happen in the future, it will be my duty to correct any mistaken ideas or contradictions."Togarepi said there were characters who spoke recklessly about Zanu-PF and government policies.Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo also described the allegations that there was a rift between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga as "wishful thinking".However, Zanu-PF insiders said outbursts by Mnangagwa's advisor Chris Mutsvangwa about alleged state capture were the culmination of serious fights that have been happening behind the scenes.They said the declaration by Togarepi and other Zanu-PF youth leaders Godfrey Tsenengamu and Lewis Matutu that Mnangagwa could not be challenged had angered Chiwenga's backers."After the meeting by the youths where they launched the 2023 ED-PFee slogan, Chiwenga's lieutenants became bitter because they thought it was an indirect attack on their leader," a party official revealed."Chiwenga's supporters are now feeling betrayed. They think Mnangagwa would not have been president without Chiwenga."They are bitter that Chiwenga and most of those loyal to him are being side-lined by a clique close to Mnangagwa led by his relatives and allies."According to the source, Chiwenga backers are also bitter that Mnangagwa seems to be only rewarding those from Midlands and Masvingo provinces with senior party and government positions.University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure said Mnangagwa needed to be careful in handling Chiwenga."He needs to be cautious when dealing with Chiwenga, youths were used by G40, but we all know what the outcome was," he said."The youths must not regard themselves as usable tools in the dirty games being fought by their elders."Mnangagwa should be wise enough to know that he has to move very cautiously with Chiwenga."The war veterans are divided and we know real power resides in the military rather than the youth wing of the party, or war veterans who are not armed."One with control of the military will win the battle for supremacy. Mnangagwa should play his cards carefully rather than have the political illiteracy that [former president Robert] Mugabe had last November."Mnangagwa and Chiwenga were instrumental in Mugabe's ouster in a coup last year.News / National

by Staff reporter

Surface Wilmar, the country's largest cooking oil manufacturer, says it owes its external suppliers US$22 million because of acute foreign currency shortages locally.The revelations were made during a recent tour of the firm's Chitungwiza operations by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, who wanted to understand challenges facing the manufacturing sector.Surface Wilmar is a joint venture between the Somani family, Wilmar International Ltd and the government of Zimbabwe through the Industrial Development Corporation. The company's flagship product is Pure Drop cooking oil.The firm processes soya beans and cottonseed to extract oil, with the residual high protein being used for stockfeed formulations.It employs 450 people as direct labour and indirectly engages at least 1 000 people in downstream sales and distribution.At least 98% of the company's workforce is from Chitungwiza.Surface Wilmar acting CEO Sylvester Mangani told journalists after Ncube's tour that they were struggling to get credit lines to import raw materials."What has happened is that for a period of time we have had a good relationship with our suppliers and we were getting good credit lines from them, but for the last six months we have not been able to service them," he said."Unless we pay back, that credibility will be lost."The company has failed to service external loans due to lack of forex."Our external debt now stands at $22 million and it is attracting interest daily in nostro dollars."The company's capacity utilisation for packaged cooking oil, soya meal and cotton meal stands at 26%, 8% and 11% respectively.Mangani said the low capacity utilisation was due to the unavailability of inputs and lack of foreign currency.He said the company would soon embark on a contract farming programme where at least 100 000 hectares of soya beans would be grown under irrigation in five years' time.Mangani said the project would save the country $50 million in foreign currency annually.However, Mangani said government's decision to lift a ban on the importation of selected basic commodities was "a kick in the teeth" for local industry."What we are saying is that the government has said people can use their free funds to import cooking oil from South Africa, but we are saying we can supply it cheaper," he said."Those same free funds can then be channelled towards us so that we import the raw materials to supply locally."Surface Wilmar is the main investor in Olivine Industries with a 65% stake while the Zimbabwean government holds a 35% stake.Olivine said it needed foreign currency to buy modern equipment to enhance its competitiveness.Ncube said the government would support the modernisation of Olivine to improve the value of its equity.Its hard to put together a bullish case for Canadas top oil stocks these days.

After a stunning rally this year, oil is in the bear territory. Futures in New York were trading more than 20% down from a four-year high reached in early October.

In London, Brent sank to a seven-month low below $70 a barrel. For Canadian producers, the situation is worse, as they struggle to move their supplies due to acute pipeline shortages in the country.

Does this dismal situation provide a good reason to exit Canadas top oil stocks? In my view, it wouldnt be a good idea. Here is why.

Energy companies belong to an important segment of the Canadian economy, making up about one-third of the total market capitalization of the S&P/TSX Composite Index.

Integrated energy companies with strong balance sheets and solid assets generally perform better in market downturns. Such companies can also provide decent long-term returns to investors whose objective is to hold on to their investments and ride through the market volatility.

Two top stocks to buy

Lets consider Canadas two top oil stocks: Suncor Energy (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU) and Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ), which I like for long-term investments.

Calgary-based Suncor is an integrated energy company with a portfolio of high-quality assets, including oil sands extraction, refining, and marketing the energy products to industrial, commercial, and retail customers.

Suncor operates one of the lowest-declining and most-enduring upstream asset bases globally. That makes it possible for the company to produce steady and stable recurring cash flow, even under modest commodity price assumptions.

During the past five years, Suncors cost to dig a barrel of crude oil has fallen to $23.80 in 2017 from $37 in 2013, representing the lowest level achieved in more than a decade.

Suncors downstream operations, which include more than 1,700 Petro-Canada stations and oil refineries, provide a solid hedge to widening heavy oil differentials.

Story continues

Canadian Natural Resources pursued a smart acquisition strategy during the last oil downturn. By taking advantage of lower oil prices and its strong balance sheet, CNQ acquired oil sands assets last year from Royal Dutch Shell. That deal gave CNQ increased scale and sustainability from long-life assets.

While some producers withheld their expansion plans amid Canadas pipeline shortages, CNQ is going full steam ahead with its expansion. In August, the company said it was increasing its capital spending plans for the remainder of 2018 by $170 million, bringing its total for the year to $4.6 billion.

The additional money will be spent to expand the companys Horizon oil sands mine by up to 95,000 barrels of oil per day, potentially a 40% capacity jump.

Bottom line

Suncor and CNQ are two good stocks to buy in any market downturn. They are solid income stocks that long-term investors can buy during the market slump and lock in their higher dividend yields. If this oil downturn extends, it will provide oil bulls another opportunity to buy these top oil stocks at attractive prices.

More reading

Fool contributor Haris Anwar has no position in any stocks mentioned.crude oil

David McNew/Getty Images

Enhanced US sanctions on Iran came into effect on Monday, leading to concerns about tighter supply

But, increased production from major oil nations has eased supply issues, driving prices lower

Sell off in crude futures has seen Brent, the international benchmark, fall 20% in less than two months, otherwise known as a bear market

Brent crude prices fell to multi-month lows today as supply fears caused by US sanctions on Iran waned.

Oil prices dropped below $70 a barrel for the first time since April, having reached as high as $86 last month, on the back of trade fears and waning growth. Brent now sits at $69.68, down 1.8%.

Expectations that US sanctions on Iran could take substantial crude volumes out of the market have been mitigated by steadily increasing production out of Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the US shale industry. Those countries are now pumping at near record levels with figures suggesting 33 million barrels per day, or a third of the worlds oil, is being produced by the trio.

"There is no slowing down the bear train," said Stephen Brennock, analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil. "Instead, the energy complex has extended a rout driven by swelling global supplies and a softening demand outlook."

Markets Insider Brent Crude three month chart

Markets Insider

The Financial Times on Friday reported more crude oil could also be coming from Iraq, with a deal close between its federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to restart exports from the disputed territory of Kirkuk.

"In view of the latest price slump and the oversupply that looks set to materialize next year, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is thinking about cutting back oil production," analysts at Commerzbank said in a note on November 8.

US crude also dropped into a bear market on November 8 as prices fell to $59.28. Selling intensified over the past week following the publication of figures from the USs Energy Information Administration which showed that US oil inventories are at a five-month high. Temporary waivers on importing Iranian crude were taken by a number of countries, including some of the OPEC members biggest customers, but these will expire in six months.

Story continues

All eyes will now be on the OPEC summit in Abu Dhabi this weekend, where a meeting with non-OPEC members will determine potential supply cuts.

NOW WATCH: The economist that predicted the housing crisis warns the Fed is engaging in behavior that's almost always caused a recession

See Also:

SEE ALSO: Oil approaches $82 as Iran sanctions continue to drive supply fearsHealth Canada says in light of "troubling allegations," its scientists are reviewing hundreds of studies used during the approval process for glyphosate, the active ingredient in Canada's most popular herbicide, Roundup.

The decision comes after a coalition of environmental groups claimed Health Canada relied on studies that were secretly influenced by agrochemical giant Monsanto, the maker of Roundup, when it re-approved use of glyphosate in 2015 and confirmed that decision in 2017.

The coalition, which includes Equiterre, Ecojustice, Canadian Physicians for the Environment and others, says academic papers looking at whether the herbicide causes cancer were presented to Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency as independent, when in fact Monsanto had a hand in writing them.

At the time, Health Canada decided the risks of glyphosate to human health were acceptable, if used as directed in updated product labels. Now it's taking another look.

"Health Canada scientists are currently reviewing hundreds of studies to assess whether the information justifies a change to the original decision, or the use of a panel of experts not affiliated with Health Canada," the health agency told CBC-Radio Canada in an email response to the coalition's claims.

But Sidney Ribaux, the head of Equiterre, isn't satisfied.

He says Health Canada should launch an independent review immediately and suspend use of glyphosate, which is commonly applied to corn, soy, wheat and oats, as well as chickpeas and other pulses.

"This does not in any way meet our demands. Health Canada approved a dangerous product based ... on these studies."

Monsanto Papers

The coalition's contention that Monsanto had an uncredited role in producing some of the studies comes from court documents made public in the case of Dewayne "Lee" Johnson.

In August, a California jury ordered Monsanto to pay Johnson $289 million US in damages after the former groundskeeper alleged Roundup gave him non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Story continues

He was diagnosed in 2014 at age 42.

A judge upheld the verdict last month, although Johnson's payout was slashed to $78 million US.

The documents filed in the case, including emails between Monsanto and scientific experts, have become known as the Monsanto Papers. The revelations they contain have received worldwide attention.

The coalition of Canadian groups says those documents prove that important scientific studies were either co-written or reviewed and edited by Monsanto without properly disclosing the company's role.

"Monsanto has been playing around with scientific studies," said Equiterre's Ribaux. "[It's] making these studies look like they are independent, when in fact they were written or heavily influenced by Monsanto.

"What we found is that some of these studies were key in the Government of Canada's decision to give a permit to Monsanto to continue selling glyphosate in Canada.

"Obviously this is very problematic."

In a statement to CBC, German-based Bayer AG which now owns Monsanto says it has an "unwavering commitment to sound science transparency" and did not try to influence scientific outcomes in any way.

The company says in each case where it sponsored a scientific article, that information was disclosed.

U.S. plaintiff calls for more testing

Lee Johnson, the plaintiff in the landmark American case, wants to see glyphosate research re-evaluated and expanded.

"Hopefully the conversation is big enough to where they have to do more testing, more research," Johnson told CBC-Radio-Canada in an exclusive interview during a recent visit to Toronto.

Johnson said he was thrilled to win his suit, but he knows his fight is far from over. He expects years of appeals.

I'm not scared to die. You know, but if I have to die, at least I'll die for something. - Dewayne "Lee" Johnson

Bayer has already announced its intention to appeal the ruling. Bayer now faces more than 8,000 lawsuits in the U.S. over its glyphosate-based products.

In a post on its website last month, Bayer said it continues "to believe that the liability verdict and damage awards are not supported by the evidence at trial or the law."

The company told CBC-Radio Canada "its product is safe and has been used successfully for more than 40 years."

It also says there is an extensive body of research on glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides, including more than 800 studies required by regulators in Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere, that confirms these products are safe when used as directed.

Many government regulators, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2017, have determined there is no conclusive link between glyphosate and cancer.

But the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded in 2015 that glyphosate is a probable carcinogen.

Johnson, who sprayed Roundup and a similar Monsanto product, Ranger Pro, as part of his job as a groundskeeper at a San Francisco Bay Area school district, says he has found a certain consolation in his struggle against Monsanto.

"I was there to defend the truth," he said. "I'm not scared to die. You know, but if I have to die, at least I'll die for something."Rumble

Bait balls are an incredible sight for scuba divers. They are nature's way of helping small fish avoid predators. Small fish school tightly to confuse larger fish and sea lions if they cannot hide in vegetation or coral. The enormous mass of moving, silvery bodies makes it impossible for predators to track the movements of individual fish. This makes it hard for a predator to follow and capture one specific fish. A bait ball is a last ditch effort of the smaller fish to evade a larger animal. They large school provides more eyes to watch for an ambush and any reaction to a threat will be perceived by all of the other fish in the bait ball. They will move rapidly away from any threat. But many predatory fish, mammals, and birds have developed sophisticated methods of attack that allow them to successfully feed on the fish within the bait balls. Swordfish slash through bait balls at high speed, slicing or stunning the prey. Whales lunge feed by charging and opening their mouths as they reach the school. Sea lions herd the fish to the surface and work together to charge through the dense ball of fish. These divers saw the dark cloud of salemas approaching and they were mesmerized by the beauty of the swarm as it engulfed them. The fish in these swarms are so densely packed that they block most of the light and it is almost too dark for a scuba diver to see around them. The diver with the camera is Solon Intriago, a seasoned scuba guide with more than 30 years of experience and almost 15,000 dives under his belt. He shows us here what happens when air bubbles are released into the bait ball from beneath. The fish move out of the way as if they don't want the bubbles to touch them. They quickly close in again, engulfing the divers once more. The divers soon learned why the salemas had formed the bait ball when they saw a sea lion hunting at the edge of the school. The beauty and wonder of the underwater world has to be seen to be believed. These scuba divers were overjoyed to spend this time surrounded by such a gigantic school of fish.The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) strike is once again impacting operations at a major processing centre in Vancouver.

According to a press release, CUPW has also begun job action in Creston, Elk Valley, Golden, Grand Forks, Kimberley, Kitimat, Powell River, Prince Rupert, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, Smithers, Sunshine Coast and Terrace, B.C.

Rotating strikes also continue in Kamloops.

Canada Post customers can expect mail delivery and other services to be delayed because of the strike.

Contract negotiations between Canada Post and CUPW began in November 2017, with mediated talks starting in January. Workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike in late summer after talks stalled.

Since Oct. 22, Canada Post says the strikes have shut down its operations in more than 150 communities across the country.

Key demands for the 50,000 CUPW members revolve around job security, ending forced overtime, health and safety improvements and equality for rural and suburban mail carriers.

Canada Post is the biggest parcel shipping company in the country, delivering about one million parcels a day during the holiday season in 2017, an increase of 20 per cent over the same period in 2016.

With files from Canadian Press.From left, Ng Lap Seng, Sheri Yan, Patrick Ho, John Ashe. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Mary Altaffer/AP, Craig Ruttle/AP, AP, Brendan McDermid/AP, Getty Images, AP, Frank Franklin II/AP)

When Patrick Ho was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 18, 2017, the former Hong Kong government official made one phone call: to James B. Biden, the younger brother of the former U.S. vice president, an acquaintance whose number he had on hand.

The well-connected Hong Konger asked Biden for a lawyer.

Ho was going to need a good one. The U.S. Department of Justice was planning to indict him for using his connections at the United Nations to bribe a U.N. General Assembly president along with several African government officials.

The arrest attracted media attention because of Hos link to a powerful Chinese energy conglomerate, CEFC China Energy. Ho ran the energy companys think tank, China Energy Fund Committee, an NGO affiliated with the U.N. that had offices in New York, Virginia and Hong Kong.

The former Hong Kong official was indicted on a number of foreign bribery and money-laundering charges, but the investigation surrounding Ho, his nonprofit and its parent company, and the United Nations wasnt about just corruption. A flurry of recent court filings reveal that the government collected at least some of Hos communications under a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a secret order used to monitor suspected foreign agents.

And records related to the case  including documents submitted by Hos own attorney  now connect Hos alleged payments to promotion of a major Beijing foreign policy push called the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature venture advancing investment and infrastructure projects around the world. Belt and Road isnt about only inking business deals; it offers a sweeping vision of a China-centric political and economic global order, one in which countries depend on China, not the West, for prosperity.

Chinas influence operations have been getting high-level attention in the Trump administration, particularly as it attempts to fend off allegations of collusion with Russia. In September, speaking at the United Nations, President Trump himself accused China of meddling in U.S. affairs, and in a high-profile speech on China the following month, Vice President Mike Pence asserted that the United States believes Beijing is seeking to interfere in the domestic policies of this country as part a wide-scale influence operation.

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In this July 2015 photo, Patrick Ho, former Hong Kong home secretary, now deputy chairman of an nongovernmental organization funded by CEFC China Energy. (Photo:AP)

Hos case may illustrate another, more serious aspect of Beijings operations abroad: an attempt to influence the most prominent symbol of the global rules-based order, the United Nations. And the Ho case is not an isolated event. Since 2015, U.S. officials have successfully prosecuted two other related cases of China-linked nonprofits being used to funnel money to U.N officials.

Yet the Ho case also may illustrate a key dilemma for the U.S. government as it attempts to expose foreign agents operating in the United States: While the Trump administration may be eager to prove Beijing is conducting a global influence campaign, its often easier to convict someone of financial crimes.

The Department of Justice and Hos lawyers declined to comment on any aspect of his case.

Regardless of the prosecutions arguments in court, Western intelligence officials says Hos case fits a broader pattern. Beijing, they argue, is deploying private companies, billionaires, spy agencies, and even charities to achieve its political agenda abroad.

The Chinese dont think of it as bribery and corruption, said one former senior U.S. intelligence official. They think about it as investment, whether it is at the U.N. or elsewhere.

* * *

Patrick Ho was born and raised in Hong Kong, a former British colony, but he has long operated inside Beijings political orbit. He first emerged on the scene in the 1990s as a delegate to the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference in Beijing, an important arm of the United Front, one of the Communist Partys political influence agencies. He went on to serve on Beijings handpicked task force charged with overseeing Hong Kongs handover in 1997 to mainland Chinese sovereignty. His service was rewarded when he was appointed as Hong Kongs minister of home affairs, a position he held from 2002 to 2007.

Donald Tsang, Hong Kong chief executive, right, toasts with Patrick Ho, secretary of home affairs for Hong Kong, at a reception hosted by Ho in Hong Kong in 2007. (Photo: Nelson Ching/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In 2011, Ho assumed leadership of the Hong Kong-based nonprofit China Energy Fund Committee, founded and funded by the ostensibly private CEFC China Energy, and obtained U.N. accreditation almost immediately, a status granting outside nonprofits access to U.N. grounds, events and personnel. China is a leading member of the committee that grants accreditation and tends to stonewall applications from human rights NGOs or other organizations that might place political pressure on China. The China Energy Fund Committee faced no such difficulty.

The U.N. status gave Hos Hong Kong organization, which also has offices in New York City and Arlington, Va., immediate credibility. The committees website and print publications were emblazoned with its U.N.-affiliated status, and Ho often touted the U.N. association. China Energy Funds website (now down) lists dozens of high-profile individuals as expert advisors. Yet when contacted by Yahoo, several of these individuals said that they had never heard of the organization and had never consented to associate with it in any capacity.

The nonprofit hosted events as well, such as colloquia about U.S.-China policy and talks about Chinas development model. Ho gave talks promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and held meetings in his capacity as the organizations director, cultivating relationships within the U.N. But soon Ho allegedly began using his nonprofit to engage in other activities.

In 2014, three years after the China Energy Fund Committee received U.N. special status, Ho began to offer bribes to U.N. officials, U.S. prosecutors allege. Some of those bribes were aimed at securing business advantages and opportunities for the NGOs parent company, CEFC China Energy, the private Chinese company with ties to the Chinese government and military, according to court documents.

Ambassador John Ashe, of Antigua and Barbuda, the president of the General Assemblys 68th session, at United Nations headquarters on Sept. 17, 2013. (Photo: Richard Drew/AP)

Hos first overtures were to John Ashe, an Antiguan diplomat who served as U.N. General Assembly president from 2013 to 2014. Ho introduced himself to Ashe as the head of a U.N.-affiliated nonprofit, honored Ashe at several of the charitys events, invited Ashe to Hong Kong and then promised Ashe a contribution in exchange for business assistance after Ashes term at the U.N. ended. Ho later sent Ashe $50,000, prosecutors allege. The next year, Ho cultivated a similar relationship with Sam Kutesa, Ashes successor as U.N. General Assembly president, eventually sending Kutesa a $500,000 payment that prosecutors say was a bribe.

If the allegations are proved true, Ho wouldnt have been the only Chinese businessman using the cover of an U.N.-affiliated NGO to bribe Ashe. In August 2013, South South News, a U.N.-accredited nonprofit bankrolled by Macau casino tycoon Ng Lap Seng, began depositing $20,000 each month into Ashes bank account. Ng was already on the radar of U.S. authorities: In the 1990s, Senate investigators identified him as the likely conduit of hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal donations to the Democratic National Committee and 1996 Clinton re-election campaign. Our suspicion was always that Ng had high-level government connections and was protected, recalled a former U.S. intelligence official familiar with Ngs activities in the 1990s.

Now almost two decades later, Ng was using South-South News, a small New York-based media outlet that covered development and U.N.-related news, as a front to pay Ashe to get his support for a project to build a U.N. conference center in Macau, according to U.S. prosecutors. In addition to enhancing Chinas power and prestige, the establishment of a U.N. conference center in Macau would present China with significant intelligence-gathering and recruitment opportunities, said one former senior U.S. intelligence official.

In 2016, a U.S. attorney involved in prosecuting Ng said that the Chinese government had helped create South-South News and was involved in Ngs work trying to establish a U.N. conference center in Macau.

The center never materialized, but court filings say that Ng was secretly being investigated as part of a counter-espionage probe of a suspected Chinese spy, and business associate of Ngs, named Qin Fei; Ng paid to renovate Qins $10 million mansion on New Yorks Long Island. The mansion was being converted into a conference center for South-South News, Ngs U.N. nonprofit, said Ngs lawyer, Hugh Mo, who denies his client had any connection with Chinese intelligence (though Qin, Mo said, was being wiretapped under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act).

Chinese billionaire Ng Lap Seng, center, leaves federal court with his attorney Benjamin Brafman, right, after he was released on bail in connection with a United Nations bribery scheme in New York City on Oct. 26, 2015. (Photo: Kathy Willens/AP)

U.S. officials believed that Qin was an intelligence officer with the Ministry of State Security, Chinas main foreign intelligence agency, said one former U.S. intelligence official, and that he was likely Ngs handler. The way Beijing operates, said the former official, is that the billionaire is the icebreaker, and then the Ministry of State Security or United Front goes in behind that person and takes advantages of the opportunities they leave in their wake.

Ngs lawyer, however, argues U.S. officials are have a jaundiced view of the relationship between prominent Chinese citizens and the state. American intel agencies always think everything emanates from top, he said. They dont see all the self-appointed proxies, who take it upon themselves to carry out policy. Individuals like Ng have a deeply embedded self-interest, said Mo, that is also perceived as patriotic and in line with Chinas foreign policy.

As Ng was funneling money to Ashe, a third effort to influence the U.N. General Assembly president from Antigua was well underway. Sheri Yan, a Chinese-born naturalized American citizen married to a former Australian intelligence analyst, had also cozied up to Ashe. According to emails later uncovered by the FBI, Ashe met secretly with Yan in Hong Kong in April 2012 and agreed to go on Yans payroll.

Yan, like Ng Lap Seng, created her own U.N. nonprofit, the Global Sustainability Foundation. And like South-South News, it also received U.N. accreditation and championed the U.Ns millennium goals, an ambitious set of voluntary, country-by-country targets aimed at reducing global poverty. Yan also arranged for bribes to Ashe to benefit three other Chinese businessmen, say U.S. court documents.

The names of the individuals were redacted from court records, but according to a U.S. government document obtained by Yahoo News from Antiguan officials, one of the alleged co-conspirators was a businessman who worked for China National Software and Security Co., a state-owned company with connections to the Chinese military and state security agencies. The businessman allegedly provided a $100,000 bribe to Ashe, facilitated by Yan, according to the document provided to Yahoo. The purpose of the bribe was to encourage the Antiguan government to award China National a contract to build a national Internet security system there, according to the indictment.

Attempts to seek comment from China National were unsuccessful.

Sheri Yan, CEO of the Global Sustainability Foundation, center, leaves federal court in New York City on Jan. 20, 2016, after she pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme to bribe John Ashe, the former U.N. General Assembly president. (Photo: Craig Ruttle/AP)

By 2015, authorities were closing in on the network around Ashe. That year Yan was arrested in the United States, and Australian authorities raided her apartment, suspecting her of working for Beijing. Yan pleaded guilty to bribery charges and was sentenced to 20 months in prison in July 2016. Yans husband says his wife, despite pleading guilty to bribery, has had no connections with any Chinese government agency.

Ng, the Macau billionaire, was also arrested in 2015 (he was found guilty of bribery in a jury trial and sentenced earlier this year to four years in prison, though he is appealing the sentence and his conviction). Ashe, the center of the bribery scandal, died in a weightlifting accident in June 2016, before he could face trial on tax fraud charges.

That left just Ho, who has been charged under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of funneling $2.9 million to U.N. and African officials, including $2 million in bribes to government officials from Uganda and Chad. Ho has pleaded not guilty on all charges.

* * *

One of the central questions in Hos case now is whether his alleged actions were those of a corrupt businessman or, as he contends, simply a well-intentioned NGO representative trying to promote Chinas global development plan. The latter may be tough to resolve with some of the allegations. Among other claims, prosecutors say that Ho pursued sanctions-busting transactions with Iran and that he worked with Chinese government security officials to smuggle arms to Libya and Qatar.

Yet Ho is not charged with being a foreign agent.

Those charges can be tough to make without declassifying classified information, something the U.S. government often tries to avoid, said Brian Fleming, a former Justice Department national security prosecutor and a member of the Miller & Chevalier law firm. If there is a way to try a case without having to declassify classified information, the government is likely going to do that, he said.

Whether his actions served CEFC China Energys interests or Beijings may be uncertain, but sometimes those interests overlapped. One alleged payment he allegedly helped facilitate, for example, was intended to help reduce the $1 billion debt that a Chinese state-owned company owed to Chad. The bribe, according to the the criminal complaint, would help CEFC China Energy enter into a partnership with the state company to pursue oil rights in Chad.

CEFC China Energy is not a typical private company, at least by Western standards. The Chinese energy industry is notoriously state-dominated, and the government tightly controls foreign acquisitions. CEFC China Energy, which appeared on the scene around 2010, swiftly gained market dominance and began scooping up foreign deals in Europe, Africa and Asia. The companys chairman, Ye Jianming, kept a low profile, rarely granting media interviews or speaking in public. But by 2014 the company had become one of the 10 largest private firms in China; in 2017, it bought a $9 billion stake in Russian state oil giant Rosneft.

If, as Ho argues, his alleged payments werent about expanding business for CEFC Energy, then what were they for? Ho openly promoted Chinas Belt and Road Initiative in his work at the U.N. He hailed it as Globalization 2.0, and his nonprofit hosted events and colloquia highlighting the Chinese policy. We want to promote a better understanding of China, and issues pertaining to Chinas position in the world, and try to make friends for China, Ho said in a previously unpublished interview from 2015 by journalist Isaac Stone Fish, who provided a transcript to Yahoo News.

How successful Hos efforts were is hard to say, but the initiative he was promoting, Belt and Road, has made inroads into the United Nations headquarters in New York. Top U.N. officials have begun endorsing the Chinese-led initiative, even as senior officials in the Trump administration, including Pence, have slammed Beijing for pursuing debt diplomacy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders at the Belt and Road Forum outside Beijing in May 2017. (Photo: Damir Sagolj/Pool Photo via AP)

According to a spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general, for its part, the U.N. does not condone bribery and has worked with U.S. law enforcement in the Ho case. We made it clear when this case began that we would have no tolerance for corruption at the United Nations. We have cooperated with the US authorities in providing relevant information on this case, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, wrote in response to questions from Yahoo News.

Haq also cited the Ng case, where the United Nations disclosed thousands of documents and waived the immunity of officials to allow them to testify at trial.

At the same time, however, Haq defended U.N. support for Chinas Belt and Road, citing its potential to alleviate poverty. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believes that the Belt and Road Initiative has immense potential, promoting access to markets for countries yearning to become more integrated with the global economy, Haq wrote. The Initiative, he said, strives to create opportunities, global public goods and win-win cooperation.

As for Ho, rather than denying the connection between his actions and the Chinese government, he is remarkably now making this link a cornerstone of his own defense by arguing the money he paid was a charitable donation to promote the Belt and Road initiative, not a bribe. According to court filings, Hos attorney submitted a letter stating the defenses intention of calling a witness to testify that CEFC China Energy was closely tied to the Chinese state during the period relevant to this case and participated in promoting the Chinese states agenda.

Prosecutors say those ties, even if true, are irrelevant. As Hos case moves toward trial in New York, the Justice Department has been keeping the focus on financial charges, rather than Hos ties to Beijing.

Keeping the case narrowly focused on corruption may make the prosecutions case easier, but it does have the drawback of precluding a public debate about foreign agents, according to Joshua Rosenstein, a member of Sandler Reiff law firm, which focuses on political law and advocacy.

In this courtroom sketch, Patrick Ho attends his bail hearing in a New York court on Feb. 5. U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest, who set the trial for November, rejected his bail request, saying he was too great a risk to flee. (Photo: Elizabeth Williams via AP)

There is some significant value in bringing criminal charges involving unregistered foreign agents  in terms of improving or informing the public debate generally, and specifically informing the public debate about foreign actors being involved in public activities, he said.

That is precisely the point of laws on foreign agents, he added, and prosecuting violations can lead to sunlight being brought on surreptitious foreign activity even outside of the criminal process.

Ultimately, whether Hos actions were part of Beijing-orchestrated influence campaign  and whether that matters for the charges he faces  or simply a plot to make money for his company may be left up to a jury to decide. His trial is expected to start later this month.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:The Canadian Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  It was supposed to be a moment of triumph for Joe Biden. The Democratic president had just signed into law the most significant infrastructure package in generations. And he had done it by bringing Democrats and Republicans together, just as he promised during last year's campaign. But when Biden arrived in New Hampshire last week to promote the $1 trillion package at the foot of a crumbling bridge, not all of his VIP guests were in the mood to celebrate. Democrats are conLori Nikkel first discovered how much food gets wasted in Canada when she was a single mother to three hungry boys in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke.

Nikkel and a group of other low-income mothers had convinced their local Loblaws grocery store to donate food to their children's school for a student nutrition program.

Often, Nikkel found out, the store was overstocked because it ordered too much of certain items. The excess food went to Nikkel and the school  otherwise, it would have gone to waste.

"I remember once getting 500 pineapples," Nikkel said. "It was great."

Nikkel is now the CEO of Toronto-based charity Second Harvest, which connects suppliers and distributors with non-profit organizations across Ontario to distribute excess food so it doesn't end up in landfills. This week she was on a panel at the Zero Waste Conference in Vancouver.

Canada wastes an estimated $31 billion worth of food each year  about 40 per cent of all the food produced. More than half of that occurs before it gets to the dinner table, when it's discarded by farmers, food manufacturers and distributors.

Nikkel says food gets wasted across the supply chain, from farmers who can't sell blemished apples to manufacturers that slightly mess up a batch of bread, to grocery stores that end up with too many items about to reach their best-before date.

"People just consider it the cost of doing business," she said. "Where food is getting made, there is loss across the chain."

Food waste has become a salient topic, not only because edible food gets tossed out while millions of people go hungry. Organic waste also produces methane when it decomposes in landfills, making it one of the biggest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions.

But people like Nikkel are trying to change that. And businesses that want to root out inefficiencies to protect their bottom line are listening.

Overproduction of food

Story continues

Second Harvest collects food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to more than 300 non-profit organization across Ontario. The organization focuses on fresh food, like produce, meat and dairy.

"There is an overproduction of food globally and it actually leapfrogs over people and goes into landfills, creating a huge environmental challenge," she said during a lunch break at the conference on Thursday.

Other groups at the conference dedicated to preventing waste included Vancouver-based tech start-up FoodMesh, which also connects surplus foods to charities, and Provision Coalition, which works directly with food and drink manufacturers to help them become more efficient.

One of the other people on the panel with Nikkel was Sam Wankowski, Walmart Canada's senior vice-president of operations for Western Canada.

Last April, Walmart committed to have zero food waste across its organization by 2025.

"It just makes good business sense," Wankowski said. "If we can ... improve the efficiencies of our processes and our infrastructure, that just increases value for everyone."

'We can do a lot more'

Walmart came under a lot of criticism in 2016, when a CBC Marketplace investigation found garbage bins full of produce, bottled water, frozen foods, meat and dairy products that appeared to still be fresh and safe for consumption.

But Wankowski says the company's new policy didn't stem from that criticism. He says Walmart's food waste reduction initiatives were already underway by then, and the company has decreased food waste by 23 per cent over the last few years.

"We know we can do better and we can do a lot more," he said.

Second Harvest

Walmart has implemented several tactics to decrease food waste, Wankowski said. First and foremost it's trying to sell the food it carries  this means more precise tools to forecast demand so it can order accordingly  and dropping the prices of soon-to-be expired items.

And through its philanthropic arm, the Walmart Foundation, the company is giving away $19 million to organizations that help reduce food waste in Canada.

'There's good food out there'

Some critics say that diverting excess food that would otherwise end up in landfills or elsewhere won't solve world hunger.

University of British Columbia professor emeritus Graham Riches explores that issue in his new book, Food Bank Nations: Poverty, Corporate Capture and the Right to Food. He argues that the best way to help people who need access to food is to give them a living wage so they can afford it, instead of receiving charity.

CBC

Nikkel agrees that a lack of adequate income is one of the main drivers of hunger, but she says there's work to be done until then.

She adds that the food she distributes doesn't need to just go to those in need  it's simply surplus food that shouldn't be wasted.

"This doesn't necessarily have to be about low income," she said. "There's good food out there, why aren't we eating it?"A man who spent four years in immigration detention, including more than two years in solitary confinement, has launched a $65-million lawsuit against the Canadian government for allegedly violating his Charter rights.

Prosper Niyonzima, 36, originally from Burundi, became a permanent resident of Canada in 1995 after three of his siblings and his parents were murdered in the Rwandan genocide. He lost that status after he was convicted of a string of crimes, including break and enter, theft and drug trafficking. He was placed in immigration detention in 2012 as he waited to be deported.

According to a statement of claim filed in Ontario Superior Court on Oct. 29, Niyonzima was placed in solitary confinement and suffered a mental breakdown in 2013 that rendered him catatonic.

While in solitary confinement, he alleges he was denied proper food, clothing, medical care and yard time and was permitted to take only three showers over the course of a year. He alleges he was also subjected to "painful and forcible" electroconvulsive therapy. In 2016, he was released on a temporary resident's permit.

'Worst thing that could happen to me'

"Honestly, it was just really, really hard to deal with that," Niyonzima told CBC Toronto at his lawyer's office. "It's just the worst thing that could happen to me."

Niyonzima is seeking $50 million in general damages and $15 million in aggravated damages. He also wants the federal government to admit that his rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were violated. The statement of claim names the Attorney General of Canada.

CBC News contacted the government, but did not receive a response before deadline.

None of the allegations in the claim has been proven in court.

Lorenda Reddekopp/CBC

In the statement of claim, Niyonzima alleges the inhumane conditions in solitary confinement led to his mental breakdown. He also alleges the experience also rendered him unable to speak for three years and caused him to lose any chance of gaining custody of his daughter. She has since been adopted.

Story continues

Mental health issues known to Ottawa, lawsuit alleges

Before his detention, Niyonzima had been assessed as suffering from trauma after he witnessed the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. He says he was denied mental health treatment in immigration detention.

"The plaintiff suffered pre-existing mental-health issues from childhood trauma following the Rwandan genocide in which his parents and three siblings were massacred. The plaintiff's mental health issues were known to the defendant," the statement of claim reads.

Niyonzima, who currently lives in Toronto, said there is no question that immigration detention aggravated his mental health issues.

"I was already depressed and I was hearing voices ... and it just made things worse," he said.

Niyonzima was held in the Toronto West Detention Centre, the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, Ont., and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre in Brockville, Ont.

Shutterstock

Lawyer Subodh Bharati, who is representing Niyonzima, said the government must take responsibility for how it treated his client.

"The treatment was horrendous. It's not the type of treatment we would expect the Canadian government to do to its most vulnerable people," he said.

"Here is an individual put in solitary confinement for two straight years and treated as though he's not human."

Trauma began at early age

For Niyonzima, trauma began at an early age. He recounts witnessing family members beaten and captured in front of him when he was just 11.

"I was very scared and I was shaking and I couldn't move for, like, 20 minutes," he recalled. "I was standing in one spot and I was just shaking."

He said all those family members  his father, uncle and grandfather  were later tortured and killed. He also lost his mother and three siblings in the genocide.

At age 13, he came to Canada and was adopted by an aunt who was accepted as a refugee. At that age, he obtained permanent residency status. By 2001, he had a criminal record, serving time in jail for several offences. Niyonzima's last offence was in 2010.

'Government didn't listen'

After that, records show he was diagnosed with depression and anxiety that was connected to post traumatic stress disorder. The PTSD is said to be based on what he witnessed as a child.

His lawyer noted that, once his client started receiving psychiatric treatment, the criminal activity stopped. But because of the crimes, Niyonzima lost his permanent residency and was set to be deported back to Burundi.

"We have... psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors saying, 'Don't put him in detention, it can exacerbate his mental health issues,'" said Bharati, his lawyer.

"And the government didn't listen. He's put in a small box, a room, and he's left there for two straight years."

When Niyonzima found out he had a daughter, born in 2009, the claim notes his behaviour improved.

According to his lawyer, Niyonzima was involved in her life from 2010 until he was put into detention two years later, and he saw the girl for the last time in 2013 at the detention facility.

The girl's mother was unable to care for her at that time and she was going to be adopted.

"I love her so much ... She means the world to me," Niyonzima said. "It's just devastating to be without her in my life."New Brunswick's new Progressive Conservative government held its first cabinet meeting Saturday morning in Fredericton.

Premier Blaine Higgs laid out his priorities after the meeting, which include fighting Ottawa's carbon tax, bringing back the Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Act and finding a solution to the problems facing Ambulance New Brunswick.

Higgs met recently with Dominic LeBlanc the federal minister of intergovernmental affairs, to discuss the carbon tax.

"We have a federal officials coming here next week to give us a presentation, a presentation that we will also invite others to to attend," Higgs said. "But the idea is that we want to understand completely the situation as it is being proposed by the federal government."

Meeting with Ford in December

He added that he plans to fight the carbon tax and has already spoken to Ontario Premier Doug Ford about how to do that. He said he and Ford plan to meet the first week of December.

Higgs said his government, along with the People's Alliance Party, have already met with Ambulance New Brunswick.

"They showed us several areas that they can make improvements while fully meeting the language requirements at that exist today," he said.

Higgs first brought in the Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Act when he was finance minister in the Alward government. But Brian Gallant's Liberal government repealed it.

'We're not seeing the salmon return'

Higgs also said he wants to see the "ball moving" on initiatives by Collaboration for Atlantic Salmon Tomorrow to release mature salmon back into the Miramichi River.

"We have to do something, our rivers are in trouble," Higgs said. "We're not seeing the salmon return and so we just can't do nothing and hope it's going to get better."

CAST is an Atlantic salmon conservation organization controlled by J.D. Irving Limited.

Higgs became the province's 34th premier Friday. He appointed 16 members to cabinet.People inspect a building in Sanaa, Yemen, destroyed in airstrikes carried out by warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition after the U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, departed on June 6, 2018. (Photo: Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Even as the humanitarian crisis precipitated by Saudi Arabias more-than-three-year war in Yemen has deepened, the Pentagon earlier this year launched a new classified operation to support the kingdoms military operations there, according to a Defense Department document that appears to have been posted online inadvertently.

The existence of the new classified operation, code-named Yukon Journey, was partially revealed in a Defense Department inspector general report posted online earlier this month, which noted that the Secretary of Defense designated three new named contingency operations: Operation Yukon Journey, and operations in Northwest Africa and East Africa.

The three operations, which focus on al-Qaida and ISIS, are classified, the report notes, and the Pentagon has not publicly disclosed their location beyond saying they are in the Middle East and Africa.

But another document posted earlier this year on a Pentagon-affiliated website identifies Yukon Journey as a Central Command operation supporting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Partner Nations in Yemen.

The existence of a classified operation in Yemen raises the possibility that even as the Pentagon scales back unclassified operations, such as refueling Saudi-led coalition aircraft, covert support, to include possible U.S. special forces on the ground, could continue.

The document, marked for official use only, was posted on the All Partners Access Network, an unclassified website the Defense Department uses to share information with NGOs and humanitarian organizations.

Though its unclear what type of support Yukon Journey provides to Saudi Arabia, it has long been suspected that the Defense Department has special operations forces on the ground in Yemen, where the Saudis are fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

A photo distributed by the Houthi Military Media Unit shows the launch by Houthi forces of a ballistic missile aimed at Saudi Arabia, March 25, 2018. (Photo: Houthi Military Media Unit/Handout via Reuters)

My guess  and purely a guess  is its something to do with going after Houthi ballistic missiles, Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer and now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, tells Yahoo News. Thats probably the thing the administration worries about the most, that the Houthis ballistic missile will cause a mass casualty event in Saudi Arabia or the UAE.

Story continues

Riedel pointed to previous reports of special forces assisting in the hunt for ballistic missiles. My guess is thats some part of that, but there may be some more aggressive part of it. Maybe operations inside Yemen, instead of just along the border, he said.

U.S. Central Command declined to answer questions on Yukon Journey or confirm its location.

The United States is currently providing limited support to the coalition in the form of logistical assistance (to include air-to-air refueling), intelligence sharing, best practices and other advisory support, a spokesperson for the command wrote when asked about current unclassified support.

The Defense Department inspector general also declined to confirm that Yukon Journey was for support to the Saudi coalition in Yemen.

It is indeed accurate to say that the location of Operation Youkon [sic] Journey is classified and is therefore not being discussed publicly, a spokesperson for the inspector general wrote.

But the Pentagons refusal to name the location of operations appeared to bother the Pentagons top watchdog. The Pentagon did not answer the question as to why it was necessary to designate these existing counterterrorism campaigns as overseas contingency operations or what benefits were conveyed with the overseas contingency operation designation, the inspector generals report noted.

While the Defense Department argued that the operations were classified to protect U.S. forces operating abroad, the inspector general did not sound convinced, writing that it was typical to classify such tactical information in any operation even when the overall location of an operation is publicly acknowledged.

Steven Aftergood, who runs the Secrecy News blog of the Federation of American Scientists and was the first to call public attention to the Yukon Journey designation in the inspector generals report, said he wasnt surprised by the secrecy. When it comes to classified operations, I think the default position is to withhold all information unless there is a requirement to disclose it or a foreseeable benefit from doing so, he said.

Women walk past graffiti denouncing strikes by U.S. drones in Yemen, painted on a wall in Sanaa, Yemen, Feb. 6, 2017. (Photo: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)

There is, he pointed out, no specific requirement to disclose the location of the operations. Whats interesting here  and actually somewhat encouraging  is that the DOD inspector general is not overly impressed by the military rationale for secrecy and seems determined to press for better answers, he added.

The Trump administration has come under increasing pressure over its long-standing support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, which began under former President Barack Obama. In September, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified that the Saudis were attempting to minimize civilian casualties, a finding that allowed the U.S. military to continue refueling the coalition aircraft operating over Yemen.

But U.S. patience may be wearing thin amid mounting civilian casualties in Yemen and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey at the hands of Saudi intelligence officers.

Despite the September certification, on Friday night, just hours after the Washington Post reported that the Defense Department was considering halting its refueling of the Saudi-led coalitions aircraft, the Pentagon issued a formal statement confirming the decision. We support the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after consultations with the U.S. Government, to use the Coalitions own military capabilities to conduct inflight refueling in support of its operations in Yemen, Defense Secretary James Mattis said in a statement.

That decision would appear not to affect Yukon Journeys classified activities, however.

While previous attempts in Congress to halt U.S. support have failed, opponents of the war believe they may now have the votes to take action on a resolution introduced in late September that would bring U.S. support for the coalition to an end.

In the wake of the Khashoggi murder and the Pompeo certification, that left a lot of members upset, said one congressional aide.

The prospect of classified operations in Yemen only deepens those concerns, according to the aide. Theres also concern among some members that the Pentagon has not been fully transparent about our role in the war against the Houthis in Yemen, the aide said.

Boys demonstrate outside the offices of the United Nations in Sanaa, Yemen, to denounce an airstrike that killed dozens, including children, in the northwestern province of Saada in August. (Photo: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)

While a Democratic House of Representatives in January could put even more pressure on the administration, opponents might seek action before then. The aide said that when Congress comes back into session, it will vote on a resolution introduced earlier this year by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that would end U.S. involvement in the war.

When the bill was introduced in late September, before Khashoggis murder, it had high-level support among Democrats, but only a few Republicans supported it.

The calculus now may have changed, said Riedel, the former CIA official.

I think theyve got the votes now, he said.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:Former colleagues, friends and members of the public are lining up at the National Assembly today to pay their respects to former premier Bernard Landry.

Landry died on Tuesday at the age of 81.

His casket was carried into the Salon Rouge on Saturday morning, followed by his wife, Chantal Renaud, and his three children from a previous marriage, Julie, Philippe and Pascale.

Politicians of all banners were present for the ceremony that is open to the public until 6 p.m. today.

Clement Allard/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Premier Francois Legault was one of the first to offer his condolences to Landry's family.

Legault served as Minister with the Parti Quebecois during the time Landry was Premier from 2001 to 2003.

He said much of the modern economic development of the province was modelled by Landry's decision-making.

Legault said Landry taught him not only how to run a government, but also the responsibility that comes with it.

"For him it was always important to put the common good ahead of partisanship," Legault said.

Clement Allard/THE CANADIAN PRESS

The interim leader of the Parti Quebecois, Pascal Berube, said he wanted to pay tribute to "this giant that was Bernard Landry."

"We will step up to this immense legacy he left us," he said.

Former Premier Lucien Bouchard also paid his respects on Saturday, saying that the event brought up a lot of emotion for him.

"It's a revival of so many memories, images, emotions," he said. "We did a lot of things together: debates, contradictions, projects. And Bernard was very alive. He was a very lovely guy."

"To come back here, where we met and worked ... and now to see him lying-in-state in one of those rooms where we worked, it's something to digest."

Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press

Landry was first sworn in at the National Assembly in 1976, the first year the Parti Quebecois formed the government.

A State Funeral is being held for Landry at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica on Tuesday at 2 p.m.The last Canadian soldier to die in battle in the First World War was a 25-year-old man who had been living in Moose Jaw, Sask.

George Lawrence Price was fatally shot by a German sniper at 10:58 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice was official.

Many soldiers would die in the days after the armistice was declared, some succumbed to their wounds, others to an outbreak of the Spanish flu.

Price was the last Canadian soldier to die in action.

The Canadians literally had the Germans on the run. - Bill Waiser

Price was born in Falmouth, N.S., but at some point moved to Moose Jaw to get married, and was working as a farm labourer.

He was conscripted into service by the 1917 Military Service Act. According to Bill Waiser, University of Saskatchewan professor emeritus of history, this represented a broken promise by the government of the day.

"In the election of 1917, Robert Borden vowed to keep farmers and farm labourers out of the war," said Waiser. "He went back on his word soon after he was elected."

Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me/Veterans Affairs Canada

Price did his basic training in England and saw his first action in late May of 1918. Waiser says Price was part of the 100 Days Campaign in Arras and Amien in northern France. He was wounded in September in a gas attack, but was back with the 28th Northwest Battallion by mid-October.

"On the day he was killed, they had advanced seven kilometres," says Waiser. "The Canadians literally had the Germans on the run."

But with only two minutes left in the war, Price paid the ultimate price.

"He was the only Canadian casualty on that final day of World War I."

Honoured in Belgium

In Canada, Private Price is remembered along with thousands of other soldiers on Remembrance Day. But it's a different story in Belgium.

His life and sacrifice is commemorated in special ceremonies in the communities of Mons and LeReoulx. And this year, as it is the 100th anniversary of Great War, there will be special ceremonies to remember his life and service.

Story continues

Library Archives Canada/Veterans Affairs Canada

Benoit Friart is the mayor of LeReoulx.

"Our community's connection to George Price really began in 1968. We had the first commemoration of the house right where George Price was shot by a German sniper," says Friart.

That house and some neighbouring homes were slated for demolition to build a channel within a few years.

"So we moved the little commemoration plaque from the house, to a wall near a footbridge, and eventually we renamed the bridge for George Price."

There is also a school named for Price in the area. In the past few months a new variety of rose was named the George Price Rose.

This memorial is an expression of gratitude for what Canada did for our liberation, restoring democracy in our country. - LeReoulx Mayor Benoit Friart

The people of LeReoulx had decided years ago to commission a new memorial to honour Price for 2018 for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice.

In an unexpected way, Private Price has helped to create new connections.

Every year people from the village and military personnel from the nearby NATO group called SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe) gather to remember Price. That means Belgians and Canadians have the opportunity to create bonds and friendships.

That's how Saskatchewanian Tammy Schneider first learned about Price.

Schneider is in Belgium with her husband, who works for NATO's SHAPE organization.

"I grew up in Regina, and lived in Moose Jaw, but didn't know a lot about George Price before coming to Belgium."

She has attended the ceremonies in LeReoulx annually for the past couple of years.

She's also been to the ceremony in Mons, Belgium, where Price is also honoured. She thinks it's important to remember Price and the sacrifice he represents, even 100 years later.

Friart agrees.

"For us, he brought values of courage and solidarity. We want to transmit those values to our younger generation. For us, this memorial is an expression of gratitude for what Canada did for our liberation, restoring democracy in our country."ADELAIDE, Australia (AP)  Australia ended a seven-match losing streak in one-day internationals with a seven-run win over South Africa at the Adelaide Oval on Friday to even the three-match series.

After Australia was all out for 231 after being sent in to bat, the home side restricted South Africa to 224 for nine, with Marcus Stoinis taking 3 for 35.

Alex Carey top-scored with 47 from 72 balls for Australia, Chris Lynn added 44 from 44 deliveries, and captain Aaron Finch 41 from 63 balls.

The win set up a series-deciding third match in Hobart on Sunday.

South Africa won the first match in Perth by six wickets.

Josh Hazlewood took 2-42 and Pat Cummins 1-27 to add to fellow fast bowler Stoinis' performance.

The South Africans slipped to 4-68 inside 15 overs before David Miller (51 from 71 balls) and captain Faf du Plessis rallied.

They put the chase on pace with a game-high 74-run partnership before du Plessis (47 from 65 balls) hit his stumps from Cummins' bowling. The South Africa captain's departure started a slide of 5-60.

"I thought we defended our total well, and it keeps the series alive," man-of-the-match Finch said. "We needed our quicks to come through. We knew we had to bowl them out to win, we just had to keep rolling the dice."

Du Plessis said Australia put continuous pressure on his side.

"We lost wickets up front, we needed one more batter to come up," du Plessis said. "We need to refocus for Sunday."

The Australians were all out in 48.3 overs  the seventh time in their past eight one-day internationals they have failed to bat out their allotted overs.

South Africa paceman Kagiso Rabada picked up 4-54, Dwaine Pretorius took 3-32 and Dale Steyn had 2-31 from 10 overs.

____

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsA coalition of CEGEP student associations in the Quebec City region is asking the Coalition Avenir Quebec government to study the environmental impact of a third infrastructure project crossing the St. Lawrence River.

Hundreds of students and citizens gathered in downtown Quebec City on Saturday to voice their opposition to what is being called the "third link" between the capital and Levis, on the south shore.

During the election campaign, Francois Legault promised the project would break ground within his first mandate. The CAQ ended up winning eight of the region's 11 ridings.

Despite those results and a widespread support for the project among a segment of the population, Noemie Veilleux, one of the organizers of the march, said "it's not too late to get informed."

Marc-Andre Turgeon/Radio-Canada

"There's still time to withdraw and find other ways to solve the traffic problems," said Veilleux,

She said that citizens should seek out information about the real impact that putting down new road infrastructure would have on traffic, and on greenhouse gas emissions.

March co-organizer Emile Gendreau-Cote said that building new roads to reduce traffic was an archaic vision of urban planning.

"We've seen it since the 1960s  we add roads and roads and there's still traffic," he said.

He hopes more and more people will turn to public transit and consider the benefits of the $3-billion tramway network expected to be running by 2026.

"It's an alternative we have to embrace in the present context where climate change is becoming more and more urgent," said Gendreau-Cote.

CAQ focuses on the east

The voices of those in favour of the project have been amplified under the new Transport Minister Francois Bonnardel, who has set his eyes on building a third link east of the downtown core.

Last week Bonnardel announced that a full-time staffer would be tasked with reviewing the potential routes, and managing the $20.5 million the Liberals had promised to set aside in their last budget.

Story continues

The CAQ now wants the blueprints to include a plan to refurbish the Ile-d'Orleans bridge.

The last feasibility study ordered by the government in 2016 estimated that a 7.8-kilometre tunnel running just west of the tip of the island would cost $4 billion.

Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume  who has never fully supported the third link project  seems to have resigned himself to the idea, stating on Nov. 1 that "Legault was elected because of that."

"I can't really see myself fighting for [a link to the west] now," Labeaume said.

The march came in the midst of a string of rallies across Quebec on Saturday asking the CAQ to put in place policies respecting the environment.

"When he was first elected, Francois Legault said the environment was a priority for him, this is his chance to prove it," said Veilleux.

People gathered to voice that sentiment in Montreal, Trois-Rivieres and a dozen other municipalities across Quebec this weekend.

Earlier this week, 500 prominent Quebecers  including artists, businesspeople and researchers  signed their names to a document to pledge action on climate change, called Le Pacte pour la Transition, outlining a number of measures they commit to making as individuals to reduce carbon emissions.

With files from Radio-Canada's Fanny Samson.This article was originally syndicated by JNS.org ( www.jns.org ) on November 7, 2018.  2018 JNS.org

Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh. blogspot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Analysis from Israel..08 November '18..Listening to experts on the Mideast has been positively embarrassing recently. They admit that the Arab world has just taken some dramatic steps toward normalization with Israel, and they admit that they had previously considered such steps inconceivable without Israeli concessions to the Palestinians. Yet in the same breath, they assert unequivocally that progress on the Palestinian track remains a prerequisite for further normalization. In other words, the failure of their previous predictions hasnt dented their confidence in their predictive powers.Mideast experts obviously arent alone in this. Its a common failing among experts in many fields, and it has contributed significantly to populist disdain for expert opinion. But recent developments in the Mideast offer a particularly clear example of the problem.One of the most significant of these developments was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus visit to Oman, an Arab country with which Israel has no official relations, on Oct. 26. Given that even Egypt and Jordan, with which Israel does have relations, often keep Netanyahus visits secret, the fact that Oman made the trip public, with several Omani newspapers reporting it, may be even more noteworthy than the fact that it took place.The next day, at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah went even further, telling the Mideast security summit that Israel is a state present in the region, and we all understand this.  Maybe it is time for Israel to be treated the same and also bear the same obligations.That same weekend, an international judo tournament took place in the United Arab Emirates. Although much has been made of the fact that Israeli judokas were allowed to compete under their own flag and anthem for the first time in the history of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, that actually proves nothing except that the International Judo Federation finally developed a spine: After cravenly forcing Israeli athletes to complete under the federations flag and anthem at last years tournament, this year, it threatened to strip Abu Dhabi of hosting rights unless Israeli athletes were treated the same as athletes from other countries (the success of this tactic should be a lesson to other sporting associations that still kowtow to Arab states refusal to grant Israeli athletes equal rights).But Abu Dhabi went far beyond the federations mandate. Nothing in the federations rulebook, for instance, required the hosts to grant Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev the honor of awarding the medals at one of the tournaments events. Nor did anything in the federations rules require Emirati officials to take Regev on an official visit to Abu Dhabis Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosquethe first such visit by any Israeli minister. Asreporter Raphael Ahren put it, this was something veteran analysts said they never imagined could happen in their lifetime . In other words, Abu Dhabi took advantage of the cover provided by the tournament to make some dramatic gestures toward Israel.Mideast experts readily acknowledged that the Omani and Emirati moves, coming as they did at a time when the Israeli-Palestinian peace process is frozen, were both unprecedented and completely unexpected. Yet that didnt stop most of them from asserting that only a final status agreement with the Palestinians can inspire normalization, as Evan Gottesman of the Israel Policy Forum put it . Or as Yoel Guzansky of Tel Aviv Universitys Institute for National Security Studies told Ahren, The Palestinians are still the glass ceiling for Arab-Israel normalization.  This visit should be the beginning of normalization, not the end, but for the Gulf states, its likely the end. This is the most they can do for now.Yet what makes them so certain? After all, theyve been wrong many times before. Just two years ago, after another round of unprecedented gestures, the experts similarly declared (wrongly) that the rapprochement had gone as far as it could without progress on the Palestinian track. So why are they convinced that this time, theyre right?There are two answers to this. The first is wishful thinking. The experts making this claim generally favor Israeli concessions to the Palestinians, so they dontIsrael to be able to normalize relations with Arab states without such concessions. Similarly, the few experts who confidently predict that normalization is possible regardless of the Palestinians are generally people who oppose such concessions.The second answer is that predicting change is hard. For decades, with the notable exception of the peace with Egypt, Arab attitudes toward Israel were in stasis, making it easy to predict that the future would resemble the past. But now, with Arab attitudes in flux, nobody can really know how far Arab states are willing to go; I doubt they even know themselves. Theres simply no precedent to judge by.Yet since human beings dont deal well with chaos, the normal human instinct is to cling to the past as a guide even when that guide is clearly no longer reliable. And thats especially true for experts because if they admit to being clueless, then why should anyone listen to them anymore?Thats precisely why experts are so often wrong on so many issuesnot because theyre stupid or evil, but because theyre too arrogant to admit that even experts cant predict the future. They cant predict whether a complex policy will succeed or fail, they cant predict when a seemingly stable country will suddenly implode, they cant predict when long-held attitudes will suddenly shift.That doesnt make them useless; experts excel at concrete tasks that dont require oracular powers. For instance, though Israels intelligence agencies failed to predict the second intifada, they became very good at the day-to-day task of thwarting terror attacks once they adjusted to the new situation.But unless experts acquire enough modesty and honesty to admit that they have no special expertise about the future, they will keep getting big issues wrong. And eventually, like the boy who cried wolf, people will stop listening to them altogether, even on issues where they do have something to contribute.Emile Ratelband (Photo: Omroep Gelderland)

A Dutch man is going to court in a bid to change his legal age because he identifies as 20 years younger.

Emile Ratelband, 69, a 'positivity trainer', argues that if people can choose to identify as a different gender, they should also be able to identify as a different age.

'Transgenders can now have their gender changed on their birth certificate, and in the same spirit there should be room for an age change,' he said, according to The Telegraph.

Mr Ratelband believes that lowering his legal age will bring him greater dating success on the Tinder app and boost his employment prospects, the BBC reports.

He is asking a court in the city of Arnhem to allow him to change his official date of birth from 11 March 1949 to 11 March 1969.

'We live in a time when you can change your name and change your gender. Why can't I decide my own age?' he said.

He added, '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.'

Mr Ratelband launched the legal challenge after his local authority declined his request to amend the age on his official documents.

The court in Arnhem is expected to make its decision on the lawsuit within four weeks but according to The Telegraph, a judge has voiced skepticism, arguing that the change would amount to deleting part of his life.

'For whom did your parents care in those years? Who was that little boy back then?,' the judge reportedly asked.Jesus rode a donkey, so that means Hes a Democrat or socialist? Jesus taught using the Parable of the Talents, so Hes a capitalist? Lets take the elephant out of the room (so out goes Republican Jesus too) and look at why Christians ought to steer clear of the partisan left vs right wing divide.

Jesus did not endorse any economic or political system at all, so that's the first way we know he wasn't socialist. In fact, John chapter 18 verse 36 records Jesus as saying, My kingdom is not of this world my kingdom is from another place. He never said anything about any kind of government system or economic system which means that he wasn't a socialist, but he wasn't a capitalist either.

Gods rule above human politics

Its quite clear that Jesus ministry has never been about human governments. Jesus isnt a political or military revolutionary as many Jews had hoped or expected, which explains why many were disbelieving when he died on the Cross.

They expected Jesus to come in and be a political revolutionary and he wasn't that, and now we have 2000 years of Christianity. Again, going back to John chapter 18 verse 36, Jesus says My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.

If you study political science or listen to many commentators, youll often hear that the premise of establishing a system of governance is anarchy. Anarchy ranges from the mere existence of conservative voices to actual civil unrest and violence. Both socialism and capitalism are examples of human political systems invented in an unsuccessful attempt to fix the anarchy caused by the original sin of humanitys rebellion against God.

When humanity chose to run life our own way without God, we chose to put our trust in political systems. But choosing to live under Gods rule means to put Jesus above human politics and live as a follower of Jesus. Which way will you choose to live? Picture: Two Ways to Live/Matthias Media

As Matthew chapter 7 verses 16 to 20 tell us By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Let's look at the fruits of this particular fig tree being human political systems, we'll find that we've got over 100 million people since the beginning of the 20th century who have been killed by communism and socialism.

The Holocaust in World War 2 was bad with 6 million Jews murdered, but the deaths caused by the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin and Communist China under Mao Zedong have exceeded this. Stalin is estimated to have caused the death of 40  62 million people and Mao caused the death of 45  75 million people. Both the Nazis and Communists placed belief in their leaders instead of God as supreme, and the results have been disastrous.

The reason behind Jesus actions, such as helping the poor and healing the sick, isnt because Jesus believed in free healthcare as part of the His socialist economic policy. Nor did Jesus sell His services to the highest bidder or the most established in society. Jesus welcomed the children and healed those who could never repay, so He indeed wasnt an advocate of the profit-driven healthcare system either.

The everlasting kingdom

Also, all earthly kingdoms will ultimately fall, and the only good kingdom is Gods kingdom. The Soviet Union was propagandised as the Workers Paradise, but that collapsed in 1991. And even in the closer decades, theres clear evidence of failing countries even in Europe.

The economic crisis in Greece is just the start, and no matter how angry people may get when their entitlements are threatened or taken away, you cant create taxable income out of nowhere. And once the promises of welfare and government subsidies are cut because of austerity measures, the political support base will wither away and likely lead to violent civil unrest.

But it is only Gods kingdom that will last forever and not face temperamental challenges of budget cuts and unemployment.

Psalm 145 verse 13 reminds us that Gods kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Both left wing, right wing and every human political/economic system is sinful ideology as seen by its godlessness. The foundational elements of socialism and communism is that man can do anything. Likewise, with capitalism and right-wing systems, its all about self-pleasure through the accumulation of wealth.

All systems are merely human inventions that try to fix and reshape the world without acknowledging that it can and has been only done through our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

We can rest assured that Gods kingdom is one of everlasting life that welcomes all people who call upon Jesus to be Lord and Saviour. Whether your Vote 1 is for left- or right-wing candidates, whats most important is that you have Jesus as Number 1 in your life. All the promises from human politics will fade away, but it is only Jesus relentless love that preserves and can heal humanity from the destruction caused by anarchy  the rejection of God.

Roydon Ng is a Christian writer from Western Sydney.

Roydon Ngs previous articles may be viewed at: http://blog.roydonng.com.auPhoto - Ethan Miller and Matthew Thornton new 2018 young writers from New Zealand

2018 has been a remarkable year for the young writer ministry which is a combined effort by Press Service International and Christian Today, the publisher.

These are some of the highlights

2018 young writers just as enthusiastic as previous years

The Over 31s were separated from 18-30s year olds for marking

Brains Trust met during One Day in Melbourne mission

Weekly memo tried various models  finally listing weekly articles

Christchurch annual young writers conference, largest to date

Best Article Awards and Major Awards

Initiated the news and newsy bits video

Quite a number of new Panellists for 2019

Cycle 10

There are 10 Cycles of 5 weeks of young writers  in other words, each young writer has published 10 articles year. They are locked into this schedule to ensure there are a set number of young writers each day.

Each of the 5 Weeks has a coordinator who sends out the reminders for their due dates, and each Week has its own editor. In additional each week has a dedicated person who selects the photos for each article unless the young writer sends in their own photo.

Should a young writer be unable to send in an article due to the pressure of university assignments or exams or such like, then a previous article is selected with a change the title and makes adjustments such as time and date issues.

This Friday is the due date for Week 1  the international young writers  Cycle 10, their final article for 2018.

Photo - Amy Manners, Melissa and Roshan Ramoo new young writers in 2018

10 articles

It is no small feat to sit down and ponder what subject to tackle for their comment article for each of the 10 Cycles. Rarely do we find the young writers covering the exact same arena for discussion. There is such a breadth of subject matter out there that these young writers find plenty of scope for their articles.

This Cycle 10 in effect, is the final article for each young writer in the program. This is a major issue as the final piece fort publication in Christian Today they like to be significant.

85 young writers  England, Canada, USA, West Indies, China, Mozambique, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia  all choosing different topics, all dedicated and focused  850 articles over the year. This is no small feat spiritually let alone physically.

Moreover the people behind the scenes that make it all work is another story  these people including the panellists, the statisticians, the editors, the coordinators, the photo selectors, the brains trust, the conference organisers, and not least Christian Today  were talking - mission impact!

Photo - Charis Jackson USA is moving on after 5 years as an international young writer and the 2018 Theology Award

Christmas - New Year

No one wants to be trying to fit in an article Christmas week, so how we cover that situation is to bring the 5th Week due articles back a full week to the same due date as Week 4. This means Christmas week is free of writing duty.

The first two weeks of January every year are when the Best Articles (from the conference awards) are republished in Christian Today as the Best of 2018.

Then the 2019 young writer publishing year commences on Monday 14 January with the international young writers  Week 1. This is happenstance as the northern hemisphere is in their winter whereas Australians and New Zealanders are in the midst of their high summer holiday period.

Young people 18-30 years interested in writing for Christian Today with your own column please connect with Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713

Photo - Thomas Devenish from Hobart the 2016 Theology Winner moved on in 2018

Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.

Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.htmlTop News

Actor Will Smith has credited his faith with getting him to where he is today.Nearly every Sunday of my 30+ years has been spent in church.

Some may assume this is out of religious obligation or force of habit. Others may wonder why on earth I would choose to commit to such an outdated, irrelevant institution.

The truth is, sometimes it has just been a religious obligation or force of habit. And sometimes Ive grown tired of it. But I havent ever felt like leaving. Heres why.

Church is family

Despite what you might have heard or experienced, church is not meant to operate like a business.

Unfortunately, often it is treated just like a business. Perhaps increasingly so in modern times. We have become consumers rather than contributors.

Ill come to church, but only if the music is just the way I like it, the chairs are comfy, the preaching is engaging and exciting every single week, everyone agrees with my theology, and nobody offends me.

In response to peoples consumerist mindsets and (unrealistic) expectations, churches often strive to stay relevant (with cringe-worthy results). Yet no matter how much effort is put in, people remain dissatisfied. Pleasing everyone just isnt possible. Its also not the goal.

Church is supposed to be a family. Not a building, a business, or a social club. A family. Brothers and sisters in Christ, sons and daughters of God.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Ephesians chapter 2, verse 19)

Family creates healthy identity

When church lives out its true identity as the family of God, its a beautiful place to belong. In a healthy family, theres no need to perform. We have permission to be fully ourselves, and fully known; celebrated in our strengths and covered in our weaknesses. Loved no matter what.

Family provides an environment for intimate relationships to thrive. In these relationships, our value is affirmed and we are championed in our dreams and passions.

While family is by no stretch easy and relationships are often our main source of pain, theres beauty and unmatched value in the truth that we belong to each other.

Even though sometimes I feel like retreating from everyone and living a just me and God existence, the fact is, God often speaks to me through others, and my joy is most fully experienced within relationships.

In my church family, I get to be vulnerable. If Im battling lies, anxieties, destructive thinking or just going through a difficult time, I know the church is a safe place to be. They are the ones who speak life and encouragement, the ones who pray with me, fight for me, and remind me of truth.

Identity launches me into my destiny

My church family affirm my identity as a powerful daughter of God. From this identity comes the confidence to boldly pursue what God has put on my heart to do.

Church is not just a corporate gathering to worship God, its a place for equipping, building and training, so we might become mature in our faith and look more like Jesus every day.

And not just so we can be good little Christians, hanging out in our nice little churches, but so we can go into all the world, preaching the good news in word and deed, with power and love.

The church family is my launching pad into all God has called me to be and to do. Its a place to find encouragement as well as correction and constructive feedback. Its a place where I can learn, grow and become effective and powerful in the destiny God has for me.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  Proverbs chapter 27 vs 17

Its not perfect, but neither am I

It hardly needs to be said that the church isnt perfect. Its a family, made up of people, after all.

People can be downright mean. Theology embraced by other churches can be difficult to have grace and understanding for, and countless frustrations with the way things are run can start to erode the love and value I hold for the church.

But I refuse to jump on the church-bashing bandwagon. The church is the family of God, a beautiful, glorious, diverse expression of who He is. We are called to unity, and criticism only brings division.

Family is a powerful expression of Gods love on earth, so its no surprise how severely and continually it is under attack both in our immediate families and in the church. We have to fight to protect and cultivate it. The world needs and is searching for strong, healthy, loving family.

Church isnt perfect. But I cant expect it to be, because neither am I. When things are difficult, people offend or hurt me, I choose to stay, knowing there is ALWAYS room for me to learn how to love better, more deeply, more unconditionally. Family dont just quit on each other.

I keep going to church, because when I said yes to Jesus, I was adopted into his family. And thats a massive privilege, a debt I could never repay.

Bonnie loves all things old-fashioned, travelling, coffee with friends and being with her family. She is passionate about broken hearts and relationships being restored through the power of vulnerability and honesty with God and others.

Bonnie Dowies previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/bonnie-dowie.htmlPolice have opened an enquiry after a Paris taxi driver locked two tourists in his car and forced them to pay almost 200 for a trip that normally costs less than 50.The start of their ordeal is captured in a disturbing video that has been posted on YouTube by victim Chakrid Thanhachartyothin, a Thai national who was travelling with his wife.Like many visitors to the French capital, Mr Thanhachartyothin had checked the price of a standard taxi from Charles de Gaulle airport to the city centre, and found it was as low as 43.But the unidentified driver, who claimed to be licensed, first said he wanted the euro equivalent of 216 following a 11.55am pickup last Thursday.Mr Chanhachartyothin said: 'When the taxi arrived at our hotel, the driver picked up a meter and it showed a total of 240 [209]'We were shocked, because when we checked online, taxis the city were between 50 and 70 euros maximum. They cheated. I didn't pay up easily, but the driver was angry and would not let us out.'We said we would pay, and then go to the police station, but the driver stayed on the phone. He was speaking to his gang, and there was a real threat.'The driver can be heard in the video telling the tourists that prices are 'by the metre' and that the car isn't his, it is 'the companies.'When they question the price the man holds up his phone and says 'It's by metre, look 45km' and points to the distance on his screen.The tourists claimed that the driver also constantly shouted 'Pay me, pay me!' during the hour-long journey.As a heated argument carries on, he also resorts to shouting 'You don't pay me, no problem' but still refused to allow the couple to get out.In the end Mr Thanhachartyothin, who was growing increasingly scared and frustrated, handed over 200 [175] and the couple were allowed out.They have since made a complaint, and Paris police have opened an investigation for 'illegal taxiing'.The suspect  who is clearly identifiable in the video  showed what he claimed to be official documents, but all local taxi firms say they know nothing about him.Mr Chanhachartyothin now hopes that the YouTube video will help to catch the driver.Rogue taxi drivers are a constant menace at all of the Paris airports, and at other travel hubs including the Eurostar station at Gare du Nord.The British are the biggest visitor group to Paris  the most popular tourists destination in the world  and they are regularly targeted by fraudsters. 



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This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics.Bengaluru: After remaining elusive for three days, former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy Saturday appeared before the police here in connection with an alleged ponzi scam, and denied the allegations as a "political conspiracy".

Reddy, who the police said had been absconding, came in a car to the Central Crime Branch office, along with his advocates, after releasing a video message from an unknown location, saying he would appear before it.

After arriving at the office, Reddy claimed that there was a "political conspiracy" and added that he had faith in the police. In his video message, he said he was not absconding and was very much in the city, while asserting that there was no need for him to flee.

"I have not committed anything wrong. The police do not have a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his message telecast by TV channels.

Reddy, who was a minister in the erstwhile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka, said he never panicked as neither his name figured in the first information report (FIR) nor was any notice served on him.

"Now that the notice has been issued by the police, I have decided to appear before the Central Crime Branch today itself though the notice says I should appear on Sunday," Reddy said. "I decided to make this video to let people know the truth. I have faith in the police and believe that they would not succumb to any political pressure," he added.

The CCB police had launched a hunt for him since Wednesday in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme.

The CCB was also on the lookout for Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, who had 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 the Enforcement Directorate investigation.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar had said on Wednesday that Reddy was absconding and the police were looking for him to question him in the case.Hyderabad: The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen became a recognised state party after capturing 7 Assembly seats in 2014 even though the overall polling percentage is falling in its bailiwick. It came second in Jubilee Hills and Nizamabad Urban and third in Rajendranagar.

Despite this, the MIM has been supreme in these constituencies which were delimited in 2008.

The Opposition and MIMs allies have failed to strengthen their base in these constituencies.

The MIM has been strengthening its grip steadily since 1962. After the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992, the MIM could retain only Charminar, from where party president Asaduddin Owaisi won.

The MBT under the leadership of MIM rebel Amanullah Khan won two Chandrayangutta and Yakutpura. By 1999, the MIM had strengthened sufficiently to win Charminar, Yakutpura, Chandrayangutta and Karwan. In 2004, the MIM retained these seats and wrestled Asifnagar in the by-elections when Mr D. Nagendar resigned after the Congress came to power.

The constituencies were delimited in 2008, and the MIM only emerged stronger. In 2009, it won from Charminar, Yakutpura, Chandrayangutta, Bahadurpura, Karwan, Nampally and Malakpet and defeated the combined challenge of the MBT, Telugu Desam and the Left. The MIM retained these seats in 2014 with higher margins.

The poll percentage in these constituencies was high till 1999 but began falling since 2004. The turnout is now lower than the state average. Opposition parties are uniting to defeat the MIM this time, but are not ina position to field strong candidates except in two are three constituencies.

The Opposition so far has lacked manpower, failed to convince voters and performed poorly in poll day management. These parties could not arrange agents for polling booths.Da Nang daycare owner gets two years in prison for torturing children

Dinh Thi Hong, 46, will spend two years in jail for badly mistreating babies entrusted to her care.

According to the indictment filed in the Thanh Khe District Court in the central city of Da Nang, Hong was the owner of the "Me Muoi" private daycare center in the district.

In a video that shocked the nation, Hong was caught displaying extreme cruelty in violently handling the babies she was supposed to care for.

The video shows a small boy lying on the ground while Hong force-feeds him and slaps him when he refuses to swallow. Other images show her using violence with many children, like grabbing and lifting a baby up by his head, or squeezing a towel into the face of a baby who apparently refused to eat.

Da Nang daycare owner gets two years in prison for torturing children Bao mau anh vao mat khi cho tre an

A former teacher at the facility, who had captured Hongs behavior with a mobile phone, had quit the job and sold the phone.

After the video went viral, parents reported Hong to the police. One couple also reported that their eight-month-old son died at "Me Muoi" daycare on July 2017.

However, there was insufficient evidence to convict Hong for the death because medical records showed that the cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage with no signs of mechanical asphyxia or external impact.

In four other cases that were captured on the video, the babies did not suffer fatal injuries.

According to Thanh Khe District's Education Department, Hong has a degree in preschool education and was granted a license to open her establishment, Me Muoi, where she took care of 14 children, in May 2013.

Child abuse at nurseries is not uncommon in Vietnam.

A babysitter is shown forcing a child to eat in this screenshot from a video on Facebook.

A babysitter in Ho Chi Minh City in July this year was sentenced to three years in jail after local media last November published videos of her abusing children at a daycare center.

Early last year, two teachers in Hanoi were fined VND2.5 million ($110) each after an online video showed them beating crying children with various objects, including a slipper.

According to government data, more than 2,000 children in Vietnam suffer serious abuse that requires special help and intervention every year.An F18 fighter takes off from the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt while transiting the South China Sea April 10, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Karen Lema

Uncontrolled deployment of advanced military technologies in the disputed South China Sea will exacerbate tensions, warn experts.

They said the fact that some parties to the South China Sea dispute are increasingly militarizing the area is the biggest threat to regional stability.

This process is not only taking place on the sea, but under it and in the air, said experts attending a conference held in Vietnams central city of Da Nang late last week.

Vietnam calls the South China Sea the East Sea.

The conference aimed to discuss potential solutions for settling the East Sea disputes.

Delegates noted that in addition to competing for marine resources like fisheries, and oil and gas, the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles is creating new legal arguments.

Dr. Collin Koh Swee Lean, a research fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the gathering of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance has so far received little interest in comparison to other superficial activities in the process of building forces in the South China Sea.

The importance of those activities cannot be denied, he stressed.

The cost for unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, is quite high but several countries have begun to use them, and China has taken the lead in deploying them in the East Sea area, he said.

Other experts worried that a lack of international regulations on the deployment of advanced technologies in the East Sea will increase the risk of conflict in the region.

For example, in December, 2016, the Chinese navy seized an underwater drone placed in the water off the Philippines coast and did not return it for more than four days. The U.S. had called the seizure "unlawful."

The East Sea disputes have lasted for many years.

China claims almost the entire sea area, including waters close to Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. It has also put up artificial islands turning them into garrisons.

Australia, Japan and the U.S. have urged ASEAN and China to ensure that a code of conduct for the area is "legally binding." Failure to make the code enforceable could render it ineffective, experts have said.

At the two-day event in Da Nang, some Chinese scholars said the intensification of East Sea patrols by the U.S. is creating more tension in the region, so China had to respond by expanding its artificial islands to strengthen its military base.

But most scholars, including foreigners and Vietnamese, rejected that argument saying building and expanding such islands is a violation of international law.

Now in its 10th year, the South China Sea International Conference attracted 220 participants, including 120 international scholars.

It aims to strengthen cooperation for regional security and development and contribute to raising awareness of issues and their implications among policymakers and the general public.

"The East Sea has become one of the major areas of multinational policymaking. And more and more people are interested in East Sea issues," Nguyen Vu Tung, director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at the opening ceremony.

He said disputes in the East Sea are still complicated and efforts of countries inside and outside the region have not been enough to ease tensions and ensure security.

"The root of the problem is still left unsolved," he said, calling on experts and scholars to keep up their "frank, objective, scientific and truthful attitude to put forward unprejudiced solutions "for a peaceful, stable and developed environment in the region."

Judge Kriangsak Kittichairasee from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea said that the basic principles to settling disputes is that related parties seek concrete and rational initiatives for cooperation; and at the same time, refrain from actions that complicate the situation.Saigon man keeps tabs on old receipts and other papers

Whats in an old receipt? History and memory, says avid Saigonese collector whos rejected high value offers for his collection.

Huynh Minh Hiep, a 46-year-old Saigon resident, has collected more than 1,000 receipts, administrative documents, train tickets, and other documents that were used in Southern Vietnam, from the French colonial period until 1975 when the country reunified.

"This hobby began in 1993, of collecting items associated with the past lives of Saigonese. I found old papers, texts and documents very interesting. These items reveal the culture and lifestyle of different historical periods."

Most of the items in his collection are transaction bills used in Saigon before 1975. Each bill is unique in its design, images and content.

"In one of my hands is an advertising bill for the Bell newspaper in 1961, which had a very large circulation in the south at the time, and in the other hand is a bicycle purchase bill from the 1970s, when these shops were called traders."

A 1950s bill from a repair shop on Chaigneau Street (now Ton That Dam Street in District 1).

Since Saigon was under French control, the content was written in French, Vietnamese and Chinese.

A Sai Gon-Vinh Long bus ticket from 1971.

Passenger ticket and baggage check of Air Vietnam.

Movie tickets and flyers of yesteryear.

Hiep also owns motorbike transfer certficiates, drivers licenses and other documents.

"The most valuable is the vehicle of the brand Motobecane Pony in 1936 with the original registration card," he said.

"A France ambassador donated this to Ngo Dinh Thuc, brother of President of the Republic of Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem in 1962."

The oldest piece in his collection is a tax inspection notice sent to a resident of Binh Hoa Commune in Gia Dinh Province in 1891, when that person turned 18.

A student card issued in Saigon in 1957 has all its information and picture still intact.

Emperor Bao Dai's reward notice to Deputy Governor of Ham Thuan (Binh Thuan Province) in 1942. The document was written in French and Chinese, and bore the seal of the last king of Vietnam.

Bao Dai was the 13th and final Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945), the last dynasty of Vietnam.

A notice of cancellation for old currencies circulated to replace them with new notes, issued by the Indochina Bank in 1901, has been framed and preserved.

Hieps collection includes motorcycles, money, pottery, and other items.

"I also have common items like cigarettes, soft drinks, glasses, cups... from half a century ago. Every item is a memory of a time that is worth cherishing. A lot of people want to buy my items for high prices. However, I've never sold anything that I have dedicated a lot of time to search for."Ukraine-EU trade in farm produce grows to over US$6 bln

Exports from Ukraine amounted to US$4.12 billion and imports to US$1.9 billion.

If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+EnterPerry is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry says his country is ready to develop energy infrastructure in Ukraine.

"Let me first say what a privilege it is to get to stand in front of this [Heavenly Hundred Heroes] monument. The price of freedom is oftentimes very high. And the Ukrainian people, particularly these patriots whose pictures are along this wall, are to be honored forever. One of the ways that we can honor them is by making sure that there is economic freedom in Ukraine. And one of the best and most powerful ways that we can do that, is through the development of an energy infrastructure in Ukraine," Perry said at flower-laying in honor of the Heavenly Hundred in Kyiv on November 11, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv reported.

Read alsoU.S. Energy Secretary Perry to visit Ukraine and Poland  U.S. media

"And that's our goal on this trip, is to relay to the Ukrainian leadership that there are both the United States private sector companies and the United States government that look forward to a long and prosperous relationship," he said.

Perry arrived in Kyiv as part of his tour of Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Poland.

On November 12, the U.S. official is to speak to representatives of U.S. business in Ukraine and members of parliament. On the same day, he is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman.After many meetings and debates, the Chicago delegation succeeded in working with the New York United Federation of Teachers, Local 2 (UFT) to push the AFT to take stronger stands on charter school accountability and school closings  though many delegates from Chicago would have liked the language to have been even stronger.

Generally speaking, the New York delegation represented organizing charters as the best model for handling their role in reshaping unions, despite the fact that according to many reports few charter schools in New York have been organized as is the case in Chicago. This logic is the same touted by the Progressive Caucus of the AFT. The few that have been organized are a part of the UFT local though they have separate contracts negotiated with the help of UFT. The Chicago delegation reflection the mindset that allowing new charters to continue to proliferate while attempting to organize existing charters is an end game in which public schools and the union lose.



Jen Johnson, CTU, Local 1 in Substance

Macedonia has extended the state of emergency at its southern and northern borders until June 2019 to reduce illegal border crossings by migrants. Parliament approved the measure for the borders with Greece and Serbia because of increased migratory flows, AP reported.

Balkan states closed their borders in early 2016 to migrants heading from Greece to Europes heartland. However, Macedonia recorded more than 6,600 illegal crossings of the countrys borders in the first half of 2018. Police teams from several EU nations are helping their Macedonian peers to patrol the borders. Macedonia first declared a state of emergency at its border areas in August 2015 after tens of thousands of migrants illegally entered the country.

More about: MacedoniaBEIRUT, Nov 10 (Reuters) -

The leader of the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah insisted that one of its Sunni allies be given a portfolio in a new Lebanese cabinet, and indicated it would be ready to go back to square one in negotiating a government if necessary.

In a televised speech on Saturday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also warned Israel that his Iranian-backed group would respond to any attack on Lebanon and urged his country to withstand diplomatic pressure over its rocket arsenal.

Hezbollah's demand for one of its Sunni allies be given a portfolio in the new Lebanese government is at the heart of a row that has obstructed a final agreement six months since a parliamentary election.

The formation of a new government is necessary before any moves can be made towards fiscal reforms which the International Monetary Fund said in June are needed immediately to improve debt sustainability.

Hezbollah says one of its Sunni allies must be represented in the government to reflect their election gains.

But Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri, who is Lebanon's main Sunni politician and enjoys Western backing, has ruled out allocating any of his cabinet seats to them.

Lebanon's political system requires government positions to be allotted along sectarian lines.

Nasrallah said rejecting a Sunni ally from its "March 8" camp amounted to exclusion of a section of Lebanese.

President Michel Aoun vowed earlier on Saturday to find a solution to the problem. Though a political ally of Hezbollah, Aoun has sided with Hariri in the row.

Hezbollah, groups and individuals that support its possession of weapons won more than 70 of the 128 seats in the May 6 parliamentary election.

Hezbollah is proscribed as a terrorist group by the United States. The group last fought a major conflict with Israel in 2006, since when it has grown militarily stronger as a major participant in the Syrian war.

Nasrallah said Israel had recently tried to increase pressure over the group's rocket arsenal and to create "a state of intimidation and threat that if this matter is not dealt with, it (Israel) will deal with it". Israel had used "the Americans and even some European states" in this effort, he said.

"I say to Lebanon that it must bear this level of diplomatic pressure," Nasrallah said. "Any attack on Lebanon, any air strikes on Lebanon or bombardment - we will certainly respond," he saidThe governor of Iran's Central Bank (CBI) said November 10 that soon measures and terms will be announced to facilitate the return of hard currencies to the country earned by exporters.

In recent months and following the establishment of a secondary forex market to meet Iran's demand for imported goods, the country has been struggling with the exporters who are reluctant to return the foreign currencies they earned to the local market.

Despite demands and even threats tabled by President Hassan Rouhani's Administration in recent months, many exporters, including petrochemical products, basic and colorful metals (?) exporters have refrained to return their forex to the secondary market.

Meanwhile, the central bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati put Irans export of non-oil commodities in the first seven months of the current Iranian year (March 21  Sep. 21) at $27 billion, showing a considerable 13 percent hike as compared to the last years corresponding period.

During the same period, Hemmati said that $10 billion was allocated to procuring necessary imported goods, including medicine and medical equipment.

In the meantime, Hemmati insisted that CBI has been focused mainly on stabilizing the foreign-exchange market over the past few weeks through promoting Irans national currency, rial.

Since the beginning of the year, Iran's currency has been devalued five-fold against the U.S. dollar and other major currencies.

The Central Bank of Iran has developed various plans to cope with the worst-case scenarios after the second round of the US sanctions came into effect. Meanwhile, we have managed to build up our foreign exchange reserves over the past months, state-run Mehr News Agency (MNA) cited Hemmati, as saying.Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has once again reiterated Tehran's position on the impact of US sanctions, denying any harm to the country's economy while alleging that the U.S. wants to "exert pressure on the people."

Speaking on Saturday November 10 in Tehran, Rouhani said that "the U.S. does not intend to target the regime or the government," and that the US pressures are directed at the people of Iran," and "are only meant to leave a psychological impact."

He said once again on Saturday that "There is nothing new in the latest round of US sanctions, as Americans have already done whatever they could do against the people of Iran."

Other Iranian politicians have made similar claims. Iranian activist Ammar Maleki responded to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's claim about the sanctions targeting the people rather than the regime in a November 9 tweet.

Maleki wrote: "Zarif keeps saying that sanctions are aimed at the Iranian people; he knows that if he says the sanctions are aimed at the regime, people will blame the regime. It's as if a hostage taker is holding his hostage as a human shield while screaming: look they want to kill this poor guy!

News coming from Lebanon and Turkey during recent days say international fuel suppliers at the international airports in Beirut, Istanbul and Ankara have refused to supply fuel to Iranian aircraft fearing repercussions from the sanctions.

In another development, shipping companies in Europe have reportedly refused to insure passengers travelling with Iranian passports.

Meanwhile, a group of Iranian artists and celebrities launched an anti-sanction campaign on social media, alleging that the U.S. sanctions prevent Iran from importing food and medical supplies."

The allegation is made ignoring remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Iran Action Group Chief Brian Hook who have repeatedly said that there are no sanctions against importing food and medical supplies and that there are also sanction-free banking channels that facilitate the import of such items into Iran.

Iranian officials have claimed that some of the banks involved in importing foodstuff and medicine have been targeted by US sanctions on charges of having "remote links to the Basij".

Iranian journalist Reza Saki observed in a tweet that the Islamic Republic cannot convince the people that sanctions impact the availability of medicine. He added the people believe what Pompeo says, because they turn to foreign-based media as reliable source of news.

Other Iranians on social media have lashed out at the celebrities for their "double standards" and for ignoring the deprivation of prisoners of conscience in Iran from medical treatment.

This tweet features the photos of a young political prisoner, with health problems in prison.

Iranian activist Ammar Maleki tweeted that "If artists and celebrities are really against the sanctions, they should write a letter to regime officials and call on them to stop supporting terrorism and intervening in the affairs of other countries, so that there would be no excuse for sanctioning Iran."

However, celebrities were not the only campaigners in Iran during recent days. Some 410 current and former student activists wrote an open letter to academics, intellectuals and activists, calling for a thorough review of the dominant political and intellectual attitudes in Iran in order to find a way out of the country's critical situation," a website supporting the Iranian "Green Movement", Kalemeh, reported.

The student activists further warned that the very existence of the Iranian people would be at stake if the dominant political discourse in Iran remains unchanged.

The activists highlighted "The ruling establishment's inability in addressing national problems and its insistence on downplaying the catastrophes Iran is suffering from". They said this is what prompted them to call for reforming Iran's political, social and economic systems.

However, the student activists rejected the idea of reform from the top in tandem with holding elections, and dismissed as futile and useless the generalized discourses on the necessity of respecting democracy and civil rights that are not backed by solid plans.

Our concern today, the signatories reiterated, "is not wrestling each other in intellectual arenas; our problem today is the danger of annihilation that threatens the existence of all Iranians".KUWAIT, Nov 11 (Reuters)

Iraq's president on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran.

The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in U.S. dollars. Sanctions on Tehran's oil sector took effect on Nov 5.

"We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the U.S. sanctions on Iran," Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait.

Iraq wanted to maintain "balanced" relations with all its neighbours and the international community, he said.

"Iran is a neighbouring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran," he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties.

Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State.

Iraq central bank officials said in August that the country's economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alexandra Hudson)Iranian National Tax Administration has officially published the list of ten "Islamic" foundations and institutions under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's supervision as tax exempt entities.

These are opaque corporations that dominate large portions of the countrys economy but are now legally exempt from taxation.

The official news agency (IRNA) reported that seven of these tax exempt entities receive seven trillion rials (roughly $166 million) from governmental funds annually.

The office of Iran's Supreme Leader had earlier ordered the taxation authority to make these corporations exempt from tax, reports from Tehran said. Two of these institutions belong to Khamenei's own office, dubbed the Leaders Household in the Islamic Republic jargon. One is tasked with the publication of Khamenei's comments and sermons, and the other one is in charge of the Households economic affairs.

A day after this announcement, a deputy in the tax administration contradicted the initial news, saying that these entities do pay taxes. It is not clear if by this denial authorities wanted to dampen the negative impact on public opinion of powerful entities being exempted from taxes.

The Mostazafan Foundation (Foundation of the Oppressed), the Executive Headquarters of Imam's Directive, The Martyrs and Veterans Foundation, the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, Islamic Propagation Organiztaion, the Islamic Propagation Office of Qom Seminary, Iran Islamic Revolution Housing Foundation, the Center for Services for Islamic Seminaries, Islamic Revolution Cultural Research Institute and Al-Mostafa Seminary for non-Iranian clerics, are listed as the entities that enjoy tax exemption.

In recent years, the tax exempt entities directly related to the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, have faced bitter criticism for not paying tax.

Some of the tax exempt organizations, including the Mostazafan Foundation, have maintained that they pay their due value added tax (VAT). However, critics have argued that VAT is ultimately paid by the foundations' clients and is different from the taxes annually paid by other financial and economic entities.

Economists have blamed these ten entities and the IRGC (also supervised by Khamenei) for a major part of the economic crisis that has nearly paralyzed Iran's economy and contributed to widespread social unrest during the past year.

The question of tax exempt institutions turned into a heated debate between the incumbent, Hassan Rouhani and his main challenger during the last presidential election in May 2017.

Rouhani tried to draw public attention to the opaque corporations that dominate large portions of the countrys economy but are legally exempt from taxation. These include companies controlled by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), monopolized state-owned Radio and TV network, The holy shrine in Mashad (managed by Rouhani's main challenger last year, mid-ranking cleric, Ebrahim Raeisi), a financial empire in Iran's second largest city, and the Executive Headquarters of Imam's Directive.

Apart from the tax issue, according to Tehran's outspoken MP, Ali Motahari, while many of the tax exempt institutes and so-called Islamic charities receive their budget from the government, they are not accountable to it.

Expressing his opposition to the activities of the Executive Headquarters of Imam's Directive, Motahari asserted in March 2016, "Such entities are responsible for the economic disruption across Iran."

Furthermore, Tehran city councillor Majid Farahani, has said that more than 40% of the country's economy is controlled by foundations and organizations that do not pay any tax, but, relying on their power and economic sway, win all national construction and development contracts in an unfair and unequal competition with the private sector.

Last December, widespread protests across Iran were ignited days after the Rouhani government budget was proposed, showing huge outlays for religious organizations and opaque corporations.

French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump talked about Iran in a closed-door meeting on Saturday November 10, as some 70 world leaders gathered in Paris over the weekend to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, reports from Paris said on Sunday.

The CNN quoted a French Presidential spokesperson as having said that at the meeting, Macron insisted on the need to support the nuclear deal with Iran, also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and European policy in general.

But it was clear that Mr. Trump was sticking to his guns on this one. He did however go on to say that it was important to keep up the pressure on Iran and to weaken it, the CNN quoted the spokesperson as saying.

Macron reportedly suggested further talks between Paris and Washington about Iran. "its a good idea to enter into more negotiations, as the French and US positions are really quite close, the report added.

According to the French Presidential spokesperson, Trump said, what we need is a major agreement that would give us 100% guarantee that Iran wouldnt get an atomic bomb.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported on Saturday that Macron proclaimed great solidarity between the two nations and said the leaders will discuss a litany of issues during their one-on-one meeting, including Iran, Syria, Yemen, trade and climate change.

Also on Saturday, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a tweet that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his French counterpart Jean-Yves LeDrian had discussed strengthening NATO countering Iran's malign behaviour, denuclearizing North Kora and the crisis in Syria.

Meanwhile, a journalist in Tehran, Akram Sharifi also tweeted that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his French Counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed the West's nuclear deal with Iran over the phone.

According to Sharifi, during the conversation Le Drian stressed on Paris and EU's support for Iran's benefits of this agreement.

Following the US pull-out from the JCPOA in May, the remaining EU partners to the agreement promised to help Iran to continue benefit from the agreement and assist European companies working with Iran to get away with the impact of US sanctions in case they decided to continue working with Tehran.

In the meantime, the United States reinstated the pre-JCPOA sanctions against Iran and has vowed to add new sanctions if Iran refused to enter into fresh talks over its nuclear and missile programs and its intervention in the affairs of regional countries.

As the latest round of sanctions started to target Iran's oil exports and banking operations on November 5, Iran is still waiting for Europe's special financial measures to take effect.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 25 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Nov. 11.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

Trend:

Azerbaijani Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has sent letters of condolences to Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar and Chief of the General Staff, Army General Yasar Guler in connection with the death of soldiers as a result of an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot in Hakkari province, Turkey.

"I am deeply shocked by the news of the death and injury of military personnel as a result of an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot in Hakkari province of the fraternal Republic of Turkey," the letter says. "Your grief is our grief too."

"I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased, share the sorrow and grief of their relatives and express my deep condolences to their families," the letter says. "I wish speedy recovery to the wounded."Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 12

Trend:

Today, Azerbaijan celebrates the Constitution Day.

The Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic, adopted in 1995, is the first constitution of independent Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which existed for 23 months from 1918 to 1920, didn't have the basic law of the state.

Thus, the history of the Constitution of Azerbaijan mainly dates from the period when Azerbaijan still was a part of the USSR.

The first constitution of Azerbaijan was adopted on May 19, 1921 at the All-Azerbaijan Soviets Congress. New edition of the Constitution, which was in line with the 1921 USSR Constitution, was adopted at the 4th All-Azerbaijan Soviets Congress on March 14, 1925.

The final edition of the Constitution of Azerbaijan SSR, adopted on April 21, 1978, was in line with the USSR Constitution, like the previous editions.

After Azerbaijan gained its independence, there was a need for a new constitution. Thus, a special commission was established under the leadership of President Heydar Aliyev, and the draft of the constitution was presented to the referendum.

The first constitution of the independent Azerbaijan was adopted on Nov. 12, 1995.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

Trend:

Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, a recognized Indian yogi and mystic, has delivered a lecture at the Heydar Aliyev Center. The subject of his presentation was Inner Engineering: Technologies for Wellbeing.

Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva attended the event.

The subject constitutes a comprehensive system derived from centuries-old yoga studies aiming at profound and sustainable personal transformation. This includes techniques to accomplish harmony by bringing together human body, mind, senses, and energy to the culmination. No physical training or knowledge of yoga is required, and the techniques are easily adaptable to any lifestyle.

The event was followed by the Q&A session.

One of Indias 50 most recognized personalities, Sadhguru is a yogi, mystic and a bestselling author dedicated to the improvement of human spiritual and physical condition. Sadhguru was invited to speak at a number of international forums, including the UN Headquarters. He is a frequent presenter at the World Economic Forum, addressing a broad audience through TED conferences. Leading educational institutions inviting Sadhguru include Oxford, Stanford, Harvard and Yale Universities, Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other worldwide recognized institutions.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 11

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

During a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ashgabat, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov discussed the prospects for creating the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey (Lapis Lazuli) international transit transport corridor, Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary reported.

Among the priority areas of cooperation were the trade and economic sphere, energy, transport and communications sector.

The interlocutors expressed confidence that the long-standing interstate partnership will continue to develop dynamically.

The first meeting of experts on the implementation of the Agreement on Transit and Transport Cooperation (Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement) took place in Ashgabat in April.

The experts from Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Turkey, the participating countries that signed this agreement took part in the event during the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA VII) on November 15, 2017.

In Ashgabat, the sides reviewed the issues of tariff optimization, customs issues, tax laws of the participating countries.

According to the "Lapis Lazuli" project, the railway lines and highways will connect the city of Torghundi in the Afghan province of Herat with Ashgabat, then with the Caspian port of Turkmenbashi.

The corridor will stretch to Baku, then through Tbilisi to Ankara with branches in Poti and Batumi, then from Ankara to Istanbul.

The project budget, which aims to facilitate transit logistics and simplify customs procedures, is estimated at $2 billion.

The project is designed to increase the economic integration of the region and the volume of trade.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

By Matanat Nasibova - Trend:

In 2019, a new project on youth employment will be launched in Azerbaijan at the initiative of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan (AEC) and with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the AEC Vice President Vugar Zeynalov told Trend.

He noted that currently the project is at the stage of formation and development.

"We are planning to launch this project early next year. It is still difficult to name the final cost of the project, but we believe the volume of investments in this project will be known in January. At the moment, negotiations are underway, all issues related directly to the project are being discussed," Zeynalov said.

The vice president of the Confederation noted that the project, implemented with the support of the ILO, aims to assist young people in employment issues in small and medium-sized businesses.

The Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan was established on March 5, 1999 in Baku and passed the official state registration.

The AEC unites over 1,000 business entities, including 35 associations and unions of socio-economic profile.The OPEC+ Technical Committee gave a preliminary estimate for the performance level of the Vienna agreement on oil production limiting in October and said it was equal to 104%, an attending delegate told TASS on Saturday. Bloomberg reported the figure of 106% earlier.

According to the delegate, the OPEC+ Technical Committee consisting of experts from countries participating in the Agreement has reviewed various scenarios of oil market development, including an option with demand surplus on the market in 2019 against the background of growing deliveries from the US.

The Technical Committee held the meeting on the verge of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee meeting in Abu Dhabi this Sunday.

It was reported earlier that the performance level of the OPEC+ oil production capping deal was 111% in September.

OPEC+ agreement participants made the decision to return the deal performance level from 150% to 100% from July, which actually means the need to increase oil production by 1 mln barrels per day. However, this target has not yet been reached due to a strong decline in oil production in certain OPEC countries. Production is mainly increased by Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.Tehran, Iran, Nov.11

Trend:

Iran Economy and Finance Minister has rejected rumors of fuel price hike.

"So far no plans to rise energy prices. Research centers have provided packages that are under consideration and no decision has been made so far, Iran Economy and Finance Minister Farhad Dejpasand told IRIB.

"The Family Support Packages will also be provided by the end of the month. The goal is to aid people with dignity," he noted.

"It is expected that fuel price will fall in accordance to the decline of foreign exchange currency rate. said Dejpasand.

Recently the MP and member of parliaments economy committee Masoumeh Aghapour Alishahi noted the conditions of the new governmental support package.

"According to government and parliament agreement, the support package will cover government employees, workers, people under the sponsorships of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, the State Welfare Organization, pensioners and all those who receive less than 30 million rial salary per month."

"The first package will be in cash and on the next step it will contain food that will be distributed among the recipients, she added.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 11

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

A delegation of the Turkmen State Migration Service took part in a workshop organized by the OSCE and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the local migration service said.

The event, which was held in Vienna, was devoted to the exchange of best practice in the field of statelessness among OSCE participating countries.

As a permanent member of the executive committee of the UNHCR program, Turkmenistan is an active supporter of the consolidation of international efforts in the field of ensuring and protecting the rights of refugees and stateless people.

This year 735 people have received citizenship of Turkmenistan. From 2011 to 2017, 8,145 people obtained citizenship of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan joined the UN main international legal documents, including the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its protocol, the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 11

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistan will allocate funds for the construction of a mosque in the Afghan settlement of Aqina, Altyn Asyr local TV channel reported.

According to the presidential decree, the consulate of Turkmenistan in Afghanistans Mazar-i-Sharif province was entrusted to conclude a contract with Afghanistans Ghazanfar Construction, Road Work Rail Way Construction Material P.CO for the construction of a mosque to serve 500 people in Aqina settlement.

The construction work may be launched in November 2018. The mosque may be commissioned in December 2020.

The document was signed to achieve peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, as well as to render humanitarian assistance to fraternal Afghan people.

The Afghan Turkmen living near the borders of Turkmenistan is the second biggest Turkmen ethnic group outside the historical homeland after the Iranian Turkmen.

The number of Turkmen in the country is estimated at around one million people (2-3 percent). In 2016, Turkmen specialists commissioned a railway from the Turkmen city of Kerki to Afghanistans Aqina settlement.

In mid-March, it was reported that the Turkmen Ministry of Railways reconstructed a railway with a total length of 13 kilometers to the Afghan station Turghundi. After the implementation of this project, the capacity of the station has increased. There is an opportunity to supply Afghan products to the international markets.

By connecting Afghanistan with the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, this transport corridor will provide an opportunity to reach Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and European countries across the sea.Tehran, Iran, Nov.11

Trend:

A representative of Iranian Foreign Ministry Kamal Amirbiek has been detained on charges of spying, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said.

He was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and will pay $270,000 worth fine, noted the judiciary spokesman, ISNA reported.

Referring to the crime related to those who distribute denatured alcoholic liquor, he said making alcoholic liquor is a crime and 18 people were arrested on these charges. As many as 38 people were poisoned and lost their life by drinking denatured alcohol, noted Mohseni-Ejei.

In response to a question on the case of Babak Zanjani's accessory, he said that the investigation continues.

Zanjani was arrested in 2013 on charges of embezzling state oil revenues and later convicted to be hanged.

In 2016, the Islamic Republics Supreme Court upheld the death sentence against Zanjani who worked as a middleman, selling Iranian oil through companies, mainly affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in the years when international sanctions restricted Iran oil exports and banking relations, during Ahmadinejas second term, 2009-2013.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

Although the export of some products is banned, more than 300 products were exported to Kazakhstan, Shata news agency cited Iran's commercial attache in Kazakhstan Ane Dordi Iran Panah as saying.

The export of Iranian goods increased by 3.8 percent over six months of this Iranian year (started March 21, 2018) compared to the same period of last year and the positive trade balance reached $19 million in favour of Iran, he said.

Ane Dordi Iran Panah said that Kazakhstan is one of 20 countries exporting Iranian products in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan is one of the key countries in the production and export of oil, mining and agricultural products in Central Asia and around the world, he said.

He added that it is important to protect the export markets in the current situation.

Taking into account that the export of some products is forbidden, over 300 products have been exported to Kazakhstan, Ane Dordi Iran Panah said.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

Oil sale is one of the most effective components in the Iranian economy, expert in oil and energy Mohammad Ali Khatibi said in an interview with Khabar Online website.

But this is not the only factor, he added.

He said that there are other factors that may be more important than oil sanctions.

Ali Khatibi added that over the last 40 years, the officials repeatedly talked about the necessity of ending oil dependence.

However, if this dependence was 2 percent each year, there would be a 80 percent drop in dependence on oil revenues, he said.

Ali Khatibi added that the dependency on oil revenues reached 30 percent before the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

If this process continued, dependency on oil revenues would decline, he added.

He said that after the nuclear deal, the dependence has increased again.

This issue led the US to use sanctions against Iran, Ali Khatibi added.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

This Iranian year (started March 21, 2018), Iran exported confectionary and chocolate worth $301 million to 66 countries, Jamshid Maghazei, secretary of the Chocolate, Sweets and Biscuits Association, said in an interview with Mizan News Agency.

Maghazei said that Iran is able to produce 2.400 million tons of confectionary and chocolate.

Meanwhile, 1,700,000 tons of products are produced in the country for different reasons, he added.

He added that 11,000 tons of confectionary and chocolate worth $301 million were produced over the past six months, which is 33 percent more compared to the same period of last year.

Forty-eight percent of the products are exported to Iraq and Afghanistan, while the rest products - to Eastern Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait and the CIS, Maghazei said.

He said that it is possible to increase export of goods to European countries but time is required.

Maghazei added that the price of raw materials increased as a result of devaluation.

This has reduced the ability to compete with other competitors in the export markets, he said.

Maghazei added that the currency price is about 50,000-60,000 rials less in Forex Management Integrated System (NIMA) than in the black market. This creates problems for exporters.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

Over six months of this Iranian year (started March 21, 2018), the goods worth $387,258,661 were exported from Iran to Iraq via the Mehran border, IRNA cited Sayyed Sharifi, deputy chairman of Iran's Ilam Province Industry, Mine and Trade Organization, as saying.

He said that this amount was obtained in exchange for 570,000 tons of products.

The export of products increased by 27 percent compared to the same period of last year, he added.

Sharifi added that during the reporting period, the construction materials, agricultural products, rubber products, spare car parts and petrochemicals were mainly exported.

On average, 600 trucks cross the Mehran border daily to transport goods to Iraq, he said.An Iranian court has sentenced a man working for the Foreign Ministry to 10 years in prison after convicting him of spying, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said on Sunday, Reuters reports.

However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said the man had been arrested about three years ago and convicted a year later. His sentence had been reduced by an appeals court, according to the ministrys website. He gave no further details.

Ejei, quoted by the judiciarys news website Mizan, named the sentenced man as Kamal Amirbeik and said he had also been fined $270,000. Mizan did not say who he was accused of spying for or give any further details.

Iranian security forces have arrested dozens of people working in state bodies on espionage accusations, Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said in August.A total of six Syrian servicemen were killed, while five others were injured in the attacks in Syrias western-central province of Hama, the Russian Defense Ministry said late on Saturday, Sputnik reported.

Over the past 24 hours, insurgents attacked Tel-Maraq, Tell Bizam, Qubeybat-abu-al-Houda, Halfaya in Hama province, Ikko, Latakia province, Shukaydila and Zakhabia in Aleppo province, and western outskirts of Aleppo city. During an attack at Tall-Maraq in Hama province, two Syrian servicemen were wounded. Six Syrian servicemen died and three were wounded in Hama province as a result an attack at Halfaya, the ministry said in its daily bulletin.

Moreover, ceasefire violations have been registered in the Idlib de-escalation zone over the last 24 hours, according to the bulletin.

The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides has also held a meeting with the local authorities of eastern province of Deir ez-Zor to discuss restoration of infrastructure.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and militant and terrorist organizations. Russia, along with Turkey and Iran, is a guarantor of the ceasefire regime in Syria.

Moscow has also been providing humanitarian aid to residents of the crisis-torn country.Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.An Egyptian top court upheld on Sunday a previous death sentence against seven defendants convicted of killing a policeman in 2013, official MENA news agency reported.

The Court of Cassation upheld a previous execution order issued by Ismailia Criminal Court, northeast of the capital Cairo, for murdering policeman Ahmed Radwan Abu-Doma and seizing his gun during an armed attack against a security patrol in late 2013.

The verdict is final and unappealable as the top court rejected the defendant's appeals.

The investigation back then showed that the gunmen rode a motorbike and a private car when they attacked the security men and exchanged fire with them.

Two other defendants in the same case were sentenced to two and three years in jail for covering involved fugitives.

Egypt has been suffering terrorist activities that killed hundreds of policemen, soldiers and civilians following the popular-backed military ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in early July 2013.

Most of the terror attacks in Egypt were claimed by a Sinai-based group loyal to the Islamic State (IS) regional terrorist group.

Last week, an Egyptian military court sentenced eight fugitive IS suspect terrorists to death over involvement in deadly attacks against the Egyptian armed forces.

On the other hand, the Egyptian security forces have 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.The death toll of the recent U.S.-led airstrikes on areas in eastern Syria has risen to 41 as the Syrian Foreign Ministry renewed calls for an international investigation into the coalition's "crimes," Xinhua reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday that 41 people were killed, including 17 children and 13 women, as a result of the airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition on Islamic State (IS)-held areas in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria on Thursday and Friday.

The watchdog group said the death toll could likely rise as result of the U.S.-led airstrikes that targeted the town of Hajin, one of the villages in the last IS-held pocket on the eastern bank of the Euphurates River near the Iraqi border.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry renewed in a statement Saturday calls on the UN to form "an independent international mechanism" to investigate the "crimes of the Washington coalition" and punish the perpetrators.

It said the coalition's attack on Hajin also wounded tens of civilians, amid ongoing strikes and a difficulty in saving people from under the rubble.

"This ugly crime lays bare the phony claims of the U.S. about fighting terrorism as it (U.S.) aims only to kill as many Syrians as they can and render more damage to the infrastructure in Syria," the ministry said.

Civilian casualties were reported before as a result of U.S.-led strikes on the last IS-held areas.

The United States has been backing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to defeat the IS on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River near the Iraqi border.

Airstrikes on this area have recently been renewed as the Kurdish-led groups were planning a second wave of attacks on the IS after a failed attempt on Sept. 10.

The Syrian government has long questioned the intention of the U.S.-led operations in this oil-rich area.The Paris Peace Forum kicked off on Sunday with speeches from French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN chief Antonio Guterres, who called for sustained efforts towards peace on the occasion marking the centenary of the Armistice, Xinhua reports.

The forum follows a get-together by dozens of government leaders under the Arch of Triumph in the morning, commemorating the 100th year of the end of the World War I.

Whether the image of the commemoration is a symbol of durable peace between nations, or a picture of a last moment of unity before the world goes down in new disorder, "it depends only on us," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech at the opening of the forum.

He said that the world's stability is threatened by nationalism, racism, antisemitism and extremism.

It's also challenged by economic, environmental and migrants-related factors, he noted.

Following Macron's speech, German Chancellor Angela Merkel made references to serious conflicts worldwide, saying if "we believe that we have to draw conclusions from and learn from history, that makes us speechless."

"We must not accept armed conflicts, wherever they are in the world, no matter how far away, no population, no nation, not a single person must be written off by us," she said.

Merkel criticized "national vaingloriousness and military arrogance" that led to the "senseless bloodshed" of two world wars, and said peace should not be taken for granted. Rather, "we have to work for it," she said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said many elements today appear to resemble the beginning of the 20th Century and the 1930s, warning against "a polarization of political life and of society itself."

He championed the cause of United Nations in his speech, saying today it is home to the center that harmonizes efforts towards peace and sustainable development.

The Paris Peace Forum is organized around five themes: peace and security, environment, development, inclusive economy and new technologies, and will last for three days.

Over 120 projects to address global challenges will be presented at the forum, which Macron said aims at promoting concrete actions toward peace and should be repeated every year.At least one person was injured while three others escaped unhurt on Saturday after unknown gunmen opened fire on a Kenya Red Cross vehicle in Garissa county, northeast Kenya, the charity said, Xinhua reported.

According to the charity, the four were traveling from Masalani to Ijara to conduct assessments for one of the four projects they are implementing, when the attackers emerged from a nearby bush and shot at the car.

"The injured volunteer was evacuated to Masalani Sub-County hospital for stabilization and has already been evacuated to Malindi by one of our ambulances for further treatment," Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet said in a statement.

Ruqa and Ijara areas are near the vast Boni forest in which al-Shabab terrorists have been using as their hideout as they launch attacks against Kenyans.

The volunteer who was injured was among other Kenya Red Cross officials who were on board when they were attacked.

No group has claimed responsibility for the suspected al-Shabab attack but residents said the vehicle was ferrying staff and volunteers when it was ambushed by the unknown assailants.

They said the assailants who emerged from nearby bushes shot arbitrarily at the vehicle from the front and sides. The injured female volunteer had three bullets lodged in her body.

Gullet termed the attack as unfortunate, saying it was targeting people who selflessly serve the respective communities in the area which is close to the Somali border.

"The rest of the team were not injured and are currently undergoing counseling and psychological support due to the traumatic incident," he said.

The charity said police are investigating the incident, adding a meeting has been scheduled with the area leadership and community leaders to address the security challenges.

The latest incident came barely a week after three people, including two children, were killed in a retaliatory attack between two communities at Maraha area in the Isiolo-Garissa counties.Pakistani authorities have detained 12 Indian fishermen for allegedly violating the country's maritime boundary, security officials said on Sunday, according to Sputnik.

The Maritime Security Agency (MSA) said two boats of the fishermen were also seized, adding that the Indian fishermen were involved in illegal fishing in Pakistani water.

The arrested fishermen were handed over to police by the MSA officials. They will be produced in a court for legal proceedings, police said.

India and Pakistan routinely arrest fishermen on charges of entering each other's waters as the maritime boundaries between the two countries were poorly defined and many fishing boats lack technologies on locating their precise places.

Earlier on Oct. 24, Pakistani authorities detained 16 Indian fishermen and seized three boats during an operation in open sea for violating the Pakistan's coastal territory.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 9

Trend:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with the US President Donald Trump the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish media reports.

According to the report, the conversation between the leaders of the two countries took place in France during a dinner given by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Orsay Museum.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi, known for his criticism of the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to obtain documents for registration of marriage with a Turkish citizen. A few days later, the Turkish police launched an investigation into his disappearance.

On Oct. 20, the Saudi authorities reported that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general.

Prosecutor General of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Saud al-Mujib said 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the murderers of Khashoggi must be convicted in Turkey.

"Although Khashoggi was killed in the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, the crime was committed in Turkey, which makes Ankara pay more attention to this," he said. Considering that Khashoggi was brutally murdered, Saudi Arabia must do everything possible to find and punish the criminals."

The authorities of Saudi Arabia claim that the body of the killed reporter was handed over to someone in Turkey, Erdogan noted.

If Saudi Arabia claims that the body of Khashoggi was handed over to someone, that persons name should be revealed, Erdogan said.Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 11

Trend:

As a result of an air operation carried out by the Turkish Air Force in northern Iraq, 14 terrorists were killed, the Turkish General Staff said in a message on Nov. 11.

Operations were carried out in the Iraqi province of Avashin.

The General Staff notes that in addition to eliminating terrorists, the shelters and ammunition depots of terrorists were destroyed.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has lasted more than 25 years, claiming more than 40,000 lives.

The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN and the EU.US President Donald Trump and Frances Emmanuel Macron agreed on Saturday on the need for more European defence spending, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that had described Macrons call for a European army as very insulting, Reuters reported.

Meeting for talks at the Elysee a day before commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Macron welcomed Trump under rainy Parisian skies with a firm handshake. But there appeared to be less immediate warmth in the greeting between the two than in the past.

Seated on gilded chairs in the ornate presidential palace, Macron placed his hand on Trumps knee and referred to him as my friend, while Trump kept more distance, although he also talked up common ground on an issue that had caused friction.

We want a strong Europe, its very important to us, and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want, said Trump.

We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States.

Macron echoed those sentiments, saying he wanted Europe to bear a greater share of the defence costs within NATO, a point he has made repeatedly since taking office, alongside his ambitions for Europe to have its own military capability.

Thats why I do believe my proposals for European defence are totally consistent with that, Macron said in English.

Fresh off US congressional elections that saw his Republican Partys power eroded, Trumps visit is aimed at bolstering the US-European alliance at a symbolic time, with the world marking the centenary of World War Ones armistice.

But in a tweet prior to landing in Paris, Trump took a dim view of comments Macron made in a Europe 1 radio interview this week in which he appeared to cast the United States as a threat.

Discussing the growing dangers from cyber-hacking, meddling in electoral processes and the US decision to withdraw from a missile treaty, Macron said Europe needed to protect itself against China, Russia and even the United States.

Later in the interview he spoke about the need for a European army, saying:

Faced by Russia, which is on our borders and which has shown that it can be threatening... we need to have a Europe that can better defend itself by itself, without depending solely on the United States.

Trump, who has pushed NATO allies to pay more for common defence and not rely on the United States, complained.

Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidizes greatly, Trump said on Twitter.

The Elysee said the misunderstanding, which it said had been caused by exaggerated US press reports, was cleared up during more than an hour of talks it described as substantial and very constructive.

We had a great discussion and we are aligned, the Elysee quoted Trump as saying during the meeting, which covered trade, defence, Syria and the fallout from the murder in Istanbul last month of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.The migrant flow coming from Central American countries stopped in Mexico's capital for a brief rest, while the US has been working on reinforcing its border in accordance with directives from President Donald Trump, Sputnik reports.

The migrant caravan, consisting mostly of Honduran citizens, has resumed the journey towards the US border in search for a better life after a several-day-long stop in Mexico City. Migrants are using all sorts of vehicles to leave the city and move north  trains, trucks and cars. Some of them are travelling by foot.

At the same time, US security, reinforced by some 5.000 troops, are continuing to strengthen the border with Mexico by installing fences topped with barbed-wire. Part of the border has already been covered by the first section of the so-called "Trump-wall."

Apart from sending US military personnel to the border to stop the migrant "invasion," the US president undertook other initiatives to further discourage migrants from crossing the border illegally. He signed an immigration order barring illegal migrants from applying for asylum, requiring them to do so only at border entry checkpoints.New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. High near 70F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.KYODO NEWS - Nov 11, 2018 - 19:37 | All, Japan

A capsule ejected from a space cargo vessel returned to Earth on Sunday, bringing back experiment samples from the International Space Station in the first such mission for Japan.

The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency said the capsule, measuring 84 centimeters in width and 66 cm in height, made a parachute-assisted splashdown in the Pacific near Japan's far-east Minamitori Island early in the morning and was retrieved later in the day.

(Kounotori7 departing the International Space Station)[Photo courtesy of JAXA]

"I think we've succeeded almost as planned," Hirohiko Uematsu, technology director of JAXA, told a press conference at its Tsukuba Space Center in Ibaraki Prefecture. "Japan has obtained the technology that is essential for us to move forward."

JAXA is now aiming to develop a new capsule that can return home without being assisted by a space vessel, while the success of the latest mission is also expected to help develop Japan's own spacecraft for manned missions in the future.

The retrieved capsule contains protein crystals grown in experiments conducted on the ISS that JAXA says will be analyzed for medical purposes.

High-quality protein crystals obtained without being influenced by gravity will be helpful in exploring the causes of some diseases and developing medicines to cure them, according to the agency.

The samples will be transported on Tuesday to the Tsukuba Space Center, where they will be checked during the next few weeks.

In September, Japan's cargo vessel Kounotori7 was launched on an H-2B rocket, delivering the capsule and other supplies to the ISS.

The vessel departed from the space station on Thursday and released the capsule on Sunday morning before burning up with waste from the ISS when re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, JAXA said.The models, Ansi Kabeer and Anjana Shajan, had attended party hosted in the hotel on October 31. The accident occurred while they were heading to Thrissur after the party.Vietnamese businesses still fumbling on the way to AEC market

VietNamNet Bridge - Though the door to the ASEAN market has opened wide with the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), Vietnamese goods still cannot approach it.









Vietnamese businesses are still fumbling on the way to AEC market









With 630 million consumers and US$2.55 trillion in 2016, expected to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2030, AEC is believed to bring great opportunities to regional enterprises, according to Nguyen Thi Tue Anh, deputy head of the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM).



What AEC can bring is not only the 630 million consumer market, but also opportunities to approach other markets thanks to FTAs between AEC and its partners, including ASEAN-South Korea, ASEAN-Japan and ASEAN-China FTAs.



According to the HCMC Industry and Trade Department director Pham Thanh Kien, to date, Vietnam has slashed import tariffs for 10,000 tax lines to 0-5 percent within the framework of ATIGA (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement), or 98 percent of total tax lines.

According to the HCMC Industry and Trade Department director Pham Thanh Kien, to date, Vietnam has slashed import tariffs for 10,000 tax lines to 0-5 percent within the framework of ATIGA (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement), or 98 percent of total tax lines.

The ATIGA membership allows Vietnamese enterprises to have bigger opportunities to export their advantageous products such as agricultural, forestry and seafood products. In the first nine months of 2018, Vietnam exported $3.1 billion worth of vegetables and fruits.



However, as CIEM reported, Vietnams total turnover from the exports to the region just accounted for 9.8 percent of total export turnover in 2016. The proportion of Vietnamese exports to ASEAN in 2017 increased to 11 percent, while the figure was 24 percent for ASEAN countries on average.



Kien explained that in 2015-2017, the exports from HCMC to ASEAN increased every year, but the increase was insignificant after the formation of AEC. This shows the low capability of Vietnamese enterprises to exploit the tariff cuts to boost their exports.



Meanwhile, imports from ASEAN increased continuously. In 2016, Vietnam imported $7.2 billion worth of products from ASEAN, and the figure rose to $8.15 billion in 2017.



According to Anh from CIEM, Vietnams product prices are uncompetitive and the distribution network is not good. In addition, Vietnamese businesses still do not have deep knowledge about technical and legal barriers set by import countries.



Another reason lies in the quality of the workforce, which is lower than that in leading ASEAN countries.



Vietnam gets 3.39 out of 10 points in high-quality Human Resources in rankings, lower than Thailands 4.94 points and Malaysias 5.59 points.



With sharp tariff cuts, goods from ASEAN countries will flood the Vietnamese market in the near future. If Vietnamese enterprises cannot improve their products, they will lose the home market.



Ha Xuan Anh, chair of Son Viet Garment said 10 years ago Son Viet had tried to approach the Singaporean, Thai and Malaysian markets, but it still cannot succeed. The plan has been suspended, and the company has been focusing on Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.





RELATED NEWS

Vietnams businesses still not tapping AEC market

AEC a catalyst for reform in Vietnam





Kim ChiMotley Fool

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI) is the mostwidely followed stock index, and there are no surprises why -- after all, the Dow Jones comprises of the 30 largest stocks in the U.S. Although the index considers the largest stocks based on price and not market capitalization, it still offers an excellent starting point for investors to pick top stocks for the long haul, simply because all of the Dow 30 stocks are huge, established players in their respective industries. Right now, three Dow stocks in particular look really compelling based on recent developments and coming catalysts, and you might want to buy them right away. In an interview with Jim Cramer on CNBC in April, Caterpillar's (NYSE: CAT) CEO Jim Umpleby emphasized how an infrastructure bill out of Washington would be "positive for us, no questions."(Recasts with Mattis, Saudi comments)

By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The United States is halting refueling of aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen, the United States and Saudi Arabia said on Friday, ending one of the most divisive aspects of U.S. assistance to the Saudi war effort.

Saudi Arabia, in a statement released by its embassy in Washington, said it had decided to request an end to U.S. aerial refueling for its operations in Yemen because it could now handle it by itself.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis backed the decision and said the U.S. government was consulted.

The move comes at a time of international outrage over the murder of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and after Democratic and Republican lawmakers threatened to take action in Congress next week over the refueling operations.

Critics of the Saudi campaign - including Democrats who won control of the House of Representatives in elections on Tuesday - have long questioned U.S. involvement in the war, which has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced more than 2 million and led to widespread famine in Yemen since it began in 2015.

"I've been calling for this for over three years," said Representative Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California.

"We shouldn't be supporting coalition war crimes and I look forward to continuing to scrutinize the U.S.'s role in Yemen when were in the majority next Congress."

Even as President Donald Trump's administration has condemned Khashoggi's murder, the White House has sought to preserve its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

A coordinated decision by Washington and Riyadh to halt the refueling could be an attempt by both countries to forestall further action by Congress.

Senators Todd Young, a Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, had warned the Trump administration was running out of time to act.

"If the administration does not take immediate steps... we are prepared to take additional action when the Senate comes back into session," Young and Shaheen said.

Story continues

CONTINUING U.S. SUPPORT

Beyond refueling, the United States provides limited intelligence support to the Saudi-led coalition and sells it weaponry used in Yemen's war.

Mattis said the United States would play a continuing role to help the Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni forces minimize civilian casualties and expand humanitarian efforts.

He also suggested plans to build up Yemeni troops.

"The U.S. and the Coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure their countrys borders, and contribute to counter Al Qaeda and ISIS efforts in Yemen and the region," Mattis said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Mattis had defended U.S. military support to Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen, when lawmakers weighed forcing the Pentagon to end Washington's involvement.

Mattis argued that halting U.S. military support could increase civilian casualties, since U.S. refueling had given pilots more time to select their targets. He told them cutting off support could jeopardize cooperation on counter-terrorism and reduce American influence with Saudi Arabia.

Mattis also argued it would embolden the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, who have fired missiles at Saudi Arabia and targeted commercial and military vessels off Yemens coast.

Still, a halt to refueling could by itself have little practical effect on the war. U.S. officials told Reuters only a fifth of Saudi-led coalition aircraft require in-air refueling from the United States.

In recent weeks, Mattis has appeared to voice a growing sense of urgency toward ending the conflict. At the end of October, Mattis joined U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in calling for a ceasefire.

United Nations Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths is aiming to convene the country's warring parties for peace talks by the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia, in its statement, said its coalition was hopeful that U.N.-sponsored negotiations would lead to a negotiated settlement and "an end to the aggression by the Iranian backed Houthi militias' against the Yemeni people and countries in the region." (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Makini Brice in Washington and Nayera Abdallah in Cairo; writing by Phil Stewart; editing by David Alexander, Cynthia Osterman, Sonya Hepinstall and Nick Macfie)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.Last weeks mass shooting at a country and western dance club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which left 12 people dead, underscores the need for restorative practices, organizers of the first Rocky Mountain Restorative Practices Conference said last week.

I can guarantee you, there will be a mix of some toxic experiences and beliefs well be able to trace back to a gap in the gunmans life, said Peter Hilts, chief education officer for School District 49 east of Colorado Springs.

We are the people who come along to stand in the gap; thats what restorative practices have to be about.

School District 49s BRIGHT (Building Restorative Interventions Growing Honorable Traditions) team hosted the two-day event in Colorado Springs for 250 educators from across the Pikes Peak region, along the Front Range, Western Slope and from states such as Wyoming and Texas.

A five-year, $1.5 million Department of Defense Education Activity grant funded the event as part of the districts BRIGHT program to improve social-emotional support through implementing restorative practices.

Restorative practice is a fairly new thought process, said Lea Holland, D-49s BRIGHT project manager. But the idea is based on time-tested methods of using empathy and acceptance to deal with conflict, and restore relationships.

This is a behavioral model that shifts thinking, so when a child gets in trouble, theres a team to reintegrate the child back into the classroom, to listen, respect, look at the individual and separate the deed from the doer, Holland said.

The approach doesnt remove discipline or consequences, she said.

Discipline is achieved through participatory learning and decision-making, according to the International Institute for Restorative Practices.

The organization defines restorative practice as a specific process, with defined protocols, that brings together those who have caused harm through their wrongdoing with those they have directly or indirectly harmed.

Restorative practice isnt the same as the more familiar restorative justice. Restorative practice is a proactive approach, with the work starting before a situation escalates to a crime that leads to restorative justice, or juvenile detention. Its being used across the nation to help change the culture of schools, to reduce bullying and isolation of students, which have been identified as precursors to actions such as mass shootings.

The point of restoration isnt just to get kids back in line, or give us an alternate path to better behavior, but to restore them to right standing, Hilts said.

In this hyperaccelerated world of offense and revenge, were trying to step in the middle and show them a different way; that in this violence and harsh talk and toxic polarization, they can be restored to right relationships with each other, with themselves.

The need for restorative practice has emerged because the bedrock institutions on which society previously depended  family, churches, schools, government and the economic system of labor have experienced a significant breakdown in recent years, Hilts said.

Once upon a time, this work was shared among many institutions, but more and more its coming back to schools, he said. Schools are carrying a greater weight of societys needs.

One keynote speaker, Paralympian swimming silver medalist and Gulf War Army veteran John Register, said having his left leg amputated after a crash while running hurdles during training for the Olympics, has taught him to shift his thinking from tolerance and acceptance to value and appreciation. He encouraged educators to do the same in working with students on conflict and resolution.

Participants analyzed a case study, in which a fourth-grade boy was bullying a fourth-grade girl, hitting, kicking, pushing and stealing her papers. The girl told the boy to stop, but that produced the opposite result. When the girl complained to the teacher, he told them to work out the problem.

What does the practice of restorative justice call for?

One answer from participants: The teacher should ask each child what happened, how did that make you feel, what do we need to do to make it right. That would turn the situation into restoration and not punishment.

Youve got to really understand the problem, get to the root, why the boy did it, what made him think that type of behavior is acceptable, why didnt the teacher intervene, said Mike Singels of the Fountain Police Department, who works as a school resource officer at a middle school in Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8. Youve got to take time to really understand these kids and get to know them. Then, the light comes on.

Singels, who was among the conference attendees, said D-8 uses restorative practices to help students avoid getting a criminal record.

We need to get out of the mindset of you got in trouble, heres the consequence, he said. Weve got to understand the problem and help the youth understand what they did and why it was wrong. I like bringing them together with the victims, so they understand how their actions affected the victims.

The process involves shifting and creating a new normal, Register said.

Gabrielle Lynn, a community liaison at Odyssey Elementary in School District 49, said the conference was her first time to learn about restorative practices.

Just the connection, making that relationship and understanding the why behind it is so important, she said.

Jody Derington, a city of Colorado Springs employee who works with city-owned community centers that provide before- and after-school activities for children, said staff began using restorative practices last spring.

It all starts with building those relationships and the investment of time with our youth, she said. Only then do they really trust and come to us and share with us, and we are fully able to offer them the resources they need.

Derington said she envisions the restorative practices model becoming a community endeavor.

I hope we become less siloed and work more together because it all comes down to a healthy community, she said. Its pretty powerful.Colorado Springs burgeoning food truck scene turned its attention to the citys homeless Saturday, offering free meals at the Springs Rescue Thank you! You've reported this item as a violation of our terms of use.

This content was contributed by a user of the site. If you believe this content may be in violation of the terms of use, you may report it.The Gazette is examining the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Nathaniel Czajkowski, whose death remains unsolved, in its new weekly podcast, Colorado Cold Case.

Episode three, Who was Nate Czajkowski, is available for free download, along with previous episodes, at gazette.com/coldcase.

In this episode, we learn about Nate from family and close friends and search for clues about why he might have been killed in 2017.

What do we know? What do we still need to find out? Follow along as we build this case.In December, Colorado Springs City Council will consider PlanCOS, the first comprehensive plan for the Springs in more than 15 years. As city Lt. Col. ML Cavanaugh, PhD, is a veteran of the Iraq War, a non-resident fellow with the Modern War Institute at West Point, and can be reached at MLCavanaugh.com.

This essay is an unofficial expression of opinion; the views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Point, the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, or any agency of the US government.Robert Muellers investigation is going to continue, and it should continue, U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said Sunday on Meet the Press.

Chuck Todd, host of the NBC show, asked about Muellers probe into any Russian involvement in Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and other matters, and whether Congress needs to protect the investigation.

Some Democrats fear that Trump will try to end or scale back Muellers probe now that the president has forced out U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and named Matthew Whitaker  who has criticized the probe  as interim attorney general, placing him over the investigation.

I support the Mueller investigation, said Gardner, chairman of the National Republican Senate Committee.

I know Ive heard (Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell say he supports the Mueller investigation. Its important for the American people. Its important that we have this for transparency. And I think its important for the president to have this information out there fully, transparently and accurately.

In a transcript provided by NBC , Todd then asked Gardner: Does it need protection legislatively, though?

Do you need to do that in the Senate?

Gardner replied:  Mueller is not going to be stopped. Its going to continue, and it should continue.

All right, but you didnt say whether it was necessary in the Senate, Todd said, to which Gardner responded:

If it continues  why protect something thats actually continuing?Women turned out in force in Colorado on Election Day, casting 110,000 more ballots than men, based on unofficial results Friday. But it was primarily Democratic women who won the day: They outvoted Democratic men by 165,000 ballots and Republican women by 108,000 ballots.

Eighty-seven women (including 57 Democrats) competed for congressional and statewide offices this year in Colorado. There was a woman running in six out of the seven congressional races  all but the 2nd Congressional District, which elected former CU Regent and Democrat Joe Neguse.

Next year, 12 of the state Senates members from all parties will be women, and  depending on how unresolved races go  as many as 33 of the of the 65 House members  a majority  could be women.

On the Republican side, the news was not so good for women. But on the Democratic side, the results speak for themselves:

Jena Griswold is the first Democratic woman to be elected secretary of state and the first Democrat to be elected to the office since 1959.

Women next year will be in the majority in the Senate and House Democratic caucuses of the General Assembly.

In the House, the 41-member Democratic caucus will have 25 women, based on unofficial vote tallies from Friday, with some votes still to be counted.

Out of the 17 Senate races this year, 10 had Democratic female candidates, and they won six of the 10 seats.

At the state Capitol, women were chosen for six of the nine elected leadership roles in the Democratic Senate caucus on Thursday, although the two top positions, president and majority leader, went to men.

In the House, a woman  KC Becker of Boulder  is the speaker-designee, the third woman in a row to hold that post, following Democrats Dickey Lee Hullinghorst and Crisanta Duran. Before Hullinghorst, only one woman had held the post, Republican Lola Spradley, in the 2004-05 session.

Its not exactly new for women to dominate one chamber or the other at the state Capitol. In the 2011-12 session, when Sen. Morgan Carroll was president, there were 14 women among the 21 Democrats. In the 2018 House, by the end of the session, the caucus was equally split with 18 women and 18 men.

But 2019 will be a first: Women in the majority for both Democratic caucuses and at the same time for the party that controls both chambers of the General Assembly.

Yet the top spot on the ballot  governor  still eludes women from either major party.

Three women put in bids to become the states next chief executive. Two Democrats (Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne and former state Treasurer Cary Kennedy)  made it onto their partys primary ballot, but lost to the eventual winner, Jared Polis. A third  Republican Attorney General Cynthia Coffman  fell short of making it onto the primary ballot.

Different story for GOP

At the state Capitol, the Republican state Senate caucus will have one woman out of 16 members, Sen. Vicki Marble of Fort Collins, in the next session. In the general election, Republicans vied for three open seats, but only one was a woman  Christine Jensen in Senate District 20  and she lost.

The news is better on the state House side. Out of its Republican caucus of 24, eight will be women in 2019. But thats down one from the 2018 session. In the contest for the 65 House seats, Republican women candidates competed in 21 races, Democrats in 33. And nine of those races were between women.

Its not out of the norm for women to hold the top spot in the Republican caucus. Spradley did it before becoming speaker, and Rep. Amy Stephens of Monument served as majority leader as recently as 2012-13.

But not for 2019. In the House Republican caucus leadership elections Thursday, state Rep. Lois Landgraf of Colorado Springs at first sought the minority leader post but pulled out at the last minute, stating she wanted to see a unified caucus, and the contest had become too much us versus them. (The caucus did elect two women  Reps. Lori Saine of Firestone and Perry Buck of Greeley  as caucus chair and whip, respectively.)

Landgraf heads into January for her fourth and final term in the House. She said that theres no strategy by Republicans to recruit female candidates in Colorado, adding that it doesnt help that the issues most pushed in this election cycle by Republican men, such as transportation, dont resonate as much with women.

Women are sitting at the kitchen table, writing out checks for health insurance premiums or wondering whether their children will succeed in school, she said, pointing to health care and education as issues that appeal more strongly to Republican women.

Conservative political strategist Laura Carno said she agrees with Landgrafs assessment on issues, but argued that there is a kitchen table aspect to transportation. If theyre sitting in traffic, theyre not at home with their families, she said.

What we saw on Election Day is that regardless of what the issues are at the federal level, such as record low unemployment and the economy, what women in Colorado said (in the election) is that they dont like the way the president is speaking and (that) Ill punish anyone with an R behind their name.

But its also important for the Republican party to speak to women in language that is important to us, Carno added.

Thats not dumbing it down; its having enough women in these communications and leadership positions so that women have an equal voice at the table, and the message that appeals to women isnt diluted, she said.

Carno doesnt believe the party needs to have a mens strategy or womens strategy. We should be approaching what people are interested in and not necessarily divided by gender.

The state GOP did not return a call for comment.

Making a concerted effort

Democrats arent shy about pursuing a womens strategy. They point to recruiting efforts and programs such as Emilys List and Emerge Colorado (which lists among its successes the election of Faith Winter of Westminster, its national training director, as state senator).

Sen. Angela Williams chairs the Legislative Black Caucus, which she calls The Historic Eight because it will have that many African-American members in the 100-member General Assembly next year, the most ever.

I think Colorado is a state thats always been on the forefront of any movement or issues regarding the rights and representation of women, the Denver Democrat said. Were just that kind of great progressive state.

She said women working together, helping each other to learn the ins and outs of getting elected and serving, has been important.

Youre seeing more people of color taking our places, just like women do, to make sure our voices are heard, Williams said. Black caucuses across the country are nothing new, but in Colorado, weve made great progress, but weve still got more to do.

Sarah Chatfield is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Denver and took a close look at Tuesday nights election results.

She cited term limits as a factor  it keeps the circulation going, she said  as well as the low pay for being a part-time lawmaker who often is called upon to do full-time work. That means the job lacks the prestige and money that might play a bigger role in other states, she said.

Democratic women also have succeeded because of voter perceptions of female candidates, Chatfield said: Women are seen and perceived as more liberal, regardless of policy positions.

Unfortunately for Republican women, she added, in the countrys polarized political environment, it can be hard for Republican women to get elected who are perceived as moderate.

GOP recruitment lacking

Republican women lack another tool that has made Democratic women successful in elections, Chatfield said: recruitment and a structure that supports women candidates.

Chatfield said there is plenty of research that shows when women run for office, theyre just as likely as men to win, but they need to be asked and recruited, and Republican women are not necessarily being recruited at the same rate.

Democrats have made a concerted effort to recruit women as candidates, she said. That includes providing special pots of funding, such as for pro-choice or progressives, as well as training and how to campaign. Republicans are behind the curve on this.

Michal Rosenoer, executive director of Democratic-run Emerge Colorado, said that the organization began training Democratic women to run for office in 2013. In the 2018 elections, 12 of the programs 13 alumnae won offices.

Women candidates as a group have embraced and given voice to issues that resonated: community, education, the environment, all components of the Colorado way of life, Rosenoer added.

The Democratic Senate women candidates made it look easy, she said. In races that should have been won by 1 or 2 points, we won by 10 to 15 points.

And it just goes to show that Coloradans are not only voting for change, but theyre also creating it with women at the lead.

Joey Bunch of Colorado Politics contributed to this story.In a year of political upheaval, Colorados anti-politician lost his job as secretary of state Tuesday night.

El Paso Countys most prominent elected official, Wayne Williams paid a price for his Republican ties, losing to a virtually unknown Democrat even though his politics are best described as purple.

Its a strange thing for a man who shunned a push to put him in the governors race. Williams declined, he says, because he just doesnt like politics that much. He loves policy but could live without the partisan bickering.

For me, its more about getting things done, he said. I can rail against the pothole, or I can fix it. Id rather fix things.

But Williams, from his post as the states top vote counter, says Colorado has entered a period of rigid partisanship with the blue wave that swept the GOP from every statewide office on the ballot.

For the first time in state history, we saw a straight, pure party-line vote, said Williams, who lost his post to Jena Griswold, an Estes Park attorney who has never held elective office.

Williams was defeated for re-election by 130,000 votes, despite attracting nearly 100,000 more supporters than he did in 2014.

Coming off a year when he gained national praise for running the states least-partisan partisan office, the father of four says he is too busy counting votes to be bitter. He still claims Democrats as friends and is preparing his office for a smooth handoff to his successor.

In the days since the election, his cellphone has buzzed with condolence calls and texts from across the political spectrum. Democrats have expressed regret, he said.

And, he said, I got a very nice note from Douglas Bruce.

Williams rose to become the states top-ranking Republican elected official by smoothing over differences with opponents.

Its a skill he picked up as a boy in Front Royal, Va., a blue town in a blue state where Democrats had run local politics since the Civil War.

Williams, 55, was worried at a young age by the racist legacy of the local southern Democrats. They were the bunch who battled against desegregation. Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Williams saw racism as a sin and Republicans as the party of emancipation.

At 17, I organized about 70 kids on election day, he said. We stood outside every polling place and passed out literature. For the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans won the county.

It was amid the Reagan Revolution, now hailed as a highwater mark for conservative politics, when Williams learned to work across party lines. He points to President Ronald Reagans close relationship with Democratic House Speaker Tip ONeil as a guiding example.

After high school, Williams headed to Brigham Young University and a Mormon mission in Alaska. Young Mormon men are sent afield to share their faith, and they learn to accept frequent rejection with a smile.

It is part of my faith, he explained. When someone disagrees with me or attacks me, I reach out to them.

After BYU, Williams headed to the University of Virginias law school. He married his wife, Holly, who he says is the real politician of the family. She was working on Capitol Hill in Washington when they dated, helping craft policy for a Republican lawmaker.

They have formed a unique political union. On the day he was voted out of office, she was elected an El Paso County commissioner.

The couple first moved to Utah, but Williams was on the lookout for a place to call home. He found it in Colorado Springs, where he began a law practice and bought a home in Briargate.

Williams says he fell in love with the Pikes Peak region, where he settled in with his growing family. He fell in love with politics here, too.

In the mid-1990s, the GOP in El Paso County was in a time of transition. Old-timers in government faced losing their jobs with Amendment 17, that set term limits. Urged on by his law practice partner, now state Sen. Bob Gardner, he got involved with the local branch of the GOP.

As he rose in the Republican ranks, Williams sought advice from an unlikely source: former state Democratic Party Chairman Howard Gelt.

Gelt warned Williams about deep divides in the local GOP, where abortion-rights advocates and evangelical Christians vied for power with military hawks, moderate allies of President George H.W. Bush and the newcomers to the conservative movement inspired by the 1992 campaign of billionaire Ross Perot and his Reform Party.

He told me, You dont know what youre getting into, Williams recalled.

But Williams was undaunted. All he had to do to become the party chairman was to get the warring sides to become allies.

He started by befriending leaders from every camp  Focus on the Family to fiscal conservatives.

I did it by trying to give everyone a voice, Williams said. It was getting people to work together.

Williams focused on process and accomplishments, quietly growing the local partys ground game.

By 1998, the newly united party put on a show of force at the ballot box. Democrats had held the keys to Colorados governors mansion since 1974. El Paso County, with nearly 70 percent of ballots favoring the GOP, was critical in delivering an 8,000 vote victory to Republican Bill Owens.

Williams said his mantra for Republicans here sealed the win.

The role of the party is to bring people together.

The victory gave Williams a shove toward elective office, too. In 2002, he was elected to the first of two terms as an El Paso County commissioner.

Williams used his commission seat to push for highway work, driving a successful ballot measure that created the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. That meant being a Republican and backing a tax increase, drawing the ire of the states top anti-tax advocate, Douglas Bruce, father of the states Taxpayers Bill of Rights who remains notorious for campaign rancor. Williams also worked with Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter in Denver to gain highway cash.

But somehow, Bruce and Williams got along.

It was hard to dislike a man whose political campaigns reflected his politics, low-key affairs that accentuated the positive and never mentioned opponents.

I never talk about them, Williams said of political opponents. As a rule, I think your campaign should talk about what you plan to do.

In 2010, he ran for clerk and recorder against Democrat Tom Mowle, winning 125,602 votes to Mowles 60,268.

Williams fell in love with the clerks job. It was essentially like running a business, he said. His priorities included easing wait times for taxpayers seeking vehicle tabs and cutting red tape. He virtually dropped out of partisan politics in a bid to remain a fair broker in elections.

When I stepped into the clerks role, it was a different role, he said.

When Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler set his sights on the governors office, Williams decided to take his clerk skills statewide.

He beat Democrat Joe Neguse by nearly 50,000 votes. The two are now friends.

Williams went to work modernizing the states election system, hardening it against new cybersecurity threats. He worked with Democrats and Republicans on election reforms.

He was a Republican in a state government led by Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper. The partisan divide proved no problem.

I believe that if I agree with someone 10 percent of the time, I can work with them, he said.

The state was named Americas safest place to vote by The Washington Post under Williams watch. Democrats and Republicans praised his programs to encourage turnout and make voting easier.

In 2017, faced with a Trump administration demand to provide voting records to a commission probing allegations of election fraud, Williams fought back. He offered up public documents but denied data deemed private.

He also took on the presidents contention that the 2016 campaign was rigged with fraudulent ballots.

While there are occasional instances of voter fraud, Colorados processes are very good at catching attempts to commit voter fraud, Williams argued.

Trump disbanded the voting probe in early 2018.

But giving up the publicly available records became the top issue for Williams 2018 opponent, Griswold.

See, last year, at President Trumps request, our current secretary of state sent all of our personal voter information to Trumps Commission in D.C., Griswold said in the states voter guide. As a result, thousands of Coloradans canceled their voter registration. Thousands. Colorados elections were also targeted by Russian cyber attack in 2016.

Williams did little to counter Griswolds claims. Instead, he stuck to his usual campaign, upbeat and positive.

Allies pushed Williams to fight back. Send a negative mailer, they urged. Question her experience or her honesty. Williams refused.

The automatic instinct is to attack people, Williams said. Really, no we shouldnt. You shouldnt attack people. I have never been particularly persuaded by people calling me names.

Williams lost by 130,000 votes. He counted each one.

And hes ending his campaign the way he started it, quoting Lincolns inaugural address that sought to heal American politics torn asunder amid the Civil War. Lincoln is the man that made Williams become a Republican, he said.

He can quote it from memory:

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Contact Tom Roeder: 636-0240 Twitter: @xroederxA century ago, the flag waved over the battlefields of France above the Colorado Springs volunteers who went to war with Battery C of the Colorado National Guard.

It was found in the basement of the American Legion hall downtown, a dust-covered relic of the forgotten history of the citys World War I heroes. On Saturday, it returned to glory as a piece of the past that reminds todays local veterans of the debt they owe the doughboys who kicked off a national movement to honor and support those who went to war.

Fittingly, it happens in observance of a Veterans Day that marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that stopped the fighting in World War I, on the 11th hour (French time) of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

This goes back to the true forefathers of the military establishment we have here today, said Army veteran Keith LaMee, who stumbled on the silk flag, as big as a sheet of plywood, as he went through the stored mementos of American Legion Post 5 at 15 E. Platte Ave.

LaMee has been a one-man Army in his work to preserve memories of the Pikes Peak regions heroes. He pushed to have the Veterans Affairs clinic on Fillmore Street named after Colorado Springs World War II Medal of Honor recipient Floyd Lindstrom and was the driving force behind a monument to the local men who have earned the nations highest military honor that now stands in Memorial Park.

The flag is something different and more obscure.

It was presented by a local Elks Club to Battery C at a time when Colorado Springs was bounded on the east by a dirt road thats now Union Boulevard.

There were no military bases here, but there were plenty of patriots.

They formed Battery C amid conditions that might sound familiar in 2018. Tensions were rising along the U.S.-Mexico border in 1916 as Colorado Springs, then a whistle-stop town of 30,000, formed the National Security Committee.

The committee had lawyers and shop clerks, an ancient version of the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. Alarmed by raids into New Mexico by the bandit revolutionary Pancho Villa  18 civilians died during a Villa attack on the border town of Columbus  they decided to do something.

So the clerks and professionals got together with Fountain cowboys and Cripple Creek miners to form Battery C, which trained in town then headed to defend the border.

Victor W. Hungerford and Daniel W. Knowlton, prominent lawyers of Colorado Springs, were elected captain and first lieutenant respectively, the history of the unit says.

The border mission brought no honors for the battery, which found itself defending the desert with no enemies in sight, But just as the unit came home, America entered World War I, and the Colorado Springs troops became some of the first soldiers called to the colors.

Overseas, the Colorado Springs unit was equipped with modern French artillery and became one of Americas most decorated artillery units.

In nearly every battle fought by American troops, Battery Cs cannons cleared an explosive path.

They came home to glory, with a parade down Tejon Street, the silk flag leading the way.

What makes the tale of that flag important, though, came after the parade. After past wars, veterans were scattered to the winds. They largely came home, shed their uniforms and did their best to forget.

The boys of Battery C were different.

Its not the war itself, it is how they stayed brothers after the war, LaMee said. They didnt leave a man behind.

Most of the veterans groups now active in Colorado Springs, one of the nations most populous veteran communities, have their roots in the deeds of the men from Battery C.

The nascent Veterans of Foreign Wars, formed by the small cadre of veterans who fought in the Spanish American War, was reinvigorated by the millions that came home from World War I.

And the doughboys founded their group, the American Legion.

Army veteran Dean Noechel, senior vice commander of the Legions Colorado Department, said the generation that fought in the trenches came home as the first veteran advocates in America.

They brought us the VA and the GI bill, Noechel said. The World War I guys had a lot of vision, and they took care of each other.

Hungerford, leader of Battery C, was a leader in the veterans movement, too.

In early 1919, now promoted to major, Hungerford led a delegation to the founding convention of the American Legion in Paris.

When the first organization meeting took place in Paris in March 15-17, 1919, about 1,000 officers and enlisted men attended, the Legions official history says. The meeting, known as the Paris Caucus, adopted a temporary constitution and the name The American Legion.

Most of Battery C troops joined the Legion, and they designed their hall on Platte Avenue, since remodeled, to look like a wartime hut the troops inhabited overseas.

The Legionnaires also voted, vaulting Hungerford to a post on the Colorado Springs City Council and later electing him mayor.

Hungerford was among the leaders who helped craft Colorado Springs into the military powerhouse it is today, with five military bases, 40,000 active-duty troops and more than 80,000 veterans calling the Pikes Peak region home.

They managed to get Camp Carson here and the Air Force bases, and later the Air Force Academy, LaMee said.

That silk flag that flew over battlefields in France had a postwar role to play, too.

In World War I, the flag served as a way to rally troops. In the days before radios and GPS tracking, flags led the way.

Hungerford brought the battle-scarred Battery C colors back to Colorado Springs and donated them to the city.

After World War I, Colorado Springs became a mecca of sorts for veterans, drawing hundreds who had contracted tuberculosis in the trenches to come to the citys many health retreats.

The flag was later given to the new Legion post downtown, with instructions that it be flown at burial services for the units veterans.

It flew beside Hungerfords grave in 1949.

LaMee said the flag was rolled up on a shelf in the basement of the Legion hall. Its still bright colors were wrapped with three ribbons. When the flag was unfurled, brass plaques on its pole showed its significance.

It is made out of silk and the fringe is extremely thin, LaMee said. Its not what you see in todays Army units.

With 48 stars, its a reminder of a bygone era, and the doughboys who changed a city and a nation.

What stands out is their attitude, said Marshall Bostworth, who heads El Paso Countys Veterans Service Office. They went to war for their country, came home to raise their families and laid the groundwork for the next generation.

Noechel said the boys of Battery C turned Colorado Springs into one of the nations best communities for veterans long before the city became a hub for national defense.

We owe them everything, Noechel said. It was their vision to protect our country and protect our veterans.

Battery Cs battle flag has seen better days.

Because it was not stored properly there are a couple of holes, LaMee said. Some of the silk has deteriorated.

Because it is too frail to fly, the Legion has preserved it in an airtight mounting. Now behind glass, LaMee said the flag will be on display to honor those World War I heroes for decades to come.

LaMee said framing the flag and mounting it on a wall for the world to see rights a historic wrong.

It pains me to know their sacrifices had largely been forgotten, he said.

Contact Tom Roeder: 636-0240 Twitter: @xroederxEnglish Estonian

In October 2018 the unaudited consolidated sales revenue of PRFoods decreased by -18.5% y-o-y, i.e. by -1.6 million euros, reaching the level of 6.9 million euros.

Decrease in sales revenue was predictable as we are decreasing lower margin Norwegian salmon trade to other fish producers and focus more on our own products, including fresh fish direct sales to customers. Octobers revenues were also influenced by later usage of own farmed fish, as due to more favourable climate we started only in November (longer growing period provides better growth).

In the end of October, we started export to China from PRFoods factory in Great Britain as well as got new customers from EU and Switzerland. We expect significant improvement in profitability from Estonia and Great Britain. Profitability is decreasing in Trio Trading (merging into Heimon Kala Oy) due to the decrease of trading sales volume, but it is compensated by better profitability from other entities.

3rd quarter of 2018 intermediate report will be published at 30.11.2018. Last quarter of calendar year is traditionally the most important quarter for both turnover and profit, and we are optimistic about outlook of the quarter.

Revenue is divided by largest target markets in October as following: Finland 4.8 million euros, UK 1.0 million euros, Estonia 0.7 million euros, Latvia 0.1 million euros, France 0.1 million euros and Belgium 0.1 million euros. Remaining revenue 0.1 million euros consists of export to various countries.

Starting from 2018, the Group is publishing sales revenue monthly by product groups. Detailed overview of sales revenue by customer groups and countries will be published in quarterly report.

Revenues mln EUR 102018 102017 change change % Smoked products 2.9 3.3 -0.4 -10.9% Other fish products 0.8 0.9 -0.1 -12.8% Raw fish and fillets 3.2 4.2 -1.0 -23.8% Other 0.0 0.1 -0.1 -95.0% Total 6.9 8.5 -1.6 -18.5%

The largest decrease in October compared to previous year in revenue came from the raw fish and fillets products group, which decreased by -1.0 million euros, i.e. -23.8%. The revenue from the smoked products group decreased by -0.4 million euros, i.e. -10.9% and the revenue from the other fish product group decreased by -0.1 million euros, i.e. -12.8%.

Indrek Kasela

AS PRFoods

Member of the Management Board

Phone: +372 452 1470

investor@prfoods.ee

www.prfoods.eeQuote:

A. Leakey contributed to archaeology with her discovery of the earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and painstakingly documenting

Quote:

B. Leakey contributed to archaeology by her discovery of the earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and by painstakingly documenting

Quote:

C. Leakey was a contributor to archaeology with her discovery of the earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and with her painstaking documentation of

Quote:

D. Leakeys contributions to archaeology include her discovery of the earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and her painstaking documentation of

her discovery

her painstaking documentation

Quote:

E. Leakeys contributions to archaeology include her discovering the earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and painstaking documentation of

her discovering

painstaking documentation

This is a sneaky, sneaky question. The most important part of the sentence comes right at the beginning: in addition to her work Its not quite a comparison, but imagine what would happen if this said in contrast to her work Youd want to follow the comma with something that can be logically compared with her work on the Miocene hominid fossil record, right? And that would be Leakeys contributions not Leakey herself.The same is true with the in addition to. Its not ideal to say in addition to her work, Leakey (A), (B), and (C) are all flawed for that reason, but some of them have other issues, too.(A) also has a parallelism error. After the parallelism trigger and, we have painstakingly documenting. So we need something in the same format, and I just dont see any options. Her discovery would be the closest thing, but thats still not structurally parallel to painstakingly documenting. (A) is gone.The biggest problem with this is probably the in addition to her work, Leakey thing we discussed at the top. But I also think its wrong to say Leakey contributed by her discovery You could talk me into with her discovery or by documenting  but not by her discovery. Ditch (B).Leakey was a contributor to archaeology is a very odd way to say that she contributed to archaeology, but Im not 100% certain that its wrong. But we still have the same in addition to her work, Leakey thing that we discussed at the beginning. (C) is out.The beginning makes much more sense now: in addition to her work, Leakeys contributions to archaeology include Thats great, both because its parallel (two possessive nouns) and because it makes a whole lot of sense. The parallelism is better, too: Leakeys contributions to archaeology includeof the earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and Cant ask for much better. Keep (D).This isnt horrible, but its not as good as (D). First, include her discovering is pretty crappy  it makes much more sense to put the possessive her in front of the common noun discovery instead of the gerund discovering. The parallelism is also a little bit off: Leakeys contributions to archaeology includethe earliest direct evidence of hominid activity and Its weird to have the possessive + gerund in the first part, and then a nice noun in the second part of the parallel list.Again, (E) isnt a total disaster, but its clearly a weaker answer than (D)._________________Re: Linda Kerber argued in the mid-1980s that after the American [ #permalink

4 Kudos

According to the passage, within the field of educational history, Thomas Woodys 1929 work was

A. innovative because it relied on newspaper advertisements as evidence  when you call something innovative, youre targeting the approach behind it  the approach behind woodys work did not set it apart as per the passage  the subjects of his study (women and girls) did

B. exceptional in that it concentrated on the period before the American Revolution  it indeed was an exception with regards to the field at the time, however, it was the subjects of his study that set it apart rather than the period studied

C. unusual in that it focused on educational attitudes rather than on educational practices  nothing in the passage confirms that the usual norm was to focus on the educational practices

D. controversial in its claims regarding educational opportunities for boys  Woodys work having sparked off a controversy is probably the least inferable option

E. atypical in that it examined the education of girls  the answer choice mentions the subjects of his work / study  perfectly inferred from passage  CORRECT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the passage, Kerber argued that political leaders thought that the form of government adopted by the United States after the American Revolution depended on which of the following for its success?

A. Women assuming the sole (meaning them and them alone  extreme - AVOID) responsibility for instilling political virtue in children  passage confirm that mothers (not women in general) were an additional source of instilling virtue

B. Girls becoming the primary focus of a reformed educational system that emphasized political virtue  the educational system was never reformed as per the passage  the attention to female education saw an unprecedented rise as per the passage  however, girls becoming the primary focus and surpassing the boys regarding the focus give to them is not confirmed from the passage

C. The family serving as one of the primary means by which children were imbued with political virtue  one of the confirms the family to serve as an additional source to the ones already existing  pretty decent match of what passage say  CORRECT

D. The family assuming many of the functions previously performed by schools and churches  many of the functions is something not confirmed from the passage  the passage mentions the family to start acting as an additional source NOT taking over the roles of schools and churches

E. Men and women assuming equal responsibility for the management of schools, churches, and the family  neither the men nor the women are seen assuming any such responsibility anywhere in the passage

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The passage suggests that, with regard to the history of womens education in the United States, Kerbers work differs from Woodys primarily concerning which of the following?

A. The extent to which women were interested in pursuing educational opportunities in the eighteenth century  the only interest the passage concerns itself with is in getting the women educated at the governments end  the interest of the women themselves is not a part of the passage

B. The extent of the support for educational opportunities for girls prior to the American Revolution  passage confirm that while Woody believed such support had begun as early as the 1750s, Linda was of the opinion that the support only came into being post the revolution implying Linda to be of the opinion that such support had little existence prior to the revolution  perfectly inferable  CORRECT

C. The extent of public resistance to educational opportunities for women after the American Revolution  public or any resistance for that matter is never an issue raised in the passage

D. Whether attitudes toward womens educational opportunities changed during the eighteenth century  Had the two differed from each other regarding this exact point, Linda would have said NOT changed in response to Woody having said changed or vice versa  however note that the passage shows both of them to agree on the point that attitudes did change during the eighteenth century (the 1700s)  the only difference being Linda saying only after the American revolution (i.e. after 1783) and Woody saying from 1750 something

E. Whether women needed to be educated in order to contribute to the success of a republican form of government  the timeline of when the answer to the this option was realized as a YES answer is what the two differed on  not whether the answer to the option is YES or NO

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the passage, Kerber maintained that which of the following led to an increase in educational opportunities for women in the United States after the American Revolution?

A. An unprecedented demand by women For greater educational opportunities in the decades following the Revolution  the only thing unprecedented in the passage is the attention to female education which according to the passage is a part of the effect not cause  women are never seen to put forward any demand in the passage

B. A new political ideology calling for equality of opportunity between women and men in all aspects (specific to general) of life  the ideology isnt inclined towards inequality as much as it is towards ensuring a virtuous republican representation at the government level for which female education was seen as a must

C. A belief that the American educational system could be reformed only if women participated more fully in that system  the educational system is neither mentioned nor is the point of discussion here in the passage  the success of the republican form of government is  for more to be justified in this option there has to be a mention of some measure of participation in the passage  there is none

D. A belief that women needed to be educated if they were to contribute to the success of the nations new form of government  Initial part of passage perfectly summarized by this option  there is no such word in the option that may not be verified from the content of the passage  CORRECT

E. A recognition that women needed to be educated if they were to take an active role in the nations schools and churches  their education was seen necessary for raising politically virtuous sons  no such role (active or passive) is confirmed from the passageRequest for Profile Evaluation [ #permalink

Hey there,



Would be cool, if you can evaluate my profile as I plan to apply for some MiM programs in 2020.



My long term goal is to become a CSR leader,

My short term goal is to get into Management consulting, maybe digital branch.



I consider mostly theese bschools:

FSFM MiM

Imperial College MiM

ESCP Europe MiM

ESADE MiM



Some stats about me:



TOEFL IbT: 101/120

GMAT: Still in preparation, but a good GMAT score will be definitely possible. So consider one around 680?

GPA: DHBW Stuttgart (Computer Science) - will be 3.0



I am a german male, Age 20, graduating in 2019.

Im currently pretty demotivated because of the exotic study form i do. Im in my Computer Science Bachelor at the DHBW Stuttgart, studying dual. That means im working half the semester, and the other half im studying in classes and do normal exams. I guess, you can count that as 1,5 years internships at the same company during studies. In my early years, i viewed that as proof of my hard-working, focused personality. Today, im not so sure anymore. Because the company is no brand name and my studies are not that much theoretical as studies at a university (but instead give credits on some projects at the company), which i did not consider until now.

Does anyone of you have some experience with that? I already know that the Maastricht and Mannheim MiM accepted people from the DHBW who studied economics. But i totally have no clue about Computer Science Applicants.



Internships:

In my internships, i was working most of the time together with other people on business software applications. From the beginning till the end of the rollout at the customer.

That way i gained a lot of experience within the team, within the company software production process and the project stuff involved. I learned how the company functions from the top to the bottom and thats from where my interest in management comes from.

I was heading the interns for a project.

The advantage is, i was working all the time with the same company. But i guess that can also be a disadvantage, since no brand name.



Work Experience:

i will do 1 year of work experience after i finish my bachelor, probably as junior project leader. That way i can bring in some leading experience and work experience.



volunteer work:

I do tutoring for some students since a few months, in german, english and maths.



extra curricular:

I did not hold a good opinion about competitions, so i did not win any decent awards.

Im doing sports with a local workout group, also partly leading them. I was playing volleyball during my studies, and I did a lot of sports (swimming, climbing, race biking, jogging, participating every year in a racing bike marathon with ~3000 people) and music in my leisure time.

Also, over the past 3 years, i lived with indians, chinese and german people together and learned a lot about their culture. - I do not have a semester abroad or similiar.





Questions: I am very nervous about my study form and whether that is an advantage or disadvantage. Also, will they view me in the same pool with all indian male it engineers or somehow different since im from germany?



Looking forward to hearing all your thoughts and any advice for what to pay attention to. There is still potential, i just dont know how to enhance my chances the best.

A plan B for me would be, stopping doing my current bachelor and begin a fresh bachelor degree in economics with a quantitative background at a university, paying attention to a better GPA and relevant internships.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Kevin Dayhoff Contact info"Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object".HEGEL, Introduction to Philosophy of History (1852)Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.E-mail him at: kevindayhoff AT gmail.com Questions and feedback on the http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Email is best.Please be sure to put the word Soundtrack in the subject line. I read all of my mail, but cannot always respond due to time constraints.Anonymous mail is forwarded to the Department of Homeland Security (please include your phone number).All mail is subject to print, including your name. However, if you don't want me to publish your e-mail, or if you would like to remain anonymous, just let me know.The statements made on this web site reflect the personal opinions of the author.All opinions and any and all mistakes that may appear in this blog are my fault and mine alone and are not in any way shape or form made in any official capacity or any past, present or future employers.This blog is written for human consumption; however, it has only been tested on anthropomorphic replicants and android sheep. The Food and Drug Administration wanted it to be tested on animals.However, the animal rights activists protested, forcing me to abandon testing and release the distressed critters. I released them in the lobby of the animal rights office. I figured those friendly folks could best take care of the mice and we all shared a common goal  that the mice be free.Therefore this material has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The long-term effects of reading this material remain uncertain.Please proceed at your own risk.Unless noted, content on http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ is  Copyrighted to Kevin Dayhoff with all rights reserved.All information is peripatetically verified when possible, cited as appropriate and applied in the real world at your own risk (except for insights gathered at seances at Barbra Streisand's house).If you find a mistake, let me know and I will correct it.Remember, not all potatoes can swim; always keep plenty of ice cream available and do not run with sharp objects in your hands.2006 Kevin Dayhoff All rights reserved.All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org Westminster Eagle Opinion and Sunday Carroll Eagle http://explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/The call launched by King Mohammed VI to neighboring Algeria for a direct, open and frank dialogue to settle the transient and objective differences hampering the development of relations between the two countries has triggered positive reactions worldwide and earned the Sovereign praise in Africa, Europe, the UN and in the Arab world.

In a speech on the anniversary of the Green March celebrated last Tuesday (Nov.6), King Mohammed VI has made Moroccos good intentions clear calling on Algeria for dialogue to settle all differences poisoning bilateral relations.

In response to this wise initiative, the United Arab Emirates top diplomat Sheikh Abdallah Ben Zayed al-Nahyan voiced his countrys full backing to the initiative made by the Moroccan King for the normalization of relations with Algeria and ending the political deadlock.

He renewed support to Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara and to the autonomy plan for the Sahara that would allow the local inhabitants to exercise their right to run their affairs themselves, and to achieve integrated development in a free and stable environment.

Qatar also welcomed the royal initiative, saying it will usher in a constructive and fruitful dialogue between the two neighboring countries to settle all their pending issues.

Oman praised the content of the Royal speech and commended the Kings call for constructive dialogue with Algeria and for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

A statement carried by the Omani news agency said the call will strengthen security and stability in the Arab Maghreb region.

Bahrain also commended the royal initiative, stressing that this wise initiative reflects the Moroccan Kings commitment to dialogue and fraternal relations linking the two Maghreb countries.

A statement by the Bahraini Foreign Ministry said the royal initiative is meant to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two brotherly peoples.

In his outreach to Algeria, King Mohammed VI 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.

Manama hopes that this mechanism of consultation will help overcome the obstacles hindering the development of relations between the two countries and boost their capacities to serve the interests of Arab Maghreb states and joint Arab action, the statement said.

Bahrain reiterated its unwavering support for Moroccos legitimate rights over its southern provinces and for the autonomy initiative as a means to reach a political and lasting settlement under Moroccos sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Likewise, Jordan welcomed the Moroccan Kings call for a frank and direct dialogue with Algeria to break the existing impasse in relations and rebuild well-grounded ties based on fraternal solidarity and confidence, a statement by the foreign ministry said Friday.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said bridging differences between the two countries and turning over a new page of cooperation would further boost joint Arab solidarity, serve pan-Arab issues and overcome common challenges.

Safadi highlighted the central role of both Algeria and Morocco in the framework of the joint Arab action system, what makes the positive interaction a necessity serving the interests of the two brotherly countries.

The Foreign Minister renewed Jordans firm support for all efforts seeking to settle Arab disagreements and set up new mechanisms of effective cooperation among Arab states.Via @MartinDVassolo

Twenty-two improperly cast ballots, considered void due to mismatched signatures and other violations, were included Saturday in the final vote totals submitted by Broward County to the Florida Secretary of States office.

The illegal votes were part of a batch of 205 provisional ballots that were reviewed by the Broward canvassing board Friday evening.

Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes accidentally mixed the valid ballots with the invalid ones after she had initially removed the ballots from their envelopes.Via @doug_hanks and @KyraGurney

The stray ballots from the Opa-locka mail sorting facility arrived at Miami-Dades Elections Department on Saturday morning. There were 266 of them.

Suzy Trutie, a spokeswoman for the agency, disclosed the number Saturday night as Miami-Dade began recounting more than 800,000 ballots cast in the races for Floridas governor, senator and agriculture commissioner. The process is part of a statewide recount that must finish Thursday afternoon.

The Opa-locka ballots wont be counted. Florida law says county election offices can only count mail-in ballots that arrive by the time polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. Miami-Dade received 15,000 mail-in ballots on Tuesday while voting was under way, and those were added to the countys total of more than 813,000 votes.

Democrats have seized on reports of the late-arriving mailed ballots as proof that votes arent being counted in tight contests for governor and Senate that their candidates are currently losing. Photos posted on social media of the federal mail-processing facility showed mail-in ballots yet to be delivered, and Miami-Dades Election Department said those ballots arrived by mail on Saturday.

Trutie said late-arriving ballots are typical after an election. She could not give a count of the number of ballots Miami-Dade has received after Tuesday.

On Saturday morning, several dozen protesters gathered outside the Miami-Dade county elections department to demand that all ballots  including those found sitting inside a mail sorting facility in Opa-locka  be counted.

Click here to read the rest.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.

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MUGSHOTS.COM IS A NEWS ORGANIZATION. WE POST AND WRITE THOUSANDS OF NEWS STORIES A YEAR, MOST WANTED STORIES, EDITORIALS (UNDER CATEGORIES - BLOG) AND STORIES OF EXONERATIONS. OUR CONTENT REVOLVES AROUND CRIME, ARRESTS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT. WE BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO PUBLISH UNPOPULAR SPEECH. OPEN RECORD LAWS WERE WRITTEN TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC; BY INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF ARRESTS AND TO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ARRESTEES. MOST OF, IF NOT ALL MUGSHOT LAWS WERE CRAFTED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM FEES FOR REMOVAL OF ONLINE MUGSHOTS AND TO FURTHER PROTECT THE PRESS FROM THOSE VERY SAME "MUGSHOT LAWS".WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR REMOVAL OF ARREST INFORMATION AND/OR BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHS. MORE...Medical aid premiums for everyone older than 34 in South Africa can immediately increase by 15% if the government pushes through its proposed amendments to the Medical Aid Schemes Bill.

This is the warning from stakeholders who presented their feedback about the planned amendments to the Department of Health.

Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi has presented the National Health Insurance Bill and the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill.

Motsoaledi said the bills will pave the way for more access to medical healthcare and represent a massive shake-up to both the governmental and the private healthcare systems.

Motsoaledi outlined 10 major changes the Medical Schemes Amendment Bill will make to the Medical Schemes Act.

End of co-payments, which will force medical schemes to pay for the full amount charged to a patient. Abolishment of brokers, because nearly two-thirds of medical schemes clients pay R2.2 billion to brokers without their knowledge. Abolishment of Prescribed Minimum Benefits, which are set to be replaced with comprehensive service benefits. Addresses unequal benefit options, which prevents any medical scheme from implementing any benefit option. Offence for fake medical schemes, which makes it an offence for a business to label itself as a medical scheme should it not meet the current prescribed requirements under the Act. Creation of a central beneficiary registry, which enables the Registrar of Medical Schemes to understand the trends and behaviours of consumers when they are selecting a medical scheme. Income cross-subsidisation model, which forces medical schemes to ensure that the rich help subsidise the poor. Medical aids must pass back savings, where any cost-savings should be passed on to patients. Cancellation of membership, which removes the need to pay to receive cover after cancelling. Governance of medical aid schemes, which introduces minimum education requirements before someone is allowed to join a board of or become a CEO of a medical aid scheme.

Risk of higher premiums

Stakeholders have now warned that the proposed amendments can result in an immediate medical aid premium increase of 15% for many members.

Rapport reported that one of the biggest concerns is the limits proposed for contributions of children and young adults.

These amendments are:

A child beneficiary may not exceed 20% of the contribution payable in respect of an adult beneficiary.

A young adult beneficiary may not exceed 40% of the contribution payable in respect of an adult beneficiary.

These amendments, some stakeholders warned, can completely change the financial position of some funds.

Insight Actuaries and Consultants co-CEO Barry Childs said it can result in big increases for primary members, adult beneficiaries, pensioners, and single members.

The potential 15% increase will be over-and-above the already large increases which medical aid members face every year.The Sunday Times has reported that deputy president David Mabuza has been in Russia for 3 weeks on sick leave.

However, when asked about the sick leave and the medical treatment the deputy president was receiving, Mabuzas spokesperson said at no time did they state he was ill.

At no point did our statement say the deputy president is ill, but rather [it] says he is on sick leave, said the spokesperson.

Any costs related to the care of current and former heads of state are in the ambit of the relevant organs of state.

Sources close to Mabuza, though, said he was in Russia for treatment for issues arising from a poisoning incident 3 years ago.

Apparently only Russian specialist can help with the resulting health problems.

Another source stated that Mabuza does not trust South African doctors with his life.

President Cyril Ramaphosas office would not comment on the matter, stated the report.

The Sunday Times added that Mabuza has not appeared in public since 20 October, and that this is the second time he has gone to Russia for medical treatment.The executives in charge of South African universities are rewarded with very large pay cheques, the Sunday Times reports.

Many local university vice-chancellors received salaries north of R4 million for 2017, including executives from the University of Stellenbosch, University of the Witwatersrand, and University of Venda.

A large percentage of vice-chancellors are also rewarded with perks and bonuses in addition to their salaries, resulting in large payouts.

In the final year of his 12-year tenure, former University of Johannesburg vice-chancellor Ihron Rensburg received a base salary of R3.9 million and an extra R13.7 million in retention incentives accumulated over 10 years.

This meant that Rensburg received R17.6 million in his final year occupying the post of vice-chancellor.

UJ paid Rensburgs successor R5 million in his role as deputy vice-chancellor last year, which included a bonus of almost R700,000 and a R1.4-million retention incentive.

Salary regulation

According to the report, the salaries and bonuses paid to university executives have sparked calls for a probe by the department of higher education.

Former Durban University of Technology chairperson Jairam Reddy said the government should ask university councils to regulate the salaries of vice-chancellors.

If they fail to bring about regulation themselves, then the government may have to intervene because bridging the inequality gap in this country overrides everything else, Reddy told the Sunday Times.

He added that there can be no justification for bonuses and incentives, as it is not possible to award these same perks to all university employees.

A vice-chancellor who chose to remain anonymous told the Sunday Times that they acknowledge some university executives received exorbitant salaries and bonuses.

Universities SA CEO Ahmed Bawa noted that the turnover of university vice-chancellors in South Africa was very high, and this should be accounted for when councils set salaries for executives.

The department of higher education said it has no mechanism to regulate the pay of vice-chancellors at public universities, adding that it would examine the information in the 2017 annual reports and investigate salary payments which appear to be excessive.

This is not the only potential issue plaguing local universities, as a recent report found that the National Skills Fund (NSF) is being used largely to fund students pursuing humanities degrees instead of enabling much-needed artisans.

This has resulted in South African universities churning out a large number of students with soft degrees, saturating the market while exacerbating the shortage of technical graduates in the country.

Now read: South African blockchain startup launches free online universityFacebook Inc. had one major victory in the midterm elections: securing help from the government to keep foreign influence campaigns at bay.

As recently as September, the cooperation seemed difficult to achieve. While Facebook knew it would be held responsible for stopping the spread of misinformation, especially from foreign fake accounts, the company was nervous that it wouldnt be able to deliver on that promise without help from U.S. authorities, people familiar with the matter said at the time.

Now, communication lines have started to open between Facebook and federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to the company. Facebook also established relationships with state election boards, so it could be alerted to problems as they occurred. Those connections are likely to strengthen ahead of the 2020 presidential election, when foreign interest in election manipulation may be higher. Twitter Inc., too, has strengthened its relationship with federal law enforcement agencies, seeking to protect against foreign influence.

The relationship with law enforcement is crucial, said Emilio Ferrara, assistant research professor at the University of Southern California. This isnt a problem you can solve only in a technological way. Algorithms give you some help, but it brings you only that far.

The change came after aggressive outreach by Facebook, which intensified in September. As the company was being publicly questioned about and chastised for its response to the 2016 election, it was building relationships behind the scenes. Facebook said its executives and others met with hundreds of congressional offices to discuss election threats, and held open sessions for their staff once a week for the last few months. The company said it also offered individual election integrity briefings for every secretary of state and state election director.

By working with the government to share information on threats and bad actors we can identify and deal with problems faster, a Facebook spokesman said in a statement. This is especially important when it comes to foreign interference because governments typically have better access to intelligence than companies about these types of issues.

Sara Sendek, a DHS spokeswoman, wrote in an email that in the lead up to the midterms, the agency strengthened its relationship with social media companies and convened calls for the companies and election officials at the state and local level. Two such calls took place in August. Securing the electoral process is a shared responsibility, and these types of partnerships play an important role in our ability to share information and take action, she said.As many predicted, foreign governments tried to influence the midterms. The company disclosed several instances of coordinated political activity by Russia and Iran ahead of the election. But the most recent network of fake accounts, which Facebook took down right around Election Day, was based on a tip directly from federal agents  not something Facebook was able to find on its own. The tip came from the FBI, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified because it was private.

On the eve of the election, you have Facebook and Instagram taking down dozens of suspected Russian accounts on a tip-off from law enforcement, and publishing the news as soon as they did it, said Ben Nimmo, a senior fellow at the Digital Forensic Research Lab, a network of researchers studying disinformation. That kind of cooperation shows were light years away from 2016.

During the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, technology companies were unaware  even in denial  that their platforms could be used for election manipulation. Researchers now cite the relationship that the technology companies have built with law enforcement as a key part of cleaning up Twitter and Facebook.

During the midterm elections, the troublesome content from domestic sources outweighed any foreign interference, researchers said. Twitter concluded that while it did see some malicious activity on the platform, it was mostly low volume and low reach voter supressive content, according to a tweet from the company.

Twitter said it has spent months meeting with the DHS in person and creating direct points of contact for the officials. The company has also created an online portal for government officials, law enforcement, and researchers to report any unusual activity they see, according to the company. While our investigations will continue, it was evident on Election Day that we were more efficiently able to combat threats to information integrity through these partnerships, a Twitter spokesperson said.

Though the companies appeared to pass this crucial test, the midterm elections are also a more complicated contest to manipulate, according to Nimmo. Its likely that foreign meddlers are saving their best tactics for the presidential election, he said.

2020 is a big target and its going to be a big problem, Nimmo said. 2020 is a much more attractive target for foreign influence operations and its a much easier one since its a binary choice. Its going to be harder to defend against.

Now read: Facebook cracks down on terrorist postsE-levy is not the best of ...* "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , November 2021.

* "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , November 2021.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020.

* PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018.

* IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

* Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013.

* Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011.

2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100.

* Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010.

* Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010.

* Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010.

* Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll.

Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008.A century ago, the four-year-long nightmare eventually called World War I finally came to a halt on Nov. 11, 1918. That date now goes by several names - Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Veterans Day - and on it we honor the fallen, which in the case of the supposed "War to End All Wars" amounts to roughly 20 million soldiers and civilians. That number doesn't include the additional 21 million people who were wounded, sometimes grievously. And for what? The war accomplished only one thing beyond doubt: In the muddy trenches of France and the killing fields of Flanders, the 19th century slowly died. Never such innocence again.

The conflict also took the lives of many promising young writers, some of whom are memorialized in two recent paperbacks: "The Penguin Book of First World War Stories," edited by Barbara Korte and Anne-Marie Einhaus, and "The Penguin Book of First World War Poetry," edited by George Walter. The prose anthology spotlights, among much else, Arthur Conan Doyle's account of Sherlock Holmes' war service, "His Last Bow," and Arthur Machen's "The Bowmen," which gave rise to the legend of the Angels of Mons. Even now, it is said, some people still believe that an English squadron, under intense attack, was miraculously saved by a company of spectral archers. German soldiers were even, supposedly, found dead from arrow wounds.

Walter's complementary and equally superb poetry collection is organized by subject - "In Training," "In Trenches," "Rendezvous With Death" - and reprints the work of unfamiliar poets as well as famous ones such as Wilfred Owen, Rupert Brooke, Isaac Rosenberg and Edward Thomas. None of these four young Englishmen survived the war.

Those who did, such as Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon, were changed men. In the former's "Good-Bye to All That" and the latter's autobiographical "Complete Memoirs of George Sherston" (comprising "Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man," "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer" and "Sherston's Progress" - all three available from Penguin), the horrors of no man's land are vividly, harrowingly relived. Of course, French and German combatants also brought out accounts of their analogous experiences, notably Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front," Henri Barbusse's anecdotal but grim "Under Fire" and Ernst Junger's Homeric paean to martial valor, "Storm of Steel."

While the above writers, poets and memoirists are, for the most part, familiar chroniclers of World War I, this isn't true of W.F. Morris (1892-1975). Yet in 1929 Morris published an extraordinary novel that merits rediscovery. Not that "Bretherton: Khaki or Field Grey?" or, as it was titled in its American edition, "G.B.: A Story of the Great War," is completely unknown: Eric Ambler listed it among his top five spy thrillers. In fact, "Bretherton" covers nearly every aspect of the 1914-1918 conflict: the gallows humor of the English Tommies, night maneuvers in France, romance-filled interludes away from the front, the Battle of the Somme, a suspenseful escape from a prison camp. More surprisingly, several key chapters sympathetically portray German soldiers as patriotic and admirable. From every viewpoint, "Bretherton" is unexpected, complex and thrilling, starting with its opening chapter.

In the closing hours of the war, a young officer named Gurney happens upon a bombed-out chateau from which he hears "Just a Song at Twilight" being played on a piano. After he cautiously enters the house, he discovers a beautiful young woman in an evening dress dead on a sofa. At the piano is a dead man wearing the uniform of a German general. When Gurney looks more closely at him, he undergoes "the greatest shock of my life." The face is that of his friend and comrade G.B. - Gerard Bretherton - with whom he had chatted briefly just the day before. What does it all mean? There appear to be two equally unlikely alternatives: "G.B. was either a British spy in the German Army or a German spy in the British Army." Or could there be another explanation?

Morris now shifts narrators, as an officer named Baron recounts certain enigmatic events back in 1915, most notably the disappearance of an important map. Is someone passing information to the enemy? To the reader, G.B. appears the likely double agent. After all, he passed much of his youth in Germany and speaks the language perfectly. He sometimes even defends the Bosche as simply doing his duty as the Tommies are doing theirs.

Throughout the novel, slang-filled repartee alternates with scenes of tenderness, desperation and shock. On one night patrol, Baron is crawling on all fours when he encounters a dead body. "My forearm came down on the faded grey cloth. Down it went, but not against resistance; it clove through a damp sticky substance like rotten pears to the earth below, and I snatched it away covered with green frothy slime, having raised a stench that is indescribable."

Meanwhile, at the front lines, the antlike construction of trenches never ceases: "Endless streams of men coming and going; staggering under heavy loads; half-naked and sweating; manhandling guns into pits; digging, marching, falling into shell-holes, cursing, laughing, singing softly to the orchestra of the guns." When Baron later peers down the barrel of his rifle at a German charging toward him, he squeezes the trigger until "the sights ran unimpeded to the opposite hill-slope."

Army life also features the exhilaration of a return home on leave, first for Baron, then for G.B., both of whom are attracted to Gurney's twin sister, Helen. Later, a German colonel named Otto von Wahnheim falls in love with the widowed Duchess of Wittelsberg-Strelitz, his lieutenant's twin sister. Again and again, Morris sets up these eerie German-English parallels, arguably suggesting moral equivalency between the sworn enemies.

But I should say no more. "Bretherton" is a haunting mystery-thriller, of considerable narrative complexity, and a lost masterpiece of World War I literature. Read it and weep.Napa County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barbara Nemko and Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) teacher Julie Lovie of Valley Oak High School were named Administrator of the Year and Teacher of the Year, respectively, at the 8th annual Conference on Integrated Computing and STEM (C- STEM) Education at UC Davis.

Nemko and Lovie received their awards on Saturday, Nov. 3.

C-STEM is a nationally known math program from UC Davis that combines algebra and geometry with coding and robotics. The annual conference provides a forum for K-14 educators, administrators and researchers from all around California to share their experiences with preparing students for college and careers in STEM-related fields.

In addition to the awards, NVUSD was prominently featured in three conference sessions.

American Canyon High School teacher Scott Marsden presented on RoboBlockly, a web-based robot simulation environment for learning coding and math.

Tammy Lee, a teacher at American Canyon Middle School, participated on the Diversity and Inclusion: Girls In Robotic Leadership panel.

Dr. Peg Maddocks, executive director of NapaLearns, moderated a panel on Secondary School Math with Computing and Robotics: Opening the Gate for STEM Careers. Lovie participated on the panel.

Since 2012, Dr. Nemko has promoted the adoption of the C-STEM curriculum, which started in American Canyon High and Middle schools with two teachers. Since then she has partnered with education non-profit NapaLearns to fund and expand the program.

Julie Lovie teaches at Valley Oak High, an alternative high school for students who are struggling. Often, Valley Oak students have large gaps in their understanding of math, and traditional teaching methods arent effective. Lovie was determined to find a new way to connect students to numbers and formulas, which she did by introducing the C-STEM program.

Lovie teaches two sections of math with robotics. In the spring of 2018, she also recruited a robotics team of six students to attend the C-STEM competition at UC Davis for the first time. Valley Oak was the only continuation school at the competition.19582018

Malinda Ann Lowney (Murray), age 60, went to be with her Lord on Monday, November 5, 2018. She was born on April 19, 1958, in Napa, California, to George Alan Murray and Donna Marie Murray. She graduated Justin-Siena High School in Napa then graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with an associates degree in health sciences with an emphasis in the dental program. Her favorite subjects were science and biology.

She married John Phillip Lowney III on September 26, 1992, in Napa, CA and they lived in Napa for eight then moved to Chandler, Arizona. The loves of her life were her two sons Colin and Ian. They keep Malinda very busy with sporting and theatre activities, which she loved to attend. She worked for Dr. David Gladden as his chairside dental assistant for many years. In Arizona, she worked for American Healthways as a medical call center for sixteen years.

Malinda loved her walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and used bible verses to strengthen her walk and to assist others. One of her favorite verse was Micah 6.8. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Malinda loved to care for all types of animals including dogs, cats, and goats but she truly enjoyed recusing cats. From a very young age, she adopted many cats including Sam, Smokie, Grand, Snoops Cat, and many others.

Survived by her husband, John Lowney, and sons: Colin and Ian, and her brother Mike and mother-in-law, Karen Carson and sister-in-law, Susannah Carson. She had many cousins would reside in California, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

Our family would like to thank all the family and friends that have lent support to John, Colin, and Ian during these trying times.

No memorial service will be held based on Malindas wishes.You would not have wanted to walk in my shoes in recent days. I was in an uphill fight to be serviced by our local pharmacies.

People over 50  people like me  become increasingly likely to develop shingles, a viral infection whose hallmark is burning pain. One in three of us will be stricken.

I had been nonchalant about the shingles threat until last summer when I learned that Cheryls father had once suffered shingles of the penis. One could only imagine the horror!

That bit of family lore, combined with the news that a super-effective vaccine, Shingrix, had just come on the market, got me to Costco for a shot.

I suffered a mild fever for three days, but made sure to mark all my calendars for the essential follow-up shot two to six months later.

Heres where things got complicated. When I revisited Costco two months later, they were out of Shingrix. Theres a national shortage of the vaccine, the clerk said, and no telling when theyll get a new supply.

Call it overreacting, but I felt Id received a death sentence.

Cheryl didnt feel cheery either. Shed been hoping to get her first shot when I got my second.

I slunk back to Napa, failing to ask Costco if first-shot people would be a priority when the next Shingrix shipment came in. And supposing one did, how would I even know?

Internet research suggested that the Shingrix shortage was a real thing. The manufacturer, GSK, hadnt anticipated the demand. Health experts were advising some one-shot people like me to seek out the older, less effective vaccine to tide them over.

I tried to play it cool. I had nearly four months to find a stocked pharmacy.

Only I couldnt quell the queasy feeling that my very life was now at risk. So I started dialing.

A CVS in Napa told me they didnt have Shingrix, but the word on the street was that Safeway on Trancas would be getting some.

My chat with the Safeway pharmacist was most interesting. Without admitting whether she did or didnt have Shingrix, she wanted to know where Id gotten my first shot.

Out of county, I said. While on a trip.

She sniffed a rat. Exactly where was this trip?

She had me. At a Costco in Solano County, I said, but the vaccination wasnt planned. Like so much at Costco, my shot was an impulse buy. Doesnt it count that my wife has a Safeway card and spends gobs of money on groceries?

It did not count. We have to take care of loyal, first-shot Safeway customers first, the pharmacist said.

A similar conversation played out over the phone at a second Napa CVS, only this time the clerk/pharmacist took pity on me. Rather than have me turn to the black market, she put my name on their wait list.

As for when more Shingrix would arrive, she had no idea.

At this point Cheryl, who has superior shopping skills, took over. She wasnt about to have shingles strike any of my body parts.

She called me at work the next day. I had to get my butt over to the Fairfield Costco IMMEDIATELY. They had four doses of Shingrex available for second-shot customers.

Immediately was not possible. I was in the process of putting out the weekend papers. Nor did I want to race over after work, fighting rush hour traffic, on a likely wild goose chase.

Instead, I went home grumbling about the unfairness of life.

Minutes before the Costco pharmacy closed that evening, Cheryl called again. Any Shingrix still available?

Costco wouldnt answer that question until she provided my name and DOB. They wanted to verify that Id received my first shot there.

Only then did the clerk say yes, a single dose was available.

I wanted that dose of Shingrix so badly I had trouble sleeping. We had one mission and one mission only the next morning: Be at Costco the moment it opened.

At 9:30 sharp, I bolted for the pharmacy to present my Shingrix-deficient self.

That remaining single dose? I got it.

Never has a needle in the arm felt so good.

Kevin can be reached at 707-256-2217 or Napa Valley Register, 1615 Soscol Ave., Napa, 94559, or kcourtney@napanews.com.

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.President Donald Trump can't fire the FBI.

Minutes before ridding himself of Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday, Trump answered a question about the Russia investigation at a White House news conference: "I could end it right now. I could say, 'That investigation is over.'"

He could try.

He could order Sessions's replacement, Matthew Whitaker, who has mused wistfully about stifling the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller, to play the role of political assassin. He could direct Whitaker to cut the special counsel's budget to zero. He could tell him to limit the inquiry's scope. He could try to oust Mueller and to make sure his investigative report never sees the light of day. He could fire the FBI director, Christopher Wray - just as he fired the previous director, James Comey, last year - and put a political puppet in his place.

He could do any or all of these things, as politically foolhardy and constitutionally perilous as they might seem, while the Republicans who control the Senate look on and do nothing.

But short of sending tanks down Pennsylvania Avenue and blowing the J. Edgar Hoover Building to smithereens, Trump cannot stop the FBI. No commander in chief ever has, not before Hoover died 46 years ago, and certainly not since.

The 21st-century FBI, for all its flaws, has escaped the darkness of Hoover's shadow, a legacy of warrantless wiretapping and vengeful attacks against the director's enemies. It is in great part the creation of Mueller, who ran it from 2001 to 2013.

It is decidedly not a political tool to be manipulated by presidents. It is as independent as a hog on ice - once launched, it has a mind of its own. I've been convinced of this while working on a five-hour documentary about how the FBI has confronted presidents who violated their oath of office. ("Enemies" debuts Nov. 18 on Showtime.)

The FBI has faced down five commanders in chief who threatened to run the ship of state aground: in the Watergate scandal, in the Iran-contra imbroglio, in the Monica Lewinsky affair, in the matter of post-9/11 spying on Americans and in its criminal investigation of the Trump team. Its record isn't perfect, but it has by and large upheld the rule of law.

In no case was a president able to disrupt or derail an FBI investigation. In every case the bureau preserved evidence, pursued facts and persevered. The truth is that the FBI has the power to say no to presidents, but presidents can't easily say no to the FBI.

Presidents have been caught bending and even breaking the bounds set by their oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution. The bureau can check them with its immense investigative force, which gives it the ability to execute subpoenas and seize records inside the West Wing, to reveal the deepest secrets and expose the boldest lies: "I'm not a crook." "We did not - repeat, did not - trade weapons or anything else for hostages." "I did not have sexual relations with that woman." The FBI proved these presidential statements false.

The FBI can't thwart Trump's long train of abuses against the Constitution, common sense and common decency. But in time - since neither can Trump cavalierly counteract the momentum of the evidence accumulating against him and his close confidants -- it may establish that he is a common crook.

President George W. Bush couldn't stop Mueller, then the FBI director, from compelling him to scale back his illegal eavesdropping on Americans. "I am forced to withdraw the FBI from participation in the program," Mueller wrote in a letter he carried to the White House in 2004. If the president did not back down, "I would be constrained to resign as Director of the FBI." (Senior Justice Department officials, including Comey and, lest we forget, Wray, also threatened to resign in protest.) Bush backed down.

President Bill Clinton couldn't stop the FBI from drawing blood from his arm; the DNA evidence proved he had lied under oath about his sex life. That led directly to his impeachment.

President Ronald Reagan couldn't stop the FBI from raiding the National Security Council's offices, where agents found proof that the United States had sold weapons to Iran and skimmed the profits to finance the Central American counterrevolutionaries known as the contras, aid that Congress had expressly forbidden. The bureau's work resulted in the indictments of 12 top national security officials. President George H.W. Bush pardoned the Iran-contra gang, but a law-breaking administration had been caught red-handed and brought to heel by the FBI.

Not even Richard Nixon could stop the G-men. God knows he tried. Trump is no student of history, but he would do well to recall Nixon's battle with the bureau.

When Hoover died in May 1972 - six weeks before the Watergate break-in - Nixon installed a politically loyal stooge, L. Patrick Gray, in his place. "You've got to be a conspirator," Nixon counseled Gray. "You've got to be totally ruthless." Nixon tried to sabotage the FBI as soon as it started looking into the break-in, ordering the CIA to obstruct the bureau's investigation, on spurious national security grounds. Gray destroyed devasting evidence linking the White House to the Watergate burglars. But to a man, the FBI agents on the case fought furiously against Gray's attempts to undermine them.

Five leakers at high levels of the bureau made sure word got out. These included not only Associate Director Mark Felt, a.k.a. "Deep Throat," but the head of the Washington field office, the supervisor who kept the running chronology of the case, and the chief and the lead agent of the white-collar-crime division. "They would meet at the end of the day and discuss what happened, what they knew, in the investigation," Paul Daly, an intelligence division agent, said in an FBI oral history. "They would make a decision, a conscious decision, to leak to the newspapers. They did that because of the White House obstructing the investigation."

Defying the president, his attorney general and the FBI director, they followed the evidence that made Nixon an unindicted co-conspirator in the obstruction of justice - and sent the men who had served as his campaign manager, attorney general, chief of staff and counsel to prison.

Nixon fired the Watergate special prosecutor and got rid of the attorney general and his deputy, who stood in the way of his wrath. It was all in vain. Though many despaired in the immediate wake of this "Saturday Night Massacre" - the special prosecutor's spokesman said he was going home to read up on the Reichstag fire - a new special prosecutor went to work, and a new attorney general supported him. The wheels of justice rolled on.

Trump may be counting on Whitaker to be his ruthless executioner. The acting attorney general should take care not to become the president's co-conspirator in any obstruction of justice. Mueller's grand jury might judge him harshly.

If Trump follows Nixon down the road to hell, the FBI will be on the case. As Asha Rangappa, a former FBI counterintelligence agent, recently wrote in the New York Times, "To 'shut down' the investigation at this point would require not just a face-off with Mr. Mueller but also with special agents in charge of multiple field offices with a vested interest in seeing their responsibilities through." Trump may fight the law, but the law will win in the end.

The FBI has been toiling on this investigation for almost 18 months. It has the power to pore over the president's tax returns and his business records. It has proved, through the guilty plea of Trump's fixer, Michael Cohen, that his hush-money payoffs broke campaign finance laws. Cohen knows the inner workings of the Trump Organization. Paul Manafort knows a great deal about the 2016 Trump campaign, which he ran during and after the Republican National Convention. The government may reveal the extent of their cooperation at their imminent sentencings. Trump cannot derail investigations and prosecutions that may arise from their revelations.

FBI agents have gathered a mountain of evidence for Mueller and for U.S. attorneys in Washington, New York and Virginia. They know a lot about Trump that we do not know. And that evidence can be preserved on flash drives that cannot be deleted by presidential edict - or shredded by criminal enablers.

Trump could fire the federal prosecutors - but others would replace them. And under the law, Mueller can be fired only for "good cause," such as legal misconduct or a conflict of interest. There is no such cause, despite the president's baseless assertions that the investigators are politically biased.

Even if Whitaker tries to deep-six the special counsel's report, the underlying facts cannot be erased. The report will not be easily sealed and suppressed. Democrats in Congress will use subpoena power to try to lay hands on it. They can certainly call Mueller as a witness.

The FBI and Mueller already have established through indictments and convictions that members of Trump's team (and Vladimir Putin's) participated in a wide-ranging conspiracy to "obstruct the lawful functions of the United States government through fraud and deceit." The statute at the root of the investigation - 18 USC 371 - covers violations of tax laws and election laws, witness tampering, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. Trump potentially has criminal exposure on at least some of these fronts. And if that catches up to him while he is in office, he has only one clear way out: He can pardon himself. That would abrogate the ancient rule of law holding that no one can be his own judge and jury. Even his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has called that idea "unthinkable."

A Justice Department guideline holds that a sitting president cannot be indicted. And so Trump may serve out his time in office untouched by the long arm of the law, unruffled by the prospect of a Senate trial on impeachment, untroubled by the threat of indictment. Citizen Trump, by contrast, may face considerable peril.

His "enemies," as Nixon once described any who got in his lawless way, may hold a sliver of hope that someday public servants with the FBI emblem on their backs will visit him in one of his gilded palaces and bring him to justice.

Tim Weiner's reporting and writing on national security have won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. He is the author of Enemies: A History of the FBI and Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA. He wrote this for The Washington Post.Another week, another mass shooting.

This week, it was 12 young people at a country music bar in Thousand Oaks.

Last week, it was three dead in a Yoga studio in Tallahassee. The week before, it was 11 worshipers in a Pittsburgh synagogue and two black shoppers in a store in Kentucky. Before that, four children shot to death by their suicidal adoptive mother in Tennessee.

The list simply goes on endlessly. It would be all too easy to become numb in the face of the senseless and endless slaughter.

And yet, this weeks horror hits so very close to home. Among the dead in Thousands Oaks was 18-year-old Alaina Housley, the daughter of a well-known Napa family  her father is a successful business owner and her mother is an educator. She was off on her own promising adventure in life  an athlete, a musician and a scholar at Pepperdine University.

On Thursday, we spoke with a visibly emotional Congressman Mike Thompson and he asked the right question: How long can we keep lowering the flags to half-staff before it stops meaning anything?

In the wake of the horrifying school shooting in Parkland, Florida earlier this year, we said that the time for inaction is over.

And yet, here we are again. More shootings, more inaction.

There are perfectly reasonable steps we can take to limit the flood of firearms in our society, starting with the sensible and limited (and clearly constitutional) proposals pushed for years by Thompson and many of his fellow legislators: universal background checks for all gun purchases; improvements to the database of people ineligible to buy a gun, on which the background system is based; bans on extra-lethal accessories, such as the bump stocks used in the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, and extra-capacity magazines, such as the one reportedly used by the gunman in Thousand Oaks; and an end to the de facto ban on use of federal funds to investigate causes of and solutions for gun violence.

No one of these laws would definitely have stopped the recent shootings, but taken together, they could reduce the ease with which homicidal people can give into their lethal urges.

We have said it before, but it bears repeating: Just because we cant solve everything, doesnt mean we should do nothing.

Lowered flags, thoughts and prayers, vigils and tears are all very well, but nothing substitutes for action.

But its not just a question of guns. Its also a question of mental health. Like the gunman in The Pathway Home shooting in Yountville earlier this year, the gunman in Thousand Oaks was a former service member who returned from war with psychological damage. We dont know the role it played in Thursdays shooting, but it is clear that he had been acting erratically enough to cause concern by law enforcement.

The federal and state governments have failed people like these two young men  and have failed everyone who suffers the effects of trauma and mental illness. We need to fund robust programs to help people who need mental and emotional support.

And yet even better gun control and better mental health care are not enough. We need to repair the very fabric of our society. The gunmen in Pittsburgh and Tallahassee were members of violent extremist subcultures  one a virulent anti-Semite, the other an incel, a noxious misogynist belief that holds that women are unjustly denying sex from deserving men.

Like members of violent terrorist groups abroad, these men were socially isolated, nursing deep grievances and subject to radicalization on the darker corners of the internet. We need, as a society and a government, to recognize the threat of this kind of domestic radicalism and take steps to counter the violent propaganda that feeds it, and to support the isolated people that fall into it.

There is simply no reason why Alaina Housley  or any of the thousands of others killed senselessly in the U.S. every year  had to die.

The Napa Valley Register Editorial Board consists of Publisher Davis Taylor, Editor Sean Scully, and public members Cindy Webber, Ed Shenk, Mary Jean Mclaughlin and Chris Hammaker.18 citizens are apprehended for participation in Yerevan protests

Russian peacekeepers ensure control in Nagorno-Karabakh

Carbon monoxide causes death in Yerevan

In Yerevan, citizens block main streets to draw attention to the situation at the border

El Salvador plans to build the world's first Bitcoin city

Canadian portal publishes list of countries with strongest Air Force on Earth

Japan announces self-destruction of COVID-19 delta strain

Israel to sign solar energy agreement with Jordan in UAE

Japan concerned over joint air patrols of Russia and China near country's borders

In Mexico, 600 migrants were found in two trucks

Europe protests against coronavirus restrictions

Commander of Russian airbase in Armenia: Ready to perform tasks as intended

US is going to build a nuclear power plant on the moon

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?Yes, Simon's Cat is between the covers again The new book is called Simon's Cat vs the World and you can win your own copy, acco...Armenian Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended a ceremonious event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, Governments press service reported.

Nikol Pashinyan and his spouse Anna Hakobyan arrived in the Elysee Palace, as they were met by French President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron.

The Acting Prime Minister joined the heads of state, government and international organizations participating in the events dedicated to the Armistice Centenary for the Place Charles de Gaulle Square in Paris where the ceremony was to be held.

President Emmanuel Macron inspected the military parade, followed by a tribute of honor to those who fell for the sake of France and a minute of silence, which was followed by the national anthem of the French Republic and a cultural program.

The event was concluded with a symbolic ceremony near the eternal fire: students surrounded the French President and, held hands in a chain as a sign of collective revival.

Nikol Pashinyan is next scheduled to attend the Paris Peace Conference as part of the events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Ceasefire.2018 Veterans Day Parade in New York City A woman holds flags for the Veterans Day parade in New York on Nov. 11, 2018. (Photo: Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)

New York City hosted its annual Veterans Day Parade, the largest celebration of service in the nation, on Nov. 11. Americas Parade featured more than 20,000 participants, with 300 marching bands, floats, veterans groups and military units.

At 11 a.m.  the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month  a solemn hush fell over Manhattans Madison Square Park as veterans laid wreaths under the Eternal Light Flagstaff to honor the fallen. Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg (U.S. Army, Afghanistan) was this years grand marshal.

This years parade commemorates the centennial of the end of World War I in 1918. The Army was this years featured military branch. As always, the Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were also represented in a national network of events working toward the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day in 2019. (Yahoo News)

Photography by Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr.He was a father figure. And was killed in the same locality where we had found the bullet perforated body of his father some 20 years ago, said a family member.

Gulzar Bhat

Pulwama, Nov 10: Instead of lullabies, Liaqat Muneer Wani, grew up listening to the tales of valour and the extra-judicial killing of his father, say the residents of Below, his native village. Liaqat was hardly a year old when his mother died. Just a year later, his militant father Muneer Ahmad Wani was killed allegedly in a staged encounter in the immediate vicinity of Ticken village where the junior Wani along with an associate fell to the bullets of government forces on early Saturday morning.

According to family members, late Muneer was a government employee with education department. In 1989, when the youth in the Valley joined militancy en masse, he quit his job and crossed over to Pakistan administered Kashmir to receive the arms training. After a few months, the former government employee returned as a trained guerrilla.

He remained active for well-nigh nine years and was elevated to the position of divisional commander, said a local resident, adding that he was loved by all and sundry in the area.

On 26 January 1998, according to the family, Muneer was allegedly picked up from Srinagar and killed four days later.

They said Liaqat never tired of listening to the stories about his father and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

.but the tale of the killing of his father would always perturb and unsettle him, said a relative of Liaqat.

After graduating in arts from Degree College Pulwama, Liaqat joined the militancy on 10 March 2017.

He was a father figure. And was killed in the same locality where we had found the bullet perforated body of his father some 20 years ago, said a family member.Kabeli Corridor Transmission Line: Forest Ministrys indecision delays project development

The construction of the Kabeli Corridor Transmission Line is in limbo due to the Forest Ministrys dillydallying in providing clearance to cut down trees to make way for the power line. The project is touted as the backbone of the electricity transmission system for the eastern region of Nepal.Man dies in Deusi clash

A man died in a clash during a Deusi programme in Hetauda, Makwanpur, on Wednesday night.Nirmalas parents begin indefinite sit-in in Kanchanpur

Parents of Nirmala Pant, the 13-year-old girl from Kanchanpur who was raped and murderd some three and a half months ago, in an attempt to pressurise the authorities to identify and arrest the culprit(s) behind the crime, started their indefinite sit-in protest in front of District Administration Office, Kanchanpur from 11am on Sunday.NSU shut down Kavre schools demanding release of arrested cadre

Nepal Student Union, student wing of Nepali Congress, have shut down educational institutes in Kavre district on Sunday demanding release of its student leader.In June 2018, New Zealand King Salmon Investments Limited (NZSE:NZK) announced its earnings update. Overall, analyst consensus outlook appear cautiously subdued, with earnings expected to grow by 3.7% in the upcoming year compared with the higher past 5-year average growth rate of 38%. By 2019, we can expect New Zealand King Salmon Investmentss bottom line to reach NZ$17m, a jump from the current trailing-twelve-month NZ$16m. I will provide a brief commentary around the figures and analyst expectations in the near term. For those interested in more of an analysis of the company, you can research its fundamentals here.

See our latest analysis for New Zealand King Salmon Investments

How is New Zealand King Salmon Investments going to perform in the near future?

The view from 2 analysts over the next three years is one of positive sentiment. Broker analysts tend to forecast up to three years ahead due to a lack of clarity around the business trajectory beyond this. To get an idea of the overall earnings growth trend for NZK, Ive plotted out each years earnings expectations and inserted a line of best fit to determine an annual rate of growth from the slope of this line.

NZSE:NZK Future Profit November 9th 18

From the current net income level of NZ$16m and the final forecast of NZ$27m by 2021, the annual rate of growth for NZKs earnings is 19%. EPS reaches NZ$0.20 in the final year of forecast compared to the current NZ$0.12 EPS today. The primary reason for earnings growth is due to cost-cutting initiatives, since top-line is predicted to rise at a slower pace than earnings. Margins is currently sitting at 10%, which is expected to expand to 13% by 2021.

Next Steps:

Future outlook is only one aspect when youre building an investment case for a stock. For New Zealand King Salmon Investments, there are three fundamental aspects you should further examine:

Financial Health: Does it have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does New Zealand King Salmon Investmentss growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High-Growth Alternatives : Are there other high-growth stocks you could be holding instead of New Zealand King Salmon Investments? Explore our interactive list of stocks with large growth potential to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements.



The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com.Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade.I'm gonna miss Kate as Sessions

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I don't know how she manages to keep a straight face during this.

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oh my god de niro again

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Kate Mckinnon is so lovely but she plays sessions so sleazy and creepy it makes my skin crawl lol. So basically she is completely embodying sessions

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Liev is so fine but Im worried he cant do comedy

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he comes across as someone who takes himself very seriously



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he was in goon (i haven't seen the second one) which was a comedy and i thought he was really good in it. it looked like he was having a lot of fun which made his role more enjoyable.

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yeah he was a bit weak imo. he does drama/action best.

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Honestly what are either of the people hosting and singing tonight advertising lmao

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Wow i haven't watched this show since July? I think from a combination of work and shit, I don't recognize half of these people.

Two of them look the same and one looks like Paul Hardcastle.

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he nervous

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From the January Jones School of Reading Cue Cards

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The very school Ms. Jones founded and dropped out of.

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What are those huge ass flowers by the guitarist on the left. Were they always there.

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How is Xfinity going to have a commercial claiming to keep us connected when it took us a month to get internet back.....

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one joke sketch

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I feel like this host/musical guest combo is about 10 years too late.

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this is terrible

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Linkmeh. their museum, their rules imo.

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tbh i don't know her, just based my comment on the info in the post.

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Mte. She sounds entitled tbh



Edited at 2018-11-11 05:32 pm (UTC)

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We had to turn away a woman at my museum whose bare ass was hanging out the bottom of her dress (no underwear) and looked about 3 centimeters away from her vagina popping out. It is what it is, man.

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I saw this. I thought that she looked it up and there isnt actually a dress code. And it was the guard being a pos. But the Louvre hasnt come out and said anything

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Seen people turned away at the Louvre for wearing more than that.

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Really unfair that happened to her.

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I mean, I don't get the problem. Are there naked people on the walls?

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Shes not on the walls or in the sculpture sections tho?



I wouldnt class her attire as going to the museum during the day wear more going to the club wear

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I'm sorry, is it not 12 degrees and rainy in Paris right now?

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well it's definitely not weather appropriate given the rain & cold we've had this week

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Her outfit is vulgar, contextually ridiculous and weather inappropriate, but she broke no museum rules and should not have been denied entrance.

The guard's job is making sure no-one with criminal intent gets into the Louvre, not being the arbiter of good taste.



Edited at 2018-11-11 01:27 pm (UTC)

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What a weird outfit. Why would you dress like this to go to a museum.

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Gee, think she might've been planning to selfie the hell out of the Louvre? Obnoxious!

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Not a prude, but thats not acceptable. If she had to jog to catch up to a tour group wed see full tits.

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Ha. It cut off the bottom of the pic in yer comment so I thought people clutched pearls over her breasts in that dress and how too raunchy it looks. Boobs can get anyone shook and they just cannot handle such sight of its greatnesses on Earth so I get it lol. But I saw the whole outfit and was like ok yep they aint wrong tho that one is too inappropriate esp the bottom of the dress is nagl tbh. That aint something to wear to a fancy museum.

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First, shes gorgeous.



Second, is it something Id wear? Probably not. But Im reading there is no dress code for the museum so it seems more like a guard overstepping his bounds.

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how very....choice



she is definitely getting the attention she wanted. i wonder what her follower count will be in a few days.

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Yeah she looks like shes preparing for open heart surgery but it doesnt seem like a big deal to me. let the girl show her cleavage to stolen art.

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Oh. This is worse than what I was imagining before scrolling to the photo. And yeah, we've been having temperature anomalies this fall but it's not THAT warm.

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"Picasso would have loved my outfit," well he was a real POS and uber creep/perv so I'm not sure that he was the best choice for this defense.

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she shouldn't have been denied entrance but that outfit is extra af for walking around in a museum lol

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i don't think that's an appropriate outfit for a museum...



Edited at 2018-11-11 02:33 pm (UTC)

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It's a cute dress, but definitely not museum-appropriate attire.

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Lol this attention seeking heffa 

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It looks like one of those ugly tasseled lamps.



It's ugly, but if there are no dress codes at the Louvre, let her in.

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lol 110% attention whore

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If it didn't have the ugly ruffles, it would be a cute little black dress, which I'd consider fine for a museum.

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this is such an ugly outfit. i'm over the whole dressing a certain way, dressing up just to have a photoshoot at these places & not actually enjoying the places.

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of course she's iranian lmao

move to la sis u will feel right at home!

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Oh god it looks like its from one of those cheapy, online only sweatshop sites that love sending free shit to bloggers. I always wonder if regular people actually purchase from those places.

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They had the right to reject her since she decided that was what she'll wear... I mean...

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Looks like she did it on purpose. I'm not prude but it's not an appropriate outfit for a museum.

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lol @ all these replies, how very feminist to shit on a woman's right to wear her tacky ass dress. if she feels cute in it and wants the attention who the fuck cares? honestly some of you just sound really bitter. it's a museum, not a fucking church.

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Lmao this is not remotely appropriate. Shes hot af tho so good for her I guess.

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Omg she looks like pabllo vittar i'm shook

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The misogyny jumped out in this post.

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it's a little much but I don't think it's inappropriate.

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I just looked through her most recent posts and jfc she's getting the most vile, sexist, disgusting comments bc of this whole situation.

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The comments is this post tho! Gross.

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Shes a blogger/influencer and goes to the Louvre dressed like that. She was planning on obnoxiously taking selfies and photo shoots throughout the museum and the guard saw that coming a kilometre away (because shes certainly not the first).



I wish museums would ban photography completely. People are being assholes and outright destroying art (and then trying to weasel out of responsibility) for social media points.

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It's cute, not something I'd wear but it's cute

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I think it looks cute and I don't see anything vulgar about it.

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Some of yall are being ott nasty in the name of a vague dress code

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That dress makes her look like the leg lamp from A Christmas Story.



Fra-jee-lay

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Well im certainly not a fan. guard should have demanded she burn it in front of him.

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I was in Florence last summer and toying with the idea of visiting the cathedral until someone told me women (!) are not allowed to go in with any leg showing and you'll need to cover up with some ratty blanket they provide. It was was 30+ degrees, ain't no church pretty enough for that bullshit.

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When I was like 11 or 12, we went to Assisi and I wasn't allowed entrance into the bassilik because I had bare ish shoulders. I remember I was wearing a tanktop and shorts that went down to my knees (it was in fashion then lol), which SCANDAL. I refused to cover myself and waited outside. Gtfo

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I was born in Florence an s it is standard for all churches there (and most of Italy tbh). Covered up shoulders and knees goes for both, men and women, so I don't see a problem with it. You can make an argument for covering your head, which some churches insist on, as a woman but it is still church property and the church isn't exactly fast when it comes to adapting to modern life. Just don't go if you do not like it.

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Yep, didn't like it and didn't go.

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I went to Italy in sept and tbh no one cared if you went to a cathedral in a smaller town (eg Sorrento) or a cathedral that's not that popular ones (eg NOT St Peter's in Rome or Santa Maria in Florence). So for instance, Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome didn't care about my shorts.

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relatively common for place of worship around the world



at least they provide you with something instead of straight up refusing.

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I almost died in jeans in 47 degrees C to go into those places and I dont even remember a single thing about them lmao

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this is pretty standard for places of worship and it applies for both men and women. I was in Rome earlier this year and was boarding at a convent, and I found I kept cooler wearing midi dresses than I did wearing denim shorts. I don't think it's that strenuous to adhere to a dress code.

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I went to St. Peter's Basilica when I was in college and they were strict about covered shoulders, but not legs. They were totally fine with cleavage, though.

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That's all Catholic churches. That's why you'll see people use cover-ups during actual mass when it's a wedding, quince, baptism etc, and take it off during the party.

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Went to Big Buddha in Thailand and they give you a sarong for your thighs. The weather is tropical year round, so it got steamy. It was so worth ith, though. A giant Buddha on a temple on a mountain overlooking the beach on one side and the rain forest on the other, with misty clouds all around.

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When I visited the Meteora monasteries in Greece they gave all girls a skirt to put on over our jeans. It didn't bother me even though I think the rule is ridiculous.

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I just went to Meteora this summer! So amazingly beautiful. And yes, I had to wear one of their wraps in one of the monasteries... It's about respect and I didn't think twice about it.

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Jealous, I want to go there.

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It bothered me a lot lmao. Beautiful place, though.

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lol what some people do for attention

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it's not that hard to learn how to dress according to the regulations/customs of the places you visit.

When you're in muslim countries you have to cover your shoulders, legs and even your head some times, if you're not OK with that, stay in Mc Donald's

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right? there's no reason to wear an outfit like that to look at art ffs

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It's a stupid rule imo and I would understand if she generally complaint about that, but I don't get it when people then go to those places and get all upset when they have the rules actually applied to them.



Also I have to admit that while I don't know anything about her personally, I'm always a little skeptical towards bloggers/vloggers/Instagram famous people because it just always seems like 99% of what they say and do is purely for attention, so I wouldn't be at all surprised if she exaggerated about the guard's reaction.

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i always imagine them pulling the "um..don't you know who i am?" card

like their visit is exposure for the museum to her followers lol

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lol now Im imagining if she got in and posted something like theres this really cool museum in Paris, called the loov or sumthn idk. You guys should really check it out

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Yeah I'm always a bit biased against them because I just assume that the only reason she was going into the Louvre anyway was to take insta photos in that outfit. 10 bucks says if she was just sight seeing she wouldn't have worn that outfit, lol.

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Absolutely agree. Also her account of the situation is all based on his gestures and looksso I doubt she speaks French and she has actually no idea what he said to her. Hate filled glares? Come on. Thats pure IG caption content.

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"I WAS BODY SLAMMED IN THE UNDERGROUND"

The person was touched by another person that said 'excuse me' before he pushed past them.

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lena dunham and odell beckham came to my mind reading over this

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This is bullshit

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IIRC, there was a goth blogger who was denied entry as well. She and her husband were covered up more than this blogger is. I think it was something about how they'd be distracting and the visitors would pay more attention to them?



It is a dumb rule tho.







It starts around 1:20. The Louvre later offered them VIP passes.



Edited at 2018-11-11 01:47 pm (UTC)

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oh my god I used to watch her videos for the lols, I forgot she existed.

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I havent watched her in years either, I just remember that video. She seems sweet tho. I hate that that happened to her. Hopefully shell cash in on the VIP offer!

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She and her German husband got divorced (after meeting and marrying helllllla quick), and now she's engaged to the dude before him that she broke up with to travel. It was the most interesting thing on her channel in a while lol

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aw, i love her videos lol the goth thing is so bizarre and interesting to me

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Aww, I love her videos. She's such a sweetheart.

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I think it was something about how they'd be distracting and the visitors would pay more attention to them?



lol i guess they have a point, anyone would be distracted next to a clown.

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Oh, I like her. She's a fellow film student who knows her shit so I'm here for that. It was kinda crazy how she got a divorce then ended up back with her ex-fiance. And recorded some of that.

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Complaining about being discriminated against for being goth is so stupid.

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I went to the Vatican one summer and saw a few families be turned away because one of the family members (usually a girl/woman) was showing too much skin. But, the Vatican does have a dress code and there are signs for it all over so it's like, it stinks but it's a well established rule.

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It is most churches in Italy and the rules apply to both, men and women. I think a lot of tourists don't even know that these churches are still active places of worship where mass is read and local people come to pray or talk to their priest/confess. It is not only about respecting church rules but also about showing respect to the local community.



Edited at 2018-11-11 01:53 pm (UTC)

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I studied abroad in Rome and I loved hanging out by the Vatican and watching tourists buy over-priced tacky scarves from the street vendors outside then try to creatively tie them so their knees were covered.

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Lmao that actually sounds like a nice way to spend a leisure morning/afternoon

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Yeah it's also a religious building. I recently went there during the Friday evening opening and they seemed pretty lax with enforcing the rules. I saw plenty people in shorter pants and I wore sandals so all you had to do is not wear hot pants or a top without any sleeves. You wouldn't get overheated.

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I went on a contiki tour a few years ago and we had two brazilian girls on the trip who would wear short shorts and skimpy tops but whatever it was hot as balls and july. Throughout the whole trip our guide stressed that when we got to the vatican part of the trip we would have to cover up. She even made sure the brazilian girls understood because their english was limited and spoke mostly portuguese. The day of the vatican tour those girls showed up in their skimpy outfits and our guide was not happy. They got yelled at by the guards. I felt bad for them but i mean they were told repeatedly

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i was denied at the vatican b/c i had a sleeveless shirt on so i went and bought a crappy cardigan and we went in, but i actually ended up getting sick (it was really hot) and threw up while in there! :-X

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The amount of ONTDers OK with this obvious bullshittery is disturbing. The policing of women's bodies and how they dress is a thing in France: Armed police have







Forcing women to constantly second-guess what they're wearingis it too sexy, is it not sexy enough?is fucked up. You know what they do allow in the Lourve, though? Angry farmers with a herd of sheep:The amount of ONTDers OK with this obvious bullshittery is disturbing. The policing of women's bodies and how they dress is a thing in France: Armed police have confronted beachgoers and forced them to take off their clothes because of the country's "burkini" ban:Forcing women to constantly second-guess what they're wearingis it too sexy, is it not sexy enough?is fucked up.

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i'm not sure this is that but lol at comparing it to the sheep thing

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mfte, these same people will pretend like they give a shit about women's issues in the next post.

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Disgusting

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Speak on it sis!



I don't understand the argument of being "appropriate" and "classy" for an institution that steals art.

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This was exactly what came to mind reading about this.



The sheer hypocrisy - from the literal naked female figures on display in their galleries that are deemed more valuable than living people, to the fact that apparently women (especially WOC - namely Muslim women) are subject to endless harassment by anyone with some ounce of authority in France. Harassed shamelessly for wearing too much, then equally bashed for wearing "too little". Would they have treated anyone else who didn't look like her that way if they were white? I highly fucking doubt it.



I'm honestly shocked at some of these comments by people who can't seem to see the forest for the trees. Spare me the "decorum/respectable attire" bullshit. It's not a place of worship, it's a fucking museum...filled with artifacts stolen by colonialist fuckheads for the sake of pretentious, snobby, racist Europeans who can't stand the idea of traveling elsewhere on the planet to appreciate things but still want to act ~cultured and refined. Fuck off.

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Lol i agree! Museums are supposed to be for the masses too. I have seen people at museums in ratty clothes. This wasnt some black tie event she is going to, her nips arent showing, who cares?

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Mte

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It's not a place of worship, it's a fucking museum...filled with artifacts stolen by colonialist fuckheads for the sake of pretentious, snobby, racist Europeans who can't stand the idea of traveling elsewhere on the planet to appreciate things but still want to act ~cultured and refined. Fuck off.





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Gawd YAAAAS @ your entire comment omg. GAAAAAAWD YAS

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Maybe if she paid Beyonce/Jay Z kind of money she'd be allowed in and ONTD wouldn't randomly clutch their pearls at the ~disrespect.

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Yeah i agree. If they do it to men and women like the vatican, then whatever. But its always women whose bodies are policed and its annoying.

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This, thank you! Gross.

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Exactly.



This is why I am appalled at how many ONTD-ers are showing their asses in this post.





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That story made me so fucking furious. That poor, poor woman. I swear to god cops are sadists.

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Judging by what she wore, I bet they denied her bc they felt like she was one of those who come to do some kind of lowkey photoshoot and they don't allow it unless you have a special authorization. The fact that this is considered news tho...

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Beyonce was working security haself. Aint nobody stealing her concept tbh.

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lmao a true multitasking legend!!!

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wow a sensible comment in this post

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lol i thought it was going to be like a body posi tess holiday type who got turned away for wearing what someone thinner would be accepted in but it's this kylie jenner lookin bitch in clubwear?? tbh they probably knew exactly what she was going in there to do. i mean i'm sure there r layers n misogyny and stogyny, (i mean stodginess,) at play but post-go apeshit music video they r probably turing away 100s of instagram models every day. there is another pic of her on ig kissing some male version of her at the musee d'orsay i'm sure she was going back to do more of the same.

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exactly! plus the Louvre is packed 24/7 and there are enough people who try to re-do the Beyonce vid eeeevery day for them to allow her in looking like she came only to do a photoshoot

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https://www.louvre.fr/sites/default/files/medias/medias_fichiers/fichiers/PDF/louvre-visitor-regulations.pdf



SECTION VI

PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMING, COPYING AND SURVEYS

ARTICLE 27

In the permanent collection galleries, artworks may be photographed

or filmed for the private use of the visitor. The use of flashes and other lighting mechanisms is prohibited.

Photography and filming are prohibited in the temporary exhibition galleries and rooms of the Petite Galerie.

The filming and photographing of facilities and technical equipment is also prohibited.

The President-Director of the Musee du Louvre may grant consent on an exceptional basis and all requests for exemptions shall be addressed to the External Relations Department.

ARTICLE 28

Professional photography, filming, and recording of radio and television programmes are all subject to special regulations and the prior written authorisation of the President-Director of the Musee du Louvre.

Any authorisation issued shall be accompanied by a copy of the specifications outlining the terms and conditions of use of the area.

In addition to authorisation from the President-Director of the Musee du Louvre, any video recording, photograph or sound recording featuring staff members or visitors requires the agreement of all parties involved. The museum accepts no liability towards third parties should these provisions be breached.

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That person you called male is actually a female, just so you know.

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yipessss my b i didn't look that deep into her life

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LinkAustralias reliance on its giant trading partner China could get a little stickier going forward. Yesterday, Australias new Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to increase his countrys military and diplomatic engagement in the South Pacific amid concerns the nations influence is waning as China continues it headlong regional hegemony pursuits, particularly in the contested South China Sea.

Morrison said that his government will set up an AUD$2 billion (US$1.46 billion) infrastructure fund for the region, increase naval deployments and carry out more military exercises with island nations. In comments released by his office, Morrison said, This is our patch. Its where Australia can make the biggest difference in world affairs. His comments also come amid growing backlash against what many in Australia see as Chinese interference in its political process, while others have warned for years that the country was too reliant on natural resource exports to China.

This growing anti-China sentiment for long-time U.S. ally Australia also comes as President Trump pushes against China in trade so hard that it has already started to slow down manufacturing expansion and economic growth, with further projects for the same. It also comes as Australia joins the US, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, UK, France, India and others to enforce freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, much to the angst of Beijing who claims 90 percent of the sea in what it refers to as historical rights, a dubious claim that could be used by a myriad of other nations in the region.

Thawing a diplomatic chill

However, Beijing replied quickly to Morrisons vow to increase naval deployments. China's top diplomat Wang Yi said that China and Australia should be cooperating in the South Pacific and not cast as political rivals. Reuters said Wang made her remarks after a meeting in Beijing between her and Australian foreign minister Marise Payn, which was widely billed as a step toward re-setting bilateral ties after a lengthy diplomatic chill.

Related: U.S. Oil Production Is Set To Soar Past 12 Million Bpd

Wang said that she had agreed that the two countries could combine their respective strengths and embark on trilateral cooperation with Pacific island countries. We are not rivals, and we can absolutely become cooperation partners, Wang said, describing the meeting as important after the recent ups and downs in the relationship, adding that the discussions were valuable, full and candid.

Weve realistically acknowledged today that in a relationship as dynamic as ours ... there will be from time to time differences, she said later at a separate news briefing. But what is important about that is how we manage those, and we are focused on managing them respectfully, mindful of the tremendous opportunities the relationship presents to both our nations.

Chinas new charm offensive

There are several take-aways from both Morrison's recent pledge and Beijings response. First, Australia is in an almost no-win situation with China. Since it shares a close and over century old relationship with the U.S. as well as shared political values, a common history, language and concern over human rights, its unlikely it would do anything to damage that crucial relationship. On the other hand, Australia's iron ore, LNG and other natural resources to China has helped transform the Australian economy.

Another major take-away and one that will be happening more in the future, is a softer tone from China with its other neighbors in the region. Just two weeks ago, China cozied up long time bitter rival Japan in a surprise move that would have been unimaginable five or six years ago.

The UK-based Independent said the two sides showed a united front on free and fair trade as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, along with over 1000 Japanese businessmen, met Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing for talks. The two Asian giants signed a slew of agreements, including a currency swap deal and plans to work together in other markets.

Related: This Oil Boom Is Going Under The Radar

China's Premier Li Keqiang said they had signed 500 agreements worth $18 billion. This indicates our cooperation has great potential and a promising prospect, he said. As countries with great influence in the region and the world, we should safeguard free trade.

As U.S. sanctions continue to hit China hard, expect Beijing to soften its approach with both friend and foe alike in the Asia-Pacific region. Another prime target for China will be improved bilateral and perhaps even military cooperation with long-time rival India. In essence, China, with few allies other than North Korea, has little choice but to try to offset the impact of US sanctions as well as Washington's harder stance in the South China Sea.

Beijing, for its part, was waiting to proceed with more trade talks after the mid-term elections in the U.S., hoping for Democrats to take back control of the House. However, though Democrats did indeed take control of the House of Representatives, Republicans picked up two Senate seats to solidify its grip. Nonetheless, most believe that despite a Democratic controlled House which starts at the beginning of the year, both Democrats and Republicans will still allow Trump free reign over his trade war with China. Trump's EU trade maneuverings could be checked, but China is still in Trumps cross hairs.

In the short to mid-term, the trade war will continue to hurt the so-called second wave of U.S. LNG projects that need financing and long-term off take agreements, including from China. However, it will also force Beijing into a more conciliatory tone with its other LNG suppliers, including a befuddled Australia, bringing this geopolitical drama full circle.

By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:Xiao Meiru and his family fear they lost a years earnings last Sunday after a toxic chemical leak devastated their fish farm in southeast China.

Now Xiao and other families living in the coastal village of Xiaocuo in Fujian province are banding together to fight for compensation but worry they will get bogged down in protracted legal wrangling.

Some of them are holding out until their losses are covered in full, but others such as Xiao want to secure partial recompense as quickly as possible.

Ive got a family to feed, so we really need the compensation said Xiao, who is seeking an initial payment of 1,000 yuan (US$145) for each cage of fish lost, around a tenth of the total value.

I was proposing that [we] get part of the money first and then discuss the full package with the liable company. But people are worried that if they agree, that money will be all they can get.

The fishermen have been discussing about the compensation plan with officials in Quanzhou city for nearly a week, but so far the negotiations have yielded nothing.

Its inevitable that we will need to hire lawyers, said Xiao. We fishermen dont know what to say except that our fish have been ruined. Well need the lawyers help.

But the involvement of lawyers brings its own problems amid growing local distrust of the authorities following complaints residents have not been fully informed of the scale of the problem.

Xiao spoke to one lawyer from Xiamen city last week, showing him video footage he had shot in the aftermath of Sundays leak  but that lawyer was followed by police throughout his visit until he left Quanzhou city and returned home.

They dont want us to talk to lawyers or journalists, said Xiao.

He started farming fish in 1983, beginning with a few cages, each of which can farm about 1,000 fish a year.

He has gradually expanded the scale of his operations and now has 245 cages  which means his losses could total 2.4 million yuan (US$355,000).

Story continues

Xiao focuses on sea bream and weever, both high-value fish, while other locals cultivate similarly prized species such as abalone and red-spotted groupers.

Although some fish survived the spill, Xiao said they were worth nothing now.

Nearby fish markets and distributors all heard about the leak and no one will buy any fish from this village this year, he said.

Local restaurants are also suffering in the aftermath of the chemical leak.

Waiters at Zhoumapo, a popular seafood restaurant, said the number of customers had fallen dramatically this week.

There was always a queue at lunch or dinner time here, said one waiter. Now we have less than a third of the customers we used to get.

The major industries in the costal district of Quangang, which includes Xiaocuo, include fish farming and forestry but since the 1990s a number of oil refineries and chemical plants have been built there.

The factories have made Quangang a unviable place to live, said a resident in Quanzhou surnamed Kuang, who complained there had been a sharp increase in cancer cases in recent years.

Xiao Renhong, a Xiaocuo resident, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer eight years ago and said it was the most common form of the disease in the area.

I dont know exactly how many people have the cancer in my village, he said. But I myself know nearly a dozen such patients and there are about 10,000 people in Xiaocuo village.

On average around 22 in every 100,000 people in China contract oesophageal cancer, according to the National Central Cancer Registry of China, but the rate in Xiaocuo village is at least four times higher than that.

Xiao Meiru said villagers had unsuccessfully protested when Fujian Donggang Petrochemical Company, the privately owned firm involved in Sundays leak, had first proposed building a plant less than a kilometre away from their homes in the early 2000s.

The spill happened when a connecting tube broke as the chemical C9, a toxic by-product of oil refining, was being transferred from the plant to a tanker early on Sunday.

Local authorities said seven tonnes of C9 had leaked into the sea leaving at least 52 people needing hospital treatment.

The chemical can cause burns when skin is exposed to it, and people who inhale it can suffer dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Both local residents and reporters have so far been unable to contact the chemical firm.

This article Coastal villagers count the cost of southeast China toxic chemical spill first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Polling stations opened in rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine on Sunday as Kremlin-backed separatists choose their new leaders despite Western calls on Moscow not to sabotage peace talks. Washington and Brussels say the polls in the Donetsk and Lugansk "People's Republics" in Ukraine's industrial east will further hamper efforts to end a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Saturday the bloc considered the polls "illegal and illegitimate and will not recognise them." "These particular elections are a mockery," added the US special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker. "It is something that we call on Russia to halt and not go forward with," he said last week, adding the vote contradicted Western-brokered peace agreements. The Kremlin has rejected the appeals, saying the vote has "nothing to do" with the accords. Moscow says the elections are necessary to fill the power vacuum after the leader of the Donetsk republic Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in a bombing at a Donetsk cafe in August. "People simply need to live, get on with their lives and ensure order in the region under a blockade and permanent threats of the use of force by Ukrainian authorities," said Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and supported the outbreak of an insurgency in eastern Ukraine in what Kiev sees as punishment for its pivot to the West. While heavy fighting is over, the simmering conflict regularly claims the lives of soldiers and civilians. But negotiations are deadlocked and Western-backed peace accords agreed in 2015 are largely moribund. - 'Hope has died' - After Zakharchenko's killing Denis Pushilin, a 37-year-old former operator of the notorious Russian Ponzi scheme MMM, has become acting leader of the Donetsk republic and is expected to win polls there. Leonid Pasechnik, the 48-year-old former regional chief of the Ukrainian security service and acting leader of the neighbouring republic of Lugansk, is also expected to sail to victory. Both have promised to seek tighter ties with Moscow. Election posters around Donetsk urged people to vote "with Russia in your heart." But some locals say they have been disheartened, adding their opinions did not matter. "Two global masters -- the United States and Russia -- are dividing territories," said Yury, a 50-year-old Donetsk resident, declining to release his surname. "Hope has died, as they say," he told AFP. Lydia Bondar, a 76-year-old pensioner, said she was a fan of Zakharchenko and would vote for his successor Pushilin. Many analysts say the polls are a way for Moscow to strengthen its grip on around three percent of Ukrainian territory where around 3.7 million people live. Compared to Zakharchenko, Pushilin is considered by many observers to be a more convenient figure for Moscow. - 'Ponzi scheme president' - Polling stations opened at 0500 GMT and are to close at 1700 GMT, with the first results expected on Monday. Armed people wearing camouflage were guarding the polling station in Donetsk where Pushilin is to cast his ballot, an AFP correspondent said. "I came here to take part in the fate of the republic," said Valentina Slipenko, 77, adding that she voted for Pushilin. The last separatist elections were held in 2014 despite protests from the West and Kiev, which did not recognise their results. Some pro-Kiev residents said they would not vote. "This is ridiculous," said 34-year-old Tatyana, refusing to give her last name for fear of reprisals. "The man who was involved in Ponzi schemes has been chosen to be our president. I am not going to vote, I would rather spend the day with my child." Kiev's Western backers say that in order to help settle the bloodiest European conflict since the Balkans in the 1990s Russia should withdraw troops from eastern Ukraine and agree to a UN peacekeeping mission there. The Kremlin has denied funnelling troops and arms across the border.Firefighters battle flames at the Shadowbrook apartment complex in Paradise, north of Sacramento, Californiathe town has been ravaged by the late-season wildfire

Firefighters in California on Saturday battled raging blazes at both ends of the state that have left at least nine people dead and thousands of homes destroyed, but there was little hope of containing the flames anytime soon.

More than 250,000 people have been ordered to evacuate a wide area near the state capital Sacramento and, in southern California, the Hollywood resort town of Malibu.

So far, all nine fatalities were reported in the town of Paradise, in Butte County, where more than 6,700 buildingsmost of them residenceshave been consumed by the late-season inferno, which is now California's most destructive fire on record.

From miles around, acrid smoke could be seen in the sky around Paradise, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars were reduced to metal carcasses, while power lines were also gnawed by the flames.

Locals fled the danger, but police told AFP some farmers returned to check on their cattle.

"The magnitude of destruction we have seen is really unbelievable and heartbreaking, and our hearts go to everybody who has been affected by this," said Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California Office of Emergency Services.

Governor-elect Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to provide assistance to the hardest-hit areas in the fire-prone state.

Abandoned vehicles sit at a car lot in Paradise, north of Sacramento, California on November 09, 2018

The fast-moving blaze in the north, which authorities have named the "Camp Fire," broke out early Thursday.

Fanned by strong winds, it has so far scorched 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) and is 20 percent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said Saturday. So far, three of the more than 3,200 firefighters deployed have been injured.

They estimate they will need three weeks to fully contain the blaze.

Butte County Sheriff Korey Honea said four people were found dead inside a vehicle in the Paradise area, while another was found nearby. Three more were found outside a residence, and one inside a house. Dozens of other people were reported missing.

Local power authorities have told state officials an outage occurred near the spot where the fire erupted, The Sacramento Bee reported, but there is still no official cause of the Camp blaze.

President Donald Trump, who was in France for World War I commemorations, drew criticism online for his somewhat unsympathetic reaction to the devastation.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted Saturday.

Map of California locating active fires as of November 9th, and focusing on the ravaged town of Paradise

"Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"

Malibu mansions in flames

In southern California, more wildfires burned, including one just north of Los Angeles and another in Ventura County near Thousand Oaks, where a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday.

Authorities said some 200,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, including the entire city of Malibu.

The "Woolsey Fire" had consumed around 69,000 acres, destroyed at least 150 homes and was so far not contained, the Ventura County Fire Department said, adding that evacuation orders were issued for some 88,000 homes in the county and neighboring Los Angeles County.

"We heard this was coming so we set up the sprinklers and we hosed the whole house down," said Malibu resident Patrick Henry. "We pretty much had enough time to get the dogs in the trunk."

Malibu is one of the most in-demand locations in California for stars seeking privacy and luxury.

A house burns in the Hollywood resort town of Malibuabout 88,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, who lives just north of coastal Malibu, revealed she was forced to flee her home.

"I heard the flames have hit our property at our home in Hidden Hills but now are more contained and have stopped at the moment," she said on Twitter. "I just pray the winds are in our favor."

Actor Martin Sheen, briefly reported missing by his actor son Charlie, was also forced to evacuate.

"We're fine, we're at Zuma Beach and we're probably going to sleep in the car tonight," Martin Sheen told Fox News 11, adding that it was the worst fire he had seen in 48 years of living in Malibu.

The wildfire reached Paramount Ranch, destroying the Western Town sets used for hundreds of productions including HBO'S sci-fi western "Westworld," officials and the network said.

Director Guillermo del Toro tweeted that Bleak House, his museum of horror movie memorabilia, was also in the path of the flames.

A local resident speaks with firefighters stationed along the Pacific Coast Highway to battle the flames in Malibu

Utter devastation

In Paradise, the flames destroyed hundreds of homes, a hospital, a gas station, several restaurants and numerous vehicles, officials said.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for more than 52,000 people in the scenic area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

"The whole lower side of Paradise is totally engulfed in flames right now," Kevin Winstead, a resident of nearby Magalia, told KIEM TV.

"Not one home will be left standing," he said. "I'm devastated."

The National Weather Service said Saturday strong winds and dry conditions were to continue through the weekend.

Explore further Fast-moving fire scorches northern California

 2018 AFParlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, speaks at the Web Summit in Lisbon on November 6. Image credit - European Commission Credit: European Commission

Carlos Moedas, the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation was presented with The Lisbon Declaration, a set of 10 policy ideas for how the EU can promote social innovation, on 6 November at the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon, Portugal.

'Innovation today is about purpose, about doing something that can fulfil you as a human being,' said Commissioner Moedas. 'In the European Union, we are going to put more money into social innovation, not because it's trendy, but because we believe that the future of innovation is about social innovation.'

According to practitioners, social innovation is about using innovation to tackle societal challenges such as climate change or migration, and  crucially  doing it in a way that actively involves the people who will be affected.

The 10 ideas in the declaration, which authors say have been shaped by more than 350 people from 19 EU countries, include setting up fellowships to pay salaries to people working on community projects so that they don't work for free, and working with social innovation start-ups and SMEs when it comes to public procurement.

But speaking to Horizon on the sidelines of the summit, Armelle Ledan from the European Association for Information on Local Development, who presented the report to the Commissioner, said that it's not just about funding.

'Resources, support, legitimacy and having policymakers giving support symbolically  is really important because it can prove that social good is at the heart of society.'

Hyperlocal

Ledan is leading a project called Social Innovation Community, which has set up a series of networks to provide support to social innovation initiatives, which are often small and can otherwise work in isolation. One service they provide is setting up experiments to test new approaches to solve locally defined problems.

She points to one experiment in Oslo, Norway, that connected refugees and asylum seekers with employers to help them find jobs. 'There was a big experimentation to bring them together and design an app, new tools, to have celebration days where they could meet,' she said. '(It emerged that) there were opportunities in Scandinavian countries to use (refugees) as language intermediaries in companies to expand the markets.'

Social innovation projects showcasing their work at the web summit included Grassroots Radio, an initiative to open up FM frequencies for communities to create hyperlocal radio stations to share information, and CROWD4ROADS, an app that tracks the physical movement of a mobile phone when someone is in a car to crowdsource information on the state of the roads and help local authorities prioritise repairs.

Using technology as a tool for social good, and how to ensure ethical considerations are integrated into new technology, are hot topics at this year's Web Summit, an annual event that brings together some of the world's biggest tech companies, start-ups, politicians and policymakers.

Madeleine Gabriel, from UK innovation organisation NESTA, which was involved in drawing up the social innovation declaration, said that social good shouldn't just be a nice-to-have aspect of innovation.

'It's really easy to think of this stuff as nice, heart-warming activities that we can all feel good about while the real business of innovation goes on elsewhere,' she said. 'What if we turned that around? What if social good was the point of innovation? If we could harness (talent) for social good we could make an enormous difference.'

More information:

Horizon brings you the latest news and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU. Our articles are written by independent science journalists and are designed to appeal to both scientists and non-scientists alike. We mix stories on the latest EU-funded research with interviews with leading scientists, all written in a clear, accessible style. Each month we also take an in-depth look at a particular area of research, from 3D printing to Europes obesity epidemic. Our content is updated daily and access is free. Horizon is published in English, on behalf of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and by ICF Mostra, a division of ICF International

Provided by Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation MagazinePrithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years.Rhino injures three residents of Devchuli

A rhinoceros from Chitwan National Park (CNP) entered a settlement, attacked local residents and injured three persons in Devchuli Municipality, Nawalparasi district on Saturday.Row in RPP threatens merger deal

While top leaders of three right-wing parties are engaging in serious dialogue for a merger, second-rung leaders from the Rastriya Prajantra Party, the largest of the three, are against its Chairman Kamal Thapa demanding that he correct his unilateral working style.56 minutes ago

Asian shares mixed after China warning on risks, stagflation

Stocks were mixed in Asia on Monday after ending the week mostly lower on Wall Street, despite the Nasdaq's first close above 16,000. A resurgence of coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S., Europe and some other regions is weighing on investor sentiment.

Read ArticleSaptari bans liquor sale near no-mans land

The Saptari administration has banned the sale and consumption of liquor in no-mans land and its periphery along the Nepal-India border points in the district.Teen pregnancy high in Karnali

Around 30 percent of childbirths in the Karnali Province in the fiscal year 2017-18 involved teen mothers, according to a data of the Ministry of Social Development.Up in the Hills

The bus that took us to Tansen from Butwal was ancient. We were under the impression that it was kept from falling by a generous use of Sellotape. Every nut and bolt crackled and rattled as it moved along the winding Siddhartha Highway.This report was compiled by Lisa Andre. You can reach her at landre@leecentralcoastnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LAndreSYVNewsVegetable prices cooling down as supplies pick up

Prices of vegetables in the Kathmandu Valley have started to drop as supplies of freshly harvested vegetables arrive in the market. However, prices of some vegetable items have remained on the higher side, triggered by the Tihar festival.Lucy Thoms-Harrington, a YMCA board member and community activist, has been announced as the fourth nominee for this years Valley of the Flowers Peace Prize.

Thoms-Harrington was nominated for the award by Paul Hill, a retired Lompoc Fire chief. Thoms-Harrington moved to Lompoc 38 years ago from Memphis, Tennessee, and Whittier, California, earning a BA and an MBA in International Business along the way. She is retired from Raytheon, and her daughter, whom she raised in Lompoc, is now attending Stanford University.

Thoms-Harrington turned her attention to serving the community as a board member for the Lompoc Family YMCA and as a member of the Channel Islands Association board, which manages eight YMCA organizations in the region.

One of her activities for the YMCA has been to raise money for scholarships for youth, family and seniors. Those scholarships provide programs for healthy living, youth development and social responsibility to the local community. This endeavor ensures no child can be turned away from YMCA programs for lack of funds.

Thoms-Harrington has also worked with other groups, such as the American Association of University Women, University of California at Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Foundation and Vandenberg Air Force Base to promote scholastic and career goals. In these roles, she has emphasized and supported career technical education, scholarships, Speech Trek programs, a high school Space Technology and Robotics Systems Academy, the mentoring of high school students, and fundraising for classroom mini-grants as proposed by K-12 teachers.

She also serves on a Santa Barbara County veterans committee, which provides services and assistance to veterans.

Thoms-Harrington is talented, organized, focused and totally dedicated to our Lompoc community youth, their present and future, read a portion of a statement from the Peace Prize committee. This nomination honors her for her outstanding service and achievements for the past eight years.

Previously announced nominees for this year's Peace Prize include artist Vicki Andersen, grocers Alix and Aaron Crocker, and Hancock College trustee Jeff Hall.

The Peace Prize Ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Valley of the Flowers Church in Vandenberg Village. The public is invited to attend.

Nominations are no longer being accepted, according to the Peace Prize committee, which reported that it had reached the maximum number of nominees.Worker dies in Dang house fire

A person died while properties worth millions of rupees were destroyed in separate incidents of fire across the nation in the past few days.Gabon's President Ali Bongo, hospitalised in Saudi Arabia on October 24, is seriously ill but on the mend, the presidency said Sunday. The 59-year-old leader's condition "has greatly improved" and he is in the process "of recovering most of his functions," Ike Ngouoni, the spokesman for the presidency, said. Lack of official news -- along with memories of the secrecy-shrouded death of Bongo's father Omar Bongo in office in 2009 after decades at the helm -- has set the rumour mill churning about his health. A foreign source close to Bongo and his French-born wife Sylvia told AFP on Wednesday that Bongo had had a stroke. Bongo served as foreign and defence minister during his father's rule, and after his death was elected head of state in August 2009. He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.Hong Kong artist steps into action in protest at move to cancel Tai Kwun talks by dissident Chinese writer Ma Jian

When a Hong Kong arts centre decided to cancel talks by a Chinese dissident author, a local artist warned it to mind its actions in protest at the decision.

Six sign plates, bearing the message Mind the Mind, were found attached to the steps of a spiral staircase in an exhibition hall of Tai Kwun, a revitalised historic police compound turned culture hub.

In a play on words, they partially mimicked and covered an existing installation with similar signs on which were written Mind the step.

Hong Kong artist Jaffe.T disclosed the act on his Facebook page around 3pm on Saturday almost one day after the Hong Kong Jockey Club-operated arts centre reversed its decision amid heavy criticism and offered the venue again to Chinese author Ma Jian.

The F Hall, where Ma gave two talks on Saturday afternoon, is next to JC Contemporary, an exhibition gallery where Jaffe.T planted his protest signs.

The message I would like to deliver is literally what my signs say, Jaffe.T said. Tai Kwun used to be a prison, where thoughts were under surveillance.

The 35-year-old artist said he came up with the idea before Mas talks were initially called off.

I have been thinking for a long time about what sort of space Tai Kwun is actually providing, he said.

When Ma Jians case came to light, I thought it was time to speak out and raise concerns.

Jaffe.T declined to disclose when he put up the signs. I believe by the time I published the post on Facebook, Tai Kwun had started to clear away my signs, he said.

Jaffe.Ts artwork partially covered an existing installation on the staircase  a distinctive architectural feature  by British artist Ceal Floyer. Each step from the ground to the third floor had identical Mind the step warning plates.

Jaffe.T used similar materials and fonts to Floyers signs.

On Thursday, Tai Kwun director Timothy Calnin said Mas talks were cancelled to prevent the promotion of political interests of any individual. Ma was supposed to launch his new novel, China Dream , in Tai Kwun as part of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival.

Story continues

Three employees at the JC Contemporary building refused to let a Post reporter enter the gallery to check the stairs, but one confirmed the protest signs had been removed.

We are conducting crowd control. You will have to stand in the queue if you want to go inside. And questions related to the stairs should be sent to our public relations department, the employee said.

When Ma Jians case came to light, I thought it was time to speak out and raise concerns

Jaffe.T, Hong Kong artist

The Post has reached out to Tai Kwun for comment.

Jaffe.T took part in an exhibition in the same building between June and August, in collaboration with another local artist, Pak Sheung-chuen.

He was believed to be part of other public protest works such as placing stickers of a military tank on a walkway handrail at Hong Kong MTR station last year. The walkway passed by a massive wall advertisement for the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the citys planned version of the Beijing museum.

Protesters last year linked the advert to the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, which took place near to where the Palace Museum is located.

When asked if he would avoid using space in Tai Kwun, Jaffe.T said: Art space in Hong Kong is so limited that its hard for us to boycott Tai Kwun, and other venues managed by the Jockey Club.

This article Hong Kong artist steps into action in protest at move to cancel Tai Kwun talks by dissident Chinese writer Ma Jian first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Chief Executive Carrie Lam, in Beijing seminar, says Hong Kong needs to stand firm on one country, two systems

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has said that the city would need to stand firm on Beijings one country, two systems governing principle to better integrate into Chinas development strategies.

Speaking at a seminar with Beijing officials on how Hong Kong and Macau can further contribute to the nations development, Lam also said China can rely on Hong Kongs international status as a free and open economy to counter the rise of protectionism.

Lam is leading a 160-strong delegation of business and political leaders from Hong Kong in visiting the mainland. The group will be meeting President Xi Jinping and Vice-Premier Han Zheng on Monday  in Beijings latest move to show its support for Hong Kong.

The seminar and the mainland visits were organised to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Chinas reforms and opening up. Only the opening of the seminar was open to the media.

After the event, veteran Hong Kong businessman Chan Wing-kee told reporters that Lam stressed the importance of one country, two systems, under which Beijing guaranteed Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy.

We have to strictly safeguard one country two systems  and the Greater Bay Area will have better developments, Chan quoted, in a reference to Beijings integration plan for Hong Kong and its 10 neighbouring cities.

Chan said that while Lam stopped short of mentioning separatist sentiment in Hong Kong, he believes she was talking about the importance of making the national interest a priority in governance.

Lam also said that when protectionism is on the rise abroad, the country can use Hong Kong  as a springboard to circumvent unilateralist acts, he said.

Chan also revealed that Xi will be meeting the delegation on Monday, followed by a lunch hosted by Han.

It shows that Beijing will never forget  Hong Kongs contributions and the countrys old friends, he said.

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Hong Kong has benefited from reform and opening up. It has made Hong Kong the international financial, commerce and shipping hub it is today

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong Chief Executive

Earlier in the day, Lam had said she hoped her delegations visit to the mainland would give the city greater confidence and trust and help it better integrate into Chinas development strategies. She also said that Chinas 40 years of reform and opening up, as well as Hong Kongs free economy, has helped the city to become a global trading hub.

Hong Kong has benefited from reform and opening up. It has made Hong Kong the international financial, commerce and shipping hub it is today. This is also inseparable from Hong Kongs high level of openness and international links, she said.

Led by Lam, the Hong Kong group started its three-day trip on Saturday by visiting Shenzhen. A 60-strong delegation from Macau, led by Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai-on, also attended the seminar alongside Zhang Xiaoming, head of Beijings Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and Wang Zhimin, head of the Hong Kong liaison office.

Lam said: I hope that our celebratory  trip can bring more confidence and trust to the next stages of Hong Kongs development. Lets better integrate into the nations development plans.

Chui said that Macau would integrate more closely with the mainland and grasp the opportunities brought by Chinas economic progress.

At the closed-door seminar, He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said Hong Kong and Macau would be included in the nations yearly plans from now on, according to Chan Wing-kee.

He said it will help the cities to integrate into the nations economic plans, Chan said, adding that the official is also planning a new law on tax incentives to encourage Hongkongers to work on the mainland.

Earlier in the meeting, He also praised the people of Hong Kong and Macau for making important contributions to reform and opening up.

Also speaking at the seminar were Hong Kong businessman Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, son of the late entrepreneur Fok Ying-tung; former chairman of the Hong Kong stock exchange Charles Lee Yeh-kwong; and Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, economist and former head of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The delegation was expected to visit the Palace Museum at the Forbidden City on Sunday afternoon.

This article Chief Executive Carrie Lam, in Beijing seminar, says Hong Kong needs to stand firm on one country, two systems first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.For Chinese military buff Meng Yong, forking out the equivalent of US$1,000 to attend the countrys biggest air show as a professional was money well spent.

Although the 54-year-old has actually taken early retirement, buying an early-bird ticket  which in theory are reserved for trade visitors, such as aerospace executives, diplomats and arms dealers  allowed him to explore the stalls at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition during the relatively quiet periods before the weekend rush when the event is open to the public.

Its my first time taking part in the air show. I am so excited, said Meng, who flew 1,800km (1,100 miles) from his home in Shandong province to the show ground in Guangdong.

I had been longing to visit the show since it first kicked off in 1996. But I didnt know how to buy tickets until I made a friend in Shenzhen [a southern city close to the site of the show in Zhuhai].

He is a military enthusiast and regular visitor to the air show. He taught me how to do.

Meng is not the only lay enthusiast to pay more than the going rate for a professional ticket.

The cost is 2,000 yuan (US$290) for the three professional days between Tuesday and Thursday, or 1,000 yuan for a one-day ticket, compared with 500 yuan for a one-day ticket on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when the show is open to all comers.

While the equipment on display and the aerial displays are the same whenever you visit the event, the ticket quota for the professional days is only 10,000 compared with 80,000 before on-the-day sales for the weekend.

For Meng, who officially attended as a trade visitor from Tancheng countys price bureau, his former employer, it was money well spent.

I would rather to pay more because public days will be much more crowded than the professional days, he said.

But despite taking the budget option when it came to travel and accommodation, the total cost of his three-day visit still came to 8,000 yuan.

Story continues

Its not a luxury trip at all, Meng said. I have to squeeze onto a crowded bus to get here every day, because the hostel I stayed in is more than 10km away.

The popularity of the show is such that Zhuhai, a relatively small and compact city with just 66 star-rated hotels, experiences heavy demand for rooms, which in turns leads to soaring prices.

Beijing-based military commentator Zhou Chenming said that wealthier visitors to the show, including some of his friends, prefer to stay in the nearby tourist and gaming hub of Macau and travel there by boat.

All four-star hotel rooms [in Zhuhai] are fully booked even though prices have trebled, he said.

Lower down the scale, rooms at the Starway Bihai, which organisers recommended for members of the overseas media, rose to 800 yuan a night, compared with the usual price of 200 yuan, during the six days of the air show.

Walk-in visitors may find themselves paying even more. One such visitor who turned up at reception of Tuesday, the first day of the air show, was told by staff that they would have to pay 1,000 yuan a night for a room.

For visitors on a budget there are various ways to save money. For example, Zhou said, four people could club to together to rent a single room at a local farmers home for about 400 yuan a night.

Meng said he was staying at a private hostel where he was charged 320 yuan a night compared with the normal price of 68 yuan.

Its still worth the money, he said. Its a rare opportunity for military enthusiasts to get a glimpse of so many advanced weapon systems  including warplanes, commercial aircraft, drones, tanks, missiles and radars  over the three days, said Meng, as he inspected a Chinese air force Y-20 military transporter.

For him there was only one cloud on the horizon: Its just a pity that the Russian Knights and Swifts, as well as Britains Red Arrows and the European Wingwalker teams, were all absent this year.

The absence of these international aerobatic teams probably does come down to money.

Military insiders have said that organisers had not invited them to the biennial event this year because of budget cuts that resulted from growing concerns about an economic slowdown and the impact of the trade war with the US.

This article Meet the professional air buffs willing to pay over the odds to get far from the madding crowd at Chinas biggest air show first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.Floral tributes can be seen outside Melbourne's Pellegrini's Cafe for Sisto Malaspina, the day after he was stabbed to death in an attack police have called an act of terrorism, in central Melbourne Floral tributes can be seen outside Melbourne's Pellegrini's Cafe for Sisto Malaspina, the day after he was stabbed to death in an attack police have called an act of terrorism, in central Melbourne, Australia, November 10, 2018. AAP/James Ross/via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Customers of a cafe credited with pioneering Melbourne's famous coffee culture piled flowers and condolences outside on Saturday, mourning its well-known co-owner who was stabbed to death in an attack police have called an act of terrorism.

Sisto Malaspina, 74, a familiar face behind the coffee machine at the city-centre Pellegrini's cafe, was killed in the attack on Friday, his business partner Nino Pangrazio told The Age newspaper.

"Many, many tears have been shed," Pangrazio said.

Police have not confirmed his identity, only saying a 74-year-old city worker was killed by a Somali-born man who set fire to a truck laden with gas cylinders just outside the cafe before stabbing three bystanders.

The two others were wounded.

Pellegrini's, a cosy corner bar with 50s-style chequerboard tiles on the floor, was closed on Saturday but dozens of customers gathered outside, leaving flowers and tributes on the doorstep. The phone rang out when Reuters called.

"Sisto, il mio cuore si spezza," Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe wrote on Twitter, using the Italian for "my heart breaks."

"I've been going to Pellegrini's since 1987. Never been to Melbourne without dropping in on my man," Crowe wrote, one of many celebrities to pay their tributes.

An Italian immigrant, Malaspina took over the cafe with Pangrazio in 1974, Pangrazio says in a Melbourne City Council video from 2014 that features the famous coffee house.

They have hardly changed a thing about it since - serving espresso coffee and fresh pasta that Malaspina said in the video learned to cook from his grandmother.

"Pellegrini's has witnessed a lot of change over its 60-odd years  but embraced very little of it," Hospitality Magazine said in a 2017 profile. "This is the way food should be done. It's not contemporary food. It's secular, traditional, home cooking," Malaspina is quoted as saying in the article.

Story continues

"Everyone on this end of the city knew him," Brendan Nottle, who has worked in an office across the street for two decades, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

"He had huge personality. He was always up and about, almost theatrical, in Pellegrini's. He was a guy with a great heart," he said, adding his death leaves a "massive hole" in the community.

(Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by John Mair and Nick Macfie)California authorities collected DNA samples from relatives on Thursday to help identify victims of the western US state's deadliest-ever wildfire, as President Donald Trump said he planned to visit the region at the weekend. At least 59 deaths have been reported so far from the sprawling blazes in northern and southern California and the toll is expected to rise as body recovery teams with sniffer dogs conduct searches. Some 300 people are also unaccounted for. The White House said Trump, who has blamed the fires on "gross mismanagement of the forest," would travel to California on Saturday to meet with victims and review the damage. Fifty-six of the deaths and all of those unaccounted for are from the Butte County town of Paradise in northern California, which was decimated by the so-called Camp Fire that erupted a week ago. A list of those missing in Butte County grew overnight to some 300 names, many of them elderly. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said some may have fled their homes and not been in touch with family and friends but others are believed to have died in the fast-moving Camp Fire. He said 461 search and rescue personnel and 22 "cadaver dogs" were involved in the effort to locate the missing and DNA testing was being expedited to identify victims. He said 47 of the 56 fatalities have been tentatively identified so far using "rapid DNA" techniques. "Beginning Thursday, anyone who believes a family member perished can provide a DNA sample," Honea said. Paradise, a town of around 26,000 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, was popular with retirees and many of those reported missing by the sheriff's office are in their 70s, 80s and 90s. Virtually every home in Paradise, located 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of the state capital Sacramento, was destroyed by the fire, which was driven by high winds. Body recovery teams are conducting a painstaking search of burned-out homes for human remains in the town and closely examining the many charred cars littering the roads. The 56 deaths reported from the Camp Fire make it the deadliest wildfire in California's history and it is also the most destructive. Three people have died in the Woolsey Fire northwest of Los Angeles. - 'A war zone' - The California fire department (Cal Fire) said early Thursday that the Camp Fire has destroyed 140,000 acres (56,655 hectares) and was 40 percent contained. It said nearly 5,500 firefighters were battling the blaze and it did not expect it to be fully contained for another two weeks. The Camp Fire has destroyed more than 8,650 single family homes and 260 commercial buildings, Cal Fire said. The Woolsey Fire has razed 98,000 acres (39,660 hectares) and has been 57 percent contained. It is expected to be fully contained by Monday. Authorities said cooler temperatures and calmer winds had brought welcome relief to fire crews. A number of celebrities have lost their homes in Malibu as a result of the Woolsey inferno, including Pierce Brosnan, Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Robin Thicke, Shannen Doherty and Gerard Butler. California Governor Jerry Brown, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), toured the damage in Paradise on Wednesday. "This is so devastating that I don't really have the words to describe it," Brown told a press conference. "It looks like a war zone." Long said Paradise was looking at a "total rebuild," with most homes, businesses and infrastructure destroyed. "This is going to be a very long and frustrating event for the citizens of Paradise," Long said. "We're going to have to find a new normal." "You're not going to be able to rebuild Paradise the way it was." Authorities said it was unclear when residents would be allowed back into the town. While the cause of the Camp Fire is still under investigation, a lawsuit has been filed against the local power company, PG&E, by fire victims claiming negligence by the utility. The complaint alleged that the fire began on November 8 when a high voltage transmission line failed, igniting tinder-dry vegetation. The utility was found to be responsible for several devastating fires in northern California last fall that killed at least 15 people, and it faces billions of dollars in liability for the latest wildfires.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India, Australia and New Zealand paused Sunday on the centenary of the end of World War I to remember the more than 150,000 of their countrymen who died fighting on the other side of the world. In sombre ceremonies from Wellington to New Delhi, huge crowds paid tribute to the servicemen and women who gave their lives in the Great War. The leaders of these Commonwealth nations -- whose forces were deployed across the globe 100 years ago -- also sounded a message of peace and hope for the world in the new century. "This was a war in which India was not directly involved yet our soldiers fought world over, just for the cause of peace," said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter on Sunday. A Scottish piper performed at the Delhi War Cemetery where marigolds, a flower symbolic in India, intermingled with the poppies traditionally worn to remember the carnage in Europe and beyond. The centenary comes as India, then a British colony, seeks greater recognition of its contribution of 1.3 million troops to the allied war effort -- and the 74,000 who never came home. In Canberra, Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke of the ultimate sacrifice made by Australians on gruesome battlefields far away in places like Fromelles in northern France. "For our tomorrows, they gave their today. In silence, we commit ourselves to standing by those who have returned home," he told thousands of people gathered at the national Remembrance Day ceremony. Of the more than 400,000 of the young Australian federation's citizens who enlisted, more than 300,000 served overseas and almost 62,000 died in the trenches. More than 10,000 servicemen from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) died during the abortive Gallipoli campaign on the Turkish peninsula -- a military failure that gave rise to the legacy of courage and close friendship between the two countries. - 'Roaring chorus' - The New Zealand commemoration followed two minutes of silence at 11:00 am on November 11, when the armistice took effect. There was a 100-gun salute on the Wellington waterfront, while nationally people cheered, church bells rang, emergency services sounded their sirens and ship and car horns blared. "The carillon and roaring chorus has recaptured the wave of spontaneous jubilation and hope which swept New Zealand when news of the Armistice broke," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a service at the National War Memorial in Wellington. The June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, ignited a conflict that was contemporaneously described as "the war to end all wars". More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised and an estimated 10 million lost their lives. More than 100,000 New Zealanders -- about 10 percent of the population at the time -- served overseas during the war, and 18,300 were killed. "No family, no community in New Zealand went untouched by the effects of the war," Sarah Davies, the director of the World War I centenary programme, told AFP. burs-cf-grk-np/rmaTens of thousands of people rallied in the north Italian city of Turin on Saturday, to support a planned high-speed train line to Lyon that faced years of opposition, especially from environmental groups. Between 30,000 to 40,000 people packed the city's Castello plaza, one of the largest in the capital of Piemont region, in the first large-scale demonstration in favour of the TAV Lyon-Turin railway. The protest came after Turin city authorities, lead by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), in September approved a motion demanding a halt the project. The Piemont regional government has ruled in favour of the TAV. Italian and French transport ministers are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the project. "Turin is closing itself off, this is why we thought we have to do something as citizens," Giovanna Giordano and Patrizia Ghiazza, two of the organisers, told reporters. "Turin has come out onto the streets to say yes many times." Supporters see the train project as a pontential source of growth for the region and northern Italy. Elected in 2016, Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino of the Five Star Movement said on Saturday that "the door is open and will remain open" in a blog posting showing a photo of her office door. The Lyon-Turin project would involve construction of a 57.5 kilometre (35.7 miles) tunnel between Maurienne valley and Susa valley, to cut travel time between the two cities to two hours from current four hours. Luigi Di Maio, political chief of the M5S, has called for complete renegotiation of the project, which he dismisses as a waste of public money. France's Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne told the national assembly on Monday the government remains determined to complete the project. The EU has attempted to push the two countries to advance. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated at 8.6 billion euros ($9.7 billion), 40 percent financed by the EU, 35 percent by Italy and 25 percent by France.The US-China trade war will not derail the rise of Chinas middle-class consumers, who are estimated to double in number to 600 million in the next 10 to 15 years and will power a long-term upgrading of consumption spending in the worlds second-biggest economy, said Alibaba Group Holding executive vice-chairman Joe Tsai.

Chinas GDP per capita was about US$800 per person back in 1999 when I joined the company, and has risen to about US$9,000 per person today, an average across 1.3 billion people, Tsai told reporters at a briefing in Shanghai on Sunday for Alibabas Singles Day shopping festival. Is it going to US$20,000, US$30,000 in the future? Absolutely, its happening.

Alibabas 24-hour shopping frenzy beats 2017s US$24 billion record

Tsai made the comments a few hours before Alibaba set a record 213.5 billion yuan (US$30.8 billion) in gross merchandise value for its flagship 24-hour retail event, a 27 per cent increase over last year. Singles Day got its name from its date, November 11. Written numerically as 11/11, the date looks like bare branches, a Chinese expression for the single and unattached.

Today, Singles Day has expanded to become a shopping festival for everyone, and Alibaba holds an annual Double 11 star-studded gala packed with celebrities and performances to entertain its millions of users as they shop.

The strong showing for Singles Day may help assuage concerns that the trade war with the US has dented consumer confidence in China. Analysts expect the trade stand-off with the US to hit manufacturing numbers at the start of next year.

Consumer spending in China is built on double digit wage growth in the past 10 years and a high savings rate, with the urban Chinese consumer very curious about trying new products and interested in imported products, Tsai said. All of this will drive the long-term trend of an upgrading in consumption by the Chinese consumer, he said.

The trade war is accelerating the shift of the Chinese economy from an export-led economy to one that is driven by consumption, which will increase as a percentage of GDP, he said. Alibaba remains very bullish on long-term prospects of Chinese consumption, he said.

Story continues

Tsai also said that many investors see Alibaba's stock as a proxy for China, with the company's stock price reflecting investors' sentiment on China.

But a lot of the investors get it wrong. China is not as bad as people think, Tsai said. Alibaba has some unique aspects, we're really riding the secular trend [of the rising middle-class in China].

He added that Alibaba is uniquely positioned in tech and has the know-how to help digitise the economy, by helping enterprises digitise their operations so they can serve consumers better.

These are some aspects of our business that people should understand better, he said.

Asked about his role in Alibaba in the future, Tsai said that he and Jack Ma, who will step down as executive chairman next year, will continue to focus on developing the next generation of leaders at the New York-listed company.

My most important role is to develop talent because Alibaba emphasises how to help the next generation of young people take over, he said. If I can see younger people do better than me, it is the happiest thing for me.

Alibaba is the owner of the South China Morning Post.

This article Trade war wont derail rise of Chinas middle-class consumers, Alibabas Tsai says first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018.

More from South China Morning Post:Police arrested two people as protesters clashed with each other in Tung Chung on Sunday as tensions erupted over the influx of tourists from mainland China into Hong Kong.

Three weeks after the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge opened, a record-breaking number of tourists have used the crossing. On Sunday alone, 86,436 passengers passed through the citys port checkpoint by 8pm, with 44,888 visiting Hong Kong, the Immigration Department said.

With Lantau Island bearing the brunt of those arrivals, community activists have become increasingly vocal about unlicensed tour guides from across the border bringing visitors to the city.

Emotions finally boiled over on Sunday afternoon when Tung Chung Future, a local activist group, staged a protest to reclaim the town from mainlanders, and called on residents to join them in identifying unlicensed travel agents.

Outside Tung Chung station, where the protests happened on Sunday afternoon, a 72-year-old woman was arrested after grabbing a mans phone which he was using to take pictures of the protest.

Later, a 30-year-old man reported that he had been injured when he was grabbed by a 59-year-old man during a dispute at 2.50pm. The older man was also arrested.

Holding a banner that said, Leading tourist groups without licences is breaching conditions of stay, Wong Chun-yeung, the Tung Chung groups leader said about 60 people had joined his action.

The group urged tourists sitting on the floor in front of shops to leave, and worked on spotting tour groups led by unlicensed mainland travel agents.

Wong and his supporters also reported two Hong Kong tour guides to police for leading more than one tour group at a time, which is against the rules set down by the Tourism Commission governing tour guides.

Police were seen taking the pair away for questioning.

Verbal clashes started when the pro-Beijing Treasure Friendship Group turned up and accused the activists of seeking Hong Kongs independence, and hurting the relationship between the city and its neighbours across the border.

Story continues

Sandy Li, the rival groups spokeswoman, compared the protest with the previous actions taken against buskers at Tsim Sha Tsui, whose purpose she said were to insult mainlanders.

She urged tourists to reject the inspection sought by protesters.

Dont let those pretending to be police check your permits, she told them. They dont have the right.

Intense verbal disputes occurred several times between the two groups, and dozens of police officers were needed to maintain order.

Some local residents supported the actions of Tung Chung Future, and said they felt disturbed by the influx of visitors.

This neighbourhood is completely disrupted by these low-quality visitors, one resident, who identified herself as Sze, said.

She said she was annoyed by how the public areas and shopping malls were occupied by the crowds after the opening of the port, and worried how it might impact house prices in the area.

Tung Chung used to be quiet. Thats why I moved here, she said. Now I dont even want to go out into the streets.

The chaos worsened when lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairwoman of the New Peoples Party, showed up to observe the rival protests alongside Fu Hiu-lam, a Tung Chung district councillor.

Ip said she had noticed the overcrowding issues in the town, and had already worked on some solutions.

The pairs brief visit sparked chaos, and they were escorted away by police when leaving. Ip was criticised by both groups for turning up, with the rivals accusing her of trying to capitalise on the issue.

Meanwhile, tourists from three different tours told the Post they did not have local guides. A man surnamed Li from Guangzhou said his guide had only given him a bus ticket for the B6 to get to Tung Chung, and had told him to meet at a gathering point.

He did not know about the B5 bus route that takes visitors to other urban areas in Hong Kong. The service has been well-promoted by the Hong Kong government.

But, Matthew Wong Leung-pak, whose company operates the B6 route between the local checkpoint and Tung Chung, said the company had arranged more buses this morning at the port and the number of people had seen an apparent decrease compared to the peak time last Saturday.

He said 9,000 passengers had used the service as of 6pm on Sunday.

Chinese University political scientist Ivan Choy Chi-keung warned the government had to be careful, or risk the return of a series of large-scale protests similar to the ones seen in Sheung Shui six years ago.

The protests to reclaim a neighbourhood has stopped for quite some years, but if the government is not cautious, they might return, he said.

In 2012, Sheung Shui, a border town, was overrun by so-called parallel traders, buying goods to sell at a profit over the border, triggering protests and souring relations between Hongkongers and mainlanders.

Choy said the government must think of how to manage the crowds, by moving them to other districts.

He said from what he had seen the authorities had not done enough, but he noted some progress had been made, and that more time would be needed to assess how effective those measures are.

Additional reporting by Peace Chiu and Ernest Kao

This article Two arrested as Tung Chung protesters clash over influx of visitors from mainland China to Hong Kong 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: Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Rajapaksa and President Sirisena talk during a rally near the parliament in Colombo FILE PHOTO: Sri Lanka's newly appointed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Maithripala Sirisena talk during a rally near the parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka November 5, 2018. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte/File Photo

By Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve parliament, worsening an already major political crisis, has drawn criticism from Western powers, including the United States and the European Union.

Sirisena dissolved parliament on Friday night, only five days before it was due to reconvene. A new cabinet he installed was in danger of losing a vote of no confidence.

He also called a general election for Jan. 5.

The president triggered a power struggle when he sacked prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe late last month and appointed the island's former leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, a pro-China strongman defeated by Sirisena in an election in 2015, in his place.

Sirisena's rivals are set to challenge his decision, which they describe as illegal and unconstitutional, in the Supreme Court on Monday.

The U.S. Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said in a tweet that the United States was "deeply concerned by news the Sri Lanka Parliament will be dissolved, further deepening the political crisis". It said democracy needed to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity.

A spokeswoman for the European Union's foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the move "risks undermining public confidence in the countrys democratic institutions and processes and further deepens the political and economic crisis in the country."

Last week, the EU's ambassador warned it could consider stripping Sri Lanka of its duty-free access if it backs off commitments on rights. The EU is worried the return of Rajapaksa could derail halting progress made toward national reconciliation following a war with ethnic minority Tamil separatists that killed tens of thousands, many during the final stages under his watch as president.

Mark Field, the British minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, tweeted his concern about the dissolution of parliament days before it was due to be reconvened.

Story continues

"As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes," Field said.

Canada's Foreign Policy twitter feed said that it was "deeply concerned" about the decision and referred to the risks to reconciliation work after the nation's civil war.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne expressed both concern and disappointment in a statement, saying the move "undermines Sri Lanka's long democratic tradition and poses a risk to its stability and prosperity".

Sirisena has said he fired Wickremesinghe because the prime minister was trying to implement "a new, extreme liberal political concept by giving more priority for foreign policies and neglecting the local people's sentiment".

PARLIAMENT TEST

Mangala Samaraweera, an ally of Wickremesinghe, said their party expects the court to rule that the dissolution of parliament was illegal and that eventually a vote in parliament will be held to test whether there is a majority.

"We will show that we have the parliament majority and we will show that the dictator president has dissolved a government which had a majority in the parliament," he told reporters.

They were supported by the Tamil National Alliance, the main party representing ethnic Tamil groups in parliament, who said it too will petition the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the house.

"This is a clear violation of the constitution. The president can't do this," said M.A. Sumanthiran, a spokesman for the alliance.

India and the West have raised concerns over Rajapaksa's close ties with China. Beijing loaned Sri Lanka billions of dollars for infrastructure projects when Rajapaksa was president between 2005-2015, putting the country deep into debt.

Wickremesinghe has refused to vacate the official prime minister's residence saying he was the prime minister and had a parliamentary majority.

Before he signed the papers dissolving parliament and calling the election, Sirisena appointed allies of his and of Rajapaksa to cabinet positions.

One of them said Sirisena was right to order an election to end the political crisis. Dinesh Gunawardena, a newly appointed urban development minister, said the president had handed the country back to the people.

"It is the people's right to vote. We have gone before the people. No force can interfere. The people's mandate is supreme," he said.

Independent legal experts have told Reuters that parliament could be dissolved only in early 2020, which would be four-and-half-years from the first sitting of the current parliament. The only other legal way would be through a referendum, or with the consent of two thirds of lawmakers.

Given those views, it was not immediately clear how Sirisena is on legal safe ground by dissolving parliament, though his legal experts have said there are provisions for him to do so.

(Additonal reporting by Tom Westbrook in Sydney; Editing by Martin Howell, Sanjeev Miglani)Last week on Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson made the regrettable decision to make fun of Dan Crenshaw, a Republican congressional candidate who lost an eye to a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan. Per Davidson, Crenshaws eyepatch made him look like a hitman in a porno movie, and you can probably guess every step of the uproar that followed. An apology was inevitable, and Crenshaw came by Weekend Update this week to accept Davidsons personally. Heres how it went down:

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Structurally, this starts off as a pretty standard we screwed up sketch, as Davidson gives Crenshaw the chance to roast him back. The incoming congressman didnt land anything quite as brutal as Davidsons own self-assessment last weekI look like I make vape juice in a bathtubbut these are pretty good:

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This is Pete Davidson. He looks like if the meth from Breaking Bad was a person. He looks like a Troll doll with a tapeworm. Pete looks like Martin Short in The Santa Clause 3.

If you dont feel like you have the complete context for that Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause joke, this trailer will probably help:

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If you dont feel like you have the complete context for the tapeworm joke, youll have to visit YouTube to watch this clip from an episode of House where Hugh Laurie removes a 25-foot-long tapeworm from a patients stomach, because there are limits to what well embed on Slate to help our readers better understand a joke about Pete Davidson. Speaking of jokes, Crenshaw can tell them; he got a genuine laugh from Davidson with the dry delivery of his question about Ariana Grande. Its not exactly rare for Pete Davidson to break during a sketch, but its vanishingly rare for an incoming congressman to get more than a polite laugh from anyone, so thats a win.

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As for the serious part of Crenshaws appearance, nothing good has ever happened after someone looks into the camera and says, OK, but seriously: theres a lot of lessons to learn here, and this was not an exception. The lesson of the Trump years has not been, as Crenshaw puts it, that Americans can forgive one another so much as its been Americans forgive one another way too easily, even when some Americans have voted to keep other peoples children in cages and have neither apologized nor done anything to fix the giant mess they made. But even if the call for unity rang a little hollow, theres one thing all Americans should be able to agree on: Dan Crenshaws political positions are uniformly terrible on everything from abortion to immigration to the anti-conservative thugs he believes are terrorizing Americas colleges. Never forget.When President Donald Trump met with Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, Kersti Kaljulaid of Estonia and Raimonds Vejonis of Latvia earlier this year, he started with a criticism. At the White House in April, Trump opened by chastising the Baltic leaders for starting the war in the 1990s that ended with the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The Baltic leaders were apparently very confused and it took them a moment to realize that the commander in chief was confusing Baltic states with the Balkans, reported French newspaper Le Monde.

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In todays @lemondefr: When #Trump received the leaders of #Estonia, #Latvia and #Lithuania, he began by blaming them for the war in Yugoslavia. It took them a few moments to realise hed mixed up the Balkans and the Baltics. @SylvieKauffmann pic.twitter.com/HYQYpbqgGs  Mark Lowen (@marklowen) November 10, 2018

Although its hardly surprising world geography isnt Trumps strong suit, this case is particularly notable considering Melania Trump is originally from the Balkans. The first lady was born in Slovenia, which gained independence in 1991 at the start of the Balkan wars. As Le Monde wrote, Trump remained apparently uneducated in the matter by his wife, Melania, originally from the former Yugoslavia.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President Donald Trump traveled to Paris to take part in ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. But as the world joined to send a message of unity at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial in Belleau, France, on Saturday, Trump decided to stay in his hotel room rather than go to the site that is of huge symbolic significance to the U.S. military considering its where the Battle of Belleau Wood was fought.

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A White House statement said the visit was canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather. While its true that the Marines who fly the presidential helicopters are often reticent to fly in bad weather, many werent buying the excuse and saw the move as the latest sign of disrespect by the commander in chief to the countrys European allies. One of those who spoke up was a grandson of Winston Churchill. They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @realDonaldTrump couldnt even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen, Nicholas Soames, a conservative member of the British Parliament, tweeted. He then added a hashtag: #hesnotfittorepresenthisgreatcountry.

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They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @realDonaldTrump couldnt even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen #hesnotfittorepresenthisgreatcountry  Nicholas Soames (@NSoames) November 10, 2018

Soames was hardly alone. David Frum, who was once a speechwriter for President George W. Bush, also expressed shock at the decision. Its incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary - and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow, Frum wrote. Ben Rhodes, who was deputy national security adviser to President Barack Obama, made it clear that weather isnt really a valid excuse for a U.S. president. I helped plan all of President Obamas trips for 8 years, he tweeted. There is always a rain option. Always.

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It's incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary - and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow  David Frum (@davidfrum) November 10, 2018

AdvertisementA slightly higher turnout and more independent candidates. Some results in the municipal elections came as a surprise.

News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription.

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What was the turnout?

The Statistics Office registers 4.49 million eligible voters. Of them, 48.67 percent cast their ballots in the November 10 municipal elections, according to the official results presented by the Statistics Office on November 11.

The highest turnout was recorded in Presov Region where 53.18 percent of the eligible voters turned out, while the lowest turnout was recorded in Bratislava Region where 43.74 percent of the eligible voters made it to the polling stations.

Read also:

Read also: Bratislavans chose Vallo's plan Read more

As for the regional capitals, the highest turnout was in Presov (54.34 percent), while the lowest in Kosice (35.71 percent).

The turnout in the municipal elections oscillates around 50 percent of eligible voters. In the 2002 municipal elections, 49.51 percent cast their ballots, while 47.65 percent turned out in 2006, 49.69 percent in 2010, and 48.34 percent in 2014.

Which party was the most successful?

Independent candidates were clear winners in the November 10 elections. They won 1,232 mayoral posts (which represents 42.42 percent of all mayoral seats), and 7,301 seats in the municipal councils (which represents 35.36 percent).

In the 2014 elections, independent candidates took 1,104 mayoral posts (37.95 percent) and 6,000 seats in the municipal councils (28.91 percent).

The strongest parliamentary party in the municipal elections was Smer, which took 592 mayoral seats (20.39 percent). However, it was a significant drop compared to the 2014 elections, after which it controlled 847 mayoral positions (or 29.11 percent).

Read also:

Read also: Another regional capital gets a "hipster mayor" Read more

The party also reported a big drop in the number of municipal councillors. While four years ago, it won 5,123 seats (24.68 percent), now it only has 3,692 (17.88 percent).

The second strongest party in the municipal elections was the Slovak National Party with 160 mayors (5.51 percent), followed by the non-parliamentary Christian Democratic Movement with 157 mayoral posts (5.40 percent). Next came Most-Hid with 127 mayoral posts (4.37 percent) and the non-parliamentary Party of the Hungarian Community (SMK), which will control 115 mayoral posts (3.96 percent).

Of the remaining parliamentary opposition parties, Sme Rodina will have 11 mayors (0.37 percent), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) seven mayors (0.24 percent), the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) one mayor (0.03 percent), and the far-right Peoples Party  Our Slovakia (LSNS) one mayor (0.03 percent).

The parties were more successful when forming coalitions.

In terms of deputies for local councils, KDH won 2,350 seats (11.38 percent), SNS 1,678 seats (8.12 percent), SMK 1,248 (6.04 percent), Most-Hid 915 (4.43 percent). Other parties and coalitions filled less than 300 posts in the municipal councils.

Read also:

Read also: Municipal vote: Independent candidates dominate Read more

Who won the race in Bratislava?

Slovakias capital will have a new mayor for the following four years. The race was won by architect Matus Vallo, an independent candidate running with the support of the non-parliamentary Progressive Slovakia and Spolu, who received 36.54 percent of the vote.

Second came independent candidate Vaclav Mika, former director of the public-service broadcaster RTVS, with the support of 22.86 percent of voters. He was followed by incumbent Ivo Nesrovnal (also running as independent) with 18.42 percent, and candidate of the centre-right opposition parties, Jan Mrva, with 17.27 percent, as stems from the official results.

Who are the mayors of the city boroughs in Bratislava?

The voters in Bratislava could also elect mayors of the city boroughs:

Old Town: Zuzana Aufrichtova (SaS, OLaNO, KDH, Sme Rodina, OKS, NOVA, Zmena Zdola, DU); 36.59 percent

Ruzinov: Martin Chren (independent); 34.21 percent

Podunajske Biskupice: Zoltan Pek (Most-Hid, SaS, Sme Rodina, OKS, NOVA); 20.82 percent

Vrakuna: Martin Kuruc (independent); 94.19 percent

New Town: Rudolf Kusy (independent); 58.49 percent

Raca: Michal Drotovan (independent); 43.45 percent

Vajnory: Michal Vlcek (independent); 50.90 percent

Devin: Lubica Kolkova (independent); 61.27 percent

Devinska Nova Ves: Darius Krajcir (SaS, Sme Rodina, NOVA); 50.67 percent

Dubravka: Martin Zatovic (SaS, OLaNO, KDH, Sme Rodina, OKS, NOVA, Zmena Zdola, DU); 90.78 percent

Karlova Ves: Dana Cahojova (independent); 69 percent

Lamac: Lukas Banacky (SaS, OLaNO, KDH, Sme Rodina, OKS, NOVA, Zmena Zdola, DU); 46.50 percent

Zahorska Nova Ves: Jozef Krupa (independent); 60.61 percent

Cunovo: Gabriela Ferencakova (SaS, OLaNO, KDH, Sme Rodina, OKS, NOVA, Zmena Zdola, DU); 63.01 percent

Jarovce: Jozef Uhler (independent); 71.40 percent

Petrzalka: Jan Hrcka (SaS, NOVA, KDH, OKS, Sme Rodina); 32.68 percent

Rusovce: Lucia Tulekova Hencelova (independent); 50.76 percent

Who will be the mayors in other regional capitals?

In the second biggest city in Slovakia, Kosice, Jaroslav Polacek, the candidate for five opposition parties (SaS, KDH, SMK, NOVA and OKS), received the most votes: 43.29 percent. He defeated the candidate of the ruling Smer and Slovak National Party (SNS), Martin Petrusko, who received only 23.82 percent and independent Alena Basistova, who earned 14.84 percent, according to the official results.

Voters in Zilina elected independent candidate Peter Fiabane, who won the race with 48.06 percent of votes.

Banska Bystrica re-elected Jan Nosko, running as an independent candidate. He received 75.19 percent of the vote.

The winner of the mayoral race in the city of Trencin is the incumbent Richard Rybnicek, with 72.40 percent support.

Andrea Turcanova, who ran with the support of KDH, OLaNO and NOVA, won the election in Presov, garnering 45.73 percent of the vote.

Independent candidate Peter Brocka, who was supported by 62.82 percent of voters, won the race in Trnava.

In Nitra, independent candidate and organiser of the For a Decent Slovakia protests, Marek Hattas, was elected new mayor, winning 42.28 percent of votes.Welcome to Sprudge Shop Spotlights, a new weekend series in which we highlight our very favorite items currently available in the ever-changing, fast-moving, utterly bespoke Sprudge Shop. Now shipping worldwide, featuring unique artist and brand collaborations from around the planet. Enjoy!

We think youll love this new tote bag now available in the Sprudge Shop! This natural color 100% cotton canvas tote bag celebrates Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz, who invented the coffee filter in 1908.

Heres a snippet of history from the Melitta website:

A piece of blotting paper from her son Willys exercise book gave her the simple idea of filtering out the unpleasant coffee grounds with the aid of a filter and some paper. She experimented with a brass pot peppered with holes on the bottom and on June 20, 1908 she laid the foundation for her subsequent business: the Imperial Patent Office in Berlin awarded Melitta Bentz patent protection for her coffee filter with rounded and recessed bottom perforated by slanting flow-through holes and using filter paper.

Get your very own Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz tote today for 10% off using the promo code MELITTA. Supplies are limited so act fast, and join us again next week for another Sprudge Shop Highlight!University of Massachusetts-Amherst

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst provides students with a Master of Arts (MA) in Speech-Language Pathology, a Doctor of Audiology (AuD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with a concentration in audiology or speech-language pathology. The MA program takes 2 years, including a summer term, to complete and includes observation hours and a clinical practicum. Students in the MA program take courses in topics like language disorders, voice disorders and evaluation processes. The PhD program requires a dissertation and includes research and teaching experience.

Worcester State University

Students at Worcester State University in Worcester can pursue a Master of Science (MS) in Speech-Language Pathology. The program offers small class sizes and is intended for working professionals with part-time, full-time and accelerated formats available. These formats vary in length from 6 to 9 semesters and include at least 3 practicum experiences for a wide range of hands-on learning experience. Students in the program take courses in topics including audiology, diagnosis, research and aural rehabilitation.

MGH Institute of Health Professions

Boston's MGH Institute of Health Professions offers a MS in Speech-Language Pathology that was ranked in U.S. News and World Report's top 10 best graduate speech-language pathology programs for 2017, according to the school's website. The 2-year program offers a unique opportunity for students to further specialize in 1 of 7 concentrations, including Autism spectrum disorders, literacy, early intervention and voice disorders. Students in the program participate in research opportunities, high-tech simulations and hands-on clinical experience on-campus in the Speech, Language and Literacy Center or Aphasia Center. The program also includes a mentored learning project and places an emphasis on literacy education.

Boston University

Boston University also offers a 2-year MS in Speech-Language Pathology degree program. The program is very small and offers individual clinical supervision and small class and lab sizes. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical practicums and treatment sessions at the Academic Speech, Language & Hearing Center. Students can also participate in internship opportunities throughout Boston and specialized clinic and lab experiences at centers such as the Aphasia Resource Center or Child Language Laboratory. The program also requires coursework in topics like motor speech disorders, cognition, language models and speech sound disorders.

Northeastern University

Northeastern University, also in Boston, has a full-time, 2-year MS in Speech-Language Pathology. The program includes 4 semesters of clinical experience and research experience on-campus. Some of the clinical experience usually takes place at the school's on-campus Speech-Language and Hearing Center that serves local communities. Students in the program also take courses that discuss evidence-based practice, language literacy, stuttering, articulation and dysphagia.Credit: Energy Vault

A nagging question as the year gets closer to the very end. The wind is there. The water is there. The sun is there. How is it that we are still so far off in fossil-fuel land? Farms, plants, rigs later, those in the renewables industry know the answer. A video from Quartz back in August said, "There's been a lot of progress in renewable energy with solar and wind power, but renewable energy storage remains a challenge."

TechCrunch's Jonathan Shieber is no less frustrated at the difficult-of-it-all: "Because solar and wind power are now cheaper to produce than energy from fossil fuels, the only obstacle that remains to the mass adoption of renewable power is the amount of money utilities need to spend to store the energy those systems produce."

Considering the worrying over climate change, he added, an attempt to find a solution "that can make renewables even more compelling and cost-effective isn't just a good businessit's a global priority."

"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," said a company release from Energy Vault.

The storage problem, though, will not stay as a roadblock for long. Energy Vault's recipe for a concrete battery is gaining interest and indicates the problem of storage is much in focus.

Take kinetic energy and concrete bricksand voila. Kelly Pickerel, editor in chief of Solar Power World, reported that "an Idealab company that develops renewable energy storage products," referring to Energy Vault, announced on Nov. 7 the commercial availability of its solution for energy storage. Their proposed solution for energy storage involves a crane, software and concrete blocks. Pickerel described "conventional physics fundamentals of potential and kinetic energy" in place together with a "proprietary, cloud-based software platform" to operate a six-arm crane.

The crane operation, which is automated, orchestrates the positioning of the concrete bricks. The crane moves massive concrete bricks "that provide the basis for the efficient storage and discharge of electricity." The video about their solution says the concept is similar to that of hydroelectric power, where energy is stored by pumping water to an elevated reservoir and recovered by letting that water fall and turn turbines. Energy Vault's idea is similar to hydroelectric power, but instead of using water and dams, it uses the concrete blocks and cranes.

This is utility-scale energy storage.

A key company pitch is "economic benefits to global energy providers." The bricks do not degrade over time, like chemical storage solutions. The company claimed that with this technology, it would be delivering a 30-40 year life without any degradation in storage capacity. Commenting on that lifetime number, TechCrunch said "the technology relies on mechanical energy from incredibly durable materials."

Credit: Energy Vault

The company highlighted the advantage of bricks not degrading over timeso that means less outlay and worries over 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."

Another pitch is that takers need not abandon their other forms of alternative energy. Their storage tech can be "paired with renewable generation like solar PV for offgrid and microgrid solutions, allowing commercial and industrial customers to maximize their renewable power usage," said the company news release.

The makers are using recycled concrete that was only going to be landfilledinstead of new cement construction, according to TechCrunch. Adele Peters in Fast Company made a similar observation that the bricks "can be made from cement that would normally be wasted." Peters quoted Robert Piconi, CEO. "These materials we're using are actually materials that you'd have to landfill."

Peters reflected on waste and cost issues, giving California as an example, where "a construction site with concrete debris has to pay as much as $55 a cubic yard to get rid of it." The team decided to use recycled cement to make the blocks that its energy storage system would use.

The creators referred to some "nifty software" to maximize efficiency. This is their algorithm-based software, which plays a role in getting this whole concept to work.

The news release said that it "calibrates the energy storage and subsequent electricity discharge while accounting for a variety of factors, including power supply, energy demand volatility, and weather."

Specifically, it's a software system that manages the movement of the cement blocks, wrote Schiever, " to either store the energy generated by solar or wind farms, or discharge that energy onto the power grid."

What's next? The company announced an agreement with The Tata Power Company Limited, an integrated power company in India, to deploy an initial 35 MWh Energy Vault system. Deployment was expected in 2019, according to the announcement.

The company also announced a technology and commercial partnership with a Swiss subsidiary of Mexico-based CEMEX, CEMEX Research Group AG. World Cement describes CEMEX as a building materials company.

Explore further Liquid battery could lead to flexible energy storage

 2018 Science X NetworkBY JOSEPH KATO.

More than 80 people were reportedly arrested during the Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi known as Bobi Wines Kyarenga music album launch at Busabala beach yesterday.

The suspects reportedly detained at Kabalagala and Katwe police divisions were apprehended on accusations of engaging in offences such as pick pocketing, drug smoking, fighting and being public nuisance.

The Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, says police is to screen the suspects but applauded revelers for being peaceful and respecting the days security plan.

Meanwhile unconfirmed reports indicate that 43 Bodaboda motorcycles and seven cars were impounded for abusing traffic regulations on Entebbe highway while going or returning from the Kyarenga concert.

"To get rich, first build a road" is one of those Chinese proverbs that tends to impress foreigners  evoking, as it does, a combination of farsightedness and concern for practicalities. As China is discovering with its globe-spanning Belt and Road project, though, the world doesn't always play along. The initiative has run into trouble, and its success now depends on revisiting both the vision and the details.



Five years ago Chinese President Xi Jinping began promoting a network of Chinese-financed roads, pipelines, ports, power plants and other infrastructure across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Back then, the idea sold itself. China had unmatched skill at building megaprojects, and limitless pools of capital with which to fund them. Host countries, often spurned by the West and its big development banks, desperately needed better roads and other infrastructure to facilitate trade and commerce.



The shine has since come off. Malaysians, for the first time, recently threw out their ruling party because of anger about Chinese encroachment. Strongmen leaders in Sri Lanka and the Maldives have fallen for similar reasons. Malaysia has suspended or canceled Chinese projects worth more than $22 billion, and Myanmar has severely scaled back a $10 billion port scheme. Thailand and even Pakistan (one of China's closest allies) have criticized Chinese lending terms.



The sheer size of the Belt and Road program, often called a trillion-dollar enterprise, has bred paranoia and resentment. Host countries fear being sucked into so-called debt traps  especially after China in effect seized a strategically located Sri Lankan port when the island's government couldn't service its loan. Opaque deal-making has bred corruption, sometimes on a large scale, and alienated voters. In some countries, an influx of Chinese laborers, businessmen and tourists has aroused complaints of cultural invasion.



At home, the initiative has increasingly assumed a political rather than economic rationale. Knowing that Xi has staked his reputation on the scheme, underlings have approved projects in haste and without coordination. Some may never get built; others have been plagued by construction setbacks and spiraling costs. Many are unlikely ever to make money.



China ought to take stock and adjust its plans. From now on, it should focus on the quality of the projects it's supporting rather than their scale. This shift will need to come from the top, starting with a push for state-owned banks to partner with international lenders and adhere to their standards. Opening tenders to non-Chinese companies and employing more local workers would cut costs and build goodwill.



Providing greater transparency, consulting civil-society groups, and carrying out proper social and environmental assessments of projects would probably slow down approvals  but the delay would be justified if it headed off future problems.



The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank  which China dominates  has evolved into a well-respected, high-standard lender. There's no reason China can't meet global standards in the planning and management of projects. If it did, fewer questionable projects would go forward, and exaggerated fears that the Belt and Road is nothing but a plan to establish China's hegemony over Eurasia might subside.



The U.S. and its allies have a role to play. Some of China's projects do pose a clear strategic threat, and intervention in those cases is justified  as when India persuaded Bangladesh not to use Chinese companies to build a deep-water port.



In addition, developed countries could help smaller nations to assess Chinese offers of investment and negotiate better terms. That might mean providing technical assistance to develop higher-quality projects, or creating a multilateral forum to evaluate Chinese bids for their debt sustainability. It could also mean working to strengthen civil society, and to promote democracy, independent courts and a free press, so that citizens can better judge deals for themselves, and hold their leaders to account.



Above all, if the U.S. and others want to contain Chinese influence, they need to provide developing countries with an appealing alternative. The decision to combine various U.S. agencies into a new International Development Finance Corporation will help. Washington ought to collaborate more closely on development initiatives with Japan and other partners. And the U.S. could help itself and developing countries at the same time by doing more to spread the benefits of digital technologies.



China's Belt and Road needn't pose a threat and shouldn't be opposed on principle. Quite the opposite: If China's investment and expertise succeed in boosting development in poor or unstable regions, the U.S. and other developed nations could benefit too. That's why Washington's best course would be to work on strengthening the rules for global trade  so that the goods and services flowing through this new infrastructure are guided by market forces, not political directives. At the moment, of course, the Trump administration is pressing the other way.



To be sure, China's government isn't the only one that needs to stop and think. That doesn't make it any less necessary for Beijing to put the Belt and Road on a smarter and more modest course.





The above editorial appeared in the Bloomberg News. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Wade Modisette is a local husband and father that seeks the best and most appropriate entertainment for his family. A movie connoisseur in his own mind, he seeks to educate his friends and community on quality choices for their family. Find more reviews and information at wadereviewsstuff.wordpress.com.Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacationThe second annual wild sunflower festival kicked off in Vietnams Central Highlands on Saturday, attracting many visitors with the beautiful yellow color of the plateaus signature blossom.

The event takes place at the Rong House in Ia Gri Village, Chu Dang Ya Commune, Chu Pah District, Gia Lai Province from November 10 to 13.

The destination is located near the Chu Dang Ya Extinct Volcano.

Wild sunflowers bloom near the Chu Dang Ya Extinct Volcano.

Aside from witnessing the magnificent wild sunflowers, visitors are able to enjoy a series of interesting activities, namely brocade weaving, calligraphy, Gong performances, statue sculpturing, and the making of ethnic musical instruments.

They can also have a taste of local delicacies cooked by the villagers themselves, including com lam, which is bamboo-cooked rice, grilled chicken, and ruou can, a type of alcohol made of cooked glutinous rice and mixed with several kinds of herbs.

The entrance to the 2018 Wild Sunflower Festival in Ia Gri Village, Chu Pah District.

The activities are aimed at boosting the localitys natural and cultural merits as well as attracting visitors from other places.

The wild sunflower, locally known as hoa da quy, often blooms in the winter, signaling the beginning of the dry season in the plateau.

A close-up photo of the yellow wild sunflowers.

The wild sunflower festival was first organized by the Peoples Committee in Chu Pah District from November 24 to 26, 2017.

The Chu Dang Ya Extinct Volcano is approximately 30 kilometers from Pleiku City, the capital of Gia Lai Province.

Wild sunflowers bloom near the Chu Dang Ya Extinct Volcano.

The wild sunflowers are spotted on top of a hill.

Visitors pose for a photo with the unique blossoms.

A woman takes a selfie with the flowers.

Local villagers weave brocade at the event.

Villagers make traditional objects of the ethnic minority at the festival.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday morning, as part of his official visit to Vietnam from November 8 to 10.

Paying a visit to the historic site was the first activity of President Diaz-Canels agenda in the southern Vietnamese metropolis on Saturday.

The Cuban leader and the First Lady saw a documentary on the tunnels at the site.

They were also invited to have a taste of Cu Chis signature dishes, cassava and rice balls, and briefed on Vietnamese soldiers and their weapons during the American war in Vietnam.

The president and his spouse wear traditional hats and scarves during their visit.

Located about 60km from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels were previously built by Vietnamese soldiers as shelter from U.S. troops during the war in Vietnam.

The tunnel complex also served as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon storage, and living quarters.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel walks down a tunnel at the historic site.

After leaving Cu Chi, the Cuban president arrived at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park in District 9.

Ho Chi Minh City is willing to share its experience in the field to contribute to Cubas development, said Le Hoai Quoc, head of the hi-tech parks management board.

The Cuban leader tours a medical facility inside the tunnels.

A meeting was convened between President Diaz-Canel and Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan at the Reunification Palace on the evening of the same day.

During the gathering, Secretary Nhan stated that the southern city is willing to become an important link in pilot development models between the two countries.

He hoped that Cuba and Ho Chi Minh City would build a strong and sustainable relationship to boost bilateral trade and investment.

The president and his spouse take a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels.

They listen to a presentation about the tunnels.

The president and his spouse taste the signature dishes at the site.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel shakes hands with Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on November 10, 2018.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday morning, as part of his official visit to Vietnam from November 8 to 10.

-- General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong chaired a meeting of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-corruption in Hanoi on Saturday, during which measures were discussed for battling corruption in the country in the upcoming time.

Society

-- Rescue units on Saturday afternoon were able to find the first body after two people had been trapped inside an illegal gold mine in the northern province of Hoa Binh since November 4.

-- A fire broke out at a wood workshop in the southern province of Binh Duong at around 4:00 pm on Saturday, damaging a 300-square-meter section of the facility and causing heavy financial damage.

-- A traffic accident occurred at around 7:00 pm on Saturday on the Rach Mieu Bridge, resulting in a serious traffic jam that lasted for several hours as the bridge is located along a primary route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and some Mekong Delta provinces.

-- Officers under the Ministry of Public Security on Saturday initiated legal proceedings against Nguyen Huu Tin, former vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, and four other people for their violations of regulations on land management.

-- Police in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City have arrested a group of debt collectors for stabbing a man to death as they were pressuring a family to pay up on Thursday evening.

-- One person was killed and another critically injured after a motorbike rear-ended a truck on the Dong Nai Bridge, located in the namesake southern province on Saturday evening.

Business

-- A large number of brands and websites in Vietnam are scheduled to open one of the biggest sales events of the year on Sunday, November 11, which is also marked as Singles' Day.

Lifestyle

-- The second annual wild sunflower festival is organized in Chu Pah District in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai from November 10 to 13 and has attracted a lot of visitors so far.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Many teachers in Vietnams Mekong Delta who completed their educational career have run a special shop offering poor residents free clothes in hopes that even people in hardship can have a clean and neat appearance.

Meager-income workers usually visit the charitable shop, which is managed by retired teachers in Sa Dec, a city of Dong Thap Province, over 150 kilometers southwest of Ho Chi Minh City.

The shop, opening every other weekday, has given an estimated 3,000 items of clothing since it was set up nearly six months ago.

The ex-educators wash and iron hand-me-downs they collected from various donors before hanging them in a cupboard of the shop.

Nguyen Thi My Hanh, a lottery ticket vendor who frequents the place, said as she has to struggle to make ends meet, having smart clothes to wear is a luxury to her.

I tramp in scorching heat to sell tickets. I wanted to buy a coat but it typically costs over [four dollars]. Now thanks to the shop, I have it without spending money, Hanh said.

Im grateful to the teachers for their help for me and other poor people.

Pham Thi Tung Trinh, the shop manager, said she and other former teachers saw many of low-incomers wear patched shirts while working on the street, and decided to set up the shop as a way to give them nice free clothes.

Initially poor people were unwilling to come because theyre afraid of losing respect from the community. Thats why we talked to them with care and brought them to the shop so that they could pick up the clothes they wanted, Trinh said.

The philanthropic groups kindness was spread so widely that donors have given them irons and washing machines to facilitate their cause.

A set of nice clothes given is a feeling of happiness we receive in return, Trinh said.

Our guiding principle is that whoever has more should give, and those who dont can take.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!Minor spoilers:

Filming on Season 7 of House Rules is already underway for 2019.

Renovation is already taking place on the very steep Bruce Crescent in Ferntree Gully, in outer eastern Melbourne.

A huge home owned by young parents James & Courtney previously belonged to an elderly couple and sold for $748,888 last year. News Corp reports a one-way traffic flow is in operation at the request of local council.

Seven declined to comment.

Meanwhile reports also suggest Seven snapped up a two level inner-Sydney warehouse in Beaconsfield ahead of auction.

Jamie Durie joins Season 7 alongside judges Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Wendy Moore and host Johanna Griggs.Next Match: at Arizona State 11/16/2018 | 6:00 PM ASU Live Stream

The 21st-ranked Bruins dropped a three-set decision to No. 25 Washington on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Set scores were 15-25, 22-25, 15-25.Sophomoreled the team with nine kills and nine digs, adding a pair of aces. Juniorhad seven kills and five blocks, juniorproduced 21 assists and eight digs and seniorposted eight digs. The Bruins hit .149 for the match.The Bruins (12-11, 7-9 Pac-12) scored four of the first five points of the match on a block by Gates and sophomore, a Mosser ace and two Washington errors. The Huskies (17-9, 9-7 Pac-12) rallied with the next 10 points and never looked back, winning the opener by a score of 25-15. May and senioreach had two kills, as the Bruins were out-hit, .273 to .087.The second set was the closest of the match with 11 ties and five lead changes. Even at seven, the Bruins scored three in a row on a UW attack error and back-to-back aces by May. The latest lead for the Bruins was at 14-13, but four in a row for the Huskies gave the visitors a 17-14 edge. The Bruins tallied the next three on a kill by Gates, a block from Gates and Miller and a May kill to even things at 17, but Washington netted eight of the last 13 to win the second by a count of 25-22. May produced four kills and Gates had three with three blocks. The Bruins out-hit the Huskies, .281 to .229.The lone lead for the Bruins in set three came after the first point following a May kill. The Huskies got the next four and led by at least two for the remainder of the set, winning the third by a score of 25-15. Gates, May and Mosser all had three kills. The Bruins were out-hit, .206 to .062.Next up for the Bruins is a matchup at Arizona State on Friday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. PT. The match will feature a free video stream courtesy of Arizona State, with a link available on the women's volleyball schedule page at UCLABruins.com.Bystanders feared the worst on Saturday when a cow ran onto the helipad seconds before a helicopter carrying a former politician landed in India. As the chopper carrying former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi came into to land in a field near Bilaspur in the state of Chhattisgarh, the cow somehow got into the fenced off area around the helipad. Police officers tried to drive the cow away but the bovine couldn't find its way out of the enclosed area. Fortunately, the helicopter managed to land safely and the cow was later sent on its way.FILE PHOTO: A crowd in Times Square hold up copies of newspapers with a headline about the signing of the Armistice FILE PHOTO: A crowd in Times Square hold up copies of newspapers with a headline about the signing of the Armistice to end World War One, in New York, U.S., November 11, 1918. U.S. National Archives/via REUTERS

By Toni Reinhold

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jubilant New Yorkers took to the streets when the Great War ended at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, my late grandmothers ninth birthday.

The gritty Brooklyn waterfront neighbourhood where she lived celebrated mightily, but a grim legacy of the war went on to take an even deadlier toll.

People filled the streets. It was so exciting, even though I wasnt exactly sure what was happening, Marie Starace recalled years later. They were laughing, crying, and singing. Some men fired guns into the air.

A woman fell to her knees in the street with her hands together as if she was praying. She was crying so hard that looking at her made me cry, too. Despite the passage of time, my grandmothers eyes filled with tears as she described the scene.

Later in life, during many tea-soaked storytelling sessions with me about her life, Armistice Day remained a vivid memory for my grandmother.

The cessation of hostilities had been anticipated for days. There had even been an inaccurate report of an armistice on Nov. 7. It finally came to pass on Nov. 11, a date the adventurous little girl, who was mostly called Mary, was sure to remember.

A multitude headed to the 14th Regiment Armory on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn, she told me, and my grandmother made the long walk from the docks with them. To this day a bronze of a doughboy, as soldiers in the American Expeditionary Forces were known, stands there in the name of the Men of the 14th Infantry who were engaged in the World War 1917-1918. The sculpture was donated by families who lost loved ones in the war.

The crowds swelled and marched on to where soldiers were gathering near Prospect Park at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, dedicated to those who fought to defend the union in the U.S. Civil War. The sight of the soldiers brought the throng to fever pitch.

Soldiers were already marching by the time I got to the park. When I saw the parade, I thought they were celebrating my birthday!

Story continues

She marched with them, she said, fondly recalling a soldier who gave her a nickel. It was a precious gift, good for a small sack of flour or some apples in a neighbourhood where families, including her own, scraped at times to make ends meet, hard times made harder by the war.

On the steps of a house not far from where she lived, my grandmother saw a young man sitting quietly by himself. I wondered why he seemed so sad, she remembered. She asked her mother, my great-grandmother, about him. Mamma said, Leave him alone, Mary. Hes shell-shocked.

The suffering and deprivation the war wrought hung heavy over Europe and the United States like so much cannon-fire smoke as people struggled to restore equilibrium to a shattered world.

Soldiers returned home broken, with mental and physical wounds, some with lungs burned raw by mustard gas, others with the Spanish flu, called La Grippe in Europe and The Grippe in Brooklyn. The war to end all wars claimed some 17 million lives.

The pandemic killed at least 50 million worldwide, about 675,000 in the United States, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in its 100th-year commemoration of the flu pandemic.

For the daughter of ships pilot Salvatore Starace and Antonia Esposito, the grippe was another indelible childhood memory. New York Citys Health Department struggled to contain the disease, quarantining stricken households and restricting public gatherings.

My grandmother recounted bodies being put on ice inside horse-drawn trucks as morgues filled up. Hospital staffs were depleted by the flu, and my grandmother told of men who had been medics in the Army pitching in.

Her maternal uncle, Alexander Esposito, who served with the U.S. Army, was one of them. Uncle Allie volunteered to help at the hospital because he had some medical training, she told me. Mamma was worried that he would get the flu and die.

In Brooklyn alone in 1918, 4,514 people died from influenza from a population of 1,798,513, according to almanacs published in 1918 and 1920 by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper.

Until she died in 1996, whenever my grandmother saw me going out with an open coat, she warned: Button up or youll get the grippe.

By many written and photographic accounts New York City threw caution to the wind on Armistice Day.

I never saw anything like that day, she told me.

(Reporting by Toni Reinhold; Editing by Clive McKeef)KUWAIT (Reuters) - Iraq's president on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran.

The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in U.S. dollars. Sanctions on Tehran's oil sector took effect on Nov 5.

"We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the U.S. sanctions on Iran," Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait.

Iraq wanted to maintain "balanced" relations with all its neighbours and the international community, he said.

"Iran is a neighbouring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran," he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties.

Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State.

Iraq central bank officials said in August that the country's economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alexandra Hudson)After marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War in a show of unity on Sunday, world leaders gathered in the French capital to hear impassioned pleas for global cooperation at a Peace Forum shunned by US President Donald Trump.

During French President Emmanuel Macrons weeklong pilgrimage of Great War landmarks, a carefully choreographed prelude to Sundays Armistice Day commemorations, the presidency arranged for students to read out letters, poems and quotes from protagonists of the gruesome conflict. In the martyred village of Eparges, a pupil recited an oft-quoted line by Frances wartime leader Georges Clemenceau. It is easier to make war than peace, an aging Clemenceau observed on the battlefield of Verdun, months after the guns had fallen silent on the Western Front. It could have been a motto for the Paris Peace Forum that opened in the French capital on Sunday - a catchier one perhaps than the somewhat drab Peace is linked with global governance adopted by the organisers.

As one of the key Allied victors who made a hatchet job of negotiating a peaceful settlement after 1918, Clemenceau knew all about the difficulties of making peace. Largely because of the flaws of the 1919 Versailles Treaty, Europe would be back at war just two decades later, torn apart by resentment, national rivalry and authoritarianism. Macron, who has cast himself as the champion of a liberal and cohesive Europe, believes those forces are once again threatening the continent and the wider world. In the words of its organisers, the Paris Forum is part of the fightback against the tide of authoritarian nationalism surging from Brasilia to Manilla.

Lessons from 1918

A hundred years ago we were unable to produce a lasting peace, because France and Germany remained divided, Macron told delegates gathered inside the vast steel-and-glass Grande Halle de la Villette, a former slaughterhouse that is now a culture and conference centre in northern Paris. Surrendering the podium after an unusually brief speech, the French president added that, in the spirit of reconciliation, unity and multilateralism, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would open the three-day event.

Story continues

Offering a passionate plea for global cooperation, Merkel denounced the "national vaingloriousness and military arrogance" that led to the "senseless bloodshed" of two world wars. The German chancellor said the world must not simply stand by and watch" as more conflicts continue to unfold around the world. Isolationism didnt work 100 years ago, how could it work in todays interconnected world, she asked, in a veiled dig at Donald Trump.

Merkel warned that the benefits of international cooperation, "the peaceful balancing of interests, even the European peace project -- people are calling them into question again." She added: "The concern I have is that blinkered nationalist views may gain ground once again. Echoing her words, the UNs Guterres spoke of "parallels" between the present day and the unstable and dangerous interwar years that dragged Europe back into global conflict.

Peace Davos

Financed by international donors and NGOs, the Paris Peace Forum aims to bring together all actors of global governance to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation. Designed to come up with practical solutions to international challenges, it showcases 120 projects selected from almost a thousand applications, divided into five areas: peace and security, environment, development, new technologies and inclusive economy. All share the notion that multilateral solutions are the answer to global problems. Examples include international mechanisms to crack down on tax evasion, climate-resilient zero-budget programmes to help farmers in developing countries, and initiatives to help firms and states fight off cyber-attacks.

"The aim of the forum is to show that there are lots of forces in the international system -- states, NGOs, foundations, intellectuals, companies -- who believe we need a world of rules, an open world and a multilateral world," said the Forums chief organiser Justin Vaisse. On Monday and Tuesday, philanthropists, corporate leaders and leading figures from international institutions will debate ways to tackle global challenges such as climate change and policing the internet. Macron is hoping the forum will become an annual gathering of political leaders and civil society groups to discuss democracy -- along the same lines as the Davos meeting of business leaders in Switzerland.

Trump no-show

With its workshops and roundtable discussions devoted to global governance, climate change and regulation, it is easy to see why Trump, who has made no secret of his contempt for unelected, unaccountable global bureaucracies such as the United Nations, decided to skip the Paris event despite attending the Armistice Day commemorations earlier in the day. Other world leaders routinely criticised for disregarding international norms, such as Russias Vladimir Putin and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were present at the Forum, though it was hard to imagine them offering more than polite applause to the pleas for multilateralism.

The Paris event was conceived soon after Macrons election victory in May 2017, which France's youthful new leader sought to portray as a sign of renewed confidence in liberal democracy and European integration following the twin shocks of Brexit and Trumps election. But Macron is now himself on the back foot, looking increasingly isolated and weighed down by dismal ratings. And Merkel, seen as the other major bulwark against surging nationalism, has announced she will be standing aside as chancellor by 2021, adding to the sense that Europe's leading advocates of multilateralism are in retreat.

Throughout his tour of the Great War battlefields this week, Macron has repeated his warnings that the nationalist disease threatens to drag Europe back to the fateful divisions of the 1930s. He has cast next years European parliamentary elections as a reckoning between him and the populist, nationalist forces on the ascendancy around the continent. But ominously for the French president, his words have coincided with the first opinion polls showing his centrist, pro-European party slipping behind the far-right National Rally (formerly known as the National Front) of Marine Le Pen.Thousands of people have marched in a peoples procession through central London to honour Britains fallen soldiers on the 100th centenary of the end of the First World War.

Around 10,000 members of the public passed the Cenotaph war monument, where senior members of the royal family, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn placed wreaths earlier on Sunday.

Prince Charles laid a memorial on at the foot of the Cenotaph while Queen Elizabeth II watched from a balcony.

The solemn Armistice Day ceremony, marked by two minutes of silence at 11am, was repeated in dozens of towns, cities and villages throughout Britain.

The procession of people marching from the Mall to St James Park on Sunday afternoon, chosen in a public ballot, included the descendants of many veterans.

Marion Lewis and her sister Dorothy Heslop were marching for their grandfather, Private John Waters of the 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment.

10,000 people walked down Whitehall on Remembrance Day (PA)

He received a serious head wound at the Somme in 1916 which left him missing part of his skull. Ms Lewis and Ms Heslop said it was an unspoken rule not to ask granddad about the war.

They did not expect him to survive so they left him outside the medical tent and we think its the cold that probably saved him, said Ms Heslop.

Jackie Sheridan, whose great-great uncle Oliver Davies died aged just 21 while serving as a driver for the Royal Engineers near Jerusalem, was also taking part. Its a very proud moment to represent my family who are descendants, she said.

Ms Sheridan was wearing a Land Army badge that belonged to her grandmother Valda Davies, who received it a few years before she died. Wiping away tears, she said: That was very important to her.

Prince Charles lays wreath at the Cenotaph in place of the Queen (AFP/Getty Images)

In another poignant act of remembrance, portraits of soldiers who died during the conflict were etched out on beaches around the British coastline.

The homage was carried out on 32 beaches, including Blackpool, Folkestone, Colwyn Bay and the Shetland Islands.

Hundreds of people came out to express their gratitude before the likenesses of the dead were washed away by rising tidewater.

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People on Porthcurno beach in Cornwall work on portrait of Lieutenant Richard Charles Graves-Sawle (Getty )

The Pages of the Sea project, organised by filmmaker Danny Boyle, saw artists and volunteers used rakes and stencils to make the images in the early hours of Sunday when the tide was low.

Silhouettes of soldiers from the First World War were also projected on to famous UK landmarks, while services were held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, St Annes Cathedral in Belfast and Glasgow Cathedral.

A senior representative of the German government took part in Britains Remembrance Day observances for the very first time.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph, a gesture meant to symbolise the friendship between the nations.

Thousands gathered for a national service of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Large crowds also attended the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington for New Zealands main remembrance ceremony.

A former Gurkha soldier created his own armistice commemoration by planting a poppy at the peak of a Himalayan mountain.

Nims Purja, 35, reached the peak of Ama Dablam in the eastern region of Nepal shortly before 11am on Sunday.An exchange of fire erupted during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, killing six Palestinians and an Israeli soldier, officials said, while potentially dashing hopes that a recent agreement would restore calm.

As tensions rose following the clash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would cut short his trip to Paris, where he had been attending World War I commemorations, and return home.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, denounced a "cowardly Israeli attack".

Palestinian security sources said the clash included Israeli air strikes.

After the clash erupted, sirens were reported in southern Israel indicating possible rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Ten launches from Gaza towards Israel were identified and two were intercepted by Israeli missile defences, the army said. It was not immediately clear where the others had landed.

Details were still emerging of the incident that Palestinian officials said occurred east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Gaza's health ministry said six Palestinians were killed.

The dead included a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the brigades said in a statement. He was identified as Nour Baraka.

Israel's army confirmed one soldier was killed and another was injured.

"During an (Israeli) special forces operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved," the army said in a statement.

"At this incident, an IDF officer was killed and an additional officer was moderately injured," it added, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

It added that the operation was now over.

Hamas's armed wing alleged in a statement that an Israeli special forces team infiltrated near Khan Yunis in a civilian car.

Israel's military had not confirmed those details nor described what type of operation it carried out.

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A ground operation inside the Gaza Strip would be rare and likely significantly boost tensions.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman held security consultations at military headquarters, his office said.

'Protection money'

The clash comes after months of deadly unrest along the Gaza-Israel border had appeared to be calming.

Recent weeks have seen Israeli decisions to allow Qatar to provide the Gaza Strip with millions of dollars in aid for salaries as well as fuel to help ease an electricity crisis.

Netanyahu had earlier defended his decision to allow Qatar to transfer the cash to Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move, saying he wanted to avoid a war if it wasn't necessary.

"I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security establishment, to return quiet to the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis," Netanyahu said late Saturday, referring to Israeli towns near the Gaza border and deteriorating conditions in the enclave.

Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu's education minister and right-wing rival, compared the cash flow to "protection money" paid to criminals.

Lieberman said he had opposed "transferring the money to Hamas".

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008, and recent months of unrest have raised fears of a fourth.

Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, since the demonstrations began, while others died in tank fire or air strikes.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in that time.

On Friday, Palestinian civil servants began receiving payments after months of sporadic salary disbursements in cash-strapped Gaza, with $15 million delivered into the enclave through Israel in suitcases by Qatar.

A total of $90 million is to be distributed in six monthly instalments, Gaza authorities said, primarily to cover salaries of officials working for Hamas.

Qatar has also said it would hand out $100 to each of 50,000 poor families, as well as larger sums to Palestinians wounded in clashes along the Gaza-Israel border.

The Gulf emirate has also started buying additional fuel for Gaza's sole power station, allowing outages to be reduced to their lowest level in years.

(AFP)ROME (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people rallied in northern Italy on Saturday in support of an ambitious Franco-Italian rail link, known as TAV, and against the decision of the ruling anti-establishment 5-Star Movement to reconsider the project.

The 270-km (167-mile) high-speed line is due to link the French city of Lyon with Turin in northern Italy at an estimated cost of 26 billion euros ($30.2 billion).

The plan has been beset by disapproval and protests, both regional and national, and in July Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the 5-Star and industry minister, called for a review, putting his group at odds with coalition partner the League.

Around 30,000 people gathered in one of Turin's main squares for what was the biggest pro-TAV demonstration so far, signalling the plan's economic importance in one of Italy's most industrialised regions.

"It's yes, to economic development, to jobs, tourism and culture and all that is important to the city," said Adele Olivero, one of the organisers of the rally, which gathered citizens, labour unions, parties as well as TAV workers.

Regional Governor Sergio Chiamparino called for a quick response from the government: "Turin and (the region) of Piedmont want the TAV, and they want a link with Europe, without barriers," he said.

Chiara Appendino, 5-Star mayor of the city, said she accepted the arguments put forward by the protestors and that she was ready to "open a constructive dialogue."

Work has already started on the project but Italy's Infrastructure Minister said he wanted to re-negotiate the terms with France. If Italy backs out at this point, it could face large penalties from both Paris and Brussels.

The 5-Star has long supported the cause of residents of the alpine valleys who have protested against TAV.

Meanwhile the League, whose support is mainly rooted in the regions of the north, has defended the project, saying it will help develop the Italian economy.

5-Star, afraid to lose a large slice of its electoral support, is keen to stop works on TAV, one of its biggest election promises, particularly after having to grant approval last month to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, which it had highly contested and had pledged to stop.

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Clelia Oziel)PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP)  More than 20 years after his father almost bargained them away for a pair of nuclear reactors, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has his nuclear weapons  and a nation still plagued by chronic blackouts. Even on the clearest days, plumes of smoke from two towering chimneys linger over the center of Pyongyang. The Soviet-era Pyongyang Combined Heat and Power Plant smokestacks are one of the North Korean capital's most recognizable landmarks. Possibly more than anything else, this is Kim Jong Un's Achilles heel as he turns his attention from developing the country's nuclear weapons arsenal to building its economy.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korea has airlifted thousands of boxes of tangerines to North Korea in return for the North's large shipments of pine mushrooms in September, Seoul officials said Monday. South Korea says it will send 200 tons of tangerines to North Korea by Monday afternoon. Seoul's Defense Ministry says military planes flew to Pyongyang twice on Sunday to deliver the fruits and are doing the same on Monday. After September's inter-Korean summit talks in Pyongyang, North Korea gave South Korea 2 tons of pine mushrooms as a goodwill gesture. The tangerine airlifting is a sign that the two Koreas are pushing ahead with efforts to improve ties despite a stalemated global diplomacy on North Korea's nuclear program.

SYDNEY (AP)  A homeless man who rammed a shopping trolley at a knife-wielding attacker who was threatening police is being hailed and rewarded for his actions, but he insists he isn't a hero. Michael Rogers emerged from a crowd of onlookers during the attack Friday afternoon in downtown Melbourne, Australia, in which one person was fatally stabbed and two others wounded. Social media users have dubbed Rogers "Trolleyman" and an online fundraiser for him by registered charity Melbourne Homeless Collective had raised more than $72,000 ($100,000 AUD) by Monday morning. "Our hero is humble as can be and had no idea about this fundraiser," the GoFundMe page reads.

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  Sri Lanka's president said he dissolved Parliament and called elections to avoid possible violence inside Parliament and around the country if a vote had to be taken to decide whether his chosen prime minister or his sacked rival had the majority support. In a televised address to the nation Sunday evening, President Maithripala Sirisena said he heard stories from lawmakers on both sides of possible violence in Parliament that could even result in deaths and clashes spreading around the country. "It appeared to me that, if I allowed the Parliament to be convened on the 14th, without dissolving it, it could have brought about commotion and fights in every city and every village would lead to very unpleasant and difficult situation for the average citizens of my beloved country," he said.

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  The repatriation of ethnic Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh, to which more than 700,000 fled since last year to escape deadly violence carried out by Myanmar's security forces, will begin this week, top Myanmar officials said Sunday. Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Win Myat Aye announced at a news conference that Bangladesh had informed Myanmar authorities that repatriation, agreed upon in principle months ago, would begin on Thursday. A Myanmar government statement said an initial group of 2,251 would be sent back from mid-November at a rate of 150 per day. Noting that the actual date depended upon Bangladesh taking action, Win Myat Aye said, "Whether it will happen on the day or not, we have to be ready on our side and we try our best to do that." Abul Kalam, Bangladesh's repatriation commissioner, said he was unaware that a date had been set.

SYDNEY (AP)  A former strawberry farm supervisor was accused in court Monday of retaliating over a workplace grievance by putting needles into the fruit, sparking recalls that devastated the Australian industry. Magistrate Christine Roney said while prosecutors were alleging My Ut Trinh was "motivated by spite or revenge" she would not consider granting bail for the woman until the reasons for her actions became clearer. While no injuries were reported from the needles, the crisis escalated to six states and neighboring New Zealand. Australia's multimillion-dollar strawberry industry suffered major financial losses, with fruit recalled from supermarket shelves and destroyed. Major food distributors in New Zealand removed Australian strawberries from stores.

SHANGHAI (AP)  Online shoppers in China have shattered last year's record by making $30.8 billion in sales on the country's annual buying frenzy Sunday, as the tradition marked its 10th year. The spending binge has for years eclipsed Cyber Monday in the U.S. for online purchases made on a single day. This year's tally was 27 percent higher than a year ago. It breaks from gloomy forecasts about the world's second-largest economy, which is struggling with a tariff war with the U.S., a stock market slump and slowing overall growth. Known as Singles Day, the clamor for deals and discounts was heralded with characteristic fanfare by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, which has turned an unofficial holiday for people without romantic partners into a yearly windfall for digital retailers.

PARIS (AP)  William Kearsey's war was long over by the time his son ever heard about it. By then, the World War I veteran had undergone 28 surgeries to knit back together the bones and flesh of his face, which was shattered in a trench in Belgium in 1917. A century after fighting in the first war of its kind ceased, Kearsey's son, Peter, stood on a rain-soaked avenue in Paris on Sunday to honor the armistice that ended the war his father and so many other soldiers endured. "It's appropriate, really, like what they went through in the trenches.

BEIJING (AP)  A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: ___ EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at the latest developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts that have raised tensions in the region. ___ CHINA DEMANDS END TO US OPERATIONS China has demanded the United States stop sending ships and military aircraft close to its South China Sea island claims during talks to prepare for a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.

SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Two Indian soldiers were killed when Pakistani soldiers fired along the highly militarized de facto frontier that divides the disputed region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan, the Indian army said Sunday. Pakistani soldiers on Sunday targeted a forward post in Rajouri sector along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between the two rivals, said Lt. Col. Devender Anand, an Indian army spokesman. He said a soldier was killed after getting hit by sniper fire. On Saturday, another Indian soldier was killed when he was hit by a sniper in Sunderbani sector, Anand said. Anand called the two incidents a "blatant violation" of the 2003 cease-fire accord between India and Pakistan.FILE PHOTO: Tanzanian President John Magufuli leaves after inspecting a guard of honour during an official visit to Kenya, October 31, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - The United States has spoken out against Tanzanian moves to cut back human rights and civil liberties, including arrests and harassment of "marginalised" people such as homosexuals.

President John Magufuli's government has been criticised by opposition politicians and international rights groups for what they say is growing authoritarianism and intolerance of dissent. The government rejects the criticism.

"We are troubled by the continued arrests and harassment of marginalized persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and others who seek to exercise their rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly," the U.S. State Department said in a statement seen by Reuters on Sunday.

There was no immediate comment from Tanzanian authorities.

The United States earlier this month warned its citizens in Tanzania to be cautious after the commercial capital Dar es Salaam announced a crackdown on homosexuality, a criminal offence.

"The deteriorating state of human rights and rule of law in Tanzania inhibits development, economic prosperity, peace, and security," the U.S. statement said, urging the government to safeguard people's rights.

(Reporting by Nuzulack Dausen; Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Nick Macfie)Flash floods in Jordan have ruined the Travel plans of tourists. The city of Petra is mountainous and famous for its carved rock ruins. It attracts visitors in large numbers and many of them had to be moved to safer areas before flash floods inundated the region. In spite of that, the freak of nature left thousands stranded and they needed evacuation.

The Treasury is the main attraction here and entrance to it is via a narrow canyon. Since water was surging through the narrow space, the visitors tried to escape from the impending danger by moving to higher ground.

The Guardian reports that six tourists were missing in the Wadi Rum desert. Subsequently, it is confirmed four of them were alive and the search was on for the remaining two. The death toll in totality has risen to 12, and there are reports of many persons missing.

WATCH: Jordan hit by worst floods in decades, 12 killed; ancient city of Petra closed, shelters opened https://t.co/5XBGlM9Z4B  Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) November 10, 2018

Authorities are alive to the situation

There is a state of emergency declared in the Red Sea port city of Aqaba while a major highway linking Amman with the south is closed due to flash floods. Moreover, the government has announced the closure of universities and schools while mosques threw open their doors to provide shelter to those who were affected by the natural disaster.

Incidentally, flash floods had struck the Dead Sea region a couple of weeks back and swept away children who were on an outing. It was labeled as one of the countrys worst natural disasters in decades. The authorities must realize that such climatic disorders do not happen all of a sudden but build up gradually and experts usually attribute these to Global warming.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

Drones deployed to search for survivors

According to CNN, the climatic disturbance in southern Jordan has forced the closure of the desert highway in both directions. There are a large number of vehicles stranded on the highway due to the flash floods adding to the miseries of the people. Authorities have pressed drones into service to intensify the search for missing people and to try and assess the extent of damage to infrastructure.

Those who are rescued have been shifted to hospitals. There are reports of generators malfunctioning in many places resulting in power outages and blackouts and workers are trying to restore electricity to these areas.

Jumana Ghuneimat, Jordan's minister of state for media affairs and government spokeswoman, has indicated that the authorities took advance action to keep the people informed about weather conditions. They had used loudspeakers to spread warning messages pertaining to the weather and advised everyone to maintain a safe distance from flooded areas. Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah is worried about the fate of the flood-affected people and wants the authorities to concentrate on rescue operations.When horrible accidents befall those we live with, work with, and care for, we often search frantically for some sort of deeper meaning behind the tragedy, said Cadet Daniel Grigg, a senior in Naval ROTC majoring in political science with a focus in national security and foreign affairs. I have come to realize that Sarahs death serves as a reminder of one of lifes simplest and most painful truths. Life is unbelievably, abruptly, blink-and-you-miss-it short. Cherish it each day.

Mitchell graduated with a degree in biochemistry and minors in chemistry and leadership studies. She commissioned in May 2017 and reported to the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham as a surface warfare officer that June.

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors honored Mitchell with a resolution at its August meeting, recognizing her unwavering courage and valor. President Tim Sands honored her with a moment of silence at his State of the University address in September and attended Fridays ceremony.

The Pylons are a representation of Virginia Techs values. The values engraved on the eight pylons are, from left: Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty, and Ut Prosim. The Pylons are etched with the names of every Virginia Tech student and graduate who died defending our nations freedom, beginning with those lost during World War I.

At the War Memorials center, the cenotaph displays the names of Virginia Techs seven Medal of Honor recipients.past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (5) May 30 (5) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (7) May 26 (6) May 25 (4) May 23 (6) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (7) May 19 (9) May 18 (4) May 17 (6) May 16 (5) May 15 (7) 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(1)Adam Zamoyski in Weekly Standard:

Men of action present a problem for decent modern democrats. For the very term men of action is a euphemism for men accomplished in war, and no public figure is more suspect these days than the warlike man. When Winston Churchill called Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) the greatest man of action born in Europe since Julius Caesar, he meant to praise Napoleon in the highest terms, but for many, such praise is fraught with peril. After all, Julius Caesar, named dictator in perpetuity, placed the Roman Republic in mortal danger and died a tyrants death; the most famous of his assassins, Marcus Junius Brutus, is remembered as a paragon of republican virtue, though it proved impossible to restore the Republic after Caesars day.

Napoleon for his part extinguished all hope of a French republic by prudently measured gradations. Having won public adulation by heroic feats of generalship in Italy and Egypt, he knocked over the ruling Directory in the bloodless coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799 and as First Consul commanded power greater than that wielded by Louis XIV; he did what dictators often do and designated himself consul for life in 1802; then he took the obvious next step for a hero-worshipper of Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great and crowned himself emperor in 1804. And like Caesar and Alexander he ended badly, abdicating the throne in 1814 after disastrous military defeats, forced into exile on the Mediterranean islet of Elba, reclaiming imperial power a year later, only to meet decisive calamity at Waterloo and be condemned to the South Atlantic island fastness of Saint Helena, from which the sole escape was death, a mercy when at last it came, in 1821.

More here.Winterfest draws artisans, vendors, shoppers

Vendors and artisans had a chance to peddle their wares Saturday and Sunday at Winterfest at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. The annual event offers a chance to do a little holiday shopping before the start of the holiday season.Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. The reader is responsible for discerning the validity, factuality or implications of information posted here, be it fictional or based on real events. The content of posts on this site, including but not limited to links to other web sites, are the expressed opinion of the original poster and are in no way representative of or endorsed by the owners or administration of this website. The posts on this website are the opinion of the specific author and are not statements of advice, opinion, or factual information on behalf of the owner or administration of LunaticOutPost.Com. The owners or administration of this website can't be hold responsible for content hosted on sites that posters link to in; including, but not limited to, posts, signatures, private messages and such. This site may contain content not suitable for minors and if you feel you might be offended by such content, you should log off immediately.This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Users may make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of issues relating to civil rights, economics, individual rights, international affairs, liberty, science & technology, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material. 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/Prev 1 of 4 Next

A visit to Albuquerque this week by a 1928 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft represents a flight back in time to an era when the city played a part in the early history of commercial air transportation.

It was a time when pilots, flying for Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT), a precursor of Trans World Airlines, made their way cross country by following a course marked by concrete arrows and 51-foot-high beacon towers outfitted with rotating white-light beams.

Albuquerque was one of the 1929 fueling stops for Transcontinental Air Transport, said Steve Owen, chairman of the Western New Mexico Aviation Heritage Museum at the Grants-Milan Airport. That was Oxnard Field, part of Kirtland Air Force Base today. That was the pit stop for air travelers. They would have come from Clovis to Albuquerque and would go from Albuquerque to Winslow (Ariz.). And eventually on to Los Angeles. And they came from Clovis and went on from Albuquerque in Ford Tri-Motors, a durable, three-engine aircraft built by Henry Ford, who produced 199 of the planes between 1925 and 1933.

They had a lot of capital invested in them, Owen said. They were extremely sophisticated, the pinnacle of technology at the time. It was not the most comfortable but it was the strongest and safest, compared to wooden and fabric aircraft, because it was all metal.

Guiding lights

The Tri-Motor visiting Albuquerque this week came off the Ford Motor Co. line in December 1928 and was originally christened the City of Wichita. TAT bought the plane and it started commercial air service on July 7, 1929. It is owned today by the Liberty Aviation Museum of Port Clinton, Ohio, and operated by the Experimental Aviation Association chapter based in Oshkosh, Wis. The planes stop in Albuquerque is sponsored by Albuquerque Chapter 179 of the EAA.

Visitors may view the plane for free or pay to take 30-minute flights on the aircraft. Exhibits on early aviation history will be displayed by Calvacade of Wings, an Albuquerque-based aviation history group, and the Western New Mexico Aviation Heritage Museum, which was created by the Cibola County Historical Society.

The Aviation Heritage Museum complex at the Grants-Milan Airport includes one of those beacon towers that guided pilots and also a shed that housed an electric generator that fed power to the beacon. Beacon towers and generator sheds were anchored on concrete slabs shaped like an arrow. The arrows head pointed the way to the next beacon.

They were located at about 10-mile intervals, Owen said of the beacons. They were maintained every few days by technicians who serviced the sites.

He said the beacons were activated by an automatic timer just before sunset and operated throughout the night. Most of the 1,500 beacon towers and generator sheds that once spanned this country have been removed, but many of the arrow-shaped concrete slabs remain, including some in New Mexico.

Making tracks

TATs transcontinental service, launched in July 1929, advertised a coast-to-coast trip in 51 hours. But only part of that trip was made by air in Ford Tri-Motors. Passengers traveled portions of the journey on a train, a fact that prompted some folks at the time to suggest that TAT really stood for Take A Train.

To get from New York to Los Angeles, passengers boarded a Pennsylvania Railroad train in New York and rode it to Columbus, Ohio. There they got on a Ford Tri-Motor that made stops in Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Wichita and Waynoka, Okla. At Waynoka, they caught a Santa Fe Railway train for an overnight trip to Clovis. At Clovis they hopped a second Ford Tri-Motor that took them to Albuquerque, Winslow and on to Los Angeles. One-way fare for that trip was $338 and included a lower berth each night spent on a train.

The Ford Tri-Motor, which, in most versions, carried eight to 17 passengers, quickly earned a reputation for strength and dependability. But, tragically, both the planes fame and public confidence in commercial aviation were undermined by a deadly accident in New Mexico.

Mount Taylor crash

On Sept. 3, 1929, the Ford Tri-Motor called City of San Francisco flew west out of Albuquerque into a storm and crashed on Mount Taylor, killing the three crew members and all five passengers.

They got caught in a thunderstorm that was much more severe than expected, Owen said. Flying blind in heavy clouds and rain was the biggest factor.

The crash on Mount Taylor hurt the passenger airline business and the crash on Wall Street the very next month was another blow to the fledgling enterprise. In the early 1930s, Henry Ford got out of the aircraft business as other all-metal airplanes such as the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2 started competing with his Ford Tri-Motor.

But for decades after their heyday as a passenger aircraft, Ford Tri-Motors continued to fly, often as cargo planes used to carry heavy freight to mining operations in jungles and mountains.

And this week, one will be flying in Albuquerque.

If you go

WHAT: Ford Tri-Motor Tour, featuring display of and rides on vintage 1928 aircraft plus exhibits related to early commercial aviation.

WHEN: 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 16-18WHERE: Double Eagle II Airport, 7401 Atrisco Vista NW

HOW MUCH: Parking and viewing of the 1928 Ford Tri-Motor aircraft and historical displays is free. Rides on the aircraft are $70 in advance or $75 walk-up for adults and $50 for those 17 and younger. To book a flight in advance, go to www.FlytheFord.org or call 1-877-952-5395.Residents from Acoma Pueblo, N.M., partnered with members from Kirtland to conduct the first Air Force Day at Acoma Pueblo last month.

The purpose of Air Force Day at Acoma was to continue to strengthen the relationship between the installation and the pueblo, as well as to show the Acoma community that Kirtland is grateful for their partnership with their neighbors.

Its a big event and Im so happy that our community is here to enjoy it, said retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer First Class Davy Malie, Pueblo of Acoma Tribal Secretary.

As a community and being Native, community is the number one word around here because without community things cant happen. Knowing we have Kirtland as our neighbor gives us a sense of being safe as well. We hate to think we could have a catastrophe, but at least we have our armed forces right here.

The event also featured exhibits from various Kirtland agencies.

Airmen from bio-environmental assisted Acoma residents with trying on hazardous-material suits and operating bio-environmental gear. Defenders from the 377th Security Forces Squadron conducted a military working dog demonstration and provided a weapons and Humvee display.

The U.S. Air Force Academy ensemble band, Blue Steel, performed for the residents as well. Blue Steel concluded a four-day tour of local communities and various pueblos at Acoma.

Kirtland is trying right now to reach out to the local communities, trying to find out a way to say thank you, not only to the Native American population, but the rural areas that take part in the mission as well by being close in proximity to the base, said Staff Sgt. Craig Larimer, music director, vocalist and piano player of Blue Steel.

We have gone into schools and into pueblos  different gyms and community centers and really what we are doing is not recruiting necessarily, or asking for anything. We are just trying to say thank you, this is a thank you mission. This is something where we can show what we do at Kirtland.Homeless, Hester raises her five fatherless children under a bridge.

She struggles to find help from anyone; some owe her money. Shes willing to give of herself to others in need, but they reciprocate with pocket change in this gritty underworld of American life.

Opening at the Aux Dog Theatre on Friday, Nov. 16, In the Blood is Suzan-Lori Parks contemporary riff on Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter.

The play runs on weekends through Dec. 16.

In The Scarlet Letter, set in Puritan Massachusetts in the 17th century, the proud and beautiful Hester Prynne has a child whose father she refuses to name. Her judgmental and bitter community ostracizes her, forcing her to wear a letter A  for adulterer  on her chest.

Played by Angela Littleton, Hester Le Negrita possesses an abundance of love. But she is illiterate; the only letter she can write is A.

This handicap blocks her from a world of knowledge, inviting others to think themselves superior because they can write their hate, while she can only speak of love.

The plays six actors play dual roles.

She has a daughter whos a tough girl; she doesnt let anything go by, director Alexandra Buresh said. She doubles as the welfare worker. Shes very judgmental. She has a husband and children. She doesnt understand why everyone doesnt have this setup.

People throw trash under the bridge. Someone scrawled the word slut on the wall. Hester asks her son Jabber what it says, but he loves her too much to answer.

Her life isnt that different from her Puritan counterpart, Buresh said.

Like Hawthornes heroine, she is used and abused by others  her lovers, her social worker, her pastor and her best friend.

Being female, shes been pregnant over and over and over again, Buresh said. Each of the fathers has better things to do. With each (child), life becomes more difficult.

The play was a finalist for the 2000 Pulitzer Prize.CAIRO  Airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and its allies in Yemen are on a pace to kill more civilians than last year, according to a database tracking violence in the country, despite the United States repeated claims that the coalition is taking precautions to prevent such bloodshed.

The database gives an indication of the scope of the disaster wreaked in Yemen by nearly four years of civil war. At least 57,538 people  civilians and combatants  have been killed since the beginning of 2016, according to the data assembled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or ACLED.

That doesnt include the first nine months of the war, in 2015, which the group is still analyzing. Those data are likely to raise the figure to 70,000 or 80,000, ACLEDs Yemen researcher Andrea Carboni told The Associated Press. The organizations count is considered by many international agencies to be one of the most credible, although all caution it is likely an underestimate because of the difficulties in tracking deaths.

The numbers dont include those who have died in the humanitarian disaster caused by the war, particularly starvation. Though there are no firm figures, the aid group Save the Children estimated hunger may have killed 50,000 children in 2017. That was based on a calculation that around 30 percent of severely malnourished children who didnt receive proper treatment likely died.

Renewed uproar over the destruction has put Washington in a corner. The U.S. has sold billions of dollars in weaponry to Saudi Arabia, backing the fight to stop Shiite rebels known as Houthis, who Washington and the coalition consider a proxy for Iran.

That along with tensions over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the countrys consulate in Istanbul may be key factors why Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Oct. 30 made their biggest push yet for an end to the war, calling for a ceasefire within 30 days and resumed negotiations.

Only a month earlier, Pompeo gave a powerful show of support to the coalition by certifying to Congress that Saudi Arabia and its allies were taking measures to prevent civilian casualties. Certification was a required step in continuing U.S. aid, which includes providing intelligence used in targeting and mid-air refueling for coalition planes.

But deaths from the coalition campaign show no sign of slowing.

Coalition airstrikes and shelling killed at least 4,489 civilians since the beginning of 2016  nearly three-quarters of all known civilian deaths, according to ACLEDs figures.

As of Nov. 3, at least 1,254 civilians were killed by the coalition this year, a rate of four a day. In comparison, 1,386 civilians died in strikes the previous year, or 3.79 a day.

Asked about the finding, the U.S. State Department said in an emailed reply, Throughout this conflict, the United States has urged all parties to abide by the Law of Armed Conflict, work to prevent harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure, and thoroughly investigate and ensure accountability for any violations.

Bloodshed has surged from fierce fighting at the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, which coalition forces have been trying to retake from the Houthis since June. Civilians have been killed in airstrikes as well as by Houthi shelling and land mines.

Since June, more than 4,500 people  including 515 confirmed civilians  have been killed in Hodeida, nearly triple the number from the first five months of the year.

Aid agencies fear worse is yet to come. The coalition appears to be accelerating its assault before any cease-fire. Its forces have nearly encircled the city, where tens of thousands of people are trapped along with thousands of Houthi fighters. The port is Yemens main point of entry for food and humanitarian aid, so any cutoff could push millions into starvation.

The coalition launched its air campaign in March 2015 after the Houthis took over northern and central Yemen, driving out the internationally recognized government. The rebels were prevented from overrunning the south only by the coalitions bombardment and support for militia forces.

Tracking casualties is enormously difficult. The few independent monitors on the ground do not have wide access; officials on both sides have an interest in manipulating figures; deaths often take place in remote areas and even in populated areas, confusion of battle makes confirming numbers hard.

The most widely used estimate has been 10,000 dead, made in January 2017 by the United Nations.

In October, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator said at least 65,000 people have been killed or injured since 2016, including 16,000 civilians killed, based on data from health centers. U.N. officials did not reply to queries to elaborate on the figures.

ACLED builds its database on news reports from Yemeni and international media and international agencies. It covers everything from airstrikes, shelling and ground battles between the various forces to militant bombings and violence at protests. The group receives funding in part from the U.S. State Department and Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Because of its transparency, its figures are often cited by U.N. agencies and non-governmental organizations. But they caution that even ACLEDs data cannot give the full picture  only the least bad best guess as an official at one agency put it.

Pinning down how many of the dead are civilians is even tougher.

ACLED counted 6,242 civilians killed since 2016 by remote violence on civilian targets  meaning airstrikes, artillery or shelling by either side. Of those, shelling by the Houthis or their allies killed 977.

The full toll is likely much higher. The vast majority of deaths  more than 34,000  are categorized by ACLED as resulting from battles. But it is impossible to determine whether those are combatants or civilians, Carboni said.

Its likely an underestimate, he said of the civilian toll. The numbers caught in the crossfire are not known.

__

Associated Press writers Maggie Michael in Cairo and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.FARMINGTON  Approximately 19 years of drought in the Colorado River basin have led the seven states that rely on water from the river and its tributaries to look at ways they can avoid severe water crises.

That could have major impacts for San Juan County residents, according to Rolf Schmidt-Petersen, who serves as the bureau chief for the Colorado River basin for the Interstate Stream Commission.

The issue that were talking about today and the plans that we are talking about today are very important for the Upper Colorado basin, said Schmidt-Petersen during a San Juan Water Commission meeting Wednesday.

There are about 40 million people who rely on the Colorado River and its tributaries for water.

The drought could challenge the ability of upper-basin states  Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico  to meet the requirements of the 1922 Colorado River Compact.

The upper-basin states are required to ensure an average of 7.5 million acre-feet of water reaches Lees Ferry in Arizona each year over the course of 10 years. That would mean the lower-basin states  Arizona, Nevada and California  would receive 75 million acre-feet of water over 10 years.

If the upper-basin states do not meet that requirement, they will be required to make up the difference.

That would mean any water rights allocated after 1922 become junior rights, which means they are not prioritized. In that year, the seven states that rely on Colorado River water signed a compact that outlined how much water each of those states could take.

That potential junior rights designation could impact many water rights in San Juan County. Schmidt-Petersen cited the Navajo-Gallup project and the water rights in the Hammond area near Bloomfield as some of the post-1922 water rights.

The potential challenges the seven states that rely on the Colorado River could face in the future led to the two basins drafting drought contingency plans, which were released in October.

The upper-basin plan has two aims  ensuring the water level in Lake Powell does not drop below a certain point and developing a system for storing water in certain reservoirs, including Navajo Lake.

Schmidt-Petersen said Navajo Nation was not included in the process of drafting the plan.

The draft drought contingency plan can be read at ucrcommission.com.

The upper-basin plan will focus on maintaining the water level in Lake Powell while the lower-basin plan will focus on Lake Mead. The upper basin would use reservoirs including Navajo Lake, Flaming Gorge and Blue Mesa to help keep the water level up in Lake Powell.

Schmidt-Petersen said if one reservoir, such as Navajo Lake, releases water to balance the level in Lake Powell, it would not be required to release water again until the other two reservoirs had made similar releases.

Schmidt-Petersen said if the water level falls below 3,480 feet in Lake Powell, it will impact the ability to generate hydropower.

That hydropower electricity is used by Farmington electric customers, as well as Aztec customers. In addition, the revenue from the hydropower sales helps fund conservation programs, including the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program in New Mexico. The program is used to maintain habitat for endangered fish species.

We have to be concerned about Lake Powell because of the things it triggers for us if it gets too low, Schmidt-Petersen said.

In addition to working on their drought contingency plan, the upper-basin states are hoping to obtain storage-capacity rights in certain reservoirs, including Navajo Lake. That storage would allow them to keep water in the reservoirs even if the lower-basin states demand that more water be released from the upper basin.

The water placed in storage would come through a program that would pay farmers to voluntarily and temporarily allow their fields to go fallow.A more quintessentially autumnal scene than the one that unfolded Saturday at the Open Space Visitor Center is hard to picture.

Children frolicked and played in the golden leaves shed by nearby cottonwoods, the muted rays of the sun shone over the vast grounds along the Rio Grande and in the distance came the bugling call of the sandhill crane.

Every year around this time, the West Side center celebrates the return of the gray-feathered, red-headed bird that migrates to the Rio Grande Valley by the tens of thousands each year.

By bringing attention to them and their beauty and history, it also bring to light the value of protecting this really unique ecosystem, said Open Space Manager Kent Swanson.

Around 18,000 sandhill cranes return to the area each year, with some coming from as far away as Alaska.

The birds can be mostly be seen near the river foraging in fields for grains, insects and even small mammals.

Bruce Dale of the Central New Mexico Audubon Society said sandhill crane populations are generally faring well, though he said he worries an increased presence of wind turbines could someday have an adverse effect on the birds migratory path.

On the whole, the population is doing fine, he said.

As part of the celebration, Dale gave a talk on attracting migratory birds to backyards  and keeping them safe.

He focused on making windows birdsafe and preventing cat depredation, though he said a domestic cat would have quite a time taking on a 3- to 4-foot-tall crane.

Birds have a right to continue on their way, Dale said. People think, Oh, its just a couple birds. But birds are sentient beings that we are sort of clueless about and mindless about.

The daylong celebration drew a variety of visitors, from seasoned birders to young families.

It really is very educational, said Elizabeth Lederer, there with her 10-year-old granddaughter Natayla Jake, who was eagerly watching the distant cranes and Canada geese through a spotting scope.

The day also featured a performance by dancers from the Maple Street Dance Space, childrens crafts and storytime.

It really is a true celebration, not only the crane, but also of community, Swanson said.THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.  Justin Bouse survived the mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill here on Wednesday by hiding behind a stairwell and fleeing with his girlfriend Nicole through the kitchen and out the back door.

Despite the horrors of yet another gun-related massacre  during which a Marine veteran killed 11 people in the bar and a law enforcement officer who responded to the attack  and despite the fear and trauma the attack inflicted, Bouse said hes fairly certain there wont be a wave of anti-gun protests in this quiet Southern California community.

California already has some of the nations strictest gun-control measures, and the ex-military members and police officers who line-danced to country tunes at Borderline are more likely to wish they had been armed inside the bar, equipped to take out the shooter before he could do as much damage as he did.

This crowd is conservative leaning, Bouse said Thursday night outside of the shuttered dance hall as smoke from nearby wildfires filled the air. If anything, theyll be for more guns, and rise up that way.

The students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, set a template for gun control activism after an attack on their school in February that left 17 people dead. At the other end of the spectrum, there are communities such as Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a church shooting a year ago that claimed more than two dozen lives prompted community calls for increased gun ownership as a way to protect the innocent.

Thousand Oaks  an affluent community of Mediterranean homes about 40 miles from Los Angeles  seems likely to fall somewhere in between. Some residents spoke openly of wanting the mass shooting to inspire gun control, others said they would prefer more arms in public as a safety measure, and others seemed resigned to the status quo  an America with a massacre problem.

The grieving family of Telemachus Orfanos, a country music fan who survived the mass shooting at a Las Vegas country music festival last year only to be gunned down Wednesday evening, garnered attention when they called for gun control rather than the usual thoughts and prayers. Even so, in an interview with The Washington Post, the young mans father injected a dose of pessimism.

If mowing down 5-year-olds at Sandy Hook didnt make an impression, nothing will, Marc Orfanos said. The bottom line is the NRA owns most of the Republican Party, and probably some of the Democratic Party as well. Until that vise is broken, this is not going to end.

Thousand Oaks began as a planned bedroom community for Los Angeles in the 1960s, and it has grown more diverse and more affluent since, with the median home price rising to $669,500  twice the national average. It also has shifted its politics, becoming more Democratic, though Republicans are still the largest number of registered voters, 36 percent to the Democrats 34 percent, the rest with no party preference.

The citys state and federal representatives are now Democrats, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump here by a margin of nearly 10 percentage points in the presidential election. Republicans here are moderate, but its still Reagan Country  the former president is buried just over the ridge in Simi Valley, at his grand presidential library.

Like its neighbor Simi Valley, the area is still a magnet for law enforcement officers from Los Angeles and cowboys of all stripes. Sixty-something ranchers in straw boaters often swing college girls to the Sweetheart Schottische on Borderlines dance floor.

By and large, this is a fairly conservative area with a high rate of homeownership and high incomes, said Herb Gooch, a political science professor at California Lutheran University. Historically, its been an area thats been fairly conservative, except on issues of the environment.

When the black-cloaked gunman  who police identified as 28-year-old Ian David Long  shot his way into the bar and onto that dance floor Wednesday evening, he was carrying a .45-caliber Glock handgun, authorities said. Such handguns are common and legal.

Adam Winkler, a law professor at the University of California Los Angeles and the author of Gunfight: The Battle Over the Right to Bear Arms in America said the shooting is likely to prompt state officials to pursue more stringent gun measures, noting that the Democratic governor-elect, Gavin Newsom, has vowed to take the issue on and to raise the bar on gun control.

California already has a strong political will to do this, it doesnt need the people of Ventura County to sign off on it, Winkler said.

At a vigil Thursday night, Valerie Espinoza, 23, gathered with friends, Borderline regulars who knew more than one person killed in the massacre. Theyd never felt unsafe at Borderline, Espinoza said, because there were guards and bouncers.

They talked about the politics surrounding this shooting and others, how they werent sure if gun control was the answer. California, Espinoza pointed out, already has strict gun laws. Someone in the group said unstable people have the potential to be dangerous, even if their gun was purchased legally.

Its true what they say, Espinoza said. Guns dont kill people, people kill people.

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., said in a statement that the community supports gun safety legislation and increased resources for mental health. To do nothing, she said, is a morally bankrupt position.

The grieving and the vigils here were halted by a wildfire that swept through the area just after the shooting, prompting evacuation orders for about 75 percent of the community. As attention shifted away from the massacre, some local students said they hope a Parkland-style response is still possible.

I think theres going to be a really huge political movement here at CLU . . . and Im pretty sure Im going to be a part of it, said Rama Youssef, a freshman at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The main thing Im hearing from people here is, It could have been me. 

Youssef, a refugee who fled civil war and violence in Syria, was a regular at Borderline, and the shooting touched a nerve.

I flashed back to so many memories from my childhood, she said. I was really scared to leave my dorm. I didnt get up to eat until like 4 in the afternoon. I needed to convince myself there was no shooter outside.

Chase Karbon, 17, who attended a vigil for the victims, said he was not surprised that the shooting happened in his neighborhood. He has thought a lot about what happened earlier this year to people his age in Parkland. Hes thought all along that the same thing could happen in his high school. And he sees no solution to the gun violence problem.

Im losing more and more hope every day, he said.

He said that he expects there to be a big debate about gun control in his town in the coming days  and he expects that little will change.

We did the same thing after Parkland; well do the same thing after this, he said. And well do the same thing after the next attack.

  

Biasotti is a freelance journalist based in California. The Washington Posts Joel Achenbach and Katie Mettler in Thousand Oaks, California, contributed to this report.The First World War ended 100 years ago today on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. Nearly 20 million people had perished since the war began on July 28, 1914.

In early 1918, it looked as if the Central Powers  Austria-Hungary, Germany, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire  would win.

Czarist Russia gave up in December 1917. Tens of thousands of German and Austrian soldiers were freed to redeploy to the Western Front and finish off the exhausted French and British armies.

The late-entering United States did not declare war on Germany and Austria-Hungary until April 1917. Six months later, America had still not begun to deploy troops in any great number.

Then, suddenly, everything changed. By summer 1918, hordes of American soldiers began arriving in France in unimaginable numbers of up to 10,000 doughboys a day. Anglo-American convoys began devastating German submarines. The German high commands tactical blunders stalled the German offensives of spring 1918  the last chance before growing Allied numbers overran German lines.

Nonetheless, World War I strangely ended with an armistice  with German troops still well inside France and Belgium. Revolution was brewing in German cities back home.

The three major Allied victors squabbled over peace terms. Americas idealist president, Woodrow Wilson, opposed an Allied invasion of German and Austria to occupy both countries and enforce their surrenders.

By the time the formal Versailles Peace Conference began in January 1919, millions of soldiers had gone home. German politicians and veterans were already blaming their capitulation on stab-in-the-back traitors and spreading the lie that their armies lost only because they ran out of supplies while on the verge of victory in enemy territory.

The Allied victors were in disarray. Wilson was idolized when he arrived in France for peace talks in December 1918  and was hated for being self-righteous when he left six months later.

The Treaty of Versailles proved a disaster, at once too harsh and too soft. Its terms were far less punitive than those the victorious Allies would later dictate to Germany after World War II. Earlier, Germany itself had demanded tougher concessions from a defeated France in 1871 and Russia in 1918.

In the end, the Allies proved unforgiving to a defeated Germany in the abstract but not tough enough in the concrete.

One ironic result was that the victorious but exhausted Allies announced to the world that they never wished to go to war again. Meanwhile, the defeated and humiliated Germans seemed all too eager to fight again soon to overturn the verdict of 1918.

The consequence was a far bloodier war that followed just two decades later. Eventually, the war to end all wars was rebranded World War I after World War II engulfed the planet and wiped out some 60 million lives.

What can we learn from the failed armistice of 1918?

Keeping the peace is sometimes even more difficult than winning a war.

For an enemy to accept defeat, it must be forced to understand why it lost, suffer the consequences of its aggressions  and only then be shown magnanimity and given help to rebuild.

Losers of a war cannot pick and choose when to quit fighting in enemy territory.

Had the Allies continued their offensives in the fall of 1918 and invaded Germany, the peace that followed might have more closely resembled the unconditional surrender and agreements that ended WWII, leading to far more than just 20 years of subsequent European calm.

Deterrence prevents war.

Germany invaded Belgium in 1914 because it was convinced that Britain would not send enough troops to aid its overwhelmed ally, France. Germany also assumed that isolationist America would not intervene.

Unfortunately, the Allies of 1939 later repeated the errors of 1914, and the result was WWII.

Germany currently dominates Europe, just as it did in 1871, 1914 and 1939. European peace is maintained only when Germany channels its enormous energy and talents into economic, not military, dominance. Yet even today, on matters such as illegal immigration, overdue loans, Brexit and trade surpluses, Germany tends to agitate its allies.

It is also always unwise to underestimate a peaceful America. The U.S. possesses an uncanny ability to mobilize, arm and deploy. By the time Americas brief 19-month foray into war ended in November 1918, it had sent 2 million soldiers to Europe.

Had the armistice of November 1918 and the ensuing peace worked, perhaps we would still refer to a single Great War that put an end to world wars.

But because the peace failed, we now use Roman numerals to count world wars. And few believe that when the shooting stops, the war is necessarily over.

E-mail authorvdh@gmail.com. (c) 2018 Tribune Content Agency LLC.At 11 a.m. today, Veterans Day, church bells across New Mexico will be rung 11 times. Here is the reason why:

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first Armistice Day, now known as Veterans Day. On Nov. 11, 1918, bells worldwide were rung to celebrate and recognize the end of World War I. The First World War lasted from July 1914 until November 1918 and remains one of the largest and deadliest conflicts in history. More than 9 million combatants and 7 million civilians died. Another 20 million were wounded. For the next 35 years, bells were rung on each Nov. 11 to commemorate the international pledge of peace that followed the war to end all wars.

In 1938, the U.S. government passed legislation making Nov. 11 a federal holiday, declaring it shall be a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.

Armistice Day was commemorated until 1954, when it was renamed Veterans Day. Nov. 11 has since become a day to honor American veterans of all conflicts, but the ringing of bells in memory of lost souls and as a commitment to peace has been largely forgotten in Veterans Day ceremonies. Instead, Veterans Day has become a holiday to celebrate military strength and sacrifice, entirely eliminating the holidays origins in avoiding war by committing to peace.

We must forever remember that military personnel pay a horrific price for war. They place their jobs, studies, families and dreams on hold for an uncertain future. Some dont return alive. Too many return with broken bodies, scarred minds and fractured spirits. We also must never forget the civilians who are injured or killed in war. In todays conflicts, the number of civilians injured or killed now far exceeds the number of military casualties.

Veterans for Peace chapters across the country are working to restore the Armistice Day ideals to Veterans Day, and this year we have been joined by state, county and city governments. Gov. Susana Martinez; the Bernalillo County Commission, proposed by Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins; and the Albuquerque City Council, proposed by Counselor Diane Gibson, have issued proclamations recognizing the 100-year anniversary.

At this years Veterans Day/Armistice Day ceremony at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial in Albuquerque, a bell will be rung at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the Armistice. By ringing the bell, we are honoring all military and civilian victims of war, recognizing the sacrifice of veterans and active military service members, and remembering the importance of peace. The 200-pound bell, on loan from the UNM Alumni Lettermans Association, will be rung by the Donald and Sally-Alice Thompson Chapter of Veterans for Peace at the ceremony presented by the United Veterans Council of New Mexico.

We invite all churches and everyone interested in remembering Armistice Day, a rededication to peace, to join us by ringing a bell 11 times at 11 a.m. today.

Kris Hardy, Captain, U.S. Air Force 1996-2007, is an post-9/11 Veteran, former AFRL Research Scientist and graduate of the US Air Force Academy. Charles Powell, Airman First Class (Sgt.), U.S. Air Force 1961-65, is a Cold War/Vietnam-era Veteran and Electrical Power Production Specialist who was assigned to a Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch crew.Its sign-up time for health insurance, and the states insurance office is offering some advice to keep consumers from purchasing plans that might not deliver as promised.

It comes after the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against a Hollywood, Fla., company, claiming it left tens of thousands of customers without the comprehensive health insurance they thought they had purchased.

The complaint accused Simple Health Plans LLC, owner Steven J. Dorfman and five other entities of falsely claiming their products provided government-sponsored health insurance policies, such as those offered under Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.

A federal judge has temporarily shut down the company.

The FTC alleges the firm collected more than $100 million in premiums through websites, including one called trumpcarequotes.com, and hired telemarkers to reach consumers online and by phone. Its advertising materials falsely claimed to be affiliated with AARP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, the FTC said.

Simple Healths products, the FTC complaint says, do not provide comprehensive insurance or the benefits promised. In particular, the plans dont cover pre-existing conditions or prescription drugs, the FTC says.

A representative of the company could not be reached for comment.

Here is some advice, from Heather Widler of the state insurance superintendents office and the FTC:

 Research the plan to see if it really is insurance. You can find out if a company or agent is licensed in New Mexico by going to osi.state.nm.us. If you suspect a scam or youre not getting the benefits you signed up for, contact the same website and click on File complaint.

 Ask the company for details in writing. If it wont give you the fine print, walk away.

 A red flag that indicates a plan is not ACA-compliant is an agent who asks a lot of medical questions. Thats because the act requires coverage for pre-existing conditions. Other red flags are extra charges for pregnancy-related care or so-called lifetime maximums, Widler said.

 Do an online search with the company name and the word complaint.

  

It looks like the scheme of using a fake or obsolete website to sell cars is catching on in New Mexico.

The Better Business Bureau is warning that an imposter has set up a website in the name of a real company that went out of business last spring. The company is Complete Auto Sales LLC, and the website is www.completeautosaleswest.com, the BBB says.

The owner of the business says he has not resumed operations and that he has no affiliation with the imposter operation, which is selling and displaying cars on the website.

The BBB says the address listed on the website is a vacant lot. A recording on the phone number listed says it has been disconnected.

A similar scheme involved former Mountainair car dealer Steve Ivey, who learned his website was taken over by scammers to dupe people into buying high-end cars. It happened after he had retired and closed the business.

The BBB reminds consumers to check with bbb.org before doing business with a company, especially when it involves an online purchase.

Ellen Marks is assistant business editor at the Albuquerque Journal. Contact her at emarks@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3842 if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division toll-free at 1-844-255-9210.269346

The Grinch Who Stole LOPmas!

User ID: 391289

11-11-2018 06:30 AM



Posts: 7,029











Post: #9 RE: Trump may not return to U.S. from trip to France, fleeing to Russia

LoP Guest Wrote: (11-11-2018 06:23 AM) Trump is too Powerful.



Look at all the attacks and nothing sticks. Way too powerful. More powerful than other politician courts and leaders. More powerful than those against him.

He is the rock they break themselves on, all because they are too weak.

But look at this, if he did break the law at some discrete point in the past, it's still something he may have to answer for. That's the peril. He's been a great president, he's been strong in the face of his opponents. But if, it's a big if, but if they can pin something on to him, I'm afraid it will all evaporate overnight. He won't be teflon anymore.



But we also need to do, did he do it? Is it the equivalent of a class C misdemeanor or a first-degree felony? That is a key difference. Maybe they can connect him to running a red light fifty years ago. Knowing TPTB, they will remove him for anything they can stick him on. But there's also a statute of limitations, possibly. I think they will conjure a case, no matter what evidence they have and try to convict him on whatever they can. But me and all of his supporters are going to stand with him. But look at this, if he did break the law at some discrete point in the past, it's still something he may have to answer for. That's the peril. He's been a great president, he's been strong in the face of his opponents. But if, it's a big if, but if they can pin something on to him, I'm afraid it will all evaporate overnight. He won't be teflon anymore.But we also need to do, did he do it? Is it the equivalent of a class C misdemeanor or a first-degree felony? That is a key difference. Maybe they can connect him to running a red light fifty years ago. Knowing TPTB, they will remove him for anything they can stick him on. But there's also a statute of limitations, possibly. I think they will conjure a case, no matter what evidence they have and try to convict him on whatever they can. But me and all of his supporters are going to stand with him.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexicos turbulent election season had one last oddity in store for voters last week.

Two candidates campaigning for the same congressional seat declared victory  one on Tuesday, the other on Wednesday.

And Dona Ana County was in the middle of it all.

New Mexicos second-most populous county has a colorful history of controversial election administration.

In years past, ballots have surfaced in the strangest of places  including a locked bathroom and the bottom of a trash bag. As the nation watched in 2000, for example, Al Gore pulled ahead of George W. Bush for New Mexicos electoral votes after Dona Ana County officials realized theyd misread an absentee vote total by 500 votes.

But this years twist had a more mundane explanation.

Election workers had more than 8,000 absentee ballots to tabulate  three times more than usual  and they didnt finish in time to post the results late Tuesday. And it wasnt clear to the public and other election officials that absentee ballots were missing from the running tally being published online that night.

The magnitude of the uncounted ballots was revealed more broadly about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, when the Secretary of States Office alerted the media.

By then, state Rep. Yvette Herrell, R-Alamogordo, had already been congratulated by the Republican Party and addressed supporters with a victory speech. A number of news outlets  the Journal included  had called the race in her favor, too, based on the results released at that time.

Nonetheless, a new picture emerged Wednesday when the absentee ballots were tabulated: Democrat Xochitl Torres Small, a water lawyer from Las Cruces, actually won the race, according to the unofficial results.

Election workers will spend about two weeks canvassing the votes before the outcome is certified. But no one seems to be expecting another change.

Herrells campaign hasnt conceded and says she will wait for the final tally before commenting.

A combination of factors, officials said, led to the election night confusion  a shortage of poll workers, understaffing in the Clerks Office and an unusually high number of absentee ballots, among them.

The Clerks Office had also undergone an abrupt change in leadership just a month before absentee voting began, though officials disagree over whether that was a factor.

Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexicos top election official, said Friday that she will encourage Dona Ana County to begin processing absentee ballots earlier in the next election cycle and to hire more poll workers.

In the meantime, the Secretary of States Office is providing on-the-ground staff support for Dona Ana County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin as she and her staff work to certify the election results, Toulouse Oliver said.

Moving forward, we will consult very closely with her and provide any advice, support and resources she needs, Toulouse Oliver said.

Daniel Ivey-Soto, executive director of the state county clerks affiliate, said last weeks confusion is out of character with Dona Ana Countys recent history.

Over the past decade, Ivey-Soto said, Dona Ana County has actually gone from having regular problems with elections to leading the way in the modernization of the election process.  This really goes to the importance of making sure that we provide adequate resources for elections.

Former County Clerk Lynn Ellins earned a reputation for smooth elections, Ivey-Soto said, and his successor, Scott Krahling, appeared ready to carry on that work.

But Krahling resigned in September as the county investigated his relationship with another employee in the office. That led to the County Commissions appointment of a new clerk, Lopez Askin, a school mental health consultant who hadnt worked in the Clerks Office before.

And the office she inherited wasnt fully staffed, officials said.

The nationally watched race for the open 2nd Congressional District seat, meanwhile, triggered an unusual influx of absentee ballots, as the campaigns tried to bank votes and ensure their supporters participated in the election.

One official said it was like Lucille Ball at the chocolate factory  the ballots were coming in too fast for the staff to keep up.

State law allows counties to begin processing absentee ballots  opening envelopes and getting them ready for tabulation  on the Thursday before an election. Consequently, in many counties, absentee ballots are usually among the first election results to be published online after polls close on election night.

But Dona Ana County didnt immediately start processing absentee ballots on Thursday, and election workers werent able to finish them in time late on Election Day.

The totals shared with the public on election night, meanwhile, didnt break out what categories of votes were included in the running tally published online. Even the secretary of state didnt know that the absentee ballots werent among the totals released by Dona Ana County.

Lopez Askin, the county clerk, said that she isnt sure how the miscommunication happened but that she was focused on ensuring the vote count was handled with integrity, no matter how long it took.

Im sorry that people werent clear about that, she said of the confusion over whether absentee ballots were part of Dona Ana Countys results. I was focused on figuring out what to do next.

It wasnt practical, she said, for the election workers to begin processing absentee ballots on Thursday. There simply werent enough poll workers, Lopez Askin said, and the ones they had were busy with early voting. The Clerks Office wasnt fully staffed either, she said.

But poll workers started on the absentee ballots Sunday morning, as soon as practical, and kept it up through a 16-hour day on Tuesday, Lopez Askin said. They went home for a break before finishing the vote count on Wednesday.

I didnt want any mistakes made, Lopez Askin said. I wanted us to handle every single absentee ballot with the same consideration and care as the next one.  I saw the condition the (absentee-ballot workers) were in physically, and I knew it wasnt reasonable or realistic to expect them to work through the night.

Ten poll workers quit in the days before the election, she said, leaving the remaining workforce to handle the incredible turnout.

The amount of work was unprecedented for this group, she said.

Lopez Askin said she would expand recruitment efforts before the next election.PARADISE, Calif.  As relatives desperately searched shelters for missing loved ones on Sunday, crews searching the smoking ruins of Paradise and outlying areas found six more bodies, raising the death toll to 29, matching the deadliest wildfire in California history.

Wildfires continued to rage on both ends of the state, with gusty winds expected overnight which will challenge firefighters. The statewide death toll stood at 31. The Camp Fire that ravaged a swath of Northern California was the deadliest.

A total of 29 bodies have been found so far from that fire, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told a news briefing Sunday evening. He said 228 people were still unaccounted for.

Ten search and recovery teams were working in Paradise  a town of 27,000 that was largely incinerated on Thursday  and in surrounding communities. Authorities called in a mobile DNA lab and anthropologists to help identify victims of the most destructive wildfire in California history.

By early afternoon, one of the two black hearses stationed in Paradise had picked up another set of remains.

People looking for friends or relatives called evacuation centers, hospitals, police and the coroners office.

Sol Bechtold drove from shelter to shelter looking for his mother, Joanne Caddy, a 75-year-old widow whose house burned down along with the rest of her neighborhood in Magalia, just north of Paradise. She lived alone and did not drive.

Bechtold posted a flyer on social media, pinned it to bulletin boards at shelters and showed her picture around to evacuees, asking if anyone recognized her. He ran across a few of Caddys neighbors, but they hadnt seen her.

As he drove through the smoke and haze to yet another shelter, he said, Im also under a dark emotional cloud. Your mothers somewhere and you dont know where shes at. You dont know if shes safe.

He added: Ive got to stay positive. Shes a strong, smart woman.

Officials and relatives held out hope that many of those unaccounted for were safe and simply had no cellphones or other ways to contact loved ones. The sheriffs office in the stricken northern county set up a missing-persons call center to help connect people.

Gov. Jerry Brown said California is requesting aid from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has blamed poor forest management for the fires. Brown told a press briefing that federal and state governments must do more forest management but said thats not the source of the problem.

Managing all the forests everywhere we can does not stop climate change, Brown said. And those who deny that are definitely contributing to the tragedies that were now witnessing, and will continue to witness in the coming years.

Firefighters battling the Camp Fire with shovels and bulldozers, flame retardants and hoses expected wind gusts up to 40 mph (64 kph) overnight Sunday. Officials said they expect the wind to die down by midday Monday, but there was still no rain in sight.

More than 8,000 firefighters in all battled three large wildfires burning across nearly 400 square miles (1,040 square kilometers) in Northern and Southern California, with out-of-state crews arriving.

Two people were found dead in Southern California , where flames tore through Malibu mansions and working-class Los Angeles suburbs.

The burned bodies were discovered in a driveway in Malibu, where residents forced from their homes included Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian West and Martin Sheen. Actor Gerard Butler said on Instagram that his Malibu home was half-gone, and a publicist for Camille Grammer Meyer said the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star lost her home in the seaside enclave.

Flames also besieged Thousand Oaks, the Southern California city in mourning over the massacre of 12 people in a shooting rampage at a country music bar Wednesday night.

In Northern California, Sheriff Honea said the devastation was so complete in some neighborhoods that its very difficult to determine whether or not there may be human remains there.

Authorities were also bringing in a DNA lab and said officials would reach out to relatives who had registered their missing loved ones to aid in identifying the dead after the blaze destroyed more than 6,700 buildings, nearly all of them homes.

The 29 dead in Northern California matched the deadliest single fire on record, a 1933 blaze in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, though a series of wildfires in Northern California wine country last fall killed 44 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes.

The Camp Fire on Sunday stood at 173 square miles (450 square kilometers) and was 25 percent contained, but Cal Fire spokesman Bill Murphy warned that gusty winds predicted into Monday morning could spark explosive fire behavior.

About 150,000 people statewide were under evacuation orders, most of them in Southern California, where nearly 180 structures were destroyed, including a large mobile home community in rugged Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu.

Browns request for a major-disaster declaration from Trump would make victims eligible for crisis counseling, housing and unemployment help, and legal aid.

Drought, warmer weather attributed to climate change, and the building of homes deeper into forests have led to longer and more destructive wildfire seasons in California. While California officially emerged from a five-year drought last year, much of the northern two-thirds of the state is abnormally dry.

Things are not the way they were 10 years ago.  The rate of spread is exponentially more than it used to be, said Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen, urging residents to evacuate rather than stay behind to try to defend their homes.

One of the Northern California fires victims was an ailing woman whose body was found in bed in a burned-out house in Concow, near Paradise.

Ellen Walker, who was in her early 70s, was home alone when the fire struck on Thursday, according to Nancy Breeding, a family friend.

Breeding said Walkers husband was at work and called a neighbor to tell his wife to evacuate, but she was on medication and might not have been alert. Authorities confirmed her death late Friday.

A fireman took him to the house to confirm, Breeding said. This is a devastating thing, and its happening to so many people.

___

Selsky reported from Salem, Oregon. Associated Press writers Janie Har and Daisy Nguyen in San Francisco; Don Thompson and Martha Mendoza in Chico, California; Christopher Weber in Malibu, California; and Andrew Dalton and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this story.Copyright  2018 Albuquerque Journal

Clad in adult jail orange, Enrique Palomino was back in Childrens Court last week  more than three years after the night he was part of a mob of teenagers who broke into 11 houses and cars in the Northeast Heights, attempted to shoot one elderly homeowner, and continued their spasm of violence even after one of the youths gunned down 60-year-old Steve Gerecke in his driveway.

Palomino, now 18, was charged as a juvenile after his July 2015 arrest in connection with Gereckes murder and related crimes. He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, conspiracy, larceny and taking a motor vehicle. For the past several years, he has been confined to out-of-state treatment centers.

Historically, his criminal case file in Childrens Court would have been open to public inspection, save for certain mental health or treatment records. But last week that criminal file was deemed confidential by court officials, who refused a reporters request to see it.

The court cited a sweeping proposal under consideration by the state Supreme Court that would automatically seal the court files of thousands of juvenile delinquency cases filed each year in New Mexico. Most of the cases would involve minor offenses, but dozens would involve more serious crimes, such as second-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated battery. The latter category is called youthful offender.

Palominos case is a preview of how the automatic sealing of cases would play out.

There was no explanation through publicly accessible court records as to why Palomino was in court, or why Childrens Court Judge John Romero recently agreed to put him on probation.

Given the blanket of secrecy, there was no way to tell through court files whether Palomino was ever actually released from custody or why he is now accused of violating that probation and is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

During his brief time in open court, Palomino was described by a state Children, Youth and Families probation officer as a continuing danger to the community. But no one provided any details in court. And the criminal file wasnt available publicly.

Unless and until the Supreme Court rules otherwise, the records you are seeking cannot be released to the media, stated Second Judicial District Court court spokesman Sidney Hill in an email to the Journal, which also sought other childrens court records.

The Supreme Court has set a Nov. 29 deadline for public comment on the proposal, which advocates argue is important to protect a childs right to privacy. Its the second version of a proposed rule change that drew controversy earlier this year, prompting the high court to suspend its implementation for further consideration.

Youthful offenders

A young offender is defined by law as a delinquent child age 14 to 18 who is prosecuted for a wide range of offenses, including second-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated battery, as well as shooting from a motor vehicle, dangerous use of explosives, robbery, child abuse resulting in great bodily harm or death, and criminal sexual penetration.

State court records show the youthful offender category of crimes is on the rise. Some 77 juveniles in New Mexico were charged as youthful offenders last fiscal year, up from 46 charged statewide five years earlier, according to state court annual reports.

The proposal under consideration would not allow automatic sealing of juveniles charged as serious youthful offenders, which applies only to first-degree murder charges.

By preventing public access (to records), we are encouraging and allowing the court system to operate essentially in secret where we have no idea how judges are dealing with juvenile crime, said Albuquerque attorney Charles Peifer, who represents the Journal. How is the public to form any judgment on how the system is operating? How is the public to know whether justice is being done in an individual case or a group of cases?

In a July 29 letter to Chief Justice Judith Nakamura, a court-appointed Childrens Court rules committee stressed that in this digital age, caution should be used when dealing with all of a childs records. A mistake made in childhood leading to prosecution should not haunt a person for the rest of his or her life due to the documents being uploaded to the internet. Thus, this committee sees the importance of minimizing the lasting effects an open record could have on an individual.

The chairwoman of that committee, Beth Gillia, declined a Journal request to discuss the proposed rule.

More transparency

Its unclear when the Supreme Court could decide the issue. Incoming state Supreme Court Justice Michael Vigil, who takes office Jan. 1, said in a Journal interview before he was elected Tuesday that he believes the proposal needs more work.

If a child commits a heinous crime, they probably ought to vote to keep it unsealed. I would like to have a broader right to inspect (juvenile delinquency records) with more transparency, Vigil said.

Gereckes widow, Vinnie Gerecke, is opposed to the automatic sealing proposal.

We want the records to be open to everyone. It wont necessarily be a deterrent, but its important for people to know where they (the offenders) came from and what they did. Theyre making the presumption of innocence and naivety by teenagers who are much more savvy. Theyre treating them like its another era. Gerecke said all six youths involved in the mobbing, including the shooter who was tried as an adult and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, were repeat offenders at the time her husband was killed. Theres no way to confirm that through Childrens Court records, which are now off-limits to the public. The only records that are not sealed are those of co-defendants Christopher Rodriguez and Jeremiah King, who were sentenced as adults.

Veil of secrecy

In February, three teenagers made headlines when they were arrested outside Albuquerque High School after school police found a loaded rifle and two pistols, one a semi-automatic, in their vehicle. KOAT-TV identified them as Freddie Sedillo, Josiah Montano, both 16, and Frederick Jimenez, 14.

In September, a 19-year-old and two teens charged as juveniles were arrested after the older youth was accused of wreaking havoc in a neighborhood near Eubank and Paseo Del Norte by smashing into garage doors and speeding across lawns during an early morning joyride in a stolen truck.

There were 22 reports of damage. Some garage doors were crushed and some landscapes were damaged. Police were also investigating reports of possible gunfire from the vehicle. Those arrested were identified as Jose Campa, 19, who is facing a 57-count felony indictment in adult court, and two juveniles, Izaiah Moya, 17, and Jeremy Gurule, 16.

Though their arrest records were public via law enforcement, the disposition of the teens subsequent Childrens Court cases, including whether they were acquitted, released, put on probation or sent to detention is unknown by virtue of the decision by the Second Judicial District Court to bar public access to the records.

Albuquerques District Court in February wrote a letter signed by Chief Judge Nan Nash and Childens Court judges John Romero, William Parnall and presiding Childrens Court Judge Marie Ward supporting the proposed sealing rule in its initial form.

News media, open government advocates, the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office and one other district court challenged the proposal.

If a kid is arrested for bringing a gun to school, then my question would be, wouldnt the community have a right to know how that matter is being handled? Why should something like that be kept secret? Because its a great matter of public concern to parents, to students and to the community, said Martin Esquivel, an Albuquerque attorney who represents KRQE-TV and who is a former president of the Albuquerque Public Schools board.

Others disagree. Advocate David West in a letter to the Supreme Court countered, The public may feel safer with access to these cases, but access offers nothing more than to allow the public to discriminate and further punish a juvenile offender.

Current state law already permits juveniles to have their criminal records sealed under certain conditions, including when they turn 18. Under the law, proceedings in the (sealed) case shall be treated as though they never occurred.

Proponents of automatic sealing say interested parties could still petition a judge to open a file.

While the automatic sealing proposal would still permit open hearings in juvenile criminal cases, the committee believes that preventing access to the courts written records would go a long way toward preventing a childs information from finding its way to the internet, said the letter from the Childrens Court rule committee to the Supreme Court.

Not shoplifting candy

In Palominos court appearance last week, there was no public calendar showing he was scheduled for a hearing. During the proceedings, there was no reading of the petition detailing the alleged incident that triggered his current incarceration.

Although his uncle sitting in the courtroom agreed to take Palomino into his home if he is released, the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office asked that Palomino be committed to detention until he reaches 21.

During the hearing, Maria Silva, a CYFD probation officer, told Judge Romero that one local residential treatment center had refused to admit Palomino.

It was for the same reason the department had concerns and recommended commitment, she told the judge. Its a good thing he was in the detention center when this last incident happened, because there was somebody there to stop him. If he does have an outburst, whos going to stop him?

Palominos attorney, Steve McIlwain, told the court the incident wouldnt have occurred if CYFD had a suitable plan to transition Palomino back into the community.

Romero asked CYFD to continue searching for a treatment center for him. The judge also ordered Palomino held in custody pending a trial on the probation revocation, adding, Theres always more to the story than whats in the (petition).

Peifer said he believes advocates are well-meaning and theyre thinking about the kid who shoplifts candy in the 7-Eleven  They are not really thinking about this roving gang of murderers in the Northeast Heights. Or I hope theyre not thinking about them, but the (proposed) rule applies to them.FOREST RANCH, Calif. - Action News Now's Laura Eng walked through areas of Forest Ranch to assess any damage that may have occurred in the neighborhood areas.

Action News Now confirmed with Cal Fire and the Butte County Sheriff that there are no mandatory evacuations in place for the area at this time.

During the walkthrough, Eng noted that all structures seemed to be intact and that the fire had not reached the area.

Action News Now will continue to walk through areas to provide a look at the areas in and around Forest Ranch.

The map shows the location that Eng was today:

Stage Road, Forest Ranch

Headwaters Road, Forest RanchSACRAMENTO, Calif. - Governor Jerry Brown Sunday requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the ongoing emergency response and help residents recover from devastating fires burning in Butte, Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Governor Brown will join leaders of the Governors Office of Emergency Services, CAL FIRE, California National Guard and the California Highway Patrol at the State Operations Center in Mather to provide an update on firefighting efforts.

"We have the best firefighters and first responders in the country working in some of the most difficult conditions imaginable. Were putting everything weve got into the fight against these fires and this request ensures communities on the front lines get additional federal aid," Brown said. "To those who have lost friends and family members, homes and businesses, know that the entire state is with you. As Californians, we are strong and resilient, and together we will recover."

If granted, a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration would make individuals in the impacted counties eligible for a number of programs and support, including crisis counseling, housing and unemployment assistance and legal services.

The declaration would also help state, tribal and local governments with ongoing emergency response and recovery, including the repair and replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure, including roads, bridges and utilities.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.The future of the monument memorializing the Hamburg Massacre and a man who died during it will be discussed Monday evening.

Over a year ago, during a September meeting of the North Augusta City Council, in the wake of the protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, North Augusta resident Kenton Makin stepped up to the podium and asked Mayor Bob Pettit and members of Council to review and denounce the Meriwether monument downtown.

On Monday, the mayor will reveal the results of an ad hoc group he formed, and recommendation of a path forward. The mayor formed the group, made up of those with knowledge about the monument and history, to discuss what could be done.

No official action will be taken regarding the monument during Monday night's meeting, but a motion to receive the information is in order, according to the agenda.

One issue that may stand in the way is the Heritage Act, which prohibits the removal, changing or renaming of any state or local Confederate or Civil Rights monument.

The monument memorializes Thomas Meriwether, the sole white man who died during the Hamburg Massacre, or Hamburg Riot, in 1876, but only tells the story of one of eight victims. Along with Meriwether, seven black men were killed.

+5 North Augusta mayor responds to calls to take down, denounce Meriwether monument NORTH AUGUSTA  Eight people died on July 8, 1876 in the Hamburg Massacre near North Augusta. The dispute between white people and a group of 

The monument, located in Calhoun Park off Georgia Avenue, calls Meriwether a young hero.

In life he exemplified the highest ideal of Anglo-Saxon civilization. By his death he assured to the children of his beloved land the supremacy of that ideal, the obelisk reads.

Mondays meeting will take place in Council chambers on the third floor of the North Augusta Municipal Building at 100 Georgia Avenue. The special called meeting will be at 6 p.m.Taiwans construction companies expressed interest to help the Philippines modernize its transportation sector and declog Metro Manila of traffic. Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in the Philippines economic counsellor Alfred Wang said the agency continued to look for opportunities in the Philippine construction sector. It is still difficult for us to find the right project. I dont know if it has to do with concerns about political issue or the One China policy but I still think that economy is still economy, politics is politics, he said at the sidelines of the 29th PhilConstruct Expo. He said there was no conflict with China in terms of the many projects it signed with the Philippines. He said Taiwan is also equally competent because of the advanced technology it employs in construction. Wang said the agency was aware of the required protocol on bidding, but somehow the lead time for preparation has always been a little too short for us.Taiwan, he said, has very good construction companies with international track record in building huge subways and highways in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and other countries. Taiwan is known for its clean, modern and beautiful cities built on technological advantages. Wang said Taiwan also has a very good banking system that can support its own companies projects overseas. We also have the best architects and architectural designs especially for modern buildings, roads and highways, subways and interchanges, he said.US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis confirmed Friday night that the Pentagon would no longer refuel Saudi-led coalition planes fighting in the Houthi rebels in Yemen; the decision had been reported by The Washington Post earlier in the day.

Why it matters: The US decision to call off in-flight refueling of Saudi and Emirati warplanes comes after congressional Democrats  who have tried to persuade the Donald Trump administration to cut support to the coalition  swept to victory in the House of Representatives in Tuesdays elections. We support the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after consultations with the US government, to use the coalitions own military capabilities to conduct inflight refueling in support of its operations in Yemen, Mattis said Friday.

Beltway spin: Both the Pentagon and Saudi Arabia said Riyadh made the decision after the kingdom became self-sufficient in refueling efforts. Recently the Kingdom and the Coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition said in a statement. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested the cessation of inflight refueling support for its operations in Yemen. Mattis said at an event earlier this month that the United States only refueled 20% of Saudi bombing runs.

The inside take: Experts following US support for the Yemeni civil war say the news seems to be an effort to stop Democrats in Congress from cutting US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which President Donald Trump has expressly sought to avoid  even over objections inside the administration. I'd heard Mattis was close after the school bus strike, a former US official told Al-Monitor, referring to an Aug. 9 airstrike by Saudi Arabia that killed more than 40 children. But this is just a cynical move to try to head off Congress. It wont work.

Whats next: Expect Democrats in Congress to push for the elimination of other aspects of US support for the Saudi-led coalition, including US weapons sales and intelligence support for airstrikes against the Iran-backed Houthis. This is long overdue, but if refueling is a bad idea, then why still sell the Saudis the bombs and help them pick targets? Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a leading congressional critic of US involvement in Yemen, tweeted Friday. Time to get ALL THE WAY OUT of this moral and strategic catastrophe.

Know more: Read Jack Detschs latest on the internal debate inside the Donald Trump administration on whether labeling the Houthi rebels as terrorists would help or hinder stalled peace negotiations.

-Jack DetschALDI, a German-based supermarket chain, paid $1.25 million for 7 acres at the northeast corner of Ala. 181 and Fairhope Avenue in Fairhope, according to Jay O'Brien of J.L. O'Brien & Associates, who represented the sellers. The site will be used for future store development and ALDI is looking at other sites on the Gulf Coast, according to Aaron Solomon of Capital Growth Real Estate, who represented ALDI. The grocery chain operates 1,600 stores in 35 states with 24 stores located in Alabama. More than 90 percent of the products in the company's stores are ALDI exclusive brands.

The University of South Alabama, through its division, USA Health University Hospital, has leased 22,000 square feet at the 65 Dauphin Medical & Financial Center on Dauphin Street in Mobile to be used for additional office space for physicians, according to Gavin Bender Sr. of Bender Real Estate Group, who represented the landlord. Harry Brislin, director of USA Properties, handled the transaction for the university.

Neel-Schaffer, an engineering, planning and construction management firm plans to expand its office space with an additional 2,178 square feet in Bel Air Tower at 851 E. I-65 Service Road South in Mobile, according to Jason Scott of Stirling Properties. The company will occupy a total of 6,249 square feet when the expansion is complete next month.

Fairhope Realty Group has merged with Bellator Real Estate & Development and will be the second Bellator office location in Fairhope, according to Realtors. Terryl Reeves, owner of Fairhope Realty Group, will serve as the managing broker for the Bellator Fairhope Section Street office. Bellator will now have eight offices in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

Developers are seeking planning approval to develop 14 single-family home lots on 1.10 acres in the Village of Tannin at the northwest corner of Perdido Beach Boulevard and Middle Gate, just west of Meeting House Square in Orange Beach, according to city planning commission.

Construction is under way on a 15,000-square-foot Harbor Freight Tools store at 1205 U.S. 98 in Daphne, according to Aaron Solomon of Capital Growth Real Estate, who represented Harbor Freight. The national retail chain will be located just south of JBT Power store.

Jersey Mike's Subs and First Watch daytime cafe have leased space in the newly-developed retail center at 1690 E. Nine Mile Road in Pensacola, Fl., according to Andrew Dickman of Stirling Properties, who represented the landlord in both leases, along with Brian Hennessy and Cody Romans of The Hutton Company. Construction is under way on Jersey Mike's Subs, which will occupy 1,500 square feet, and First Watch will open in 3,400 square feet. Both restaurants should open next year.Saturday Night Lives Pete Davidson has offered a Mia Culpa to Republican congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL who lost his eye while serving in Afghanistan.

Davidson apologized to the Texas Republican, during Saturdays Weekend Update segment.

"In what I'm sure was a huge shock to people who know me, I made a poor choice last week," Davidson said. I made a joke about Lieutenant Commander Dan Crenshaw and on behalf of the show and myself, I apologize.

The apology came a week after Davidson drew fire from Republicans and Democrats for mocking Crenshaws appearance. During a segment on gross candidate, Davidson said people would probably be surprised to learn Crenshaw was a a congressional candidate for Texas and not a hit-man in a porno movie. Im sorry. I know he lost his eye in war  or whatever.

In his apology, Davidson admitted the description was a poor choice of words.

The man is a war hero and he deserves all the respect in the world, he said. If any good came of this, maybe it was that for one day the left and the right finally came together to agree on something: That Im an (expletive).

The segment wrapped up with Davidson inviting Crenshaw to add his own jokes about the comedians appearance. Crenshaw then added a serious note about Veterans Day and importance of working together.

Americans can forgive one another, he said. We can remember what brings us together as a country and still see the good in each other."Jeff Sessions will surely go down in history as one of the more memorable Cabinet members of the modern era, having been famously bashed by President Donald Trump in the glare of social media for most of his time as U.S. attorney general.

But what will be the Sessions legacy? Will he stand out for upholding rule of law and gracefully enduring relentless White House pressure? Or will he be judged with contempt for his pursuit of hardline policies at the Department of Justice, from marijuana crackdowns to separating families at the border?

His dispute with Trump or Trumps repeated tongue lashings of the attorney general is simply what dominated the news and the publics thinking of Jeff Sessions, said Jess Brown of Athens State University. But really, as attorney general, there wont be much of a legacy other than he held to the ethical standards of his profession and was punished by the president for doing so.

Sessions became the first Alabamian to serve as U.S. Attorney General, and one of a handful of Alabamians to serve in a presidential cabinet. Perhaps the most notable was William King, the 13th Vice President of the United States who served under President Franklin Pierce for just 45 days before he died in office in 1853.

Frank Knaack, executive director of the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, said Sessions stood in stark contrast to his predecessor, Eric Holder  a proponent of criminal justice reform who relaxed enforcement of marijuana laws.

His legacy at DOJ will be that he really doubled down on failed policies  particularly the failed war on drugs and policing for profit, Knaack said.

Strained relationship

Sessions survived almost two years, outlasting many of his fellow cabinet members who swept into office in 2016 and swept back out in a series of high-profile firings and sudden resignations.

The relationship between Sessions and the president grew strained, even torturous, after Sessions in March of 2017 recused himself from overseeing the Justice Departments investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Never in 40 years of closely watching national politics have I seen a more loyal and effective cabinet member so mistreated for so little reason by the president he served, said Quin Hillyer, a conservative columnist based in Mobile. I think it would be better if Trump kept Sessions and stop blaming him for something that is not Sessions fault.

From Twitter barbs to closed-door lashings, the troubled relationship with Trump looms over Sessions public legacy. Trump, amid calls for Sessions to shut down Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation, reportedly even called the attorney general a dumb southerner.

Hillyer instead called him an excellent attorney general on most fronts. Fellow GOP politicians from Alabama, including most of the Alabama congressional delegation, offered a slew of well wishes and compliments on the day Sessions resigned.

U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, said he believes Sessions will be remembered for restoring the Justice Departments reputation as the enforcers of law instead of being someone out there trying to make new law.

Said Byrne: He has returned the Justice Department to that role of professionalism.

Tough on crime

Indeed, among many conservatives, the attorney general is viewed as instrumental in putting Trumps tough on crime agenda into practice.

As attorney general, Sessions rolled back an Obama-era policy to avoid prosecuting low-level drug crimes. Sessions last year also praised a move by Trump to allow police access to surplus military equipment.

Sessions, long outspoken in opposition to marijuana decriminalization, signaled that federal authorities could crack down on states where voters had legalized recreational marijuana.

Sessions also praised the use of civil asset forfeitures, which have been criticized in states like Alabama for unduly punishing low-level criminals. He called the practice a tool to weaken drug cartels.

He motivated prosecutors and law enforcement officials to unite in an aggressive strategy to make our streets safer and he was successful in leading that effort, said Richard Moore, the current U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama.

But those same policies drew criticism independent of Trump or Russia or even partisan politics.

But Richard Fording, a political science professor at the University of Alabama, said the Sessions Justice Department was more tough in talk than in action when it came to most issues, other than immigration.

I dont think he was ever planning to do that, in cracking down on marijuana, said Fording. Youre talking about states moving away from decriminalization. I think he occasionally said things that would please the president because of the Mueller problem, but they were not things he ended up doing.

Civil rights

Sessions took office as U.S. Attorney General with a history of hostility toward legal reformers and watchdogs, such as the ACLU. That history resurfaced during confirmation hearings in early 2017, sparking staged protests by the NAACP outside his Mobile office and producing some contentious moments before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In 1986, when Sessions served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, he was nominated for a federal judgeship. A lawyer who worked with Sessions testified that Sessions described the ACLU as unAmerican in an incident Sessions dismissed as a joke.

In the same hearing, an assistant U.S. attorney said Sessions used racially insensitive language. The then-nominee also fought charges that he targeted African-American activists in the Black Belt in a controversial voter fraud case.

Sessions failed to win confirmation as a judge and would instead go on to win election as Alabama Attorney General and later Senator. His supporters, over the years, have said that criticism of Sessions over his views on race and civil rights have been overblown. They often point to his past as a federal attorney, when he assisted in the prosecution of Ku Klux Klan members in the early 1980s.

But during that same time as a federal prosecutor, Sessions hardline beliefs clearly extended beyond tough talk, resulting in arrests and incarceration in south Alabama.

Fred Richardson, a Mobile City Councilman and author, said Sessions drug war prosecutions in the 1980s decimated the citys African-American community. Based on research he conducted for a book about Mobiles Civil Rights struggle, he said the prosecutor pursued cases against hundreds of people accused of conspiracy to traffic drugs, based mostly on the testimony of informants angling for leniency. The U.S. Attorneys Office often pursued life sentences against those convicted of offenses involving crack cocaine.

He has sent more than 700 people to prison and none of them had one grain, Richardson said. Not one grain. He sent them on conspiracy.

Richardson said he had recently been on an official trip with Sessions and found the former attorney general to be gracious and friendly. Yet he believes Sessions, who grew up the son of store owner in the small town of Hybart in south Alabama, still holds antiquated beliefs about people of color.

In his heart, I believe he figured there was a place for black people and it was not side-by-side with whites, Richardson said. Hes named Jefferson Beauregard Sessions. Beauregard was a general in the Confederate army. He was a general. Jefferson was Jefferson Davis. He was the head of the Confederacy. They didnt want to leave no doubt but who that boy was. They named him Jefferson Beauregard Sessions.

Richardson said he believes Sessions has not changed much over the years.

Weve got open borders all around us, but when you get down there with people of color, we dont want a way for them to come into this country, Richardson said. From what I see, hes still focusing on people of color. His major focus is on people of color and drugs.

Immigration

Sessions began his quest to curb illegal immigration in America in 2000, and later found himself the chief opponent of bipartisan immigration reforms in the U.S. Senate.

It was that outspoken stance that drew he and Trump together.

Sessions, an early advisor to Trumps campaign, first appeared publicly with Trump on August 21, 2015, during a campaign rally at Mobiles Ladd-Peebles Stadium. It was there where a smiling Sessions had a Make America Great Again ballcap placed on him by Trump.

Sessions endorsed Trump for president during a campaign rally in north Alabama in February 2016, becoming the first sitting Senator and by far the most notable elected official to publicly endorse Trump at the time. The two shared similar rhetoric and positions on immigration.

Adviser Stephen Miller, another immigration hardliner, would also migrate from Sessions Senate office to the White House.

This is the area where Sessions had the most impact, policy-wise, according to most observers.

In terms of immigration, I do think there was an impact, said Fording. There was some role he had in the increase in deportations from within the border.

And it is this area where Sessions appears the most divided.

Sessions, a staunch evangelical Christian, cited the Bible verse Romans 13:1 to defend the Trump administrations migrant family separation policy, which suggests good Christians never question or doubt their government.

The comment sparked outrage, and prompted his own United Methodist Church to formally bring charges of racism, immorality and heresy against him. The charges were ultimately dropped.

Carlos Aleman, deputy director of the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, said Sessions exploited the issue of immigration to stoke fear and divisions. As a politician, he demonized immigrants to score political points.

We think that clearly what happened in immigration policy was an increase in rhetoric that emphasizes fear to increase partisanship, Aleman said. Sessions has no interest in making this country safer for all Americans.

But U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, praised Sessions role in tightening the border.

As an elected official, Jeff Sessions never wavered in his fierce defense of the Rule of Law and Americas sovereign right to defend and secure its own borders, said Brooks. Jeff Sessions has made Alabama proud. I wish him the best as he embarks on his next journey.If youd like to treat your favorite veteran or military member, there are plenty of deals and discounts for Veterans Day.

Youll find offers for Sunday, Nov. 11, which is officially Veterans Day, and also for Monday, Nov. 12, the day most people are observing it this year.

Here are some of the best deals, discounts and freebies. As always, check with your favorite spot to make sure they are participating. Almost all deals require military ID.

Restaurant deals

Applebees

Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar is offering free meals from its special menu to veterans and active duty military on Nov. 11. Offer good for dine-in only.

Backyard Burger

Get a free Back Yard Burger Classic on Nov. 11. The offer is good for all active duty service members of veterans who show their military ID, discharge papers, proof of service or are in uniform. No purchase is necessary for veterans to get this complimentary burger.

Bar Louie

Bar Louie is offering a free meal for veterans and active duty military from open to close on Nov. 11. Military ID required.

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill are offering all active duty and reserve service members free Bang Bang Shrimp on Nov. 11. Valid military ID required.

California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is offering a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu to all veterans and active duty personnel on Nov. 11. Participating guests will also receive a card to redeem for a buy one, get one free offer on pizza, pasta, or salad during a return visit Nov. 12-18.

Chicken Salad Chick

Veterans and active duty military personnel can receive a free Chick Special and drink on Nov. 12. Military ID required.

Chilis

Chilis will offer a free meal to veterans and active duty military on Nov. 11. Offer good for special Veterans Day menu.

Chipotle

Chipotle is offering buy one/get one free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos on Nov. 11. Military ID required. BOGO extends to all active military, veterans, and military family members with ID, but must be redeemed in-store.

CiCis

Veterans can receive a free adult buffet on Nov. 11 at CiCis. Coupon and valid military ID required. You can get coupon here.

Cracker Barrel

Veterans and active duty military receive a free piece of Coca Cola Cake, a crafted latte or an espresso on Nov. 11.

Dennys

Dennys is offering a free Build Your Own Grand Slam to active duty, reserves and veterans on Nov. 12 from 5 a.m.-noon. Valid military ID or DD 214 is required.

Dunkin

Veterans and active duty military can receive a free donut at participating Dunkin locations on Nov. 11.

Golden Corral

Military Appreciation Night is Nov. 12 from 5-9 p.m. Anyone who has served in the U.S. military is eligible to receive a free meal.

Handels Homemade Ice Cream

Veterans and all military personnel will receive a free single cone on Nov. 11.

Hooters

Active duty and retired military get a free meal on Nov. 11 with purchase of beverage.

Huddle House

Veterans and active duty military personnel can receive a free Sweet Cake plate through Nov. 12. Military ID required.

IHOP

IHOP is offering free red, white and blueberry pancakes to all veterans and active duty military on Nov. 12 from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Proof of service required.

Little Caesars

Veterans and active duty military get a free $5 Hot N Ready Lunch Combo on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Logans Roadhouse

Logans Roadhouse will offer a free American Roadhouse Meal for veterans and active duty on Nov. 11 from 3-6 p.m.

Longhorn Steakhouse

Longhorn is giving away free appetizers and desserts to veterans and active duty service members on Nov. 11. Proof of service required.

Metro Diner

Metro Diner is offering active and retired military 20 percent off on Monday, Nov. 12. Valid military ID required.

Mod Pizza

Get a free Mod Pizza or salad on at Mod Pizza on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) with military ID.

OCharleys

OCharleys is offering a free meal for veterans and active duty military on Nov. 11 and 12 from its Veterans Thank You Menu.

Outback Steakhouse

Receive free Bloomin Onion and beverage on Nov. 11 with valid ID.

Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J is offering active duty and retired military veterans a free breakfast Nov. 11 and 12. Breakfast includes free Pilot Coffee of any size with a choice of a PJ Fresh breakfast sandwich, packaged pastry item or a Cinnabon Center of the Roll. Download (or open) the myPilot app through Nov. 12 to find a coupon in myOffers.

Red Lobster

Active duty military, reservists and veterans can get a free appetizer or dessert at Red Lobster on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12.

Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse is offering veterans and active military members a free lunch on Nov. 11. All veterans, including all active, retired, or former U.S. military, can choose one of 10 entrees from the special Veterans Day menu. Proof of service, including military or VA card, or discharge papers, are required.

Red Robin

Red Robin will offer a free Reds Tavern Double Burger and bottomless steak fries to veterans and active duty personnel on Nov. 11.

Ruby Tuesday

Veterans, active duty and reserve members can receive a free appetizer on Nov. 11.

Shoneys

All veterans and active duty military can receive a free breakfast bar Nov. 12 from opening until 11 a.m.

Starbucks

Veterans, active duty service members and military spouses can get a free tall hot brewed coffee at participating locations.

Texas de Brazil

Get two free veterans meals per party, plus 20 percent off for up to six additional guests on Nov. 11 and 12.

Wild Wing Cafe

Veterans eat free on Nov. 11, choosing from any Awesome Salad, Wild Wrap, Beefy Burger or Chicken Sandwich.

Yogurt Mountain

Get free 6oz. yogurt on Nov. 11 at Yogurt Mountain. Offer good for active duty and retired military. Valid military ID required.

Other offers

Academy Sports

Get 10 percent off your entire purchase now through Sunday, Nov. 11 at Academy Sports. Military Id required.

Big Logs

Veterans get 11 percent off Nov. 11 and 12 at Big Lots.

Great Clips

Veterans and current military members who visit Great Clips on Nov. 11 will get a free haircut or a free haircut card to be used at a later date.

Home Depot

Active-duty military, National Guard and reserve, retiree, and disabled service members and their spouses, get a 10 percent everyday discount.

Lowes

Get 10 percent off eligible purchases every day for active military personnel and veterans. Enroll required at www.lowes.com/military.

Michaels

Michaels offers a 15 percent discount everyday for military families.

Publix

Veterans, active military personnel, and their families are can save 10 percent on groceries on Sunday, Nov. 11. Veteran ID card, military ID card, discharge document, or a drivers license with veteran designation required.

Red Roof Inn

Red Roof is offering the Home for the Holidays Military Discount for Active Duty Members and Veterans. Booking through Dec. 31 can enjoy 20 percent off Red Roofs best available rate for stays reserved from now through Feb. 28, 2019 when using code VP# 623095. The Home for the Holidays rate is only available when booked online at redroof.com or by calling 800.RED.ROOF (800.733.7663). The discount can be applied at any Red Roof Inn, Red Roof PLUS+ or The Red Collection properties.

Super 8 by Wyndham

Super 8 by Wyndham is offering 20 percent off stay through Dec. 11 for current or retired military personnel.

Target

All military personnel, veterans and families get 10 percent off at Target.com through Nov. 12.

World of Coca Cola

World of Coca-Cola offers complimentary admission to all military members (active duty, reserves and retirees) year-round, but to show gratitude on Veterans Day, the attraction is extending a special offer to their loved ones as well. Through Nov. 11, members of the Armed Forces may purchase up to four half-price general admission tickets for their friends and family. Tickets may be purchased with a valid Armed Forces ID card at the attractions ticketing windows.TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida secretary of state ordered recounts in the U.S. Senate and governor races on Saturday, an unprecedented review of two major races in the state that took five weeks to decide the 2000 presidential election.

Secretary Ken Detzner issued the order after the unofficial results in both races fell within the margin that by law triggers a recount. His office was unaware of any other time either a governor race or U.S. Senate race required a recount, let alone both in the same election.

The unofficial results show that Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis led Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by 0.41 percentage points.

Its unacceptable that SOE Susan Bucher says she will not comply with the court order to submit overvotes and undervotes to the Palm Beach County Canvassing Board for review. Floridians deserve full transparency.  Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) November 10, 2018

In the Senate race, Republican Gov. Rick Scott's lead over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is 0.14 percentage points.

Detzner ordered machine recounts in both races. Once completed, if the difference in the races are at 0.25 percentage points or below, a hand recount will be ordered, said Department of State spokeswoman Sarah Revell.

Saturday's developments return Florida to the center of a major political drama 18 years after an infamous presidential recount left control of the White House undecided for more than a month.

The latest recount underscores the deep divides plaguing one of the most critical states in American politics. Beyond determining the governorship, it will decide whether Nelson returns to Washington for a fourth term or whether Republicans will pad their majority in the Senate.

Florida's 67 counties will decide when to begin the recounts. They could start the moment Detzner issued his order, or elections officials can wait until Sunday or Monday. But they must finish the machine recounts by 3 p.m. Thursday.

Gillum conceded to DeSantis on Tuesday night, but when the results began to narrow, he said that every vote should count and he's not expected to block a recount. DeSantis has said little about the recount and is instead proceeding as if he won the election, appointing a transition team and preparing to take office in January.

The battle for Nelson's Senate seat has been much more heated, with both sides filing lawsuits. Scott has said Nelson is trying to steal the election, while Nelson is accusing Scott of trying to stop elections officials from counting every ballot.

Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2018

President Donald Trump has also weighed in on Florida's close elections.

Trump took Scott's side on Friday, telling reporters that the federal government could get involved and adding: "all of the sudden they are finding votes out of nowhere."

"What's going on in Florida is a disgrace," he said.

The scene was reminiscent of the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W. Bush the victor over Vice President Al Gore by 537 votes, and thus giving Bush the presidency.

Florida was mocked for the way it handled the infamous 2000 recount, especially since there was no uniform process then on how to proceed. That has changed, with the Legislature passing a clear procedure on how a recount should be conducted.

Florida is also conducting a recount in a third statewide race. Democrat Nikki Fried had a 0.07 percentage point lead lead over Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell in the race for agriculture commissioner, one of Florida's three Cabinet seats.

By TERRY SPENCER and BRENDAN FARRINGTON, Associated Press. AP writer Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale and Tamara Lush in Tampa contributed to this report.Daniel Schwartz is the executive director of Faith in Action Alabama.

An open letter to Danny Carr:

The ACLU of Alabama, Alabama Civic Engagement Coalition, Alabama Justice Initiative, Faith in Action, and Greater Birmingham Ministries came together to engage in your race because the stakes are high for all Jefferson County residents. We all have a history of working for criminal justice reform and for supporting the rights of all Alabamians. As Jefferson Countys next District Attorney, we urge you to protect those rights. During this election, voters spoke out. Polling from August 2018 shows 79 percent of Alabama voters want candidates who support criminal justice reform. They want change. They want smart justice. We ask you to listen to what voters want because theyre relying on you to lead the way in promoting justice, ensuring fairness, and enhancing public safety for all.

My partners and I urge you now to adopt those smart justice practices you talked about during your campaign:

Beth Shelburne, WBRC ) We need to look at how we approach marijuana possession cases. I never said I was absolutely NOT going to prosecute them. Maybe treat the small amount of marijuana cases like a traffic citation. Jail for small amounts of marijuana is a no-no. (

We ask that you implement a policy within your first 100 days to treat all marijuana possession under one ounce similar to a traffic infraction.

There are tools/resources for a third party to sit with the person incarcerated then make a recommendation to the judge without the DA. This ensures that socioeconomics arent a factor. ( Faith in Action forum

We ask that you end cash bail for people so that no one is incarcerated simply for being poor.

A person who is indigent deserves the same opportunity to go into a diversion program as one who is not. ( Faith in Action forum

We ask that you increase the use of pre-charge diversion and alternative court programs in Jefferson County by applying an objective standard to determining eligibility to diversion programs and ensuring equal access to diversion programs regardless of wealth.

The state should invest funding into DA offices out of the general fund. The DA office should not rely on fines and fees. You said you would never recommend someone go to jail because they cannot pay their fines. ( Faith in Action forum

We ask that you pledge to voluntarily disclose revenue from all sources, by source, on a yearly basis, and that you advocate in the legislature for the elimination of the current court debt system as it makes communities less safe when people commit crimes to pay their court debt.

We look forward to working with your office to ensure that these changes are made. We remain committed to holding your office accountable to the public it serves. Jefferson County believes in smart justice that is fair to all. We will stand with the community to make sure this vision becomes the regions reality.

Sincerely,

Daniel Schwartz, executive director

Faith in Action AlabamaA group of more than 50,000 tobacco farmers urged the government to reconsider its plan to increase again the excise tax on cigarettes, saying the move would further harm the industry. The PhilTobacco Growers Association Inc. said in a letter to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Oct. 30 that they were already feeling the adverse impact of the lower demand for tobacco caused by higher excise taxes on tobacco products. The letter was also sent to Senate ways and means committee chairman Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, and House ways and means committee chairman Rep. Estrellita Suansing. The farmers said that from P2.72 per pack in 2012 for the cheaper cigarette, the excise tax now reached P35 per pack. Latest data from the National Tobacco Administration showed that tobacco production significantly declined to 48 million kilograms in 2017 from 68 million kilograms in 2013 following the successive excise tax increases in tobacco products. We were surprised that aside from the tax increase in tobacco in 2013 under RA 10351, it was again increased in 2017 under RA 10963, the farmers said. And now the government is again planning to increase the tax on cigarettes, they said. The farmers said the proposal of Senator JV Ejercito to impose an excise tax of P90 per pack with a 9-percent increase annually would more than double the current tax of P35 per pack.We dont really know what direction the government wants for the industry that benefits more than three million Filipino families. PTGA members and their families for decades have been depending on tobacco for their livelihood, the farmers said. The farmers said they were supporting the goal of President Rodrigo Duterte to further spur the economy, and tobacco farmers also belong to millions of Filipinos whom Duterte wanted to extricate from poverty. The tobacco industry contributes billions of pesos yearly to government coffers, they said, citing the Bureau of Internal Revenues tobacco tax collections in 2017 that reached over P126 billion. Because of that, isnt it right that we should be given the opportunity to recover? Isnt it right that other sectors should also be encouraged to pay higher taxes for them to contribute to economic development? the farmers said. The Department of Health and other sectors were pushing for the increase in excise tax of cigarettes to P90 per pack to fund the Universal Health Care bill. The UHC seeks to establish a healthcare system that provides health services to every citizen.On October 29, governor of Tanzanias largest city Dar-es-Salaam, Paul Makonda, announced that he formed an anti-gay unit to hunt down suspected homosexuals. Makonda is an ardent Christian and close ally of Tanzanian President John Magufuli, a traditionalist who believes even cows disapprove of homosexuality.

The Tanzanian government distanced itself from Makondas latest anti-gay witch-hunt a full five days after it made headlines in local media, by stating that his planned crackdown is not part of official policy. However, the governments belated attempt to denounce Makondas actions hardly diminishes the Magufuli administrations long-running and brutal campaign against homosexuality and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) individuals.

Tanzania is not the only African country which has recently started cracking down on LGBTI communities. Egypt, Kenya and Malawi have also targeted LGBTI individuals in recent years. Homosexuality is illegal in 34 African countries and a crime punishable by death in Mauritania, Sudan, Northern Nigeria and Southern Somalia.

African leaders often cite culture and Christianity as reasons for outlawing homosexuality. Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni has called gays disgusting and labelled homosexuality a western import. Kenyas Deputy President William Ruto has also made his rejection of the LGBTI community public by saying, We will not allow homosexuality in our society as it violates our religious and cultural beliefs.

Playing politics with colonial-era policies

But is homosexuality really a western import to Africa as Museveni claims? And does violent suppression of the LGBTI community really reflect African values?

Extensive research on African sexual practices demonstrates that homosexual relationships have been prevalent in Africa long before the arrival of colonial powers. These studies show that Africans, just like people all over the world, have always had a range of sexualities and sexual identities. Moreover, research indicates homosexuality was not only practised, but also accepted as normal by communities in Southern Africa.

Many anti-homosexuality laws found in Africa today were actually promulgated by colonial governments and supported by the growing influence of Catholic and Protestant evangelism and an increasingly conservative and rigid interpretation of Islam.

More recently, there has been a phenomenal upsurge in missionarism and a significant increase in the number of Pentecostal churches across Africa. Sadly, most Pentecostal and traditional churches promote a fundamentalist reading of the Bible that rejects homosexuality.

As religious organisations gained immeasurable popularity over the years, religious leaders also accumulated substantial influence over politicians. Backed by millions of faithful followers, they have become influential power brokers in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In a continent afflicted with extreme poverty, economic inequality and hotly contested electoral spaces, policymakers have jumped onto the opportunity of gaining electoral expediency and popularity by simply aligning themselves with religious values and popular religious movements. This allowed religious leaders in Africa to lobby effectively for conservative agendas, including anti-gay policies. This type of religious anti-gay lobbying is particularly rife in Kenya and Uganda.

While religious leaders used their influence over politicians to further their anti-LGBTI agendas, politicians used anti-gay policies and discourses to hide their failings and make their oppressive and anti-democratic methods more palatable to their deeply religious constituents. For example, Musevenis long and bloody clampdown on political dissent has run parallel with a sustained suppression of LGBTI rights, which helped him sustain the support of countrys prominent religious leaders and their followers.

By targeting LGBTI communities and infusing their sexuality with religious suggestions of grotesque madness and immorality, African leaders seek to deflect attention from their political failings and crimes. And, by peddling the myth that homosexuality is a western construct, they are trying to strengthen the belief that western actors are behind all of Africas problems, including a litany of homegrown economic disasters.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a failed African politician

African politicians often try to subdue and control peoples robbed of decent livelihoods by promoting pseudo religious and nationalistic values that give them a proud identity, meaningful communal character and comfortable assurance.

Communities deprived of a crucial say in important political matters by dubious and despotic governments can be tricked into a false sense of control and power when they are encouraged to name and supposedly shame individuals wrongfully adjudged to be different and immoral.

It is a sick, mad and twisted political strategy, but it works. Such us versus them narratives, usually based on distorted readings of history, religious teachings and cultural values, allow politicians and religious leaders to manipulate and subdue desperately underprivileged masses.

But homophobia, and the vicious and exclusionary social dynamic that promotes it, does not belong in Africa. It is contrary to our African way of life and culture.

It is time for Africa to embrace different sexual identities and sexual practices in a fresh, mature and progressive manner. Former Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a passionate advocate of LGBTI rights and human rights and an anti-apartheid icon, showed the right path long ago when he condemned church groups using religion as a justification for anti-gay violence and discrimination.

I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this, Tutu said.

Africans should follow the archbishops lead.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.The US president is likely to pursue deals with China and North Korea which the Democrats are likely to back.

Much like the rest of the world, Asian countries carefully watched the US midterm elections, anxious about how its outcome would affect US foreign policy. Although the Democrats taking the House of Representatives prompted much speculation about a congressional gridlock, this is unlikely to influence the policy direction President Donald Trump has pursued on Asia.

In fact, so far one of the few foreign policy issues that the Democratic and Republican parties have agreed on have been ones concerning Asia.

Trade deal with China

In the past, Democratic Party leader Nancy Pelosi, who is likely to be elected House speaker, and President Trump have had major disagreements but the few policies they have agreed on have included a tougher stance on trade with China.

In this sense, the House is unlikely to be a major source of opposition to Trumps trade policies and, in fact, might end up supporting them.

In the second half of his first term, the president is also likely to seek a trade deal with China, something he alluded to in his November 7 press conference.

What might be included in a trade deal? When it comes to intellectual property theft, Chinas past commitments to reduce intellectual property theft, via numerous bilateral agreements with the United States that pre-date Trumps fame as a reality television star, failed to adequately address the problem. Thus Chinese offers to improve enforcement efforts against counterfeits and copies are unlikely to impress the US.

A face-saving solution for both sides would be for China to eliminate forced technology transfers to Chinese companies. This would allow Trump to safeguard the latest US-owned technologies while Chinese President Xi Jinping would get to declare that Chinas own capabilities make these transfers unnecessary.

In his address to China International Import Expo delivered the day before to the US midterms, Xi emphasised measures to expand market access for foreign companies and the need to import goods and services worth $30 trillion and $10 trillion, respectively, over the next 15 years. If China is willing to commit to such market access opening measures and goods purchases from US companies in a bilateral agreement, then this would likely satisfy Trump.

In return, China would ask the US to reduce or eliminate the tariffs already imposed, and not impose tariffs on the balance of goods exported to the US, as the US president has threatened to do. Trump is likely to reserve the right to re-impose stringent trade remedies if China fails to fulfil its commitments. This formula would allow him to declare a significant victory for US exporters and workers across a range of industries, while claiming that the tariff strategy was a success.

If a trade deal along these lines is made, it is almost certain that Democrats will criticise it, even if it expands Chinese market access for US companies and increases Chinas purchase of US agricultural products and other goods. Pelosi is a long-time China antagonist across a range of issues, including human rights record and Chinese policies towards Taiwan and is likely to be critical of such a step.

However, opposing a market access or agriculture procurement agreement would risk House Democrats standing with voters; by definition, such agreements would alleviate some of the trade imbalance between the two countries. Criticising the administration for not taking enough action on Chinas cyberespionage is also a dead-end for Democrats, given that Chinas most recent commitment on this issue was made with former President Barack Obama in 2015.

Other China-related issues, to the extent legislative responses are required by Congress, attract broad bipartisan support and are an area where a future Speaker Pelosi and President Trump are unlikely to have much disagreement. These issues include weapons sales and other support for Taiwan, human rights, and a military response to Chinas actions in the South China Sea.

Recent naval operations in the region, national security and defence strategy policy statements, and public remarks by US defence officials in various forums have made it clear that the Trump administration will continue to expand its military presence in the Indo-Pacific Region, even if Asian governments are hesitant to publicly support it.

As House Democrats this year gave overwhelming support to the next defence budget, it appears their views differ little from those of the Trump administration.

Deal with Kim Jong Un

As Trump reiterated at the post-midterm press conference, this years detente with North Korea, including the Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un, resulted in the return of American hostages, repatriation of US servicemen remains from the Korean War, and the cessation of North Koreas missile and nuclear tests.

Moving forward, negotiations with North Korea are likely to continue in the near term, but are subject to Kim Jong Uns shifting demands for a treaty to end the Korean War, sanctions relief, a reduced US military presence in South Korea, a second summit, and humanitarian aid.

The Trump administration does not agree with the speed at which South Koreas President Moon Jae-in wants to implement confidence-building measures with Kim. Nevertheless, it is likely that Trump and Kim will have another summit and the former is likely to push for verifiable actions to end its nuclear weapons programme.

Although some Democrats such as the likely new chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Eliot Engle have been critical of some aspects of Trumps approach to the North Korea issue, they are generally supportive of the idea of diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang. If the White House pushes forward with a deal, the House would likely back it. Running in 2020 as the party of no deal, more tension with North Korea would be an unusual position for domestic policy-focused Democrats.

South Korea, Japan: Uncertainties abound

Moon should not view the impact of the House result only through the prism of North Korea issues. Although recent modifications to the United States  South Korea Free Trade Agreement do not require congressional approval, Democrats overwhelmingly voted against the agreement in 2011. These recent modifications to would be a convenient target for House Democrats to investigate as part of hearings into the US presidents trade policies.

For Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a successful effort to build a personal relationship with Trump proved insufficient to lessen US pressure to make trade concessions. Now ongoing trade talks might result in a deal that will require congressional approval from Democrats whose views on Japan trade are unclear.

A divided US government is the latest in a series of foreign policy challenges for Abe, who has yet to meet North Koreas Kim as other stakeholders have, and attracted some criticism from Japans friends in the US over his recent visit to Beijing. The potential draw-down of US forces in South Korea and domestic and regional resistance to amending Japans pacifist constitution spell more uncertainty for the countrys security. For this reason, Abe has been active in trying to find other security alternatives for Japan; for example, he recently hosted Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pledged closer economic and military ties.

Other issues in Asia that House Democrats might take an interest in are human rights, religious freedom, and cross-border pollution. Governments throughout Asia might have to quickly adjust to the latest political realities in the US at both the federal and state levels without delay, as the Democrats are likely to become more assertive on foreign policy issues, as they prepare for the 2020 presidential elections.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.At least 12 soldiers and four tribal elders killed in an attack claimed by Taliban fighters in Afghanistans north.

At least 12 army soldiers were killed in a Taliban attack on Saturday on a small military base in Afghanistans northern Baghlan province, officials said.

The Taliban left behind explosives that then killed four tribal elders who had come to help collect the soldiers bodies, according to Afghan officials.

Safder Mohsini, head of the provincial council in Baghlan, said the group also abducted two soldiers and wounded three others in the attack.

He said Taliban fighters burned down the base before planting bombs around it.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault and said they seized ammunition from the base.

The group carries out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting Afghan security forces stationed in rural outposts.





Taliban fighters have ramped up attacks on Afghan security forces and government facilities in recent months, leaving troops thinly stretched throughout the country.

The latest phase of Afghanistans decades-old war began in 2001, when the US-led troops overthrew the Taliban government in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States.

A US watchdog agency said last week that the Afghan government was struggling to recover control of districts lost to the Taliban while casualties among security forces had reached record levels.

The government had control or influence over 65 percent of the population but only 55.5 percent of Afghanistans 407 districts, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in a report.

Moscow peace talks

On Friday, amid the rising violence, Russia facilitated a conference aimed at seeking peace attended by officials from the High Peace Council (HPC) and members of the Taliban based in Doha, Qatar.

Russia invited 12 countries and the Taliban in an attempt to open a new page in Afghanistans history.

The Kabul government did not send a delegation.

Instead, members of the HPC, a government-appointed body responsible for reconciliation efforts with the Taliban, attended the event, where they repeated Afghan President Ashraf Ghanis offer of peace talks without preconditions.

The meetings ended without the sides agreeing on a path to direct dialogue, the delegations from the Taliban and HPC said.Pro-government forces close in on rebel-held Yemeni city, killing at least 43 Houthis in ground offensive and air raids.

At least 43 Houthis have been killed in Yemens flashpoint city of Hodeidah over the past 24 hours as pro-government forces close in on rebel-held areas in the east of the city.

Medics at a hospital in Hodeidah said on Sunday the Houthi fighters had been killed in overnight ground fighting and air attacks by a Saudi-UAE alliance supporting Yemeni troops.

A source at Hodeidahs military hospital told the AFP news agency that dozens of wounded rebels were transferred to hospitals in the provinces of Sanaa and Ibb, further inland.

Meanwhile, a source at a hospital in the government-held town of Mocha, about 170km south of Hodeidah city, said that nine Yemeni soldiers had been killed in clashes there.

Hodeidah, a large city on Yemens Red Sea coast, is the latest battleground between the Houthis and the Saudi-UAE alliance which has been fighting for control over the country for the past three and a half years.

Since November 3, there have been more than 200 air attacks reported in the city, with the AFP reporting at least 400 dead fighters.

The United Nations has put the civilian death toll at 23 and has said that about 445,000 civilians have been internally displaced.

Victory is coming

On Saturday, Yemeni forces seized Hodeidahs main hospital and an industrial complex as they pressed further into the city.

Today, with Gods help, weve been able to take over Thabit Brothers Industrial complex in the east of the city, said a fighter from the Amalqa (Giants) Brigade, a military unit loyal to the Yemeni government.

In the next hours, well have control of more areas of the city. Victory is coming.

Aid agencies have long warned that fighting in Hodeidah risks escalating the countrys dire humanitarian crisis.

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More than 70 percent of the countrys food, aid, fuel and commercial goods used to enter into Yemen through the citys port.

Mariam Aldogani, Save the Childrens field coordinator, spoke of intense air raids in the city.

In the last 30 minutes there were more than 15 air strikes, she said.

This should stop immediately, this is the worst period for Hodeidah governorate, especially Hodeidah City. This is the worst time for Hodeidah children.

Also on Saturday, Saudi Arabia sought to project the decision to end in-flight refuelling as its own, not Washingtons.

The Pentagon had been providing refuelling capabilities for about 20 percent of the alliances flying sorties over Yemen.

Phyllis Bennis, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, said the killing of Jamal Khashoggi had increased pressure on the US to pull its support for the war.

The murder of Jamal Khashoggi has certainly put more of a spotlight on the actions of Saudi Arabia in Yemen, she told Al Jazeera.

It is giving some new attention to the humanitarian crisis. But I think the real pressure, is actions like the announcement that the US would no longer be providing in-air refuelling of Saudi bombers, that is an important step.

Saudis have no interest in diplomacy

A new round of peace talks to end the war, which has killed more than 56,000 people according to a recent estimate, was scheduled to take place in Sweden in November but had been pushed back to late December.

On October 30, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and James Mattis, the Pentagon chief, had called for a ceasefire within 30 days and demanded that the warring parties meet the UNs Special Envoy Martin Griffiths in Sweden.

However, on Thursday, the UN said its special envoy would instead convene talks by the end of the year.

Writing in the Washington Post, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Houthis Supreme Revolutionary Committee called US calls for a ceasefire nothing but empty talk.

The United States has the clout to bring an end to the conflict  but it has decided to protect a corrupt ally.

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Trump and his administration clearly prefer to continue this devastating war because of the economic returns it produces  they drool over those arms sales profits, al-Houthi added.

The conflict in Yemen, the Arab worlds poorest country, began when the government slashed fuel subsidies in the summer of 2014, prompting angry protests and forcing thousands onto the capitals streets.

The Houthis exploited the unrest and marched south from their stronghold of Saada province to Sanaa, and toppled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadis government.

Concerned by the rise of Houthis, a US-backed Saudi-UAE military coalition intervened in 2015 with a massive air campaign aimed at reinstalling Hadis government.

Since then, data collected by Al Jazeera and the Yemen Data Project has found that more than 18,000 air attacks have been carried out in Yemen, with almost one-third of all bombing missions striking non-military sites.

Weddings, funerals, schools and hospitals, as well as water and electricity plants, have been targeted, killing and wounding thousands.At least four people are still missing after torrential rains caused the deadly mudslide in Rio de Janeiro.

At least 10 people have been killed in Rio de Janeiro after a mudslide in the Niteroi area outside the citys downtown on Saturday, officials said.

The mudslide was caused by heavy downpours, Rios civil defence department head told local media.

The Rio fire department said the dead included a three-year-old boy, two elderly women and a middle-aged man. It did not give any more information about the victims.

According to rescuers, nine homes and a local business were affected by the landslide after days of heavy rain. Eleven people have been rescued from the rubble, including a baby, while at least four people are still missing.

Pastor Pedro Paulo dos Santos called the scene in the Boa Esperanca neighbourhood a scene of desperation, of crying.

Emergency workers were notified of the landslide at just after 06:00 GMT.

Landslides are common in Rio de Janeiro. Many residents live in hilly areas of the state, often building homes without authorisation.As global figures remember 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, political leaders warn of rising nationalism.

The UN chief has said the world today has several of the ingredients that led to the failure of the peace that followed World War I, in comments marking the 100th anniversary of the end of that conflict, as the leaders of France and Germany warned about the dangers of nationalism.

Without referring to Donald Trump by name, all three of them on Sunday railed against the US presidents world view and the dangers of disregarding international norms as they spoke at the start of the Paris Peace Forum in the French capital.

As I see it, several elements today have many parallels with both the start of the 20th century and the 1930s, giving us grounds to fear that an unpredictable chain of events could ensue, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, said.

As we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, may we draw from its lessons and strengthen international cooperation to face the tests and threats of today and tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ldrnHSNGuW  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 11, 2018

For her part, Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, expressed her concern that blinkered nationalist views may gain ground once again.

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Merkel warned that the benefits of international cooperation, the peaceful balancing of interests, even the European peace project  people are calling them into question again.

Her comments came shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron made similar remarks, seemingly aimed at Trump who in a recent speech called himself a nationalist.

During his 20-minute speech, Macron called nationalism the exact opposite of the patriotism shown by soldiers.

Nationalism is a betrayal, he said.

By saying our interests come first and others dont matter we are erasing what makes a nation precious, what makes it live, what makes it great and most importantly of all, its moral values, he told those in attendance, which included Trump among others.

Let us build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other.

Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By putting our own interests first, with no regard for others, we erase the very thing that a nation holds dearest, and the thing that keeps it alive: its moral values. https://t.co/w9AltyvMDw  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 11, 2018

Old demons are rising again. New ideologies are manipulating religions, and history is threatening to repeat its tragedies. Let us vow once more as nations to ensure peace is the utmost priority, above all else, because we know what it cost. https://t.co/skJ6K5SDO1  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 11, 2018

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The French president also called on his fellow leaders to not forget the lessons of the past.

Ruining this hope with a fascination for isolation, violence or domination would be a mistake for which future generations would rightly find us responsible, Macron said.

In a speech at the Suresnes military cemetery in the western Paris suburb, Trump paid tribute to US soldiers who took part in World War I.

The US president said he and other officials were gathered at this hallowed resting place to pay tribute to brave Americans who died a century ago, as well as to the French troops with whom they fought.

Centenary

Sundays speeches were part of a string of events to commemorate the signing of an armistice on November 11, 1918, to end World War I.

That conflict erupted in 1914 after a teenage Bosnian Serb assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, igniting a conflict that was contemporaneously described as the war to end all wars.

In the four years of fighting, remembered for brutal trench warfare and the first large-scale use of gas as a weapon, France, British, Russia and the US had the main opposed a German-led coalition that also included the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires.

More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised and an estimated 10 million lost their lives.

The armistice treaty marked a victory for allied powers and a defeat for German forces, but the commemoration hasnt been about national triumph; its been about reconciliation, Al Jazeeras Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said.

The ceremony brought together presidents and politicians who are often at odds with each other, a moment for them to reflect on and remember a conflict that ravaged continents, cut short lives and tore families apart, she added.Meeting came hours after Turkish president announced that Ankara shared tapes related to Khahsoggis murder with the US.

US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan met during a dinner in Paris, as international pressure grows on Washington to put pressure on Saudi Arabia over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Erdogan arrived in Paris on Saturday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Armistice Day commemorations, along with other world leaders.

The dinner, where Trump and Erdogan met each other, was hosted by Macron in the honour of world leaders and their spouses who came to Paris to attend the event.

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On Saturday, before getting on the plane for Paris, Erdogan said Turkey shared recordings related to the killing of the Saudi journalist with the US, Germany, France and Britain, upping the pressure on Turkeys allies to respond to the crisis.

Turkish sources have said previously that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder of the Saudi journalist.

The existence of such a recording had never been officially confirmed.

Riyadh knows the killer

Erdogan said Saudi Arabia knows Khashoggis killer is among a group of 15 people who flew into Istanbul hours before the October 2 killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them, Erdogan said.

They know.

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Trump said on Wednesday he will have a stronger opinion on the killing of Khashoggi next week.

I will have a much stronger opinion on that over the next week. We are working with Congress, working with Turkey and working with Saudi Arabia and Im forming a very strong opinion.

Sources told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Turkish police ended the search for Khashoggis body, but that the criminal investigation into the 59-year-olds murder would continue.

Al Jazeera learned on Friday that traces of acid were found at the Saudi consul-generals residence in Istanbul, where the body was believed to be disposed of with the use of chemicals.

The residence is at walking distance from the Saudi consulate, where Khashoggi  a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman  was killed by a team of Saudi officers and officials.

Riyadh changed positions

Saudi Arabia has changed its narrative about the murder several times amid international outcry and intensifying scepticism over its account.

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After insisting for more than two weeks that Khashoggi had left the consulate, it then admitted the journalist had died in a fistfight inside the building. Later, Riyadh conceded Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder, but that the murder was an unplanned rogue operation.

However, Erdogan has accused the highest levels of the Saudi government of ordering the hit, while some officials have pointed the finger at the crown prince  a charge Riyadh denies.

Istanbuls chief prosecutor said on October 31 that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate and that his body was dismembered, in the first official comments on the case.

Saudi Arabia has said it arrested 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggis killing

Ankara also seeks the extradition of the suspects.Senior Hamas commander killed by Israeli special forces in cross-border operation in which one Israeli soldier died.

Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in a clandestine raid targeting a Hamas commander and air attacks that provided cover for the commandos to escape back into Israel by car.

The Israeli incursion and air attacks drew rocket fire from the Hamas-controlled enclave late on Sunday. A senior Hamas official said the Israeli special forces team infiltrated an area near the southern city of Khan Younis in a civilian vehicle.

Among those reported killed in the attack was Nour Baraka, a prominent commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

A ground operation inside the Gaza Strip is rare and it is likely to raise tensions significantly.

We heard that a special Israeli unit went inside Khan Younis and assassinated Nour Baraka and another [commander], Ghazi Hamad, senior Hamas official, told Al Jazeera.

After [that], the car which carried this special unit or some collaborators, they tried to escape  but they were followed by Hamas and the al-Qassam Brigades and after that Israel tried to cover this car through striking here in Gaza, he added.

Witnesses said that, during the chase, Israeli aircraft fired more than 40 missiles in the area where the incident took place, killing at least four other people.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesperson for Hamas, denounced what he called a cowardly Israeli attack.





Exchange of fire

An Israeli soldier was killed in an exchange of fire during the operation, the army said, which comes as tensions rise with the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave.

During an [Israeli] special forces operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved, the army said in a statement.

At this incident, an [army] officer was killed and an additional officer was moderately injured, it added.

The army said its soldiers had returned.

After the clash erupted, sirens were reported in southern Israel indicating rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Seventeen launches from Gaza towards Israel were identified and two were intercepted by Israeli missile defences, the army said. It was not immediately clear where the others landed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on an official visit to France, announced he was rushing back to Israel to deal with the crisis.

Sensitive timing

Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from Jerusalem

The Israeli covert special forces team crossed three kilometres inside Gaza territory from the border fence, travelling in a civilian vehicle. There, they shot dead 37-year-old Nour Baraka, a senior commander of Hamas al-Qassam Brigades, the groups military wing.

Six other Palestinians were then killed in what became a chase in which the Israelis were withdrawing under the support of heavy air attacks. Israels military says it intercepted three out of 17 rockets fired from Gaza after the raid.

This escalation comes at a very sensitive time when there had been some progress in efforts to reach a long-term truce between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt, the United Nations and involving Qatari funding.

It also came at a time when Netanyahu was in Paris talking about his self-proclaimed commitment to creating a more stable situation in Gaza. In Israel itself, Netanyahu has been facing a political backlash for appearing to be too soft on Hamas.

A return by Israel to a policy of targeting individual Hamas commanders  tactics largely abandoned in recent years  could significantly raise tensions along the border.

Israel and Palestinian fighters in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008, and recent months of unrest have raised fears of a fourth.

Crippling blockade

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Violence has flared frequently on the frontier since Palestinians began weekly protests on March 30.

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have demonstrated along the fence with Israel demanding their right to return to the homes and land their families were expelled from 70 years ago.

They are also demanding an end to Israels crippling blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has gutted the coastal enclaves economy and deprived its two million inhabitants of many basic commodities.

Since the Great March of Return demonstrations began on March 30, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more wounded by Israeli troops deployed along the other side of the fence.

Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations have been trying to broker a long-term ceasefire.

Mouin Rabbani, a senior fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies, told Al Jazeera it is clear Sundays covert operation was a premeditated assassination.

The question that arises is what Israels motivations were? Were they, as so often in the past, trying to give Hamas a bloody nose just to remind them that theyre in charge and that they will decide the terms of which any ceasefire is reached?

Are they perhaps by contrast trying to scuttle this ceasefire initiative and perhaps engage in a larger conflict as happened in 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014? Rabbani said.

My sense is that Israel at this stage is probably more interested in giving Hamas a bloody nose and trying to remind people who is boss and it will be Israel that decides the extent to which the illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip is maintained.

A Hamas government employee receives 60 percent of his long-overdue salary [Adel Hana/AP]

Qatari cash

On Friday, Palestinian civil servants began receiving payments after months of sporadic salary disbursements in cash-strapped Gaza, with $15m delivered into the enclave through Israel in suitcases by Qatar.

Hamas responded by lowering the intensity of Fridays border protest.





A total of $90m will be distributed in six monthly instalments, Gaza authorities said, primarily to cover salaries of officials working for Hamas.

Qatar has also said it would disburse $100 to each of 50,000 poor families, as well as larger sums to Palestinians wounded in clashes along the Gaza-Israel border.

The Gulf state has also started buying additional fuel for Gazas sole power station, allowing outages to be reduced to their lowest level in years.

The payments are part of what is expected to be a set of informal understandings between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu earlier on Sunday defended his decision to allow Qatar to transfer the cash to Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move, saying he wanted to avoid a war if it wasnt necessary.

In the occupied West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas angrily accused Israel and the United States of working together behind his back to entrench Hamas control over Gaza.

He also accused Hamas of undermining his goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state that includes all of the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Trumps peace plan

Al Jazeeras Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, DC

Just a week ago, Trumps representative Jason Greenblatt held a meeting with Netanyahu in Israel where the issue of Gaza was discussed. The outcome of that meeting, as it was communicated, was that the US was very keen to see stability returning to Gaza.

This calm was supposed to be a prelude to introducing Trumps initiative for a resuscitation of the long-dormant peace process. Trump said in September that he would bring forward his plan within two to four months, which brings it to the beginning of December.

Last week, Greenblatt said the plan is ready for presentation within days or possibly weeks.

The violence in Gaza seems to be an obstacle but Trump seems ready to push forward with the plan despite one of the major parties, the Palestinians, wanting nothing to do with it. The Palestinians no longer see the US as an independent impartial arbiter. They believe that the initiatives goal above all else is to guarantee the security of Israel.Continental Temic taps EDC for power

posted November 11, 2018 at 06:50 pm by Alena Mae S. Flores November 11, 2018 at 06:50 pm

Global automotive parts company Continental Temic Electronics Philippines signed an agreement with geothermal power producer Energy Development Corp. for the supply of clean and reliable power for its facilities in Calamba, Laguna. Under the agreement, EDC will supply Continental Temic with 2.7 megawatts of geothermal power from EDCs BacMan geothermal project starting Dec. 26, 2018 over a two-year period. We chose EDC for its 100-percent renewable energy and for its sustainability programs, which are aligned with our company values, said Continental Temic general manager Glenn Everett.Continental Temic develops and manufactures components, modules and systems for the automotive industry. Its corporate strategy is focused on climate protection and energy efficiency. We firmly believe that Filipinos should have more clean energy options. We are encouraged that clean and sustainable energy is gaining traction in the Philippines, EDC president Richard Tantoco said earlier.

COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section.Hezbollah funds: Group finds way to beat US sanctions

It was a strategic win for Iran when its allies created a land corridor connecting Tehran to Beirut.President is in a phase of recovering all functions after being admitted in Saudi hospital, spokesperson says.

The health of Gabons President Ali Bongo has greatly improved after the 59-year-old was hospitalised as a result of discomfort and persistent vertigo, according to the presidency.

The leader, who was admitted to a hospital in Saudi Arabia late last month, is in a phase of recovering all his functions, spokesperson Ike Ngouni said in an official statement on Sunday.

Bongo was in the kingdoms capital, Riyadh, to attend an investment summit and speak alongside other leaders but was not seen during the discussion.

Ngouni said the president was transferred to King Faisal hospital and has received all the needed support, adding that he is in the process of recovering most of his functions.

Ali Bongo  continues to carry out his duties. The institutions of our Republic, therefore, function today perfectly in the strict respect of the constitution, the statement said.

Lack of official news, along with memories of the secrecy that surrounded the death of the presidents father, Omar Bongo, in office in 2009 has led to increased speculation about his health.

Sources have previously told news agencies that Bongo had suffered a stroke, though Gabonese authorities said he was merely suffering from fatigue. One TV station in Gabon has been banned for reporting he had died.

On Thursday, Sylvia Bongo, the presidents wife, thanked well-wishers and said that she and her husband were touched by the publics concern.

Un grand merci pour vos nombreuses prieres et messages de soutien. Le President Ali bongo Ondimba et moi-meme sommes particulierement touches par toutes ces marques daffection. pic.twitter.com/rmKgOdfpND  Sylvia Bongo Ondimba (@Sylviabongo) November 8, 2018

People in Gabon still remember the news blackout surrounding the final weeks of Omar Bongos life, who served as 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, reports by international media 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 publication.

His son, then a foreign and defence minister, was elected head of state in August 2009. He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.

Nobody knows whats happening

The Gabonese constitution sets down clear procedures if the president is incapable of continuing in office.

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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 elections, which must be held within 45 days.

Nobody really knows whats happening, a source close to Bongos circle told the AFP news agency on Wednesday.

A Gabonese political analyst said the centre of power was divided between two groups.

On one side, theres the hardline group, which has several generals and advisers clustered around Frederic Bongo, the presidents brother and head of the intelligence service, he told AFP.

On the other side is opposition leader Jean Ping, who lost the 2016 elections, which saw violent clashes in the aftermath, to Bongo by a few thousand votes.

On Saturday, Ping  who insists he is the countrys 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.The conference on Monday will be attended by representatives from major Libyan stakeholders and international powers.

Palermo, Italy  Libyas rival factions and key international players will meet in the Italian city of Palermo on Monday amid United Nations-led efforts to re-ignite a stalled political process and set the stage for general elections.

The meeting will come just a few days after Ghassan Salame, the UN special envoy for Libya, presented a new plan for a national conference and a vote in early 2019.

The talks will be attended by leaders from the rival Tripoli and Tobruk-based parliaments, including Fayez al-Serraj, head of the UN-backed government in the capital, and renegade General Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern part of the country.

Delegates from France, Russia, the United States and other regional players will also be in Palermo at the behest of Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Libyans are sick and tired of military adventurism and petty political manoeuvres, Salame told Security Council in New York on Thursday.

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The time has come to give a wider and more representative group of Libyans the opportunity to meet on Libyan soil, with no external interference, in order to devise a clear path out of the present impasse, he added, referring to the upcoming national conference.

The process, as envisaged by the envoy, should usher in parliamentary and presidential elections more than seven years after a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

Since then, the country has been deeply fragmented along tribal and ethnic lines and caught up in a spiral of violence at the hands of rival militias.

Realistic timeframe for elections

In Palermo, Salame will seek international support for his plan, aware that conflicting agendas within the international community have only exacerbated internal rifts between tribes and militias.

The summit will offer an opportunity to discuss the UN plan in more detail, as well as address other key issues for Libyas stabilisation, including the creation of a state-controlled police force and the redistribution of oil wealth.

The meeting in Palermo is considered a service conference in support of the UN plan, said Arturo Varvelli, an analyst at the Institute for the International Political Studies in Milan and a Libya specialist.

It means the UN retakes control of the stabilisation process in Libya, setting a more realistic timeframe for elections.

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The new UN plan shelves a French initiative to hold the ballot on December 10, which drew criticism for its hastiness and for excluding from the process a broader spectrum of Libyan actors.

The Italians will try to broaden the platform that was absent in Paris, said Varvelli, referring to talks held in the French capital in May.

Minority groups, tribal leaders, militias that contributed to fight ISIS [also known as ISIL], should be included in a pacification process, he added.

Mondays conference will also prove an opportunity for Conte to retake the lead of the negotiations after the Libyan factions failed to honour the commitments made in the Paris meeting.

The Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HOR), which Salame described as largely sterile, failed to produce both an electoral law and a legislation to hold a referendum on a provisional constitution.

Italy and France have been seeking to lead the pacification process in Libya, with both pursuing a different agenda. But they are not the only ones with a stake in the oil-rich country  other regional players are also trying to influence Libyan politics, including Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Italy, Libyas former colonial power, supports al-Ferrajs Government of National Accord and has invested heavily on the UN-backed authorities to stem the flow of thousands of undocumented migrants arriving from the Libyan shores.

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France, while officially supporting the UN plans, has engaged in a successful campaign over time to legitimise the role of Haftar, head of the self-styled Libyan National Army and an enemy of the Tripoli authorities. Along with Russia, the UAE and Egypt, who consider Haftar a buffer against the advance of Islamist-leaning forces, France has provided him with financial, military and intelligence support.

France looks at General Haftar as a strong army man, capable of containing the expansion of terrorist groups and maybe securing the southern borders, said Anne Giudicelli, a former French diplomat and head of consultancy firm Terrorisc.

France is concerned with the security of the broader Sahel region and its stability. Libyas open borders have turned the country in a safe haven for terrorist and criminal groups, she said.

A total collapse of state institutions and public services in the south has left the region and its population prey of criminal gangs and armed groups that have been operating with total impunity.

National conference and new elections

Salame said the upcoming national conference, which is proposed to be held in the first weeks of 2019, will draw on the contributions of thousands of Libyans who participated in 77 preparatory meetings across the country last spring. Their recommendations will set the framework for the electoral process.

However, members of the rival institutions in Tripoli and Tobruk, who stand accused of dragging on the status-quo for their own interests, fear that their grip on power will be lost if new polls take place, according to the UN envoy.

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To both Houses, elections are a threat that must be resisted at all costs, said Salame, pointing the finger at the two rival parliamentary bodies.

But to the citizens, elections are means of liberation from the ineffective and increasingly illegitimate authorities.

According to recent polls, 80 percent of Libyans insist on having elections, said the envoy.

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Palermo will probably offer a more credible timeframe for the elections. However, I strongly doubt they will occur even in 2019, said Jalel Harchaoui, geopolitics lecturer at Versailles University in Paris.

All the main actors in Palermo have no interest in changing the status quo in Libya. Containment is the main objective, they fear elections may bring more turmoil.

Serraj and Haftar confrontation

Meanwhile, the security and economic conditions in the country, especially in the Tripoli area, remain dire. Spiralling prices of basic goods and fuel, widespread violence, human rights violations, attacks and pillaging of institutional facilities at the hands of militias have devastated the population.

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The deepening of the economic crisis has also exacerbated relations between the Tripoli-based government and the east of the country, from where Haftar has often threatened a major assault on the capital. In July, discontent over the redistribution of the oil wealth caused a standoff over control of the oil terminals in the oil crescent, and a resumption of violent confrontations among militias in Tripoli.

A UN-brokered ceasefire and the intervention of the international community imposing a freeze on the sale of oil from the crescent helped avoid a rupture between the two regions, eventually prompting al-Serraj to pass a series of economic and security measures to contain the crisis.

Al-Serraj also announced a new security plan for Tripoli, with the aim of regaining control of key installations currently in the hands of militias, including the capitals port, Mitiga airport and a number of official buildings.The 62-year-old was routinely seen at the front of marches against President Joseph Kabila extending his rule.

Martin Fayulu, who has been picked by the opposition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as its nominee in the race to succeed Joseph Kabila, was among the most vociferous voices against the presidents efforts to cling to power.

A former oil executive educated in the United States and France, though a rank outsider from a minor party, Fayulu was thrust into the limelight as the consensus choice of opposition stalwarts who met in Geneva this weekend.

The head of the Engagement for Citizenship and Development party will take on Kabila protege Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, a former interior minister, in the December 23 ballot.

Fiery and at times impulsive, Fayulu was routinely seen at the front of marches against Kabila extending his rule beyond constitutional limits  a bid the president finally renounced in August after exhausting several legal manoeuvres.

Fayulu, who will turn 62 on November 21, was arrested several times during opposition demonstrations in Kinshasa and elsewhere, once being struck in the head with a rubber bullet.

He enjoys the support of two heavyweights  former Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, who has been barred from standing in the election, and self-exiled ex-provincial governor Moise Katumbi, who says he was prevented from returning to Kinshasa to submit his candidacy.

Fayulu edged out key contender Felix Tshisekedi, head of the longtime main opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party and son of its late founder Etienne Tshisekedi.

The opposition nominee is staunchly opposed to the use of voting machines  an issue that may have tilted the selection debate in his favour, as the UDPS has said it would contest the vote whether the machines are used or not.

US company and hotel

Fayulu worked for the US group Mobil in several African countries from 1984 to 2003, first as auditor and then as director-general.

Speaking to the AFP news agency a week before his nomination, Fayulu said he left the company on friendly terms, receiving a comfortable severance package.

Hailing from the Lingala-speaking west of the country, Fayulu owns a hotel in Kinshasa located midway between Kabilas residence and the presidents office.

The hotel was sealed in May, ostensibly for a tax audit, but has since reopened.

Fayulu entered the political arena during a national conference in 1991-1992 that ended the single-party rule of longtime dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in the former Belgian colony.

Fayulu won his first elective office in 2006 when he was elected to parliament.Around 200,000 attend march held by Polish government with nationalist groups on 100th anniversary of independence.

Warsaw  About 200,000 Poles participated in a march by representatives from the Polish government of President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and far-right groups on Sunday to celebrate the centenary of the restoration of Polands independence.

Joachim Brudzinski, minister of internal affairs, tweeted the attendance figure, a far higher number than last years 60,000 people.

The procession marks the first time Polish officials took part in the Independence March  an event that tends to feature racist, anti-immigrant, homophobic and white supremacist slogans.

Organised annually since 2010 by the far-right National Radical Camp, All-Polish Youth and the National Movement, chants at previous events have 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.

Most participants at this years event were peaceful, raising the Polish flag and chanting patriotic slogans.

We are here because we are patriots, said Elzbieta, 57, from Warsaw. This is a beautiful day.

However, this reporter saw a man waving a flag with the Celtic Cross, which is used as a hate symbol by neo-Nazis, as police stood by.

Some others were also heard chanting: All Poland sings with us, f*** off refugees.

One man raised a flag bearing the Celtic Cross, which is used as a hate symbol by neo-Nazis [Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska/Al Jazeera] One man raised a flag bearing the Celtic Cross, which is used as a hate symbol by neo-Nazis [Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska/Al Jazeera]

President Duda inaugurated the march, saying: Let us pay tribute to those who fought for Poland  Let this be a march where everyone feels well.

A group of opposition protesters also gathered, holding banners saying Constitution, referring to anti-constitutional laws enacted by the ruling Law and Justice party.

Warsaw has suffered enough due to nationalism

Sundays event, which was announced late on Friday had followed days of legal-wrangling.

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On Wednesday, Warsaws mayor, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, had banned the Independence March due to security concerns, stating Warsaw has already suffered enough due to aggressive nationalism.

In response, President Duda said an official state march would take place and follow the same route as the planned Independence March.

The Independence March association later appealed the mayors decision and on Thursday, the district court revoked the ban.

This meant that the Independence Day commemoration would see two concurring marches organised along the same route and time, which pushed the government to the negotiating table with the far right.

And on Saturday, two conferences which were set to feature speeches by nationalists from across Europe were cancelled after Polands domestic counterintelligence agency, the Internal Security Agency, arrested more than 100 people, according to the nationalists. Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the number detained.

A closed concert of far-right bands, including Legion Twierdzy Wroclaw and the Swedish Code 291, both known for hateful lyrics and fascination with fascism, was also cancelled.

Some participants, in response to the mayors initial ban, chanted slogans against her.

Crisis of democracy

Damian Kita, spokesman for the march, told Al Jazeera last week 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, he said.

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We decided that no other slogan would better summarise the Polish fight for freedom.

Kita also said that radical nationalist groups which formed the Black Block at last years Independence March, would not be accepted during the march.

However, members of the Black Block arrived at Sundays event soon after it started, and later chanted: I dont apologise for the Jedwabne, referring to a World War II massacre.

They also called for freedom of speech for nationalists.

The march kicked off with people raising Polish flags and chanting patriotic slogans [Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska/Al Jazeera]

The Blocks groups, including Szturmowcy (Stormtroopers), a neo-pagan Niklot movement and Autonomous Nationalists, had said they would march despite the conflict with the organisers.

Rafal Pankowski, a sociologist from Collegium Civitas and a cofounder of the anti-racist Never Again association, said the cooperation between the government and far-right groups was concerning.

He added that arrests did not guarantee that the march would pass without racist slogans.

The cooperation between state institutions and extremists from the National Radical Camp is a legitimisation of a dangerous, extreme nationalist ideology and a reflection of a crisis of democracy, he said.South Africa: Students look for alternatives to unusable toilets

Here is why some students in the African nation are skipping school.Senior Turkish journalist tells Al Jazeera what Khashoggis last words were, according to unpublished audio recording.

The head of investigations at the Turkish Sabah newspaper has told Al Jazeera that Jamal Khashoggis last words were Im suffocating  Take this bag off my head, Im claustrophobic, according to an audio recording from inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, suffocated to death while a plastic bag covered his head, Nazif Karaman told Al Jazeera.

Karaman said the murder lasted for about seven minutes, according to the recordings.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that audio related to Khashoggis murder was shared with Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

He said Saudi Arabia knows Khashoggis killer is among a group of 15 people who flew into Istanbul hours before the October 2 incident.





According to Karaman, the Saudi entourage covered the floor with plastic bags before dismembering Khashoggis body  a 15-minute process that was led by Salah al-Tubaigy, head of the Saudi Scientific Council of Forensics.

Karamans remarks come as Turkish police are ending the search for the body, but the criminal investigation into Khashoggis murder will continue, sources told Al Jazeera on Saturday.

Traces of acid were found at the Saudi consul generals residence in Istanbul, where the body was believed to be disposed of with the use of chemicals.

Karaman said that his newspaper would soon publish images of the tools that were brought into the country and used by the Saudi group.

He added the Turkish newspaper would also publish some of the recordings that document the last moments of Khashoggis life.

Last month, Istanbuls chief prosecutor said that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate and that his body was dismembered, in the first official comments on the case.

Saudi Arabia has said it arrested 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggis killing. Ankara, meanwhile, seeks extradition of the suspects.The rebel-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine voted on Sunday to elect local heads of government.

People in rebel-held east Ukraine have headed to the polls in an election condemned by Kiev and branded illegal by Western countries.

The vote on Sunday to choose local heads of government and legislature members in the self-declared Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk took place amid tightened security following the killing of a top rebel leader in a cafe bombing in August.

Armed soldiers patrolled the streets, while campaign posters around Donetsk called on people to vote with Russia in your heart.

Separatists have fought Ukrainian forces in the countrys industrial east since the spring of 2014 in a war that has killed more than 10,000 people, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

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Although a 2015 accord on ending the war called for local elections in Donetsk and Luhansk, critics say Sundays vote is illegitimate under international law.

Washington and Brussels had asked Russia, which is accused of funnelling troops and weapons into eastern Ukraine to aid separatists, not to hold what they called illegal polls, saying they will hamper peace efforts.

Meanwhile, Kiev has urged its Western allies to punish Moscow for violating the 2015 agreement, signed in the Belarussian capital, Minsk.

On Saturday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged residents to snub the vote at gunpoint.

Do not participate in fake elections! he said.

The first results from the vote are expected on Monday, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

A step towards democracy?

Russia and the separatists say Sundays election is a key step towards establishing full democracy in the regions and stressed that turnout was high.

Officials said 408 and 316 polling stations had opened in Donetsk and Luhansk respectively, with more than 60 percent of eligible voters having cast their ballots in Donetsk as of 11:00 GMT, while turnout stood at more than 50 percent in the Luhansk region.

Some reports suggest the turnout in both territories was even higher.

Local authorities set up food stalls near polling stations and offered lottery tickets to those who voted to encourage high turn out.

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Its another exam for the civic position, political position, for the whole Donetsk Republic, said Denis Pushilin, who became acting head of the Donetsk separatists after his predecessor Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in August.

His Luhansk counterpart, Leonid Pasechnik, denied that holding the ballot was contrary to the Minsk agreement, saying we are a free republic, a free country.

Both men have promised to seek closer ties with Moscow and are expected to sail to victory.

However, security remained a concern for some voters.

Turnout was reported to be more than 50 percent in both Donetsk and Luhansk [Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters]

There was mortar shelling again yesterday. I was afraid of going to vote, Natalya, a 61-year-old retiree who lives on the outskirts of Donetsk told the AFP news agency.

Another voter, Lyudmila Sharakhina, 60, said she wanted the region to join Russia.

Of course we would like to become [part of] Russia, like Crimea did, she said.

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea and supported the outbreak of an uprising in eastern Ukraine in what Kiev sees as a punishment for its pivot towards the West.

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While the heavy fighting has ceased, the conflict still regularly claims lives. According to Kiev, four Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the days before the election.

Peace negotiations have reached deadlock and the Minsk agreement is largely seen as dormant.

The last separatist elections were held in 2014, despite protests from Kiev and the West, who refused to recognise their results.

Illegal and illegitimate

The US embassy in Ukraine said the sham elections will benefit only Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine while NATO added that the polls undermine efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Kurt Volker, US special representative for Ukraine, has been one of the votes most vocal critics. In a statement on Twitter on Sunday, he referred to the rebel-held regions as a second-rate police state run by crooks and thugs, all subsidised by Russian taxpayers.

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On November 10, the European Unions Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini said the bloc considers the polls illegal and illegitimate and will not recognise them.

She called on Russia to use its considerable influence over the separatists to implement the Minsk agreements, starting with a ceasefire and withdrawal of heavy weaponry.

Russia has repeatedly denied financing and equipping the separatist forces and rejected calls to cancel the polls, with Kremlin spokesperson Marina Zakharova saying in October that elections were needed to fill the vacuum in power following Zakharchenkos death.

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Several journalists were reportedly refused access to the regions during the vote, while those allowed in were closely monitored by press centre officials and prevented from visiting polling stations unaccompanied.

Some journalists were allocated one polling station they could visit, but were denied access to other stations and cautioned for attempting to visit sites outside of the itinerary, a journalist reporting from the scene told Al Jazeera.French president tells leaders on Armistice Day to build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other.

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged dozens of world leaders marking a century since the end of World War I to come together for a joint fight for peace.

Let us build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other, he told leaders, including the presidents of the United States and Russia on Sunday.

France, the epicentre of the first global conflict, is hosting the main international commemoration with about 70 world leaders gathering at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris at 10:00 GMT to mark the milestone moment.

The traces of this war will never be wiped away. Neither in France, nor in Europe the Middle East, nor all over the world, Macron said.

Let us remember, let us not forget. Because the memory of these sacrifices makes us worthy of those who fought and died so that we can be free. So let us remember, he said.

Let us not give up the ideals, the principles and the patriotism of those who fought.

Soldier testimonies

Testimonies written by soldiers on November 11, 1918, as the ceasefire took hold, were to be read at the event, which will also feature warnings about the modern-day danger of nationalism.

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Far-right nationalist politicians from Brazil to Italy to Austria were also present at the event.

The first world war erupted in 1914 after a teenage Bosnian Serb assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, igniting a conflict that was contemporaneously described as the war to end all wars.

In the four years of fighting, remembered for brutal trench warfare and the first use of gas as a weapon, France, the British empire, Russia and the US had the main armies opposing a German-led coalition that also included the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires.

More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised and an estimated 10 million lost their lives.About the show

A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMTAn organization of teachers and school officials is urging the House of Representatives to pass the legislation of the positive and non-violent discipline bill. Teachers belonging to the Positive Discipline Advocates of the Philippines called for an end to physical and humiliating punishment against children. The group was joined by Save the Children Philippines and Philippine Educational Theater Association. The bill, entitled Promoting Positive and Non-Violent Ways to Discipline Filipino Children, is now on its third and final reading at the Senate and on its second reading at the House of Representatives. PDAP believes that as second parents, teachers and educators play an important role in fulfilling the right of children to protection, specifically, in ensuring that they are disciplined in a positive manner, the group said.Zaida Padullo, PDAP founder and principal of the Judge Feliciano Belmonte Sr. High School, said: If a student is treated aggressively, the student would rebel. But if treated with empathy, compassion, and understanding, they would open up and unload their real problems. Marichu Carino, PETAs advocate right to safety zone program manager, said inflicting pain to teach discipline should not become the norm. We need to facilitate a process that replaces corporal punishment with positive discipline, she said.University of Michigan professor John Cheney-Lippold unabashedly reneged upon his agreement to write a recommendation letter for his student Abigail Ingber solely because the program to which Ms. Ingber sought admission is under the aegis of an Israeli academic institution. This, in turn, has evoked various controversies in academic circles.

Even if motivated by politics, bias, or hatred, a professor's decision to write or to not write a letter of recommendation for a student needs to be the sole and unquestioned prerogative of the professor; else recommendation letters would have no value or meaning. There must, however, be ethical behavior on the part of the professor.

Cheney-Lippold has a surfeit of ethical issues which extend beyond the fact that his reneging was admittedly timed to follow his receipt of his tenure letter from the university, beyond the fact that a few weeks prior to his tenure grant he presented a paper at a conference cosponsored in no small part by an Israeli academic institution, and irrespective of whether academic boycotts of any sort are or are not ethical.

First and foremost, Cheney-Lippold misrepresented his personal participation in the BDS academic boycott of Israeli institutions as the policy of his department, and when called out on that misrepresentation (which ran contrary to official University statements issued and publicized in 2013 and in 2017) lamely explained that his initial e-mail to Ingber

should [have] read many university professors have pledged an academic boycott against Israel instead of many university departments I was in doing a lot of departmental business before/after writing that email to the student, and I accidentally mixed my words up.

Cheney-Lippold's proffered excuse strains credibility; at best, even if he really did "accidentally mix [his] words up," he, as a tenured full-time faculty member, recklessly failed in his duty to ascertain actual departmental policy before representing it to his student. This gross misrepresentation alone compelled the University of Michigan to impose disciplinary sanctions upon Cheney-Lippold.

Secondly, Cheney-Lippold reportedly complained to a Washington Post reporter to the effect that controversy such as that which arose over the Ingber recommendation letter arises "when instructors are honest about the way their political commitments shape their academic responsibilities."

I have written recommendation letters for students whose religious and sociopolitical outlooks were totally incompatible with my own, and I have represented clients whose political views diametrically differed from my own. When sitting as an arbitrator in the Civil Court of the City of New York I adhered to my ethical duty to put all politics aside when applying the law to adjudicate the disputes between the parties standing at the bench.

A university professor's "political commitments" should not shape his or her professional responsibilities any more than a physician's politics should shape the professional care he or she provides to patients, nor any more than a judge's or arbitrator's personal politics should shape his or her application of the law in adjudicating the disputes of the cases that come before the bench.

Cheney-Lippold's excuses and explanations all seem use "politics" and "political considerations" as justifications, thereby implicating some external locus of control which would absolve him of any personal responsibility for his actions; the "Devil made me do it" excuse. In addition to being another reason to disbelieve Cheney-Lippold's word, this also belies a basic character deficiency by which his "ethics" are relegated to the politics du jour.

On account of the discipline meted out to him by the university, various groups of academics made Cheney-Lippold their poster child for their purported causes, ranging from the boycott of Israel itself to academic freedom.

At the heels of the Cheney-Lippold affair, a strikingly similar incident occurred at the University of Michigan, this time involving Lucy Peterson, a Graduate Student Instructor who unabashedly reneged on writing a recommendation letter for student Jake Secker.

As the shrapnel from the Cheney-Lippold and Peterson affairs flew, another department of the university moved forward with its plans to host a decidedly anti-Israel event; that hatefest in fact occurred even as funerals for some of the victims of the Pittsburgh massacre were in progress.

Meanwhile, Colgate University, which had previously invited Cheney-Lippold to give a lecture in his specialty, has placed the event on hold:

"Weve realized that in order to ensure that Professor Cheney-Lippolds visit is as productive as possible for our students, we need to take a bit more time to have open discussions about his scholarship, as well as what Colgates commitment to academic freedom means in a situation like this," director of the FMST program Mary Simonson said. "We are currently working with Professor Cheney-Lippold to identify a new date, but no time frame has been set yet."

Colgate's change of plan was instigated by Benna Kushlefsky, the parent of a Colgate student. Kushlefsky is an attorney who has represented murder defendants in capital cases, and has donated money to the campaign of at least one Democrat having leftward-leaning tendencies; moreover, she apparently has the stamina and fortitude to soldier onward notwithstanding her recent bereavement from the untimely loss of her husband.

Goal #9 of The 13 Goals of a Colgate Education is to "[s]et an example of ethical behavior in public and in private." Given Cheney-Lippold's ethical issues, Colgate now could use either (A) the Cheney-Lippold controversy's passage from the public eye, or (B) a face-saving way to wash its hands of Cheney-Lippold. Ms. Kushlefsky's background projects the public perception that she would not allow the first alternative to happen without putting up a fight, and that a dismisal of her concerns would be fraught with hazards.

Abigail Ingber has been accepted into the Tel Aviv University program to which she applied, and for which Cheney-Lippold reneged on his recommendation letter agreement.

Kenneth H. Ryesky, a freelance writer currently based in Israel, has taught business law and taxation at Queens College CUNY for more than two decades.One hundred years ago today, the war to end wars ended.

It was not the end of war, despite the wishful thinking of H.G. Wells, and it was unnecessary, due to an accident of history: the early death of the second Kaiser of Imperial Germany, Frederick III.

The "Second Reich" -- the first being that established by Charlemagne and destroyed by Napoleon a thousand years later -- was established by Bismarck. In its brief existence from January 1871 to November 1918, it had three emperors, all of whom reigned in the Dreikaiserjahr, AD 1888.

The first kaiser, William I, died in March of that year, and the third, William II, assumed the title in June. Between March and June, the reigning monarch was Frederick III.

The woeful history of the twentieth century would have turned out far, far differently if Frederick had lived as long as his father, William I (91 years), and his son, William II (82). Instead, at age 57, Frederick was a dying man when he assumed the throne, a victim of throat cancer, probably on account of his love of cigars, and to the fact that his illness was not properly diagnosed and treated. His reign was so brief that few know that he had ever occupied the throne.

A Hohenzollern must be a soldier, and Frederick had served in the three wars of Bismarck that had converted Prussia from Germany's dominant state to its controlling state, wars against Denmark (1864), Austria-Hungary (1866), and France (1870-1). Although war was in Fredericks family, it was not in his blood. He was married to Victoria of Great Britain, the biological and philosophical offspring of Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort, Albert. Frederick's social and political ideas and values reflected those of the family he married into, rather than those of biological family and of Bismarck.

One might speculate how history would have differed had Frederick not died so young. As the Victorian Kaiser, he could have nudged Germany to emulate his wife's motherland. In the early years of the twentieth century, as the senior among the royal cousin-rulers of Britain, Germany, and Russia, those three countries would likely have enjoyed a community of interests. Russias Nicholas Romanov would probably have been a member, though perhaps somewhat reluctantly, of a Liberal Dreikaiserbund, whose leadership of Europe, to be joined by Austrias Francis Ferdinand after the reign of Francis Joseph.

Such an alignment would have made the twentieth century one of truly peaceful coexistence.

Had Frederick III live as long as either his father or his son, William II would have endured three decades or more as Crown Prince, appearing before the public only on ceremonial occasions, much like Prince Charles of England today. By the time when William would ascend the throne of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire, in his fifties, presumably, a wiser man, more endowed with prudence, than the young hothead who did rise to power before he reached thirty.

It was Williams foolishness and imprudence that made the twentieth century the age of world wars and state-sponsored mass murders. He was not, in truth, the demon that he was portrayed as during World War I and that Hitler actually was.

Just as his great-great grandfather, George III of England, sought to use the prerogative that remained to his office from the Revolutionary Settlement of 1688-9, William sought to use the powers that Bismarcks constitution gave to his. His reign of thirty years is perhaps one of historys vivid illustrations of the law of unintended consequences.

After only two years on the throne, William famously dispensed with the chancellor, Prince Bismarck; instead he was served by weak ministers who went along with his boisterous policies at home and abroad.

Where William I reigned over Bismarcks victories in the three wars that led to Prussia establishing itself as the controlling power of Germany, William II was not averse to using war to make Germany the dominant power in Europe and, for that matter, in the world. As he strutted around in his uniforms as an admiral or a field marshal, he failed to realize the extent to which warfare had changed between 1870 and 1900.

Under William II, the informal German national anthem, "Deutschsland Uber Alles," took on a different tone. Originally composed by Haydn in 1797 as Gott Erhalte Franz den Kaiser to honor the Holy Roman Emperor, it received new lyrics in 1841, when the danger of a war with France gave strength to the conviction that there was a need for a German state uniting the separate states of the German nation. But under William II, it came to be believed -- with good reason -- that Germany should be above all the rest of the world.

The Kaiser's global ambition was fed by his eager reading of The Influence of Sea Power upon History: 1660-1783, by Captain Alfred T. Mahan of the U.S. Navy. Written in 1890 to explain why the United States needed a large and modern navy, it led the Kaiser to believe that Germany, too, needed a large and modern navy, and he assigned Alfred von Tirpitz to its accomplishment. The result was the Anglo-German competition to build the most powerful dreadnoughts, a key factor in aligning the British with the Franco-Russian alliance against Germany.

William sent his East Asia Squadron to Chinas Liaotung peninsula in November 1897; that conquest set in motion events that contributed to the breakup of the Chinese Empire which, in turn, led to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.

In the Caribbean, aggressive activities of the German navy's training squadron in at the end of 1897 and early 1898 led the State Department, fearing lest Germany take over all or part of Cuba from Spain, to request that the USS Maine be sent on a presence mission to Havana in January 1898.

Also, in pursuit of William's continental policies that risked a two-front war, Count Alfred von Schlieffen, chief of the German General Staff, drew up the contingency plan which made the war of 1914-1918 inevitable once a spark in Europe set off an explosion.

And, in a pacific Europe with Germany, Russia, and Austria-Hungary bound tightly together in a community of interests, the continent would not have been divided into opposing blocs in 1914, and the spark that was the assassination of Franz Joseph would not have occurred. In such a Frederican Europe, Serbia could not contemplate sending the assassin Gavrillo Prinzip to Sarajevo, because Russia would not support Serbia in a war between itself and Austria.

One could go on far longer: how, for example, the Great Depression of the 1930s would not have occurred if the world financial system had not been subject to pressures brought on by war debts and the demand that Germany pay enormous war indemnities. And no Great Depression, no New Deal, no heritage of FDR for others to follow.

Enough of this, however.

Suffice it to say that, just as the want of a nail caused a battle to be lost, so the presence of a supply of cigars caused a civilization to be lost.

Sometimes, as Freud said, a cigar is just a cigar. In this case, though, it ignited a fuse that eventually set off a powderkeg in 1914; we have yet to recover from the explosion which ensued.Friends and relatives of the Jonestown dead will be meeting next Sunday in Oaklands Evergreen Cemetery to memorialize victims on the 40th anniversary of the mass poisoning. While Peoples Temple held services in their buildings in San Francisco and Los Angeles, it established no such tie to Oakland, making the final resting place for nearly half of Jim Joness victims a peculiar postscript to the most peculiar story in American history.

The logistical problems inherent in transporting 918 bodies from Guyana for interment in the United States served as one issue complicating the proper burial of the dead. The poverty of so many of the deceaseds relatives, the advanced decomposition preventing identification, and the shame that many families felt over the manner of their kins deaths all combined to create a nightmare following the nightmare. The discovery of the cremated remains of nine Jonestown victims in a shuttered Delaware funeral home in 2014 illustrates how convoluted and chaotic the process was.

The answer to the question, why Oakland? stems from the refusal of more natural resting places for the dead to accept them. Guyana, despite the expanse of Jonestown, refused to allow the burial of the bodies in its ground. Delaware, site of Dover Air Force Base where the human remains landed from Guyana, wanted the bodies far away as well. Public officials in Delaware were present for the send-off, Rebecca Moore notes in Understanding Jonestown and Peoples Temple regarding the trucking away of corpses, relieved to see the bodies depart because they feared a mass grave in their state. San Francisco, which contains few cemeteries after many relocations, similarly balked.

Oakland, to my knowledge, the reason everyone was put there is because other places refused, Thomas Beikman, who stumbled upon the aftermath of a Jim Jones devotee slashing her kids throats in a Georgetown, Guyana, bathroom forty years ago, explains. When asked what the Peoples Temple connection to Oakland is, Beikman exclaims: Absolutely none.

And in Oakland, the Jonestown dead did not receive a proper memorial until 2011. Even then, the inclusion of Jim Jones on the memorials list of names pitted survivors against one another. A place of healing instead rubs old sores.

San Francisco strangely does not remember the victims of Jim Jones in any official memorial. More strangely, Peoples Temples home city memorializes Jim Joness boosters. As I show in Cult City: Jim Jones, Harvey Milk, and 10 Days That Shook San Francisco, before the poor drank Jim Joness Kool-Aid in South America, the powerful in San Francisco did. Whereas the former suffered great consequences, the latter enjoyed great rewards.

Photo credit: Nancy Wong

Carlton Goodlett, a business partner and the personal physician of Jones, helped get the former drug addict who oversaw Jonestowns mass poisoning into medical school. He proclaimed Jonestown as the wave of the future three months before the carnage. Goodlett remained so loyal that two days after Jonestown he praised the towns namesake as a man who really attempted to practice the dogmas of Christianity, and bitterly attacked Congressman Leo Ryan, Fourth Estate critics of the Temple, and even the Concerned Relatives traveling to Guyana to rescue family members -- the very people Joness goons shot on the airstrip outside of Jonestown. The late publisher and activist now lends his name to the most prominent address in San Francisco. Two decades ago, the board of supervisors named the street that gives city hall its address Carlton Goodlett Place.

Herb Caen acted as an uncritical booster for Peoples Temple in his San Francisco Chronicle column. In 1996, San Francisco held a Herb Caen Day and christened a street Herb Caen Way. That year, he won a special Pulitzer Prize that recognized him as a voice and conscience of his city.

I shall be back, Harvey Milk wrote Jim Jones after attending a Peoples Temple service. For I can never leave. Despite Milks pledge of loyalty, the biopic on his life leaves his friendship with Jim Jones on the cutting room floor. Neither the Harvey Milk Terminal at San Franciscos airport nor the citys Harvey Milk Plaza address the most significant event in his political career. Milk called Jonestown a beautiful retirement community devoted to alleviating the world food crisis to Carter administration cabinet official Joseph Califano. Such greatness I have found at Jim Jones Peoples Temple, he wrote Guyana Prime Minister Forbes Burnham. Most damning, when Jim Jones abducted a six-year-old boy from San Francisco to his South American concentration camp, Milk attacked the character of his parents in a letter to President Jimmy Carter. Rev. Jones is widely known in the minority communities here and elsewhere as a man of the highest character, who has undertaken constructive remedies for social problems which have been amazing in their scope and effectiveness, the San Francisco supervisor claimed to the president about a man who ultimately killed more African Americans than any Klansman. Despite a California court order, the president did not intervene.

The late Congressman Phil Burton (The Reverend Jim Jones has taken to heart the Biblical injunction, faith without works is dead), former assembly speaker and San Francisco mayor Willie Brown (a highly trusted brother in the struggle for liberation), the late San Francisco mayor George Moscone (Rev. Jones examines his conscience more thoroughly than anyone I know), and so many others who aided and abetted Jim Jones attach their names to government structures in and around San Francisco.

Strangely, a city that celebrates Jim Joness boosters does nothing for the one man who stood up to him. Leo Ryan, the congressman assassinated by Peoples Temple goons on an airstrip outside of Jonestown as he extracted members wishing to leave, affixes his name to some federal buildings outside of the city. But San Francisco does not remember Leo Ryan, just as it does nothing to memorialize its citizens that he died to save.

Beikman, kidnapped as a boy at Joness instruction as the Temple moved from Indiana to California, emigrated with the Temple from San Francisco to Guyana. When he returned to the United States for good, he did so with neither his mother and brother, who died in Jonestown, nor his father, whose presence in that bathroom where Sharon Amos slashed her kids throats resulted in detainment in Guyana. My mom was flown from Dover to Martinsville, the Hoosier notes. They couldnt identify Ronald. Hes in that mass grave.

Gertrude Stein famously wrote of Oakland, There is no there there. Ronald Beikman and more than 400 of his fellow Jonestown victims may lie in Oakland. But for Peoples Temple, there is no there there, either.

Daniel J. Flynn is the author of Cult City: Jim Jones, Harvey Milk, and 10 Days That Shook San Francisco (ISI Books, 2018).The New York Times today has an interesting long piece about the Mexican government wheeling out the welcome wagon for the Honduran caravan migrants in a big volte face of policy. Since this is the Mexican government, the conclusions can be only cynical.

Here's what the Times found:

Ever since the caravan crossed into Mexico three weeks ago, the country has faced a reckoning over the way it treats Central American migrants. Contradictory impulses are in play. In Mexico City this week, doctors and dentists were on hand for free checkups, and children spent the mornings drawing and coloring. A mariachi band played after breakfast, young men sparred with retired boxers and, this being Mexico, masked wrestlers turned up for a lunchtime bout. It wasnt always this way. For decades, successive administrations used strong enforcement measures to control Mexicos borders. The migrants tried to travel out of the sight of authorities, putting them out of mind of most Mexicans. Now, Mexico Citys embrace of the caravan has thrown an opposing idea into sharp relief, an acknowledgment that the countrys asylum laws require the government to protect migrants, who are vulnerable to criminal gangs.

The Times goes at length to explore all the possible reasons for the strange shifting behavior of the Mexican government, which, through most of the 20th century, held a dour view of migration of its own nationals, even as it eventually came to view migration as a safety valve for its own potentially revolt-prone nationals, and a remittance bonanza. Not too long ago, Mexican presidents considered migrants traitors.

And as for Central Americans, Mexico had no trouble slapping them back and keeping them out. It didn't permit immigration for decades, owing to its supposed interests in maintaining the country's racial balance.

But Mexico is always a strictly self-interested country, it's the only way to understand the place, and now we see two things:

First, they allowed the Honduran migrants to push their way in, opening the gates for future caravan migrations (which certainly got started, about three more of them), making Mexico a migrant highway. Then they with President Trump making noises and sending troops to the border, they tried to stop them. Witness the incident where the Mexican governor offered them all free buses to Mexico City and someone from that federal capital got him to stop.

At the time, I attributed it to President Trump's resolve.

But things continue to shift.

Now Mexico is wheeling out the welcome wagon for the migrants, providing them with all manner of free stuff and attempting to harvest some free P.R. for it.

The Times speculates that the Mexicans don't want the migrants taking the dangerous route to the Gulf states, even though it's shorter. For the Mexicans, that could be a public relations problem, according to the sources quoted, because the latter is such a dangerous route. Already it's been reported that 100 migrants have already been kidnapped in those parts for ransom. The migrants are not only good for money for traffickers, their kids are good for securing illegal entry on the hip of some illegal entrant, to be followed by catch and release. Either way, the kidnappers win, so one can surmise the Times is at least partly right that there will be a lot of kidnappings, so it might make sense to wheel out the Mexico City welcome wagon. Migrants in Mexico City have their choice of routes to el norte, and can pick any port of entry.

How convenient, because it comes as the migrants now say that Tijuana will be their entry point to the U.S., even though it's about a thousand miles further than the nearest entry point to the U.S., at McAllen, Texas. It's not only harder to get to, but every mile adds danger. The Pueblo Sin Fronteras group that is directing this has a base there, and it is obviously motivating the migrants to keep at it to get to Tijuana and then into California because there the most generous state-sponsored goodies await. (From the organizers' perspective, it's an amazing take on the Chavista technique of offering free stuff to the poor to buy loyalty. Now that the Chavista oil money for goodies has run out, they are opting to use Uncle Sam's. And surprise, they are Chavista-aligned.) And the Mexican government is something I suspect has tentacles into the California government, at least based on what I've seen, which would also explain the sudden friendliness to migrants making their way to their political allies in California.

The other clue is the presidential transition in Mexico. Outgoing President Enrique Pena-Nieto has generally put on a cooperative face for President Trump, but it's unlikely he's happy about it. He's leaving office at the end of the month. His replacement, Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador, a socialist, has openly campaigned on the argument that borders should be open to enter the U.S. and all illegals have rights to enter, which obviously is a vote-getter in Mexico. Might it be that Pena-Nieto is getting his final licks in at Trump now that Trump can't do anything to punish him? And that maybe the entry will be timed for Mexico's presidential transition so that the illegals entering the U.S. will be AMLO's problem? Possibly. Pena-Nieto might not just be giving Trump the middle finger by making things all nice for migrants in Mexico City, he might be poisoning the well for AMLO.

Lastly, the Mexican attitude toward the Central American migrants is interesting because of demographic factors: Mexico has gotten prosperous in the last few decades, it's certainly the most prosperous country in Latin America aside from Chile. However, it's lost a lot of people to migration, although that is tapering off. The empty spaces thoughout the country, particularly in its impoverished south, has allowed the creation a large illegal immigrant community inside Mexico, often of Central Americans who do farmwork in Mexico, while Mexicans themselves pick crops and do other labor up in the states. Surprise, surprise: the two southern states the Mexican government has asked the migrants to settle down in and take the pro-offered jobs and goodies are emigration-bare Chiapas and Oaxaca states. The self interest there is pretty obvious.

It's too soon to tell absolutely what is going on with the Mexicans suddenly enabling the migrants, but obviously, there's something in it for them as they do it, or they wouldn't do it. There is no more cynical government in Latin America, and they've obviously decided that the migrants who make it to Tijuana are going to be Trump's problem. Let's hope that as President Trump secures the border and comes up with a firm, rule-of-law solution for entry into the U.S., it just blows up in their faces.

Image credit: CGTN via YouTube, screengrabThe part that leaps out arises on the question of who did these immensely painful and injurious attacks on U.S. embassy personnel. Was it Russians? Chinese? Or was it some faction of the Castroites upset over normalization of relations with the U.S., hardline or otherwise? No one really knows yet, but a very important argument was laid out by one of the writers' sources :

The New Yorker this week has an amazingly good investigative piece by Adam Entous and Jon Lee Anderson titled 'The Havana Syndrome,' exploring every aspect and angle of the sonic or electromagnetic attacks on U.S. diplomats and CIA officers last year in Cuba. I read the 10,000-word piece, and was struck by all of its amazingly well-reported angles and insights, as well as its superb sourcing, which included interviews with the diplomats who were actually targeted, and accounts from Obama administration officials, such as Ben Rhodes, who led the Cuba normalization efforts. What really happened. Was it real? How did it come to be? Who did it? And how did it connect to the Obama administration's ill-considered opening with Cuba? It reminds me of the kind of immersing and insightful pieces that used to run in The Atlantic in the 1970s.

In that position he held, it certainly does. The naivete, coupled with the vanity, is what Eric Hoffer once wrote was "indistinguishable from stupidity" is in full play here. Up until now, Rhodes has been arguing on Twitter that Trump's downgrading of U.S. relations with Cuba only serves the interests of Cuba's hardliners. Now it turns out the biggest hardliner out there, and certainly the sneakiest, was Alejandro, the Cuban that Rhodes trusted most. Only the fact that he did his vicious attacks on U.S. diplomats was done off the books, without comradely party discipline, explains why he didn't get promoted. Think of that next time you read a sniveling tweet of his criticizing President Trump for cutting the Castros to size on the diplomatic front. Ben Rhodes stands revealed as gulled and played by Alejandro Castro, and Castro, caught as he appears to be, is laughing.

Alejandro Castro was the son of Fidel Castro, and considered third in line to the throne after brother Raul. He led the negotiations with the Obama administration's Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes, meeting him in airports and on Skype over the course of events,making himself Rhodes' best buddy (you can read all about it in Ben Rhodes' memoirs, which reveal an astonishing and embarassingly unwitting naivete) and now there's speculation that the same guy Rhodes wrote so glowingly about, and who so impressed Ben he gave the Castros everything they wanted - a no-concessions, zero-conditions normalization of diplomatic relations, plus Obama visiting Havana and doing the wave with Raul - was actually plotting to stick the knife in to U.S. diplomats through the sonic attacks. Raul Castro himself, who's always styled himself a Chinese-style communist, did want those relations but someone in Havana didn't. Fidel was obvious enough about not wanting them, and well, Alejandro was his son. So while Alejandro was backslapping with and flattering Rhodes, who ate it up, he was actually planning and executing these attacks.

In Cuba and in the U.S., the advocates of diplomatic opening are no longer in office. In April, Raul Castro stepped down as President, and was replaced by Miguel Diaz-Canel, a longtime loyalist. Raul remains the head of the Communist Party, but Alejandro Castro suffered in the transition. He was not nominated as a deputy in the National Assemblya prerequisite for the Presidencyand his department at the Interior Ministry was reportedly dissolved. Several former American officials who dealt with him during the normalization say that he is no longer returning their messages. They have heard that he is isolated, appearing rarely in public; in the Cuban expression, he is stuck at home, on plan pijamathe pajama plan. He worked with us, and it would send a terrible message if he suffered for that because of the shift in U.S. policy, one official said. A former associate of Fidel Castro suggested a darker possibility: Alejandro could have been fired because he was responsible for the sonic episodes. Either he ordered them or covered up for those who didbut acting on his own, without his fathers knowledge, he said. That is the only possible explanation for Raul taking action to punish him

The New Yorker this week has an amazingly good investigative piece by Adam Entous and Jon Lee Anderson titled 'The Havana Syndrome,' exploring every aspect and angle of the sonic or electromagnetic attacks on U.S. diplomats and CIA officers last year in Cuba. I read the 10,000-word piece, and was struck by all of its amazingly well-reported angles and insights, as well as its superb sourcing, which included interviews with the diplomats who were actually targeted, and accounts from Obama administration officials, such as Ben Rhodes, who led the Cuba normalization efforts. What really happened. Was it real? How did it come to be? Who did it? And how did it connect to the Obama administration's ill-considered opening with Cuba? It reminds me of the kind of immersing and insightful pieces that used to run in The Atlantic in the 1970s.

The part that leaps out arises on the question of who did these immensely painful and injurious attacks on U.S. embassy personnel. Was it Russians? Chinese? Or was it some faction of the Castroites upset over normalization of relations with the U.S., hardline or otherwise? No one really knows yet, but a very important argument was laid out by one of the writers' sources:

In Cuba and in the U.S., the advocates of diplomatic opening are no longer in office. In April, Raul Castro stepped down as President, and was replaced by Miguel Diaz-Canel, a longtime loyalist. Raul remains the head of the Communist Party, but Alejandro Castro suffered in the transition. He was not nominated as a deputy in the National Assemblya prerequisite for the Presidencyand his department at the Interior Ministry was reportedly dissolved. Several former American officials who dealt with him during the normalization say that he is no longer returning their messages. They have heard that he is isolated, appearing rarely in public; in the Cuban expression, he is stuck at home, on plan pijamathe pajama plan. He worked with us, and it would send a terrible message if he suffered for that because of the shift in U.S. policy, one official said. A former associate of Fidel Castro suggested a darker possibility: Alejandro could have been fired because he was responsible for the sonic episodes. Either he ordered them or covered up for those who didbut acting on his own, without his fathers knowledge, he said. That is the only possible explanation for Raul taking action to punish him

Alejandro Castro was the son of Fidel Castro, and considered third in line to the throne after brother Raul. He led the negotiations with the Obama administration's Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes, meeting him in airports and on Skype over the course of events,making himself Rhodes' best buddy (you can read all about it in Ben Rhodes' memoirs, which reveal an astonishing and embarassingly unwitting naivete) and now there's speculation that the same guy Rhodes wrote so glowingly about, and who so impressed Ben he gave the Castros everything they wanted - a no-concessions, zero-conditions normalization of diplomatic relations, plus Obama visiting Havana and doing the wave with Raul - was actually plotting to stick the knife in to U.S. diplomats through the sonic attacks. Raul Castro himself, who's always styled himself a Chinese-style communist, did want those relations but someone in Havana didn't. Fidel was obvious enough about not wanting them, and well, Alejandro was his son. So while Alejandro was backslapping with and flattering Rhodes, who ate it up, he was actually planning and executing these attacks.

Which makes Rhodes a boob.

In that position he held, it certainly does. The naivete, coupled with the vanity, is what Eric Hoffer once wrote was "indistinguishable from stupidity" is in full play here. Up until now, Rhodes has been arguing on Twitter that Trump's downgrading of U.S. relations with Cuba only serves the interests of Cuba's hardliners. Now it turns out the biggest hardliner out there, and certainly the sneakiest, was Alejandro, the Cuban that Rhodes trusted most. Only the fact that he did his vicious attacks on U.S. diplomats was done off the books, without comradely party discipline, explains why he didn't get promoted. Think of that next time you read a sniveling tweet of his criticizing President Trump for cutting the Castros to size on the diplomatic front. Ben Rhodes stands revealed as gulled and played by Alejandro Castro, and Castro, caught as he appears to be, is laughing.An illegal alien arrested last December on domestic violence charges in New Jersey, ended up in Missouri early this month and murdered three people.

The New Jersey authorities knew that Mexican citizen Luis Rodrigo Perez was in the country illegally following his arrest. They knew because federal immigration officials informed them of that fact, and requested a detainer so that they could deport him.

But New Jersey, being a sanctuary state, refused to hold Perez and let him go. About 11 months later in Missouri, he went on a killing spree.

Fox News:

Luis Rodrigo Perez, 23, a native of Mexico, is charged with fatally shooting two men and wounding two others on Nov. 1 and fatally shooting a woman the next day. He was being held on domestic violence charges at the Middlesex County Jail in New Jersey in December 2017 and was released in February, NJ.com reported. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said they placed a detainer on Perez while he was in custody, but the request was not honored nor was the agency notified when he was let go, said Corey Price, acting executive director of ICE. Yet again, an ICE detainer was ignored and a dangerous criminal alien was released to the streets and is now charged with killing three people, Price said. Had ICEs detainer request in December 2017 been honored by Middlesex County Jail, Luis Rodrigo Perez would have been placed in deportation proceedings and likely sent home to his country  and three innocent people might be alive today. "It is past time that localities realize the perils of dangerous sanctuary policies and resume their primary goal of protecting their residents," Price added.

Mr. Price misses the point. Those who support the concept of sanctuary cities know full well that some of the criminal illegals that are released from local custody because officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities will commit murder. They know it and don't care. They figure that the number of murders committed by illegals will be small enough that they can justify letting dangerous criminals out on the street rather than put in deportation proceedings and sent home.

After all, it's "for the greater good." Surely we can afford to have a few American citizens murdered so that we uphold the idea that all are welcome here - even if they're violent criminals who end up making children, orphans or wives, widows. To them, it's worth the price.

Somehow, I don't think the loved ones of the three Missouri residents murdered by Mr. Perez would agree.Neither CNN or MSNBC has any special programming scheduled this weekend, on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, and the 99th anniversary of the first Armistice Day (renamed in 1954 Veterans Day), to commemorate the truce and to honor all veterans. President Trump is in France to mark the momentous centennary, but the cable networks that hate him deem it unworthy of disrupting their regular programming. Fox News, meanwhile, has announced a new hour long prime time commemorative special, Modern Warriors, scheduled to air Sunday November 11 at 8 PM ET/PT.

The Fox program is hosted by Pete Hegseth, himself a veteran and the former executive director of Vets for Freedom. A graduate of Princeton University, Hegseth currently serves as a Fox News contributor and one of the co-hosts of Fox & Friends Weekend.

Pete Hegseth (center) and several participants in Fox News Modern Warriors

The format for Modern Warriors is a roundtable discussion with Hegseth and four decorated military veterans, including Dakota Meyer, a Marine veteran of the war in Afghanistan who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2011 by President Obama for his heroic actions during a 2009 battle. (Meyer married Bristol Palin, the daughter of Sarah Palin, in 2016 but they were divorced earlier this year.) Other participants in the Fox News program are former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, retired U.S. Army Ranger Sean Parnell, and former SEAL Rob ONeill, the latter of whom is credited with delivering the fatal shot that took out Osama Bin Laden during a raid on the Al Qaeda leaders hideout in Pakistan in 2011. O'Neill is the author of No Easy Day, a memoir about his role in the killing of bin Laden. Luttrell wrote Lone Survivor, the book that inspired the 2013 movie of the same name starring Mark Wahlberg. Parnell is the author of the memoir Outlaw Platoon and the new novel Man of War. According to Fox News, the men will reminisce about war, combat, military morale today and why they served.

A preview clip of Modern Warriors shows the five participants in an informal private dining room-type setting similar to the set of the occasional Fox News show Wise Guys hosted by William Bennett. Wise Guys will move to Foxs new online subscription streaming service Fox Nation that is scheduled to launch on November 27. The page at Fox News dot com highlighting Modern Warriors notes that for people who sign up for Fox Nation on Sunday, November 11 (Veterans Day), a $5 donation will be made to the non-profit 501C-3 charity Folds of Honor, which supports serving the families of our fallen and disabled service-members.

Peter Barry Chowka writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. Follow him on Twitter @pchowka.Since the media is back on the Russian collusion story, maybe we should assemble a panel consisting of White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, President Trump, and others in their camp, where they ask CNN's Jim Acosta, American Urban Radio Network's April Ryan, and others blue-check journalists a series of questions that they should be willing to answer. After all, they have been endlessly and breathlessly reporting on this fictional story for almost two years. And since Jim Acosta would rather be the news than report the news, it's time to give him what he wants.

Here goes:

Was there any actual evidence that the Trump team colluded with Russia on the election or was it fake from the start? What would the crime be if people associated with Trump talked to people from Russia? Didn't people surrounding Hillary Clinton talk with people from Russia?

If there was no crime, what would Trump have obstructed?

What do you think of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton paying as much as $10 million to create a fake dossier to destroy Trump?

What do you think of the Justice Department and the Obama administration using this fake dossier as an excuse to spy on people surrounding Trump?

Since there was never any actual evidence that the dossier was true, should the media have reported it as if it was?

Former FBI Director James Comey listed a series of criminal violations by Hillary that he never prosecuted her for. Shouldn't Hillary and others have been prosecuted for their clear violations of the law?

Didn't Hillary, the DNC and others obstruct the law when they destroyed computers and refused access to computers for hacking?

Shouldn't others at the FBI and in the Obama administration be investigated and possibly prosecuted for their obvious protection of Hillary and their targeting of Trump?

Shouldn't any president fire someone like Comey for his clear preferential treatment instead of doing his job?

Why did Obama issue a stand-down order in the summer of 2016 to his cyber security chief to stop investigating Russian hacking? Was he hiding something or obstructing justice?

Who killed Seth Rich and why?

It is clear that many people surrounding Hillary and Obama committed crimes, commited perjury, and obstructed justice so why were there no prosecutions? Were they always above the law?

I am sure many others would have hundreds or even thousands of obvious questions, but somehow Acosta, Ryan and others aren't even curious.

They say they want honesty in government, but their actions show that is absolutely not true.Do you remember when the leading institutions of higher education encouraged debate and discussion? In an era of obsessive focus on skin-deep diversity, higher education has become an environment intolerant of any dissent from the Party Line, no matter how absurd it may be.

A case study comes from The University of California, Berkeley, which in 1964 was convulsed over student demonstrations demanding absolute free speech, including obscenities. The University of California, Berkeley, without a hint of irony, memorializes the Free Speech Movement, and leads with this quotation, accurtaely stating the importance of the movemnet it kicked off.

The Free Speech Movement was the first revolt of the 1960s to bring to a college campus the mass civil disobedience tactics pioneered in the civil rights movement. Those tactics, most notably the sit-in, would give students unprecedented leverage to make demands on university administrators, setting the stage for mass student protests against the Vietnam War.  Robert Cohen, author of Freedoms Orator

From "free speech" to "shut up!"

Photo credit: Charlie Nguyen

In just over half a century, the brainwashed students have done a 180, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported:

A student senator at UC Berkeley abstained from a vote supporting transgender rights last week, then took a moment to explain her thinking. Now, more than 1,000 people have signed a petition demanding that she resign from student government or face a recall. Hundreds packed a Senate meeting Wednesday night to insist that she go. On social media, students labeled her a horrible person and a mental imbecile. Her campus political party severed ties with her. And the Daily Californian, UC Berkeleys storied student newspaper, ran an editorial critical of her statements and refused to publish her written defense. The uproar began Oct. 31, when the Queer Alliance Resource Center asked the student Senate to pass a bill condemning the Trump administration for considering a legal definition of gender that would require it to match a persons sex at birth. The proposal would change the federal Title IX civil rights law and potentially remove its protections from 1.4 million trans-gender people, according to a New York Times story last month, based on a leaked memo. At UC Berkeley, the students resolution also urged the university to step up support of trans-gender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming students and the campus groups that help them. Isabella Chow, 20, abstained. Reading a five-paragraph statement explaining her decision, Chow told her 18 fellow senators, who all voted for the bill (another was absent), that discrimination is never, ever OK. She condemned bullies and bigots. She said she abhorred stereotypes. And she called the LGBT community valid and loved. That said, Chow continued, voting for the bill would compromise her values and force her to promote groups and identities she disagrees with. As a Christian, I personally do believe that certain acts and lifestyles conflict with what is good, right and true, she said. I believe that God created male and female at the beginning of time, and designed sex for marriage between one man and one woman. For me, to love another person does not mean that I silently concur when, at the bottom of my heart, I do not believe that your choices are right or the best for you as an individual.

Ms. Chow has forgotten that totalitarians now are free to bully dissenters on campuses, and there are no grownups to tell them to stop. The leadership of American academia have forfeited their claim to moral legitimacy as seekers of truth and knowledge, and have squandered their noble heritage. Higher education has rotted from within.

Hat tip: Frank AmatoMore than 70 world leaders, including such major notables as Trump, Putin, Merkel, Macron, and Erdogan are in Paris today for the hundred year anniversary of the end of World War 1. But Theresa May, the UK head of government, and Queen Elizabeth, the head of state, are missing, along with two Commonwealth countries that suffered major casualties defending King and Country. AFP:

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth will attend a separate event in London, while New Zealand and Australia are holding their own ceremonies.

It is rather remarkable. PM May did travel to the Continent in memory of the conflict  before the actual anniversary:

Theresa May today [Saturday] marked the centenary of the Armistice by laying a wreath honouring the first and the last British soldiers killed in the First World War. She visited St Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium, which holds the graves of more than 500 soldiers, most of whom died during the Battle of Mons in August 1914. Joined by her Belgian counterpart Charles Michel, Mrs May laid a wreath at the graves of John Parr, from Finchley, believed to be the first British soldier killed during the war, and George Ellison, who died 90 minutes before the Armistice came into effect at 11am on November 11, 1918. Their graves lie opposite one other, in what the Prime Minister described as a poignant symbol that brings home the eternal bond between them and every member of the armed forces who gave their lives.

Trump, Merkel, Macron, no May at Paris ceremony today (YouTube screen grab_

I suspect the reason for the snub has something to do with this, via Reuters:

Four British ministers who back remaining in the European Union are on the verge of quitting Theresa Mays government over Brexit, the Sunday Times reported, as pressures built on the prime minister from all sides. The newspaper also said that the European Union had rejected Mays plan for an independent mechanism to oversee Britains departure from any temporary customs arrangement it agrees. The newspaper sourced the development to British sources, and not sources in the EU team. May is trying to hammer out the final details of the British divorce deal but the talks have become stuck over how the two sides can prevent a hard border from being required in Ireland.

That border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland owes its origins to the Easter Uprising of 1916, a failed attempt to establish an Irish Republic while Britain was preoccupied with The Great War. One of the major reasons behind the Uprising was Britains promise to allow home rule for Ireland in return for Irish enlistments to fight the war. The enlistments came, but home rule did not. The leaders of the Uprising were captured and hung, but that did not stop the agitation, and eventually, partition and the border resulted.

This is but one of countless alterations on world history that derived from this cataclysm that ended a century ago. The wounds have yet to heal. We are still working through the consequences.You have permission to edit this article.

Edit CloseIn a bid to prevent a Boracay-type environmental disaster, President Rodrigo Duterte urged local officials and concerned citizens of Palawan to observe the tourist influx in the island, calling on hotels and business establishments to simply follow the rules. Duterte said he would not want to see Palawan suffer the same fate as that of the famed Boracay island. Just clean it. Do not overload. You will be the guards here. Boracay is a classic case of overloading. It can carry only so many people, the President said in his speech during the 1st Subaraw Biodiversity Festival in Palawan. If you fill it up with all the waste, it will tumble down. Thats why its [needs to be] controlled. You have to control the number [of tourists here], he added, reminding local officials to keep a watchful eye on the arrivals of tourists. The President also stressed that owners of hotels and establishments in Palawan need to play a role in preserving the provinces environment. Do not allow the hotels near the easement. They should stay away. Tell them to really move far, he said, noting that hotels, as seen in the case of Boracay, throw their toilet wastes directly to the ocean.Stressing that the national government has jurisdiction over the countrys beachfronts, Duterte said it is his administrations duty to protect it from violators as he decided to place all hotels in the island on notice. So, Im giving notice to all hotels that are operating near the sea. Do not connect your tubes directly to it. If you want to build a hotel, add another many million to have a water treatment, Duterte said, maintaining that hotels must have proper toilet management system as he observed how Canada turns its wastes into something useful by turning urine into clean drinking water. You protect your crown jewel of the Palawan, which is really the beautiful sceneries. And avoid overcrowding, Duterte said. For the hotels and the resorts, follow rules. You will not have a problem with me. Let us work together in protecting the environment so that the governments action to close Boracay Island will not be repeated elsewhere in the country, he added. Disgusted over the environmental issues of Boracay, which he previously labeled as cesspool, the President had closed Boracay for six months to give way for its rehabilitation and reopened the world-famous island resort to the public last month.WARSAWPoles mark a century of independence on Sunday amid tensions in the deeply polarized country over the prominent role that marginal far-right groups gained in shaping the main state parade. Chaos engulfed plans for the state military parade in Warsaw just days ahead of the centenary, as far-right groups vowed to use the same route and timing for their controversial annual independence day march. Last years edition of that march drew global outrage when some participants displayed racist and anti-immigrant banners and slogans. Its organizers include the National Radical Camp (ONR), a group with roots stretching back to an anti-Semitic pre-World War II movement. Groups of this nature are marginal in Poland. In a bid to avoid a similar debacle on the centenary, the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government and allied President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday announced the state military parade, insisting that it had legal priority. But the far-right groups refused to back down after a Warsaw court overruled a separate ban imposed by the capitals mayor citing the risk of violence and hate speech. The PiS government spent Friday in a tug of war with far-right groups over the scheduling of the two events. The sides confirmed late Friday that they would coincide. PiS Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has vowed that authorities would act decisively against any public display of fascist symbols or slogans, something that is banned by law in Poland. There is a clear red line between patriotic behavior and nationalistic or chauvinistic [behavior], or neo-Nazis, he told the foreign press corps on Thursday. Underscoring Polands growing isolation in the European Union since the PiS took office in 2015, no senior delegations from fellow EU states are due to show up for the centenary coinciding with the Armistice that ended World War I. The government has put Poland on a collision course with the EU 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. EU President Donald Tusk, a former liberal Polish prime minister, will be the blocs only senior representative in Warsaw on Sunday and his visit comes amid speculation that he may return to run for president in 2020.Speaking on Saturday in the central Polish city of Lodz, Tusk likened the PiS to contemporary Bolsheviks who must be defeated. He also repeated a warning that the party could unwittingly unleash a Polexit from the EU despite the blocs strong popularity among Poles and the many assurances of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski that his party has no such designs. Widely regarded as Polands de facto power broker, Kaczynski has played a key role behind the scenes in shaping both domestic and foreign policy since the PiS took office. He and Tusk are arch-rivals. Poles will pause nationwide at the stroke of noon on Sunday to sing their national anthem as part of the centenary celebrations. It will be a rare show of unity in the EU and NATO country of 38 million people that has become increasingly polarized since the PiS took office in 2015. While robust economic growth coupled with the governments generous social welfare measures and conservative stance have garnered it support mainly in rural areas, its judicial reforms have also sparked outrage among urban centrists and liberals. Were talking about two separate Polands: one liberal, worried about the free market and civil freedoms, and the other, conservative, statist, wanting to control everything and everyone, Stanislaw Mocek, a Warsaw-based political analyst, told AFP. But Norman Davies, an Oxford historian and a renowned authority on Poland, insists that despite the recent turmoil Poles have never had it so good. Before November 1918, Poland did not exist at all for 123 years, carved up between the Prussian, Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires. From all those countries [that regained independence in 1918], Poland has been the most successful... not only in economic terms but also in terms of political stability, constitutional consensus and geopolitical security within NATO, Davies said, speaking at a recent security conference in Warsaw.PARADISEThe death toll from the destructive fires hitting California rose to 23 Saturday as rescue workers recovered more bodies of the people killed by the late-season infernos. Firefighters battled raging fires at both ends of the statein Butte County, a scenic area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains north of Sacramento, and in the Los Angeles area, where two deaths possibly related to a fire were reported. There is little hope of containing the flames anytime soon, as the National Weather Service said strong winds and dry conditions were expected through the weekend. Today, 14 additional bodies were located, which brings our total number to 23, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said at a late Saturday news conference as he discussed a blaze known as the Camp Fire. Acrid smoke from the fire covered the sky for miles, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars caught in the flames were reduced to metal carcasses, while power lines were gnawed by the flames. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for more than 52,000 people in the area. In the town of Paradise more than 6,700 buildingsincluding a hospital, a gas station, and several restaurantshave been consumed by the fire. Rescuers removed human remains over several hours in Paradise and placed them in a black hearse. Charred body parts were transported by bucket, while intact remains were carried in body bags. At the Holly Hills Mobile Estate the mobile homes had been reduced to smoldering piles of debris. Yellow police tape marked spots that were tagged Doe C and Doe D, suggesting that bodies were found there. Locals fled the danger, but police told AFP some farmers returned to check on their cattle. Fanned by strong winds, the blaze has so far scorched 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) and is 20 percent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said. So far, three of the more than 3,200 firefighters deployed have been injured. They estimate they will need three weeks to fully contain the blaze. Local power authorities told state officials that an outage occurred near the spot where the fire erupted, The Sacramento Bee reported, but there is no official cause of the Camp Fire blaze. President Donald Trump, traveling in France for World War I commemorations, drew criticism for his unsympathetic reaction to the devastation.There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor, Trump tweeted. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments! Brian Rice, the head of the California Professional Firefighters, slammed Trumps tweet as ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines. He said the presidents claim that forest policies were mismanaged is dangerously wrong. Trump later showed more sympathy. Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, as well as the evacuees and families of the victims, he tweeted. God Bless them all. In southern California, more wildfires burned, including one just north of Los Angeles and another in Ventura County near Thousand Oaks, where a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday. Two bodies were found in Malibu-one of the most coveted locations in California for Hollywood stars seeking privacy and luxury -- in an area where the Woolsey Fire swept through, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department. However the incident is being investigated by the homicide department, an LACS spokesperson told AFP. The Woolsey Fire has consumed around 83,000 acres, destroyed at least 177 structures and was five percent contained, Cal Fire said late Saturday. Evacuation orders had been issued for some 88,000 homes in Ventura County and neighboring Los Angeles County. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, who lives just north of coastal Malibu, was one of the celebrities forced to flee. Director Guillermo del Toro tweeted that Bleak House, his museum of horror movie memorabilia, was safe after he saying he feared it would go up in smoke. Actor Martin Sheen, briefly reported missing by his actor son Charlie, was also forced to evacuate. Were fine, were at Zuma Beach and were probably going to sleep in the car tonight, Martin Sheen told Fox News 11, adding that it was the worst fire he had seen in 48 years of living in Malibu. The wildfire reached Paramount Ranch, destroying the Western Town sets used for hundreds of productions including HBOS sci-fi western Westworld, network officials said.Moderation has a bad reputation and anger is mistaken with bravery. Cooperation and understanding the views of others are scorned as a weakness, while wielding words like a knife is seen as a sign of resolve and determination directed at ones foot soldiers. An appeal to speedy solutions takes the front row. As we have witnessed multiple times throughout history, there is no excuse for acting with ignorance as to the consequences of leaving politics in the hands of anger. This is also our challenge right now, as it has so often been for our ancestors throughout the history of Spain and Europe.

Assuming that democracy survives without actively working for it is a mistake and it is even more dangerous to think that we are immune to anger and violence. Democratic vigilance is an imperative today as it has been throughout history, as we write in our dossier on the First World War and the world it served to create.

Our brand of fascism

Madeleine Albright was the first woman to be appointed US Secretary of State and she is well aware of the risks of totalitarianism. Born in Prague, her family fled from Nazism and later communism. She has recently published a fascinating book, Fascism: A Warning (published by William Collins) which opens with a quote which is impressive thanks to the authority of the individual who penned it, Primo Levi: "Every age has its own fascism".

In many countries, economic, technological and cultural factors lead to growing uncertainty and weaken the credibility of politics, while simultaneously empowering extremist, hard-line leaders. It seems as if we are witnessing the degradation of politics understood as a framework for cooperation and the bringing together of different sensitivities and interests, due to a contempt for facts and the traditional press loss of its role in interpreting and rationalising the news and its demonization as "the enemy of the people". The very pillars of liberal democracy are being called into question without seeing that fascism is "less a political ideology than a means of seizing power and keeping control over it", in Albrights words.

At the international level, multilateralism and cooperation are being degraded thanks to Trump, those who are pro--Brexit and other economic and emotional nationalisms which are committed to autocracy and unilateralism. Never before had the words of an American president been greeted with guffaws of laughter at the United Nations, in a clear demonstration of the growing gulf between the two.

Feeding on fear

Nevertheless, Trump has held onto power in the US and Bolsonaro has appeared on the political scene in Brazil. In the mid--terms, Trump lost his majority in the House of Representatives, but managed to hold on to the Senate. Trump didnt suffer a fiasco, in spite of the misfortunes and mistrust of those who surround him. According to Bob Woodward (Fear, Simon & Schuster), the section of the White House contingent which considers him to be dangerously impulsive go to great lengths to circumvent the consequences of his outbursts. They smother the policies he intends to implement, even to the extent of making papers and draft documents disappear, to ensure that a definitive version never emerges or that they simply disappear from the folder that the president receives each day with documents for him to sign. Those who are high up in the administration boycott his leadership in a kind of internal resistance.

Woodward reminds us of a quote from Trump which defines how he sees power and why we see authoritarian leadership rise in times of uncertainty: Real power is, I dont even want to use the word: Fear.

Trump held his ground and Bolsonaro won the election with his crass military manner, insults to women, blacks and gays, dictatorial rhetoric and a sudden conversion to liberal economics.

Change or a reaction

And what about Spain? The rise of fascism is a worry to the European Parliament, which a few weeks ago passed a resolution calling for all foundations and organisations which exalt Nazism and fascism to be outlawed mentioning the Francisco Franco Foundation by name and for the removal of all symbols and monuments which glorify the military coup, the Civil War and Franco's dictatorship.

Within the framework of the European Union, Spain can no longer resort to the degree of violence it has historically used to resolve territorial conflicts, in spite of Zoido and Rajoys efforts to the contrary. However, it is unclear whether Spanish politics have abandoned their traditional suicidal tendencies.

An appeal to base passions, feeding the anger of frustration and despising ones adversary, remain the order of the day, while the Spanish Civil War becomes lost in the mists of time and the reactionary forces, once more, behave like they own the country. Spain and Catalonia are not immune to the effects of time on memory and ought to remain on high alert. Alert to the cavern, alert when Pedro Sanchezs government privately admits to being terrified by outbursts on the right when it accuses them of being unpatriotic. Alert to when the Catalan parliament is being eroded, while the government waits for events to happen instead of leading the country. Alert to when a moderate columnist prefers not to write anything to avoid "getting into trouble" since "nothing will come of it".The town on the ranch was likely completely destroyed. The ranch, which until Friday resembled a town straight out of a western, was originally developed in 1927, when Paramount Pictures purchased the lot in the old Rancho Las Virgenes and used it for various films, including The Maid of Salem (1937) and The Adventures of Marco Polo (1938). In the 1950s, Paramount sold the lot to William Hertz, who built the permanent western town that would serve many shoots and as a tourist destination."Where does this leave the people of Manila with its problems of uncollected garbage, runaway crime and rampant drug trafficking?" "Where does this leave the people of Manila with its problems of uncollected garbage, runaway crime and rampant drug trafficking?"

The Manila mayoral contest is between incumbent Joseph Estrada and Fred Lim. But the man the people of Manila are talking about is the one whos not seeking the post. Lito Atienza, two-term Manila mayor, decided to forego parochial politics in favor of seeking a third term as Buhay Party List representative in the House. Even now Manilans are asking why Atienza left them to the mercy of two old men who are in the sunset of their lives. Estrada is in his late 80s while Lim is in his early 90s. Let it make it clear that I have nothing against old men as I am a senior citizen myself. But I am not running for public office and promising voters to exert all my energy to deliver basic services to constituents. As cruel as it may sound, two old men doddering among the people at public events is the most visible condition of their state of health. They could at anytime succumb to cardiac arrest or other ailments they have not disclosed to the public. Where does that leave the people of Manila with its problems of uncollected garbage, runaway crime and rampant drug trafficking? Manilans somehow feel Atienza abandoned them to Erap and Lim.I have had my fill of those problems and a heavy dose of parochial politics, said Atienza, adding that he left Manila financially stable but that the problems he had addressed were back as soon as he exited. Atienza said he wants to stay in Congress because he prefers to serve on a national scale and take part in the discussion of of such issues as charter change, federalism and the return of the death penalty. These issues are visceral to Atienza who plans to oppose all three House proposals. Atienza thinks federalism is dead in the water. Even if passed by the House, federalism will meet strong opposition in the Senate which insists on separate voting from the lower chamber. The cost alone is enormous to reorganize the whole government into 18 regions and increasing the members of parliament if the unicameral form is approved. There will also be more associate justices in a proposed three high courts. Funding for a federal form of government would be like starting a new nation. But the people will be spared the financial burden if they reject federalism in the required plebiscite. Under Lito Atienzas Buhayin Ang Maynila Urban Redevelopment Program, he put up or refurbished such places and monuments as Raja Solayman, Plaza Moriones, Plaza Lawton, etc.He also streamlined the city s tax collection service by adding more windows for payment and an air-conditioned waiting lounge. If at all. Atienza will be well remembered for fixing the Manila city hall clock which used to show four different times on each of the four sides. Visiting foreign tourists thought the four different times indicate the time in Tokyo, New York, London and Moscow.With the government of Myanmar passing its new Investment Law, which came into effect in April 2017, the country is showing its continued commitment to attracting foreign investment. After reopening its economy in 2012 following several political reforms beginning the year before, Myanmar has been receiving significant increases in foreign direct investment, reaching a high of US$9.5 billion in the 2015/2016 fiscal year ending in March. To put this in perspective, the total amount of FDI added up to only US$329.6 million in 2009/2010, the year before the military ceded power. While oil, gas, and energy remain the sectors with the highest FDI inflows, investments into Myanmars manufacturing industry are rapidly gaining traction, having risen from just US$33.2 million to over US$1 billion in the same period, and hitting a high of US$1.8 billion in 2014.

As China strives to move up the value chain and focus more on high-end manufacturing, the countrys wages have risen to the point where many garment manufacturers are looking to invest elsewhere.

Lifting of sanctions from the EU and US

Cambodia and Vietnam have already established themselves as alternatives, and now Myanmar is bringing a new labor force to the competition. Clothing exports have already gone up from US$337 million in 2010 to US$1.46 billion in 2015. And now that the economic sanctions by the EU and US have been lifted, the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) has set a target for exports to increase to US$12 billion by 2020. Doing so would create an estimated 1.25 million new jobs, a sharp increase from the approximately 250,000 people currently working in the garment industry.

Before the military ceded power in 2011, Myanmar was suffering heavily from trade sanctions imposed by, amongst others, the EU and the US since 2003. Sanctions included visa bans, restrictions on financial services, prohibitions of imported goods from Myanmar, bans on new investments in Myanmar, and constraints on US assistance to Myanmar. As such, the country heavily relied on Japan and Korea for garment exports, to which it exported 38 percent and 31 percent, respectively, of its total garment exports in 2014.

However, as a result of the reforms, sanctions have mostly been lifted. In 2013, the EU lifted all economic sanctions  except for those on arms  and granted the country Generalized System of Preference (GSP) trade privileges, meaning that Myanmar receives duty-and-quota-free access to the EU market. The US followed suit when Barack Obama, after visiting the country in September 2016, lifted almost all sanctions imposed on the country.

These are rewards for the countrys stabilizing political landscape and create new opportunities for foreign investors. The new Investment Law further eliminates the discrepancies between local laws and laws applying to foreign investors, while also offering several incentives related to taxation and land use rights. This paves the path for foreign investors looking to capitalize on the opportunities arising from affordable manufacturing in the country.

In October 2018, however, the EU sent a high-level mission to Myanmar to monitor and assess alleged human rights violations in the country, especially in Rakhine State. The EU has announced that the findings of the mission will inform its assessment whether to temporarily remove the preferential trade benefits for Myanmar under its Everything but Arms Scheme (EBA).

Exponential growth in garment exports

The Burmese export value of textiles and garments has increased drastically since the economy reopened. With the exponential increase in garment exports since 2010, they now account for 10 percent of Myanmars total export revenues. This fiscal year Myanmar is poised to reach new heights. During the first five months of the 2016/2017 fiscal year starting in April, garments sector exports reached US$745.5 million, up from US$232.8 million during the same period last year. And looking ahead, the Myanmar Garment Entrepreneurs Association has set an export revenue target of US$12 billion in 2020. Accordingly, the number of jobs in the industry is projected to increase drastically from around 230,000 in mid-2015 to 1.5 million in 2020.

Regional competition

Despite this rapid growth, Myanmars export numbers are still lagging behind those of its regional competitors.

In the garment industry, Vietnam recorded US$28 billion of exports in 2015, while Cambodias exports totaled US$5.7 billion in the same year. Thus, while Myanmar is experiencing rapid growth, it still has a long way to go to reach similar levels.

Favorable to Myanmar, however, is that minimum wages in Vietnam and Cambodia are significantly higher. Cambodia recently set the 2017 minimum wages for employees in the garment industry at US$153 per month, up from US$140 in 2016, while 2016 monthly minimum wages in Vietnam varied from US$107 to US$156, depending on the region. Myanmars monthly minimum wage of just US$67 (2015 data) makes it highly competitive with Cambodia and Vietnam and an attractive location for garment manufacturing, and large retailers such as Gap, H&M, Marks & Spencer and Primark have already found their way into the country.

Human rights issues and looking ahead

When considering manufacturing from Myanmar, it is important to perform proper due diligence when selecting factories to prevent human rights breaches. Last August 2016, news came out that Burmese factories operating for the Swedish company H&M employed 14-year-old workers for more than 12 hours a day, six days per week. This is not uncommon in the country, and investors have to make sure that these practices are not occurring in their factories, and to help prevent these practices from happening in the country altogether. Furthermore, as Myanmar only recently reopened its economy, it is still a very immature market. It is largely run by family businesses of small sizes, which comprise approximately 83 percent of the economy, and its infrastructure and banking system, although improving, are still relatively underdeveloped. As such, finding the right partners can be challenging, making patience key when operating in the country.

However, Myanmars trajectory is encouraging. Looking forward, with almost all economic sanctions being lifted and the new Investment Law coming into effect, Myanmar is set to sustain the high growth levels in its garment manufacturing industry. The government is actively seeking foreign investment, and with wage levels standing below those in competing ASEAN countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia, several large retailers have already entered the country. More retailers are expected to follow in the coming years, thereby confirming the emergence of Myanmar as a new competitor in Southeast Asias garment manufacturing industry.

Editors Note: This article was first published on December 9, 2016 and is updated on November 8, 2018, as per latest developments.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.Hi All,



I have a question regarding the living together requirement of the 309 visa.



I will be getting married to my partner in early 2019 and we have not lived together previously, as ours is a traditional arranged Hindu wedding, in which it is not permitted to stay together before the wedding. Hence why the 300 visa is out of question.



I was wondering if this is considered at the time of review if we explained the situation. Not living together also raises the concern of not having joint financials and household commitments.



But we have met twice before for periods of 3 - 4 days and have spent time together and have been in constant contact for 8 months through calls and messages and we are also engaged.



Any help with how to overcome this situation or info on how we can build our evidence would be greatly appreciated.The Ferrari 488 Pista we have here recently landed in one of the world's supercar capitals, with the Fezza having been delivered to Monaco.As you can notice in the images above, which come from Autogespot , the spec of the mid-engined animal allows this to stand out.The 720 horsepower toy is dressed in matte grey, while packing orange center stripes, with the contrast between the two obviously helping the track special achieve the effect mentioned above. And yes, the Monaco license plates only add to the fun.We'll remind you that we've also shown you two other Ferrari 488 Pista spec this year. The first was what can be described as a classic spec, since the mid-engined beast came dressed in red, featuring black center stripes.As for the second , this is another member of the matte club. In fact, its shade of green officially wears the nickname of the owner, since the twin-turbo animal comes from the garage of Greg.B23. As is the case with the car that brought us here, orange was chosen for the center section of the machine, albeit with this packing an uber-wide stripe.Having talked about the static appearances of the Ferrari 488 Pista, we can't wait to bring you the dynamic tales that involve the Maranello machine.So far, we've seen the rear-wheel-drive monster exceeding expectations by dropping a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.26 seconds, albeit in a questionable test.And yes, everybody wants to see the Pista drag racing the McLaren 720S (you know, the supercar that hasn't lost a drag race) and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS."Cursing is actually a sign of higher intelligence. It makes you happier, healthier, and more honest."

The Baguio City Council passed an Anti-Profanity Ordinance in September, which bans cursing in places frequented by children and students, including schools and universities, computer shops, arcades, and other business establishments. It bans any expression of profanity, which it says includes blasphemous or obscene language; vulgar or irreverent speech or action; expletive, oath, swearing, swearword, curse, curse word, cuss-profane or obscene expression. It prohibits these acts whether they are directly or indirectly spoken to anyone or used as an expression. Holy sh*t! Burnham, Kennon, and Hay must be turning (and cursing) in their graves. Their beloved summer capital has been taken over by the Taliban. A cursing ban? How un-American. While I agree that people shouldnt curse, the important point is the ordinance is clearly unconstitutional and against a basic individual right. The Bill of Rights clearly reads: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression In case the mayor and council havent read the constitution, or dont realize we have one, freedom of speech means freedom from interference, suppression, or punitive action by the governmentand nothing else. Freedom of speech includes the freedom not to agree, not to listen, and not to support ones own antagonists. Some say that the law is needed because cursing hurts people. Of course it does. But come on. No one dies because of it. There is a huge difference between an exchange of curses and an exchange of blows. The line of demarcation between freedom of speech and freedom of action is established by the ban on the initiation of physical force. Sticks and stones can hurt my bones, but words will never harm me. In fact, according to many scientists, cursing is actually a sign of higher intelligence. It makes you happier, healthier, and more honest. As private citizens, we cannot use physical force or coercion; we cannot censor or suppress anyones views or publications. Unfortunately, only the government, which has a monopoly on the use of force, can do so. And censorship is a concept that pertains only to governmental action. Rumor has it that the controversial parking structure being built in Burnham Park is actually a concentration camp for offenders. Bars of soap have also been seized by the newly-installed morality police. Released offenders have been seen walking like zombies along Session Road, with white mouths chanting, I will not curse, I will not curse.A record number of Filipino-Americans voted in the US midterm election, and Republicans and Democrats have heard from it a clear message: theyre doing just fine; dont change anything. Look at those gains in the Senate! said President Trump, Tremendous! People clearly want bombastic fear-mongering about immigrants and lots of arguing with the press. And were going to keep giving it to them until we ride to an even greater victory in 2020. The American people clearly love our incoherent yelling at Trump and everyone near him, Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi stated about their win in the House and gains in governorships. Were going to do nothing but scream and belittle all Trump supporters until Trump is gone in 2020. When the losses were pointed out to the two parties, they each had easy explanations. Some candidates just didnt spend enough time talking about how great I am and how Im right about everything, President Trump explained. Rookie mistake. Probably cost us the House. Sad. Democrats think voting data showed them where things went wrong. We determined its Filipino Trump supporters and white women that are the problem now, said Democratic consultant Marvin Mullins. So obviously the path to an even greater victory is to scream at them and tell them we hate them. Both parties are now very excited for the next election, as presumably are Filipino-Americans, illegal Filipinos in America, and Filipinos elsewhere who like to comment on US politics but arent US citizens anyway.Last Halloween, trick-or-treaters flooded streets, gated communities, and malls across Metro Manila in a beloved and borrowed American tradition. Children joyously knocked on doors and received candy at most of the houses in their neighborhoodmost of the houses, that is, except for those of politicians. Politicians cheerily opened their doors each time children knocked and cried out Trick or treat! and greeted them, commented on their costumes, and wished them a happy Halloween. Then, they pulled out their large bowls of candy, reached out their hands, and took from the children who had a lot of candy, and placed the childrens donations into their bowls for later redistribution to the less fortunate. What a nice Ironman costume you have! a senator said to one boy. Although Im always a little disturbed by the large selection of costumes made possible by corporate greed, US imperialism, and the evils of capitalism, I still appreciate your spirit. Now hand over the candies, hijo. The senator then dug into the kids bag and pulled out over 40 percent of the kids haul, lecturing the boy on the need to be generous. Of course, the senator doesnt provide his redistribution services for free: he takes a small tax out of his collection before carefully redistributing the candy based on his fair and equitable KENDI Plan, which he draws up every year. The senator still cant figure out why kids kept avoiding his house altogether. [email protected]Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Clear skies. Low 32F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Stronger winds in and below canyons and passes..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 32F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Stronger winds in and below canyons and passes.The midterms are over. But the 5,600 American troops sent to the southern border with Mexico are "still going through the motions of an elaborate mission that appeared to be set into action by a commander in chief determined to get his supporters to the polls," the New York Times reports.

What's happening: Troops at the border are sleeping in tents that house 20 soldiers and have no electricity or air conditioning, with some suffering heat exhaustion within days of starting the mission. There's no mess hall  only pre-made "Ready-to-Eat" meals  and the only phone chargers available are attached to "a few generators that power spotlights around the living area." Department of Defense officials worry that if the number of troops increases to 15,000, the cost could be as high as $200 million.Nearly 250,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Southern California as the Woolsey and Hill fires continue to wreak havoc the region.

The damage: The Woolsey fire, in particular, has covered 35,000 acres, the L.A. Times reports, and is still on the move as it creeps towards the coast through Oak Park and Thousand Oaks sustaining wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour. The fire has taken at least 100 structures, according to the Los Angeles fire chief. Among the damaged structures is Paramount Ranch in Agoura where HBO's "Westworld" has been filmed.

President Trump tweeted his dissatisfaction with the management of Californias forests, Saturday morning, threatening to pull federal funding for the state. He later tweeted a warning to residents of the affected areas, calling on people to listen to evacuation orders.

A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted.

Wind driven flames of the Woolsey Fire moving through Malibu Creek State Park. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

A deputy retreating from the flames of the Woolsey fire. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Flames blowing from homes burned down in the Woolsey fire. Photo: David McNew

Smoke from the Woolsey fire. Photo: September Dawn Bottoms/ SOPA via Getty Images

A traffic jam from citizens evacuating Malibu. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Clouds of smoke hovering over the beach in Malibu. Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

An owl on the beach as the Woolsey fire burns. Photo: Wally Skalij/The Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

In Northern California, the Camp Fire has destroyed 90% of the homes in the town of Paradise, and at least nine people have been killed.

Go deeper: Historic California wildfires destroy towns, turn deadlyWith California reeling from historic and deadly blazes that span the spine of the state, meteorologists are warning that weather conditions on Sunday into Monday morning will once again favor extreme fire behavior that could make it possible for wildfires to spread out of control.

The big picture: With thousands of crews deployed, firefighters have made progress in containing both the Woolsey Fire in Ventura and Los Angeles counties as well as the Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise, killing at least 23 and burning down 6,713 structures. The Camp Fire, which is the state's most destructive on record in terms of property destroyed, was listed as 25% contained as of Sunday morning, having burned 109,000 acres so far. The Woolsey Fire is just 10% contained, and 83,275 acres in size.

The regions containing the Camp Fire, about 90 miles north of Sacramento, and the Woolsey Fire closer to Los Angeles are again in "extremely critical" fire danger zones, according to the National Weather Service. This is the most perilous category.

Details: The resumption of the strong, desiccating offshore breezes known as the Santa Ana winds means that the raging fires could get worse before they get better. These winds, combined with near-record dry conditions and heavily populated areas located near combustible hills and forested land are a recipe for disaster.

The National Weather Service forecast office in Los Angeles warns that the Santa Ana winds are likely to peak on Sunday night into Monday morning in Southern California.

At a media briefing Sunday morning, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said, "The only thing we arent concerned about is the ocean."

The historical context:

California has a long history of major wildfires, but what's new in the past few years is such massive blazes that spread so quickly that some fire victims have been found in their cars trying to escape.

Also new is the fact that wildfire season has been extended further into the fall, while starting earlier in the spring. California now effectively has a year-round wildfire season.

Scientists point to multiple factors for causing this transition, from climate change, which is increasing temperatures and drying out vegetation faster and more significantly, as well as population growth and forest management policies. "California, like the rest of the world, is warming due to climate change," climate scientist Daniel Swain tweeted. "Fire season, along with the rest of the year, is getting warmer."

The bottom line: The current fire siege is a tragic showcase of how multiple trends can combine to a deadly result, with climate change serving as a threat multiplier. The crisis is far from over, and depending on how the Santa Ana winds get on Sunday through Monday, the situation may yet worsen in some areas.

Go deeper:House Democrats plan to investigate whether President Trump abused White House power by targeting  and trying to punish with "instruments of state power"  the Washington Post and CNN, incoming House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff said in an interview for "Axios on HBO."

Why it matters: Until now, all Trump critics could do is complain about his escalating attacks on the media. With subpoena power and public hearings, the incoming House Democratic majority can demand emails and testimony to see if Trump used the instruments of state power to punish the press, Schiff said.

It is very squarely within our responsibility to find out, he said in the interview, which will air Sunday evening on HBO.

Schiff brought up two avenues of inquiry with press-freedom themes, aimed at investigating possible administration actions targeting two of the nation's highest profile corporations.

1) Schiff said Trump "was secretly meeting with the postmaster [general] in an effort to browbeat the postmaster [general] into raising postal rates on Amazon."

"This appears to be an effort by the president to use the instruments of state power to punish Jeff Bezos and the Washington Post," Schiff said. Jeff Bezos is founder, chairman and CEO of Amazon, and he owns the Washington Post.

2) Schiff said Congress also needs to examine whether Trump attempted to block AT&Ts merger with Time Warner as payback to CNN.

"We don't know, for example, whether the effort to hold up the merger of the parent of CNN was a concern over antitrust or whether this was an effort merely to punish CNN," Schiff said.

Between the lines: Schiffs warning comes amid the tensest showdowns between the presidency and the press in our lifetimes. Trump, who calls much of the media "the enemy of the people" and "fake news," this week took the extraordinary steps of revoking the press credentials of a CNN correspondent and berating another CNN correspondent for asking "stupid" questions.

Trump says other reporters might be banned from the White House, too.

Be smart: Some senior White House officials were uncomfortable with Trumps fixation on his inaccurate belief Amazon was ripping off the U.S. Postal Service.

Several former senior officials tried to explain to Trump that the Postal Service's billion-dollar losses had nothing to do with Amazon. But Trump simply wouldn't accept their arguments, according to two sources with direct knowledge.

senior officials tried to explain to Trump that the Postal Service's billion-dollar losses had nothing to do with Amazon. But Trump simply wouldn't accept their arguments, according to two sources with direct knowledge. Trump, in private, often vents about Bezos and the Washington Post. In an interview with "Axios on HBO" last week, Trump said hes considering antitrust action against Amazon, but made plain he might not pursue it.

Go deeper:

The second episode of Axios on HBO airs Sunday evening at 6:30 pm ET/PT.In the first round of Sunday morning talk shows since the midterm elections, Democrats warned of the coming storm of investigations that they plan to unleash against the Trump White House now that they have taken control of the House of Representatives.

Driving the news: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the incoming chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said on ABC's "This Week" that protecting the Mueller investigation will be his top oversight priority. Nadler said that if acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker is still in office when he takes the gavel, his first order of business will be to invite or subpoena him to appear before the committee.

Nadler also added that the Judiciary Committee will re-examine the White House's apparent stifling of the FBI investigation into sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on CNN's "State of the Union" that "the appointment of Mr. Whitaker should concern every American  Democrat, Republican, liberal conservative  who believes in rule of law and justice."

Schumer said that he, Nancy Pelosi and several other ranking members have sent a letter to the chief ethics officer of the Justice Department asking him to issue guidelines urging Whitaker to recuse himself from all matters related to the Mueller investigation.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)

Incoming House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said on "This Week" that one of his top oversight priorities involves the Trump administration's decision to add a citizenship question to the census.

Chairman Elijah Cummings said on "This Week" that one of his top oversight priorities involves the Trump administration's decision to add a citizenship question to the census. He also added that looking into voter suppression is a priority: "We cannot have a country where it becomes normal to do everything in folks' power to stop people from voting."

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)

Incoming House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Democrats will have to "ruthlessly prioritize" which investigations to follow so that their "positive agenda"  things like fixing health care  does not get lost.

Go deeper: Democrats to probe Trump for targeting CNN, Washington PostThe Philippine government is threatening to charge veteran journalist Maria Ressa and her start-up, Rappler, with tax evasion, the New York Times reports, which Rappler says is a "clear form of continuing intimidation and harassment."

The big picture: President Rodrigo Duterte has been a frequent attacker of the press in his country, according to the Times, using government institutions to put pressure on reporters and warning that "just because you're a journalist you are not exempted from assassination." This recent threat adds to a concerning trend around the world of journalists coming under attack, including the latest murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 25 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Nov. 11.

Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.By Trend

Azerbaijan actively participates in promoting energy efficiency, the International Energy Agency (IEA) told Trend.

"The IEA is working closely with Azerbaijan on the EU4Energy Programme, which has a strong focus on sustainable energy, energy markets and energy security, while promoting evidence based policymaking. The four-year programme, which runs through 2020, has had a strong emphasis on Energy Efficiency, from both a policy and data perspective and we have seen strong levels of participation from Azerbaijan on this and other topics," said the Agency.

As for the recent visit of IEAs Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol to Azerbaijan, IEA said that the visit included meeting with Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov to discuss key energy developments in Azerbaijan, including efforts to improve electricity market design, as well as the countrys investment in its petrochemicals sector in order to diversify economically and reap more value-add from their oil and gas.

"Another highlight from the visit was the meeting with the President of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev to discuss oil and gas sector developments," said the IEA.

Further, IEA said its recent report Energy Efficiency 2018 shows the great potential for energy efficiency to contribute to all energy and climate goals, and sets out an Efficient World Strategy that identifies the key policy actions required to deliver these benefits.

"The IEA is pleased to announce its new online global exchange platform for energy efficiency. The new platform allows countries to share information and learn from each other about best practice in energy efficiency policies. All countries are encouraged to use the online platform to find the latest information on energy efficiency issues, and to help develop it by providing country-specific information to the IEA to be included on the platform," said the Agency.

"The global exchange platform supports countries wishing to pursue these opportunities by providing information on how to design and implement policies based on the experience of other countries."

IEA was established in November 1974. The original founding members were Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway (under a special Agreement), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States. Joining in the following years were Greece (1976), New Zealand (1977), Australia (1979), Portugal (1981), Finland (1992), France (1992), Hungary (1997), Czech Republic (2001), Republic of Korea (2002), Slovak Republic (2007), Poland (2008), Estonia (2014), and more recently Mexico (2018).By Trend

Iran Economy and Finance Minister has rejected rumors of fuel price hike.

"So far no plans to rise energy prices. Research centers have provided packages that are under consideration and no decision has been made so far, Iran Economy and Finance Minister Farhad Dejpasand told IRIB.

"The Family Support Packages will also be provided by the end of the month. The goal is to aid people with dignity," he noted.

"It is expected that fuel price will fall in accordance to the decline of foreign exchange currency rate. said Dejpasand.

Recently the MP and member of parliaments economy committee Masoumeh Aghapour Alishahi noted the conditions of the new governmental support package.

"According to government and parliament agreement, the support package will cover government employees, workers, people under the sponsorships of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, the State Welfare Organization, pensioners and all those who receive less than 30 million rial salary per month."

"The first package will be in cash and on the next step it will contain food that will be distributed among the recipients, she added.WE agree with the administration when it says that blaming the government for the killing of human rights lawyer Benjamin Ramos is reckless and irresponsible and can only inflame the emotions of those outraged by the senseless death. But the Palace ought to realize, too, that the murder of Ramos, a founding member of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers, is all the more suspicious because he had been working with National Federation of Sugar Workers, whose membersfour women, two minors and three menwere massacred by as yet unknown assailants last month in a sugar plantation in Sagay, Negro Occidental that they had tried to occupy.

Nor did it help when the Palace immediately supported the unlikely theory floated by the Armed Forces and the police that the nine farmersall new NFSW recruits-- were mercilessly gunned down by their own comrades, communist rebels, simply because they wanted to put the Duterte administration in a bad light. That suggestion beggars belief. Why would the rebelswhose ranks the government claims time and again have been thinning outkill nine of their own recruits, which is what the administration says they were? Why would the authorities not focus instead on more obvious suspects, such as armed goons working for the landowners? Why has the government immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was the communist rebels who carried out the massacre? There is, in fact, no need to put the administration in a bad light because its own actionsand inactionare enough. Their insistence on blaming the communists without proof or evidenceand Ramos murder last week-- merely add to the suspicion that they are covering up something.Ramos, 56, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men as he smoked a cigarette and talked to the owner of a sari-sari store in Roxas Street, in Kabankalan City, also in Negros Occidental. He is the 34th lawyer killed under the Duterte administration. Nobody is saying, at this point, that they are directly responsible for the deaths, but it certainly appears that they have done little to discourage the killings. So the administration should not be surprised that the European Union also denounced Ramos killing and called on the Philippine government to immediately bring the perpetrators to justice. And before the President has one of his infamous fits over the EU, there is no rush to judgment in its condemnation of the human rights lawyers killing. It is merely a call to action.By Trend

A delegation of the Turkmen State Migration Service took part in a workshop organized by the OSCE and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the local migration service said.

The event, which was held in Vienna, was devoted to the exchange of best practice in the field of statelessness among OSCE participating countries.

As a permanent member of the executive committee of the UNHCR program, Turkmenistan is an active supporter of the consolidation of international efforts in the field of ensuring and protecting the rights of refugees and stateless people.

This year 735 people have received citizenship of Turkmenistan. From 2011 to 2017, 8,145 people obtained citizenship of Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan joined the UN main international legal documents, including the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its protocol, the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.By Trend

Turkmenistan will allocate funds for the construction of a mosque in the Afghan settlement of Aqina, Altyn Asyr local TV channel reported.

According to the presidential decree, the consulate of Turkmenistan in Afghanistans Mazar-i-Sharif province was entrusted to conclude a contract with Afghanistans Ghazanfar Construction, Road Work Rail Way Construction Material P.CO for the construction of a mosque to serve 500 people in Aqina settlement.

The construction work may be launched in November 2018. The mosque may be commissioned in December 2020.

The document was signed to achieve peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, as well as to render humanitarian assistance to fraternal Afghan people.

The Afghan Turkmen living near the borders of Turkmenistan is the second biggest Turkmen ethnic group outside the historical homeland after the Iranian Turkmen.

The number of Turkmen in the country is estimated at around one million people (2-3 percent). In 2016, Turkmen specialists commissioned a railway from the Turkmen city of Kerki to Afghanistans Aqina settlement.

In mid-March, it was reported that the Turkmen Ministry of Railways reconstructed a railway with a total length of 13 kilometers to the Afghan station Turghundi. After the implementation of this project, the capacity of the station has increased. There is an opportunity to supply Afghan products to the international markets.

By connecting Afghanistan with the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, this transport corridor will provide an opportunity to reach Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and European countries across the sea.By Trend

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with the US President Donald Trump the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish media reports.

According to the report, the conversation between the leaders of the two countries took place in France during a dinner given by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Orsay Museum.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi, known for his criticism of the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to obtain documents for registration of marriage with a Turkish citizen. A few days later, the Turkish police launched an investigation into his disappearance.

On Oct. 20, the Saudi authorities reported that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general.

Prosecutor General of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Saud al-Mujib said 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the murderers of Khashoggi must be convicted in Turkey.

"Although Khashoggi was killed in the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, the crime was committed in Turkey, which makes Ankara pay more attention to this," he said. Considering that Khashoggi was brutally murdered, Saudi Arabia must do everything possible to find and punish the criminals."

The authorities of Saudi Arabia claim that the body of the killed reporter was handed over to someone in Turkey, Erdogan noted.

If Saudi Arabia claims that the body of Khashoggi was handed over to someone, that persons name should be revealed, Erdogan said.A new brewery co-owned by Kern County's most renowned beer-maker is gearing up to open in the heart of Bakersfield's brewing district.Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC.Members of the American Legion Auxiliary Beaumont Unit 33 decorate the grave sites of veterans Saturday in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in preparation for Veteran's Day.King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, has joined some seventy Heads of State in Paris to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice of World War I signed on November 11, 1918.

The Moroccan Sovereigns participation in the Armistice commemoration ceremonies sends a strong message to the international community and brings back to minds Moroccos unwavering commitment to world peace and stability and its tireless efforts to promote multilateralism and defense of the universal values of democracy, freedom and equality.

Likewise, the Sovereigns participation stands out as a token of the centuries-old friendship binding Morocco and France, brothers in arms.

The commemoration ceremonies, meant to be, as put by President Emmanuel Macron, a ceremony of regained brotherhood, are also an opportunity to remember the sacrifice of all the soldiers of different nationalities and faiths who participated in this war, for the triumph of these universal ideals of democracy, freedom and equality.

And among these soldiers, there were many Moroccans who contributed to Moroccan-French history at the price of their life, setting the stage for a deep, long-lasting friendship.

The Sovereigns participation in these ceremonies is thus a political tribute to the valiant Moroccan soldiers who had fought for the ideals of freedom and peace during the First World War and also during the Second World War.

Military parades, several musical interludes, a speech by President Emmanuel Macron punctuated the first part of the ceremonies marking the day Allied Powers met a German delegation to end four years of fierce fighting that left about 40 million people dead or injured.

After the ceremony that took place at the renowned Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the seventy attending heads of state were invited to a luncheon at the Elysee.

In the early afternoon, they will take part in the Paris Peace Forum, organized part of the Armistice centenary commemoration.

The forum is intended to reaffirm the importance of multilateralism and collective action to build the future of a world where humanity and peace prevail.

The Forum, designed as a response to the rising tensions marking the contemporary world, aims also to be a showcase of all the cooperative advances in the fields of peace and security, environment, development, new technologies and inclusive economy. It brings together project leaders from around the world, political and economic leaders, all the actors of civil society (companies, NGOs, foundations, think tanks, media, unions, religious representatives, philanthropists, experts) and all stakeholders in global governance.The sacrifice of soldiers from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds who died in the First World War has bequeathed a shared responsibility to heal the past, the Catholic Archbishop of Ireland has said.

Eamon Martin was addressing a service at St Annes Cathedral in Belfast to mark the centenary of Armistice Day.

His remarks came at a time when the Northern Ireland Assembly has been collapsed for almost two years, with multiple attempts to revive the powersharing government ending in failure.

The Duke of York, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and Democratic Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson were among those attending the service held at the same time as similar events in Dublin, Cardiff and Glasgow.

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Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill attended a service in Dublin.

The partys Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey did not attend the act of remembrance at Belfast City Hall or the service at St Annes. Deputy Lord Mayor Emmet McDonough-Brown of the Alliance Party deputised for her.

The service in Belfast saw a moment of reflection rather than an act of remembrance and instead of wreaths, several volumes of Irelands Memorial Records were laid at a field altar.

The books were borne by four people each of whom have at least one family member who was killed in the war and was named in the Memorial Records.

The service was led by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Reverend Stephen Forde, with participation by Archbishop Martin and Church of Ireland Archbishop Richard Clarke.

Celebrated Belfast poet Michael Longley read his work Ceasefire.

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Addressing the service, Mr Martin described feeling deeply moved earlier this year when he laid a wreath during the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres with Mr Clarke.

He also described a previous visit to Ypres in 2016 when he found the final resting place of his great uncle Edward, who died in the First World War.

My visits in recent years to the Somme and to Flanders, with Archbishop Richard Clarke and the other church leaders, have really opened my eyes to the grief and suffering that was shared by families of all traditions and from every part of Ireland, he said.

Three granite blocks at the Peace Park in Messines remind visitors of those from across the island of Ireland who were killed, wounded or missing during the war: 32,000 from the 36th Ulster Division, 28,000 from the 16th Irish Division, 9,000 from the 10th Irish Division.

The brave people we are remembering are calling us to recognise their shared suffering by building a better future where difference is accepted and respectedEamon Martin

Sadly, because of the cruel twists and tensions of our history of conflict, the fact that Irish Catholics and Protestants fought and died, side by side, was neglected for too long  and perhaps conveniently  by all sides, both north and south of the border.

People preferred to cling on to a history of difference and separation, rather than recognise and embrace our shared story of common suffering.

Mr Martin urged that their sacrifice be a lesson.

The brave people we are remembering are calling us to recognise their shared suffering by building a better future where difference is accepted and respected, he said.

Although standing at war memorials, wearing poppies, laying wreaths and the Last Post may not have been part of my tradition or upbringing, to remember the dead, to honour and pray for them  especially during the month of November  is important to the practice of my faith.

In recent years I have grown to understand more fully that, whilst we may remember in different ways, and whilst our forebears had differing and often conflicting approaches to the war, what unites us now in their memory is so much greater than anything that is talked up to divide us.

Can we learn from their shared sacrifice, a full century after the so-called war to end all wars?

They have bequeathed us a shared responsibility for healing the past and building lasting trust and peace.

Peace is not merely ceasefire or the absence of violence and war. Peace is an ongoing work of reconciliation, justice and hope. It means coming out of our own trenches, building bridges, not parapets.

The service was organised by the Northern Ireland First World War Committee, of which Mr Donaldson is the chairman.

He praised the progress made across Ireland in terms of how historical events are marked.

There have been special moments that not long ago would have been unthinkable, he said.

Royal princes and dukes paying respect to Irelands dead. Irish Defence Forces pipers playing at Belfast City Cenotaph, the colours of the Royal Irish Regiment paraded in Dublin alongside their comrades in Oglaigh na hEireann, with echoes of the 16th and 36th divisions fighting side by side in common cause at Messines.

Far from being purely symbolic, a deeper understanding, tolerance and respect has flowed from these events. Relationships built that have already proven their worth and will last.

No ones unionism or nationalism is diminished as a result.Piper Darren Robinson of Killadeas Pipe Band plays When the Battles Oer during a dawn Armistice Day ceremony at Enniskillen Castle (Liam McBurney/PA)

Commemorations for the centenary of Armistice Day started in Co Fermanagh before dawn on Sunday, with the sound of a lone piper.

More than 100 people gathered in the dark at Enniskillen Castle at 6am to hear the piper play When The Battles Oer, a traditional tune played after battle.

The Wilfred Owen poem Anthem For Doomed Youth was read before ministers from the four main churches in the town led prayers of reflection.

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The Last Post was played on the bugle that sounded the charge of the 36th Ulster Division at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, before a two-minute silence was observed.

The Queens representative, the Lord-Lieutenant for County Fermanagh, Viscount Brookborough gave the oration.

All of our communities served willingly and suffered equally throughout the long years of that war and I am delighted to see so many people here this morning, he said.

A lone piper started the Armistice Day commemorations at 6am at Enniskillen Castle, Co Fermanagh #Armistace100 pic.twitter.com/LkGljGadO2  Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) November 11, 2018

The Armistice was signed a few minutes after 5am on that 11th day, and we are in Enniskillen, the western most point of this celebration this year.

Enniskillen was the first town to hear of the Armistice through a radio operator scanning the airwaves and he heard, in Morse code, the message which was transmitted in Paris and he translated it.

So Enniskillen was that first town, some two-and-a-half hours before anyone else heard it.

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Viscount Brookborough presented commemorative lanterns to the clergy representing the four churches.

As he presented them, he said: I ask you to take these lanterns back to your congregations as a symbol of the light of peace emerging from the darkness of war, and I ask that you join us again at 6pm this evening in St Michaels Church as we conclude our Great War commemorations by looking forward together towards a brighter future.

The event, which was organised by the Inniskillings Museum, concluded with an historical interpretation of the moment the message of the Armistice was received in Enniskillen in 1918.

Museum curator-manager Neil Armstrong described the event as an evocative start to our community commemorations.

At 10.50am, an act of remembrance will take place at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen, followed by a service at St Macartans Cathedral.

Outstanding event at 6 am today at Enniskillen Castle to commemorate the Armistice. Last post played on bugle used to sound the advance by the Inniskillings on 1 July 1916. Well done @Inniskillings. #ArmisticeDay100 pic.twitter.com/GMxOfFOgiJ  WW1 Research Ireland (@MNugentResearch) November 11, 2018

There is an added poignancy to Remembrance Sunday in Enniskillen, where the event in 1987 was devastated by an IRA bomb close to the Cenotaph during the annual commemorations.

The atrocity killed 11 men and women. Another man died after spending 13 years in a coma from his injuries.

Another service will take place in the town on Sunday evening at St Michaels Church, before the Last Post is played at St Macartans Cathedral.

At 7pm, the UKs most westerly beacon of light will be lit in the grounds of St Macartans by Viscount Brookborough.

Armistice Day commemorations have started in Enniskillen pic.twitter.com/wfOpbWBply  Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) November 11, 2018

The news of the Armistice reportedly broke in Enniskillen before London, Edinburgh, Manchester or Dublin on November 11 1918 thanks to the local wireless operator.

The message had been sent from Paris by the Armed Forces Commander in Chief, Marshal Ferdinand Foch, announcing the time for the cessation of hostilities.

It read: Hostilities will cease on the whole front from November 11, at 11 oclock.

The Allied troops will not, until further orders, go beyond the line reached on that day and at that hour.

The local newspapers at the time reported that the news spread like wildfire, and was accompanied by the firing of guns, the launch of rockets from the military barracks and the pealing of church bells.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 []A man has been found dead at a house in east Belfast by fire fighters responding to an emergency call.

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received a report shortly after midnight on Saturday to a fire on Kyle Street in the Sydenham area.

Fire crews and appliances from Knock and Central Fire Stations attended the incident.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the terraced property with a hose reel jet and thermal imaging camera.

During the search a smoke-logged room on the first floor was discovered which had resulted from a small low-level smouldering fire.

The search team found an unresponsive adult male in the room, and he was immediately removed to the ground floor and given first aid attention.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Ambulance Service declared the man deceased.

A Fire Service spokesman said on Sunday smoke alarms were present at the property, but it is not clear if they sounded during the fire.

"The cause of fire is currently under investigation. NIFRS would like to remind all members of the public to ensure that they have working smoke alarms within their properties and to ensure that these are tested on a regular basis," the spokesman said.

"NIFRS wish to take the opportunity to extent its sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased at this tragic time."Theresa May is facing renewed pressure over her Brexit agenda (Victoria Jones/PA)

Theresa May is battling to keep her Brexit agenda on track as she faces growing Tory tensions and reports of opposition from Brussels to a key part of withdrawal plans.

With the shock resignation of pro-Europe transport minister Jo Johnson continuing to cause ructions in Tory ranks, the Prime Minister is running out of time to seal an EU exit deal.

Hope of getting the Cabinet to sign off on Brexit deal proposals this week appeared to be rapidly receding as it was reported the EU had rejected UK plans for an independent arbitration clause that could allow the UK to quit a backstop deal on the Northern Ireland border.

With both pro and anti-withdrawal Tories becoming more vocal in their opposition to Mrs Mays stance, arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg called on the PM to change tack.

He urged Mrs May to end the deadlock by paying the EU 20 billion to secure a no deal plus arrangement with the bloc after withdrawal.

So, at this late hour in the negotiations, we would like to make a new, generous offer to break the deadlock, to achieve a No Deal Plus'Jacob Rees-Mogg

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Mr Rees-Mogg, who heads the influential European Research Group of 80 Tory MPs, suggested offering the financial deal to Brussels in order to make our departure as amicable as possible.

Previously critical of the 39 billion divorce bill the UK is set to pay the EU, Mr Rees-Mogg wrote: It is time for convinced Brexiteers like me to compromise.

So, at this late hour in the negotiations, we would like to make a new, generous offer to break the deadlock, to achieve a No Deal Plus.

It would cost us money but it would finally dispel the crash out Project Fear nightmare scenarios.

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A Government source told the Press Association: The end part of negotiations were always going to be tough.

There are a number of issues that need to be worked through on the Northern Ireland backstop and these are the most difficult.

They include ensuring that, if it is ever needed, it is not permanent and there is a mechanism to ensure the UK could not be held in the arrangement indefinitely.

Well done to @JoJohnsonUK on standing up for what he believes in. He was a fantastic Minister to work with whilst we were at the DfE. Its a sad loss for Gvt, but Brexit is above party politics. https://t.co/icoTQDF11v  Justine Greening (@JustineGreening) November 9, 2018

Former Cabinet minister Justine Greening, who shares Mr Johnsons view that a fresh referendum is needed, called on Tories to oppose the PMs Chequers proposals.

She told The Observer: The parliamentary deadlock has been clear for some time. Its crucial now for Parliament to vote down this plan, because it is the biggest giveaway of sovereignty in modern times.

The view was echoed by Brexiteer Tory MP Andrew Bridgen who told a meeting of the Bruges Group: If we cant chuck Chequers then its time to chuck the Prime Minister.

Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker and DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson wrote in The Sunday Telegraph: If the Government makes the historic mistake of prioritising placating the EU over establishing an independent and whole UK, then, regrettably, we must vote against the deal.

Brexiteers have insisted that the UK should not get involved with a potentially permanent backstop customs union agreement with the EU as the price of avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland.Cabinet ministers appeared at odds over whether the UK could secure a unilateral exit from a Brexit backstop deal on Northern Irish border arrangements.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said such an outcome would be very, very unlikely, while Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom insisted the UK must be able to leave any customs agreement.

Mr Hinds told BBC1s The Andrew Marr Show a solution to the issue needed to be negotiated.

#Brexit: They need to think about what the alternatives are



Education Secretary @DamianHinds urges Cabinet and MPs to back PMs Brexit plans



Read more: https://t.co/H3FCPKlYHz #marr pic.twitter.com/YUjbnmk52Y  BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 11, 2018

He said: If you have too hard a line about saying, well we must just have a totally unilateral exit, or theres an absolutely fixed, hard end date, that is very, very unlikely that is going to be negotiable with the other side.

On the other hand, people here rightly want comfort and they should be able to have comfort and confidence that it isnt an open-ended thing.

Mrs Leadsom insisted the UK cannot be held against its will in a backstop customs arrangement with the EU, and claimed MPs would not support a scenario in which Britain could not decide when to leave.

She told BBC Radio 5Lives Pienaars Politics: It cannot be a decision that can be overturned by the European Union, it must be capable for the United Kingdom to decide to leave that customs arrangement and it cannot be something the European Union can hold us to.

Frankly, its because that would be to then fail to fulfil on the will of the people expressed at the referendum and I very much doubt wed get it through Parliament.

Mrs Leadsom told the BBC: I am working towards getting a deal that does not require the UK to be stuck, trapped in a customs arrangement.

Thats what Im working towards and Im sticking in the Government to make sure thats where we get to in the end.

I dont think something that trapped the UK in any arrangement against our will would be sell-able to members of parliament.

In a direct message to Prime Minister Theresa May, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry told the BBC: You cannot simply come to the House of Commons with a bit of nonsense that makes no sense.

You cannot expect the Labour Party to save you from your own backbenchers who are saying this deal makes no sense  and everybody knows it doesnt make sense.

The comments came after hardline Tory Brexiteers and the DUP joined forces to warn they are prepared to vote down Mrs Mays EU withdrawal plans.

In a stark warning to the PM, Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the 80-member European Research Group (ERG) of Conservative backbenchers, and the DUPs Brexit spokesman, Sammy Wilson, said they would oppose any agreement which they thought threatened the union and could put a trade border down the Irish Sea.

Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, they said: We share the Prime Ministers ambition for an EU free trade agreement, but not at any price, and certainly not at the price of our union.

If the Government makes the historic mistake of prioritising placating the EU over establishing an independent and whole UK, then, regrettably, we must vote against the deal.

With the shock resignation of pro-Europe transport minister Jo Johnson continuing to cause ructions in Tory ranks, Mrs May is running out of time to seal an EU exit agreement.

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Hope of getting the Cabinet to sign off on Brexit deal proposals this week appeared to be rapidly receding, as it was reported the EU had rejected Londons plans for an independent arbitration clause that could allow the UK to quit a backstop deal on the Northern Ireland border.

In the wake of Mr Johnsons resignation, there have been reports that other ministers are considering quitting over Brexit.

Brexiteers have insisted that the UK should not get involved with a potentially permanent backstop customs union agreement with the EU as the price of avoiding a hard border in Northern Ireland.Large plumes of smoke from a fast-moving wildfire are seen in the background as volunteers care for evacuated horses (Richard Vogel/AP)

A woman originally from west Belfast has spoken of the terror of being caught up in the California wildfires.

Wildfires burning across the state have now killed 11 people, including nine found dead in a massive fire in northern California which destroyed the town of paradise.

Evacuation orders have been issued for more than 250,000 people, including the entire city of Malibu - home to some of Hollywood's best know celebrities.

At least 25 people have been killed by the fires so far.

One of those evacuated is Geraldine Gilliland, originally from the Andersontown in west Belfast.

Speaking to the BBC, she said she had "never seen anything like it".

Her home located in the Agoura Hills area of Los Angeles had been destroyed by the fire.

Ms Gilliland and her 23 dogs were sheltered in a restaurant in Santa Monica.

"We drove past houses on fire, hillsides on fire, I don't know if my house in Malibu has burnt down," she said.

"I was afraid of running out of petrol, the dogs were very agitated and the sirens were going crazy."A recovery firm has stepped in and given a car to a man with a disability after thieves stole his vehicle in north Belfast.

Thieves stole the vehicle on a weekend which has seen a spate of so-called 'death drivers' stealing cars around in the north Belfast area, with a reported four car thefts.

The man, who has not been named, lives on the Cavehill Road with his family.

Awakening on Saturday morning, he found his car - a Pugeot 206 - had been stolen.

SDLP councillor Paul McCusker is a local councillor in the area, and has been in contact with the man.

"The man is booked in for an operation next week," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"So he would have used it to get around, to go to hospital and the shops. When they found it had been stolen they were devastated."

He said the man had also lost mobility aids and personal items, which were destroyed when the car was burnt out.

Mr McCusker praised the spirit of people in the local area in coming to the man's assistance.

The true spirit of North Belfast. You may have seen that a familys car was stolen over the weekend & thanks to @btsrecovery24hr they will have a new car tomorrow.The family would like to thank the local community for their support & are overwhelmed as this car was their lifeline pic.twitter.com/7dQPStlylL  Paul Mc Cusker (@Paul_Mc_Cusker) November 11, 2018

Reading about the car theft on social media, BTS Recovery - a firm based on the Blackstaff Road - stepped in to provide the theft victim with a new car.

James Connolly, manager with BTS Recovery, said: "We read it on Twitter, and then we contacted Paul [McCusker] via private message.

"We knew by looking at the car it was the sort of thing we could cover. We said we were happy to provide a car. Its a good thing sometimes to step in with a few quid and do something like this."

Mr Connolly said he would be replacing the man's car with a newer model, and would have it MOT'd before delivering it on Monday so it could be driven for a year.

Over the weekend two other cars were set on fire in the north Belfast area, around North Queen Street and the Southwell Street.

Sinn Fein councillor for the area JJ Magee hit out at those responsible after what he said had been a "night of death driving in the area".

In a statement on Saturday, the PSNI said it was at the early stages of investigation and a cause had not yet been established.

Inspector Natalie McNally said: Reports of anti-social driving whether in stolen, uninsured, unregistered or even insured vehicles, should not and will not be tolerated.

"The drivers of these vehicles offer absolutely nothing but destruction and potential injury or death, not only to themselves, but to innocent people who may be unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Be under no illusion, the people responsible for this type of activity have no thought whatsoever for anyone or for the consequences of their actions, which are reckless in the extreme.

I would ask who has any information about these incidents to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting references 111 10/11/18 and 291 10/11/18."

Alternatively the police can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.A woman in her 80s has endured a terrifying ordeal after two men broke into her home in Bangor (stock photo)

A woman in her 80s has endured a terrifying ordeal after two men broke into her home in Bangor.

Police have branded those responsible "cowardly men".

It happened in the Church Avenue area on Saturday afternoon, with police receiving a report at around 7.45pm.

One of the men stayed downstairs with the victim during the incident while the other made his way upstairs.

It is not believed anything was stolen from the property.

Detective Constable Armstrong said: "This was a despicable act by two cowardly men. Everyone has the right to feel safe in their homes, but people like this are determined to take this away. This type of behaviour has no place in our society.

"I would appeal to anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant they think it is to come forward to police. The information you provide could be the vital piece that we need to make an arrest.

Make a difference to your community. Please contact us on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1245 10/11/18."

Alternatively the public can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid tribute to Irishmen who served in the First World War (Niall Carson/PA)

Irish leader Leo Varadkar is to attend the centenary Armistice Day commemoration in Paris on Sunday.

Mr Varadkar will attend the service at the Arc de Triomphe with more than 70 heads of state and government, which will commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Taoiseach said it was an important reminder about international cooperation.

Tens of thousands of Irishmen, many of them only in their teens, were killed.Leo Varadkar

I am honoured to represent Ireland at this commemorative event which marks the end of hostilities in what was one of the greatest tragedies in world history, he said.

I will stand in memory of the more than 200,000 Irishmen who fought in the conflict and the many Irishwomen who witnessed the horrors of war and worked courageously to save lives.

Tens of thousands of Irishmen, many of them only in their teens, were killed. Those who did survive returned to a changed Ireland, unable to share their horrific experiences. Through the Decade of Centenaries, their stories have been shared and we have rightly honoured the enormous sacrifice made by those who went to the front.

In the words of Thomas Kettle, we honour those who: Died not for flag, nor King, nor Emperor,  But for a dream, born in a herdsmans shed, And for the secret Scripture of the poor.

As we face new challenges in the 21st century, we need to work together to achieve peace, stability and prosperity across the world. Through our committed and active membership of the EU and the UN, Ireland will continue to play a leading role in these efforts.The Irish President-elect attended the Armistice Day centenary commemorations at Dublins Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday.

Michael D Higgins, and his wife Sabina, along with government representative Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan paid tribute to the memory of the Irish men and women who died in the First World War.

Over 47 countries were represented at the service, and officials laid wreaths at the Irish military plot, before The Last Post was played and the Irish flag returned to full mast.

Expand Close Vice Admiral Mark Mellett (left), chief of staff of the Irish Defence Forces, with President-elect Michael D Higgins at Glasnevin Cemetery (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Vice Admiral Mark Mellett (left), chief of staff of the Irish Defence Forces, with President-elect Michael D Higgins at Glasnevin Cemetery (Niall Carson/PA)

Poetry from the First World War was read by the British, French and German ambassadors to Ireland, before prayer and a minute of silence.

Those present included current and former Defence Forces troops, former president Mary Robinson and family members of some of those who served in both World Wars.

During the ceremony, five Victoria Cross Commemorative plaques were unveiled, dedicated to five soldiers from different ranks who showed extreme bravery during the conflict between 1914 and 1918.

An tUachtarain Tofa Michael D Higgins receives a salute from the Captain's Guard of Honour ahead of the Armistice Day Commemoration at Glasnevin Cemetery. #OglaighnahEireann #strengthenthenation #Armistice1918 pic.twitter.com/2PYR4seLeY  Oglaigh na hEireann (@defenceforces) November 11, 2018

Mr Higgins paid tribute to those who fought in the First World War, in particular, the 200,000 Irish men who served and those who died overseas.

Ours is not a celebration of militarism, nor a valorisation of martial spirit, but a simple recognition of our common humanity, as we recall the destruction of the promise and potential of a generation in the First World War, the lasting damage inflicted on the millions wounded and maimed, and the countless others who would go on to suffer mental anguish as a result of the horrors of their war experience, he said.

Despite all the differences of religion, class and political aspiration, they were united by what would be a shared experience of war, with its comradeship, friendship and shared hardship whether it was on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, or in the Middle East.

Expand Close President-elect Michael D Higgins at the centenary commemorations (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Mr Higgins added that the world today had the material capacity to abolish all forms of human poverty, to alleviate all unnecessary suffering, we are still devoting so much of our creativity, not to the preservation or achievement of peace, but to the prosecution of and preparation for war.

Amidst great human suffering, some nations now seek to embark upon a new arms race, increasing not only their own stockpiles, but exporting weapons of death and destruction to fuel the fires of war in other lands, in Yemen, in Syria, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he said.

Minister Madigan reflected on those who had perished in the conflict, and the lost potential of those who served.

Honoured to be representing the Government at the Armistice Commemoration Ceremony at Glasnevin Cemetery this morning.#Armistice100 #ArmisticDay100 @glasnevinmuseum @DeptAHG pic.twitter.com/mtqUzqVsqo  Josepha Madigan  (@josephamadigan) November 11, 2018

Over the past four years, we have explored, with respect and compassion, the differing motivations of those from this island, of all traditions, who lost their lives  we will never know how they would have contributed to this land, had they not died before their time, she said.

The commemoration took place at 9am, hours before Mr Higgins was to be inaugurated for his second term as President of Ireland.

This year, the date of the inauguration coincided with the centenary of the end of the First World War, and the Constitution of Ireland stipulates that the President of Ireland is inaugurated on the day following the expiry of the term of office of the preceding president.Hundreds gathered at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, New Zealand (Elias Rodriguez/PA)

Crowds have fallen silent across Australia and New Zealand to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

Tens of thousands of Australians and New Zealanders gave their lives in the First World War.

Thousands gathered for a national service of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison led a minutes silence at 11am (midnight Saturday GMT).

In Sydney, crowds gathered at the Anzac Memorial, an extension of which was unveiled by the Duke of Sussex during his recent trip with Meghan, while there was also a service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

The Commemorative Address is being delivered by The Honourable Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia. #HonourTheirSpirit #RemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/XWVOlsmevL  Aust War Memorial (@AWMemorial) November 11, 2018

Some 331,000 Australians served overseas during the First World War, the vast majority of whom fought on the Western Front alongside British soldiers and their allies.

Over 60,000 died in the conflict, more than two-thirds on the battlefields of Europe.

Earlier, large crowds attended the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington for New Zealands main remembrance ceremony, where a minutes silence was observed at 11am (10pm GMT Saturday).

Nearly 100,000 served in New Zealand units overseas, with around a fifth never returning home.The Prince of Wales will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph (Lewis Whyld/PA)

The Prince of Wales is due to lead the nations tributes to all those who have lost their lives in conflict on the centenary of the Armistice today.

The event marks 100 years since the signing of the treaty which ended the battle on the Western Front of the First World War at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Charles will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother for the second year in a row while an equerry will lay a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen will watch the Whitehall service from the balcony of the nearby Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

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For the first time, a German leader will lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier performing the duty on behalf of his nation in an historic act of reconciliation between the two countries.

Other senior royals including the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex and the Princess Royal will also pay their respects at the Cenotaph.

The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Sussex and other members of the Royal Family will join the Queen on the balcony.

Big Ben, which has been silent since renovations to the Elizabeth Tower began in August last year, will strike 11 oclock to mark the hour the Armistice was signed.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are also due to attend.

Crowds started lining the Mall in central London early on Sunday morning ahead of a peoples march this afternoon.

Wearing poppies and carrying wreaths, hundreds gathered from 9am to mark 100 years since the guns fell silent.

Big screens have been erected so those waiting can view the Cenotaph service.

The march will proceed around St Jamess Park before turning into Whitehall, where 10,000 people are expected to stream past the Cenotaph.

Josh Marr, 18, is one of 100 National Citizen Service volunteers who will be marching.

The Plymouth University student said the group are representing the young people of today, the young people of the future and the young people of 100 years ago.

His great grandfather fought in Ypres in France.

He said: My dad was saying he never spoke about the war, he wouldnt want to at all because it was obviously something that really affected him.

Its something I have always found really interesting, how can something affect you so badly that you would never want to talk about it?

Its an experience that we as young people and general citizens now do not come close to feeling.

A series of events have been planned to mark the special anniversary of the end of the Great War, including a procession of 10,000 people past the Cenotaph.

The day will conclude with a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.Piper Louise Marshall plays Battles Oer, the traditional Scottish lament played at the end of battle, at dawn alongside the Forth Bridge (Jane Barlow/PA)

People in Scotland have fallen silent in an act of remembrance to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Thousands of people in communities the length and breadth of the country observed a two-minute silence at 11am in recognition of the centenary of the Armistice and those who have served and lost their lives in conflict.

Many did so as they attended ceremonies, parades and services, others pausing for reflection in locations such as railway stations  echoing acts of remembrance taking place across the UK on this day of commemmorations globally.

Expand Close First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lays a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers, Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lays a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers, Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

Following the period of quiet observation, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance outside the city chambers in Edinburgh.

She did so after 11 rounds were fired from Edinburgh Castle, with the guns then falling silent.

Of the 700,000 Scots who joined the forces, more than 100,000 died during the First World War.

Nearly every village, city and town in Scotland has some form of memorial displaying the names of their war dead.

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Speaking ahed of the ceremony, Ms Sturgeon said: Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for people in Scotland to join with others across the world to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts during the last century.

It allows us a chance to honour the memory of those who gave their lives, while also paying tribute to our veterans and those who continue to serve today.

This year of course has added poignancy as it marks 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War.

The laying of a wreath is a small but significant tribute, and I am privileged to be able to do so on behalf of the people of Scotland.

More than 100 wreaths were being laid at the poignant service, organised by Legion Scotland and attended members of the Armed Forces, and representatives of the emergency services and faith organisations.

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Later in the day, Ms Sturgeon and the Princess Royal will join around 1,000 people attending a national service at Glasgow Cathedral to mark the end of the Great War.

A two-minute silence was being observed at 11am at the cenotaph in Glasgows George Square, as it was at war memorials in communities large and small around the country.

Musicians and artists have also come together to commemorate the milestone.

Expand Close The names of people who were killed serving on behalf of Scotland in the First World War will be projected on to the Scottish Parliament (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The names of people who were killed serving on behalf of Scotland in the First World War will be projected on to the Scottish Parliament (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Before sunrise, individual pipers at locations around the world, including a number in Scotland, performed Battles Oer, a traditional song played at the end of conflicts.

Six Scottish beaches are taking part in filmmaker Danny Boyles UK-wide event to mark the centenary.

St Ninians Isle beach in Shetland, West Sands in St Andrews, Scapa beach in Orkney, Ayr beach, Burghead Bay beach on the Moray Firth and Cula Bay beach on the isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides all have a large-scale portrait of a casualty from the conflict drawn in the sand before it is washed away by the incoming tide.

Boyle said: Beaches are truly public spaces, where nobody rules other than the tide. They seem the perfect place to gather and say a final goodbye and thank you to those whose lives were taken or forever changed by the First World War.

Expand Close Eilean Donan Castle was among landmarks illuminated in red ahead of Armistice Day in support of the 2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal (Poppy Scotland/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Eilean Donan Castle was among landmarks illuminated in red ahead of Armistice Day in support of the 2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal (Poppy Scotland/PA)

After dark, a special light and sound projection will take place at the Scottish Parliament, with the names of all those Scots who died during the conflict to be beamed on to the building.

It will take seven hours, from 5pm until midnight, for the names of each of the 134,712 men and women to be shown.

Beacons of fire will be lit at points around Scotland and the rest of the UK during Armistice Day in a National Trust project.

Buildings and landmarks across the country have also been showing their support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal by lighting up red in the week running up to, and including, Remembrance Day.Communities across Scotland joined together in quiet reflection on Remembrance Sunday as they marked 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Thousands of people the length and breadth of the country observed a two-minute silence at 11am in recognition of the centenary of the Armistice and those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Many did so as they attended ceremonies, parades and services, others pausing for reflection in locations such as railway stations  echoing acts of remembrance taking place across the UK on a day of commemorations.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance outside Edinburghs city chambers following the period of hushed reflection.

Watched by a crowd of thousands, she did so after 11 rounds were fired from Edinburgh Castle, with the guns then falling silent.

More than 100 wreaths were laid at the poignant service, organised by Legion Scotland and attended by members of the Armed Forces, and representatives of the emergency services and faith organisations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Sturgeon said the day presented an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the enormous debt that we owe those who have served in our Armed Forces and who continue to do so.

She told Press Association Scotland: Remembrance Sunday is always a day of reflection and poignancy, when we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts across the last century.

But today has an added poignancy as we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Its an opportunity for this generation to express our gratitude, but also to resolve to learn the lessons so that we may hope that we never see the like again.

Expand Close Tributes outside Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh, where 16,000 poppies have been installed to mark the centenary of the Armistice (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Of the 700,000 Scots who joined the forces, more than 100,000 died during the First World War.

Nearly every village, city and town in Scotland has some form of memorial displaying the names of their war dead.

In Glasgow, another large crowd gathered around the cenotaph at George Square to remember the fallen heroes who have given their lives for their country.

In Aberdeen, representatives of the Armed Forces and ex-service organisations paraded to the war memorial before the Lord Provost led the laying of wreaths in a ceremony  mirroring gatherings at war memorials in communities large and small around the country.

On Sunday afternoon, Ms Sturgeon and the Princess Royal were joining about 1,000 people attending a national service at Glasgow Cathedral to mark the end of the Great War.

Musicians and artists have also come together to commemorate the milestone.

Before sunrise, individual pipers at locations around the world, including a number in Scotland, performed Battles Oer, a traditional song played at the end of conflicts.

Six Scottish beaches have been taking part in director Danny Boyles UK-wide Pages of the Sea event, to mark the centenary.

St Ninians Isle beach in Shetland, West Sands in St Andrews, Scapa beach in Orkney, Ayr beach, Burghead Bay beach on the Moray Firth and Cula Bay beach on the isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides all had a large-scale portrait of a casualty from the conflict drawn in the sand before being washed away by the incoming tide.

After dark, a special light and sound projection is taking place at the Scottish Parliament, with the names of all those Scots who died during the conflict to be beamed on to the building.

It will take seven hours, from 5pm until midnight, for the names of each of the 134,712 men and women to be shown.

Beacons of fire will be lit at points around Scotland and the rest of the UK during Armistice Day in a National Trust project.

Buildings and landmarks across the country have also been showing their support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal by lighting up red in the week running up to, and including, Remembrance Day.

Sir Alistair Irwin, president of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, said: Quite rightly, we are remembering all those who sacrificed so much a century ago when our world changed forever.

But in remembering the First World War today it is very important that we include in our thoughts all those men and women who have served and suffered in conflicts in the 100 years that followed.

They are as important to all of us as those who fell in the Great War. Today is a day of great emotion and very rightly so. We will remember them.A national commemoration service took place in Wellington, New Zealand (Mark Tantrum/PA)

People have fallen silent across Australia, New Zealand and Commonwealth nations to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

Services of remembrance were held from Sydney to Singapore on Sunday, as tens of thousands of people paused to reflect on the innumerable lives given to a conflict on the other side of the world a century ago.

Large crowds attended the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington for New Zealands main remembrance ceremony, where a two-minute silence was observed at 11am (10pm GMT Saturday).

The sound of a 100-gun salute rang out over Wellington Harbour as the moment of reflection came to an end and white poppies fell from the cenotaph.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, the Queens representative in the country, addressed crowds that included elderly veterans proudly sporting their medals.

The ceremony also featured a creative performance, He Wawa Warak: Roaring Chorus which evoked the energy, noise and complex emotion of the moment when war finally gave way to peace.

This Armistice day, as we reflect on the human toll of war, we are reminded to value the living and to hold fast to hope, Ms Ardern said.

In a world where conflict remains all-too-prevalent we look to how we can achieve a better future.

Nearly 100,000 served in New Zealand units overseas during the First World War, with around a fifth never returning home.

Expand Close The Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington (Mark Tantrum/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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Some 12,000 people, including veterans and serving soldiers, gathered for a national ceremony of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison led a minutes silence at 11am (midnight Saturday GMT).

It is easy from the vantage point of a century to lose sight of the sacrifices made in our name, he said in a commemorative address.

Those who fought in the Great War had the same normal flaws and frailties as any other Australian of any other generation.

Yet their selflessness at the darkest of times has set them apart for eternity in our nations consciousness.

In Sydney, crowds gathered at the Anzac Memorial, an extension of which was unveiled by the Duke of Sussex during his recent trip with Meghan.

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There was also a service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, albeit amid tight security following Thursdays terror attack in the city centre.

Some 331,000 Australians served overseas during the First World War, the vast majority of whom fought on the Western Front alongside British soldiers and their allies.

Over 60,000 died in the conflict, more than two-thirds on the battlefields of Europe.

In Singapore, the British High Commission held a service at the Kranji War Cemetery, resting place for 3692 casualties from both world wars.

A special bell was rung to mark the Armistice centenary, while sailors from HMS Argyll, which is currently visiting Singapore, attended the service, along with Gurkha bagpipe players.

In Malaysia wreaths were laid at the cenotaph at the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur during a service organised by the British High Commission.

Remembrance ceremonies were also held on a number of South Pacific Islands.

In Fiji a ceremony was held at the National War Memorial in Veiuto led by President Jioji Konrote, while in Tonga the centenary was marked at the the Cenotaph in Nukualofa.

There was also a service at the Coastwatchers Memorial in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands.(From L) Moroccan King Mohammed VI, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk towards the Arc de Triomphe (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

World leaders solemnly marked the end of the slaughter of the First World War 100 years ago at commemorations that drove home the message never again but also exposed the globes new political fault lines.

As Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and dozens of other heads of state and government listened in silence, French President Emmanuel Macron used the occasion, as its host, to sound a warning about the fragility of peace and the dangers of nationalism.

The old demons are rising again, ready to complete their task of chaos and of death, Mr Macron said.

Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism, he said.

In saying Our interests first, whatever happens to the others, you erase the most precious thing a nation can have, that which makes it live, that which causes it to be great and that which is most important  its moral values.

Donald Trump, ostensibly the main target of Macrons message, sat stony-faced.

The US president has proudly declared himself a nationalist. But if Mr Trump felt singled out by Mr Macrons remarks, he did not show it. He later described the commemoration as very beautiful.

Expand Close Donald Trump, second left, watches French President Emmanuel Macron putting his hand on German Chancellor Angela Merkels knee (AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald Trump, second left, watches French President Emmanuel Macron putting his hand on German Chancellor Angela Merkels knee (AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool)

As well as spelling out the horrific costs of conflict to those with arsenals capable of waging a third world war, the ceremony also served up a joyful reminder of the intense sweetness of peace.

High school students read from letters that soldiers and civilians wrote 100 years ago when the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front.

Brought alive again by people too young to have known global war themselves, the ghostly voices seemed collectively to say: Please, do not make our mistakes.

I only hope the soldiers who died for this cause are looking down upon the world today, American soldier Captain Charles S. Normington wrote on November 11 1918, in one of the letters.

The whole world owes this moment of real joy to the heroes who are not here to help enjoy it.

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The Paris weather, grey and damp, seemed aptly fitting when remembering a war fought in mud and relentless horror.

The commemorations started late, overshooting the centenary of the exact moment when, 100 years earlier at 11am, an eerie silence replaced the thunder of war on the front lines.

Mr Macron recalled that one billion shells fell on France alone from 1914 to 1918 .

As bells marking the armistice hour rang across Paris and in many nations ravaged by the four years of carnage, Mr Macron and other leaders were still on their way to the centennial site at the Arc de Triomphe.

Il ne depend que de nous que cette image soit interpretee a lavenir comme le symbole dune paix durable entre les nations, et non comme la photographie dun dernier moment dunite avant que le monde ne sombre dans un nouveau desordre. pic.twitter.com/kQ5MKYtgf3  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 11, 2018

Under a sea of black umbrellas, a line of leaders led by Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte, marched in silence on the cobbles of the Champs-Elysees, after leaving their buses.

Mr Trump arrived separately, in a motorcade that drove past three topless protesters with anti-war slogans on their chests who somehow got through the rows of security and were quickly bundled away by police.

The Femen group claimed responsibility. French authorities said the three women faced charges of sexual exhibitionism.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited security protocols for the presidential motorcades solo trip down the grand flag-lined avenue, which was closed to traffic.

Last to arrive was the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who shook Mr Trumps hand and flashed him a thumbs-up.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was positioned in pride of place between Mr Trump and Mr Macron, an eloquent symbol of victors and vanquished now standing together, shoulder to shoulder.

Overhead, fighter jets ripped through the sky, trailing red, white and blue smoke in homage to the French flag.

Expand Close French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

The geographical spread of the more than 60 heads of state and government who attended, silent and reflective, showed how the war to end all wars left few corners of the earth untouched but which, little more than two decades later, was followed so quickly and catastrophically by the Second World War.

On the other side of the globe, Australia and New Zealand held ceremonies to recall how the war killed and wounded soldiers and civilians in unprecedented numbers and in gruesome new, mechanised ways.

Those countries lost tens of thousands of soldiers far away in Europe and, most memorably in the 1915 battle of Gallipoli, in Turkey.

The gulf between Trumps America First credo and European leaders was starkly underscored again later on Sunday, when Mr Trump went his own way.

Expand Close Donald Trump visited Suresnes American Cemetery near Paris (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald Trump visited Suresnes American Cemetery near Paris (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

He visited an American cemetery outside Paris at precisely the moment that Mr Macron, Mrs Merkel and other dignitaries were opening a peace forum where the French leader again sounded the alarm about crumbling international harmony as he ruminated about the legacy of the mornings commemorations.

Will it be the shining symbol of durable peace between nations or will it be a picture of a last moment of unity before the world goes down in new disorder? Mr Macron asked. It depends only on us.

While praising France for a wonderful two days, Mr Trump described his rainy stop at the American cemetery at Suresnes as the highlight of the trip.

On Saturday, Mr Trump drew criticism for cancelling a separate commemorative visit to the Belleau Wood battleground northeast of Paris because of rain.

With so many leaders in Paris, the commemoration also provoked a flurry of diplomacy on the sidelines, with conflict in Yemen and Syria among the hot-button issues.

On Sunday, Merkel met the head of the United Nations and the president of Serbia.

It was a Serb teenager, Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated the Austro-Hungarian crown prince in Sarajevo in 1914 to set off events which led to the outbreak of war.Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, (seated, second from left) reads aloud the statement of Kamal Hossain, leader of the opposition National Unity Front, (seated, second from right) during a news conference in Dhaka, Nov. 11, 2018.

Updated at 9:09 a.m. on 2018-11-11

Bangladeshs main opposition party and a group of centrist parties vowed Sunday to participate in the Dec. 23 general election, posing the first electoral challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government in 10 years.

Kamal Hossain, leader of the Jatiya Oikya Front (National United Front), made the announcement during a news conference in Dhaka three days after authorities declared the date of nationwide parliamentary polls in which Hasina is seeking a fourth term as prime minister.

Despite prevailing unfavorable conditions, the Jatiya Oikya Front has decided to participate in the election as part of its movement to restore democracy, Hossain, an 81-year-old former law and foreign minister, said in a statement at the National Press Club.

Hossains much-anticipated announcement followed days of intense meetings between the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jatiya Oikya Front after the government rejected the oppositions list of demands, including the creation of a neutral caretaker administration that would run the country during the electoral period. The ruling party said those demands were unconstitutional.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP secretary-general, read aloud a statement from Hossain, who was seated next to him.



BNP chief and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been in jail since Feb. 8 after her conviction in two corruption cases. Her eldest son and the partys acting head, Tarique Rahman, is on a self-imposed exile in London. He was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison in October over a 2004 grenade attack on Hasina.

Opposition leaders and their supporters who were present at the news conference cheered after hearing the decision to contest the polls.

Both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman support the decision to participate in the polls, Jafrullah Chowdhury, BNP supporter and NUF leader, told BenarNews.

Hasina regained power after oppositions boycott

Hasina, 71, served her first term as prime minister from 1996 to 2001. Her Awami League party and its Grand Alliance, involving a total of 14 parties, won the general election in December 2008. She regained power in 2014 after BNP and its partners in the opposition boycotted the general election in protest of the ruling partys refusal to cede the reins of government to a caretaker administration during that years voting season.



As a result, BNP holds no seats in the current parliament, which has a friendly 34-member opposition bloc, whose leader is an adviser to Hasina. Awami League and its allies hold 250 seats, and independent MPs occupy 16 elected seats. Fifty other seats are held by appointed MPs.

Hossain demanded that the election commission move the election date by another month, preferably in January next year, giving the opposition enough time to campaign and discuss seat-sharing among candidates.

But Hossan did not explain what measures the opposition would take if the government decided to reject their latest demand.

The ruling party welcomed the oppositions decision to contest the elections.

We welcome the decision, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, an organizing secretary of the ruling Awami League, told BenarNews. Good sense prevailed on them.21:15

The Centre has given consent to the renaming of at least 25 towns and villages across India in the past one year and among the pending proposals is one for the state of West Bengal, according to officials.

Allahabad and Faizabad are the latest additions to the growing list of places that have been renamed.

Several proposals, including the renaming of West Bengal as 'Bangla', are pending with the central government. The process is a long-drawn one with the involvement of multiple central ministries and departments.

The Union home ministry has given consent to the proposals of name change in 25 villages and towns in different parts of the country in last one year, a senior ministry official said.

The proposals to change the names of Allahabad to Prayagraj and Faizabad to Ayodhya are yet to be received by the ministry from the Uttar Pradesh government, the official said.

Some of the approved name change proposals are: Rajahmundry as Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh; Outer Wheeler as A P J Abdul Kalam Island, situated in Bhadrak district of Odisha; Arikkod as Areekode in Malappura district of Kerala; Pindari as Pandu-Pindara in Jind district of Haryana; and Samphur as Sanphure in Kiphire district of Nagaland.

Other renaming proposals approved by the ministry include Landgewadi to Narsinhagaon in Sangali district of Maharashtra; Garhi Sampla as Ch. Sir Chhotu Ram Nagar in Rohtak district of Haryana; Khatu Kalan village as Bari Khatu in Nagour district of Rajasthan; Mihgawan Chhakka and Mihgawan Tilia as Mihgawan Sarkar and Mihgawan Ghat respectively in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh and Shukratal Khadar as Sukhtirth Khadar and Shukratal Bangar as Sukhtirth Bangar in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.

However, a proposal to change the name of Kacharigaon to Phevima in Dimapur district of Nagaland was rejected by the home ministry recently, the official said.

The home ministry considers such proposals according to the existing guidelines in consultations with agencies concerned, another official said.

The home ministry gives its consent to the change of name of any place after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts and Survey of India.

These organisations have to confirm that there is no such town or village in their records with a name similar to the proposed one.





The renaming of a state requires amendment of the Constitution with a simple majority in Parliament. For changing the name of a village or town, an executive order is needed.

The proposal to change the name of West Bengal to 'Bangla', as suggested by the state government, was recently forwarded by the home ministry to the ministry of external affairs for its opinion as the proposed name sounded similar to the name of neighbouring country Bangladesh, the official said.

On Thursday, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the state government was considering renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati and the name change could be effected before next year's Lok Sabha elections.

BJP leader Raja Singh said on Thursday that the party would "aim" to rename Hyderabad and other cities in the state after the names of great people if it is elected to power in Telangana after the forthcoming assembly polls.

Last year, the Centre had approved the proposal to rename the iconic Mughalsarai railway station to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya station after the Jan Sangh leader who was found dead in the railway station in 1968. -- PTIHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.



Whereas the eternal Son of the Father, the second person of the Trinity, had no beginning and will have no end, the incarnate Sonthe son of David, the son of Mary, the Messiahhad a beginning in time and space. This Son,1 Jesus the Christ, was brought into being through the power of the Holy Spirit, as the divine nature of the eternal Son was miraculously joined together with a created human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Lukes account of this miraclethe grand miracle, as C. S. Lewis rightly called itis riveting. Luke writes:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgins name was Mary. And he came to her and said, Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you! But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. And Mary said to the angel, How will this be, since I am a virgin? And the angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holythe Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)

The conception of Jesus in the Virgin Mary was unique in the history of humankind. Not only did the Holy Spirit supernaturally bring about conception within her apart from the involvement of any human father, but even more remarkable was the uniting of the divine and human natures in Jesus, such that this one would be born the son of Mary (Luke 1:31) and the son of his father David (Luke 1:32) while also being the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32), the Son of God (Luke 1:35). That is, he would be fully human (son of Mary) while also being fully divine (Son of the Most High). The miracle the Holy Spirit brought to pass, then, was to conceive in Mary none other than the God-man, the theanthropic person, Jesus Christ, son of David and Son of God.

The Nature of the Kenosis (Self-Emptying) of the Eternal Son

Given that the divine nature in Jesus was eternal and infinite while the human nature in Jesus was created and finite, one of the questions we ponder is just how these two natures could coexist in the one person. Could Jesus as both fully divine and fully human be, for example, simultaneously omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresentqualities of his eternal, divine naturewhile also possessing a limited and finite human power, a limited yet growing knowledge and wisdom, and a restricted ability to be only one place at one timequalities of finite, human nature? It seems clear that some qualities of his eternal, divine nature are simply incompatible with his true and genuine human nature, such that it would be impossible for him truly to live as a human if that so-called human life was also one in which he exhibited fully divine qualities such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. In other words, would Jesus be truly and genuinely human if in his human experience he had limitless power, knowledge, wisdom, and spatial presence?

The crux of the answer to these questions comes in how Paul in Philippians 2:5-8 expresses the kenosis, the self-emptying, of the eternal Son as he took on human nature. Here Paul writes:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Notice some crucial features of this important passage.

First, Paul makes clear that Christ Jesus, as the eternal Son of the Father, is fully God. He offers two expressions, each of which conveys the full deity of Christ. Paul writes that Christ existed in the form of God (v. 6), using the term morphe, which refers to the inner nature or substance of something, not its external or outward shape. So, while the English word form can convey merely the outward appearance of something (i.e., the shape or contour or facade of some object), not its inner reality, the Greek word morphe conveys just the opposite, as can be seen with Plato's formsi.e., those substances of ultimate realities such as beauty, truth, justice, goodness, etc., that Plato thought existed eternally and apart from any material representation. The Greek morphe, then, is the inner substance or very nature of a thing, not its outer shape or appearance.

That Paul intends this understanding can be seen further in his second use of morphe, when he says that Jesus took the form [morphen] of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Surely it is evident that Paul does not mean that Jesus took on merely the outer appearance of a servant, implying perhaps that though he looked like a servant, he was not in his own heart and life a true servant. Just the opposite: Jesus took on the inner substance and very nature, i.e., the form (morphen), of what it means to be a servant, and that to its highest expression. As a servant, he served to the utmost, as he was obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. So again, form (morphe, Philippians 2:6, and morphen, Philippians 2:7) must mean the very nature of something, not merely its outer appearance. Therefore, Pauls point in Philippians 2:6 is clear: Jesus, being the form of God, exists in very nature as God, with the inner divine substance that is Gods alone. He is fully God since he exists in the form [morphe] of God.

Paul also refers to Christ as possessing equality [isa] with God (Philippians 2:6), which likewise makes clear his full deity. Nothing is equal to God except God! As God declares of himself, through the prophet Isaiah, I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me (Isaiah 46:9; cf. Exodus 8:10; Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 3:24; 2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Kings 8:23;Psalms 71:19; Micah 7:18). Indeed, there is no god other than the one true and living Godso God is exclusively Godand there is no god who is like the one true and living Godso God is incomparably God. With this background in mind, Pauls declaration that Christ possesses equality with God is stunning. It can mean only one thing: by virtue of the fact that no one can be equal to God but God himself, Christ, who possesses equality with God, must himself be fully God. Of course, as we often find where the deity of Christ is expressed, we see hints or outright declarations that someone other than Christ likewise is God. Since he is equal to God, this means that there is another who is God, in relation to whom Christ is his equal. So, as John puts it, the Word is both with God and is God (John 1:1), and Hebrews declares that Christ is the exact imprint of the nature of God (Hebrews 1:3). Likewise here in Philippians 2, Christ is both other than the one who is God (understood as the Father, no doubt) while he also is equal to this other one who is God and so is himself fully God.

Second, when Paul writes that Christ did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped (Philippians 2:6), he cannot mean that Christ gave up equality with God or that he ceased being fully God. Since he is fully God, he cannot cease to be fully God. God is eternal, self-existent, immortal, and immutable, and thus he cannot cease to exist as God, nor can he fail to be fully God. Surely what Paul means is this: Christ being fully God, possessing the very nature of God and being fully equal to God in every respect, did not thereby insist on holding onto all the privileges and benefits of his position of equality with God (the Father) and thereby refuse to accept coming as a man. He did not clutch or grasp his place of equality with the Father and all this brought to him in such a way that he would refuse the condescension and humiliation of the servant role he was being called to accept. Just how he could accept his calling to become a man while being (and remaining!) fully God, well explore next. But here it is crucial to see that Christs not grasping equality with God cannot rightly be taken to mean that Christ gave up being God or became in any way less than fully God when he took on also a fully human nature. No, rather, he did not grasp or clutch onto the privileged position, rights, and prerogatives that his full equality with God, his Father, afforded him, in order to fulfill his calling to become fully a man who would be, amazingly, servant of all.

Third, as one who is fully God, Christ Jesus emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). The word that here is translated emptied himself, ekenosen (third aorist indicative of kenoo), means literally just this: that Christ emptied himself or poured out himself. Note that Paul is not saying that Christ emptied something from himself or poured something out of himself, as if in so doing he became less fully God than he was before (which, as we have seen, is impossible). Rather, he emptied himself; he poured out himself. That is, all of who Christ is as eternal God, all that he is as the one who is in the form of God and is equal with God, is poured out. Christ, then, as God remains fully God. He loses nothing of his divine nature, and no divine qualities are removed from him as he pours himself out. No, Christ remains in his divine nature fully who and what he is in his existence as the eternal second person of the Trinity. He has eternally been fully God, and now in the incarnation he pours out fully who he is as God, remaining fully God as he does so.

The question then becomes just what this meansthat Christ, the one who exists in the form of God (morphe) and as equal (isa) to God, pours himself out (ekenosen). The answer comes, amazingly, in the three participles (particularly the first one) that follow ekenosen. Christ poured himself out, taking the form of a servant. Yes, he pours out by taking; he empties by adding. Here, then, is a strange sort of math that envisions a subtraction by addition, an emptying by adding. What can this mean?

In brief, what this must mean is this: Christ Jesus, existing and remaining fully who he is as God, accepts his divine calling to come to earth and carry out the mission assigned him from the Father. As the eternal Son of God, who is himself the form (morphe, i.e., very nature) of God, he must come in the form (morphen, i.e., very nature) of a servant. That is, he must come fully as a man, and as a man he must live his life and give his life as one of us. In so doing, Christ pours himself out (all of who he is) as he takes on, in addition to his full divine nature, a full human nature. Again, it is crucial to see that in the self-emptying (ekenosen) of the eternal Son, Paul does not say that he poured something out of himself. No, absolutely not! Rather, he poured out himself. All of who he is as the eternal Son of the Father, as the one who is the form (morphe) of the Father, is poured out fully. Here, then, is no subtraction, strictly speaking. It is a subtraction (i.e., a pouring out, an emptying) by adding human nature to his divine nature. He came, then, to become the God-manthe one whose very divine nature took on fully the existence of a created human nature. He poured himself out by adding to himself the nature of a man, indeed, the nature of a servant par excellence who would give his life in obedience on the cross to fulfill the will of his Father.

Endnotes:

1. The appellation Son is used of the second person of the Trinity in three distinct yet related senses in Scripture. (1) The eternal Word (John 1:1) is often referred to as Son, and in this sense he is the eternal Son of the eternal Father (e.g., John 3:16-17; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 John 4:9-10). (2) Jesus the Christ, Son of David and Son of Mary, who is the incarnate God-man, is referred to as the Son of God, and in this sense he is the incarnate and historic Son of the Father, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of Mary (e.g., Luke 1:31-35; John 1:33-34, John 1:49; Galatians 2:20). (3) The crucified but risen, ascended, reigning, and exalted Messiah is also referred to in a distinct way as the Son of God, and in this sense he is the risen and triumphant Son of the Father (e.g., Acts 13:32-33; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:27-28; Hebrews 4:14).

Taken from The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ by Bruce A. Ware. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.org.

Liberal attacks on the doctrine of the divinity of Christ have led evangelicals to rightly affirm the centrality of Jesuss divine nature for his person and work. At times, however, this defense of orthodoxy has led some to neglect Christs full humanity. To counteract this oversight, theologian Bruce Ware takes readers back to the biblical text, where we meet a profoundly human Jesus who struggled with many of the same difficulties and limitations we face today.The hospital is being set up by the Jharkhand government with assistance from the Tata Trusts.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata recently laid the foundation stone of the Ranchi Cancer Hospital and Research Center. The hospital is being set up by the Jharkhand government with assistance from the Tata Trusts.

The hospital will be built on 23 acres of land donated by the state department of health, medical education and family welfare department to the Tata Trusts in Kanke on the outskirts of the state capital earlier this year.

According to Jharkhand health secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni, the first phase of the hospital is expected to become operational with 150 beds by 2022.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The Government is to fund new third-level academic posts that will only be open for women to apply as part of a major new gender equality drive in the sector.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Higher Education Minister Mary Mitchell OConnor will announce details tomorrow in response to slow progress on increasing female representation in higher education senior academia and management.

They are expected to say the very specific circumstances and limited number of jobs involved will mean the move does not fall foul of equality law on gender discrimination grounds.

It is one of a raft of new measures aimed at implementing changes to how women are treated for recruitment and promotion across academic and management roles in the sector.

The report of a gender equality task force report is being launched in tandem with the announcements. It includes analysis suggesting that, at current progression rates, it could take up to 20 years for women to reach a target of holding 40% of professorships in the seven universities.

This would be an unacceptable scenario, to which a decisive response is now imperative, Ms Mitchell OConnor said.

The situation is slightly better at institutes of technology, but it could still take seven to 10 years for women to pass the 40% threshold in senior academic positions there.

The minister said she and the Government are committed to eradicating gender inequality in higher education institutions, and she insists they must set ambitious targets for the next one, three and five years.

I want 40% of professors within our institutions to be female by 2024, she said.

But the wide variation in current equality measures across nearly 30 publicly-funded colleges means they will each have to agree different interim targets with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) as they strive for the 40% threshold.

Some, like the University of Limerick with more than 30% of its professors already being female, do not have far to go. But NUI Galway continues to trail, having women in just 12% of professorial posts in the most recent HEA data.

The linking of eligibility for research funding to progress on gender equality will continue, but a new measurement system will be introduced due to changes to timelines and criteria for awards under the internationally-recognised Athena Swan charter which was previously used.

The HEA will now determine if each college is making enough progress to continue being able to access publicly-funded research investment, although progress on the Athena Swan system will also be required in the longer run.

Gender equality will also become a key factor in general funding allocations to each college, in addition to other diversity measures such as the inclusion of students with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The report of an expert group chaired by former EU commissioner Maire Geoghegan Quinn in 2016 began the process to address gender inequality at third-level. But the task force established by Ms Mitchell OConnor last year has come up with further recommendations and targets.

The women-only posts will be created in disciplines with clear evidence of significant under-representation by women. The Irish Examiner understands that this move has been assessed and cleared by the Attorney Generals office and will not require any changes to equality law.

The number of roles covered by this Government of Ireland Senior Academic Talent Initiative will not be revealed until this mornings announcement.

But they will be restricted to disciplines where other initiatives have not resulted in enough progress, and where they would be a proportionate and effective means to achieve accelerated and sustainable change in an institution.Update 1am: A kitesurfer who was reported missing earlier today has been located.

The person was found off the Co Clare coast and has been taken to hospital for examination. The search has been stood down.

Earlier: Major search operation for missing kitesurfer underway off Kerry coast

By Patrick Flynn

A major land, air and sea search is underway for a person reported missing off Co Kerry this evening.

It is understood that a kitesurfer, last seen around 4pm off Ballybunnion, failed to return to shore.

The alarm was raised at around 5pm and a major multi-agency operation was launched.

The Shannon-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 115, was tasked to the scene along with the Ballybunnion unit of the Irish Coast Guard.

The Fenit RNLI lifeboat was also sent to the area while the Irish Naval vessel LE Niamh, which was in the area at the time, was also requested to assist in the search.

The operation is currently being concentrated in an area north of Ballybunnion.

Land crews are also searching the coastline in case the windsurfer made it ashore.

The search operation is being coordinated by watch officers at the Irish Coast Guards marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry.Police in the North are investigating a burglary in Bangor, County Down last night.

Two men entered the home of an elderly woman in the Church Avenue area at around 8pm last night.Update: Two men arrested in relation to a drugs seizure in Cork have been released without charge.

They were detained after drugs worth an estimated 180 thousand euro was found during planned searches of two houses in Passage West last night.

Cannabis resin, ecstasy tablets, cannabis herb and cocaine was seized along with some cash.

Both men were released without charge this evening - a file will now be prepared for the DPP.

Two men arrested after drugs worth 180,000 seized in Cork city

Earlier: Two men have been arrested after drugs with an estimated value of 180,000 were seized in Cork city.

Gardai conducted a planned search of two houses in the Maulbaun Estate, Passage West, last night at 11pm.

During the search, cannabis resin, ecstasy tablets, cannabis herb and cocaine were seized along with some cash.

The men, aged in their late 40s and early 50s were arrested at the scene and are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at Bridewell Garda Station.

They can be held for up to seven days.

The search was part of an operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs in Cork City.

Digital DeskLendlease investors are bracing for another tough day when trading resumes on Monday after the ratings agency, Moody's Investor Services, issued a credit outlook downgrade to the global infrastructure and developer.

The trigger was the revelation by the company on Friday it had taken a $350 million hit across a series of projects in its troubled engineering and services business, which has the NorthConnex and Melbourne Metro rail under its banner.

News of the hit led to an 18.33 per cent drop in the group's share price to $14.25, with about $1.8 billion wiped off the market value.

It comes as Lendlease prepares to farewell its long-standing chairman David Crawford at the annual general meeting on Friday in Sydney.'It all happened so fast' The Matharoo sisters never intended to become a cautionary tale about the perils of social media influence. They were born and raised in Toronto, by middle-class parents who had immigrated from India. The sisters' lives changed abruptly 10 years ago, when Jyoti, fresh out of college, met a Nigerian petroleum magnate. "He's not a rapper with expensive watches," said Jyoti. "It's generations and generations of money." He flew both sisters on private jets to France and Greece and eventually to Nigeria, a destination they did not disclose to their strict parents. Upon landing, a convoy of Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUVs drove them to his home, a heavily marbled mansion with a pool and a litany of servants. Kiran lazed away poolside while Jyoti accompanied her lover to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to play polo with a prince. "It all happened so fast," Jyoti said. "There wasn't even a moment for us to be like, 'Is this really happening?'"

Within a few months, she said, he bought her a condominium in Toronto and began giving her a monthly $US10,000 stipend so she would not have to work. This affair was not to be a forever love, though. Over the years, the sisters globe-trotted with a succession of paramours. In particular, both sisters traveled frequently to Nigeria and said that dating wealthy men there was easy. "Once they find out you have a sister, it's over," Kiran said. "We don't find them. They find us." They also began to document their lavish adventures on social media: yachting in the Bahamas, shopping sprees in Paris and Dubai, flying on private jets and sunbathing in Saint-Tropez and Spain. In the photos, they are invariably adorned in swag  Hermes handbags, shoes by Alaia, watches by Audemars Piguet. Neither would say exactly how many billionaires they had dated.

"If you say more than one, you're automatically considered a gold digger," said Jyoti, although she admitted that the number is higher than one. "I'm attracted by the power of who they are, what they do and what position they are on the Forbes billionaire list." Kiran described herself as an old-fashioned girl who simply likes to be courted. Kiran and Jyoti Matharoo are known as the 'Canadian Kardashians' Credit:Tara Walton/ The New York Times "If you want to date me, you have to spoil me," she said. In brandishing this high-end brand of pampered independence, the sisters seemed to delight in rejecting society's expectations of women's roles.

"Marriage and alimony are acceptable, but being single and letting a guy give you things is not," Jyoti said. "You have to own it. I don't feel like I'm a piece of property." The Matharoos' growing notoriety made them particular favourites of Nigeria's gossip blogs, which tracked their rumored relationships with the sort of savage coverage normally reserved for troubled royals. "Indian twin-menace: Nigeria's most promiscuous sisters," one headline declared in 2016: "Why billionaire housewives dread them." The sisters received more scorn from social media commenters. "The road to Hell is paved with Birkin bags, promiscuity, sloth, Instagram photos, and vanity," a commenter posted on a gossip blog thread entitled "High Paid Escorts/Prostitutes: Jyoti & Kiran Matharoo." This thread runs for 220 pages "more than some celebrities," Kiran said, with pride. The sisters get arrested

When the dark side of the fantasy arrived  this was in Lagos, in December 2016  it was as sudden as it was severe. A few days after the Matharoos had returned to Nigeria, they were awakened by a loud knocking at their hotel room door. A group of men burst in and told the women they had to come to the police station. Some of the men, who turned out to be plainclothes police officers, took photos of the sisters in their bathrobes. These soon appeared online. The sisters asked to see a warrant and a badge but got no response. "I told them I'm going to call my embassy, but when I started dialing, one guy grabbed the phone out of my hand," Jyoti said. "They said if we don't get dressed, they were going to carry us out just like that." "We thought we were being kidnapped," Kiran said. At the police station, the officers kept asking if the sisters owned a gossip website that had been spreading scandalous rumors about Nigerian elites  and about the sisters themselves. This site was among the blogs that had described them as prostitutes.

"We couldn't help but laugh, because the whole thing was so ridiculous," Jyoti said. I'm attracted by the power of who they are, what they do and what position they are on the Forbes billionaire list Jyoti Matharoo From there, the sisters said, they were driven in a van to another police station, this one belonging to Nigeria's Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a branch of the police notorious for corruption and using torture to extract confessions, according to a 2016 report by Amnesty International. They were taken to a dimly lit office where an officer, seated behind a wooden desk, demanded they write statements admitting that they owned the gossip website. "The site was in Nigerian Pidgin," Jyoti said. "We can't speak Pidgin, so of course we refused." After hours of arguing, officers pushed the tearful sisters into what they described as a rat-infested jail cell filled with a dozen women, a few pieces of foam for beds and a hole in the floor for a toilet. The next day, they said, officers brought them back to their hotel room and took their passports, electronics and Nigerian currency worth more than $US11,000 from the safe.

The women were then driven to a hotel by the airport and locked in a room with bars on the windows and guards outside the door. They said some of the men demanded bribes. "It was like we were held hostage," Kiran said. All told, the sisters were detained for 18 days. They were accused of cyberstalking and threatening to kidnap wealthy Nigerians, including one of Kiran's ex-boyfriends, Femi Otedola, a politically powerful oil tycoon whose net worth was $US1.8 billion ($2.5 billion) in 2016, according to Forbes magazine. While they were in detention, the sisters said, the police brought them to the home of Otedola, who warned that he could have them imprisoned for 10 years  or worse  if they refused to cooperate.

Desperate to leave Nigeria, and getting no help from the Canadian Embassy, the Matharoos feared they were running out of options. Then, they said, an associate of Otedola's arrived at their makeshift jail cell with an offer: If they apologised to Otedola on video, they could get their passports back and fly home to Canada. "I felt this was our only chance," Jyoti said. Standing against a wall in their room as the man's assistant filmed, Jyoti read a confession off her phone, admitting that the pair ran the website and apologising to Otedola and his family. The man never returned with their passports. The video was posted online the next day and swiftly attracted international media coverage, destroying the sisters' carefully crafted reputations as fashion-obsessed ingenues. "We got everything we wanted by asking nicely," Kiran said, dismissing the confession video. "Why would we ruin that?"

Kiran said Otedola was furious that she had spurned his entreaties to rekindle their relationship and used them as scapegoats to deflect attention from the website's embarrassing rumors. Otedola did not respond to interview requests. About a week after they posted bail, the sisters flew to Toronto with emergency travel documents that Canadian officials issued after they determined the women faced no travel restrictions and that "there was a significant risk to their physical safety," an immigration official said in an email. The sisters said Canadian diplomats walked them to the plane. Back home, the Matharoos initially stayed off social media. But fed up with the public humiliation, they began speaking out to Canadian media and posting information about their detention on their lifestyle blog. "I couldn't take it anymore," Jyoti said. "We had to set things straight."

Going public had devastating consequences. A few months later, in September 2017, US customs officials based at Toronto Pearson International Airport told Jyoti she could not travel to the United States because there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest. A week later, Kiran flew to Venice, Italy, to go furniture shopping. She was waiting for her luggage at the airport when Italian customs officers locked her in a room with no food, water or explanation. "I was crying and crying," she said. Eight hours later, officials told her that she was under provisional arrest. "They said, 'There's a flag on your passport from Interpol,'" she said. She spent the next 40 days in jail, awaiting extradition to Nigeria, according to Italian court documents. European Union laws prohibit extradition to countries with poor human-rights records, so it is likely she should not have been held at all. But Nigeria never filed the extradition paperwork and Kiran was allowed to fly home to Canada. (Italy's interior ministry did not respond to requests for comment.)

Philip Adebowale, the Nigerian police official who detained the sisters in Lagos and issued the warrant that resulted in Kiran's arrest, said that he had not colluded with Otedola and had not demanded bribes. Asked why Nigeria failed to request Kiran's extradition, he first said the Italian police "allowed these girls to dupe them" and then blamed bureaucratic errors. "If I sent them my boys, we would have cleared everything up," Adebowale said. The pair were detained in Nigeria and accused of trying to kidnap billionaires. Credit:AP Once Kiran returned to Canada, the sisters began pleading with Interpol to purge their names from its database of red notices (alerts akin to international arrest warrants) issued at the request of its 190 member countries. In 2017, the agency said, it issued more than 13,000 red notices, up from 1,277 in 2002. Only a small fraction of the notices are made public. Normally, Interpol goes after murderers and drug traffickers, not women fond of posting cleavage shots on Instagram.

"You can't trust countries like Nigeria or Belarus not to misuse the criminal justice system and Interpol to advance corruption," said Jago Russell, the head of Fair Trials International, a rights group based in London that has pushed Interpol to implement stronger safeguards. Dressing well is the best revenge While they waited for Interpol to review their cases, the Matharoos tried to keep out of the spotlight. "We mostly just moped around lonely and depressed," Jyoti said. "I couldn't get myself to focus on anything until they dropped it." Even then, the sisters sought to capitalize on their notoriety. On some days, they would grab a camera and drive to a deserted warehouse with just enough industrial grit to be edgy. Its walls were their makeshift studio, where they would photograph each other in designer clothing to post online.

On Instagram, Jyoti hawked sponsored high heels, hair extensions and spray tans. Kiran developed an online food consulting brand. "Her recipes get around 500 screenshots on Snapchat," Jyoti said. Their work paid off. In June, an American man living in Dubai who followed Jyoti on Instagram contacted her about starting a fashion line. He planned to visit them in Canada, but then, in August, the sisters received a package from Interpol's independent appeals commission. Inside was a letter informing them that Interpol had deleted their names from its database. The Matharoos had won. Jyoti had him book her a plane ticket to Dubai in September.

"I was like, 'Screw Toronto, I need to get out of here,'" she said. Her flight to Dubai was sleepless, even though she had packed all her Interpol paperwork. But she landed and no one was there to arrest her. "It's like the notice never existed," she said. What began as a business trip swiftly grew into a romance, with a stay on a private island and fashion brainstorming sessions over candlelight dinners. One evening, Jyoti wore a tight orange dress she had asked Kiran  a talented seamstress  to make for the trip. Impressed, the man, whom the sisters declined to identify to protect his privacy, sent the sisters to find manufacturers in Los Angeles. There, the Matharoos rekindled their love affairs with private jets and pools in Beverly Hills. Jyoti modeled on her Instagram in a neon bikini and other outfits her sister made. Direct messages started pouring into her Instagram with requests for the clothes.

"I told Kiran, 'You need to sit your ass down and start sewing,'" Jyoti said. They are now in the midst of setting up their fashion line, SPCTRMstudio. "I'm so relieved we can get back to our normal life," Jyoti said. But they haven't, quite. Recently Jyoti arrived at the Toronto airport with a plane ticket to Houston, only to find herself interrogated by US customs officials. "They were grilling me, like, 'So, are you a prostitute? When was the last time you had a boyfriend,'" she said. "I said, 'I didn't know being single was a crime.' I was so mad. Then I started crying."

The Matharoos also said they have been inundated with messages from women asking for guidance on finding a billionaire sugar daddy. "Surely you can shed some tips on how to become a kept woman who is still doing her thing," read a typical message sent to Kiran's Snapchat. For those wondering, they have some advice. Don't be greedy. "When he asks what kind of car you want, don't ask for a Rolls-Royce," Jyoti said.

Second, observe proper "jetiquette" by dressing conservatively on his Cessna. "You don't want to look like some guy hired a hooker for a weekend," Kiran said. And, obviously, when he hands you thousands of dollars for a luxury shopping spree, bring him back some change. But if their brushes with incarceration have taught the sisters any new lessons, it is that they shouldn't bother. Men and their money are not worth the trouble. "There's always going to be a guy saying, 'Let me spoil you,' who wants to fly us somewhere," Jyoti said. "For once we want to just focus on ourselves."A modern wartime tragedy brought the Palmer and Wilson families together. The spirit of the veteran community means they will never be torn apart.

Lance Corporal Gary Wilson was on board a Black Hawk helicopter when it crashed near Kandahar, Afghanistan, in June 2010, killing four military personnel - including 27-year-old private Scott Travis Palmer.

Ray and Pam Palmer, with granddaughter Gabrielle, with Gary Wilson at the Remembrance Day event at the Australian War Memorial Credit:Jamila Toderas

Three months later, Lance Corporal Wilson was in hospital recovering from serious injuries suffered in the crash when he was visited by Private Palmer's parents, Ray and Pam.

United by the tragic loss of a son and fellow soldier, the trio struck up a bond that has strengthened over the years.Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz repeatedly referred to the attempted attack on the body in October while discussing the nation's suspected Russian mole.

Kurz visited Russian Federation last month and held talks with President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, where he told reporters that the European Union countries should maintain dialogue with Russian Federation and seek an improvement in ties.

The alleged agent is a retired colonel who was believed to have spied for Moscow in the 1990s.

Austrian ambassador to Russia Johannes Eigner leaves the Russian Foreign Ministry headquarters in Moscow on November 9, 2018.

The Minister of foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin, commenting on the Austrian-Russian spy scandal, said that Austria was finally convinced that to trust Russia - it is useless.

Moscow said Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl called her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to explain Vienna's motives.

Foreign Minister Kneissl has canceled a planned trip to Moscow over the case.

The case has been referred to prosecutors who are now interrogating the unnamed accused spy.

It summoned Austria's ambassador in Moscow, mirroring an earlier move by Vienna.

"Recently our Western partners have made it a rule not to use traditional diplomacy, but instead use so-called "megaphone diplomacy" by publicly accusing us and for explanations about matters we know nothing about", Mr Lavrov said.

"No. At the time when several dozens of heads of state and government are in Paris, we [Putin and Van der Bellen] are not scheduled to hold bilateral talks", Van der Bellen said aired by the Austrian radio station O-1, when asked whether he would touch upon the issue in talks with Putin.

He said that the colonel had handed over "technical equipment", including his laptop which is being examined.

It was one of the few European countries not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March.

According to the publication, for their services Colonel from Salzburg received about 300 thousand euros. Kneissl was criticized by Austria's opposition for inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin to her wedding in August. According to media reports, a former officer, now retired, during his service in the Austrian army about 20 years engaged in espionage in favor of Russian Federation.The only remaining German A7V tank in the world has returned to the Queensland Museum to be at the heart of the Anzac Legacy Gallery, marking a century since the end of World War I.

The Mephisto, which was brought back by Australian troops as a war trophy in 1919, had been moved several times from Ipswich and Canberra to South Bank since it left Brisbane following the 2011 floods.

The only remaining German A7V tank in the world has returned to the Queensland Museum. Credit:Queensland Museum

The tank had been used in the world's first tank battle on April 24, 1918, near the French village of Villers-Bretonneux, but became disabled in a shell crater during the German advance.

Abandoned by its crew, the tank was then salvaged by Australian troops of the 26th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, made up of mostly Queenslanders, who brought to it back to their home state.Loading I havent had good experiences with police, he says. But on Friday night, when he saw two police officers attempting to corral a man, now known to be terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, Mr Rogers didnt hesitate. He seized a nearby empty trolley and tried to push it into Shire Ali, who was attempting to attack the officers. It was spur of the moment, he says.

Mr Rogers says he had been sitting on a bollard outside Target, rolling a cigarette, when a vehicle came to a halt near him. The car stopped and I heard a lot of yelling and screaming, he says. Initially I thought it was the driver and the occupants fighting. But when I saw people running and screaming I realised it was something a bit more than an argument. Michael Rogers tries to help police by ramming the suspect with a shopping trolley. Mr Rogers says he didnt know Shire Ali had a knife until after he was subdued by police. He could have turned his attention onto me with that knife.

Loading Pellegrini's Espresso Bar part-owner Sisto Malaspina was killed in the attack. Tasmanian businessman Rodney Patterson, 58, and a 24-year-old security guard from Hampton Park were also injured. Both were in a stable condition in hospital on Sunday. Shire Ali died in hospital after being shot by police. Mr Rogers said he believed Shire Ali had merely been Tasered. It was not until Saturday night that he learned he had been shot and subsequently died. They could have shot him in the leg. I believe he should have been kept alive and sent to jail for 30 years.

Mr Rogers says he grew up in housing commission flats in Collingwood: My mum had a Benzone addiction and I used to steal her pills." Loading When he was 14 he went to live with his grandmother in Highett, who was the dearest lady, but said the kids were different to Collingwood kids and he struggled to adjust. I loved her dearly but the problem I had being that age was I had already grown up a little too quickly. I was a bit of a lost cause. Trouble came my way far more often than not. During Friday nights Bourke Street attack, Mr Rogers says a police officer lost his security glasses and a lanyard with a badge.

I handed it straight to one of the officers. I could have kept that and done something with it. I wasnt even thinking along that line, Mr Rogers says. I just wanted to help and do something right for the first time in me life. Donna Stolzenberg, the founder and managing director of the National Homeless Collective, says she started a crowd fundraising campaign to help Mr Rogers after several people suggested it on social media. I thought we would maybe get $5000, she says. By Sunday night more than 3000 people had donated more than $100,000. I think the reason it has done so well is he is a typical Aussie hero guy who jumped in for strangers, Ms Stolzenberg says.

Loading She says she is aware of Mr Rogers criminal and drug history and will work to connect him with homeless services and help him use the money in ways that will not put him at risk. Mr Rogers is still feeling overwhelmed. Are you the Trolleyman? a woman shouts from the apartment above us as The Age takes his photograph. Everyone wanted a piece of me in Bourke Street mate, its been phenomenal, he says.Premier Daniel Andrews has offered the family of Mr Malaspina a state funeral. The family is understood to be considering the offer. About 40 Vespas were parked outside Pellegrini's on Sunday to pay tribute to Mr Malaspina, who loved the iconic Italian vehicle. One man placed a bunch of tomatoes in honour of the charismatic Italian. Others lay flowers and wrote tributes in an A4 notebook. Council workers set up bollards to protect a makeshift memorial. Two therapy dogs were outside the cafe for distressed mourners. By 1pm on Sunday, the crowd of mourners - which included ticket inspectors, paramedics and police officers - took up most of the footpath, spilling out onto two cordoned-off parking spaces. A line of people waiting to sign a condolence book stretched for 25 metres. Five police officers stood on duty near the crowd. Edward Kiernan from the Vespa Club of Melbourne said he had dined at Pellegrini's since he was a boy. Pellegrini's employee Lucia holds Mr Malaspina's favourite cake. Credit:Luis Ascui

Mr Kieranan said his father would take him to the cafe for gelato if I was well behaved. He has been coming back for coffee in the 50 years since. Over time, he and Mr Malaspina formed a bond. "For a little while I used to repair cash registers, so I would repair the cash register. As time went on, he got to know me better," he said. Russell Crowe was among many celebrity customers to pay tribute to the cravat-wearing restaurateur, bidding farewell to his "sweet, loyal friend" who had plastered stickers of the actor's South Sydney NRL team on the restaurant's wall.

"Sisto, il mio cuore si spezza [my heart breaks] ... Ive been going to Pellegrinis since 1987," Crowe wrote on Twitter. "Never been to Melbourne without dropping in on my man Sisto. South Sydney stickers on the wall and caps on display. My sweet loyal friend, stabbed in the street by a mad man. Cosi triste [so sad]. Nick Giannopoulos (left), Sisto Malaspina, Russell Crowe and another man pose for a photo at the front of Pellegrinis Bar in Melbourne. Credit:@russellcrowe, Twitter "He was like a favourite uncle . One of the reasons I love going to Melbourne, because I knew Id get that greeting. "When we met I was a badly paid theatre actor, he always treated me like a Prince. La famiglia."

Supermodel Helena Christensen joined the celebrity tributes, recalling daily visits to Pellegrini's during a visit to Melbourne earlier this year. "Sisto, you were wonderful to us, it was an honour to get to know you, we will always keep you in our hearts," she posted. Pellegrini's chef Lucia, who called Mr Malaspina her brother, handed out slices of his favourite cake - almond and chocolate - to mourners outside the restaurant on Sunday.

She worked at the restaurant for 18 years. Those years at Pellegrini's with him were the best years of my life," she said. We joked, he would tell me off, he would kiss me for telling him off, I would tell him where to go and he would accept it. He was a marvellous man. She said Sistos granddaughter was born a week early, in time to meet her grandfather. He would come in the morning singing ... then he would talk about his granddaughter."

Paul Panetta has worked at Pellegrini's for more than 40 years. He's distraught about losing Mr Malaspina - the man who, like many of Sistos workers, he described as a brother. You cant get better than him, you really cant ... its a bad way to go for a man like that," he said. I still dont believe that hes gone, I still dont believe it." Pellegrinis has been closed for business since Saturday, but thousands have visited the cafe, which first opened its doors 60 years ago and is credited with kickstarting the city's cafe culture.

Photographers (from left) Vince Caligiuri, Chris Hyde, Darrian Traynor and Quinn Rooney pose with Sisto Malaspina. The table in the kitchen was a regular haunt for Melbourne photographers. A plate of pasta at Pellegrini's was seen as a rite of passage to new members of the fold. Vince Caligiuri, a former photographer for The Age, said he and other photographers from local media outlets came to Pellegrini's to talk footy, the news and to speak to their friend, Mr Malaspina. He loved photography. And loved newspapers. He would always keep the newspaper and say Vince, or so and so, had the best photograph last week. Teresa has been coming to Pellegrini's for 30 years.

She started dining at the restaurant when she moved from the country and now brings her whole family, including her husband Patrick and 14-year-old son. Every time, they order the same: minestrone soup, spaghetti bolognaise, coffee. We wanted our kids to come to enjoy the experience - this place that doesnt ever change even while the world is changing so fast," she said. We would watch Sisto interact with the people who came here and knew him well. He was a Melbourne legend and now hes gone. Chaplains were on hand again on Sunday to comfort mourners. The restaurant is due to re-open early this week.

Mr Malaspina's business partner, Nino Pangrazio, broke down as he stood outside the restaurant and spoke of his long-time friend on Saturday. I feel terrible, Mr Pangrazio said. Weve been business partners since 1974 and we were friends for 10 years before that. He was just so happy go lucky and always with a smile. We hardly had a cross word in the whole time we worked together. Just devastated. Mr Pangrazio said he was informed of his business partner's death late on Friday night after receiving a call from a staff member.

Mr Pangrazio and Mr Malaspina had worked together at the restaurant just hours before the attack. Sisto Malaspina will be greatly missed behind the counter at Pellegrini's. Credit:James Boddington Loading Mr Pangrazio said his friend's loss was already being felt by the wider Melbourne community. "As you can see with all the people around here, there have been literally hundreds of people stopping by since about 7.30 this morning," he said. ''He was always a happy fellow and that's what people are remembering ... his happiness and his friendliness and his smile."Premier Daniel Andrews speaks about safety after a Remembrance Day Centenary service at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne. Credit:Eddie Jim "The size of the crowd and their involvement and the optimism in the crowd today, it is a real statement that our values will endure, that our freedom and our way of life is much bigger than any act of evil or an ideology that is fundamentally evil," Mr Andrews said. As the primary school marching band walked up to the steps, reams of families, pets in tow, came to pay their respects. Red poppies adorned the chests of every onlooker. Kids munched on apples in the sun, dogs splayed their legs on the grass. The flags were at half-mast and billowing in the soft breeze. The thud of the cannon's firing shook the crowd as police kept a watchful eye.

People raised their heads to watch commemorative aircrafts fly over and bowed them as the notes of the Last Post rippled across the Shrine. Georgia Hartman-Smith, who came from Box Hill, said she had no concern coming to mark Remembrance Day, in spite of the terror attack. "I'm a school teacher and I think it's really important, especially 100 years on," she said. "We can't let those things worry us. I think that would account for the extra police presence." Megan Catalan sat on the grass with her two children as her husband rocked a pram.

She said she didn't think about the Bourke Street attack while walking to the Shrine until she heard helicopters. "As we were walking here I thought maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she said. "I'm feeling a bit nauseated. We were staying in the city on Friday night and came in as [the attack] was happening." She came to the Shrine because she thought it was important to teach her children gratitude. "I don't know, life goes on, you can't stop doing stuff," she said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison lays a wreath during Remembrance Day at the Australian War Memorial. Credit:AAP Megan Lilburn, who came with her two-year-old Vivienne and partner Sam Barrow, said she felt confident there would be enough security. "When I first got here I noted a lot (of police) so I felt quite safe, yes." Mr Barrow also noticed the increase in police scattered through the crowd. "We know the guys and girls in uniform are keeping an eye out too," he said.

Cyclists Leigh Thornton and Dave Worland wore jerseys covered in red poppies. Mr Thornton bought them while riding across France, Belgium and Switzerland to honour his grandfather, who was wounded but survived. He had full faith in the security arrangements at the service. "For a cyclist, a bus or a truck is a lot more likely (to kill you) than a terrorist," he said. Veterans and their families gathered around the country on Sunday to mark Remembrance Day with a minutes silence.

Originally called Armistice Day to mark the end of the World War I, it was changed after World War II to commemorate those who died in both wars. Australia had not been a nation very long but 416,000 people enlisted in that war and 60,000 never came home. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten addressed a crowd at the National War Memorial, which was originally built to mark those who died in World War I. From dawn to dusk on Sunday a beam of light will be projected from the Australian War Memorial to Parliament House, changing from white, pink and red. An evening vigil will also be held at the tomb of the unknown soldier, marking 25 years since he was laid to rest in Canberra.The scene in Bourke Street on Friday where Hassan Khalif Shire Ali was shot by police after setting a vehicle alight and stabbing multiple people. Credit:Stuart Gaut

A Victorian school has cancelled its camp in Melbourne following the Bourke Street terror attack.

Healesville Primary School informed parents on its Facebook page on Friday that the camp, due to begin on Monday, had been cancelled "in light of the violent events that occurred in Bourke Street".

"On advice from the Department of Education, in light of violent events that occurred in Bourke Street yesterday, we have had to cancel the Grade 5/6 City Camp that was due to begin on Monday," the post read.

"This is not a decision taken lightly but the safety of our students is the main priority. School will run as normal next week & a discussion will be had then about the next step. Please share this news with other parents & carers."Loading I have very fond memories of Pellegrini's from when I first arrived in Melbourne and stayed at a girls' hostel in Spring Street. I think it was the community atmosphere that attracted us - girls from the country homesick for their small communities. Cappuccinos must have been a lot cheaper then because we didn't have two pennies to rub together but we did manage to call in to Pellegrini's from time to time. June Barnes-Rowley I am so saddened to receive this news. Sisto Malaspina was a friendly, welcoming, motivated host. His personal presence, and the landmark of Pellegrini's itself, gave a distinct and wonderful personality to Melbourne city life. His family, colleagues and patrons will all be in shock at this sudden, dreadful happening. I send condolences to all. Sean Murphy You will be sadly missed and fondly remembered Sisto. RIP Leon Dowsett, who also provided a tribute in the form of rewritten lyrics to the Cheers theme, Where Everybody Knows Your Name. TRIBUTE TO A MELBOURNE ICON & HUMAN TREASURE

Making your way in the City of Melbourne,

Takes everything you've got;

Taking a break from all your worries.

Pellegrinis Espresso Bar, has got the lot and

Sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? To a place that knows your name.

Where everyones a star,

Doesnt matter who you are.

Sisto Malaspina treated you the Best by far,

Along with his Co-owner friend Mr Pangrazio and staff,

Who treated you as Long loved friends,

When you popped in now and then.

Sisto Malaspina sure was nice, you know;

Yes, Pellegrinis the place to go Sometimes you just want to go

Where everybody knows your name, including Sisto Malaspina,

He was always glad you came; You want to be where you can see,

Everyone's troubles are all the same;

You want to be where everybody knows your name.

Roll out the tributes for Mr Sisto Malaspina, Your coffee and smile were worth getting out of bed;

The mornings wont be the same;

And you were takin too early and thats a shame,

And all of Melbourne are left with tears in their eyes; So Rest In Peace

Mr Sisto Malaspina,

Melbourne wont be the same.

Rest In Peace

Mr Sisto Malaspina,

Because everybody knows your name. Because there's only one place in the world

Where everybody knows your name,

Pellegrinis is always glad you came;

You want to go where people know you,

Where People are all the same;

You want to go where everybody knows your name. So Rest In Peace

Mr Sisto Malaspina,

Melbourne wont be the same.

Rest In Peace

Mr Sisto Malaspina,

Because everybody knows your name. Loved the way they never had to record your order but always knew exactly what you spent. Great coffee and simple food that was just perfectly Italian. Loved the apple strudel. Sisto always had an eye for the girls and could always find the Bellas a seat amongst the crowd. Anthony

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten leaves a message in a card outside Pellegrini'si in Bourke Street on Saturday. Credit:AAP Sisto was a delightful man, warm, cheerful, welcoming and generous man. He will be greatly missed! Deepest condolences to his family and all Melburnians. Lynn Teale Never got to meet you, Sisto. Sad that I never got that chance. R.I.P. Mario My wife and I used to frequent Pellegrini's. We would make it a point to have coffee there once or twice a month, over the last forty years. We introduced our son to Sisto, and he later, to his friends from England. Coffee at Pellegrini's will never be the same without Sisto's smile. RIP. Pam and Ivan

Ill never forget the warmth and welcome I received from Sisto Malaspina when I moved to Melbourne. If I ever felt homesick, I only needed to walk into Pellegrinis and see his smile. Name not supplied RIP Sisto. Always went to Pellegrini's when in Melbourne. One true funny nice guy. Phillip Crum Elloy I have fond memories of Sisto. He was always extremely gracious and friendly. I've been going to Pellegrini's since I was a kid, and I recently took a woman who I support to access the community there. She is legally blind and very hesitant to go to new and unknown places. Sisto came forward and took her by the arm, leading her to her seat, helped her to feel at ease, made sure she was comfortable. When it came time for us to leave, he helped again to guide her to the door, gently, talking to her all the way. My client loved the place, the people, and the care they showed her so much she asked me to take her back. He was a true gentlemen and his kindness and generosity of spirit seemed to come from him effortlessly. Thank you Sisto. Jasmine Corbett A tribute to Mr Malaspina at Pellegrini's. Credit:AAP Sisto was just a great guy, always with a smile and a kind word, never in 40 years did I hear him say anything bad about anyone or anything. We will miss you. I'm so sorry Vicki, I'm sure this has left a big hole in your life. Nino and Bev, we grieve with you. Robert and Julien

One of the reasons I got my coffee, the other was the smile and the bit of gossip! Rest in peace Sisto Evelyn Sisto was a warm and generous host, always ready with a story and a cheeky smile. He had knack for making everyone feel like they were the centre of the universe. Thats why hes loved by so many. DJ Thanks to Sisto we have great coffee in Melbourne. Pellegrini brought over the first espresso machine. RIP Sisto Name not specified I spent just one week in Melbourne visiting my brother & sister in law and had the great fortune and privilege of meeting Mr Sisto Malaspina. He served the best coffee, was generous and kind, but more important, he took the time to connect with everyone who stepped into his cafe. I only knew him for a week and my heart is broken. I can only imagine what a devastating loss this must be for his family and the friends who knew him well. Rest In Peace, and know you have enriched the lives of every person who was lucky enough to meet you. Fernanda Valentino Members of the public pay their respects. Credit:Timna Jacks

Sisto was always very friendly, welcoming and had time to chat to everyone. A very humble and decent man. Condolences to Sistos family and close friends. RIP Sisto. You are a legend and will always be an important part of Melbourne. Andrew Wilson We visited Pelligrinis every time we came to Melbourne from Adelaide, Sisto will be sadly missed RIP Name not specified Sisto, you helped create a little bit of Europe for the immigrants who were craving flavours of home and changed Melbourne's coffee culture for the better! An icon in your industry, You will never be forgotten for your contribution to your community and your beautiful welcoming kindness to all. Dina Sisto, my heart is broken by the news of your tragic passing. I would walk the rainy streets of Melbourne and arrive at Pellegrini's to your warm welcome. Ciao Bella! a bowl of spaghetti, and I was home. You changed my life, and touched the lives and souls of so many. You were there for me in times of sadness and celebration, your generosity, love and kindness was immense and endless to all. I grew up eating spaghetti sitting on the stools at Pellegrini's, with my mother. When I arrived back in Melbourne after 10 years, you welcomed me home. Oh yes, I remember everyone. I used to flirt with your mama, and now I flirt with you! You have been there all my life. I cant imagine it here without you. Thank you for your kindness and your decades as a cornerstone of Melbourne life and culture. Sending all my love and condolences to your family, and your wonderful staff at Pellegrini's. I miss you. Penelope Loading

I had the pleasure of being served by Sisto on a few occasions. His warmth, charm and style made you feel special. You were experiencing a true authentic Italian man who loved his customers and loved life. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and everyone who was touched by his special soul. Name not specified So sad hearing about this tragedy. The loveliest memories of Mr Malaspina and the warm family atmosphere which all of us loved! Rest in Peace beautiful soul. Kata and Ferenc A tragic end to the life of such a kind-hearted man who was part of the soul of Melbourne, welcoming anyone and everyone into Pellegrini's. Sisto, all the staff and Pellegrini's have been a special part of my family life, and now even my children mourn him. Perhaps with this tragic loss the authorities will finally do something about crime prevention in our city, there has been too much in recent years! DC In a reversal of roles, Sisto used to drop by my 7-Eleven store in Hawthorn on his way home. He was a lovely person, we would have a bit of a yarn about things. I am very, very sad that we have lost such a wonderful gentleman. Rest in peace Sisto. Tony Doh One of the most awful days in Melbournes 180-year history. I feel awful. Awful. Melbourne is minus one smiley person. Name not specified

RIP Sisto. When I worked in the CBD Pelligrini's was my regular spot for lunch. I will never forgot how Sisto comforted me when I was heartbroken 13 years ago. He could see I was not my cheery self and took time to remind me of the goodness around me despite the behaviour of my deceitful, dodgy ex. The words he shared with me made a huge impact and helped me move beyond my grief. He was more helpful than any counsellor I saw. He spoke the truth, which is just what I needed. Sisto reminded me that life isn't fair and the sooner I accepted that the quicker I would get back on my feet. Cafe owners do more than serve food. They listen, they care and create ambience. They are the soul of the city. Sisto came to Pelligrini's the year I was born. I remember going there with my dad when he worked in the city and then continued the tradition when I worked in the CBD. Pelligirini's was the one of the first real Italian coffee shops in Melbourne and is a constant in an ever-changing city. Sisto paved the way for diversity and tolerance. He welcomed everyone into his cosy cafe. How tragic that he was killed by someone who did not show the same tolerant values he lived his life by. I popped by last week and had a moment of joy, feeling that all is well in the world while Pelligrini's is still trading. My joy was short-lived. Sisto's words resonate with me now: 'Life isn't fair, darlink'. Right you are, Sisto. Siobhan I (like many) had my first ever true cafe latte here. I remember he served it to me, a young me, not even 18 yrs old in 1987, just beginning to see the wide world around me, I remember his smile. When I said I had never had a cafe latte, I remember the look on his face when I proudly said I drink Moccona coffee, (it was fancier than the international roast my father drank, and the Nescafe that others drank), He handed me the coffee, it looked like a milkshake on top. I sipped, then sipped again and more. I looked up and said: 'That's much better than a Moccona, can I have another?" He smiled ... He changed my coffee habit. In one delicious sip of the cafe latte glass, he made me into a true Melburnian. Riposare in pace Mark I met Sisto one night in the '70s. It was a wet and cold night, I was soaked through. The first thing that happened, Sisto came out behind the counter with a towel to dry my hair and then gave me a nice hot coffee. I was out of work at the time and asked him for a job. I started the next evening in the kitchen helping the cook. That was my introduction into the food industry. Very lovely, gentle man, so calm with a warm personality. My thoughts go out to his family and close friends. It's very sad. Brenda Bardsley I first met him in the late '80s and he always recognised me and showed me real coffee culture. He was and is Bourke Street. We need a brass statue of him in the street to be with us for ever. James A friendly man who loved food and people. Will be sadly missed. S. Fox

Matt Picone (left) with Sisto Malaspina at Pellegrini's in 1998. Sisto was a great man who was larger than life. I worked alongside him at Pellegrinis for 20 years, and he was like a father to me. He taught me so much - how to make a great coffee, how to run a business, how to make customers feel at home. Although I left Pellegrinis two years ago to open my own pasta bar, Pentolina, I still feel like part of the Pellegrinis family and thats thanks to him. Im devastated that Ive been robbed of the opportunity to thank him for the profound influence hes had on my life, and for sticking with me through my ups and downs over two decades. My deepest condolences to Vicky, David, Lisa and their families, and to his other family  Nino and the Pellegrinis staff. Ive attached a photo of me with Sisto at Pellegrinis in 1998, the year after I started working at Pellegrinis. I love this photo because the beaming smile on his face shows how much he loved Pellegrinis. I have so many fond memories of Sisto from our 20 years together behind the Pellegrinis counter. (Owner, Pentolina) Matt Picone I was back home in Melbourne in May of this year visiting from overseas, and, as always, stopped back at Pellegrini's for a coffee. There was a homeless man on the street outside, and I wanted to buy a coffee for him and one for me. I then realised I only had $5 on me and that they didnt take cards. No problem he said, you take a coffee for you and one for that man outside. True character. David Becker Forever part of Melbourne history. Sadly missed by all who popped in for a quick caffe or granita, and a chat at the bar. He remembered "The Adelaide Boys" every trip! Its like Melbourne has lost its Zio. Thoughts are with his family. Riposa in pace Name not specified This gentleman, Sisto was one of the very best people whose aim in life seemed to be to ensure others ware happy. He is simply not replaceable. Patrick Clifford

We respect your kind. A brilliant mind. Hope for the best. Have a good rest. Keira Sisto was very, very special and made you feel very special. He always addressed me as My Lord Mayor ever since helping him save Pellegrini's from extinction in the '80s from archaic council laws We had a shared passion and love of Italian cars and he loved my Lancia Fulvia Zagato so much he added a minor amendment to the No Parking sign at the front door indicating that Lancias were exempt. A keen sense of humour and a wonderful human being. He truly is the founding Statesman of Melbourne's Cafe Culture. My heart aches with sadness and disbelief at the senseless loss of this beautiful man's life. Trevor Huggard AM, former lord mayor of Melbourne. Vale Sisto. Melbourne won't be the same without your European charm, coffee and gnocchis, which I delighted in for the first time in 1975 and since then continue to go back for more with friends, my children and grandchildren now. Big love to Sistos family, Nino and the lovely crew at Pellegrini's. Irena My first introduction to Melbourne good coffee was at Pellegrini's 40 years ago . Sisto was always there. So many memories like when I realised the person sitting next to me was the prostitute who worked from my street corner. Everyone was treated with the same warm, no nonsense Italian hospitality. A Melbourne Icon. Diana White Sisto, a great person with a big heart. A true Italian that showed Melbourne how to enjoy true Italian life, food and coffee Unfortunately your life has been cut short in such a sad way. Riposi in Pace. Name not specified

My warmest condolences, this is a great loss, he was very special person. Uwe Mefferth RIP Sisto, I have always loved your cafe and the wonderful comfortable home-like feeling it had. I remember taking my husband to eat there and we were offered a kitchen spot and it made me feel like being at my nono's and nona's eating minestrone with crusty bread. You threw orange pips at us and it was the best ever meal and experience. We will always remember you and that day. Thank you. To your wonderful family, my love and condolences on losing such a wonderful man. Shakira Pretty My long-term girlfriend and I went to Pellegrini's on our first date. I got us a table at the back of the bar and ordered spaghetti and blood orange granitas. Sisto came out from the kitchen with his hands in the air singing. He slapped me on the shoulder resting on the other side of the counter to ask about our days and tell my then date how beautiful she looked and how lucky I was to be out with her. He then lowered his voice pointing to me 'this boy, what a handsome boy he will do big things'. That was my last first date. Sisto was the ultimate entertainer, with a big heart and a big personality. He would always make my day brighter. Rest in peace. Name not specified Love to all the Pellegrinis family from St Louis, Missouri on this tragic news. Sisto was a part of our family as well. He adopted us like no other person ever has. Our hearts are so heavy with this loss of such a warm, caring, special man. We will always love you Sisto. We will carry your big smile in our hearts forever. Audrey, Shelly, and Jon Mills Nothing is more Melbourne than a coffee at Pellegrinis, served up by Sisto with a warm smile and genuine hospitality. The moment I first stepped into Sistos espresso joint back in the 1990s, I knew Id found something special  a timeless treasure with all the heart, soul and effortless style that make Melbourne Australias culture capital. I returned many times in the decades that followed and my instant affection for Pellegrinis never faded. In recent years, as Ive seen Melbourne swell and transform into a newer, busier version of herself, abounding with new people and places, its given me great comfort to know that Pellegrinis is still there. Some things  the best things  dont change. Mille grazie, Sisto  for the coffees, the granitas, the cheesecake, the banter, the moments. Melbourne really wont be the same without you. Vale Sisto Malaspina. Carmen Cita

Nothing is more Melbourne than a coffee at Pellegrinis. Credit:Carmen Cita They should have a state funeral. Distinguished was part of Melbourne's soul. Name not specified When I first arrived in Australia in 1977 I worked near Pellegrini's and it became my favourite place! For years I visited regularly, for the fantastic food but most of all for the joy of sharing conversation and laughter with the wonderful Sisto. From the moment I met him he felt like a lifelong friend and his smile would light up the world. Sisto ... thank you with all my heart for your warmth and friendship, your humour and joy. I miss you terribly and I will remember you always. Renita Barwell Not just a lovely man with Melbourne's best spaghetti, but also a shining testament to our city's multicultural glory. Gareth I took my children to Pellegrini's to both make them eat in front of a mirror and as a Melbourne "right of passage" , more precious now that we live offshore, and like my grandmother did for me. At a lull in the conversation, my son loudly announced 'This lasagna is much better than yours Mum". The whole restaurant laughed and my son, playing up to an audience, whirled his fork around and dropped a mouthful of the superior lasagna onto his sister's leg, to her horrified howls. Sisto was behind the bar, bent over, laughing and laughing. It was a Pellegrini moment my family treasure. RIP Sisto you were part of fabric of Melbourne I weep for our collective loss. Kathleen

Italian hospitality at its most convincing and Melbourne at its best - Australia at its best. My father introduced me to Sisto when he brought me down to Melbourne in 1954 to begin to study for the priesthood with the Dominican Fathers - whenever I have been in Melbourne ever since I have called in to see him - a most lovable human being. Requiescat in Pace. David Marc Halstead OP Being European we love our coffee. Pellegrini's was also a favourite place for my mother and father, who both worked in town. Dad had been gone for almost a decade when my mother, then approaching 90, asked if I would take her to Pellegrini's, a trip down memory lane for her. As soon as we entered Sisto exclaimed "Oh, a nonna," took her by the arm and led her to the table by the kitchen. Mum was absolutely thrilled to bits. She died five years ago. I can't believe how sad I feel about this. He should be there at Pellegrini's right now, enjoying his work, his life, and the wonderful weather we are experiencing today. Lia Vandersant Was a very regular visitor with my recently deceased colleague, JVF. After a short break we visited for our short blacks. Sisto demanded to know where we had been. JVF has retired, we advised. Retired from the waist up only? Sisto enquired. Yes. Lower half still gainfully employed. Alan L The face of warmth, humanity and family... what a huge loss to all that knew him, the Melbourne restaurant scene but especially his family. As a struggling apprentice Chef back in the 1980's, my spare time was spent walking from my tiny apartment above my work in Elizabeth Street at Hotel London, then in Carlton at Cafe Elgin's around Melbourne. Almost always, I'd find that precious change for coffee at Pellegrini's. I was homesick but Sisto was like that warm, caring, life embracing man that reminded me of my missed family I couldn't afford to get home to see. I don't watch much news, so reading this today and seeing your face Sisto, has broken my heart... like so many others including my husband who met you several times too. It's so hard to bare that you were taken the way that you were. You were truly one of life's gentlemen. It may have been a small gesture often made, a coffee for a lonesome customer, but you did it in a way that left an indelible mark on my memory. Thank you ...'What we have enjoyed, we can never lose, all that we have loved becomes part of us'. Rest peacefully Sisto, our condolences to family and friends. Much love Michelle and Hubert Wanner My young daughters loved going to Pelligrinis. Sisto would always greet them by name and and give them an extra serving of dessert. Sisto made them feel special. Many times we were there, he would provide food to the homeless. This lesson in compassion was not lost on my daughters. A wonderful man. We will miss you. Thompson family

There are no words to adequately say how Melbourne is grieving for Sisto - our hearts go out to his family. His warmth and passion at Pellegrinis was part of the fabric that made Melbourne a wonderful city...rest in peace Sisto, we will not forget. Caroline Spiers Farewell Sisto... . Such an icon of Melbourne, a hardworking, modest and funny man. Typified what great immigrants do. Have been going to Pellegrinis  since I was a little boy, my mum and dad since the '50s, and took my wife and two lads there too. He always made everyone feel at home, and he will be in our hearts forever. Charles H A tragic waste of a life. Sisto was a great friend to me for more than 30 years. I am numb and shocked by his sudden and painful loss. You made all of my visits to Pellegrinis so special. I will always honor your memory. You will be sadly missed by so many. RIP Name not specified As a young architecture student in the late 80s, Pelligreni's restaurant was our local place to walk to from our Hardware St studio for an evening meal.. Sisto was the coolly dressed and charming host, in charge of comings and goings. So much part of my Melbourne and for so many other participants of what was a Melbourne Dolce Vita. Rob H I met Sisto when he first took over Pellegrinis'. I had opened a hi-fi shop in Russel St in 1974 and with it a red Maserati, which if there was a place out front, would park it there. I later on had a restaurant at Southgate so we had lots to talk about. My wife Doreen had a lovely rapport with Sisto. She died a year ago and I couldn't bring myself to go into Pellegrinis' to be asked "where is your lovely wife" You are missed awfully. Maurice Rogers

I only knew him, like so many, as one of his very happy customers. But his senseless tragic death that has upset and shocked us all, should not overshadow all he did for Melbourne and how he made us all feel like family when we came to visit. It's a very sad day for Melbourne. RIP Sisto. Marek Bohacz A rite of passage as a young person in Melbourne. A nook, a coffee, the ebb and flow of the street and the man I now know as Sisto. I felt like I was a part of something. Thankyou Sisto. KC My sincerest condolences to Malaspina family. Rest in peace Sisto. I was the most important person whenever I was in Pellegrini and Sisto was there. A coffee, a warm smile and a laugh would see me for rest of the day. You will be very much missed and always remembered. Sargas I was a regular for a few years. Sisto was always smiling and kept the wonderful family feeling in a small corner of Melbourne. It was a honour to have known him and be part of his world. He will be greatly missed. David We are all so so sorry. Pellegrinis our favorite spot as arts students at Melb Uni in the '80s. One boyfriend even proposed to me there - beautiful memories over 30 years ago. Name not specified

My late dad Rupert 'Monty' Montague introduced me to Pelligrini's in the mid 70's and the first (of many) lemon granitas and spaghetti, always served by the beautiful Sisto. I was captivated by Sisto and the mirrors! Pelligrini's and Jamaica House were popular Melbourne eating spots and my Dad and Sisto bonded over their shared migrant/hospitality experience. After the terrible events of Friday, I take deep comfort imagining them chatting and laughing together somewhere peaceful. Deep condolences to Sisto's family, friends and the Pelligrini's team. Lisa Montague Vale Sisto Malaspina. Thank you for feeding me delicious pasta and coffee over the years, and thank you for your warm smile. Rest In Peace. Deepest condolences to the Malaspina families, Pellegrinis families, and all Melburnians. Koon Yew Sisto never forgot a face, always recognising you no matter how long it had been since he saw you last. I loved the feeling of the place, the old '60s phone, the yellowing pictures on the walls, those bar stools!! It was so familiar, like stepping back in time to our childhood. What a legend -RIP -Bruna Capodanno A great person and entrepreneur, a star restaurateur, a happy individual, jovial comes to mind would make a laugh out of any situation, wow and now hes not here any more, life sucks when nice people like the great Sisto is taken away from us. My family will miss him dearly. Pero Nasteski I have been going with friends and colleagues to Pellegrinis since 1972. Sisto Malaspina and Nino Pangrazio have created a Melbourne time capsule. Pellegrinis Bar remains the same yet changes with the times. RIP Sisto Malaspina. Russell F

I'd ask for the lemon granita on a hot day and he would have it in front of me in seconds while yelling out the previous order in Italian to the kitchen. Kate Blackmore How proud have you made all of us Italiani & the wider Melbourne ... Italianism with style, pazzaz and total heart. Caterina Borsato My late wife and I met Sisto in 1974. We had been going to Pellegrinis since our school days in 1965. He always made a fuss and called my wife Bella. I took her daughter and then the granddaughter and he also showered them with love and affection. I saw Sisto every few months and I am devastated he cant be there in person to continue showering that love on us all..but his spirit will be there forever Vale my dear sweet friend. Tim Kupsch One night I went into Pellegrinis to get a bite to eat before I was to attend the audience of Q&A. I have had an awful day at work, been driving for hours and I was feeling exhausted. I walked and took a seat at the bar and I must have looked the way I feel because I wasnt even looking or paying attention, I heard Sisto voice ask, What can I get for you? I looked up and saw his thoughtful face looking at me, reading me. Before I could even read the wooden wall menu for an idea  he read my mind. You wanna spaghetti? Slowly, and with that feeling of having someone understand exactly what I wanted I said Yes He continued to look at me as if he was reading a book. And an espresso? he asks Yes By this point Ive got a big grin on my face, knowing comfort is on the way. Sisto smiled down at me, beaming like he had solved a riddle. We get it for you. Youll be alright And with that, I was fixed. Anthony I first went to Pellegrinis in 1989 when a friend took me. Ive since taken many a friend in turn: it was a place people needed to know about. When I lived and worked in Melbourne Central in the '90s, Id sometimes pop-in, more than once a day, for a coffee. Going to Pellegrinis was like visiting family. I didnt start talking much with Sisto until my last few visits over these later years, being older and not as shy. I was in awe of him. I saw him in April this year...the last time I was in Melbourne, and it was business as usual. Just to see him there behind the counter was comforting. His love and care will endure. You will live on in our hearts, Sisto, like family. Kelly

Not until my FB friend Rachel Pedretti posted about his untimely death. Rachel eloquently related how she had been going to the cafe for 15 years and in that time Sisto had tried to find her the perfect husband, served her pasta, coffee and extra slices of bread after her first no. She made me know this fine man who found a cruel death. Hearts to his family. Carmen As a young student working in Carlton in the late 1968, Pellegrini's was the most exciting place to visit for a girl from country Victoria. The friendly Sisto, with a friendly flirtatious grin & welcome to an Italian casa made my day. Always generous, fun & attentive. Despite the years passed whenever I returned to my old haunt, he was still as charming as ever. Very very saddened at such a senseless tragedy. RIP. Condolences to the family. Susanna I took my 11yo daughter to Pellegrinis last year, to introduce her to a Melbourne institution. Mr Malaspina looked after her and made her smile as if she was his granddaughter. I was also lucky enough to be served by him last week. Just a fantastic person. Wishing much love to his family, friends and staff. Tony Hellier I first went to Pellegrini's in the '70s. I was in my 20s. It was my first introduction to Italian culture and it changed my life. I have spent the subsequent 40 years travelling to Italy as often as possible and feeling a passion for all things Italian. I often dropped in on the way down Bourke St for a plate of pasta or a coffee. Sisto would always be there - huge smile, cheeky wlecome. It was so familiar, so unchanged. I loved it. A terrible loss for our great city. Anne For over 40 years whenever I visited Melbourne from my home state of Tasmania I visited Pellegrini's for a coffee and something sweet. Sisto was usually his affable self behind the bar. John de largie d'Alton

Thank you Sisto Malaspina for your gracious support and assistance when I was homeless in the city one Monday evening with a broken nose bruises you didnt mention and you grandly stated a lady should have a gentleman walk her home. It was such an elegant operatic contrast to boorish Aussie misogyny. Astonished I snapped out of my shocked stupor to the glamour of Pellegrini's where hearts beat true and strong. Helen Always gave me a welcome like his dearest friend- remembered my children who in turn are adult customers; gave me a free lunch when I forgot cash and refused payment when I came in to pay him...darling sweet man with a generous heart ... he is a hero xxx Andrea You poured our beautiful Lattes for fifty years amigo. I am dumbstruck that you are gone from us. Barry and I shall miss you and all your latte style and sweet ways. We deeply mourn and miss you dear man! Love from Barry, Robert and the Dickins family. Anonymous RIP Sisto. Pellegrinis is etched into Melbournes DNA and history. Thank you Sisto! Sacha Rodriguez I never met you or visited your shop but my heart is very heavy at the senseless loss of your beautiful life RIP you wonderful very much loved man Condolences to your family. Lindy

My parents, who ran Scheherazade, saw Pellegrini's as its major competitor in having Melbourne's first expresso machine. Nevertheless, whenever we were in the city, we loved partaking in Sisto's wonderful warmth and hospitality. Now this has all gone. John Zeleznikow Thank you for your charisma great coffee! Alex Udo Anders My heart is Broken ... thank you Sisto for , adding so much colour , laughter , and wisdom to my life . The world is a little darker without you in it . God bless you my dear friend. Paul Allan Standley Four generations of our family have devoured the warmth and hospitality of Pellegrinis, you or Nino always welcoming us with warm embrace. You always fussed over my children Sisto and relished their presence, they were so cheeky with you, you loved and encouraged it so much! How unjust that your grandchild misses the opportunity to have you present in their life. Birthdays, anniversaries and life were celebrated together in the back kitchen with the red light on. Laughter and magic memories always in abundance. Im so grateful to you Sisto for giving our family memories to cherish. Thank you for sharing the kitchen sometimes when all you wanted to do was have a rest and read the paper. To your family and Nino, we send you hugs, kisses and strength. Love from the Hick family xxx Annthea No matter how cold the winter's day, as soon as you stepped through the doors at Pellegrini's and had the best coffee in town. Sisto and the staff would always enquire on how you are, do you have a girlfriend, how's the family, then eat great pasta, put away a cake. Life was always better when you headed back to the streets. A real shame this happened, we are all to often losing our greatest personalities, don"t know how they will replace you. Long time devotee along with my father and uncle. Ciao Sisto Jeremy Vereshaka

Fond memories served by Sisto at iconic Pelligrinis - such a Melbourne institution! Condolences to family. Tamara 22 en 23 of October just two weeks ago back in Melbourne and again enjoyed from Sisto and his joy of life and his sociality. Unbelievable that just this special man is the victim. Wish The deepest sympathy and strongness to the family and team. Maarten and Karen Appelboom, the Netherlands From Adelaide, we first went to Pellegrini on our honeymoon in January 1974 and have been going there every since when ever in Melbourne. His cafe looks the same as it did 44 years ago, nothing fancy just good wholesome food. Just last year on a business trip, staying out of Melbourne in the suburbs I took a 30 min train ride then a long walk up Bourke street, passing many cafes along the way just to get to Sistos cafe. Always smiling, loved to chat about footy or any topic of the day. We must continue to support Pellegrini. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Corrado Very tragic and saddened to hear of Sistos passing. My dad has been taking me to Peligrinis since I was a child. Every year we meet together now when I rerun to Melbourne at Peligrinis . For me its like coming home. Sisto loved my dad and always spoilt us and every time we visited he always took the time to talk and speak of all the years we have know each other. More than 40 years now.This is such a loss of a wonderful man and we cant convery how sanded we are to hear this news. I feel like a small part of us is lost and can never be replaced. Rest In Peace you leave us with so many wonderful moments as a family to remember. x Melanie Cosgrave Treasured memories of times gone bye when our families became entwined due to our daughters' school friendship ... such happy times shared ... our love and heartfelt condolences to Vicki, Lisa, David and families .. a very special family !!! Love Jo lindsay and Emily OprayThere have been seven terrorist attacks and 18 disrupted attacks in Australia since 2005 and Melbourne has been the target of nearly half of these. Since 2005, police have arrested 41 people over alleged terrorist activity in Victoria, with 37 following Islamism, a radical political ideology, as distinct from Islam as a religion.

The moment the car burst into flames on Bourke Street. Credit:Stuart Gaut

On Friday we saw another lone-actor terrorist attack in Melbourne. Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, aged 30, with convictions for cannabis use and theft, drove a ute into the heart of Melbournes Bourke Street, set it alight and stabbed three people, killing one.

Shire Ali arrived in Australia from Somalia in the 1980s or 1990s. He may have had links to radicalised members of the Somali community and was known to ASIO. He had his passport cancelled in 2015 after trying to travel to Syria but wasnt being actively monitored.

But from what we know Shire Ali wasn't recruited to a terrorist organisation, or trained by them, or sent on his Bourke Street mission with operational support from any group. But according to the federal police he was inspired by fundamentalism. Its highly likely that online content would have played a part in his radicalism.An elderly man has died after a car crash in Bedfordale on Saturday afternoon.

The crash occurred when a gold Ford Fairlane sedan was travelling north on Albany Highway.

St Johns WA were called to help. Credit:Hannah Barry

A white Holden Commodore sedan was travelling in the opposite direction, and the two cars collided head on.

St John parameducs under police escort rushed the driver of the Ford sedan, an 83-year-old man to Royal Perth Hospital.A Kalgoorlie mans failure to take his partners child to emergency care when the boy suffered an abusive head trauma has left him a quadriplegic, a WA court has heard.

The Court of Appeal was called to reconsider the mans initial sentence after it was found while his sentence should be on par with that of the boys mother, it also needed to reflect the seriousness of his actions.

The appeal was held in late October. Credit:Louie Douvis

The man, whose name cannot be published in order to protect the victim, was found to have begun neglecting his partners child in early 2016.

The court heard the child had arrived at school a number of times with facial bruising and the school documented his injuries.The guide to the exposure draft of the legislation said claimants would only have one month to pick, which Blumers Lawyers director Noor Blumer described as a ridiculously short period of time. Such a decision should not be made until there is a proper understanding of the extent of the effect of the injury on the person in terms of long term treatment and ability to work, she said. But Mr Nicol told the committee there was a desire of course not to have people change between the schemes unnecessarily. We dont want to cut the decision making off too soon before the people have actually gone through the immediate medical assistance, immediate treatment etc so it's a judgement more about when that person is in the best possible place to make a fully informed decision so what their long term prognosis is, to be able to understand and to be advised of the benefits under both schemes etc as so they can make a rational decision. We do not want them to make a decision in haste they will subsequently regret, he said. The directorate's executive director of workplace safety and industrial relations, Michael Young, said there were differences in the benefits in both schemes, particularly in income support.

CTP claimants will be able to get 95 per cent of their income for three months then 80 per cent for five years, with only those classified as over the 10 per cent whole of person impairment threshold able to sue for longer support. Workers compensation claimants can get income support based on their average weekly earnings until they return to work, or a top up if theyre performing different duties and earning less. However, Mr Young said the difficulty in making a successful claim for a work-related car crash meant it was unlikely people would shop between the two schemes. For a common law damages settlement to succeed under the workers compensation scheme there needs to be negligence by the employer, it's very difficult to show negligence in the case of a journey claim where the injury you would expect is on a public road so we dont see a lot of common law settlements in journey claims, Mr Young said. Where we have seen them it tends be around shift work and fatigue where [employers] had some sort of control under so workers compensation common law around motor vehicle claims on journeys tend not to have a high frequency of common law settlements.

Mr Young also said it was difficult to compare benefits as it depended on how long and how severe ones injuries were as to which scheme was better. Hypothetically if an injured worker knew exactly how long they were going to be injured for and the amount of earnings they were going to lose, then it would be a relatively simple things to do a calculation and form a view on which services are best or would result in a particular financial outcome, Mr Young said. It really does depend on the injury severity were talking about so there is no fixed one scheme is better than the other, the answer is it depends, which is why I believe the policy in place is to have a choice because that provides that, effectively no one is worse off is the wrong definition to use because at the moment there is no choice to make, they'd be tied to the workers compensation statutory benefits and now there is a choice so in a sense there's a chance to improve the position of workers with dual coverage by allowing a choice between the two. However Unions ACT told a separate inquiry into the CTP bill that any sections of the legislation that would affect the rights of injured workers should be removed. Our understanding is that currently a person injured in a work-related motor accident can access the larger compensation benefit of the two schemes (either CTP or workers compensation), its submission said.She said more heavy rain was expected on Saturday and residents in affected areas were being urged to evacuate their homes.

The Jordanian government also evacuated 90% of valleys inhabitants in the governorate of Mafraq and sent planes, boats, and soldiers to help in the search operations for missing residents.

Jordan's state news agency Petra quoted government spokeswoman Jumana Ghunaimat as saying that evacuations will be carried out in coordination with the local councils of municipalities and provinces, directors of public works and public security, and the civil defense.

But after being in contact with Jordanian authorities, a later update by a spokesman for the foreign ministry said that "all the Israelis in Jordan have contacted us".

Wadi Rum, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, has attracted generations of tourists with its spectacular sandstone and granite rock formations.

The latest deaths come after October 25 flash floods in the Dead Sea region of the kingdom killed 21 people, a lot of them children on a school trip.

Jordan's education and tourism ministers both resigned last week over failings in the government's response to those floods.

In Petra, the ancient trade hub carved into rose-hued rocks, heavy rains began at around 1 p.m. Friday and last for about 40 minutes, said Rafael Dorado, 41, a tourist from Spain. Delgado said he was observing from a hilltop temple in the area, but saw other visitors scrambling to higher ground. He said some visitors were later evacuated by trucks and others made their way out on foot.

Suleiman Farajat, the chief administrator in Petra, said the site would remain closed Saturday, but would likely reopen Sunday.

Roya's reporter in Petra said that the Madaba-Theeban road is now closed due to the high water levels in the area and the flooding due to the heavy rainfall in Madaba.

"It's really, I wouldn't say scary, but surprising how huge the flood was", he said.If Bourke Street murderer Hassan Khalif Shire Ali had his passport cancelled because he wanted to fight with the so-called Islamic State in Syria, why was he assessed by intelligence authorities as not being a violent threat at home?

It was the obvious question out of a police press conference on Saturday.

Was that a mistake? a journalist asked the Australian Federal Polices assistant commissioner for terrorism, Ian McCartney.

Mr McCartney said the attack was a reality check but this is a complex and challenging business.Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has thrown down the gauntlet at the Muslim community to work more closely with police to prevent terrorist attacks, appearing to accuse Islamic leaders of withholding information from authorities.

In the aftermath of Hassan Khalif Shire Ali's knife-wielding rampage in the Melbourne CBD, Mr Dutton also flagged an attempt to reintroduce stricter tests for Australian citizenship, and pressed for the speedy passage of laws to give police the power to bust encrypted communications.

He strongly backed Prime Minister Scott Morrison calling out "radical, violent, extremist Islam that opposes our very way of life", and accused Labor of lacking the resolve to keep Australians safe.

"We need to be realistic about the threat," Mr Dutton said. "It is a time for community members to step up.About one in five Queensland workers are likely victims of wage theft, according to a report due to be released on Monday.

Research by the progressive McKell Institute found at least 437,000 Queenslanders, or 18 per cent of the workforce, were likely to have not been paid their full wages and entitlements, not including superannuation.

Wage theft is costing Queensland workers dearly, a report has revealed. Credit:Louie Douvis

If all wage-theft victims were losing 5 per cent of their income a year, at the median wage of $55,800, that would equate to $1.2 billion in lost earnings, the report said.

At the same time, it was estimated 580,150 Queenslanders, or 23 per cent of the workforce, were likely to have been underpaid superannuation, or not paid superannuation at all, amounting to more than $1.1 billion in foregone super each year.Paris: By the grave of an unknown soldier, under Napoleons grand arch, at the centenary of the end of a great, terrible war, Frances president lectured the powerful.

The first world wars lesson and legacy were clear, he said. Peace is hard won and is fragile.

A century ago, after such loss, the world took a path of humiliation and revenge and it fuelled the rise of nationalism and totalitarianism.

His audience, metres away, included presidents Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan.Two visitors walk among the headstones at the World War I Australian National Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Credit:AP

It was the silence that clutched tightest, cold as the ages. The silence of the graves.

And across those graves in northern France came the call on Sunday for todays Australians to draw on the spirit of those who have lain beneath the soil for a century to unite against the sort of terrorism that visited Melbourne's Bourke Street last week.

Australias Minister for Veterans Affairs, Darren Chester, said terrorism was the challenge of our times, and called on Australians to stand united against cowards in defence of our hard-fought freedoms and our enduring national values of respect for human life, tolerance, equality and a fair go for all.

A crowd of 1500 came from across the world to the old Western Front on Sunday, enduring a fierce chill breeze and near-frozen rain, wrapped in plastic ponchos, waiting for the silence to fall at 11am.Paris: The presidents of the US and Russia had a lively and lengthy conversation at lunch on Sunday and seemed relaxed in each others company, Australias governor-general says.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump had been expected to hold a significant meeting on Sunday in Paris, the first since their astonishing talks in Helsinki earlier this year.

But it was scaled back, reportedly at the request of French president Emmanuel Macron, who did not want it to overshadow the commemorations of the centenary of the armistice that ended the first world war.

By chance, on Sunday, Australias governor-general Peter Cosgrove was sat next to Putin at the Armistice Day commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris.The armoured limousine carrying Donald Trump. Credit:AFP

Paris A topless female protester with "Fake Peacemaker" scrawled across her chest ran at the motorcade carrying US President Donald Trump along the Champs-Elysees in Paris before a ceremony on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of World War I.

One woman easily breached right security along Paris' famous boulevard, coming within a few metres of Trump's motorcade before she was seized by police.

A second topless protester was detained as she attempted to clear barricades that had been erected for the event.Washington: Top Democrats demanded that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker recuse himself from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, citing hostile statements toward the probe and alleging he has multiple conflicts of interest.

Acting US Attorney-General Matt Whitaker doesn't plan on recusing himself. Credit:AP

In an emailed letter to Assistant Attorney General Lee Lofthus, the Department of Justice's chief ethics official, House and Senate lawmakers said Whitaker's past statements "indicate a clear bias against the investigation," and that his relationship with a grand jury witness in the probe raises "additional concerns about his ability to supervise the investigation independently and impartially."

The lawmakers, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler, demanded that Lofthus immediately tell them whether he's advised Whitaker to step aside on the Mueller investigation.

Whitaker has come under increasing scrutiny for openly criticising Mueller's Russia investigation in the past because he now has the power to hobble or halt the probe. President Donald Trump named Whitaker as acting attorney general on November 7 after forcing former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign.Continued vote-counting in Broward and Palm Beach counties has narrowed the margin between the candidates, and unofficial results must be reported to the secretary of state by noon on Saturday. As of Friday morning, Scott had a 15,000-vote lead over Nelson, which is well within the margin for an automatic recount.

Gillum's campaign team has hired attorney Barry Richard, who famously represented George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential race hanging chads legal drama in which Bush was eventually declared the victor in Florida by a close margin over Al Gore.

Immediately following Scott's announcement, Nelson's campaign fired back.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it will review allegations of criminal fraud but had no active investigations.

Scott's emergency complaint accused Snipes, the Broward County supervisor of elections, of being "unwilling to disclose records revealing how many electors voted, how many ballots have been canvassed, and how many ballots remain to be canvassed", and charges that the uncertainty "raises substantial concerns about the validity of the election process".

Mr Gillum had conceded but at a press conference in Tallahassee on Saturday he changed his mind, saying: "I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call that we count every single vote". In Lee County, the election supervisor has already been preparing for the recount, something he said is good for voter confidence.

Snipes had said that "We have not been able to determine (the ballot problems) yet because we haven't talked to all the workers".

"You mean they are just now finding votes in Florida and Georgia - but the Election was on Tuesday?"

"Department observers continue to monitor the administration of the election through the certification of results", Department of State spokeswoman Sarah Revell wrote in an email.

All three races are headed for recounts.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum initially conceded the Florida race to Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis, but backtracked after vote totals changed on November 8, narrowing the gap to less than half a percent.

Saturday's developments return Florida to the center of a major political drama 18 years after an infamous presidential recount left control of the White House undecided for more than a month.

The county and Snipes have come under heavy scrutiny because Broward - Florida's No. 2 most populous county, with more than 1.9 million residents - could be the area that decides two key races: the U.S. Senate election between Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson and Republican challenger Gov. Rick Scott, and the Florida governor race between Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis.

His competitor, outgoing Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, accuses Mr. Scott of trying to prevent voters from voting.

Caldwell's campaign spokesperson Brian Swensen issued a statement Thursday evening, blaming the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes for the delay in ballot counting. On Friday, he led by 0.21 percentage point, low enough to require a recount. "Nelson is going to be declared the victor", Elias said.

The process was finally decided by the US Supreme Court.

"I will not sit idly by while unethical liberals try to steal this election", Scott told reporters.Few subjects are as capable of roiling the markets right now as the fate of the spat between the Reserve Bank of India and the Union government. That relations have deteriorated to a new low is unquestionable.

The speech last month by Deputy Governor Viral Acharya in which he outlined the reasons, both theoretical and practical, for central bank independence was a clear salvo fired at New Delhi from Mint Street. And it is clear, given that he thanked his colleagues including Governor Urjit Patel, that the RBIs top brass is united in defending the institutions ...Dear Reader,

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Digital EditorKarnataka's mining baron Gali was arrested here for allegedly shielding the accused in a multi-million Ponzi scheme, a police officer said on Sunday.

"Based on the evidences and statements, Reddy has been arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy," Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar told reporters here.

Reddy, 51, will be produced before a magistrate for police or judicial custody later in the day.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) charged Reddy with shielding a father and son, accused in the Rs 9.54 billion Ponzi scheme, from being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged money laundering in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

His arrest comes a day after he (Reddy) drove to the CCB office on Saturday evening in response to its summons in the Ponzi case.

Reddy was quizzed on Saturday by CCB officials led by Alok Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) S Girish and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Venkatesh Prasanna.

The CCB also arrested Reddy's aide Ali Khan, who had allegedly struck Rs 180 million deal with the accused, Syed Ahmed Fareed and his son Syed Afaq Ahmed of Ambidant Marketing Ltd, a city-based company that ran the Ponzi scheme and duped about 15,000 investors by laundering their money from Dubai.

Reddy, a former BJP Minister in the state (2008-11), however, denied his involvement in the case.

"I have no role in the Ponzi scheme. The police have no evidence to prove my involvement in it. They (police) are misleading the media and the public," said Reddy in a video clip released to local news channels before his interrogation on Saturday.Defence Minister on Sunday pitched for dialogues between India and China on various issues, saying differences between the two nations should not be allowed to become disputes.

Both India and China should respect each other and resolve issues through dialogues and join hands together for peace and prosperity, Sitharaman said.

There are various issues such as defence, border disputes, border trades and presence of Indian and Chinese defence forces in the Indian Ocean which can be resolved through continuous dialogues, the minister said.

"Competition is normal, but contest must not turn into conflict. Differences should not be allowed to become disputes, she said.

ALSO READ: The reforms China really needs

"Solution lies in dialogue, solution lies in peaceful engagement. But for this, mutual trust should be there." However, she added, mutual recognition of sensitivity in each country should be respected and resolved through dialogues.

Sitharaman was delivering the seventh memorial lecture of former RSS activist from Arunachal Pradesh, Rutum Kamgo, on the theme: 'Towards Bridging the Indo-China Relationship for an Emerging Asia'.

On a proposal of Chief Minister Pema Khandu for opening up border trade with China through Bum La Pass, Sitharaman said trade was possible with the border villages of both the countries, like the current border haats at Nathu La in Sikkim and Moreh in Manipur.

However, she added, the balance of trade between the countries was in favour of China. "Trade between India and China is done in large scale amounting to $80-90 billion. But, sadly, we are purchasing from them in huge quantities. But, for our products, their market is not open."

"We have several products like telecommunication, vegetables, tea, soya, raw sugar, pharmaceuticals etc in which China evinces keen interest," the defence minister said, adding that there were certain areas where both the nations could cooperate, especially in containing terrorism and promoting sustainable development.

The minister termed India and China the growth engines for the entire world, saying that emergence of both the countries would pave the way for an emerging Asia. "Peace, security and development in Asia are possible when India and China are developed. Development of both the nations is possible only when there is mutual respect and understanding among the two countries."



She quoted Prime Minister as saying that both the countries should follow the mantra of samman (respect), sambad (dialogue), sahyog (cooperation), shanti (peace) and samriddhi (prosperity) for development.

"There are many multi-lateral institutions in the world like (the) UN, IMF, World Bank etc where representations from a country like us with more population and demands are negligible. India and China should raise the issue jointly for mutual benefits," she added.There were many culprits, including economic nationalism, but only one victim -- humanity, which was exposed to the horror of industrial warfare in those grim, meat-grinding trenches, only to face the same calamity again, magnified manifold, between 1939 and 1945 (Over 60 million people were killed in World War II). Are we seeing the economic drivers of that first great war re-emerge in today's world of growing protectionism and trade ...

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Digital EditorIn July 2011, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft belonging to Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines crashed at Cheddi Jagan after landing too far down the runway and running out of braking space, injuring several people.

The airport said on its Facebook page that the injuries were considered to be non-life-threatening.

Fly Jamaica also reported that two elderly passengers had been taken to hospital as a precaution after the landing, and Bedessee said any injuries were likely sustained during the evacuation process.

A hydraulic problem reportedly forced the pilots to return to the Georgetown Airport, just over 10 minutes after take-off.

"There were (some people) injured because of coming down the slide or not getting off the flight fast enough, so the people behind them were kicking them", he told Canada's public broadcaster CBC.

Fly Jamaica Flight 256 headed back to the Guyanan capital Georgetown because of a technical problem, the airline said in a statement on its website, adding that it believes all 118 passengers and 8 crew members are safe.

Bedessee says the trouble began before takeoff when crew members spent 45 minutes trying to shut one of the doors.

That included 82 Canadians, one American, 35 Guyanese, one Pakistani and one Trinidadian. A spokesman said consular assistance would be available to those who needed it.

Its right wing and engine were badly damaged.

"We are making alternative arrangements to fly out the passengers", he said.

This is the second Boeing aircraft to crash in two weeks. The Boeing 757 involved in the incident was originally delivered to ATA Airlines in 1999 and is registered as N524AT.

On landing at 2:53 AM, the emergency services were activated and since then an investigator from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has taken responsibility for the crash site.The of India (ECI) has identified 32 polling stations in Mizoram as 'critical' and 38 'vulnerable locations', the state's Joint Chief Electoral Officer Zorammuana said Sunday.

The state will have a total of 1,164 polling stations for the November 28 Assembly polls.

Along with the state armed police, 40 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would also be deployed in critical polling stations and also in those at vulnerable locations, Zorammuana told PTI.



While the training for poll officials is on, the state election machinery is preparing to conduct free, fair and peaceful polls as was done in the past.

Meanwhile, poll campaign in the state is in full swing with candidates including Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, former chief minister and opposition MNF president Zoramthanga campaigning not only in their respective constituencies but also in other parts of the state.

Public meetings, joint platforms and door-to-door canvassing were being held in almost all the places.The outcome of the US mid-terms is unlikely to have any impact on Sino-US relations. For one thing, Donald Trump has already declared that it was a great victory for him, never mind that the Democrats seized the House of Representatives and flipped a number of key elections for state governors.

The Democrats are also likely to be as tough on China as the Trump administration. Most Americans shrugged off the impact of the tariff war, which was not an election issue. Fortunately, there are signs that China and the US may be working towards a settlement of their trade and related ...The annual round of Asian summitry kicks off this week with one person notably absent: Donald Trump. The US president is staying at home, sending Vice President Mike Pence in his place.

The snub means the world wont pay as much attention to a set of summits that are usually more notable for what happens on the sidelines than in the meetings themselves. It does, however, give Chinese President Xi Jinping an opportunity to steal the spotlight. So, what are the events? The first set of meetings will be held in Singapore, with most of the action taking place from Tuesday ...The deal reached with several non-Opec countries in 2016 to cut oil supply and drain excess inventories was meant to last just six months. But after last week's ugly slide into a bear market for prices, the agreement looks likely to drag into a third year as the group faces having to make further cuts in 2019. ALSO READ: Opec makes a u-turn, now talks about moves to support oil prices Taking 1.8 million barrels a day of oil off the market from ...

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Digital Editorsaid it will trim by 500,000 barrels per day in December, as major producers met Sunday to consider cuts to shore up sagging prices.

"The kingdom's crude exports for December will be 500,000 bpd lower than November," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters at the meeting in

The world's top has been pumping 10.7 million bpd since October, according to Falih.

was discussing a proposal that could see and non- oil producers cut output by up to 1 million barrels per day, two sources told Reuters on Sunday, as the world's top grapples with a drop in crude prices.

The sources said any such deal would depend on factors including the level of Iranian exports after the United States imposed sanctions on Tehran but granted Iran's top oil buyers waivers to continue buying oil.

Riyadh was surprised by the waivers granted to customers such as China and India, a move which hit oil prices, at least three industry and sources told Reuters.

Now wants to act to prevent a further slide in prices which fell below $70 a barrel on Friday, and is leading discussions on cutting oil output next year, the sources said.Sri Lankas ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is ready for polls after President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved the island nations parliament and called for a snap general election. We are prepared to go for an election, but this is illegal, said Harsha De Silva, who was state minister of economic affairs under Wickremesinghes government. There will be a massive backing of citizens that believe in democracy and rule of law. The party of the deposed prime minister also said it would mount a legal challenge to the ...

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

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Digital EditorLess than five months before Britain leaves the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May's parliamentary enforcers are on the prowl. For now, the government "whips" whose job it is to ensure parliament backs whatever Brexit deal May agrees with Brussels are taking a softly-softly approach. But Chief Whip Julian Smith and his team have a powerful armoury at their disposal to force politicians into line. With an agreement most likely to go before lawmakers later this year, May's team and the whips she appointed are quietly sounding out who might vote against ...India's rose marginally to 173.80 million kilos during the January-September period this year from 173.52 million kilos exported during the same period last year, according to data from the Tea Board India.

Provisional data from the Board also suggested that tea export, in value terms, during the nine-month period was up by about 2.3 per cent to Rs 34.96 billion as against Rs 34.17 billion in the year-ago period.

Exports to neighbouring Pakistan and China went up while the shipments to Germany and CIS countries were down.

to neighbouring Pakistan stood at 11.69 million kilos in the period, up by over 28 per cent from 9.13 million kilos exported in the corresponding months of 2017.

The crop exports to China during the period were up at 6.67 million kilos as against 5.59 million kilos in the same period last year .

The board data also said tea shipments to CIS countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and others, were at 43.91 million kilos in the January-September period of 2018, down from 47.41 million kilos.

Exports to the UK at 10.33 million kilos were up marginally in the period under review, as against 9.66 million kilos shipped out in the year-ago period while exports at 6.69 million kilos to Germany during the period were down marginally from 7.47 million kilos exported in the corresponding months of 2017.

to Iran also went down to 19.12 million kilos in the period under review, from 19.28 million kilos in the year-ago period. As much as 9.08 million kilos of tea was shipped out to Egypt during the first nine months of the current calendar year, up from 7.27 million kilos in the year-ago period.Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Cher were among thousands fleeing their homes on Friday as a fast-moving wildfire engulfed Malibu and nearby celebrity neighborhoods.

"Pray for Calabasas", Kardashian West wrote on an Instagram story.

The reality star first posted a video of the burning hillsides captured from the window of a plane on her Instagram story, followed by a short note to followers revealing that she had just one hour to pack her belongings and evacuate. She posted a pic of her vehicle trunk showing packed bags, writing, "I pray that everyone is kept safe and protected from these fires".

Later Friday, TMZ reported that flames had reached the property where the home sits. That fire is burning almost 10,000 acres and situated only a few miles from the Woolsey fire near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as reported by ABC 7.

She said, "Pray for Calabasas. Pray everyone is safe".

Dozens of performers have homes in the coastal city of Malibu and the ritzy enclave of Calabasas, parts of which are under evacuation orders because of the Woolsey Fire in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

All of Malibu has been ordered to evacuate, which is home to numerous celebrities and Hollywood executives.

Wildfires have started spreading throughout Northern and Southern California yesterday.

Their sister Khloe Kardashian also commented on the events, sharing, "I cannot sleep!" Saying prayers and thanking all of the fearless firefighters who risk their lives for us, ' Khloe said in tweet on early Friday morning.

Creator and director Derek Waters was forced to call time on the shoot there when the fires got too close.

"Beverly Hills, 90210" star Doherty said her "heart is ripped apart" by the loss of a Malibu home where she and husband Kurt Iswarienko were married in 2011, posting on Instagram a wedding-day photo of the smiling couple on a tree-lined path at the property apparently owned by a friend.

"Bleak House and the collection may be endangered but the gift of life remains", tweeted del Toro, director of Oscar best picture victor The Shape of Water. Milano said that she grabbed her kids, dogs and Dr. Martens boots while leaving several concerned tweets about the fate of her five horses.Police gunned down a terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara town in Kupwara district on Sunday. The exchange of fire between the terrorists and the police is currently underway.

Police retaliated when terrorists mounted an attack on a check-post at Handwara bypass, triggering a gunfight. The identity of the deceased terrorist is yet to be ascertained. Arms and ammunition have been recovered from his possession.

More details are awaited.

On November 10, two terrorists were killed during an encounter with security forces in Tikken area of Pulwama district of the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least 52 people were killed and several others were injured in Friday's car bomb blasts in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

Two car bombs exploded within minutes of each other near Mogadishu's Sahafi Hotel. The hotel is situated near the headquarters of the Somali Police Force's Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Voice of America reported.

As per Somalia security officials, four militants also entered the hotel, went to the roof and started firing on people down below. The security forces eventually killed the assailants and rescued people from hotel rooms.

The five hospitals, which mainly treat the victims of gunshots and explosions in the city, confirmed the death toll while also informing that 106 others are wounded.

Al-Shabab group, which is fighting to overthrow Somalia's government, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Al-Shabab was forced out of Mogadishu and other major urban areas by Somalia in 2011, but it continues to carry out bombings and attacks in the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Air India senior pilot Arvind Kathpalia was found positive in a pre-flight breath analyser (BA) test on Sunday and declared 'not fit to fly'. He was scheduled to fly AI-111 flight from Delhi to London today.

According to the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), Kathpalia skipped the BA test on January 19 last year. He was scheduled to operate a flight from New Delhi to Bengaluru and proceeded to do so without undergoing the mandatory test claiming that the flight would get delayed. Upon landing at Bengaluru, the pilot once again refused to undergo the test.

The ICPA also claimed that the signature pilots are mandated to make in a register upon completion of duty was also allegedly forged by Kathpalia. "It is astounding to note that a person with a dubious track record to being promoted to a reputed high-level post in Air India. It is known that he willfully evaded the breath analyser test pre and post operating the flight. He had fudged the pre-flight register by signing the register after operating the flight without performing the breath analyzer, which amounts to 'fraud and forgery' a criminal act endangering the lives of others," the ICPA had said in a letter.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended Kathpalia last year for three months after he had skipped a compulsory pre-flight medical test on several occasions.

It is mandatory for pilots to undertake the BA test to ensure that they are not in an inebriated state before entering the cockpit. For safety reasons, they are prohibited from consuming alcohol before reporting for duty.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday inducted two new ministers in his Cabinet, eight months after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to severe ties with the TDP after the regional outfit pulled out of the Democratic Alliance (NDA) in March this year.

The two ministers who were inducted in N Chandrababu Naidu-led government are NMD Farooq, who was the chairman of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and Kidari Sravan Kumar, son of late MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, who was shot by Maoists in September this year. Sravan Kumar is a novice in He holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Varanasi.

The newly-inducted ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhawan by Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan. The ministers will be given the portfolios earlier held by BJP MLAs Pydikondala Manikyala Rao, who was Endowments Minister and Kamineni Srinivas, who was the Health Minister. They had resigned from the Cabinet on March 8 following the rift between the Telugu Desam Party and the BJP. Andhra Pradesh will go to polls in May next year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor Akshay Kumar, former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, and his son Sukhbir Singh Badal have been summoned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the police firing incidents in the wake of the Bargari sacrilege case.

Kumar and the Badal father-son duo have been summoned for questioning in connection with the investigation next week.

Parkash Singh Badal has been asked to appear before the SIT on November 16, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been summoned on November 19 while Akshay Kumar has been asked to come on November 21 to the Circuit House in Amritsar.

The summon orders have been issued separately for the three on behalf of the SIT by its member, IPG (OCCU) Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh.

Singh said that the summons relates to "investigation of cases originating from the various incidents of sacrilege in the year 2015 {FIR No. 129, dated 07.08.2018 under Section 307, 323, 341, 148, 149 IPC and 27 Arms Act PS City Kotkapura (District Faridkot)}.

The summons has been issued under Section 160 of CrPC, requiring attendance at investigation, relating to the Bargari sacrilege case and the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents.

"The presence of the aforesaid person is necessary for the purpose of an inquiry into the above-mentioned offence" and the persons summoned needed "to give such information relating to the said alleged offence as he may possess."

The SIT had earlier examined Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jitendra Jain, then Inspector General (IG) Bathinda; Inspector General of Police (IGP) Paramraj Singh Umaranangal; then Commissioner Ludhiana; IGP Amar Singh Chahal, then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ferozepur Range; MS Jaggi, then Deputy Commissioner (DC) Faridkot; SS Mann, then Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faridkot; VK Syal then Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Faridkot, besides Mantar Singh Brar, then Kotkapura Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).

In addition, 50 private persons and more than 30 police officials of junior rank have also been examined.

The five-member SIT was set up by the incumbent Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh government in September this year, soon after issuance of the notification to withdraw investigation of sacrilege incidents of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government for desperately "eyeing" the reserves of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after having "failed" to get money out of demonetisation.

Chidambaram said, "After having failed to get money out of demonetisation, the BJP-led Centre is now eying the reserves of the RBI which is why they have started this problem with the RBI after four-and-a-half years of being in power."

His statement comes in the wake of reports stating that with the RBI's surplus reserve running up to Rs 9.63 lakh crore, the Centre is now planning to ask the bank to fix the norm on surplus reserve.

"Demonetisation was the beginning of the problem. After 'Notebandi', the Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) said that out of the 15 lakh 44 thousand crore rupees, something like three to four lakh crore will not come back to the Reserve Bank of India and that will be transferred to the Government of India. The Attorney General of India, Mukul Rohatgi told the Supreme Court - and I was present there - that their calculation shows that the government will get a windfall of three to four lakh crore rupees. They got zero. 99.3 per cent of the currency notes came back to the RBI," Chidambaram told media here.

"The government thought they could make a profit, but they got nothing. Today, they are desperate for money. Why? GST collections are short of the target, net direct tax collection is short of the target, the fiscal deficit of 3.3 will not be met. Therefore, they are desperate for money to meet the fiscal deficit target. They also want money because this is the election year and they have always spent. They don't have the money," he added.

"In four-and-a-half years, this was not a problem, earlier they didn't want the reserves. Today when they have effectively got four months before (Lok Sabha) elections, they are eyeing reserves of the RBI," he said.

Chidambaram said that demonetisation is an "ill-conceived decision that derailed the economy."

"In the immediate aftermath of demonetisation, millions of jobs were lost, millions of people were forced to borrow, thousands of MSMEs were shut down, and over a hundred people died while standing in queues. Later, the GDP growth slowed down to 8.2 per cent in 2015-16 to 6.7 per cent in 2017-18. By any account, demonetisation was a catastrophe. In my view, it was an ingenious officially blessed money laundering exercise," Chidambaram said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday took a jibe at Chief Minister Raman Singh-led Chhattisgarh government stating that the state remained underdeveloped even after 15 years of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule. The state goes to polls tomorrow.

Sharma told ANI, "It has been 15 years that the BJP is in power in Chhattisgarh, but still the state is not counted in the list of developed regions of India. In terms of health infrastructure, Chhattisgarh is placed at the 21st position while in education it does not even make it in the top 15 places. If one looks at the unemployment rate, currently more than 25 lakhs of youths are without jobs."

He cornered the ruling NDA government at the Centre as well as the state government over the chief minister's son's name figuring in the Panama papers. "Why is the Prime Minister silent on the name of Raman Singh's son appearing in Panama Scam? Why is Raman Singh silent on this?" he questioned.

Touching upon alleged chit fund scam in the state, the Congress leader said that scores of people have been looted. "There is Chit fund scam in Chhattisgarh. Why no action has been taken on the scam?" he said.

Expressing anguish at the state government's performance, Sharma said: "Around 50 per cent of Chhattisgarh population is below the poverty line. Why wasn't the state developed even after it is so rich in the natural resources. Corruption and mining mafia have flourished in the state," he stated

As many as 18 assembly seats in eight districts of Chhattisgarh will go to polls tomorrow. The polling for remaining 72 seats will take place on November 20 and the counting of votes will take place on December 11.

Tight security arrangements are in place in the Naxal-affected areas of the state to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during the polling process.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress, accusing them of "shamelessly" glorifying Naxals as "revolutionaries".

Addressing a public rally here, Adityanath said: "Naxalism in Chhattisgarh spread due to Congress. They made a breeding ground for the Naxals here. The Congress is shamelessly glorifying the Naxals as revolutionaries. Congress's culture is just to promote loot, Naxalism and corruption."

Accusing the Congress of creating obstacles in the path of development, Adityanath chided the party for ignoring interests. "Congress always creates obstacles in development. They are the biggest obstacle even in the construction of the Ram Temple. Congress is only interested in vote bank and have completely ignored interests," Adityanath asserted.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister hailed the Raman Singh-led government in the state, saying that the welfare programmes had benefitted the public who, according to him, were now looking forward to re-elect Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming assembly elections.

Criticising the previous Ajit Jogi-led government, Adityanath said: "When they were in power, Congress openly promoted corruption. They never made policies for farmers and the poor. Under Raman Singh and Modi governments, Chhattisgarh has made great strides. It was earlier known as a 'bimaru' state, but Raman Singh has changed the face of Chhattisgarh. Hospitals, educational institutions and stadiums have been built under him, strengthening the infrastructure of the state. Surplus electricity was also achieved due to Raman Singh's efforts. All such things did not happen during the previous Congress regime here."

On Saturday, while addressing a rally in Lormi, Adityanath said that once the Ram Temple is built in his 'maternal state' Chhattisgarh, it will also be constructed in Ayodhya too.

Claiming that the BJP has been tirelessly working for the rights and welfare of the poor, he had said, "For the first time after independence, a Prime Minister announced that no poor in India will be without a house by 2022. Had there not been a BJP government at the Centre, people in Chhattisgarh wouldn't have got houses which they are receiving now."

The first phase of the state assembly elections will be held in 18 constituencies across eight districts tomorrow, while the remaining 72 constituencies will go to polls on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Ahead of the Madhya Pradesh elections, the Congress party in its manifesto has assured that if voted to power in the state then it will not allow the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct their (shakha) sessions in government buildings.

The party promised to revoke the orders allowing government employees to attend RSS shakha sessions.

Madhya Pradesh is all set to go to polls on November 28. The strength of the Madhya Pradesh assembly is 230 and counting of votes for the assembly elections will be conducted on December 11.

The election in the state is seen as a direct political battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. While Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is attempting to secure a fourth consecutive term, the Congress will fight for regaining power after 2003.

The Congress on Saturday promised 'Gaushalas,' 'Ram Path' and Narmada Parikrama Path and a spiritual centre to woo voters to its fold in the state. The manifesto also promised to ban alcohol in the state.

In an attempt to outsmart the BJP, the Congress manifesto known as 'Vachan Patra' or 'Sheet of promises,' focuses on, among other things, the issues which have not only been close to its rival BJP's heart but have also been giving political sustenance to the saffron outfit for long.Launching a scathing attack on the Congress party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra on Sunday said that India's grand old party was against the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and was also against the RSS camps.

Talking to media persons here, Patra said: "It seems that the Congress has only one motto-Mandir Nahi Banne Denge; Shakha Nahi Chalne Denge (Congress will not allow the construction of Ram temple; it will not let the RSS camps to be organized). The Congress party is against the construction of Ram Temple. They have been vocal about it on several occasions."

The Congress in its manifesto for Madhya Pradesh assembly polls has stated that if it is voted to power, it will not allow the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct shakhas (camps) in the government buildings.

Patra also said, "Congress has called Naxals revolutionaries, and Naxalism a revolutionary process. But, the Sangh (RSS), who does social work, deserves hatred and shall be banned." BJP leader lambasted the Congress over its decade-old remark, stating that Lord Rama does not exist.

He further condemned the Congress president Rahul Gandhi for equating RSS with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is a terrorist organisation and mocked senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, saying that he was a supporter of Zakir Naik, Osama-bin-Laden, and Pakistan.

Continuing his tirade against the Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Digvijaya Singh, and Kamal Nath, Patra said, "The Congress has tried to ban the RSS thrice in the past but they were not successful." He also demanded apology from the trio for their demeaning remarks against the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Patra said, "The BJP is in favour of constructing Ram temple, which will be constructed but within the ambit of Indian Constitution," asserted Patra. He also exuded confidence that the BJP will retain power in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by winning more than 300 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

Appreciating the Centre's demonetisation decision, Patra said: "The formalisation of Indian economy happened because of demonetisation. We have recovered money from the people, whose income was suspicious. More recovery will be made in the coming days. There has been a spurt in digitalization. There is a decrease in black money.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Shire Ali set fire to a pickup truck laden with gas cylinders in the centre of Melbourne on Friday and stabbed three people, killing one - popular restaurant owner Sisto Malaspina - before he was shot by police.

- Police responded to reports of a vehicle on fire in Melbourne's CBD about 4.10pm on Friday.

Speaking in response to the Bourke Street terror attack, Mr Morrison said he was the first person to protect religious freedoms. The Somalia-born man died of his wounds in hospital.

One of the stabbing victims died at the scene while two are in hospital.

Shortly after speaking with 7 News, reporter Robert Ovadia says a police officer came over to shake the man's hand and said thank you.

The area has since been cordoned off by the bomb squad.

"We are still trying to piece together whether the vehicle was lit then he got out the auto or whether he got out the auto and then the vehicle took flame", Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton told reporters. Counter-terrorism police and intelligence officers are still piecing together how the incident occurred, but said the attacker was known to intelligence services.

Police in Victoria have officially named the attacker behind the deadly stabbing in the Melborne CBD yesterday afternoon, identifying him as 31-year-old Mohamed Khalif, who was also known to go by the name of Hassan Shire. He did not elaborate.

The Islamic State group - which often claims responsibility for such attacks - said via its propaganda arm that the perpetrator was an "Islamic State fighter and carried out the operation". The militant group said in a statement released through its Aamaq media arm that the man was "one of Islamic State fighters" and carried out the attack in response to IS calls for attacks in countries that are part of the worldwide coalition fighting the militants in Syria and Iraq.

It provided no evidence to back its claim. Sunday marks 100 years since the armistice was signed that marked the end of World War One.

He said there was no longer a threat to the public, but that security would be boosted at horse races and Remembrance Day memorials over the weekend.

Melbourne was also the scene of two fatal car-ramming incidents a year ago, but neither was linked by police to terrorism.

The deceased suspect had stabbed three people, leaving one dead and two others injured but they are not believed to be life-threatening wounds.

"He was breathing and he was bleeding out".

Footage taken by witnesses showed police shooting the man after he threatened them with an object that appeared to be a knife.

Two hostages were killed during the 17-hour Sydney cafe siege by a "lone wolf" gunman who was inspired by Islamic State militants.A terrorist who was gunned down by police in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara town in Kupwara district on Sunday has been identified as a member of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The deceased terrorist has been identified as Ishtiaq, a native of Pakistan.

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the terrorist was involved in a series of terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area.

Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation in the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)baron Janardhan Reddy, who was arrested by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch on Sunday in connection with a bribery case, has been sent to judicial custody till November 24.

RP Chandrashekhar, counsel of Janardhan Reddy told the media, "Today Janardhan Reddy was produced before the Judge & the Court was pleased to accept our bail application on record. Judge has granted time till tomorrow to file objection on the main bail application & the application will be taken tomorrow."

Reddy, a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister, was arrested on charges of bribery earlier today in a case allegedly involving Ambident Group. He is suspected to have received 57 kg gold worth Rs 18 crore to help an accused in a case being investigated by the (ED).

The arrest comes a day after Reddy appeared before the investigating agency after his anticipatory bail was rejected by the court. Police said he was interrogated till late night on Saturday.All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson and former Union Minister Rajiv Shukla on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao of making false promises to people.

Addressing the media, Shukla said, "The upcoming polls are going to be very crucial. The Congress has created Telangana. Rao cheated the Congress party and Telangana public by saying he will merge the TRS party in the Congress and he will make a Schedule Caste leader as a Chief Minister. But he failed to do so. Rao in Telangana and Prime Minister Modi in Delhi are making false promises."

"KCR promised to give one lakh jobs for the unemployed but he has given employment to his own family members. At present, 20 lakh people are unemployed in the state. Telangana stands among the top-3 in unemployment. KCR has cheated each and every community in Telangana. There is no women minister in KCR's cabinet. There are no doctors in the hospitals. There is no establishment in the government sectors and developed private sectors. KCR has closed four thousand government schools and encouraged the private schools," he added.

Shukla further claimed that there is a nexus and understanding between Prime Minister Modi and Rao as they have a similar mindset.

"Both have the same kind of mindset. Rao supports Prime Minister Modi in Parliament. Even at the time of note ban and the GST, Rao had supported the Prime Minister. Whatever Prime Minister Modi says Rao supports it," he said.

Shukla further said that the Congress would emerge victorious in the December 7 assembly polls by winning 80 seats and will form the next government in the state.

"The Congress party will get 80 seats in Telangana with a grand alliance and will win in the upcoming elections in the state. The Congress has made a promise of giving Rs 3000 for the unemployed," he added.

The Telangana Legislative Assembly Elections are scheduled to be held on December 7 to elect members from 119 constituencies. The counting of votes will take place on December 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday urged global leaders to build hopes rather than "playing our fears against each other."

Speaking at the Arc de Triomphe during the armistice centenary celebrations, marking the end of the First War, Macron said that "the traces of that war have not faded from French soil," or from "our memories around the world," CNN reported.

He also touched upon universal values that underlined the importance of countries to work together and eliminate differences.

"On 11 November 1918, at 11 o'clock in the morning, 100 years ago, day to day, hour for hour, in Paris, as in all of France, the bugles sounded and the bells rang. It was the end of four long and terrible years of deadly fighting," Macron was quoted by Sputnik as saying.

The French President further said that France's vision as a generous nation that is a "bearer of universal values" is the "very opposite of nationalism", which, he claimed, only looks after itself. "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism," he added.

Apart from Macron, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and other leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and US President Donald Trump paid their respects at the 'Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' during the ceremony.

The First War had begun in 1914 and went on for four years. Known as the "war to end all wars', an estimated eight million people died during the global catastrophe. The war finally ended on November 11, 1918, after an armistice agreement was signed between Germany and the Allies.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for changing the names of cities and towns and said that the move was an attempt to demolish the idea of India.

"Name changing is an attempt to demolish the idea of India we grew up with. It is an assault on the country's composite Ganga-Jamuni culture. BJP is trying to tell the Muslims that they don't belong to this place. But be sure it is as much my country as yours. We are just not going anywhere," Mufti tweeted on Saturday.

Mufti reacted on the micro-blogging site to Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's statement where he asked the BJP to change the names of three of their Muslim leaders-Shahnawaz Hussain, Abbas Naqvi, Mohsin Raza - before changing the names of different towns and places in the state.

There is a sudden spurt in demands seeking change in the names of various cities after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath renamed Faizabad as Ayodhya and Allahabad as Prayagraj. Recently the name of Mughalsarai Railway Station was renamed as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As many as five projects were selected from India for inclusion in the Paris Peace Forum, which is set to be hosted by the French government in Paris from November 11-13.

This year, out of a total 850 projects from 116 countries, under five themes-peace and security, environment, development, new technologies, and inclusive economy-which were considered for inclusion in the Forum, 120 projects from 42 countries and 10 international organizations were finally selected.

The five projects which have been selected from India include:

? ACT project by Earth5R: Seeks to improve the quality of the environment, and reduce plastic waste via new sustainable business models.

? Zero-budget Natural Farming by Govt. of Andhra Pradesh: This project enables farmers to improve soil fertility, reduce costs, reduce irrigation, and increase yield while preserving the quality of the production.

? Decentralized electricity network based on solar energy over blockchain by NIMRAY-Solar.

? Network of Southern Think Thanks: A collaborative academic forum for the South by the South which aims at generating, consolidating and sharing knowledge on South-South co-operation with an approach to international development.

? STAR C (Solar Technology Application Resource-Center) by International Solar Alliance: Aims at building a network of technical training and research centers in order to promote knowledge dissemination and capacity-building with regards to solar energy and infrastructure projects.

Heads of State and heads of Governments of over 50 countries and their representatives are expected to participate in the centenary activities. As part of the Armistice Centenary, the French government will be hosting the Paris Peace Forum, which will take place in Paris from November 11-13.

The aim of the Paris Peace Forum is to establish a global platform to reaffirm the importance of multilateralism, international cooperation and reformation of global governance institutions.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will attend the ceremony on Sunday to commemorate the Armistice of War I at Arc de Triomphe, presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron. Vice President Naidu will later speak at a high-level panel discussion titled "Dialogue of the Continents on Global Governance."

The Paris Peace Forum will provide a platform for discussion and debate with special emphasis on civil society initiatives and for sharing experiences and innovative solutions/projects involving all stakeholders in governance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A week after attracting criticism for his joke about Texas Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw, comedian Pete Davidson directly apologised to Crenshaw with the help of a skit in the following installment of 'Saturday Night Live'.

Earlier this month, Davidson, who featured on SNL for an election-themed segment of 'Weekend Update', gave his "first impressions" of various candidates. Speaking about Crenshaw, he said that the former Navy SEAL looked like "a hitman in a porno movie." He also added, "I'm sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever."

Shortly after the show aired, the American comedian came under fire for his controversial joke.

In an attempt to redeem himself, Davidson returned to the sets of SNL for this week's installment of the 'Weekend Update' and said, "He (Crenshaw) is a war hero and deserves all the respect in the world. And if any good came of it, it's that for one day, the left and right finally came together to agree on something: that I'm a (jerk)."

'Ya think?' said Crenshaw, who joined the 'Set It Up' actor as a surprise appearance. 'Thanks for making a Republican look good,' the congressman-elect added.

According to a report by USA Today, Crenshaw had lost his right eye in a blast in Afghanistan. The Congress accepted Davidson's apology and said, "we're good."

Crenshaw also took this opportunity to express his "first impressions" of the comedian. Commenting on Davidson's pictures the congressman said, "Pete looks like if the meth from 'Breaking Bad' was a person. Pete looks like a troll doll with a tapeworm. ... Pete looks like Martin Short in 'The Santa Clause 3.' By the way, one of these three is actually good on 'SNL.' "

Later in the skit, Crenshaw continued to ignore his phone while Ariana Grande's 'Breathin' played as his ringtone.

Davidson and Ariana broke off their engagement last month. The two got engaged in June after just a few weeks of dating.

The news of their breakup came in less than a month after the sudden death of Grande's ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, who passed away following an apparent drug overdose.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former BJP minister and Bellary's mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy was arrested on Sunday in an alleged bribery case, involving Ambident Group. He is suspected to have received 57 kg gold worth Rs 18 crore to help an accused in a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

His arrest comes a day after Reddy appeared before the investigating agency after his anticipatory bail was rejected by the court. Police said he was interrogated till late night on Saturday.

"We have taken the decision to arrest him on the basis of credible evidence and witnesses' statements. We will produce him before the magistrate. We are going to recover the money and give it to the investors," said Alok Kumar, Additional CP, Crime Branch, Bengaluru Police.

Earlier, Bengaluru Commissioner of Police T Suneel Kumar had stated, "A company Ambident, set up in 2016-17 assured investors a return of 30-40 per cent per month in the form of profits. Thousands of people were lured to invest. Initially, they returned the first installment of profits as promised following which more people poured in."

"Subsequently, when the company failed to return the principal amount, cases were registered. In January 2017, the ED raided the company. The crime branch took over the case and a probe was conducted which revealed that transactions to the tune of Rs 18 crore were carried out," Kumar had added.

Later, it was discovered that the company had allegedly transferred the money to Ramesh Kothari who runs a billion business in the name of Ambika Jewellers. On quizzing Kothari, he informed that he had used the money to buy the gold, which was handed over to Reddy's personal assistant Ali.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A topless protestor breached security barriers in Paris and ran towards US President Donald Trump's motorcade before being accosted by three French security officials on Sunday.

Trump was on his way to the Armistice Day celebrations at the Arc de Triomphe when the incident took place. Quoting photographers traveling with the US President, CNN reported that the protestor had 'fake' and 'peace' written across her unclad chest.

leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Indian Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu have reached the centenary celebrations being hosted French President Emmanuel Macron.

Countries like the UK and Australia have observed moments of silence to mark the occasion.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Sunday launched a scathing attack on former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, calling him a failed Governor of India's central bank.

Swamy's reaction comes in the wake of Rajan's recent statement on the ongoing tussle between the government and the Central bank, where Rajan had batted for respecting the RBI's autonomy.

Speaking to ANI, the senior BJP leader said: "Raghuram Rajan is staying in the United States. He should now forget about India. He himself is a failed Governor of the Reserve Bank of India."

"He had joined hands with P Chidambaram in altering the gold policy. He caused the frauds involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Chowksi. I will ask the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe him next time he comes to India," alleged Swamy.

In reply to a question, Swamy said: "The Congress is planning to ban the RSS, but the Christian fathers will be allowed to propagate Christianity. So the choice is now between RSS propagating Hindutva and Christian engaged in conversion." "The Congress does not have any fresh ideas now. The old ones are not that appealing anymore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)"Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation which the USA subsidizes greatly!"

He added "that's why I believe we need more European capacities and more defense".

Macron's office on Saturday acknowledged that his remarks "could create confusion" but stressed: "He never said we need a European army against the United States".

"Trump willfully insisted on an unnecessary trip to France to mark the WW1 centenary -then once he got there shirked on grounds of weather the job of honoring those who fought and died in rain and mud 100 years ago", tweeted writer David Frum. The meeting came soon after Donald Trump arrived in Paris and criticized his host via Twitter, calling Macron's support for a European military force "very insulting".

President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel inspected troops from a joint Franco-German Brigade before unveiling a plaque paying tribute to the reconciliation and renewed friendship between the foes of two world wars.

Macron told Europe 1 radio that the "main victim" of the U.S. withdrawal from the INF accord was Europe and its security.

"We are getting along from the standpoint of fairness and to be fair, we want to help Europe but it has to be fair", Mr. Trump said when a French reporter asked about the perceived insult.

President Macron said in an interview earlier this week that Europe needs to protect itself against "China, Russia and even the United States" in terms of cyberspace.

The last minute cancellation prompted widespread criticism on social media and from some officials in Britain and the United States that Trump had "dishonored" USA servicemen.

The strategy states: "A strong and free Europe is of vital importance to the United States".

One user reminded Trump of the 2,288 fallen soldiers at Aisne-Marne and how the French had renamed the cemetery "The Woods of the Marine Brigade". Trump said they had become "very good friends over the last couple of years" and were "similar in our views" on many issues.

Did Trump and Macron patch up their differences?

But by pulling the United States out of a climate-change deal signed in Paris and other global deals that France embraces - and now, with his undiplomatic tweet before meeting Macron - Trump has made clear that the French leader is not holding the reins. The globalist, progressive Macron and nationalist, protectionist Trump have clashed on climate change, world trade and how to deal with Iran.

Trump added that the USA wants to "absolutely be there" to help defend Europe but that "different countries have to also help".

The pro-business, pro-EU president is increasingly weakened domestically for unpopular economic policies and isolated in Europe, where nationalist groups have gained ground.

Central to those efforts is the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, a gathering of heads of state, government officials, heads of worldwide organizations, corporations, academics, philanthropists and others beginning Sunday.The Mumbai Crime Branch on Saturday arrested a retired Captain for allegedly duping people of Rs 36 lakh on the pretext of giving them jobs in Indian Navy.

Trinetra, a retired Navy Captain who runs Saraswati Academy in Vishakhapatnam, had promised people a sure shot job in Indian Navy in Mumbai.

The scam came to light after six students enrolled in Trinetra's academy approached the police and filed a complaint against him.

According to the complaint received, Trinetra took Rs 6 lakh each from the students and also issued them fake appointment letters of job in the Navy.

Trinetra has been arrested by the crime branch for cheating and forging official documents.

Earlier this week, the Hyderabad Task Force had arrested a travel agent for duping people on the pretext of providing jobs in Israel, Ecuador, and other countries.

The officials also recovered three passports, three Aadhaar cards and two pan cards under different names belonging to the accused, identified as Vosa Gangadhar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United States President Donald Trump in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron here on Saturday asserted that Saudi Arabia is the cornerstone of stability in the Middle East.

Trump, who is in Paris to attend commemoration ceremonies on the 100th anniversary of War I, also confirmed his refusal to risk Saudi Arabia's stability, reported Al Arabiya quoting a French presidential source.

Saudi Arabia was an important topic for discourse for the two Presidents as France had earlier threatened to impose sanctions and other punitive measures against Saudi Arabia if their role in the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was proven.

In the meeting, Trump explained his position over Saudi Arabia, also an important partner of the United States, sources confirmed.

The US and French Presidents held a bilateral meeting, ahead of the commemoration ceremonies of the military and mariners who were killed while fighting in the War I.

They also discussed other issues including the Iran nuclear deal, the recent sanctions imposed on Iran and the ongoing crisis in Yemen.

In addition, the US President also assured his counterpart of the effectiveness of the sanction recently re-imposed on Iran.

He also called for a new agreement to ensure that Iran does not have access to nuclear weapons.

Addressing the Yemen crisis, the heads of the two nations also agreed to find a political solution and pushed for foundations of the solution to be laid.

The US President, along with his wife Melania was scheduled to pay tribute to the WW I memorial cemetery but had to cancel due to incessant rains at the last moment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Two Russell's viper snakes were rescued on Saturday afternoon from the circle jail campus of Baripada under Mayurbhanj district, Odisha.

According to the jail police personnel, the two snakes (one male and one female) were spotted on a bush inside the jail campus and both were about 4.5 feet in height and weighed between three to four kilograms.

Considering the lives of the prisoners, the jail authority immediately decided to inform the snake rescuer.

Krushna Chandra Gochhayat, a snake rescuer, was dispatched to the location to carry out the rescue operation.

On reaching the spot, Krushna spotted the two snakes on a bush inside the jail campus. He then carefully moved the snakes to a safe place.

Speaking to ANI, Ashutosh Mishra, snake rescuer member, informed that the two Russell viper snakes were rescued from the campus of the circle jail of Baripada and that they are currently under observation.

"The snakes are currently under observation and once deemed fit, they will be released back to its natural habitat," he added.

The Russell Viper, commonly known as ''Chandraboda'', is an extremely-venomous species in the world and the major reason for the death of humans.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the growing constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka and has urged the government to ensure peace and safety of all citizens.

"The Secretary-General learned with concern of President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve Sri Lanka's parliament and move to new parliamentary elections on 5 January 2019," said the Spokesman for the Secretary-General in a statement released on Saturday.

Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric de la Riviere said that the Secretary-General has underlined the importance of respecting democratic processes and institutions and resolving differences in accordance with the rule of law and due process. Guterres has urged the Sri Lankan government to uphold its commitments to human rights, justice and reconciliation.

Sirisena dissolved the Parliament with effect from Friday midnight after days of political unrest in the Asian island nation and announced that the general elections in the country would be held on January 5, 2019.

The United National Party of Sri Lanka "vehemently rejected" the move and tweeted, "we vehemently reject the President's dissolution of Parliament. He has robbed the people of their rights and the democracy that we have enjoyed."

Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party had earlier admitted to not having the votes to confirm Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister of the country in place of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

United National Party (UNP) leader Wickremesinghe was abruptly sacked by the President Sirisena on October 26. He was subsequently replaced by former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sirisena further suspended the country's Parliamentary proceedings until November 16.

Sirisena on November 5 announced to reconvene the Sri Lankan Parliament on November 14, amid rising demands by legislators of the state to end political crisis in the island nation as soon as possible.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu met United States President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at a banquet hosted by the latter in honour of Heads of States who are attending a ceremony in Paris to commemorate the Armistice of First World War.

Earlier in the day, Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel marked the centenary of the end of the First World War at an event at Compiegne, in the woods north of Paris, CBC reported.

The leaders of the two nations unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site of the railway carriage where military leaders signed a ceasefire on November 11, 1918.

Meanwhile, Vice President Naidu inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Villers Guislain in France on Saturday.

Speaking during the inaugural function, the Vice President spoke about the importance of the memorial, terming it as a tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting selflessly during the World War I.

He had also opined that the World War I "not only changed the social and political fabric of Europe, but perhaps changed the destinies of a number of countries across the world."

Nearly 1.3 million Indian soldiers fought during World War I, out of which 1,40,000 Indian soldiers took part in World War I in France and Belgium.

Even though a memorial dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died during World War I was made by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) at Neuve Chapelle in 1927, a need to build a unique Memorial by Independent India was felt. In Europe, the only other such memorial stands at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

The main motif of the Indian War Memorial at Villers Guislain is the Indian emblem which consists of Ashoka lions along with a bronze wreath, plaque, and lances which have been designed in India.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Asian Development Bank (ADB) would grant $13 million to the government-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) to set up an energy efficiency revolving fund (EERF) under a tie-up announced here on Sunday.

"Towards supporting investments in new, innovative and scalable business models, EESL and ADB signed an agreement for a Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant of USD 13 million to establish an Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund," an official statement said.

The fund aims to expand and sustain investments in the energy efficiency market in India, build market diversification, and scale up existing technologies.

The tie-up was announced at the "International Symposium to Promote Innovation and Research in Energy Efficiency 2018" here in the presence of Union Power Minister R.K. Singh.

Addressing the event, Singh said that although the countries which consume more energy should take more responsibilities, and India despite being consuming less would behave responsibly.

"India will grow, but grow responsibly," he said.

World Bank's Country Director for India, Junaid Ahmad said that energy efficiency is one of the "strategic pillars" of the bank's engagement in India.

During the inaugural session of the three-day event, EESL also announced a partnership with GAIL to develop natural gas based "cogeneration and trigeneration" projects in commercial and industrial sectors in the country.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday expanded his cabinet with the induction of two ministers.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to NMD Farooq and Kidari Sravan at a ceremony attended by Naidu, his other cabinet colleagues and senior officials.

Farooq, a member of the State Legislative Council, had been serving as the chairman of the Upper House of the state legislature.

He had earlier served as a Minister in the cabinet of N.T. Rama Rao and Chandrababu Naidu in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Sravan is the son of Kidari Sarveswara Rao, who was gunned down by Maoists in Visakhapatnam district in September. Sarvesawara Rao was a member of the State Legislative Assembly from Araku.

With this expansion, Naidu has given representation to Muslims and tribals in the cabinet, seven months before the Assembly elections.

Farooq, a senior leader of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is likely to be allotted the minorities welfare portfolio while Sarvan, who is not a member of either house of the state legislature, is expected to get tribal welfare.

The induction of two ministers has taken the strength of the cabinet to 26.

The two cabinet berths were vacant after two ministers belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) resigned from Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government in March.

This followed TDP pulling out of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

--IANS

ms/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least 10 people died and 11 others were injured on Saturday in a mudslide in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, official sources said.

According to Rio firefighters, eleven people were rescued alive in Morro da Boa Esperanca, in the municipality of Niteroi, though at least four others are still missing, reports Efe news .

The people who were rescued, including a baby, two children and a 33-year-old man, suffered various types of injuries and were taken to local hospitals, Roberto Robadey, commander of Rio's fire department, said during an interview with Globo News television.

The fatal victims include a boy, two elderly women, a 37-year-old man, a woman, and a 10-month-old baby.

Robadey said some 200 rescue workers, including civil defense personnel and firefighters, were carrying out rescue operations in the area, which will continue for at least 48 hours.

The state of Rio de Janeiro, and particularly the municipality of Niteroi, have been hit by heavy rains in the last few days and have been on alert for possible mudslides, the commander said.

After a rainstorm hit Niteroi on Friday night, a mudslide came down on Morro da Boa Esperanca, affecting at least six homes.

"Some people are still missing and we are attempting to determine if they were home during the mudslide to plan our rescue operations," Robadey said.

The commander did not rule out the possibility that more people could be buried in the mud and that the number of victims could rise.

The mayor's office of Niteroi said in a statement that this is the first mudslide in the municipality since the one that hit the Morro do Bumba favela (shantytown) in 2010, which destroyed 50 homes, killing 46 people.

In 2010, some 300 mudslides hit Rio de Janeiro state, killing more than 250 people.

"Since 2013, the mayor's office of Niteroi has invested more than 150 million reais ($40.2 million) to build containment walls on 50 hills throughout the city," the statement says.

--IANS

vc

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Australian surfer was attacked by a shark on Sunday.

The surfer, in his 20s, was on a bodyboard off Pyramids Beach, south of Perth, when he was attacked, reports Xinhua news agency.

He was flown to a hospital and "suffered traumatic injuries to a foot and ankle", ambulance services were quoted as saying.

The beach was closed after the attack.

Sunday's incident comes after a spate of shark attacks off the country's coasts, including the death of a 33-year-old man near Cid Harbor at the Whitsunday Islands tourist area in Queensland state earlier this month.

In September, a 12-year-old girl lost her leg and a 46-year-old woman suffered serious leg injuries in separate shark attacks in the same area.

Last week, a man was also taken to hospital with calf injuries after fighting off a shark with his surfboard in New South Wales state.

Authorities were laying out advanced electronic drum lines along nearly 300 km of coastline off Western Australia's most popular beaches as part of latest measures to deal with shark attacks and keep the predators away from swimmers.

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said that the banking system needed to be strengthened to meet the market's liquidity requirements and drive economic growth.

Jaitley was speaking via video-conference at an event here to mark the 100th anniversary of the Union Bank of India.

According to the Minister, it is importanat that the NPA (non-performing asset) levels at banks are minimised and that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is showing results.

He further said that it is only through the banking sector that lending can be provided to sectors such as the MSMEs and NBFCs.

The central government has in the last four years pumped Rs 70,000 crore and Rs 2.12 lakh crore into state-run banks in separate tranches to help the bad debt-laden lenders, he said.

These steps to infuse capital have improved the banks' lending capacity, on which the future of economic growth depends, he said.

Jaitley added that policies have to be targeted towards improving the lending capacity of the banking system and to improve liquidity available for the markets.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Tamera Mowry and husband Adam Housley.

Mowry-Housley and her husband, former Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, confirmed their niece was a victim in the mass shooting in a statement.

- Vintage High School in Napa was in mourning Thursday after confirmation that Alaina Housley, 18, who graduated in June, was one of the victims of the mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks bar.

Tamera spoke with some of Alania's friends on Twitter and asked for her information so they could speak in private. "Can you please DM me your information?" she wrote.

Adam's most recent Instagram post, a photo of Alaina, was immediately filled with comments.

The couple searched for their niece, Alaina Housley, for hours before learning she was one of the 12 who were killed after a gunman opened fire in the venue.

"My gut is saying she's inside the bar, dead", Housley said, according to the Times.

Tamera went on to say, 'I will miss our inside jokes, us serenading at the piano. I'm a lover of words, photography, books, travel, animals and The Ohio State Buckeyes.

The couple has been frantically searching for their niece, Alaina Housley, who was inside the country-western bar when the gunfire erupted.

Housley's Apple Watch and iPhone showed her location at the bar until today but her family was hopeful she had left them there before fleeing. "Please pray. I am numb". On Instagram, Tamera wrote a heart-wrenching statement on the loss of her cousin.

She asked Alaina's friend, Ashley, if her niece was the only girl from their group unaccounted for, to which Ashley replied: "Yes, all the other girls are safe".

The Sister, Sister actress then closed off by emphasizing how much she loved her and how Alaina was going to make "one gorgeous angel". "The Real is heartbroken for the victims of the senseless tragedy in Thousand Oaks, which included Alaina Housley, the niece of Tamera and Adam Housley", the post reads. My heart breaks. I'm still in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Adam pleaded with his 105k Twitter followers: "Please pray if you believe. pray".

In addition to those that were killed, 10 people with gunshot wounds or lacerations were sent to Los Robles Regional Medical Center for treatment and have since been released, hospital officials said.The BJP is not making much headway in West Bengal and its desperation is similar to that of a turtle turned upside down, (TMC) Secretary General Partha Chatterjee said on Sunday.

He charged that the Bharatiya Janata Party, in its desperation, was making provocative statements in order to gain a foothold in the state.

His comments came a day after West Bengal BJP women's wing chief Locket Chatterjee warned that those trying to stop the party's scheduled 'rath yatras' in the state will be "crushed under the wheels of the chariot".

"Be it Locket Chatterjee, Dilip Ghosh (state BJP chief), or Rahul Sinha (BJP National Secretary), they always make such destructive comments. Their condition is like that of a turtle turned upside down. It keeps throwing its limbs in the air but that is of no use," said Chatterjee, who is also the Education Minister.

The BJP has planned three 'rath yatras' from three parts of West Bengal which would converge in Kolkata after travelling across the state.

is scheduled to flag off the 'yatras' on December 5, 7 and 9.

"Sometimes they are talking about killing our men, sometimes they want to crush people under the chariot. It is evident that the BJP is getting desperate as it is not able to make much headway in Bengal," the Trinamool leader said.

-The first China International Import Expo (CIIE) that concluded here on Saturday can be called a success if only for its signal to the world that the second-largest economy will open up further in the face of protectionist, anti-globalising trends ruling in the developed world.

The material indicators of CIIE's success also abounded, where over 400,000 local buyers had the opportunity to interact with more than 3,500 businesses from 172 countries. The gigantic exhibition complex was a beehive of activity with businesses signing thousands of deals and purchase agreements.

At the same time, the declaration of China's further opening, on the 40th anniversary of its Deng Xiaoping-led 1978 liberalisation, appeared to find an echo in the results of the Congressional elections in the US, which has launched a trade war on the Asian nation by imposing tariffs on around half the Chinese imports into America. President Donald Trump has threatened to deepen the conflict and target all imports from China.

In his opening address at the Shanghai trade expo -- whether under American pressure or otherwise -- Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to lower import tariffs and make it easier for foreign companies to access China's market. This holds promise for trading partners like India and the US which have massive trade deficits with China.

Declaring that "openness had become a trademark of China", Xi said that his country "would continue to broaden market access".

In an indirect reference to US protectionism, he said: "In a world of deepening economic globalisation, practices of the law of the jungle and winner takes all only represent a dead end. An inclusive growth for all is surely the right way forward."

Xi also said that China would hasten negotiation process for both a China-European Union investment agreement and a regional China-Japan-South Korea free trade deal.

He announced that China's import of goods and services were estimated to exceed $30 trillion and $10 trillion, respectively, in the next 15 years.

The showcasing of the Chinese market through an expo organised around the theme "New Era, Shared Future", comes at a time when the country is striving to boost consumption in an attempt to transit away from years of manufacturing-led growth.

According to an official statement, companies that signed deals at the CIIE include multinationals like Volkswagen, Westinghouse Electric, ABB, Carnival, Rolls-Royce and Standard Chartered. American majors like General Motors and Google took part in the expo.

At the expo, Chinese e-commerce giants Alibaba and JD.com announced plans to import $200 billion and $14.4 billion of merchandise, respectively.

Beyond the billions of dollars of purchase agreements signed at the week-long CIIE, foreign businesses and observers spoke of the need for clarity on concrete steps that would facilitate longer-term market access in China.

Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University's Centre for East Asian Studies, Srikanth Kondapalli, an invitee to the CIIE Media and Think Tank Forum, told IANS here that countries which took part in the Shanghai expo now await the concretising of promises made to open up the economy.

"The world is now looking to see how the policy measures articulated by President Xi will be implemented in the near future," he said.

Indian companies participated in the CIIE with the country pavilion focusing on key sectors such as food, agro products, pharmaceuticals, IT and ITES, tourism and services.

China is India's largest trading partner and bilateral trade last year touched nearly $90 billion, while the trade deficit stood at over $63 billion.

India reiterated its concerns at the CIIE over the increasing trade deficit with China and asked Beijing to give Indian products more access to the Chinese market in the areas of pharmacy, agriculture and information technology.

An Indian embassy statement said that Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan, who attended the CIIIE and met here with China's Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, told the Chinese minister that "areas such as agriculture products, pharmaceuticals, information technology services and tourism, in which India has proven strengths and significant global presence but a minuscule presence in China, need to be encouraged in bilateral trade."

The statement also said that Wadhawan acknowledged the Chinese government's efforts in clearing some of the market access issues for products such as rice and rapeseed meal, and expressed satisfaction over progress on soybean meal and pomegranate, among other commodities.

Foreign speakers at the media and think tank forum lauded China's initiative on opening up and globalisation at a time when the revival in world economic growth is still at its beginnings.

"The spirit of cooperation has been put at risk by a vicious cycle of protectionism and economic setbacks. Global imbalances are challenging stability and economic growth," former French Prime Minister Dominique Villepin said in his address.

Noting that the economic momentum had shifted away from the Western economies towards more "multi-polar growth", Villepin called for urgent reform of multilateral institutions like the IMF and the WTO by granting more voting rights to countries like India and Russia.

Poland's former Finance Minister Grzegorz Kolodko said the world is now witnessing the "crisis of neo-liberal capitalism...a crisis of the system, of views and policies. The contribution to new thinking is now coming from countries like China and others," he said.

"Globalisation has not been inclusive in recent times but has been going towards neo-liberalsm, enriching the few, including the middle class. So what has emerged, in reaction, is neo-nationalism," he added.

With the success of the first edition of CIIE, China is already planning a second edtion of the Shanghai expo to be held next year.

(Biswajit Choudhury visited the CIIE at the invitation of China's State Council Information Office. He can be reached at biswajit.c@ians.in <mailto:biswajit.c@ians.in>)

--IANS

bc/hs.tb

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The wife of a CPI-M Minister in Kerala on Sunday quit her post in the University of Kerala following criticism that her husband played a role in getting her the job.

Jubilee Navaprabha, wife of Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran, told the media that a section in Kerala University was out to malign her husband after she applied and got selected for the post.

"I retired as Vice Principal of SD College at Alappuzha. I saw the (University) advertisement and applied. Then our detractors said the post was tailor made for me," she said.

"My husband has a very clean track record and we have been together for the past 36 years. After hearing all the allegations, I decided to dump this job in the dustbin. I am quitting. For us, it is not the job that matters but my husband's credibility," said Navaprabha.

After her retirement as Vice Principal, she was appointed the Director at the Directorate of Management Technology and that oversees the functioning of autonomous colleges under Kerala University.

Earlier, Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan had to quit in 2016 following reports that he had appointed his relatives in state-run organisations. Early this year, he was reinstated after the court gave him a clean chit.

--IANS

sg/mr

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The death toll of the recent US-led airstrikes on areas in eastern Syria has risen to 41 as the Syrian Foreign Ministry renewed calls for an international investigation into the coalition's "crimes".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Saturday said that 41 people were killed, including 17 children and 13 women, as a result of the airstrikes by the US-led coalition on Islamic State (IS)-held areas in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria on Thursday and Friday.

The watchdog group said the death toll could likely rise as result of the US-led airstrikes that targeted the town of Hajin, one of the villages in the last IS-held pocket on the eastern bank of the Euphurates River near the Iraqi border, reports Xinhua.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry renewed in a statement on Saturday calls on the UN to form "an independent international mechanism" to investigate the "crimes of the Washington coalition" and punish the perpetrators.

It said the coalition's attack on Hajin also wounded tens of civilians, amid ongoing strikes and a difficulty in saving people from under the rubble.

"This ugly crime lays bare the phony claims of the US about fighting terrorism as it (US) aims only to kill as many Syrians as they can and render more damage to the infrastructure in Syria," the ministry said.

Civilian casualties were reported before as a result of US-led strikes on the last IS-held areas.

The US has been backing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to defeat the IS on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River near the Iraqi border.

Airstrikes on this area have recently been renewed as the Kurdish-led groups were planning a second wave of attacks on the IS after a failed attempt on September 10.

The Syrian government has long questioned the intention of the US-led operations in this oil-rich area.

--IANS

vc

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Somali medical sources on Sunday increased the death toll to 58 people killed by last week's car bombings in the capital Mogadishu, which injured over 100.

Mohamed Abshir of the Aamin ambulance service told Efe news that most victims from Friday's attack died in hospital and 21 people were killed at the scene.

The Somali militant group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack, in which two car bombs were detonated in front of the upscale Sahafi Hotel at around 4 p.m. local time, followed 20 minutes later by a third bomb in a car in the Hayat Hotel's adjacent parking lot.

The explosions took place at rush hour on one of the busiest intersections in the Somali capital near the Central Investigation Department headquarters as well as a checkpoint for an entrance to Mogadishu International Airport.

Al-Shabab, a local Islamist group that controls territory in rural central and southern Somalia, has launched frequent attacks of this type, including two separate bomb attacks against government buildings in the Somali capital in September that killed at least 14.

--IANS

mr/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)British actor Emily Blunt has appeared on the cover of a magazine dressed as popular character Mary Poppins ahead of the release of "Mary Poppins Returns" which sees her taking on the beloved nanny's character.

She will appear on the December cover of American Vogue dressed in character as the eponymous nanny. She wears an all-red ensemble by Dior, complete with a full tulle skirt and a form-fitting blazer and an open umbrella by London Undercover, reported independent.co.uk.

Blunt's shoot is accompanied by an in-depth interview in which the 35-year-old actor discusses her role in the new movie.

The role was originally famously played by Julie Andrews, who had even won an Oscar for her performance in the 1964 film.

Blunt told the magazine that she did not re-watch the classic film in fear that it might put her off.

"I knew that if I watched Julie Andrews's version, maybe I would take the edge off of what my instincts were telling me to do. Also, I didn't want to be completely intimidated by the brilliance of her voice," Blunt said.

The cover was widely praised by fans on social media, over a month ahead of the film's UK release on December 19.

Instead of a classic, close-up studio shot, Blunt is seen in full length, with just a blue and cloudy sky behind her.

--IANS

rb/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)On the occasion of National Day on Sunday, actor Emraan Hashmi stressed upon the need of saying it was the country's backbone.

As Emraan's next film "Cheat India" is about the system, he took to Instagram to celebrate the day.

"A country's education system is its backbone. Team 'Cheat India' celebrates National Education Day," the 39-year-old wrote along with a short video clip.

November 11 has been celebrated as the National Education Day since 2008.

The date has been chosen to mark the birth anniversary of India's first Education Minister - Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

"Cheat India" is Emraan's first production project and he is also starring in it alongside actress Shreya Dhanwanthary.

--IANS

sim/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Over a dozen people, mostly security personnel, were killed as armed militants stormed security checkpoints in Burka district of Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province, an official said on Sunday.

The militants, according to the official, attacked the checkpoints in Falul area on Saturday night, killing over a dozen people, a majority of them security personnel, reports Xinhua news agency.

Taliban militants also suffered casualties in the fighting that lasted for a while, the official added.

Burka district has been regarded as a stronghold of the Taliban.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Paying tributes to the Indian soldiers who fought in first World War a hundred years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated India's commitment towards world peace and pledged to create an atmosphere where wars do not occur.

"Today, as we mark 100 since the end of the horrific first World War, we reiterate our commitment towards world peace and pledge to work to further an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood so that the trail of death and destruction caused by wars does not occur," Modi said.

Remembering the soldiers who fought in the war, the Prime Minister said India was not directly involved but our soldiers have fought across the world just for the cause of peace.

"I have had the honour of paying tributes at the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial in France and at the memorial in Israel's Haifa, places associated with India's role in the first World War. When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to India, we paid tributes at the Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk", Modi said.

The first World War lasted from July 28, 1914 to November 11, 1918.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Eight captive-reared critically endangered white-backed are set to take wings early next year for the first time in since the vulture conservation centre near here was set up in September 2001.

The Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre on the edge of the Bir Shikargaha Wildlife Sanctuary is a joint project of and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) with the British government's Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species Fund to investigate the massive decline of three critically endangered Gyps species of in

Six captive-bred and two rescued from the wild will be tagged with a 30-gram device for satellite telemetry each with a battery backup of three-four years and this will help understanding their behaviour and survival instincts in the wild, BNHS Principal Vibha Prakash told IANS here.

He said the vultures would be released most probably by March-April next year in the Bir Shikargaha sanctuary where the BNHS is working to declare it as vulture safe zone, which extends transboundary into where the wildlife awareness among the villagers is quite high.

"If any of the released vulture die or get injured, we can recover them. Satellite telemetry will help us to know the cause of death and prevent other vultures dying from that cause."

The satellite tags will also be useful in discovering whether the captive-bred birds behave normally in the wild with other closely-related species.

In the first event of its kind in South Asia, the government of and and international conservation organisations released critically endangered white-backed vultures in the wild on November 9, 2017.

is home to nine species of vultures. Three of these species, the white-backed, long-billed and slender-billed vultures, underwent catastrophic population declines of greater than 90 per cent in the mid-1990s. The birds are now listed as critically endangered.

The vulture, nature's scavenger, cleans the environment of animal carcasses. Villagers rely on them to dispose of cattle carcasses.

The reason, say biologists, for bringing the vultures to the brink of extinction in South mainly to the extensive use of diclofenac in treating cattle.Vultures that consumed the carcass of animals treated with diclofenac died with symptoms of kidney failure. The banned its veterinary use in 2006.

BNHS Prakash said "if there is no toxicity-related death of these eight birds in two years, then we will go for release of 20-25 birds each year".

"We are planning to introduce 100 pairs each of the three species of white-backed, long-billed and slender-billed in the wild in the next 10 years. Before that, findings from the first proposed release batch will be crucial in the future programmes."

The long-billed and slender-billed vultures will be released in and Assam, respectively.

Officials admit the flight to freedom of these endangered vultures is still caught in red-tapism in the Forest Department, which has been authorised to procure 10 platform terminal transmitters or satellite telemetries through global bidding.

"These birds have been shifted to the pre-release aviary for over a year and a half. Twice their release was postponed last year. The only hurdle is the procurement of satellite telemetries and that too is bogged down by bureaucratic delays," an official, requesting anonymity, told IANS.

"The birds are now two to four years old and this is the best age group for their release. The delay in their release will definitely delay the vulture reintroduction programme," he added.

Prior to this release, two captive Himalayan griffon vultures were released in the wild in June 2016 from the Pinjore centre on an experimental basis.

Both birds were wing-tagged and leg-ringed for identification, but not tagged with satellite transmitters.

It was part of Asia's first Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme under which the captive-bred birds were to be introduced in the wild.

The team managed to monitor one released bird for a day before it disappeared, while the second bird was tracked for almost a month and never sighted again.

The Pinjore centre, Asia's first centre of its kind, houses 289 Gyps species vultures; 198 of them bred at the facility that is funded by the central government.

Two such conservation and breeding centres are in Rani in and Rajabhatkhawa in

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in <mailto:vishal.g@ians.in>)

--IANS

vg/hs/tbKing Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, attended Sunday in Paris the commemoration ceremony of the centenary of the Armistice of World War I signed on November 11, 1918, a participation that stands out as a token of the friendship that has been binding Morocco and France for several centuries.

The Sovereigns participation in this ceremony is also a tribute to the valiant Moroccan soldiers who had fought for the ideals of freedom and peace during the First World War.

The Sovereigns participation sends a strong message to the international community and brings back to minds, if need be, Moroccos commitment to world peace and stability and its tireless efforts to promote multilateralism and defense of the universal values of democracy, freedom and equality.

The commemoration ceremony, meant to be, as put by President Macron, a ceremony of regained brotherhood, is also an opportunity to remember the sacrifice of all the soldiers, whatever their country, their faith, their nationality, who participated in this war, for the triumph of these universal ideals.

And among these soldiers, there were many Moroccans who lost their life and wrote with their blood a page of Moroccan-French history and set the stage for a deep friendship.

It is worth noting that Moroccan regiments, who also fought during the Second World War (1939-1945), were among the most decorated and distinguished units having participated in these wars.

The commemoration of the centennial of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, invites rising generations to draw lessons from the past, to avoid making the same mistakes and to build a secure, prosperous and peaceful future.

Several Heads of State and Government of the countries having participated in WW-I, including many African countries, many world leaders, representatives of international organizations participated in the moving ceremony that took place at the famed Arc de Triomphe in Paris.Rome, Nov 11 (IANS/AKI) Italian authorities have expelled a Tunisian supporter of the Islamic State jihadist group who allegedly hoped to carry out an attack in Rome similar to the one that hit Berlin in 2016 Christmas.

The 30-year-old Tunisian was deported aboard a flight to Tunis after his release from jail in the northeastern city of Vicenza on Thursday, where he served time for common crimes, the Interior Ministry said.

Investigators said the suspect showed clear signs of religious radicalization that while in prison, exalting the Berlin Christmas market bombing in which fellow Tunisian Anis Amri killed 12 people and injured 56 on December 19, 2016.

The Tunisian also allegedly said he wanted to stage a similar attack in the Italian capital, according to investigators.

A total 110 suspected Islamic extremists have been deported from Italy this year and 347 since the start of 2017, the Ministry stated.

--IANS/AKI

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday paid tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his 130th birth anniversary, hailing him for his contribution in the post-independence nation building.

The day is celebrated as National Education Day in commemoration of Maulana Azad, who was Independent India's first Education Minister and a celebrated scholar.

"Tributes to the two officials of Indian history, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and J.B. Kripalani, on their birth anniversary. Their contribution to the independence movement of India and later was highly beneficial in building our country," Javadekar tweeted.

J.B. Kripalani, also known as Acharya Kripalani, was a freedom fighter and the President of Congress party during the years India became free from colonial rule.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A multimedia journalist and his lawyer brother escaped unhurt Saturday evening when some drunken youth opened fire at them here.

According to a complaint lodged by Alok Pathania, a journalist, and his brother Satyajit, they were shot at by some drunken youth after a verbal spat in the Gandhi Nagar area of the city, police said.

"With the help of the CCTV footage, we have been able to identify the accused. An FIR is being registered and arrests will follow," they said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)With world leaders gathered, church bells rang and Bach's Sarabande played, French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday held a solemn ceremony to mark the centenary of the Armistice of the First World War.

Around 11 a.m. Macron and delegates from around 70 countries walked side by side towards the Arc de Triomphe to pay tribute to around 10 million soldiers killed during the 1914-1918 war, Xinhua reported.

In a wintry and rainy day, 40-year-old Macron inspected troops. In his following speech, the president reminded the gathering that "during these four years, Europe had come close to committing suicide. 10 million dead, 6 million injured," ringing an alarm bell for the rising nationalism, which, according to him, would put on edge fragile world peace.

100 years on, the French president warned "the old demons are rising again. New ideologies manipulate religions, history threatens to resume its tragic course.

"Let us build our hopes rather than playing our fears against each other," he said.

"The lesson we draw of the great war cannot be rancor and resentment against other nations. And it cannot be allowing the past to be forgotten. The great war is a foundation that obliges us to think forward to the future and think of our essential values," he noted.

At Sunday's commemoration, young students, born decades after the World Word II, read out in English, Chinese and French etc. testimonies written by French, German, British and American soldiers when the guns fell silent on November 11, 1918.

Culminating a week of World War I memorials, Macron also lighted a flame and laid a wreath to honour an unknown soldier who was killed in the war and whose remains are buried with others under the arch.

Starting from July 28, 1914, and ended on November 11, 1918, the First World War is one of the bloodiest wars in history. Involving five European empires and dozens of world powers, it ended up with a Europe left in ruins and almost a generation of youth depleted.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)BSF Assistant Sub-Inspector Mahinder Singh killed on Sunday in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district when Maoists exploded hidden explosives when the troopers were on foot patrol, authorities said.

The attack came a day ahead of the first phase of Assembly polls in the state and occurred in an area which will see polling for the state Assembly on Monday. It was the fourth Maoist attack in 16 days in Chhattisgarh.

The slain trooper, a resident of Rajasthan, was part of a Border Security Force (BSF) team which ran into the concealed Improvised Explosive Devises (IED) near the Koyali Beda forested area.

"Over six IEDs exploded in one go when the BSF men reached the area. Mahinder Singh suffered critical injuries. He was flown to hospital in Raipur where doctors declared him dead," Kanket Superintendent of Police K.L. Dhruva told IANS.

The official said the BSF team left its base camp at Udanpur on Saturday morning in search of Maoists who have asked people to boycott Monday's election.

In another incident early on Sunday, a Maoist was killed in a gun battle with security forces in Bijapur district's Bedre forest area, said police. The dead Maoist was in combat dress.

"A team of Special Task Force (STF) was on an anti-Maoist operation when the incident took place. A rifle was recovered from the spot," a police officer said.

On November 8 a Central Industrial Security Force Head Constable and four civilians were killed when the Maoists blew up a mini bus in which they were returning to their camp after buying vegetables and groceries in Dantewada district.

A Doordarshan cameraman and three Chhattisgarh police personnel were killed in a Maoist ambush, also in Dantewada, on October 30. On October 27, the Maoists fired on a contingent of Central Reserve Police Force in Bijapur, killing four troopers.

Police said the Maoist attacks were part of an attempt to disrupt elections to the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly. Voting will take place on November 12 and 20 and the results will be declared on December 11.

Over 500 additional companies of security forces, including paramilitary, have been deployed in Chhattisgarh to boost security during elections.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actor-producer Riteish Deshmukh's tough policeman avatar in the teaser of his new Marathi film "Mauli" is being loved.

He says while he would love to show this side of his performance in a Hindi film, there's something else about doing it in his mother tongue.

The action-packed teaser of "Mauli" was unveiled by superstar Shah Rukh Khan on social media earlier this week.

It received a positive response from a majority of the film fraternity, with director Ram Gopal Varma questioning Riteish as to "why you don't show this kind of attitude in Hindi films and reserve it only for the Marathi Manoos?"

Riteish, who earlier featured in Marathi film "Lai Bhaari", responded: "Hahahaha RGV Sir, thank you for your unique, kind words. I wish I got a script like this in Hindi... But more than happy to play this character in Marathi. Mother tongue has its own magic."

Produced by Genelia D'Souza Deshmukh and directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the film, set to release on December 21, is written by Kshitij Patwardhan.

It features Saiyami Kher along with Riteish.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday inaugurated the phase I of the 12.4-km Nerul-Belapur-Seawoods-Kharkopar suburban railway.

The new line between Nerul-Belapur-Kharkopar will augment the Harbour rail network that will allow expansion of suburban local trains till Raigad district.

The entire 26.7-km Nerul-Belapur-Seawoods-Uran suburban line, once completed, will benefit the people of Navi Mumbai by providing direct access between Uran town, Jawaharlal Nehru Port and the newly-developed area of Mumbai Metropolitan region as well as Greater Mumbai.

The new line will allow commuters coming from both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Panvel to go up to Kharkopar.

The two leaders also laid the foundation stone for Umbermali and Thansit (two new suburban stations on Kalyan-Kasara line) and dedicated various other passenger amenities on Suburban section of Mumbai Division of Central Railway.

Speaking on the occasion, Piyush Goyal pointed out that the Pen-Panvel electrification work had been completed nine months before the schedule of July 2019.

He congratulated the Central Railway and CIDCO (City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra) officials for working in tandem to complete the Nerul/Belapur-Kharkopar (Phase 1) of Nerul/Belapur-Uran line, thereby connecting the Kharkopar area to Mumbai city.

He also said that it is expected to completely electrify the remaining section of Central Railway in a year's time.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis thanked the Railways Minister for allotting funds in the budget for Maharashtra more than double in comparison to previous years.

The work on the remaining 14.3-km stretch from Kharkopar to Uran is under progress and is likely to be completed by 2020, an official said.

"This will connect newly rising suburbs of Ulwe, near which the Navi Mumbai airport is under construction," the official said.

A total of four bridges, five road overbridges, 15 road underbridges and one track underbridge will be developed between the Nerul-Kharkopar section.

The official said a total of 40 train services (20 Up and 20 Down) are planned to run on the Nerul-Belapur-Seawoods-Kharkopar section. There are six stations on the new section -- Nerul, Seawoods Darave, Belapur, Targhar, Bamandongri and Kharkopar.

On the Nerul-Uran stretch, there is a small branch line from Targhar to Belapur.

The official said the Indian Railways and the CIDCO will share the cost of the project in the ratio of 33:67.

The complete 26.7-km project, which was planned in 1997, is estimated to cost around Rs 1,782 crore. It gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi started reviewing it under the Pragati project.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Actress Nithya Menen says she will star in a "beautiful film, which has a very unconventional love story",with her "Bangalore Days" co-star Fahadh Faasil.

Nithya had a small but impactful part in the 2014 Malayalam film and now, she is looking forward to reuniting with the National Film Award winner on the big screen.

"I am doing a Malayalam film, which I will be starting in February or March. It's a beautiful film with Fahadh. I am really looking forward to working with Fahadh because for me, working with good actors is such a pleasure," Nithya told IANS.

"It will be a beautiful... very unconventional love story," added the actress, who has more movies in Malayalam and Hindi in the pipeline.

She's also excited about the release of her film "Praana", which was shot in Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada.

"I think those were the most hectic 23 days that I have shot in my life. I do less number of takes because my acting is very spontaneous. But to shoot the same thing over and over again and to learn dialogues in different languages...

"I thought it would have been a little more challenging, but we managed it pretty well. I had to also do a lot of script work because I was the only one who knew all the four languages," she said.

She didn't want the soul of the film to get lost in other languages. So, if she was not on the film's set, she was mostly on the phone with the writer and getting the dialogues right.

"I didn't have a minute's rest while working on the film. We are planning a December release. The film is going to film festivals," said Nithya.

The trailer of "Praana", which has just one character played by her, was unveiled at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The wildfire that has been raging through northern California since Thursday, which has killed nine people so far, is considered to be the most destructive in the state's history, having destroyed more than 6,500 structures and engulfed nearly the entire city of Paradise, home to 26,000 people.

California emergency services officials confirmed during a press conference on Saturday that the "Camp Fire" has destroyed 6,453 homes, 260 commercial structures and 40,500 hectares (100,000 acres), while firefighters have only managed to contain 20 per cent of the blaze.

Nine people were confirmed to have been killed by the fire, including five that were found in or near their vehicles and four in or near their homes, though 35 people are still missing, reports Efe news.

The heavy traffic caused by the evacuations led many people to abandon their vehicles and flee by foot, which in turn caused more traffic and created a chaotic situation.

The strong winds and the dry conditions in the area have led to a rapid expansion of the fire. The smoke has even reached San Francisco, some 280 km (174 mi) southwest of the blaze, leading authorities to issue an air quality alert.

In addition to the "Camp Fire", two other large wildfires have hit southern California, the largest of which is the "Woolsey Fire," having devastated 28,000 hectares (nearly 70,000 acres) northwest of Los Angeles.

Two bodies were found in the beach town of Malibu, home to many Hollywood celebrities, though the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said in a statement that authorities have not yet determined if the two people died because of the fire or for other reasons.

The Woolsey Fire has destroyed dozens of homes in Malibu, Calabasas and Thousand Oaks, where a former US Marine killed 12 people at a bar on Wednesday night before taking his own life.

More than 250,000 homes have been evacuated throughout the state, including the homes of celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Guillermo del Toro, Cher, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, Roma Downey, Alyssa Milano, Rainn Wilson, Eddie McClintock and Melissa Etheridge.

On Saturday morning, US President Donald Trump blamed California authorities' "gross mismanagement of the forests" for the scale of the damages, threatening to withhold federal aid.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests," Trump wrote on Twitter.

"Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!," the president added.

On Friday, Trump approved an emergency declaration for California, which provides federal assistance to the affected areas.

--IANS

vc

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that Pakistan will learn from China's model for the poverty alleviation in the country, media reported.

Addressing a ceremony to inaugurate a shelter home in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, the prime minister said China has lifted over 700 million people out of poverty during last three decades which is an unprecedented achievement in the history of the world and "Pakistan will learn from it."

Khan, who had an official visit to China earlier this month, said the government has already started talks with the Chinese side to take their input and help to devise a comprehensive strategy for the poverty reduction in Pakistan, reports Xinhua news agency.

"My government would soon introduce a poverty alleviation package for the first time in the country's history to pull the poor people out of the poverty," said Khan, adding that a series of coordinated efforts would be made for the purpose.

Khan said the country will have to take steps and initiatives consistently for achieving goals.

According to Pakistan's Economic Survey 2018, over 24 per cent of the country's total population of over 207 million is living below the poverty line. Poverty, hunger and unemployment afflict a big section of the Pakistani population, the report said.

Khan also announced to establish shelter homes for the homeless people across the country who have been deprived of the basic needs of shelter, food and healthcare.

--IANS

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(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 Sunday paid tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his 130th birth anniversary.

"On his birth anniversary, tributes to Maulana Azad, freedom fighter, scholar and India's first Education Minister. In his honour, we celebrate November 11 as National Education Day," the President tweeted.

Besides Azad, the Prime Minister also paid tributes to Acharya J.B. Kripalani on his birth anniversary.

"Remembering Acharya J.B. Kripalani and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on their birth anniversaries. Two exemplary personalities, their notable role during the freedom struggle and emphasis on public welfare, equality, education and justice will never be forgotten."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)After Satyajit Ray, it is acclaimed filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh who redefined the image of Bengali cinema and culture for the modern world -- and the young generation is now following in his footsteps, says writer-director Sangeeta Datta, who has made a docu-feature on the maestro.

Datta has tried to capture Ghosh's transformation from an introverted, soft-spoken student of Jadavpur University who entered the world of an advertising agency as a copywriter, to not only become a multiple National Award-winning filmmaker but also a fashion icon of West Bengal who came out of the closet to celebrate the existence of the third gender.

"I think Ritu laid the path for a new generation for self-expression through cinema in Bengal. Today, when I see the young filmmakers experimenting with new subjects in Bengali cinema that is going global, they really admit the fact that with his cinema, Rituparno actually shaped the Bengali film industry at a time when people stopped going to watch a Bengali film in the theatre," Datta told IANS in an interview here.

"After Satyajit Ray, Ritu really arrived as someone who brought back the intellectual middle-class Bengali audience to the theatre."

Datta's docu-feature "Bird Of Dusk" had its India premiere at the 20th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, which ended here earlier this month.

Ghosh, whose cinema explored human relationships with a bold depiction of sexuality, died following a cardiac arrest in 2013 when he was just short of 50. He had won 12 national and several international awards during a two-decade journey spanning 19 movies.

Asked about how she treated the life journey of the filmmaker of "Dahan", "Raincoat" and "Chokher Bali" fame, Datta said: "I had seen Ritu from college days when he used to get bullied at the hands of other guys because he was not necessarily masculine and that made him more introverted. He formed his world through writing and reading... his knowledge was his power."

She said she had seen Ritu gradually became a confident person who embraced his creative ideology and sexuality. "I wove the story chronologically with utmost sensibility," she added.

"Bird of Dusk" offers various aspect of Ghosh's personality and equation with his regular collaborators like producers, actors, cinematographers and film editors.

From veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee to names like Nandita Das, Sharmila Tagore, Aparna Sen, Konkona Sen Sharma, Arjun Rampal, Prosenjit Chatterjee, the film features many personalities.

"When I was making the film, actors like Arjun Rampal very happily and willingly shared his story of how Rituparno turned the Bollywood actor into a performer in the film 'The Last Lear'.

"Since I was not a part of the film 'Shubho Mahurat' which featured Sharmila Tagore and Rakhee Gulzar, I did not know what happened on set. Sharmila di shared how she disliked the fact that Rituparno was trying to be political and playing up her against Rakhee," shared Datta, who made the feature film "Life Goes On" with Sharmila and Soha Ali Khan.

She also worked with Ghosh on films like "Chokher Bali", "Antarmahal: Views of the Inner Chamber" and "Raincoat" among others.

What is the one thing she misses the most about Ghosh?

"Apart from working with him as an associate director, our interest in Tagore's literature, art, music... It brought us together and we became very good friends. I miss our calls, our endless conversation on several topics that I cannot have with anyone so often because he was a really well-read man," Datta said on a nostalgic note.

As she got a bit emotional, Datta said: "I really lost a close friend... Ritu went too fast....that was not an age to die."

(Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in <mailto:arundhuti.b@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.)A Canadian Sikh farmer, who is the country's biggest cranberry grower, has made history with his induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame.

The British Columbia-based Peter Dhillon is the first person of visible minority to join the company of great Canadians who have made their mark in agriculture and agro-food business.

Dhillon is also the current chairman of Ocean Spray - a marketing cooperative of cranberry farmers in the US and Canada. Ocean Spray sells its products in over 90 countries, with annual sales of over $2.5 billion.

At Ocean Spray also, Dhillon broke the glass ceiling to become its first non-white chairman in 2014.

Dhillon, whose full name is Peter Povitar Dhillon, runs his cranberry farming operations under the name of Richberry Group of Companies based in Richmond, British Columbia.

Unveiling his portrait at the annual Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto, Dhillon said he was humbled to be inducted into the company of great Canadians.

"It is a great honour for me and I feel humbled because there are so many others who deserve this honour," he said.

His father Rachpal Singh Dhillon came to Canada in 1950 from Pandori village in Hoshiarpur and became the first Indo-Canadian to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP( at the age of 19, rising to the rank of Deputy Sheriff.

In 1981-82, he took early retirement to get into cranberry farming full time.

Peter Dhillon joined the family business in 1993 after finishing his law degree from the UK.

Currently, he has over 2,000 acres, just behind the world's biggest cranberry farmers in Massachusetts who own about 2,500 acres. His Richberry Group produced over 20 million pounds of cranberries last year.

"We hope to hit the 30 million-mark soon in production," Peter Dhillon said.

As chairman of Ocean Spray, he said he has been to India to explore the possibilities of entering the Indian market.

"There is a huge potential for cranberry juice and dried products in India as Indians are becoming increasingly health conscious."

--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 Sunday co-chaired a high-level meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu to discuss land acquisition for defence purposes in the state bordering China, Myanmar and Bhutan.

The meeting was also attended by Minister for Land Management Nabam Rebia, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Command Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Directorate General, Defence Estates Deepa Bajwa besides senior Defence officials and state government officials.

"A seven-point agenda was discussed in detail with regard to land acquisition for defence purposes in Arunachal Pradesh. The complications peculiar to Arunachal Pradesh due to collective community land holdings, change of priorities at late stage of procurement, excess payments, higher land costs, emerging necessities of the army were issues discussed during the meeting," an official statement said.

According to the statement, most of the agenda was resolved with major progress being achieved towards early settlement of all cases.

Khandu assured support from the state government besides personal indulgence with the local residents to break existing log-jams.

The meeting was closed with all stakeholders sanguine of fruitful outcomes in a short time even if some more meetings between them were necessitated in the immediate time frame.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The hills of Himachal Pradesh might experience rains and snowfall in the next four days, a official said here on Sunday.

"There are chances of rainfall and snowfall at some places in the state till November 14," meteorological office Director Manmohan Singh told IANS.

He said the Western Disturbances - storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region - were likely to be active in the region.

Most of the prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Dalhousie, Dharamsala, Palampur and Manali are likely to have light to moderate rains, while Kalpa and Chitkul in Kinnaur district and Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district might have more spells of snowfall.

Keylong was the coldest place in the state with a minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, while it was 1 degree in Kalpa and 1.2 degrees in Manali.

Shimla recorded the minimum temperature at 9.5 degrees, whereas Dharamsala recorded a low of 9.1 degrees and Dalhousie 9.3 degrees Celsius.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Philippines Justice Department said it had "found probable cause" to indict investigative news site Rappler and its CEO and executive editor on charges of tax evasion, the media reported on Sunday.

The Department said on Friday that Rappler and CEO Maria Ressa failed to declare about $3 million in 2015 on tax returns from an investment by the Omidyar Network, a fund created by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, CNN reported.

The investment was touted by Rappler in November 2015 as a partnership that created "an inclusive media" platform that blends professional journalism, technology and the wisdom of the crowd.

In response, Rappler issued a statement on Sunday, saying: "We are not at all surprised by the decision, considering how the (President Rodrigo) Duterte administration has been treating Rappler for its independent and fearless reporting."

Rappler has not shied away from critical reporting about Duterte, closely documenting his so-called "war on drugs", a widespread crackdown which has been condemned for encouraging thousands of extrajudicial killings.

In January, the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) temporarily revoked Rappler's registration on the basis that it had violated the country's constitution over foreign ownership rules.

The day before Friday's announcement of tax evasion charges, Ressa was in the US to accept a Knight International Journalism Award from the International Committee for Journalists (ICFJ).

In a statement announcing the award, the ICFJ lauded Ressa as an "intrepid editor and media innovator who holds a spotlight to the Philippine government's bloody war on drugs".

According to analysts, Friday's move is being seen as a thinly disguised attempt to stifle press freedom in the South East Asian country, CNN said.

Freedom House, a US government-funded NGO, released a report earlier this month that found internet freedom had declined worldwide for the eighth consecutive year.

Of 65 countries examined, the Philippines suffered one of the biggest drops in a point-scoring method that assesses internet access, freedom of expression, and privacy issues, according to the report "Freedom on the Net".

--IANS

ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Believe it or not, the Aravalis -- one of the oldest ranges in the world -- remain undefined till date, leading to its steady depletion.

The Supreme Court recently expressed shock and surprise over how 31 Aravali hills have vanished in Rajasthan, stunning many. Greens, bureaucrats and forest officers who spoke to IANS say the reason for the destruction of the Aravalis is mainly one -- the territory remains undefined. Greed follows.

According to an official from the Rajasthan mining department, Aravali has not been defined properly. A complete hill range has been split into two parts, Aravali and non-Aravali, posing challenges to policymakers.

In 2002, a committee formed by the Director of Mines defined that any hill above 100 metre slope shall be Aravali while anything less than that shall not be Aravali.

"This differentiation is surprising," said the official. "How can a hill chain spread over thousands of kilometres be isolated from one another depending on its height?"

Another official from the same department says this demarcation has given room to illegal miners who began rampant mining in the hills with less than 100 metre height and hence certain hills started vanishing.

J.K. Upadhyay, Director of the Department of Mines and Geology, says that the 31 hills which have vanished from Rajasthan depleted between 1955 and 2018.

He wants a policy where a balancing formula between nature restoration and development can be made.

A renowned environmentalist, Harshwardhan, says that it was an irony that Rajasthan authorities were unable to outline which is the reserved Aravali region in Rajasthan or in neighbouring Haryana.

In the Supreme Court, justices Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta commented: "What is happening in Rajasthan? Humans seem to be flying away with hills just like Hanuman."

A senior architect associated with many prestigious government projects says that Aravali hills have been exploited for money. At the same time, officials without any knowledge of heritage conservation have done whatever their political bosses ordered them to do vis-a-vis the hill range.

He alleged that some government servants were hand in glove with private entities to mint money from the hills.

B.S. Nathwat, a retired official, insists that a proper classification of Aravali hills is a must to preserve it.

"The definition given by the mining department that hills above 100 feet is Aravali and anything below that is non-Aravali is wrong."

If a proper definition is not given, and soon, rampant illegal mining cannot be checked, he added. And even though mining has been banned in Aravali, sand is still being supplied from there.

(Archana Sharma can be contacted at archana.s@ians.in <mailto:archana.s@ians.in>)

--IANS

arc/mr/tb/hs

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A woman was arrested on Sunday in Australia in connection with the "strawberry scare" after sewing needles were found hidden inside the fruit, police said.

The police said the 50-year-old was arrested in Queensland "following a complex... and extensive investigation", the BBC reported.

The woman is expected to face unspecified charges on Sunday evening. She will appear in a Brisbane court on Monday.

A nationwide investigation was launched after shocked shoppers first reported the contamination in September.

There were over 100 reports of needles being found in strawberries, though many were suspected to be copycat cases or social media stunts.

Farmers were forced to dump tonnes of berries and supermarkets pulled the fruit off shelves.

The first cases emerged in Queensland, where a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after eating strawberries.

The scare spread to every Australian state and later to New Zealand, raising public alarm.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The call launched last week by King Mohammed for a frank dialogue with Algeria to iron out all the differences marring bilateral relations is gaining more international praise, as a step mirroring the Kingdoms good faith and determination to build a strong Maghreb Union.

In this connection, President of the Commission of the African Union Moussa Faki Mahamat lauded the Sovereigns call and his initiative to establish a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation with Algeria.

Moussa Faki Mahamat also reaffirmed the AUs support for any initiative meant to revive regional cooperation.

In a speech marking the 43rd anniversary of the Green March celebrated on November 6, King Mohammed VI deplored the state of Moroccan-Algerian relations and called for a direct and frank dialogue in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries. He suggested the establishment of a mechanism for dialogue and consultation to break the stalemate in bilateral relations.

After the European Union, France, and Spain, Portugal reaffirmed its support for all initiatives that could help settle the disputes between Morocco and Algeria, two friendly countries with which Portugal has very close and privileged relations.

A Moroccan-Algerian rapprochement would promote understanding and cooperation between Maghreb countries and stimulate prosperity and stability in this region, the Portuguese Government said in a statement.

Moroccan socialist leader and former Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi on his part addressed a letter to Algeria, expressing hope that the eastern neighbor would seize Moroccos extended hand.

In his letter that was aired exclusively on Medi 1 TV channel, the icon of the Moroccan national independence movement and former leader of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces, said he welcomed the appeal made by King Mohammed VI to the Algerian neighbors for the creation of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation.

Banking on the spirit of the royal speech, I consider it to be a sincere position of the sovereign, whose sole objective is to find solutions to our outstanding problems. We need to find a way out given the brotherhood and shared history that unite us, said Abderrahmane Youssoufi.

I was delighted to hear the sovereign refer to the Tangier conference that brought together, in 1958, the Maghreb parties of the national movement of our three countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco), he stated, expressing hope that the Royal Initiative would be a response to the concerns of the elites of both countries concerning the uncertain future of the region.

The Royal initiative was commended by several Arab and African countries as an opportunity to open new perspectives for peace, stability and development in the Maghreb.Dozens of leaders from around the globe on Sunday converged in Paris to attend a portentous ceremony commemorating 100 years since the armistice that put an end to the brutal conflict now known as World War I.

Some 70 heads of State and government were among the guests of an event hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, who gave a solemn speech exalting the millions of young men who were tragically killed fighting in the Great War and criticized what he identified as the root of the global-scale bloodbath, the ideology of nationalism, reports Efe news.

"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism," Macron said. "Nationalism betrays it."

"Old demons are resurfacing. History sometimes threatens to take its tragic course again and compromise our hope of peace. Let us vow to prioritize peace over everything," the French leader added, in what appeared to be a reference to the surge of far-right nationalist parties and movements across Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Before Macron's speech, the world leaders walked side-by-side under an unforgiving downpour towards the iconic Arc de Triomphe at the end of the Champs-Elysees avenue while the bells of the French capital's churches tolled to mark the exact time the 1918 ceasefire went into effect, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Attending dignitaries included the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, Austrian President Alexander Van Der Bellen and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who all represent the successor states to the Central Powers that ended up being defeated in the war (the German, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires).

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - as well as leaders of former parts of the British Empire such as Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar or Indian Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu - symbolized the Allied or Entente coalition that emerged victorious in the struggle, despite the heavy losses suffered in terms of military and civilian lives.

US President Donald Trump skipped the meet, inviting global criticism.

While a youth orchestra as well as renowned Chinese-American cellist Yo-yo Ma provided the musical aspect of the ceremony, the leaders held a moment of silence around the Tomb to the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe.

Merkel was later set to give an opening speech alongside UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the start of an international peace forum concocted by Macron as a tribute to multilateralism and a bulwark against nationalist tendencies.

Some 10,000 police officers provided security for an event filled with VIPs in a city repeatedly targeted by terror attacks.

--IANS

mr/

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Last Tuesday, voters in the United States (US) gave a majority in their House of Representatives to the Democrats and a majority in the Senate to the Republicans. On the same day, tougher US sanctions against Iran came into effect, with India getting significant waivers.

In his press conference after the election results, President Trump claimed victory and was rather combative. But, it is clear that no matter what he says, his wings have been clipped somewhat. The days he could carry legislation through a Republican-controlled House and Senate are over and many of his unilateral ...Has anyone noticed how often Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is visiting Delhi? He now comes to the national capital at least once every two weeks.

Interlocutors suggest the frequency will increase as the general elections draw near. Naidu is conscious that (a) he has valuable experience in bringing big egos together against one enemy; (b) his salvation lies in winning Andhra Pradesh assembly elections only if a friendly government is in place at the Centre; (c) the BJP is distinctly unfriendly to the point of being an adversary and will continue to ...Four minor girls used their 'dupattas' as a rope to climb down the second-floor balcony of a government-funded shelter home in Patna and escaped early Sunday, police said.

Of the four girls, who escaped from Asha Kiran Home For Girls in Patliputra colony, three are of 16 years of age and the fourth was 12 years old, SHO Tarkeshwar Nath Tiwary said.

The girls were brought to the shelter home last month.

Tiwary said the reason for their escape would be investigated.

He said the security guard of the home was inside the building when the girls escaped.

An FIR was filed by the shelter home's authorities and police were investigating the matter.

In April, reports of over 30 girls and women being allegedly raped at a state-funded shelter home in Muzaffarpur had come to light, sending shockwaves across the country.

Reports of girls escaping from shelter homes, however, continued.

While a woman fled from a shelter home in Patna on September 24, two minor girls escaped from another government-funded short-stay home in Khagaria district on October 29.

The woman who fled from the Patna shelter home was later found.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Five daily wage employees of a forest department guest house in Nalanda district were allegedly assaulted by the police inside a police station, following which its station house officer (SHO) was suspended on Sunday, officials said.

In a video, an angry Nalanda Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) was purportedly seen to be threatening to take the police to the court in connection of the assault.

The five were picked them up on Saturday on the charge of stealing a television from the guest house at Rajgir. They were taken to a jungle and beaten up by police. They were again thrashed inside Rajgir police station, officials said.

Rajgir police station SHO Vijendra Kumar was suspended on Sunday by Nalanda Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar Porika, officials said adding that the five were also released during the day.

Following the incident, a video of Nalanda (DFO) Dr Nesmani angrily talking to the SP face to face has gone viral on social media.

"We were not expecting this from you. It seems that the SHO is either beyond your control or you are not paying proper attention," Nesmani was seen telling Porika.

"Among the five persons, there is a man who serves food to the chief minister. We will get the medical examination of all the five persons done and take the police to court," the DFO said.

After seeing the scars on their bodies, it appeared that they have been beaten with baton for more than 100 times, he said.

After getting information about the incident, Patna (central range) DIG Rajesh Kumar asked Porika to suspend the SHO for his lapses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)More than half of the 17 automobile firms selling passenger vehicles in mass-market segment in India posted a decline in sales in the first seven months of the fiscal, reflecting the continued struggles of global brands in trying to make their presence felt in the country.

According to the latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), nine companies posted a decline in the sales in April-October this fiscal.

Among the major global brands which saw a decline in their sales in India during the period were Volkswagen, Renault Nissan and Skoda.

During the period, Volkswagen India saw its domestic sales decline by 24.28 per cent at 21,367 units, while Renault India also witnessed a drop of 26.17 per cent at 47,064 units.

Similarly, Nissan Motors India's April-October sales stood at 22,905 units, down 26.81 per cent from the year-ago period.

Skoda Auto India's sales during the fiscal so far stood at 9,919 units, down 1.48 per cent. Likewise, Isuzu Motors India also witnessed a decline of 18.32 per cent in sales at 1,248 units.

Fiat India Automobiles posted sales of just 481 units, down 69.9 per cent from the year-ago period.

Commenting on the trend, SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said, "This has been structurally there (in the past too). There are companies which are now trying to address this through partnerships while increasing their exports from India."



While has joined hands with Mahindra, and Suzuki have also announced a partnership with an eye on strengthening their presence in the Indian market.

Last year, had stopped selling its vehicles in India as there was no turnaround in its fortunes here after struggling for over two decades to make a mark.

Among the domestic firms which saw a dip in sales this fiscal are Force Motors at 1,246 units, down 16.88 per cent and Mahindra Electric Mobility at 333 units, down 32.04 per cent, as per SIAM data.

Finance Corporation that sells SUVs from clocked 189 units, down 44.57 units.

On the other hand, market leader Maruti Suzuki India posted 9.1 per cent increase in its April-October sales at 10,44,749 units.

Following it was at 3,26,178 units at a growth of 3.86 per cent, while Mahindra & Mahindra registered sales of 1,45,462 units, marginally up by 0.45 per cent.

saw its sales jump by 25.65 per cent during the period at 1,38,732 units, while Honda Cars India also improved its sales by 2.98 per cent to 1,08,652 units.

Kirloskar Motor clocked 14.69 per cent increase in its sales so far this fiscal at 92,169 units.

Similarly, India's sales during the period stood at 58,082 units, a growth of 15.5 per cent. FCA India Automobiles also saw its sales rise by 28.99 per cent to 9,753 units during the period.Actor Alexander Skarsgard says he wants to marry a British girl, because he feels they have a "sensibility" which he responds to.

The 42-year-old actor, who hails from Stockholm in Sweden, said he likes that British know how to make fun of themselves



"I think British. From a very early age, I've always thought I'll end up with a Brit. There's something about the mentality. Brits have a sensibility that I respond to. They make fun of themselves in a way that I really appreciate," Skarsgard told The Times.

The "Big Little Lies" actor said he is determined to meet the right person before he thinks about settling down.

"I'm not going to settle and say, 'Oh, you're all right - let's make a family.' I'm more romantic than that. I have friends who've done that and they're not happy, and then they go through horrible divorces. I was with a girl for a couple of years and it ended up not working out, but we're still close friends.

"That's not to say I want to wait until I'm 65. I come from a huge family and I hope one day to have that myself. But I am having the time of my life: I'm working with extraordinary filmmakers. I feel like I'm in a good space. I'm not avoiding a relationship, but I'm also not desperate for it. If it happens, it happens," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Indian Air Force is "very much alive" to emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said Sunday, and asserted that his force was prepared to deal with any challenge to protect India's national interests.

He also said there is a cause for concern over the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in India's neighbourhood, even as India faces challenges emanating from "unresolved territorial disputes" and "sponsored" non-state and transnational actors. But the IAF is capable of, and is moving ahead, for countering them effectively, he told PTI in an interview.

Asked whether the IAF can play a role in smashing terrorist training camps across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he did not rule out such a possibility.

"The IAF is well equipped to take on threats which occur from across the border, be it in the realm of sub-conventional or other domains," the Air Chief Marshal said.

Referring to India's immediate security challenges, without naming China and Pakistan, he said, "The current challenges emanate from unresolved territorial issues, sponsored non-state actors and transnational actors who act against national interests through the global commons."



"The IAF is prepared 24x7 for any threat and is ready for a befitting response to any contingency with all our available assets," he told PTI.

Dhanoa also made an indirect reference to China's rapid modernisation of its air force and also about the infrastructure development Beijing has carried out in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) bordering India.

"The IAF is well equipped to take on challenges across the entire range of threats that could emanate across our borders. While there is a cause for concern as regards to the rate of modernisation and induction of new equipment in our neighbourhood, the IAF is nevertheless, moving ahead with appropriate measures to cater to these new developments," he said.

A rising China has been massively increasing its overall air power by acquiring a range of fighter jets including H-6K strategic bombers and next-generation stealth fighters such as J-10 and J-20s, besides enhancing infrastructure for its air force in mountainous TAR.

Asked whether the IAF was capable of playing a role to expand India's geo-political influence in the Indo-Pacific region, he replied in the affirmative and talked about IAF's capabilities including having the second-largest fleet of C-17s.

"We have the second-largest fleet of C-17s in the world. Therefore, India will pull its heft in helping out friendly nations in times of human distress and humanitarian relief. In addition, the IAF is very much alive to the emerging threats that could arise in the Indo Pacific region," he said.

At present, the IAF has a fleet of ten C-17 Globemasters, used for strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo for long-range missions.

The US has been pushing for a greater role for India in the Indo-Pacific which is seen by many countries as an effort to contain China's growing clout in the strategic region.

In November last year, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.

Dhanoa said the IAF was adopting a holistic approach in harnessing all available resources at its disposal to deal with various security challenges in a collaborative and cohesive manner.

"The gradual shift in the centre of gravity of global financial power from the West to the East has brought many challenges to the fabric of existential peace in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

"Security is no longer confined to the preservation of territorial integrity alone. It also encompasses a comprehensive concept including all elements of national power," he added.

On IAF's ambitious modernisation plan, the Chief of Air Staff said augmenting the fighter squadron strength was his priority.

"To achieve this, the IAF is looking at new inductions and midlife upgrades. Towards this, MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage-2000 aircraft are being upgraded in a phased manner in order to equip them with contemporary capabilities," he said.

He also mentioned the planned induction of 83 Tejas light combat aircraft and 36 Rafale jets.

"Further, case for 114 fighter aircraft is being processed under the Strategic Partnership model of DPP (Defence Procurement Procedure)-16. Other options are also being explored to build up to authorised strength at the earliest," he added.

The IAF has already started the process to procure a batch of 114 fighter jets.

At present, the IAF has a total of 32 squadrons of fighter jets much below the authorised strength of 42 squadrons.

He has there was significant progress in enhancing IAF's air defence (AD) capabilities with the induction of new radars and surface to air guided weapon (SAGW) systems.

"The induction of Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM), Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Digitisation of Pechora, Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) and Close In Weapon System (CIWS) will provide layered AD capability," the IAF chief said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Iowa Democrats are serious about their presidential caucuses, as these 2016 participants illustrate. Photo: Michael B. Thomas/AFP/Getty Images

2014 was a really tough year for Iowa Democrats. They lost a U.S. Senate seat that Tom Harkin had occupied for 30 years, upsetting a bipartisan balance in senators that many Iowans had long considered sacrosanct. They also lost two of the states four U.S. House seats. And just four years after Republicans ended a 12-year stretch of Democratic governors, veteran GOP governor Terry Branstad defeated his Democratic opponent by over 20 points. Then two years later, it got worse. In this state that Barack Obama had carried twice, Donald Trump won by over nine points, a bigger margin than in Texas. Republicans held onto the two House seats. And in a big breakthrough, they won the state senate and consolidated their first trifecta control of Iowa state government since 1998.

While late-breaking states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania got a lot more attention, no heartland state broke more decisively against Democrats in 2016 than Iowa. And given the Hawkeye States demographics  featuring few minority voters and a lot of noncollege educated white voters  there was reason to think it had been realigned toward Republicans despite the states long and proud history of well-organized and often successful Democratic politics and governance.

And so going into the 2018 midterms, signs of Republican weakness in Iowa and in other midwestern states indicated a degree of buyers remorse that had potentially enormous implications for Trumps reelection bid in 2020. The impact of Trumps trade war on agricultural producers like Iowas soybean farmers was sufficiently negative that a strong backlash against Republicans in the farm belt seemed possible (though the administration mitigated some of it with new crop subsidies). Strong candidates were recruited for the governors race (in which Ambassador to China Terry Branstads appointed successor Kim Reynolds looked shaky) and all three Republican-held House districts.

When the dust had settled on the evening of November 6, the results in Iowa were decidedly mixed. Democrats took back those two House seats they had lost in 2014, electing Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne, the first two women ever to represent Iowa in that chamber. They also threw a scare into iconic nativist congressman Steve King, who was held to the lowest winning margin in his nine election campaigns in a profoundly conservative northwest Iowa district.

But at the same time, well-regarded and lavishly funded Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell fell short against Reynolds. And Democratic hopes of breaking the GOP trifecta also failed at the state legislative level. While Republicans lost five state House seats, they won four more state senate seats to maintain their majorities.

So where does that leave Democrats as Iowa prepares to begin the 2020 presidential nominating cycle in the caucuses that are scheduled to be held on the evening of Monday, February 3, less than 15 months from now?

They have every reason to be confident that their state is not destined to stay red, as the congressional results this year showed. But Iowa Democrats have an acute sense of the power their spot on the nominating process calendar gives them to change the country as well as their state, and a corresponding sense of responsibility for guiding national Democrats in the right direction. That could be particularly significant in 2020, where an unusually large Democratic presidential field really needs to be winnowed in the early contests. Theres a longstanding cliche that there are three tickets out of Iowa  three candidates, or sometimes just two, that remain viable after the caucuses. With more than 20 candidates, some with fame, some with money, and some just with ambition, approaching the starting line, Iowas winnowing function could be crucial to the task of producing a nominee ready to take on Trump.

This certainly seems to be the operating assumption of most 2020 wannabes. According to the Iowa Starting Line blog, 27 potential candidates have made a total of 116 trips to Iowa so far, most of them paying their dues by helping local Democrats campaign and/or raise money. Even some who havent yet made the pilgrimage to Des Moines or Cedar Rapids or Waterloo or Council Bluffs are making their presence known. Elizabeth Warren has deployed a staff member to the state, and has done a plethora of remote but significant work for Iowa Democrats, from fund-raising to policy advice to appearances in Washington with candidates. Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Martin OMalley have past caucus experience. All the 2020 likelies will be hiring up and recruiting volunteers very soon.

You can expect Iowa Democrats to be unusually discriminating this time around. Despite the progressive activism for which the state is well-known, there is a pragmatic streak among caucus-goers that led them to prefer Al Gore to Bill Bradley in 2000, John Kerry to Howard Dean in 2004, Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton in 2008, and then Clinton to Bernie Sanders in 2016. The candidate who can depict her- or himself as a tough, progressive, and above-all electable nominee will have a leg up in Iowa, and thus nationally. To a considerable extent, Iowans measure these characteristics by the quality of caucus operations a candidate puts together in their union halls, community centers, fairgrounds, and living rooms. With the midterms now over, that calculation will begin right away.Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Sunday took strong exception to the SGPC's decision to sack noted Sikh scholar Kirpal Singh as the chairman of the Sikh History Resource Editing Project amid a controversy over the alleged distortion of the community's history in PSEB's class 12 text books.

Amarinder Singh flayed the decision, saying it was clearly taken by the SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikhs, at the behest of their Akali masters.

Pointing to the timing of the decision, the chief minister termed it as "politically motivated" and accused the Akalis of "indulging in cheap political gimmickry to divert the public attention from their internal crisis.

He said the decision was also aimed at diverting the attention from the "more serious issue of the sacrilege cases, in which the Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission had found them involved."



Had the SGPC been even remotely concerned about the distortion of the history syllabus of the Punjab School Education Board textbooks, their two members, who were part of the oversight committee set up to review the syllabus, would have attended the meetings of the panel, Amarinder Singh said in a statement here.

A syllabus oversight committee of eminent Sikh scholars under the chairmanship of DrKirpal Singh was set up by the Amarinder Singh government to look into the alleged distortion of Sikhs history and and denigration of their gurus.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had recently sat on a dharna in Amritsar against the Congress government for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community by "denigrating" Sikh gurus in the newly published class 12 PSEB history books.

The chief minister flayed the Badals, accusing them of indulging in political witch hunt to create communal unrest in the state to further their political agenda.

On the issue of the history syllabus, the chief minister said it was the Akalis who were solely responsible for distortions and mistakes in school history books during their regime in 2014, when the Human Resources Ministry of the BJP-led NDA government had taken the first step to 'rationalise' the syllabus of social sciences subjects in the name of 'nationalistic' approach.

The HRD Ministry subsequently gave directions to the states to include an NCERT representative in the syllabus committee to be constituted for the purpose, he said.

Further, the chief minister said, the previous SAD-BJP government in the state had constituted a 14-member committee, mostly from amongst the teaching staff of the Panjab University, Chandigarh, and no one was taken from Punjabi University, Patiala or GNDU, Amritsar.

One junior lecturer from Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi, was also included in the committee," he added.

In the name of rationalisation, the history syllabus was formulated in such a way that history of Punjab was introduced in four classes from 9 to 12 in an incoherent design Amarinder Singh claimed.

He further said only two topics of the Sikh history were included in the class 12 syllabus.

The study of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was included in the Bhakti movement chapter, thereby, demeaning his status as founder of Sikhism, Amarinder Singh said.

The Akalis then quietly acquiesced to the fate accompli but created hue and cry after they were shunted out of the office," he said.

The chief minister said, "Dr Kirpal Singh's removal as chairman of the Sikh History Resource Editing Project at this critical juncture, when the syllabus was being reviewed in a rational and apolitical manner, indicated a clear attempt by the SAD to sabotage the efforts of the Congress government to resolve the issue in the larger interests of the students.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Army soldier was killed Sunday by a Pakistani sniper along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said, the third fatal casualty due to sniping from across the border in three days.

The soldier, manning a forward post in Kalal area of Noushera sector, was shot by a Pakistani sniper, resulting in his death, they said.

The officials said Indian troops guarding the border retaliated strongly and effectively and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued for some time.

On Saturday, a soldier was killed after he was hit by a sniper in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district.

Rifleman Varun Kattal, 21, a resident of Mawa-Rajpura area of Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, was shot dead by a Pakistani sniper in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, triggering an exchange of fire between the two sides which also left two BSF personnel injured.

An Army portar lost his life in a similar attack in Akhnoor sector a day earlier.

On October 21, three soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry regiment and two heavily-armed infiltrators, believed to be members of the Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistani army, and terrorists, were killed in Sunderbani sector.

On November 6, a soldier was injured when he was hit by a sniper from across the border at Kalal in Noushera sector of Rajouri, while a BSF jawan was injured in a separate incident of firing by Pakistan along the LoC in the Manjakote area of the Rajouri-Poonch sector Friday.

The number of ceasefire violations this year by Pakistan has been the highest in the past eight years.

The first seven months of this year saw 52 deaths and 232 people getting injured in 1,435 ceasefire violations in the state, according to an RTI reply by the Home Ministry.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The terror infrastructure in Pakistan remains intact and around 160 terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into Indian territory, a senior Army officer said Sunday.

Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh, who took over as the general officer commanding of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, commonly known as XVI Corps, also said that cross-border terrorism will stop only if Pakistan changes its policy and intentions.

The officer, involved in the planning of the 2016 surgical strikes on the terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, told PTI in an interview that the Army was not letting up on "our preparedness and the counter-infiltration grid is strong enough to deal with infiltrators".

Lt. Gen. Singh, who has served in all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir, said, "140 to 160 terrorists at different locations in Pakistan are being pushed into the state."



"The terror infrastructure is intact, and Pakistan's intentions have not changed. The Pakistan Army and the ISI's complicity in planning infiltration and terror attacks is evident and it continues," the officer, who has a vast experience in high-altitude warfare, said.

To a question on the situation along the LoC, he said ceasefire violations have abated after the DGMO-level talks.

"For troops on the LoC, there is no ceasefire... though periodic unprovoked firing by the Pakistan Army and attempts to cause harm to forward posts continue. We do not initiate fire, but we give it back in adequate measure. There is no let up on preparedness and our counter-infiltration grid is strong to deal with infiltrators," he said.

Talking about challenges during winter, Lt Gen Singh, who is part of the elite Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), said the Army anticipates that Pakistani troops will make an attempt to push infiltrators through heavy snow-bound areas and non-traditional routes.

"We have all contingency plans ready. We have coordinated with all security agencies, and plans are being implemented smoothly," said Lt Gen Singh, who commanded a special forces' battalion that participated in the surgical strikes after the attack on an Army brigade in Uri in 2016.

Referring to the recent incident of firing of 107-mm rocket on the Poonch brigade, he said, "Despite Director General of Military Operations-level talks in May during which the two countries agreed to abide by the 2003 ceasefire agreement, Pakistani troops targeted these locations."



"In response, we conveyed that Pakistan must exercise caution before indulging in any misadventure," Lt Gen Singh said.

Replying to another question about causalities suffered by Pakistani troops in retaliatory fire by the Indian Army, the officer said, "Pakistan has never been open about its causalities unless the soldier is from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir".

As Major General General Staff at the Northern Command headquarters, Lt. Gen. Singh played a pivotal role in strategising military response to agitations that erupted in 2016 after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)At least 10 stowaways were killed and 24 were injured when a freight train derailed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said Sunday.

Rehema Omari, stationmaster in the town of Samba near where the accident occurred on Friday, said the toll was provisional.

"The brakes gave way when the train was going at top speed," she told AFP, adding that the driver had fled.

A migration service official said however that he saw "at least 30 mangled bodies and others under the cars" of the train.

State rail company SNCC's director general for Lubumbashi, Ilunga Ilunkamba, said experts were on the scene to determine the final toll and investigate the causes of the accident.

SNCC is headquartered in Lubumbashi, the DR Congo's mining capital, where the train had been headed from the central city of Kindu when it derailed near Samba some 280 kilometres (175 miles) to the south, Omari said.

Rail accidents in the sprawling former Belgian colony are frequent and often deadly because of decrepit track and ageing locomotives dating from the 1960s.

In November 2017, 35 people, many of them clandestine passengers, were killed when a freight train carrying 13 oil tankers plunged into a ravine in southern Lualaba province.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Baazigar" faced quite a few hurdles from delay in shoot due to communal riots, to not getting a hero to play a negative rolebut as the film completes 25 years, the director duo Abbas Mustan are happy as it is regarded one of the best Bollywood thrillers till date.

Released on November 12, 1993, "Baazigar" featured Shah Rukh as an anti-hero. The thriller, also Kajol's one of the earliest successes and Shilpa Shetty's debut, became a blockbuster thanks to its plot and chartbuster music by Anu Malik.

As the film completes 25 years, Mustan, in an interview with PTI, talks about the obstacles the team faced, why Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor turned down the anti-hero role and why they shot two different climax scenes for the movie.

"People still like the film and it is a big compliment to the entire team. The important thing is the maker should be convinced with his own vision as that will reflect on screen. We had a hero playing a negative role. Though it led to the hit pairing of Shah Rukh and Kajol, it was not a romantic film. But it all worked well," Mustan told PTI.

He recalls the movie received overwhelming response across the globe and they witnessed it during the film's US and UK screenings.

The birth of the film, however, was difficult. The mahurat of the film was done in December 1992 and the shoot was scheduled to start soon, with the aim to wrap it up by January-February.

The film hit a roadblock after communal riots broke in different parts of the country post the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6.

"There was a tense moment due to riots, people were scared and were not going out. But Mumbai is a city that bounces back like never before. Once things got cleared, work began as usual.

"We started shooting sometime in late March and wrapped it by May-June and decided to release it on Diwali. The film was earlier set to release in June-July."



"Baazigar" chronicled the story of a young man with a vendetta against a business tycoon and how he plots to destroy the rest of the family.

Mustan, an ardent fan of Manmohan Desai's cinema, was inspired by the filmmaking style of the renowned director to form the crux of "Baazigar" as a mother-son story with revenge as backdrop.

"In his films, the character of a mother was of utmost importance. We wanted to have that element in our film. It is all about bringing the right emotion for a film.

"If the mother-son relationship is explored and justified properly on screen then it definitely strikes a chord with audience. If a son is taking revenge for his mother then his every sin is forgiven. And it worked well with the audience."



The makers felt veteran actor Rakhee Gulzar was the perfect choice to play a distressed mother to Shah Rukh. It was Rakhee, who had told the director duo to change the climax of the film.

"Rakhee ji said yes but wanted the ending to be changed as she felt audience should not be let down. A lot of distributors said the hero should not die in the end and instead the police should come and arrest him.

"So we had shot both the endings. We felt the ending where the police comes and takes SRK will not work as the emotional graph of the character would not be conveyed correctly."



When the first copy came out, Mustan says, both, the distributors and Rakhee eventually agreed to go with the duo's vision of the climax.

The film is said to be a remake of "A Kiss Before Dying" but Mustan insists only one scene is inspired from this 1991 Hollywood film.

"Our film is completely different from this Hollywood movie. Only one shot where a man throws a girl off the terrace, we just had that scene where Shah Rukh's character throws Shilpa off the terrace to her death. That film has no track of mother-son, it is there in our film," Mustan says.

Shah Rukh, now regarded as the King of Romance, played the anti-hero effortlessly, but he was not the first choice for the film. Mustan says, the producers had approached Salman, who at that point was doing Sooraj Barjatya's film and felt the negative role might not work for his good boy on screen image.

While, Anil Kapoor, according to Mustan, felt he may not be able to carry the negative role.

Mustan recalls, Shah Rukh had come to meet producers at Venus company for the narration of a film, which he did not like, but a chance encounter with the director duo, got him "Baazigar".

Describing SRK as a director's actor, Mustan says, "He used to shoot one scene in four-five different ways. He has a huge range as an actor."



Giving example of a scene, where SRK kills Resham Tipnis (Shilpa Shetty's friend), who had photographs as evidence to unmask him, Mustan says, "We told him that he should keep the photograph in his pocket. Shah Rukh instead thought of tearing the photo and putting it in his mouth. There were things which he did spontaneously."



Mustan says, it was SRK, who helped them in getting the necessary permission to shoot in Delhi, the hometown of the 53-year-old superstar. The film was shot in Delhi and Mumbai and the title track was filmed in Mauritius.

The producers had told the director duo to consider casting big heroines like Sridevi or Juhi Chawla but they felt a fresh pairing was apt for the film.

"We felt if an artiste or actor is bigger than the film then it will not work," Mustan adds.

"When we went to Kajol, she was so lively and jovial, we felt she might not be able to understand the script and her role. She showed her maturity during the shoot and remained focused. Shilpa too worked very hard," Mustan says.

There have been rumours about the sequel to "Baazigar" but Mustan is happy that the film is relevant even today and a part two can only be made if they come across a great story.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An attempt by a thief to loot cash from an unguarded ATM was thwarted by the police here, officials said Sunday.

While the culprit managed to escape, he left behind more than Rs 17 lakh in cash that was taken out from the ATM after breaking it open, they said.

According to Station House Officer (SHO) of Channi Himmat Police Station Mohd Aslam, the thief attracted the attention of police patrolling the Sainik Colony locality on the outskirts of Jammu while attempting to break open the ATM.

The police party comprising head constable Satish Kumar and selection grade constable Murad Ali heard some noise from a UCO bank ATM at around 2.45 am last night, Aslam told PTI.

The policemen rushed towards the ATM but the thief who had taken out all the cash amounting to Rs 17,53,700 fled the scene, he added.

A case was registered and efforts were on to identify the culprit and bring him to book, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Sunday accused the BJP of indulging in "cheap politics" by raking up the issue of only before elections.

Slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for "insulting" Lord Rama, Singhvi questioned why the Narendra Modi government at the Centre failed to bring an ordinance in the last four years.

"Before every election, they remember the Ram Mandir. They have their governments in Uttar Pradesh and at the Centre but they did nothing before elections," the All India Congress Committee spokesperson said at a press conference here.

"They raise the temple issue before elections, do cheap politics and thereafter forget it," he added.

Singhvi said as the matter was pending before the Supreme Court, the BJP by talking about bringing an ordinance for was "insulting" Lord Rama.

"Was there any ban on bringing an ordinance in the last four-and-a-half years? What made them consider bringing it before the elections? These are all political stunts," he said.

Singhvi further alleged that the Modi-led government only weakened institutions in its rule and accused the BJP of dividing people and society.

He also targeted Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje alleging that the crime rate had increased under her rule in the state which will vote in a single phase on December 7.

"Law and order situation in the state is poor. Despite a woman chief minister in power, women and children do not feel secure. Criminals are committing serious crimes in the open," he said.

Singhvi further said that there had been a significant rise in crimes like rape, dacoity and abduction among others under the BJP government in Rajasthan.

He claimed that the Congress was going to form the next government in the state.What did it really mean to be an Indian soldier of the World War of 1914-18?"



It could be said that it was a life of honour, duty and valour with the British providing the curries, clothing and medical care respectful of the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh religions, while the Indian ranks stoically suffered the rain and mud, cruelly catapulted by the fates into a war far from home that was never their own yet winning their fair share of Victoria Crosses, says a new book.

In "The Indian Empire At War: From Jihad to Victory, The Untold Story of the Indian Army in the First World War", British historian George Morton-Jack re-traces the Indian soldiers' footsteps across the continents, their dangerous missions as secret agents, their discoveries of foreign cultures and their heart-breaking ordeals as prisoners of war.

He also explores how they came home with fresh hopes for their families and their country, playing their part in the story of Indian Independence.

According to Morton-Jack, the Indian soldiers were "seasoned professionals and cold-blooded killers, more travelled, politically aware and militarily skilled than they have been given credit for".

The Indian Army of 1914-18 was uniquely multicultural, combining such a variety of humankind into a single brotherhood-in-arms that it was really a modern wonder of the world, says the book, published by Hachette.

The majority of the Indian recruits - some 1.28 million or 85 per cent - came from British India's provinces, above all Punjab. The other 15 per cent were immigrants to British India, slightly over half of whom, or around 1115,000 recruits, came from the princely states.

"Its officers and men were a breathtaking array worshipping more gods and speaking more languages than any other army on the planet. They were a mix of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians and pagans, and they spoke not just Hindustani, the army's official vernacular blending Hindi and Urdu, but also their separate home languages," the book says.

In having such stunning diversity, the Indian Army reflected the society that produced it.

"It came not from the country we know as India but from a much bigger, sprawling imperial society with double its total surface area. On a map of the world of 2018, the Indian Army's Indian and British recruits' homelands are in 10 nation states including India," Morton-Jack writes.

His book finds the Indian Army's true place at the heart of its global events - from 1914's German invasion of France and the Sultan of Turkey's jihad summoning all Muslims to holy war on the British, to 1918's Allied victory over the Germans and the Turks in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

According to him, approximately 34,000 Indian soldiers were killed in the First World War, some 2.25 per cent of the Indian Army's total of servicemen.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Border Security Force (BSF) personnel was killed when Naxals detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Sunday, just a day ahead of the first phase of Assembly polls in the state, police said.

The explosion took place in a forest when a BSF team was out on an area domination operation in view of the polls on Monday, Inspector General of Police (Raipur range) Dipanshu Kabra told PTI.

When the patrolling team was in the forest between Kattakal and Gome villages, around 200 km away from the state capital Raipur, the ultras blew up the IED, he said.

BSF sub-inspector Mahendra Singh was seriously injured in the blast and succumbed to injuries on way to hospital, said Kabra, who is the nodal officer for election-related security in the state.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot, he said, adding that a search operation was still underway in the region.

This is the fourth IED blast triggered by Naxals in Chhattisgarh in the last 15 days.

Naxalites have called for a boycott of polls in the state and have executed half-a-dozen attacks in the last 15 days, three of them major ones which left 13 people dead, including a cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign.

Polling parties are being sent to their destination amid tight security, election authorities said.

On November 8, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when Naxals detonated an IED in Dantewada district.

Besides, two BSF jawans were injured in an IED blast on November 2 in the same area in Kanker district.

Before that on October 27, four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and two others injured after Maoists blew up their bullet proof bunker vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to polls in two phases -- on November 12 and 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11.

The first phase of polls on Monday will cover 18 constituencies of eight Naxal-affected districts that include Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A BSF personnel was killed when Naxals detonated an IED, while a Maoist was gunned down in an encounter with police in separate incidents in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, a day ahead of the first phase of Assembly polls in the state.

Inspector General of Police (Raipur range) Dipanshu Kabra told PTI that a team of the Border Security Force (BSF) was out on an area domination operation in view of the polls on Monday when Naxals blew up the improvised explosive device (IED) in a forest in Kanker district, around 200 km from the state capital Raipur.

BSF sub-inspector Mahendra Singh was seriously injured in the blast and he succumbed to injuries while being taken to a hospital, said Kabra, who is the nodal officer for election-related security in the state.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot, he said, adding that a search operation was still underway in the region.

This is the fourth IED blast triggered by Naxals in Chhattisgarh in the last 15 days.

In another incident, a Maoist, clad in 'uniform' was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district, located around 450 km from here.

The exchange of fire took place at a forest in Bedre area when a team of the Special Task Force (STF) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a senior police official said.

The body of the rebel and a rifle were recovered from the spot, he said.

Naxalites have called for a boycott of polls in the state and have executed half a dozen attacks in the last 15 days, three of them major ones which left 13 people dead including a camera-person of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign.

On November 8, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when Naxals detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Dantewada district.

Besides, two BSF jawans were injured in an IED blast on November 2 in Kanker district.

On October 30, three police personnel, besides the DD cameraman, were killed in the Maoist attack in Dantewada district.

Before that on October 27, four CRPF personnel, belonging to 168th battalion were killed and two others injured after Maoists blew up their bullet proof bunker vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district.

Security has been heightened in the eight districts which go to polls in the first phase on Monday.

Around one lakh security personnel have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of elections.

Polling parties are being sent to their destination amid tight security, election authorities said.

Helicopters have been pressed into service for air-lifting EVMs, polling personnel and polling materials to polling stations in sensitive remote areas, a senior police official earlier said.

Chopper services will be used for around 200 polling booths, he added.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to polls in two phases -- on November 12 and 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11.

The first phase of polls will cover 18 constituencies of eight Naxal-affected districts - Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon.

In the last Assembly polls, the BJP had won 49 seats and the Congress 39, while one seat each was bagged by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and an Independent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Bernie Sanders at a rally for Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum last month. Photo: Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images

In the 2016 Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton mopped the floor with Bernie Sanders among black voters. That a commanding 50-point margin separated the two with this crucial cohort prompted soul-searching for the Vermont senator, whose 2020 plans rest on building a more multiracial coalition. Sanders has responded with earnest outreach. He has communicated frequently with progressive black mayors across the South and endorsed popular black statewide candidates, like Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams. The Associated Press reports the senator huddles more routinely with black lawmakers to discuss shared priorities. And Sanders continues to downplay his 2016 black support gap, pointing out that he won voters under 30 across racial lines.

So it seemed a setback on Thursday when the Daily Beast published an article quoting Sanders on the role of racism in Gillums apparent defeat. I think you know there are a lot of white folks out there who are not necessarily racist who felt uncomfortable for the first time in their lives about whether or not they wanted to vote for an African-American, the senator said of the Florida governors race. A small outcry ensued, accusing Sanders of evading the reality that opposing a black candidate out of discomfort with black leadership is, by definition, racist. Sanders tried to clarify his comments later that day. Theres no question that in Georgia and in Florida, racism has reared its ugly head, he told NPR. And you have candidates who ran against Gillum and ran against Stacey Abrams who were racist and were doing everything they could to try to play whites against blacks.

In neither statement did Sanders indict voters for backing racist candidates. To the Daily Beast, he recast their racism as mere discomfort, and to NPR, blamed a candidate-led con job and not the electorate itself. That he did this may have been a rhetorical lapse, or strategic to his political aspirations  calling racist white people racist is a good way to ensure they do not vote for you. But either way it is not the truth, and echoes a broader tendency in American politics to entice such voters by lying to them about how racist they actually are.

Sanders is far from alone in failing to upbraid bigots, but he is singular among white progressives being floated as 2020 hopefuls. He is the most popular political figure in America, according to multiple polls. He has almost single-handedly driven the Democratic Partys leftward shift on policy, giving him significant sway over whatever platform future candidates put forth. Such influence has likely engendered caution. Sanders saw what happened to Hillary Clinton when she told the truth. In September 2016, the then-Democratic presidential nominee made a speech decrying half of [Donald] Trumps supporters as deplorables  racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic. She was not being derogatory. Clintons claims were borne out by several polls attesting to the bigotry infecting Trumps coalition. But looking back, even she sees her honesty as a gaffe. Im sorry I gave [Trump] a political gift of any kind, but I dont think that was determinative, Clinton said last year. The term deplorable has since assumed totemic power among the presidents base, adorning T-shirts worn proudly by those Clinton described as such.

The costs of such language now loom large over Democrats 2020 ambitions. Soon after the 2016 election, Sanders spoke critically about the limits of appealing to voters on the basis of identity alone  a thinly veiled critique of Clintons rhetoric. Its not good enough for someone to say, Im a woman! Vote for me!  he said. What we need is a woman who has the guts to stand up to Wall Street, to the insurance companies, to the drug companies, to the fossil fuel industry. Yet this is not true on the other side. Appeals to identity did not hamstring Trump en route to victory, or Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. On the contrary, Trumps rhetoric was practically a whos who of white grievance causes. DeSantis, Gillums Republican opponent in the Florida governors race, used Trumps formula to sweep the board with white voters, garnering 51 percent of the white female vote and 79 percent of the white male vote, according to CNN exit polls. This was despite the Republican lacking so much as a concrete political platform as late as September. The essence of his appeal was less policy than it was racism.

Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, with President Donald Trump, at a campaign rally in Pensacola, Florida, on November 3. Photo: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

[DeSantis] has only continued in the course of his campaign to draw all the attention he can to the color of my skin, Gillum said of his opponent in October. Shortly after winning the nomination, DeSantis implored voters not to monkey this up by electing his black challenger. He declined to return campaign donations from a flagrant racist, associated with bigots at right-wing conferences, and lied to exaggerate crime under Gillums mayoralty in Tallahassee. His run was aided by white voters who felt the mere existence of a black governor would inflame tensions. [The Obama election] trickled down to everything, Courtney Cooper, a 36-year-old white Trump voter, told the Washington Post. Now everyone is so worried about the other race.

The implication was clear: DeSantis racism was functionally invisible, while Gillums mere allusions to that racism heralded impending racial conflict. This is a persistent balancing act for black politicians. Obama suffered the consequences of speaking too bluntly about race in 2012, when he said, If I had a son, hed look like Trayvon [Martin], after the black teen was killed in Sanford, Florida. The comment proved politically explosive, transforming what had been a source of bipartisan outrage into a right-wing crusade to smear the dead child. In this light, Gillum was careful to call DeSantis racist only indirectly. Im not calling Mr. DeSantis a racist, he said on October 24, after cataloging his opponents record on the subject. Im simply saying the racists believe hes a racist.

Sanders likely used a similar calculus, albeit weighted by less political risk due to his whiteness. Both men understand that racist whites are a significant voting bloc, and winning governorships and presidencies must at the very least account for them. But it is a tradeoff. Unwillingness to alienate racist voters inevitably leads to coddling racist voters. Whether everyone who voted for DeSantis fits this descriptor is up for debate. Whether the parameters Sanders outlined in his initial statement does  voting against a black candidate because of some race-based discomfort with said candidate  is not. Sanders is describing racism without naming it, even as he seems willing to indict the candidates for reaping its rewards. That its not politically expedient to have such a conversation honestly  especially if one sees the alternative as gift-wrapping American democracy for Trumpian grifters, kleptocrats, and white supremacists  is one of the more pathological features of todays politics. But how sturdy, really, is a democracy kept afloat by lies? We are quickly learning the answer.A Maoist was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Chhattigsarh's Bijapur district on Sunday morning, a day ahead of polling in the region for the state Assembly polls.

The exchange of fire took place at a forest in Bedre area when a team of the Special Task Force (STF) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a senior police official told PTI.

As per the ground report, a body of a Naxal clad in 'uniform' and a rifle were recovered from the spot, located around 450 km from here, he said.

Further details are awaited as the search operation was still underway, he added.

Security has been heightened in seven districts of Bastar division and Rajnandgaon district which go to polls in the first phase on Monday.

Around one lakh security personnel have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of elections.

Naxalites have asked voters to boycott the polls.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to polls in two phases -- on November 12 and 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11.

The first phase of polls will cover 18 constituencies of eight Naxal-affected districts that include Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The death toll from the most destructive fire to hit California rose to 23 on Saturday as rescue workers recovered more bodies of people killed by the devastating blaze.

Firefighters are battling raging fires at both ends of the state, but there is little hope of containing the flames anytime soon.

"Today, 14 additional bodies were located, which brings our total number to 23," Sheriff Kory Honea told a conference.

Ten of the bodies were found in the town of Paradise while four were discovered in the Concow area, both in Butte County, Honea said.

Rescuers could be seen removing remains over a period of several hours in Paradise and placing them in a black hearse. Pieces of bodies were transported by bucket, while intact remains were carried in body bags.

So far, a total of 19 of the people killed in what authorities have dubbed the "Camp Fire" have been reported in Paradise, where more than 6,700 buildings -- most of them residences -- have been consumed by the late-season inferno.

From miles around, acrid smoke could be seen in the sky around Paradise, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars were reduced to metal carcasses, while power lines were also gnawed by the flames.

Locals fled the danger, but police told AFP some farmers returned to check on their cattle.

"The magnitude of destruction we have seen is really unbelievable and heartbreaking, and our hearts go to everybody who has been affected by this," said Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California Office of Emergency Services.

Governor-elect Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to provide assistance to the hardest-hit areas in the fire-prone state.

The fast-moving Camp Fire blaze in the north broke out early Thursday. Fanned by strong winds, it has so far scorched 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) and is 20 per cent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said Saturday. So far, three of the more than 3,200 firefighters deployed have been injured.

They estimate they will need three weeks to fully contain the blaze.

Local power authorities have told state officials an outage occurred near the spot where the fire erupted, The Sacramento Bee reported, but there is still no official cause of the Camp Fire blaze.

Trump, who was in France for World War I commemorations, drew criticism online for his somewhat unsympathetic reaction to the devastation earlier on Saturday.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted.

"Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"



In southern California, more wildfires burned, including one just north of Los Angeles and another in Ventura County near Thousand Oaks, where a Marine Corps veteran shot dead 12 people in a country music bar on Wednesday.

Authorities said some 200,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, including the entire city of Malibu.

The "Woolsey Fire" had consumed around 69,000 acres, destroyed at least 150 homes and was so far not contained, the Ventura County Fire Department said, adding that evacuation orders were issued for some 88,000 homes in the county and neighboring Los Angeles County.

"We heard this was coming so we set up the sprinklers and we hosed the whole house down," said Malibu resident Patrick Henry. "We pretty much had enough time to get the dogs in the trunk."



Malibu is one of the most in-demand locations in California for stars seeking privacy and luxury.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, who lives just north of coastal Malibu, revealed she was forced to flee her home.

"I heard the flames have hit our property at our home in Hidden Hills but now are more contained and have stopped at the moment," she said on Twitter. "I just pray the winds are in our favor."



Actor Martin Sheen, briefly reported missing by his actor son Charlie, was also forced to evacuate.

"We're fine, we're at Zuma Beach and we're probably going to sleep in the car tonight," Martin Sheen told Fox 11, adding that it was the worst fire he had seen in 48 years of living in Malibu.

The wildfire reached Paramount Ranch, destroying the Western Town sets used for hundreds of productions including HBO'S sci-fi western "Westworld", officials and the network said.

Director Guillermo del Toro tweeted that Bleak House, his museum of horror movie memorabilia, was also in the path of the flames.

In Paradise, the flames destroyed hundreds of homes, a hospital, a gas station, several restaurants and numerous vehicles, officials said.

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for more than 52,000 people in the scenic area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The National Weather Service said Saturday that strong winds and dry conditions were to continue through the weekend.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Candidates failing to put out advertisements listing their criminal records during electioneering could face contempt of court proceedings and those publishing wrong info about their rivals' criminal antecedents could end up paying penalty for indulging in corrupt practices, the has said.

Following a direction, the poll panel had on October 10 made it compulsory for candidates contesting polls to advertise their criminal antecedents in TV channels and newspapers at least three times during electioneering.

The directive comes into force in the assembly in five states -- Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telangana -- in November-December.

According to the directive, political parties too will have to publicise criminal records of their candidates.

In a set of 'frequently asked questions' issued for the five poll-bound states, the commission has made it clear that candidates who do not have criminal record or ongoing cases, need not issue advertisement.

It said the candidates and their parties would have to bear the cost of advertisements and it would form part of their election expenditure.

To the question "what happens if such candidates or such political parties do not publicise in the manner prescribed", the commission said, "Such failure may be a ground for post-election action like election petition or contempt of Hon'ble "



Any candidate or voter of a constituency can file an election petition in the high court of that state challenging the election of the winning candidate.

On the issue of "someone publishing false information about criminal cases of another candidate", the said there are already provisions to deal with any case of publication of false statement in relation to a candidate, including Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code which deals with corrupt electoral practices and prescribes a fine for such offences.Australia and New Zealand launched global commemorations Sunday to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, combining a "roaring chorus" of peace and hope with sombre ceremonies to remember the more than 80,000 of their nationals who died in the carnage of the trenches on the other side of the world.

In moving services across Australia, huge crowds paid tribute to the servicemen and women who gave their lives in the Great War.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke of their ultimate sacrifice, describing scenes of devastation at Fromelles in northern France where bodies littered the battlefield.

"For our tomorrows, they gave their today. In silence, we commit ourselves to standing by those who have returned home," he told thousands of people gathered at the Remembrance Day national ceremony in Canberra.

Of the more than 400,000 of the young Australian federation's citizens who enlisted, more than 300,000 served overseas and almost 62,000 died in the trenches.

More than 10,000 servicemen from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) died during the abortive Gallipoli campaign on the Turkish peninsula.

Although the offensive failed in its military objectives, it gave rise to the legacy of courage and close friendship between the two countries and is regarded as a "coming of age" moment in both nations.

The New Zealand commemoration followed two minutes of silence at 11:00 am on November 11, when the armistice was signed.

There was a 100-gun salute on the Wellington waterfront, while nationally people cheered, church bells rang, emergency services sounded their sirens and ship and car horns blared.

"The carillon and roaring chorus has recaptured the wave of spontaneous jubilation and hope which swept New Zealand when of the Armistice broke," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a service at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

Thousands of people, many wearing poppies on their chests, turned out at commemorations around the country.

The June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, ignited a conflict that was contemporaneously described as "the war to end all wars".

More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised and an estimated 10 million lost their lives.

More than 100,000 New Zealanders -- about 10 percent of the population at the time -- served overseas during the war, and 18,300 were killed.

"No family, no community in New Zealand went untouched by the effects of the war," Sarah Davies, the director of the World War I centenary programme, told AFP.

"Young people have connected with people who were just like them -- young men, young women who faced real hardship and either went overseas or had terrible loss. For people to re-engage with that has been critical.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)World leaders will push for the rapid completion of a massive, China-backed trade deal that excludes the US at a summit this week, in a rebuke to rising protectionism and Donald Trump's "America First" agenda.

China, Japan, India and other Asia-Pacific countries could announce a broad agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which covers half the world's population, on the sidelines of the annual gathering.

Not only is the US absent from the deal, but Trump is skipping the summit in Singapore, highlighting how far he has pulled back from efforts to shape global trade rules and raising further questions about Washington's commitment to Asia.

Trump launched his unilateralist trade policy with a bang shortly after coming to office by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a deal spearheaded by predecessor Barack Obama that aimed to bind fast-growing Asian powers into an American-backed order to counter China.

His approach has left the floor open for Beijing to promote a rival pact it favours, the 16-member RCEP, a free trade deal which also aims to cut tariffs and integrate markets, but gives weaker protection in areas including employment and the environment.

The pact championed by Obama has been kept alive even without the US, and is due to go into force this year, but the Beijing-backed pact has now overtaken it as the world's biggest.

Announcing in Singapore that talks for the deal -- which formally began in 2012 -- are mostly concluded would be "important as a symbol of Asia's commitment to trade at a time of rising global tensions", Deborah Elms, executive director of the Asian Trade Centre, told AFP.

She said negotiations in some areas were likely to continue into next year, however, while a diplomat attending the summit, speaking anonymously, said "substantial progress" had been made but there were still sticking points.

The gathering of 20 world leaders comes against a backdrop of a months-long trade dispute between China and the United States after Trump imposed tariffs on most Chinese imports this summer, and Beijing retaliated with its own levies.

The standoff is having an impact far beyond the US and China, and leaders at the four days of meetings that begin Monday will be keen to voice their grievances to Vice President Mike Pence, attending in Trump's place, and Premier Li Keqiang.

Trump's absence from the Singapore gathering and a subsequent meeting of world leaders in Papua New Guinea is even more notable given Obama, who launched a so-called "pivot to Asia" to direct more US economic and military resources to the region, was a regular participant.

Washington, however, argues that it remains committed to Asia, pointing to regular visits by top officials.

"We are fully engaged," insisted Patrick Murphy, one of the State Department's most senior Asia diplomats.

"That is very sustained and has been enhanced under the current administration."



Myanmar's embattled leader Aung San Suu Kyi is attending the meetings, and will deliver a keynote address at a business forum Monday.

She may face criticism over a military crackdown on the Muslim Rohingya that saw hundreds of thousands flee to Bangladesh last year, and has sparked rare criticism of Myanmar from within regional bloc the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Also on the agenda will be North Korea's nuclear programme.

Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a vaguely worded agreement on denuclearisation at a historic summit in June, but progress has been slow since.

Pence will also keep on pressure on Beijing over its growing aggression in the South China Sea.

China claims almost all the strategically vital waters, a source of friction with Southeast Asian states that have overlapping claims as well as the US, the traditionally dominant military power in the region.

Other leaders attending include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But much of the focus will be on the RCEP as leaders seek to send a message in support of free trade.

The deal groups the 10 ASEAN members plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

World leaders "should present a united front advancing trade liberalisation in (the Asia-Pacific) despite global headwinds to trade from the rising tide of global protectionism," Rajiv Biswas, chief regional economist at IHS Markit, told AFP.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Growing public sentiment against the Centre's move to amend the Citizenship Act has given a "fresh lease of life" to the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), which has recruited eights youths in the last two months, a senior officer of the Assam Police has said.

Director General (Special Branch) of Assam Police Pallav Bhattacharjee said police foiled ULFA's plan to recruit another batch of eight youths and that a number of men from five districts have gravitated towards the banned organisation.

"Since September 1, eight youths have joined ULFA, and another eight were apprehended in the process of joining it," he told PTI on Sunday.

The 1986-batch IPS officer said strong public sentiment against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Brahmaputra Valley has given a "fresh lease of life" to ULFA, which has been claiming that the bill "threatens the existence of indigenous people" of the state.

Bhattacharjee said a leader of the All Assam Students' Union's Dergaon unit, Pankaj Pratim Dutta, recently joined ULFA which is a very "disturbing" development.

The proposed amendment to the Citizenship Bill, 1955 seeksto grant citizenship to people from minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they don't possess any proper document.

A large section of people and organisations in the Northeast have opposed the bill, saying it will nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971 as the cut off date for deportation of all illegal immigrants irrespective of religion.

The DGP (SB) said police were keeping a strict vigil on ULFA's attempts to lure youths from Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Golaghat and Udalguri districts.

Five Bengali Hindus were killed by suspected ULFA militants in Tinsukia district on November 1.

The BJP MP from Meerut, Rajendra Agrawal, who is the chairman of the Joint Parliament Committee examining the bill, said the panel is likely to submit its report in the Lok Sabha in the Winter Session.

"This will be the last session of the current Lok Sabha. If we don't submit the report, it would mean we have not discharged our duties properly," he told PTI over the phone.

Asked about strong public sentiment against the bill in Assam and ULFA's attempt to the exploit the situation, he said he was aware of the existence of "divergent views" in the state.

"We will try to accommodate all concerns," he said.

Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharjya, chief advisor of AASU, said the people of Assam feel that the bill has been brought to "derail" the process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a list of state's citizens, currently being updated to identify genuine Indian nationals.

"There is strong resentment against the bill. People feel it is a conspiracy to derail the NRC," he claimed.

Bhattacharjya said the entire Northeastern region is opposed to the bill and the governments in Meghalaya and Mizoram have adopted resolutions against it.

"The entire Northeast is now against the anti-people policy of the BJP-led government," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Thousands of Bulgarians demonstrated across the country on Sunday against high fuel prices, blocking traffic in around 20 cities and on key highways to Greece and Turkey.

Protesters clashed with police in Burgas, where traffic was backed up around 10 kilometres (six miles) at several entry points to the Black Sea town, public radio BNR reported.

In the capital Sofia around 1,000 demonstrators rallied outside the government offices shouting "Rubbish" and "Resign".

"How can they sell petrol here at the same prices as in Spain and Luxembourg when we are the poorest country in the European Union?" asked taxi driver Ivan Naydenov.

A litre of petrol or diesel fuel costs around 2.40 leva (USD 1.13/1.2 euros), or USD 5.15 per gallon, after rising five per cent from August to October, in a country where the average salary is 575 euros per month.

Motorists are also paying higher taxes on polluting vehicles and higher prices for heating fuel.

Three major motorways and many smaller roads were closed for hours, impeding traffic in the southwest towards Greece, in the south towards Turkey and in the north of the country.

The police union issued a statement Sunday in support of the protests.

Ruling party lawmaker Emil Dimitrov accused the socialist opposition of being behind the protests organised through social media.

The head of the federation of distributers of petrol and gas, Andrei Delchev, said Sunday that prices would start to go down in line with global trends.

"Expectations that international prices will rise after the imposition of US sanctions against Iran are unjustified," he said.

The conservative government of Boyko Borisov says its fuel taxes are the lowest in the EU.

Protesters say the Russian company Lukoil has a near monopoly as the owner of the only oil refinery in Bulgaria, and is in control of fuel depots.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.): US-based motorcycle manufacturer Cleveland Cyclewerks Ltd is bullish about its success in the Indian market and plans to launch more products and have 30 showrooms across the country by the end of next year.

The company which forayed into the country this year with two products in the 200 plus cc category and unveiled three dealerships was having the right strategy for success, a top official said while acknowledging that many motorcycle manufacturers were already in the market.

"Yes, there are many players and this country has many intricacies and difficult things. But, with that said, it also has opportunities and Indian people in general are very open to new ideas" Cleveland Cyclewerks Ltd founder Scott Colosimo told PTI here.

Cleveland has launched its 223cc 'Ace Delux' and 229cc 'Misfit' bikes, both priced about Rs 2.23 lakhs ex-showroom here, and been setting up dealerships across the country as part of expansion plans.

It has a manufacturing facility at Pune in Maharashtra and the two products are currently assembled there.

"We believe that we have right strategy for success. We are not doing shot gun blast with our dealerships. We are taking a focused approach," Colosimo said after unveiling of the company's showroom here, the third in the country.

He said the motorcycle was a manufactured object but also something that people were passionate about.

The company 's first showroom was opened in Mumbai followed by the second in Hosur with a focus to serve the right people at the right time, he said.

"We are planning to have 30 showrooms by end of 2019. We will be bringing the whole product range in 250cc to 450cc to India," he said.

Noting that the company's motorcycles were in the displacements of 50cc to 450cc range, he said it would introduce bikes in the range of 250cc to 450cc in the country.

"We are highly focused on positioning and that is very important here", he said.

When asked how the company which retails its products in 23 countries viewed the Indian market, he said "This market for us is everything you are looking at a customer. So, you have young demographic, motivated. The Indian market understands motorcycle".

"There are many markets where motorcycle is just a commuter, just a tool. We see this market, there is a real passion and whole lifestyle aspect around the bike", he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned Rs 75 crore as compensation to those whose lands were acquired for expansion of the city airport, in the first phase, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani said Sunday.

Addressing a roadshow of Global Investors Meet scheduled to be held in 2019, he said Rs 1,500 crore has to be disbursed as compensation for acquisition of about 650 acres of land.

In the first phase, the government has released Rs 75 crore, which will be given to the land owners in another 10 days, he said.

He also said that he has taken up with the Centre, the issue of extension of the Mumbai-Bengaluru industrial corridor till Coimbatore, which would act as a force multiplier.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A deputy director from education department of North Delhi Municipal Corporation has filed a case with the economic offences wing of Delhi police against a school inspector rank officer of Narela zone for alleged misappropriation of Rs 3.82 crore, police said Sunday.

A complaint has been filed against the inspector rank officer for allegedly withdrawing and issuing cheques to his relatives, they said.

According to a complaint filed on November 8, the school inspector Rajender Chaurasia of Narela zone has misappropriated municipal fund of Rs 3.82 crore, a senior police officer said.

The complainant told the police that Chaurasia, who was authorised signatory to some official education department Narela zone, has illegally withdrawn and issued cheques to his relatives from November 2016 to March 2017, the officer said.

According to the complaint, the issued cheques were encased by the accused and his family members and the incident came to notice of audit department in its preliminary enquiry which revealed that around 3.82 crore was embezzled, the officer added.

A case was registered, police said, adding the matter is being investigated.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith onstage with President Donald Trump at a rally in Southaven, Mississippi, last month. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Republican senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is facing a November 27 runoff election in Mississippi against Democrat Mike Espy, joked with supporters earlier this month about attending a public hanging. A video of the remark, which she made at a campaign stop in Tupelo on November 2, was shared on social media Sunday morning by Bayou Brief journalist Lamar White Jr. In the video, after hearing praise from a supporter, Hyde-Smith jokes that if he invited me to a public hanging, Id be in the first row.

"If he invited me to a public hanging, I'd be on the front row"- Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith says in Tupelo, MS after Colin Hutchinson, cattle rancher, praises her.



Hyde-Smith is in a runoff on Nov 27th against Mike Espy. pic.twitter.com/0a9jOEjokr  Lamar White, Jr. (@LamarWhiteJr) November 11, 2018

Hyde-Smith and Espy  who in 1987 became the first black Mississippian to be elected to Congress since Reconstruction, and later became the first black secretary of agriculture under President Clinton  were the two candidates who received the most votes in a four-person special election on Tuesday. Since no candidate received a majority of votes, the result triggered a runoff election between the top two. Hyde-Smith was appointed by Mississippi governor Phil Bryant to replace ailing senator Thad Cochran back in April, but still had to win the special election to serve out the remaining two years of Cochrans term.

Mississippi, as the Jackson Free-Press explains in its report on Hyde-Smiths comments, has a singularly terrible history when it comes to lynchings, racism, and the oppression of black Americans:

Between 1877 and 1950, Mississippi had the highest number of lynchings of African Americans of any state in the United States, just as the state had been the wealthiest from slavery before the Civil War, and then later passed the most onerous laws after Reconstruction to stop black people from voting and gain equal rights in the state.

Across Mississippi, 654 lynchings were reported in that period, including two in Lee County, where Hyde-Smiths comments were made. Lynchings  extrajudicial mob justice used to intimidate African Americans  were usually done by hanging, often in front of crowds of joyous whites who even mailed postcards with lynching photographs to friends and family.

Mike Espy will face Cindy Hyde-Smith in a runoff on November 27. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Photo: Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Espy called Hyde-Smiths remarks reprehensible in a statement released Sunday evening:

They have no place in our political discourse, in Mississippi, or our country. We need leaders, no dividers, and her words show that she lacks the understanding and judgment to represent the people of our state.

Hyde-Smith responded to the outrage over the video as well, but dismissed the idea that what she said was somehow racist.

In a comment on Nov. 2, I referred to accepting an invitation to a speaking engagement. the senator said in a statement. In referencing the one who invited me, I used an exaggerated expression of regard, and any attempt to turn this into a negative connotation is ridiculous.

But City University of New York historian Angus Johnson argued in a Twitter thread on Sunday that there could be no plausible other meaning for what Hyde-Smith had said other than a reference to lynching:

The last execution by hanging in Mississippi occurred in 1940. The last alleged lynching by hanging in Mississippi occurred in 2018. Cindy Hyde-Smith was born in 1959. Public executions arent part of the history of Mississippi in her lifetime. Lynchings are.

And of course many of Mississippis public executions were themselves legal lynchings. To speak of public hangings in Mississippi is to evoke a long and brutal history of racial terror.

To joke about it is to utter an obscenity. Whatever her intention, Hyde-Smiths joke amounts to this: We are not the kind of people who are hanged. We are the kind of people who do the hanging.

Im shocked that somebody would still use a reference like that in this day and time, Espys communication director, Danny Blanton, told the Free-Press on Sunday. Regardless of what context it was used in, it still showed a lack of judgment.

The scandal also follows an incident on election day in Mississippi when a voter was photographed at the polls wearing a racist T-shirt on which Mississippi justice appeared with a Confederate flag and a noose:

Former police officer in Mississippi wears a t-shirt with a noose on it and a confederate flag to a polling station, which read "Mississippi Justice." Words matter, people. https://t.co/1jRaJGc1b5 via @CraigSilverman  Farah Stockman (@fstockman) November 8, 2018

A onetime Democrat who switched parties in 2010 while serving in the Mississippi State Senate, Hyde-Smith is the first woman to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. In August, President Trump endorsed Hyde-Smith over another Republican in Mississippis State Senate, Chris McDaniel. McDaniel is an anti-Establishment conservative who had been encouraged to run against Hyde-Smith by none other than former Trump adviser Steve Bannon. That was a potential problem, as the Washington Post explained at the time:

Candidates of all parties will compete on the same special election ballot in Mississippi. If none of them receive a majority of the vote, the top two finishers will head to a runoff.

Some Republicans have worried that if McDaniel, a polarizing figure, advances to a runoff against a Democratic candidate, the seat would be at risk of flipping from red to blue.

Hyde-Smiths Trump-aligned campaign even criticized McDaniel in September for spouting racist rhetoric. McDaniel had said that he wanted to ask black Mississippians whether they were any better off after 100 years of begging for federal government scraps. In response, Hyde-Smiths communications director said that McDaniel had demeaned the African-American population in Mississippi. Governor Bryant  an award-winning member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which designates April as Confederate History Month every year  who backed a state boycott of Nike after it hired Colin Kaepernick for an ad campaign, also attacked McDaniel over the rhetoric.

But if a majority of Mississippi voters reject Hyde-Smith over her public hanging joke  an outcome which is obviously no guarantee in a deep-red state with a long, violent history of racism  the calculation that McDaniel would have been a worse candidate in a runoff might not work out as the GOP and White House planned.

On Tuesday, Hyde-Smith and McDaniel seemed to split the states Republican vote, with Hyde-Smith taking 32 percent to McDaniels 24.8 percent. Espy ended up with 41.5 percent of the vote, but FiveThirtyEight still gives him only a one-in-four chance of ultimately winning the Senate seat. Hyde-Smith, as of Sunday, had a seven-in-ten chance.

This post has been updated throughout. A previous version incorrectly indicated that Senator Hyde-Smith switched parties in 1999. It was in 2010.The Sunday accused the government in of "ruining" education in the state and thus, committing a social and political crime, for which the people of the state would give a befitting reply to the ruling BJP.

Addressing a press conference here, senior leader alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led governments at the Centre and in were "enemies" of the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) people and the cut in their budget was an ample proof of that.

"The Raman Singh-led government of the BJP is fully responsible for ruining education in the state, which is not only an injustice to all categories of students, but also an attack on their fundamental rights," Maken said.

He alleged that the future of lakhs of students was "ruined", for which the government was fully responsible.

"It has committed a political and social crime, for which the people of will give it a befitting reply," the leader said.

He alleged that the government had not only turned politics into a business, but made all-out efforts to privatise education in Chhattisgarh, as a result of which education would remain an unfulfilled dream for the poor and middle-class people.

Quoting statistics, the former Union minister said on one hand, around 6,100 private educational institutions had started operating in Chhattisgarh, while on the other hand, the number of government schools had decreased, with 2,516 such schools shut down by the Raman Singh government in rural areas.

This, he said, was a gross injustice and a big crime to the poor and middle-class students.

The Delhi Congress chief said the 280-per cent rise in the number of students in private schools justified the opposition party's charge against the Raman Singh government.

He claimed that 35,300 posts of principals, headmasters and teachers were lying vacant in the state, besides a reduction of Rs 300 crore in the budget for the Centre's "Sarva Siksha Abhiyan" for the state.

Maken said while educated youngsters were without jobs in Chhattisgarh due to the suppression and "anti-people" policies of the Raman Singh government, around 54,000 posts of assistant teachers and 22,644 of panchayat-level teachers were lying vacant in the state.

He alleged that these vacancies were deliberately not being filled to give a big boost to privatisation of education in Chhattisgarh.

Maken said due to the incompetence of the Raman Singh government, 525 vacancies of principals in colleges of higher or technical education were not filled, adding that the condition of the engineering colleges was even more serious as 375 posts were lying vacant.

He claimed that 1,214 posts of assistant principals were also lying vacant in the state.

The Congress leader further claimed that the Raman Singh government had totally failed in the education sector as institutes like the ITIs had 1,582 vacant posts and in the Swami Vivekananda Technical University in Bhilai, of the 140 sanctioned posts, only five were filled.

Citing the example of the (IIT) in New Raipur, Maken said of the 156 sanctioned posts of teachers, only 111 were filled in the prestigious institution.

Accusing the at the Centre of destroying the education sector, the Congress leader said in the current financial year, there was a heavy reduction in the budget for the sector, and during the BJP regime, the spending on education was reduced to only 3.6 per cent.

Maken alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and in Chhattisgarh were "enemies" of the SC/ST communities and OBC people as the saffron party did not want the children of these communities to progress through education.

He alleged that there was a 45-per cent increase in the fees of educational institutions and in the scholarships for the students of SC/ST categories, there was a reduction of Rs 348 crore -- the handiwork of the Modi government -- which raised a big question on its attitude towards the underprivileged class.

Maken accused the BJP of always doing injustice to the SC/ST communities and OBC people, which was evident from the fact that there was an arrear of Rs 80 billion in the scholarships for SC students, while the arrear in the scholarships for the ST community was around Rs 31.56 billion.

He also alleged that it had become a habit of the Raman Singh government not to honour its promises and to sell half-baked dreams.

The Congress leader said the prime minister wanted the youth of the country to sell "pakoras", while Singh wanted to make the youth of Chhattisgarh labourers.

He claimed that medical services as well as all other schemes connected to the common people had "gone haywire" and the "andher nagri, chaupat raja" saying had become true in the case of Chhattisgarh.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to the polls in two phases -- on November 12 and 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11.Accusing the Congress, SP and the BSP of treating people as their vote banks, Uttar Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Sunday said the opposition parties never worked for the poor.

Maurya claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at the Centre and in the state were working towards improving the lives of people from different sections of the society.

"Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) have spoken about gareebi hatao (poverty alleviation), but they treated the common people as their vote banks," Maurya said in Kanpur.

"They have not worked for the welfare of the people or the poor," he said further in his address to the BJP's Information Technology (IT) cell workers.

On the contrary, the governments of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were working for the welfare of people hailing from different sections of the society and getting good results, he claimed.

Attacking the Congress in particular, Maurya said even though the people of the country had supported note ban, the party was miffed as all its black money was extinguished.

"The BJP will not hesitated in taking decisions which are in the interest of the people of the country," he added.

State convenor of UP BJP's IT cell Sanjay Rai informed that work was on to link students in various colleges with the NaMo app and that the campaign will continue till November 20.

Rai also said that social media volunteers were appointed at 1.40 lakh polling booths in the state.

"In the next month, the IT department will form 56,000 new WhatsApp groups. Through them, the party will reach to almost 2.5 crore people who are active on social media during election campaign," he said.

"The party will inform the people about its various programmes and schemes," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a first of its kind initiative, the CRPF has begun training its troops in dialects, customs and traditions practised by tribals and locals in Jharkhand as part of a special program aimed to gather vital intelligence against Naxal operatives and build a camaraderie with the local population.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the lead anti-Naxal operations force in the country and has deployed 20 battalions (about 20,000 troops) in the tribal dominated state to conduct armed operations against the Left Wing Extremists (LWE) or Maoists.

To start with, the force has decided to impart basic knowledge about the 'way of life' of tribals to at least 1,200 troops as part of a capsule course that also entails a special visit to weekly fairs and cultural programmes of the local area.

"We are deployed in the remotest locations of the state where a jawan and officer has interaction with tribals and locals of the area on a regular basis.Due to lack of knowledge of the local dialect it is very difficult to gather information and also to conduct civic welfare programmes for locals and hence this initiative was thought about," Inspector General (operations) of the CRPF in Jharkhand Sanjay A Lathkar told PTI.

It is proposed to initially train about 60 personnel in each battalion in understanding and speaking local dialects of the state like 'ho', 'santhali', 'nagpuri', 'kurukh', 'sadri', 'bhojpuri' and few others apart from learning the customs and traditions of the tribals, the IG said.

These personnel will further train more men in their units and this will go a long way in establishing a friendly and trust bond between security forces and locals, he added.

Security forces have acknowledged that not knowing the local knowledge in LWE violence affected states has been one the biggest obstacles, apart from good information about the local terrain, in achieving maximum successes in anti-Naxal operations.

It is now planned that this initiative will soon be implemented by central security forces in other states hit by LWE violence like Chhattisgarh, Odisha and parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

CRPF's 197th battalion based in the Saranda forests of Jharkhand has taken the first lead and has begun a capsule course for these subjects.

"We have roped in expert trainers who are school teachers and officer bearers of local cultural organisations to train our personnel. Some of our troops who hail from the state and know the local cultures, traditions and dialects are also part of this panel of trainers," Commanding Officer (CO) of the battalion Parma Shivam said.

"We have also purchased books written in the 'ho' language that are used to train the personnel. Troops under this training are also sent to a weekly fair called 'shani parv' to observe customs, traditions, eating and sartorial habits of tribals and locals, the CO said.

IG Lathkar said they are very hopeful that "in few years this initiative will give the security forces good dividends in making friends with locals, winning their trust and getting intelligence and information against Naxal operatives and groups."



These trained personnel of the CRPF, a senior official supervising LWE operations from Delhi said, can also be used by the intelligence wing of the security forces and snoop agencies to better prepare for operations awareness in their local areas.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Cruise tourism is expected to expand in the country and as many as 3 lakh Indians may go on an international cruise vacation by 2020, says a leading industry player.

India as a source market is estimated to be around 1.70 lakh guests currently for cruise tourism, against Chinas 2.7 million.

Quoting a UNWTO report, a senior official of the India representative of the Royal Caribbean Cruises, Tirun, said outbound travel from the country will hit 50 million by 2020, making it one of the world's fastest-growing outbound markets.

"So we are looking at almost 3 lakh Indians to take an international cruise vacation by 2020," Varun Chadha, chief operating officer at Tirun told PTI.

He further said like China, India has huge potential and it gets exciting when we open up our shores. China grew from 4 lakh to 2.7 million in just under a decade.

"India has similar potential, if not more and the government is keen on the cruising sector," he said, adding it is imperative for us to catch this cycle over the next two- three years as deployment is usually planned a couple of years in advance.

Tirun Travel Marketing is the India representative for Royal Caribbean Cruises with a portfolio of three of its cruise brands including, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

It also handles exclusive sales and marketing for the various other brands while also providing operational support across the country.

Chadha expects the domestic cruising market to expand dramatically, with the government also serious on developing this sector.

The government is planning to link Mumbai with other prominent locations across the country, besides South East Asia and has asked private operators to come forward and take the benefit of the booming cruise industry.

"Forty nine per cent of the investment in tourism is going to create employment," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who handles the road transport, highways, shipping and water resource portfolios had said earlier.

Meanwhile, on October 12, Mumbai-Goa cruise service began by the Angriya, which was non-stop, 16-hour voyage from the Purple Gate of Mumbai's Indira Docks and arrived at Mormugao in South Goa ferrying 399 passengers.

"India is unique in that we will cater to domestic ports along with the appeal of cruising. Government has also worked on demand by allowing leave travel concession (LTC) for cruising," Chadha added.

This year Tirun will offer two special India cruises - Christmas special cruise from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai with a special Christmas celebrations on board and the New Year cruise that starts from Mumbai on December 28 with a double overnight stay in Dubai, including New Years eve with cruise ending in Abu Dhabi with an overnight stay, he said.

Beginning from Mumbai, there will also be cruises to Cochin and then makes a journey across the Eastern African coast, including Durban and finally docking at Cape Town. It will also dock at the Seychelles.

The demand is so high that advance booking especially for New Year sailing ended two months before the sailing, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)National Commission for Scheduled Castes' Chairman Ram Shankar Katheria Sunday exuded confidence of the BJP winning the upcoming assembly elections comfortably in all the five states owing the Centre's people-centric works.

The performance of the state governments and successful implementation of the people-oriented schemes by the Narendra Modi-led Union government are the basic reasons of my confidence," Katheria told reporters here at Shankaracharya Adhokshjanand Ashram Goverdhan.

He said he does not consider the Opposition unity a threat to the Lok Sabha elections next year as the same is devoid of any principle.

Modi would again become the prime minister after the Lok Sabha elections because the country has made tremendous progress under him, he claimed.

The people have faith in him owing to his honesty and his commitment to improve the plight of the poor, the farmers and other deprived sections of the society, he added.

Katheria asserted that the villagers across the country now have their own houses along with provisions of power and toilets, virtually as a gift by Prime Minister Modi to the rural as well as urban people.

With the introduction of Ayushman Bharat scheme, even the poor would not be deprived of the costly medical treatments now, he said, adding they are now entitled to treatment up to Rs 5 lakh.

On Rahul Gandhi terming demonetisation as carefully performed apradhik vittiya ghotala (financial fraud), Katheria said the Congress president is telling a lie.

On the functioning of the NCSC under him, Katheria said the Dalit panel now takes sue moto action and compensations are paid to victims' families within a month.

Citing a recent example of the timely compensation given to a labour killed during cleaning of a sewage in Mathura about three months ago, the NCSC chairman said the victim's family was promptly given a compensation of Rs 10 lakh, besides a house and a job to one of its members.

In cases of rapes or murders of any Dalit, the commission takes the feed back from district magistrates or superintendents of police within 24 hours and an NCSC team visits the victim's family within three days.

Katheria earlier met Shankaracharya Adhokshjanand Deo Tirth Maharaj and talked to him about the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

I came here to take blessings of Shankaracharya ji Maharaj and discussed with him about Ram temple in Ayodya, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The death toll from an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to more than 200, the health ministry said on Sunday.

The ministry said it had recorded 201 deaths from the virus and that 291 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began in August.

About half of the cases were in Beni, a city of 800,000 people, in the North Kivu region.

The UN's Department of Peacekeeping on Friday called on armed groups active in the region not to hinder efforts to fight the disease. Teams responsible for responding to the outbreak "have faced threats, physical assaults, repeated destruction of their equipment and kidnapping," Health Minister Oly Ilunga said on Friday.

"Two of our colleagues in the Rapid Response Medical Unit have even lost their lives in an attack," he said.

The outbreak is the tenth in DR Congo since Ebola was first detected there in 1976.

Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can spread rapidly through small amounts of bodily fluid, causing internal bleeding and potentially death. Since a vaccination programme began on August 8, more than 25,000 people have been innoculated, the health ministry said earlier this month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A day after Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala and his brother brother Digvijay Chautala refused to accept their expulsions from the INLD amid a family feud, their mother and Dabwali MLA Naina Chautala Sunday attacked their detractors, saying late Devi Lal nurtured the party but some 15-odd people are eating it like termites.

Tau Devi Lal planted the tree which became INLD, he nurtured it all his life, but some 15-odd people have infested it like termites and are eating it, she said addressing a gathering of women supporters.

She said both her sons Dushyant and Digvijay, who headed the now disbanded Indian National Students Organisation, were working hard to strengthen the party at grassroots, but some people in the party were not happy with their hard work and have been trying to sideline them.

I was shocked and hurt that accusations of indiscipline were levelled against my children. They were victimised because some supporters raised slogans in their favour (in an INLD rally). If someone raises slogans in your favour, I don't think that amounts to indiscipline. Do you think Dushyant and Digvijay are undisciplined?, asked Naina.

She said her husband Ajay Chatuala had given 40 years to the Indian National Lok Dal.

Naina Chautala appealed to workers to realise the dreams of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and INLD president and former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala.

We need to get united for the party to ensure that the INLD comes to power in the state, she said.

She appealed to the women workers to strengthen the party.

You all must strengthen the party because all is not well in it these days. All is not well in the party for which Tau Devi Lal gave his life. You have to realise the dreams of Devi Lal. You have to strengthen the party for which Om Prakash Chautala ji and Ajay Singh ji made so much contribution, she said.

Meanwhile, Ajay Chautala and Dushyant Chautala met party workers in Rewari and Delhi respectively while Digvijay met supporters in Bhiwani on Sunday.

Talking to reporters in Bhiwani, Digvijay Chautala ruled out the possibility of any mediation by Akali Dal patriarch and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to arrest the feud within the INLD and Chautala family.

Digvijay made the remarks, when asked if Ajay Chautala was likely to meet Badal in coming days to seek his mediation to bridge the widening rift within the Chautala family.

After Devi Lal ji, Badal Sahab is the most respected elder in our family. But the question of mediation does not arise.., Digvijay said.

Badals and Chautalas have shared close family ties over several decades.

On Saturday, Dushyant Chautala had refused to accept his expulsion and that of his brother Digvijay Chautala from the INLD, claiming that the party's national executive had not met and the sack order was not issued by party president Om Prakash Chautala.

Dushyant Chautala said only the INLD's national executive or a committee headed by the party president could take action against him.

On November 2, an INLD press release, quoting their grandfather Om Prakash Chautala had announced their expulsion following an inquiry which found them guilty of indiscipline.

Both are the sons of Ajay Chautala, who is pitted against his younger brother Abhay Chautala in the power struggle.

The two leaders were suspended after their supporters allegedly shouted slogans at an INLD rally in Gohana, apparently targeting Abhay Chautala.

Om Prakash Chautala and son Ajay Chautala are serving a 10-year-sentence for a junior teachers' recruitment scam in Haryana.

Ajay Chautala is currently out on a two-week parole.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Shikhar Dhawan smashed a career-best 92 to guide India to a thrilling six-wicket win over the West Indies in the third and final T20 International, thus completing a 3-0 clean sweep, here on Sunday.

Dhawan hit 10 fours and two sixes in his 62-ball innings and forged a scintillating 130-run partnership with Rishab Pant (58) for the third wicket to take India home in the last ball of the innings.

There was some drama towards the end as India lost the wickets of Pant and Dhawan leaving the host to score one run off the last delivery bowled by Fabian Allen to secure the victory.

Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik ran the single after Allen misfielded the former's shot to pick up the winning run.

Earlier, left-handed batsman Nicholas Pooran's quick-fire half-century powered West Indies to a competitive 181 for 3.

Chasing the target of 182 to win, Dhawan and Rishab came together at 45 for 2 after India had lost skipper Rohit Sharma (4) and K L Rahul (17).

The Delhi duo put up a splendid show, treating the spectators at the M A Chidambaram stadium to some spectacular shots with Pant, in particular, showing a penchant to go for the big shots.

After an indifferent run in the first two matches, Dhawan found his groove early and stroked the ball fluently. Boundaries flowed from his bat as he kept the scoreboard ticking. The two were quick between the wickets and also ran twos at will.

The Indian innings started on a disappointing note for Rohit Sharma's fans as the skipper fell after scoring a boundary, caught by his opposite number Carlos Brathwaite off Kemo Paul's bowling.

He started the innings 69 runs short of overhauling New Zealand's Martin Guptill as the highest run-maker in T20 Internationals but the in-form Mumbai batsman exited in the third over.

The stylish K L Rahul, who came in at the fall of his skipper's wicket, hit four boundaries in his brief stay, before nicking one from the pacer Oshane Thomas to the wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.

Dhawan and Pant then joined hands and dominated the West Indies attack which seemed clueless as to how to stop the flow of runs. Both went on the rampage and none of the bowlers could provide a breakthrough.

Pant, who reached his 50 in 30 balls became the second youngest Indian to score a T20I fifty at 21 years and 38 days. Skipper Rohit Sharma at 20 years and 143 days holds the record.

The dashing Pant hit some audacious shots and hoisted three sixes in his attacking half-century before being bowled by Paul in the 19th over.

Dhawan seemed to have regained his touch ahead of the tour of Australia as he flayed the bowlers all round the park and fell when one run was required for a win.

He clubbed a ball from spinner Allen straight down the throat of Kieron Pollard at long-on.

Paul was the most successful West Indies bowler with 2 for 32 while Thomas and Allen took a wicket each.

Earlier, Pooran blasted four boundaries and as many sixes in his 25-ball unbeaten innings. His blistering 87-run unbeaten partnership in 43 balls with fellow southpaw Darren Bravo (43 off 37 balls) enabled the team move from 94 for 3 to 181 in the allotted 20 overs.

Reeling after two crushing defeats, the West Indies showed the stomach to fight as they batted with a lot more purpose here.

Pooran, who has been on the fringes for a while and did well in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), showed why he is rated highly, batting with a lot of enterprise.

He wasn't afraid to go for his shots and also employed the switch-hit on a few occasions, including hammering a six off Chahal. Bravo offered him great support and hit a couple of big sixers of his own.

Chahal, who got a lot of turn off the wicket, was the most successful Indian bowler with 2 for 28 from his four overs, but faced the heat towards the end when Pooran and Bravo went on the attack.

Washington Sundar, who took the wicket of Denesh Ramdin (15), was the other wicket-taker.

Young pacer Khaleel Ahmed had a good start to his spell but he couldn't make much of an impression. Experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar too remained without wickets.

Earlier, openers Shimron Hetmyer (26) and Shai Hope (24) got the visitors off to a brisk start and looked to score from the word go after captain Carlos Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bat.

Hetmyer, one of the success stories of the series for the Windies, cracked the first boundary in the second over bowled by Washington Sundar. Hope too got into the act in the next over from Khaleel.

The stylish right-hander hit the first six of the innings, lofting Krunal Pandya over long-on. He perished in going for another big hit, caught on the boundary by Sundar off Yuzvendra Chahal's first ball of the match. His contribution was 24 in a first wicket partnership of 51.

Hetmyer slammed four boundaries and a six in his 21-ball 26 but was dismissed when trying to cut a delivery from Chahal. The ball bounced a little more than the southpaw expected and his shot was snaffled by Pandya.

India brought in Chahal and Sundar for Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah, who have been rested while West Indies retained the XI that played in Lucknow.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Afghan man was arrested by the at the Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs 34 million, an official statement said on Sunday.

The Afghan national, a resident of Parwan (North Kabul), was intercepted on Saturday at the airport when he was about to depart for Dubai, it said.

He was attempting to smuggle out $450,000 (equivalent to Rs 34 million) by concealing it inside a musical instrument (harmonium), which had a special cavity for concealment, the statement issued by the DRI said, adding the foreign has been arrested.

Smuggling of foreign currency from India has seen a spike in the current financial year.

On November 1, the DRI had seized foreign currency equivalent to Rs 20 million at the India Gandhi International (IGI) airport here.

Earlier this year, another Afghan was arrested by the Kochi customs for trying to smuggle out forex worth nearly Rs 11 crore.

The Indian customs has made 167 seizures of foreign currency in the current fiscal, till July, with their value equivalent to nearly Rs 540 million, leading to 73 arrests, the DRI said.

The value of seizures is more than double as compared to corresponding period in previous fiscal wherein currency equivalent to Rs 250 million was seized in 120 cases leading to 36 arrests, it said.

During 2017-18, the value of foreign currency seized was Rs 897 million as against Rs 730 million during 2016-17.

These figures are set to be surpassed this year by a big margin, the revenue intelligence agency said.

Interestingly, the number and quantity of gold and narcotic drug seizures by Indian customs have also seen a spike in this fiscal, the DRI said.

"Internationally also the movement of foreign currency in cash by couriers is used by organised crime syndicates to park illicit funds abroad," it said.

"Outward cash smuggling is adopted as an alternative to Hawala (informal banking) since it saves 3-5 per cent which is deducted as Hawala margin in Hawala transaction," the DRI said.

Trend analysis by the indicates that Indian airports are being targeted by international crime syndicates for gold and narcotic drug smuggling and consequently, smuggling of foreign currency in cash.The Patna district administration has made elaborate security arrangements along all ghats by the river Ganga here to avert any untoward incident during this year's Chhath festival that began Sunday, officials said.

A total number of 91 medical camps have been set up at different ghats in Patna, the officials said.

At least 20 types of medicines will be available at the camps and 32 ambulances have been deployed at various places for the safety of devotees, the Health Minister of Bihar, Mangal Pandey, said on Sunday.

Four river ambulances have been pressed into service as well, Pandey said.

All the government hospitals and five private hospitals have been asked to be alert during the four-day festival, Pandey added.

The District Magistrate (DM) of Patna, Kumar Ravi, along with other officials, visited some major ghats on Saturday, and had expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made for the festival.

The administration has set up watch towers, changing rooms, toilets, public address system, urinals and CCTVs at the ghats, Kumar Ravi had said on Saturday.

Power supply at the ghats will be adequate, the had DM said.

Out of the 102 ghats in the city, 80 ghats have been marked as safe, he said.

A district control room has also been set up to help people, he added.

Besides, a total of 300 rescuers, from National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF), have been deployed at various ghats along the river Ganga, the DM said, adding, 76 inflatable boats have also been deployed in case of emergencies, the DM said.

Taking a cue from the stampede during the Chhath festival of 2012, which was said to be triggered by a rumour, the DM urged people to use the 'Chhath Puja Patna' app to get correct information.

The district administration has also banned boats from plying on the river Ganga during the festival, he added.

The four-day Chhath festival, celebrated with immense fervour across Bihar, began on Sunday with the 'Nahai Khai' ritual.

Devotees across the state took a holy dip in rivers, ponds and other water bodies followed by a meal comprising lentil soup, boiled pumpkin and rice.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The decision to rechristen Faizabad district as Ayodhya has not gone down well with many of its residents, who believe it is an "unnecessary step" taken for "political" reasons and will eventually "erase the identity" of the historical town.

Another section, however, welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's move, saying it endorses the legacy of ancient Ayodhya and will enhance its "glory".

P K Maurya, a 74-year-old Ayurvedic doctor, gets visibly upset when asked about the renaming move.

"What was the need for it? It was unnecessary and done with politics in mind. It is the common man who will suffer due to confusion now," he told PTI.

Maurya runs a dispensary in a run-down colonial-era building near the 19th century 'Ghanta Ghar' (Clock Tower), with an old board on its facade displaying the address as "Chowk-Faizabad" in Hindi.

Many other shops and commercial establishments in the area carry boards with district name labelled as 'Zilla Faizabad'.

"I won't change the label of Faizabad on the display board, people have known my dispensary location for decades. I don't want people to get mixed up," said Maurya, a third-generation Ayurvedic doctor in his family.

Faizabad city is located about 7 km from its twin town Ayodhya and has a major railway junction.

Close on the heels of renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on November 6 announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya district.

"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.

Yogi's announcement at a pre-Diwali 'Deepotsav' event in Ayodhya's Ram Katha Park drew loud cheer, amid a growing chorus in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh Parivar for the construction of Ram temple at the Ramjanmabhoomi.

Deepak Pandey, 18, who attended the 'Deepotsav' event, said, "I am happy the district's name has been changed. It was needed."



Shashi Kant Das, one of the main priests at the centuries-old Hanuman Garhi Temple in the heart of Ayodhya, said it was the "right decision" as Ayodhya is an ancient city and now its "glory will only be enhanced as a district".

Skand Das, an Ayodhya-based journalist of a local daily, which also has an office in Faizabad, however, disagreed with this viewpoint.

"People today come to Ayodhya with a lot of reverence, and sometimes take difficult bus or train journeys or even march on foot, to reach the pilgrim town. Now, anyone reaching even in the periphery of this big district will say they have visited Ayodhya. This will dilute the importance of Ayodhya town as we know it," he said.

Nikhil Goswami, who lives in a nearly 200-year-old house near the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi in Ayodhya, said he reveres Ayodhya as a holy place but the renaming of Faizabad district was "not needed at all". "It is all politics," he alleged.

Manzar Mehdi, historian and editor of a Faizabad-based bilingual publication, said, "Faizabad was the first capital of the Nawabs of Awadh and saw a period of glory and has a rich architectural and literary heritage."



"Whether it is Allahabad or Faizabad, renaming is an attempt to erase history driven by a political agenda, not to mention the cost it will entail at the expense of taxpayers," he told PTI.

Maurya and many other Faizabad residents, like Raziuddin, a 'paan' seller, and Altaf Qureshi, an e-rickshaw driver, argued that the renaming will "erase the identity of the city" and create confusion in finding addresses or travelling by road or train.

Raziuddin said Faizabad has its own history as a city and the heritage buildings built by the Nawabs of Awadh here, like Gulab Bari, Moti Mahal, Bahu Begum ka Maqbara showcase that historical link.

"The renaming will ensue crores of expenditure, that they could have spent on the restoration of these poorly-kept structures," Maurya said.

Siva Kumar, who operates an e-rickshaw between Ayodhya and Faizabad towns, wondered if like Mughalsarai, the Faizabad station would also be renamed. "If they do rename it, there will be two Ayodhya stations, it will confuse people."



Anil Arya, who runs a shop in the arcade underneath the iconic Clock Tower, said, "I am happy and sad. I like both the places. They could have made Ayodhya into a district itself instead of renaming old Faizabad."



Ram Lochan, 45, a tarot card reader who puts up his shop near a tree on way to Ramjanmabhoomi, said, "Ayodhya-Faizabad are twin brothers. And, both brothers have their own identity.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A fire broke out Sunday on the ninth floor of a teachers' training college in South Mumbai, but no one was injured, a police official said.

The blaze started this afternoon in the 10-storey building located near Regal cinema in Colaba, he said.

Fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and doused the flames in a few hours, the official said.

No casualty was reported, he said, adding a probe is underway to ascertain the exact reason of the fire.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Supreme Court Judge and Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and Odisha High Courts Sailendu Nath Phukan died on Sunday in upper Assam's Jorhat district.

He was 83 and is survived by two sons and as many daughters.

Phukan who was also former Chairman of the Assam Human Rights Commission passed away at a private hospital in Jorhat town, family sources said.

Justice Phukan was associated with several organisations, including Child Care Organisation known as Helpline till the time of his demise, they said.

After obtaining a law degree, Phukan enrolled as an advocate in 1962 and joined the Gauhati High Court Bar in the same year.

He joined the Assam Judicial Service in 1963 and became the Law Secretary and Legal Remembrance of Meghalaya Government in 1970.

Phukan was appointed as permanent Judge of the Gauhati High Court in 1985, transferred to Orissa High Court the next year and then to Himachal Pradesh High Court in 1994, before being appointed as the Chief Justice of that Court the next year, the family sources said.

He was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1999 from where he retired on April 1, 2002.

Phukan's last rites will be performed at the Tarajan Crematorium here on Monday, the family sources added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Centre has given consent to the renaming of at least 25 towns and villages across India in the past one year and among the pending proposals is one for the state of West Bengal, according to officials.

Allahabad and Faizabad are the latest additions to the growing list of places that have been renamed.

Several proposals, including the renaming of West Bengal as 'Bangla', are pending with the central government. The process is a long-drawn one with the involvement of multiple central ministries and departments.

The Union Home Ministry has given consent to the proposals of name change in 25 villages and towns in different parts of the country in last one year, a senior ministry official told PTI.

The proposals to change the names of Allahabad to Prayagraj and Faizabad to Ayodhya are yet to be received by the ministry from the Uttar Pradesh government, the official said.

Some of the approved name change proposals are: Rajahmundry as Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh; Outer Wheeler as A P J Abdul Kalam Island, situated in Bhadrak district of Odisha; Arikkod as Areekode in Malappura district of Kerala; Pindari as Pandu-Pindara in Jind district of Haryana; and Samphur as Sanphure in Kiphire district of Nagaland.

Other renaming proposals approved by the ministry include Landgewadi to Narsinhagaon in Sangali district of Maharashtra; Garhi Sampla as Ch. Sir Chhotu Ram Nagar in Rohtak district of Haryana; Khatu Kalan village as Bari Khatu in Nagour district of Rajasthan; Mihgawan Chhakka and MihgawanTilia as Mihgawan Sarkar and Mihgawan Ghat respectively in Panna district of MadhyaPradesh and Shukratal Khadar as Sukhtirth Khadar and Shukratal Bangar as SukhtirthBangar in Muzaffarnagar district in Uttar Pradesh.

However, a proposal to change the name of Kacharigaon to Phevima in Dimapur district of Nagaland was rejected by the home ministry recently, the official said.

The home ministry considers such proposals according to the existing guidelines in consultations with agencies concerned, another official said.

The home ministry gives its consent to the change of name of any place after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts and Survey of India.

These organisations have to confirm that there is no such town or village in their records with a name similar to the proposed one. The renaming of a state requires amendment of the Constitution with a simple majority in Parliament. For changing the name of a village or town, an executive order is needed.

The proposal to change the name of West Bengal to 'Bangla', as suggested by the state government, was recently forwarded by the home ministry to the Ministry of External Affairs for its opinion as the proposed name sounded similar to the name of neighbouring country Bangladesh, the official said.

On Thursday, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the state government was considering renaming Ahmedabad as Karnavati and the name change could be effected before next year's Lok Sabha elections.

BJP leader Raja Singh said on Thursday that the party would "aim" to rename Hyderabad and other cities in the state after the names of great people if it is elected to power in Telangana after the forthcoming assembly polls.

Last year, the Centre had approved the proposal to rename the iconic Mughalsarai railway station to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) station after the Jan Sangh leader who was found dead in the railway station in 1968.

Approval was also given to add the word "Maharaj" in Mumbai's iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It is now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

The name of any state was changed last time in 2011, when Orissa became Odisha. Names of Bombay was changed to Mumbai in 1995, Madras to Chennai in 1996, Calcutta to Kolkata in 2001.

The central government had approved the renaming of 11 cities of Karnataka, that included Bangalore as Bengaluru, in 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A man was arrested in Gujarat's Surat after his daughter complained that he had raped her four years ago, police said Sunday.

The victim disclosed the incident to her mother's brother, following which a case was registered Saturday and the accused, an autorickshaw driver, was arrested the same day, said sub inspector C R Desai of Amroli police station.

"According to the victim, who is now 15 years old, her father had raped her four years ago when her mother was away, and had threatened her to not reveal it to anyone," Desai said.

"The victim, whose mother died on November 7 from injuries sustained in a road accident, had gone to her uncle's place and then refused to go back home. One being asked the reason, she told her uncle that the accused had raped her four years ago," he said.

The 41-year-old accused has been charged under sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force on woman), 376 (sexual assault) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC as well as relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, he informed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will lead a high-level trade and investment mission to India from November 12-18 to boost bilateral trade relations and joint investment initiatives in various sectors including energy, education, space and civil aviation.

The delegation is scheduled to meet with government and corporate representatives from the energy, life sciences, transportation, innovation, and space sectors to facilitate the exchange of information and promote partnerships between the US city of Houston and India.

The mission, whose first halt is New Delhi from November 12-14 and later to Mumbai on November 14-17 will focus on increasing trade and investment between the Houston region and Indian cities including Mumbai and Delhi.

Turner, who is visiting India for the first time since holding this position, is accompanied by Susan Davenport, Chief Economic Development Officer for the Greater Houston Partnership, William T Harris, CEO & president Johnson Space Center, Swapan Dhairyawan, president of the Indo American Chamber of commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH), Jagdip Ahluwalia, founder & executive director IACCGH, Sanjay Ramabhadran, Principal Houston Metro, and representatives from the city of Houston, including city council members and economic development, communication and international trade directors.

This trip is due to a combination of factors that make India an attractive partner for Houston in terms of culture, trade and investment exchange.

Besides the large Indian student presence at various educational institutions in Houston and the booming diaspora itself, Houston has a strong Indian economic presence as well.

Mahindra USA, Larsen and Toubro, Reliance and Welspun have their US operations headquartered in Houston. Additionally, the city houses the US headquarters of India's three public sector companies - ONGC Videsh Ltd, Oil India Ltd and Gail Global USA.

IT majors Infosys, Wipro, TechMahindra, Tata Consulting Services and Cognizant also have tens of thousands of employees in the Greater Houston region.

"We share strong business, trade and cultural ties. I see much potential for increased economic activity between Houston and India and look forward to helping make those connections," Turner told PTI.

"India is now a major LNG consumer & the fastest growing energy market of the world. Between 10 to 15 per cent of the world's oil consumption is in India. It is natural for the energy capital of the world to have connections with this market. Indians are major buyers of oil, LNG and petrochemicals.

"Indian companies are committed to lifting at least a billion dollars' worth of LNG per annum from the Sabine Pass terminal near Houston for the next decade. The first shipment of petroleum from the US to India also sailed off from a Houston area port earlier this year.

"This flow is going to increase. We expect that Houston will become a hub for energy exports to India. Virtually all Houston-based oil majors are expanding their footprint in India. These include upstream, downstream, and midstream companies. Companies associated with the oil industry such as oilfield service and technology companies also have growing operations in India," he said.

"A key area of interest of the delegation is US crude oil trade between Houston ports and India. By June 2018, Houston ports exported 15 million barrels of oil to India, which was a significant increase from the 8 million barrels exports during all of 2017. Given the current international trade climate, it is possible that US crude oil shipment from Houston ports to India may be an area of discussion for the future", said Anupam Ray, Consul General of India.

In 2017, Houston-India trade was valued at approximately 4.9 billion USD. Nearly 82,000 people living in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area were born in India.

During the first half of 2018, India advanced as one of Houston's top 10 export destinations. Exports from Houston to India are up 61.5 per cent this year by dollar value.

The mayor's visit comes months after Texas Governor Greg Abbot toured India in January.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)As the guns fell silent in 1918, I victors all agreed on one thing: must pay.

How much was a matter of debate but there was never any doubt that the post-war settlement enshrined in the Treaty of Versailles was going to be punitive.

did pay, but it was not alone. A century on, the world lives with the consequences of a peace accord that, even at the time, was criticised as making another war inevitable in Europe, a continent which had dominated the world for centuries.

Economist JM Keynes, then a British Treasury official, resigned rather than be associated with a treaty he denounced as "Carthaginian" in its harshness. French Marshal Ferdinand Foch judged it "not so much a peace as a 20-year armistice".

The "war to end all wars" turned out to be the opposite. By ensuring Germany's economic ruin and political humiliation, the post-war settlement provided fertile ground for the rise of Nazism and its horrors.

Beyond Germany, the slew of peace treaties redrew the map of Europe, carving up vanquished empires and creating as many future conflicts as new countries and borders from the Baltic States to Turkey, via Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Just as important, the war served as an incubator for the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Against a backdrop of desperate food shortages, military failure left the Tsarist state crippled and vulnerable to an assault by Lenin's Bolsheviks, who then established the Soviet Union as an authoritarian Communist state.

Disastrous agricultural policies resulted in more than three million people dying in the famine of the early 1930s, millions more under the Great Terror unleashed by Lenin's successor, Joseph Stalin.

By the mid-1930s, conditions were in place for the post- II division of

That in turn produced the and its associated splitting of the rest of the planet into Western or Soviet spheres of influence, and an unstable global equilibrium that helped fuel countless conflicts across the developing world.

While the political prestige of the main victors Britain and France was at a height in 1919, it did not hide the blossoming on the stage of the United States, which would become the main economic, military and political power in the Western camp in the following decades.

I also left a lasting mark on the Middle East. By encouraging an Arab revolt, Britain helped precipitate the collapse of the Germany-allied Ottoman empire.

A secular Turkey emerged and Britain and France assumed post-war control of much of the Arab world.

By then Britain had also made clear, through the 1917 Balfour Declaration, its support for the principle of a Jewish state on land it had pledged to the Arabs.

Finally, the Ottoman Empire's collapse also resulted in the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians in what they steadfastly argue was a full-blown genocide.

Events in cast a long shadow over the rest of Europe, generating a fear of upheaval that helped accelerate reforms while also inspiring other revolutionaries, including the nascent fascist movement that was soon to seize power in

Worker uprisings in and immediately after the war were crushed or collapsed internally.

But waves of militancy in other countries -- in the Fiat factories of Turin, or the shipyards of Scotland's Red Clydeside -- delivered major advances in terms of working conditions and the rights of trade unions to represent their members.

More broadly the aftermath of was a period of rapid social progress in much of the industrialised world. This was most notable in terms of women's right to vote, which, in the popular memory, is often seen as having been "earned" through female participation in war-related activities.

Less obvious positive legacies of a war which left millions maimed or traumatised were greater social acceptance of the disabled and the destigmatisation of mental illness.

The war also spurred new waves of creativity in the arts.

Poetry was revived as an art form across the world; Dadaism, the avant-garde art movement, was born and led in turn to Surrealism.

Jazz, brought to by American soldiers, became the soundtrack for the escapism and innovation of the "roaring '20s".Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot Sunday said information technology can enhance the life skills of persons with disabilities, besides improving their communication skills and employment opportunities.

Information and computer technology (ICT) facilitates better access to products and services besides facilitating inclusive education system, he said on the concluding day of the three-day event 'Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities, 2018' held in the national capital.

Gehlot urged participating nations to take steps for enhancing IT skills of youths with disabilities so that they live an independent life with dignity.

Gehlot said the Indian government has enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 which envisions an inclusive society primarily deriving its spirit from the UNCRPD and Sustainable Development Goals -- 'leaving no-one behind'.

"Youths with disabilities need exposure to ICT usage at the early learning stage so as to enable them to live a dignified life. We strive to create better infrastructure including the provisioning of ICT tools, applications, etc., for empowerment of persons with disabilities in the country at the school-level at different stages of education.

"We strongly believe that given the opportunity and reasonable accommodation, persons with disabilities can excel in any field. Information technology acts as a bridge which enhances the life skills of persons with disabilities besides improving their communication skills and employment opportunity," he said.

He said his ministry is also implementing an ambitious National Action Plan for Skill Development for Persons with Disabilities to enhance their employability and economic empowerment. The skill training also envisages training on ICT-based web application programme.

The "Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities, 2018" was organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in association with Rehabilitation International (RI) Korea and their associated partner LG Electronics.

President of RI, Korea, thanked the Government of India for hosting the event successfully.

This year 96 youths with disabilities (visual disability, hearing disability, locomotor disability and intellectual disability/developmental disorder) from 18 countries namely India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Korea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates participated in the event.

The individual competition on e-tool and e-life mapping was held on November 9, 2018 and the group competition event was completed on Sunday.

Alongside the IT challenge competitions, another parallel programme namely IT Forum was also organised to showcase the best practices followed by various participating countries regarding use of ICT for enhancing empowerment of persons with disabilities.

As many as 55 awards were up for grab in the event, including award for best volunteer. The objective of the event was to leverage IT skills among youth with disabilities and also to spread awareness about the application of ICT in enhancing the quality of life of persons with disabilities especially in Asia-Pacific region.

It is a capacity building project that helps youth with disabilities to overcome their limitations and challenge themselves for a better future by providing them with access to ICT and related experiences, improving their ability to leverage information and social participation while setting ICT agendas for participant countries related to disabilities and boosting international cooperation and exchange.

It is being held with a total of four events including e-Tool Challenge to evaluate the skills of using the MS Office programme and e-Life Map Challenge to evaluate the online information search ability in specific situations.

India had nominated twelve youths with disabilities to participate in the event. These youths with disabilities had been selected on the basis of the National IT Challenge conducted by the Ministry through NIT, Kurukshetra in June, 2018.

India has been participating in the event since 2013 and has been winning awards ever since. Last year the event was held in Vietnam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Three precious Krishna idols dating back to the 1970s were among the items stolen in a burglary at a Swaminarayan temple in north London, according to the temple authorities.

Scotland Yard officers were called to the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir on Willesden Lane in the London borough of Brent in the early hours of Friday and have registered a case of burglary.

According to the temple President Kurjibhai Kerai, the Hari Krishna murtis were with the temple since its opening in 1975 and "hold a huge religious significance to all in our community".

The burglary took place just hours after Diwali festivities at the temple on Friday, attended by hundreds of members of the local community.

"Police were called at 01:50hrs on Friday, 9 November, to a report of a burglary at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Willesden Lane. Officers attended. The suspect had left the scene. Cash and other items are believed to have been stolen," the Metropolitan Police statement said, adding that no arrests have been made in the case.

Police officers have been reviewing CCTV footage and conducting forensic searches as part of their enquiries.

While the idols are made of brass, the temple authorities fear the robbers may have mistaken them for gold and hope they would be returned as they are more precious to the community than in terms of their monetary value.

"They have been prayed to and been with us since we opened. We pray and hope for their safe return," temple committee member Umang Jeshani said.

The temple on Willesden Lane is one of many Swaminarayan temples in London, including one of Europe's largest in Neasden area of north London.

"We are saddened to hear of the beloved murtis being taken from Willesden Temple. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community," the Neasden temple said in a statement.

The US-based President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan and local authorities to take the issue "seriously and urgently".

"It is shocking for the worldwide Hindus to hear about such incidents happening to a Hindu house of worship, thus reportedly sending the hard-working, harmonious and peaceful Hindu community in a state of anguish," he said.

The temple has said that there would be no change to its regular prayer times and urged the community to pray for the safe return of the idols.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)"Working Woman" and "Longing" are among the 10 Israeli films that will be screened at the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) as part of the country focus package.

Israel is the focus country at this year's movie extravaganza.

The festival, to be held from November 20 to 28 in Goa, will screen 10 films in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai.

Avi Nesher's "The Other Story" will kick off the segment.

The 2018 film portrays characters coping with the pain of being in a dysfunctional family, and how this family handles the religious repentance of its daughter.

Directed by Michal Aviad, "Working Woman" is a 2018 film which focuses on workplace harassment and features a powerful performance by Liron Ben Shlush. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

"Longing" narrates the story of a middle-aged Israeli bachelor who is forced to evaluate his life choices when he discovers an ex-girlfriend had given birth to his son 20 years before.

The film, directed by Savi Gabizon, was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival.

"Shalom Bollywood: The Untold Story of Indian Cinema" (2017) is a feature length documentary celebrating the song-and-dance history of the world's largest film industry.

The film also stars Bollywood veterans, including Rishi Kapoor, who discuss the film industry in general and the impact of the Jewish stars in particular.

Other films in the section include "Footnote" (2011), "The Bubble" (2006), "The Unorthodox" (2018), "Para Aduma" (2018), "Redemption" (2018) and "Waltz with Bashir" (2008).

This year Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman, known for "Hide and Seek", "Tied Hands" and "An Israeli Love Story", will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Popular Israeli actor Alon Aboutboul will be the special guest as part of Israeli delegation at IFFI 2018. Aboutboul's filmography boasts of movies such as "Rambo III", "Munich" by Steven Spielberg, "Body of Lies" by Ridley Scott, "London Has Fallen" and "The Dark Knight Rises".

Aboutboul was awarded the Best Actor award at the 44th IFFI.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russia, the US, China and the Netherlands were the top countries from where cybercriminals attacked users in India, with over 695,000 such incidents between January-June 2018, according to cyber-security firm F-Secure.

Interestingly, the top five countries that cyberattackers from India targeted were Austria, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan and Ukraine, with the number cumulatively tallying up to 35,563 in the said period, as per the report.

F-Secure, in its report, said the insights are based on data from "honeypots".

The company said it has deployed more than 41 such "honeypots" across the globe that "serve as sitting ducks for cybercriminals" and enables collection of the latest malware samples/shell scripts and new hacking techniques.

These "honeypots" are basically decoy servers that emulate the IT environment of a business. To the attackers, these look like actual servers of real companies with weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

This method, according to F-Secure, helps gain critical insights on attack types, popular targets, sources, volume, and TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures).

"Such insights are collected by deliberately allowing potential attackers to gain unauthorised access to the emulated services of a server, and then studying the attack path to the point that the attacker realises it is a honeypot," it added.

The report said the top five source countries that targeted India included Russia (2,55,589 attacks), followed by the US (1,03,458), China (42,544), the Netherlands (19,169) and Germany (15,330) - totalling 4,36,090 attacks.

On the other hand, Indian cyberattackers targeted a total of 12,540 attacks toward Austrian organisations, the Netherlands (9,267), the UK (6,347), Japan (4,701), and Ukraine (3,708), the report said.

The report said India ranks 21st in the global tally with 6,95,396 attacks hackers across various countries. However, India took the 13th spot in terms of hackers initiating attacks with 73,482 such incidents.

Globally, the UK was the biggest source country with a total of 97,680,746 attacks this year, while the US was the top destination country with 1,10,10,212 attacks, it said.

"Our public honeypots are a valuable source of threat intelligence, and an integral part of the infrastructure that powers our various security offerings, including our Rapid Detection and Response Service," F-Secure vice president of cybersecurity products R&D Leszek Tasiemski said.

Tasiemski added that "the relatively higher number of inbound attacks on Indian honeypots also reflects how the fast-digitising country is becoming more lucrative for global cybercriminals".

"We are gathering and analysing all the pertinent data to ensure that our customers stay protected given the dynamically evolving threat landscape," he said.The concerns raised by the international community on the legality of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena dissolving parliament and announcing snap polls in January are unfounded, a senior minister said here Sunday.

The political crisis in the island nation deepened on Friday as Sirisena dissolved parliament and announced snap polls on January 5 after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House for Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed by him under controversial circumstances.

"It was a decision made after obtaining legal advice and opinion even from former chief justices...We have let the people to decide, so there is nothing wrong in it," Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

The concerns raised by the international community on the legality of the President's move are unfounded, the Sirisena loyalist said.

UN chief Antonio Guterres, the European Union and several countries, including the US, the UK, Australia and Norway, have expressed concern over Sirisena's move to dissolve the parliament, which was to reconvene on November 14.

Sri Lanka is facing a major constitutional crisis after Sirisena ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Rajapaksa on October 26 and suspended parliament.

Sirisena had earlier claimed at a public rally that he has the support of 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove the premiership of Rajapaksa.

His comments came after Speaker Karu Jayasuriya slammed Sirisena's "unconstitutional and undemocratic" actions to sack Wickremesinghe and suspend Parliament, saying he will not recognise Rajapaksa as the new premier unless he wins a floor test.

With eight United National Party (UNP) and one Tamil National Alliance (TNA) legislators defecting to the Rajapaksa camp, the former president was hopeful of passing the floor test.

Sirisena had earlier suspended parliamentary proceedings until November 16. However, owing to domestic and international pressure, he later issued a notice to reconvene parliament on November 14.

The parliament would now convene on January 17 after the snap polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A group of Kashmiri migrant pandits Sunday staged a sit-in here demanding strict action against those who murdered a community member on the eve of his daughter's marriage, officials said.

Dilip Langar (59) was allegedly stabbed to death by three youths on Wednesday after he objected to a fight between two groups of men at K K Resorts, where his relatives were staying for the marriage of his daughter the next day.

All the three accused were arrested later.

On Sunday, a the protesters including family members of the deceased gathered at the exhibition ground here demanding severe punishment for the culprits and monetary compensation for the bereaved family.

National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana joined the protesters and expressed solidarity with them.

"The death in most tragic and has shocked the society of Jammu as a whole. Such sort of lawlessness is worrisome for all," said Rana, the MLA from Nagrota constituency where Langar resided.

The NC leader urged Governor Satya Pal Malik and Advisor K Vijay Kumar for ensuring fast track judicial dispensation of the murder and delivering justice to the family.

Rana supported the demand for grant of adequate compensation and a job to a member of the victim's family.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Accusing caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) of 'going back' on his promise of providing 12 per cent reservation for Muslims in jobs and education, Telangana Congress Chief N Uttam Kumar Reddy Sunday said "the time has come to teach him a lesson."



Addressing a meeting here, Reddy claimed that Rao was never serious about providing 12 per cent quota to Muslims and therefore dragged the issue for four-and-a-half years on one pretext or the other.

"The BJP government (at the Centre) had rejected the Bill, which was meant to enhance the Muslim quota from 4 per cent to 12 per cent in February this year and refused to send it to the President for his assent.

TRS Government neither held any protest against the BJP government nor approached the Supreme Court against the rejection," he alleged.

The Telangana legislature had on April 16 last year passed a bill, raising the reservation for backward Muslims and Scheduled Tribes in government jobs and educational institutions.

Listing out other "failures" of TRS government, the TPCC President alleged that not even 50 per cent of the allocated budget was spent on minorities' welfare.

He claimed that only Rs 3,000 crore were spent during the last four-and-a-half years on minorities' welfare which was not even 0.5 per cent of Rs 6.75 lakh crore, the total budget of Telangana.

Reddy promised that if voted to power in next elections, the Congress would introduce a Sub-Plan for minorities and earmark about 12 per cent of total budget for their welfare.

Reiterating that voting for TRS or AIMIM amounted to electing BJP, he said "Only Congress has the strength and will to defeat Prime Minister Modi and BJP at the Centre."



"The security and welfare of minorities can be ensured only if Rahul Gandhi becomes the next Prime Minister," he added.

Reddy also slammed the TRS government for not filing an appeal against the NIA court's verdict in the Mecca Masjid blast case wherein all accused were acquitted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Kerala government Sunday appointed senior IPS officer S Sreejith as the investigating officer to probe the death of a 32-year-old man, who was killed after a senior police official allegedly pushed him in front of a moving car following a minor scuffle.

The development comes at a time when the police official is yet to be nabbed and the victim's family has threatened to move the Kerala High Court, seeking a CBI inquiry into the death.

On November 5, Sanal was killed after being pushed in front of a moving car allegedly by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) B Harikumar at Neyyatinkara near here.

The case, which was being investigated by Crime branch Superintendent of Police K M Antony, has been transferred to IG Sreejith after Sanal's family also sought a probe by an IPS officer, a press release issued by police said.

Demanding a CBI inquiry into the case, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the state government was trying to derail the probe.

"Sanal's family is seeking a CBI probe. If police are investigating the atrocity committed by one of their officials, there are chances of a botched up investigation," he alleged.

Meanwhile, one person was taken into custody in connection with the incident.

The manager of a tourist home at Tirpparappu in Tamil Nadu was taken into custody for allegedly helping the DySP escape after providing him two SIM cards.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha Sunday said he would apprise BJP chief Amit Shah of the "humiliation" he had suffered at the hands of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar.

Kushwaha said he would also request Shah to clear the "confusion" over seat-sharing among the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents in the state at the earliest.

Before leaving for New Delhi, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief told reporters at the airport here that he had sought an appointment with Shah.

Kushwaha said he met Ram Vilas Paswan, the president of NDA constituent Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), earlier in the day and the latter concurred with his view that seat-sharing talks should be held at the earliest, involving all the coalition partners.

Kushwaha has reportedly been peeved after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) decided to contest an equal number of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Bihar.

The state sends 40 members to Parliament and after the BJP-JD(U) deal, there is speculation that this would mean fewer seats for other allies like the RLSP and the LJP.

Kushwaha is also unhappy with Kumar for his alleged "neech" statement. It was made at a television programme about a week ago when the JD(U) chief had refused to comment on reports that the RLSP might end up getting fewer seats than it had fought and won in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Kushwaha took exception to Kumar's response that commenting on the issue would "lower the standard of the discourse". The Union minister has alleged that the remark is tantamount to him being called "lowly".

RLSP supporters took out a protest march here Saturday, demanding an apology from the chief minister.

"During my meeting with Shah, I intend to raise both the issues -- seat sharing as well as the humiliation by Nitish Kumar," Kushwaha said.

He has been maintaining that his party has a tie-up only with the BJP and not with the JD(U).

"I also discussed the issue of seat-sharing with Paswan. He too was of the opinion that formal talks on seat-sharing, taking all NDA constituents in Bihar on board, ought to be held at the earliest in order to dispel confusion," the RLSP chief said.

Paswan's son and LJP parliamentary board chairman Chirag Paswan had recently said his party would like to contest the same number of seats it had done in the last Lok Sabha polls, but he was ready to make a "sacrifice" in the larger interests of the NDA.

Kushwaha, however, has been maintaining a stubborn stance, pointing out that any demand for sacrifice by the RLSP was irrational as of all the coalition partners, only his party was denied a ministerial berth in the NDA government in Bihar, formed after the JD(U)'s return to the alliance last year.

A former JD(U) leader himself, Kushwaha had quit the party in 2013 and floated his own outfit. He had joined the NDA at a time when Kumar had snapped ties with the BJP and has been viewing the JD(U)'s return to the coalition last year with much consternation.

The opposition Grand Alliance -- comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress and the Hindustani Awam Morcha -- too has been trying to woo Kushwaha into its fold.

Meanwhile, RLSP MLA Sudhanshu Shekhar met JD(U) national vice-president Prashant Kishor, triggering speculation of a major crisis in Kushwaha's party.

The RLSP had won two seats in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls. The other MLA of the party, Lalan Paswan, has already sided with a dissident group headed by Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar. Shekhar has so far remained loyal to Kushwaha.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Sri Lankan strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed prime minister in a controversial move by Maithripala Sirisena, on Sunday ended his five-decade-long association with the SLFP and joined the newly-formed People's Party (SLPP).

Rajapaksa's move signalled that he would contest the snap polls, to be held on January 5, under his own party banner and not that of Sirisena's Freedom Party (SLFP).

The former obtained the membership of the SLPP, launched by his supporters, Sunday morning.

His father Don Alwin Rajapaksa was a founding member of the Freedom Party, which was formed in 1951.

The SLPP was formed last year by Rajapaksa's supporters to create a platform for his re-entry into The party in February's local council election won two-third of the total 340 seats.

The 72-year-old strongman, who ruled Lanka for a decade from 2005, was unexpectedly defeated by his deputy, Sirisena, in the held in January 2015 with the support from Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP).

However, the power-sharing arrangement between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe became increasingly tenuous on several policy matters, especially on economy and security.

Finally, on October 26, Sirisena abruptly ousted Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Rajapaksa, after three-and-a-half years of an estranged relationship with him.

The island nation plunged into a constitutional crisis following the move.

Sirisena had suspended parliamentary proceedings until November 16. Later, owing to domestic and pressure, he issued a notice to reconvene parliament on November 14.

However, on Friday, Sirisena dissolved parliament and announced snap polls on January 5 next year after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa needed the support of minimum 113 parliamentarians in the 225-member House to prove his majority.Hundreds of people Sunday held a protest march against the killing of tigress Avni and converged at Shivaji Park here to demand the sacking of Maharashtra's forest minister as well as finding the big cat's missing cubs.

The tigress, officially known as T1, was shot dead in an operation in a forest in Yavatmal district on November 2, leading to outrage among animal lovers and wildlife organisations who accused the state government of violating norms.

Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has come under fire from these organisations for the killing, though he and the state government have defended it, calling the incident "sad" but necessary after the tigress had attacked forest staff trying to tranquilise it.

Among those who attended the protest, called "Global March for Avni", was Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam who called the tigress' killing something that could not be defended.

"State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar is expected to protect wildlife. However, wildlife seems to be most unsafe under his rule. His decision of killing tigress Avni cannot be defended or accepted under any circumstance. He should be sacked immediately," Nirupam said at the protest march.

Following the protest, Aam Aadmi Party leader Preeti Sharma Menon led a delegation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and asked him to ensure the rescue and rehabilitation of Avni's two 10-month-old cubs.

P V Subramaniam of Earth Brigade Foundation, the petitioner who had challenged government orders to shoot tigress Avni, said the march was to seek justice for its "unlawful execution".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Manipur is trying to firmly position itself on the tourism map of the country, riding on the picturesque beauty of its lush green valleys and forested hills, along with the annual Sangai Festival which showcases the state's rich tradition and culture to the world.

The 10-day cultural extravaganza, held between November 21 and 30, has been attracting more tourists with each passing year, and will prove to be a major draw for visitors from around the world this time, too, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has asserted.

"Investment can make Manipur a global tourist hotspot. One cannot miss the pristine landscapes in Manipur. Add to that, the greenery, year-round pleasant weather and great food make it an attractive destination for travellers," Singh told a group of visiting journalists recently.

Thailand Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and two ministers from Myanmar are scheduled to grace this year's festival.

A tournament of Polo has been scheduled for the 10-day fest, which is named after brow-antlered deer Sangai, a state government official said.

"For the 12th Manipur Polo International 2018, the participating teams are US, England, Uruguay, Haiti, India (A)



representing the Indian Polo Association and India (B) the host team of Manipur," he said.

It has been widely acclaimed that the modern day horse-back mounted game of polo originated in Manipur, where it is also known as 'Sagol Kangjei'.

Talking about Sangai deer and its significance in Manipur, the chief minister had said the iconic Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district and its floating islands (phumdis) is the last natural refuge of the critically endangered animal.

The Keibul Lamjao National Park, on a 40 sq km floating biomass in Loktak, is home to the Dancing Deer. Loktak, about 60 km from Imphal, is the largest freshwater lake in the northeast with an area of 287 sq km, he added.

The government official, who spoke to PTI on the sidelines of press meet, said Manipur is the only place in the world where a rare species of lily flower blooms amid verdant hills.

"Up in the hills of Ukhrul district, Shirui Lily grows every year for less than a month. The state organises the Shirui Lily festival every year at Ukhrul in mid-May, when the bell-shaped pinkish-white flower is in full bloom, he said, adding that the annual event also gives the government a chance to promote Manipur as a tourist destination.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)In a major catch, the Delhi police has nabbed a veteran criminal from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, involved in supplying arms to CPI (Maoists) for several years, a senior police official said Sunday.

48-year-old Ajeet Ray was nabbed Saturday, the official said, adding he was involved in unlawful activities in Odisha, Maharashtra and Chhatishgarh since 1990, the official said.

During investigations, police learnt that Ray was also arrested by Odisha police in 2008. Subsequently, non-bailable warrant was issued against him by the court and a reward of Rs two lakh was declared on his arrest by Delhi police, said PS Kushwah, Deputy Commissioner of Police (special cell).

Giving the details, he said, a person named Ram Krishna was arrested on July 7. During interrogation, he revealed that he was involved in arms peddling since 2015.

He told police that he used to procure illegal cartridges from Agra, Bihar and used to supply them to CPI (Maoist) Commanders through his contacts in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, the officer said.

On his instance, another accused identified as Sanjay Singh was arrested, the officer added.

During interrogation, Ram Krishan disclosed about supplying cartridges to Ajeet Ray, the officer said



Police teams were deployed in states of Bihar, Odisha and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra to nab the accused, the DCP said.

Acting on specific inputs, a trap was laid at Bhamar Garh Road near Mannewar Colony All Palli inGadchiroli district of Maharastra from where the accused Ray was arrested on Sunday and 45 cartridges of prohibited bore of INSAS and SLR were recovered from his possession, the DCP added.

Police learnt the recovered non-prohibited bore cartridges were to be supplied to naxalities of Gadchiroli, the officer said.

During his interrogation, Ray disclosed that he used to provide logistic support to CPI (Maoist) Dalam and he had also provided logistic support to Shankar Anna, a Maoist commander. He was detained in 1992 by Maharashtra police for being Maoist supporter and was associated with Maoist commander Santosh Anna, Kushwah said.

Ray was also arrested in a case of Fake Indian Currency Note case in 2005 and later was also nabbed by Odisha police in 2008 along with three Maoists, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Maoists have shot dead a man after kidnapping him from Nawada village in Bihar's Gaya district, police said Sunday.

City Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar said that the Maoists kidnapped the man, identified as Yogendra Yadav, from his village on Saturday night and shot him dead near the village on the same day.

The Maoists left a pamphlet claiming that Yadav was a police informer, the SP said.

Yadav's body has been sent to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital here for post-mortem examination.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Somali-origin man, who set a car on fire and stabbed three people, killing one of them, before being fatally shot in the Australian city of Melbourne, did not have a "definite link" to the dreaded Islamic State but was "inspired" by it, the government said on Sunday.

Hassan Khalif Shire Ali stabbed three members of the public and attacked police officers in the Bourke Street on Friday before he was shot and killed by the police.

The 31-year-old, who was driving a Ute, loaded with gas bottles, into the Bourke Street, allegedly set it alight and began stabbing members of the public.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said authorities did not believe Ali, who had his passport cancelled in 2015, was a member of the Islamic State and had not been known to be ready to act, The Australian reported.

"There was no evidence available to the police... that any attack was imminent or that he had been part of planning," he was quoted as saying by the report.

"In relation to his connections with ISIL (another name for IS) or with any terrorist group... there's not, as I'm advised, a membership of an organisation or a definite link to ISIL."



However, the terror group's propaganda outlet, Amaq, earlier said "The perpetrator of the operation... in Melbourne... was an Islamic State fighter and carried out the operation... to target nationals of the coalition" fighting the Islamic State.

"The working theory is at the moment a case where this person has been downloading information or receiving messages in his own mind about what he should be doing," Dutton said.

There was "no evidence" available to intelligence services that the terrorist behind the Bourke Street stabbings was preparing an imminent attack, Dutton added.

Acting Deputy Commissioner for national security Ian McCartney said that, "It's fair to say he was inspired."



Shire Ali's passport was cancelled in 2015 when the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation believed he was planning to travel to Syria, McCartney said.

More than a dozen terrorist attacks have been prevented in recent years in Australia, but several have taken place, including a cafe siege in Sydney in 2014 where several people, including an Indian techie, were taken hostages and two were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)David Miller and Faf du Plessis plundered big-hitting centuries in a batting masterclass as South Africa beat Australia by 40 runs to win their one-day series and inflict another defeat on Justin Langer's misfiring side.

The pair shared in a 252-run stand to power the Proteas to 320-5 in the third and final match in Hobart -- a record fourth wicket partnership by South Africa against the hosts in Australia.

They came together at 55-3 in the 16th over with Miller swatting 139 for his fifth limited-overs century and du Plessis smashing 125 -- his 10th one-day ton.

A composed Shaun Marsh cracked a fighting 106 in the run chase, ably supported by Marcus Stoinis (63) and Alex Carey (42) -- an improvement on recent batting displays but still not good enough.

Pace spearheads Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn both took three wickets. The victory handed South Africa their first ODI series win in Australia since 2009 and left Australia with plenty to ponder ahead of India's arrival this month for a three-format tour.

Both sides opted for unchanged line-ups after Australia snapped a seven-game losing streak to clinch the second match in Adelaide on Friday by seven runs. South Africa easily won the first in Perth by six wickets.

After winning the toss and putting the visitors into bat, Australia got a dream start with Quinton de Kock out in the third over.

Mitchell Starc did the damage, bowling a perfect line and length, with de Kock getting a tickle on the ball and wicketkeeper Carey taking the catch. Aiden Markram smashed three sixes, including one huge blow off Marcus Stoinis that went out of the ground and down the street, with a new ball needed, on his way to 32.

But as he looked set for a big score, he flicked a Starc delivery down leg side to Carey, leaving South Africa struggling.

Then hard-hitting Miller joined skipper du Plessis and the scoreboard began racing along.

Du Plessis was dropped on 29 and Miller escaped an lbw dismissal on 41 that was overturned on review.

They made the most of their second lives and began swinging their bats as du Plessis reached his century in 105 balls with 11 fours and one six before falling to Stoinis going for another big hit at the death.

Miller made the landmark in 95 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, and was finally caught at deep midwicket off Josh Hazlewood in the last over.

Australia experimented with Chris Lynn as opener for the run chase, but it spectacularly backfired when Steyn snared him for a golden duck. Australia's woes were compounded when Aaron Finch soon followed him back to the pavillon.

It was down to Marsh and Stoinis to open their shoulders and look for boundaries. They put on an impressive 107 before Stoinis was caught at backward point.

Carey supported Marsh as he made his sixth one-day ton in 98 balls, with six fours and four sixes, before he was caught at deep midwicket and hope began to evaporate.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Veteran Mithali Raj smashed a aggressive half century to guide India to an easy 7-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Women's World T20 here Sunday.

Raj anchored the Indian run chase with a 47-ball 56 which she made with the help of seven fours in the Group B match which was marred by unprecedented docking of 10 penalty runs on Pakistan.

Even before a ball being faced, 10 runs were on India's scoreboard after Pakistan were docked five-run penalty twice during their innings on account of their batswomen running on the danger area of the pitch during their innings.

India chased down the target of 134 with six balls to spare, reaching 137 for 3 in 19 overs. Previous game centurion and captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy remained not out on 14 and 8 respectively.

With the win on Sunday, India (with four points) made a big step towards making it to the semifinals from the five-team Group B. Two teams each from the two groups qualify for the semifinals.

India also avenged their narrow 2-run defeat under D/L method against Pakistan in New Delhi in the previous edition of the tournament in 2016.

India made a strong start with openers Raj and Smriti Mandhana (26) finding the boundaries at regular intervals in their 73-run stand from 9.3 overs. Mandhana fell to



Bismah Maroof with Omaima Sohail taking a superb catch at deep square leg.

The 18-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues (16), who scored a half century in the previous game against New Zealand, seemed to continue from where she left but she played a shot too many and perished in the process, caught and bowled by Nida Dar in the 15th over.

Earlier, Indian bowlers pinned Pakistan down for most part of their innings before allowing them to wriggle out for 133 for 7.

Opting to field after winning the toss, India made a great start with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 30 for 3 in the seventh over.

Pakistan made a fine recovery thanks to half centuries from Bismah Maroof (53) and Nida Dar (52) as the duo stitched 93 runs for the fourth wicket to take their side to a competitive total.

India also dropped at least three easy catches, which allowed Pakistan to come back into the Group B match.

Opening bowler Arundhati Reddy immediately gave India the breakthrough by having Ayesha Zafar caught at the slips by Veda Krishnamurthy for nought in the final delivery of the first over.

Pakistan were yet to open account then and they could have been in a worse situation had Smriti Mandhana not dropped captain Javeria Khan in the third over.

But two run-outs in the space of three overs gave India the upper hand. First an outstanding direct throw from 18-year old Jemimah Rodrigues sent Umaima Sohail back to the pavilion in the fourth over while captain Javeria witnessed the same fate in the seventh over after a mixed-up.

Pakistan were on the ropes but India allowed them to gain grounds by having three dropped catches. All the three were regulation catches.

Veda Krishnamurthy dropped Nida Dar while on 15 in the 11th over. Poonam Yadav dropped the same batswoman in the 13th over when she was on 23. The next over, Poonam made a mess of a Bismah Maroof skier as she completely misjudged the trajectory of the ball.

Pakistan were still not out of the woods as they could only reach 53 for 3 at the half-way stage but the sloppy Indian fielding allowed their two batswomen Dar and Maroof to gain in confidence.

The Pakistani duo began to hit boundaries at regular intervals and both reached to their fifties towards the end of the innings. Maroof was the first to reach to her fifty in the 17th over while Dar did the same in the next over.

But both were out in the same 19th over in the space of three balls with Dayalan Hemalatha picking the two wickets. Poonam Yadav then scalped two Pakistani wickets in the final over -- that of Aliya Riaz (4) and Sana Mir (0).

Pakistan were penalised for five runs twice during their innings for their batswomen running on the danger area. Thus, 10 runs were added to India's innings when they come out to bat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The government has proposed the names of three IAS officers, as desired by the Election Commission (EC), for the post of a new chief electoral officer (CEO) in the state, an official said on Sunday.

The poll panel had asked the state government to suggest the names after it decided to replace CEO S B Shashank, who had courted controversy in the poll-bound state.

The names suggested by the government were -- Lalhmingthanga, H Lalengmawia and K Lalthawmmawia -- the official said on the condition of anonymity.

He also said Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain, who led the second EC team to on Friday, had told officials that it would take two-three days to select and appoint a new CEO.

Jain had also assured the NGO Coordination Committee leaders -- who were spearheading the movement against Shashank -- that the CEO would be replaced and the Bru voters housed in Tripura relief camps would exercise their franchise from Mizoram, which was the primary demands of the organisation.

The EC had initiated the process of finding an alternative to the CEO Saturday. An EC spokesperson had said in New Delhi that the poll panel had "only decided to call for a panel of names for the post of the state CEO from the chief secretary of Mizoram".

Shashank had reportedly sought deployment of additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in the north-eastern state and complained to the EC that the state's former principal secretary, Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, was interfering in the poll process.

Chuaungo, a native of Mizoram and a Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, was relieved of his duties earlier this month.

Thousands of people took to the streets and picketed in front of Shashank's office for two days since Tuesday.

The protesters, under the aegis of the NGO Coordination Committee, had also set an ultimatum for Shashank to leave urgently, prompting the EC to send the first team to the state Tuesday.

Shashank left Mizoram Wednesday after being summoned by the chief election commissioner in Delhi, which resulted in the withdrawal of the agitation.Several political parties in Mizoram have accused former Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank of being anti-Mizo and "puncturing" the state's enviable record of holding peaceful polls for decades.

This the first time political parties have openly criticised the ex-CEO, who was at the centre of a row over allegedly trying to facilitate Bru voters in Tripura relief camps to vote in the November 28 Mizoram Assembly elections from that state.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) Saturday announced its decision to replace Shashank following massive protests by civil society groups here, demanding his ouster over his alleged pro-Bru stance.

The All NGO (Coordination Committee), an umbrella body of major civil society groups and students' bodies, has been demanding that the Bru people, who fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes and are residing in relief camps in Tripura, be allowed to cast their votes only in Mizoram.

Several major political parties in Mizoram have suggested that the 11,232 Bru voters in Tripura relief camps should return to their villages and cast their votes after enrolling themselves here.

"It was a very foolish thing on Shashank's part. It could have been avoided. He behaved like a fool. That is why the ECI has recalled him, and people are protesting against him," former chief minister Zoramthanga told PTI in an interview.

Let the "original" Bru people return to Mizoram and enrol themselves in the voters' list here, he said.

Shashank had also sought deployment of 40 companies of central armed police forces in the state. The move was opposed by the powerful NGO Coordination Committee and many political parties.

"Such a heavy deployment is not required here. In Mizoram, we do not need it. Normally, there are two-three policemen (at polling booths)," said Zoramthanga, the president of the main opposition party -- the Mizo National Front (MNF).

Asked if Shashank acted in favour of the BJP as the Brus are considered sympathetic to the saffron party, he said that he is "unaware" of the former CEO's intention.

The ruling Congress accused Shashank of being anti-Mizo and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere "just ahead of polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly".

"Shashank is not the person who loves Mizoram. He does not work for Mizoram or for the interest of its people. That is why all NGOs, civil society and common people went against him for his action in the Chuaungo episode," a Congress spokesperson said.

The ECI had earlier removed Mizoram's Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo after Shashank complained to it that he was interfering in the poll process.

"We want the Brus to cast their votes in Mizoram by enrolling here. That's our stand," the Congress spokesperson said.

Mizoram is the most peaceful state in India and the people here are proud of it, he said.

"The electoral process has always been very peaceful here. There was no need to deploy 40 companies of central forces. He disturbed the poll process and turned it into an unpleasant affair," the Congress leader alleged.

The People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), a new entrant in the political arena of Mizoram, also favoured the Brus voting in Mizoram only.

"So many Mizos are there in Delhi, Guwahati and other places. They cannot vote from there. They come here to vote. Similarly, the Brus should also come and vote in Mizoram.

"If the Brus vote in Tripura, then the EC should set up booths in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata and other places as well," Prism President Vanlalruata told PTI.

BJP Mizoram In-charge Pawan Sharma said, "In democracy, every person has the right to vote. Whatever the Election Commission decides, they (Brus) should vote accordingly. We feel that polling booths should be set up wherever the maximum voting takes place.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Claiming that Narendra Modi was leading the country in the right direction, BJP leaders led by Union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore Sunday urged people to re-elect Modi as prime minister in 2019.

Addressing volunteers of the "Modi for PM" initiative, Rathore urged them to take success stories of government initiatives to the grassroots level.

He reminded them about the alleged scams that were reported about before 2014, and said the then prime minister projected a "weak picture" as authority seemed to be concentrated in "a handful of people".

He said Modi raised the issue of blackmoney and ensured that the benefits of government schemes and policies reached the last man in queue.

"India has got the direction (disha) under the visionary leader Modi and the condition (dasha) of India is already on its way to improvement," he said.

The minister spoke on initiatives taken by the government, including opening of 30 crore bank accounts, Mudra loans and ensuring electricity in every village.

Referring to several initiatives being run by the government, BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi urged the volunteers to take the message to every household in the country.

BJP's national vice president Shyam Jaju said Modi government runs on the idea of "vikasvaad" (development).

More than 400 volunteers from across the country attend the event.

According to Rohit Gangwal, national convener of the voluntary organisation, the idea behind the convention was to get all volunteers under one roof to strengthen the base for "Mission 2019".

'Modi for PM' is an independent organisation formed in 2010.

Devang Dave, national IT and social media in-charge of BJP youth wing, said more than 2014, India needs Modi as prime minister in 2019.

"Narendra Modi has successfully ousted the Congress. Now in the next term, he will wipe out institutionalised corruption," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two major national highways and an inland waterways project at his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Monday.

The two roads have a combined length of 34 km and have been laid at a cost of Rs 1,571.95 crore.

The 16.55-km Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been completed at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the four-laning and construction of 17.25-km-long Babatpur-Varanasi Road on NH-56 has cost Rs 812.59 crore, read a statement from the PM's office.

The Babatpur Airport Highway will link Varanasi to the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow. With the flyover at Harhua and a road over bridge (ROB) at Tarna, the new road plan will reduce travel time from Varanasi to the airport, providing relief to the locals and tourists coming here, the statement said.

The Ring Road, with two ROBs and a flyover, is expected to reduce traffic, fuel usage and pollution on NH 56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH 233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH 29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and AyodhyaVaranasi highway, the statement said.

Further the ring road is expected to provide smooth road access to Sarnath, a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site.

On the day, at a separate event, the prime minister will inaugurate the first multi-modal waterways terminal on the Ganga river as part of the Centre's Jal Marg Vikas Project which aims to develop the stretch of the river between Varanasi and Haldia for navigation of large vessels weighing up to 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes, an official statement said.

The objective of the project is to promote inland waterways as a cheap and environment-friendly means of transportation, especially for cargo movement. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the project implementing agency.

National Waterway-1 (Haldia-Varanasi stretch) is being developed with technical assistance and investment support from the World Bank. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be shared between the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 ratio.

The project entails construction of three multi-modal terminals (Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia), two inter-modal terminals, five roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal pairs, new navigation lock at Farakka, assured depth dredging, integrated vessel repair and maintenance facility, differential global positioning system (DGPS), river information system (RIS), river training and conservancy works.

Operation, management and further development of the terminal is proposed to be entrusted to an operator on public-private partnership model and selection of the operator through an international competitive bidding is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed by December, an official statement said.

The multi-modal terminal project and proposed freight village in Varanasi are expected to generate 500 direct employment and more than 2,000 indirect employment opportunities.

Later in the day, the PM will receive India's first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata on inland waterways on October 30, carrying cargo belonging to PEPSICO (India).

Modi will be accompanied by UP Governor Ram Naik, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the function.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have gone into damage-control mode to get party rebels to withdraw from the fray in Madhya Pradesh which goes to polls on November 28.

The state has a 230-member Assembly and sources from both parties believe that these rebels could prove to be the decisive factor in 30-odd seats.

The last date to withdraw nominations is November 14.

According to a senior BJP leader, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state BJP chief Rakesh Singh, party vice president Prabhat Jha and state organisational secretary Suhas Bhagat among others were contacting party rebels to get them to opt out of the electoral race.

"All our senior leaders are contacting our cadre who are fighting elections against the party's nominees. Like in the past, they are going to withdraw from the race," state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Rajnish Agrawal claimed.

On behalf of the opposition Congress, senior leader and former chief minister Digvijay Singh was trying to persuade rebels to withdraw their candidatures, party sources said.

They said that MP Congress chief Kamal Nath, former Union minister Jyotriraditya Scindia, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Singh were also involved in ensuring that the party's official candidates don't have to fight the rebels.

Digvijay Singh told rebels that the official candidates were chosen after much deliberations by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, and that the rebels should work in the interest of the party.

Prominent among the BJP rebels who are in the fray this time are Ramkrishna Kusumari, five-time MP and a powerful leader from the impoverished Bundelkhand region, who has filed his nomination papers from two Assembly seats, Damoh and Patharia, as an Independent candidate.

Likewise, former MP finance minister and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Raghavji Bhai is contesting elections on a SAPAKS (Samanya Pichra Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj) ticket from Shashabad in Vidisha district.

He is apparently angry over the BJP not giving a ticket to his daughter Jyoti Shah.

Similarly, former Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) state chief Dhiraj Pateriya is contesting from Jabalpur North as an Independent candidate.

The Congress' rebel list includes senior leader and former party spokesman Satyavrat Chaturvedi's son Nitin who is contesting from Rajnagar seat in Bundelkhand region as a Samajwadi Party candidate after being denied a party ticket.

Similarly, Sahab Singh Gurjar is contesting from Gwalior Rural seat after the Congress refused him a ticket.

Former Congress MLA Xavier Meda was in the fray against party candidate Vikrat Singh Bhuria from Jhabua.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday asked industry captains to explore the immense opportunities that the state has to offer as it takes rapid strides to emerge as the manufacturing hub of the east.

Inaugurating the state's showpiece business summit - 'Make in Odisha - Conclave 2018', in the presence of a host of dignitaries including Japanese Ambassador to India, Kenji Hiramatsu and consul generals of several other countries, besides representatives from industry body FICCI.

"Odisha is emerging as a manufacturing hub of the east and we are incessantly working towards deveoping it as a global hub for industries in certain focus sectors," Patnaik said, urging the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) to partner with the departments in successful implementation of the state's 'Vision 2025' for industrial development in six focus sectors.

The plennary session of the second edition of Make In Odisha Conclave, scheduled to be held from Monday, would be attended by a battery of top industrialists including Mukesh Ambani, N Chandrasekaran, Kumar Mangalam Birla along with 800 other industry leaders.

Apart from Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group and Tata Group, Vedanta Resources chief Anil Agarwal and industry delegation from at least six countries -- South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- are expected to attend the state's mega business meet here.

Chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra, chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd Naveen Jindal and Adani Group chief Goutam Adani are also expected to be part of the conclave which will conclude on November 15.

"Mukesh Ambani will be the star speaker at the Business Leadership Summit to be organiased just after plenary session of the conclave. The summit will provide leadership perspective from industry captains to inspire next generation leaders," Odisha Industries Minister Ananta Das had said earlier.

In the run up to the mega event, Patnaik had met ambassadors of different countries in New Delhi.

Japan is the partner country of the conclave this year.

The expo will be showcasing manufacturing prowess of the state through use of modern technologies by the companies operating here.

Apart from seeking investment from the industries, the prime objective of the conclave is to showcase the potential of the state in different sectors, said industries secretary Sanjeev Chopra.

The first edition of the conclave was held in 2016 where the state had received investment proposals worth Rs 2 lakh crore, he claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended allowing Qatar to transfer millions of dollars to Hamas-run Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move aimed at restoring calm after months of unrest.

The Israeli-authorised money transfer appeared to be part of talks that would see Islamist movement Hamas end months of often violent protests along the border in exchange for Israel easing its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Border protests have been much calmer the past two Fridays, the day they usually peak.

Netanyahu's remarks late Saturday were his first on the issue since Israel allowed the money transfer to the enclave controlled by Hamas, which Israel, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist movement.

"I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security establishment, to return quiet to the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis," Netanyahu said, referring to Israeli towns near the Gaza border and deteriorating conditions in the enclave.

Netanyahu said the Israeli security establishment supported the move and that ministers in his security cabinet approved it.

"We held serious discussions," he said ahead of his flight to Paris to join world leaders marking the centenary of the end of World War I.

"I think we're acting in a responsible and wise way," he said.

Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu's education minister and right-wing rival, compared the cash flow to "protection money" paid to criminals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he was unaware of any corruption linked to a deal to buy German submarines, after police recommended charging his lawyer in the investigation.

"As you know, there are no claims as to my involvement," Netanyahu said late Saturday in his first comments on the issue since police issued their findings in the long-running investigation last week.

"Which is not a minute thing since people don't hesitate to blame me with the most absurd claims."



Asked about the alleged offences committed by his relative and family lawyer David Shimron, Netanyahu said: "You know I didn't know."



"Secondly, I suggest to wait until the end of the procedures and not rush to make a judgement," he said before boarding a plane for Paris, where he will join world leaders in marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Police said Thursday there was evidence to charge Shimron and others with bribery in connection with negotiations for Israel's purchase of submarines and other vessels from German industrial giant ThyssenKrupp.

The investigation into the deals reportedly worth USD 2 billion is one of several cases that have put Netanyahu's long tenure in office under the spotlight.

Besides Shimron, police said the former chief of Netanyahu's office, David Sharan, is also suspected of bribery, as is the former head of the navy, Eliezer Marom.

Two other navy ex-generals were named as being suspected of similar offences, as was a former minister, Eliezer Zandberg.

Netanyahu was questioned as a witness and not a suspect in the case.

The police's findings will now be handed over to the attorney general, who will decide whether the suspects should be charged.

Israeli opposition politicians have questioned how Netanyahu could be unaware of the alleged corruption and called for a commission of inquiry.

In February, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted in two other graft probes, though the attorney general has yet to decide whether to do so.

Allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival.

Another case involves suspicions that the prime minister and his family received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favours.

Netanyahu denies all the allegations, calling them a bid by his political enemies to force him from office.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A new statue commemorating the role of Indian soldiers in World War I was unveiled in the town of Laventie in France on Sunday to mark Armistice Day when the war ended in 1918.

The seven-foot bronze statue is the first of 57 similar commemorative sculptures planned by the Inter-Faith Shaheedi Commemoration Association (IFSC) to be unveiled near cemeteries around France where soldiers who fought for the British Indian Army were buried.

The site in Laventie was chosen after the remains of two soldiers were identified as belonging to the 39th Royal Garhwal Rifles and reburied with military honours last year.

"This marks the commencement of our project to establish 57 such statues near all cemeteries where our Indian soldiers lie buried in France," said Col (retd) Deepak Dahiya, who served for 23 years in the Indian Army and is now based in Paris to facilitate the IFSC project as its vice-president.

The statue was unveiled at a spot allocated by the Mayor of Laventie, Jean-Philippe Boonaert, adjacent to a 12th century church, St Vaast, in the French town.

The unveiling on Sunday sets the ball rolling for a series of events planned by IFSC to honour the memory of thousands of Indian soldiers, who largely went undocumented as the forces sent from the subcontinent at the time tended to be British Empire soldiers or soldiers of Indian princely states.

"The First World War is a relatively unnoticed event in an otherwise historic timeline of Indian events. This colossal effort in the most difficult circumstance is not entirely forgotten nor actively remembered and needs to be portrayed in the correct perspective globally and in India," said IFSC president Ramesh Chander Vohra, who has written a book on the subject titled 'Unsung Indian Heroes of World War I', which is set to be released next year alongside an exhibition of newspaper articles from the World War I period of 1914-1918.

IFSC has also commenced work to establish a 12-tonne brass statue adjacent to the Indian war memorial at Neuve Chapelle in Richebourg, France.

The memorial commemorates over 4,700 soldiers and labourers from British India who lost their lives on the Western Front during World War I and have no known graves. A spot has been allocated by the local French authorities for this large sculpture, which is also expected to be unveiled in 2019.

A series of commemorative events have been taking place across UK and Europe in recent weeks to mark the contribution of Indian soldiers in the war effort, alongside millions of others from around the world. This included a special event at Westminster Abbey in London earlier this week attended by Prince Harry, who witnessed a wreath of marigolds shaped in the symbol 'Om' laid in honour of Indian soldiers.

"The Duke of Sussex (Harry) was extremely gracious as he admired our marigold tribute at the 'Indian Army pre-1947 Memorial Plot' at the Abbey," said Satya Minhas, co-chair of Hindu Council UK.

A special event organised by the South Asia Centre of the London School of Economics (LSE) celebrated the launch of the commemorative Khadi poppy to mark the centenary of the end of the war on November 11, 1918, or Armistice Day.

"The hand-woven fabric synonymous with India's independence movement is a highly appropriate gesture to recognise the outsized contribution of Indian soldiers," said Lord Jitesh Gadhia, the Indian-origin peer behind the initiative alongside the Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal fundraising drive in aid of war veterans held in the lead up to Armistice Day.

Nearly 2 million Indian servicemen, workers and labourers travelled West for World War I as they helped secure victory for the Allied Forces Britain, France, Russia, Italy and the US.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Crossing rivers barefoot, wading through jungles just sanitised by the accompanying security personnel and even airdropped by choppers into the Naxal-affected interiors, many on poll duty in Chhattisgarh feel like the real-life version of the protagonist from Bollywood dark comedy "Newton", while some say they feel more like a revolutionary such as Bhagat Singh.

They are public sector undertaking (PSU) employees, teachers, anganwadi and panchayat workers, among numerous others braving the treacherous terrain of the infamous Bastar region, which appear even more dangerous after a recent spurt in Naxal attacks ahead of the polls.

Many areas of Chhattisgarh will vote for the first time in 20 years, while some security and local administration officials proudly declare that a few of those are yet to make it to the Google Maps.

Talking to them, the immediate recollection is of Rajkumar Rao-starrer "Newton", a film that took a satirical look at the Naxal problem through the eyes of a poll officer.

From walking up to 10 km to crossing rivers and spending nights in Naxal-hit areas, the poll officers will have to go past numerous hurdles and face life-threatening challenges to do their duty, but none of them is complaining.

A few of them admit that they are a bit afraid, but they also assert that they still want to do this.

A 25-year-old Anganwadi worker, the mother of two children, from Sukma district, says she is doing this for her father and brother, both of whom were part of the Salwa Judum and killed by Naxals.

Salwa Judum (meaning "Peace March" or "Purification Hunt" in Gondi language) was a militia mobilised and deployed as part of anti-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh, aimed at countering Naxal violence in the region. The militia, comprising local tribal youth, received support and training from the Chhattisgarh government. It was banned by a Supreme Court order in 2011.

"I always wanted to do something revolutionary like my father, so I am doing this for him and my brother. We need peace and hopefully, a successful election will lead to that," the woman, whose husband is in the police and who has left her kids with her mother-in-law, said.

"This is no less than a revolution for me, she added with tears in her eyes.

For another 22-year-old panchayat worker from Sukma, who has been asked to go to the hypersensitive polling booth at Chintalnar, it is a moment of pride as he will be the first person from his village to sit in a chopper.

"I am the only person from my block panchayat who is taking part in this exercise as my other colleagues are married. Being a bachelor, I was chosen. I am scared, but it is okay as I will be the first person from my village to sit in a chopper," he said with a broad smile on his face.

The poll parties going to the hypersensitive booths on the 80-km stretch from Dornapal to Jagargunda were mostly airlifted and had reached their respective destinations a day or two before the polling day, Sukma Collector Jai Prakash Maurya said.

A teacher from Bijapur district, in his late 30s, who is going to the Usur block on poll duty, said he belonged to a family of freedom fighters and was always inspired by Bhagat Singh.

"I always told my students in the village that you should do something for the country. Now, it is my turn to do something. If you ask me how do I feel, I don't know, but I might be doing something like what Bhagat Singh did," he said.

All the 437 polling booths in Sukma and Bijapur districts have been declared as "sensitive".

Bijapur Collector KB Kunjam said about 80 polling parties were airlifted and 76 relocated to a safer position, but there were still 40-odd booths that were extremely risky.

"Some of the poll officers conveyed to us that some of the polling booths, including those in schools, were painted with messages of boycotting the polls. So, we are making temporary arrangements," he told PTI.

Both Maurya and Kunjam said some of the poll parties were dispatched two days before the polling.

Besides the local police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and at some places, Border Security Force (BSF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawans would accompany them, they said, adding that necessary security arrangements were put in place.

"This election process is like a war for us against Naxals, but without guns and with voting machines," Maurya said.

On the request of the district collectors, the names of the poll officers have not been mentioned.Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday laid the foundation stone for construction of a Bhutanese temple at Rajgir in Nalanda district.

Kumar laid the stone in the presence of his holiness Je Khenpo, the most revered spiritual leader of the Buddhist nation, an official release said.

"At a time when India and Bhutan are celebrating 50 years of mutual diplomatic relations, it's a matter of pride for Bihar to lay foundation stone for construction of a Bhutanese temple...It would further strengthen the diplomatic ties between the two countries," Kumar said in the press statement.

Once the temple was constructed, the importance and significance of Rajgir would further increase as people in large numbers would come to visit it, he said.

Kumar said that the people of Bhutan had demanded a temple at Rajgir during his visit to the Himalayan state in 2011.

"I hope that a grand temple will come up at the site...People from Bhutan visit Bodh Gaya and now they will also come to Rajgir," he said.

Spiritual leader Je Khenpo expressed gratitude to the Bihar government for allotting 2.8 acres and other help for the construction of the temple.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Riding high on rising demand for commercial, office and retail spaces especially from small companies, property portal Nobroker.com has entered the segment and expects this to contribute 30 per cent of revenue in a few years, a top company official has said.

The company which is operational in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, and Gurugram, is also planning to expand its presence to top 50 cities in the next few years.

"There are over 42.5 million small and medium enterprises, which are the biggest consumers of small commercial properties in the country. There is also a huge investment potential in commercial real estate market that offers a rental yield of 7-12 percent, which is way higher than residential real estate.

"Our entry is in line with the rising demand for commercial office and retail spaces, especially with the fall in rupee and the rising interest from NRIs," founder and chief executive Amit Agarwal told PTI.

In the new business, the company is targeting small commercial units, offices and retail spaces in the 100-5,000 sqft range.

"Our typical tenants are owners of SMEs looking to take on rent these premises for shops or offices. The other customers are those looking to enter commercial space for better rental yield. We have also seen a lot of demand from NRIs thanks to the rupee plunge and better yields," Agarwal said.

As per estimates, currently, the top 25 cities generate annual brokerage worth Rs 14,000 crore in commercial rental, which is growing at 13 per cent annually.

The brokerage from commercial market sales is around Rs 7,000 crore.

"We realised that after successfully establishing ourselves as a key player in residential real estate, we are ready to take the next natural step. We understand the pulse of the market and aim to disrupt this annual brokerage of Rs 21,000 crore with this recent expansion into the commercial real estate sector," he added.

When asked how much revenue the company is expecting from the commercial segment, he said, "almost all the revenue come from the residential segment now. In the long run, the revenue mix would be 70:30, where residential would be 70 per cent and commercial would be 30 per cent.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)"Now no election" was Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's one-line reply on being asked whether he would consider contesting next year's Lok Sabha polls from Pune.

Pawar and former Tripura governor Srinivas Patil were being interviewed by Sudhir Gadgil at a function here Sunday to mark the launch of "Pune Ekekali", a coffee-table book on Maharashtra's second-largest city.

The question came up after Pawar told the gathering about his long association with Pune, including having won polls for four consecutive years while studying in a local college.

"Perhaps, the elections fought and won in college were the foundation of my 52 years of electoral in Parliament and the (Maharashtra) Assembly," the NCP chief said.

It was then that Gadgil asked the former Union agriculture minister if he would consider contesting next year's general election from Pune since he had such a long association with the city.

"Now no election," Pawar replied.

Addressing the function, the former Maharashtra chief minister also hailed acclaimed engineer Narhar Ganpat Pawar, who is credited with designing several landmark buildings of Pune.

"Narhar Ganpat Pawar built several iconic buildings, including that of the Sir Parashurambhau College (SP College at Sadashiv Peth in Pune). However, unfortunately, many Punekars do not know about his contribution," Pawar rued.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Since opening for the public on November 1, the 182-metre tall Statue of Unity in Narmada district of Gujarat has attracted more than 1.28 lakh tourists, officials said.

A huge rush of tourists was seen during the weekend, with over 50,000 people visiting the world's tallest statue at Kevadiya village on Saturday and Sunday alone (November 10- 11), they said.

"Since November 1, when the statue opened for the public, we have recieved around 1.28 lakh tourists (till Sunday)," Superintending Engineer of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) R G Kanungo said.

Over 24,000 tourists visited the site Sunday and more than 27,000 Saturday, he said.

The statue, dedicated to 'Iron Man of India' Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is situated on an islet near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadiya. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31.

Talking to PTI, Principal Secretary (Tourism) S J Haider said more than 10,000 tourists had visited the statue on the very first day of its opening.

"The number of tourists kept on increasing since November 1," he said.

Haider said the government is ready to welcome any number of tourists at the site.

He said the new tourist attraction in Gujarat will help increase the number of travellers visiting the state from other parts of the country and also abroad.

"Gujarat has registered 17 per cent year-on growth in tourism with a total 5.2 crore tourists visiting the state in 2017. The Statue of Unity will help in achieving considerable growth in arrival of tourists to Gujarat," he said.

The towering structure, built at a cost of Rs 2,989 crore, is nearly twice the height of Statue of Liberty in United States and also bigger than Spring Temple Buddha, China (153 metres) and Ushika Daibustum Japan (120 metres).

Along with the Statue of Unity, Gujarat Tourism has added many attractions nearby for sight-seeing. Two tent cities have been created along the backwater lakes of the Narmada dam reservoir for tourists who want to stay there.

Among the prime attractions at the site is a viewers gallery inside the statue located at a height of 135 metres with a capacity to accommodate 200 persons at a time.

High-speed lifts installed there are capable of taking 5,000 people per day to the viewing gallery, which offers a panoramic glimpse of the surrounding areas.

The ambitious project was announced in 2010 and a special purpose vehicle was set up by the state government for its construction.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Over 140 Pakistanis are visiting the tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Ahmad Farooqui in Sirhind this year to pay their obeisance during the annual Urs, the Pakistan High Commission said Sunday.

The traditional 'chaddar' on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan was offered at the shrine Sunday with Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood travelling to 'Sirhind Sharif' to take part in the chaddar-laying ceremony, along with the pilgrims from Pakistan.

This year, 144 Pakistani pilgrims are visiting Sirhind in connection with the annual Urs celebration and to pay obeisance at the shrine, the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement.

The Pakistani envoy held an interactive session with the Pakistani pilgrims, who shared their observations and suggestions.

The high commissioner highlighted the role of visits to religious shrines (under the 1974 Protocol) in the context of people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and India, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)US imposes new sanctions targeting Iran banks, companies

10/17/18

Source: Press TV

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on a number of Iranian banks and financial institutions as well as companies ahead of the start of the next month's new round of the US sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The US Treasury on Tuesday announced fresh sanctions on Iranian banks, including Bank Mellat and Mehr Eqtesad Bank.

According to an announcement on Treasury's website, the US is also imposing sanctions on Iran Tractor Manufacturing Company, Esfehan's Mobarakeh Steel Company, and other companies linked to investment, commodities and engineering.

The Treasury imposed sanctions on a multibillion-dollar financial network that supports the Basij Resistance Force affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US President Donald Trump announced in May that Washington was pulling out of the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which lifted nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program.

The deal had been signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany in 2015.

The US administration reintroduced the previous sanctions while imposing new ones on the Islamic Republic. It also introduced punitive measures - known as secondary sanctions - against third countries doing business with Iran.

A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector. A second round, forthcoming on November 4, will be targeting Iran's energy sector and financial transactions.A senior Pakistani journalist working with a local daily has been detained by security personnel, according to a media report.

Nasrullah Khan Chaudhry, who is associated with Urdu daily 'Nai Baat', was detained on Saturday by the security personnel following a raid at his residence, the Dawn reported.

Chaudhary's whereabouts were not known, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ-Dastoor) said.

The participants expressed their concern over "illegal detention" of Chaudhry and termed it an attack on media freedom.

"High-handed tactics are being used to harass the journalists who were protesting against the intrusion by armed personnel and violation of sanctity of the KPC two days ago," the statement said.

On Thursday, several armed men in plain dress barged into the KPC and harassed media persons, according to the office bearers of the club.

The PFUJ has urged the Sindh governor, chief minister and senior security officials to take notice of the harassment of journalists and efforts to undermine freedom of the press, the report said.

It also demanded that Chaudhry be released immediately.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistani forces had nabbed 12 Indian fishermen travelling in two boats off the Gujarat coast near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), National Fishworkers' Forum president Manish Lodhari said Sunday.

While one of the boats had sailed from Porbandar a few days ago, the second one belonged to Okha in Devbhumi Dwarka district, he informed.

"Two fishing boats, each carrying six fishermen, were seized by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency near the IMBL two days ago. We received a confirmation on Saturday," Lodhari said.

He added that it was the fourth time Indian fishermen were apprehended by Pakistani agencies since the new fishing season began in August.

The total number of fishermen apprehended in these four incidents stood at 58, while the number of boats seized was eight, Lodhari said.

He claimed that, currently, 450 fishermen from Gujarat were lodged in Pakistani jails for allegedly straying into the neighbouring country's waters.

A total of 1,061 Gujarat-based boats were also in the possession of Pakistani agencies, Lodhari said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan government must to do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns to make way for a process of engagement on Kashmir, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said.

The senior Kashmiri politician said that while a one-off summit-based approach is not the answer, any hopes of a proper dialogue on the issue, "insulated from forces that are inimical to a dialogue on both sides of the border", would have to wait to be realised at the end of India's general election cycle in May 2019.

"While we are going through our election process, I think Pakistan needs to do a bit of soul searching in terms of addressing legitimate concerns that India has," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, who was in London to participate in an event organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) around changing the narratives within the India-Pakistan bilateral context, said the Pakistan government's decisions such as letting Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed "roam free" had proved a setback to the much-needed confidence building measures.

"The recent decision of the Imran Khan government to release 20 stamps on Kashmir does not help, when instead of confidence building measures we have steps that break confidence,"Abdullah said on the sidelines of the event in London on Friday.

The release of some 20 postal stamps, glorifying Kashmiri militant Burhan Wani and others, by Pakistan was one of the reasons India cited to call of a proposed meeting between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in New York in September.

"Pakistan is our neighbour; whatever concerns we have with Pakistan, we have accepted that war is not an option. So, the only option available to us is talks. We need to resolve our differences through dialogue. But for that, at some stage, Pakistan will also have to take India's concerns on board," he said.

Abdullah also lamented the "vast gap" between the Government of India and its representative in Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, and the youth of J&K, which needs to be narrowed urgently.

He said: "The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are perhaps more alienated today than they have been since the early 1990s; when educated youngsters and people with secure jobs are joining the ranks of militancy. And that's a very worrying sign.

"At the moment, it is about hoping that some smaller corrective measures can be taken now to reduce the levels of alienation, with a higher degree of engagement once we are through with this election cycle."



AS Dulat, former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief who was among the participants at the IISS event, also expressed hope that dialogue would be re-initiated between India and Pakistan soon.

"We should talk and never stop talking. I remain optimistic on a solution in Kashmir," said Dulat, who pointed to former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's four-point formula dating back to 2006 as a "good starting point".

"If that agreement had been worked out between (Gen Pervez) Musharraf and Dr Manmohan Singh, my assessment is that we would have had at least 15 years of peace in Kashmir," he said.

Congress party spokesperson Manish Tewari explained that the aim of the London event was to explore the building blocks of a narrative which can correct perceptions that India and Pakistan have about each other.

"There is a feeling that confidence building measures and the creation of a positive narrative have to precede conflict resolution. It is a step by step process and every incremental step would then add up to a whole," he said.

Other speakers at the event, including Pakistan-based The News' daily Editor Aamir Ghauri, proposed exchange programmes for Indian and Pakistani journalists and a freer flow of people on both sides of the border to foster greater understanding.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pakistan police has arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report.

Haq, the 82-year-old cleric was stabbed to death on November 2 by unidentified attackers at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Police have arrested three suspects involved in the murder of the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The suspects have been shifted to a safe cell under strict security and are being grilled, The Express Tribune reported.

The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday with the help of Haq's mobile phone data and geo-fencing of the private housing society where he was stabbed to death, the report said.

Three different teams were set up for the investigations of the murder.

The teams are working under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Operations and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Abbas Ahsan.

Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq said.

His personal guard had gone out to the market and when he came back he saw Haq lying "in a pool of blood" on the bed, Hamidul added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Indian bowlers pinned Pakistan down for most part of their innings before allowing them to wriggle out for 133 for 7 in their ICC Women's World T20 match here Sunday.

Opting to field after winning the toss, India made a great start with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 30 for 3 in the seventh over.

Pakistan made a fine recovery thanks to half centuries from Bismah Maroof (53) and Nida Dar (52) as the duo stitched 93 runs for the fourth wicket to take their side to a competitive total.

India also dropped at least three easy catches, which allowed Pakistan to come back into the Group B match.

Opening bowler Arundhati Reddy immediately gave India the breakthrough by having Ayesha Zafar caught at the slips by Veda Krishnamurthy for nought in the final delivery of the first over.

Pakistan were yet to open account then and they could have been in a worse situation had Smriti Mandhana not dropped captain Javeria Khan in the third over.

But two run-outs in the space of three overs gave India the upper hand. First an outstanding direct throw from 18-year old Jemimah Rodrigues sent Umaima Sohail back to the pavilion in the fourth over while captain Javeria witnessed the same fate in the seventh over after a mixed-up.

Pakistan were on the ropes but India allowed them to gain grounds by having three dropped catches. All the three were regulation catches.

Veda Krishnamurthy dropped Nida Dar while on 15 in the 11th over. Poonam Yadav dropped the same batswoman in the 13th over when she was on 23. The next over, Poonam made a mess of a Bismah Maroof skier as she completely misjudged the trajectory of the ball.

Pakistan were still not out of the woods as they could only reach 53 for 3 at the half-way stage but the sloppy Indian fielding allowed their two batswomen Dar and Maroof to gain in confidence.

The Pakistani duo began to hit boundaries at regular intervals and both reached to their fifties towards the end of the innings. Maroof was the first to reach to her fifty in the 17th over while Dar did the same in the next over.

But both were out in the same 19th over in the space of three balls with Dayalan Hemalatha picking the two wickets. Poonam Yadav then scalped two Pakistani wickets in the final over -- that of Aliya Riaz (4) and Sana Mir (0).

Pakistan were penalised for five runs twice during their innings for their batswomen running on the danger area. Thus, 10 runs will be added to India's innings when they come out to bat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist from Pakistan was killed in a shootout on Sunday after the ultras attacked a security forces party in Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

"In the afternoon hours, a group of terrorists while moving through Handwara was intercepted by a naka party near Chattipora which led to a brief exchange of gunfire," a police spokesman said.

He said in the gunfight, a militant was killed.

Some arms and ammunition and incriminating material were recovered from the slain terrorist who was identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan, the spokesman said.

"Ishtiyaaq was affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM and was involved in a series of terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area," he said.

Police have registered a case and initiated investigation, the spokesman said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A panchayat ghar was set ablaze allegedly by some unidentified miscreants in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir Sunday night, police said.

Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames, they said.

"Some miscreants set a panchayat ghar at Brakpora, in the south Kashmir district, on fire," said a police official.

He said the fire resulted in some damage to the building.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A hijack scare on a Kandahar-bound flight sent security officials at the Delhi international airport into tizzy on Saturday after the pilot "mistakenly" pressed the 'hijack button' when it was taxiing for take-off, officials said.

The Ariana Afghan Airlines plane, with nine crew members, 124 passengers and an infant, took off nearly two hours later after "satisfactory" security checks, they said.

The officials said Saturday's incident brought back the chilling memories of the 1999 Kandahar hijacking of an Air India plane



The pressing of 'hijack button' had pushed all agencies concerned, including the anti-terror force National Security Guard (NSG), into action, they said.

NSG commandos and officials of other agencies swiftly responded to the situation and surrounded the aircraft, they said.

After a two-hour operation that created panic among the passengers on board the aircraft, the plane was cleared for take-off, they said.

The Delhi-Kandahar FG312 flight was scheduled to depart at 3.30pm.

Rokai Naimi, captain of the flight, submitted a hand-written note to Indian authorities.

Today our staff in Delhi informed us that there are plan of hijacking aircraft. In cockpit, I briefed my F/O (first officer) that if hijacking (happens) we just put code... Regarding this code we should be careful But it was too late, the Delhi ATC (Air Traffic Control) got it, reads the letter, a copy of which was shared by the security officials.

According to senior officials in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the plane, while taxiing for take-off, returned to the "isolation bay" presumably due to the pressing of the 'hijack button' by the crew.

The aircraft was cleared for departure on confirmation that it was an error by the captain, one of the BCAS officials said.

Before the flight was allowed to fly out, secondary security checks were carried out and customs clearance of all passengers was taken.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Centre and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to utilise Aadhaar biometrics to identify unnamed dead bodies.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao is likely to hear the petition on Monday, which has been filed by social activist Amit Sahni seeking a direction to the Centre, UIDAI, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and all the states to scan biometrics of unidentified dead bodies and process them with Aadhaar portal to trace any pre-existing biometric details.

In his plea, he sought directions to the Centre and UIDAI to share pre-existing Aadhaar details, if already there, without any delay, with the NCRB and states for identification of dead bodies.

"In case the biometrics of the dead body, pre-exists on Aadhaar portal then directions be issued to share Aadhaar details of such dead persons with the respondents immediately without any delay, so as to ensure, the handing over of the dead body to the family or relatives of such deceased persons so that respectable and dignified exit could be ensured by performing last rites by affected persons (family)," the plea said.

Sahni, also an advocate, has sought directions to constitute special courts for speedy disposal of cases pertaining to unidentified dead bodies under Aadhaar Act on the same day or the next day, irrespective of holiday.

A similar plea was earlier filed by the petitioner before the Supreme Court which asked him to approach the Delhi High Court where he has already filed a petition for using Aadhaar biometrics for the purpose of tracing and re-uniting missing and mentally challenged persons with their families. Thereafter, he withdrew the plea from the top court.

The plea said despite registering biometrics and scanning more than 1.22 billion citizens at the Aadhaar Portal, the same was not being utilised for the purpose of identifying unidentified dead bodies.

It added that thousands of unidentified dead bodies are recovered in the country every year.

The petition sought directions to the authorities, saying usage of Aadhaar information would not only reduce manpower, expenditure and burden on the state in disposing the unidentified bodies but the bodies could also be handed over to the families in a short span of time.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court had on September 26 declared the Centre's flagship Aadhaar scheme as constitutionally valid but had struck down some of its provisions, including its linking with bank accounts, mobile phones and school admissions clause.

The bench had held that while Aadhaar would remain mandatory for filing of Income Tax returns and allotment of Permanent Account Number (PAN), it would not be compulsory to link Aadhaar to bank accounts and telecom service providers cannot seek its linking for mobile connections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Poles mark a century of independence on Sunday amid tensions in the isolated and deeply polarised country over the prominent role that marginal far-right groups gained in shaping the main state parade.

Chaos engulfed plans for the state military parade in Warsaw days ahead of the centenary, as far-right groups vowed to use the same route and timing for their controversial annual independence day march.

Last year's edition of that march drew global outrage when some participants displayed racist and anti-immigrant banners and slogans.

Its organisers include the National Radical Camp (ONR), a marginal group with roots in an anti-Semitic pre-World War II movement.

In a bid to avoid a similar debacle on the centenary, the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) government and allied President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday announced the state military parade, insisting that it had legal priority.

But the far-right groups refused to back down after a court overruled a separate ban imposed by the Warsaw mayor citing the risk of violence and hate speech.

The PiS government spent Friday in a tug of war with far-right groups over the scheduling of the two events. The sides confirmed late Friday that they would coincide.

Drawing a "clear red line between patriotic behaviour and nationalistic or chauvinistic (behaviour), or neo-Nazis," PiS Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has vowed to act "decisively" against publicly displayed fascist symbols or slogans, something that is illegal in Poland.

The US, Canadian and Ukrainian embassies issued warnings about the possibility of violence in connection with the march, while many Poles have expressed dismay.

"When the Polish government has to negotiate with far-right groups on the centenary it shows the weakness of the state," Wojciech, a 67-year-old Warsaw cabbie who declined to provide his surname, told AFP on Sunday.

"It's very sad and disappointing," he said.

Underscoring Poland's growing isolation in the European Union since the PiS took office in 2015, no senior delegations from fellow EU states are due to show up for the centenary coinciding with the Armistice that ended World War I.

The government has put Poland on a collision course with the EU 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.

EU President Donald Tusk, a former liberal Polish prime minister, was the bloc's only senior representative in Warsaw on Sunday and his visit comes amid speculation that he may return to run for president in 2020.

"Forgive us Poland...we love you!" Tusk said urging national unity early Sunday, remarking that Poles "sometimes argue too much" about their country as he laid flowers at the statue of independence leader Marshal Jozef Pilsudski in Warsaw.

Speaking on Saturday, Tusk likened the PiS to "contemporary Bolsheviks" who must be "defeated".

He also repeated a warning that the PiS could unwittingly unleash a "Polexit" from the EU despite its strong popularity among Poles and the many assurances of PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski that his party has no such designs.

Widely regarded as Poland's de facto powerbroker, Kaczynski has played a key role behind the scenes in shaping domestic and foreign policy.

He and Tusk are arch-rivals.

Poles will pause nationwide at the stroke of noon on Sunday to sing the national anthem. It will be a rare show of unity in the EU and NATO country of 38 million people that has become increasingly polarised under the PiS.

While robust economic growth along with the government's generous social welfare measures and conservative stance have garnered it support mainly in rural areas, judicial reforms have sparked outrage among urban centrists and liberals.

But Norman Davies, an Oxford historian and a renowned authority on Poland, insists that despite the recent turmoil "Poles have never had it so good".

Before November 1918, Poland did not exist at all for 123 years, carved up between the Prussian, Russian and Austro-Hungarian empires.

"From all those countries (that regained independence in 1918), Poland has been the most successful ... not only in economic terms but also in terms of political stability, constitutional consensus and geopolitical security" within NATO, Davies said, speaking at a recent security conference in Warsaw.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)South Korean firms to stay in Iran despite US sanctions: Envoy

10/18/18

Source: Press TV

South Korean Ambassador to Tehran Ryu Jeong-hyun says companies in his country understand the significance of the Iranian market and will not leave it under the US sanctions. The Korean diplomat made the remarks in a Wednesday meeting with Bahman Abdollahi, the head of the Iran Chamber of Cooperatives, in Tehran.

"Many European companies are leaving Iran, but [South] Korean firms have declared they will stay in Iran," he said, adding that Korean companies understand how important it is to be present in the Iranian market.



"Our ties are currently influenced by the US sanctions..., but the fact that cooperatives are exempted from these bans gives South Korea a very good opportunity," the Korean diplomat said.



He also hailed the strategic and significant position of Iran in the region, and underlined that relations between Tehran and Seoul are far beyond bilateral trade.



The Iranian official, in turn, said the Islamic Republic expects South Korea as one of its key business partners to continue its operation in Iran in the situation created by the US sanctions.



Abdollahi said the US bans would not include the cooperatives sector as it is not dependent on the government, and this gives Seoul a great chance to increase its interactions with Iran at a time when European firms are leaving the country.



Given the good history of South Korean firms' presence in Iran, they can use the opportunity created after the withdrawal of European companies from the Iranian market, and expand their relations with the Islamic Republic, he noted.



Ryu's comments come as several Korean companies have almost suspended selling their products and doing their services in Iran based on contracts they had signed with Iranian firms and organizations after the implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.



Hyundai Motors has reportedly ended its cooperation with the Iranian company Kerman Khodro in the Special Economic Zone, Arg-e Jadid after the US president announced it will re-impose sanctions on Iran.



Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the world's largest shipbuilding company, has almost completed the building of 10 vessels for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) company based on a 2016 deal, but the ships are still sitting in the Korean company's main yard in Ulsan over the US bans.



Seoul has fully complied with the US sanctions in the past few months, and totally stopped its oil imports from Iran in September for the first time in six years.



The country made the decision to cut its oil imports long before US sanctions against Iran take effect in November 4.



South Korean buyers, which are among major Asian buyers of Iran's crude oil, suspended Iranian oil loading from July due to the uncertainty of getting a waiver from the US government.



The country announced in August it was in talks with the US government to receive exemptions on Washington's sanctions on oil imports from Iran, which is Seoul's third crude supplier.



South Korea relies on Iran for 13 percent of its imported oil, making Tehran its third crude supplier following Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In 2017, the South purchased 147 million barrels of Iranian oil.



US President Donald Trump in May pulled his country out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and announced he would re-impose the anti-Tehran sanctions, which it had lifted under the agreement, in two phases.



The first round of sanctions, which mainly targets Iran's financial, automotive, aviation and metals sectors, was re-imposed in early August. The second round, which will hit the Iranian oil industry and banking relations, is slated for November 4.French police stopped two topless protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump as he made his way up the Champs-Elysees to a ceremony marking 100 years since the end of World War One.

One of the protesters got within metres of the rear of the motorcade before being grabbed by a police officer, while a second could be seen being hauled away by security services on the edge of the famous avenue, live television pictures showed.

The fact that the protesters were topless suggested they could be from the radical feminist group Femen.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Pope Francis says should serve as a severe warning to reject a "culture of war."



But Francis observed that the war's lessons have been ignored, saying "it seems we never learn" as he addressed faithful in Vatican City's St. Peter's Square on Sunday.

The pope, who often decries the arms industry, added: "Let's invest in peace, not war!" Francis noted that the bells of St. Peter's Basilica and of churches worldwide would toll Sunday to mark the 100th anniversary of the war's end.

He called the 1914-18 war "a severe admonition for everyone to reject the culture of war and search for every legitimate means to end the conflicts still bloodying several regions of the world."



Francis also quoted the definition of war as "useless slaughter" provided by Benedict XV, who was pope duringPosting too many selfies on social media may make you more narcissistic, a study has found.

Published in The Open Psychology Journal, the study looked at personality changes of 74 individuals aged 18 to 34 over a four-month period.

Researchers from Swansea University in the UK and Milan University in Italy also assessed the participants' usage of social media - including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat - during that same period.

Narcissism is a personality characteristic that can involve grandiose exhibitionism, beliefs relating to entitlement, and exploiting others.

Those who used social media excessively, through visual postings, displayed an average 25 per cent increase in such narcissistic traits over the four months of the study.

This increase took many of these participants above the clinical cut-off for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, according to the measurement scale used.

The study also found that those who primarily used social media for verbal postings, such as Twitter, did not show these effects.

However, for this group of people, their initial levels of narcissism predicted a growth in this form of social media usage over time. The more narcissistic they were to begin with, the more verbal postings they made later.

All but one of the people in the study used social media, and their average use was about three hours a day, excluding usage for work, but some reported using social media for as much as eight hours a day for non-work related purposes.

Facebook was used by 60 per cent of the sample, 25 per cent used Instagram, and 13 per cent used Twitter and Snapchat each. Over two thirds of the participants primarily used social media for posting images.

"There have been suggestions of links between narcissism and the use of visual postings on social media, such as Facebook, but, until this study, it was not known if narcissists use this form of social media more, or whether using such platforms is associated with the subsequent growth in narcissism," said Phil Reed from Swansea University, who led the study.

"The results of this study suggest that both occur, but show that posting selfies can increase narcissism," said Reed.

"Taking our sample as representative of the population, which there is no reason to doubt, this means that about 20 per cent of people may be at risk of developing such narcissistic traits associated with their excessive visual social media use," he said.

"That the predominant usage of social media for the participants was visual, mainly through Facebook, suggests the growth of this personality problem could be seen increasingly more often, unless we recognise the dangers in this form of communication," Reed said.

"The use of visual social media may emphasise the perception of narcissistic individuals that they are the main focus of attention," said Roberto Truzoli from Milan University.

"The lack of immediate 'direct' social censure, may offer them the opportunity to inflict aspects of their narcissistic personality, present themselves in a grandiose manner, and realise fantasies of omnipotence," said Truzoli.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Realty firm Puravankara Ltd's sales bookings rose by 27 per cent to Rs 1,003 crore in the first six months of this fiscal on better volumes in affordable housing segment.

According to an investors presentation, Bengaluru-based developer sold 1.7 million Square feet area during April-September period this fiscal, up 23 per cent from 1.38 million square feet in the corresponding period previous year.

In value terms, sales bookings rose to Rs 1,003 crore from Rs 790 crore during the period under review.

During the first six months of this fiscal, the company sold 1,753 units, out of which 1,418 units were from its mid-income and affordable housing brand 'Provident'.

On the debt side, Puravankara's net debt rose to Rs 2,457 crore at the end of September quarter from Rs 2,302 crore as on June 30, 2018. Its cost of debt is 11 per cent.

The company recently reported a flat net profit at Rs 21.54 crore for the quarter ended September, compared to Rs 21.14 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income rose to Rs 499.28 crore during quarter from Rs 371.53 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.

On quarterly performance, Ashish R Puravankara, MD, Puravankara Ltd, said: "A great quarter with a good rise in sales volume and bookings. The overall volumes sold during the quarter registered almost a 100 per cent increase from the year-ago quarter".

Puravankara has completed 67 residential projects and commercial projects, spanning 37.35 million Sq ft, primarily across the gateway cities of south and west India.

At present, the company has an area under development totalling 22.31 million Sq ft. It has a land bank of nearly 70 million Sq ft.

Puravankara has a pan India presence- with projects in Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, Kochi, Goa, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Mangalore.

It operates under two key brands: Puravankara for luxury housing and commercial offices, Provident for the affordable luxury segment.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has led a national act of remembrance on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

The black-clad queen watched from a balcony in central London on Sunday as her son Prince Charles laid a wreath on her behalf at the foot of the Cenotaph, a memorial honouring fallen servicemen and women.

The solemn act marked by two minutes of silence was repeated in dozens of towns, cities and villages throughout Britain.

Prince William and Prince Harry also laid wreaths at the Cenotaph, as did other senior members of the royal family.

A wreath also was placed on behalf of the queen's 97-year-old husband Prince Philip, who did not attend.

Prime Minister Theresa May and other leading national figures also placed wreaths at the memorial in central London.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A Narendra Modi-Rahul Gandhi face-off, last-minute switching of camps, allegations, counter-allegations, and caste equations make for a heady election cocktail in five states, but poll results remain as unpredictable as the climax of a Hollywood thriller.

The first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls on Monday will kick off what is being seen as a semi-final before the general election that will decide how major political parties such as the BJP, Congress and BSP are positioned for alliances to fight the 2019 battle.

Political parties will battle it out in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana for 90, 230, 40, 200 and 119 seats respectively.

If the Congress manages to upset its dominant rival in these assembly polls, then it will be a big boost to the opposition for the Lok Sabha polls, while a good show by the BJP will energise its cadres and give a fillip to its hopes of retaining the power at the Centre in 2019.

In 2013, the BJP had won 165, 163 and 49 seats in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh respectively, with the Congress securing 58, 21 and 39 seats.

In Telangana, the ruling K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi is seen to be going strong and will face contest from the Congress and the BJP.

After winning 63 seats in the 2014 assembly polls, the TRS' ranks swelled with members of rival parties joining it over the years. However, anti-incumbency and advancing of polls by KCR may throw up surprises.

In Mizoram, the Congress has been in power since 2008, while in Chhattisgarh and MP, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been ruling for the last 15 years.

In the 2013 Chhattisgarh assembly polls though there was a difference of 10 seats between the BJP and the Congress, the difference between their vote share was just 0.75 per cent.

The contest in Chhattisgarh again promises to be a nail-biter as the ruling BJP is facing anti-incumbency, while the Congress is up against the challenge of the Ajit Jogi-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) tie-up.

Chhatisgarh's Chief Minister Raman Singh had said last week that Jogi's party, Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), would impact the Congress' electoral prospects more than that of the BJP.

On the other hand, state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel has said that the alliance would damage the BJP's prospects more as out of the 10 seats reserved for the Scheduled Caste category, the Congress had won just one in the 2013 Assembly polls, while the BJP had emerged victorious on nine.

Jogi-Mayawati's support base comprises mostly members of the SC community and if they get a few seats, it will be at the expense of the BJP, Baghel had said.

The BSP had won just one seat in the state last time, but had garnered a 4.27 per cent vote share, which if it sticks, could prove to be the decisive factor. Another key factor is that of smaller regional coalitions such as the one between the Gondwana Gantantra Party and the Samajwadi Party which had secured 1.5 7 per cent and 0.29 per cent votes in the last polls.

The Congress-BJP battle has become even more bitter in the state after Congress' working president Ramdayal Uikey switched sides to the BJP.

Polling to the 90-member assembly will be held on November 12 and November 20, with the first phase covering 18 seats.

In Madhya Pradesh, the contest looks even more tighter as the anti-incumbency is a big factor in the state with the Congress consistently doing well in the by-elections held in the last year-and-a half.

The BJP had in 2013 secured a 44.88 per cent vote share to Congress's 36.38. A key statistic again here is that the BSP had bagged 6.29 per cent vote share. The BSP could prove to be a game-changer if it holds onto its clout.

Madhya Pradesh has also had its share of twists with several switching of camps by various leaders. Among the notable switches, Sanjay Singh Masani, the brother-in-law of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and senior BJP leader Sartaj Singh joined the Congress, while Premchand Guddu, a Dalit leader, joined the BJP.

Rajasthan seems to be a different battleground from MP and Chhattisgarh as a key statistic here is that since 1998, the Congress and the BJP have won Vidhan Sabha elections alternately, neither able to retain power for consecutive terms.

In the 2013 Rajasthan assembly polls, the BJP had won 45.17 per cent votes, while the Congress had got 33.07 per cent.

However, voters here traditionally haven't elected the same party to power for two terms in a row and hence anti-incumbency is a major player here than other states.

The results are hard to predict as with the Lok Sabha elections looming large the dynamics of the state polls is different this time and the final stretch of campaigning would be important.

Prime Minister Modi and Congress chief Gandhi are expected to criss cross the five states in a campaign blitz that is expected to be a trailer of their face-off during the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Polls in MP and Mizoram will take place on November 28, while assembly elections in Rajasthan and Telangana will be held on December 7.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Suspected Ugandan rebels killed six people, hacking one woman to death, and kidnapped five others -- mostly children -- in the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive east, officials said on Sunday.

Officials blamed the two attacks in Beni near the country's border with Uganda on the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one of several armed movements operating in the region.

"They entered Beni in the night between Saturday and Sunday and killed five people and looted the shops and the homes," Donat Kibwana, local Beni administrator, told AFP, blaming the ADF.

During separate attack by the same group in another Beni neighbourhood, a woman was hacked to death by machete and five people, including four children were kidnapped, Kizito Bin Hangi, a Beni civic leader, told AFP.

"We thought the military had a security cordon around the town, but nothing was done. It's deplorable to leave the town defenceless," Kizito said.

Soldiers were pursuing the rebels after they came under attack in Mayi-Moya and Beni, an army spokesman said.

The Beni area has for the last four years been under seige from the ADF, an Islamist armed group that has killed hundreds of people since 2014.

The ADF was blamed for killing 15 Tanzanian UN peacekeepers a year ago in eastern DRC.

Unrest in eastern regions is running in parallel with another DRC conflict in central Kasai, casting a shadow over the country's ability to stage presidential elections next month to replace Joseph Kabila.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)A disgruntled Om Prakash Rajbhar, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government and the chief of BJP ally SBSP, has mocked the saffron party over its renaming spree and suggested it to change the names of its three prominent Muslim leaders.

"The BJP says that the cities were named after Mughals. In the the BJP, there is Shahnawaz Hussain, who is the national spokesperson; Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who is a Union Cabinet minister; and, in UP, there is Mohsin Raza, who is minister of state in the Yogi Adityanath government. First, the names of these three persons should be changed," Rajbhar purportedly said in a video, which went viral on social media.

"The GT Road, which was built by a Muslim king, should be uprooted. After all, it was built by Sher Shah Suri. Why do you allow people to use that road? Similarly, the Red Fort in Delhi and Taj Mahal. Who built them?" asked Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya. He also proposed setting up of a new airport, named after Lord Ram, and a medical college in the name of King Dasharath, father of Ram, in the district.

Last month, the state Cabinet had adopted a proposal to rename the historic city of Allahabad as Prayagraj.

When contacted by PTI on Sunday, Rajbhar said: "There is no point in renaming the districts of the state. The work which was done by the Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Congress, the same is being repeated by the BJP. There is nothing new in it."



However, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said though Rajbhar was entitled to have his views as a minister, but should refrain from making such remarks.

"Faizabad and Allahabad were renamed as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively as per the sanctity of these places. It was only a corrective action, as centuries ago invaders with polluted mentality had changed the names of these places," the spokesperson claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Rescue workers recovered multiple bodies on Sunday from the charred remains of residences in a California town ravaged by the most destructive fire to hit the US state.

Firefighters are battling raging blazes at both ends of California, but there is little hope of containing the flames anytime soon. More than 250,000 people have been ordered to evacuate a wide area near the state capital Sacramento and, in southern California, the Hollywood resort town of Malibu.

In the town of Paradise, in Butte County, rescuers removed remains over a period of several hours and placed them in a black hearse. Pieces of bodies were transported by bucket, while intact remains were carried in body bags.

So far, all the dead have been reported in Paradise, where more than 6,700 buildings -- most of them residences -- have been consumed by the late-season inferno.

US President Donald Trump put the death toll at 11 on Saturday evening -- a count that seemed set to rise with bodies being recovered in Paradise. "Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated, and the families of the 11 who have died," Trump tweeted.

From miles around, acrid smoke could be seen in the sky around Paradise, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars were reduced to metal carcasses, while power lines were also gnawed by the flames. Locals fled the danger, but police told AFP some farmers returned to check on their cattle.

"The magnitude of destruction we have seen is really unbelievable and heartbreaking, and our hearts go to everybody who has been affected by this," said Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California Office of Emergency Services.

Governor-elect Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to provide assistance to the hardest-hit areas in the fire-prone state. The fast-moving blaze in the north, which authorities have named the "Camp Fire," broke out early Thursday.

Fanned by strong winds, it has so far scorched 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) and is 20 percent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said Saturday. So far, three of the more than 3,200 firefighters deployed have been injured.

They estimate they will need three weeks to fully contain the blaze. Local power authorities have told state officials an outage occurred near the spot where the fire erupted, The Sacramento Bee reported, but there is still no official cause of the Camp blaze.

Trump, who was in France for World War I commemorations, drew criticism online for his somewhat unsympathetic reaction to the devastation earlier on Saturday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Up to Rs 650 billion has been approved for a host of rail infrastructure projects on the suburban network in Mumbai and its surrounding areas, said Railway Minister on Sunday.

These projects, investment for which were proposed in this year's Union budget, including new works and upgradation of existing facilities on the busy network, which serves as the transport lifeline of the metropolis, he said.

Goyal said the Maharashtra government has been actively supporting these infrastructure projects, which seek to improve transportation and passenger amenities.

"With the blessings of our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the active support of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the decision of having an investment of a whopping Rs 600 to Rs 650 billion in the last proposed budget has been approved.

"This will ensure upgradation of the suburban railway system of Mumbai and its adjacent areas," he said.

"Given the pace at which the infrastructure and public amenity works are being executed by the Railways, I believe that in the next four to four-and-a-half years, the suburban rail network of Mumbai, or Mahamumbai will see a complete metamorphosis," Goyal said.

He was speaking after commissioning of the new Nerul- Seawoods Darave-Belapur-Kharkopar suburban rail corridor in This is the first phase of the 27km Nerul-Belapur -Uran corridor on the Harbour route of the Central Railway.

Goyal along with Fadnavis commissioned the first phase of the corridor, that comprised 12km out of the 27km rail line, at the Kharpokar railway station.

Regular services on the new corridor will start from Monday and link Ulwe node in with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Panvel on the Harbour route besides Thane on the Trans-Harbour corridor.

Addressing the gathering, Goyal said Fadnavis has set a target of Maharashtra becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2025.

The Indian Railway will play a crucial role in achieving this target, he said.

"Be it the leaders of my own party (the BJP) or from the Shiv Sena, or public and passengers representatives, they keep following rail projects regularly with me which sometimes annoys me also.

"Nevertheless, it gives me pleasure, too, as they are doing their job for improving amenities," Goyal said.

He also inaugurated induction of eight MEMU services between Vasai Road-Diva-Panvel-Pen and other passenger amenities.

These amenities included six FOBs (foot over bridges), 41 escalators at 23 stations, 10 lifts at six stations, half a dozen toilets at as many stations, 318 new ATVMs (Automatic Ticket Vending Machines) at 77 suburban stations.

Other amenities were IP-based suburban train indicators at 10 stations, 206 additional CCTV cameras at six stations, two booking offices at Bhiwandi Road and Navde Road stations, raising of platform height to 900 mm at 273 platforms of suburban stations as well as one megawatt solar power plant at EMU Carshed in Sanpada.Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi has opened a new Chinese-built suspension bridge worth more than $750m (576m) in the capital Maputo.



The 150m tall bridge, begun in June 2014, links the north and south of Maputo Bay which until now could only be crossed by boat.



Many Mozambiquans are complaining about a charge of nearly $3 to cross.



China has invested heavily in Mozambique's infrastructure but there are concerns about its debt.



Mr Nyusi said the bridge, which was a dream of former president Samora Machel, would help promote tourism to the country.



"With the completion of this bridge... the connection of southern Africa to the north over land and across our country is guaranteed," he said.



Some 700m in length and with two ramps more than 2km long each, it is also part of a project linking Maputo directly with South Africa by road for the first time.

Source: BBC









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Featured VideoKubbra Sait has come forward in support of her "Sacred Games" co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui, after former Miss India Niharika Singh called him out in her #MeToo account.

Niharika's story was shared on Twitter by Sandhya Menon, one of the journalists spearheading India campaign against sexual harassment.

Niharika worked in 2009's "Miss Lovely" opposite Nawazuddin.

In the post, the actor said she and Nawazuddin came close during the making of the film. Niharika said she developed a soft corner for him finding him "real, after all the superficial 'filmy' interactions I'd had in the past years".

She revealed one morning she invited the "Manto" actor to her home for breakfast and he grabbed her.

"I tried to push him away but he wouldn't let go. After a little coercion, I finally gave in. I wasn't sure what to make of this relationship," she added.

The two started dating but according to Niharika she decided to split with Nawazuddin because of his frequent lies. The former model also called Nawazuddin a "sexually repressed Indian man" in the post.

Kubbra said one must not confuse a relationship gone sour with a #MeToo story.

"A relationship gone sour, isn't #MeToo. Someone needs to recognise the toxic difference before we go picking sides. I stand by #NawazuddinSiddiqui or #Nowaz as a man.

"I stand by the fact that although Niharika Singh may have had a tough time in the industry, categorising her once personal relationship as a #MeToo statement is incorrectly placed. We as humans are flawed. That isn't gender specific," Kubbra wrote on Twitter Saturday.

Nawazuddin is yet to comment on Niharika's allegations.

Last year, Niharika, along with actor Sunita Rajwar, had called out Nawazuddin for "exploiting and disrespecting women" to sell his autobiography, which was later withdrawn by the publishers Penguin Random House.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing police firing incidents at Behbal Kalan on sacrilege issue, has summoned former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir Singh Badal and actor Akshay Kumar.

While Parkash has been asked to appear before the SIT of Punjab Police on November 16, Sukhbir has been summoned on November 19 and Akshay has been asked to come on November 21 to the Circuit House in Amritsar.

The summon orders have been issued separately for the three by SIT member



and IG rank officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, according to an official release issued here.

The SIT is probing police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in Faridkot in 2015 after a series of sacrilege incidents in the state. In police firing at Behbal Kalan, two persons were killed.

Notably, the actor's name was mentioned in Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report on sacrilege incidents.

According to the report, a meeting between former deputy chief minister Sukhbir and Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in connection with the release of latter's movie 'MSG' was held at Akshay's flat in Mumbai.

The meeting was held before the pardon given to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a blasphemy case. However, Akshay had denied all the claims.

Kunwar Singh said the summons relate to investigation of cases originating from the various incidents of sacrilege in the year 2015.

The summons have been issued under Section 160 of the CrPC, requiring attendance at investigation, relating to the Bargari sacrilege case and the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents, the release said.

The notice says the presence of the aforesaid person is necessary for the purpose of inquiry into the above-mentioned offence and the person summoned needed to give such information relating to the said alleged offence as he may possess.

The SIT had earlier examined ADGP Jitendra Jain, then IG Bathinda; IGP Paramraj Singh Umaranangal; then Commissioner Ludhiana; IGP Amar Singh Chahal, then DIG Ferozepur Range; MS Jaggi, then DC Faridkot; SS Mann, then SSP Faridkot; VK Syal then SDM Faridkot, besides Mantar Singh Brar, then Kotkapura MLA.

In addition, 50 private persons and more than 30 police officials of junior rank have also been examined.

The five-member SIT was set up by the state government in September this year, soon after issuance of the notification to withdraw investigation of sacrilege incidents of the Guru Granth Sahib from the CBI.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, said Sunday it will cut oil output from next month, as major producers held a key meeting to discuss shoring up sliding prices.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih announced the kingdom was cutting its supplies by 500,000 barrels per day from December.

But Falih said ahead of the meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC key producers that there was not yet consensus on a broader output cut.

Oil prices have shed a fifth of their value in just one month after surging to a four-year high in early October, driven by a combination of factors centred on higher supply and fears of sluggish demand.

The meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee in Abu Dhabi will not take decisions, ministers said, but will propose recommendations for a crucial ministerial meeting in Vienna early in December.

Among those attending were Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Oman's Oil Minister Mohammed al-Rumhi and the energy minister of host UAE Suheil al-Mazroue.

Falih told reporters ahead of the meeting that Saudi Arabia's "crude exports for December will be 500,000 bpd lower than November".

The world's top oil exporter has been pumping 10.7 million bpd since October, he said.

The Saudi minister acknowledged that so far there was no fresh agreement on reducing production among OPEC and non-OPEC producers, who struck a deal in late 2016 to cut output by 1.8 million bpd to remedy an oversupply crisis.

"There is no consensus yet among oil producers about cutting production," Falih said at the gathering.

He insisted it was "premature to talk about a specific action", when asked about the possibility of an output cut.

"We have to study all the factors," Falih said.

Brent crude dropped below USD 70 a barrel on Friday for the first time since April while the New York's West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sank below USD 60 a barrel, a nine-month low.

In his speech at the start of the meeting Falih said the recent sharp drop in prices has "surprised us".

He said the market sentiment has shifted from one of fearing shortages to one worried about oversupply.

He also attributed the sharp drop in prices to "microeconomic uncertainties", and signs of a build-up in crude inventories.

The UAE's Mazrouei said that the goal of the OPEC and non-OPEC cooperation was to strike a balance in the market, adding that recommendations for possible action will be made to next month's ministerial conference.

The latest price slump comes as the United States has upped production of shale oil, while Saudi Arabia, Russia and others have raised supplies of crude amid signs of slowing demand.

There have also been signs of a softer-than-expected impact from US sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

"Prices have been falling amid a continued rise in crude supplies from big producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the US, more than compensating for lost Iranian barrels," Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada told AFP.

"With the Iranian sanctions not being as severe as initially feared, officials from the OPEC and non-OPEC producers may discuss at the weekend the need to bring compliance back down... or risk another 2014-style slide in prices."



Producers implemented large cuts starting at the beginning of 2017 and managed to push up oil prices from below USD 30 a barrel to over USD 85 in October, strongly improving their revenues.

But the producer nations eased the output cuts in June after signs of a tighter market and higher prices, allowing hundreds of thousands of extra barrels to hit the market.

Commerzbank, Germany's second-largest lender, said Friday oil producers must act to prevent a free fall of prices.

"If they fail to signal any intention to reverse the latest increase in production, oil prices threaten to slide further," the bank said in a note.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)With industries from the country and abroad evincing interest to invest in Tamil Nadu, the forthcoming Global Investors Meet (GIM) is expected to attract more investment than the first meet in 2015, state Industries minister M C Sampath said Sunday.

He said that during his visit to foreign countries for conducting roadshows, industries had assured him that they would invest in various sectors in the state, but that such a meet should have been held 10 to 15 years back.

Sampath was talking to reporters here on the sidelines of roadshow for the second edition of GIM to be held on January 23 and 24 in Chennai.

Industrialists in Gujarat have also assured to invest about Rs 20,000 crore, considering the conducive industrial climate in the state, he said.

Noting that last GIM attracted 98 big projects, he said 68 were under implementation, with an investment of Rs 62,738 crore.

On the charge that the state government was focussing more on Coimbatore district than Chennai, he denied it and said the government gave approval to set up industries in the district without any bias.

State Rural Industries minister, P Benjamin said with the introduction of Business Facilitation Act to simplify the approval through single window system, the government has approved 132 applications out of 181 received so far.

Seeking to dispel the reports doing rounds that industrial climate in Tamil Nadu was not conducive, the Minister claimed that the state was among the top three in 12 industrial sectors.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The Shiv Sena "secretly" loves the BJP while the latter shows its affection openly, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

He was speaking to reporters at an informal gathering Saturday in Ramgiri Bungalow in Nagpur.

On the Sena's demand that the names of Aurangabad and Osmanabad be changed to Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv respectively, Fadnavis said the state government had cleared the proposal but there were litigations pending in this connection.

The Maharashtra chief minister said an expansion of the state cabinet was likely before the winter session of the Maharashtra legislature.

Fadnavis' government has 38 ministers and as per norms, its strength can go up to 42.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An Air France flight carrying 282 passengers from Paris to Shanghai made an unexpected stop in Siberia on Sunday after smoke and a bitter smell filled the cabin, the company said.

No passengers were hurt and they were put up in a hotel near Irkutsk airport in eastern Siberia, Air France told AFP.

"The crew of AF116 on a Boeing 777 from Paris to Shanghai decided to divert to Irkutsk in Russia after an acrid smell and light smoke appeared on board," the French carrier told AFP.

"The flight landed normally in Irkutsk at 8:10 Paris time (0710 GMT)," it said.

Officials at the airport confirmed to Russian agencies that no one was injured and that experts had been sent to the airport to assess the aircraft.

Air France said the flight could continue to Shanghai after technical clearance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Accusing President Maithripala Sirisena of "usurping" the rights of legislators, Sri Lanka's parliamentary Speaker Karu Jayasuriya asked public servants not to carry out his "illegal orders".

Jayasuriya also hit back at his critics who suggested that his improper conduct forced Sirisena to dissolve parliament last Friday.

On October 26, Sirisena abruptly sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, after three-and-a-half years of an estranged relationship with him.

The island nation plunged into a constitutional crisis following the move.

Sirisena had suspended parliamentary proceedings until November 16. Later, owing to domestic and international pressure, he issued a notice to reconvene parliament on November 14.

However, on Friday, Sirisena dissolved parliament and announced snap polls on January 5 next year after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of Rajapaksa.

"I have watched over the last two weeks as the executive branch has seized the rights and usurped the powers of members of parliament who were elected to represent the people," Jayasuriya said.

"I call upon all public servants to refuse to execute any illegal orders they may receive, no matter from whom," he said.

Referring to remarks by Sirisena loyalist Sarath Amunugama, Jayasuriya said, "I lament that the purported foreign minister, a highly regarded politician, has falsely alleged that I intended to prevent the president from delivering the statement of government policy when parliament was set to reconvene on November 14. It is on this imaginary premise that the minister suggests that parliament had to be dissolved.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The 182-metre tall Statue of Unity has seen over 1 lakh visitors since it was opened to the public on November 1 and will help Gujarat attract more tourists, including international ones, in the future, a senior state Tourism official said Sunday.

The statue of Sardar Patel, situated on an islet near Sardar Sarovar Dam in Kevadiya in the state's Narmada district, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31.

The statue, the tallest in the world, has so far attracted 1.10 lakh visitors since November 1, including a record 28,409 people Saturday, S J Haider, Principal Secretary (Tourism), Gujarat told PTI.

"The statue will help in achievingconsiderable growth in tourist arrivals to Gujarat. Visitors have been thronging the site since the first day which saw 10,000 people come in," Haider informed Sunday.

"This year, Gujarat recorded a year-on-year (YoY) growth of 17 per cent in tourist arrivals. In 2017, Gujarat received 5.2 crore tourists of which 10 lakh were foreign nationals. By the end of 2019, we are eyeing a target of 6 crore tourists to the state," he said.

Among the prime attractions at the site is a viewers gallery inside the statue at a height of 135 metres with a capacity of 200 persons at a time.

High-speed lifts installed there are capable of taking 5,000 persons per day to the viewing gallery.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The RBI's board meeting on November 19 is expected to be a stormy affair in the backdrop of the ongoing tussle between the government and the central bank, sources said, adding that some members are likely to raise issues concerning capital framework, management of surplus and liquidity measures for MSMEs.

Tensions between the RBI and the government have recently escalated, with the Finance Ministry initiating discussion under the never-used-before Section 7 of the RBI Act which empowers the government to issue directions to the RBI Governor.

RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had in a speech last month talked about the independence of the central bank, arguing that any compromise could be "potentially catastrophic" for the economy.

According to sources, the board meetings are pre-decided and the agenda is also circulated much in advance. However, board members can raise off-agenda items in the meeting.

Sources said the government nominee directors and a few independent directors could raise the issue of interim dividend along with the capital framework of RBI.

However, any change in the central bank's economic capital framework can be carried out only after making amendments to the RBI Act, 1934.

Other issues which could be raised include alignment of capital adequacy norms with those in advanced countries and some relaxation in the Prompt Corrective Action framework, sources said, adding more measures to enhance lending to MSMEs and NBFCs may also be discussed.

The RBI is following conservative capital adequacy norms which are stricter than those in advanced economies, leading to banks keeping more risk capital reserve against loans.

The government is of the view that if the RBI aligns it with the global average, it would free up bank capital which can be used for increased lending to productive sectors, sources said.

Earlier this month, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan dismissed calls for lowering capital adequacy norms for the lenders and matching them with global levels.

The capital requirements are high for domestic lenders because of higher defaults/bad loans, Vishwanathan explained, and warned that lowering capital norms merely for aligning them with global standards will create "make believe" strong banks.

With regard to capital framework, the government last Friday said it was discussing an "appropriate" size of capital reserves that the central bank must maintain as it denied seeking a massive capital transfer from the Reserve Bank.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore in reserves and the government reportedly wants the central bank to part with a third of that amount.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg had said that the government was not in any dire needs of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

The government, he said, is on track to meet the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of GDP for the financial year 2018-19.

"There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer (Rs) 3.6 or (Rs) 1 lakh crore, as speculated," he had tweeted. "Government's FD (fiscal deficit) in FY 2013-14 was 5.1%. From 2014-15 onwards, Government has succeeded in bringing it down substantially. We will end the FY 2018-19 with FD of 3.3%. Government has actually foregone (Rs) 70,000 crore of budgeted market borrowing this year."



Garg further said the only proposal "under discussion is to fix an appropriate economic capital framework of RBI".

According to experts, the 'economic capital framework' includes transfer of surplus reserves to the exchequer.

Former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian had in the Economic Survey 2016-17 said the RBI was already exceptionally highly capitalised and nearly Rs 4 lakh crore of its capital transfer to the government can be used for recapitalising the banks and/or recapitalising a Public Sector Asset Rehabilitation Agency.

However, this proposal never saw the light of the day.

Meanwhile, Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram Sunday asked the Centre what was its "tearing hurry" to "fix" the capital framework of the RBI when the ruling dispensation had just four months to complete its term.

"The NDA government has competed 4 years and 6 months of its term. It has effectively 4 months left. What is the tearing hurry to 'fix' the capital framework of RBI?" he tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The process for the Telangana Assembly elections is commencing Monday with the issue of notification for the polls in which the TRS is bidding to retain power and the Congress-led alliance appearing headed for a no-holds-barred contest.

The 119-member assembly was dissolved on September 6 on the recommendation of the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS government, more than eight months ahead of the expiry of its term, paving the way for early elections.

The gazette notification for the polls would be issued on November 12 and the last date for filing of nominations is November 19, according to the schedule released by the Election Commission. Elections will be held in a single phase on December 7.

The TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samiti) has already announced its candidates for 107 segments, including 105 at one go within minutes of the assembly dissolution, giving itself a jump-start to the campaign and stunning the opposition.

It is going it alone in the poll, as also the BJP.

The main opposition Congress forged an electoral pact with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) founded by retired Osmania University Political Science Professor Prof. Kodandaram and the Communist Party of India.

The Congress last week said it would leave 25 seats for its alliance partners - 14 to the TDP, eight to the TJS and three seats to the CPI.

TJS is in talks with the Congress, pushing for giving it the constituencies of its choice, while the CPI is demanding that it be given five segments.

In the 2014 assembly election, the TRS bagged 63 seats with a vote-share of 34 per cent and the Congress 21 seats with 25 per cent vote-share.

The TDP had fought the poll then in alliance with the BJP. TDP won 15 seats with 14.5 per cent vote-share and the BJP five with seven per cent vote-share.

The last few weeks have been seen war of words between the TRS and Congress as the parties hit early campaign trail.

The TRS has termed the Congress-led alliance opportunistic and, in particular, launched sharp verbal attacks on Chandrababu Naidu accusing him of putting hurdles in Telangana's develoment.

Chandrababu Naidu has written letters to the Centre asking it not to give permission for irrigation projects in Telangana, said K T Rama Rao, Minister in the caretaker Government and son of the Chief Minister.

Congress leaders have charged the K Chandrasekhar Rao government with failure to honour pre-election promises and seeking to perpetuate family rule.

The BJP believes the go-it-alone strategy would give it an opportunity to assess its actual strength on the ground as it seeks to draw inspiration from the great strides the party has made in states such as Maharashtra and Assam.

There are inspiring states like Haryana, Assam and Tripura and even Maharashtra where the BJP has exponentially grown when we went all by ourselves, Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Saagar Rao told PTI.

So, we are looking for an exponential growth in Telangana, he said.

Kodandaram, who had led the Telangana Joint Action Committee formed in 2009 with the goal of achieving a separate Telangana State, alleged the people who fought for Telangana statehood were neglected during the TRS rule.The last four years rule is a miserable failure, he told PTI.

"We expected the Telangana government to be more responsive, more democratic. It hasn't been. MLAs are powerless; Ministers are mere figureheads and all powers are concentrated in the hands of the chief minister who doesn't respond, Kodandaram alleged.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Our company offers rape pellets for sale. Waiting for your inquiry with specifications required, volumes you need and delivery address (in a case of necessity)An unidentified terrorist was killed in a shootout after the ultras attacked a security forces party in Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said.

Terrorists attacked a security forces party at a naka at Handwara bypass in the north Kashmir district, a police official said.

He said the security forces retaliated and in the shootout, an ultra was killed.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultra is being ascertained, the official said, adding further details were awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Russian President Vladimir Putin says he didn't have a separate meeting with President Donald Trump at events in Paris marking the end of World War I, but says they will meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina later this month.

Putin said he and Trump decided "not to interrupt the schedule" of the World War I events with a separate meeting.

Putin spoke to RT's France network.

Putin also praised the idea of a European army because he said it could "strengthen the multipolar nature of the world."



Macron has pushed the idea of a European army.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)An undertrial prisoner was killed after a murder convict allegedly hit him with a brick in Balasore district jail hospital in Odisha on Sunday, jail officials said.

The incident took place at the jail hospital where both of them had gone for treatment and picked up a quarrel over some trivial matter.

Sarat Chandra Giri, who is serving life imprisonment in a murder case, suddenly got hold of a brick and hit the undertrial prisoner in the head with it, Superintendent of Balasore district jail, Subhakanta Mishra.

Ramchandra Das was given preliminary treatment at the jail hospital and then shifted to Balasore district headquarters hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

Das, a resident of Ghodapada village, was in jail custody for the last four days after being booked for involvement in illicit liquor business, jail officials said.

A case has been registered and investigation is on in this regard.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Haryana Chief Secretary D S Dhesi said Sunday it was unfair to blame the state for Delhi's poor air quality, saying that crop residue was burnt only on one per cent of the total sown area of paddy.

Dhesi alleged that the role of Haryana was being adversely publicised regarding the pollution in the National Capital Region.

"But, actually, crop residue was burned on only two per cent area of total sown area of paddy in Haryana during (the) last year whereas this year, the crop residue was burned on only one per cent area," he said in Hisar, according to an official release.

Dhesi said the role of Haryana and its farmers was negligible, but rumours were being spread in this regard. "It is being projected that farmers of Haryana are burning crop residue in each and every agricultural field."



The chief secretary said in Haryana, paddy crop was mainly sown on 13 lakh hectares area in 10 districts.

"As per the data received from HARSAC (Haryana Space Applications Centre, Hisar) the crop residue burning cases were reported on 12,473 places in the state in 2017.

"Similarly, this year such cases were reported on 7,273 places which is only one per cent of the total area," he said.

Dhesi added that crop residue-based compressed bio gas plants would be established Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Jind. Apart from this, an MoU has been signed between the Indian Oil Corporation and Renewable Energy Department, under which crop residue would be purchased from farmers for these plants and energy would be generated out of it.

Later, presiding over a meeting of administrative officers of Fatehabad, Sirsa and Jind districts, Dhesi said the seriousness of administrative officers and representatives of panchayati raj institutions would be evaluated on the basis of their contribution in curbing burning of crop residue.

Dhesi said the period between October 15 and November 25 was very crucial as this is the period when maximum cases of crop-residue burning are reported.

In view of this, the chief secretary constituted two committees -- a committee comprising of members of the revenue, agriculture and district development and panchayat departments would monitor the sensitive villages; whereas the committee of sub-divisional officer and tehsildar would visit different villages of the district from time to time.

The chief secretary directed the deputy commissioners of Sirsa and Jind district to adopt the decision taken by the Fatehabad deputy commissioner of not issuing arms licences or renew old licences of those persons who are found guilty of burning crop residue.

He said apart from issuing challans to people indulging in burning crop residue, FIRs should also be registered against such guilty persons. The Haryana State Pollution Control Board would send cases of farmers burning crop residue to the courts for trials.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday that the US will hold accountable all involved in killing a dissident Saudi journalist.

"The Secretary emphasized that the United States will hold all of those involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi accountable, and that Saudi Arabia must do the same," spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

She said the two also discussed the conflict in Yemen, and that Pompeo "reiterated the United States' calls for a cessation of hostilities and for all parties to come to the table to negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Shareholders of have approved the sale of the company's steel business to as a going concern on a slump sale basis.

A special resolution in this regard was passed with requisite majority at Limited's extraordinary general meeting, with 99.99 per cent shareholders voting in its favour, the company informed the exchanges in a regulatory filing late night yesterday.

"The resolution proposed herein above has been passed with requisite majority," said.

had earlier said it has executed definitive agreements for the acquisition of UML's steel business for Rs 43-47 billion through a slump sale on a going concern basis.

According to Usha Martin Limited (UML), the sale of its steel business to will help the company significantly reduce its debt.

UML's steel business comprises the specialised 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alloy based manufacturing capacity in long products segment based in Jamshedpur, a producing iron-ore mine, a coal mine under development and captive power plants, Tata Steel had said.

It is amongst the largest wire rope manufacturers in the world and a leading speciality steel producer in India.Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday attended a solemn ceremony commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I along with other world leaders at the historic Arc De Triomphe in the French capital.

French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and dozens of other world leaders were also present at the World War I Armistice Day centenary.

The ceremony at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe war memorial on the Champs-Elysees marked the culmination of events for the 100th anniversary of the end of the four-year conflict from 1914-18 which claimed 18 million lives, including many Indian soldiers.

Earlier, Naidu was received by Macron at the Elysee Palace here.

Naidu is on a three-day visit to France.

On Saturday, Naidu had inaugurated the first India-built war memorial in northern France to pay tribute to thousands of Indian soldiers who died fighting in World War I.

Indian troops were on the Western Front by winter of 1914 and fought at the first Battle of Ypres. By the end of 1915, they had sustained many casualties along with casualties from sickness, the decision was taken to withdraw Indian Corps from front line duty at the end of 1915.

Some 800,000 Indian troops fought in all the theatres of the war with 1.5 million volunteering to fight.

They fought in most theatres of war including Gallipoli and North and East Africa. In all 47,746 were classed as killed or missing with 65,000 wounded, he said.

The Indian Corps won 13,000 medals for gallantry including 12 Victoria Crosses. Khudadad Khan won the Corps first Victoria Cross. Such was the cost of the war, that India's economy was pushed to near bankruptcy.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)The



Delhi government has asked all schools in the national capital to take measures for prevention of defacement of public property and warn students against it.

Schools have been asked to warn students against defacing public property such as historical monuments, school buildings and flyovers.

The schools are hereby directed to take all measures for prevention of defacement of public property and also sensitise all students of the school in the morning assembly talks, through SMC members and PTM against defacing and harming public property such as school building, historical monuments, municipal properties and flyovers, the Directorate of (DoE) said in a communication to schools.

Public money has been invested in all these properties and the same should be protected against any kind of defacement and destruction, it added.

The DoE further directed the schools that students must be informed that the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Public Property Act, 2007 has been enacted and as per provision of this act Defacement of Public Property is a cognizable offence and punishment in such cases may be imprisonment or fine or both.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday asked the Centre what was its "tearing hurry" to "fix" the capital framework of Reserve Bank of India when the ruling dispensation had just four months to complete the term.

In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader slammed the government for allegedly seeking funds from the RBI despite claiming that its (Centre) fiscal math was correct.

"The NDA government has competed 4 years and 6 months of its term. It has effectively 4 months left. What is the tearing hurry to 'fix' the capital framework of RBI?" he said.

Chidambaram said if the government did not need any more money this financial year, why was it "mounting pressure" on the central bank in the last four months of its tenure. "Why did it keep silent for 4 years and 6 months?" he said.

The Congress leader said the government had claimed that its "fiscal math is correct" and "boasts" that it had given up Rs 700 billion of borrowing for 2018-19.

"If so, why does it need money from the reserves of RBI this year?" he said.

The central government had on Friday said it was discussing an "appropriate" size of capital reserves that the central bank must maintain, but denied seeking a massive capital transfer from the RBI.

The RBI has a massive Rs 9.59 trillion reserves and the government, if reports are to be believed, wants the central bank to part with a third of that fund -- an issue which along with easing of norms for weak banks and raising liquidity has brought the two at loggerheads in recent weeks.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg took to Twitter on Friday to clarify that the government was not in any dire need of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 trillion.



"There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer (Rs) 3.6 or (Rs) 1 trillion, as speculated," he tweeted.

"Government's FD (fiscal deficit) in FY 2013-14 was 5.1%. From 2014-15 onwards, Government has succeeded in bringing it down substantially. We will end the FY 2018-19 with FD of 3.3%. The government has actually foregone (Rs) 700 billion of budgeted market borrowing this year," Garg said.

The official said the only proposal under discussion was to "fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI".

Economic capital framework refers to the risk capital required by the central bank while taking into account different risks.A woman has been charged after a "complex" investigation into an Australian strawberry scare where needles were found stuck into the fruit, police said Sunday, in a crisis that sparked nationwide panic.

Queensland state authorities offered a large reward and the national government raised jail terms for such crimes after sewing needles were found in plastic boxes of the fruit sold in supermarkets in September.

Since the first case came to light when a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after consuming strawberries, more than 100 alleged incidents of pins and needles found in fruit, mostly strawberries, were reported in September around the country.

One incident was also reported in neighbouring New Zealand.

Police said a 50-year-old woman was arrested and charged on Sunday with seven counts of contaminating goods "following a complex... and extensive investigation".

"This is a major and unprecedented police investigation with a lot of complexities involved," Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker said in a statement.

"The Queensland Police Service has allocated a significant amount of resources to ensure those responsible are brought to justice." She faces up to 10 years' imprisonment and is due in a Brisbane court on Monday.

Police did not reveal the reasons and motives behind her alleged involvement.

The sabotage crisis led supermarkets to pull the fruit from the shelves and saw farmers dump tonnes of the unwanted berry. The government raised the maximum prison sentence for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years.

Queensland Strawberry Growers Association spokeswoman Jennifer Rowling welcomed the and said the crisis had a "crippling impact" on the state's strawberry growers.

"However, it is disconcerting that the charges relate to only six or seven punnets (plastic boxes) of strawberries, proving that the majority of... incidents were copycats or false reports," she told national broadcaster ABC.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Our company looking for sawdust for animal bedding supplier, able to deliver 2600 tons per month to Riyadh, SAudi Arabia on FOB or CIF terms. Specifications required:

Material - pine, acacia, rubber-tree wood shavings

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Bid your price.World leaders arrived at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday under steady rain for a ceremony to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, AFP reporters said.

French President Emmanuel Macron led dozens of heads of state and government, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on foot towards the war memorial at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who are attending the commemorations, were not visible in the cortege.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)World leaders gathered in will lead global commemorations on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of at a time of growing nationalism and diplomatic tensions.

Around 70 leaders including US and Russian Presidents and will mark the centenary of the 1918 Armistice in the French capital.

British Prime Minister and Queen Elizabeth will attend a separate event in London, while New Zealand and are holding their own ceremonies.

The commemorations, centred on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, are set to feature warnings about the modern-day danger of nationalism.

"This day is not just about remembering, but should be about a call to action," German Chancellor said Saturday after visiting the forest clearing in eastern where the Armistice was signed.

Merkel will give the opening address alongside UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a conference called the Peace Forum which will take place after a memorial service on the Champs-Elysees on Sunday morning. Conceived by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Forum is intended to highlight the importance of institutions in helping resolve conflicts, avert wars and spread prosperity.Iraq's oilfields in the disputed Kirkuk region have taken on new significance after the United States restored oil sanctions against neighbouring Iran. Washington is pressuring Baghdad to resume exports that stopped last year. Iraq aims to raise its export capacity to 8.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in the coming years from less than 5 million bpd currently, 1 million of which could come via Kirkuk. But that resumption is not just a question of turning the tap back on. WHY IS KIRKUK SO IMPORTANT? Volume and revenue. The halting of exports from Kirkuk stopped nearly ...(Eds: Adding fresh comments from P&W, more details after para 16) New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Aviation watchdog DGCA has directed IndiGo and GoAir to address issues regarding 15 of the Pratt & Whitney engines powering their A320 neo planes, a senior official said Friday.The two budget carriers have been grappling with P&W engine problems, which has even led to grounding of some A320 neo aircraft. Together, they have around 82 such planes in their respective fleet. The latest move by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which had earlier asked the two airlines to take various corrective measures to address the engine woes, comes after certain issues flagged by US counterpart Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).In a late evening statement, P&W said the recent Airworthiness Directives (ADs) would not cause any operational disruption for the operators.The DGCA official said the requirement for replacement of High Pressure Compressor (HPC) front hub corrosion as mentioned by the FAA would also impact 15 engines powering IndiGo and GoAir's neo planes.As many as 13 engines of IndiGo and 2 engines of GoAir would be impacted by the FAA's ADs. The Indian operators have sufficient time to become compliant with the requirement, the official added.The AD requires replacement of HPC front hub corrosion and "action has to be taken within 120 days after effective date or before exceeding 6,180 cycles since new or within five years since the ship date as indicated the AD, whichever occurs first", he said.The operators have to comply with the directive coming into effect from December 12.In another AD issued on November 7, the FAA said replacement of some parts of certain P&W engine series installed on A320 neo has to be carried out.The AD was for replacement of certain parts on "PW 1100 engines from Sl. No. 450 to 614 installed on A320 neo aircraft" to address failure of knife edge seal issue. According to the official, Indigo and GoAir are compliant on the same. "The DGCA has declared the ADs 'mandatory' and directed the Indian operators to comply within the period as indicated in the ADs," he said.There were no immediate comments from IndiGo and GoAir.P&W also said the engine parts would be replaced during planned future shop visit and is therefore predictable for operators."P&W is complying with the directives and working closely with our customers to ensure the process is completed within the required timeline," it added.On Thursday, P&W said the ADs formalise guidance and communication shared with all operators.Meanwhile, the DGCA on Thursday said it has asked Jet Airways and SpiceJet to take corrective action to address possible issues with their Boeing 737 MAX planes that could lead to "significant altitude loss" of the aircraft.The directive came after advisories issued by the FAA and Boeing after the crash of a Boeing 737 MAX plane operated by Indonesia's Lion Air last month. PTI RAM IAS ABM(Eds: Incorporating related stories) New Delhi, Nov 10 (PTI) As Delhi's air quality remained severe on Saturday, authorities extended till November 12 the ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass, and entry of trucks, while the CPCB issued show cause notices to police departments and officials of Delhi-NCR over "non-compliance" of the Supreme Court order on sale and bursting of fire crackers.Delhi-NCR had recorded its worst air quality a day after Diwali on Wednesday, with AQI at 642 in 'severe plus emergency' category. On Friday too, the air quality remained 'severe' and though the pollution level dipped marginally for a brief period on Saturday morning, it turned severe again by evening.Noting that the 'severe +' situation has continued for 37 hrs, a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)-led task force, which reviews the national capital's air quality, recommended that the ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass and entry of trucks should continue till November 12, 2018.Accepting the recommendations, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority extended the ban, which it had earlier imposed on construction activities and industries using coal and biomass till Saturday and that on entry of heavy vehicles till Sunday.More than 450 heavy and medium goods vehicles were sent back from Delhi borders due to ban on their entry from Thursday night.The CPCB shot off show cause notices to district magistrates of Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida for not restricting the sale and bursting of unauthorised fire crackers that adversely impacted the air quality.It also sent showcause notices to police departments of Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida and Gurgaon for not restricting the sale and bursting of unauthorised fire crackers that adversely impacted the air quality. Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Greater Noida recorded severe air quality while Noida and Gurgaon recorded very poor air quality, according to the CPCB. In a letter, CPCB chairperson S P Singh Parihar has sought a report on the matter from district magistrates and police departments within seven days. The notices have been sent to the Commissioners of Police of Delhi, Fariabad and Gurgaon and SP of Ghaziabad Noida. Parihar, in the notice, said it has been reported that fire crackers other than those permitted by the apex court were sold and burst on Diwali in Delhi, Fariabad, Gurgaon and Noida. "The above status indicates non-compliance of the Supreme Court order," the letter said. "Direction is hereby issued to district magistrate to submit report on action taken to prevent sale of unauthorised fire crackers along with reason for non-compliance of the Supreme Court order," said the notices to district magistrates and the police departments. 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". According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the increase in PM2.5 concentration is due to stable meteorological conditions trapping of the pollutants in Delhi (very less dispersion) and significant increase in contribution from stubble burning. At least 562 cases were registered under Section 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code in connection with bursting of firecrackers. The Supreme Court had allowed people to burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. The Supreme Court also allowed manufacture and sale of just the "green crackers" which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals. The court had said the police should ensure that there is no sale of banned firecrackers and in case of any violation, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station of the area would be held personally liable and this would amount to committing contempt of court. But despite the Supreme Court's order, certain places recorded violations where fire crackers were burst before and after the set timeframe. According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar, 1,559 vehicles were checked and 1,078 vehicles were allowed entry from 11 pm on Friday till 6 am on Saturday as they were carrying essential goods. As many as 481 vehicles were returned from the Delhi borders, Kumar added. However, vehicles carrying vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, eggs, ice and other essentials, and tankers carrying petroleum products are exempted from the ban. The EPCA had late last month accepted the recommendation of the CPCB-led task force and announced the ban on various activities between November 1 to 10 when further deterioration of air was expected due to festival season and stubble burning in neighbouring states. "It was observed that PM2.5 concentrations have been exceeding 300 g/m3. As such the 'severe +' situation has continued for 37 hrs. Therefore, the task force recommends that ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass and entry of trucks, which are in force, should continue till November 12, 2018," the task force has now recommended to the EPCA. PTI UZM SLB RT(Eds: Updates with more details, quotes) Rajnandgaon (Chhattisgarh), Nov 9 (PTI) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday launched a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, alleging they are "openly indulging in graft" and taking decisions only after "permission" from their industrialist friends. Addressing a poll rally in Singh's home turf Rajnandgaon, Gandhi asserted his party would act against the "corrupt" and write off debts of farmers if elected to power in Chhattisgarh, which is being ruled by the BJP for the past 15 years. At another rally in the poll-bound state ahead of the first-phase voting on November 12, he alleged, "In Delhi, Modi ji has 10-15 industrialists friends and similarly Chhattisgarh CM has 10-15 big businessmen friends. Modi ji and Singh never do any work until they take permission from these 10-15 friends." The Congress has been accusing the Modi government of indulging in crony capitalism from time to time, a charge which has been vehemently denied by the saffron party. In the rally in Rajnandgaon, Gandhi accused Modi of pitching for industrialist Anil Ambani in the Rafale deal and referred to former France President Francois Hollande's reported remark to drive home his point. A French media report had in September quoted Hollande as purportedly saying that the Indian government proposed the Ambani-led Reliance Defence as the off-set partner for Dassault Aviation in the Rs 58,000-crore Rafale jet fighter deal and Paris did not have a choice. The Reliance Group has denied allegations of Reliance Defence benefiting by thousands of crores in the Rafale deal. Dassault, the makers of Rafale jets, has also said it had made the decision to partner with Reliance Defence for the deal. Gandhi also targeted Raman Singh over his government's alleged chit fund scam, civil supplies scam and his son Abhishek Singh, who is accused of holding offshore assets. "The truth is be it Raman Singh or Narendra Modi, they openly indulge in corruption. Be it Rafale or chit fund scam," Gandhi said. "Pakistan put (former PM) Nawaz Sharif in jail (after revelations in Panama Papers). But the name of Raman Singh's son, Abhishek also emerged in Panama. "When the Congress government will come (to power), action will be taken. Be it in Delhi or Chhattisgarh, whoever has indulged in corruption, we will put him behind bars," he said. The Panama Papers refer to 11.5 million leaked documents published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists with details of offshore entities set up by a Panamanian legal firm. The papers had named several world leaders and celebrities as having stashed money abroad in offshore companies. They also included details of entities set up by some Indian nationals. In the past, Abhishek Singh has termed allegations against him with regards to Panama Papers as "baseless and politically motivated". Gandhi attacked the BJP-led central government over the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which he alleged, was rather a 'Gabbar Singh Tax'. The Congress chief told the gathering he did not want to make false promises to the people of the state like the ruling BJP had allegedly made. Gandhi said his party had promised farm loan waiver during polls in Punjab and Karnataka and kept its word after coming to power in the two states. "If elected to power, Congress will write off debt of each farmers in Chhattisgarh in 10 days," Gandhi told the gathering. He also promised to give bonus to farmers if the Congress comes back to power in the state, where it has been in opposition for the past 15 years. Elections to the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will be held in two phases - on November 12 and November 20 - and counting of votes will take place on December 11. PTI TKP ENM RSY SMNThe government is mulling selling as many as 149 small and marginal oil and gas fields of ONGC to private and foreign companies and allow the state-owned firm to focus only on big fields, sources with knowledge of the development said.

On the anvil is some kind of extension of the Discovered Small Field (DSF) bid round where discovered and producing fields of Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) are auctioned to firms offering the maximum share of output to the government, sources said.

This is the second attempt by the oil ministry to take away some of the fields of ONGC for private and foreign companies.

In October last year, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) had identified 15 producing fields with collective reserve of 791.2 million tonnes of crude oil and 333.46 billion cubic meters of gas of national oil companies for handing over to private firms in the hope that they would improve upon the baseline estimate and its extraction.

The plan, however, could not go through as ONGC strongly countered the DGH proposal with its own suggestion that it be allowed to outsource operations on same terms as the government plan.

Sources said the current plan started as a follow up of the October 12 meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review domestic production profile of oil and gas and the roadmap for cutting import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022.

At a meeting, the ministry made a presentation showing that while 95 per cent of ONGC's production was from 60 large fields, 149 smaller fields contributed to a mere five per cent.

It was suggested at the meeting that these smaller fields could be given out to private and foreign firms and ONGC could concentrate on the big ones where it could rope in technology partners through production enhancement contracts (PEC) or technical service arrangements.

Sources said thereafter a six-member committee under Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant was set up to give a proposal on the same.

ONGC, however, is opposed to the plan as it feels it should be allowed the same terms that the government extends to private and foreign firms in DSF.

The government gave out 34 fields to private firms by offering them pricing and marketing freedom for oil and gas they produced from the fields in the first round of DSF. A second round of DSF with 25 fields on offer is currently under bidding.

The fields offered in DSF were taken away from ONGC and Oil India Ltd on the pretext that they were lying idle and unexploited. But under the present proposal, the government plans to take away discovered and producing fields.

Sources said ONGC feels it too should be allowed to seek revenue sharing partnership for its fields. Field operations could be outsourced to foreign or private firms that offered the highest revenue or production share over and above a baseline production.

The ministry is reasoning that the areas where the fields discovered by ONGC were given to the state-owned firm on nomination basis.

In the proposal that was mooted in October last year, the plan was to give out 60 per cent stake in 15 fields -- 11 of ONGC and four of Oil India. These included Kalok, Ankleshwar, Gandhar and Santhal -- the big four oilfields of ONGC in Gujarat.

The DGH too had identified 44 fields of ONGC and OIL, which could take on partners for production enhancement work where bidders would get the 'tariff' that they bid as a return for increasing the output 'over the baseline production' for an initial period of 10 years.

The oil ministry is unhappy with the near stagnant oil and gas production and believes giving out the discovered fields to private firms would help raise output as they can bring in technology and capital, sources said.

It has been tasked by the prime minister to cut dependence on oil imports by 10 per cent by 2022 over 77 per cent in 2014-15. But, the dependence has only increased and is now over 83 per cent.

The privatisation is repeat of the infamous round in 1992-93 when medium sized discovered fields like Panna/Mukta and Tapti oil and gas field in the western offshore was given to now defunct Enron Corp of the US and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).

As many as 28 fields were then awarded. Under this regime, ONGC was made licensee and given an option to farm in 40 per cent of stake. The controversial privatisation under the then oil minister Satish Sharma had resulted in an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).November 10, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement on illegitimate elections planned in regions of Ukraine:

Canada is deeply concerned about illegitimate elections planned in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine for November 11.

Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. We condemn Russian actions that disregard international norms and further threaten lives in eastern Ukraine.

Canada remains concerned about the ongoing situation in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine as a direct result of Russian aggression. Since 2014, Canada has committed over $750 million in international assistance to Ukraine, including development, stabilization and security, and humanitarian assistance.

Canadians will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine.news, latest-news

Dr Nalini Pati remembers seeing a young woman at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara having difficulty breathing because her lymph node had swollen to such a size it was restricting her airway. She had been diagnosed with a type of lymphoma, a treatable cancer, Dr Pati said. But sadly it was at such a progressed stage that treatment was no longer an option. Thankfully, the introduction of the Solomon Islands first ever oncology unit means that hopefully won't happen again. Dr Pati was part of a four-person team from the Canberra Hospital that recently returned from setting up the cancer treatment unit, bringing a whole new range of treatment options to the Pacific Island nation. The team from Canberra consisted of senior haematologist Dr Pati, clinical director of oncology Professor Desmond Yip, oncology pharmacist Beth Hua and clinical nurse consultant Wendy Spencer. One of the biggest challenges is now getting patients to hospital, as many wouldn't consider going until it is too late. "People with very treatable cancers, those patients when they have a diagnosis of cancer, they think theyre going to die," Dr Pati said. "That is their expectation and they dont expect anything can be treated and even if they do there is nothing much available in terms of the drugs. "We want to bring an awareness that not all cancer patients will die and a fair proportion of them will survive." The project to bring greater cancer treatment services to the Solomon Islands began in 2016 when Professor Yip travelled there, funded by the John James Foundation, to assess the extent of cancer services. Since then a Solomon Islands based doctor has visited Canberra to undertake training. The team successfully set up the oncology unit on their latest visit to Honiara, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The key parts of the program were to write protocols that could be easily followed, ensure the use of medicines was up to date, and teaching the doctors how to give chemotherapy safely. Professor Yip said one of the most important goals for the team was to train their counterparts in delivering treatments safely. "It was [previously] done on a sort of ad hoc basis," he said. "It was given by any doctor that was looking after the patient. It wasnt done with protective equipment." He said with a lot of work over the past two years and the efforts of the Canberra-based team, the unit was in a position to begin treating patients. One of the highlights for the team, Ms Spencer said, was being able to provide chemotherapy to a 34-year-old man diagnosed with testicular cancer and know that his chance of survival was hugely increased. "They were very responsive, they were very pleased to see us and very grateful for anything we were doing," Ms Spencer said. Oncology pharmacist Ms Hua added: "They know the value and the impact that it can have. Particularly the mum of the 34-year-old, she was thinking of taking him to New Zealand at her own cost, so to have a curative treatment so locally she couldnt thank us enough." The Canberra Hospital also has an agreement with the Fijian government to bring nurses to Canberra for training. The team will be making another trip to the Solomon Islands next year to follow up on the last visit. All of them hoped the Australian government would continue to assist less developed neighbours to improve the quality of their healthcare.

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In early October, Zoe Elliott and Tim Vaughan-Sanders asked The Canberra Times readers to suggest Canberra icons they should draw for their 31 days in project. And heck, did you deliver. "We received so many responses we eventually weren't able to respond to all of them - sorry everybody!" Elliott said. The most memorable recommendations they received were "kangaroos (alive)", form one lane and the Belconnen owl statue, all of which they drew. There was even one mysterious email that simply listed "new team", without any context. One trend among emails was that "people really loved Dickson". Art aside, the highlights of their stay were meeting the locals of the bush capital and getting to experience Canberra-isms for themselves. They even got to encounter our unofficial black-and-white mascots during peak season. So were they initiated with a good swooping or two? "Definitely," Elliott said. "We were attacked." "Being from Perth, my body instinctively knew what to do. But I had to educate Tim, who is scared of the animals in Australia." Despite Tim Vaughan-Sanders hailing from the land of a more docile bird, the Kiwi, he appreciated Canberra's magpie safety tactics. "We loved seeing cyclists rock around with the little cable ties in their helmets. No one seems self-conscious about that. It's a question of: 'Do I care if I look silly? Or would I like my head to get stitches?' " Vaughan-Sanders said. After 31 days capturing Canberra in one illustration a day, Elliott and Vaughan-Sanders are exhibiting their works at the Embassy of Belgium in Canberra. The exhibition also features their 31 drawings of a recent stint in Belgium. Despite the differences, the couple believes Belgium is a good fit for Canberra because of the war memorials and the locals who love their underrated locations. "Lots of Canberrans ask: 'Why Canberra?' and talk it down a little bit, but there is that love there. It's a subtle kind of pride. So that was really interesting. And finding out there's so much more to Canberra than national galleries and politics," Elliott said. "When we went to Paris and Barcelona, no one asked: 'Why did you come here?' Because they know. Whereas in Canberra and Belgium, people ask. And it's not like it's an identity crisis, it's just people enjoying being complimented about their locations which aren't always considered obvious hotspots," Vaughan-Sanders said. "Meeting people from Canberra is rare and when you do meet them, they know they're onto a good thing here." 31 days in Belgium meets 31 days in Canberra. Embassy of Belgium, 19 Arkana Street, Yarralumla. November 10-24. Mondays and Wednesdays, 10am-1pm. Saturdays, 11am-4.30pm. Free. 31 days in prints are also available here. A portion of proceeds from the sale of artwork will be donated to the Australian Conservation Foundation.

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Construction could begin on Canberra's newest mosque in Narrabundah as early as the first half of next year. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has been offered a block of land near the Narrabundah ball park for the place of worship, pending development application approval, community services minister Chris Steel told the Economic Development Directorate annual reports hearing. The decision comes after a five-year search by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association for a site in Canberra for a dedicated facility. After years of uncertainty, the association's ACT president Khalid Syed said the news came as a relief. "The mosque is central to our cultural activities, and having a mosque in Canberra really means a lot to us," Mr Syed said. "We're looking forward to having a proper mosque where kids can come, and people can come to pray and invite guests. It's almost a community centre to us." While the government wouldn't put a timeframe on the development, Mr Syed said he hoped to submit the development application by January, with work to begin shortly after approval. "Progress has been a bit slow, because we're a charitable community and our workers are all volunteers, and there's a lot of back and forth between us and offices in Sydney," Mr Syed said. "There are some fine tunings to be done and then the plan has to then be approved by the Ahmadiyya national office Sydney and the global office in the UK." Temporary locations have been set up for prayer services in the past, with the denomination currently worshipping out of a hired office space in Fyshwick. "We currently have a large hall that's subdivided into two, one for the men and one for the women," Mr Syed said. The proposed mosque will provide the community with a dedicated space to worship, and is expected to be similar in style to those already built in NSW and Queensland, but smaller in scale. The mosque would include space for more than 100 worshippers and a car park. Mr Steel said the site neighbours the Spanish-Australian Club, the Best Western hotel and the Narrabundah ball park area. "They're now in the process of developing a development application, and once the DA is approved, the direct sale [of the block] will be concluded and they'll be able to start construction,"Mr Steel said. "They're pretty pleased it's coming to a conclusion." Sustainability and Built Environment deputy director-general Geoffrey Rutledge said it was now up to the association to progress their plans. "We're working with them to make sure the site is suitable for the various coming and goings and to also maintain the ball park, which is a growing spectator sport, so we think we've got the right site for them," Mr Rutledge said. A mosque was first planned to be built near the Rivett shops in March 2014, but that was abandoned following concerns from residents and nearby store owners. A site in Hume was then proposed by the government in 2015, but the Land Development Agency deemed it unsuitable. Ahmadiyya Muslims are considered controversial in the Islamic world due to beliefs that other denominations regard as heretical. Those in the religious denomination have been persecuted overseas, while Ahmadis have been declared non-Muslims in Pakistan.

/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/ba7c38e1-7afd-49cd-86fe-b1f709bc1aa2/r0_104_2000_1234_w1200_h678_fmax.jpgNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- No Gronk in Nashville.

The Patriots have officially released their inactives lists ahead of today's kickoff against the Tennessee Titans, a group headlined by the big tight end. Gronkowski had been listed as questionable on Friday's injury report with back and ankle injuries. He will miss his second straight game and third this season.

New England's other inactives are right guard Shaq Mason, running back Kenjon Barner, safety Obi Melifonwu, defensive end Derek Rivers, cornerback Keion Crossen and offensive tackle Matt Tobin. Mason was ruled out Saturday with the same calf injury that kept him out last weekend.

Sony Michel is active for the first time since suffering a sprained MCL at Chicago three weeks ago. He participated in the Patriots' last seven practices.

Matthew Slater (illness) was a late addition to the team's injury report Sunday morning, but will play. Tight end Jacob Hollister (hamstring) is active for his fourth game this season and first time since Week 6. Newly-added linebacker Albert McClellan will make his Patriots debut after signing this week.

Kickoff from Nashville is set for 1 p.m. EST.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Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), which is one amongst the five Central Armed Police Forces of India, has released a recruitment notification for the post of Constable (Telecom). The notification was released for a total of 218 vacancies. ITBP has started accepting the applications from both male and female for the vacancies for the Non-Gazetted & Non-Ministerial posts of Constable (Telecom) in Group 'C' on a temporary basis. The eligible candidates can apply for the post until November 27, 2018. The selection procedure for the ITBP Constable (Telecom) exam consists of three phases. Here is a detailed analysis of the selection process.

How To Become A Sailor In The Indian Navy

Phase I: (A) Physical Efficiency Test

Candidates whose applications are accepted by the ITBP have to report at the venue on given date and time with a printout of the admit cards and online application form for PET. Marks will be awarded for this test and it will be only qualifying in nature. Candidates who fail to qualify in this stage will be eliminated here itself. The events of the PET are as follows.

For Male Candidates

i) 1.6 km race to be completed within 7.30 minutes.

ii) Long jump 11 feet (03 chances).

iii) High jump 3 freet (03 chances).

For Female Candidates

i) 800 m Race To be completed within 4.45 minutes.

ii) Long jump 09 feet (03 chances).

iii) High jump 3 feet (03 chances).

Phase I: (B) Physical Standard Test

Candidates who qualify in the PET will be screened for height, chest and weight measurements. One who does not meet the required physical measurements will be eliminated at this stage.

Phase II: Written Test

Candidates who qualify in PET and PST will be allowed to appear for the written examination. The written test will consist of objective type multiple choice questions. The written exam consists of a total of 100 questions. The duration of the exam is two hours. The test will be on general English, general Hindi, general awareness, reasoning ability, quantitative aptitude. After the completion of the written test, candidates will be selected based on the merit list in each category such as general, OBC, SC and ST.

Phase III: Verification Of Original Documents

The successful candidates required to produce the original documents related to educational and professional qualifications, date of birth etc. Candidates are advised to visit the official notification to know the list of documents required for the verification process.

How To Become A Pilot In Indian Air ForcePhoto: The Canadian Press Republican Florida Governor-elect Ron DeSantis, center, waves to the supporters with his wife, Casey, left, and Republican Lt. Governor-elect Jeanette Nunez, third right, after thanking the crowd.

The first election workers have begun the enormous task of recounting ballots in Florida's bitterly close races for the U.S. Senate and governor, ramping up their efforts after the secretary of state ordered a review of the two nationally watched contests.

Miami-Dade County election officials began feeding ballots into scanning machines Saturday evening. The tedious work in that one South Florida county alone could take days, considering some 800,000 ballots were cast. Multiply that by 67 counties in the nation's third most populous state, and the scope of the task was beginning to sink in Sunday.

The Florida secretary of state ordered the recounts Saturday, an unprecedented step for the two flagship races in a state that took five weeks to decide the 2000 presidential election. Secretary of State Ken Detzner's office said it was unaware of any other time either a race for governor or U.S. Senate in Florida required a recount, let alone both in the same election.

Florida's 67 counties can decide when to begin their recounts, but must complete them by Thursday. Elections officials in two large counties in the Tampa Bay area  Pinellas and Hillsborough  said they would begin recounts Sunday morning.

Unofficial results show that Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis led Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by less than 0.5 percentage points, which will require a machine recount of ballots. In the Senate race, Republican Gov. Rick Scott's lead over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is less than 0.25 percentage points, requiring a hand recount of ballots from tabulation machines that couldn't determine which candidate got the vote.

The recount opens against a backdrop of political tensions. President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted without evidence that the elections were being stolen. Angry protesters gathered at an elections office in Broward County on Saturday, waving signs and shouting with bullhorns.

Following the announcement of a recount, Gillum withdrew his concession in the governor's race.

"Let me say clearly, I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call that we count every single vote," he said, adding that he would accept whatever outcome emerges.

In a video statement released Saturday, DeSantis said the election results were "clear and unambiguous" and that he was preparing to become the state's next governor. He also thanked the state's supervisors of elections, canvassing boards, and the staffs for "working hard to ensure that all lawful votes are counted."

"It is important that everyone involved in the election process strictly adhere to the rule of law which is the foundation for our nation," he said.

In the Senate recount, Scott implored the state's sheriffs to "watch for any violations and take appropriate action" during the recount.

Scott and his supporters, including Trump, have alleged that voter fraud is underway in Democratic-leaning Broward County, where the Republican lead has narrowed since Election Day. There's no evidence of voter fraud and the state's election division, which Scott runs, said Saturday that its observers in Broward had seen "no evidence of criminal activity."

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Friday it has not launched any investigation into election fraud.

The scene recalled the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W. Bush the victor over Vice-President Al Gore by 537 votes, and thus giving Bush the presidency.

Florida was mocked for the way it handled the infamous 2000 recount, especially since there was no uniform process then on how to proceed. That has changed, with the Legislature passing a clear procedure on how a recount should be conducted.

Florida is also conducting a recount in a third statewide race. Democrat Nikki Fried had a 0.07 percentage point lead lead over Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell in the race for agriculture commissioner, one of Florida's three Cabinet seats.Photo: The Canadian Press Sheriff's deputies recover the remains of Camp Fire victims.

Authorities called in a mobile DNA lab and anthropologists to help identify the dead as the search went on for victims of the most destructive wildfire in California history. The death toll stood at 23 Sunday and appeared likely to climb.

With the town of Paradise, population 27,000, reduced to a smoking ruin and the fire still raging in surrounding communities, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the Northern California county was bringing in a fifth search and recovery team.

An anthropology team from California State University at Chico was also assisting, because in some cases "the only remains we are able to find are bones or bone fragments."

"This weighs heavy on all of us," Honea said.

The department compiled a list of 110 people unaccounted for, but officials held out hope that many were safe but had no cellphones or some other way to contact loved ones.

Honea said the agency was also bringing in a DNA lab and encouraged people with missing relatives to submit samples to aid in identifying the dead.

The death toll made the Camp Fire the third-deadliest on record in the state. The blaze has burned 164 square miles (425 square kilometres) and has cost at least $8.1 million to fight so far, said Steve Kaufmann, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

It destroyed more than 6,700 buildings, nearly all of them homes. Wind gusts up to 50 mph were expected through Monday, conditions similar to when the fire started Thursday and quickly overtook Paradise.

Two people were also found dead in a wildfire in Southern California , bringing the number of fatalities statewide to 25. Fires tore through Malibu mansions and homes in working-class Los Angeles suburbs.

More than 200,000 people in all were forced from their homes across the state, officials said. Among them were some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Drought, warmer weather attributed to climate change and home construction deeper into forests have led to more destructive wildfire seasons in California that have been starting earlier and lasting longer.

In Paradise, a town founded in the 1800s, residents who stayed behind to try to save their properties or who managed to return despite an evacuation order found incinerated cars and homes.

Wearing masks because the air was still heavy with smoke, people sidestepped metal that had melted off of cars or Jet-Skis as they surveyed their ravaged neighbourhoods. Some cried when they saw nothing was left.

Jan MacGregor, 81, got back to his small two-bedroom home in Paradise with the help of his firefighter grandson. He found his home levelled  a large metal safe and pipes from his septic system the only recognizable traces. The safe was punctured with bullet holes from guns inside that went off in the scorching heat.

He lived in Paradise for nearly 80 years, moving there in 1939, when the town had just 3,000 people and was nicknamed Poverty Ridge.

"We knew Paradise was a prime target for forest fire over the years," he said. "We've had 'em come right up to the city limits  oh, yeah  but nothing like this."

MacGregor said he probably would not rebuild: "I have nothing here to go back to."

Some homes and other buildings in Paradise were still burning, and fire crews worked to put out the blazes.Photo: Contributed

UPDATED: 7:58 a.m.

An Air Astana plane with six crew on board and no passengers declared an emergency over Portugal on Sunday after experiencing problems with its command and control system but landed safely just over an hour later, a senior Portuguese Air Force officer said.

Lt. Gen. Manuel Costa told The Associated Press the plane, made by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, landed at Beja air base, about 180 kilometres (90 miles) southeast of Lisbon, on Sunday afternoon.

He said nobody was hurt in the incident, though the plane was unable to land on its first attempt at Beja.

Two Portuguese Air Force F-16s were scrambled to accompany the plane while authorities initially evaluated how to handle the emergency, he said.

Air Astana is the flag carrier of Kazakhstan. The plane can seat around 100 people.

Portuguese media reports said the plane was in Portugal for maintenance work and took off around 1430 GMT from an airfield at Alverca, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) northwest of the capital Lisbon.

ORIGINAL: 7:41 a.m.

A senior Portuguese Air Force officer says two military jets are escorting an Air Astana aircraft with six crew on board and no passengers that is "experiencing difficulties" during a flight over Portugal.

Lt. Gen. Manuel Costa tells The Associated Press on Sunday the plane is "experiencing difficulties with its command and control system." He says two Portuguese Air Force F-16s are accompanying the plane while authorities evaluate how to handle the emergency.

Portuguese media have quoting local officials saying the plane is an Embraer which can seat around 100 people.

Reports said it was in Portugal for maintenance work and took off around 1430 GMT from an airfield at Alverca, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) northwest of the capital Lisbon.Photo: The Canadian Press International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau says that access to family planning services such as contraceptives and abortion is key to fighting poverty.

Canada will continue to encourage other countries to offer more family planning services including contraception and abortion because they're key to fighting poverty, the country's international development minister said Sunday.

Marie-Claude Bibeau said Canada will continue to speak "frankly" with other countries on the need for such services, even if it remains controversial in some circles.

Bibeau arrived in Rwanda on Sunday of a four-day international conference on family planning that runs until Thursday.

In a phone interview from Kigali, she told The Canadian press that some countries are willing to discuss the topic at meetings but don't always follow up with concrete commitments.

"Canada has a very, very important role to play right now to talk about it in a very open way, and to make sure that the conversation stays wide, that the conversation is not narrowing," Bibeau said Sunday.

"We talk about everything and we talk about it openly," she explained.

Bibeau said reproductive and sexual education and access to contraception, and eventually abortion, are important steps in eliminating poverty, especially among women.

"What we want is for each child and each pregnancy to be wanted, and for mothers to have the means, that they be ready to receive that child," she said.

"To end poverty, we have to work on all the barriers that make it that girls and women don't have the chance to develop their full potential. For that to happen, it starts by having control over their own bodies."

The World Health Organization says some 214 million women who would like to delay or stop having children report not using any form of contraception.

The federal government pledged up to $20 million to fund sexual health and family planning initiatives in 2017 as part of an international campaign to fill a gap created by President Donald Trump's decision to ban U.S. funding for abortion-related projects.

Besides Canada, the other countries involved in the campaign include the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, France and Belgium.Home at 2611 Taylor St. where C.C. Shearer may have lived after war - photo by John Shearer

Concerning a memorable moment in his life, my paternal grandfather, Claude Clifford C.C. Shearer, years later described it as the sweetest silence I have ever heard in my life.

He was referring to Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.  the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when the armistice occurred ending World War I, or the Great War, as it was then called.

The reason for his excitement was that he had an unenviable front-row perspective of the war: he was headed to Sedan, France, with members of the well-known Rainbow Division of the American Expeditionary Forces.

And he had already fought at such famous battles as Chateau-Thierry, Aisne-Marne, and the Meuse Argonne Woods.

As a result of all he had been through, he would continue to become pretty emotional later that day when they returned to camp and the band played the Star-Spangled Banner during retreat.

I really had never enjoyed it so much, he once wrote in some brief remembrances.

It had new meaning to me, due to our many trying hardships.

Back in Chattanooga, his future hometown for a few years, the sound was anything but the silence he experienced on the battlefield that day. I once wrote a story about all the celebration that occurred when news reached Chattanooga that an armistice had been signed, and I concluded after looking through the old 1918 newspapers on microfilm that Chattanooga had likely never experienced collectively so much spontaneous joy, even after World War II ended.

All kinds of noisy sounds of celebration were taking place, as people perhaps innocently thought this might genuinely be the end of all wars.

I had written that story in 1988 about the time I had interviewed some of the last-remaining World War I veterans still living in Chattanooga. I remember sitting around a living room at one of their homes interviewing about four or five of them.

Someone had worked hard to get them all together on my behalf. Two or three of them were quite frail by that time 70 years after the war had ended, but one or two were still able to offer some truly interesting memories.

I remember one man told me that World War I was somewhat unique in that it was fought by countries that all shared the same values, and a sense of chivalry existed. As evidence, he said that if two planes from opposing sides were in air-to-air combat and one of the planes retreated after being hit, the pilot of the other plane usually let it go rather than trying to continue pursuing it while it was in trouble.

Unfortunately, my grandfather was not one of those at the reunion, as he had already died in another town. He had moved to Cordele, Ga., south of Macon before the Great Depression hit, and later enjoyed a longtime career mostly as a small-town banker before running the Georgian Motor Court there until his late 70s.

He had died more than five years earlier -- in February 1983 at the age of 88  while I was in one of my last quarters at the University of Georgia. Over the years I had enjoyed going to visit him in Cordele, including sitting in the lobby of the motor court while he waited on customers, but I unfortunately never had the opportunity to ask him much about his wartime experiences.

A generally easygoing and friendly person, he never gave any hint of having been involved in such heavy fighting.

I think he told my father, Dr. Wayne Shearer, about how hard trench warfare was, but I knew little myself growing up about his experiences and was not old enough before he died to try and gather some of those remembrances.

However, in the 1970s, my father had asked him to write down his memories of his war experiences, and he kindly sent about an 800-word recollection. I have included it at the bottom in its entirety, with only minor editing for clarity.

Reading over it again in recent days, I realize it is both fascinating to me in its insight, while also leaving me wanting to know many more details.

For example, after talking about surviving the fighting up to that point and being one of only 73 out of 240 men still alive after one battle, he said a machine gun had hit his helmet. That, along with the fact he could not get any water, made him feel run down, he wrote.

Perhaps he might have also been suffering from some other physical ailment or illness, but he said while dreaming during that time that his deceased mother and sister visited him, and told him he was going to be OK.

My thirst was taken care of, he wrote of that defining and unusual moment in his life.

Able to hang on until the end of the war, he and fellow soldiers stayed in Germany for several months after the war as part of the occupation army. He had an obviously much more enjoyable time looking for places to rest and relax instead of places to attack on the European landscape.

After sailing home in early 1919, during which time someone stole his Army helmet while he was asleep, he then took part in a parade in New York. He then said sad goodbyes to all his comrades in arms who had also survived the fighting, and then moved to Chattanooga.

Curious to know more about the Chattanooga part of his life, I went and looked in some old city directories recently. He was first listed in 1920, so he must have moved here not long after the war. He had actually grown up in nearby Gaylesville, Ala., in Cherokee County.

His father, Allen Vance Shearer, would later move to Summerville, Ga., and then to LaFayette, Ga. At the latter, he would run a country store near downtown and own some farmland and become known for his strong opinions.

My more-diplomatic grandfather initially secured a job as an assistant cashier at the Bank of East Chattanooga, which was located in a pretty, still-standing building with arched front windows near the intersection of Glass Street and North Chamberlain Avenue.

He would eventually move up to cashier/teller of the bank, which at one point became the East Chattanooga branch of Hamilton Trust and Savings Bank (and was later taken over by First Tennessee Bank.)

The city directories say he lived in the 1920s at such addresses as, in order, 2809 Taylor St., 2611 Taylor St., 2900 Noah St., and 2704 Glass St.  all within fairly short walking distance of the bank.

A recent drive through the area shows that the Noah Street home is still there, although it has perhaps had a porch enclosed, and modern vinyl siding has been added. The Glass Street home is also still there pretty much intact.

Regarding the Taylor Street homes, one is gone, but the other one has a really long, shotgun style shape typical of those from the early 1900s. But it has new wooden siding all over, so it is hard to tell if it is part of a home that might have been there in the 1920s.

But the most important point about my grandfathers time in East Chattanooga deals not with a home, but a person.

While working at the bank, a Chattanooga Plow Co. employee, Alonzo Mathis, who lived on nearby Appling Street, would come in, sometimes with his older teenage daughter, Eva.

He evidently took a liking to Mr. Shearer, and apparently so did Eva. My grandfather and she were later married at an East Chattanooga church and, while living in the Glass Street home in 1924, had my father, Wayne. He is now 94 and lives in retirement in Hixson after a career as an optometrist and his own military service during World War II.

After moving to Cordele around the mid-to-late 1920s, they several years later had a daughter, Norma Shearer Turton. Named after the famous actress at the time, she still lives in Cordele. My grandmother apparently hated to leave Chattanooga and missed it and would often return with her children for summertime stays with her family, my father recalls.

My grandfather would later come up and join them for a shorter stay, and often took my father to visit old acquaintances from the East Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge area.

In 2002, I asked my father to write down some memories of his family, and he wrote this about his father: My father was very easy going and well liked and made friends wherever he went. He was not pushy and belonged to numerous civic organizations, always ending up as president. He was the Sunday school superintendent at First Methodist Church in Cordele for 40 years.

It was a manner that apparently helped him wherever he went, including on the tense battlefields of France 100 years ago.

* * * * *

Full World War I Remembrances of C.C. Shearer written in the 1970s:

`

History of My Experiences in World War I

Oct. 3, 1917  May 13, 1919

I went into the Army being drawn by the selected draft Oct. 3, going to Camp Pike, Ark., near Little Rock, where we received all necessary shots. We went by train. En route we went through Chattanooga, Tenn.

After two weeks, we came back to Camp Wheeler, near Macon, Ga., where we received our training, including how to use such rifles as the Springfield, which was used in battle backed up by machine guns.

In the early part of June 1918, they started us on our way to Hoboken, N.J. There we happened to be the first 10,000 selected to go overseas for participation in battle to help reinforce the English and French.

At the front we went over in an old English cattle boat; en route we had a terrific storm lasting for 36 hours, with waves as high as housetops. A large number became seasick, unable to come up on deck.

We landed at Liverpool, England, July 1, going by train to South Hampton, England, where we spent July 4. They had large signs reading, We welcome our American Allies.

On the night of July 5, we crossed over the English Channel, landing at Lattawe, France. There we were sent to join our companies. I was sent to Company H-166 Infantry, 42nd Division  better known as the Rainbow Division.

In the early part of July 1918, I went into battle at Chateau-Thierry and the Aisne-Marne. This was a very active front, under continuous shell and machine gun fire.

We moved into the Saint-Mihiel. Gen. John J. Pershing was made the commander of our division. Through his insistence, we had all American troops, as the French and English had tried, but failed.

However, our Army captured Saint-Mihiel on Sept. 13 and in our advance they passed up a large artillery gun that was firing directly into our troops, killing a large number of our men. The gun was soon taken care of by our men.

On Sept. 26, an attack was made on the Hindenburg line, which was broken by our troops. The morale of the German Army was broken. One thing that led to this was, as previously brought out, the Germans had their wagon trains ready to move in, but were met by our men. Hand-to-hand fighting with bayonets failed.

On Oct. 1, we went into the Meuse Argonne woods, which was our worst front. They had driven a wedge into the line. They were firing at us from front and each side. We went into battle with 240 men, and next morning, had only 73. I was one of them.

In the heat of the battle, a machine gun hit my helmet. I had a stiff neck for a few days. During this time our kitchen was badly damaged. There was a shortage of drinking water. I suffered more for water than food, although very hungry.

During this interval when I was choking, I went to sleep and, in my dreams, mother and sister, who had passed on some years before, came and my thirst was taken care of.

On Nov. 4, peace feelers were sent out by the Germans. We were headed for Sedan on Nov. 11, and the Armistice was signed. The guns were silent. However, they had continued until 11 oclock.

That was the sweetest silence I have ever heard in my life. That afternoon, at retreat as usual, the band played the Star-Spangled Banner. I really had never enjoyed it so much.

It had new meaning to me, due to our many trying hardships.

After this, they felt we should go into the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, after which we hiked 155 miles through Belgium and Luxembourg. We spent some time en route at Luxembourg.

It was a hard trip, as we landed in Germany around Dec. 15, where we were given a room in a German home. They treated us really good. In fact, we enjoyed being with them.

We remained there until the latter part of March 1919. Then we went by train across to Brest, France.

While in Germany, we had lots of trips of interest that I thoroughly enjoyed. I even attended a carrier pigeon school at Newnorg, and had a written examination. They said I made good grades.

The trips up the Rhine were good.

We sailed from Brest on April 18, 1919, on the Leviathan, and landed at Hoboken, N.J., and paraded in New York and had a good reception.

At that time the Ohio boys went to their homes, and all the rest came South. It was a sad parting with all our buddies.

I came to Fort McPherson, Ga., where I received my discharge on May 13, 1919.

By Private First Class Claude C. Shearer, Serial No. 1342379

* * * * *

Jcshearer2@comcast.netThe Cleveland City Schools Board of Education is having a dedication ceremony for the Cleveland High Schools Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps room.

The classroom is being named after Mayor Emeritus Tom Rowland, the city of Clevelands longest serving Mayor. The Classroom will be named the Colonel (Ret) Tom Rowland Air Force JROTC Classroom.



The Cleveland City Schools Board of Education approved this bestowment earlier this year to honor Mayor Emeritus Rowland for his 27 years of dedicated service to the city of Cleveland and his long-term commitment to Cleveland City Schools.



The dedication ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, at the Cleveland High School Raider Arena Lobby at 850 Raider Drive, Cleveland, Tn. 37312.

An offensive rebound and a defensive stop propelled the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish past the Lee men's basketball team in the closing moments of an 86-82 battle at Walker Arena on Saturday afternoon.Michael McGuirk poured in a career-high 26 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the 3-point line for the Flames. The athletic guard also grabbed nine rebounds in the loss.With eight seconds left the Flames were down two and called a timeout to draw up a play. Head Coach Bubba Smith dialed up a baseline cut play to McGuirk who slid past the defender but saw his lay-up fall just off the rim.Palm Beach Atlantic's Paxton Wilson sealed the win with a pair of foul shots and was a perfect 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.Ryan Montgomery, Cody Jones and Quay Kennedy each had 12 points for the Flames.As a team Lee shot 50 percent from the team and were on fire from deep hitting 11 of 22 triples.Despite the hot shooting the Flames shot themselves in the foot with 25 turnovers. The Sailfish were guilty of just 15."We want to be efficient offensively but we hang on hat on making effort plays and we didn't do that this weekend," said Smith. "We have to mature and learn from these games. The effort tonight was good enough to get us close and good enough to get us beat. That being said we will learn from this and I think we need to look at each and think how can I make my teammates better and that takes place through toughness and competing in practice so we are anxious to get back to work and improve."Palm Beach held a 36-32 advantage on the glass but really damage on the offensive boards holding a 16-9 edge.Colton Blevins pitched in nine points and dished off three assists while Kentrell Evans stepped up with six points and six assists as he saw extended minutes when starting point guard Parker Suedekum went down hard in the first half and did not return.De'Ondre Jackson and big man Andrew Moemeka led a balanced scoring attack for the Florida club with 16 points each. Moemeka wreaked havoc on the offense glass with eight rebounds. Jules Jasmin had 15 points and Wilson finished with 11.As a club PBA shot 45.3 percent from the field and just 3 of 15 from beyond the arc but did some damage at the foul line, converting 25 of 31 (80.6 percent).The Flames fall to 0-2 on the young season after finishing the Gulf South/Sunshine State Challenge with two narrow loses. Lee will get back to work on Wednesday as they host North Georgia at 8 p.m.Thank you to the Highway 58 branch of First Volunteer Bank.

On behalf of the Ernie Pyle Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, I would like to express our appreciation to the manager and staff of the HIghway 58 Branch of First Volunteer Bank for putting on a Veterans Day lunch in the lobby of your bank on Friday, Nov. 9. It was a cold and rainy day and Army, Marines (Happy Birthday by the way), Navy and Air Force Veterans were all welcomed.

The warmth and acknowledgement received from the staff and many of the non-veteran customers that passed through while conducting their banking business was truly appreciated by all that were able to attend.

Thank you once again.

Chris Cole

LTC, US Army, Retired

Military Order of the Purple Heart

Signal MountainMeghan Markle and Prince Harrys relationship is a whirlwind, to say the least. However, one thing is for certain: The two are clearly crazy about each other  and have been since the moment they first met. But, how long has Meghan and Harry been together? Find out, plus take a closer look at the duke and duchesss relationship timeline, ahead.

How long has Meghan Markle and Prince Harry been together?

While its not completely clear when they started dating, some reports say the royal met and began their relationship in June 2016. Which means, at the time of their royal wedding, they had been together for less than two years. While that might seem short  especially for a guy like Harry, who has had longer relationships  the couple clearly hit it off early on in their relationship. Prince Harry has even admitted that he knew Meghan was the one from the moment they first met.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys relationship timeline

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys relationship is one for the ages. And, much like their brother and sister-in-law, royal fans cannot get enough of their commoner-meets-royal love story. As they prepare for the next season in their life, we take a look at Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys relationship timeline, ahead.

They met on a blind date

In 2016, Prince Harry met Meghan Markle on a blind date, set up by a mutual friend. Their first date was in Toronto and the soon-to-be couple enjoyed drinks as they got to know each other. Clearly, the night went well.

Their relationship moved quickly

The two hit it off immediately and things moved quickly. During their first date, they even discussed when they would see each other again. We met for a drink and then I think very quickly into that we said, Well, what are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again, Meghan told BBC in the couples first sit down interview.

They vacationed in Africa just three weeks after meeting

After their second date, Prince Harry asked Meghan Markle to come with him on a trip to Africa a few weeks later. I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana and we camped out with each other under the stars, he told BBC. Then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other.

They dated for five or six months before the news broke

According to reports, the media got wind of their love affair and broke the news on October 31, 2016  about four months into Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys relationship. However, Meghan later confirmed it was five or six months in an interview with BBC. We had a good five, six months almost with just privacy, which was amazing, she told the news outlet.

Harry introduced Meghan to his family

While its not officially confirmed, People suggests Prince Harry brought Meghan Markle home to the palace to meet Prince Charles and the rest of the royal family in October or early November 2016. However, their source says the couple had only been dating for around two months at the time (which doesnt line up with Meghans interview), so who knows how accurate that was. Either way, Meghan met Harrys family and they clearly approved.

An official announcement

On November 8, 2016  exactly two years ago today!  Prince Harry made a formal announcement about his relationship with Meghan Markle. However, the statement wasnt exactly a joyous one. It was in regards to the wave of abuse and harassment she was receiving from the media and social media trolls. Harry allegedly went so far as legal action (or, nightly legal battles as he called it) to prevent defamatory stories about their relationship.

While its hard to believe now, people werent the biggest fans of Harry and Meghan. And, the royal couple has admitted to the press that they were actually surprised by it. However, that is all behind us and everyone cant get enough of the duke and duchess.

Meghans M and H necklace makes a debut

In December 2016, the then actress stepped out in Toronto wearing a gold necklace and her and Harrys initials. The media took it as a clue that their relationship was getting serious and could result in an engagement (they were right!). To add fuel to that fire, the two were also photographed in Londons West End picking out a Christmas tree together.

The queen (and her corgis) loved Meghan from the start

Its unclear as to when Meghan Markle first met the queen, but the couple stated she loved her now granddaughter-in-law from the first time they met. And, apparently, the corgis took a liking to her, too. Its incredible to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honor and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother. Shes an incredible woman, Meghan told BBC of her meeting with the queen.

New Years in London and a romantic Norwegian vacation

The couple didnt spend Christmas 2016 together, but they did ring in the 2017 New Year in London together. Following the celebration, they escaped to Norway on a romantic getaway. By Us Weeklys accounts, Harry wanted to experience the Northern Lights with his then-girlfriend, so he planned a romantic vacation around it.

Meghan meets her future sister-in-law (and niece!)

The timing could be off, but around the time of their Norwegian vacation, Harry also introduced Meghan to Kate Middleton and her daughter, Princess Charlotte. The three met at Kensington Palace and, according to reports, Meghan and Kate got on fabulously.

A wedding celebration in Jamaica

After the holidays, Prince Harry and Meghan Markles relationship continued on, but the two were still living in separate countries. However, they made long-distance work and even spent time with friends and family during the period. In March 2017, they headed to Montego Bay, Jamaica for the wedding of Prince Harrys childhood friend, Tom Skippy Inskip.

They spent Easter together

The royal family typically gets together at Windsor Castle to celebrate Easter. But, in 2017, Prince Harry chose to ditch the fam and fly to Toronto to spend Easter with his girlfriend.

Meghan shuts down her blog and social media

Around the same time, in April 2017, Meghan Markle announced the end of an era. She planned to shut down her social media channels and blog, The Tig  which she was very active on. The move was another indication that things were serious between the two and Meghan was preparing to enter royal life.

Their first public appearance

Despite dating for almost a year, the two hadnt officially stepped out yet. In spring 2017, they attended the Audi Polo Challenge in Ascot, England together.

Pippa Middletons wedding

In May 2017, Meghan headed back to the United Kingdom ahead of Pippa Middletons wedding celebrations. According to E! Online, she flew into Londons Heathrow Airport and was taken to Kensington Palace immediately upon arrival. She also did not attend the ceremony but was reportedly Harrys guest at the reception.

They head back to Africa

Rumor has it, Africa is where the two royal fell in love, so it only makes sense that they headed back there to celebrate Meghans 36th birthday in August 2017. The couple stayed in Botswana  where they had visited just a year prior  and were gone for about three weeks.

First official royal appearance

In October 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped out on their first official royal appearance together. The two were in Toronto for the Invictus Games opening ceremony. Meghans mother, Doria Ragland also joined the couple.

Engagement

Not long after, on November 27, 2018, the palace announced Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement. In true royal fashion, the two stepped outside of Kensington Palace for a photocall, where Meghan showed off her stunning engagement ring. The ring features a diamond in the center, which Harry purchased from Botswana (where they fell in love!) and two diamonds on either side that belonged to the late Princess Diana.

Throughout their engagement, the two attended many royal events together as Meghan prepared for her future as a duchess.

Royal wedding

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in May 2018 at St. Georges Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle. And, that morning, the palace announced the couples official royal title, Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Following their nuptials, they shared their first kiss on the chapel steps and took a carriage ride through town to greet the public. Then, they headed back to the castle for an afternoon reception, followed by an evening reception at Frogmore House.

After their wedding, the two attended a couple royal engagements as husband and wife before jetting off on a two-week honeymoon.

First royal tour

In October 2018  just after attending Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbanks wedding  the Duke and Duchess of Sussex took off on their first royal tour together. The couple traveled to Australia and also made their way over to New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji.

Royal baby announcement

On the first day of their royal tour, Kensington Palace announced some exciting news. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pregnant with their first child and due in spring 2019. The couple appeared very excited and Meghan even showed off her bump in a few pictures.

Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook!35,000 Christian Palestinians 'Losing Hope,' Awaiting One-State or Two-State Solution Christian Post Contributor | 11 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

Christian Palestinians are "losing hope" amid the desperation and oppression they face, asking for human rights while world leaders continue debating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"People are losing hope that there will be any solutions. They feel that things are going back instead of going forward. The whole political instability, the economic pressure that ... the Palestinians are facing ... with no solutions," Jack Sara, president of Bethlehem Bible College, told Mission Network News.

There has been a stall in recent years when it comes to talks over a two-state or one-state solution to the conflict, which has made the lives of 35,000 or so Christian Palestinians near Bethlehem difficult.

"A lot of the Christians are still desperate to find a place where they, their kids are growing in peace and the ... atmosphere where in Palestine it's not that way. Still, the checkpoints are all over the place. The wall is being just erected, continued to kind of like suffocate almost the life of our Palestinians, especially in Bethlehem where the concentration of Christians is the highest in all of the West Bank," Sara said.

The economic sanctions on the West Bank have been imposed against hardline Palestinian factions and terrorist groups, but many regular people are suffering. Christians have faced various obstructions, such as not being able to visit family living in Jerusalem and other places inside Israel.

"Palestinians don't have the right to move around the country. They have no access to borders that they could fly out from except for Jordan. There's a lot of, I would say, [a] lack of freedom in many ways, and lack of opportunities because of that. The economy's being controlled still by Israel," Sara continued.

The missionary college director said that Palestinian Christians feel forgotten, as their story is often ignored and overlooked amid news of bombings and fighting in the region.

"I think it's worthwhile for Christians first to dig deeper into understanding the realities on the ground and specifically how Christians are living. If we are concerned about the Church, we have to be concerned about the Christians in the Holy Land because the Holy Land is bleeding from its Christians," Sara advised the global Church.

Read more about 35,000 Christian Palestinians 'Losing Hope,' Awaiting One-State or Two-State Solution on The Christian Post.69-Y-O Asks Court to Declare Him 49, Cites Transgender Ideology, American Thinking, Trump, Tinder 11 November, 2018 by Leonardo Blair , |

Claiming age is as fluid as gender, Emile Ratelband, a 69-year-old Dutch pensioner who feels like he's in his 40s has asked a court in his hometown of Arnhem, southeast of Amsterdam, to allow him to change his birth certificate to show that he is as young as he feels.

According to The Washington Post, Ratelband wants his birth certificate to say he was born on March 11, 1969, rather than on March 11, 1949 when he was actually born.

Judges heard Ratelband's case on Monday and are expected to make a decision on the case in the next several weeks.

Ratelband, who is advocating for his age change similar to arguments made by the transgender movement, agreed to see mental health professionals to assure officials that he wasn't a "victim of the Peter Pan syndrome." He convinced experts that he wasn't deluding himself and insists his request is no different than if he was seeking a petition to change the gender he was assigned at birth.

"Because nowadays, in Europe and in the United States, we are free people," Ratelband told The Washington Post. "We can make our own decisions if we want to change our name, or if we want to change our gender. So I want to change my age. My feeling about my body and about my mind is that I'm about 40 or 45."

Read more about 69-Y-O Asks Court to Declare Him 49, Cites Transgender Ideology, American Thinking, Trump, Tinder on The Christian Post.'Barbaric': 4 Catholic Priests Ambushed, Kidnapped by Armed Gunmen in Nigeria Christian Post Contributor | 11 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

Nigerian officials are condemning the kidnapping of four Roman Catholic priests by armed gunmen last week.

Benue State Gov. Samuel Ortom called the abduction of the priests in Delta State on Tuesday "barbaric, dehumanizing, and shameful."

PUNCH Metro identified the clergymen as the Rev Fr. Victor Adigboluja of the Ijebu Ode diocese; Anthony Otegbola, Abeokuta Diocese; Joseph Ediae, Benin Archdiocese; and Emmanuel Obadjere, Warri Diocese.

They were reportedly all returning from a class marking their 10th priestly ordination when the gunmen, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, ambushed and kidnapped them, spraying their vehicles with bullets.

Andrew Aniamaka, a spokesperson for Delta State, confirmed the incident with AFP.

"They were abducted on their way to Ekpoma, Edo state, from Delta for an event," Aniamaka said, adding that police are hunting for the suspects.

The incident comes less than three weeks after five Catholic nuns were also kidnapped in the state, but were released two weeks later.

Read more about 'Barbaric': 4 Catholic Priests Ambushed, Kidnapped by Armed Gunmen in Nigeria on The Christian Post.Happy 100th Birthday, Billy Graham! Guest Columnist | 11 November, 2018 by Greg Laurie

Wednesday was Billy Graham's 100th birthday.

As most of you know, Billy passed away earlier this year in February. Imagine the party he is having in heaven! I was privileged to know Billy personally here on earth, which was a dream come true on so many levels. As a child, I watched him preach and would think to myself, "That's what I want to be when I grow up!" That's exactly what Billy didhe encouraged people to love Jesus more and to chase after Him with everything they had. He was an incredible man with a passion for the gospel, and that dedication to God's word spilled over into every aspect of his life. He loved the Lord, he loved his family and he loved watching people's lives be transformed by the power of God.

As I reflect on his life, I'm reminded of a time back in the early 90s when I was just beginning my ministry. Billy asked me, of all people, to join his board of directors, and even help assist him with his sermons. Yes, I was just as shocked as you are reading this! I worked on messages that he gave at his crusades around the country, and I can't begin to describe to you the immense joy I had in and I can't begin to describe to you the immense joy I had in being a part of that process. It was truly one of the great honors of my life.

As amazing and unmatched as Billy's sermons were, the most incredible and intriguing thing about him had to be his humility. Billy didn't think much of himself, but he always thought much of God's word and he took it seriously. He didn't have time to boast or brag. He was too busy studying scripture to worry about getting credit. He was a faithful servant through and through.

Years ago, in Portland, Oregon, I had the opportunity to accompany Billy Graham to one of his crusades. On a night that would be a record attendance, I drove over with him to the event. As I recall, Billy's long-time friend T.W. Wilson was driving. I sat in front, and Billy and his son Franklin were in back.

When we arrived at the stadium and Billy made his way to the platform, I was struck by the expressions of awe on people's faces. It was as if Moses were passing through their midst.

Billy, however, seemed completely unimpressed with all the adulation. He got up and delivered a powerful message, and then, when he was done, we all piled into the car to drive back to the hotel. As a fellow preacher, I felt like I should say something nice about his message that night. So, I turned around in my seat, looked at him in the back seat, and said, "Billy, that was a great message tonight."

"It's just Gospel," he replied.

Read more about Billy Graham on The Christian Post.'I Hope to God Nobody Sends Me Anymore Prayers,' Says Mom Whose Son Is Killed After Surviving Vegas Shooting 11 November, 2018 by Leonardo Blair , |

Susan Orfanos, the mother of 27-year-old Telemachus Orfanos who was killed in Wednesday's mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, after surviving last year's shooting in Las Vegas, said in a recent interview that she wants no more thoughts and prayers.

"My son was in Las Vegas with a lot of his friends and he came home. He didn't come home last night, and I don't want prayers. I don't want thoughts. I want gun control, and I hope to God nobody sends me anymore prayers. I want gun control. No more guns," the grieving mother told ABC 13.

Telemachus was one of 12 people killed after gunman Ian David Long, 28, entered the Borderline Bar and Grill, a country western bar 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, deployed a smoke device and opened fire on the crowd, according to USA Today. The 2009 Thousand Oaks High School graduate who served 2 1/2 years in the U.S. Navy was a survivor of the massacre at the Route 91 music festival last year, where 58 people were killed and nearly 500 others were wounded or injured.

"It is particularly ironic that after surviving the worst mass shooting in modern history, he went on to be killed in his hometown," Marc Orfanos, the victim's father, said.

Pastor Shawn Thornton of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village told ABC 2 that between 20 and 30 members were inside Borderline Bar and Grill during the deadly shooting. His church held a vigil for the victims Thursday night and pledged to offer counseling throughout the week.

Three families from his church, he said, were directly affected either by a death or injury from the attack.

Noel Sparks, a part-time staff member who worked at the church while going to college, was among the dead. "'If God is God, how could this happen?'" Thornton said. "That's a question that will emerge."

The Rev. Walter Dilg, senior pastor at the United Methodist Church, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that Sparks was active at the church during her childhood years, serving in the choir and in Sunday groups. When she got into college, she started going to a different church.

Read more about 'I Hope to God Nobody Sends Me Anymore Prayers,' Says Mom Whose Son Is Killed After Surviving Vegas Shooting on The Christian Post.ISIS Bus Attack Survivors Recount Horrors of Seeing Parents, Children Killed: '4 Families Destroyed' Christian Post Contributor | 11 November, 2018 by Samuel Smith

Victims of last week's attack on Coptic Christians have detailed the horrifying moments when gunmen murdered seven and injured at least 20 others after they left worship at a monastery in Egypt.

"We visited the monastery and spent a wonderful time but on our way back we were attacked by two cars who fired on us," 7-year-old Mina Basem told the Saudi-based Arab News. "I don't remember anything after that."

Basem's mother, Reham Milad Yusuf, was killed in the attack on buses departing from a desert Monastery near Minya last Friday. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

Basem's brother also suffered injuries. But he was able to escape the path of the bullets by hiding underneath his seat, one of his relatives told Arab News.

Along with Yusuf, those killed by the gunmen were six members of the Shehata family.

Safwat Shehata, who was not present when the attack occurred, told the independent Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr that his cousins who were killed in the attack ranged in age from 12 to 55 years old.

"Three men and their children were killed," Shehata said. "Only my female cousins and two children survived. Four families have been completely destroyed. Snatched away by death."

Shehata said that his surviving cousins explained to him that the attackers told them: 'We will kill the men and children and leave you to live the rest of your lives in misery.'"

"The microbus driver tried to flee, but the bus was surrounded by the attackers," Shehata detailed. "They killed the driver first, shooting him in the head. Then they stopped the bus completely and no one could get away."

Shehata said that his two female cousins and the two children were injured. Both children were shot and one is suffering from internal bleeding, Shehata detailed.

"We do not fear death," Shehata was quoted as asserting. "People should be safe. There should be access to communication networks on that road. ... Our people tried to seek aid and reach out to someone, but they had no cell service."

Last Friday's attack followed a similar attack that occurred on a bus near the same monastery last year that killed 29. That attack was also claimed by the Islamic State, which has an affiliate group located in Egypt's Sinai region.

The Egyptian interior ministry announced this week that security forces had engaged in a firefight with 19 militants affiliated with the group that carried out last Friday's attack, killing them all. The authorities didn't say when the firefight with the militants took place.

Funerals were held on Friday and Saturday of last week for the deceased. On Saturday, the funerals for the six Shehata family members were held at the Prince Tadros church in Minya.

As Mada Masr notes, the Maghagha and Adwa Archdiocese demanded last year that the government implement measures to make the desert road to the St. Samuel Coptic Orthodox Monastery more secure following the May 2017 bus attack.

Read more about ISIS Bus Attack Survivors Recount Horrors of Seeing Parents, Children Killed: '4 Families Destroyed' on The Christian Post.Samaritan's Purse Responds to Accusation Operation Christmas Child Is 'Anti-Muslim Proselytizing' Christian Post Contributor | 11 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

Samaritan's Purse, the organization behind the Operation Christmas Child project, has responded to accusations that it's anti-gay and anti-Muslim.

The Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee argued in an article on Thursday that the gift boxes sent to children, many in Muslim countries, stem from an organization that holds anti-Muslim and anti-homosexual sentiments.

Samaritan's Purse, which is led by evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, responded to the op-ed in an email to The Christian Post on Friday, stating that Operation Christmas Child is "aimed specifically to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas  the birth of Jesus."

"Our purpose is to show God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. We do this by distributing millions of shoebox gifts to children who are affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine to let them know that they are not forgotten," the group said.

"No matter where we go, we don't hide the fact that we are Christians. As our name illustrates, we are upfront about who we are," it told CP.

"Shoebox gifts are given to children regardless of religious affiliation and with no strings attached. Our method is demonstrated in love and we hope that our acts of compassion are an example of our faith."

The Guardian op-ed made several accusations against Samaritan's Purse, positioning that it's ran by "fundamentalist American evangelical Christian missionaries."

It took issue with the Bible stories and books dispatched alongside the children's gifts, arguing that such a strategy targets Muslim families.

Graham, who's also CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, was further accused of being anti-gay for adhering to biblical teachings on marriage  that it's is a union between one man and one woman. The op-ed also highlighted several of his Facebook posts opposing radical Islamic extremism as an example of perceived anti-Muslim sentiment.

Toynbee, then accused participants in the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox project of participating in "anti-Muslim proselytizing."

Graham recently faced similar controversy in the U.K. when he preached in Blackpool in September at the invitation of local churches, but was accused by a small group of LGBT activists of promoting "hatred" and "bigotry."

The evangelist declared earlier in the year that that is far from the truth, however.

"I'm not coming to preach hate, I'm here to preach about a Savior, Jesus Christ who can make a difference in our lives if we put our faith and trust in Him," he told Premier of his intentions.

"We're not here to preach against anyone, we're here to talk about God," he added.

Read more about Samaritan's Purse on The Christian Post.'There Really Is a Devil': Pastors Offer Condolences, Prayers in Response to Calif. Mass Shooting 11 November, 2018 by Michael Gryboski , |

Christian leaders are offering their condolences and calls for prayer and action following a mass shooting in California that left around a dozen people dead and several others wounded.

On Wednesday evening, a shooter entered the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks and opened fired, murdering 12 people and reportedly committing suicide.

Pastor Greg Laurie, senior pastor of the megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, released a statement emailed to supporters on Thursday in response to the tragedy.

Laurie stated that while issues of gun control and mental illness should be discussed, people must also note that "pure evil" was "another factor at work, in fact the most significant factor of all."

"According to the Bible, there really is a devil, there really is evil, and because of this people can be motivated to do unimaginable things, like a man walking into a bar and indiscriminately shooting people," Laurie said.

"This is why America needs to pray. We need to pray for the protection of people wherever they are  synagogues, churches, malls, restaurants and wherever else they congregate."

Read more about the Thousand Oaks mass shooting on The Christian Post.Thomas Jefferson and the Myth of a Secular America Christian Post Op-Ed Contributor | 11 November, 2018 by Jerry Newcombe

The contentiousness of the recent elections underscores how there are conflicting visions of what our nation should be. Are we a brave new world in a secular mold or are we endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights?

Secularists have tried to change America into a godless void. And they have recruited a caricature of our third president to do so.

Thomas Jefferson did have some serious doubts that he harbored about core Christian doctrines, privately, near the end of his life. But did he and the other founding fathers intend America to drive God out of the public arena?

Mark Beliles, co-organizer of Healing4Charlottesville, is a pastor in Jefferson's hometown, and he and I wrote a book together on the faith (or sometimes, the lack thereof) of Jefferson. Doubting Thomas (2014) makes two points overall: 1) Jefferson was not a lifelong skeptic. 2) Jefferson did not believe in the separation of God and state.

In our book, we point out the following facts, which dispel the myth that Jefferson favored America being some sort of godless void. This list compiled by Beliles is abridged and does not include, for example, his references to God in both of his Inaugural Addresses:

1768. Jefferson voted for chaplains to the House of Burgesses (Virginia's legislature).

1774. Jefferson advocated a resolution "Designating a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer" that was adopted by the House of Burgesses.

1776. While in the Continental Congress, Jefferson proposed a national seal with a Biblical image "expressive of the divine presence, and...[the] Motto: Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God."

1777. He prepared laws on religion in Virginia "...for Punishing Disturbers of Religious Worship and Sabbath Breakers," and "...for Appointing Days of Public Fasting and Thanksgiving."

1777. He advocated a bill "...for Establishing General Courts" which required oaths and a prayer "so help me God."

1779. As Governor he issued a Proclamation for a Public Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer.

1800. Vice President Jefferson, as leader of the U. S. Senate, approved (at least tacitly) that the Capitol building be used for Christian worship services. He personally attended many times during his years in Washington.

1802 and 1804. As President, he asked for certain evangelical ministers to preach in the Capitol services.

1803. He presented a Treaty with the Kaskaskia and other Indian Tribes, which provided federal funds for the construction of churches and salaries for Catholic priests and missionaries.

1803. He promised the Nuns of the Order of St. Ursula at New Orleans "the patronage of the government it is under. Be assured it will meet all the protection which my office can give it."

1804. He had $300 in federal funds given to help Presbyterian Rev. Gideon Blackburn build a school for the Cherokees in Tennessee.

1804. He signed an act that approved the payment of chaplains for the government.

1806. He "Gave...50 Dollars to the order of Governor Wilkinson or other acting governor of Louisiana for building a church there."

1807. He said an accusation that he "wanted government to be without religion" was "a lie."

1807. He wrote that "the councils of the General Government in their decisions...[were drawn from] the...precepts of the gospel."

1807. He wrote that "liberty to worship our creator...[is] deemed in other countries incompatible with good government, and yet proved by our experience to be its best support."

1808. He signed an Act Appointing a Chaplain to Each Brigade of the Army.

1817. He wrote: "Our right to life, liberty...is not left to the feeble and sophistical investigations of reason, but is impressed on the sense of every man. We do not claim these under the charters of kings or legislators, but under the King of kings." Note: the King of kings refers to Jesus Christ.

1822. He praised the use of the Albemarle County (Virginia) courthouse by churches and personally attended their services.

Read more about Thomas Jefferson on The Christian Post.Trump Sends State Department to Nigeria Amid Massacre of Hundreds of Christians by Islamic Radicals Christian Post Contributor | 11 November, 2018 by Stoyan Zaimov

The U.S. State Department is headed to Nigeria this week amid the massacre of hundreds of Christians at the hands of various Islamic radical factions. Killings had spiked in October.

The State Department says on it website that the visit will be part of a wider focus on promoting stronger trade and commercial ties between the U.S. and several Africa countries, with the final stop in Abuja.

International Christian Concern noted that in April 2018, President Donald Trump's administration signed a deal with the Nigerian government for purchasing 12 fighter jets, intended to be used to fight militants and bring an end to the killings of Christians and other civilians.

With the terrorist actions of Boko Haram, and separately other Islamic radicals who are presenting themselves as Fulani herdsmen, continuing in full force, however, ICC said that the Trump administration has "big decisions" to make concerning its strategy with Nigeria.

"Many are hoping that this week the Trump administration would stand up in support of religious freedoms in Nigeria," the watchdog group said.

Emeka Umeagbalasi, board chair of the Int'l Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, shared with The Christian Post that October was one of the deadliest months this year, with Islamic extremists killing 260 Christians and 100 Muslims.

"The senseless killings mostly took place in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria particularly in the States of Kaduna (Southern part), Plateau, Adamawa, Benue and Borno (Northeast) and were perpetrated by state actor and non-state actor Jihadists. The killings, perpetrated in the name of 'Islam,' are done with reckless abandon despite heavy presence and deployment of soldiers in all the 36 States of Nigeria and the Abuja," the monitoring group said in its October report.

"The continuation and escalation of the killings mostly targeted at members of the Nigerian Christian Faith are also politically motivated whereby those perpetrating same and their backers in the corridors of power who brazenly aid and abet them are hailed among largely illiterate Muslim population in the North as the 'true defenders of Allah and Islamic Faith;' capable of robotically galloping their electoral popularity among the illiterate Muslim population in the north ahead of the country's presidential poll in February 2019."

Umeagbalasi previously told CP that the Nigerian government is greatly failing to stop what many are calling a genocide against Christians. Thousands of believers have been killed in 2018, with their homes and villages burned down, while churches have been converted into mosques.

Read more about Trump Sends State Department to Nigeria Amid Massacre of Hundreds of Christians by Islamic Radicals on The Christian Post.Worship Leader Mack Brock Talks Resigning From Elevation Church to Follow Solo Career 11 November, 2018 by Jeannie Law , |

Worship leader Mack Brock walked away from a high profile position at one of the nation's biggest megachurches to follow God's call for his life.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Brock, who led worship at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a decade, describes what it was like for him to resign to embark on a solo music career.

Brock was leading worship and producing albums for Elevation Worship when he felt God was leading him elsewhere and he was obedient.

The new Capitol CMG recording artist released his first-ever solo studio project, Greater Things, on Sept. 14. The nine-track album is a collection of songs Brock penned that were all inspired by God's faithfulness during life's most challenging of seasons.

His single, "Into Dust," was inspired by New York Times best-selling author Lysa Terkeurst and her openness while going through a public divorce.

Below is an edited transcript of Brock's interview with CP where he details why he decided to resign from Elevation Church and follow God's lead even though it was difficult.

CP: How has life changed since you parted ways with Elevation Church to follow your calling?

Brock: The biggest change has been the day-by-day, step-by-step journey into unknown territory. Every part of my schedule these days feels new and uncharted for me, so learning how to navigate that has been an adjustment and sometimes scary. But at the same time, it's been a blessing. This journey has pushed me and my wife to walk by faith in a way, like we hadn't in a while, and really experience God's confirmation and voice.

CP: What was the hardest part of leaving Elevation for you?

Brock: We really, really loved what we were a part of at Elevation Worship. I loved the people that I had the opportunity to serve with every day. I loved the songs we were writing, I loved our community. So stepping away from that was, and in some ways still is, difficult. One of the things we've learned in this new journey is that obedience doesn't remove the difficulty, but God's grace and peace will fight against those feelings if you'll hold tight to his Word and seek his presence.

Read more about Mack Brock on The Christian Post.Churches commemorate First World War 100 years after Armistice

Churches across the country are holding Remembrance services on Sunday to mark the moment the guns fell silent at the end of World War One.

Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the brutal four-year war at 11am on 11 November 1918.

The Church of England is live streaming a remembrance service from Ely Cathedral on its Facebook page, just one of over a thousand church Remembrance services registered on its 'A Church Near You' website to mark Armistice Day.

To coincide with the centenary, many churches and cathedrals have been holding special events and exhibitions over the past few weeks, including poppy displays.

In the Diocese of Chester, members of the Macclesfield Team ministry knitted over 500 poppies which were then arranged to form the number 100 in a display at the town's Saint Barnabas church. Special purple poppies were included to remember the animals that were killed during the Great War.

The Remembrance Sunday service at Ripon Cathedral was being joined by a delegation from Hanover in Germany, including Bishop of Hanover Ralf Meister - who was invited to preach the sermon - and the Girls' Choir of Hanover.

Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, said, 'Only a few decades ago such an event would have been unthinkable. But, today we have strong relations with those who were once enemies.'

Knitted poppies have been a theme in many church commemoration. At Otley Parish Church in West Yorkshire, 16,000 poppies were knitted by members of the local community and arranged to flow down one wall of the church.

Local councillor Ray Georgeson praised the display, saying, 'This is a fabulous effort by all concerned to produce a fitting tribute to the hundreds of thousands of men, women and animals that fought so gallantly in the 1914-1918 war.'

Inchture Kirk in Perthshire, Scotland, has been covered in 3,000 handmade poppies, with another 1,000 used for a display inside the building.

The display was the idea of Dr Ian Mellor, a consultant at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee who has also served as a medic in Iraq and Afghanistan.

'It's 100 years since what we hoped would be the war to end all wars,' he said.

'I thought we should recapture this hope. We've only had one year since that time when our forces have not been involved in a conflict.

'WWI was the first industrialised war - it was so much worse than anyone imagined. In my mind it's a chance for people to pay their respects.'

At Abbey Church in Dunfermline, Fife, some 4,000 handcrafted poppies have been sent in from around the world to decorate four commemorative banners draped from its balconies.

The church has also been open to the public for a special art installation called 'There, But Not There' incorporating cut-out silhouettes in the pews representing those who did not return from war.

In Wakefield Cathedral, a single poppy was projected onto the tower ahead of Remembrance Sunday. The tower was to be flooded with red light for the centenary service.

The Dean of Wakefield, the Very Rev Simon Cowling said: 'I hope that what we are offering will enable people of all faiths and no faith to feel a sense of community solidarity and to express a collective desire for peace and reconciliation between the nations.'

The Bishop of Aachen and soldiers from the city in western Germany are among the special guests at Halifax Minster's service of remembrance.

'We are looking forward to welcoming them to the minster, a place that has served as a spiritual home for the Halifax regiment for hundreds of years, experiencing the sacrifice of soldiers from Waterloo up until the recent war in Afghanistan,' the cathedral said.Divorce lawyers, mediators, and financial planners get a front-row seat to all sorts of situations  from easy-to-navigate, amicable separations to crazy contentious splits.

So it's safe to assume they've learned a few things that can help couples between saying, "I do" and "I don't anymore."U.S. Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw shared his experience serving in the military to students and local officials at Humble High Schools Wildcat Salute to Veterans honoring local veterans on Friday morning.

Crenshaw, a native Houstonian, enrolled with the Navy SEALS in 2006.

In 2012 Crenshaw was in Afghanistan where an IED blast caused him to lose his right eye.

He medically retired in 2016 with two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor among other recognitions.

The veteran spoke to the crowd about what inspired him to enlist in the military and the experiences hes had while serving, including the death of his one his best friends Charlie.

Crenshaw said Charlies base in Iraq was under attack while fighting off ISIS in 2016.

Everybody says Thank you for your service and Ill tell you what, veterans really appreciate that, Crenshaw said. I kind of want to change that up a little bit. I want you to say Never Forget because when you say Never Forget youre thanking that veteran in a different way. Youre allowing them to be thankful for the idea for the fact that as an American youre in it with them. Were in it together and we dont forget together.

Humble Mayor Pro Temp Norman Funderburk presented a proclamation declaring Nov. 9 as  Humble High School Wildcat Salute to Veterans Day to encourage everyone in Humble to recognize and celebrate veterans.

kaila.contreras@chron.comThe University of Houston-Victoria, which also maintains a campus in Katy, was recently named one of the fastest-growing public masters universities in the nation, UHV officials said.

Based on an analysis of student population from 2006-2016, the Chronicle of Higher Education placed UHV 12th on their list alongside other colleges from the University of Texas and Texas A&M systems and Angelo State University. During the time in question, the UHV student population went from 2,653to 4,384 - an increase of 65.3 percent. The average enrollment increase for the 262 US universities on the list was 8.8 percent, officials said.After 25 years in the Cy-Fair area, Kindred Hospital Houston Northwest has not only given patients long-term care but built a family within its walls.

Kindred Hospital, originally established in 1993, is a long-term acute care, or LTAC, hospital specializing in patients needing extra care for lasting medical issues, including respiratory failure, as well as following up with patients after they arrive home.

Tracy Kohler, market CEO for the northwest and Tomball locations of Kindred Hosptial, said the mission of Kindred Hospital is to help local community members with long-term medical needs. Kohler has been an employee with Kindred Hospital for 18 years, beginning as the director of education before eventually becoming CEO.

Our mission is about hope, healing and recovery, she said. Those patients who can't heal very quickly take a little bit longer, and that's okay. It gives them hope and it gives them a longer time to recover.

Kindred Hospital offers most services that short-term acute care hospitals in the area offer, minus labor services or an emergency room, Kohler said. According to a facility fact sheet, Kindred Hospital has 196 beds total, including beds for ICU and private beds, sepsis wound care, a lab, a rapid response call team and more.

Penelope Wilson, area director of business development for the northwest and Tomball locations of Kindred Hosptial, said the Kindred Hospital and their physicians work with local short-term acute care hospitals, like Cy-Fair Medical Center.

The physicians that practice here also practice at Kindred and they understand the types of patients that need a little bit more time to get better, she said. When they do, it's a tremendous investment in their care because the patients typically have a lot of comorbidities that are pretty medically complex and in some cases, critically ill.

Along with giving patients time to recover on-site, Kindred Hospital follows up with patients for after care, including the equipment and medication they need. The hospital will follow up with patients at home for as long as 90 days, Kohler said.

Kindred actually has a service where we call them to make sure their home health's arrived and if it's in 24 hours, 48 hours, 7 days, 14 days, 30 and it goes out to 60 and 90 days to make sure that they're taken care of, she said.

Kindred Hospital is one of 28 hospitals in the United States with Joint Commission certification for the management of respiratory failure. Kohler said this achievement is important to the community, considering many patients come in with respiratory failure issues and stay at Kindred Hospital for an extended amount of time.

We noticed respiratory failure was a big issue for us, she said. When we went for joint commission certification for respiratory failure, that's huge for our level. When we got our certification, we were one of 20 in the nation.

Kohler said the reason many employees stay with the company and patients choose the LTAC over others is due to the care given to both groups. During a ribbon cutting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Kindred Hosptials opening, held Nov. 1, and hosted by the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, many community members attended to support the hospital and reminisce over pictures of past years.

When you take care of each other, why would you want to leave? Kohler said. When we say every moment counts, it's from one act of kindness. Passing it on and passing it forward and paying it forward. A lot of times we forget about our coworkers who are our work family. We spend so much time with our work family that we have to take care of our work family and take care of our patients because it is a calling for us and our physicians are the ones that have our back.

chevall.pryce@chron.comDafni Vrionis needed to get the kids out of the house.

It didnt matter that Saturday was cold and wet; it had been a long week and she, with her five children, headed to Gods Garage for a morning filled with laughter and community.

Vrionis thought she was coming for lunch and to catch up with friends. She left with a Dodge Caravan.

I had no idea it was going to happen, Vrionis said. I thought other women would get their cars first, they have smaller families.

Vrionis was one of nine Conroe-area women that received vehicles from local nonprofit Gods Garage after spending months, sometimes years on the waiting list for a donated car inspected and repaired by garage volunteers.

So many people have invested their time (and) their money to help people they may never meet, said Gods Garage founder Chris Williams.

The former pastor started the nonprofit  which provides cars to single mothers, widows and military wives free of charge  out of his garage 17 years ago. He had been tinkering around with the cars of women in need at his ministry, The Crossing Church in The Woodlands, and was looking to make a more permanent change.

It was once a month  which turns into once a week, which turned into twice a week, Williams said. I never thought that it would be something that I did in my free time, because I actually really dont like working on cars.

The fully-equipped, 3,500-square-foot garage is run entirely with donations that fund the 80 volunteer mechanics and three staff members. In 2018, Gods Garage has repaired and given away more than 130 cars to women in need from Sugar Land to Hunstville.

Saturdays event at the facility along the western edge of Conroe was never advertised to the women on the nearly 1,400-name-long waiting list as an event where they would finally receive the vehicle that some so desperately need.

Vrionis, like her eight friends, came to Gods Garage with no pretenses  after she applied for a car and began the required budgeting classes, she held her faith strong, but knew the odds of a quick return were slim.

When I left here that day, I was like, You know what, even if I have to wait a year or two for our car, Im just so blessed, Vrionis said.

The need is a strong one, Williams said. Without a car, they often find themselves in a cycle of low earning power and low-self esteem from constantly depending on others for rides.

They find themselves stuck over and over and over without a car, William said. They cant get a job.

In an effort to expand its services to women with similar difficulties across the country, Gods Garage opened a location in Ogden, Utah earlier this year, and plans to open garages in Colorado and Oklahoma in 2019. Through partnerships with community businesses, the nonprofit is working to develop a career track for women who apply for cars.

Vrionis lost her job this week, but the surprise minivan lifted, if only momentarily, the stress of life outside the cavernous room where she found so much joy on Saturday morning.

Im not worried about it, Vrionis said. God will provide.

mrincon@chron.comOne of the most historically significant houses in Conroes history was designated a historical landmark Saturday at a ceremony at the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.

Members of the Montgomery County Historical Commission, patrons of the Heritage Museum, and community members joined Sarah Bess Gray Crow and her family in unveiling the plaque designating the home a historical place.

The white, pre-fabricated bungalow was built in 1938 to house the superintendent of the Strake Oil Field and donated by Gray Crow  the daughter of the homes last resident, Clyde Dolly Gray.

Im very proud of it, Gray Crow said. Im so pleased that people have embraced it and care about it carrying on. Its wonderful.

As the country slid further into economic ruin during the Great Depression, the citizens of Conroe found themselves in the midst of a boom when George Strake discovered oil just outside of town in 1931.

As a former roustabout, Gray Crows father was hired by Strake to be foreman of the oilfield in 1948, after the original superintendent and inhabitant of the now-Strake-Gray house, Harvey Lee, died.

This house will represent forever the families of the oilfield who lived in it, Gray Crow said at the dedication.

Gray Crow donated the home to the Historical Commission, who orchestrated the move from the its original location seven miles from where it now sits in Candy Cane Park.

Retired engineer and Historical Commission member Ron Saikowski helped engineer the move in 2015. Theres only one way to move a house, he said.

Very carefully.

It took a team of movers installing two heavy wooden beams under the length of the house and moving it on a flatbed that blew out two tires at one time to make the four-hour trip to the Heritage Museum.

Be proud of this house, Gray Crow said. It is what made the Montgomery County oil story.

mrincon@chron.comAstros 'ultra aggressive' in pursuit of free agent center fielder Starling Marte hit 12 home runs and stole 47 bases in 120 games last season.

'Tiger King' moved from TX after cancer diagnosis His attorney stated Joe was getting medical treatment and tests 'for a host of issues.'A pedestrian is dead after a hit-and-run collision Friday night in southwest Houston.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of South Post Oak Road at the South Sam Houston Parkway West, according to the Houston Police Department.

OUT OF CONTROL: Chronicle investigation looks at how dangerous our roadways are

Officers described the vehicle as a "dark colored" or gray extended-cab truck but did not have other information.

The victim, who was 70 years old, was crossing the street when he was hit by the truck, police said.

The road was closed Friday as HPD's Vehicular Crimes Division investigated. No other information was available.

Staff reporter Jasper Scherer contributed to this report.

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Welcome Guest! You Are Here:Kathmandu, Nepal: At least two persons of a family killed when a truck hauling Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) overturning at Bishaltar along the Prithvi Highway in Dhading on Sunday.





According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Gita Nepali,35, of ward member of Rorang Rural Municipality and her daughter Sunita Nepali, 17. It is said that the mother-daughter were on their way to Chandrodaya Secondary School to fill up grade 11 registration form.





The LPG truck with number plate UP 75 AJ 5208 which was en route to Kathmandu from Raxaul had overturned after hitting the pedestrian Nepali mother and daughter.



Three people were shot in a drive-by early Sunday after leaving a party at a southeast Houston apartment complex, according to police.

Two men and a woman were hospitalized, but they're all expected to survive.

Gunshots rang out before 1:30 a.m., after the trio left a gathering at an apartment complex off Selinsky near Webercrest.

They went to a nearby store and were driving back when a shooter drove up behind them and fired several shots from inside the vehicle, according to Houston police.

All three people in the vehicle were shot, and the car crashed into a fence outside a middle school. The two wounded men, 18-year-old Zachary McCinco and 20-year-old Darren Berry, bailed out of the car and fled.

One was taken to the hospital by another driver, and the other ran back to the apartment complex. He was later picked up by Houston Fire Department and rushed to the hospital with a wound in the shoulder area.

The woman, 18-year-old Dartagna Hicks, was shot in the neck and first-responders drove her to Ben Taub Hospital in serious condition.

The suspects fled, and police were not immediately able to offer a description of the shooter or the vehicle.

The motive is unknown and police are continuing to investigate.The day after a pair of would-be robbers allegedly killed a store clerk in a botched Spring Branch-area hold-up, Houston police released surveillance photos and asked for the public's help in solving the case.

The slaying comes exactly a week after another robbery-gone-wrong left a store clerk dead in Alief and four men facing capital murder charges.

DRIVE-BY: Three party-goers shot returning from nearby store

The more recent fatal shooting happened Saturday around 8:30 p.m. in the Metro Convenience Store on Witte near Haddington.

A pair of men in hoodies came into the store and pointed a gun at the clerk, demanding money, according to police.

It's not clear what happened or how many shots were fired, but one of the men started shooting and allegedly killed the clerk.

Afterward, the suspects fled on foot. The pair was still on the run by Sunday morning, when police put out surveillance images and asked for the public's help.

The photos released show the faces of the two men - one wearing a dark-colored hoodie and the other wearing a red one - police believe to be linked to the crime.

Authorities have not released names of the suspects or victim, and it's not clear whether there were any witnesses.

READ MORE: 4 charged with capital murder in shooting of Houston store clerk

Anyone with information on the case can contact the Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Last Saturday night, four armed robbers burst into a store on Dairy Ashford and killed 66-year-old Hafeez Qureshi, who was working his last shift before he planned to retire, his family told the Chronicle.

It was closing time at Sonny's and the father of five was getting ready to go home when the suspects pointed a gun at him and demanded money before firing three to five shots, witnesses later told police.

The suspected killers  18-year-old Daivion Gully, 20-year-old Melvin Jones, 28-year-old Artavius Johnson, and 19-year-old DeAnjelo Wells, 19  were charged with capital murder Friday in connection with the slaying.A Harris County court will determine whether a death row inmate from Houston is too intellectually disabled to execute.

Eric Cathey, who has repeatedly professed his innocence, was convicted in a 1995 kidnapping-murder. But on Wednesday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals sent his back to a lower court, which has 60 days come up with findings.

The 47-year-old former mechanic was sentenced to die for the killing of Christina Castillo, who was abducted by a group of men intent on robbing her boyfriend of his drugs and money. The womans body was found two weeks later, decaying by railroad tracks in the northeast part of town.

Testimony indicated Cathey was the ringleader, but he claims he spent the night of the slaying at home watching TV with his girlfriend.

I am not guilty of the crime, he said in a 2008 interview. I never met the woman.

The year after he arrived on death row, Cathey made headlines for his role in a daring prison escape. On Thanksgiving, he and six other condemned inmates used hacksaw and dummies in prison garb to slip out of the unit and make a run for freedom. Only one of the men  Martin Gurule  made it through the hail of gunfire and outside the fences. He later died when he drowned in a nearby creek.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Long-ago Thanksgiving prison break has lasting impact on death row

Cathey never made it off the prison property.

In the 20 years since that failed bid, death row moved from Huntsville to Livingston and most of the would-be escape artists have been executed. But the Houston man is still fighting his appeals.

The decision last week marks the second time Catheys case has been bounced back to a lower court over intellectual disability claims stemming from his low IQ. In 2008, four hours before he was set to be executed, he won a stay from the same Texas appeals court.

Ultimately, the Texas court decided he didnt qualify as disabled  but a 2017 Supreme Court decided prompted the justices to reconsider. The nations highest court had already deemed it unconstitutional to execute mentally disabled prisoners in 2002 decision. But last year, while evaluating the case of another Harris County death row inmate, the high court decided that Texas had been using an outdated, nonclinical standard to evaluate intellectual disability.

The groundbreaking split decision forced the Lone Star State to come up with a new standard for making that determination, and sparked a slew of new appeals from inmates who  like Cathey  argue that theyre not eligible for execution under the updated standard.

The inmate at the center of the 2017 case, Bobby Moore, is still on death row because in his case, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused to grant relief, even though prosecutors and defense lawyers agree they should.One weapon sidelined, another returned.

Hours after multiple reports stated Rob Gronkowski will not play today against the Titans, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Patriots running back Sony Michel is expected to be active. Michel missed the team's last two games after suffering an MCL sprain at Chicago on Oct. 21. Despite his absence, the rookie remains New England's leading rusher by almost 200 yards.

One of his best run blockers, starting right guard Shaq Mason, will be inactive. The Patriots ruled Mason out Saturday after he'd been listed as questionable on Friday's injury report with a calf injury. Mason went down at Buffalo in Week 8 and missed last Sunday's win over Green Bay.

Backup Ted Karras is expected to start in his place. Karras surrendered one sack in his 2018 starting debut last weekend.

The Pats and Titans will kick off at 1 p.m. EST from Nashville.While some of the politicians, staffers and advocates in Puerto Rico for the annual Somos conference painted houses and read to schoolchildren for a day of service on Thursday, Real Estate Board of New York President John Banks and Rent Stabilization Association President Joe Strasburg sat by a table by the El San Juan Hotel pool, shooting the breeze with Staten Island Borough President Jimmy Oddo.

The two biggest opponents of rent regulation cant be blamed for hanging out with Oddo, who may have been the only Republican elected official at the conference. Because after Democrats won 40 seats in the state Senate on Tuesday, seizing power for the first time since 2010, Banks and Strasburg are bracing for what the new majority could do about the rent regulation law set to expire in June 2019.

Democrats will be in control of the state Senate, Assembly and Governors mansion when session opens in January, and they have made strengthening rent regulations a top priority. And theres widespread agreement on the left that not only does the current law governing rent control and rent stabilization need to be extended, but that certain aspects of the law need to be tweaked to better favor tenants over landlords.

State Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins  whos set to be majority leader in the upcoming legislative session  said rent regulation had to be a priority.

We have to make sure that we have a product that really ensures that tenants have housing, she said outside the El San Juan Hotel in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Itll be a better product than its been before, I can say that.

Earlier on Friday, a member of the Cuomo administration went into greater detail during a conference panel about affordable housing. The conversation has already heated up, in a good way, about four topics: preferential rent, vacancy bonuses, the vacancy decontrol threshold and major capital improvements, said Betsy Mallow, executive deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the state agency focused on affordable housing. The four topics are all various ways, often described as loopholes, that landlords can raise rents higher than would typically be allowed for regulated apartments.

Certain newly elected state senators, like Brooklyn Democrats Zellnor Myrie and Julia Salazar, campaigned heavily on expanding the rent law, while New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who governs the city with the vast majority of rent-regulated apartments in the state, has continually named that as one of his priorities in Albany. How far Democrats will go  whether they pass a simple, straight-up extension of the current law or go as far as full-on universal rent control  is sure to be the topic of much internal debate.

But one influential Democrat already has his starting point for negotiations. Vacancy decontrol and preferential rent are gone, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said to Banks, Strasburg and Oddo after walking up to their table by the pool on Thursday. Banks, who represents the interests of real estate developers at REBNY, and Strasburg, who represents the interests of landlords at the RSA, had been describing a dire outcome for New York City if the state were to strengthen rent regulations. Landlords would stop improving or even maintaining buildings if rents are held artificially low, Strasburg argued, and some major building owners would move out of state, taking their tax dollars with them. A growing number of privately-owned buildings around the city would start to look like the New York City Housing Authority, where tenants live in poor conditions because of decades of government divestment. Here, Heastie broadly agreed, without getting into specifics. We cant do something thats going to disincentivize landlords, he said.

The last time rent regulation was set to expire in 2015, legislators debated beyond the end of session before finally passing a bill that tenant advocates derided as a giveaway to landlords. With a divided Assembly and state Senate, real estate interests were able to appeal directly to Republicans, who are generally more sympathetic to their arguments.

Now tenant advocates are feeling hopeful about making their own arguments, including Benjamin Dulchin, executive director of the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development, who spoke on the housing panel with Mallow Friday. With the change of leadership in the senate, he said, we have the first chance to fight on even ground.Fifty-seven floors above New York City, tragedy nearly struck. An electrician was working on the construction of 15 Hudson Yards, a luxury condominium rising more than 900 feet above Manhattan, when he stepped on a piece of plywood. According to an August construction-related accident report from the New York City Department of Buildings, the plywood was covering a hole in the floor, used for mechanical ductwork. The workers leg cracked the wood and slipped through. His leg was cut by a piece of rebar protruding from the floor, and he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

This wasnt a freak accident  it was something that could have been avoided by following basic safety procedures. And it was the kind of injury that the New York City Council hoped to reduce when it passed a bill greatly increasing safety training requirements for all construction workers.

Local Law 196 was signed into law in October 2017, but a year after it passed, critics say the city is doing a poor job of helping workers meet the requirements, undermining the very culture of safety the law was supposed to introduce. And even though it had more than a year to prepare, the Department of Buildings may have to push back the deadline to get everyone trained, leaving more workers without potentially lifesaving safety skills for another six months.

It eviscerates the entire intent, one construction industry worker told City & State. You have people still not knowing how to put on a harness and dying, and putting themselves and others at risk.

Injuries happen often on New York City construction sites  744 times in fiscal year 2017-18, or an average of more than twice a day, according to the Mayors Management Report. That counts both small workplace accidents like a cut finger, and fatalities like the worker crushed by a collapsing wall in Sunset Park in September. Total injuries and deaths on construction sites have both been increasing rapidly over the past five years, from 212 reported injuries in the first year of Mayor Bill de Blasios term to the 744 last year.

Patrick Cashin/MTA

Latino immigrants seem to be at particular risk, since day laborers often work on construction sites with less oversight and less training expected by the employer. These statistics were cited often during the nearly yearlong debate over the construction safety legislation, then known as Intro 1447. Now on the books, the law requires all workers on construction sites to have completed certain levels of safety training, and its being phased in over time. Construction workers had to complete at least the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations 10-hour class by March 1. The next deadline, now set for Dec. 1, requires at least 30 hours of safety training, and for all workers to carry a Site Safety Training card certifying that theyve completed it. And the final deadline, now set for May 1, raises the total to 40 hours.

But City & State spoke to a range of construction industry stakeholders who are already seeing a lot of problems. All of them asked to remain anonymous, out of fear of reprisal by the city buildings department. Theres a widespread fear in the industry that publicly criticizing the agency leads to tougher regulation and slower city approval of projects.

These sources say there has been a dramatic increase in fraud and substandard training ahead of the looming deadlines. Fake OSHA certifications have long been a problem, with stories about bogus certificates popping up in 2009 after the city introduced new safety training requirements. The Daily News reported on fake certifications again in 2015, and WNBC found the sale of fake cards booming in the summer of 2017  even ahead of Local Law 196s passage. The motive to cheat has always been there  taking the 10-hour training means missing a day of work and costs anywhere from $80 to $150  but insiders say its gotten worse now that more workers need more training. Workers can still buy a fake OSHA card under the elevated tracks in Queens, industry sources say. Its also easy to earn a legitimate training card through sham training.

In June, WABC showed safety advocates take the 10-hour training under reporter Jim Hoffers name  even though Hoffer never took the course  and even received a certificate for cartoon construction worker Fred Flintstone. Unproctored, online training that fails to meet the requirements of the law is also widely available, and safety advocates claim that the Department of Buildings is turning a blind eye to bad actors.

Its a common industry understanding that the online training is really not being done properly, one advocate said. I know administrative assistants sitting in offices and taking this training for entire companies, or even selling their participation.

The buildings department downplayed its responsibility in the matter. Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs Patrick Wehle told City & State that fraudulent OSHA cards have nothing to do with the Department of Buildings, since thats a federal office. But now that the department is phasing in its own Site Safety Training cards, the departments going to be doing enforcement of the course provider community and ensure that those cards are appropriate, (that) theyre not fraudulent, and that workers are receiving the right training.

Photo by Leonard Wiggins/MTA

If that sounds a little too focused on the future for a law thats meant to be implemented in a month  it probably is. A provision was written into the law to allow the department to push back the second deadline for training from Dec. 1, 2018, back to June 1, 2019. It also allows full implementation to be pushed back from May 1, 2019, until Sept. 1, 2020. Wehle wouldnt confirm that the city will push back the deadline, but said that the department was considering it, and expected to announce a decision in the very near future.

Wehle did give a caveat though. Any sort of compliance deadline, youre going to have that rush at the end no matter what, he said.

With safety training being phased in slowly, its still too early to tell if the law will have a statistical impact on worker safety. But New York City Councilman Ben Kallos, who was an early co-sponsor of the bill last year, said hes been eager to see the results.

Ive been either waiting it for it to be implemented with something good, or waiting for the other shoe to drop and, if necessary, pressure (the city) to adopt the strongest recommendations possible, he said.When Rep. Hakeem Jeffries took off from JFK Airport in the morning, he was just a rank-and-file member of the House of Representatives. But by the time he landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he was officially a candidate for Democratic Caucus chair, the fourth-highest ranking position in the Democratic conference, which just won a majority in Tuesdays elections.

Jeffries office had sent out a press release while the Brooklyn Democrat was in the air, announcing that he hoped to succeed Queens Rep. Joseph Crowley, who held the position for the last two-year session, but lost his re-election bid to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the Democratic primary.

Jeffries has always had star potential in Washington, D.C., but beating California Rep. Barbara Lee to win the the vote among fellow Democratic representatives could put him in prime position to one day lead the body as speaker. Jeffries chances improved hours after his announcement  Rep. Linda Sanchez of California dropped out of the contest when the news broke that her husband had been indicted.

But Jeffries had local issues on his mind as well when City & State caught up with him at the annual Somos conference in San Juan on Thursday. The conference, focused on building Latino political power New York, officially kicked off Wednesday, but many of the politicians, staffers and advocates arrived before the Thursday night party at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Jeffries, always on message, was quick to talk about fulfilling the promises that House Democrats campaigned on, like lowering health care costs, cleaning up corruption in Washington and passing an infrastructure bill to fund construction projects.

With a divided Congress, House Democrats have pointed to infrastructure funding as a bipartisan pleaser that could pass even in a highly polarized Washington. President Donald Trump has long promised increasing infrastructure investments, but his only proposed bill was panned by many as weak and never got a vote.

But Jeffries was feeling hopeful. We have crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, ports, airports and a mass transportation system here in New York City that needs federal assistance, he said. If a bill were to pass, Jeffries said he would want federal money to fix up public housing in his district, as well as to make certain subway stations accessible to disabled riders. He would also direct money towards coastal resilience for parts of his district susceptible to flooding, including Coney Island.

Other members of New Yorks House delegation were dreaming about where money could go in their district. While Rep. Grace Meng of Queens ate chicken wings poolside at the El San Juan Hotel, her mind was 1,600 miles away on the Long Island Rail Road. Meng has been asking the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to re-open the LIRRs long shuttered Elmhurst stop since at least 2012, but has never found the funding. Shes hoping a federal infrastructure bill could be the breakthrough.

Meng, who is a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, was beaming over the growing power of New York Democrats since the party took the majority. Rep. Nita Lowey is expected to chair the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler the Judiciary Committee and Rep. Eliot Engel the Foreign Affairs Committee, among other leadership positions.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who is expected to assume the chairmanship of the Small Business Committee, seemed to stay clear of the pool, instead running meetings all day as New York politicos visited her native Puerto Rico. Velazquez told City & State she would push for an infrastructure bill to fund not just public housing improvements, but renovations to public schools in New York City. She would also push for coastal resilience funding, particularly for parts of her district like the Lower East Side and Red Hook that were flooded during Superstorm Sandy. The Brooklyn-based congresswoman also mentioned finding funding to replace the Gowanus Expressway with a tunnel, but admitted the project, which would be incredibly expensive, may be a pipe dream.

Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi spent part of his afternoon drinking a frozen mojito by the El San Juan pool and dreaming of a cleaner future back home. Hed love to see public housing improvements, he told City & State, but his primary concern was getting federal funding for clean water and sewage treatment, a constant concern on parts of Long Island.Cookie Preferences Cookie List

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It was on the smiles of students walking hand in hand with their grandparents who are military veterans.

It also was in the eyes of those veterans during the playing of "Taps," remembering friends and family who died giving all for their country.

U.S. Army retiree Jim Bartell makes his way through the breakfast line with neighbor Luke Mallory, a first-grader, who invited him to Friday's program.

For the past seven years, Falls-Lenox has sponsored a Veterans Day breakfast and program the Friday prior to Nov. 11, Veterans Day. Students may invite a military veteran, who may be family, a friend or a neighbor, to the breakfast, which is followed by a short program. Students and their guests have breakfast; create a red, white and blue craft; view the many creative themes throughout the halls; and attend a presentation of readings and song.

This year, about 140 veterans attended the program, with the school serving about 300 meals.

The entire school, which houses grades 1-3, participates. First-graders create colorful placemats. The second-graders act as guides and lead songs, while the third-graders read short messages for those who served.

They all put their own touch on something patriotic, whether it's making the hundreds of poppies that decorate the windows or the red, white and blue chain link strips of paper that create huge American flags on hallway walls. PTA, retired teachers and others also volunteer for the event.

Falls-Lenox third-grader Grace Hamric wears the hat that U.S. Marine veteran Cons Templeman, left, wore in her early years of enlistment. Cons is a friend of Grace's grandmother, Julie Diulus.

Tony Frank and his wife, Robin, of North Ridgeville attended at the request of their grandson Evan, a Falls-Lenox first-grader. It was their first assembly.

Tony served in the U.S. Air Force from 1974-78 and another four years in the Air National Guard. He served as the Vietnam war was ending.

He said the morning was "great."

"Many came back to a, well, not so great welcome," he said. "This is a great way for the students to understand history and learn about patriotism."

The Tillman family, from left, U.S. Navy veteran and dad Gordon Tillman; Josiah, 8; Elisiana, 10; mom Jessalyn; and Isiaha, 1, pose for a photo during the Veterans Day Breakfast program at Falls-Lenox Primary School.

Lynea Mieyal and her husband, Bob, served in the U.S. Army. They were activated for Desert Storm. She served for 17 years and Bob, for 20. Their son Adam is a Falls-Lenox special education teacher.

"What they read brought tears to my eyes," Bob said about Friday's program. "I find it so gratifying that the staff and volunteers put this together for us -- and the students. The students learn what freedom and liberty are. Patriotism has to come down from generation to generation. It is not easy to preserve freedom and liberty. They come with a price."

Teacher Stephanie Rivera helped organize the program. She said a major point of this program involves students learning about sacrifice. She said two weeks prior to the program, students are asked to sacrifice a snack or ice cream and donate money that would have paid for those items to the program.

"This is helping the students realize what our Armed Forces do for all of us. They serve and protect our freedom," she said. "Many of the veterans keep coming back. On one of the (donation) envelopes, someone wrote thank you for continuing this program. We are grateful for all who participate and attend."

Falls-Lenox Primary School students perform a patriotic song for those attending their program Friday in the gym.

Jim Bartell attended this year's program, thanks to neighbor Luke Mallory, a first-grader. Jim used to come with Luke's sister. He served in the U.S. Army from 1977-2012 and went to Iraq, Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo and throughout Europe, to name a few. He was in special operations command and retired as a command sergeant major.

He appreciates people thanking him for his service, but he added an aspect that many don't consider.

"When they thank me, I tell them to come home with me and thank my wife. When you are deployed, you are gone for 1 to 1 1/2 years. It's your spouse who holds the family together. When I return home, it's a whole new way of life. We all sacrifice. I appreciate how the students here understand how others sacrifice. It is part of life."

A big thank you to all veterans -- and their families. Thank you also to Falls-Lenox for this wonderful event and the education it brings to students.

Yes, a .5K: Call it a Santa stroll for a good cause. Fat Little Buddies Tavern is sponsoring a .5k Santa Stroll around its parking lot Nov. 23. It is a fundraiser for Fighting For Alyssa, a 21-year-old who died of a heroin overdose. The nonprofit charity is dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of substance use disorder.

The event begins at 3 p.m. with selfies with Santa. The stroll around the parking lot will begin at 4 p.m., and bands Loose Shoes and No Name Band will perform, beginning at 5 p.m. The night also includes a 50/50 raffle and others, gift baskets and a chance to buy an ornament.

The cost for this fundraising stroll is $20 for adults, $10 for those 12 and younger, with raffle tickets available. Register online at fightingforalyssa.regfox.com/ffasantastroll.

Fat Little Buddies is at 26906 Cook Road.

Vendor fair: The Sprenger Health Care Village of the Falls is having a Vendor Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 29. You'll find homemade crafts, jewelry and other accessories, Tupperware, baked goods and many independent consultants. For more details, call 440-235-7590.

Last shout out: The annual community Turkey Hunt is next Sunday, Nov. 18, starting -- and ending -- at Olmsted Community Church. From 1 to 4 p.m., teams of youth and drivers will go door to door collecting food donations that will be placed in Thanksgiving baskets for those in need.

Team registration is available by calling 440-235-3326 or emailing office@olmstedchurch.org. Teams will leave and return to the church, where they will have some well-deserved donuts, pizza and refreshments.

Students in grades 6 and above are invited to be "hunters." Sorters also are needed from 3 to 5 p.m. that day at the church.

Food then will be distributed Nov. 19 through the Christians in Action group located inside Olmsted Falls City Hall. Anyone knowing a family or person in need of food baskets should call 440-954-4140.

Your generosity is appreciated when the hunters knock at your door. You also may donate non-perishable items at the church that Saturday and Sunday.

Holiday pastry: It's pick-up time for your pastries ordered through St. Innocent Orthodox Church. Time is noon to 3 p.m. this Saturday. (Nov. 17) at the church, 8526 Usher Road.

Thanksgiving dinners: Our community again offers two free Thanksgiving Day meals.

The Olmsted Falls Kiwanis Club will have its dinner for anyone in the community from noon to 4 p.m. at the Donauschwaben German-American Cultural Center, 7370 Columbia Road. Enjoy the usual festive meal with family and friends. Monetary donations will be accepted. Take-out orders are available. Question? Call 440-427-1599.

The free meal for the elderly, shut-ins and those in need will be available from noon to 6 p.m. at Olmsted Community Church, 7853 Main St. Just drop in or call for meal delivery, 440-454-0629. Donations for food, dinnerware and other supplies may be sent to Free Thanksgiving Dinner, 17817 Larchwood Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44135.

To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at jdumound@yahoo.com. She also is on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column's online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.MALVERN, Oho -- In late October 1990, I wrote a eulogy to my father, Charles M. Lange, who had just died at the not-so-old age of 71. I titled it, Veterans Day tribute has to run early.

Forty-five years earlier, he was an infantryman with the famed Rainbow Division that fought in the Battle of the Bulge, overcame the mighty German 6th Mountain Division, pushed through Nazi strongholds and finally liberated the Dachau concentration camp.

Dave Lange, former editor of the Chagrin Valley Times, is author of a recently published memoir about the Vietnam War, where he served in Navy Riverine forces. (Plain Dealer file photo)

Along the way, my dad was sidetracked by severe frostbite. Despite unrelenting torment to his lower legs, he returned to the front lines and was awarded a Bronze Star.

The pain never left him. He endured it for 37 years on the floors of an Allegheny Valley Alcoa mill and Ford Motor Co.s Cleveland Stamping Plant, often for 60-hour weeks, to pay the mortgage and put food on our table. Soon after his retirement in 1983, one of his circulation-deprived legs was taken above the knee by a surgeons saw. Subsequent surgeries salvaged the other leg and kept him alive until his overburdened heart couldnt take it anymore.

But Charlie Lange was a lucky man.

He was born to an unmarried mother in the spring of 1919 in a small town near Essen, Germany. The country of his birth was physically shattered by war, its economy in ruins, 10 percent of its territory extracted by conquering allies and food shortages so bad that its inhabitants ate dogs, crows, zoo animals and rodents.

With a bit of good fortune, his mother found a husband, Carl Gustav Lange, whose uncle had emigrated to the United States prior to World War I. With cheap labor in demand by American factories after the war, Gus Lange also found work in the western Pennsylvania mills and saved enough money to send for the scrounging wife, stepson and baby daughter he had left behind.

America never was overly welcoming to immigrants, certainly not aliens from a foreign adversary.

During World War I, German books were burned, Lutheran schools were labeled as subversive and German-Americans were taken to internment camps, tortured and even lynched, patriot murder, as the defense attorney in an Illinois acquitting court called it. Hearst newspapers reported that the modern German population was actually descended from Asiatic barbarians. Intolerance directed at German-Americans was justified by The Washington Post, which said, In spite of excesses such as lynching, it is a healthful and wholesome awakening in the interior of the country. President Woodrow Wilsons Committee on Public Information depicted Germans as savages and called them the Huns.

Even so, the 1930 U.S. Census counted more than 1.6 million German-born immigrants, second only to about 1.8 million Italians. My grandparents, father and aunt were among them.

Thankfully, my father was on the right side of World War II. His designation as a rifleman and interpreter played a role in defeating the right-wing scourge of Nazism that was determined to eradicate Jews, especially, but also communists, socialists, religious minorities, homosexuals and invalids from the face of the Earth. After it was over, thankfully, my dad was able to rescue my mother, another German refugee, from the rubble of World War II.

Im a first-generation American. Like my father before me, Im a lucky man. I, too, am proud to have served my country in the military.

I am cognizant of my ethnic and immigrant history. But, unlike many of todays immigrants, because of my race and my religion, Im not treated like a savage, barbarian or Hun.

Unlike the parents of U.S. Army Capt. Humayun S.M. Khan, a Muslim immigrant who died heroically in Iraq, Im not ridiculed by a president who dodged the draft during my war. Unlike disabled Army veteran Ricardo Pineda, I did not suffer worry about the possible deportation of my wife to Mexico by a heartless regime.

On this Veterans Day, I pray for fellow Americans like them.

Vietnam veteran Dave Lange, formerly of Bainbridge, now lives in Malvern, southeast of Canton. He was editor of the Chagrin Valley Times for 25 years prior to his retirement a year ago. His memoir, Virginity Lost in Vietnam, was recently published.

*********

Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com.Among the World War I letters that Veterans for Peace will read today to mark the day 100 years ago that the "war to end all wars" ended -- but failed to end all wars -- is one from "Black Jack Pershing." U.S. Army Gen. John J. Pershing commanded American Expeditionary Forces on the Western Front in World War I. Plain Dealer reporter Brian J. Albrecht included an excerpt of Pershing's letter in his Nov. 4 article on the event:

"There is no glory in killing. There is no glory in maiming men. There are the glorious dead, but they would be more glorious living."

It is an appropriate quote for Veterans Day, when we specifically honor all who came home, as well as their comrades who fell. It is a day that has its origins in the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the guns of World War I officially fell silent with signing of the armistice. As the world took stock of the horrific human toll of that war -- France lost more than 4 percent of its prewar population, mostly men of fighting age, while Britain saw its upper classes ravaged -- Armistice Day was born. And from it, in 1954 in the United States, came Veterans Day.

At the 11th hour today, Chief Curator Eric Rivet of the Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Boulevard, will provide a special centennial program about Cleveland's role in the war, its final day, and an overall look at World War I. The hourlong program from 11 a.m. to noon is free with museum admission. Advance registration is available online at the Western Reserve Historical Society website.

At the 15th hour today -- 3 p.m. in nonmilitary time -- with an eye to deterring future wars, Veterans for Peace, Chapter 39 Northeast Ohio, will read Pershing's letter, and other letters from those who fought in WWI and other conflicts, at the Shaker Heights Public Library, 16500 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights.

At the 11th hour today, church and tower bells will toll at Old Stone Church in Cleveland, and in Berea, in Oberlin, and around the country and around the world at 11 a.m. local time -- and even in your home, if you have a bell to ring. The efforts by carillonneurs, handbell ringers and others is in remembrance of all who served in what once was called the Great War, echoing the bells of joy that tolled worldwide as word of the armistice spread. Earlier this year, a "Bells of Peace" proclamation from the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission called "upon all Americans across the nation to toll bells in remembrance of those who served in World War I at 11:00 a.m. on November 18, 2018." So if you have a bell, ring it, and think of the doughboys. And if not, find a carillon near you, listen to the bells, and remember.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.

* 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.On Tuesday, Cleveland appellate court Judge Melody J. Stewart became the first African-American woman and the first African-American Democrat to be elected to the Ohio Supreme Court. True, Stewart's election may have had more to do with being the highest-rated judicial candidate in this year's Supreme Court contests than with her race -- or party. In an odd quirk, Ohio judicial elections are partisan in primaries but nominally nonpartisan in general elections, meaning party labels weren't on the Nov. 6 ballot.

But when Stewart and fellow Cleveland jurist Michael P. Donnelly take their seats next year as associate justices, the state's high court will have at least two Democrats on the seven-justice bench for the first time in 15 years. The last time that happened was from 1995 to 2004 when the late Francis E. Sweeney Sr. of the Cleveland area and Toledo Democrat Alice Robie Resnick both served. Currently the Ohio Supreme Court is all-Republican, and all-white.

What's more, this time both Democrats will be from Greater Cleveland -- attuned to the needs of urban Ohio, and determined, as they pledged in their endorsement interviews with our editorial board, to be change agents on the state high court.

Both Stewart, serving her third term on the 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals, and Donnelly, in his 14th year on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court bench, said they would work to promote greater accountability, transparency, fairness, equity and efficiency in the high court's oversight of the state's judiciary and justice system. In particular, Stewart pledged to work to improve how the court oversees judges around the state, and Donnelly said he'd continue to push the court to accept a "truth in sentencing" reform that was advanced by the state's judges and the high court's own rules commission but that justices nixed on a 4-2 vote in 2016.

Change can often seem incremental in politics, and in the judiciary, but Ohioans in their votes last week effected a real difference on the state's highest court.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.

* 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.ORANGE, Ohio - Local governments got what they hoped for from residents who voted on local issues in the Nov. 6 election.

Voters in Orange, Chagrin Falls, Moreland Hills and Pepper Pike approved of all charter amendments and levies on their respective ballots.

In Orange, all 11 amendments to the village charter passed.

"While most of the amendments were technical and non-substantive," said Orange Mayor Kathy Mulcahy, "there were a few amendments that proposed significant policy choices and their passage will have positive consequences for our community."

One amendment eliminates a 1992 regulation that prohibited the enlargement of single-family housing districts of under 20,000 square feet. Orange includes numerous such developments, such as Orangewood and Orange Tree, which fell under the U-1A ordinance that will no longer be part of the village charter.

Among the other amendments is one that shortens the process by which some village employees can assume additional duties or move from one village job to another. Also passed was an amendment that makes permanent a 3.7-mill levy for infrastructure improvements. Previously, the levy ran through 2025.

"I am very pleased that the residents of Orange Village were supportive of all the charter amendments on Tuesday's ballot," Mulcahy said. "These changes will contribute to effective governance well into the future."

Moreland Hills

Issue 49, a tax levy in a charter amendment, passed in the Village of Moreland Hills. It will pay for an estimated 70 percent of village expenses related to safety services, including police salaries, equipment, dispatch costs, and fire and EMS services contracted through the Chagrin Falls Suburban Fire Department.

The new levy replaces one that covered 35 percent of police, fire, EMS and dispatch costs.

Remaining safety service expenses will continue to be paid through the General Fund.

"I am humbled and grateful that the voters of Moreland Hills understand the value of our police and fire services and supported the increase in the safety levy," Moreland Hills Mayor Susan C. Renda said. "We will continue to do our best to provide superior services in a cost-effective manner."

Chagrin Falls

Voters in Chagrin Falls passed two charter amendments supported by Mayor William Tomko.

One amendment provides that three alternate members of the Board of Zoning Appeals may be appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the members of Village Council.

The other amendment provides that up to three alternate members of the Architectural Board of Review may be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by a majority of council members.

Supporters believe the amendments will improve the function of both boards and better facilitate potential project presentations.

Pepper Pike

Pepper Pike voters passed Issue 73, a tax levy renewal supported by Mayor Richard Bain. The levy, which has been approved by Pepper Pike residents every five years since 1979, provides 100 percent of the total expenses of the operations and equipment of Pepper Pike's Fire and EMS departments.

The approved levy is of the same amount as the previous one. On top of funds generated by the levy, the State of Ohio will continue to contribute to Pepper Pike an additional 12.5 percent of what the total levy is.View of the arrival hall at the newly built Changi airport terminal 4 in Singapore on July 25, 2017.

In October, the world's longest flight made its maiden voyage, from Newark Liberty International Airport, landing at Changi Airport in Singapore nearly 19 hours later.

The Airbus A350-900ULR  the long-range plane that Singapore Airlines is using for the flight  offers no economy class, only premium economy and business class that seats fewer than 200. But the pricier ticket is worth it, since the flight offers more leg room and other top of the line perks.

In an effort to make sure that customers de-plane feeling as great as they did when they first stepped into the Airbus A350, Singapore Airlines partnered with Canyon Ranch, which is known for its wellness resort and luxury spas.

Canyon Ranch worked closely with Singapore Airlines to take the in-flight experience to new heights, tackling common gripes from passengers like food, sleep and blood circulation.

"From my perspective, I took a lot of personal experience into account," David Varley, Canyon Ranch's vice president of food and beverage, said. He's flown to Singapore several times himself, although he hasn't flown on world's longest flight yet.

Spending nearly a full day on a plane can leave passengers feeling out of sorts. With that in mind, CNBC compiled a short list of 5 things travelers can look forward to, in order to make the journey more pleasant."The dogs are trained to do certain tasks to help them move through life without having to ask for help, without having to wait for help and giving them that sense of security, and ability to rejoin life," she added.

"Veterans returning after having served are trying to navigate a very, very challenging transition, a transition that a lot of us can't really even imagine," said Ellen Torop, CCI's Northeast Regional Program Director.

The group provides assistance dogs free of charge to adults, children and veterans like Raible, who are disabled.

While in rehab in California at age 30, he said he saw a service animal helping a man in a wheelchair, something he'd not seen before, and didn't know was an option. Today, Raible is working with his third service dog, paired with the veteran through nonprofit group Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). He told CNBC that each dog helped him navigate life after war in new and meaningful ways.

In May 1968, Raible had his spinal cord damaged in Vietnam while serving as a marine, when a mortar round landed next to his position standing radio watch. His wounds were extensive, leaving him paralyzed.

"Independence on a level you wouldn't believe," Raible told CNBC's "On the Money" about his life with Jason. "There's a myriad of things he can do, so it makes life a lot easier for me."

Like so many people, Matt Raible has a special bond with his dog, Jason. But for Raible, Jason is so much more than just a companion. He means freedom.

CCI has more than 2,200 active graduate teams across the country, with 227 dogs placed supporting veterans. The dogs are trained to respond to more than 40 commands, and train for nearly two years before starting to work with a person in need.

It costs some $50,000 to raise and train the animals from birth to retirement. CCI covers those costs with donations, and raises the dogs while training them.

Those who have been selected to receive a service animal are also required to come and train with the animal at a CCI facility for two weeks, to match with a dog and learn how to work together. Once the dogs have been matched with a person in need, recipients are responsible for veterinary care and food costs.

"What we are known for are the matches that we are able to make  the longevity and the quality of those matches," said Debra Dougherty, executive director of the Northeast Region of CCI.

"We take a lot of time, thoughtfulness and get a very deep understanding of somebody's needs and their lifestyle," she added. "And as we are training the dogs we are thinking about that so that we can make an appropriate match and enhance their lives."

The organization is also beginning to train animals to work with individuals suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), creating a perimeter around a person to establish safe boundaries, recognizing anxious behavior like nervous leg tapping and even waking a person up from a nightmare.

"In response to seeing those signals, the dogs will interrupt those behaviors, interacting in a very specific way," said Torop. "It helps return the veteran to reality, the reality that the world really is a safe place and they have someone with them, and they are secure. It brings them back to the ability to manage their environment when they are really struggling with some very severe stressors."

Raible said that in countless ways over the years, his dogs have helped him physically and emotionally. He's gone on to graduate from St. John's University with high honors, and worked for the Social Security Administration.

According to the former marine, his first dog, Agatha, saved his life on a cold winter night by retrieving the car keys from the ignition when he had fallen between his wheelchair and driver's seat. With her help, he was able to open the van door and call for help.

When she passed away, he said he felt emotion in a way he hadn't since the battlefield. After coming back from Vietnam, "I lost that sense of compassion" after exposed to so much death and suffering, Raible said.

"The only reason I started crying and I got my humanity back was when Agatha passed away," he said. "The dog allowed me to experience pain again, which is part of loving. The dog gives you unconditional love."

That same bond applies to Jason, his current companion.

"He looks out for me and I look out for him. He has my back, and I have his," Raible said.



On the Money airs on CNBC Saturdays at 5:30 am ET, or check listings for air times in local markets.

US President Donald Trump and US Vice President Mike Pence at the 'Make America Great Again' campaign rally at McKenzie Arena, in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 4, 2018.

Asia-Pacific leaders will join the heads of Southeast Asian states this week in Singapore to renew calls for multilateralism and fresh pledges to resolve regional conflicts ranging from the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar to tensions in the South China Sea.

Notably absent when regional powers such as China, Japan and India seek to enlist support for a multilateral trading system will be U.S. President Donald Trump, whose decision to skip the Asia summit has raised questions about his commitment to a regional strategy aimed at checking China's rise.

Vice President Mike Pence will attend instead of Trump, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are among those expected to join leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Li is expected to rally support for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact now being negotiated, showcased to be the free trade deal that will encompass more than a third of the world's GDP.

The pact involves 16 countries, including China, India, Japan and South Korea, but not the United States.

Trump has demanded trade agreements that are fair and enforceable and based on the principle of reciprocity. He has re-negotiated an existing pact with South Korea and the three-way deal with Mexico and Canada, and pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which involved four Southeast Asian states.

The United States is also in the midst of a bitter trade war with China which has undermined global markets.

China is pushing the RCEP deal  Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong told reporters on Thursday it "will be of great significance for deepening regional cooperation, coping with unilateralism and protectionism, and promoting an open, inclusive and rules-based international trading system."

However, Li is expected to appeal in Singapore for the need for the world's two largest economies to work together to resolve trade disputes, reiterating commitment made by Beijing's top leaders last week for market opening and lowering tariffs.

It was not clear if Li and Pence will hold separate talks on the sidelines of the Singapore meetings, which would be a prelude to a summit scheduled between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month in Buenos Aires.

The encounter, if it happens, would come on the heels of high-level talks in Washington where the two sides aired their main differences but appeared to attempt controlling the damage to relations that has worsened with tit-for-tat tariffs in recent months.

Many of the leaders in Singapore will also meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Papua New Guinea next weekend.

ASEAN, which will hold its own summit on Tuesday before being joined by other leaders, also faces the challenge of working through sharp differences over the handling of the Rohingya minority by Myanmar whose military has been accused of "genocidal intent" by the United Nations.

Leader Aung San Suu Kyi is due to attend the Singapore meetings this week while Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, attending his first multilateral summit since returning to power in May, has served notice he has lost faith in the Nobel peace laureate over the issue.

The Rohingya crisis is one of the biggest man-made disasters involving a member since ASEAN was founded in 1967, and it is one of the thorniest issues yet faced by a group that traditionally works by consensus.

Many diplomats and rights activists say ASEAN's credibility is at risk if it fails to tackle the matter head-on.

At the meetings, ASEAN and China will try to make headway in negotiations for a code of conduct for the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety while ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the area. Taiwan is also a claimant.

But an agreement is unlikely to be announced.

Also, ASEAN members states may announce the successful conclusion of agreements with Russia and the United States on cooperating on cyber security.Sometime in the coming weeks, the Trump Administration will announce final plans for rolling back the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, standards considered one of the signature accomplishments of the preceding Obama White House.

The planned rollback, part of the current administration's overall push for deregulation, has won wide criticism among consumer and environmental groups, as well as Democrats in Washington.

With the GOP soon to cede control of the House of Representatives, the fuel economy rollback, as well as the Trump administration's trade war, are among the many things likely to come under a Democratic spotlight. But the real question is what, if anything, that party will be able to accomplish when they regain some amount of control in Washington.

"From a standpoint of the auto industry there are a number of issues that will come under debate," said David Cole, director-emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Few recent administrations have taken as many steps as Trump's that directly impact automotive manufacturers and suppliers, autoworkers and auto buyers.

On some matters, such as the tariffs on imported aluminum and steel that will cost Ford alone a billion dollars this year, Cole said, the industry would clearly like to see Democrats find a way to get the Trump administration to back down. The same is true for both the China trade war, as well as the so-called "232" tariffs that the Commerce Department is studying and which could impose hefty new duties on virtually all automotive imports  and likely trigger retaliatory tariffs on American-made vehicles.

"The 232 tariffs pose a real risk," said Michael O'Brien, head of product planning for Hyundai Motor America, and could cause a massive disruption of the global automotive production system, including the assembly plant the Korean automaker operates in Alabama.

On the other hand, there is strong, though by no means unanimous, support among automakers, for rolling back fuel economy standards. A push to retain the 54.5 mile-per-gallon target for 2025 would likely generate an industry outcry.

One of those who is considered likely to oppose a rollback is Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat who will, come January, take over as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Pallone has also been an outspoken critic of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under Trump.

But, despite the likelihood that Democrats will speak out, and likely try to counter some of the Trump Administration's moves, there seem to be few expectations that a Democratic House could actually block or even alter the administration's plans and policies.

There will almost certainly be hearings on the tariffs, as well as on the CAFE rollback, industry observers anticipate. And the close industry ties of senior officials, such as EPA chief Andrew Wheeler, a former coal lobbyist, could come in for sharp criticism.

Most of what the administration has done to the auto industry, however, has involved executive orders and other actions that don't require legislative approval, said Eric Winograd, U.S. economist for AllianceBernstein.

"Trade policy he can do all on his own, unless there's a treaty reached that Congress has to authorize," said Winograd, Things that could require new legislation "he won't be able to do without congressional approval," so, the economist added, "If the president gets frustrated with congressional obstruction, he may turn even more to trade issues (and) we will see possibly increased trade tension in the months to come."

On the other hand, some are speculating that "Democrat's taking the House might make trade deals more likely, as prolonged disputes could make an economic downturn more likely and play in the Democrats' favor ahead of 2020," said Sameer Samana, global investment and technical strategist for Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

A Democratic House could try to play to popular support for measures that protect consumers on several fronts, including privacy. They are also likely to try to reinstate measures, like one recently rolled back by the White House that aimed at ensuring minority customers have the same access to affordable credit as whites do. But new legislation would face strong opposition, both in the Senate and the White House.

Bob Schwartz, an auto analyst who also works with AllianceBernstein echoed the likelihood that the Trump administration may "pivot more to using executive powers, rather than trying to go through Congress."

But Schwartz quickly added that opponents will likely amp up their attacks, for one thing relying on the courts to block administrative plans. A number of environmental moves have been halted, a judge blocked the Keystone XL pipeline last week. And 19 states, along with the District of Columbia, have already sued the administration to block any change to the CAFE standards.

Meanwhile, Schwartz anticipates that with more Democratic governors and attorneys-general taking power after the election, "states that are turning more blue" may push through measures of their own "where they feel the government is falling down on consumer protection." California, for one, has already taken such a step by enacting its own net neutrality bill.

Traditionally, there were clear party lines dividing those seen as pro- and anti-auto industry. But the Trump White House has broken many rules, that one included. Republicans who traditionally served as the bastion of trade have largely fallen in line with a protectionist president, for one thing.

The auto industry likely won't mind some of the results from Tuesday's election, especially the defeat of Missouri's Senator Claire McCaskill, a Democrat and frequent critic of industry safety practices. It's still unclear what will happen in Florida where a recount appears likely in the race between incumbent Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, another frequent industry critic, and his challenger, Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Meanwhile, at least four Congressmen with ties to auto dealerships, both Democrat and Republic, won re-election to the House. Also elected for the first time was Haley Stevens, who led the Obama team that bailed out General Motors and Chrysler when they went bankrupt nearly a decade ago.

"It's simply hard to tell" what all this will mean for the auto industry said Hyundai's O'Brien. But there's little doubt that the auto industry has a lot at stake over the course of the next two years and will be watching to see how things will shake out in Washington.Giant Panda statues at the China International Import Expo (CIIE)  held from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10, 2018 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.

Around $57.83 billion worth of deals were agreed for the year ahead at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the official China Daily said on Saturday.

CIIE took place from Nov. 5 to Nov. 10 and closed on Saturday. It brought thousands of foreign companies together with Chinese buyers in a bid to demonstrate the importing potential of the world's second-biggest economy.

Deals for intelligence and high-end equipment were set to total $16.46 billion, while those for consumer electronics and home appliances were around $4.33 billion, the paper said on its official Twitter-like Weibo site.

Sales agreed for the automobile sector goods hit $11.99 billion, while clothing and consumer goods inked $3.37 billion, and food and agricultural products made $12.68 billion, the paper said.

In addition, $5.76 billion worth of medical devices and medical care goods were sold, the paper added.

The trade expo is designed to demonstrate goodwill amid mounting frictions with the United States and others. On Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to lower tariffs, broaden market access and import more from overseas.A jury has ordered Aetna to pay more than $25 million to the family of an Oklahoma City woman who died a year after the insurance company refused to cover a type of radiation therapy.

Jurors found that Aetna doctors didn't spend enough time reviewing Orrana Cunningham's case before denying her coverage for proton beam therapy in 2014, The Oklahoman reported . The jury ruled that Aetna recklessly disregarded its duty to deal fairly and in good faith with Cunningham, who had nasopharyngeal cancer.

Aetna is considering whether to appeal the ruling, which was issued this week. Company attorney John Shely said the insurer tries to do the right thing.

"If it's in our control to change, that's what we're going to do," Shely said. "Aetna has learned something here."

An Aetna doctor denied Cunningham coverage for the therapy in 2014, deeming it experimental. Two other in-house doctors reviewed and upheld the decision.

The Food and Drug Administration had approved proton beam therapy, which is also a treatment covered by Medicare, according to Doug Terry, the family's attorney. He alleged that Aetna denied coverage for financial reasons and that its doctors were unqualified, overworked and biased when making decisions. Court records show that one doctor complained to the insurer about having to review more than 80 cases a day.

After she was denied coverage, Cunningham and her husband decided to mortgage their home in Meeker, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Oklahoma City, to pay for the therapy in Texas. She died in May 2015 at age 54.

"My wife, her goal, was to make this fight," Ron Cunningham said. "Her comment was, 'If we can save one person and stop Aetna from doing what they traditionally do on every claim, it was worth the battle.'"OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia believes the energy market has overcorrected in recent weeks. It comes as the world's top oil exporter grapples with a sharp drop in crude prices, amid cooling supply fears about the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran. Speaking at the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) meeting in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick: "All along we said that the market overreaction to the announcement on sanctions was driven by fear rather than by real shortages." "Markets get it wrong occasionally as they did a few weeks ago on one side and they're doing it again on the other today, but ultimately the pendulum will swing to a reasonable middle," he added.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister also said the wider OPEC and non-OPEC alliance would not shy away from another round of production cuts over the coming weeks  if the group decided there was a need for such action. The next full OPEC meeting, when any policy decision will be voted on, is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria on December 6.

Oil prices

About two dozen exporting nations began capping their output in 2017 in a bid to drain a global crude glut. The group agreed in June to restore some of that output, and producers with spare capacity have been pumping more oil since then. Energy market participants had expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to recommend further productions cuts on Sunday. Instead, Riyadh and Moscow went only so far as to suggest it was a possibility. The comments come after a significant drop in oil prices in recent weeks, as crude futures benchmarks have tumbled approximately 20 percent or more since climbing to a peak in early October. International benchmark Brent crude settled at $70.18 on Friday, down almost 1 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell for the 10th straight session to close at $59.87. The collapse in prices constitutes a stunning reversal from last month, when crude futures had hit nearly four-year highs as traders braced for potential shortages once U.S. sanctions on Iran came back into force. Saudi Arabia's al-Falih said it had become clear that this previous spike in oil prices was "an emotional overreaction." "I think the decisions that came out in Washington with granting the waivers  (And) with the volumes starting to show themselves and weekly inventory data, the market flipped from overreacting from one side to overreacting on the other side."

A support vessel flying an Iranian national flag sails alongside the oil tanker 'Devon' as it prepares to transport crude oil to export markets in Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Friday, March 23, 2018. Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The prospect of looming sanctions against OPEC's third-largest producer had prompted some investors to bet on Brent soaring above $100 a barrel before year-end. But, any talk of a return to tripe-digits has since evaporated. Instead, bearish market sentiment has pressured U.S. crude into its longest stretch of daily declines since 1984. Saudi Arabia, Russia and the U.S.  the world's top three exporters  have more than compensated for lost Iranian barrels since the start of the month. In fact, all three countries are pumping at or near record highs, with other OPEC members and exporting nations also turning on the taps.

Iran sanctions

U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil sector snapped back into place on November 5. It comes as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump's administration to target Tehran's nuclear and missile programs as well as curtailing its support for proxy forces in Yemen, Syria and other parts of the Middle East. The sanctions, which had been lifted under a landmark pact negotiated by President Barack Obama's administration and five other world powers in 2015, cover 50 Iranian banks and subsidiaries and more than 200 persons and vessels in its shipping sector. The measures also target the country's national airline, Iran Air, and more than 65 of its aircraft.

Watch: The oil market is 'adequately supplied': Saudi energy ministerRocket Lab put seven spacecraft in orbit on Saturday with its first commercial launch, as the company grew its lead in the burgeoning small rocket industry.

Delayed from this past spring, the "It's Business Time" launch marks the beginning of Rocket Lab's acceleration toward launching at a weekly rate. The rocket builder reached orbit for the first time in January with its final test launch but saw this commercial attempt delayed due to a "motor control" issue with the rocket.

"Perfect flight," Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said in a tweet after the launch. "Orbital accuracy was exquisite."

@RocketLab: Rocket Lab's second orbital Electron mission #ItsBusinessTime. A successful launch and more payloads on orbit. We're opening access to space.

Rocket Lab is building small rockets priced at about $5.7 million a launch. The company's Electron rocket is designed to launch spacecraft up to the size of a refrigerator, especially for the premium small satellite part of the rocket market. Small rockets like Electron can save customers months of time getting to orbit but come at a higher cost compared to flying as a "rideshare" on a larger rocket like the SpaceX Falcon 9.

"It's Business Time" launched six satellites for Spire, Tyvak, Fleet and the Irvine CubeSat STEM program. The launch also included a spacecraft built by HPS GmbH to demonstrate a new technology to reduce space debris.

The launch keeps Rocket Lab  valued at more than $1.2 billion and based in New Zealand and California  at the front of the pack in the small rocket race. Beck estimates there are over 100 companies trying to catch up. But Rocket Lab has another launch scheduled for December, as well as 16 launches planned for 2019.

Rocket Lab has a backlog of launches for the next 18 months, Beck said, which is "around a $3 billion pipeline." The factories in New Zealand and California "have been specifically designed to produce one rocket a week," Beck said. Rocket Lab aims to be launching at a weekly rate in 2020.

"Next year we're starting off at one a month, trying to move to one every two weeks," Beck said.

Beck says the company took the time to look at the motor control issue from spring and fixed it, while continuing to build Rocket Lab's infrastructure. This year the rocket company brought on Adam Spice as chief financial officer from the semiconductor industry, opened a new mass production facility in New Zealand and announced it will build a U.S. launchpad in Virginia.

"Happy to delay a launch for a few months to solidify and strengthen the company," Beck told CNBC.

Beck estimated Rocket Lab will soon be profitable, saying when the company completes "these couple of launches by the end of this year we'll be cash flow neutral."

Rocket Lab sees greater-than-expected growth coming to the small satellite industry, as the company's Electron rocket begins to meet demand. Beck believes his side of the industry is set to unlock a flurry of technologies as more and more satellites are launched.

"The small rocket industry is the enablers to the small spacecraft industry and then in turn the small spacecraft industry are really enablers to a whole lot of new technologies, a whole lot of new services to us down on Earth," Beck said.If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE).OPEC and non-OPEC exporters must stick to a consistent message if they are to avoid exacerbating wild swings in the oil market, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Sunday.

"There is a lot of volatility in the market. And what's more this volatility could remain," Novak told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, according to a translation.

"Therefore, right now we shouldn't be making any hasty decisions. We need to look at the situation very carefully to see how it will develop so that we don't end up changing our course by 180 degrees every month."

His comments come shortly after top exporters at the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) meeting in Abu Dhabi said they would not shy away from another round of production cuts.

This appeared to an abrupt turnabout from OPEC's September meeting, when some of the world's leading oil producers were talking about pumping extra oil onto the market in order to help soothe intensifying supply shock fears.

The group said Sunday it would "continue closely monitoring" oil market conditions, before adding that "new strategies" could be implemented to balance the market in 2019.

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Sunday that the OPEC and non-OPEC alliance would collectively decide whether reducing global output would be necessary over the coming weeks.

The next full OPEC meeting, when any policy decision will be voted on, is scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria on December 6.

About two dozen exporting nations began capping their output in 2017 in a bid to drain a global crude glut. The group agreed in June to restore some of that output, and producers with spare capacity have been pumping more oil since then.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.Thirty-seven days after Microsoft withdrew the Windows 10 October 2018 Update from all distribution, the Redmond, Wash. company has yet to restart delivery.

The delay has no precedent in Windows 10 and has gone on significantly longer than instances in prior editions when updates, most of them security fixes, had to be pulled and then later re-released.

Microsoft debuted the fall feature upgrade, also known as 1809 in the firm's yymm format, on Oct. 2. Four days later - Oct. 6 - it retracted the release by yanking it from the Windows Update service and manual download sites, and warning users who had grabbed it to toss the disk image in the trash. The reason: Some users - Microsoft said 1/100th of 1% - reported that the upgrade deleted all files in several folders, including the important Documents and Photos directories.

On Oct. 9, Microsoft told those who had installed the upgrade to stay off their PCs and to call a toll-free number for help in possibly recovering some of the deleted files.

(Computerworld selected Oct. 6 as the start date for the delay because it was then that Microsoft halted dissemination.)

Other pauses - Microsoft's term for upgrade or update stoppages - have been much shorter, with the company typically rolling out a re-release within a handful of days. For example, a 2008 security patch meant to plug a hole in Windows' implementation of Bluetooth was re-issued in nine days. Earlier that same year, Microsoft took eight days to come up with a rejiggered fix for a math bug a previous patch had inserted into Excel. And in 2012, Microsoft re-released Office 2011 for Mac SP2 (Service Pack 2) five days after pulling it from distribution.

The last word on 1809's status was nearly five weeks ago, when John Cable, director of program management in the Windows servicing group, told customers that bugs had been fixed. But rather than again putting the general public at risk, the company handed the re-release to those who had volunteered to test the OS by signing up with the Windows Insider preview program.

And that's where it remains; Cable's post has not been updated since.

Microsoft has slipped a few nuggets of new 1809 information into a September post on the Insider blog. It was unclear why the company used that platform rather than refreshing Cable's post or crafting new posts; the latter would easily have been seen by more people. Ed Bott of ZDNet reported on the blog additions Nov. 9.

On Oct. 16, Microsoft fixed several bugs - including one that gave incorrect data on the "Processes" tab of the Task Manager utility, another that broke the Edge browser - and issued another 1809 update to Insider testers. Two weeks later, on Oct. 30, the company said it had patched 1809's handling of the .zip archive file format. In that problem, Windows 10 neglected to tell users that a copy of unexpanded .zip files had failed. Other users reported that moving .zip files resulted in those files being deleted, again without warning or notification.

The Oct. 30 bug fixes produced yet another 1809 update, which was pushed to Insiders.Worlds biggest fintech event to start in Singapore today with greater ASEAN focus

The worlds biggest Fintech event will kick off in Singapore from November 12 to 16. Christened Singapore FinTech Festival, it is going to attract 40,000 participants from different countries of the world and will have over 250 speakers, 450 exhibitors, 16 international pavilions.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the main speaker on the third day of the FinTech Conference. Photo courtesy: pmindia.gov.in

The major attraction of the event will be the address of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde. They will address the audience on the third day of the FinTech Conference.

If you havent heard, were honoured to have Sri @narendramodi, Prime Minister of India gracing #SGFinTechFest! Register now for this cant-miss session and over 70 more at https://t.co/hgmkM9iGN6 pic.twitter.com/AzS2Z0s3qM  SG FinTech Festival (@sgfintechfest) November 2, 2018

This year, the third edition of Singapore FinTech Festival will include two new elements.

ASEAN FinTech Showcase  With Singapores Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2018, the Festival will highlight FinTech developments and opportunities in ASEAN and a showcase of innovative solutions from ASEAN countries.

Artificial Intelligence in Finance Summit  The Summit will explore emerging AI solutions in trading, investment management, customer service, and risk management. It will also include discussions on quantum computing as well as governance and ethics in the application of AI.

Singapore FinTech Festival will be the worlds biggest Fintech event. Photo courtesy: fintechfestival.sg

Organised at the Singapore Expo, the Festival will kick off with the three-day FinTech Conference (12-14 November). The conference brings together more than 250 speakers, including entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, technology leaders and experts, academics and other stakeholders to discuss the latest developments and opportunities.

The conference will focus on nine key themes across 70 sessions, including AI in Finance; ASEAN FinTech Opportunities; Cyber-Security, TechRisk and RegTech; Financial Inclusion; Future of Banking; Future of Money; Global Investor Summit; InsurTech and Market Infrastructure.

The FinTech exhibition alongside the conference will showcase 450 exhibitors with their innovative solutions. Trade visitors and delegates can also learn more about FinTech in ASEAN, at the new zone specially dedicated to ASEAN start-ups. There will also be free guided tours of the area daily.

The expanded Global Investor Summit (November 13-14) is specially curated for the investment and enterprise communities. It will showcase the best of next-generation ASEAN start-ups and growth enterprises across all sectors, both FinTech and Beyond FinTech. Attendees can look forward to deep dive sessions on India, China and ASEAN covering key themes such as investment capital-raising strategies, and investing for impact.

Singapore FinTech Festival will also highlight AI and data themes that power the future of financial services and the digital economy. Photo courtesy: fintechfestival.sg

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Finance Summit (November 13-14) will debut at the FinTech Conference this year with the theme of AI in Finance Driving Global Progress. The summit will highlight AI and data themes that power the future of financial services and the digital economy. Topics to be discussed include cloud and quantum computing, AI investment, ethical and responsible AI, and predictions for an AI-driven future.

The Global FinTech Hackcelerator Demo Day (November 12) will showcase 20 market-ready FinTech solutions shortlisted from 304 submissions intended to solve real-life industry problems in four categories, including Financial Inclusion, Insurtech, RegTech and SupTech and General.

The FinTech Awards (November 12-14) will recognise innovative FinTech solutions that have been implemented by FinTech companies, financial institutions and technology companies. With a greater emphasis on ASEAN this year, the Awards nominees include winners of the ASEAN PitchFest2 as well as ASEAN companies in the SME and Open categories.

Check out this amazing video by @JillMalandrino and @Nasdaq on what to look out for at #SGFinTechFest next week! https://t.co/Gx8Afh49fD  SG FinTech Festival (@sgfintechfest) November 7, 2018

The Innovation Lab Crawl (November 15-16) features 30 innovation labs across Singapore which will be open for visits. The Lab Crawl offers a good opportunity for participants to see where new products and solutions are tested, learn about how these labs leverage the latest technologies and network with start-ups and key innovation executives.

Alongside Singapores chairmanship of ASEAN, this years Festival features a strong ASEAN theme. The visual elements of the Festival are inspired by the unique cultures and designs of ASEAN. The specially commissioned ASEAN-themed Batik Motif stitches together national flowers of all 10 ASEAN countries. This design is featured across the Festival such as the logo, backdrops, collaterals and conference lounge designs. Please refer to Annex A for details of the ASEAN-themed design.

Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, MAS. Photo courtesy: Linkedin profile of Sopnendu Mohanty

Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer, MAS, said, The Singapore FinTech Festival is now a global knowledge platform extending beyond FinTech to include topics such as LP investing, venture capital and capital raising strategies. This year, it has expanded to attract a more diverse crowd of international regulators, policy makers, industry leaders and academics from FinTech and beyond.

Going forward, the Festival will continue to champion financial inclusion through innovation and digital transformation to achieve a more global and all-embracing FinTech ecosystem, he added.

Planning your schedule at #SGFinTechFest? Don't forget to pop by the Regulators' Zone at Hall 2 of the Exhibition if you're looking to connect with these regulators from around the world.



Register early as a visitor to gain entry: https://t.co/hgmkM9iGN6 pic.twitter.com/TxXlFrt7pE  SG FinTech Festival (@sgfintechfest) November 11, 2018

Mrs Ong-Ang Ai Boon, ABS Director, said, ABS is delighted to once again partner MAS in the third edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival. Last year, we made history as the largest FinTech Festival in the world with more than 30,000 participants from over 100 countries.

This year, participants can look forward to an exciting Festival featuring world class speakers and specially curated programmes to suit their interest. ABS is encouraged by the steadfast support from both local and overseas communities in the FinTech Ecosystem, and look forward to yet another milestone in Singapores journey to grow the FinTech industry, she added.

Two more days to #SGFinTechFest: Download our Festival App - Singapore FinTech Festival '18 - to plan your schedule, arrange business meetings at the Festival, and more!



Apple App Store: https://t.co/rWPY535RFA

Google Play Store: https://t.co/fLnAe32q6V pic.twitter.com/pp7S2y3mT5  SG FinTech Festival (@sgfintechfest) November 10, 2018

Singapore FinTech Festival is organised by MAS in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore and in collaboration with SingEx Holdings. The Singapore FinTech Festival is strongly supported by the industry and the Festival grand sponsors are AMTD, Deloitte and Prudential. Last year, the Festival drew more than 30,000 participants from over 100 countries, comprising FinTech players, technopreneurs, policy makers, financial industry leaders, investors including private equity players and venture capitalists, and academics. More than 5,000 companies were represented at the Festival last year.EU turns off life support for Mays Brexit proposal

The ERG and DUP jointly warn they will vote against any deal she might secure based on it

The prime minister had hoped to unite her cabinet and overcome the final hurdle in negotiations with the EU by offering to create an independent mechanism to oversee how the UK might leave a temporary customs arrangement if Brexit talks collapsed. But this weekend senior EU officials sent shockwaves through No 10 by rejecting Mays plan, sparking fears that negotiations have broken down days before no-deal preparations costing billions need to be implemented. The mechanism was seen by key members of the cabinet, including the attorney-general, Geoffrey Cox, as crucial to preventing the so-called Northern Irish backstop being used to force the UK into being a never-ending rule-taker from Brussels. A Whitehall source described the plan as the governments life-support machine, adding: By rejecting the proposal, the EU has just turned off the oxygen.  Sunday Times

Senior members of the Eurosceptic grouping of Tory backbenchers and the Democratic Unionist Party figures today publicly unite to insist they will vote against Mrs Mays proposals unless she backs down. Their intervention came as senior government figures warned that the deal would still fall in Parliament even if it were forced through a reluctant Cabinet this week. A defeat for Mrs May would be likely to spark a leadership challenge. The warnings come amid opposition from across the Conservative Party to a proposed backstop, or insurance plan, for the UKs relationship with the EU if no alternative deal is reached.  Sunday Telegraph

>Today: Jonathan Clark on Comment: Is it time to sweep away our political parties  and clear the decks for Leave v Remain?

Greening accuses Downing Street of handing power to Brussels

Theresa May was accused last night by a former cabinet colleague of planning the biggest giveaway of sovereignty in modern times, as she faced a potentially devastating pincer movement from Tory remainers and leavers condemning her Brexit plans. The day after Jo Johnson, the pro-remain brother of former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, resigned from the government and called for a second referendum on Brexit, former education secretary Justine Greening launched an attack on the prime minister, saying her plans would leave the country in the worst of all worlds. Piling yet more pressure on May, Greening  who resigned from the cabinet in January  backed the former transport ministers call for another public vote and said MPs should reject the prime ministers deal. Greening told the Observer: The parliamentary deadlock has been clear for some time. Its crucial now for parliament to vote down this plan, because it is the biggest giveaway of sovereignty in modern times.  The Observer

>Yesterday: Nick Hargraves column: We need better political leaders. Heres how to go about getting them.

The MoD is to start recording suicides among veterans

The Ministry of Defence will start recording the number of suicides among military veterans in a victory for The Sunday Timess Save Our Soldiers campaign. Tobias Ellwood, the defence minister, said the move was crucial for the government to better understand the toll of modern conflict on ex-servicemen and women. We have identified 56 veterans and serving personnel believed to have killed themselves since January. Last month, there were 14 deaths, with five taking their lives in as many days. Last week, a former soldier in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was found dead on his 46th birthday. The death toll since November 2003 has reached 274.  Sunday Times

First UK-wide strategy to help veterans find work  The Sun on Sunday

Britain is still not a land fit for heroes  Lord Dannatt, Mail on Sunday

We must not betray the debt we owe to those who serve  Stephen Pollard, Sunday Express

The nation marks the centenary of the Armistice

A procession of 10,000 people to the Cenotaph in central London will give a nations thank you to those who laid down their lives in World War One. Members of the public chosen by ballot will pay their respects at the memorial while the Prince of Wales will lay a wreath on behalf of the Queen. It marks 100 years since Armistice Day, when WW1 officially ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th monthThe days events started at 06:00 GMT with pipers across Britain playing the Scottish lament Battles Oer. At 08:30, portraits of casualties of the war appeared on beaches around the country as part of an event created by film director Danny BoyleRenovations of Big Ben have been paused so the bell can chime before and after the traditional two minutes of silence at 11:00. At 19:00, starting at Westminster Abbey, more than 1,000 beacons will be lit across the UK. The lights are intended to symbolise the end of the darkness of war and a return to the lightness of peace.  BBC News

>Today: ToryDiary: The unknown names that live for evermore

Hancock considers a tax on age to fund social care

Matt Hancock, the Health and Social Care Secretary, told the Telegraph he was attracted to a cross-party plan for a compulsory premium deducted from the earnings of the middle-aged and over-65s to fund the cost of their care in later life. The proposals, set out by two Commons committees, are based on the system in Germany under which all workers over 40 pay 2.5 per cent of their wages into a pot formally earmarked for social care. The plan also includes offering cash payouts to young and elderly adults receiving care, to enable them to pay carers, including family members. It is more radical than an idea Mr Hancock previously disclosed he was considering, of an opt-out proposal similar to the auto-enrolment system of pensions. The premiums would be compulsory and only levied on older workers, leaving ministers open to accusations of a tax on age. Dr Sarah Wollaston, the Tory chairman of the Commons health committee, one of the two panels that proposed the scheme, said it was intended to avoid putting an unfair burden on working-age young employed adults.  Sunday Telegraph

Ministers raise probate fees by up to 3,771 per cent  Sunday Times

HPV vaccine wont be backdated for boys  Mail on Sunday

Say no to a meat tax  Zoe Strimpel, Sunday Telegraph

Climate change watchdog calls on people to eat less meat  Sunday Times

9am starts are a risk to workers health  Sunday Times

Leadsom criticises Commons authorities over their failure to address bullying

Report identifies Parliament as one of the worst places to work  The Sun on Sunday

Information Commissioner investigates email campaigns  The Observer

Andrea Leadsom has launched an attack on the House of Commons authorities, accusing them of failing to get a grip on the bullying and harassment scandal that has rocked Westminster. The leader of the Commons has waged a year-long campaign to stamp out misconduct of this kind after a series of scandals. In an unprecedented move, she has accused the Commons leadership of burying their heads in the sand and has urged them to either stand up and be counted  or consider their positions. Leadsoms intervention comes weeks after an independent inquiry led by Dame Laura Cox found that parliaments leadership was incapable of changing the widespread culture of abuse.  Sunday Times

>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Theres a serious discussion to have about data and electoral law, but it is yet to take place.

Labour conference delegates anti-semitic image

The Labour Party allowed a member who was being investigated for anti-semitism to be a delegate at its recent conference  despite Jeremy Corbyn pledging in his speech to make the party allies of the Jewish community. Kayla Bibby, 33, represented the Liverpool Riverside constituency at the conference in September, when she had been under investigation for more than three months over an image she posted on Facebook. According to Labour, she has since been found guilty by the party and will receive training about anti-semitism. It is unclear whether attending this course is a condition of her remaining a party member. The image showed the Statue of Liberty being blinded and smothered by an alien creature with the Star of David, the symbol of the Jewish faith, on its back. Bibby, who posted the image in March, called it: The most accurate photo Ive seen all year! It had been taken from a far-right website, Incogman, where it illustrated an article that depicted Jews as parasitic and said they got away with financial heists of entire nations.  Sunday Times

Driver accused of hate crime for beeping her horn  Sunday Times

Naz Shah is earning thousands from the NHS for leadership workshops  The Sun on Sunday

One of the women MPs welcomed to Downing Street this week wants gay people jailed for life  Sunday Times

Kate Osamor and her drug dealer son live in social housing despite sizeable income  The Sun on Sunday

The absurdity of self-identification must be laid bare  Rod Liddle, Sunday Times

Phillips: Stop pussyfooting around the reality of gang warfare in modern Britain

Funding shortfall for Special Educational Needs revealed

We need to be clear about who is dying and who is doing the killing, and we must be honest that there is a racial component to the violence. The deaths are taking place in the urban semi-ghettos of London, Manchester and other big cities, especially those which have become home to refugees from war zones in Eastern Europe, Africa and elsewhere. Many of these young people have grown up with the extreme violence of modern warfare  rape, beheadings, executions  and are traumatised in a way that is a danger to them and to others unless it is treated. Membership of a gang brings protection and a sense of belonging and the promise of a slice of the profits of the illegal drugs trade. So the forlorn attempts by politicians and media to ignore this truth  to avoid stigmatising minority communities  has been counterproductive, a hand-wringing dereliction of responsibility. It might make right-on white liberals feel better. But the price of their smugness is an ongoing bloody massacre of black children with a casualty list that seems to lengthen by the day.  Trevor Phillips, Mail on Sunday

A crisis in funding for children with special educational needs is plunging councils across the country deeper into the red and forcing parents into lengthy legal battles to secure support, according to an Observer investigation that reveals a system at breaking point. Council overspending on childrens special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has trebled in just three years and is continuing to increase, with councils having to raid hundreds of millions from their overall schools budget to cope. The Observer has identified 40 councils that have either cut special needs funding this year, are considering making cuts or are raiding other education budgets to cope next year. Data from freedom of information requests and council reports shows that the combined overspend on high needs education budgets among councils in England soared from 61m in 2015-16 to 195m in 2017-18. It is already expected to hit 200m this year. The figures cover 117 of Englands 152 councils, meaning the true figures will be higher.  The Observer

Hinds warns children are starting school unable to communicate  Mail on Sunday

Big brother bureaucracy in Scottish schools  Scotland on Sunday

News in BriefWe are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds..Four Connecticut men have been accused of profiting from a nationwide $3.1 million stolen car ring.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York unsealed a complaint last week against seven suspects who authorities said stole and then sold luxury cars. The men were charged with stealing about 60 cars worth around $3.1 million.

They stole from rightful owners and used a criminal network of thieves, fraudsters, and forgers to line their pockets, all while driving themselves around in stolen Lamborghinis, Range Rovers, and other pilfered prizes, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said in a statement. With our partners at the FBI and the State Police, we have slapped a boot onto these fast-paced heists, and will now tow the defendants off to justice.

Marvin Williams, 32, of Torrington, Steven Klein, 55, of Easton, Jason Higney, 39, of Terryville, and Nicholas Dixon, 43, of Tamarac, Fla were charged with the sale or transportation of stolen vehicles and conspiracy to do the same, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Besar Ismaili, 37, of Waterbury, Lashaumba Randolph, 44, of Atlanta, Abdurahamin Shabazz, 45, of Providence, R.I., were charged with conspiracy to sell and transport stolen vehicles, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Authorities said the suspects obtained stolen cars from places such as Michigan and Florida and brought them to southern New York and Connecticut, among other places, to resell. The men created fake titles and plates for the cars and used false car records to deceive buyers and the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles, according to the complaint.

Buyers from across the country were contacted online through eBay and other markets, authorities said.

Four of the suspects appeared in federal court in White Plains, N.Y. on Thursday, while the other three men will appear before federal judges in Florida, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

The FBI, Waterbury Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, New York State Police, the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles, the South Dakota Lake County Treasurers Office and the National Insurance Crime Bureau were involved in the investigation.

This kind of criminal activity undermines public confidence and destabilizes communities, William F. Sweeney Jr., FBI assistant director-in-charge, said in a statement. Thanks to the diligence and hard work by law enforcement, these arrests have put the brakes on this criminal enterprise.BRIDGEPORT  St. Vincents Medical Center is offering a class on baby care basics this upcoming Wednesday.

The class will over bathing, diapering, feeding, sleeping and general safety. A tour of the family birthing center can be made available that day.

The class meets on the second Wednesday of each month and runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Vincents family birthing center at 2800 Main St. The next class will be on Dec. 12.

The fee for the class is $25 per couple. To register, call 475-210-6087 or email jodi.palmieri@ascension.org.According to a cherished old adage, which I know is true because I just made it up, if you cant stand the kitchen, turn up the heat.

Thats what my wife, Sue, recently did because she wanted me to take down the wallpaper that had adorned the kitchen for the past dozen years.

Its practically new, I told her.

Its old, Sue countered. And ugly. I want it down.

The last time I tried to remove wallpaper, in an upstairs bedroom when Sue and I moved into our house 20 years ago, it came off in pieces the size of lollipop wrappers. It took me three days. I could have saved a lot of time by using a flamethrower.

Thanks to those haunting flashbacks, I convinced Sue to hire Mike the Paint Guy.

Mike, otherwise known as Michael Beck of Island Luxor Painting, turned out to be a good worker who was having a bad week.

The day he was supposed to start, he had to take his father to the hospital. Then he had a flat tire. Worst of all, he had a calcium deposit in his shoulder that required surgery.

The doctor said I have the body of a 64-year-old man, said Michael, who is 32.

Im 64, I told him. My body is nothing to write home about, and neither is my head, but at least I dont need surgery.

Maybe, Michael said, you can help me take down the wallpaper.

Sure, I said. Im off the wall myself, so Id be happy to assist.

As Michael prepped the walls with a solution to make the paper come off easily, he asked, What solution did you use when you took down the wallpaper upstairs?

My response: Beer.

Wallpaper is tricky, Michael said. Nobody uses it anymore. Ive taken a lot of wallpaper down, but I havent put any up.

When he got it down in the kitchen, he said, Now I have to spackle. It will cover up the holes.

Spackle is also good for covering up wrinkles, I noted. I put it on my face before I go to bed.

You do look young, Michael said, so I guess it works.

Next, he revved up an electric sander to smooth out the walls.

May I try? I asked.

Help yourself, Michael said as he handed me the whirring disc.

This thing could give me a close shave, I said.

Yes, said Michael, but then youd need more spackle to cover up the nicks and cuts.

On one of the walls was a phone number. It was for a woman named Bernice, which also was the name of one of our deceased cats. I called, but the number was out of service.

Its dead, too, I told Michael.

Now it was time to paint. Michaels shoulder was bothering him, so I said, Youll have a brush with disaster. Let me help.

As I did one of the walls, I remarked, Im on a roll!

It caused Michael even more pain. But he worked through it and, almost single-handedly over the course of a week, and despite my feeble assistance, did a fantastic job.

I love it! Sue exclaimed. Now I want the hallway painted.

Youll have to wait until Michael is out of surgery, I said.

Then you can do the prep work, she said.

OK, I replied. Buy some spackle and an electric sander. And dont forget the beer.

Stamford native Jerry Zezimas latest book is Nini and Poppies Excellent Adventures. JerryZ111@optonline.net, jerryzezima.blogspot.com.WASHINGTON - An ambitious crop of younger Democrats are reaping the spoils of victory in the House.

After years of grumbling about House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's hold on power, the new majority has opened up leadership posts with real responsibility, and the next generation is seizing this moment.

More than a dozen Democrats have launched bids for six leadership positions, with almost every contender a junior lawmaker who has served fewer than four terms. Most of these Democrats have never been in the majority, but they have all viewed themselves as heirs to the trio who have run the caucus for almost 16 years.

With a fresh majority, they have a chance to claim lower-level leadership posts that have some actual power. The question for Pelosi is whether this new dynamic might also help relieve the pressure on Pelosi and her top lieutenants, Reps. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and James Clyburn, D-S.C.

All three are looking to grab the top three positions - speaker, majority leader, majority whip - in the face of resistance from some internal Democratic critics.

Those rebels continue to try to find a way to topple Pelosi, but their biggest problem is the lack of any challenger so far in the Democratic vote, slated for Nov. 28.

Once 10-term Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., lost his primary in June, the field of potential Democratic leaders quickly lost gravitas.

Instead, the up-and-coming Democrats are scrambling for positions that will give them the chance to impress colleagues and then run for the top spots once Pelosi, 78, Hoyer, 79, and Clyburn, 78, inevitably head off to retirement.

"I'm running for this leadership position because, as someone who comes from a district that voted for Donald Trump, I live and breathe this every day of my congressional career," Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., said Friday in a statement launching her bid to chair the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "The most effective way I can improve the lives of hard-working Americans is by helping secure our new Democratic majority."

Bustos, 57, just got elected to serve her fourth term in a somewhat rural district in western Illinois. A former reporter and editor for the Quad-City Times, she has been widely seen as one of the party's most effective communicators, particularly on economic issues relating to middle-class wage stagnation.

But there's no such thing as a free pass, so Bustos is probably squaring off against a pair of Washington Democrats, Reps. Denny Heck, 66, and Suzan DelBene, 56, who have held deputy positions at the caucus's political arm the past few years.

All three contenders were first elected to Congress in 2012.

"These were not wallflowers. These were not people who were content to be backbenchers," former congressman Steve Israel, D-N.Y., said.

As chairman of the DCCC in 2012 and 2014, Israel helped recruit those three and knows many of the other relative newcomers in leadership races.

At least one Democrat is angling for one of the top spots as 61-year-old Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado is challenging Clyburn for majority whip.

Two other key contests are for assistant Democratic leader and the chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

Pelosi created the first position after the 2010 midterms threw Democrats out of the majority, giving Clyburn a soft landing because the minority traditionally has one fewer leadership position.

He's running for his old job of majority whip, creating a contest to replace him as assistant leader that will test the ideological and political geographic bounds of the caucus: Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico vs. Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island.

Lujan, 46, is coming off a four-year run as DCCC chairman, from the disappointing 2016 election to Tuesday's romp over Republicans. Cicilline, 57, is a senior member of the Progressive Caucus, co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and two years ago won election as co-chair of a policy committee.

The caucus chair contest is a generational clash within the Congressional Black Caucus: 72-year-old Rep. Barbara Lee of California, a 20-year veteran, against 48-year-old Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, first elected in 2012.

Pelosi does not wield the same clout inside the caucus as she did eight years ago, so she is focused entirely on her own bid to lock down the votes to become the first person to return to the speaker's rostrum since 1955.

That means these down-ballot races are even more wide open, unlike in previous post-election seasons of defeat and recrimination. After those losses, Pelosi would tamp down rebellion by creating new leadership posts, some of which had real clout, some of which were just window dressing.

The biggest wild card, for the speaker election and other posts, will probably be the incoming freshman class, which will at least number 54. That's about 20 percent of the vote in the secret-ballot races.

"We keep our word, we keep our promises, and I hope people find that refreshing," Rep.-elect Jason Crow, D-Colo., told The Washington Post on Thursday in insisting he won't vote for Pelosi.

Crow and several others pledged during their campaigns not to back Pelosi. It's unclear how many will vote against her during the internal vote later this month and then say that they have to vote for her in the public roll call Jan. 3 in the full House, rather than do anything to help Republicans.

A final spoil of victory are committee assignments, which grow substantially for the majority party.

Only 14 Democrats are returning next year who currently serve on the Ways and Means Committee, the panel that oversees health, trade and tax issues. The next speaker will be able to add about 10 new members to that committee.

There will be about 10 more spots, combined, on the powerful Appropriations and Energy and Commerce committees.

Pelosi will no doubt try to win over holdouts with promises of support for getting those lawmakers onto the key committees of their choice.

Should she win, however, even close allies believe that she won't remain speaker for long. Israel said that once these junior Democrats get into the somewhat powerful leadership posts, they will soon view the top posts as theirs for the taking.

This group will be content in these lower-level spots "for the time being," he said. "Those positions will be steppingstones."PARIS - President Donald Trump flew 3,800 miles to this French capital city for ceremonies to honor the military sacrifice in World War I, hoping to take part in the kind of powerful ode to the bravery of the armed forces that he was unable to hold in Washington.

But on his first full day here, it rained on his substitute parade weekend.

Early Saturday, the White House announced Trump and the first lady had scuttled plans, due to bad weather, for their first stop in the weekend's remembrance activities - a visit to the solemn Aisne Marne American Cemetery, marking the ferocious Battle of Belleau Wood.

It was not completely clear why the Trumps were unable to attend. The cemetery is 50 miles from Paris. Perhaps the president was planning to travel on Marine One, which is occasionally grounded by the Secret Service.

But the sight of dignitaries arriving at other sites outside Paris, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, led some foreign policy analysts to speculate the U.S. commander in chief just wasn't up for it.

"It's incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversary - and then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow," David Frum, who served as a speechwriter to former president George W. Bush, wrote in tweets. Trump is actually staying at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Paris.

So began a weekend in which Trump - battling on a number of political fronts in Washington - seemed distracted and disengaged. Trump left Washington as the list of White House worries piled up: newly empowered Democrats, criticism of his pick for acting attorney general and backlash over his personal attacks against journalists.

Trump was in France in body but appeared unenthusiastic in spirit.

The White House said Chief of Staff John Kelly and Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, would attend the Belleau ceremony in the Trumps' absence, but Frum suggested Trump could have tried to scramble a motorcade to keep his schedule.

Ben Rhodes, the deputy national security adviser under President Barack Obama, noted he helped plan Obama's foreign travel throughout his two terms and said it was common to have a backup plan to deal with inclement weather.

"There is always a rain option. Always," he wrote in a tweet. "Trump will use the U.S. military for a pre election political stunt but sits in his hotel instead of honoring those who fought and died for America."

The cemetery has 2,288 gravesites honoring those who died, including many Americans. The names of 1,060 more Americans who went missing and whose bodies were not recovered are engraved on the walls of the site.

Trump held a bilateral meeting with Macron, but the U.S. president appeared subdued, almost sullen, as Macron tried to mask growing tensions between them.

When Macron tried to pat Trump's thigh, the president ignored him and didn't acknowledge the touch or reciprocate it - a marked difference from their demonstrative power-grip handshakes and back slaps during previous meetings.

Trump is still planning to attend the featured ceremony under the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday where more than 100 world leaders will pay homage to the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Great War.

But he won't really get a parade. The event will not feature tanks or missiles like the parade Trump had envisioned on the streets of Washington on Veterans Day but canceled due to exorbitant costs.

After another scheduled visit to a ceremony on Sunday, the president plans to fly home just as Macron's Paris Peace Forum kicks off for three days of meetings aimed at galvanizing global action on shared challenges, such as climate change.

Thomas Wright, a Europe expert at the Brookings Institution, noted Trump announced he was going to France on a whim in August after abruptly canceling his order for the Pentagon to stage a parade.

The Peace Forum was intended "a bit as a counterpoint to 'America First,' " Wright said, referring to Trump's nationalist foreign policy in which he has unsettled allies on trade and defense. "Now they have this weird situation of Trump being there [in Paris] but the forum going against everything he and [National Security Adviser John] Bolton stand for. . . . My impression is that he's going to pretend like it's not happening."

In the evening, Trump tweeted that he had spent the afternoon in meetings and making calls, though he gave no details. He followed up with a tweet warning he is closely watching the election recount in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races in Florida. "Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida!" he wrote, apparently referring to Democrats.

Trump's critics, including former national security aides under President Barack Obama, piled on - payback, perhaps, for the times Trump ridiculed Obama by calling him feckless and weak on the world stage.

In the two years since his election, Trump has not visited troops in an active war zone - an attempt to make a surprise visit to the Korean demilitarized zone in November 2017 was aborted when Marine One was forced to turn around due to bad weather.

"Real low energy, @realDonaldTrump to not bother to honor the sacrifice of American soldiers in WWI due to some rain. Somehow everyone else was able to do so today. Obama never had this problem. He also visited our troops in war zones," Kelly Magsamen, who served as a high-ranking Pentagon official on Asia affairs, wrote on Twitter.

On Instagram, Trump did make a statement to U.S. troops, posting a photo of himself speaking to service members at Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

"Happy 243rd Birthday to the GREAT U.S. Marine Corps!" Trump wrote.

But in Paris, there were some visible signs of strain between Trump and his host amid tensions over Macron's call for a "true European army" - remarks the U.S. president deemed "very insulting" moments after he landed here on Air Force One late Friday.

Fearful of waning U.S. commitment, Macron hinted at a new path forward for Europe during a radio interview this past week in which he touted the "project of a sovereign Europe" and argued the continent would not be protected "if we don't decide to have a true European army."

"We have to have a Europe that can defend itself alone - and without only relying on the United States - in a more sovereign manner," he said.

That prompted an angry response from Trump in a tweet he sent as Air Force One touched down in Paris late Friday. Trump revived his frustration over countries in the NATO alliance that do not spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on their militaries.

Ahead of their bilateral meeting at Elysee Palace, Macron attempted to soothe Trump by stressing publicly that European nations in the NATO alliance should pay more to defend themselves.

Calling Trump "my good friend," Macron proclaimed "great solidarity" between the two nations and said the leaders will discuss a litany of issues during their one-on-one meeting, including Iran, Syria, Yemen, trade and climate change.

Trump reciprocated Macron's warm tone, telling the French leader that we "have become very good friends" and that the two countries "have much in common in many ways."

"I appreciate what you're saying about burden sharing. You know my view," Trump said. Later, he added: "We want to help Europe, but it has to be fair."

Even as their words aimed to gloss over their differences, their body language betrayed the growing tensions.

Foreign policy analysts said Macron and other European leaders have felt burned by Trump, who pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, both negotiated by the Obama administration.

"I think he has shed any illusion about Trump that flattering him will be a way of getting concessions," said Wright, the Brookings expert. "But he is hesitant to push back hard because he's not sure what that will get him. It's cautious realism."

The Paris weather forecast shows more rain for Sunday.In its document to departments of health across the country, the countrys drug administration said that Chinese drugs in the form of capsules containing human flesh are not licensed or circulated in Vietnam, in response to recent reports of a drug.



To protect people, the administration requested health departments to increase information of the drug as well as encourage people not to buy or take drugs without clear indication of origins.





When discovering unoriginal drugs, people should report to relevant authorities of any discovery of drugs advertised to contain human flesh in Vietnam, the health watchdog said.

Customs agencies, market management board, police in localities liaise to detect drugs and issue penalties to violators according to the present regulations.



The National Intelligence Agency of Nigeria has lately verified that the drugs are filled with powdered human flesh. The manufacturers claim that the capsules can boost stamina, cure cancer, diabetes and some other terminal diseases.

By NGUYEN QUOC - Translated by UYEN PHUONGPARIS - In the shadow of a grand war memorial here, French President Emmanuel Macron marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I by delivering a forceful rebuke against rising nationalism, calling it a "betrayal of patriotism" and warning against "old demons coming back to wreak chaos and death."

His words during a solemn Armistice Day ceremony under overcast skies at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in the heart of the French capital were intended for a global audience. But they also represented a pointed rebuke to President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and others among the more than 60 world leaders in attendance.

Speaking in French, Macron emphasized that a global order based on liberal values is worth defending against those who have sought to disrupt that system.

The millions of soldiers who died in the Great War fought to defend the "universal values" of France, he said, and to reject the "selfishness of nations only looking after their own interests. Because patriotism is exactly the opposite of nationalism."

Macron has attempted to stand as a vocal counterweight to Trump, who recently called himself a "nationalist" and has moved to set the United States apart from global treaties, including the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris climate accord ad a U.N. program for refugees.

Amid growing divisions in Europe that have strained the European Union, Macron defended that institution and the United Nations, declaring that the "spirit of cooperation" has "defended the common good of the world."

"By putting our own interests first, with no regard to others, we erase the very thing that a nation holds dearest, and the thing that keeps it alive: its moral values," Macron said.

He denounced fringe ideologies that have become more mainstream, warping religious beliefs and setting loose extremist forces on a "sinister course once again that could undermine the legacy of peace we thought we had forever sealed."

The powerful remarks came as the world leaders gathered here have sought to mark the 100 years since the war by honoring those who served and died.

Among those who participated were German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

British Prime Minister Theresa May did not attend, remaining in London to preside over a war remembrance there, though she had visited France last week to lay wreaths at military cemeteries and meet with Macron. Chinese President Xi Jinping also was not present.

Putin told Russia's RT network after the ceremony that he and Trump spoke during a leaders' luncheon, but a formal meeting would wait until they cross paths at the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aries later this month. Putin said the two leaders agreed to a request from French officials not to overshadow the war remembrance ceremony.

"We are ready for dialogue," said Putin, adding a dig at the Trump administration for announcing the United States would exit a landmark Cold War arms treaty. "We're not the ones exiting the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty."

Ahead of the ceremony, dozens of world leaders dressed in black strode shoulder-to-shoulder along the Champs Elysees toward the Arc. Military jets streaked overhead, emitting red, white and blue smoke, the colors of France.

Trump and Putin did not participate in the processions. The group, which had first gathered at the Elysee Palace, had come to the Arc on tour buses along the 230-foot wide boulevard. Bells at Notre Dame cathedral tolled at 11 a.m., marking the signing of the armistice of a war in which 10 million military troops perished.

Trump and Putin took their own motorcades to the event and made separate entrances a few minutes after the main group. A White House spokeswoman said Trump arrived separately due to "security protocols," though she did not elaborate.

Trump and Putin shook hands with leaders, assembled on risers at the foot of the monument, and took their own positions. Trump and first lady Melania Trump took spots next to Merkel, while Putin stood next to Macron.

The ceremony could begin.

To the sound of a military brass band, Macron inspected French troops standing at attention and a choir sang the national anthem. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed a solo piece.

For Trump, dressed in a dark blue suit and red tie, the ceremony marked the beginning of a day in which he also attended in a luncheon with the world leaders and then delivered a speech at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial - a day after he skipped a visit to a different cemetery.

At Suresnes, Trump ditched an umbrella and spoke in the rain for 10 minutes, at one point joking that the crowd was "getting drenched."

"It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended," Trump said of the 1,541 buried there. "We renew our sacred obligation to memorialize our fallen heroes."

He did not address Macron's speech.

The relationship between Trump and Macron has soured as the U.S. president has promoted an "America First" foreign policy that has unsettled allies on trade and defense. Macron has sought to counter some of Trump's agenda and he has organized a three-day Peace Forum that began Sunday afternoon, just as Trump headed home to Washington on Air Force One.

For European observers, the commemoration was a somber event - and not exclusively because of the dead it honored.

In a climate of resurgent nationalism - which has seen upheavals in Rome, Budapest, Warsaw and even London - Macron was alone on the dais, preaching the virtues of multilateralism. Merkel, his most loyal partner in this endeavor, has announced she will soon leave public life.

"Franco-German reconciliation was at the very heart of what we've been seeing together," said Dominique Moisi, a French foreign policy expert at the Paris-based Institute Montaigne and an informal adviser to the Macron campaign.

"But she's out," he said of Merkel, who announced she will step down in 2021. "The spirit in which we are commemorating the events is no longer fully present."

Macron's speech was full of literary allusions, including to the French poets Guillaume Apollinaire and Charles Peguy, both of whom served in World War I. (Peguy was killed in combat in 1914.)

Sunday's address also contained a number of historic rebukes. He made a subtle reference to a well-known 1927 French book that decried the elites at the time, who embraced reactionary, nationalistic ideologies at the expense of a rational consensus.

Taking the stage to applause at the Paris Peace Forum later Sunday, Macron avoided presenting the weekend's event as a success. Instead, he said history would remember the image of multiple world leaders whose countries were once at war gathered in peace under the Arc.

The question, Macron said, was how that image would be interpreted.

"Will it be the symbol of a durable peace among nations?" he asked. "Or, on the contrary, a photograph of a final moment of unity before the world descends into a new disorder?"

---

The Washington Post's Anton Troianovski in Moscow contributed to this report.Patriot Park memorial receives crucial 6-acre donation

David Schmucker donated nearly 7 acres to the park for the centerpiece Gold Star Memorial Plaza.He was addressing the UN General Assemblys open debate on maintaining international peace and security, promoting multilateralism and the UNs role on November 9.



He said in the context when international peace and security are facing more complicated traditional and non-traditional challenges, the international community need to maintain and raise the efficiency of multilateralism as history proved that unilateral and bilateral measures could not address global issues.

Quy emphasized that all member countries, especially ones playing an important role, need to continue renewing strong commitments and taking real actions to ensure the international system is based on rule in which all issues are addressed on the basis of fairness and equality.

Multilateral institutions, first of all the UN, need to continue with reform to improve their efficiency and transparency and really attach to people, he said.

The Ambassador asserted Vietnams support for the UN Secretary-Generals reform efforts and stressed the importance of outlining an appropriate action plan for the UN reform.

As a proactive, active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam will continue working for a world of peace, prosperity, fairness and sustainable development, Quy said.

In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said multilateralism has brought for immense achievements, such as the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change, and peace-keeping activities.

As the world is coping with unprecedented challenges stemming from the rise in new conflict multiply, extremism, force population movement, climate change advances, and deepened inequality, the UN official called for maintaining multilateralism and collective problem-solving actions, strengthening commitments to retaining the rule-based world; and using more effectively intermediate reconciliation mechanisms to address conflicts.-

Vietnamnews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.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJHeYJzI2GE



B,



Ci Ling (The Treasure Hunter) (2009) is Taiwanese film. Director - Yen-Ping Chu Loved the movie till the end. Fantastic. I Fell in love with Chilling Lin (Lan Ting) :-* :-) In the northwest desert where countless prosperous dynasties have flourished and fallen, there is a rumor that buried amongst the sand exists a tomb containing countless riches. A group of mysterious guardians have been guarding the map to the location of the treasure until a fierce rivalry erupts. A notorious international crime group, The Company, manage to hunt down the map keeper but not before he manages to pass the map to a young chivalrous man, Ciao Fei (Jay Chou). Ciao Fei was forced to give up the map to save the life of his mentors daughter Lan Ting (Lin Chi-ling). Teaming up with Hua Ding Bang (Chen Daoming), who is a famous archeologist, and Lan Ting they embark on a dangerous journey to recover the map and fight to protect the ancient treasure



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 [  ]Cadiz (Spain), November 11, 2018 (SPS) - Prime Minister Mohamed Alwali Akeik, has praised the Spanish solidarity movement for accompanying the march of the struggle of the Sahrawi people for self-determination and independence, in a statement to Sahara Press Service (SPS).



He added that the lectures and interventions presented at the conference of the Spanish municipalities revealed an important working ground in which the municipalities and local elected officials play a pivotal role in creating a political pressure force to push for the decolonization of Western Sahara.



The Prime Minister also pointed out the importance of the recommendations made by legal experts and researchers in various aspects related to the Sahrawi issue, highlighting that they constitute an important addition to illuminate the path of solidarity movement with the Sahrawi people.



He called on heads of Spanish municipalities, parliamentarians and political forces for exerting pressure in order to enable the Sahrawi people to exercise their right to self-determination.



The Prime Minister took part in the conference of the Spanish municipalities, which was hosted by the Municipality of Cadiz, Andalusia, and witnessed presentations of lectures on international law, human rights and natural resources, it should be recalled. (SPS)



062/SPS/TRAAsk Rusty  Writer disagrees about the Social Security Trust Fund

Dear Rusty: Sometimes words used have different meaning to others, like your recent article on the Social Security Trust Fund. In a true trust fund, monies are only used for a specific purpose. Our so-called Social Security Trust Fund doesnt work like that. Instead, money collected goes directly into the US Treasury, mixed up with everything else. To the government, Social Security is just another revenue stream. They dont separate it from others and have no intention of doing so. Soon, weve been told, the Social Security fund will be declared insolvent. It should never happen but when you spend every penny that comes in on everything else, when the real purpose needs it the well is dry. Lock up the money so that the political elites cant use it for their other important items and save the systems. Let them continue to do as they are and have been doing since the 60s, and its gone. Signed: Disgruntled

Dear Disgruntled: I understand that using the term trust fund in the context of Social Security may not fit the precise definition of those words, but they do serve well as an easy-to-understand description of an account dedicated only for a specific purpose. Those of us intimately familiar with the topic of Social Security are well aware that many believe strongly the Social Security Trust Fund either doesnt truly exist or that the Government raids the fund for general purposes. I can only assure you that I have researched this topic extensively and found that, indeed, there are two Federal financial accounts which contain Social Security assets, namely, the Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund. And, by Federal law, assets in these accounts can be used only for the purposes they were set up for  paying Social Security benefits to eligible retirees, disabled workers, their dependents, and survivors. While revenues from payroll taxes do technically flow into the U.S. Treasury first, that money is then appropriated for the two Social Security Trust Funds as reserves to pay benefits to Social Security recipients. But its important to note that payroll taxes arent the only source of revenue for these accounts; income taxes on Social Security benefits, as well as interest on the excess monies held in reserve are additional sources. Indeed, interest on the $2.9 trillion in the trust funds contributed over $85 billion to the reserves last year. Locking up the money would only serve to exacerbate those solvency issues by eliminating interest as a revenue source. And, just for information, the average interest yield was about 2.9% in 2017.

Social Securitys looming financial issue wasnt caused by political elites using the money for purposes other than Social Security. Rather, the issue is a result of the declining ratio of workers to beneficiaries, and the constantly improving longevity of our population. In other words, the number of beneficiaries is growing faster than the number of contributing workers and those beneficiaries are collecting benefits longer. Average longevity at the programs inception was about 65; today its about 85. And the ratio of workers to beneficiaries in 1945 was about 42:1, whereas today there are less than 3 workers for every recipient of Social Security benefits. Starting this year, Social Security will be paying out more in benefits than it receives in revenue and will use the reserves to fulfill its obligations. Unless Congress addresses this problem soon, all $2.9 trillion of the reserves will be depleted by about 2034. But that doesnt mean the system will be insolvent at that time; rather it will be able to pay out in benefits only the same amount as was received in revenue. And that would, according to the latest report from the Trustees of Social Security, result in a benefit cut of about 21% to all recipients. Will that happen? We cant predict what a future Congress may do, but hopefully Congress will act soon to restore Social Securitys financial health.

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundations staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website ( amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory ) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org .COATESVILLE  Six World War II veterans brought together by state Sen. Andrew Dinniman discussed their experiences serving our nation on Friday at the Coatesville Area Senior Center.

The group of men, who served in every branch of the military and every theatre of war during World War II, spoke frankly about their training, service, and return home after the war during the roundtable discussion Dinniman organized in honor of Veterans Day.

You dont forget about it, Don Wallace said of his wartime service.

Wallace served as Quartermaster in the United States Navy beginning in 1944. Later, he was stationed in occupied Japan and witnessed the signing of the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri. He also recalled seeing Emperor Hirohito and his family driving in an automobile.

Henry Jacks, 96, left Coatesville in April and found himself fighting with the U.S. Army in Africa by June.

At 18 years old you think you know everything, but later in life, you learn that you really dont, Jacks said.

After serving in Africa, he fought in Italy where his service spanned the countrys entire boot. One of his fondest memories was visiting St. Peters Cathedral in Rome and attending a private audience with Pope Pius XII after V-E Day.

Al Newman, 92, of East Fallowfield, spoke matter-of-factly about his service as an Army Staff Sergeant with an infantry unit in France and Germany.

The big deal was to get across the Rhine And I dont remember how we did it, but we did it, he said. Then we went down through Germany and into Bavaria and thats where the war finally came to an end.

Upon returning home, Newman attended West Chester Teachers College and spent nearly 30 years as a school teacher in New Jersey, during which time he met his wife, Dolores.

Charles Gibbs, 92, of Coatesville, talked about facing the daily life in a combat zone.

Most of my time was in Okinawa. I was there when they dropped the atomic bomb, Gibbs said. But I was around a lot of snipers. I was recognized for being fired at quite a bit, but they didnt get me. I went in on the tail end of the war, so I made out OK.

Like Gibbs, Henry Root said that coming of age toward the conclusion of the war meant their service was generally less perilous than those who served earlier on.

My brother joined the Army, but I didnt want to sleep on the ground, so I joined the Navy, he said with a smile. Everybody was celebrating V-J Day and I was on a boat in the middle of the Pacific. It was more like a two-and-a-half-year vacation.

Tony Genaro, 92, of West Caln agreed.

I was on my way over to Japan and they quit. They heard I was coming, he said, jokingly.

Dinniman, D-19, of West Whiteland, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, thanked the men for their service and encouraged others to document their stories.

Notice these men all served towards the end of the war. Those who witnessed its beginning are now gone and with them so many stories and experiences, Dinniman said. The past is so important. The service and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation made our nation what it is today. If you have a veteran in your family, spend some time with them. Sit down, have them tell their stories and take a video to preserve it for posterity.How different was the Britain of the First World War, when millions of men and women came together and did their bit, from today's bitterly divided country, asks Jeremy Paxman

Today amid much sombre pomp, there will be ceremonies right across the land. Millions will watch as The Queen attends the Remembrance Day service, and leaders of the combatant nations will join each other in declaring never again.

Yet at the last significant anniversary, in 1968, 50 years since the Armistice, the Queen and Prince Philip werent even in the country. They were in Rio de Janeiro and it was left to the Duke of Kent to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Then, there was a widespread feeling that it was time to call an end to the ceaseless commemoration, and instead to embrace the present and the future.

On this 100th anniversary, however, there seems to be a genuine popular desire to reimagine the horrors of that particularly horrible war. Why not follow the instincts of decades ago and allow it just to become history? After all, those who wore British uniforms and survived to the Armistice have now succumbed to natural causes.

The timing is part of it, perhaps. While Remembrance Sunday happens every year, today it falls on the 11th day of the 11th month. One hundred years ago today, at 11am, the blood-letting stopped.

There is more to it than an accident of timing, though. Britain has been walking backwards into the future for decades, revelling in long-gone glories on our way to car-boot sales or over spoonfuls of instant food eaten on self-assembly furniture. But this anniversary is more than the recollection of past glories (for whatever else it was, the Great War was not glorious).

British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron visit the Thiepval Memorial, in Thiepval, France November 9, 2018

Is the reason that we  rightly  take this centenary quite so seriously that we have become an angry nation, a people in search of unity and purpose? Britain in 2018 is a country that feels let down by our politicians and lied to by our media, while the custody of the Western world is in the hands of the most unattractive man to hold the office since it was first invented.

Remoaners claim that the vote to leave the European Union was an incoherent howl of nothing can be worse than this. The country didnt, they assert, know what it wanted, but it sure as hell didnt like what it had.

This is a patronising insult to anyone voting to leave the European Union to regain control of national destiny. A sense of purpose matters, whether thats for an individual or for a nation, and a sense of purpose is what so many of us will be reflecting on today.

How different was the Britain of the First World War, when millions of men and women came together and did their bit. Look at the photographs of the jolly young Tommies marching off to war and the female tram drivers, munitions workers and Land Army girls, also cheery for the camera: the nation they represent smiled in the face of hardship.

No one in their right mind would claim that pre-war Britain  where the women and most of those doing the dying couldnt vote  was better than today. The quality of life was far worse. But the faces in these photographs are those of citizens answering what they felt to be a national call.

By the time of the Armistice, a staggering five million were wearing British military uniforms. But Britain is no longer a country where unanimity prevails.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (L) and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (R) during the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War at the Saint-Symphorien Military Cemetery in Belgium

Today, we mark Remembrance Sunday to honour the memory of the empty places at so many family dinner tables  and it is this that should take precedence, not the grand plans and gestures of politicians here and abroad, who have their own purposes in mind.

The Great War was itself a political project. The war that will end war had been HG Wellss Pollyanna-ish claim in 1914. That it didnt turn out to be anything of the kind was not the fault of those who died but of politicians.

It is not as if we had been forced into hostilities. There was no imminent threat to this country. The immediate casus belli was the German invasion of Belgium, which Britain had promised to protect way back in 1839.

Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath watched by Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (L) at the cemetery at St. Symphorien, which was established by the German Army in August 1914 as the final resting place for British and German soldiers who were killed in the Battle of Mons

Belgium is an inherently incoherent country, which is, of course why it now so jealously protects its role as seat of the supra-national European Union. But commitments are commitments, and the British Government could not hope to be taken seriously in the world if it ignored the countrys desperate pleas.

When Lloyd George was asked how he had got on at the treaty talks which followed the Armistice, he is supposed to have replied Not badly, considering I was seated between Jesus Christ and Napoleon.

Christ was the US president, Woodrow Wilson, a zealot who thought he could reshape the world, Napoleon was the walrus-moustached French prime minister, Georges Clemenceau.

It is Frances curse to keep knitting one macrame Napoleon after another. The latest, Emanuel Macron, will lead his nations remembrance ceremonies and has said that the First World War memorials remind him of how important the EU is in obstructing European nationalisms.

When George Orwell looked back at the war, he thought that the average British soldier had emerged from it with contempt for French civilians and a sneaking respect for the German soldier

We can expect more of the same. The foundations of the European Union lie in Frances fear of Germany and Germanys fear of itself.

It is notable that relations between the leaders of the two nations are still the most trumpeted in the block.

Oddly enough, when George Orwell looked back at the war, he thought that the average British soldier had emerged from it with contempt for French civilians and a sneaking respect for the German soldier. The British ruling class has been trying to make us love the French for generations, when in fact we have very little in common with them.

We should never forget that the purpose of Remembrance Sunday is to honour the dead. All politicians need projects. But let us be wary of grand schemes. We should recall the extent to which respect for our ancestors is inextricably mixed up with how we feel about our country. Lets get the relationship between individual sacrifice and national purpose right.

Courage is hard. Speeches are easy to make. And dangerous.

Jeremy Paxmans Great Britains Great War is published by Penguin.The clock has finally run out. If we dont get a deal signed off in principle next week, then we have to move ahead with No Deal, the Cabinet Minister explained.

November 15 is the final date we can place the order for ships to bring in the necessary supplies. The stockpiling of the medicines has to begin around then as well. We also need to start construction of a new border post at Dover.

Theresa May has faced many dark moments during her premiership. But this Remembrance Sunday she is staring down into her own political Valley of Death.

She can drive ahead, in the face of growing opposition among her Cabinet, MPs and party activists, and conclude a Brexit deal that will push her Government and parliamentary majority to the brink.

British Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath watched by Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel (L) during a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Mrs May has faced many dark moments during her premiership. But this Remembrance Sunday she is staring down into her own political Valley of Death, says Dan Hodges

Or she can turn away, abandon Chequers and deliver the nation to the tender mercies of a no-harness, cliff-edge leap out of the EU.

From Downing Street the official line is one of measured defiance. We want to get a deal done this month if we can, an official explains, but it needs to be a good deal and, it has to be one that is politically sustainable.

But behind the scenes there are clear signs the Prime Minister is preparing a lonely, gallant gallop towards the sound of the guns. Over the past few weeks she has been presented with an ever-growing series of red lines from her opponents. And Mrs May is preparing to ride roughshod over all of them.

Quotes of the week Why is he not here? There isnt one law for the famous and one for the rest of the community. Mr Justice Mostyn criticises TV star Ant McPartlin for missing a divorce case hearing. If life dey show you pepper; my guy make pepper soup. Prince Charles drops the Queens English for pidgin during a trip to Nigeria  it means always look on the bright side of life. You released a doctored video  actual fake news. CNN executive Matt Dornic hits out at White House press chief Sarah Sanders after film showing its reporters clash with an intern was altered. Ive always been Granny Spice with biscuits in my handbag. Geri Horner ditches her Ginger Spice nickname as the band reunites for a UK tour. Granny Spice is pictured in London I dont want prayers, I dont want thoughts. I want gun control. Susan Orfanos, after her son was among those shot dead at a Californian bar. Gulp! Tory MP Nicky Morgans reaction after Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said that he hadnt quite understood how reliant UK trade was on the Dover-Calais route. I know my Trotskyites well and I know you dont want to be invested in the UK if a Trotskyite is Prime Minister. Financier Steve Eisman warns of a crisis if Jeremy Corbyn makes it to No 10. We live in a time when you can change your name and gender. Why cant I decide my age? Emile Ratelband, 69, who wants to officially become 20 years younger due to discrimination. If it looks like Im tired, I am. If it looks like I have no make-up on, I dont. If this is the fifth time youve seen me in this dress, deal with it. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez before making history by becoming, aged 29, the youngest woman elected to Congress. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won in New York Advertisement

The details are mind-numbingly opaque. But they essentially involve rejection of calls for a rigid and unilateral process for exiting the so-called back-stop in the event the final details of a new customs arrangement take time to be hammered out. The problems with any deal other than Chequers remain, a May ally says uncompromisingly.

She is right not to compromise. The time for obsessing over the arcane minutiae of Brexit is over. Unless a deal is concluded, in a weeks time, Britain will move on to a war footing. Contingency plans will be activated to ensure transportation and warehousing of emergency food, medicine and other supplies to the UK.

No fewer than eight separate Cobra national resilience protocols are set to be activated, including plans to deal with blackouts, petrol shortages and even the collapse of the UKs satellite navigation systems. Real-life is about to shoulder aside the impenetrable debates over the back-stops  and the back-stops to the back-stops.

Mrs May, for all her faults, grasps this reality. Yes, during the course of the Brexit negotiations, she has made mistakes. She has been excessively aloof. Its a running joke that theres no point trying to get a one-on-one meeting with her, a Minister told me.

Communication with the Sherpas, her officials co-ordinating the talks in Brussels, has been poor, leading to her humiliating ambush in Salzburg. Moments of clarity and determination have been interspersed with instances of indecision and paralysis.

But she has, in her awkward, dogged way, demonstrated leadership. Despite the volleys of shot and shell, from Left and Right, she has broadly stuck to her course. To the extent that her well-documented political isolation now stands as  an albeit unwelcome  testament to her singularity of purpose.

Its time for that isolation to end. Those Ministers and MPs who are this weekend mulling over doing a Johnson and walking away need to ask themselves a simple question. What else?

What do they honestly see are the alternatives to the deal the Prime Minister is trying to inelegantly wrangle past her fractious Cabinet, increasingly duplicitous EU negotiating partners and divided House of Commons?

No one can seriously entertain the idea of removing Mrs May at this stage of negotiations and replacing her with a new Prime Minister. The EU would think  correctly  they were dealing with a banana republic, not a mature Western democracy, and respond accordingly.

Which leaves three alternatives to Mays Brexit. One is a No Deal Brexit. People can scream Project Fear all they like but I have spoken to Ministers who served in the trenches on behalf of the Leave campaign during the referendum.

Not effete Remoaners, but stout-hearted Brexiteers. And they are terrified. Terrified of the probable economic, social and political cost of a No Deal scenario.

Then there is a second alternative. Which is No Brexit. A new referendum is no longer merely a wicked glint in Peter Mandlesons eye. As Jo Johnsons resignation demonstrated, the idea is gaining traction across the political spectrum.

In fact, in the event of a rejection of Mays deal, and the plunge into parliamentary procedural purgatory that could easily follow, it would become the only way of breaking the deadlock.

Save for one. Which is a Corbynite Red Brexit. If a deal is rejected, and a referendum is too politically unpalatable, then the only alternative is a General Election.

An Election characterised by a Conservative Party tearing itself to pieces, Tory activists decrying the great Brexit sell-out and Ministers forlornly imploring voters: Better us than the chaos of Labour. Surely? Corbyn wouldnt need to leave his allotment to secure a landslide.

A Downing Street source told me yesterday, with a mastery of understatement: The deal isnt going to be perfect. But the reality is the voters are not expecting perfection. What they crave now is resolution.

As Jo Johnsons resignation demonstrated, the idea of new referendum that could put a stop to Brexit is no longer merely a wicked glint in Peter Mandlesons eye and is gaining traction across the political spectrum

Both Leavers and Remainers claim to have the ear of the people. No betrayal! bellows out across the watering holes frequented by the Brexiteers. Think again! echoes around the gilded parlours of the Remoaners.

Yet strangely, none seem to hear the real voice of Britain. A voice that is calmly but firmly declaring: OK, just get out now. Get it done. And start focusing on the issues that matter to us.

Last week Downing Street conducted some polling on reactions to the Budget. Responses were broadly positive, but they also revealed that 40 per cent of women were not even aware a Budget had taken place.

The reason? They were no longer engaging with politics because they were sick of hearing about Brexit. The moment of decision has now been reached.

Mrs May must begin her fateful ride into the Valley of Death. Her Ministers and MPs and supporters must follow her. The time has come to do or die.

Matt puts staff on stairway to hell Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, wants his staff to follow his lead by being more active Matt Hancock has decided to put his best foot forward as part of his new drive to get the nation focusing on the prevention of poor health, rather than its treatment. Arriving at the BBCs Portland Place studios to promote the initiative, the Health Secretary was met by a producer who immediately ushered him towards the lift. No, no lifts, he responded. We all need to start learning to use the stairs. Unfortunately, this ministerial edict that has come as something of a shock to his officials. Im not sure this is going to work, one told me despondently. Matts office in the Department is on the ninth floor. The dream of a slimmed-down Civil Service is within the Governments grasp. Advertisement

Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry has been celebrating the birth of his daughter. But I understand he has revealed to colleagues that even during the most intimate family moments there is no escape from Brexit.

Jake and his wife were in the delivery room, another Minister explains, and the doctor turned to him and said, So, how do you think the negotiations are going to pan out.  Im told Mrs Berry  understandably  was not amused.

John Bercow in the Speaker's Chair, where nobody else can sit

John Bercow won plaudits for agreeing to allow last Thursdays Women MPs Of The World celebration to take place in the Commons chamber.

In an unprecedented move, women parliamentarians from across the globe were invited to deliver speeches from the Commons benches and Dispatch Box.

But one piece of protocol remained inviolate. No one is allowed to sit in the Speakers chair, one of the events organisers explained to me. Thats reserved for Mr Bercow. Women, know your limits.Claimed by trainer Rene Allard in his last start, The Onlyest One claimed victory in the $18,000 pacing feature on Saturday, Nov. 10 at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

The Onlyest One, a Bettors Delight gelding, overcame a first-over journey to post a 1:52.3 victory. Now a 13-time winner in 2018 with earnings of $101,450 this year and $347,240 lifetime, The Onlyest One withstood Roll Away Joe by a length for driver Simon Allard while making a successful debut for Allard Racing Inc.

Music Is Art may not have been the straightest pacer in the stretch drive of the $17,500 co-featured pace, but he was the fastest under the guidance of Anthony Napolitano to reach the wire first in 1:51.2. The son of Art Major was positioned second over, swung wide entering the stretch and kept going wider the closer he got to the line. He finished about four wide at the wire with a half-length lead over pacesetting Im A Big Deal.

Music Is Art, trained by Mark Ford for owner Rick Berks, pushed his earnings to $91,863 this season and $196,790 lifetime.

Ford, the Allard brothers, and George Napolitano Jr. each had a triple Saturday.

Two horses were honoured Saturday in the Hanover Shoe Farms winners circle at Pocono for seasonal accomplishments at the mountain oval. First to be spotlighted was another success story for the brothers Allard: Mare of the Year Eclipse Me N. She won half of her twelve starts this season at Pocono at the highest level of the conditioned ranks.

For the year overall Eclipse Me N, who raced in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers in the winter, has nine wins and $93,210. She took her mark of 1:50.1 on May 15 at Pocono for Allard Racing Inc., Yves Sarrazin, and Don Mac Lean, who imported her from New Zealand in May 2017.

While the American Ideal gelding Ideal Kiss raced honourably at Pocono from May to November, his selection as Claimer of the Year was hugely based on his stint under the tutelage of Hunter Oakes, after Northfork Racing Stable claimed him for $30,000 on Aug. 11.

For Northfork, Oakes and driver George Napolitano Jr., Ideal Kiss hit the board in seven of nine startswinning fiveand amassed earnings of $59,020 and a lifetime mark of 1:49.3 earned on Sept. 1. Ideal Kiss has raced this year to a total of 10 wins and $118,030 in earnings; his lifetime accumulation is $202,730.

Sunday, Nov. 11 at Pocono Pacer of the Year Dorsoduro Hanover will be feted; on 2018 closing night next Saturday, Trotter of the Year Homicide Hunter will be honoured.

(with files from PHHA)When the guns fell silent on the Western Front on November 11 1918, there was as much a feeling of relief as there was of celebration that the Allies, now supported by the United States of America, had finally prevailed.

Hardly a community in the country had not felt the agony of war. Only 53 villages in England and Wales could be classified as Thankful Villages  in which all those who marched away to war returned.

The installation of 888,246 poppies in the moat of the Tower of London four years ago  to mark the onset of hostilities  defined the human cost of the First World War for Britain and her Colonies.

Each poppy represented not only a life lost but a family shattered.

The unfathomable scale of the bereavement is the focus of this Novembers memorial at the Tower, a sea of flickering candles to mark the Armistice. It is a haunting spectacle.

Sympathy and emotion, while important, are not enough, however. And today, as we look back across the century in Remembrance, we should also reflect on the lessons we have learned from the Great War  and the lessons we prefer to ignore.

The unfathomable scale of the bereavement is the focus of this Novembers memorial at the Tower

How, in the light of that overwhelming sacrifice do we treat todays Armed Forces, the servicemen and women on whom we rely? What welcome do we give to those returning home with broken minds and bodies? And just how serious are we in recognising the gathering threat of foreign powers?

One guiding light for the exhausted population of 1918 was the thought of a better and very different future  that, in the words of David Lloyd George, the new Britain would be a fit country for heroes to live in.

That hope would turn out to be an illusion. After the initial celebration of the Armistice, hundreds of thousands of soldiers returned from the war to a Great Britain that had changed significantly.

The German U-boat campaign to starve Britain into submission had come close to success. The country was nearly bankrupt and food was scarce. Many of the jobs that the men had left to go to war were now filled by women; and many of the men who returned were not the same young men who had gone away.

Tens of thousands were physically mutilated without arms, legs or sight; and tens of thousands more bore mental scars which, while invisible, were as debilitating as any physical injury ever could be. Shellshock was hard to explain and even harder to treat.

True, we know a great more about mental illness and physical injury today, but the devastating effects are with us still. Is the Britain of 2018 a fit country for heroes, for our wounded service personnel or grieving families? In many ways, sadly, it is not.

The resources committed to alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses remain woefully short and the need very great. This year has seen a spike in the number of suicides among serving personnel and veterans of the recent campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sympathy and emotion, while important, are not enough, says former Chief of the General Staff Lord Dannatt

In 1918, most returning veterans suffered in silence  it was a generation that did not talk about the war. Today there has been a welcome change in culture which allows those with mental health problems to ask for help. If they have the courage to ask, they must receive what they need, which is why I joined The Mail on Sunday in a successful campaign for a round-the-clock helpline.

A fit land for heroes, was not the only misleading slogan of 1918. The nation had also clung to the belief that the conflict was a war to end all wars and continued to do so for years to come.

This proved not merely mistaken but dangerous, and embracing it left Britain vulnerable.

In the warmth of victory we forgot some of the cold realities, including the lessons of our own success. Take the decision to abandon trench warfare in favour of fast, mobile attacks in 1918, a development that would help bring the war to a close.

The integrated use of tanks, artillery and air power had been conceived by the British, yet it was the Germans who paid attention and developed similar strategies in the years following.

The mobile warfare which broke the deadlock in 1918 had been our innovation, yet we had no answer to the Panzer divisions as they crashed into France in May 1940.

The idea that the Great War had indeed been the war to end all wars had other consequences, too. It led to a grudging acceptance and appeasement of Germanys steady expansion in Europe.

We chose largely to ignore the rise of Hitlers populist Nazi Party and did little as the Rhineland was remilitarised in 1936.

Britain was flirting with disaster and, when rapid re-armament eventually began, it was a race in which we were dangerously behind.

In our failure to take a clear-eyed view of the 1914-18 conflict, we sowed the seeds of yet more terrible destruction. (France, of course, had been under no such illusion and, fearful of having to fight another war against its aggressive neighbour, decided in 1930 to place her faith in concrete and machine guns, and accelerated the construction of the Maginot Line.)

The idea that the Great War had indeed been the war to end all wars had other consequences, too. It led to a grudging acceptance and appeasement of Germanys steady expansion in Europe (pictured: The Tommy War memorial in Seaham, County Durham)

Are we any better prepared today? Our American friends think we are not, and say so very clearly. They believe we have our heads in the sand once again  and they are right.

Europe, in the shape of our exit from the European Union, is the all-consuming focus of the British Government while an opportunist, resurgent Russia watches on with ill-disguised glee and contempt for truth and the international rule of law.

VLADIMIR Putin is developing new forms of warfare in space and cyber-space, careful not to cross a threshold that would provoke a collective reaction from Nato.

The Russians are developing a sophisticated fourth generation main battle tank, yet our Challenger 2 tanks are now 20 years old with no immediate prospect of replacement or an upgrade.

Meanwhile China is developing its military capability commensurate with its growing economy.

The United Kingdom, by contrast, has never spent less, devoting just two per cent of gross domestic product to defence compared with 38 per cent on the National Health Service. This two per cent has bought us the smallest Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force since modern records began.

Decisions on Government spending are political choices, but politicians are influenced by public opinion. And sadly, the received wisdom in Whitehall is that there are no votes in Defence.

Perhaps they are right, which makes it all the more essential that, as we look back across a long and frequently violent century, we must not only commemorate the losses of the past, but learn its lessons, also.

There must be compassion for our living soldiers, sailors and airmen and for the families  so many of them grieving  who support them. And there must be vigilance about the true state of the world.

Only that way can we ensure that the carnage of a century ago is not repeated.What do you think about during the two minutes silence? I used to think of men at war, and hear in my head the shouts and the clash of arms. Now I see a narrow street of small houses at dusk. A young man in army uniform is embracing his wife and little children in a lighted doorway. He will not return.

I recently learned that, on the first day of commemoration, in 1919, the silence was often far from silent. In many places, when the traffic and the factories stopped, the sound of uncontrollable weeping could be heard in many towns.

Nearly three quarters of a million young men had died far away. In an age when death was still marked by elaborate rituals of mourning, theyd had no funerals. For the first time, the bereaved had an opportunity to grieve properly.

Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and French President Emmanuel Macron, left, walk together after laying wreaths at the World War I Thiepval Memorial in Thiepval, France

This commemoration is above all about the First World War, which has just ceased to be a warm, living memory and become the cold untouchable past. As a child I knew and talked to people who had lived through it, who had seen Zeppelins caught in the searchlights. In my teenage years, the Great War was as close to us as the 1960s are now.

I knew, when I first learned about it, that the 1914 war was a chasm between us and another world.

I rather liked the look of the world that had been lost  calmer, slower, more solid than ours. I had a feeling we were now a smaller people than we had been, scuttling about in the ruins of a lost civilisation.

It has also struck me, since I am so often told that those who fought in 1914 did so for our freedom, that we are far less free as a people, from all kinds of government interference, than we were before that war. It was 1914 that began the era of heavy taxation, surveillance, regulation and general snooping and bureaucracy which now stifle us.

It was also 1914 that swept away the restrained and quiet world of yesterday, and the great, stuffy cumbersome empires of Austria, Germany and Russia, replacing them with the slick murderous modern empires of the Nazis and the Bolsheviks. Was this progress? Give me the Kaiser and the Tsar, any day, rather than Hitler and Stalin. I used to think the 1914 war was terrible but necessary, and now I know too much history to believe this any more. If we were trying to prevent German domination of Europe, we failed, for here they still are, dominating away, through the medium of the EU.

A memorial display outside the Tower of London to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day

As for the squandering of young men, the best we had in every class, how much have we suffered the absence, before they could make their mark, of all those lost fathers, scientists, teachers, inventors, poets, parsons, businessmen, composers, geniuses, or just plain good kind honest citizens?

Im not against war, as a necessity. Attack me, and I will defend myself. Threaten me, and I will stand up to you. And I believe in being ready for war, to maintain peace. Respect your own army, or you will one day have to respect someone elses.

I happen to think that modern Britain has foolishly allowed its defences to grow far too weak, and I would strengthen them.

But after a century of silences, as we remember the intolerable numbers of the beloved dead, as the bugles call once again from the sad shires, I beg all those with any influence over our national policy to be a little less enthusiastic about war than they seem to be.

In the past 100 years, war has not made us greater, but diminished and ended our greatness.

And when we remember the dead we should, above all, remember and regret what they might have been, had they lived.

An intellectual giant hounded by nasty fools Sir Roger Scruton in March 2018 Sir Roger Scruton is one of the wisest and cleverest men in Britain. It is a disgrace that his powerful, lucid mind has not been placed at the service of the country, and that he has instead been pushed to the edge of the academic and political world. I dont always agree with him. Hes hopelessly wrong about Russia, which he has mixed up with the USSR. I think the Government are exploiting him by appointing him as an adviser on housing. They will politely hear out his arguments in favour of building beautiful things, and then concrete over the countryside with ugly box homes anyway. But the attempt, by Left-wing fanatics, to get the Prime Minister to sack him, is actually shameful. Sir Rogers views, similar to mine, are unfashionable. But they are not wicked. And I am especially disgusted by an attempt to suggest that he is anti-Jewish. I have read the speech against which this charge is made, and I can only conclude that his accusers have not read it. It is not remotely anti-Semitic, and nor is he  unlike the unpleasant author Roald Dahl, whose seething, repulsive Judophobia has long been overlooked because his works bring in lots of money to publishers and film-makers. The worst part of this attack on Sir Roger is this. Not long ago, at some peril to himself, he was one of a small, brave band of men and women who went into the dark lands of Eastern Europe in the days of Communist repression. They set up secret schools of free thought, where Sir Roger taught. They smuggled aid in various forms to courageous dissidents who were silenced by Left-wing censorship and secret police. Now, by a twist he can never have expected, he is himself a dissident in a country that was once free. And foolish, nasty people snap at his heels, smear him and would like to see him silenced. We dont have secret police here quite yet. But I can see them taking shape in a shadowy form among us, and when they finally open for business they will not be short of volunteers. Advertisement

The moment that captures Trumps REALLY scary side

People still try to persuade me that Donald Trump is not all bad, that his mind isnt small and his ideas arent cheap slogans.

My view remains this: President Trump is a sort of punishment for liberals. He is what they get when they refuse to listen to much nicer people, such as me. The trouble is, the rest of us get punished, too.

It is his instincts, above all, that frighten me. Watch the original film of his exchange at his post-election press conference with the CNN reporter Jim Acosta.

A White House intern reaches for and tries to take away the microphone held by CNN correspondent Jim Acosta

The President, like a sort of malignant marsupial, puts on a petulant, dictatorial performance. Thats his affair. I dont much like CNN either.

But then, when it goes badly for him, he snaps Thats enough and a White House employee makes a determined grab for the microphone (pictured). Later, Mr Acosta was banned from the White House, on the very weak excuse that he had laid hands on the female employee. Did he?

Both the Blair creature and David Cameron treated me quite badly at press conferences, by refusing to take my questions. Blair once told me, unsuccessfully, to sit down and stop being bad.

But using a state official to grab a microphone and so silence an awkward questioner is far, far worse than that.Last week, the heartbroken family of another young victim returned to their home in Romania after just a few weeks living here in Britain.

London, they said, was a dangerous place where terrible things can happen in the blink of an eye. If you say the wrong thing to the wrong person you could end up dead.

Their own son, Beniamin Pieknyi, was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was stabbed to death in an East London shopping centre  just one more victim of a vicious urban conflict that has already cost hundreds of lives, five in the past week alone.

Beniamin Pieknyi, 21, was walking through the Stratford Centre in East London when he was chased and stabbed in March

This new war has spread to pockets right across the capital, including Tottenham and Wood Green in North London, areas I know well. I grew up a few minutes away and raised my own family in the shadow of nearby Alexandra Palace.

Violence is nothing new. Almost half a century ago, I encountered my own share of knuckle dusters and bicycle chains, and the broken front teeth I see in the mirror are a constant reminder never to drop my guard if I happen  once again  to be facing an enemy with a brick in his hand. But the battles now taking place are different.

The primitive weaponry of my day has been replaced by a lethal armoury of knives, swords, handguns and, occasionally, automatic rifles  some in the hands of children as young as ten.

Three killings have taken place within ten minutes of my own front door this year alone  and shrines have been erected to boys and girls sacrificed in an unwinnable war.

Im the son of poor immigrants and have no doubt that, were I a teenager today, I too would be caught up in the carnage.

This epidemic of knife crime has not appeared from nowhere. It has been gathering for some time, yet the warnings from me and others were ignored. Even now, the political response has been pathetic, focusing  irrelevantly, in my opinion  on police numbers.

This is the shocking moment Jai Sewell, 15, was stabbed in Bellingham, South East London

In fact there is no evidence that having bobbies on the beat will deter teenage thugs. The chances of a policeman being on the right corner at the right time are probably less than the same officer being struck by lightning.

But there is plenty that we can do, and urgently.

First we need to be clear about who is dying and who is doing the killing, and we must be honest that there is a racial component to the violence.

The deaths are taking place in the urban semi-ghettos of London, Manchester and other big cities, especially those which have become home to refugees from war zones in Eastern Europe, Africa and elsewhere. Many of these young people have grown up with the extreme violence of modern warfare  rape, beheadings, executions  and are traumatised in a way that is a danger to them and to others unless it is treated.

Membership of a gang brings protection and a sense of belonging and the promise of a slice of the profits of the illegal drugs trade.

So the forlorn attempts by politicians and media to ignore this truth  to avoid stigmatising minority communities  has been counterproductive, a hand-wringing dereliction of responsibility. It might make right-on white liberals feel better. But the price of their smugness is an ongoing bloody massacre of black children with a casualty list that seems to lengthen by the day.

To tackle it, we urgently need a combination of sticks and carrots  the first to stem the tide of death, the second to radically change the conditions in which the violence grows.

We need to stop the blood flowing by following the example of the American police and identifying the high-risk zones, based on data from police, hospitals and schools. Police should be empowered to flood these areas, using stop-and-search powers as freely as they wish. Indeed, they should be empowered with new laws similar to anti-terror legislation that allows detention of the gang leaders who may not wield the knives but give the orders.

16-year-old John Ogunjobi who died after being stabbed in Tulse Hill, south London, on Bonfire night

If the head of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick, is right and hi-tech tools will boost detection rates, then fretting about privacy from people whose families are in no danger should be ignored. In areas where the gangs are primarily black or from another ethnic group, police might even be permitted to apply for exemption from race discrimination laws for a limited period. This could free their hands to act against specific targets  and few would be more pleased than minority parents who constantly worry that their children may never come home.

To protect peoples rights, every officer should be fitted with a body-worn camera, which should ensure that such operations are carried out fairly and with respect.

At the same time, we need to disrupt the supply of fresh youngsters entering the cycle of death. Instead of spending yet more energy and cash on pointless campaigns against social media hate crimes, we should offer families at risk new homes outside the area.

An imaginative education department might consider funding the schooling of bright young boys or girls in danger of joining a gang at a boarding school far from the estate where they grew up.

Its no accident that Tottenham MP David Lammy, who grew up next to the notorious Broadwater Farm estate, got to university with the help of a music scholarship to a school outside London.

There must be a range of carrots or incentives, also. Why not offer young professionals a good reason to live in the areas where the gangs operate. It has been shown in America that changing the ethnic and social mix significantly reduces the presence of drug dealers and pimps, and undermines the grip of gang culture on the streets.

We could offer a long council tax holiday to people moving into a high-risk zone, coupled with some strong regulation to stop mortgage companies refusing to operate in the areas at risk.

Prisons are another front line in this war, places where the gangs consolidate their control over captive young men. Currently, the authorities appear powerless to prevent the murderous conflict we see on the streets playing out behind bars also. Prison governors need fresh powers to ship out key gang members, whether black, white, Pakistani Muslim or godless Eastern European.

And in the end, we need to persuade young men that this isnt a normal way of life.

Right now, few employers will take the risk of hiring someone with a conviction.

There are exceptions, including John Timpson, owner of the Timpson shoe repair shops, and London businessman Iqbal Wahhab, who has mentored several former gang members to business success. Their example must be followed.

Above all we must name the problem for what it is, if we are to stem this vicious tide. Hand-wringing helps no one.

We are already too late for the family of Beniamin Pieknyi.Advertisement

Jake Snow and Marie Fe travel the world together and regularly post self-timed photos against some of the world's most precious views.

So when 26-year-old Australian photographer Jake asked his German girlfriend Marie, 28, to pose for a photo in Cappadocia, Turkey, she thought nothing was amiss.

In a video that has now been watched almost a million times the pair can be seen holding hands and looking into each other's eyes, before Jake reaches into his pocket for a ring.

But he almost didn't have a ring to give his bride-to-be.

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Jake Snow and Marie Fe (pictured) travel the world together and regularly post self-timed photos against some of the world's most precious views

'I was in Morocco four weeks ago when I woke up one morning and thought I just need to do this. I need to propose,' Jake told FEMAIL.

'I had known that I wanted to marry Marie for at least a year but I was so anxious about making the moment perfect for her that I put off proposing for as long as I could.'

He knew the pair would be travelling to Cappadocia in a month's time and decided that would be the perfect location to ask her to be his wife.

'One hundred balloons in the sky as a backdrop with the sun coming up sounded pretty special to me,' he said.

'I was in Morocco four weeks ago when I woke up one morning and thought I just need to do this. I need to propose,' Jake told FEMAIL

He knew the pair would be travelling to Cappadocia in a month's time and decided that would be the perfect location to ask her to be his wife

'I had four weeks to plan everything and I was with Marie pretty much 24/7 up until until the day I proposed so it was incredibly hard to keep it a secret.

'My biggest issue was finding the right ring in such a short amount of time. I knew Marie had a minimalist, natural style so I wanted to find something that was unique, raw and natural.

'I acquired the help of one of Marie's good friends who pointed me in the right direction. I Iooked through so many rings and none of them really gave me that ABSOLUTE YES feeling so I chose one anyway.

'It wasn't until five days before we were flying to Turkey that I had second thoughts about the ring I had chosen. I was just skimming through photos when I found THE ONE. As soon as I saw it I knew that it was the one, a bit like when I saw Marie for the first time.

'I acquired the help of one of Marie's good friends who pointed me in the right direction. I Iooked through so many rings and none of them really gave me that ABSOLUTE YES feeling so I chose one anyway,' he said

After getting their blessing they agreed to help Jake pick up the ring from customs. It was due to arrive at 12pm and their flight was at 3pm

'Marie's friend Aylin immediately called up the designer in Oregon, California, to see if it was possible to get the ring shipped to Germany [where they were] in five days.'

'She said it was possible but it was going to be close. The ring was supposed to arrive the day before we would fly out of Germany. During this time I asked Marie's mother and her brother for their blessing. I was so nervous just to ask them on that day. It made me realise how nervous I would be to propose to her on the actual day.'

After getting their blessing they agreed to help Jake pick up the ring from customs. It was due to arrive at 12pm and their flight was at 3pm.

'Marie's mother left for the customs office under the guise of taking the dog for a walk while we packed our bags. Just as we were about to leave she got home with the ring and snuck it into my bag,' he said.

'Marie's mother left for the customs office under the guise of taking the dog for a walk while we packed our bags. Just as we were about to leave she got home with the ring and snuck it into my bag,' he said

'Jake and Elliot (our videographer) had been sneaking off and taking videos the whole way leading up to the proposal. Looking back now I was so naive, the terrace where he proposed was completely empty on the day and the day before there was about 15 people. I just thought "wow we are so lucky today",' she said

'I cant believe I was able to keep it a surprise and actually capture the moment, I guess it was meant to be.'

For Marie, the surprise was thoroughly welcomed.

'I have no idea how he pulled it off without me knowing,' she said.

'Jake and Elliot (our videographer) had been sneaking off and taking videos the whole way leading up to the proposal. Looking back now I was so naive, the terrace where he proposed was completely empty on the day and the day before there was about 15 people. I just thought "wow we are so lucky today",' she said.

'It is still very early days but I think we are leaning towards having a small boutique wedding in Germany with my family, especially my grandparents who can't travel,' Marie said

'I'm still trying to soak it all up as much as possible. I wish it was more than a once in a lifetime thing. But that's what makes it so special I guess. I'm just so happy that Jake and Elliot were able to capture the moment so I will be able to look back and relive it as time goes on.'

They haven't started planning their wedding yet because there is still so much 'travelling they want to do'.

'It is still very early days but I think we are leaning towards having a small boutique wedding in Germany with my family, especially my grandparents who can't travel,' Marie said.

'And then a bigger celebration somewhere more tropical... Bali would be nice!'The reign of avocado is finally over as millennials turn their attention to photographing houseplants.

That's according to 'plant style influencer' and British botany enthusiast Kimberley Aston, who is a certified expert on snapping domestic foliage.

With #plantporn now one of the fastest growing tags on Instagram (147,000 posts and counting), social media mavens are increasingly using plants as a cheap way to style their homes and create their own 'urban jungles'.

If you want do master the perfect Instagram shot of your houseplants, look no further as Kimberly has offered her top tips in partnership with Always Kalanchoe.

'Plant style influencer' and British botany enthusiast Kimberley Aston, pictured, has shared her tips for mastering the perfect Instagram shot of your houseplants

Kimberley Aston, pictured, is a certified expert on snapping domestic flora. #Plantporn has overtaken the humble avocado as millennials' most-photographed object

Kimberley poses with a pot plant. With #plantporn one of the fastest growing tags on Instagram (147,000), social media mavens are now using plants to style their homes

1. Get your lighting right

'We all know that lighting makes or breaks a selfie, and the same goes for plants... Daylight works best, but with the nights' drawing in, try playing around with plant shadows for a dramatic effect.'

2. 'More' is less

'Have you picked up a bit of a plant buying habit? It's easily done with everywhere from supermarkets to Urban Outfitters selling cute cacti and succulents. Group plants together to celebrate their differences. Mix colourful succulents like kalanchoes with smaller, more compact plants to really make your plants pop.'

'Group plants together to celebrate their differences,' says plant style influencer Kimberley Aston who has more than 8,000 followers and is a botany enthusiast

Scrap the square: 'It's easy to forget that Instagram lets you post landscape or portrait shots - make the most of the extra space in your followers' feeds and scrap the square - just make sure your photo still looks great on your grid,' says plant style influencer Kimberley Aston

'Wiping leaves with a damp cloth before you start shooting will not only make your plants happy, but will also help them shine,' says Kimberley as she shares her Insta-tips

3. Accessorise it up

'Most plants are sold in unsightly plastic pots that will never match that millennial pink velvet sofa. There's a whole world of cute cache pots out there to match any interior style; terracotta for slow living, quirky face pots for kitsch interiors, or uniquely glazed pottery for that global luxe look. Check out trouva.com for some pots that are sure to give you serious heart eyes.'

4. Don't forget your filter

'Using Instagram's own filters feels a little tired - try out some new filters with apps like VSCO or Snapseed to give your photo the edge. Tweaking the exposure or contrast can make a real difference and make for a more professional result.'

'There's a whole world of cute cache pots out there to match any interior style,' says botany fan Kimberley Aston who has shared her tips for taking perfect Instagram snaps of your plants

'A healthy plant will look so much better on your feed than a sickly one, so make sure you know how to look after your plants,' says Kimberley Aston, an expert on domestic flora

'We all know that lighting makes or breaks a selfie, and the same goes for plants,' says Kimberley Aston who has shared some of her favourite foliage snaps with MailOnline

5. Scrap the square

'It's easy to forget that Instagram lets you post landscape or portrait shots - make the most of the extra space in your followers' feeds and scrap the square - just make sure your photo still looks great on your grid!'

6. Let your plants do the talking

'A healthy plant will look so much better on your feed than a sickly one, so make sure you know how to look after your plants. Easy care plants like Kalanchoes need little attention compared to finicky ferns.

'If you're a little lacking in the green finger department, stick to bombproof plants! Wiping leaves with a damp cloth before you start shooting will not only make your plants happy, but will also help them shine.'Every day a new word emerges in the dating lexicon to capture a different style of relationship or romantic arrangement.

And now Australian television personality Sami Lukis has revealed another: the 'situationship' - a phrase which explains a set-up that's more than friends but less than formal commitment.

'It's the relationship you're having when you're not having a relationship,' Sami said in conversation on The Morning Show.

'And it's happening more and more for those of us in our forties and fifties. And for a lot of my girlfriends in their early to mid-fifties, it's their preferred relationship model.'

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Australian television personality Sami Lukis (pictured) has revealed the perfect phrase to describe an in-between situation

Outlining the contours of a 'situationship', Sami, 48, explained it's an arrangement which is more involved than casual dating.

'It's the extension of friends with benefits. It's more than just physical,' she said before adding: 'I like to say it's stable companionship without any full-time or full-on commitment.'

The term can cover those who may text every day, see each other two or three times a week, or perhaps even take a holiday together, however, there would be no mention of being formally in a relationship, Sami added.

Outlining the contours of a 'situationship', Sami (pictured) explained it's an arrangement that's more involved than casual dating but not as intense as a committed relationship

Highlighting the benefits, the presenter said the less formal structure was ideal for those who've just come out of a long-term relationship and were looking for something with less commitment - and on their terms.

'For my girlfriends that have come out of long marriages or nasty divorces or separations, they are loving their freedom and independence,' she said.

'But they are still looking for that stable companionship - they just don't want to ever live with a guy again.

'They don't want to deal with all the anxiety and frustration that comes with having a husband again or having a full-time companion or full-time partner.'

Sami said the less formal structure o a 'situationship' offers those who've come out of long-term relationship more low key way to have a romantic interaction - and on their terms

Sami said that key to making a 'situationship' work is being on the same page in terms of expectations - something she revealed she had done when she had entered into this type of arrangement.

'When you have a mutual respect for each other and an understanding of exactly what it is, and neither of you is looking for anything more, that's when it works.'

Although she revealed she is no longer in a 'situtionship', she said because she was open from the outset about what she wanted she has been able to remain friends with the man she was formerly dating.

Revealing details of her own experience with this type of arrangement, Sami said she made sure she was clear from the outset in term of what she wanted

The radio star, who takes an outspoken approach to dating and sex as an older woman, also recently shared how navigating this terrain wasn't without its share of heartbreak.

In a piece for Whimn, the 48-year-old shared how she'd faced the 'most brutal rejection' of her dating life after she was dumped by an ex-boyfriend for not being able to conceive.

She explained the boyfriend, who was 10 years younger than her, he decided to call it quits when it became apparent she wouldn't be able to fall pregnant due to fertility problems.

'"It's not you. It's your uterus." That's how he dumped me,' Sami said.

'Maybe those weren't his exact words. I think he said something along the lines of, "I'm just not ready to give up on the possibility of one day having kids with my partner."'

The now-48-year-old said she was dating a man 10 years younger than her but he decided to call it quits due to one crucial deal breaker - he wanted kids

The media star said although the man was fully aware of her fertility issues early on in their relationship, he later decided he wanted to have his kids.

By sharing her story, Sami said she wanted to warn other women about the devastating consequences of dating younger men.

'If you're going to date a younger man, just know that your fertility might turn out to be the crucial deal breaker for him,' she said, adding that she doesn't want to go through the same heartbreak ever again.In films and novels, a wedding is often portrayed as the happiest day of a couple's life together.

But for one heartbroken bride, her wedding day also fell as she was coming to terms with one of the hardest experiences she's ever faced.

Ashlee Charlton, who is originally from Melbourne but who lives in London, suffered a miscarriage mere hours before she flew from the UK back to Australia to get married - meaning she and her partner celebrated a festive day while they were personally dealing with tragedy.

'I thought my body was broken,' the 31-year-old recalled to FEMAIL.

Ashlee Charlton, who is originally from Melbourne but who lives in London, suffered a miscarriage mere hours before she flew from the UK back to Australia to get married (pictured on her wedding day)

The day before they were due to fly out to Melbourne for the wedding, Ashlee (pictured with Liam) noticed she was spotting and so she made an appointment with her midwife

For Ashlee and Liam, wanting a baby was always on the cards, but the couple were not sure it would be possible when Ashlee caught a parasite when they were travelling in the Amazon and a first pregnancy didn't work out.

'We hadn't talked properly about starting a family yet, but I did feel that falling pregnant might not be on the cards for us,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'So needless to say when we found out I was pregnant, we were shocked.'

As soon as Ashlee was pregnant, she confessed their wedding plans went out of the window.

The couple - who live in London - were due to fly home to Australia in order to enjoy their nuptials with close friends and family.

'The day before we were due to fly out, though, I started spotting,' Ashlee said.

'I went to my midwife appointment on the morning of our flight, and she told me to go straight to the emergency room.'

Confused and only nine weeks into her pregnancy, Ashlee was soon told that she didn't 'have a healthy nine-week baby growing inside me' (pictured on her wedding day)

The couple were safe to fly to Australia, but Ashlee (pictured at her wedding) was emotional while on the plane as she grappled with celebrating her wedding, but also processing her grief

Confused and only nine weeks into her pregnancy, Ashlee was soon told that she didn't 'have a healthy nine-week baby growing inside me'.

'At the time, they didn't know whether it was a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, but they advised that I couldn't fly,' she said.

'However, my nurse rushed my bloods and confirmed it was a miscarriage rather than an ectopic pregnancy, so the danger of something haemhorrhaging mid-flight wasn't a concern.'

'Before the plane took off I began to bawl,' Ashlee said. 'Those really deep cries where you just can't catch your breath' (pictured: the wedding venue)

However, reflecting, the couple (pictured) are happy that they got to see friends and family and celebrate their wedding while they were having a tough time

Before the plane took off I began to bawl

The couple knew they needed to continue with their plans to fly home and so they hurriedly packed their bags to head back to Australia for the wedding:

'Before the plane took off I began to bawl,' Ashlee said. 'Those really deep cries where you just can't catch your breath.

'The only thing that was more painful than my heartache was the cramps - the intense sharp pains your body goes through for up to two weeks after a miscarriage. And they didn't let up.'

'Seeing so many loved ones reminded me of how lucky we are,' Ashlee (pictured) said. 'To be surrounded by such incredible people who are positive and loving'

The 31-year-old (pictured) added: 'There were moments of guilt about feeling happy, but overall having the wedding so soon afterwards was a godsend'

When they landed in Melbourne, the couple knew they had to put on a brave face, even though it was hard.

'The rational side of you knows that miscarriage is a possibility and it can happen for all kinds of reasons, but that doesn't stop the negative thoughts,' Ashlee said.

'I thought my body was broken, that I wasn't good enough to be pregnant. I was angry at the wedding because I thought of the stress of organising it, and how it was possibly what led to the miscarriage.'

But she also said that being surrounded by her family and friends was key:

'Seeing so many loved ones reminded me of how lucky we are,' she said. 'To be surrounded by such incredible people who are positive and loving.

'There were moments of guilt about feeling happy, but overall having the wedding so soon afterwards was a godsend.'

To read more about Ashlee and Liam, you can see their story and more on Easy Weddings.Politicians and high society descended on the Orsay Museum in Paris last night as part of commemorations for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of the First World War.

And despite the solemnity of the occasion, there was no shortage of glamour as wives of European leaders dress to the nines in jewel tones and velvet evening gowns.

Naturally as wife of the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron put her best foot forward, looking perfect co-ordinated with her husband in a smary navy dress and jacket.

But she faced stiff competition in the style stakes from First Lady Melania Trump who opted for androgynous chic in a smart tuxedo.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlene of Monaco also looked achingly chic in a floor length black gown, which showcased her statuesque figure.

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Brigitte Macron was perfectly co-ordinated with her husband Emmanuel in a smart navy ensemble as they attended a dinner with Heads of State at the Orsay museum in Paris

Melania Trump looked chic in tuxedo as she posed for a snap with her husband, Emine Erdogan and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene arrive to attend a visit and a dinner at the Orsay Museum on the eve of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

Monika Babisova, wife of the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, put on a glamorous display in an off-the-shoulder red gown as they arrived at the official dinner on the eve of the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918

Monika Babisova, 44, wife of the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, put on a glamorous display in an off-the-shoulder red gown.

The couple who met when she worked as his secretary have been together around 20 years and share two children, but only got around to tying the knot in 2017.

Monika is well known for her love of designer labels such as Fendi, Gucci or Dior, so it's no wonder she was eager to pull out all the stops for the high profile occasion.

Meanwhile, Peristera Baziana - the wife of the Greek PM - also cut a striking figure in crimson velvet.

Monika Babisova, 44, looked glamorous in a simple red gown that showed off her bare shoulders and carried a silver clutch bag, teamed the ensemble with nude heels

Mother-of-two Monika Babisova arrived hand-in-hand with her husband Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who she first met while working as his secretary

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore her cropped hair in a retro style with waves framing her face. She attended dinner at the Orsay Museum to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War with her husband Prince Albert of Monaco

Peristera Baziana, partner of the Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras looked glamorous in a deep red velvet dress with a lace panel above the knee

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump at the event.

Trump made it to dinner after being slammed for not turning up to an official memorial hours earlier, saying his Marine One helicopter was 'grounded' by rain.

Other attendees include Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene, along with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and his wife Carmen Iohannis, who opted for a smart blue velvet coat for the dinner marking the eve of 100 years since the end of the First World War

Congo's First Lady Antoinette Sassou Nguesso put on a glamorous display in a white cape trimmed with fur over a navy dress as she arrived with her husband President Denis Sassou Nguesso

On Saturday afternoon, Donald Trump called off a a trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial after a bad weather call grounded Marine One.

He and first lady Melania Trump had planned to visit the memorial for American marines near the Belleau Wood battlefield on Saturday afternoon.

However the event was cancelled at the last minute due to a storm that would have prevented them from helicoptering to the site that's more than an hour's drive from Paris.

'The President and First Ladys trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial has been canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather,' the White House said. 'An American delegation led by Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf.'

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was joined by his wife Anna Hakobyan who kept it simple in black trousers and a belted top (left). Maryna Poroshenko opted for a classic look in a long sleeved navy dress as she attended with her husband President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine

Amelie Derbaudrenghien, partner of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, went for a failsafe option in the form of a simple black midi dress. Niger's President and his wife Dr Lalla Malika Issoufou who looked glamorous in a red and white patterned dress, teamed with a fur trimmed capeAn Australian restaurant has been ridiculed on social media after topping its tables with layers of fresh turf.

A branch of Grill'd in Melbourne has covered its tables with grass, with diners' food and drinks placed upon it.

However, the gimmick, thought to be short-lived one, has been slated by social media users, with many questioning the hygiene of eating on a layer of earth.

Others cried that they just wanted to eat their food on a table, nothing more, nothing less and others questioned how you might balance a soda on such an uneven surface.

Scroll down for video

Turf war! Instagram user Browncardigan posted this photo of the Grill'd burger restaurant in Melbourne with grass-topped tables, saying the apparent marketing stunt had 'triggered' their anger. After publishing a lengthy rant, some 11,000 people have now liked it

After snaps of the tables surfaced on Reddit and Instagram, social media users got to work criticising the restaurant's unique idea.

Leading the charge was Instagram user @browncardigan, who said the sight of the grass-topped tables had 'triggered' their anger.

They wrote: 'Melbourne. What the f*** is wrong with you? We get it. You are the brains-trust capital of Australia for self-gratifying, capitalist ethics.

'But what the f*** does turf on tables somehow prove? How is that hygienic?'

The restaurant chain, clearly following the furore piped up on several occasions, even asking diners in the local area if they would come and 'mow' said covering in exchange for a free burger.

Elsewhere, others made quips about 'pop-up sprinklers' and sending their pets around to use the tables as a toilet.

Grill'd's website says the company is 'always pushing to do better by the environment, and respecting Mother Earth is in our DNA'.

This image appeared on Reddit after eagle-eyed residents in Melbourne spotted the table adornments at Grill'd; many questioned exactly how you would balance a drink on the turfed top

However, one user slammed the company for the impact the gimmick had on the environment: DarcyBrown89 wrote: 'Trying to look environmentally conscious by killing grass.'

It seems that the turf idea was a short-lived one and backfired in lots of ways. One nearby resident wrote: 'Joke was on them - it p***** down rain the day they did this and I imagine the mess these made caused instant regret.'

The Twitter account @wewantplates is dedicated to sharing the funniest images taken by diners of unorthodox ways that their food has been dished up, with novel-minded chefs using mini shopping trolleys to serve chips, slates to serve steaks and shoes to carry drinks.

The account's bio describes itself as 'The global crusade against serving food on bits of wood and roof slates, chips in mugs and jam-jar drinks.'

MailOnline has contacted Grill'd for comment.Advertisement

The Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge wore pensive expressions - and modest attire - as they paid their respects at the Cenotaph this morning.

It is the first time that the Duchess of Sussex, 37, has attended the official Armistice Day service at the Cenotaph and she was placed on a separate balcony to Kate, 36, who stood side-by-side with the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The pregnant Duchess, who is expecting her first baby with Prince Harry in the Spring, looked deep in thought as she observed the one-minute's silence to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Wearing what is thought to be a black Givenchy coat with shoulder-cap detail and a black velour pill-box hat, Meghan opted for an all-black ensemble for the historic event.

The 37-year-old wore her hair tied neatly back in a bun and simple stud diamond earrings. On her coat, the Duchess of Sussex wore just one, single flourishing poppy.

While the Queen, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge stood just metres away, Meghan joined the German president's wife Elke Budenbender as the pair watched the German leader lay a wreath to remember the lives lost in the First World War.

Scroll down for video

The Duchess of Sussex, looked pensive as she observed the one-minute's silence at the Cenotaph in London's Whitehall this morning, her first appearance at the annual commemorative event. The pregnant royal opted for a modest all-black ensemble, with a single poppy the only hint of colour

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge, 36, went for a military style Alexander McQueen coat with details including silver buttons around the waist and a cream collar. The mother-of-three appeared emotional as she watched Princes Charles, William and Harry lay wreaths at the Cenotaph this morning

Dressed entirely in black bar the flourish of a red poppy, the Duchess of Sussex stood next to Elke Budenbender, the wife of the German president, as she attended the First World War Centenary commemoration event

Wearing cluster pearl earrings, a striking black velour hat and a trio of poppies plus an enamelled poppy brooch, Kate opted for bolder attire, with a military theme fitting for the historic event. The mother-of-three stood between Kate and the Duchess of Cornwall and at times during the minute's silence, appeared to bite her bottom lip with emotion

The Queen observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall

Meghan cut a respectful figure dressed entirely in black, with low-key make-up and simple stud diamond earrings her only jewellery

The Duchess, expecting her first child in the spring with Prince Harry, wore a single poppy - the only colour on her outfit - to mark Britain's war dead as she stood on the Foreign Office balcony

With their wives watching from above Prince William and Prince Harry - stood next to Prince Andrew (second from left) and Prince Edward (left) - fell silent before the Cenotaph in their full military uniforms

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother for the second year in a row while an equerry will lay a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh

Prince William's wife looked deep in thought as she watched the politicians and members of the royal family below

Nerves? At time the Duchess, in a black coat with shoulder-cap detail, played with her neatly-tied-back hair as she read from the official ceremony booklet. Right: Meghan looks down as the wreath-laying begins

Wearing a fitted black coat, thought to be by Givenchy, the royal, 37, showed the merest hint of a baby bump as she watched Prince Charles lay a wreath at the Cenotaph

The Prince of Wales (pictured left) and Prime Minister Theresa May (shown right) were both present at the ceremony to lay down wreathes

The Prince of Wales led the rest of the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row

Appearing nervous at times, Meghan was seen fussing with her hair as the wreath-laying service began.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge appeared on a separate balcony, standing side-by-side with the Queen and Camilla.

The Queen, 92, asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties as she observed the service from above.

The Duchess of Cambridge opted for a military-style outfit by Alexander McQueen, with silver buttons and a cream-collar for the sombre event.

She wore a striking black velour hat tilted to the right, and cluster pearl earrings. The Duchess wore her hair french braided and then pinned neatly into a chignon.

Wearing three paper poppies clustered, Kate also had a deep-red metal poppy brooch pinned to her coat, as did the Duchess of Cornwall.

The mother-of-three appeared emotional as Britain fell silent to remember its war dead, biting her lip at one point and looking straight ahead as the Reveille blasted out to mark the end of the commemorative silence.

The Prince of Wales led the rest of Britain in remembering Britain's war dead, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row.

The pregnant Duchess, who announced her engagement to Prince Harry last December and married in May this year, raises her eyes to look straight ahead from her position in White

Meghan watches Britain's war veterans, dignitaries, politicians and royal family from the Foreign office balcony

The Duchess of Cornwall and Kate both wore a cluster of three paper poppies around a poppy brooch, while the Queen marked the occasion with a five-cluster of paper poppies and a diamond poppy brooch in white

The Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent all laid tributes to Britain's veterans.

In a historic act of reconciliation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also laid a wreath, marking the first time that a German leader has taken part in the annual proceedings since the Cenotaph was inaugurated in 1920.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Armistice Day ceremony in Paris, along with more than 60 other world leaders.

The Prince of Wales led the rest of the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row.

The Queen appeared comfortable in the companionship of Kate and Camilla, with Prince Philip absent from the occasion. The Duke of Edinburgh has rarely missed the commemorative event.

Big Ben, which has been silent since renovations to the Elizabeth Tower began in August last year, struck at 11 o'clock to mark the hour the Armistice was signed.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined Prince Charles in laying wreaths as Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Prince Harry and Prince William looked on in full military uniform.

Crowds started lining the Mall in central London early on Sunday morning ahead of a 'people's march' this afternoon.

Wearing poppies and carrying wreaths, hundreds gathered from 9am to mark 100 years since the guns fell silent.

Big screens were erected so those waiting can view the Cenotaph service.

The march will proceed around St James's Park before turning into Whitehall, where 10,000 people are expected to stream past the Cenotaph.One of the sport's hottest pacers during the coldest months last year, Easy Lover Hanover returned to the winner's circle on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park amid flurries in the air with a 1:49.4 in the $30,000 featured pace.

The Ben Wallace-trained gelding by Somebeachsomewhere sat fourth to a :27.1 quarter set by American Wiggle with Brave World tracking from second. Following no movement past a :55.2 half, driver Doug McNair angled the five-year-old first over heading to three-quarters and brushed to the lead past the 1:23 station. Easy Lover Hanover charged to the wire with a :26.1 final quarter to best Brave World by two-and-three-quarter lengths while American Wiggle faded to third.

Racing for owner Brad Grant, Easy Lover Hanover won his fifth race in 23 starts this season and his 30th in 80 overall, earning $742,449. Sent the 7-5 favourite, he paid $4.60 to win.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.The Queen led commemorations marking 100 years since the end of the First World War this morning at the Cenotaph, and made sure her own personal tribute was loud and clear, by wearing five poppies.

Her Majesty joined other royals to pay tribute to the fallen, wearing a cluster of five poppies pinned to her black coat with a sparkling diamond brooch.

One theory is that she wears one poppy for each branch of the services: Navy, Army and Air Force, plus one each to represent Civil Defence and women.

Last night, the Queen also wore a display of five poppies to the Festival Of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, fastened to her coat with a different diamond brooch.

The Duchess of Cambridge also made sure her own display stood out, wearing three paper poppies and one ceramic brooch pinned to her military style coat.

Kate proudly wore The Royal British Legion's Women of The First World War Brooch, which honours women who served and lost their lives as a direct result of the First World War.

The Queen wore five poppies to the Cenotaph this morning, fastened with a diamond brooch. It's believed she wears multiple flowers to represent each branch of the services: Navy, Army and Air Force, plus one each to represent Civil Defence and women

The Duchess of Cambridge wore three paper poppies and a brooch to today's National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, swapping her display to her left breast in accordance with tradition

The Duchess of Cornwall, 70, sported a display of three poppies, which she wore pinned to her coat with a silver brooch

The Queen observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall

She had switched her display to her left breast, in accordance with tradition, after wearing them on the right at last night's Festival of Remembrance to be close to the heart.

The Queen, 92, asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties by laying a wreath at the Cenotaph.

She observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Camilla, 70, also went for a display of multiple poppies, wearing three paper flowers pinned to her black coat.

Queen Elizabeth II attends the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall last night, complete with a cluster of five poppies

Meghan arrives at the event (left), as does The Duchess of Cambridge (right), who limited herself to three paper poppies fastened in place by her brooch, wearing her poppies on her right breast instead of the traditional left, to be close to the heart

Other senior royals including Prince William, Prince Harry and Anne, the Princess Royal also paid their respects at the Cenotaph as they laid a series of wreaths.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex watched the poignant proceedings at the Cenotaph for the first time in an official capacity from a separate balcony.

Last night, the royals were out in force for the annual Festival of Remembrance in London, which commemorates the war dead, included performances from Sir Tom Jones, Sir Bryn Terfel and Sheridan Smith and was presented by the BBC's Huw Edwards.

The Royal Family stood as thousands of audience members attending the event held aloft photographs of family members who took part in the First World War.

The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Sussex (right) stood alongside the Queen to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph, as their husbands placed wreaths

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she joins the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony overlooking the ceremonyIt was a rainy morning in Paris as world leaders and their partners turned out to mark Armistice Day, but the drizzly atmosphere did nothing to put a dampener on the First Ladies' style.

Melania Trump, 48, led the way in a chic grey ensemble as she arrived for the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe.

The First Lady was elegant in a belted grey dress with a full pleated skirt with a pussy bow feature at the neckline, teamed with a grey overcoat she wore over her shoulders in a trendy 'shrobing' style.

Not to be outdone, her French counterpart Brigitte Macron wore three different outfits, for this morning's events beginning the day in a smart black overcoat with silver buttons, teamed with sleek black trousers as she welcomed guests at the Elysee Palace.

French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, second left, poses with US First Lady Melania Trump, center, and other leaders's partners at the Palace of Versailles

First Lady Melania Trump looked the picture of elegance in a grey wool pleated dress, teamed with an overcoat in the same shade as she attended the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918 in Paris

French First Lady Brigitte Macron, 65, started the day in a smart black coat with silver buttons as she welcomed guests including Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco to the Elysee Palace before the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

Quick change! Brigitte Macron donned a second coat trimmed with grey, brown and white leather panels to attend the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day in Paris

A friendly duo! French First Lady Brigitte Macron and her US counterpart Melania Trump looked delighted to be spending time in each other's company once more

A friendly duo! French First Lady Brigitte Macron and her US counterpart Melania Trump looked delighted to be spending time in each other's company once more

She then changed into another smart black coat trimmed with three leather panels in dark grey, brown and white for the commemoration ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe.

And as she welcomed the First Wives for lunch at the Palace of Versailles, she mixed up her outfit for the third time by donning a smart khaki blazer

Not to be outdone, Princess Charlene of Monaco stunned in a smart grey checked coat teamed with a shirt featuring an oversized bow at the neck.

The mother-of-two also opted for smart black trousers for the event, as she joined her husband Prince Albert.

Last night the cohort descended on the Orsay Museum in Paris for an official dinner marking commemorations for Armistice Day.

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (left) and his wife Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (centre) were among the European royals to attend today's commemorations

Roll out the red carpet! The Macron's welcomed the Republic of the Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso and his wife Antoinette Sassou Nguesso to the Elysee Palace

Switzerland's President Alain Berset and his wife Muriel Zeender who wisely covered up in a long black coat and a fur scarf to keep the chill away

Also present at this morning's commemoration in Paris was President of Chad Idriss Deby and his wife Hinda Deby, who received a warm welcome from Brigitte Macron on the red carpet

Carmen Iohannis, the First Lady of Romania, added a splash of colour in a sky blue coat as she joined her husband President Klaus Werner Iohannis

President Trump and his wife Melania were seen chatting quietly together before the ceremony at the Arc De Triomphe began. Brigitte Macron showcased her second look of the day as she donned a leather trimmed coat to leave the Elysee Palace with her husband Emmanuel

And despite the solemnity of the occasion, there was no shortage of glamour as wives of European leaders dress to the nines in jewel tones and velvet evening gowns.

Naturally as wife of the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron put her best foot forward, looking perfect co-ordinated with her husband in a smary navy dress and jacket.

But she faced stiff competition in the style stakes from First Lady Melania Trump who opted for androgynous chic in a smart tuxedo.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlene of Monaco also looked achingly chic in a floor length black gown, which showcased her statuesque figure.

Brigitte Macron was perfectly co-ordinated with her husband Emmanuel in a smart navy ensemble as they attended a dinner with Heads of State at the Orsay museum in Paris

Melania Trump looked chic in tuxedo as she posed for a snap with her husband, Emine Erdogan and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene arrive to attend a visit and a dinner at the Orsay Museum on the eve of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

Monika Babisova, wife of the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, put on a glamorous display in an off-the-shoulder red gown as they arrived at the official dinner on the eve of the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918

Monika Babisova, 44, wife of the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, put on a glamorous display in an off-the-shoulder red gown.

The couple who met when she worked as his secretary have been together around 20 years and share two children, but only got around to tying the knot in 2017.

Monika is well known for her love of designer labels such as Fendi, Gucci or Dior, so it's no wonder she was eager to pull out all the stops for the high profile occasion.

Meanwhile, Peristera Baziana - the wife of the Greek PM - also cut a striking figure in crimson velvet.

Monika Babisova, 44, looked glamorous in a simple red gown that showed off her bare shoulders and carried a silver clutch bag, teamed the ensemble with nude heels

Mother-of-two Monika Babisova arrived hand-in-hand with her husband Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who she first met while working as his secretary

Princess Charlene of Monaco wore her cropped hair in a retro style with waves framing her face. She attended dinner at the Orsay Museum to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War with her husband Prince Albert of Monaco

Peristera Baziana, partner of the Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras looked glamorous in a deep red velvet dress with a lace panel above the knee

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump at the event.

Trump made it to dinner after being slammed for not turning up to an official memorial hours earlier, saying his Marine One helicopter was 'grounded' by rain.

Other attendees include Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene, along with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and his wife Carmen Iohannis, who opted for a smart blue velvet coat for the dinner marking the eve of 100 years since the end of the First World War

Congo's First Lady Antoinette Sassou Nguesso put on a glamorous display in a white cape trimmed with fur over a navy dress as she arrived with her husband President Denis Sassou Nguesso

On Saturday afternoon, Donald Trump called off a a trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial after a bad weather call grounded Marine One.

He and first lady Melania Trump had planned to visit the memorial for American marines near the Belleau Wood battlefield on Saturday afternoon.

However the event was cancelled at the last minute due to a storm that would have prevented them from helicoptering to the site that's more than an hour's drive from Paris.

'The President and First Ladys trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial has been canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather,' the White House said. 'An American delegation led by Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf.'

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was joined by his wife Anna Hakobyan who kept it simple in black trousers and a belted top (left). Maryna Poroshenko opted for a classic look in a long sleeved navy dress as she attended with her husband President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine

Amelie Derbaudrenghien, partner of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, went for a failsafe option in the form of a simple black midi dress. Niger's President and his wife Dr Lalla Malika Issoufou who looked glamorous in a red and white patterned dress, teamed with a fur trimmed capeNothing ages a woman more than pretending she is still young, Carolina Herrera tells me in her lilting Venezuelan accent.

She may be turning 80 in January and still very much the face and personality of the fashion house she created nearly four decades ago, but on the subject of dressing past 50, the designer doesnt mince her words.

A woman must age graciously, and not try to be an age shes not or she will look ridiculous. I see many women in the street and, from the back, they look very nice with their long hair and their little skirts. But when they turn around  aargh, theyre ancient!

Her candour is unexpected. After all, this is the woman known as the empress of elegance.

Her most famous client was Jackie Onassis, but she dressed another First Lady, Michelle Obama, in baby blue taffeta and lace at the White House, put Nicole Kidman into puff-sleeved floral prints on the red carpet and outfitted Renee Zellweger in crimson silk for a Bridget Jones premiere.

Venezuelan fashion designer Carolina Herrera, pictured, believes nothing ages a woman more than pretending she is still you

Carolina started her namesake label late in life, in her 40s, when she was already the mother of four young daughters (pictured) and was a well-known socialite, and some of her rivals dismissed the idea as the vanity project of New Yorks It girl

She has also achieved the Double Duch. The Duchess of Sussex caused a stir at Trooping the Colour in June in her pink off-the-shoulder two-piece and looked like a fairytale princess in one of Herreras frothy black and white gowns on the cover of Vanity Fair.

The Duchess of Cambridge, meanwhile, favours her beautifully tailored double-breasted wool coats and has them in at least two colours.

The designer is full of praise for the Queen, with whom she has a long-standing friendship.

You cannot compare her to anyone, says Carolina. She stands alone, at the very top. She is an amazing woman  we are lucky to have her.

We are sitting in her tasteful drawing room in Manhattan, a grand space with yellow and blue damask on the walls, antiques, silverware and oil paintings.

We settle ourselves into squashy sofas and the fashion icon jokes: May I offer you tea, coffee  vodka? Its 2pm.

She is wearing one of her signature looks: a crisp white shirt, paired with chic grey trousers, accessorised with earrings and a chunky necklace.

Sitting next to her, it is hard to believe she is 79. She looks sensational, as if she has stopped the clock. Her face looks fresh and unlined; her blonde hair is perfectly coiffed.

Carolina has also achieved the Double Duch. The Duchess of Sussex caused a stir at Trooping the Colour in June in her pink off-the-shoulder two-piece (pictured)

The Duchess of Cambridge, meanwhile, favours her beautifully tailored double-breasted wool coats and has them in at least two colours

I cant lie about my age because everyone knows how old I am  its public knowledge, she laughs. Ive had a little bit of Botox, why not? I believe in keeping the skin clean and fresh.

Carolina started her namesake label late in life, in her 40s, when she was already the mother of four young daughters and was a well-known socialite.

Born into a wealthy aristocratic family in Venezuela, Mrs Herrera (as everyone calls her) was a classic beauty, who grew up surrounded by well-dressed women.

Her grandmother took her to an early catwalk show by Spanish designer Cristobal Balenciaga when she was 13.

She married her first husband at 18 and had two daughters. They later divorced and she married her second husband, Reinaldo, a TV presenter, and had another two daughters.

The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

I dont think I could have done it without him, she admits. He has been my great supporter. When I was nervous or confused about something, he would always say: You can do it. Its good to have somebody at your back who really believes in you.

When the family moved to New York, the pair often went to legendary New York nightclub Studio 54, where she partied with Mick and Bianca Jagger.

She met Andy Warhol there and he was so captivated by Herreras beauty that he made her the subject of one of his famous silkscreen portraits. Oh, I loved those times at Studio 54, she recalls. There was such a mix of interesting people and it was so glamorous and fun. I danced a lot  of course.

She became friends with Princess Margaret. My husband and I loved her. She was a fantastic woman. We used to go to Mustique [the Princesss favourite holiday island] every year to stay with her. Has she watched the TV series The Crown, in which Princess Margarets life is portrayed as being full of scandal?

Cultivating ones own personal style is crucial after a certain age, she says. I dont believe in trends because trends make it look like youre wearing a uniform. Some item of clothing comes out  and suddenly everyone looks the same'

Pictured: Caroilina with her second husband Reinaldo in 2000. The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary

I didnt like it much, the fashion designer replies, wrinkling her nose. I think there were a lot of lies about Princess Margaret, and thats not right.

When Herrera announced she was going to launch a fashion collection, some of her rivals dismissed the idea as the vanity project of New Yorks It girl. But her first collection in 1981  a combination of big shoulders, tiny waists and lots of movement in the skirts  was an instant success.

I didnt know it was going to be so much work, but because I was brought up with discipline, I knew how to handle it, she says. I had my business and then my other life, which was my family. If you cannot do what you do from nine to five, you are doing something wrong.

For nearly four decades, Mrs Herrera has used her sixth sense about what women want to wear, parlaying her ideas into a $1.2 billion empire.

Few women havent tried one of her best-selling perfumes, one of which comes in a bottle shaped like a stiletto. And though her ultra-feminine clothes may be beyond the means of many of us, her style often finds an echo on the High Street.

All these shops like Zara and H&M that are copying what we do for the masses, I think theyre fabulous because they reach everyone, says Mrs Herrera. Even if youre older you can shop there, but you have to know what suits you.

Elegance is a whole combination of things: not only what you are wearing, but how you act. Its attitude.

It doesnt have anything to do with beauty or money. Some women can spend thousands of pounds and not look elegant at all, and then you see someone else in a nothing-dress and she has it.

Does she do any High Street shopping? Yes, of course, if I like something in Zara or in H&M or any of those places, I will buy them. I like mixing.

Cultivating ones own personal style is crucial after a certain age, she says.

I dont believe in trends because trends make it look like youre wearing a uniform. Some item of clothing comes out  and suddenly everyone looks the same. Everyones wearing the quilted black coat, or theyre wearing a certain type of skirt, even if they dont have the legs for it.

With fashion, you have to have individuality and look different from the crowd. Ive never wanted to look like everyone else. Ive always wanted to look like me.

She said: Elegance is a whole combination of things: not only what you are wearing, but how you act. Its attitude. It doesnt have anything to do with beauty or money'

Many women, she says, confuse being ladylike and feminine with weakness: Nowadays, men and women want to be the same. Its never going to be the same.

I agree that women should have the same work and payment as men because we are very capable, but to be feminine is also an important thing  and you dont have to compete with men in that respect. Femininity is our power.

On the eve of her 80th, Mrs Herrera may have handed over the creative reins of her company  to her protege, Wes Gordon, who trained at Central Saint Martins in London  but she certainly hasnt retired.

The septuagenarian is embracing her new role as global ambassador for the company she created.

Its been 37 years that Ive had this baby and I was working on eight collections a year, which became a little bit overpowering.

I have my other life  a husband, four children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. I will have more time for them.

But, she adds defiantly: Im not retired. Im moving forward.

CAROLINA'S SECRETS OF AGELESS STYLE

Know your style

When you get to a certain age, you must be careful about what looks good on you. You must develop your own sense of style.

Its difficult to define and it is very personal. Its not only about the clothes you wear, its about how you wear them. It reflects your tastes  the way you live, the way you have your house, the art you like. Its a bit of everything.

When you get older, you cannot keep wearing the things you wore when you were a young girl. You have done that already. Fashion is something magical  its changing all the time, so you must change, too.

One must-have

The best thing a woman can buy for herself is a full-length mirror. It is so important because you can see what is missing or what you must add to your look.

Always . . .

Invest in a classic white blouse. Ive always loved them. I wear them casually and I wear them as part of an evening outfit. Theyre my security blanket.

. . . and never

Wear mini-skirts. A mini-skirt is for young girls. As for bikinis, I left them behind when I was in my late 40s/early 50s. And I dont wear jeans. Im not the right age for them. Jeans are for young people, too. Move on to something new.

Carolina says sleeves matter when it comes to ageless style as they frame a woman's face and add drama to a look. Pictured: Michelle Obama, who Carolina dressed in this baby blue taffeta and lace at the White House

Sleeves matter

Sleeves frame a womans face and give drama to a look. You can have the most beautiful dress with all the details in the skirt  and then you sit down at a dinner table and it all disappears.

Black is boring

As women get older, they play safe by wearing black. But during the day, black is very draining.

It becomes like a uniform. Everyone is wearing black and its boring. I dont mind black in the evening  a chic little black dress is fantastic  but during the day I like to wear some colour. Its much more flattering.

Find a good tailor

You can buy clothes in High Street shops at any age, as long as you know what suits you. Thats why I say you need to develop your own style. And if you need to invest in a little alteration here and there, then thats money well spent.

The fit is very important. Shoulders should be in the right place, for example.

Never flash flesh

A little bit of decolletage can be sexy, but showing too much? Being nearly naked? Thats not good. A woman should have a little mystery.

Add some sparkle

Jewellery is wonderful for adding light to your face. I always wear earrings, and I think a necklace of pearls or costume jewellery brightens you up.

Carolina says that many women play it safe by wearing black as they grow older, but she says women should wear colour during the day instead as it's more flattering

Embrace Botox

Im a great believer in taking care of your skin  it must be clear and fresh no matter what age you are.

I go to a very good person who gives me treatments and a little bit of Botox. But I dont believe in big changes.

I see women friends and I think: Whats happened to her lips? Shes had them made bigger. But if you are not born with fuller lips, why do you want them to be big? You will look like a clown.

Go for the chop

At a certain age, I think most women suit shorter hair. I dont think long hair down to here [she mimes past her shoulders] looks right.

Lately Ive been admiring women with silver or white hair, women whove let the colour grow out. Im fascinated by it. Id love to do it, but I dont like the idea of the in-between stage.

And finally . . .

Theres nothing wrong with growing older. Whats wrong is if you try to stop it.

Have confidence in yourself and in your own style. Wear what you think is beautiful. If you still find it hard, ask someone whose opinion you trust; someone who will tell you the truth about the clothes you are wearing. Not oh, youre looking fabulous in that outfit! and then they turn away and say to their other friends: Do you see the way she looks?

You do not have to be a fashion victim and you do not have to dress in an old-fashioned way. You have to dress in a way that suits your personality and whatever stage you are at in life.

And at a certain age, you cannot be shy any more.

I used to be shy. Not any more. It would be ridiculous at my age. Let your personality come out.When The Oldie was founded by Private Eye co-founder Richard Ingrams in 1992, the idea was to give a funny, ironic, well-informed voice to the old.

In the first-ever issue, the late, much-missed Auberon Waugh wrote about how the over-50s would soon become a majority of the electorate. But they werent being catered to by the advertising agencies, who hadnt worked out that the old enjoyed most of the free disposable income in the country, too.

It is only the over-50s, Waugh said, earning more than they have ever earned, with their mortgages paid off and their children off their hands, who are worth wooing.

And so now, 26 years on, The Oldie is continuing to woo older people  literally. Its just launched Greydar, a free service, where older people can date, share tips and buy or sell anything at all.

One newspaper diarist cheekily called it a mixture of Tinder and English Heritage. The idea follows the aspirations of The Oldie as laid down by former editors, Richard Ingrams and the late Alexander Chancellor, and now me.

The Oldie, which was founded by Richard Ingrams in 1992, has launched a new service that connects older people (file photo)

One newspaper diarist cheekily called it a mixture of Tinder and English Heritage (file photo)

Old people are culturally isolated, and often physically so, in a world that worships youth. Greydar helps bring them together, not just for romance, but for everything from astronomy evenings to philosophy discussions down the pub.

Already 2,000 members have signed up, and there are more than 1,000 postings. Theyre agreeably different from younger dating ads  because of the age of the people posting them, their old-fashioned, high-minded interests, and their polite language.

Heres one of my favourites: Kent: Wagner Enthusiast Seeks Similar. I should like to correspond/meet up with a lady or gentleman who has an interest in the life/operas/music/family saga of the composer Richard Wagner.

I do go up to London to see his operas when I can.

This is a lifelong interest of mine, but unfortunately none of my friends know what Im talking about when I start spouting on about R/W.

As the ads pour in, were reminded of a huge part of Britain  a civilised, polite, kind, well-informed Britain  that still exists out there. It just doesnt get the same coverage as the binge-drinking, drug-taking and rampant knife crime that dominates the headlines.

Greydar helps bring old people together, not just for romance, but for everything from astronomy evenings to philosophy discussions down the pub

Among these ultra-civilised Greydar members looking for love is a 69-year-old lady who plays various musical instruments and enjoys English country dancing . . . the theatre, art exhibitions, visiting National Trust properties and writing.

And the fit and active middle- aged gentleman, living in his own country house in SE England and owner of a sea-going yacht, seeks a female sailing companion for summer cruises. And during winter, travel to warmer countries, visits to theatres, concerts, art shows and interesting cities.

What an alluring life! And how much more agreeable than the brutal, swipe-right-if-you-find-me-attractive of Tinder and other dating sites.

Greydar is easy to work, too  and free. Oldie subscribers automatically become members. Non-subscribers submit proof of identification to make sure all members are bona fide.

Then, once youve signed up, you just send a private message to anyone who has posted a personal ad, and see if they bite. Only Greydar members can post tips or adverts, or respond to them. The Oldie has a distinguished history when it comes to romance.

Discreet lonely hearts ads have been a staple of the magazine since it was founded 26 years ago. But, with silver-surfers embracing the digital age, it was time to spread our virtual dating wings.

The site also suggests hundreds of places where you might want to spend your first romantic minibreaks.

One tip  for the Victorian prime minister W.E. Gladstones library in Hawarden, Flintshire, Wales  praises a sleeping with books break.

Along with the bed and breakfast, you get a chance to spend all day browsing among Gladstones 150,000 books.

And there are all sorts of activities on offer for those first early dates. Take one ad: Kent  Astronomy For Everyone In Plain English, Westgate-on-Sea.

Every month, if the evening sky is clear enough, this local astronomy group meets in Thanet to study the mysteries of the night sky.

Already 2,000 members have signed up, and there are more than 1,000 postings. Theyre agreeably different from younger dating ads  because of the age of the people posting them, their old-fashioned, high-minded interests, and their polite language

Greydar isnt just for dating. Its also a sort of Oldie Gumtree or eBay, offering all sorts of weird and wonderful things for sale.

Britain remains a glorious nation of eccentrics, whose interests range way beyond TV or computer screens.

Where else in the world could you find Pet Epitaphs In Latin Verse, as offered by retired Oxford Classics lecturer John Davie? As he writes in his Greydar advert: Has your pet died recently?

You can have a Latin verse epitaph in his/her honour for you to frame and hang in your home as a lasting memorial.

A professional calligrapher writes the poem in black ink on Saunders Waterford cream-coloured paper for 150 GBP. Contact deadpetssociety.co.uk for information.

That is what Greydar aimed to do  bring together the millions of inquisitive minds in Britain, and let them share their quirky interests, trade tips and beautiful possessions and, hopefully, find love.

greydar.co.uk. Harry Mount is the editor of The Oldie.The Government is refusing to backdate boys vaccination against the deadly Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)  a move that will cause thousands of cancers and cost many lives.

In July, in a major victory for this newspapers End The Vaccine Apartheid campaign, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that the HPV vaccine, previously available only to girls, would be given to Year 8 schoolboys, aged 12 and 13, from September 2019.

The vaccine was introduced for girls only ten years ago, and the NHS also set up a catch-up programme ensuring all girls up to the age of 18 could be immunised.

The Government is refusing to backdate boys vaccination against the deadly Human Papilloma Virus

However, the MoS has learnt that Mr Hancock and Vaccines Minister Steve Brine have rejected this extension for boys.

HPV tumours usually strike long after infection, when men are in middle age. The virus, spread by intimate contact and kissing, is thought to cause five per cent of all tumours, including those of the mouth, throat, cervix and genitals.

Girls were originally prioritised for vaccination because HPV causes cervical cancer, which kills about 1,000 women a year. But HPV-related cancers in men have increased by a quarter in the past decade and are now responsible for 2,000 male cancers every year.

Tomorrow, Mr Brine will receive a letter from 16 leaders of medical groups including the British Dental Association and the Royal College of Surgeons. It says that on the grounds of both equity and improved public health, the opportunity must be seized to vaccinate as many boys as possible.

It adds that the NHS Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) took three years longer than had been pledged to introduce the male vaccination.

This has meant that over one million additional boys have been left unprotected, it notes.

In July Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured) announced that the HPV vaccine, previously available only to girls, would be given to Year 8 schoolboys

The Department of Health and Social Care says the reason for not introducing a boys catch-up scheme is because most girls are vaccinated and are therefore unlikely to pass the virus to boys.

This argument was attacked by experts because it ignored men who have sex with men, men who have sex with women from countries where there is no vaccination, and the parts of Britain where only half of girls are vaccinated.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman defended the decision, saying: High uptake rate of the HPV vaccine among girls has reduced the overall risk of unvaccinated boys coming into contact with HPV.Preeti Dudakia (pictured above) was placed on a trial that saw her receive the drug to treat ovarian cancer

Thousands of NHS patients with a genetic type of ovarian cancer will soon have access to a new treatment, hailed as a wonder drug, that slashes the risk of death from the condition by 70 per cent.

Experts describe the discovery of the pill, Olaparib, as the biggest breakthrough in a decade for women diagnosed with the deadly genetic BRCA mutation.

Recent trials showed the cancer had not returned in two thirds of women studied, three years after receiving the new treatment. Even now, five years after the trial began, many patients who took Olaparib are still free from cancer.

By comparison, only a third of women given standard treatment  chemotherapy and surgery  were tumour-free after three years.

From next spring, patients diagnosed with BRCA-related ovarian cancer that has already spread can benefit from Olaparib for the first time, as part of a second medical trial at Londons Royal Marsden Hospital. And in May, health regulatory body NICE will decide if Olaparib will become a standard treatment for suitable NHS patients nationwide.

One in six ovarian cancers are caused by faulty genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, which prevent cells repairing damaged DNA, and can be identified via genetic testing.

On average, women have a two per cent chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime. But this can increase to between ten and 60 per cent for those with BRCA mutations, depending upon the type.

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie famously opted for preventative surgery to remove her breasts and ovaries after discovering she had inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation from her late mother.

A box of the drug (pictured above) has been hailed as a wonder drug that slashes the risk of death from ovarian cancer

Genetic ovarian cancers are notoriously difficult to treat, with only 30 per cent of patients still alive five years after diagnosis. This is because by the time most are diagnosed, cancer has already spread to several areas of the body.

Chemotherapy is offered to kill the cancer cells, as well as surgery to remove tumours. However tumours are likely to re-occur and most patients relapse within 18 months of finishing treatment. Olaparib works particularly well in BRCA-related cancers, blocking an enzyme that helps to repair tumour DNA. This triggers the death of cancer cells.

Currently, Olaparib is available as a treatment of last resort for some ovarian cancer patients, when the cancer returns after other options have failed. At this point, it is usually incurable. But now it is being given to women at diagnosis, in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery.

Lynparza Olaparib (pictured) could save thousands of people from ovarian cancer

The excitement about first option treatments is that theres a potential, even in women with advanced disease, to achieve cure, says Dr Susana Banerjee, consultant medical oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and co-author of the trial.

In the placebo arm of the trial, the median time before cancer re-occured was just over 13 months, she adds, but in the Olaparib treated arm, we havent even reached that median point yet and theres a 70 per cent improvement in the time before disease progression already.

Some women continued to be disease-free after they stopped taking the drug, suggesting they only need to take it for two years and it keeps on working.

From next spring, patients diagnosed with BRCA-related ovarian cancer that has already spread can benefit from Olaparib for the first time, as part of a second medical trial at Londons Royal Marsden Hospital

Olaparib is part of a revolutionary family of drugs known as PARP inhibitors that have been shown to be effective for treating lung, prostate and some head and neck cancers.

One patient benefiting from the trial is 51-year-old Preeti Dudakia, a pharmacy technician diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in 2014. As she had previously suffered from fibroids and cysts, no connection was initially made between her symptoms  bloating, frequent urination and reduced appetite  and her late mothers ovarian cancer.

Subsequent genetic screening showed she had inherited her mothers faulty BRCA1 gene. Preeti was rushed to hospital.

I was told Id need a total abdominal hysterectomy and chemotherapy. Everyone thought that Id die within a year or two, like my mother, she recalls.

But Preetis oncologist also suggested a twice daily oral dose of Olaparib for two years, as part of the medical trial.

Preeti, from Surrey, tolerated the drug quite well and was able to return to work during treatment. Side effects were limited to tiredness and anaemia, for which she needed blood transfusions.

Two years on, scans show Preeti to be cancer-free. Im well and getting on with my life, she says. Ive now got a future, which I wouldnt have had without this drug.The original poster from the Widows TV series  which I began writing over 30 years ago, when I was an actress called Lynda Marchal  hangs on my office wall. The faces of those four, strong women and the brilliant tag line  Facing life alone, they turned to crime together are the first thing I see every morning and I still cannot believe my baby from 30 years ago has grown up into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Liam Neeson and Viola Davis.

In Steve McQueens version of Widows there are strong political, racial and, at times, violent sequences. His movie is different in many ways from the original TV series

As an actress Id been reasonably successful and worked almost constantly, with the RSC, the National Theatre, in major repertory companies and on TV. However, when I came to London, television casting directors read my CV, and because I was short, had red hair and come from Liverpool, I usually ended up playing barmaids or prostitutes, falling out of cars drunk or plying my trade on street corners.

I found the work repetitive and decided to try writing, submitting storylines to numerous drama commissioners. They were all returned with rejection letters, but on one of them someone had written in pencil, This is brilliant. I reworked the two-page treatment and sent it to Verity Lambert at Euston Films.

I had worked with Verity as an actress, but I sent in the treatment, for a six-part series, under my married name, Lynda La Plante. You can imagine the look on her face when I walked into her office. Everyone had surmised that I was probably a transvestite trucker!

Verity asked me to write one episode and told me that if it was any good she would commission me for the remaining five. However, if my attempt was not acceptable, I had to agree to them bringing in someone else. I never acted again, and my life of writing began.

That treatment was for Widows, and I was so lucky it landed on the right desk at the right time, when Verity was looking for a female-driven series. I had never really written anything in my life, yet here I was with the most incredible opportunity.

I had seen a newspaper article about a woman who had been bereft by the death of her husband and found herself in such a dire financial situation that she resorted to attempting to rob a post office. She failed and was arrested. This was my inspiration for the storyline.

I knew that I needed to meet some of my characters, one of whom was a tough street girl, as throughout my career I had been surrounded by luvvies. So, I went to Kings Cross in London, where a lot of working girls had their patches. They laughed at first, but when I offered them money they soon agreed to accompany me into one of the nearby greasy spoon cafes.

I realised then that, although I had portrayed numerous prostitutes when I was an actress, I had only ever skimmed the surface. If Widows was to be accepted, I needed to go to the source for all my characters. In between acting jobs, I had run a market stall in west London, selling second-hand clothes, and was told that the woman on the fruit and veg stall next to me was married to a man who was in prison for murder and armed robbery. She dressed in a heavy overcoat, fur-lined boots, a headscarf, woollen hat and fingerless gloves.

This woman was mean. I tried to strike up a conversation with her every weekend, telling her that I was working on a TV series. She just told me to f*** off! Finally, though, she agreed to talk to me and invited me to her flat for a cup of coffee.

When I rang the doorbell, I didnt recognise the woman who answered  a rather mature, glamorous woman wearing a Jaeger suit, with beautifully styled hair and heavy make-up and holding a white poodle. I couldnt hide my astonishment.

She laughed. Well, what did Miss La-de-da TV writer think I was gonna look like on my day off?

This was my Dolly Rawlins.

Through meeting her husband and friends I began to get an insight into the criminal world, meeting prisoners wives and visiting Holloway Prison, which established my other three characters.

I then contacted the Metropolitan Police to seek their guidance, and remain indebted to their help throughout my career.

I completed the first episode and tentatively sent it into Euston Films. Eventually I received a call from Verity Lambert inviting me to a meeting. I was terribly nervous, but she immediately reassured me.

Well, you can write, she said.

The relief!

She patted the manuscript I had sent her. Now the work begins... Can you tell me who the leading role is?

Dolly Rawlins.

She looked me directly in the eyes. How come she doesnt appear until page 25?

Veritys subsequent notes and observations were of a similar ilk and were quite brilliant. At no time was she damning. Instead her notes were constructive, insightful and exciting. Today I dont think there is a single network that would take this risk on a new writer.

I had considered writing a leading role for myself, even calling one of the characters Linda, but when Verity asked which part I wanted to play I realised I had written myself out of my own series. When I said I was not right for any of the roles, she did give a sigh of relief. At the auditions, we all agreed Ann Mitchell was Dolly Rawlins. In fact, Ann was born and bred in the East End, and had an extraordinary intuition as to who Dolly Rawlins should be. She had a strength of character and an underlying anger that there was very little work for a professional actress in her early 40s. Somehow, she knew this was the role of her life.

Widows aired in 1983 and won a record audience of more than 18 million viewers  people who rushed home in those pre-video days to watch the series in real time.

I still cannot believe my baby from 30 years ago has grown up into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Liam Neeson and Viola Davis

Over 30 years later, I was invited to an event hosted by the Royal Academy and Buckingham Palace to celebrate the alumni of Rada. I was admiring one of the magnificent paintings when someone asked me, Are you Lynda La Plante? He introduced himself as Steve McQueen, the director of 12 Years A Slave, and went on to tell me that he had watched Widows as a 13-year-old boy in London, and had wanted to make a film of it ever since.

In Steves version of Widows there are strong political, racial and, at times, violent sequences. His movie is different in many ways: the setting is Chicago, the original was London. Dolly is now called Veronica and played by Viola Davis and the character of Shirley is now called Alice, played by Elizabeth Debicki, who gives a stand-out performance. I told Steve in my notes that the audience have to love these women and want them to succeed.

He listened, and the result is a movie that has, at its heart, the women.

Widows is published by Zaffre, 7.99, and the film is on general release nowSir Michael Morpurgo stands by a war memorial in the remote Devon village where he lives, remembering the old soldier who inspired him to write War Horse.

For the first time in my life, I was talking to someone who had been there in the First World War. Wilf told me what it was like to lie in the bottom of a trench after being gassed and have a German soldier stand over you with his bayonet at your throat, but then not kill you. Extraordinary.

Sir Michael Morpurgo's new book Poppy Field is written in the voice of a modern-day schoolboy living on a farm in Flanders, where poppies grow wild

The encounter led to a compassionate story that shapes the way so many of us think about the war that ended 100 years ago today. War Horse has been a book, a Steven Spielberg film and a play with astonishing puppets at the National Theatre, to which it has just returned for a limited run.

This gentle, serious man in his chinos and checked shirt has flyaway hair but a fierce focus on what he is doing and why. The emotional connection he feels with those who took part in the First World War began when Morpurgo came to live in this tiny village of Iddesleigh with his wife Clare in 1974, and met a violin-playing, antique-dealing neighbour called Wilfred Ellis, with some vivid stories to tell. Suddenly it wasnt history, it was real life. This man had been involved.

Ellis had signed up as a teenager, was shot in 1918 and nearly died out in no-mans-land until he was hauled up on to a cart that had come to collect the dead. Wilf told me what people longed for in the trenches: to go home, to have a bath, to have hot food, just to not be wet. He told me lots of things. I owe him a lot.

Ellis also introduced him to two other veterans in the village, one of whom had wrangled animals for the Army. I found out that about a million horses had gone to the First World War and 65,000 had come back, which is roughly the same loss as the men who went. They died the same way.

People assume a man who makes up stories for children must be a better dad than most. Yes I know, and I can see why, but the notion that somehow a childrens author should make the most perfect parent in the world is nonsense, Morpurgo says now. Pictured, one of the illustrations from his new book

Wilfred Ellis passed away in 1981, a year before the publication of the story he had helped bring to life, War Horse. Joey the dray horse is taken off to serve the cavalry at the front, captured by the Germans and put to work on a French farm. His owner Albert is desperate to find him but gets caught up in the conflict, which we see from both sides through the eyes of the horse. My stories are made up but I hope they help people who read them to feel and understand that those involved in this terrible war were each somebodys son or daughter. Somebody real.

Morpurgo returns to the theme in his new book, Poppy Field, written for the British Legion to mark todays centenary and telling the story of a little girl growing up among the battles and wild poppies of Flanders.

They want the red poppy to be understood better by the younger generation, who have little or no connection to the First and Second World Wars, says the author, 75, who wears a white peace poppy as well as a red one on the breast of his tweed jacket. The more personal you can make it, the better.

Poppy Field is written in the voice of a modern-day schoolboy living on a farm in Flanders, where poppies grow wild. He is grieving for his father, blown up when his tractor ran over a long-hidden First World War bomb in one of the fields. On the wall of the farmhouse is a scrap of paper bearing the hand-written words of a famous poem by John McCrae: In Flanders fields the poppies blow/between the crosses, row on row

In Morpurgos story, a little girl of eight  the narrators great-grandmother  sees the soldier poet trying to write a tribute to his dead friend but throwing away the pages. She picks one up and keeps it in a frame on the wall for many years without realising that the poem has become famous, the inspiration for people across the world taking up the poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

But if Morpurgo is such a champion of the British Legion Poppy Appeal, why is he also wearing the white poppy of the Peace Pledge Union? Its time to stop the way in which we have been thinking about war and start another way of thinking. This red poppy is for then and for them: it represents respect, honour and thanks to the people who ensured our freedom.

But he then talks about his uncle Pieter, an actor who was killed in World War II aged 21. He never got to have a life. He was just cut short. If men like him died for anything it was surely that there should be peace afterwards, for their families and their country. It is just as important to find a peaceful way forward and avoid war as it is to remember the men and women who died. The two things should go side by side. Thats why I wear a white poppy too.

If the white poppy is a surprise, so is the fact that the book for which he is best known was a flop for 25 years before it became one of the defining stories about World War One. We sold about a thousand copies a year after War Horse came out in 1982, no more than that, says Morpurgo, who got on with writing other stories. He won the 1996 Whitbread Childrens Book Award with The Wreck Of The Zanzibar and also served as Childrens Laureate, a post he helped to create. Then in 2007 the National Theatre asked to put on a production of War Horse with puppets, which the author nearly turned down. I was afraid Joey would end up looking like a pantomime horse. Then I saw what they were proposing and realised it was wonderful.

If men like my uncle died for anything it was surely that there should be peace afterwards

The Handspring Puppet Company created mesmerising animals operated by three people at a time, moving with the grace of real horses. They are currently performing War Horse at the National again until January. Next, Steven Spielberg made a movie of War Horse and involved Morpurgo fully, even giving him and Clare a brief appearance as countryfolk at a market. If you blink, you miss it, said Morpurgo at the time. Spielberg is fantastically organised, like the conductor of an orchestra.

Tourists began to turn up in Iddesleigh asking to see the portrait of the horse, Joey, that the foreword to the book said was hanging in the village hall. Unfortunately, the author had made that bit up.

Our dear friend Joan Weeks, who lives next door to the hall, had to keep saying: Oh dear, it fell off the wall a week ago, Im sorry. She didnt want to reveal me as a liar, bless her, even though Im a novelist, thats what I do! Eventually she said: Michael, it would be really helpful to me if somehow you could arrange for there to be a picture there!

The Morpurgos commissioned the War Horse films resident artist to paint a portrait of Joey in period style. It now hangs in the village hall alongside photographs of the real village school children in 1910 and 1911. Looking at their cheeky faces, I realise with a jolt that some will have lost their lives in the war. The names on the memorial outside are no fiction, they represent real grief. Here we are, says Morpurgo, tracing the writing on the rough granite Celtic cross with his finger. Seven people who went away from this tiny village and never came back. Some of those names are still in the village. The Ansteys are still here. But others just vanished completely.

The author has lived in this place for over 40 years and cares for it deeply. Just down the road is War Horse Valley Farm, set up by friends as part of Farms For City Children, a charity the Morpurgos created a long time ago to enable inner-city kids to come and work alongside farmers and experience country life. It isnt pretend at all, says Morpurgo. And its very good for their self-esteem to be working hard and sharing responsibilities with grown-ups who dont patronise them.

Theres also a big iron sign on the village green that declares this to be War Horse Country. I ask if hes proud, but it turns out that Morpurgo is quite cross. Its strange. I wish people would ask before they do things like that, but very often they dont.

How did he feel about receiving a knighthood this year? I wanted to call myself Sir Joey  its the horse that got the knighthood. It would be much more interesting for people to see a horse kneeling down and getting knighted by Prince William. Hed have enjoyed it much more than yet another man in a morning suit, which must be pretty boring!

How was the ceremony? I enjoyed having my family there. Other than that, I found it quite stiff. When you go to a school prize-giving, people clap. They even whoop. There are no whoops when you get a knighthood. Prince William was terrific but it was kind of quiet and silent, a bit like going to church.

So, should I call him Sir Michael? He shakes his head. Please dont call me Sir unless you really want to make me cross. But Im certainly not going to hand it back, because Sir Joey wouldnt like me to!

Were getting along nicely but Ive got a couple of tricky questions to ask now, because there have been stories in recent years about Morpurgo suffering throat cancer and also being estranged from his sons. He has two boys who are now in their 50s  Sebastian, a teacher and Horatio, a writer  as well as a daughter called Rosalind. So how is he doing? My health is as perfect as my family, he says briskly. The prognosis is really good. Its cancer of the larynx and it was caught as early as you can hope for, so the chances of surviving are really rather good.

A biography in 2012 quoted Morpurgo as saying he regretted spending too much time with the city children visiting his farm and not enough with his own sons, who were apparently refusing to speak to him at the time: It is a difficulty but we all have our own sadness and I long for reconciliation.

People assume a man who makes up stories for children must be a better dad than most. Yes I know, and I can see why, but the notion that somehow a childrens author should make the most perfect parent in the world is nonsense, he says now. Were rather ordinary, imperfect humans and not necessarily any better at raising children than anyone else. I was far too young when I became a father.

Clare was pregnant when they got married in a hurry, to the alarm of her father, the founder of Penguin Books. Both were in their early 20s. Morpurgo admits he was immature and distracted then, but the family reconciliation he longed for has taken place. Im a much better grandfather than I ever was a father; and I am a much better great-grandfather than I ever was a grandfather. What do you know as parents, for goodness sake? Youre feeling your way forward.

Wilfred Ellis passed away in 1981, a year before the publication of the story he had helped bring to life, War Horse

Nobody has done more to help younger people develop a feeling for what happened in wartime. But as a writer, he believes we should change our language of remembrance. We use extraordinary words for the dead, dont we? Glorious, we use that a lot. I dont think it would have appealed to them at all. It was a truly vile thing that happened, a waste of humanity. The flower of Europe died on the battlefield. An engineer from Germany killing an artist from England or a musician from France, for no other reason than that they were wearing a different colour uniform.

Britain has changed. Why should children with roots in other countries even care? If we do this right, it doesnt have to be a white thing. One-and-a-half million Indians fought in the First World War. Everyone forgets about it. Jamaicans came over in large numbers as well. There were many people of colour who fought in the two world wars. So this is a question of universal suffering, not just about me because Im pink and Ive got a British name and because we won.

The First World War ended with the humiliation of Germany but the Second led to a new peace in Europe that has been sustained by the EU, says Morpurgo. The best way to avoid war is to trade, because then you need each other. This is what upsets me most about Brexit. Nobody has talked about the most important thing: peace.

Not surprisingly, he is firmly in favour of the German president being invited to the Cenotaph today, despite the opposition of senior military figures like Lord Guthrie. I think he should absolutely be there. Im surprised he hasnt been before. Its really important we understand that yes, there were some vile people who fought in the Second World War for Germany but there were also teachers. There was the butcher, the baker, the candlestick-maker. Im not going to point the finger at every single one of them. Certainly not now. And what they have done in that country, probably better than anyone else, is come to terms with the guilt and responsibility in their history. There is a lot to admire in that.

War Horse is used in schools alongside Blackadder Goes Forth. But isnt there something wrong with allowing made-up stories to define the way we remember real events? I dont think theres any other way you can do it now, says Morpurgo gently. Fiction is a way of putting children in touch with the human side of these stories. I think thats very important.

Wilf would surely approve. The people who fought in the First World War have all gone now, 100 years on, but we need to keep the promise for our own sake as much as theirs: We will remember them.

Poppy Field by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman, is out now, published by Scholastic, 12.99They may not know what mindfulness means and dont care how you pronounce hygge, but they certainly know how to embrace life. Dont be fooled by that docile expression, says Celia Haddon  theres an awful lot our dogs can teach us

In you dog's world, loving and being loved are what matter

DOGS KNOW WHAT REALLY MATTERS

In their world, loving and being loved come first. Dogs love their human family and doggy friends spontaneously and happily. That should be what matters to us.

THEY NEVER STOP THINKING THAT LIFE HAS TREATS IN STORE

Even if its not dinner time, they never lose hope that you might, just might, give them something from the food cupboard. An optimistic attitude makes the world seem a happier place to live in.

DOGS MOVE ON

They dont rail at fate, simmer with resentments or moan that life is unfair. Accepting your life as it is gives you time and energy to enjoy what can be enjoyed.

ITS ALL ABOUT SIMPLE PLEASURES TO THEM

Whether its crumbs on the kitchen floor, rabbit holes, sticks or simply being near you, the little things can bring big rewards. Look for small pleasures and dont be too critical. You will enjoy life more.

DOGS DONT MULTITASK

They like walks, strokes, interesting smells and chasing balls  one at a time. They dont waste energy complicating life with over-thinking or doing too many things at once  and are all the better for it.

LEAVING THEIR MARK ON THE WORLD IS IMPORTANT

But its usually on lampposts. Obviously, thats not the way we should do it. Instead we can volunteer, take part in local activities, raise money for good causes and be a good friend.

THEY DONT HAVE TO BE TOP DOG

Our dogs will happily follow us when we lead, and dont mind taking orders. And if ours is top dog among others, he leads without domineering or bullying. We can have a happy life without fighting to come out on top.

DOGS BREATHE IT ALL IN

They stop and sniff whenever there is a scent that interests them. They see life through their nose. We should not ignore the joy of scents that please us. Pay attention to the smell of flowers, newly mown grass, evergreen trees, good food and freshly washed laundry. Add these small joyful experiences to your life.

WHEN THEY WANT AFFECTION THEY ASK  AND ARE HAPPY TO SHOW IT

A dog will lean against you, nudge you, lick your hand, bring you a toy or put a paw on your lap. There is no shame in asking for affection. A dog shows you how special you are to him. Do the same to others. Send a card. Give thoughtful gifts, offers of help or make time to listen.

THEY KNOW HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS (BUT DONT COPY ALL THEIR MOVES)

Watch a dog making friends with other dogs. Theres the run towards, pause, circle and bottom sniff. Bottom sniffing is definitely not a good start to human friendship, but a cheerful handshake and a smile will work well. Enhance your life by being friendly to people you meet during the day, such as the shopkeeper or the receptionist.

RELAXING IS A PRIORITY

Dogs laze around or sleep when theres not much to do. Dont feel you have to fill up all your time with busyness. Taking it easy or having a power nap is not a waste of time  its good for you.

FOOD IS THEIR FRIEND

Enjoying what you eat is good for the digestion and good for your mood. It is part of a happy life.

DOGS LIKE HANGING OUT WITH YOU

Theyre happy to watch TV, go for a jog, sit in the car Theyre never far away. Equally, your time is the most precious thing you can give to your family and friends. Just hanging out with them shows that you love them.

WHEREVER YOU ARE, THEY FEEL AT HOME

Our dogs would be happy in a bedsit or a mansion, as long as were there. Being with loved ones is what makes a happy home. You dont need five bedrooms for happiness. You only need a place for people and your dog.

THEYRE GOOD LISTENERS

They pay attention to us when we talk to them. We can tell them anything and theyre never judgmental.

AND THEY DONT RESENT SUCCESS

Dont let envy spoil your happiness for others. Dogs share in our happiness without feeling envious. They sense peoples good moods and respond with their own.

DOGS LIKE TO EXERCISE EVERY DAY

Even when they are old and arthritic, they will appreciate a walk in the park. And they always remember to stretch once or twice when they leave their bed. Choose exercise thats a pleasure not a chore, then you will do more of it.

YOU CAN BE THE PERSON YOUR DOG THINKS YOU ARE

Dogs look up to us, enjoy our company, forgive our blunders and love us dearly. They think were wonderful. So be wonderful.

This is an edited extract from 100 Ways to be as Happy as Your Dog: Canine Lessons for a Good Life by Celia Haddon, to be published by Yellow Kite on Thursday, price 9.99. To order a copy for 7.99 until 25 November, visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640. p&p is free on orders over 15



GAME-CHANGER: The Mail on Sunday has campaigned for more than a year to put an end to these underhand practices after being inundated with complaints from victims

A major clampdown is expected at last on rogue firms that trick mobile phone owners into paying a fortune to receive nuisance texts they did not want or ask for.

Online subscription providers  offering games, quizzes and lottery updates, for example  have been allowed to sign up customers deceptively without their knowledge or consent. The charges to receive text updates are added to mobile phone bills.

The Mail on Sunday has campaigned for more than a year to put an end to these underhand practices after being inundated with complaints from victims.

Often the guilty firms accuse those affected of simply forgetting they agreed to a subscription  or put the blame on family members.

Now consumer watchdogs have had enough and regulations could soon be in sight to stop these firms. The chief aim is to close a gaping loophole in the system. The deception can occur when someone innocently browses the internet on their phone.

The resulting small sums added to a bill can easily go unnoticed for a long time  either because customers have not looked at a detailed copy of their bill or simply have not spotted the charges. People often delete the costly texts confirming the subscription they have unwittingly signed up to  and details of how to opt out  because they look like nuisance spam messages.

It is happening through abuse of a legitimate payments system called Operator Billing. This includes a tool called Payforit, run by the mobile networks EE, O2, Three and Vodafone.

The system allows goods and services to be charged to a mobile phone bill for convenience  but unintentionally has also allowed fraudsters and unscrupulous businesses to thrive.

Experts say it is a scandal that has been allowed to persist for too many years and that time is almost up. David Hickson, of the Fair Telecoms Campaign, says: The regulation surrounding these subscriptions is inadequate and has been exploited by scammers.

There are legitimate uses  including payments to charity. But if the system cannot be brought under control and scams eliminated, we will call on the regulator to prohibit use of the mechanism entirely. A radical change is needed.

The regulator responsible for goods and services charged to a mobile bill is the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). It is expected to announce proposals for reform as soon as the end of this year.

GLITCH: The system allows services to be charged to a mobile phone bill for convenience  but unintentionally has also allowed fraudsters and unscrupulous businesses to thrive

A spokesman for the PSA says: We are aware of the considerable public concern around subscriptions, as they currently make up more than 90 per cent of complaints we receive. We have also taken robust regulatory action against non-compliance in this area of the market, issuing substantial fines to service providers.

The number of grievances it has fielded about operator billing has recently more than quadrupled. One of the biggest holes in regulation is the fact that victims have no clear way to complain and get refunds.

Hickson adds: The requirement to show indisputable proof that a customer consented to be charged is not strong enough. And there needs to be a way for disputes to be resolved satisfactorily and fairly  either by showing how a request for the subscription was made, or by providing a refund.

The Mail on Sunday has heard from countless victims who are furious after discovering a history of charges on their bills  amounting to significant losses over many months. But they cannot find anyone to take them seriously when they protest.

Jane Taylor (name has been changed) from Essex says she has been charged around 600 over three- and-a-half years for a competition service she knew nothing about. She says: I contacted the company but they will not give me a refund. All I want is my money back. I wrote to my mobile provider but they wont refund me either and I dont know what to do next.

The Mail on Sunday contacted Vodafone about Janes case. A spokeswoman says: Were sorry to hear that Ms Taylor was unaware that she had signed up for this third-party service. The charges are accurate but, on this occasion, as a goodwill gesture we will offer a 50 per cent reimbursement.

Campaigner the culprits are determined to silence Fighting back against premium rate cons: Paul Muggleton and his wife Rosaleen Paul Muggleton has set up the Payforitsucks website to help victims of premium rate cons. Payforitsucks is named after the Payforit tool conmen misuse to obtain cash. Now Paul  along with victims airing their views and sharing experiences on social media and reviews websites  is being silenced by lawyers working for the subscription companies. He is a 66-year-old retired IT support manager and lives in Purley, South London, with his wife Rosaleen. After she found an unexpected 4.50 debit on her mobile phone bill for a subscription to a funny videos service, Paul stepped in to find out what happened. He says the battle for a 4.50 refund  which he fought for on principle  took eight weeks, 12 telephone calls, 17 emails, two signed for letters and the threat of legal action. Paul says: The company then sent a text, containing a bar code, which had to be taken to the Post Office to be cashed, which is hardly a convenient method. No one ever explained how or when my wifes number was obtained. Now through his work on the Payforitsucks website, he has encountered further trouble from lawyers acting on behalf of companies charging for rip-off texts. Paul has been sent legal threats regarding social media criticisms about subscription providers. Lawyers asked him to delete messages or face libel action. People complaining online have also been reported by lawyers to the websites hosting their opinions and then asked to amend factual accounts of their experiences. Paul adds: They continue to seek to stifle criticism rather than answer it. A look through the user forums of the major mobile networks will leave nobody in any doubt that there is a serious problem. I refuse to believe that all the people affected by this practice are lying or stupid.

Naughty grandchild claim blames victims

Not all subscription providers are fraudsters  but they can outsource responsibility for signing up customers to other companies behaving unethically.

When customers object to the charges, providers and mobile networks routinely blame the victims under collective amnesia or naughty grandchild theories.

They suggest victims forgot they signed up or that a young family member probably used the handset to sign up while the owner was not watching.

In truth, there is a long history of subscription providers being fined for abusing consumer trust and allowing mobile numbers to be registered via deceptive means.

This includes click-jacking, where a user is tricked into clicking on a consent-to-charge button masked to look like something else  such as a link to an interesting article. Malicious software hidden in some apps has also been shown to trigger premium rate charges.

Meanwhile, the regulator settles the vast majority of problems raised about premium rate companies informally, rather than with penalties and public reprimands.

Only big investigations by the regulator  triggered by a large number of complaints about the same company  tend to result in a fine and orders for customers to be repaid. Refunds are otherwise at the mercy of subscription providers or mobile networks.

DID YOU KNOW? Not all subscription providers are fraudsters  but they can outsource responsibility for signing up customers to other companies behaving unethically

One reader called Scott, who wanted to keep his surname private, wrote to The Mail on Sunday about his frustrating experience. He lost 171 between June last year and the end of July this year for two subscriptions  one for a game and another for a service about wrestling  neither of which he wanted or used.

Even after he tried to halt the texts by replying with a STOP message, the charges continued. Scott was initially offered a derisory refund in acknowledgement that he had tried to put an end to the messages. He refused, claiming he wanted a full refund, but all of his ensuing queries were stonewalled.

In an email to the company, he says: I do not understand how this subscription has been authorised. I have no interest whatsoever in wrestling. Whatever services you are offering I have never used. I did not and would not have authorised any payment to be taken from my account.

Mobile networks typically say customer problems should be resolved by the service provider.

But The Mail on Sunday asked Scotts mobile network, EE, to intervene. He has now been repaid the money.

Despite reluctance by mobile networks to tackle disputes, they frequently hear from their disgruntled customers  and do sometimes pay refunds. As a result of complaints, EE has pre-empted future regulatory action. It now demands third parties ask customers to create an account or use a PIN sent to their mobile to confirm a subscription.

Other customers will need to wait until next year to see if the regulator and other mobile networks tighten up the system further to stamp out fraud.

Customers should also check their mobile phone bills in detail for unexpected charges. To find out more about premium rate texts visit the regulators website at psauthority.org.uk.In this week's edition of 'Rewind,' Robert Smith talks a bit about Remembrance Day and recalls the role that Canadian harness racing played in the war effort especially during WW II back in the 1940s. He has managed to retrieve a very special old issue from the Canadian Sportsman to help tell the story.

Today is a most important day on the annual calendar; it is Remembrance Day, November 11th. It is not a time for gift giving nor family get-togethers, but rather a time to pause and reflect on some sombre times in our Country's history. In the first half of the 20th Century our country went to war on two occasions to protect and preserve our rights and freedoms. Many lives were tragically lost in both conflicts as our young people fought bravely for the benefit of everyone. Scarcely a family was not affected in some way.

I can recall hearing the story of my uncle who later became a medical doctor heading off to war around 1914. Scarcely removed from the wheat fields of rural Ontario he was soon involved in the Battle of Gallipoli, one of the fiercest encounters of the First World War. My father, who was too young for WWI, told a story with a much happier ending. As WWI raged on many young boys were organized to train for future recruitment if the war lasted for many years. A local Army Rep. was dispatched to train these young lads but only if they owned a riding horse. My father later learned that there was supposed to be some small remuneration owing the boys but apparently the training officer kept it all for himself! When WWI ended my father was still just 13 so he was never called.



Photo courtesy of New Brunswick Museum St. John Photo courtesy of New Brunswick Museum St. John

Each year on November 11th most communities across the land pause for a time to remember those who fought and died and also the many people who survived. I believe our last survivor from WWI passed away in 2010 at the age of 109. The list of those who were involved in the second world war and still remain is now very small. If someone is still living it is quite likely they have already reached their mid 90's. The pictures of these brave souls often are included in their obituaries, indeed a fitting tribute.

When I became old enough to work, many of the adult men I met and got to know had been in the military and a number of them went overseas. One gentleman spent several years in a German P.O.W. camp and often told of the life he endured which surprisingly was not as harsh as one might expect. To a person they all spoke of their service in such a respectful and matter of fact way. It seemed that none of them resented having to put their lives on hold for the good of their country. While trivializing or joking about serious matters is never an acceptable policy I do recall one so called "war story" that I found extremely funny.

A man from our Town spoke of his WWI military service or perhaps his "near military service." He was called to report for basic training I believe in London, Ont., a summons he dutifully answered. A short few days later he was back home again walking down the street but with a viable explanation. He said that the Army doctors had examined him and found that he had one leg shorter than the other and it was feared that when he was required to march into battle that he would march around in circles! Yes that was Seeley's story and it had to be true.



Blanche Bennett, right, and a friend in 1943. The two women served as telephone operators along with 14 other women in Halifax during the war. (Blanche Bennett) Blanche Bennett, right, and a friend in 1943. The two women served as telephone operators along with 14 other women in Halifax during the war. (Blanche Bennett)

The sport of harness racing was deeply affected during wartime. A large number of young men in particular were called to serve, thus removing them from their jobs as owners, trainers and drivers. Also many facilities where racing was staged were taken over as military sites during the war years.

The following full page message appeared in the July 27, 1942 issue of The Canadian Sportsman. It outlined in detail the important role that harness racing had in these troubled times.

Who Is It?

Can you correctly identify the two gentlemen pictured above? Both were part of the Canadian Armed Services during WWII, many years prior to this photograph.

The correct answer will be given during the upcoming week.It has gone from bad to worse for anyone with money in Neil Woodfords much trumpeted Patient Capital Trust fund.

Investors already had good reason to feel aggrieved at returns failing to live up to the star stockpickers reputation.

Then last week it turned into a farce when it emerged FTSE Russell, part of the London Stock Exchange, had accidentally promoted it to the FTSE 250 index at the start of the month.

Neil Woodford has had a difficult patch and last week an index blunder hit his Patient Capital trust

With a little patience: Investors in Neil Woodford's Patient Capital Trust have seen the share price dip from its 100p launch level.

That meant index tracker funds automatically bought into the shares. Now they will be forced to sell out when it is removed on Tuesday.

Activist investor Richard Bernstein, who runs the Crystal Amber fund, reckons it will cost investors several hundred thousand pounds.

Woodford admitted in last weeks Mail on Sunday the past two years have been his most difficult period.

Bad bets on some blue-chip firms such as Provident Financial and the AA hit his funds last year.

And it has been a similar tale this year for Woodford Patient Capital Trust, which listed in 2015.

But patience can be a virtue. Shares in Autolus Therapeutics  a London-based firm developing blood cancer treatments  have more than doubled since floating in New York in June and surged 14 per cent on Friday.

Woodford Patient Capital Trust has a 15 per cent stake so investors may see a boost this week.

Vodafone investors hope for positive signs

Investors are hoping for positive signals from new Vodafone chief executive Nick Read this week amid City nerves that the dividend could be under threat.

The payout has been steadily growing every year since the telecom giants stock market float in 1998.

Read, promoted from chief financial officer this year, has a chance to reassure the market the dividend remains intact.

Analysts at UBS expect confirmation of previous guidance of profit growth between 1 per cent and 5 per cent.

Despite weakness in Spain and Italy, where the company has faced rising competition, the experts are expecting the group to report solid results.

A reassuring performance could lead to a recovery for the beleaguered share price, they say.

Perhaps not the time to hang up on the shares, then.

Royal Mail's FTSE 100 spot under threat

Getting rid of executives the week before you release your results is never a good sign.

Last week, Royal Mail parted with Sue Whalley, the chief executive of its post and parcels business, just a few days before unveiling its half-year results.

The firm has already issued a profit warning this autumn. The alert at the start of October caused the shares to plunge 18 per cent on the day. Is more bad news on the way this week?

Scribblers at UBS say that while revenue will be announced as being slightly up at 4.9 billion on Thursday, adjusted profits are expected to have dived by 65 per cent to 92 million.

Unless new chief executive Rico Back can pull a rabbit out of the hat, ejection from the FTSE 100 beckons.Rogue landlords are routinely and illegally withholding deposits and subjecting tenants to surprise evictions. Often it is students and young adults early in their careers who are most vulnerable.

Frequently it will be middle-aged parents footing the bill or having to rehouse their grown-up children after what can be a traumatic time.

Evidence from multiple sources points to landlords regularly flouting existing laws  particularly when it comes to returning money stumped up as a deposit. This money should be placed in an impartial scheme.

Scammed: More and more students renting private accommodation are seeing their deposit money stay in their landlords' pockets as they refuse to give it back

But research by Nationwide Building Society indicates that half of students do not get their full deposit back while at university and that they lose an average 150. Eight in ten say their money was withheld unfairly.

Iain Macauley, from Cheshire, took up this fight for son Ben, whose deposit for 300 was withheld by a rogue landlord.

Ben was studying a Masters at university in Hertfordshire. It has taken nearly a year to get the money back  and was only finally paid after The Mail on Sunday intervened.

The landlord allowed a man to move in who was a stranger to the housemates, was not listed on the contract, did not pay a deposit and who started selling drugs from the premises.

Despite complaints from the other tenants, the landlord failed to act, even after a 4am police raid.

Eventually he turned up unannounced and told everyone to leave within three weeks. He later failed to repay deposits.

Iain had planned to chase the money in the small claims court  as another parent did successfully  but was finally repaid after The Mail on Sunday contacted the landlord. He says: The apparently innocuous and respectable landlord was not everything he at first appeared.

Research by comparison website comparethemarket reveals a third of renters know their landlords have not safely tucked away deposits in a protection scheme. One fifth claim they do not even have a formal contract to rent their homes.

Citizens Advice says half of renters are only shown their tenancy agreement after they have already put money down on the property.

Meanwhile, the number of private renters in the UK has doubled in a decade, helped in no small part by soaring house prices and wages that cannot keep pace, meaning fewer house-hunters can afford to buy.

Polly Neate, chief executive of homelessness charity Shelter, says: Every day our advisers hear from people trying to navigate the common pitfalls of renting  from unprotected deposits and unfair terms in tenancy agreements, to dangerous conditions.

For information about renters rights visit the charitys website at shelter.org.uk.

Chris Norris, of the National Landlords Association, says the vast majority of landlords are good people, but recommends tenants undergo basic checks before renting a property.

He says: Check that the landlord or letting agent is a member of an organisation such as the NLA or the UK Association of Letting Agents.Ousted Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn will pocket an extra 21 million on top of the 75 million bonus already lined up, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Fairburn was sacked from the FTSE 100 housebuilder last week  a year after The Mail on Sundays revelations about his pay triggered fury.

A car crash TV interview last month, in which he walked off without answering questions about the bonus, is thought to have been the final nail in the coffin.

BUILDING UP A FORTUNE: Jeff Fairburns bonanza keeps on growing despite criticisms

Yet as well as keeping the 75 million of share awards, Fairburn will be allowed to collect dividends. That could take his package to as much as 96 million over the next three years.

We can today reveal that Fairburn will keep the money despite:

Doing nothing to set up a charitable trust to which he said he would donate a substantial proportion of his bonus

Mounting evidence that the share price growth that sparked his bumper payout was fuelled by the taxpayer-funded Help to Buy scheme

A spike in positive reviews relating to the company on jobs website Glassdoor, which has sparked speculation that the firm has called on staff to help clean up its tarnished reputation

The Mail on Sundays Fat Cat Files investigation revealed a year ago that nearly 140 Persimmon staff were set to share an 800 million windfall in one of the biggest bonus schemes in UK corporate history.

Fairburn would have received more than 100 million of that, but after a public backlash he agreed to give some to charity and then later agreed to a cut leaving him with 75 million.

He became the poster boy for fat cat pay at a time when Prime Minister Theresa May had pledged to clamp down on boardroom excess.

Reports said last week that the board, led by new chairman Roger Devlin, had asked Fairburn whether he would give up a larger chunk of his bonus to save his job, but he declined.

OUTRAGE: How we revealed Jeff Fairburns huge bonus, last year

Now our analysis has revealed that Fairburn will pick up a further 19.6 million thanks to bumper dividend payouts which were increased in February by Fairburn himself. He already collected a dividend worth 1 million in July after exercising some of the options awarded to him.

Assuming he turns the remaining options into shares when he leaves at the end of December, he will collect dividends totalling 20.6 million up until June 2021. That is when he is allowed to cash in his entire shareholding.

Friends of Fairburn argued that after tax the amount in dividends he can collect will be around 9.9 million.

When he said he would donate a substantial proportion of his bonus to charity, Fairburn pledged to set up a charitable trust. However, he has yet to do so.

Sources at the company say this is because Fairburn is yet to cash in any of the shares and that it is a personal matter.

Fairburn and his fellow executives have been accused of profiting from taxpayer subsidies as around half the houses it builds are sold through the Help to Buy mortgage scheme where househunters are given loans from the Government to assist them to get on the housing ladder.

The company failed to put a cap on the bonus, which leapt in value thanks to its strong share price performance.

However, the Persimmon share price had already nearly doubled in the year before Fairburn was promoted from managing director to chief executive in 2013.

It rose from 620p when the scheme was launched in 2012 to 1109p by the time Fairburn took over.

Fairburn has previously played down the impact of the Help to Buy policy.

However, group managing director Dave Jenkinson, who will become interim chief executive in January, told MPs in 2016 that if the Help to Buy scheme were to end then it could have a big impact for the business.

He added: It has encouraged us to invest and grow our business beyond what we normally would have done... Without that policy coming along, you would not have seen the level of growth we have seen already.

Jenkinson picked up a 40 million bonus under the same bonus scheme and will collect 11.9 million in dividends before tax if he exercises all his options before April.

Since the summer, ratings on Glassdoor from staff at Persimmon have seen a dramatic improvement, including predominantly five-star reviews. Fairburns approval rating has jumped from less than 30 per cent to 90 per cent.

Persimmon insists it did not incentivise staff to submit positive reviews.Shipping firms are preparing to invest billions of pounds into controversial machines that critics say will pump our oceans with polluted water.

US investment bank Goldman Sachs estimates that up to 5,000 vessels will be fitted with so-called scrubbers in the coming years, at a cost of up to $10 million (7.6 million) per ship.

Scrubbers stop sulphur emissions from being pumped into the air through exhaust pipes  but the vast majority of the devices then divert the waste into the sea.

CRUISE CONTROL: Goldman Sachs says that up to 5,000 ships will be fitted with scrubbers, adding up to a total cost of up to 7.6million per ship

Opponents say this can be hugely damaging to sea life, with studies showing that scrubbing technology can lead to water acidification, threaten marine ecosystems and harm coral, algae and shellfish.

It is the latest threat to the worlds oceans after plastic pollution triggered growing awareness about the effects of commercial waste.

Goldman Sachs, known as the Vampire Squid for its grip on the banking market, has identified them as a way for multinationals to save money on fuel.

This is because scrubbers allow shipping firms to get round strict regulations that from 2020 will restrict the use of cheaper, dirty fuels. Companies including Carnival, the FTSE 100-listed owner of P&O and Princess Cruises, have already started installing the technology on their vessels ahead of the crackdown.

One shipping industry boss last night compared the use of scrubbers with the Volkswagen Dieselgate scandal, where the German carmaker was found to have misled regulators and customers by hiding nitrogen oxide emissions during vehicle tests.

He also suggested firms using scrubbing technology which has been banned in some countries, including Belgium  are cynically putting profits before the environment.

Patrick Rodgers, the boss of Euronav, a large tanker company that is refusing to install scrubbers on its ships, said: I think when the public wakes up to the industrialisation of pollution from the atmosphere to the ocean, the industry will face as big a backlash as VW did during its emissions scandal. Scrubber users have been seduced by the prospect of making super profits from being able to use what they think will be cheaper, dirty fuel.

He added: Using scrubbers faces a simple test: could you justify to your family that youre meeting pollution regulations by pumping sulphuric acid and other equally nasty by-products into the oceans?

I dont see how it makes sense to solve one pollution problem by creating another.

New International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, which come into force in 2020, will prohibit ships from using fuel that is made up of more than 0.5 per cent sulphur, down from 3.5 per cent currently. Fuel with such low sulphur levels is up to 50 per cent more expensive, experts say.

The process: This is how scrubbers cut air emission and fuel costs, but pollute the waters

However, there is a loophole in the rules. Ships will be allowed to keep using cheaper, grubbier fuels which contain more than 0.5 per cent of the chemical if they have scrubbers fitted.

In a report seen by The Mail on Sunday, Goldman Sachs estimates that the cost of installing a scrubber is between $5 million (3.8 million) and $10 million (7.6 million). It was reported in May that the US bank is offering to help companies finance the installation, but Goldman now denies this claim.

Malcolm Latarche, a maritime expert at ShipInsight, calculates that, at those prices, firms which install scrubbers will make their money back within a year. Ned Molloy, an independent oil analyst, said: The attitude in the industry is that this is allowed by the rules, and its a more profitable route, so why not?

But he added that there is a danger that regulations could be changed to outlaw scrubbers in the future.

The chairs of two influential UK parliamentary committees have questioned Ministers on the environmental impact of scrubbers.

Conservative MP Neil Parish, head of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, has challenged both Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling on the technology.

Dr Sarah Wollaston, the Tory MP for Totnes, who chairs the Health and Social Care Committee, has questioned the impact it could have on British seas.

Nusrat Ghani, a Minister in the Department for Transport, said: The Government has not seen any evidence that the use of scrubbing technology would have any significant effect on marine environment.

Ghani added that the systems collect and store any sulphur residue and solid particulate matter on board the vessel, to be deposited at a port waste reception facility. However, this claim is challenged by parts of the industry. Euronav estimates that 95 per cent of scrubbers that have been fitted to ships so far are open loop, meaning that they discharge waste water constantly rather than at port waste stations.

A study by German environment agency UBA on scrubbers in 2015 found: The discharge of wash water [through an open loop system] to the sea contributes to acidification of seawater, since the air pollutants are converted into the strong sulphuric and nitric acids.Bosses at Stobart Group will appear in court this week over its ousted founders failed bid to replace the firms chairman with secretive businessman Philip Day.

Billionaire fashion boss Day  who separately owns retail group Edinburgh Woollen Mill and clothing chains Peacocks, Jaeger and Austin Reed  is due to be called as a witness as part of proceedings, it has emerged.

Stobart, which owns Southend Airport, is suing Andrew Tinkler, who co-founded the business but was fired in June amid a bitter row over how the company was run.

IN COURT: Philip Day is due to be called as a witness in London as part of proceedings of a case against Stobart co-founder Andrew Tinkler

The firm claimed Tinklers bid to eject chairman Iain Ferguson  who narrowly survived the vote  destabilised the company and was a breach of his fiduciary duties as a director.

Serving directors including chief executive Warwick Brady and Ferguson will appear this week as witnesses in what is expected to be an explosive court battle.

They are to be quizzed over transferring shares to a trustee before a vote which, it is claimed, then enabled them to fend off Tinkler.

Stobart claimed it moved shares so it could pay staff bonuses in company stock.

However, emails and phone messages disclosed last month appear to suggest the directors in fact discussed using these shares to swing a vote in favour of Ferguson.

In one WhatsApp message in May, Brady said: ...so we need to move treasury shares into the employee benefit trust so we can vote them! Day is expected to be called the following week.

Meanwhile, in a separate legal drama, Day is expected to clash with former directors of the Jaeger fashion chain tomorrow.

Employment tribunals scheduled to begin in London could help shed light on the inner workings of his secretive empire.

His Edinburgh Woollen Mill group swooped on Jaeger last year after the chain collapsed.

But at least five complainants allege they are still owed money from the newly resurrected business with claims believed to total up to 1 million.

The tribunals could add detail to the period leading up to the chains insolvency through to its subsequent resurrection which until now has been largely shrouded in mystery.

During that period there was heated speculation about the identity of the buyer, which eventually emerged as Day.

A representative for Jaeger was contacted to comment on the tribunals but declined.After a decade battling supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsburys to attract customers, youd have thought Mark Price had earned the right to take things easy.

But by picking a fresh fight with even larger foes, the former Waitrose & Partners boss is doing anything but.

Not for him a new round of trolley wars that threaten profit margins  and he certainly isnt worrying whether there are enough Heston Blumenthal puddings on the shelves this Christmas.

No  the jovial Lord Price, at the age of 57, is intent on reinventing himself as a dotcom entrepreneur. LinkedIn, Skype, WhatsApp: Price has them all in his sights.

AMBITIOUS: Lord Price is reinventing himself as a dotcom entrepreneur... and he insists he wont sell your data if you like his new network

It sounds like a crazy detour after a brief spell as the Governments International Trade Minister, but the executive nicknamed the Chubby Grocer is deadly serious.

I want to create a department store for social media, beginning with peoples working lives, he says, for the first time lifting the lid on the scale of his digital ambition.

A John Lewis for social media and the digital age.

His free website Engaging Works set out a year ago to help people get more from their careers. Its workplace happiness survey has been taken by 10,000 people.

Price and his team offer tips on increasing job satisfaction, including how to get a pay rise.

For those that want a change, there is a job matching service, help with CV writing, advice from mentors on getting ahead and a messenger app and conference calling facility to connect it all together.

Price envisages a proper launch and marketing push in the New Year and the platform  his very own one-stop shop for careers  will be fully complete in spring.

The big debate is how do I get this to market at scale, how do I take it international? he says.

Rewarding the people in your business for the value they create is very of-its-time

So far he has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds of his own money on the venture, but income has also been provided by 80 companies.

Firms such as Virgin Money, Dairy Crest and Coca-Cola have signed up Engaging Works to survey their staff and, with the aim of boosting productivity and profits, some have paid extra for advice on how to make staff happier.

Private equity groups have sniffed around but for now Price is keeping full control and even chairs the company that built the technology platform.

In time he wants to share profits with customers and his employees  just like John Lewis  including his daughter Holly who is among the 30 staff based in Central London.

He acknowledges the recent troubles at Facebook, which failed to keep its users personal details secure.

I dont want to do it through an advertising-based model and I dont want to do it through selling data, he says, unwinding over gin and tonics in a private club in Londons West End. I want to find a different way to help people.

Mark Price, 57: writer and fan of children's books Family: Married to Judith with two daughters aged 16 and 23. The family lives in Sturminster Newton, a Dorset market town.

Married to Judith with two daughters aged 16 and 23. The family lives in Sturminster Newton, a Dorset market town. Car: Range Rover for 20 years.

Range Rover for 20 years. Favourite music: Everything from Ariana Grande to Pavarotti.

Everything from Ariana Grande to Pavarotti. Favourite book: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Bought a signed copy of a first edition that Dahl sent to his US agent. Price writes childrens and business books in his spare time.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Bought a signed copy of a first edition that Dahl sent to his US agent. Price writes childrens and business books in his spare time. Favourite film: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (the Gene Wilder version).

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (the Gene Wilder version). Day in the life: Mark Price tries to split his day into three parts. He writes in the morning, spends time on Engaging. Works in the afternoon and aims to get to the House of Lords most evenings. He sits on the Lords intergenerational fairness and provision committee that is exploring how to balance the needs of young and old.

Price was brought up in Crewe in Cheshire and after leaving Lancaster University with an archaeology degree he chose to join John Lewis over Marks & Spencer because a mate was on his way to work at M&S.

He spent 34 years there after joining as a graduate trainee in 1982. The company prides itself on treating staff well, but there are signs that its generous pay and pensions are coming under pressure as competition bites.

The employee-owned organisation recently announced a 99 per cent collapse in half-year profits to 1.2 million and warned that the surplus at the year-end would be substantially lower than last time.

John Lewis department stores are the main cause for concern, but Waitrose has also suffered a margin squeeze. Critics say the partnership model leaves it exposed if it needs to raise fresh funds in a hurry.

Fairtrade is not about one brand... its people growing tea in Rwanda getting a fair price

Unsurprisingly, Price does not agree. There has never been a time when a form of inclusive capitalism is more important, frankly, he says. I think rewarding the people in your business for the value they create is a very of-its-time idea.

Food retailing is further complicated by the resurgence of Tesco and the impending 10 billion merger of Sainsburys and Asda.

The Competition and Markets Authority, which is probing the tie-up, said in September there was the prospect of reduced competition in 463 locations around the country.

But he adds: I dont think there is a lack of choice and operating margins (for food retailers) in the UK are 3 per cent so I dont think people are making huge amounts of cash at the expense of consumers. It is probably the most competitive food market in the world.

Price has been stung by criticism that Waitroses store network over-expanded on his watch, with shop numbers rising 50 per cent in five years.

He insists that while the market is constantly evolving, Waitroses 350 stores represent a fraction of the bricks and mortar of its rivals and that he didnt go too far too quickly.

He says: Being the boss of a retail business is rather like balancing on jelly, he says. Everything is constantly moving under your feet: markets, customers, suppliers, the macro-economics. The great skill is how you keep your balance.

Favourite book: Mark Price bought a signed copy of a first edition that Dahl sent to his US agent.

Wise words that wouldnt go amiss at his former employer. Last week, the Partnerships chairman for the past 11 years, Sir Charlie Mayfield, said he would step down in 2020.

But Price dismisses early speculation that he might make a return to the fold, saying: I left the Partnership three years ago and am now completely dedicated to helping people everywhere get the most fulfilment from their working lives.

Does he think the digital services tax on revenues from search engines, social media platforms and online marketplaces that was proposed by Chancellor Philip Hammond in the Budget will level the playing field between traditional retailers and the likes of Amazon? Yes, in theory.

But the Chancellor needs to be careful not to curtail innovation online where the UK is currently a leader, the Tory peer says.

It wasnt so long ago we were saying supermarkets were killing the high street. We are seeing an evolution and tax should adapt in an evolutionary way.

Prices other main project is the Fairtrade Foundation, where he has just become chairman. The brand with the blue and green logo has marked out ethical goods on supermarket shelves  from coffee to chocolate to clothing  for more than 20 years.

It last measured annual retail sales of 1.65 billion, but has been a victim of its own success as companies such as Tesco and Cadbury owner Mondelez have dropped aspects of it to set up their own sustainability programmes.

Ever the optimist, Price thinks the organisation can still thrive if it audits other firms work in this area and trains their staff.

I think it is too simplistic to say it is just about sales. Its how you help more businesses offer fairly traded goods to customers.

The thing that is most important is not whether British consumers recognise one brand but whether the people growing tea in Rwanda are getting a fair price.

Price may have inherited his sense of fairness from his father, an evangelical preacher and food wholesaler.

Starting out in the lighting department of John Lewiss Southampton store, the young Price would never have believed that one day he would be selling the UKs wares around the world.

He went into Government just two months before the Brexit vote and was quickly switched to Liam Foxs International Trade Department to work on new British deals that would eventually replace the existing European Union agreements.

Im confident that those countries currently trading on free trade agreements with the EU will want to keep at least the same terms post-Brexit. Why would they want to fall back on to less advantageous World Trade Organisation terms? he says.

If only Brexit had been plotted as clearly as Prices tech ambitions.Members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families are to be supported by the launch of two savings accounts, which both donate a slice of wealth to the charity behind the Poppy Appeal.

The Centenary Poppy Fixed Isa, from Coventry Building Society, pays 2.1 per cent per annum over five years.

Alternatively savers can opt for the societys Centenary Poppy Bond paying the same rate until December 31, 2023. Both can be opened with a minimum of 1.

INCENTIVE TO DONATE: The Centenary Poppy Fixed Isa, from Coventry Building Society, pays 2.1 per cent per annum over five years

A donation equal to 0.15 per cent of all money ploughed into the accounts by the end of December this year will be made to The Royal British Legion.

Coventry has donated more than 16 million to the charity in the last ten years through sales of its Poppy bonds.

Ben France, head of corporate partnerships, says: We are saying thank you to the entire generation who served then, and all the generations who have served since.

Meanwhile, the Forces MoneyPlan  an initiative by the Personal Finance Society  delivers free financial advice from qualified professionals to Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

It does so via partnerships with specific organisations. The society has announced it will in future include members of Blesma  a charity representing serving and ex-servicemen and women who have lost limbs.Amazon could escape the Governments new tech tax as the internet giants profits are too low, according to analysis of documents released last week.

It was initially hoped the new tax, which is due to come into effect in April 2020, could help high street shops as they battle internet giants which are undercutting their prices.

The new tax, forecast to raise 450 million a year for the Treasury, was announced as part of the Budget, and the news coincided with a 5 per cent one-day fall in Amazons share price.

Amazons global turnover is $178billion (140 billion), but its profit is just $3billion as it reinvests nearly all the money it makes

But Government consultation papers show the tax will aim to avoid hitting low margin business and having disproportionate impacts on business sustainability.

Richard Murphy, at Tax Research UK, said: Anyone who thinks this is going to solve the problem of Amazon is whistling in the wind.

If there is a low profit get-out there is no way Amazon is going to be paying this tax as its profit margin is far too low.

The Digital Services Tax Consultation said the taxman would target UK profit or some measure of a groups global consolidated profit margin.

Amazons global turnover is $178 billion (140 billion), but its profit is just $3 billion as it reinvests nearly all the money it makes into rapid growth, innovations and new products.

Treasury Secretary Mel Stride said he hoped the tax would ultimately be replaced by a comprehensive global solution.British firms signed deals worth more than 2 billion with Chinese businesses last week

British firms signed deals worth more than 2 billion with Chinese businesses last week, emphasising international demand for the UK's goods and services.

International trade secretary Liam Fox led a group of UK firms at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai last week.

The exhibition is designed to encourage companies from around the world to trade with China.

Trade between the UK and China was worth nearly 70 billion last year, up 15 per cent on the year before.The number of consumers heading to shopping centres and high streets has fallen for the eleventh month in a row

The number of consumers heading to shopping centres and high streets has fallen for the eleventh month in a row.

Customer numbers fell 2 per cent in October compared with the same month last year.

The east of England and the East Midlands experienced the largest declines, as numbers fell by 6.1 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively.

Shopping centres have borne the brunt of the decline.

Customer numbers have now been falling for 19 months, and in October the decline deepened from 2.5 per cent in September to 3.3 per cent.Demonstration Outside Vatican Embassy While Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Meet in Baltimore

Over 25 Concerned Catholics, including victims of abuse, will be present



"Give us Cardinal Burke!" signs will be held, asking Pope Francis to Appoint Cardinal Raymond Burke as next Washington D.C. Archbishop



Contact: Missy Smith, 202-288-4984



BALTIMORE, Md., Nov. 11, 2018 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Monday through Wednesday (11/12 - 11/14), the USCCB (American Catholic Bishops) will be meeting in Baltimore MD.

Event Details:



Time: Monday, Nov 12, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.



Location: Apostolic Nunciature, 3339 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C.

The most onerous, and horrific "item" on the Bishop's agenda, is the recent wave of disclosures of pedophilia and homosexuality committed by Catholic Clergy.



Perhaps worse - for the victims and the Church - is the accommodation and COVER-UPS of these demonic perversions, sins, and CRIMES by American Priests and Bishops.



During their meeting, the Bishops will inevitably pay lip service to this evil behavior; they will issue a statement of "regret and reform," while in fact refusing to expose and purge their numbers of known collaborators and evildoers.



Missy Smith, Founder of W.A.K.E. U.P. States:

"While this farce is going on in Baltimore, we are calling upon Pope Francis to do two things:

Show HIS sorrow for allowing this evil within the Church to go unchecked, by removing ALL American bishops with connections to the "homosexual mafia" and pedophile enablers within the Church.

To appoint Cardinal Raymond Burke as the next Archbishop of Washington D.C.

"Pope Francis could and should show the world that he is truly grieved - and wants to make amends for the crimes committed during his Papacy - by taking these two simple steps.



"Moreover, appointing Cardinal Burke as the next Archbishop of Washington D.C. would show the faithful in America that he understands and respects our need for faithful Catholic leadership, especially in our nations Capitol, which has been rife with scandal."

Armistice Day holds a special poignancy this year  marking the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Most families have relatives who fought in the Great War and were awarded medals for their service. Clearly these are invaluable keepsakes but how much are they actually worth financially? The answer is sometimes a heck of a lot.

The top price ever paid is 1.5 million for a Victoria Cross and Bar  equivalent to two of the highest gallantry awards for conspicuous bravery  in 2009.

It belonged to Captain Noel Chavasse, one of only three people ever to receive two VCs. It was awarded posthumously for rescuing soldiers in No Mans Land at Ypres in 1917 when mortally injured. The Victoria cross has been awarded 1,358 times.

Legend: Noel Chavasse became a historic figure for his role in WW1 for his incredible bravery - and, as a result, his Victoria Cross was valued at an impressive 1.5million

The next most important medal awarded for gallantry in the First World War for the infantry was the Distinguished Conduct Medal and this can sell for 1,000. The equivalent for officers was the Distinguished Service Order, which can sell for 1,500.

Just below this in rank was the Military Medal for bravery in the field for regular soldiers and these sell for 400. It was introduced in 1916 but also applied retrospectively to 1914. The equivalent for officers was the Military Cross and these can sell for 1,000.

Marcus Budgen, medal specialist at auctioneer Spink, says: The value of a medal can vary hugely depending on the particular engagement, action and individual story behind the award.

For example, a lieutenant colonel Frank Naden was one of the first men who left the trenches on Christmas Day 1914 to socialise with German soldiers in No Mans Land. In a letter he described the event as a rare old jollification. A collection of his medals  three Distinguished Service Orders and two Military Crosses  sold for 18,000 two years ago.

There were also three regular British campaign medals  often known as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred  presented to those who served in the Great War. The nicknames were inspired by a popular newspaper comic strip of the time featuring Pip the dog, Squeak the penguin and Wilfred the baby rabbit.

War efforts: Alfred Leete's image of Lord Kitchener's rallying cry fetched 27,540, while s a propaganda poster for enlistment by Edgar Kealy (right) earned 1,500

Expensive: This historic propaganda poster by Savile Lumley is worth a staggering 1,750

The names applied to the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. A full set as worn by The Old Contemptibles  those who were in the Army when war broke out  can fetch more than 100.

Budgen says: Most people thought that the First World War would be over by Christmas  but after it continued on into 1915 they stopped awarding the Star. The first 1914 Star for soldiers who came under fire between August 5  when British troops arrived in France  and November 22 also had a bronze clasp on their medal ribbon. These can sell for 50. Most common is the British War Medal and Victory Medal combination and these can sell for 40  as at least six million were issued of each type. But, of course, as a family heirloom these are priceless.

The cap badges and medals from long-disbanded regiments  including so-called pals battalions of regional groups  also have great nostalgic appeal among collectors and often sell for 500 or more as pieces of history.

These were soldiers who had been enlisted from local recruitment drives with the promise they would be able to serve alongside their comrades, often with regional or professional affiliations.

They included companies such as the Preston Pals, the Grimsby Chums, Public Schools, Arts and Crafts, Sportsmans, Bankers and the Wool Textile Pioneers.

Many pals batallions fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and suffered heavy casualties. Following conscription in 1916, the close-knit nature of the pals battalions was lost and never repeated.

VC HERO: Captain Noel Chavasse was twice awarded the Victoria Cross (pictured far left)

Memorabilia: A WWI British Brodie Mk I helmet (left) is worth 500 and The Great War Memorial Plaque, often referred to at The Dead Man's Penny (right), is worth 50

Yours for 2,000: An Imperial German infantry officers pickelhaube is also worth big money

The Memorial Plaque  often referred to as the Dead Mans Penny  was a small bronze plate issued to the family of those killed in the war. The plates have an image of Britannia holding a trident with a growling lion standing in front of her.

The name of the person who died is stamped above the lions head. They sell for more than 50.

When war broke out there was a huge surge of patriotism with men eager to join the army to bash the Bosch. Propaganda posters of this time are highly sought after for their strong images and historic importance.

The most famous propaganda poster of all was a 1914 image of Lord Kitchener  the British Secretary of State for War  pointing out that he Wants You.

This recruitment poster was important during the first couple of years when Britain relied on volunteers.

It was designed by graphic artist Alfred Leete and despite 10,000 being produced, because they were plastered on billboards just three Britons  Join Your Countrys Army! examples are known to have survived. One sold for 27,540 four years ago.

One of the most poignant is a 1915 illustration by artist Savile Lumley of a father with his daughter on his knee and son playing toy soldiers by his side that is titled: Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War? Examples in fine condition sell for as much as 1,750.

Another iconic poster of the era shows women looking out of a window at soldiers titled: Women of Britain say  Go! . It was illustrated by the artist Edgar Kealey and original examples sell for 1,500.

The khaki Tommy uniform is another piece of sought-after kit. After the war, times were often tough for returning soldiers looking for work and the trousers would often be worn on Civvy Street as they could not afford new clothes.

This means war trousers often wore out and survivors are far more rare than the tunics and sell for as much as 2,000.

The tin hat helmet only arrived in 1915 when it was realised that shrapnel protection was required. Examples can sell for 500.

Across the trenches, the hun often wore headgear with a spike sticking out on top  and a Prussian officers pickelhaube in top condition sells for 2,000.

As always in time of war, the soldiers best friend was his rifle. The smelly was the most commonly used gun by British forces during the Great War. The name derives from the make Short Magazine Lee Enfield (SMLE).

Because so many were produced these can still be picked up for 500  or perhaps 700 with a bayonet. It is important to ensure these guns are deactivated  such as having the firing pin taken out  and that you hold a certificate of proof.Wife killer Fernando Paulino is so desperate to get out of prison that he plans to achieve his aim dead or alive, an inmate from the same unit in prison has told Daily Mail Australia.

The 56-year-old, who stabbed his flight attendant wife 16 times, has told other prisoners he will 'kill himself' if he is forced to rot in jail, the recently released ex con explained in an email which outlines the pecking order inside.

Paulino launched an appeal against his 25-year jail sentence in the Supreme Court in Victoria on Thursday.

His 'selfless' wife Teresa Paulino, 49, was found butchered in the garage of her mothers Reservoir home on July 15, 2013.

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Convicted killer Fernando Paulino plans to get out of jail dead or alive

Teresa Paulino is pictured here cradling her eldest son Daniel

Teresa Paulino and son Daniel. Teresa was turning her life around when she was brutally stabbed to death by her husband

She died from 16 stab wounds to her chest, stomach and back and had been bashed so ferociously she had a broken jaw and bleeding to the brain.

Paulino was sentenced last December to a minimum of 25 years behind bars after being found guilty of her murder.

But Paulino has continued to protest his innocence, shouting out at his son Luke during a pre-sentence hearing last year and launching an appeal.

'You know I didnt do it, Luke. You know that,' he said.

'You know I wasnt there. I was in the western suburbs.'

Paulino's barrister Dermot Dann, QC returned to court on behalf of his client on Thursday, arguing the killer suffered a 'miscarriage of justice' at trial.

Barrister Dermot Dann, QC (right) leaves court with solicitor Tony Hargreaves

But regardless of whether he wins or loses the appeal, a prisoner who did time with Paulino has warned the murderer plans to escape jail dead or alive.

'Nando plans to kill himself after his mother dies. He told me himself,' the ex-con wrote in a letter to Daily Mail Australia.

'Nando doesn't fit in in prison and his only friends are other wife killers or the like. He is a grumpy, quiet prisoner.'

The ex-inmate claimed Paulino was a cowardly convict, who would back down when confronted by other prisoners.

'Most wife killers are guys who just lost it, just normal blokes. Not Nando. When confronted physically he buckles and says ''go on ... do it'',' he wrote.

'I confronted him two times after he threatened to stab me. I laughed it off and used his threat as ammo 'to put him on show' in front of other prisoners.'

Convicted wife killer Fernando Paulino is brought into court during his Supreme Court trial in Melbourne

A loving mother: Teresa Paulino and a young Daniel. She was murdered just days before heading to court to end her unhappy marriage

The former con said he wanted Paulino's children, Daniel and Luke Mancuso, to know their father was a 'gutless coward' who was unlikely to see out his term.

'He will be a sideline in the yard, and if he wants to play, everyone can stab,' he wrote.

'He'll do it harder 'cos he isn't a crim - just a f**king ego between two ears. Prison is a young man's game so he'll stick to the sidelines.'

Outside the Supreme Court on Thursday, Daniel expressed his disappointment at having to return to court again to face his father.

'It's just a big waste of time,' he said.

His mother was murdered just days before the estranged couple were to head to court to finalise the end of their unhappy marriage.

Crown Prosecutor Andrew Tinney, SC - who is now a Supreme Court judge - told the court during the trial that Paulino was motivated by hatred and a belief he could improve his financial situation by killing her.

Paulino had embarked on a savage smear campaign of his wife before luring her outside of her mother's home to her death.

Former Crown prosecutor Andrew Tinney, SC went onto become a Supreme Court judge

In Thursday's hearing, Mr Dann criticised Mr Tinney for being unfair and encouraging the jury to speculate on matters not supported by the evidence.

He was also critical of former Homicide Squad detective Sen-Constable Tony Harwood, who was instrumental in the case against Paulino.

Mr Dann told the court the detective had tried to influence an expert witness by providing him details of Paulino's car, which he needed identified on CCTV.

Former Homicide Squad detective Sen-Constable Tony Harwood brought Paulino to justice

Daniel Mancuso described the Court of Appeal hearing as a 'waste of time'

Mr Dann told the court that a combination of incidents, although corrected by the trial judge, amounted to his client being subjected to an unfair trial that constituted a 'miscarriage of justice'.

Ms Paulino was in the process of turning her life around when she was murdered.

She had scored a dream job as a flight attendant, picked up work as an extra on television productions and had taken on a new boyfriend.

Happier times: Teresa Paulino enjoys a special moment with her young sons

Teresa Paulino clowns about with her son Daniel (left)

Luke Mancino, who attended court with his brother this week, described his mother as his 'rock', a 'loving, selfless soul'.

'Nothing can come close to the difficulty and pain from burying my mother before I even turned 21 and before her beautiful soul could even celebrate her 50th birthday,' he said at an earlier hearing.

'I love you mum. I am forever grateful for your love and strength. You can finally rest in peace.'

The Court of Appeal will hand down its ruling at a date to be fixed.It's being billed as the biggest overhaul of Australia's health system in a generation - a long-overdue move that will make it easier for doctors to more accurately diagnose their patients.

By the end of this year, 17 million Australians will have all their private medical records uploaded online as part of the My Health revolution - unless they formally object by November 15.

While the Government is talking up the amazing benefits, there are growing fears the details of individuals could fall into the wrong hands - including those of domestic violence sufferers into the hands of their abusers.

By the end of this year, 17 million Australians will have their private medical records uploaded online as part of the My Health revolution - unless they object next week (stock image)

Under the new system, Australians will no longer need to contact their previous doctor every time they sign up with a new general practitioner.

And for doctors, it will mean having a complete medical history of their patients with a simple password, giving them more scope to better prescribe medicines.

Health Minister Greg Hunt insisted it would be 'arguably the safest system in the world'.

'This is about giving people, for the first time, access their own medical records when they need it, where they want to access it and importantly it's also about preventing misuse of medication,' he told the Nine Network on Thursday.

Mr Hunt this week announced more severe penalties and jail terms for those who misuse the data, just days before Australians lose their chance to opt out.

More than 6.2 million Australians already have a My Health account and 14,000 doctors are connected, the federal government's Australian Digital Health Agency said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt (pictured) insisted it would be 'arguably the safest system in the world' but this week flagged five-year jail terms for illegally accessing My Health data

My Health at a glance My Health is the digitisation of every Australian's medical record. It will enable doctors across Australia to access all details about their patients with a single password. Australians have until November 15 to opt out of the system. So far, 6.2 million Australians have a My Health record. By the end of 2018, that will jump to 17 million. Fines of up to $315,000 and five-year jail terms will be imposed for those illegally accessing the data. Sources: Australian Digital Health Agency; Health Minister Greg Hunt Advertisement

However, more than 1.1million Australians have also chosen to opt out of the My Health.

The deadline for opting out of the regime is November 15.

Domestic violence groups have called for the government to suspend the system until serious privacy issues are addressed.

They are concerned that abusive husbands and boyfriends, with knowledge of passwords, would be able to access confidential records to track down women.

Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia feared a domineering man could illegally access sensitive details about a woman's sexual history, pregnancy status, mental health, where she lived and any reports about violence.

'The proposed My Health system presents an unacceptable safety risk for women and children experiencing violence,' it said in a submission to a Senate inquiry.

Domestic violence groups fear abusive husbands or boyfriends could illegally access a woman's My Health data so they could more easily control her (stock image)

'We urge that the government suspend the system until these privacy concerns are addressed.'

The Sydney-based crisis counselling group said a doctor could also illegally access the data on behalf of a violent husband or boyfriend.

'The perpetrator may have access to his partner or children's log in details,' it said.

'He may be a health practitioner himself and have direct access to the system, or have a family member or friend who is a health practitioner and is willing to access the system on his behalf.'

The Gold Coast Domestic Violence Integrated Response feared a partner's ability to gain access to personal health records could even threaten the lives of women and their children.

The Gold Coast Domestic Violence Integrated Response feared a partner's ability to gain access to personal health records could even threaten the lives of women (stock image)

'An abusive partner's knowledge about these tests, conditions or the admissions the victim has made to health staff about the abuse they have been subjected to, could result in further or an escalation of physical or verbal abuse towards and/or increase the risk of lethality for the victim and their children,' it said in its Senate committee submission.

They also feared confidential records could be used in custody battles and also exploited to control women from culturally and religiously conservative communities if someone accessing her records discovered she wasn't a virgin.

This week, Health Minister Greg Hunt announced maximum five-year jail terms and fines up to $315,000 for illegally accessing My Health data.

Employers and health insurers would also be banned from accessing the information.

Labor's shadow health minister Catherine King (pictured) called on the government to extend the opt-out period

The minister also responded to concerns raised by domestic violence support groups by restricting the information held by the Australian Digital Health Agency in circumstances where 'there may be a risk to a person's life, health or safety'.

Labor's shadow health minister Catherine King called on the government to extend the opt-out period.

Both houses of federal Parliament don't sit again until November 26, which is 11 days after the opt-out deadline for Australians.

If in doubt, there's less than a week left to opt out.An American man who was on vacation in the Mexican coastal town of Playa del Carmen for a bachelor party was stabbed to death in broad daylight during a mugging.

The 27-year-old, only identified as Taylor, was murdered on Wednesday afternoon at a park just four blocks away from the beaches one of the Mexico's' top tourist attractions.

The seaside town along the Yucatan Peninsula's Riviera Maya has remained an attraction for out of towners despite the out of control violence that has swept across many of the country's top destinations for beach lovers.

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES

Mexican outlet NotiCaribe is reporting a Canadian resident was killed by a companion at a park just blocks away from the beaches Playa del Carmen

A spokesperson for the homicide division with the Playa del Carmen Public Ministry confirmed to DailyMail.com that the man was a foreigner.

According to a police report obtained by NotiCaribe, the man was out with a friend and two transvestites when he was stabbed to death.

Police said they found several bags containing a white substance that was identified as 'crack', as well as a banking receipt with the initials: 'T.M'.

Nobody intervened to aid the defenseless man, NotiCaribe reported.

No arrests have been reported.

The seaside Caribbean city of Playa del Carmen is still a main tourist attraction despite the crime wave that has swept across the resort town in 2018

A spokesperson for the Playa Del Carmen Public Ministrys homicide division confirmed the victim is a foreign man

According to Forbes, Mexico remains the top destination for American tourists. It saw almost 10 million visitors in the first quarter of the year.

But it has not been immune to the violence and crime that could hamper its economy.

In March, a bomb was placed on a ferry in Cancun, leaving 24 injured. In April, nine were murdered during a 36-hour period.

Late in August, the U.S State Department issued a 'Level 2' advisory warning tourists of the ongoing violence in the region that has always been a favorite landing spot for spring breakers.

In the first six months of 2018, the state of Quintana Roo saw homicides rise 132 percent, to the equivalent of about 35 killings per 100,000 inhabitants.

Its resort city of Cancun tallied 308 murders in the first seven month of the year.Melbourne's latest violent attack is the third act of terror to hit the thriving cosmopolitan city in less than two years.

Up to a dozen terror plots have been attempted over the same period, with some being thwarted just days before they were set to be executed.

Despite being named the second most livable city in the world Melbourne has bore witness to numerous attacks by lone wolf extremists since the first Bourke Street rampage in January 2017.

Melbourne's latest violent attack (pictured) is the third act of terror to hit the thriving cosmopolitan city in less than two years

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews spoke out against the recent act of violence in Melbourne.

'We will not be cowered by it, we will not be defined by it and we won't be deterred by it. We will continue to live our way of life ... this act of evil has not won out,' Mr Andrews said.

'We won't be defined by this evil act.

'Victorians will continue to go about their business, together and with resolve.'

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured right) spoke out against the recent act of violence, saying: 'We won't be defined by this evil act. Victorians will continue to go about their business, together and with resolve'

New Years Eve 2017 on Federation Square

An alleged 21-year-old Islamic State sympathiser who police claim planned to buy a gun and kill as many revellers as possible on New Year's Eve in Melbourne, was arrested in November of 2017.

The young man, originally from Africa, was known to the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation, the country's domestic spy agency.

Police alleged he accessed a guide book online produced by Al-Qaeda on how to carry out terror acts and use firearms but was arrested before he could follow through with the attack.

He had allegedly planned an attack in Federation Square and is still yet to face a Supreme Court trial after pleading not guilty to the accusations.

'He is known to police and is known mainly in respect to relatives he has that are certainly persons of interest', Victoria Police commissioner Graham Ashton said.

An alleged 21-year-old Islamic State sympathiser (pictured) who police claim planned to buy a gun and kill as many revellers as possible on New Year's Eve in Melbourne, was arrested in November of 2017

The attack was planned to be executed on New Years Eve at Melbourne's iconic Federation Square

Christmas Day 2016

Hamza Abbas, 23, Ahmed Mohamed, 25, and Abdullah Chaarani, 27, were allegedly just days away from carrying out a planned Christmas Day 2016 terror plot.

The group planned to target central locations throughout Melbourne such as Flinders Street Station, Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral where people gather 'to maximise casualties'.

Prosecutors allege the men purchased metal pipes from Bunnings in Broadmeadows, hydrogen peroxide from Chemist Warehouse, and light globes and batteries to make 'improvised explosive devices'.

Each man has pleaded not guilty, but the prosecution alleges the men were motivated by extremist ideology and hatred for Western counties.

Hamza Abbas, 23, Ahmed Mohamed, 25, (pictured) and Abdullah Chaarani, 27, were allegedly just days away from carrying out a planned Christmas Day 2016 terror plot

The group planned to target central locations throughout Melbourne such as Flinders Street Station (pictured) and Federation Square where people gather 'to maximise casualties'

Anzac Day beheading plot 2015

Three Melbourne men were charged over a plan to behead a police officer on Anzac Day in 2015.

One of the trio, Sevdet Ramadan Besim, is serving at least 10-and-a-half years in jail.

Besim, then 18, planned to drive his car into a police officer performing duties on Anzac Day and then behead him to advance 'violent jihad'.

He chose Anzac Day for his planned attack to make sure 'the dogs remember this as well as their fallen heroes'.

The Hallam teenager pleaded guilty to conspiring to do an act in preparation for or planning a terror act, a charge carrying a maximum term of life imprisonment.

The sentencing judge found his youth and immaturity were significant mitigating factors despite there being no direct evidence he had renounced his violent jihad beliefs.

Sedvet Besim (pictured) admitted to plotting to run down and behead a police officer on Anzac Day in 2015. He is serving at least 10-and-a-half years in jail

Besim, then 18, planned to drive his car into a police officer performing duties on Anzac Day and then behead him to advance 'violent jihad'

Mother's Day Bomb May 2015

A 17-year-old boy who planned to detonate bombs at a Mother's Day event in Melbourne was foiled after police raided his home in May.

The unidentified teen allegedly described all non-Muslims as cockroaches and began messaging radicals overseas that he would become a martyr.

Counter-terrorism officers found IS propaganda material, pressure cookers, pipe bombs, shrapnel and homemade explosive that were planned to be used in a bombing of three 'improvised explosive devices' - known as IEDs - in Melbourne on Sunday.

Bomb squad officers removed a number of home-made devices from a home in Greenvale, a quiet suburb north of Melbourne.

A teenage terrorist who planned to detonate bombs at a Mother's Day event in Melbourne was foiled after police raided his home (pictured above) in May, 2015

Terrorist attacks carried out since 2014

Bourke Street Mall stabbing: November 9, 2018

Mohamed Khalif, 30, also known as Hassan Shire, drove a 4X4 truck loaded with gas bottles into Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall on Friday.

The Somali immigrant set the vehicle on fire and then began a rush-hour stabbing spree where he attacked passers-by with a knife.

He stabbed three men and killed another before he was shot dead by police and rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

Khalif later died from his wounds.

The group Islamic State said via its propaganda arm that the perpetrator was an 'Islamic State fighter and carried out the operation.'

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said Khalif was known to counter-terrorism agencies and the incident was being treating as a terrorism event.

Mohamed Khalif stabbed a shopper to death on Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall and injured two others. A body was seen lying on the street covered in a white sheet

Video footage showed Khalif wielding a knife in an attempt to stab two police officers before he was shot in the chest

Flinders Street attack: December 21, 2017

Saeed Noori, 33, allegedly ploughed through pedestrians on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth streets days before Christmas on December 21 last year.

The Afghan refugee was charged with 18 counts of attempted murder and one count of conduct endangering life.

Anton Crocaris, an elderly man from Northcote, later died in hospital on December 29 from his injuries.

Mr Noori allegedly deliberately ran down 19 pedestrians in a Suzuki Vitara in the heart of Melbourne.

After the rampage, 20 people were hospitalised including an off-duty police officer.

Mr Noori from Heidelberg West, has a history a drug and mental health problems but has not revealed him motive for the incident.

Victoria Police Prosecutor Senior Constable Amitoj Singh told the court in December Mr Noori drove the vehicle through the intersection 'with the intention of killing or causing serious injury'.

Saeed Noori, 33, (pictured) allegedly ploughed through pedestrians on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth streets on December 21 last year. He is accused of attempting to murder 18 people

Mr Noori (pictured on ground) allegedly drove the vehicle through the intersection 'with the intention of killing or causing serious injury', the court heard

Brighton Siege: June 5 2017

Yacqub Khayre, 29, was shot dead by police on June 5 after telling officers he had a bomb and would kill a sex worker he had taken hostage in a Melbourne apartment.

Khayre had hired the escort to come to Buckingham Apartments in the city's Bayside area - and immediately bound, blindfolded and locked the woman in a bathroom when she arrived.

He also receptionist Nick Hao, 36, and wounded three officers during the siege.

The woman freed herself, an inquest heard, before calling police at around 4.10pm.

At around 5.30pm, Channel 7 received a call from a man believed to be Khayre, during which the male said 'this is for IS' and 'this is for Al Qaeda'.

Khayre fired at police after coming out of the apartment at just after 6pm, before he was shot by a member of Special Operations Group and died at the scene.

It later emerged at inquest Khayre was on parole and wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, although there are reports he may have tampered with the device.

Khayre was also one of two men acquitted by a jury in 2010 of plotting a suicide attack in Sydney. Three people were convicted of conspiracy for that plot, which police thwarted before it could be executed.

Khayre (pictured) was also one of two men acquitted by a jury in 2010 of plotting a suicide attack in Sydney

Bourke Street rampage: January 20 2017

Six people died when a car, allegedly driven by 26-year-old Dimitrious Gargasoulas, ploughed through the shopping strip in Melbourne on January 20.

Baby Zachary Bryant, schoolgirl Thalia Hakin, father Matthew Si, Sydney woman Jess Mudie, finance consultant Bhavita Patel and 25-year-old Japanese man Y. Kanno all died in the rampage.

Gargasoulas is charged with six counts of murder and 27 counts of reckless conduct endangering life. He has pleaded not guilty to all 33 charges.

The accused has previously said he was possessed by a demon during the event, a court was told.

His trial continues.The Australian Labor Party has promised to hold a vote on whether the country should become a republic if it triumphs at the next federal election.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has already signed off on the $160 million funding plan for the national plebiscite.

Though Labor spokesman on an Australian head of state Matt Thistlethwaite was quick to tell the Sydney Morning Herald the party understood the matter was not at the top of the priority list for many Australians.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (pictured) has already signed off on the $160 million funding plan for the national plebiscite to vote whether Australia should become a republic

In an Essential poll in May, Labor voters proved to be the biggest supporters, with 61 per cent backing the move (stock photo)

'Were not saying its the most important issue but we are saying that if we are elected at the next election, its one of the issues that Labor will attempt to deal with during our first term.'

He partly blamed the current 'national leadership' for pushing the topic down the priority list.

In an Essential poll in May, Labor voters proved to be the biggest supporters of an Australian republic, with 61 per cent backing the move.

Forty-five per cent of Coalition voters sided with it, while 57 per cent of Green showed their favour.

The planned multi-million dollar public ballot will cost as much as the federal government's first plans for a same-sex marriage plebiscite.

The Turnbull government later opted for a cheaper postal survey on the matter, dragging the price down from $170 million to $80.5 million.

Matt Thistlethwaite said the new plebiscite would avoid a repeat of the failed 1999 referendum

Mr Thistlethwaite said the new plebiscite would avoid a repeat of the failed 1999 referendum.

At the time, the vote fell through when the advocates for change could not agree whether voters or Parliament should elect the head of state.

'We want to make this the cause that unites Australians around the principle of having one of our own as the head of state,' Mr Thistlethwaite said.

'And we believe the best way to do that is to hold an initial national vote with the simple question.'

Under the Labor plan, the party will put the question to the Australian people: Do you support an Australian republic with an Australian head of state?

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has shown his disagreement with this approach.

The planned multi-million dollar public ballot will cost as much as the federal government's first plans for a same-sex marriage plebiscite

He said voters would not understand what they are voting 'yes' or 'no' on because the model for change would not be decided until later.

Staunch monarchist and former prime minister Tony Abbott labelled it 'exercise vandalism' earlier in the year.

'It would be putting a wrecking ball through our constitution before a replacement is agreed upon,' he said in August.

Paul Keating was the last Labor leader to go to an election with a policy to bring in a republic.

Further details of Labor's policy will be released closer to the date of the federal election.Sisto Malaspina (pictured) was a beloved fixture of the Melbourne cafe he occupied for decades, before he was murdered on Friday

A former nurse who tried desperately to revive a Melbourne cafe owner after he was stabbed on Bourke Street has revealed what happened in his final moments.

Sisto Malaspina was nearby his coffee shop, Pellegrini's, when Hassan Shire Ali, 30, exploded his car in an ISIS-inspired attack that has shocked the bustling city.

Ali began waving a knife after escaping the blazing vehicle, and it is suggested Mr Malaspina had headed over to help Ali when the attacker stabbed him in the neck.

The woman who stayed with him in his final moments, a single mother and former nurse who did not want to be named, told the Herald Sun she 'did everything she could to try and save this poor man'.

Mr Malaspina was stabbed in an artery just above his collarbone, and bled out quickly, leaving him no hope of survival, she said.

When she realised he wouldn't make it, the woman said she worked on making him comfortable instead.

'I made the sign of the cross on his forehead and said, 'I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. At least you are now at peace'.

'I had to wipe the blood off his brow, I needed to give him that dignity because his face was so kind.'

Regulars at his cafe, Pellegrini's, and locals laid flowers outside the establishment, which has been frequented by generations of Melbourne families

Passers-by were seen comforting each other and signing a condolence book out the front the cafe

One man played a slow and mournful tune on his violin as Melbourne locals farewelled their friend

Mr Malaspina was killed by Hassan Shire Ali (left), who exploded his car on Friday before stabbing the cafe owner near the neck, hitting a major artery

Ali mounted the kerb with his Holden Rodeo ute on Friday, before setting it on fire in an attempt to explode an open barbeque gas bottle in the tray, turning his car into a makeshift bomb.

As he waited for the bottle to explode, he stabbed Mr Malaspina near his neck, killing him, and wounded Tasmanian businessman Rod Patterson, 58, and a 26-year-old security guard from Hampton Park, Melbourne.

The rampage continued when police arrived, having been called to investigate the flaming car.

Dressed in a long brown tunic, Ali lunged at the officers, with horrifying video showing him waving the knife as police try to calm him.

He is seen chasing the officers around a tree, and a bystander, who is now being hailed as a hero, is seen charging in with a shopping trolley, using it to push Ali away.

As the attacker continued to try and slash the officers, one policeman unsuccessfully tried to taser him and his partner shot the assailant in the chest.

As Ali fell to the ground, the two officers raced towards him, arrested him, and rushed him to hospital on police guard.

He died in surgery at Royal Melbourne Hospital just a few hours later.

Assistant AFP Commissioner Ian McCartney said in a press conference late on Saturday morning Ali had been on their radar, but police decided not to intervene.

'While he held radical ideals, he didn't hold a threat,' he said. 'It's a reality check for us that even with the fall of the Caliphate (with ISIS-held territory taken back in Syria and Iraq) the threat is still very real.

'It's a complex and challenging business working on these threats on a daily basis the assessment was that he wasn't a threat at that time.

'Obviously in terms of when he turned from radicalisation to these actions will be a focus of these investigations.'

Commissioner McCartney confirmed Ali was inspired by ISIS propaganda online.

The woman who raced to his side to try and save him said after she realised he couldn't survive, she tried to make him as comfortable as possible

Ali stabbed two others during what police have labelled an ISIS-inspired attack, and was filmed waving a large knife at police

Mr Malaspina's death was mourned by many over the weekend, with the pile of flowers seen growing by the minute

A man paid quiet respects to a photograph of the Italian immigrant as he stood among the extensive floral display

Markel Villasin, 22 and his bosses ran out of their KFC store when they heard a 'commotion' and saw Ali holding a knife and swinging it at police officers.

'It looked like police officers didn't know how to handle the situation because obviously in Melbourne it's so rare,' Mr Villasin told ABC.

Mr Villasin saw Mr Malaspina was breathing but said he appeared to be 'bleeding out' as he lay in a pool of blood while emergency responders attempted to resuscitate him using CPR.

'Unfortunately, the man passed away, they put a sheet on him. It was crazy because he was alive at my feet as they tried to work on him and then he passed away,' he said.

Mr Malaspina came to Australia from Italy and took over Pellegrini's Espresso Bar in 1976 with his business partner Nino Pangrazio and maintained its original 1954 decor.

The cafe, with its heritage-listed neon sign, became a popular haunt for urban professionals, tourists, and even politicians like former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Russell Crowe, David Campbell and Labor Leader Bill Shorten were among the high profile tributes to the beloved Melbourne fixture.

Staff wrote a moving tribute to Mr Malaspina calling him 'the best boss' who made his employees 'part of his life'

Ali's Holden Rodeo hit a pedestrian as it mounted the kerb and burst into flames outside Target near the Swanson Street intersection about 4.20pm on Friday, before his stabbing rampage began

Mr Crowe revealed he had been visiting Pellegrini's long before he had any semblance of the life he enjoys now.

'Sisto, il mio cuore si spezza [Sissto, my heart breaks],' he wrote on Twitter.

'Ive been going to Pellegrinis since 1987. Never been to Melbourne without dropping in on my man Sisto .

'South Sydney stickers on the wall and caps on display. My sweet loyal friend, stabbed in the street by a mad man. Cosi triste [so sad].'

Mr Campbell said Mr Malaspina's venue was his 'favourite place in the city, mainly due to [its owner]'.

'He would yell when I came in Here he is...the artist!, ask about my family and my father (who also went religiously).

'An icon of Melbourne. You were never a stranger in his company.'

Bill Shorten said Mr Malaspina's death was 'Shocking, unreal and heartbreaking'.

'I have been visiting Pellegrinis since school. I just saw Sisto on Monday morning. He insisted I try a slice of his almond cake,' he said.

TRIBUTE WRITTEN BY STAFF IN FRONT OF PELLEGRINI'S SISTO. Thank-you for making us your staff members as part of your life. You always looked after us like family. You always said to have fun at work because we all worked so hard. Pellegrini' s was your life. We will never forget all that you have done and given us all. We will love you forever and ever in our hearts. REST IN PEACE. Condolences to Malaspina family. Always loved, never forgotten. Advertisement

'Hes a Melbourne icon and a true gentleman. Impossible to imagine the devastation for his family and staff.'

Masterchef's Matt Preston also took a moment to share his memories of Mr Malaspina.

'So sad that this gem of a man is gone in such tragic circumstances,' he said.

'One of the greats behind one of the greats. I romanced the woman I love at Pellegrinis.

'I met my friends over the years at Pellegrinis. I was happy drinking coffee or eating granita alone at the counter under the watchful eye of the man in the scarf.

'Vale Sisto. All my love and sympathy to his friends and family.'

While some shared their grief for the beloved Melbourne icon online, others chose a more personal route.

Pellegrini's was surrounded by flowers over the weekend, with mourners coming to pay their respects and sign a condolences book for Mr Malaspina's family.

A violinist played a slow and mournful song as onlookers held each other and took a moment to remember the friendly face that once greeted them from behind the counter.

Pasted to the front of the door was a letter from the staff at Pellegrini's, remembering their boss as a man devoted to his work and his family, who took delight in their successes and looked after all who worked there like they were his own children.

Another sign said the cafe would reopen on November 12.Star (left), a dog in Missouri, has gotten a second chance at life after receiving a rare kidney transplant performed by surgeons in Wisconsin from one of her three-year old puppies, Elsa (right)

A dog in Missouri has gotten a second chance at life after receiving a rare kidney transplant from one of her three-year old puppies.

Star, the mother dog, almost died from kidney failure in 2015 after giving birth to Elsa and her many siblings, but miraculously made a full recovery after weeks of medical care at Murphy Animal Hospital in High Ridge.

Star was then adopted by the animal hospital's owner, Shannon Flegle, DVM, who kept in touch with the many local families who adopted her puppies, including the Murray family of St. Louis, who took home Elsa.

When Star's health went downhill again over the summer, Shannon put in a call to Jenny Murray, who talked with the rest of her family and agreed that Elsa would do what she could to save her mom.

On October 10, the two underwent a kidney transplant, and both Star and Elsa are now recovering with their families.

Scroll down for video

Star (front), the mother dog, almost died from kidney failure after giving birth to Elsa (back) and her many siblings three years ago, but miraculously made a full recovery after weeks of medical care at Murphy Animal Hospital in High Ridge, Missouri

Courtesy of Fox 2 News

Rewinding back to three years ago, Star and her nine surviving puppies from a litter of 13 were found on a hot summer day in a plywood box in Southern Missouri.

'They had no food or water,' Shannon told Fox 2 News, while seated next to her husband and Star's dad, Jeff.

Though her babies, including Elsa, were thriving, Star was undernourished, dehydrated and experiencing seizures when the canine family was taken to Murphy Animal Hospital.

When Star's health went downhill again over the summer, Shannon put in a call to Jenny Murray, who talked with the rest of her family and agreed that Elsa would do what she could to save her mom; One of Star's other pups, a male, is shown here, during one of her sick moments

On October 10, Elsa (pictured) and Star underwent a kidney transplant, and both Star and Elsa are now recovering with their families

Rewinding back to three years ago, Star and her nine surviving puppies from a litter of 13 were found on a hot summer day in a plywood box in Southern Missouri; Some of Star's puppies are shown around the time they were born near the date of June 1, 2015

Star was adopted by the animal hospital's owner, Shannon Flegle, DVM (left), and her husband, Jeff (right)

Luckily, Star pulled through and recovered from near-fatal kidney failure, until this past Summer, when her health went downhill again.

'One day she just started vomiting and wouldn't eat,' Shannon said.

Tests confirmed the worst, showing that Star's kidneys were failing again.

Shannon kept in touch with the many local families who adopted her puppies, including the Murray family of St. Louis, who took home Elsa (pictured, on her third birthday on June 1)

Star and Elsa were greeted with treats at Hotel Red in Wisconsin, before the surgery

Frantic to save her fur child, Shannon tried everything she could to improve Star's health

'I tried IV [intravenous] fluids, any supplement... we did acupuncture on her,' Shannon said.

But this time, Star's health didn't improve, so Shannon started looking at dialysis, and the possibility of a kidney transplant, both of which are incredibly rare for dogs.

Shannon found a a surgeon at University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) who was open to performing a transplant operation on Star, but only if she had a family match to provide the kidney.

Star's health faded again this summer, so Shannon called Jenny Murray who owns Elsa (shown)

Shannon found a a surgeon at University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) who was open to performing a transplant operation on Star, but only if she had a family match to provide the kidney

That's when Shannon, who had kept in touch with Jenny, made the heartbreaking call for help to Elsa's adoptive family; Star is shown recuperating after surgery

'She said, "I have a crazy question for you,"' Jenny said, of the conversation when Shannon asked if Jenny would reach out to the owners of Star's puppies; Star is shown after surgery

Shannon was hoping to find out who might be willing to have their dogs tested to check for a match, which Murray said had her sobbing the entire time; Star is shown after surgery

'I could tell this was a mom, this was her baby, you know?' Jenny said of Shannon. 'She was going to do what she needed to do to save her baby;' Star is shown after surgery

Jenny, who had a family who received a kidney transplant from a living donor, wanted to help so she took the decision to the rest of her family; Star is shown undergoing hydrotherapy after her kidney transplant

That's when Shannon, who had kept in touch with Jenny, made the heartbreaking call for help to Elsa's adoptive family.

'She said, "I have a crazy question for you,"' Jenny said, of the conversation where Shannon asked if she would reach out to the rest of the owners of Star's puppies.

Shannon was hoping to find out who might be willing to have their dogs tested to check for a match, which Murray said had her sobbing the entire time.

Elsa (right) got the rare chance to save her dog mom's life, after Star (left) nearly died when she was born three years ago

Frantic to save her fur child, Shannon tried everything she could to improve Star's health, including IV [intravenous] fluids, supplements and acupuncture before turning to Jenny; Star is shown after surgery

'I could tell this was a mom, this was her baby, you know?' Jenny said of Shannon. 'She was going to do what she needed to do to save her baby.'

Jenny, who had a family who received a kidney transplant from a living donor, wanted to help so she took the decision to the rest of her family, including her husband Patrick, and their children, Isaac, 10, Audrey, seven, and Claire, five.

When the couple told their children, 'This is Elsa's chance to save her mom,' the kids responded with, 'Oh so she's a hero!' and that was it.

Jenny Murray (back, at right) talked the decision over with her whole family to decide whether Elsa the dog (shown) should donate a kidney to Star, including her husband Patrick (second from left), and their children, Isaac, 10 (left), Audrey, seven, and Claire, five

When the couple told their children, 'This is Elsa's (shown) chance to save her mom,' the kids responded with, 'Oh so she's a hero!' and that was it

The surgery was scheduled and surgeons at UW performed the transplant on October 10; Star is shown at back with Shannon and Elsa is shown at front with Isaac, after the surgery

The surgery was scheduled and surgeons at UW performed the transplant on October 10.

'And 36 hours later her blood work was normal,' Shannon said.

As with humans who undergo a kidney transplant, the single kidney in each dog is expected to grow over time to compensate for the missing one.

Both Star and Elsa are now back home with their families recovering, in the St. Louis area.

Both Star (left) and Elsa (right) are now back home with their families recovering in MissouriA woman who was sexually assaulted by her maths teacher at 15-years-old has been silenced by a barbaric and outdated law that criminalises victims who share their story.

In 2010, the then-teenager was preyed on by a highly regarded Tasmanian teacher who assaulted her at school, in his office, a hotel room and a church.

The young woman was groomed by the man she saw as a father figure while she struggled to cope with a broken family life and an eating disorder.

After six months of abuse, she found the courage to report the assaults to police who jailed Nicolaas Bester, 58, for two years.

A woman who was sexually assaulted by her maths teacher at 15-years-old has been silenced by a barbaric and outdated law that criminalises victims who share their story

In a preview for Sunday evening's 60 Minutes, the vulnerable woman - who is forced to keep her identity a secret - shares her story and the law that continues to obstruct her truth

In a preview for Sunday evening's 60 Minutes, the vulnerable woman - who is forced to keep her identity a secret - shares her story and the law that continues to obstruct her truth.

Section 194K of the Evidence Act in Tasmania prohibits revealing the identity of a sexual assault survivor - even if they are willing to share their story.

Section 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 Anonymity of sexual assault complainants in Tasmania is protected by s 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 (Tas). In summary, a person cannot publish anything to identify a victim of a sexual crime. They are only able to if they have a court order. A court will only authorise publication if information is considered public interest. They are likely to impose conditions to the publication. It is punishable as a contempt of court, without authorisation. SOURCE: Tasmania Law Reform Institute Advertisement

Publishing information without court authorisation is punishable as contempt of court.

Journalist Allison Langdon reveals that the barbaric law silences survivors of sexual assault but allows perpetrators to talk.

In the 60 Minutes segment, 'Jane Doe' is forced to speak behind an alias where her face is blurred and voice is altered.

But her attacker, a convicted sex offender, is allowed to speak freely and has previously made statements claiming the relationship was consensual and that he was the real victim.

'The fact that I can't take control of my own story, that's frustrating,' Jane Doe said.

'And it adds to that feeling of I have to be ashamed of my story, of my past, which shouldn't be the case.'

American actor and activist Alyssa Milano, who has been an advocate of the #MeToo movement, also spoke with 60 Minutes.

The Charmed star is launching the #LetHerSpeak social media campaign in the hope of starting further conversation.Sauntering along a London street after serving just half of a five-and-a-half-year jail sentence, this is the British hate preacher who inspired an Isis executioner.

He is Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, 36, pictured below for the first time since his release from maximum-security Full Sutton prison in North Yorkshire, where he served little more than two years of his sentence.

Rahman, seen near his family home in Palmers Green, North London, was arrested after publicly pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State group soon after it declared a so-called caliphate in Syria in June 2014.

Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, 36, is pictured here for the first time since his release from maximum-security Full Sutton prison in North Yorkshire [File photo]

Rahman is believed to have radicalised Siddhartha Dhar, a childhood friend from his neighbourhood, converting him from Hinduism to Islam and introducing him to the banned extremist group Al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

Dhar then went to Syria, became an Isis executioner and was filmed shooting a supposed traitor in the back of the head.

When the video was released on the internet, he earned the nickname Jihadi Sid.

Rahman is believed to have radicalised Siddhartha Dhar, pictured above, a childhood friend from his neighbourhood, converting him from Hinduism to Islam. He then went to Syria and became an ISIS executioner [File photo]

Rahman was the second-in-command of ALM, which was led by his mentor, fellow hate preacher Anjem Choudary, 51, also recently released from a high-security prison. Choudary too served less than half of his five-and-a-half- year sentence.

Both men had been kept in an isolation unit in prison because there were fears that they would radicalise other inmates.

Rahman is said to be the more dangerous of the two in terms of his influence on followers.

He is believed to be under strict bail conditions, one of which states that he must sleep in a bail hostel at night. But he is free to visit his family during the day.

Anjem Choudary, 51, pictured above, led Al-Muhajiroun with Rahman second-in-command. Rahman is said to be the more dangerous of the two in terms of his influence on followers [File photo]

He is also banned from contacting Choudary, from Ilford, East London, and a number of jihadis.

It is understood that he is banned from using the internet, and has been given a mobile phone by the police so that his calls can be monitored by them.

In 2007 Rahman was sentenced to six years for inciting racial hatred and solicitation to murder after a protest at the Danish embassy in London against cartoons that caricatured the prophet Muhammad.

He had told a crowd of 300 protesters that British soldiers stationed in Iraq at the time would return to Britain in body bags.The family of a dead nightclub kingpin are locked in a legal battle over his multi-million dollar estate.

The Sunday Herald Sun has obtained legal documents showing Zoe Thornburgh, 23, is staking a claim to her deceased father Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh's assets.

'I receive no assistance from my mother. My financial position is very limited,' she said in the court documents.

The Sunday Herald Sun has obtained legal documents of Zoe Thornburgh (pictured), which prove the 23-year-old is staking a claim in her deceased fathers Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh's assets

Zoe (left) and Darren 'Razzle' Thornburgh (right) at nightclub Boutique

Mr Thornburgh ran nightclub Boutique in Prahran a suburb in Melbourne, before he was found dead on the front porch of his rural property near the NSW and Victorian border on November 13, 2017.

The club attracted some of the biggest names in Hollywood, along the lines of Kim Kardashian, Ashton Kutcher, and the Hilton sisters.

Court documents show Mr Thornburgh's real estate is worth $1.7 million, which counts homes in Port Melbourne, South Yarra and Barmah.

In cash and assets he had $148,000 including his silver bullion worth $21,036, $7,000 Seadoo, $55,000 Motor home, $5,000 vintage car and $50,000 2013 Malibu boat.

His daughter Zoe took to the Supreme Court after she discovered no will was left behind.

Her affidavit revealed she is trying to access the funds and assets as she claimed her mother Denise Foster was not supporting her.

The functions manager revealed the pair shared a strained relationship and besides living in her father's-owned South Yarra studio apartment, Ms Thornburgh has no access to other assets.

Mr Thornburghs youngest daughter, Mia, 15, will also come into her share of the estate when she comes to 18 years of age.

It was also revealed Mr Thornburgh left behind more than $125,000 in debts: almost $76,000 in unpaid child support, close to $10,500 in unpaid council bills and south of $1,500 in water bills.

The functions manager revealed that Zoe Thornburgh and her mother Denise Foster shared a strained relationship and besides living in her father's-owned South Yarra studio apartment, Ms Thornburgh has no access to other assets

Nicky and Paris Hilton flank Darren Thornburgh during at a night at Boutique

A month before his death, Mr Thornburgh had lost his club.

His party lifestyle had taken a turn for the worse, as he went on three to five day long drug binges.

Three shots had been fired into his nightclub in October last year, and his ex-wife's house was the target of a drive-by three days later.

A police first investigated links between Mr Thornburgh's death and the past shootings, but later ruled out any foul play.

It was a tragic end to the life of a man who had made a name for himself.

The Dandenong-born man moved to Melbourne where he worked in nightclubs as a bus boy.

He rose up the ranks to management positions at clubs including Warehouse in South Yarra and Heat at Crown Casino, according to the Herald Sun.

Zoe Thornburgh's affidavit revealed she is trying to access the funds and assets as she claimed her mother Denise Foster was not supporting her

Darren Thornburgh ran Boutique nightclub (pictured), a popular venue that attracted some of the biggest names in Hollywood along the lines of Kim Kardashian, Ashton Kutcher, and the Hilton sisters

Darren Thornburgh and Molly Meldrum

He got his nickname 'Razzle' from the diamond he had implanted in his front tooth.

'Razzle gave his club rock star status,' a former co-worker told the Herald Sun.

'He was respected in the industry and he knew what he was doing. He was definitely king of the nightclubs until other things took over.'

But when his marriage ended in 2008, his drug use spiralled  and 'took control of him,' a former worker at Boutique said.

Divorce and drug use weren't the only problems that affected the nightclub owner's life negatively  he was also facing serious money problems.

In 2011, Darren Thornburgh was made bankrupt after failing to pay a legal bill, the Herald Sun reports

Darren Thornburgh with actor Nick Giannopoulos

In 2011, he was made bankrupt after failing to pay a legal bill, the Herald Sun reports.

An associate told the newspaper that he'd once paid a debt by handing over his Bentley.

And threats from debt collectors led to him moving into a suite at the Crown Casino due to the round-the-clock security for four years.

Friends say he left the Crown in 2016 and was spending his time between South Yarra and Barmah.

And a business associate told the Herald Sun that he had planned to return to the club scene in 2017 but his landlords had evicted him from Boutique.

'He lost the club, which means he lost everything,' they said.David Miliband could lead a centre-left party to take on both May and Corbyn

Miliband has held a total of four meetings with Tony Blair in the last six months

David Miliband is at the centre of mounting speculation that he could be persuaded to make a dramatic return to British politics as part of a new Blairite political movement.

The former Labour Foreign Secretary, who currently works in America, has held a series of meetings with Tony Blair in recent months  while both Mr Miliband and the former Prime Minister have been in contact with Labour donors alienated by the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

They are understood to include Sir Trevor Chinn, a billionaire who donated generously to Mr Blairs private office while in Government, and Jonathan Goldstein, chief executive of financiers Cain International.

David Miliband, above, is at the centre of mounting speculation that he could be persuaded to make a dramatic return to British politics [File photo]

Mr Goldstein has held meetings with Tony Blair at least four times over the past six months, and has also flown out to see Mr Miliband in New York. Sir Trevor is also thought to have been in touch with Mr Miliband.

The intrigue comes as Mr Miliband is thought to be considering a return to London after five years as President of International Rescue Committee, a New York-based aid organisation.

A source close to the discussions said Mr Blair talks about little else other than the need for a new force in British politics, adding: David Miliband is the figure who towers above all others as the person who could lead a new centre-left party.

A source said Mr Blair, above, talks about little else other than the need for a new force in British politics. He is pictured at a Web Summit in Portugal earlier this month [File photo]

The source added: Tony and Trevor are both convinced by David  but they differ on whether there is room for a centrist party in todays political climate.

'They are intent on waiting for the collapse of the Corbyn project  and then they aim to sweep in.

Mr Miliband abandoned his British political career after losing the Labour leadership contest to brother Ed in 2010.

A friend said: David is always thinking about whats best for his country and the Labour Party. His heart and passion is still the future of the UK.

A woman shows her Jeremy Corbyn tattoo to the Labour leader during his visit to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, yesterday. Both Mr Miliband and the former Prime Minister have been in contact with Labour donors alienated by the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn

Asked whether Mr Miliband would seek to return to rescue the Labour Party or to help set up a new one, he said: I honestly dont know.

Theres a group in the party now talking about a third way, a different party. They have totally given up on recovering the party. Whether that will include David, I cant say.inisters raise the alarm over children spending too much time on their phones

Parents are being urged by the Government to put down their mobile phones and help their children with learning at home.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds appealed to mothers and fathers to cut back on their screen time, saying it was a scandal that many children are starting school unable to communicate effectively.

He told parents that spending one-to-one time without gadgets  and playing with numbers to songs and poems  could reap dividends for their youngsters education.

Officials pointed out that more than a quarter of children finish reception year without the basic early communication or reading skills they need to thrive at school [File photo]

His call comes ahead of a summit in London this week with major companies, including Lego and Disney, to address what he called the last taboo of tackling educational disadvantage  advising parents on how best to educate their young children at home.

Ministers have already raised the alarm over children spending too much time glued to their phones, with calls for headteachers to ban them from schools.

Last night, Mr Hinds went a step further.

He said: As the vast majority of childrens time is spent at home, we need to think about how we support parents with learning in the home environment. This could be seen as the last taboo in education, and certainly no one wants to be lecturing parents.

Some children are given iPads, and even phones, soon after they are born. Ministers have already raised the alarm over children spending too much time glued to their phones, with calls for headteachers to ban them from schools [File photo]

Education Secretary Damian Hinds, above, appealed to mothers and fathers to cut back on their screen time [File photo]

But it is a persistent scandal that too many children are starting school unable to communicate effectively, and we know that what happens at home makes a big difference in that.

Working with businesses and organisations, we are looking to support parents with practical help and advice. This includes the development of a set of easy, everyday activities for all families, from playing with numbers to songs and poems, in order to support childrens development.

He added: As a parent, Im conscious that while we think about screen time limits for children, we find it harder to limit it for ourselves.

But that one-to-one time without gadgets getting in the way is so valuable.

The pressures of work and the modern world mean putting phones away is far from easy. But I think its an important area to talk about, particularly as we consider ways to support parents with childrens learning at home.

He stressed that technology was not the villain of the piece and that well used, it could actively support a childs learning.

His officials pointed out that more than a quarter of children finish reception year without the basic early communication or reading skills they need to thrive at school.

Parents are being urged by the Government to put down their mobile phones and help their children with learning at home [File photo]

The summit, which will also involve the National Literacy Trust, will aim to bring together business leaders, the media and technology companies to explore ways of helping parents with early learning at home.

Mr Hinds comments on parents screen time came after Cabinet colleague Matt Hancock revealed that he did not allow his three young children mobile phones, saying: Why do they need phones? Theyre children, theyre 11.

Speaking last summer before he was promoted from Culture Secretary to Health Secretary, Mr Hancock said he admired headteachers who did not allow the use of mobile phones during the school day and called on more headteachers to follow suit.Fox News host Tucker Carlson has blasted back at celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti's 'assault' accusation, admitting that his adult son splashed wine in the face of a stranger at a country club but saying it was in response to grotesque insults against his teen daughter.

Avenatti, the celebrity attorney of porn star Stormy Daniels, posted a video on Saturday showing Carlson appearing to say 'get the f**k out of here' to another man in a heated exchange.

Avenatti, who was not present for the incident, accused Carlson of 'assault on a gay latino immigrant' named Juan in the heated exchange.

'That is a lie,' Carlson said in a statement to DailyMail.com, saying that the incident occurred at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia on October 13. 'I restrained myself. I did not assault this man, and neither did my son.'

Carlson explained that the stranger he was seen yelling at in the video had just called his 19-year-old daughter 'Tucker's whore' and a 'f**king c**t'.

The stranger apparently decided to verbally abuse the teen girl after after seeing her seated at the conservative pundit's table, Carlson said.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson (above last month) blasted back at celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti's 'assault' accusation on Saturday

Avenatti is seen appearing on Carlson's show in September. The celebrity lawyer claims that Carlson 'assaulted' a man in a country club last month, which the Fox News host denies

Full statement of Tucker Carlson in response to Michael Avenatti 'On October 13, I had dinner with two of my children and some family friends at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. Toward the end of the meal, my 19-year-old daughter went to the bathroom with a friend. On their way back through the bar, a middle aged man stopped my daughter and asked if she was sitting with Tucker Carlson. My daughter had never seen the man before. She answered: 'That's my dad,' and pointed to me. The man responded, 'Are you Tucker's whore?' He then called her a 'f**king c**t.' 'My daughter returned to the table in tears. She soon left the table and the club. My son, who is also a student, went into the bar to confront the man. I followed. My son asked the man if he'd called his sister a 'wh**e' and a 'c**t.' The man admitted he had, and again become profane. My son threw a glass of red wine in the man's face and told him to leave the bar, which he soon did. 'Immediately after the incident, I described these events to the management of the Farmington Country Club. The club spent more than three weeks investigating the incident. Last week, they revoked the man's membership and threw him out of the club. 'I love my children. It took enormous self-control not to beat the man with a chair, which is what I wanted to do. I think any father can understand the overwhelming rage and shock that I felt seeing my teenage daughter attacked by a stranger. But I restrained myself. I did not assault this man, and neither did my son. That is a lie. Nor did I know the man was gay or Latino, not that it would have mattered. What happened on October 13 has nothing to do with identity politics. It was a grotesque violation of decency. I've never seen anything like it in my life.' Advertisement

'Toward the end of the meal, my 19-year-old daughter went to the bathroom with a friend,' Carlson said.

'On their way back through the bar, a middle aged man stopped my daughter and asked if she was sitting with Tucker Carlson.

'My daughter had never seen the man before. She answered: 'That's my dad,' and pointed to me. The man responded, 'Are you Tucker's wh**e?' He then called her a 'f**king c**t.''

Carlson continued: 'My daughter returned to the table in tears. She soon left the table and the club. My son, who is also a student, went into the bar to confront the man. I followed.

'My son asked the man if he'd called his sister a 'wh**e' and a 'c**t.' The man admitted he had, and again become profane. My son threw a glass of red wine in the man's face and told him to leave the bar, which he soon did.'

Carlson said he described the encounter to the club's management, which investigated the incident and revoked Juan's membership.

Carlson (left in both frames) appears to be saying 'get the f**k out of here' to a man who he says insulted his teen daughter at the Farmington Country Club

The 'gay latino immigrant' Juan who allegedly called Carlson's daughter a 'whore' and a 'c**t' is seen circled in both frames above, as unidentified men appear to hold him back

'I love my children. It took enormous self-control not to beat the man with a chair, which is what I wanted to do,' Carlson said.

'I think any father can understand the overwhelming rage and shock that I felt seeing my teenage daughter attacked by a stranger. But I restrained myself. I did not assault this man, and neither did my son. That is a lie.

'Nor did I know the man was gay or Latino, not that it would have mattered. What happened on October 13 has nothing to do with identity politics. It was a grotesque violation of decency. I've never seen anything like it in my life,' the statement concluded.

Avenatti responded to Carlson by posting anonymous statements that he claims were written by witnesses to the event.

One, purportedly written by a friend of Juan, describes him as a board member of The Women's Initiative in Charlottesville.

The group has only one board member named Juan, whose bio says he was born in Argentina. That individual did not respond to multiple messages from DailyMail.com seeking comment.

Carlson (above) habitually calls Avenatti 'the creepy porn lawyer', a moniker that is known to infuriate the celebrity attorney to porn star Stormy Daniels

The alleged witness wrote that after Carlson's son had splashed wine in Juan's face: 'I saw Juan retaliate to the assault by the same means (throwing a glass of wine at him). Immediately after that, I saw Mr. Tucker Carlson get very close to Juan's face and say, "Get the f**k out of here" multiple times.'

'Throughout this exchange, I heard Juan respond repeatedly, "I'm not going to get out of here, I live here."

Another alleged witness statement produced by Avenatti denied that Juan had called Carlson's 19-year-old daughter a 'whore' or a 'c**t', or spoken with her at all prior to being accused of doing so.

Avenatti claims that Carlson was 'intoxicated' during the confrontation, but Carlson has said in interviews that he stopped drinking 16 years ago.

The celebrity lawyer also accused Carlson of letting his 19-year-old daughter drink wine at the country club. Carlson's only son is about 21.

Avenatti has often butted heads and traded barbs with Carlson, who habitually labels Avenatti 'the creepy porn lawyer'.

Carlson, on his weeknight show Tucker Carlson Tonight, has repeatedly spoken out to condemn the trend of angry mobs confronting controversial political figures in restaurants and other public places.

But Carlson has never specifically addressed the October 13 incident with his own family until Avenatti published the video.

The Fox News host, a staunch conservative on immigration issues, was also recently targeted by the antifa group Smash Racism DC.

About 20 members of the group pounded on the door of his home and stood outside chanting while Carlson's wife, alone in the house, locked herself in a pantry and called 911.

The group tweeted video of the antifa mob chanting 'we know where you sleep at night'. Police are investigating that incident as a hate crime.The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry have lost three major palace aides since the Duchess joined the Royal Family just six months ago.

Richard Eden of the Daily Mail confirmed yesterday the news of the latest aide to quit. A source from Kensington Palace said: 'It's a real shock, why would she want to leave such a prestigious job so soon?'

She will soon be joined by the royal couple's private secretary Samantha Cohen, who follows predecessor Edward Lane Fox, appointed by Prince Harry in 2013, out of the Kensington Palace door.

Australian Cohen, 49, has been a trusted aide of the royals for 17 years, described as 'deeply committed to serving the monarchy' and was given the task of preparing Meghan for her life as a royal earlier this year.

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The Duchess of Sussex's personal assistant, known only as 'Melissa' has left her role with the palace, just six months after the American actress married into the Royal Family. Melissa will be followed by aide Samantha Cohen, pictured between the Queen and Meghan at a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge on June 14th. Australian Cohen, who has worked with the royal family for 17 years, was tasked with helping Meghan settle into royal life

Ms Cohen moved from Buckingham Palace to Kensington Palace to help the Duchess settle into her new public life...but is set to leave her role shortly. Right: Cohen pictured attending the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor on May 19th

Shake-up: Former army man Edward Lane Fox joined Prince Harry in 2003, after a career in the the Household Cavalry and with financial communications firm RLM Finsbury. He left his role in Kensington Palace during the summer

Prince Harry and his Private Secretary Edward Lane Fox attend the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on September 10, 2014

She attended the royal wedding and is believed to have played a key role in preparing Meghan for a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday - the Duchess' first appearance as Her Royal Highness.

Originally from Brisbane and married to a dentist, mother-of-three Cohen had previously worked as a private secretary for the Queen and earned the nickname 'The Panther' for her feisty attitude.

A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment on the departure of the PA, whose name is given only as Melissa. However, a Palace source was authorised to pay tribute to her.

'Melissa is a hugely talented person,' the source said.

'She played a pivotal role in the success of the Royal Wedding and will be missed by everyone in the Royal Household.'

One Palace aide said: 'To lose one member of the household could happen to anyone. To lose three in a few months is starting to look like a stampede.'

Ms Cohen, pictured sat behind Meghan on June 14th, worked in civil service and public relations before joining Buckingham Palace in 2001; she has spent 17 years working closely with the royal family but is set to leave her current role helping the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

A Kensington Palace spokesman declines to comment on the departure of the PA, whose name is given only as Melissa. However, in a highly unusual move, a Palace source has been authorised to pay tribute to her

WHO IS SAMANTHA COHEN? As a no-nonsense Australian nicknamed 'Samantha the Panther', Mother-of-three Ms Cohen, was entrusted by the Queen to prepare Meghan Markle for life as a royal. The Queen's assistant private secretary has worked with the royal family for 17 years and will leave a hard-to-fill gap in the royal entourage when she leaves. Originally from Brisbane and married to a dentist, the mother-of-three is known as 'The Panther' for her feisty attitude. Trusty aide: Known as the 'Panther' for her feisty approach to work, Samantha Cohen was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in 2016 Fresh faced! Samantha Cohen pictured in 2001 at Buckingham Palace after she first joined the royal family as private secretary to the Queen After studying at the University of Queensland, Ms Cohen worked in civil service and public relations and joined Buckingham Palace in 2001. She answered a newspaper job advertisement for a media minder at the palace while she was on a trip to London almost 20 years ago. She became deputy press secretary in 2003, before getting the top job in 2007, becoming the first woman to be appointed in the role. 'They really like Australians here,' she told The Age in 2004. 'We bring something to the job they quite like - enthusiasm, a can-do attitude.' Ms Cohen had worked for Liberal ministers in both the Queensland and Federal governments, the Daily Telegraph reported. She was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen in 2016. Advertisement

Melissa had to deal with the traumatic build-up to Meghan and Prince Harry's wedding in May, in which the Duchess's father, Thomas Markle, gave a running commentary to journalists on the likelihood of his attending the ceremony.

The 74-year-old decided not to come just five days before the wedding, leaving Harry to ask Prince Charles to step in to the breach and walk Meghan up the aisle.

Other members of Meghan's family complained publicly that they had not been invited.

Royal biographer Robert Jobson claims in his new book, Charles At Seventy, which was serialised in this newspaper, that Meghan's wedding preparations were so stressful that Harry became 'petulant and short-tempered' with members of staff.

Right-hand man: After five years at Kensington Palace, Edward Lane Fox departed for pastures new in the summer with a palace spokesperson saying the aide had worked 'tirelessly, providing valued advice to Prince Harry'

He writes: 'Raising his voice on occasion, Harry would insist: 'What Meghan wants, she gets.' '

Meghan's former agent, Gina Nelthorpe-Cowne, described her before the wedding as unique in her determination to succeed.

She said Meghan was ruthless with her time, her attention and her priorities. She was 'picky', not only when it came to her clothes but also her colleagues, instantly dismissing those who didn't share her 'vision'.

'Meghan,' said her former agent, 'likes to move on'.

Melissa and Samantha Cohen follow Edward Lane Fox, described as Prince Harry's 'right-hand man' who stopped working for the Prince in the summer after 15 years in the role.

At the time, a spokesman for the Prince said: 'His Royal Highness is hugely grateful to Ed for his hard work during a period that has seen the launch and growth of the Invictus Games, countless tours around the world, and the detailed planning for his wedding.'Six people have been charged after an intense drug operation was executed in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

More than 130 grams of cocaine and $10,000 in cash were seized from homes in Randwick, Bondi, Double Bay, Paddington and Woollomooloo.

On Saturday, detectives and the proactive team from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command conducted the operation.

Six people have been charged after an intense drug operation was executed in Sydney's eastern suburbs (stock image)

They aimed to target the distributions of drugs within the command.

Over the course of the night, more than 130 grams of cocaine was found and $10,000 in cash was seized by police.

Five men and one woman were charged with supplying prohibited drugs and dealing with proceeds of crime.

The 25-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were granted bail and are due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on December 14.

A 29-year-old man was granted bail and will face Downing Centre local Court on December 5.

More than 130 grams of cocaine and $10,000 in cash were seized from homes in Randwick, Bondi, Double Bay, Paddington and Woollomooloo

The three remaining members, two 26-year-old men and a 31-year-old man, were also charged with breach of bail.

All three remain in custody and will appear at Parramatta Bail Court on November 11.

The operation within the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command is due to resume as detectives are continuing their investigation.Advertisement

One hundred years and many wars later, Australians have marked the end of what was meant to be the 'war to end all wars'.

Veterans and their families gathered on Sunday around the country and the world to mark Remembrance Day with a minute's silence.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have addressed a crowd at the National War Memorial, which was originally built to mark those who died in WWI.

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One hundred years and many wars later, Australians have marked the end of what was meant to be the 'war to end all wars' (pictured prime minster Scott Morrison arrives (left centre) during the Remembrance Day Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra)

Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (L), former Prime Minister Paul Keating and Prime Minister Scott Morrison (R) walk along the Roll of Honour during the Remembrance Day Service at the Australian War Memorial

In Sydney, meanwhile, the new water cascade was filled with poppies thrown by visitors to the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park

Large crowds gathered around the country on Sunday, including at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Adelaide

Steven Marshall, Premier of South Australia, could be seen paying his respects during the Remembrance Day ceremony in Adelaide

Poppies were released by a plane during the ceremony in Adelaide to commemorate 100 years since the end of the Great War

It has been expanded since then to fit memorials for other wars, and is set for a $500 million expansion.

Originally called Armistice Day to mark the end of the Great War, it was changed after World War Two to commemorate those who died in both wars.

'On 11 November 1918 at 11am, the guns on the Western Front fell silent and the most destructive war the modern world had seen was all but over and countries around the world celebrated,' Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester said this week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have addressed a crowd at the National War Memorial (pictured), which was originally built to mark those who died in World War One.

The National War Memorial (pictured) has been expanded since World War One to fit memorials for other wars, and is getting another $500 million expansion to fit in even more

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith (centre) arrives for Remembrance Day commemorations at the Australian War Memorial

Protestors from the Medical Association for the Prevention of War were also present at the memorial in Canberra

An evening vigil will also be held at the tomb of the unknown soldier, marking 25 years since he was laid to rest in Canberra

Armistice centenary commemorations were carried out in Wellington, New Zealand (pictured handout photo)

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was also pictured paying her respects after laying a wreath during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Brisbane, Queensland

His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le (C-R), Governor of South Australia, spoke with James Hurst (L) during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Adelaide

Australia had not been a nation very long but 416,000 people enlisted in that war and 60,000 never returned home.

'Over the following century, our nation has been called on numerous times and tragically today more than 102,000 names are listed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial,' Mr Chester said.

National War Memorial director Brendan Nelson said it had been pleasing to see greater attention placed on Remembrance Day than in any year he can remember.

'It marks the formal end of an event that more than anything else changed us as people and ultimately gave us a greater belief in ourselves,' Dr Nelson told Sky News on Sunday.

From dawn to dusk on Sunday a beam of light will be projected from the Australian War Memorial to Parliament House, changing from white, pink and red.

An evening vigil will also be held at the tomb of the unknown soldier, marking 25 years since he was laid to rest in Canberra.

Poppies and crosses with the names of the fallen were on display during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Adelaide

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove will be in France, representing Australia at a service at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

From dawn to dusk on Sunday a beam of light will be projected from the Australian War Memorial to Parliament House, changing from white, pink and red (pictured opposition leader Bill Shorten at the memorial service)

In Victoria, both the Labor government and the coalition opposition have halted their election campaign out of respect (pictured bed of poppies on the ACT Memorial)

National War Memorial director Brendan Nelson said it had been pleasing to see greater attention placed on Remembrance Day than in any year he can remember

Sir Peter Cosgrove told troops in the Middle East before Remembrance Day 'we are as a nation enormously proud of you, instinctively proud of you. We don't hear enough of you, but that's because you do your jobs so well'

'On 11 November 1918 at 11am, the guns on the Western Front fell silent and the most destructive war the modern world had seen was all but over and countries around the world celebrated,' Veterans Affairs Minister Darren Chester said this week

Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (L) and former Prime Minister Paul Keating walked along the Roll of Honour during the Remembrance Day Service

In Victoria, both the Labor government and the coalition opposition have halted their election campaign out of respect.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove will be in France, representing Australia at a service at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

He also visited troops in the Middle East ahead of Remembrance Day.

'We are as a nation enormously proud of you, instinctively proud of you. We don't hear enough of you, but that's because you do your jobs so well,' Sir Peter told them.

Servicemen look on during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Adelaide. More than 60,000 Australians were killed in the First World War

Members of the Australian defence forces participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony in Brisbane

Poppies and crosses with the names of the fallen were displayed during Remembrance Day in Adelaide

A women was pictured reflecting among the crosses on North Terrace in AdelaideAngelina Jolie and Brad Pitts epic divorce is finally reaching the courts next month - with Angelina demanding sole custody

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitts epic divorce is finally reaching the courts next month, with Angelina demanding sole custody of their six children  and Brad insisting it should be joint.

No doubt Angelina is devoted to her brood, but I cant understand why anybody would think they are making their children better off by depriving their father of an equal part in their upbringing.

Divorce is horrible for all concerned and, usually by the time one gets to that point, relations between the parents are arctic.

Both parties will take an extremely hostile view of almost everything about each other and be ready to cite a zillion examples of their exs appalling behaviour.

But children dont feel the same. They have tremendous loyalty to both parents and learn early on to navigate between the two camps.

They hate to hear their parents slagging off each other and generally decide that total discretion is the wisest modus vivendi  rarely telling one parent anything about their time with the other.

I remember freaking out when I learnt, through a third party, that my son Sam, then six years old, had slept in his fathers Majorcan bar during his stay with him. But Sam never mentioned it to me, nor seemed particularly put out when I raised the topic.

Children are very accepting of each parents character and, as they grow up, instinctively understand their respective strengths and weaknesses.

There have been countless times when, annoyed as I may have been with my ex, I have known that he would have a better take than me on one of our childs worries. At moments like this, shared responsibility is a relief.

Divorced parenting is never easy but the best thing you can do for your kids is to try to ensure they have an equally strong relationship with both parents. This is far more likely to be achieved if their custody isnt entrusted to only one  and they arent fought over like a property portfolio.

Christmas cookies make me crumble

The Christmas Lakeland catalogue arrived this week, triggering my first bout of seasonal low self-esteem.

The pages are filled with products for the kind of festive home that I have never achieved.

Are there really people who whip up gingerbread Christmas trees and Nutcracker soldier cookies? If thats you  serious respect.

A Royal Yacht could keep Britain afloat

Twenty-ONE years after Britannia was retired, its time to commission a new Royal Yacht. As a country we need to be thinking big and flaunting every asset we have. Pomp and pageantry is one of our star turns, and nobody ever turns down an invitation to Buckingham Palace, nor I bet, would they to Britannia 2.

Industrialists love a yacht, and a floating Royal conference room advertising the attractions of doing business with Britain would easily repay the 60 million a new vessel would apparently cost. Especially if it were William, Harry and their attractive families on deck  rather than Air Miles Andy.

Oh brother, that was a 200m mistake

Its often said that you only need one good idea to make your fortune. The trick is to recognise it.

Many years back my younger brother was working as art director on what was then Harpers & Queen magazine when the junior beauty editor approached him to ask for his advice.

She said she felt stuck in her job and was thinking of leaving to start up a mail-order company selling white sheets and pillow cases.

His reply? Thats the nuttiest idea Ive ever heard. Whatever you do, dont do that. Hang on in here. Im sure youll get a promotion soon.

The young woman was called Chrissie Rucker. And her idea? The White Company, which last year sold 200 million of the stuff.

The Spice Girls are reuniting for a tour that is going to net them a couple of million each - but they are having to do it without Posh Spice

Victorias too Posh to push the Spice Girls

The Spice Girls are reuniting for a tour that is going to net them a couple of million each. But they are having to do it without Posh Spice, who has refused to join in. And no wonder. For Victoria Beckham those takings are chicken feed, and why would she want to revisit the past? There comes a point where a Wannabe becomes a Hasbeen.

When I interviewed Victoria in 2008 for her first Vogue cover story, she was performing in the last Spice Girls tour.

She invited me and my family to come to the show and welcomed us into her dressing room where, as David fixated on his phone, she was done up in full Posh regalia  squeezed into a shiny bronze catsuit, caked in fake tan with a stiff helmet of hair gel and tottering around in platform shoes that make her normal stilettos look like comfy slippers. Ten years later her world has moved on and she is now a sophisticated fashion designer whose every public appearance is an advert for her business.

Any hint of a latex catsuit could kill that hard-won brand image stone dead.

The annual Victorias Secret show took place in New York last week featuring models of the moment Gigi Hadid (right) and Kendall Jenner (left)

Is this really what a feminist looks like?

The annual Victorias Secret show took place in New York last week featuring models of the moment Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.

The performance is part pin-up calendar, part rock concert, with the highly paid girls strutting their stuff on the catwalk in minuscule strips of lingerie accessorised in exotic bondage style.

Quite where this sits with the proclaimed #MeToo values of these hugely successful models is hard to work out. Personally, Im all for women being able to wear as little or as much as they are comfortable in and have no problem mixing a sequined thong with feminism.

But where I do get confused is how the girls expect men to react to them in these overtly sexual costumes. Modern-day feminism is all about escaping from the tyranny and subjugation of the male gaze, so this seems a funny way to go about it.President Donald Trump snubbed a key part of the Armistice commemorations yesterday by scrapping a planned visit to an American First World War cemetery in France.

The White House's excuse that the trip was called off because of rain was met with widespread scorn, especially after a very public spat with French President Emmanuel Macron seemed to have soured Mr Trump's mood.

Although low cloud apparently prevented the President's Marine One helicopter from flying the 55 miles from Paris to Belleau Wood and the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, critics wondered why the journey couldn't have been made by road.

President Donald Trump snubbed a key part of the Armistice commemorations yesterday by scrapping a planned visit to an American First World War cemetery in France

Mr Trump's no-show followed a row with Mr Macron over France's contribution to Nato.

The French leader said the EU needed a joint army now the US was pulling out of a disarmament treaty with Russia.

'We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America,' he said.

A furious Mr Trump tweeted in response: 'Very insulting.'

The Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918 was a pivotal victory, largely credited to US Marines who defeated a huge German force. More than 1,800 Americans were killed. In total, 8,100 soldiers died in the month-long battle.

Political commentator David Frum, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush, contrasted the sacrifices made by the 116,000 US troops who died in the war to Mr Trump's lack of resolve.

He tweeted: 'None of this is surprising. Doesn't make it any less dismaying. These troops fought victoriously alongside allies with whom the US still stands today. It's worth a few miles in a limo, a few words from under a tarp.'

Ben Rhodes, a former senior staffer to Barack Obama, tweeted: 'I helped plan all of President Obama's trips for eight years. There is always a rain option. Always. Trump will use the US military for a pre-election political stunt but sits in his hotel instead of honoring those who fought and died for America.'

Mr Trump's Chief of Staff, General John Kelly, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joe Dunford, made the hour-long journey by road from Paris.

Mr Trump's cancellation came after a day of tension between the US and French leaders.

The White House's excuse that the trip was called off because of rain was met with widespread scorn

In response to Mr Macron's suggestion that the EU should have its own army, Mr Trump tweeted on Friday night: 'President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia.

'Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of Nato, which the US subsidizes greatly!'

The frosty relationship took a turn for the worse on Saturday morning during talks at Elysee Palace in Paris as Mr Macron awkwardly reached out to pat Mr Trump's leg.

In marked contrast with the pair's power-grip handshakes and back slaps at previous meetings, a stony-faced Mr Trump appeared unimpressed.

Later, he offered a begrudging thumbs-up while the tactile French president pawed at his arm.

As they prepared to meet for dinner last night, Mr Macron tried to smooth over the row, saying: 'We need a much better burden sharing within Nato.

'When President Trump has to protect one of the states of the United States he doesn't ask France or Germany or another country to finance.

'That's why I do believe that we need more investments.'The trial of Joaquin Guzman Loera ('El Chapo,' pictured) is set to begin in Brooklyn on Tuesday with the three-man, $5 million legal team of Jeffery Lichtman, Eduardo Balarezo and William Purpura at his side

The trial of Joaquin Guzman Loera, commonly known as 'El Chapo,' is set to begin in Brooklyn on Tuesday with a three-man, $5 million legal team at his side.

Between the trio, attorneys Jeffery Lichtman, Eduardo Balarezo and William Purpura have represented mobsters, adversaries and alleged colleagues of El Chapo, the purported kingpin of Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel.

The family of Guzman, 61, will foot the bill for his representation, according to a federal law enforcement source, with expenses which will likely exceed $5 million.

'In a perfect world that's how much it would cost, but this is not a perfect world,' Purpura, 66, told The New York Post, insinuating it may cost more for what he estimates could become a four-month-long trail.

El Chapo stands accused of 17 federal counts of drug trafficking, murder conspiracy and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty.

Manhattan-based attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, 53 (pictured), is perhaps most well known for representing John A. Gotti, Jr., who was known as simply 'Junior' in three trials that all ended in dead-locked juries.

John A. 'Junior' Gotti, son of the late Gambino family crime boss, speaks after a hearing on his tax payment status in 2007

Manhattan-based attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, 53, is perhaps most well known for representing John A. Gotti, Jr., who was known as simply 'Junior' in three trials that all ended in dead-locked juries.

Junior was an Italian-American gangster who became boss of New York City's Gambino crime family, before he died in 2002.

Lichtman defended him while on trial for an alleged failed hit on radio host Curtis Sliwa in 1992.

Regarding the cost associated with the task before El Chapo's team, Lichtman has remained a man of few words.

'You saw how many prosecutors were at that table,' he noted in August of 2017, eight months after El Chapo landed in Long Island to stand trial in the US.

'That was enough for a minyan [the quorum of ten Jewish adults required for certain religious obligations]. It's going to require a similar response from the defense.'

Balarezo, 52, of Washington jointly defended Alfredo Beltran Leyva (center), an arch rival of El Chapo's, alongside Purpura, which is reportedly what got the attention of El Chapo

Balarezo, 52, of Washington jointly defended Alfredo Beltran Leyva, an arch rival of El Chapo's, alongside Purpura, which is reportedly what got the attention of El Chapo.

Leyva, a kingpin known as 'The Desert Ant,' was facing drug trafficking charges, a charge which is among the 17 federal counts El Chapo faces in his trial.

He was once in business with El Chapo as part of the Sinaloa Cartel, before he was arrested in January of 2008 by the Mexican military.

Suspecting El Chapo of being behind his downfall, the Desert Ant struck out at the drug lord by ordering a hit on one of his sons, Edgar Guzman Lopez.

Ecuadorian-born Eduardo Balarezo (left) has also represented Chinese-Mexican businessman Zhenli Ye Gon (right), who is believed to be part of the Sinaloa Cartel

The Desert Ant was convicted in 2017 and was ordered to pay $529 million to the US.

Balarezo, who was born in Ecuador, has also represented Chinese-Mexican businessman Zhenli Ye Gon, who is believed to be part of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Ye Gon was suspected of importing chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine and was extradited to Mexico two years ago.

More than $205 million in cash and a stockpile of automatic weapons were confiscated from his lavish residence in Mexico City by local law enforcement in 2007.

So far, Mexican authorities have declined to seize El Chapo's assets.

William Purpura, 66, of Baltimore, has a history of representing drug lords on federal charges

Purpura, of Baltimore, who again jointly represented The Desert Ant with Balarezo, has a long history of representing drug lords.

He's defended the worst of the worst, often winning by getting a life sentence or 10 more years tacked on, instead of the death penalty, as was the case with one gang leader who ordered the firebombing of a witness' home, resulting in the fiery deaths of women and children.

After first working with Balarezo in 2006, Purpura would often find himself flying to Bogota and Medellin to interview accused narco-traffickers.

Purpura told the Baltimore Sun in November that federal prosecutors have presented documents in evidence against El Chapo consisting of more than 300,000 pages and 140,000 intercepted phone calls and text messages, and that there are already hundreds of court records in the case.

'It's difficult to get your arms around the enormity,' Purpura, whose third with is Baltimore County Circuit Judge Nancy Purpura, said.

It was reported the family first balked at El Chapo's request to pay for his legal defense, but later decided to cover the costs after the kingpin made a plea in court.

El Chapo's believed to have built a billion-dollar drug empire, which is now thought to be under the control of two of his sons, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar.

'It's all drug money,' a federal law enforcement source told The Post.

'The family has no other income, no ranches, no factories, no dairy cattle. They have no other income other than what the father has made through drug trafficking.'

While the druglord is behind bars, his sons Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar (left) and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar (right) have been running the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico in his absence

Top Sinaloa Cartel lieutenant Vicente Zambada pleaded guilty to trafficking conspiracy in Chicago on Friday, and is expected to cooperate with prosecutors

They Salazar brothers are children of El Chapo's first marriage to ex-wife Maria Alejandrina Salazar Hernandez, who he married in 1977. The couple had three children together. Their son Cesar was killed six years ago.

Guzman's current wife Coronel Aispuro, 29, doesn't hold back in flaunting her riches on social media, recently showing off a lavish Barbie themed birthday party she threw for her twin daughters in Sinaloa.

Guzman is believed to have at least 15 children. A federal source said 'there may be more.'

In addition to the hefty bill facing El Chapo and his family, his defense has already suffered a setback, before trial has even officially begun,

Top Sinaloa Cartel lieutenant Vicente Zambada pleaded guilty to trafficking conspiracy in Chicago on Friday, and is expected to cooperate with prosecutors.Twice before in the past century, French and German military chiefs had come as bitter enemies to the humble railway carriage in a forest clearing in order to end their fighting.

But yesterday the two nations political leaders met at the same place, in Compiegne north of Paris, in a poignant symbol of their reconciliation.

Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel held hands and stood with heads together after they unveiled a plaque and signed a guestbook at the highly symbolic site.

Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel held hands and stood with heads together after they unveiled a plaque and signed a guestbook at the highly symbolic site in Compiegne, France

It was in exactly the same location 100 years ago that Marshal Foch, who had been using the wood-panelled dining car as an office, signed the Armistice agreement with Germany that marked the end of the First World War.

The carriage was moved to a museum but Adolf Hitler insisted it be returned to Compiegne when Nazi Germany defeated France in 1940, as he took revenge for what he saw as his countrys humiliation at the end of the previous war.

He sat in Fochs seat as the French prepared to sign the terms of their surrender, and according to one eyewitness his face was afire with scorn, anger, hate, revenge, triumph.

The carriage was later destroyed but a replica has since been built at what is now a war memorial known as the Glade of the Armistice.

Yesterday marked the first time a German leader had visited the site since the end of the Second World War.The Great War is slipping beyond the fringes of living memory, and its incalculable losses will never be reconciled.

Still our desire to honour the fallen, the glorious dead, burns fierce. Now more than ever.

Today, exactly a century since silence fell across the Western Front, when villages, towns and cities erupted in noisy, spontaneous relief, the country will come together to salute the sacrifice of the First World War generation.

There will be joyous ringing bells and the sober call of bugles. And beacons and torches lighting all four corners of the land. Peoples processions will give thanks and, in churches and cathedrals, those gathered will remember.

More than 500 people attend a candlelit vigil at a service marking the end of the First World War at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire

And amid it all, stilling the nation at 11am, will be that great rectangle of Portland stone in Whitehall. The Cenotaph has long given succour to those whose husbands, sons, brothers, friends and relations died during the war without a known grave. Today, the eyes of the world will be upon it.

They will also fall on Big Ben, silent since August last year due to renovation, but whose bell will sound 11 times at 11am, reflecting the events on the same day 100 years ago when it sprang to life after four years dormancy.

The act of commemoration began yesterday as:

The Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London;

More than 500 people attended a candlelit vigil at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire;

Prince Harry laid a wreath at Twickenham before Englands rugby Test match against New Zealand and met the descendants of two former England captains who died in the war;

The leaders of former enemies France and Germany came together at the site where the agreement that ended the war was signed.

When the nation falls silent today, Grace Jones, at 112 the oldest person in the country, will reflect not only on the pain the war wrought but also on the optimism of its end.

Yesterday, she recalled the heady day 100 years ago when peace broke out.

At the Albert Hall were, from left, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, Tim Laurence, Princess Anne, Prince Michael of Kent, the Queen, an unknown guest, the Duke of Kent, Prince Charles, Prince Edward and the Countess Of Wessex, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Andrew, and the Duchess and Duke of Sussex. In the next box are Theresa and Philip May

There were people with Union Jacks, screaming and laughing, and singing, she said. My eldest sister took me down where the cars were  there were no cars where I lived  to see the people dancing all in the road and on the tram cars, the open ones, singing away. It was lovely.

Few alive at the time were left untouched by grief. Grace, originally from Liverpool, experienced harrowing loss and this morning, as well as remembering the Armistice celebrations, she will bring to mind the brother she idolised, Tom, who died at Gallipoli.

He was a lovely brother, that was a very sad time, she said. [My father] went upstairs to his own room, I crept up after him. He was just sitting there crying. It was a big loss to him, his only son.

On the eve of the commemorations, the Queen led senior Royals at the annual Festival of Remembrance, which included a performance from Sir Tom Jones.

Earlier Theresa May, who on Friday was in Belgium to honour those who died at the Somme, paid a personal tribute to a relative, saying: I will think of Hubert Grant, my fathers cousin who fought and died at Passchendaele at the age of just 19, but also the millions of sacrifices made for the security and peace of our continent.

This graphic shows how Armistice Day will be commemorated in London and around the country today

Yesterday was a day of unity. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron came together at the site 48 miles north of Paris where the Armistice was signed.

Elsewhere, other world leaders paid their respects in France but one man was conspicuously absent, and remained in his hotel room.

Donald Trump was already in a bad mood when Air Force One landed in Paris on Friday night because Mr Macron had upset him, but then cancelled plans to visit an American cemetery due to bad weather  a move that prompted widespread disbelief.

When the worlds attention switches to Britain today, one of the most poignant images will be the sand tributes to the fallen, including the poet Wilfred Owen, etched on to 32 beaches across Britain and washed away as the tide comes in. Its a metaphor for life, said artist Jamie Wardley, who worked with film director Danny Boyle on the project.

Its there and then its gone.'A little dog has been given the ride of her life after her owner wanted to show her the sights of America before she died from cancer.

Mayor of Attleboro, Paul Heroux, was devastated after learning his best friend and companion, Mura, a 10-year-old Japanese wolf dog, had just months to live.

He was supposed to head on vacation to the Middle East but instead cancelled the trip and deciding to take his terminally ill dog on trip of a lifetime in an effort to make the most of the time they had left.

Massachusetts mayor Paul Heroux went on a cross-country road trip with his dog, Mura

10-year-old dog, Mura, had an aggressive blood cancer and so her owner cancelled his vacation overseas for a road trip here at home

The pair drove from Massachusetts across to California and up to Canada

The pair had the chance to visit Mount Rushmore in western South Dakota

'Rather than going to the Middle East for a vacation and spend time away from her, I decided to take a road trip to meet her breeder in British Columbia Canada,' he said.

'With chemotherapy, I have about a 50 percent chance of six months, I have a 10 percent chance of one year left with Mura,' Heroux told NBC 10 News.

'Mura doesn't know she has terminal cancer so don't tell her. Just let her think she is the little princess that she is going for the best ride of her life. Dogs love to go for a ride,' he wrote on Facebook.

The pair began their cross-country road trip just a couple of weeks ago on October 28 taking in the sights and smells of 24 states, historic landmarks - taking plenty of photos, videos and doggie selfies along the way.

The pair too pictures of the trip wherever they ended up and posted them to Facebook

Mura and Paul ended up visiting 24 states as they traveled from East to West and back again

How many dogs can say they've traveled all the way from Massachusetts to Montana by car?

The pair made stops at Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park before reaching British Columbia. From there, Heroux drove south to visit his alma mater, the University of South California, before heading to the Grand Canyon.

Heroux and Mura went down to San Francisco and took a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Mura also walked around Hollywood and along the walk of fame.

The duo also stopped at the Oklahoma City Memorial and the St. Louis arch before making their way home back to Massachusetts.

'Several people that have gone through the same situation, losing their dog to cancer, said, 'Just make sure that you give her the best few months of her life left'', Heroux said. 'And I took that to heart.

Paul and Mura seemed to savor every moment together including some time in Hollywood, CA

Sura got to walk along the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and look for Lassie's star

Mura got to see some of the country's most iconic sights including the Grand Canyon

The pair even ventured into Canada and got to see the magnificent Niagara Falls at night

They even stopped off at some more less obscure sights like the St. Louis Arch

Heroux has been consistently sharing stories from their adventure on Facebook and has received thousands of comments in support of the trip.

'I had no idea this would turn into a thing. I just went for a ride with my dog and did some sightseeing on my way,' he told Fox News.

There have been some amusing posts during the trip. On one, Heroux wrote: 'Filling up my gas tank: $40. Staying in a sketchy hotel: $60. The look on Mura's face after she just ate a nasty freeway gas station hot dog: Priceless.'

Mura has been by Heroux's side for ten years. The pair campaigned together when Mura was seeking re-election and she is a familiar sight at Attleboro's animal-friendly City Hall.

Soon it was time to head back home, left, as the duo enter New York State

'We knocked on doors together, went to schools together,' Heroux said.

Paul says he can tell that Mura really enjoyed the trip and he hopes to write a children's book about her adventures

Heroux is also a big animal advocate. Working with the police department, he began a 'zero tolerance' policy for people who leave their pets in hot cars.

Mura had been in and out of surgery, but has been in good spirits during the trip.

'I feel that she bonded with me in a way that we haven't ever been able to before,' he said. 'She definitely enjoyed the trip. I know my dog really well and this was a very nice time for her,' he added.

Heroux says he made a whole host of new memories with his faithful friend over the last 12 days as they traveled 8,500 miles together, and says he is grateful for the unconditional love he has received for a decade.

Heroux says he plans to write a children's book about the pair's adventure.

'She is family,' he said. 'She is the most precious thing in the world to me and she always has been.'Emergencies services have rushed to a beach along the west coast of Australia following a shark attack.

A man was at Pyramids Beach at Dawesville, a suburb in Mandurah on Sunday when he was bitten at 8.50am.

St John Ambulance crew arrived on scene before a RAC rescue helicopter lifted the injured man to be treated at Royal Perth Hospital.

Emergencies services have rushed to a beach along the west coast of Australia following a shark attack

A surfer was at Pyramids Beach at Dawesville, a suburb in Mandurah this morning

Western Australia police told reporters the injury was non-life threatening, and a St John spokesperson confirmed the man was injured on the lower part of his leg.

It is believed the man was body-boarding at the time and resting when a school of salmon swam by.

'The shark alarm went off and I raced there with a couple of guys, the surf lifesavers were already there,' Damian Baker told Fairfax Media.

'He had been attacked on the lower part of the leg, with a couple of meaty bites.'

The body boarder managed to pull himself onto rocks while his friend ran for assistance.

St John Ambulance area manager Brendan Saich arrived at the beach after lifesavers had carried the injured man to the Port Bouvard SLSC first aid room.

'When I got there his foot had already been exposed and pre-wrapped again,' he told Perth Now.

'I didnt see his injuries but the crews said it was some lacerations to his left foot.'

A board-riding competition that was being held that morning was immediately shut down following the attack.

Surf Life Saving Australia WA have since closed the beach.

A similar shark attack happened at the beach in 2015, when an 18-year-old was bitten on the foot.

According to Mandurah Mail last year, 15 people have died from shark attacks along the Western Australian coast since 2000.

Mandurah man Ben Gerring fell victim to a fatal shark attack at nearby Falcon Beach in May 2016.

Doreen Collyer died in June the same year while diving a kilometre out from Mindarie Marina.

Laeticia Brouwer passed away in November 2017, after a similar attack near Esperance.

The topic of protection in the area has been taken up numerous times in the past, with debate as to whether or not install drumlines.

Surf Life Saving WA had tweeted earlier in the morning of a shark sighting and warned fisheries to be careful

Surf Life Saving Australia WA have since closed the beach

More to comeMichael Perry, a 38-year-old father-of-two, is a former drug dealer who runs a programme targeting at-risk youths

New York is now the safest city in the US  and one of the crucial weapons in the war on crime there is a cyber-mediator who scours the web for escalating threats.

Teams of police already monitor social media sites, which amplify and accelerate online conflicts so they can spill over into real-life violence. Hundreds of gang members have been charged using evidence from such pages.

Running alongside the polices efforts is a system of civilian violence interrupters, developed with the non-profit Citizens Crime Commission of New York City. Michael Perry, a 38-year-old father-of-two, is a former drug dealer who runs a programme targeting at-risk youth on Staten Island. He builds relationships with those caught up in gang warfare.

Mediators such as Mr Perry decipher signs of trouble  between so-called cyber-bangers  and counter flare-ups before trouble starts.

Hes a constant presence on the street and one of many extra pairs of eyes that monitor social media and intervene in online fights that could escalate into violence. Theres a lot of peer pressure on young men to be tough guys, to be territorial and hyper-masculine, and when they feel disrespected on social media, they take it to the streets, he says.

Our job is to intervene  well message them or call them up or go to a meeting place thats been arranged and try to cool things down. Often its not about big things, it might be about a girl  but then it escalates into something bigger.

We broker peace agreements and we check that theyre being kept. Our job is to re-tool and re-wire brains because these kids are often confused. We tell them its OK to be the cool guy who goes to school and just does his thing  he doesnt have to be the tough guy.

In Mr Perrys neighbourhood, where about a third of the community lives below the poverty level, the programme has paid off. We average seven to eight violence interruptions a month and so far weve had 570 days without a homicide, he says.

In the past, wed have had six to eight fatal shootings or stabbings every couple of months.She has sold 50million worth of cookbooks and fronted dozens of hit TV cookery shows.

But Nigella Lawson claims she had to start life again after divorcing aged 53  including having to take out a mortgage and work to pay the bills.

The cook, now 58, said she struggled financially following her much-publicised split from advertising boss Charles Saatchi after ten years of marriage.

Nigella Lawson, 58, above, has sold 50million worth of cookbooks and fronted dozens of hit TV cookery shows. She said in an interview she only does a TV programme every other year

She moved out of the couples 25million mansion, buying herself a 5million townhouse in West London  with, to her horror, a home loan.

She said: I had to start my life again at 53, get a mortgage at an age when youre supposed to be paying it all off.

I do have to work. But I only do a TV programme every other year. Its not like Im there all the time.

She moved out of the couples 25million mansion, buying herself a 5million townhouse in West London, above, with a pink kitchen

Mr Saatchi was pictured with his hands on a tearful Miss Lawsons throat during an argument outside Scotts restaurant in Mayfair, central London, in June 2013.

The couple split a month later. Neither made a financial claim against the other during their divorce proceedings, and as a result of the undefended divorce, they reached a private financial settlement.

Both are thought to have kept their own assets from the 150million they jointly owned.

Mr Saatchi was pictured with his hands on a tearful Miss Lawsons throat during an argument outside Scotts restaurant in Mayfair, central London, in June 2013

But only around 20million of this was Miss Lawsons, with Mr Saatchi owning the rest, including the 25million Belgravia property.

Miss Lawsons financial situation cannot have been helped by recently being dropped as the face of tea brand Typhoo.

The company is said to be aiming at a younger audience after seeing sales slump 26 per cent, according to industry magazine The Grocer.

Miss Lawson was married to Mr Saatchi, one half of advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, for ten years before the restaurant pictures emerged.

Mr Saatchi, 70, accepted a police caution for assault over the argument, just hours after dismissing it as a playful tiff and claiming his wife was only crying because she hated it when they rowed.

Miss Lawson, author of How To Be A Domestic Goddess and presenter of Nigella Bites, also told food magazine Noble Rot of her pain over the death of fellow TV chef Anthony Bourdain in June.

She was previously married to the late journalist John Diamond, with whom she has two children.More than $35,000 has been raised in just 15 hours for a homeless hero who stepped in to help police take down a rampaging terrorist.

Michael Rogers astonished millions after videos emerged of him taking on Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, 30, as the jihadi slashed at police officers with a knife in Melbourne's Bourke Street.

He has since been praised for his bravery online and affectionately nicknamed the 'Trolley Man' and was even seen being thanked by police.

CEO and founder of Melbourne Homeless Collective Donna Stolzenberg established a GoFundMe page in order to help Mr Rogers 'get back on his feet'.

The hero bystander who attempted to take down a knife-wielding terrorist using a shopping trolley during Friday's horrific attack on Bourke Street says he doesn't see himself as a hero (pictured)

More than $35,000 has been raised in just 15 hours for the homeless hero who stepped in to help police take down the Bourke Street terrorist

'On November 9 2018 an incredible man named Michael Rogers from Melbourne, now known as 'Trolleyman', put his own life at risk to stop a terrorist who was on a rampage,' Ms Stolzenberg wrote.

'Mr Rogers bravely shoved a shopping trolley at the terrorist in an attempt to assist police in his capture.'

'We've since learned that our hero 'Trolleyman' homeless and that his phone was destroyed in the incident. We believe his efforts deserve a reward that can really help him out.'

Ms Stolzenberg had an initial goal of $15,000 but in the 15 hours the page has been active it has surpassed it and reached $35,000 and is quickly rising.

Mr Rogers, 46, repeatedly rammed Ali with a shopping trolley after the Somalian stabbed three people, killing one.

The humble homeless man, who broke his mobile phone fighting off Ali, was found sitting on a bench just 500 metres from the scene of Friday's attack in Melbourne.

He told 7News he didn't see his actions as heroic but believes they may have helped to save lives.

'I've seen the trolley at the side and so I picked it up and ran,' he said, while imitating the action.

'I threw the trolley straight at him, and I got him. I didn't quite get him down, though.

'I did that motion quite a number of times but it just wasn't getting him down.'

A bystander has been hailed a hero after he attempted to take down a knife-wielding man using a shopping trolley during Friday's horrific attack on Melbourne's Bourke Street

CEO and founder of Melbourne Homeless Collective Donna Stolzenberg established a GoFundMe page in order to help Mr Rogers 'get back on his feet' (pictured)

Mr Rogers' phone shattered during the melee, but he said it was a small price to pay to defend his city.

But not all police officers were happy with his efforts, with Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton urging civilians to avoid putting their lives at risk like Mr Rogers did.

But police say they want to avoid copy-cat scenarios in potential future incidents.

Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said authorities had spoken with Mr Rogers, but the public should not be putting themselves on the front line in dangerous situations.

'Look, you just have to be a bit careful about  in that situation how close you do get  because he could have been injured himself,' Mr Ashton told Weekend Today on Saturday morning.

'But certainly he was acting in the spur of the moment and looking to support the police.

Mr Roger's phone shattered during the melee, but he said it was a small price to pay to defend his city

After confronting Ali, officers retreated to the other side of the road as the bearded attacker with a shaved head and dressed in a long brown tunic, pursued them as horrified bystanders called on police to shoot him

'There was a number of people that did that and we are always grateful when the community are supporting our police members.'

Mr Rogers received an outpouring of public support online and from civilians in the street, with people telling him he was 'a hero', and 'a champion'.

'Extraordinary and humbling. So many people look upon the homeless (if they even look at all) with disdain and, sometimes, even fear, yet this man, who doesn't even have a home, risked the only thing he has - his life - to keep strangers safe,' one person said.

Another said: 'Trolley man is everything great about Australia. He's not running away. He's helping in a crisis, and he's doing it in a ridiculous but effective way.'

'Total respect to the shopping trolley hero trying to take down a mad knife man with nothing but a metal basket on not very good wheels,' one person tweeted.

'Incredible work by police in Melbourne but also bystanders - one using a trolley to try subdue the man,' another said.

'Cops trying to take down man armed with knife. Passerby seems to be trying to take him out with a shopping trolley!' one comment said.The drug cartel allegedly run by notorious former drug lord El Chapo is still thriving despite the former kingpin being on trial thousands of miles away - and it is claimed they are looking to expand to Australia.

The man known officially as Joaquin Guzman is currently being held in New York where he is on trial for allegedly running the world's largest drug-trafficking operation even while behind bars in Mexico.

Brave Sunday Night reporter Steve Pennells has ventured inside the dangerous Sinaloa Cartel to find out if it was still business as usual in their accused leader's absence.

Sinaloa is ranked as more dangerous by the US than Syria and Afghanistan.

Scroll down for video

The drug cartel allegedly run by notorious former drug lord El Chapo (pictured) is still thriving despite the former kingpin being on trial thousands of miles away - and it is claimed they are looking to expand to Australia

In a segment due to air on Sunday evening, Pennells visited a drug enforcement agent in Chicago who helped to snare El Chapo in 2014.

The journalist also went to the Mexican prison from which Guzman was able to escape in 2014.

The enforcement agent told Pennells the cartel were planning to set up warehouses in Australia to store imported drugs.

An equally shocking revelation from his investigation came in a shack in the central American country.

His guides - one wearing a ski mask and one with a Pablo Escabar mask - showed Pennells 360kg of pure cocaine stacked against a wall.

In a sneak peek of the show, Pennells can be seen sat in front of the two masked men and revealing the haul of drugs was worth an eye-watering AUD$108 million.

Journalist Jeremy Pennells was led to a remote shack by two guides - one wearing a ski mask and one with a Pablo Escabar mask - and showed 360kg of pure cocaine stacked against a wall (three stacks pictured)

In a sneak peek of the show, Pennells can be seen sat in front of the two masked men (pictured) and revealing the haul of drugs was worth an eye-watering AUD$108 million

An enforcement agent told Pennells the cartel were planning to set up warehouses in Australia to store imported drugs (stock image - not real drugs)

Pennells added: '''It's going to be loaded on a boat tonight," they tell us, "Come".'

In Guzman's trial meanwhile, dozens of potential jurors have been dismissed.

One of them was rejected because they wanted the notorious criminal's autograph.

U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan was also forced to dismiss 17 people including five who said they would be scared for their safety if they were selected.

El Chapo Inc. will air on Sunday at 8.15pm on Channel 7.Toyah Cordingley, 24, was murdered on Wangetti Beach on October 21. Her body was found the next day

Locals in a far north Queensland town gathered together on Sunday to renew their vow to find the person who killed a 24-year-old pharmacy worker on the sand last month.

The group were attending a healing ceremony, and two speakers expressed the hurt and fury still felt throughout the Wangetti and Cairns community.

Less than a month ago, Toyah Cordingley was brutally murdered in the sand dunes of Wangetti Beach.

She had arrived on the sand to walk her boyfriend's dog Jersey about 2pm when she disappeared.

Ms Cordingley was reported missing that night and her father Troy found her body the next morning.

Since then, Wangetti Beach and its surrounds have been virtually deserted.

David 'Prong' Trimble, who is close to Ms Cordingley's family, earlier said in the two weeks after the young woman's death, he was able to count the amount of people on Wangetti Beach and its neighbouring shorefronts 'on two hands'.

Dozens of Wangetti Beach locals participated in a healing ceremony on Sunday, to honour Ms Cordingley

The beach has been near-deserted since the pharmacy worker was brutally murdered last month

Locals spoke of their hurt and pain as they participated in an indigenous healing smoking ceremony

'Usually you've got cars, people, dogs, on those beaches there, but I reckon I could count 10 people on 20 different beaches,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'I've never seen it so bare. My wife won't walk around by herself anymore. It's changed people's ways, their lives.

'Out at Wangetti, there's a little township. They were very free and easy living people, and now they've all bought security screens and doors, it's changed the way they lived.'

At the ceremony, a woman told the group she had been coming to Wangetti Beach for 'more than 40 years', and said the heinous crime committed on the sand would stick in the minds of residents forever.

'We love Wangetti Beach,' she said. We drive past Wangetti Beach. We will obviously always think about this,' she said.

'That's why it's so important to have this healing ceremony, so all of us who feel powerless and voiceless can band together and condemn this brutal act.'

During the moving tribute, the group also renewed their determination to find the person responsible for killing the beloved young woman

Ms Cordingley's family approved of the event, but are not believed to have attended

Roses were handed out to guests, and some brought their own flower to release into the water at the conclusion of the ceremony

Locals have avoided the beach and its surrounding shorefronts in the past few weeks, as they struggle to come to terms with the horrific acts that took place on the sand

Organiser Bronwyn Farr compared Wangetti's hunt for Ms Cordingley's killer to Daniel Morcombe's father's hunt for his son's killer.

In a victim impact statement read out at his son's killer's sentencing, Mr Morcombe told Brett Peter Cowan he made one mistake the day he decided to kill Daniel.

'You picked on the wrong family,' he said. 'Our collective determination to find Daniel and expose a child killer was always going to win.'

'The perpetrator of this crime has picked the wrong community,' Bronwyn told the crowd. 'This isn't who we are in far north Queensland.'

'Every woman anywhere has the right to safety - in public or private space. it is absurd that you take your dog for a walk on a Sunday afternoon and don't return.

'It's been three weeks since Toyah stepped onto this beach. This perpetrator will be caught - it's only a matter of time.

Residents of all ages were seen at the ceremony, showing a great community determination to bring Ms Cordingley's killer to justice

Organiser Bronwyn Farr said the person behind the crime had 'picked the wrong community' to mess with

Sunday marks three weeks since Ms Cordingley disappeared while walking her boyfriend's dog at Wangetti Beach

'Someone, somewhere, knows something. Someone, somewhere, is feeling very uncomfortable right now.

'How long can they live with themselves?'

After the speeches, each person held hands along the beach before stepping forward to place a flower into the ocean.

A spokesman for Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday there had been 802 Crime Stoppers reports, which he classified as a 'good response'.

'It shows we have a lot of community support,' he said. 'Now we just need that one piece of the puzzle.'

Officers are still working through lines of enquiry based on the multitude of calls, but are yet to publicly announce any suspects or make any arrests.

If anyone was in the Cairns/ Wangetti Beach area on October 21 and saw anything suspicious, they are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a report online.

The crowd threw their flowers into the ocean at the end of the ceremony (pictured)Remarkable cell phone video shows a Northern California man calmly drive out of the raging wildfire while keeping his three-year-old daughter calm on a jam-packed highway.

Joe Allen is behind the wheel of his car and his three-year-old daughter is in the back seat on Thursday.

The family was evacuating their home in Paradise, California - about 90 miles north of Sacramento.

Allens car was stuck in traffic on the Skyway, which appeared to be engulfed in flames because of the devastating Camp Fire.

Remarkable cell phone video shows a Northern California man calmly drive out of the raging wildfire while keeping his three-year-old daughter calm on a jam-packed highway

Joe Allen is behind the wheel of his car and his three-year-old daughter is in the back seat on Thursday. The family was evacuating their home in Paradise, California - about 90 miles north of Sacramento

Allens car was stuck in traffic on the Skyway, which appeared to be engulfed in flames because of the devastating Camp Fire

The wooded area surrounding the highway appeared to be devastated by fire, and the visibility was minimal.

Sparks of flames were seen flying all around in what appeared to be an apocalyptic scene.

But Allen remained remarkably calm throughout as his daughter grew concerned that they, too, would fall victim to the fire.

Theres so much fire here, she tells her dad.

Hey, guess what? her father says, trying to reassure her.

Sparks of flames were seen flying all around in what appeared to be an apocalyptic scene. But Allen remained remarkably calm throughout as his daughter grew concerned that they, too, would fall victim to the fire

Were not gonna catch on fire, ok? Were gonna stay away from it.

And well be just fine, ok? Were doing alright.

Allen then begins to sing, lightening the mood and relieving the tension even further.

Baby itll be alright, he sings.

The little girl then says: We cant see my mom.

We should go back home, she says.

The dad replies: Were gonna get out, OK? Were gonna leave.

Were gonna get fire, the girl says.

No, were gonna get out of here. And were gonna come back when it gets more Princess Poppy, OK? the dad says.

As the bumper-to-bumper traffic jam dissipates, the dad says: Look, were past it. Were out of it, ok?

Allens wife, Whitney, posted the video to her Facebook page, where it went viral. It has, as of late Saturday, generated more than 90,000 views; 1,300 shares, and 800 reactions. The Allen family has also started two GoFundMe campaigns

But Allen remained remarkably calm throughout as his daughter grew concerned that they, too, would fall victim to the fire

Yay! the girl exclaims.

You did it! You did it! she says to her dad.

We did it together! the dad says.

Allens wife, Whitney, posted the video to her Facebook page, where it went viral.

It has, as of late Saturday, generated more than 90,000 views; 1,300 shares, and 800 reactions.

The Allen family has also started two GoFundMe campaigns.

The fire in Paradise has destroyed many homes and businesses, nothing is left of the town my family has called home for their whole lives, one of the GoFundMe campaigns reads.

On Saturday, the charred remains of 14 more people were found in and around Paradise, raising the death toll to at least 23.

The Camp Fire burned down more than 6,700 homes and businesses in Paradise, more structures than any other California wildfire on record, and the death toll, which could still rise, also makes it one of the deadliest.

Only the Griffith Park Fire in 1933 and Tunnel Fire in 1991 have claimed more lives.

Several of the bodies discovered earlier this week were found in or near burned out cars, police have said.

The flames descended on Paradise so fast that many people were forced to abandon their vehicles and run for their lives down the sole road through the mountain town.

An additional 35 people have been reported missing and three firefighters have been injured. It was not immediately clear if any of the missing were among those found dead.The son of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has threatened to spend money on independent candidates in a bid to oust Liberal MPs in the next election.

Alex Turnbull, a Singapore-based fund manager, said he would throw support behind 'reasonable' candidates who advocate on climate change in key government seats - specifically those held by Barnaby Joyce, Tony Abbott and energy minister Angus Taylor.

Mr Turnbull told Guardian Australia he would spend his own money as well as assist in raising money, claiming that the hurdle to accessing money could be overcome.

Alex Turnbull (pictured), a Singapore-based fund manager, said he would throw support behind 'reasonable' candidates who advocate on climate change

If the National Farmers Federation president Fiona Smith chose to run as an independent in Barnaby Joyce's (pictured) electorate, Mr Turnbull said he would personally donate money to the campaign

'If (the hurdle) is a money thing, you would be surprised at how much could be raised,' he said.

'The issue is, if you are going to win, you need someone with local credibility, who is practical and reasonable. Their only real barriers are cash and organisational support. Cash often solves organisational issues.'

If the National Farmers Federation president Fiona Smith chose to run as an independent in Barnaby Joyce's electorate, Mr Turnbull said he would personally donate money to the campaign.

There have been calls for Ms Smith to run against Mr Joyce but she is yet to have made up her mind.

'Independents can be very constructive and helpful members of parliament, they haven't been brutalised by major party machines,' Mr Turnbull told Guardian Australia.

The younger Turnbull controversially urged voters to support Labor candidate Tim Murray in the Wentworth by-election after his father's axing left the seat vacant.

Mr Turnbull previously urged voters to support Labor candidate Tim Murray in the Wentworth by-election after his father was axed from the top job (pictured: Tony Abbott)

Independent candidates are often restrained by funding - Dr Kerryn Phelps (pictured) who won the historically blue-ribbon Wentworth seat had a budget of $300,000

Independent candidates are often restrained by funding, particularly those running in large rural seats.

In 2016, Cathy McGowan had a budget of $200,000 for her Indi seat which is 28,000 square kilometres.

Dr Kerryn Phelps who won the historically blue-ribbon Wentworth seat had a budget of $300,000.

Appearing on Q&A on Thursday Mr Turnbull's father said that three lower house independents - Ms McGowan, Dr Phelps and Rebekha Sharkie - were 'small-L liberals'.

'So what that's telling you is that the voters are  through voting for these independents  saying, ''We are concerned that the Liberal party is not speaking for small-L liberal values, for genuinely liberal values, and therefore we take the matter in our own hands and we put in a liberal independent'',' Malcolm Turnbull said on Q&A.

Appearing on Q&A on Thursday Mr Turnbull's father Malcolm (pictured) said that three lower house independents - Ms McGowan, Dr Phelps and Rebekha Sharkie - were 'small-L liberals'

The former leader also took aim at the nine Liberal Party 'insurgents' who conspired to depose him during the leadership spill.

He had been answering a question from an audience member - who asked simply why he had been removed as leader.

'The only people that can answer that are the people that engineered the coup  people like Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott and Greg Hunt and Mathias Cormann  the people who voted for the spill,' he said.Noel Hines, 31, allegedly ordered $1,600 worth of Girl Scout Cookies, about 400 boxes, but is refusing to pay for her purchase

A woman from Ohio has been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, literally.

Noel Hines, 31, allegedly accepted a large order for Girl Scout cookies to sell for her daughter's Girl Scout troop in March but when it came time for the bill to be paid, the Girls Scouts of Western Ohio claim they never received any payment.

Girl Scout officials and police say they then tried to contact Hines several times over a period of six months but were never successful at reaching her in order to retrieve the $1,600 that they were owed.

'That's the way the cookie crumbles,' North College Hill police wrote in a Facebook post.

Earlier this week Hines was arrested for unrelated charges and charged with theft at the North College Hill Mayor's court.

The cookies According to the Girl Scouts of America's cookie manual are $4 dollars each  making Hines responsible for around 400 boxes of cookies from her daughter's local troop.

Following 'multiple' attempts over the past six months to contact Hines about the Girl Scout cookies, authorities filed theft charges against the woman (file photo)

The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio said situations regarding theft in their troop are 'infrequent' and 'unfortunate.'

'When we have evidence that an adult misuses troop funds, we pursue vigorously and, when appropriate, contact law enforcement to recover as much money for the troop as possible. This is not something we take lightly,' the company said in a statement.

Hines was arraigned and is scheduled to appear in court on November 28.Saturday Night Lives hilarious cold open featured a melancholy Jeff Sessions departing his Attorney Generals post by channeling Adele.

The sketch begins with White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders going to the Department of Justice and looking for Sessions.

Sanders is played by SNL cast member Aidy Bryant while Sessions is portrayed by castmate Kate McKinnon.

Sesions is seen climbing out from underneath the desk.

Saturday Night Lives hilarious cold open featured a melancholy Jeff Sessions (seen above played by cast member Kate McKinnon) departing his Attorney Generals post by channeling Adele

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders (played by Aidy Bryant, left) walks into Sessions' office. Sessions is hiding underneath his desk

Sanders is there to inform Sessions that the new Acting Attorney General, Matthew Whitaker, needed to move into his office

Oh, boy, you got me, Sessions tells Sanders. I was just hiding out hoping to give the new attorney general a real scare

The skit shows Sessions unhappy about his dismissal and wondering what he did wrong

Oh, boy, you got me, Sessions tells Sanders.

I was just hiding out hoping to give the new attorney general a real scare.

Sessions was fired from the post by President Donald Trump, who elevated his former chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, to acting Attorney General.

This is Matthew Whitakers office now, Jeff, Sanders tells a disappointed Sessions.

I know, a dejected Sessions says.

I dont understand how Mr. Trump could replace me with Matt Whitaker.

Vice President Mike Pence, played by Beck Bennett, then walks in and asks Sessions if hes going to be okay

He then shows Pence his cute mug which has a Confederate flag and the phrase: Its not about hatred. Its about heritage. Sessions then pulls out a second secret mug inside which reads: J.K. It is about hatred

Sessions then wonders why he was given the axe. I put kids in cages, he tells Pence. I said no to gays. What more do yall want?

Hes just a city businessman with no experience whos blindly loyal to Donald Trump...OK, hearing it out loud that makes sense.

Im sorry it has to end this way, Sanders tells Sessions. Were gonna need you to clear out this desk.

Luckily I still got the box I was born in, Sessions says while wiping away a tear.

Im sorry, I promised myself I wasnt going to cry, the fired Attorney General says. Itll signal weakness and a hawk is going to come and grab me.

Sessions then hands over his White House ID. It shows Sessions with demonic looking eyes.

I look so young, right? Sessions says.

Sanders then exits the room to give Sessions some moments alone before he leaves.

Sessions reaches out to grab Sanders as she leaves, but to no avail.

Goodbye office, Sessions says as melancholy music begins to play in the background.

We sure did have some good times here during my almost 16 months as the Attorney General, Sessions says.

He then holds up a copy of his Bible and says: I testified a lot of bad things with this book.

After Pence leaves, Sessions is paid a visit by the bumbling Trump brothers - Eric and Don Jr. Eric (right) is played by Alex Moffat and Don Jr is played by Mikey Day

Don Jr tells Sessions he shouldve stopped the Mueller investigation a long time ago. Are we gonna get some penis? Eric says. But Don Jr corrects him, saying: I told you, its subpoenas, not some penis

That means you could go to jail, Don Jr tells his brother, who adds: Where you could get some penis

Eric then shows Sessions a picture for your bye bye. The picture shows a turkey in the shape of a hand with the middle finger extended

Sessions then holds up a picture of his family tree - which is really a tree that was his familys home.

That was my room, Sessions says as he points to one of the branches.

He then holds up a copy of Fear, the book by famed reporter Bob Woodward.

Sessions points to the page in the book where the President calls me mentally retarded.

He then holds up a trophy for winning the NAACPs first ironic award.

It says lifetime achievement - parenthesis sarcastic, Sessions says.

Vice President Mike Pence, played by Beck Bennett, then walks in and asks Sessions if hes going to be okay.

Ive saved acorns for the long winter, Sessions replies.

He then shows Pence his cute mug which has a Confederate flag and the phrase: Its not about hatred. Its about heritage.

Sessions then pulls out a second secret mug inside which reads: J.K. It is about hatred.

Thats fun to show for very specific visitors, Sessions tells Pence.

Sessions then wonders why he was given the axe.

I put kids in cages, he tells Pence. I said no to gays. What more do yall want?

I heard the words gays and cages and I went somewhere crazy, Pence says. And my Apple Watch says Im having a heart attack.

Sessions then continues showing office mementos that he is packing up prior to his departure. A letter from Coretta Scott King calling me a sonna b****, he says as he holds up the framed lette

Sessions begins to reminisce, talking about how hes going to miss his colleagues at the Justice Department, particularly those with whom he chat around the water cooler. Sessions then pulls out his water cooler - which is a water bottle used in hamster cages

Well, I really did my best Mr. Trump, Sessions says, holding up a photo of Trump as spoofed by Alec Baldwin. Baldwin did not make an appearance on the show. He was arrested last week and charged with assault and harassment after an altercation over a parking spot in New York City

As Sessions holds the Trump portrait, he begins to sing Adeles Someone Like You

During his singing, clips of Trump and Sessions from past skits begins to play in a thought cloud

In real life, Sessions was a passionate supporter of Trump and his agenda

The skit highlights Sessions' devotion to Trump while noting that the President hardly returned the favor

Pence then leaves and Sessions once again reaches out to try to grab him, but to no avail.

Sessions then continues showing office mementos that he is packing up prior to his departure.

A letter from Coretta Scott King calling me a sonna b****, he says as he holds up the framed letter.

Sessions also shows the keys he uses to get Mr. Trumps attention during meetings.

At this point, Eric and Donald Trump Jr walk in. Eric is played by Alex Moffat and Don Jr is played by Mikey Day.

Don Jr tells Sessions he shouldve stopped the Mueller investigation a long time ago.

Are we gonna get some penis? Eric says.

But Don Jr corrects him, saying: I told you, its subpoenas, not some penis.

That means you could go to jail, Don Jr tells his brother, who adds: Where you could get some penis.

Eric then shows Sessions a picture for your bye bye.

Dad helped him with it, Don Jr says.

The picture shows a turkey in the shape of a hand with the middle finger extended.

Happy Thanksgiving, Eric says.

The Trump boys then depart, leaving Sessions alone once again.

Sessions once again goes into his reminiscent mode, talking about how hes going to miss his colleagues at the Justice Department, particularly those with whom he chat around the water cooler.

Sessions then pulls out his water cooler - which is a water bottle used in hamster cages.

Well, I really did my best Mr. Trump, Sessions says, holding up a photo of Trump as spoofed by Alec Baldwin.

Baldwin did not make an appearance on the show. He was arrested last week and charged with assault and harassment after an altercation over a parking spot in New York City.

As Sessions holds the Trump portrait, he begins to sing Adeles Someone Like You. During his singing, clips of Trump and Sessions in skits begins to play in a thought cloud.

As Sessions is prepared to leave the office for good, in walks Special Counsel Robert Mueller, portrayed by Robert De Niro

You cant arrest me, I quit sir, Sessions tells him. He then asks Mueller for a little taste of whats in the report. In real life, recent reports this week indicate that Mueller is working on the final report in the Russia investigation

Mueller says he cant do that, though he does acknowledge that Sessions is mentioned a little bit

Mueller then hands Sessions a piece of toilet paper from the bottom of Trumps shoe. Earlier this year, Trump was photographed boarding Air Force One with toilet paper stuck to his shoe

Ill treasure this, he tells Mueller, who replies: Youre a weird little dude, Jeff'

Sessions then tells Mueller that with this new Attorney General, you might be out of a job soon, too

Sessions and Mueller then finish the duet. Dont you worry, Im still gonna be a little stinker, Sessions says

As Sessions is prepared to leave the office for good, in walks Special Counsel Robert Mueller, portrayed by Robert De Niro.

Sessions then gets nervous.

You cant arrest me, I quit sir, Sessions tells him.

He then asks Mueller for a little taste of whats in the report.

In real life, recent reports this week indicate that Mueller is working on the final report in the Russia investigation.

Mueller says he cant do that, though he does acknowledge that Sessions is mentioned a little bit.

What about the President? Sessions asks.

A lot of bit, Mueller says.

Mueller then hands Sessions a piece of toilet paper from the bottom of Trumps shoe.

Earlier this year, Trump was photographed boarding Air Force One with toilet paper stuck to his shoe.

Ill treasure this, he tells Mueller, who replies: Youre a weird little dude, Jeff.

Sessions then tells Mueller that with this new Attorney General, you might be out of a job soon, too.

Sessions and Mueller then finish the duet.

Dont you worry, Im still gonna be a little stinker, Sessions says.Florida Governor Rick Scott has filed three lawsuits against county officials involved in the recount of ballots as a Palm Beach County administrator says they probably won't make the recount deadlines.

Scott's campaign filed the suits over his virtual dead-heat race for the Senate against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

One lawsuit is aimed at Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher.

Bucher said that she doesn't believe her department will be able to meet the state's Thursday deadline to complete the recount, throwing into question what would happen to votes there.

She blamed the issue on aging equipment.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has filed three lawsuits against county officials involved in the recount of ballots as a Palm Beach County official says they probably won't make the recount deadlines

One lawsuit is aimed at Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher (pictured in blue). Bucher said that she doesn't believe her department will be able to meet the state's Thursday deadline to complete the recount

Scott filed a separate lawsuit late on Saturday against Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes (left). Snipes is being accused by Scott of counting ballots that were submitted after the Saturday noon deadline

Scott's lawsuit on Sunday targeted the election supervisors in Democratic-leaning Broward and Palm Beach counties.

It asked a judge to issue an emergency injunction for the county sheriffs and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to seize all voting machines, tallying devices and ballots when they are not being used until the end the end of the recount and any related litigation is over.

According to Florida law, if a county does not submit their results by the deadline, the results on file at the time take their place.

Scott filed a separate lawsuit late on Saturday against Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes.

Snipes is being accused by Scott of counting ballots that were submitted after the Saturday noon deadline, according to CNN.

Scott's lawsuit is asking the judge to order that any ballots counted after noon on Saturday be disregarded, saying that to include them would break state law.

'The Broward and Palm Beach County Supervisors of Elections has already demonstrated a blatant disregard for Florida's elections laws, making it more important than ever that we continue to do everything possible to prevent fraud and ensure this recount is operated responsibly,' Chris Hartline, a spokesman for Scott's campaign, said in a statement.

An automatic recount was triggered after Tuesday's election result showed Scott leading by just a tiny margin. In the Senate race, Scott's lead over Nelson (left) is 0.14 percentage points

Democrat protesters confront pro-Republican protesters outside the Broward County Supervisor Elections office

Protesters demonstrate outside the Broward County Supervisor of Elections office

The lawsuits also request both supervisors preserve all ballots and records related to the 2018 election.

An automatic recount was triggered after Tuesday's election result showed Scott leading by just a tiny margin.

In the Senate race, Scott's lead over Nelson is 0.14 percentage points.

State law requires a machine recount in races where the margin is less than 0.5 percentage points.

Once completed, if the differences in any of the races are 0.25 percentage points or below, a hand recount will be ordered.

Nelson blasted Scott on Sunday over the lawsuits, saying the legal actions were designed 'to stop every legal vote from being counted'.

'He's doing this for the same reason he's been making false and panicked claims about voter fraud - he's worried that when all the votes are counted he'll lose this election,' Nelson said in a statement.

'We will not allow him to undermine the democratic process and will use every legal tool available to protect the rights of Florida voters.'

After some early bumps, more than half of Florida's 67 counties began recounting votes Sunday in the razor-thin Senate and gubernatorial races, bringing back memories of the 2000 presidential fiasco.

Republican protesters call for the resignation of Snipes during a protest outside her offices in Lauderhill on Sunday

Supporters of President Donald Trump are seen above chanting outside the offices on Sunday

The Republican Party attacked Snipes, accusing her of 'incompetence and gross mismanagement' following the delay, which was resolved within two hours. Pro-Republican demonstrators are seen above in Lauderhill on Sunday

Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe D'Alesandro (right) shows voting materials to campaign representatives on Sunday in Lauderhill

In Democratic-leaning Broward County, the scheduled start of the recount was delayed Sunday because of a problem with one of the tabulation machines.

The Republican Party attacked Snipes, accusing her of 'incompetence and gross mismanagement' following the delay, which was resolved within two hours.

The county, the state's second-most populous, is emerging as the epicenter of controversy in the recount.

Broward officials said they mistakenly counted 22 absentee ballots that had been rejected, mostly because the signature on the return envelope did not match the one on file.

'#BrowardElections office admits the vote count they submitted to state includes 22 illegal votes,' Florida GOP Senator Marco Rubio wrote on Twitter Saturday.

'We know about these 22 because they got caught breaking law in reviewing 202 ballots. How can anyone trust more illegal votes aren't in their final count?'

It is a problem that appears impossible to fix because the ballots were mixed in with 205 legal ballots.

Snipes said it would be unfair to throw out all the ballots.

The recount in most other major population centers, including Miami-Dade and Pinellas and Hillsborough counties in the Tampa Bay area, was ongoing without incident on Sunday.

Pro-Republican protesters are seen above, one of whom is dressed as Hillary Clinton, Sunday in Lauderhill

The reviews are an unprecedented step in Florida, a state that's notorious for election results decided by the thinnest of margins

State officials said they weren't aware of any other time either a race for governor or US Senate in Florida required a recount, let alone both in the same election

Smaller counties are expected to begin their reviews Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

All counties face a Thursday afternoon deadline to complete the recount.

The reviews are an unprecedented step in Florida, a state that's notorious for election results decided by the thinnest of margins.

State officials said they weren't aware of any other time either a race for governor or US Senate in Florida required a recount, let alone both in the same election.

Unofficial results show that Republican former Rep. Ron DeSantis led Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by 0.41 percentage points in the election for governor.

As the recount unfolded, Republicans urged their Democratic opponents to give up and allow the state to move on.

Scott said Sunday that Nelson wants fraudulent ballots and those cast by noncitizens to count, pointing to a Nelson lawyer objecting to Palm Beach County's rejection of one provisional ballot because it was cast by a noncitizen.

'He is trying to commit fraud to win this election,' Scott told Fox News.

'Bill Nelson's a sore loser. He's been in politics way too long.'

Nelson's campaign issued a statement Sunday saying their lawyer wasn't authorized to object to the ballot's rejection as 'Non-citizens cannot vote in US elections.'

Gillum and Nelson have argued each vote should be counted and the process allowed to take its course.

Both the state elections division, which Scott runs, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have said they have found no evidence of voter fraud.

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (left) withdrew his concession on Saturday. He trails former Rep Ron DeSantis (right) by 0.41 percentage points in the election for governor

That didn't stop protests outside Snipes' office, where a crowd of mostly Republicans gathered Sunday, holding signs, listening to country music and occasionally chanting 'lock her up,' referring to Snipes.

A massive Trump 2020 flag flew over the parking lot and many members of a Bikers For Trump group wore matching shirts and carried flags, mingling among a crowd that included a protester wearing a Hillary Clinton mask.

Registered independent Russell Liddick, a 38-year-old retail worker from Pompano Beach carried a sign reading, 'I'm not here for Trump! I'm here for fair elections! Fire Snipes!'

He said the office's problems 'don't make me feel very much like my vote counted.'

Florida is also conducting a recount in a third statewide race.

Democrat Nikki Fried had a 0.07 percentage point lead over Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell in the race for agriculture commissioner, one of Florida's three Cabinet seats.

From a distant glance, the recounts might dredge up memories of the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W. Bush the victor over Vice President Al Gore by 537 votes, thus giving Bush the presidency.

But much has changed since then. In 2000, each county had its own voting system.

Many used punch cards - voters poked out chads, leaving tiny holes in their ballots representing their candidates.

Some voters, however, didn't fully punch out the presidential chad or gave it just a little push.

Those hanging and dimpled chads had to be examined by the canvassing boards, a lengthy, tiresome and often subjective process that became fodder for late-night comedians.

Now the state requires that all Florida counties use ballots where voters use a pen to mark their candidate's name, much like a student does when taking a multiple-choice test.

From a distant glance, the recounts might dredge up memories of the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W. Bush the victor over Vice President Al Gore (above) by 537 votes, thus giving Bush the presidency

It also now clearly mandates how the recount will proceed.

Those ballots are now being run through scanning machines in each county for a second time under the watchful eye of representatives of both parties and the campaigns.

Any ballot that cannot be read for any of the recounted races will be put aside.

If a race's statewide margin falls below 0.25 percentage points after the machine count, the state will order a manual recount in each county.

At that point, only the rejected ballots for that race will be examined by counting teams to determine if the voters' intentions were obvious.

For example, some voters circle the candidate's name instead of filling in the ballot properly and some cross out their vote and then mark another candidate.

If either side objects to a counting team's decision or the team can't make one, the ballot will be forwarded to the county's canvassing board, with the three members voting on the final decision.

The members are usually the county supervisor of elections, a judge and the chair of the county commissioners.Saturday Night Lives Pete Davidson apologized for mocking Dan Crenshaw for his war injury - only to have the tables turned on him by Crenshaw himself.

In a hilarious segment on SNLs Weekend Update, Crenshaw, the Texas Republican who won an election to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, made a surprise appearance and mocked Davidsons looks.

He also had Ariana Grandes song play as his cell phone ring tone - a reminder of Davidsons short-lived engagement with the pop star.

Saturday Night Lives Pete Davidson apologized for mocking Dan Crenshaw for his war injury - only to have the tables turned by Crenshaw himself

Davidson drew Twitter's ire last week after he made fun of Lieutenant Commander Dan Crenshaw, whose eye was destroyed by an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2012

Davidson drew criticism last week after he made fun of Lieutenant Commander Dan Crenshaw, whose eye was destroyed by an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2012.

The comedian made an appearance on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update to give his 'first impressions' of several candidates running in the midterm elections.

Davidson eventually got to Crenshaw, first telling the audience 'this guy's kinda cool'.

'You may be surprised to hear he's a congressional candidate from Texas, and not a hitman in a porno movie.'

Earlier this week, cast mate Kenan Thompson said that Davidson 'missed the mark' with the joke.

But on Saturday, Crenshaw proved to be a good sport. He appeared on Weekend Update alongside Davidson and gave him a taste of his own medicine.

Davidson joked that 'the right and the left agree on something - Pete Davidson is a d***.'

Crenshaw then rolls up to the desk and says: 'You think?'

He thanks Davidson for 'making a Republican look good.'

In a hilarious segment on SNLs Weekend Update, Crenshaw, the Texas Republican who won an election to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, mocked Davidsons looks

On Saturday, Crenshaw proved to be a good sport. He appeared on Weekend Update alongside Davidson and gave him a taste of his own medicine

Davidson then apologizes to Crenshaw for laughing at his eye patch.

'Thank you for saying that,' Crenshaw says.

'So we're good?' Davidson asks.

'We're good,' Crenshaw replies. 'Apology accepted.'

Crenshaw's cell phone rings. The ring tone is set to Ariana Grande's song breathin.

'Are you gonna answer that?' Davidson asks.

'I'm just gonna let it ring. It would be rude to let it go to voicemail,' Crenshaw says.

After a months-long relationship, Davidson and Grande ended their brief engagement last month.

After Davidson apologizes to Crenshaw, Crenshaw's cell phone rings. The ring tone is set to Ariana Grande's song breathin. 'I'm just gonna let it ring. It would be rude to let it go to voicemail,' Crenshaw says. Davidson and Grande ended their engagement last month

'Pete looks like Martin Short in The Santa Clause 3,' Crenshaw says. Then he adds: 'By the way, one of these people is actually good on SNL'

Crenshaw then says Davidson 'looks like if the meth from Breaking Bad were a person'

When Davidson noted that the ringtone was an Ariana Grande song, Crenshaw asks: 'Do you know her?'

Davidson then offers Crenshaw an opportunity to get retribution and mock his looks.

Crenshaw then says Davidson 'looks like if the meth from Breaking Bad were a person.'

When Davidson asks if they're even, Crenshaw insists on doing one more.

'He looks like a troll doll with a tapeworm,' Crenshaw says.

When Davidson says 'we should wrap this up,' Crenshaw insists on doing another.

'This is fun,' the Congressman-elect says.

'Pete looks like Martin Short in The Santa Clause 3,' Crenshaw says.

Then he adds: 'By the way, one of these people is actually good on SNL.'

Davidson sheepishly adds: 'You're right. You're not wrong.'

Crenshaw ended his segment with an appeal for civility in the nation's discourse.

'There's a lot of lessons to learn here,' Crenshaw says. 'Not just that the left and right can agree on some things, but also this - Americans can forgive one another.'

'We can remember what brings us together as a country and still see the good in each other.'

Crenshaw then mentions that this weekend is Veteran's Day.

Crenshaw ended his segment with an appeal for civility in the nation's discourse. He also paid tribute to 'heroes' like Pete Davidson's father, New York City firefighter Scott Davidson, who died on 9/11

'It's a good time for every American to connect with a veteran,' he says.

'Maybe thanks for your service, but I would encourage you to say something else: "Never forget".

'When you say "never forget" to a veteran, you are implying that as an American, you are in it with them, not separated by some imaginary barrier between civilians and veterans, but connected together as grateful fellow Americans.

'Never forget the sacrifices made by veterans past and present.

'And never forget those we lost on 9/11, heroes like Pete's father.

'So I'll just say: "Pete, never forget".'

Davidson, whose father, Scott Davidson, was a New York City firefighter who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks, replies: 'Never forget.'

'And that is for both of us,' Davidson says.Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has pleaded fellow Australians for their help in reporting suspicious activity to authorities in the wake of Friday's Bourke Street terror attack.

The minister addressed reporters in Brisbane on Sunday, two days after Somali-born terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, 30, parked a four-wheel drive laden with gas cylinders in the heart of Melbourne's CBD and stabbed three men.

Well known restaurateur Sisto Malaspina, 74, co-owner of the iconic Pellegrini's Espresso Bar was killed in the attack, while two other men remain in hospital.

Somali-born terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali (pictured) parked a four-wheel drive laden with gas cylinders in Melbourne's Bourke Street and stabbed three men, one fatally. Peter Dutton said he was not known as being an imminent risk

Shire Ali then repeatedly lunged at police before he was shot in the chest and rushed to hospital, where he later died.

Mr Dutton said it more difficult than it was five or 10 years ago as technology, including encrypted apps, had made it harder for authorities to tap phone calls or keep tabs on people of interest.

That's why the minister pleaded with Australians to report any suspicious activity they see to police and ASIO, which could result in the saving of lives.

'There is a real black spot for us and that is a vulnerability,' Mr Dutton said.

'It is important for us to get as much information from the imams, from spouses, family members, community members, council workers, people that might be interacting with those that might have changed their behaviours, that they think have been radicalised.'

'There is a real black spot for us and that is a vulnerability,' Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) told reporters on Sunday

More than 400 people are currently being investigated by police and intelligence services but need a tip-off or alert from the public to stop a spontaneous act.

'The idea that community leaders would have information but withhold it from police or intelligence agencies is unacceptable and we're best to be honest about the problem that we've got so that we can address it,' Mr Dutton said.

Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, 30, had previously been spoken to by ASIO officials and his passport was cancelled in 2015 over concerns he would travel to Syria.

Mr Dutton said authorities did not believe Shire Ali was a member of Islamic State and was not known as being an imminent risk.

Shire Ali (pictured) then repeatedly lunged at police before he was shot in the chest

'There was no evidence available to the police or I'm advised to ASIO that any attack was imminent or that he had been part of planning,' he said.

'In relation to his connections with ISIL or with any terrorist group .... there's not, as I'm advised a membership of an organisation or a definite link to ISIL.'

Mr Dutton says the government's community engagement programs are sowing positive relationships that have led to effective intelligence gathering.

Tributes have poured in for Sisto Malaspina (pictured) who was stabbed to death on Friday

But he also says a tip-off could have backed up an apparent gap in intelligence and potentially stopped what he has described as an unsophisticated attack.

'Where there is not (that information), where someone makes a spur-of-the-moment decision - under the influence of drugs or alcohol - the police can't contemplate every circumstance,' he said.

'These are complex matters and we need the evidence to supplement the intelligence we have.'

He said discussions around what can be done to prevent similar incidents in future were underway.

'The idea that community leaders would have information but withhold it from police or intelligence agencies is unacceptable,' Peter Dutton (pictured) said

THE EVENTS OF THE BOURKE STREET TERROR ATTACK 4:20pm Friday November 9: A blue ute mounted a footpath on Bourke Street in Melbourne's CBD. The car burst into flames. - Cafe owner Sisto Malaspina, 74, saw the explosion and ran to the aid of the driver. The driver, now known as Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, exited the vehicle and stabbed Mr Malaspina to death. - Ali then continued his rampage, attacking bystanders at random, including 58-year-old Rodney Patterson and a 24-year-old security guard. Footage shows the security guard was stabbed in the neck. - The car fire was quickly put out by fire fighters and the bomb squad, who discovered gas cylinders in his car. The cylinders were declared useless shortly after. - Two young officers were first on the scene, they engaged Ali. He lunged at them repeatedly with a knife. - An unnamed hero joined the fray, affectionately nick-named 'Trolley Man' after he attempted to stop the knifeman by repeatedly attacking him with a trolley. - An officer shot Ali in the chest, he dropped to the ground and was arrested. - He was taken to hospital in a critical condition. - Police were made aware of other victims of the knife attack. Three men were taken to hospital. Mr Malaspina, who died, and the two other men, who are both in stable conditions. 6pm Friday November 9: Superintendent David Clayton spoke with media and said they were not certain the attack was terror related, but would not rule it out. 8:30pm Friday November 9: Victoria Police commissioner Graham Ashton spoke with media and confirmed the attack was terror related. He also confirmed Ali was known to state and federal police, as well as ASIO. - Ali died in hospital. - His identity was revealed, and further affiliations to terror were revealed. 11:30pm Friday November 9: ISIS claim the terror attack in Melbourne. Saturday November 10: Police raided two homes affiliated with Ali. Advertisement



This is the shocking moment a brawl erupted in broad daylight outside a nightclub after a man allegedly stabbed another inside.

The incident occurred outside Cloud Nine in Melbourne's CBD at 6.15am on Sunday morning.

Chaotic footage of the fight, which has since been uploaded to Facebook, captures the bloody and violent fight as it spills onto King Street.

Security guards appear to stand around, not knowing what to do, while laughing bystanders take selfies.

The fight kicks off after a man in a denim jacket accuses a man dressed in a light coloured trench coat of stabbing his friend.

'He stabbed my mate, why are you letting him go?' he's heard yelling, as security guards hold him against a tree.

As the crowd disperses, the man in the trench coat haila a taxi, prompting the man in denim to try and stop him, triggering the brawl.

Several other men join in, punching and kicking anyone who got in their way outside a 7/11 convenience store.

The fight broke out outside of a nightclub on King Street in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday (pictured)

Chaotic footage captures shirtless men throw punches and kick other men to the ground as security guards and bystanders crowd around

The fight takes up the entire sidewalk as it moves from the entrance of Cloud Nine nightclub down to the 7/11 convenience store

As the footage continues, a separate fight breaks out near the nightclub entrance.

Two men are seen wrestling with each other on the littered footpath in front of the velvet rope at the entrance of the club.

The man in the trench coat appears to have bloody knuckles.

'Enough now!' a man with a backpack can be heard screaming.

Another is heard saying 'Welcome to Melbourne, man!'

Victoria police confirmed four men were arrested following the brawl.

Security guards finally step in to break the fight up but then men only find their way back to each other to attack again

A 20-year-old man from Weir Views suffered non-life threatening stab wounds and was taken to hospital.

Another 20-year-old man from Melton was struck with a bottle and treated by paramedics at the scene.

A 31-year-old Newport man has been charged with affray, two counts of intentionally cause serious injury, possess cocaine and use dangerous article.

He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 14 February.

A 28-year-old South Melbourne man was taken to hospital under police guard after sustaining a laceration to his hand and will be interviewed at a later time.

The investigation is still ongoing.A woman has been arrested over a strawberry needle contamination scare that forced supermarkets across Australia to pull fruit from shelves and farmers to dump it by the truckload.

The 50-year-old woman was taken into Queensland Police custody on Sunday after leading a months-long investigation involving authorities and intelligence agencies from multiple states.

She is expected to be charged and front Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday in the wake of a crisis that spread to all six states.

The 50-year-old woman was taken into Queensland Police custody on Sunday after leading a months-long investigation involving authorities and intelligence agencies from multiple states

A 50-year-old woman (pictured) was arrested following an investigation into the alleged contamination of strawberries

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'

More than 100 reports of tampered fruit are being investigated by police across Australia, many of which are thought to be fake or copycat cases.

Queensland Health officials issued a safety warning on September 12 after the discovery of needles hidden inside a punnet of strawberries.

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'.

Brands effected included Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries, Berry Obsession and Berry Licious.

Farmers across Australia were forced to lay off staff as a result of plummeting sales, with people terrified to purchase fruit.

The company is one of many, such as Donnybrook Berries (pictured), that have been forced to scrap many thousands of dollars in stock as frightened customers refuse to buy

More than 100 reports of tampered fruit are being investigated by police across Australia, many of which are thought to be fake or copycat cases

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'

Suncoast Harvest, a small farm on the Sunshine Coast, laid off about 100 workers weeks ahead of schedule, blaming a customer 'frenzy'.

'We have decided it is best to pull out of growing strawberries for the rest of this year... and begin spraying out healthy paddocks of luscious, juicy berries,' it said.

Stephanie Chheang, whose mother and step-father run Donnybrook Berries, shared a heartbreaking video of harvested fruit being dumped from a loader.

'This is no doubt the worst thing to ever happen to my family. This is worth more than you could ever imagine and within three days we lost it all,' she said.

The small family business north of Brisbane was forced to dump millions of strawberries in a ditch after its brand was recalled.

'We have to throw them out because the markets wouldn't take our strawberries due to the needle scare,' she said.

Stephanie Chheang, whose mother and stepfather run Donnybrook Berries, shared a heartbreaking video of harvested fruit being dumped from a loader

Ms Chheang said her mother Leena Lee Cufari and stepfather spent years and 'all their money' building the farm, only for it to be wiped out.

'They put all their money and effort in to build such a successful business. They work hard to make the money for our family and to have these selfish individuals destroy it is just so upsetting.

'My mum works day through to the night, controlling the shed and her 250 employees, making sure her strawberries are packed to perfection.'

A state-wide campaign was launched by the Queensland government to encourage consumers to back farmers by buying their produce.

The state government has previously revealed more than half the $1 million it put forward in response to the saga will be spent on an advertising campaign, with $250,000 allocated for safeguarding supply chain integrity.

Funds will also be given to the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association and Growcom to distribute to affected farmers.

The federal government also rushed through laws to see those responsible face up to 15 years behind bars.Miami-Dade County elections officials have started recounting ballots from Tuesdays election.

Officials from the countys elections office confirmed Saturday evening that theyve started a machine recount, which means they will load paper ballots into scanning machines. This could take days, considering there were some 800,000 ballots cast.

The unofficial results show that Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis led Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by less than 0.5 percentage points, which will require a machine recount of ballots.

In the Senate race, Republican Gov. Rick Scotts lead over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is less than 0.25 percentage points, which will require a hand recount of ballots from tabulation machines that couldnt determine which candidate got the vote.

The Florida secretary of state earlier Saturday ordered the recounts in the U.S. Senate and governor races, an unprecedented review of two major races in the state that took five weeks to decide the 2000 presidential election.

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Miami-Dade County Election department staff members work on the recount process of the county's November 6th elections

Officials from the countys elections office confirmed Saturday evening that theyve started a machine recount, which means they will load paper ballots into scanning machines

Democratic governor candidate Andrew Gillum (left) who was trailing his Republican rival, former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (right), by just 0.41 percentage points, has withdrawn his concession

The recount comes after Gillum, who was trailing his Republican rival, former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, by just 0.41 percentage points, tweeted Saturday: 'I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call we count every single vote.'

It's a reversal of his concession speech on election night, when the candidate had told supporters in Tallahassee: 'We recognize that we didn't win this tonight.'

Secretary Ken Detzner issued the recount order on Saturday because the unofficial results in both races fell within the margin that by law triggers a recount.

The unofficial results show that Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis led Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by .41 percentage points.

In the Senate race, Republican Gov. Rick Scott's leads over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson by .15 percentage points.

Detzner also ordered a recount for Florida's Agriculture Commissioner race where Democratic Nikki Fried stands .06 percentage points above Republican Matt Caldwell.

All three races will undergo machine recounts with results due no later than 3pm on Thursday November 15 to the Florida Department of State.

Leon County Supervisor of Elections employees Will Stewart, left, and Chris Conn double check the identity on a box of ballots before they are recounted

If the vote is too close to call yet again by falling within a 0.25 margin or less, the three races will advance to hand recounts, due to be completed by November 18.

The state's 67 counties had until noon Saturday to submit their unofficial ballot tallies.

President Donald Trump - who campaigned for both Scott and DeSantis - said that the recounts are a Democrat ploy to steal the election.

'Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!' the president tweeted on Saturday.

Scott called for his opponent DeSantis to decline the recount.

'It's time for Senator Nelson to accept reality and spare the state of the Florida the time, expense and discord of a recount,' Scott's spokesman Chris Hartline said.

'Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!' Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday

Nelson responded saying he does not intend to back down.

'We have every expectation the recount will be full and fair and will continue taking action to ensure every vote is counted without interference or efforts to undermine the democratic process. We believe when every legal ballot is counted we'll win this election,' Nelson said in a statement.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Gillum withdrew his concession adding 'I say this recognizing that my fate in this may or may not change'.

'What I do know is that every single Floridian who took time to go out to cast their vote, to participate in this process deserve the comfort of knowing that in a Democratic society and in this process, every vote will be counted,' he said.

Secretary Ken Detzner ordered a recount for the Senate, Governor and Agriculture Commissioner races in Florida on Saturday. Republican Gov. Rick Scott's (left) leads over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson (right) is less than 0.25 percentage points

The Florida secretary of state is ordering recounts in the U.S. Senate and governor races. Susan Bucher, second right, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections and Judge August Bonavita, seated at center left, look at provisional ballots in Riviera Beach, Fla., Friday

He also slammed Trump, Scott and Senator Marco Rubio who have voiced their opposition to the recount.

'I also have to say what has also changed since election night have been the chorus of voices from the president of the United States, the junior senator of the state of Florida and the governor of the state of Florida, a chorus calling for the ending of the counting in this process,' he said.

'What I do know is that we dont just get the opportunity to stop counting votes because we dont like the direction in which the vote tally is headed. That is not democratic and that is certainly not the American way. In America, we count every vote regardless of what the outcome may mean,' he added.

Secretary Ken Detzner issued the recount order for the Senate, Governor and Agriculture Commissioner races on Saturday

All the while protesters rallied outside the offices of the Broward County Supervisor of Elections in Lauderhill on Saturday where the final counts were made ahead of the noon deadline.

The recount announcement was made after Broward County election monitors said they saw no evidence of criminal activity in Tuesday's midterm election, despite the county being run by a controversial supervisor who mixed in illegal votes and failed to reveal the number of uncounted votes.

'Our staff has seen no evidence of criminal activity at this time,' Sarah Revell, spokesperson for the state Department of Elections, said to the Miami Herald on Saturday morning.

Following Tuesday's election, Rick Scott filed a lawsuit against Broward County and Palm Beach County, accusing Democrats of trying to steal the election on Thursday evening. He asked for Snipes to turn over several records detailing the counting and collection of ballots.

Snipes has been accused of 'fraud' in how she handled counting ballots in the election by Scott, President Donald Trump, and Republicans. She has a long history of controversies when it comes to vote counting.

The news comes as Florida election monitors in Broward County said they saw no evidence of criminal activity in Tuesday's midterm election. The county's Supervisor of Elections is Dr. Brenda Snipes, pictured above, has been accused of 'fraud' by Trump, Republicans and Rick Scott

Attorney Eugene Pettis (left) and Dottie Joseph (right), both of the Broward County Supervisor's Office announced Saturday that all the county's ballots have been counted

A crowd protests outside the Broward County Supervisor of Elections office Friday

Protesters chanted 'Lock her up!' and 'Sneaky Snipes has got to go!' outside the Broward County Elections Office in Lauderhill, Florida

The protesters targeted Snipes who has been accused of 'fraud' in how she handled counting ballots in the election by Scott, President Donald Trump, and Republicans

Florida Senator Marco Rubio tweeted a shot of boxes that reportedly had yet uncounted ballots in them in Broward- almost 48 hours since the polls had closed. The picture cast doubts on how accurately Broward County handled the election

She agreed to present 205 provisional ballots to Broward County's canvassing board for inspection, and the board declared on Friday that 20 of the 205 provisional ballots were illegal due to mismatched signatures.

They were set aside then counted in a voting machine, but the results were not added to the election's final total vote count.

On Friday the county didn't know how to move forward with the invalid ballots.

'We have found no clear authority controlling the situation faced by the board,' Broward County Attorney Andrew Meyers said.

Broward County collected more than 600 provisional ballots on Election Day, but majority were deemed invalid by the board for reasons including late registration or voting in the wrong precinct.

Since the election two Department of Elections have been stationed in Broward County to oversee see the administration of the elections, visit polling stations and 'ensure all laws are followed'.

In May Florida's Secretary of State announced increased oversight after a court found Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes broke the law by authorizing the premature destruction of ballots pertaining to a contested race following the 2016 elections.

On Saturday Broward official hit back at fraud allegations in a news conference after the ballot tally, Snipes refused to confirm whether she had counted all the ballots for days. At the press conference her team said each ballot was finally processed, excluding overseas ballots.

'There have been allegation of fraud. Those are serious charges to recklessly offer out there. To give a claim of fraud without any evidence, I think it unacceptable,' Eugene Pettis, a lawyer for Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes said.Claims at least four Remainer ministers are ready to quit and call for referendum

Theresa May could be forced to trigger multi-billion pound no-deal Brexit plans within days after the EU rejected her Irish border compromise.

The PM looks to be on the brink of disaster after Brussels 'turned off the life support' by dismissing her only hope of striking an agreement that could get through Cabinet.

As the walls closed in, Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom today gave her clearest hint yet that she and other Brexiteer ministers are ready to quit if Mrs May attempts to make any more concessions.

Meanwhile, the DUP and Tory Eurosceptic backbenchers have issued a joint threat to vote down the premier's blueprint if it does come to Parliament

To make matters worse, four more Remainer ministers are said to be on the brink of quitting, after Boris Johnson's brother Jo walked out demanding another referendum to reverse the whole process.

The PM (pictured at a Remembrance service today) looks to be on the brink of disaster after Brussels dismissed her only hope of striking an agreement that could get through Cabinet

Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom (pictured left in Downing Street last week) warned today that the UK 'cannot be held against its will in a customs arrangement'. Irish PM Leo Varadkar (pictured right last week) is viewed by ministers as one of the main blocks to a deal

Downing Street had pinned its hopes of a breakthrough on a proposal drawn up by Attorney General Geoffrey Cox.

The idea was to include a 'review clause' in the Irish border backstop in a bid to convince Brexiteers the UK will not be trapped indefinitely.

But sources in London and Brussels say the EU has torpedoed the 'Cox compromise', once again raising the risk of a no-deal Brexit.

Mrs May might now be forced to pull the trigger within days on full-blown preparations for the country crashing out - after officials warned that there is no chance the contingency plans will be ready by March otherwise.

Billions of pounds is set to be spent on issues like rushing through new customs infrastructure, ensuring supplies of medicine and food, and protecting energy provisions in Northern Ireland.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds today confirmed that the government had dropped calls for a hard end date or unilateral exit from a backstop mechanism.

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show there was no point asking Brussels for something that could not be negotiated - but insisted MPs should get a package that will give them 'comfort that it is not an open ended thing'.

But Mrs Leadsom, who is among Eurosceptic ministers put on 'resignation watch' by Mrs May's allies, warned that the UK 'cannot be held against its will in a customs arrangement'.

No10 sought to calm Tory MPs' nerves by insisting that the Government would not strike an agreement 'at any cost' and surrender to EU demands.

Aides also said this kind of brinkmanship was only to be expected at the 'end stage' of negotiations.

However, senior figures from both wings of the Conservative Party queued up to criticise Mrs May's handling of the negotiations as a 'shambles' and her proposed exit package as the 'worst of both worlds'.

In another wave of woe for the PM today:

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the powerful leader of arch-Brexit Tory MPs, urged Mrs May to tear up her plans and offer Brussels 20billion to secure a 'No Deal Plus' arrangement;

Four Remainer ministers are said to be considering following Jo Johnson's shock departure on Friday over her 'deeply flawed' negotiations;

Former education secretary Justine Greening has warned Mrs May's plan is the 'worst of all worlds' and means giving 'sovereignty' to the EU.

The PM's allies said any chance of the Cabinet approving a draft deal in the next 48 hours were 'receding fast', potentially delaying the crunch Commons vote until 2019;

No 10 pointed the finger at Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar for 'sabotaging' the process;

Anti-May MPs told colleagues to redouble their efforts to force the Prime Minister to quit by submitting letters of 'no confidence' in her leadership.

Labour said it would join with pro-EU Tories to vote down any plan brought forward by Mrs May and stop the government going ahead with a no-deal Brexit.

The principle of the backstop was included in the draft divorce deal struck last December, and is intended to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

It would only come into effect if no wider trade agreement is sealed by the end of a mooted transition period in December 2020.

But the EU and UK have proposed significantly different versions - and thrashing out a compromise is the last stumbling block in the withdrawal talks.

Brussels has been pushing for Northern Ireland to stay in its jurisdiction for customs and regulations if no other solution can be found - something Mrs May says is unacceptable.

Mrs May had been hoping to bridge the divide by agreeing that the whole UK would stay in a customs union. However, the mechanism for ending that arrangement has proved another sticking point, with the EU insisting the UK cannot withdraw unilaterally and Brexiteers warning they will not sign up to indefinite 'vassalage'.

A Whitehall source described the fudge proposed by Mr Cox, an eminent QC and strident Brexiteer, as the government's 'lifesupport machine'.

'By rejecting the proposal, the EU has just turned off the oxygen,' they told the Sunday Times.

Ex-transport minister Jo Johnson (pictured right) said other Ministers were now 'reflecting hard' on their position

DUP leader Arlene Foster (pictured with deputy Nigel Dodds) has warned she will not tolerate any Brexit package that risks splitting the UK

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show today that there was no point asking Brussels for something that could not be negotiated, but he insisted MPs should get a package that will give them 'comfort that it is not an open ended thing'

The EU's favoured backstop proposals would effectively create a border in the Irish Sea

One Cabinet insider told the Sun on Sunday that Mrs May was about to hit a Brexit 'iceberg'.

'She's like a ship's captain who can see an iceberg ahead but won't change course, even when members of the crew leap overboard,' they said.

A Cabinet meeting had been expected last week to sign off a divorce package with the EU - but the prospect seems to have melted away as Brussels plays hardball.

Restive ministers have largely been holding off taking drastic action until the shape of any final agreement is clear, but there were fears Jo Johnson's departure might spark more resignations.

Mrs Leadsom told BBC Radio 5 Live today hinted that she will quit the Cabinet if the deal risks keeping the UK locked in a customs unions.

'It cannot be a decision that can be overturned by the EU, it must be capable for the United Kingdom to decide to leave that customs arrangement and it cannot be something the European Union can hold us to,' she said.

'Frankly, it's because that would be to then fail to fulfil on the will of the people expressed at the referendum and I very much doubt we'd get it through Parliament.'

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

Stressing the need for the country to be able to get out of a backstop, she said: 'I'm staying in government to make sure that's where we get to in the end.'

The focus has been shifting to what happens if Mrs May fails to get a deal, with Labour refusing to rule out backing a second referendum and vowing to work with pro-EU Tories to block a no deal exit.

Mr Rees-Mogg outlined his solution in today's Mail on Sunday, suggesting handing financial a sweetener to Brussels to 'make our departure as amicable as possible'.

The chair of the Tories' European Research Group, whose 80 members hold the Prime Minister's fate in their hands, who has previously argued against paying any of the planned 39 billion 'divorce bill' to the EU.

But he argued that 20billion would be an acceptable sum to pay to mitigate against any unexpected effects of a no-deal Brexit

Fears have been raised of problems such as huge lorry queues leading into Dover and shortages of food and medicine.

He wrote in The Mail on Sunday: 'It is time for convinced Brexiteers like me to compromise.

'So at this late hour in the negotiations, we would like to make a new, generous offer to break the deadlock, to achieve a 'No Deal Plus'.

'It would cost us money but it would finally dispel the 'crash out' Project Fear nightmare scenarios.'

Critics say the new plan still does not address the thorny issue of how to avoid a hard border in Ireland.

Under its latest timetable, No 10 had hoped to reach an agreement with the EU by the end of last week, to allow it to be put before the Cabinet by Tuesday.

Brussels has privately told the Government that if the green light is not given by Wednesday, it would be too late to trigger a vital EU summit before December  meaning that the Commons vote on the deal would be pushed back until after Christmas and perilously close to Brexit day on March 29.

Negotiations have been deadlocked over the EU's demand that the UK should stay within a temporary customs partnership as the 'backstop' to avoid a hard border in Ireland if a long-term free trade deal cannot be agreed after the end of the transition period in 2020.

Brexiteers want the right to leave the partnership as soon as possible and without Brussels' approval: the EU says that to do so would invalidate the 'backstop' protection.

If Mrs May agrees to indefinite membership of the partnership which would mean accepting Brussels rules  she faces the prospect of a mass Cabinet walkout and a likely leadership challenge.

In an attempt to solve the problem, Mr Cox had drafted a proposal for an independent arbitration panel which would decide when the UK could leave the partnership without the EU having a right of veto.

But senior Government sources say the EU has now made it clear that only the European Court of Justice could make a ruling on EU laws  which would be unacceptable to Mrs May.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis condemned the EU position last night, saying it would 'completely betray the wishes of 17.4 million people' who voted Leave.

Sources say Brussels is digging in on the issue at the behest of Mr Varadkar, who is 'sabotaging' the process because he is 'playing to the domestic gallery' in Dublin over a united Ireland.

The DUP and The European Research Group of backbenchers, chaired by Mr Rees-Mogg (pictured), have declared they will stop a Brexit deal getting through Parliament if the Union is threatened

Former education secretary Justine Greening has warned Mrs May's plan is the 'worst of all worlds' and means giving 'sovereignty' to the EU

Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab alarmed the Irish last week by demanding the UK should be able to withdraw unilaterally from a backstop after just three months.

No 10 says any hope of reaching an agreement before the EU's Wednesday deadline now rests on winning Mr Varadkar round.

The DUP, which is helping prop up Mrs May's Government, has also stepped up the pressure by warning it will not tolerate any regulatory difference between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Plans being made to deploy military if there is no-deal Brexit Plans are being made for the possible use of the military in a no-deal Brexit situation, a defence minister said today. Tobias Ellwood said discussions were being held behind the scenes regarding contingency matters. The comments came after General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the military was 'thinking hard' about what the scenario might involve. Mr Ellwood told Sky News: 'It is the job of the Chief of Defence Staff, indeed the MoD and the Defence Secretary, to consider all scenarios whether how vague or rare they might be or whether they might be something that's expected, we have to plan for every single scenario. 'So yes, there are contingency plans being made, there are discussions being held behind the scenes as to what support our armed forces will do.' Mr Ellwood added: 'If there is a requirement to provide assistance, we are looking right across the full spectrum of requirements to make sure that we are prepared to, necessarily, stand up if asked to do so.' Sir Nick said the military makes 'sensible contingency plans for all sorts of eventualities', when asked about its no-deal Brexit plans. Pressed on what the Government has asked the military to do, Sir Nick told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: 'At this stage I think people are confident there will be a deal, if there's not one, we stand ready to help in any way we can.' Told there has been talk of the Army stepping in to ensure stockpiled medicine is delivered to where it is needed, Sir Nick replied: 'We're not involved in that, no.' Asked what they are involved in, Sir Nick said: 'We're involved in thinking hard about what it might involve, but we've not been asked specifically to do anything at this particular stage.' Advertisement

Jo Johnson, the Remain-voting brother of former Foreign Secretary Boris, said yesterday that he knew some other Ministers were 'reflecting hard' on whether to accept Mrs May's position.

He said: 'If others follow, good on them.'

Former education secretary Justine Greening underlined the growing pressure Mrs May faces from both sides of the debate, saying her deal appeared to represent the 'worst of all worlds'.

'Like many of us, Jo Johnson is a pragmatist on Britain's relationship with the EU. But Conservative MPs can increasingly see that this sovereignty giveaway from No 10 leaves our country with less say over rules that govern our lives,' the pro-EU MP told the Observer.

'That is the worst of all worlds and it resolves nothing.'

Last night, Tory arch-Brexiteer Peter Bone said: 'Handled the right way, Brexit represents a glorious future for our nation but the way some people in No 10 are handling it is turning us into a laughing stock.'

Former Brexit Minister David Jones said Mrs May's original clarity on delivering Brexit 'has somehow been distorted into a plot so convoluted, it would have defeated the ingenuity of Lewis Carroll.'

A No 10 source, who admitted that hopes of Cabinet agreeing to a deal by Tuesday were 'receding fast' said: 'We should aim to conclude the withdrawal agreement as soon as possible but we will not do this at any cost.

'There are a number of issues that need to be worked through on the Northern Ireland backstop and these are the most difficult.

'They include ensuring that, if it is ever needed, it is not permanent and there is a mechanism to ensure the UK could not be held in the arrangement indefinitely'.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood today said plans were being made for the possible use of the military in a no-deal Brexit situation.

Mr Ellwood said discussions were being held behind the scenes regarding contingency matters.

The comments came after General Sir Nick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff, said the military was 'thinking hard' about what the scenario might involve.

Mr Ellwood told Sky News: 'It is the job of the Chief of Defence Staff, indeed the MoD and the Defence Secretary, to consider all scenarios whether how vague or rare they might be or whether they might be something that's expected, we have to plan for every single scenario.

'So yes, there are contingency plans being made, there are discussions being held behind the scenes as to what support our armed forces will do.'

Mr Ellwood added: 'If there is a requirement to provide assistance, we are looking right across the full spectrum of requirements to make sure that we are prepared to, necessarily, stand up if asked to do so.'

Sir Nick said the military makes 'sensible contingency plans for all sorts of eventualities', when asked about its no-deal Brexit plans.

Pressed on what the Government has asked the military to do, Sir Nick told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: 'At this stage I think people are confident there will be a deal, if there's not one, we stand ready to help in any way we can.'

Told there has been talk of the Army stepping in to ensure stockpiled medicine is delivered to where it is needed, Sir Nick replied: 'We're not involved in that, no.'

In an interview today, Emily Thornberry (left) insisted Labour could back a second referendum - despite Jeremy Corbyn (right at a Remembrance Day event in London today) saying the process of leaving the EU 'can't be stopped'

Asked what they are involved in, Sir Nick said: 'We're involved in thinking hard about what it might involve, but we've not been asked specifically to do anything at this particular stage.'

Meanwhile, Labour has plunged into fresh Brexit chaos as Emily Thornberry insisted the party could back a second referendum - despite Jeremy Corbyn saying the process of leaving the EU 'can't be stopped'.

Many of the party's MPs have been demanding a so-called 'People's Vote' to stop Brexit, and were furious when Mr Corbyn said in an interview yesterday: 'We can't stop it.

'The referendum took place. Article 50 has been triggered. What we can do is recognise the reasons why people voted Leave.'

But Mrs Thornberry said today that the option of campaigning for a second referendum was still on the table.

'Theresa May is simply giving us a devil in the deep blue sea - she's saying you can either fall off a cliff or get on this bridge to nowhere, and you're going to have to vote on that,' she told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

'That's not a meaningful vote, that's not an injection of democracy.

'So, we say if you're going to give us that, we refuse to play that sort of game and, frankly, if you can't come up with a decent suggestion then we should have a general election, if we don't have a general election then yes, of course, all the options remain on the table and we would campaign for there to be a people's vote.'The family of the Somali-born knife wielder who stabbed three men during a rampage in Melbourne have insisted he was not a terrorist.

Hassan Khalif Shire Ali was shot and killed by police after stabbing a coffee maestro Sisto Malaspina, 74, to death and injuring two others in an attack on Bourke Street on Friday.

On Sunday, Ali's family spoke out, describing the 30-year-old as a paranoid man who had suffered from mental health issues for several years.

The family of Somali-born knifeman Hassan Khalif Shire Ali (pictured) says he isn't a terrorist

A note written by Ali's family says he was not a terrorist, but 'simply crying for help'

Family representative Isse Musse (left) says Ali was 'delusional' during the attack. A female wearing a niqab (right) locked the door to Ali's bungalow on Sunday afternoon

Imam Isse Musse, a leader at the family's mosque in Werribee, delivered the family's handwritten statement to Nine News on their behalf.

'Hassan suffered from mental illness for years and refused help. He's been deteriorating these past few months,' they wrote.

'He has seen psychologist and psychiatrist, but stopped as his paranoia and hallucinations led him to believe they're "after him".

'Please stop turning this into a political game.

'This isn't a guy who had any connections with terrorism, but was simply crying for help,' they said.

Increasing hallucinations, including a belief that 'men with spears' were chasing him stopped Ali from visiting psychologists, Musse said.

Ali had previously been spoken to by counter-terrorism officials and had his passport cancelled in 2015 over concerns he planned to travel to Syria.

Authorities deemed the rampage on Friday as a 'terror attack'.

Through Musse, Ai's family also extended their sympathies to Malaspina's family, saying they are 'sharing the same grief'.

ALI'S FAMILY'S STATEMENT Hassan suffered from mental illness for years and refused help. He's been deteriorating these past few months. He has seen psychologist and psychiatrist, but stopped as his paranoia and hallucinations led him to believe they're 'after him'. Please stop turning this into a political game. This isn't a guy who had any connections with terrorism, but was simply crying for help. Advertisement

Ali (pictured) had a history of mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency, friends say

Ali had a history of alcohol and drug dependency and had an increasingly tense relationship with his family leading up to the attack, it was revealed on Saturday.

He had moved out of his parent's home and into a bungalow in the backyard of an unassuming young couple with his Turkish wife about a year ago.

According to Musse, moving out of the family home before marriage is against Somali tradition.

Neighbours said they saw Ali 'storm out' of his home in Meadow Heights, north of Melbourne, only days before the tragedy. His wife was seen desperately pursuing him.

Ali's intention was to crash his car, set it up to explode, and stab as many people in the busy city street as he could, according to police.

He crashed his ute into Bourke Street Mall at about 4:10pm on Friday, setting it on fire with 'barbecue-style gas bottles' opened and primed to explode inside.

He then stabbed Malaspina, who rushed outside to help him out of the burning car.

Two others were attacked and survived. Tasmanian man Rodney Patterson, 58, was stabbed in the head and a 24-year-old security guard was impaled in the neck.

Ali was then shot by a young police officer and later died on the operating table.

Ali stabbed three men, one fatally, before lunging at police, who shot him in the chest

The deceased victim was revealed to be 74-year-old coffee maestro Sisto Malaspina (pictured)

Opposition leader Bill Shorten was in Melbourne on Sunday to pay respects to the victims

Politicians have been vocal after the attack.

Opposition leader Bill Shorten was seen walking near Malaspina's cafe - Pellegrini's - with a bouquet of flowers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also released a statement condemning the actions of the assailant.

'Australians will never be intimidated by these appalling attacks and we will continue to go about our lives and enjoy the freedoms that the terrorists detest,' he wrote.

'I praise the bravery of the police who were on the scene and took action and those who selflessly came to the assistance of the injured and provided comfort to the distressed.'

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton pleaded for Muslims to report suspicious activity to authorities.

'There is a real black spot for us and that is a vulnerability,' Mr Dutton said.

'It is important for us to get as much information from the imams, from spouses, family members, community members, council workers, people that might be interacting with those that might have changed their behaviours, that they think have been radicalised.'Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama told an Australian reporter to leave the country after she questioned the nation's media laws.

With an impending election, SBS reporter Hannah Sinclair was on the ground interviewing Mr Bainimarama about the country's restrictive media laws.

The current leader told Ms Sinclair journalists are free to criticise the Fijian government, and noted that many publications were already doing so in the lead up to the election.

But within seconds he had a change of heart, telling her to 'go back to Australia' while placing a hand on her shoulder and motioning for her to move along.

'The media has been criticising the government, so what the hell are you talking about?' Mr Bainimarama told Ms Sinclair.

The leader of the FijiFirst party was campaigning for the final time in Lautoka over the weekend, where Mr Bainimarama spoke with foreign journalists.

'Media freedom is here in Fiji, anybody wants to criticise the government, they can criticise the government,' Mr Bainimarama insisted to Ms Sinclair during their heated confrontation.

But media laws have tightened significantly in the nation since Mr Bainimarama took control via a leadership coup in 2006.

Very little critical reporting of the government has been put to press since draconian laws were introduced in 2010.

He told SBS journalist Hannah Sinclair her to 'go back to Australia' while placing a hand on her shoulder (pictured)

Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama (pictured) told an Australian reporter to leave the country after she questioned the nation's media laws

Violations of the Media Industry Development Decree carry a five-year prison sentence.

'The decree will further restrain the media from reporting government and military abuses, for fear of reprisals through a kangaroo court,' Amnesty International's Pacific Researcher Apolosi Bose said when the new laws were proposed.

'Fijian journalists have already been intimidated, threatened and assaulted by the military since media censorship was authorised in April 2009.'

Very little critical reporting of the government has been put to press in Fiji since draconian laws were introduced in 2010. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

Violations of the Media Industry Development Decree carry a five year prison sentence. Supporters attended rallies in droves in Mr Bainimarama's name

'Now they could face up to five years in jail or fines big enough shut down a media outlet, through a complaints system controlled by government and not bound by formal rules of evidence.'

'Going by past experience, the decree's generic references to national interest and public order simply mean that the media will not be allowed to criticize Fiji's leaders, members of the security forces, or their supporters and associates,'

Local reporters allegedly steered clear of asking questions regarding the media laws.Advertisement

The Duchess of Sussex attended her first ever official Armistice Day service at the Cenotaph as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the wife of Germany's president.

In a historic act of reconciliation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid a wreath during a poignant ceremony at the Cenotaph, marking the first time a German leader has ever taken part in the proceedings.

The Queen, 92, had asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties as she observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Fulfilling those duties, the Prince of Wales laid a wreath at a memorial service for the Welsh Guards on the centenary of the Armistice.

Meghan, 37, looked on solemnly from a different balcony as her husband, the Duke of Sussex, and several other senior members of the royal family laid wreathes in central London.

Despite her new-found status, Meghan was positioned separately from the Queen and Kate and Camilla, both of whom are considered more senior family members.

Appearing at her first Armistice service since becoming a fully-fledged royal, she instead took on an ambassadorial role, standing next to Elke Budenbender, partner of the German president.

Mr Steinmeier's presence was a symbol of the friendship that exists between the two countries today, a representative of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

Scroll down for video

The Duchess of Sussex (shown right) looked on solemnly from a different balcony as her husband, the Duke of Sussex, and several other senior members of the royal family laid wreathes in central London

The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge were among those to join the queen on the balcony for the ceremony

The Queen, 92, had asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties as she observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall

In a historic act of reconciliation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (pictured) also laid a wreath, marking the first time that a German leader has ever taken part in the annual proceedings

The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Sussex (right) stood alongside the Queen to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph, as their husbands placed wreaths

The Prince of Wales led the rest of the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph

Appearing at her first Armistice service since becoming a fully-fledged royal, she instead took on an ambassadorial role, standing next to Elke Budenbender, partner of the German president

The Prince of Wales (pictured left) and Prime Minister Theresa May (shown right) were both present at the ceremony to lay down wreathes

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother for the second year in a row while an equerry will lay a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh

The Prince of Wales has led the Royal Family's tributes to the nation's war dead on the centenary of the Armistice, as the Queen looked on from a nearby balcony

The duchess was was pictured singing along to God Save The Queen at the end of the ceremony from a balcony situated next to that of Her Majesty. She is pictured alongside Frau Elke Budenbender, wife to the German President

Despite her new-found status, Meghan (shown right) was positioned separately from the Queen and Kate and Camilla, both of whom are considered more senior family members

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she joins the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony overlooking the ceremony

The Queen, 92, asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties as she observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside other senior members of the royal family

Princess Anne, the only daughter of the Queen, salutes military veterans as they march past on Horse Guards Parade during a National Service of Remembrance

The Duchess of Cambridge (right) and the Duchess of Sussex (right), who watched the poignant proceedings at the Cenotaph for the first time in an official capacity from a separate balcony

The Prince of Wales lays a wreath at the Guards' Memorial on Horse Guards Parade, London, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which marked the end of the First World War

French President Emmanuel Macron touches the knee of German Chancellor Angela Merkel as he walks past her during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend the opening session of the Paris Peace Forum as part of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

The service on Sunday was also attended by soldiers past and present.

The Welsh Guards' Regimental Adjutant, Colonel Tom Bonas, said it was a 'huge privilege' to be joined by Charles 'with everything else he has got on today'.

He added: 'We remain incredibly grateful to him for the time and energy that he spends with us. We are very lucky to have him as our colonel.'

Families of soldiers were also invited to the service, which was held in the Guards' Chapel before the laying of the wreaths.

The prince also met bereaved families of military personnel.

Five life-sized bronze statues made out of captured cannons stand at the Guards' Memorial in Horse Guards Parade, each representing different regiments.

Charles arrived at the memorial by car and stepped out wearing a pinstriped suit, overcoat and bowler hat.

He laid the wreath at the foot of the memorial before briefly pausing and looking up at the statues while the Welsh national anthem was played by a marching band.

Other senior royals including Prince William, Prince Harry and the Princess Royal also paid their respects at the Cenotaph as they laid a series of wreathes.

The Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent all laid tributes to Britain's veterans.

Later, the Duke of York arrived in Belfast to attend a service at St Anne's Cathedral for the centenary of Armistice Day, a around 4pm.

The event is happening alongside services in Dublin, Glasgow and Cardiff for Armistice 100.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Armistice Day ceremony in Paris, along with more than 60 other world leaders.

The world leaders were pictured standing side by side in the rain at the Arc de Triomphe to pay tribute to those who died in the First World War, 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent.

Back in London, Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also laid wreaths at the foot of the Whitehall memorial, along with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.

The traditional two minutes' silence was held at 11am and was marked by the chiming of Big Ben - despite the ongoing renovations to the clock tower.

Send in your photos from Armistice Day How have you marked Armistice Day? Send your own remembrance photographs to pictures@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement

The 13.7 tonne bell has been silent since August 2017 since works began, except for ringing in New Year 2018.

It has been fitted with a custom-built electronic mechanism built to power the 200kg striking hammer to ensure it can still sound for important national events while the clockwork undergoes vital repairs.

The end of the silence was marked by cannon fire and The Last Post sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines before the wreaths were laid.

An hour later, war veterans, descendants and grateful members of the public marched through the streets of London as part of a 'nation's thank you' to those who fought in the Great War.

More than 10,000 people from across the country joined together on the Mall and made their way around St James' Park for Remembrance Sunday.

Among the oldest taking part in the march is private Donald Smith, 98, who joined current members of the Queen's Own Highlanders, and Jeff Watkins, 97, who travelled from California in the United States to participate.

At the same time as the march, people were encouraged to ring bells around the world, to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918.

As news of peace spread on Armistice Day, church bells, which had fallen silent across the UK during the First World War, rang out in celebration.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: 'On the centenary of the Armistice, we will come together as a nation to stand in silence and honour the fallen of all conflicts.

It is the first time since the Cenotaph was inaugurated in 1920 that a representative of the country has taken part in the UK's national service of remembrance

Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the remembrance service, dressed in a black coat and matching black hat

The Queen viewed the service from the balcony of the nearby Foreign and Commonwealth Office, although Prince Philip was absent - one of the few times he has missed the occasion

Meghan, expecting her first child in the spring with Prince Harry, wore a single poppy to mark Britain's war dead as she stood on the Foreign Office balcony

A flotilla of boats including the Royal barge, QRB Gloriana, the Havengore and traditional boats travel up the River Thames in front of Tower Bridge

Thousands of people gather ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London

A formal gun salute fires on Horse Guards Parade as part of a National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph this morning

Princess Anne salutes military personnel as they march past on Horse Guards Parade during a National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph this morning

'Over the past four years, we have told the story of the First World War and the unique generation who served so bravely and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

'Today, we will also give thanks for all those that returned and the peace they fought so hard for.'

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'To be at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday is a privilege and provides us with the opportunity for reflection along with millions of people in countries that continue to be strong allies.

'The First World War touched communities across the globe and I commend all those who have helped us remember the First World War generation.

'We will never forget them or the sacrifice of thousands of British and Commonwealth troops who have given their lives in other conflicts.'

Among the thousands paying their respects was Lieutenant Commander Sarah Bligh of the Royal Navy.

Prime ministers past and present pay their respects - but Corbyn's hooded anorak is branded 'scruffy' Some of Britain's biggest political figures over the past two decades were on hand to pay their respects at the Armistice this morning. Current Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were joined by former prime ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and John Major for the poignant ceremony in central London. However Mr Corbyn's coat caused outrage on social media as the leader of the opposition was spotted wearing a grey anorak, amid a sea of smart black overcoats. The Labour leader laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London today wearing a grey rain-jacket. Scores of stunned viewers of the live coverage said they were 'shocked' at the politician's choice of attire, with one man claiming he looked as though he was 'going fishing'. The criticism of Mr Corbyn was similar to that delivered in the Michael Foot 'donkey jacket' row in 1981. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Prime Minister Theresa May laid wreaths at the Cenotaph in a poignant ceremony today Four former British prim ministers David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major, from left, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony Current Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn were joined by former prime ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and John Major for the poignant ceremony in central London Mr Corbyn bowed his head after laying the wreath, and wore a poppy, yet scores of critics were angry about his jacket (pictured) Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stands beside Michael Foot in 1981 - on the day he was accused of wearing a 'donkey jacket' to the Cenotaph Advertisement

Trump and Putin in discussion as the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe gets underway on Sunday morning in Paris, France

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend Sunday's ceremony

Trump smiles as Vladimir Putin arrives to take his place at the ceremony in Paris on Sunday morning, one of the biggest remembrance events to take place this weekend

More than 60 heads of state and government gathered - silent, sombre and reflective - for a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the mute and powerful symbol of sacrifice to the millions who died from 1914 to 1918

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump (left) during the ceremony, while French President Macron's wife Brigitte speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin (right)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron as they arrive at the Elysee Palace for the remembrance ceremony in France

Mr Trump and his wife Melania arrive with umbrellas to attend the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with US President Donald Trump shortly before the poignant service in France got underway

French police officers apprehend a topless protester who ran toward the motorcade of President Donald Trump, who was headed on the Champs Elysees

Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Morocco's King Mohammed VI and his son Crown Prince Moulay in France

SNP leader in Westminster, Ian Blackford, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prime Minister Theresa May next to the Cenotaph

The Prince of Wales (left), President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Prince Michael of Kent during the remembrance service

A Royal Guardsman leads instructions during the poignant remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall

Crowds gathered at the Cenotaph in London for services marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War

The Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall this morning

The Royal Navy Submarine Service march towards the Cenotaph, in front of thousands of people who gathered to pay their respects this morning

Veterans and descendants of those who served attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial at the Cenotaph in London this morning

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (left) and former Prime Minister David Cameron walk through Downing Street on their way to the remembrance service at the Cenotaph this morning

The Duke of York (left) is greeted by the Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley before a Service of Remembrance at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast

Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland George Hamilton attends a Service of Remembrance at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice

She said it was her grandmother's stories of the war that inspired her to join the forces.

'The thought of it being 100 years is really poignant. I've got a photograph of my great grandfather taken 100 years ago to celebrate them all coming back from the war,' she said.

'It's incredible to be here 100 years on.'

The ceremony will be followed by the annual Royal British Legion's Veterans Parade.

Big Ben will sound again today at 12.30pm, joining bells across the country and the rest of the world - an event to echo the celebrations of November 11, 1918 as news of the Armistice spread.

In the afternoon, 10,000 members of the public - chosen by ballot - filed past the Cenotaph for 'A Nation's Thank You - The People's Procession'.

Josh Marr, 18, is one of 100 National Citizen Service volunteers who marched.

Remember them: Poignant events held throughout Britain to mark the centenary of Armistice Day Poignant events have taken place across the width and breadth of the UK as Britons pay their respects to those who gave their lives during the First World War. Acts of Remembrance have taken place across Northern Ireland on the centenary of Armistice Day. Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster and Irish Government minister Heather Humphreys laid wreaths at the cenotaph in Enniskillen. Hundreds gathered in the narrow streets to watch a musical procession including a brass band and bagpipes before representatives of the four main churches in the town led a service. Remembrance Sunday in the Co Fermanagh town has an added poignancy after a Provisional IRA bomb devastated the event in 1987. Soldiers from the Royal Artillery man their 105mm light guns at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, as they fire 100 rounds before falling silent as the clock strikes 11am Veterans and serving members of the armed forces gather to commemorate and pay respect to the sacrifice of service men and women who fought in the two World Wars and subsequent conflicts in Fort William, Scotland A military pipe band marches on the Royal Mile for a ceremony at the City Chambers, Edinburgh, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Soldiers from the Royal Artillery march in formation past the historic site of Stonehenge on a sunny morning in Wiltshire today A piper at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. Poignant events have taken place across the width and breadth of the UK as Britons pay their respects to those who gave their lives during the First World War Piper Louise Marshall, wearing a special commemorative red tartan, plays Battle's O'er, the traditional Scottish lament played at the end of battle, at dawn alongside the Forth Bridge at North Queensferry People attend a remembrance service in Fort William in Scotland, where thousands of people in communities the length and breadth of the country observed a two-minute silence at 11am People in Scotland have also fallen silent in an act of remembrance to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War. Thousands of people in communities the length and breadth of the country observed a two-minute silence at 11am in recognition of the centenary of the Armistice and those who have served and lost their lives in conflict. Many did so as they attended ceremonies, parades and services, others pausing for reflection in locations such as railway stations - echoing acts of remembrance taking place across the UK on this day of commemmorations globally. Following the period of quiet observation, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance outside the city chambers in Edinburgh. The Irish President-elect attended the Armistice Day centenary commemorations at Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday. Michael D Higgins, and his wife Sabina, along with government representative Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan paid tribute to the memory of the Irish men and women who died in the First World War. Over 47 countries were represented at the service, and officials laid wreaths at the Irish military plot, before The Last Post was played and the Irish flag returned to full mast. A brass band during a parade through Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, as part of the country's Armistice events The commemorative event at Blackpool, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which marked the end of the First World War The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery at a special Remembrance Sunday service held at Sunderland's war memorial where members of the armed forces and veterans paid their respects to mark the Armistice centenary People attend a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which marked the end of the First World War Advertisement

This graphic shows how Armistice Day will be commemorated in London and around the rest of the country throughout today

Veterans cross decked out in berets with war medals affixed to their chest make their way to the Cenotaph this morning

The traditional two minutes' silence was held at 11am and was marked by the chiming of Big Ben - despite the ongoing renovations to the clock tower

Britain's leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn lays a wreath during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph - wearing an anorak

Acts of Remembrance have taken place across Northern Ireland on the centenary of Armistice Day.

Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster and Irish Government minister Heather Humphreys laid wreaths at the cenotaph in Enniskillen.

Hundreds gathered in the narrow streets to watch a musical procession including a brass band and bagpipes before representatives of the four main churches in the town led a service.

Remembrance Sunday in the Co Fermanagh town has an added poignancy after a Provisional IRA bomb devastated the event in 1987.

The Irish President-elect attended the Armistice Day centenary commemorations at Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery on Sunday.

Michael D Higgins, and his wife Sabina, along with government representative Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan paid tribute to the memory of the Irish men and women who died in the First World War.

Over 47 countries were represented at the service, and officials laid wreaths at the Irish military plot, before The Last Post was played and the Irish flag returned to full mast.

Proud veterans and their descendants proudly march at Whitehall towards the Cenotaph, displaying poppies on their lapels

Donald Trump and his wife, first lady Melania Trump, watch on along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Arc de Triomphe this morning

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie walk through Downing Street ahead of the service at the Cenotaph

The Sydney Opera House is lit up with poppies marking the centenary of the end of the First World War as part of Armistice Day services

Phillip Skelton from the Highgate RSL Branch during Remembrance Day commemorations in Perth, Australia this morning

Cadets stand to attention during a Remembrance Day ceremony honouring members of the armed forces in Hong Kong

New Zealand Army howitzer cannons are fired during a 100 gun salute in a ceremony marking the anniversary in Wellington

More than 100 people gathered in the dark at Enniskillen Castle at 6am to hear the piper play When The Battle's O'er, a traditional tune played after battle

A piper plays When the Battle's O'er, a traditional Scottish lament played after a battle, during the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, outside St Albans Cathedral, Hertfordshire

The Last Post was played on the bugle that sounded the charge of the 36th Ulster Division at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, before a two-minute silence was observed

Piper Darren Robinson of Killadeas Pipe Band plays during a dawn Armistice Day ceremony at Enniskillen Castle this morning

The Wilfred Owen poem Anthem For Doomed Youth was read before ministers from the four main churches in the town led prayers of reflection

Two war veterans aged 97 and 98 join up to 10,000 marchers for a people's procession through London War veterans, descendants and grateful members of the public have marched through the streets of London as part of a 'nation's thank you' to those who fought in the Great War. More than 10,000 people from across the country joined together on the Mall and made their way around St James' Park for Remembrance Sunday. Among the oldest taking part in the march is private Donald Smith, 98, who joined current members of the Queen's Own Highlanders, and Jeff Watkins, 97, who travelled from California in the United States to participate. At the same time as the march, people were encouraged to ring bells around the world, to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918. As news of peace spread on Armistice Day, church bells, which had fallen silent across the UK during the First World War, rang out in celebration. War veterans, descendants and grateful members of the public have marched through the streets of London as part of a 'nation's thank you' to those who fought in the Great War More than 10,000 people from across the country joined together on the Mall and made their way around St James' Park for Remembrance Sunday Among the oldest taking part in the march is private Donald Smith, 98, who joined current members of the Queen's Own Highlanders, and Jeff Watkins, 97, who travelled from California in the United States to participate At the same time as the march, people were encouraged to ring bells around the world, to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918 Members of the Type 42 Association, navy members which have all served on board Type 42 Destroyer ships, gathered in central London for the Armistice parade Joseph Laws, pictured with Navy veteran Albert Neal at the Cenotaph. Send your own remembrance photographs to pictures@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement

Send in your photos from Armistice Day How have you marked Armistice Day? Send your own remembrance photographs to pictures@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement

People in Scotland have also fallen silent in an act of remembrance to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Thousands of people in communities the length and breadth of the country observed a two-minute silence at 11am in recognition of the centenary of the Armistice and those who have served and lost their lives in conflict.

Many did so as they attended ceremonies, parades and services, others pausing for reflection in locations such as railway stations - echoing acts of remembrance taking place across the UK on this day of commemorations globally.

The Queen's representative, the Lord-Lieutenant for County Fermanagh, Viscount Brookeborough, addressing Presbyterian Church minister Rev David Cupples, Monsignor Peter O'Reilly, Methodist Reverend Lorna Dreaning and Church of Ireland The Very Reverend Kenneth Robert James Hall

A lone piper plays during a service of remembrance for those killed in war, is held at 6am outside Manchester Cathedral

Piper Craig Davison (left) plays the traditional Scottish lament When The Battle's O'er alongside his son, Jack and daughter Georgina at St Giles' Church, in Mountnessing, Essex

A silhouette of a First World War Tommy is projected onto Warwick Castle overnight as part of the There But Not There campaign

The same projection was seen on landmarks throughout the country overnight, including HMS Belfast on the River Thames in London

The Tate Modern in Southbank features a similar projection in a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made during the First World War

The memorial (shown on Edinburgh Castle) aims to commemorate those who served, educate others about their sacrifice and heal others who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress disorder

A touching tribute at the peak of a Himalayan mountain as a poppy is laid on Remebrance Sunday: A former Gurkha soldier joined Armistice commemorations by planting a poppy tribute at the peak of a Himalayan mountain. Nims Purja, 35, reached the peak of Ama Dablam in the eastern region of Nepal shortly before 11am on Sunday. Mr Purja said he wanted to do something 'very special' to mark the centenary of the Armistice. 'I feel very humble to be paying tribute to all those who gave their lives for our freedom today but I wanted to do something very special for this very special day marking the centenary of the end of the First World War,' he said. Mr Purja was born in the Dhaulagiri region of Nepal and joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in 2003 before joining the Royal Marines. Next year he is planning his biggest challenge yet when he tries to raise over 1 million for mindfulness charities. He is aiming to climb all 14 of the 8,000 metre-plus Himalayan peaks in a single seven month season. Advertisement

Following the period of quiet observation, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance outside the city chambers in Edinburgh.

She did so after 11 rounds were fired from Edinburgh Castle, with the guns then falling silent.

Of the 700,000 Scots who joined the forces, more than 100,000 died during the First World War.

Nearly every village, city and town in Scotland has some form of memorial displaying the names of their war dead.

The Plymouth University student said the group are representing 'the young people of today, the young people of the future and the young people of 100 years ago'.

His great grandfather fought in Ypres in France.

He said: 'My dad was saying he never spoke about the war, he wouldn't want to at all because it was obviously something that really affected him.

'It's something I have always found really interesting, how can something affect you so badly that you would never want to talk about it?

'It's an experience that we as young people and general citizens now do not come close to feeling.'

A series of events have been planned to mark the special anniversary of the end of the Great War, including a procession of 10,000 people past the Cenotaph.

The day will conclude with a service of thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

A portrait of soldier and poet Wilfred Owen is among those that have been carved into the sand in a poignant tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War

A sand drawing on Ayr Beach of Second Lieutenant Walter Tull, who was Britain's second black professional footballer who had signed up with Rangers, and the first black officer in the British Army

A sand drawing on Ayr Beach of Second Lieutenant Walter Tull, who was Britain's second black professional footballer who had signed up with Rangers, and the first black officer in the British Army

The Royals remember: The Queen wears FIVE poppies as she is joined by Kate and William for the Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall (but who put Harry and Meghan in the cheap seats?)

Their poppies came in all shapes and sizes, strikingly displayed on sombre dark evening wear, but the message was the same: They Shall Not Be Forgotten.

When the Queen joined other Royals to pay tribute to The Fallen at last night's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, Her Majesty's cluster of no fewer than five poppies fastened in a brooch was certainly the biggest.

One theory is that she wears one poppy for each branch of the services: Navy, Army and Air Force, plus one each to represent Civil Defence and women.

Whatever the reason, Her Majesty's tribute was certainly difficult to miss.

The Duchess of Cambridge, meanwhile, limited herself to three paper poppies fastened in place by her brooch, wearing her poppies on her right breast instead of the traditional left, to be close to the heart.

Queen Elizabeth II with Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall

Meghan arrives at the event (left), as does The Duchess of Cambridge (right), who limited herself to three paper poppies fastened in place by her brooch, wearing her poppies on her right breast instead of the traditional left, to be close to the heart

A large procession salutes in the arena during the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall last night, as members of the royal family watch on

Who put Harry and Meghan in the cheap seats? Several members of the Royal family attended the Royal Albert Hall tonight to pay tribute to the British victims of WWI. Among them were the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex were also in attendance but, for some reason, they were both seated at the back of the box, far away from the front row. Shots of the royal box showed the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sitting close together while Harry and Meghan were almost out of view in the far corner. At the Albert Hall were, from left, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, Tim Laurence, Princess Anne, Prince Michael of Kent, the Queen, an unknown guest, the Duke of Kent, Prince Charles, Prince Edward and the Countess Of Wessex, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Andrew, and the Duchess and Duke of Sussex. In the next box are Theresa and Philip May Advertisement

The reason was probably because her asymmetric dress was revealingly cut on the left-hand side, with no space for a poppy.

The Duchess of Sussex made do with a far more modest poppy enamel pin and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, chose a 29.99 Women of the First World War Brooch, issued by the Royal British Legion, which has proved so popular that it has sold out this year.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex's brooch didn't appear to be in this year's poppy range, suggesting that she may have recycled one she had already.

The male members of the Royal Family, including Princes William and Harry, contented themselves with one simple paper poppy each adorning their military medals.

The annual Festival of Remembrance in London, which commemorates the war dead, included performances from Sir Tom Jones, Sir Bryn Terfel and Sheridan Smith and was presented by the BBC's Huw Edwards.

The Royal Family stood as thousands of audience members attending the event held aloft photographs of family members who took part in the First World War.

A national service will take place later at Westminster Abbey.

Members of the audience held up images of relatives who died in war in a poignant segment of last night's remembrance service at the Royal Albert Hall

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the Royal British Legion Festival tonight

Meghan arrives at the event (left), as does The Duchess of Cambridge (right), who limited herself to three paper poppies fastened in place by her brooch, wearing her poppies on her right breast instead of the traditional left, to be close to the heart

The royal family stand in applause as the show begins. Charles reads the event programme, which is produced by the event organisers, the Royal British LegionKirsty Maxwell with her newlywed husband Adam

Eight police officers have been summonsed to court later this week to be grilled about the death of Benidorm plunge holidaymaker Kirsty Maxwell.

Five National Police officers - including the officer who drafted the police report and a second who participated in an inspection of the tenth-floor apartment where Kirsty died - will be questioned during the hearing in the Costa Blanca resort this Thursday along with three town hall-employed local police.

The bank worker's family's new lawyer Lorena Soler Bernabeu is expected to use the hearing to try to question the police response and urge the investigating judge to order a fuller probe.

A friend of Kirsty's, who handed over a copy of a home-made video of her sleeping shortly before her April 29 2017 death, was questioned last week at the same court in Benidorm.

Two Brits who formed part of a large group five suspects being probed over the incident were in, had also been expected to attend the hearing so they could be quizzed as witnesses.

CCTV footage from a camera in the hotel shows Kirsty Maxell (far right) arriving back to the hotel with friends before her tragic death hours later

Kirsty Maxwell's Family Lawyer Lorena Bernabeu (left) and friend Michelle Sneddon arrive at investigation hearing at Benidorm court on Thursday

But a legal representative told the court they had been given too little notice and had been unable to get time off work.

They are expected to receive a court summons for another date, although officials were unavailable for comment on Sunday.

The two court hearings are taking place at the request of a state prosecutor after it emerged no 'foreign DNA' had been found in samples taken from Kirsty's body.

Her family had been hoping the samples, taken from her nails and other parts of her body including her hands and armpits, might contain DNA belonging to one of the five British men under investigation and back their belief 'something dark' happened in the tenth-floor holiday flat before she went over the edge.

The men have been named as Joseph Graham; Ricky Gammon; Anthony Holehouse; Callum Northridge; and Daniel Bailey. They are all from the Nottingham area.

The family of Kirsty Maxwell pictured in coversation with their lawyer outside the court in Benidorm

Kirsty's family in talks with their lawyer with whom they are attempting to force a fuller inquiry into her death

All five have denied any wrongdoing. None have been charged with any crime, as is normal in Spain where formal charges are only laid shortly before trial.

A spokesman for Kirsty's family said it would be 'inappropriate' for them and their lawyer to comment on what was being published about the case.

She said: 'They will contain to maintain their dignity and respect the court processes by avoiding speaking publicly about matters which could be perceived as sensitive.'

Kirsty, from Livingston, West Lothian, was 27 when she died.

She plunged to her death after entering a tenth-floor room where five British men were partying.

Investigators believe she panicked after waking up following a hen 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.

Adam 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.'TV personality Penny Lancaster has revealed that her eldest son is bullied by other children because his father is Rod Stewart.

The star of ITV's Loose Women, who is married to the rock star, spoke at the start of anti-bullying week to discuss how her son had been through 'a little bit of bullying' and that his peers would say things about his father.

Penny said that all of Rod's eight children have experienced bullying for Rod's fame.

Penny, 47, revealed that Alastair, 12, did not like to be taken to school in one of their expensive cars and preferred to be driven in his nanny's car.

Happy family: TV personality Penny Lancaster her husband Rod Stewart and their children Alastair, 12, and and Aiden, seven. Penny has revealed that her eldest son is bullied by other children because of his father's fame

The former model comforts her son Alistair the same way her parents did with her by explaining that people bully because they are 'not happy'.

She tells her son: 'You are tall, polite, handsome. You have got your arts scholarship. You are a brilliant sportsman. They are jealous - rise above it.'

Penny was bullied on and off by her peers until she was 16 at Beal High School in Redbridge, east London.

Taunts by pupils included riding bikes into the back of her legs, messing up her hair and having rubbers thrown at her head.

On the last day of school children poured flour and eggs over her as she tried to protect a friend. She decided to tell her head teacher to explain why her uniform was ruined, and he made the bullies pay for her coat to be cleaned.

Penny told Sian Griffiths of The Sunday Times: '...I was neatly presented. I didn't swear, so they thought I was snobby.'

Rod with his children. Penny revealed that Alastair, 12, did not like being taken to school in one of their expensive cars

Rod with his sons at a concert in Glasgow. Penny comforts her son Alistair the same way her parents did with her by explaining that people bully because they are 'not happy'

Penny was diagnosed with dyslexia last year and encouraged her son Alastair to get tested, who also turned out to have it too.

Penny said that Alastair was initially embarrassed by his dyslexia diagnosis and it took some persuasion to convince him that it wasn't a bad thing.

She said: 'I explained it as like a gold handicap and now he has got his head around, and he's lucky it's been picked up on unlike my experience eat school.'

Penny husband Rod recently revealed why they had decided to bring up their children in England and not Los Angeles

Penny husband Rod recently revealed why they had decided to bring up their children in England and not Los Angeles.

Rod, 73 spent decades living in LA but has now returned to England, where he resides at a country estate with wife Penny Lancaster and their two sons.

In an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, the Maggie May hit-maker revealed why he wants to raise his youngest boys, Alistair, and Aiden, seven, in the United Kingdom.

'I want my kids (Alistair and Aiden) to be brought up in this country. They love it here, they don't want to go back to L.A.,' he explained.

'It's probably because I've seen, with kids being brought up in Beverly Hills, a lot of damage.'US President Donald Trump put on a very friendly display with Vladimir Putin as the pair attended an Armistice Day service in Paris on Sunday.

The world leaders were pictured standing side by side in the rain at the Arc de Triomphe to pay tribute to those who died in the First World War, 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent.

Putin and Trump were filmed shaking hands and exchanging pats on the back as they took their place for the memorial.

The Russian President, who was the last to arrive, was also spotted giving Trump a thumbs up.

Trump and Putin in discussion as the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe gets underway on Sunday morning

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brigitte Macron, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend Sunday's ceremony

Trump smiles as Vladimir Putin arrives to take his place at the ceremony in Paris on Sunday morning

In a glass canopy at the foot of the triumphal arch, built by Emperor Napoleon in 1806, Macron, Trump, Putin and Merkel stood amongst scores of other politicians for the solemn ceremony.

In a rare public display of emotion by the leaders of two world powers, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war.

Those who fought in the trenches of World War One lived through an unimaginable hell, Macron said in a 20-minute speech, highlighting that as well as the deaths of 10 million troops, millions of women were widowed and children orphaned.

'The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten,' said Macron, sorrow etched on the faces of former French soldiers standing to attention around him during the ceremony.

'It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential.'

Photos of WWI soldiers are displayed on a giant screen as world leaders attend a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe

Putin arrived later than his counterparts carrying a large umbrella in the pouring rain of Paris

Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the international ceremony for the Centenary

The armored limousine known as 'The Beast' carrying US president arrives ahead of a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe

As President Trump was arriving at the unity ceremony in Paris on Sunday, a topless woman bearing the messages 'fake' and 'peace' on her chest threw herself at the president's motorcade as it pulled up to the Arc de Triomphe in protest.

Two other women also tried to approach the president and were stopped by security guards.

Several minutes later he and Melania arrived under separate umbrellas, the president in a black suit and red tie and the first lady in a grey dress and matching overcoat.

One of the biggest security operations in French history swung in to action on Sunday as the world leaders prepared to attend the ceremony.

Ten thousand dedicated police officers lined the streets of Paris along with military units to guard 80 VIP guests, including Princess Charlene of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert II.

Most travelled in official buses, while Mr Trump was given special permission to use his 'Beast' armoured Cadillac limousine because he is considered the highest risk.

A protester tries to jump into the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump on his way to the commemoration ceremony

US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump prepare to leave after they attended the commemoration

Heads of state including Irish PM Leo Varadkar stood in rank and file as they attended the ceremony

Infrared missiles and rooftop snipers were all available to commanders, along with mobile units of elite anti-terrorist officers.

Those in the French capital for the day also included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

They received maximum personal protection as they accompany French president Emmanuel Macron to the Arc de Triomphe.

'They will assist in paying their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and take part in a ceremony lasting around an hour and a half' said an organiser of the historic event.

'Beyond the regular police and soldiers guarding them, there will be counter-terrorism units operating.

'Mr Trump has permission to use his own Cadillac because of particular security threats against him.'

The world leaders walking up the Champs Elysee towards the ceremony on Sunday morning

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron leave the Elysee Palace in Paris to go to the Arc de Triomphe ceremony

Macron was pictured greeting droves of world leaders and politicians including European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Sunday

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron as they arrive at the Elysee Palace for the ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte welcome Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene

Demonstrations were expected against the American head of state, but these were mostly confined to isolated parts of the capital, well away from the main commemorations.

However, one protester did manage to break through the barriers near Trump's convoy.

The topless woman, who is believed to be a member of feminist group Femen, was pictured being hauled away by French police minutes before the solemn ceremony was due to start.

Mr Trump is far from popular in France for a number of reasons, including pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement on reducing carbon emissions.

Mr Trump also caused widespread anger on Saturday by pulling out of a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, 50 miles north of Paris, because of 'bad weather'.

It was claimed that Marine 1  the presidential helicopter  would have struggled to get there in the rain.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to President Macron's wife Brigitte Macron as she arrives on Sunday

Macron pictured with the Bulgarian President outside the Elysee Palace on Sunday despite the rain

French police take position before the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday

Thousands of soldiers have been brought in to guard 80 VIP guests including US president Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin

Around 80 heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony to honour the fallen on Sunday

Conservative MP Nicolas Soames, Winston Churchill's grandson, was among those who considered this excuse preposterous, and considered it an insult to the war dead.

Mr Soames tweeted: 'They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @realDonaldTrump couldn't even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen.'

Following today's ceremony, many of the world leaders will attend a Peace Forum organised by Mr Macron, aimed at encouraging international cooperation.

However, Mr Trump has made it clear that he will not attend.

The two world leaders wave to the crowds outside the Elysee Palace on the eve of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

Trump caused controversy by refusing to attend a ceremony for the American fallen outside Paris because of the rain. Pictured: Trump is greeted by Macron at the Elysee Palace Saturday

Donald Trump shakes hands with Macron ahead of the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918

Melania is glamorous in grey as she leads the First Wives at Armistice commemorations in Paris - while Brigitte Macron keeps the style stakes high in THREE different outfits

by Siofra Brennan

It was a rainy morning in Paris as world leaders and their partners turned out to mark Armistice Day, but the drizzly atmosphere did nothing to put a dampener on the First Ladies' style.

Melania Trump, 48, led the way in a chic grey ensemble as she arrived for the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe.

The First Lady was elegant in a belted grey dress with a full pleated skirt with a pussy bow feature at the neckline, teamed with a grey overcoat she wore over her shoulders in a trendy 'shrobing' style.

French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, second left, poses with US First Lady Melania Trump, center, and other leaders's partners at the Palace of Versailles

First Lady Melania Trump looked the picture of elegance in a grey wool pleated dress, teamed with an overcoat in the same shade as she attended the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918 in Paris

Not to be outdone, her French counterpart Brigitte Macron wore three different outfits, for this morning's events beginning the day in a smart black overcoat with silver buttons, teamed with sleek black trousers as she welcomed guests at the Elysee Palace.

She then changed into another smart black coat trimmed with three leather panels in dark grey, brown and white for the commemoration ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe.

And as she welcomed the First Wives for lunch at the Palace of Versailles, she mixed up her outfit for the third time by donning a smart khaki blazer

Not to be outdone, Princess Charlene of Monaco stunned in a smart grey checked coat teamed with a shirt featuring an oversized bow at the neck.

The mother-of-two also opted for smart black trousers for the event, as she joined her husband Prince Albert.

A friendly duo! French First Lady Brigitte Macron and her US counterpart Melania Trump looked delighted to be spending time in each other's company once more

Quick change! Brigitte Macron donned a second coat trimmed with grey, brown and white leather panels to attend the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day in Paris

Last night the cohort descended on the Orsay Museum in Paris for an official dinner marking commemorations for Armistice Day.

And despite the solemnity of the occasion, there was no shortage of glamour as wives of European leaders dress to the nines in jewel tones and velvet evening gowns.

Naturally as wife of the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron put her best foot forward, looking perfect co-ordinated with her husband in a smary navy dress and jacket.

But she faced stiff competition in the style stakes from First Lady Melania Trump who opted for androgynous chic in a smart tuxedo.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlene of Monaco also looked achingly chic in a floor length black gown, which showcased her statuesque figure.

Monika Babisova, 44, wife of the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, put on a glamorous display in an off-the-shoulder red gown.

The couple who met when she worked as his secretary have been together around 20 years and share two children, but only got around to tying the knot in 2017.

Monika is well known for her love of designer labels such as Fendi, Gucci or Dior, so it's no wonder she was eager to pull out all the stops for the high profile occasion.

Meanwhile, Peristera Baziana - the wife of the Greek PM - also cut a striking figure in crimson velvet.The grieving father of a missing RAF gunner has accepted that his son is dead two years after he was last seen.

Martin McKeague, 49, from Cupar, Fife, was able to finally say farewell to his 23-year-old son Corrie McKeague during a church tribute held on November 10.

The dad-of-three, who organised the tribute at St Columba's RC Church in Cupar, Fife, wiped away tears as he hailed Corrie 'carefree and energetic'.

Father Martin McKeague (right), 49, of missing RAF gunner Corrie McKeague (left), 23, held a memorial service yesterday in Cupar, Fife, after accepting his son was dead two years after he went missing

The RAF gunner was last seen on a night out in Bury St Edmund, Suffolk, on September 24 2016 and police have long thought he was buried under a landfill

Mr McKeague was joined by wife Trisha, 56, and around 200 mourners and RAF officials who attended the service to pay their respects to the Scottish-born gunner.

Mr McKeague told attendees at the service that they were not there to relive the 'horrific journey' of the last two years but to bring Corrie home.

According to The Sun the heartbroken father said: 'We did everything we possibly could to find you, son, and today were going to honour that commitment in the only way we can.

Mr McKeague held the tribute at St Columbas RC Church in Cupar, Fife, Scotland. During the service he described his son as 'carefree and energetic'

'Were going to celebrate the man you became from the moment I first held you to the moment I no longer could.'

The 23-year-old was last seen on a night out in Bury St Edmund, Suffolk, on September 24 2016 and police have long thought he fell into a skip before being crushed in a refuse lorry that was driving to a landfill site.

Search teams were sent to scour two landfill sites in Milton, Cambridgeshire, but to no avail.

However last week Corrie's mother Nicola Urquhart, 48, said on Facebook that she believed her son's body was never at the landfill site referring to CCTV footage capturing his last movements after the bin lorry had left.

Last week Corrie's mother Nicola Urquhart, 48, said she believed her son was not in a bin lorry as has previously been theorised by the police

She said that CCTV footage showed her son moments after the bin lorry had left

She wrote: 'Suffolk Police cannot confirm Corrie wasnt given a lift out of the area.

'ALL they can say is they didnt see him leave before 12am, after that, they have NOT even looked!!! as they do not have the CCTV, they never even asked for it.

'We have been shown CCTV of people in the area of the horseshoe just after Corrie walked in there, all are wearing dark clothing you then see them leaving the area and one is clearly wearing white or very light coloured trousers. (I believe this is Corrie).'



A member of the Bahraini royal family is being sued for 35million at Britains High Court after agreeing to pay a fortune to meet his Bollywood film idols - before going back on his word.

Sheikh Hamad Isa Ali al-Khalifa, 50, allegedly struck a multi-million pound deal with an Egyptian businessman for exclusive one-on-one meetings with his favourite stars.

Ahmed Adel Abdallah Ahmed, 43, who runs an events firm, said the royal made a list of 26 Bollywood stars he was desperate to meet.

Sheikh Hamad Isa Ali al-Khalifa, 50, allegedly pulled out of a multi-million pound deal with an Egyptian businessman

He'd drawn up a 26-man list of celebrities he was desperate to meet, including former Miss World Aishwarya Rai

It included A-listers such as Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor and former Miss World and Bride and Prejudice star Aishwarya Rai.

Bunty Walla, Sanjay Dutt, Deepika Padukone and Karishma Kapoor were also reportedly on the wish list.

According to court papers, Mr Ahmed said the sheikh - cousin of the King of Bahrain and nephew of the Prime Minister - agreed to pay more than 1.1m per 20-minute meeting in various luxury hotels in Dubai and India.

The businessman claims the royal cut the deal short after meeting just four of the 26 actors - having paid only 2.3m.

He also alleges that he pulled out of a 400,000 deal to sponsor The Times of India Film Awards.

Mr Ahmed said: 'Given the positive relationship I felt we had built up during our work, I feel betrayed.'

Slumdog Millionaire star Anil Kapoor was also scheduled for a 15-minute one-on-one meeting with the royal

Mr Ahmed is suing the sheikh for damages and a breach of contract.

In court papers, the sheikh's defence claims he was told each encounter would cost 30,000 to 50,000.

He claims he felt 'threatened' by Mr Ahmed and believed he 'was seeking to take an unfair advantage of him'.

Mr Ahmed argued the case should be heard in London because the sheikh spends 'a large part of his time' in the capital and owns several British bank accounts.

He also believed he wouldn't get a fair trial in Bahrain.Frenzied stabbings and gangland murders on the streets of London have sparked a row between police and the Government as Home Secretary Sajid Javid hits back at claims officers are being 'hamstrung' by politicians.

Earlier this week, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said Home Office rules were making it harder for her officers to work.

The Met boss accused Sajid Javid's department of 'stepping back' and said 'greater leadership' was needed.

She slammed a failure to introduce laws allowing police to use facial recognition and said more funding is needed.

It came after a row over whether cuts in funding are linked to rising crime as the force investigates its 120th murder this year.

Mr Javid said it was not fair to place to blame solely on his department.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick have disagreed over exactly how much help police are getting from Government

Mr Javid said he is giving officers every power he can to ensure they can prevent and solve crimes after London's 116th murder of 2018. Cressida Dick said 'greater leadership' is needed. As they met on Saturday in Brixton Ms Dick said they were both on the same side as they attempt to end the violence gripping the capital

Speaking to the Sun on Sunday, the MP said: 'Young people are losing their lives.

'Parents and others will be absolutely devastated.

'They are looking for leadership, absolutely from government, but also from police, mayors and others.

'And that's what they're certainly going to get from the Government.

'First and foremost, I am ensuring police have all the powers they need.

'Carrying any type of knife is totally unacceptable and we have already made it illegal to sell, deliver or carry in public so-called zombie knives.

'Our Offensive Weapons Bill, currently going through Parliament, will mean that in future if a police officer spots one of these gruesome weapons in someone's home, they will be able to confiscate them on the spot and arrest the owner.'

The row follows the 116th murder investigation in the capital this year after a boy, 15, was stabbed in the heart and killed outside a chicken shop in Bellingham, London.

Jay Hughes (above) was attacked by four men who slashed at his body on the street last Thursday

This is the shocking moment Jai Sewell, 15, was stabbed in Bellingham, South East London

Five people have been murdered in stab attacks in the capital in the past eight days alone

Ayodeji Azeez, 22, died after being attacked by a gang of men who chased him in Anerley, South East London, on Sunday

Horrifying footage showed how the boy was standing outside the store with a friend when a gang carrying knives ran past.

The last member of the gang stopped in his tracks and lunged at Jay Hughes, known to friends as Jai Sewell, delivering the fatal blow.

Jai was the fifth person stabbed to death in six days.

It began with the murder of father Rocky Djelal, 38, who was killed in Southwark Park, Rotherhithe, in a targeted attack last Wednesday.

The next evening, Jai was killed. On Friday, college student Malcolm Mide-Madariola, 17, was knifed to death outside Clapham South Tube station.

Ayodeji Azeez, 22, from Dagenham, then died after being attacked by a gang of men who chased him down the street in Anerley, South East London, on Sunday.

Rocky Djelal (left) was killed in Rotherhithe in a targeted attack last Wednesday. Malcolm Mide-Madariola (right) was fatally stabbed outside Clapham South Tube station last Friday

The latest victim was a 16-year-old, known as John O, stabbed to death in Tulse Hill, South London, on Monday. Friends said he was a drill rapper known as JaySav.

Both Mr Javid and Ms Dick visited Briton to reveal there would be a 17.7million investment in 29 projects to keep children in the capital away from crime.

The nation's top police officer said the pair were in agreement there must be a focus on violent crime.

Attempting to reassure the public Mr Javid said an independent review into drugs and gang violence would come in the future.

In October, Mr Javid vowed to make it easier for officers to use stop and search powers.

Mr Javid vowed to 'reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency in the use of this power' to tackle rising levels of violent crime in London.

Figures released last week showed that the number of stop and searches in London has fallen in the last year despite the upward trend in knife crime.

Mr Javid unveiled details of a new drive to stop youngsters being drawn into crime or exploited by gangs on Saturday. (pictured with Cressida Dick)

Mr Javid said money was not the only way to improve policing and said police had to be confident in stopping and searching suspects, the Evening Standard reported.

He said: 'Money alone isnt the answer. Thats why Im also making sure the police have the right powers too.

'One of these powers is stop and search. I want officers to feel confident, trusted and supported in using stop and search, and I will be looking at ways to reduce bureaucracy and increase efficiency in the use of this power.'

In the year to March, police conducted 282,248 stops and searches  a fall of 7 per cent on the previous 12 months and the lowest number since current data collection started in the year to March 2002.

In London there was a fall of 2.4 per cent to 135,850, despite the level of knife crime rising to 14,987 attacks in the year ending in June, the highest on record.

While use of the tactic has fallen, the proportion of stop and searches leading to an arrest, 17 per cent, is the highest since the statistical series started.A man who was shot dead by police after he attacked an officer while in hospital was wanted over numerous robbery offences and once set fire to a pensioner for fun.

Tyson Jessen, 28, told officers he felt sick and asked to go to a hospital on Saturday night - 24 hours after he was first arrested for other serious offences, the Courier Mail reported.

Police rushed him to Ipswich Hospital in Brisbane's west, and were guarding his bed 'when he became violent towards an officer'.

Senior Constable Leesa Richardson shot Jesson after attempts to subdue him failed. She was seriously injured during the attack, and was treated for facial injuries.

Tyson Jessen, 28, was wanted by Victoria Police in relation to armed robberies in the region when he was arrested in Ipswich on Friday for other serious offences

Senior Constable Leesa Richardson (pictured) shot Jesson after attempts to subdue him failed, she was seriously injured during the attack, and was treated for facial injuries

On Sunday, it was revealed Jesson, who died from his wounds, was wanted by Victoria Police over a series of armed robberies in the region and had an extensive criminal history.

Ten years ago, Jessen was one of several people who set a mentally ill pensioner alight in Victoria, according to the Courier Mail.

The elderly man suffered burns to nearly 50 per cent of his body.

An ethics committee will investigate the shooting with assistance from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Ian Leavers, Queensland Police Union president, said he believed Sen-Constable Richardson did what had to be done in the heat of the moment and acted both bravely and professionally.

'We are very very lucky we did not have a police officer murdered last night.'

'These incidents are sadly becoming far too common but it shows we will do our job each and every day,' Mr Leavers said.

Inspector Michael Trezise said the number of shots fired would inform part of the investigation.

'It's the most difficult decision an operational officer can make, it's made under stress and under time pressure,' he said of police using lethal force.

A man has been fatally shot by police while he was under guard at Ipswich Hospital (pictured)A Flybe pilot who was fired after developing a fear of flying has won a claim for unfair dismissal despite having difficulty flying for the past four years.

First officer Matthew Guest became anxious and had 'panic attacks' after being promoted, an employment tribunal heard.

The father-of-two had given almost a decade's 'good service' to the budget airline when he was given his marching orders owing to his phobia.

An employment judge ruled he should have been offered alternative roles or at least an opportunity to discuss his case with group chief operating officer Luke Farajallah.

Mr Guest now has the opportunity to get his old job back based at Birmingham West Midlands Airport.

Flybe pilot Matthew Guest who was fired after developing a fear of flying has won a claim for unfair dismissal despite having difficulty flying

He had worked on Q400 planes for seven years since joining in August 2007 which are crewed by a Captain and a First Officer.

The flights are of longer duration and Mr Guest was delighted to join them.

But on 13 December 2014 he had 'an unsettling experience' halfway through a flight to Florence when he suddenly felt sick and dizzy.

He 'felt anxious to be on the plane, hot, dizzy, churning stomach,' the Birmingham hearing was told. He later said it was like having 'air sickness, feeling woozy, hot.'

Later that month he had a feeling of impending doom or dread and a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach as he drove to the airport.

Judge Tom Coghlin QC said in a written ruling: 'He later described this as feeling like severe butterflies or stomach cramp. He called in sick and returned home.'

He was due to fly to Keflavik in Iceland but felt anxious and told his Captain before take-off that he did not feel well enough to fly.

Every pilot is assigned an Aeromedical Medical Advisor (AME) designated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) whose role is to certify the pilot as fit to fly. A Class 1 medical certificate is required to fly commercial aircraft.

He informed his AME, Dr Ken Dawson, of his situation by email that day. He explained that his home life was not easy at that point since he had a toddler going through the 'terrible twos' and a three-month-old baby.

His GP then wrote to Flybe explaining her patient 'has developed an increasing phobia and anxiety about long-distance flights and being trapped on the aeroplane.'

Dr Dawson wrote to Mr Guest confirming that his medical certificate was temporarily suspended due to 'panic attacks'.

The first officer became anxious and had 'panic attacks' after being promoted, an employment tribunal heard

Over the next two months he underwent six CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) sessions and had his medical certificate was reinstated by the CAA on 27 April 2015.

After this he sometimes felt a bit sick during flights: occasionally at first, but with increasing frequency. He also had a gradual increase in feelings of anxiety before flights.

In July he was due to fly to Salzburg but shortly before take-off he began to feel, as he put it in his witness statement, 'very sick and jumpy'.

He felt shaky with an increased heart rate and hyperventilation. He could not bear the idea of spending the next two hours flying.

He told his Captain that he did not want to go ahead with the flight, and he was de-planed. He later described this as an 'anxiety attack' and a 'panic attack'.

He continued to struggle and was eventually signed off with anxiety and began a second period of absence during which he attended CBT sessions, hypnotherapy and acupuncture and was prescribed an antidepressant permissible for pilots.

He was assessed on 25 September 2015 by Professor Anthony Cleare, the CAA's Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry.

Mr Guest returned to work on 26 April 2016 where it went well at first.

After the first month he worked part-time, with a pattern of 5 days on, 5 days off. He undertook training.

Mr Guest now has the opportunity to get his old job back based at Birmingham Airport

He spent time sitting on the jump seat on flights, refamiliarising himself with flying; and he spent time flying with a supernumerary pilot on the jump seat who could take over if he became unwell.

The claimant returned to normal duties on 1 June 2016, still working 5 days on, 5 off. After flying on 2 June 2016 he completed a note saying 'Fine. Elated when I got home 'I'm cured!'

But subsequent flights were more mixed: on 9 June he noted 'relieved when flight under 2 hours, or reason to fly faster'; on 10 June 'mindful but no problems'; on 11 June 'more wary halfway there remained confident and distracted self.'

Things came to a head on 17 June 2016. The claimant learned that he was due to fly to Kefalonia in Greece the next day. This was a long flight of four hours.

He was advised by head of pilot management Lee Goreham to pass the time during the cruise phase by reading a book or doing a crossword, as pilots frequently do.

The claimant agreed to carry out the flight, but that evening continued to have concerns and he called in sick the following day.

His roster was then cleared without reference to him. He remained off duty and was not to return to work before the end of his employment in 2017.

He was informed of the company decision taken by group chief operating officer Luke Farajallah in a letter dated march 24 2017.

It read: 'The Company remains concerned regarding your fitness to safely fly. Due to the uncertainty of your condition we cannot as an organisation accept the risk to safety.

'The medical advice containing the suggestion that your condition could return causes the Company serious concerns and Flybe are not prepared to take risks in the flight deck with people's lives.

An employment judge ruled he should have been offered alternative roles or at least an opportunity to discuss his case with group chief operating officer Luke Farajallah

'We are not prepared to take the risk of returning you as a Pilot on the EJet or Dash 8, so we are providing you with formal notice that we intend to terminate your employment on capability grounds.'

The hearing was told the claimant was offered a ground based role as Flight Safety Support Officer based at their HQ in Exeter with hotel accommodation paid for.

But he was told by Colin Rydon, director of flight operations, there would be no possibility of returning to flying if he accepted it.

The judge said: 'Here, the relevant decision-maker on that key question was Mr Farajallah.

'At the time when the decision was made in October 2016, and when Mr Farajallah reaffirmed it in his email on 22 January 2017, Mr Farajallah had never met the claimant, and the claimant had had no opportunity to speak to him or to address his concerns or to influence his thinking.

'It is a basic principle of natural justice and of fairness that an employee should have the chance to address the relevant decision-maker. Here, the claimant had no such opportunity.

'He was not told of Mr Farajallah's involvement at all. On the contrary he was led to believe that the decision was to be taken by Mr Firth.'

The judge said Mr Guest could have returned to flying the Q400, which he had flown safely and without difficulty for years, or been allowed to fly for a time with a supernumerary pilot.

Upholding his claim, the Judge said that had Flybe followed the correct procedure there was a two thirds chance they would have sacked him fairly.

Mr Guest is seeking reinstatement as his remedy for unfair dismissal.

Unless the parties are able to resolve this, the matter will be decided by a remedy hearing later this month.A maths teacher who sexually assaulted his 15-year-old student has refused to apologise for his crimes and maintains he's the real victim, despite being convicted.

Recently, Nicolaas Bester, from Tasmania, was confronted by 60 Minutes journalist Allison Langdon over the 2010 assault of a schoolgirl at Hobart's prestigious St Michael's Collegiate, which saw him sentenced to more than two years behind bars.

Bester served an additional four months in 2016 after he bragged about the relationship with the teenager as 'awesome' and 'enviable' on Facebook.

The hostile confrontation, which aired on Sunday night, comes after the young victim spoke out against being silenced by outdated laws criminalising victims who share their story.

The convicted sex offender, Nicolaas Bester (left), is allowed to speak freely and has previously made statements claiming the relationship was consensual and that he was the real victim

Outside an Officeworks, Bester, now 65, refused to admit any wrongdoing, saying he did 'nothing of the kind' when approached by Ms Langdon.

After the journalist asked if he was ready to apologise to the victim, Bester halted.

'There's that word again, victim. We'll see who the victim is,' implying that he is the victim.

He also made no apologies for his behaviour.

The then-teenager was preyed on by Bester, a highly regarded teacher, who assaulted her at school, in his office, a hotel room and at church.

She said she saw him as a father figure while she struggled to cope with a broken family life and an eating disorder.

A woman who was sexually assaulted by her maths teacher at 15-years-old has been silenced by a barbaric and outdated law that criminalises victims who share their story

After six months of abuse, she found the courage to report the assaults to police who jailed the 58-year-old for two years.

His sentence was increased for making child exploitation material and referring to the 'sexual relationship' with the student as enviable and awesome.

During her interview with 60 Minutes , the victim - who is forced to keep her identity a secret - shared her story and the law that continues to obstruct her truth.

The young woman - who is forced to keep her identity a secret - shares her story and the law that continues to obstruct her truth

Section 194K of the Evidence Act in Tasmania prohibits revealing the identity of a sexual assault survivor - even if they are willing to share their story.

Section 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 Anonymity of sexual assault complainants in Tasmania is protected by s 194K of the Evidence Act 2001 (Tas). In summary, a person cannot publish anything to identify a victim of a sexual crime. They are only able to if they have a court order. A court will only authorise publication if information is considered public interest. They are likely to impose conditions to the publication. It is punishable as a contempt of court, without authorisation. SOURCE: Tasmania Law Reform Institute Advertisement

Publishing information without court authorisation is punishable as contempt of court.

In the 60 Minutes segment, 'Jane Doe' is forced to speak behind an alias where her face is blurred and voice is altered.

But her attacker, Bester, is allowed to speak freely and has previously made statements claiming the relationship was consensual and that he was the real victim.

'The fact that I can't take control of my own story, that's frustrating, and it adds to that feeling of I have to be ashamed of my story, of my past, which shouldn't be the case,' Jane Doe said.

In a particularly horrifying instance, Bester manipulated a memory the young woman shared with him of prior abuse as a child, where she was locked in a closet.

He forced her to recreate the moment and told her to take off her clothes. She described the incident as cruel, haunting and evil.

Under Tasmanian law, the conviction against Bester had no mention of rape, sexual abuse or grooming.

He was charged with maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person, despite months of grooming Jane Doe endured and her youth.

When he was released from prison, Bester released an interview branding himself as a victim who lost his wife, status in the community and job as a result of the conviction.

American actor and activist Alyssa Milano, who has been an advocate of the #MeToo movement, also spoke with 60 Minutes.

The Charmed star is launching the #LetHerSpeak social media campaign in the hope of starting further conversation.

She also thanked Jane Doe for being brave and for taking up her fight.A grandmother who travelled halfway across the world for the birth of her first granddaughter missed the monumental occasion after she was struck by a wayward cyclist and severely injured.

Fatima Enari, 67, flew all the way to New Zealand from the United States in September to be with her son and his pregnant wife.

But on October 22, Fatima was hit by a cyclist and suffered a severe brain injury, leaving her drifting in and out of consciousness for the past three weeks.

Fatima Enari (pictured) has been drifting in and out of consciousness for the past three weeks

Fatima was rushed to Auckland Hospital Intensive Care Unit, where staff found she had brain bleeding, damage to her frontal lobe and a fracture in the back of her skull.

She was admitted into the ICU, where she lay unconscious and unaware of her granddaughter's arrival just two floors above her room.

When they heard of the medical disaster, her husband Sarasopa got on the first flight from America. Their daughter, Teuila, travelled from her home in Canada.

The distraught pair have taken turns looking after Fatima, waiting for her to fully regain consciousness.

'Every time the nurses ask her the year, she keeps going back to 2017. The lights are on but she is not quite home,' Teuila told the New Zealand Herald.

Fatima (right) flew to New Zealand from America ahead of the birth of her first granddaughter

Fatima has been in and out of consciousness and hasn't been able to register the newborn baby girl her son sometimes places in her arms.

'It has been bitter sweet. My brother brought the baby down when mum had her eyes open but it hasn't quite sunk in.'

The length of Fatima's stay in hospital and the exact extent of her injuries will be unknown until she can stay awake, according to a fundraising page set up by Teuila.

Teuila says the purpose of the page is to 'get mum back on her feet'.

Her daughter Teulia (left) flew from Canada to be by her mother's (right) side

The elderly woman was swept off her feet by the cyclist while going for her routine morning walk.

Police are treating the incident as an accident.

The cyclist has yet to be identified, with Teuila imploring him to come forward for her father's sake.

'We are completely in the dark.'This is how the notorious drug lord El Chapo tried to smuggle $100million worth of high grade cocaine into Australia using cucumbers and bananas.

The man known officially as Joaquin Guzman is currently being held behind bars in New York, where he is on trial for allegedly running the world's largest drug-trafficking operation - even while behind bars in Mexico.

In an attempt to expand his drug cartel to Australia, El Chapo had rented warehouses for fruit deliveries, Sunday Night reported.

A raid on El Chapo's home found fake bananas and cucumbers, which were reportedly going to be used to import cocaine into Australia

Pictured are the fake cucumbers and bananas

The drug cartel allegedly run by notorious former drug lord El Chapo (pictured) is still thriving despite the former kingpin being on trial thousands of miles away

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in America conducted a raid on his house in Sinaloa, where they were shocked to find thousands of fake cucumbers and bananas.

'We raided his house and found fake bananas and cucumbers which would be filled with drugs using to smuggle cocaine in,' said former DEA agent Drew Holden.

'It is a huge operation smuggling tonnes of quantities in submarines, boats and aircraft.'

Sunday Night reporter Steve Pennells discovered the Sinaloa Cartel drug cartel is still in business desite El Chapo's imprisonment after meeting with some of its members.

Sinaloa is ranked as more dangerous by the US than Syria and Afghanistan.

Pennels was taken to a shack in Sinaloa where he was shown several bags of cocaine wrapped in 2kg bricks against a wall.

He informs his guides that if this massive haul of drugs were to arrive in Australia, it would have an eye-watering street value of $100million.

The drugs are then packed into a car where they are taken to several boats to Los Angeles where the cocaine is then distributed across the world.

Pictured are several bags of cocaine wrapped in 2kg bricks against a wall which would have an eye-watering street value of $100million

Journalist Jeremy Pennells was led to a remote shack by two guides - one wearing a ski mask and one with a Pablo Escabar mask - and showed 360kg of pure cocaine stacked against a wall (three stacks pictured)

Dubbed as the 'most dangerous man alive', El Chapo allegedly has ties and forged links to Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Escobar allegedly helped El Chapo learn how the business works.

From there, El Chapo was able to rise and manipulate his power among the people and authorities in Mexico and around the world.

He is well known for having connections and for always being one step ahead of raids or attempted captures.

Despite being arrested and incarcerated several times, El Chapo's cousin, Pedro, insists he is is a good person.

'He's a good person and he helps people,' Pedro told Sunday Night.

Meanwhile, dozens of potential jurors for El Capo's trial have been dismissed.

One of them was rejected because they wanted the notorious criminal's autograph.

U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan was forced to dismiss 17 people, including five who said they would be scared for their safety if they were selected.Donald Trump's rising feud with Emmanuel Macron took a new turn on Sunday as the French leader forcefully denounced nations 'looking after their own interests' and decried nationalist policies like the ones the American president has embraced.

Macron specifically referred to the 'selfishness of nations only looking after their own interests' in remarks at an Armistice Day event in Paris that Trump and other world leaders attended.

'Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism by saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace. And what is essential its moral values,' he said in an English-language translation of the speech he delivered with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting in the front row.

Trump and Macron have been sparring over comments that Macron made last week about his desire to form a European army. The U.S. president said in a stinging tweet that Macron's comments were 'very insulting' as he landed in Paris on Friday evening with the first lady.

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Donald Trump 's rising feud with Emmanuel Macron took a new turn on Sunday as the French leader forcefully denounced nations 'looking after their own interests' and decried nationalist policies like the ones the American president has embraced

The leaders later attended a luncheon at Elysee Palace with other heads of state as part of a program that Macron is hosting in France this weekend commemorating the cessation of hostilities in World War One.

Donald and Melania Trump skipped an arrival ceremony at the residence of the French president earlier in the day and did not walk down the Champs-Elysees with fellow leaders, traveling to the Arc de Triomphe in the U.S. president's bullet-proof limousine, instead.

They remained inside the car and out of the rain until after visiting leaders and Macron lined up under a covered seating area.

President Trump greeted President Macron again -- having already sat down with him at Elysee and across from him at a dinner for dignitaries that took place on Saturday -- and took his place nearby in the front row of a riser below the arc.

The U.S. president's grand entry was then upstaged arrival of Russia's Putin, who shook Trump's hand and gave him a thumbs up before taking his own seat to Macron's left. Trump was seated two down from Macron, next to Germany's Angela Merkel.

UPSTAGED: Russian President Vladimir Putin was the last to arrive at the Arc de Triomphee. He hook Trump's hand and gave him a thumbs up before taking his own seat to Macron's right

President Trump greets Angela Merkel as he arrives at the Arc in Paris on Sunday

Trump gave Putin a pat on the back as he bid the Russian leader hello in Paris

First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump arrive in the rain for the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday

Right to Left: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brigitte Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump

Putin upstaged Trump by arriving at the ceremony last, after the American president and his wife had entered. Macron and other world leaders came together on buses.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told DailyMail.com in response to an inquiry about Trump's delayed arrival, that he was merely abiding by protocol.

'Due to security protocols the President arrived separately,' she said, without commenting on the possibility that he was talking privately with the Russian leader.

Putin confirmed during an interview after that they decided 'not to interrupt the schedule' and would meet at the G20 in Argentina later in the month.

As President Trump was arriving at the unity ceremony in Paris on Sunday, a topless woman bearing the messages 'fake' and 'peace' on her chest threw herself at the president's motorcade in protest as it pulled up to the Arc de Triomphe.

Two other women also tried to approach the president and were physically arrested by security guards.

Several minutes later, the Trumps entered the ceremony under separate umbrellas, the president in a blue coat and red tie and the first lady in a grey dress and matching overcoat.

The American president and his wife participated in a centennial celebration of Armistice Day, honored in Europe annually on Nov. 11, after the Pentagon indefinitely postponed a military parade Trump planned to have in Washington.

In America, the holiday is marked by Veteran's Day, which Trump is honoring at a cemetery in France for American troops this afternoon.

World leaders including Donald Trump greet Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives for the ceremony

The armored limousine known as 'The Beast' carrying US president arrives ahead of the ceremony

BY NOW: Trump gets in the his vehicle just before attending the Sunday leaders' lunch

Bells tolled in Paris on Sunday in remembrance of the cessation of fighting that concluded at 11:00 in the morning on Nov. 11, 1918 in Compiegne, France.

The United States entered the war on April 6, 1917 in response to a declaration of war request against Germany from President Woodrow Wilson.

A year and a half later, the war ended, but Europe was again thrown into chaos two decades later with WWII, when America also fought alongside France.

The two sides have become close allies in the nearly 75 years since the fighting began. Macron and Merkel entered the ceremony in Paris on Sunday as part of a united front after walking hand-in-hand through Compiegne on Saturday.

In remarks that were broadcast in French and translated to English, Macron appeared to take a shot at Trump's self-proclaimed nationalism.

'The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten,' Macron said during the broadcast that included a military fly-over. 'It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential.'

As Trump was arriving in France, they fought over Macron's proposal to draft a 'true European army' that would protect the continent's interests in the face of a recoiling United States. He suggested the fighting force would also serve as a check on U.S. military might, lumping the ally in with threats from Russia and China.

Trump said the comment was 'very insulting' and ignored the United States' generous contributions to Europe's defense via the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The following day, the leaders proclaimed themselves to be 'very good friends' at a one-on-one meeting, even as Trump's body language told a different story.

'You know what my attitude has been, and we want a strong Europe. Its very important to us to have a strong Europe. And whichever way we can do it the best and most efficient would be something that we both want,' Trump said.

Macron told him that he agrees. 'But its unfair to have the European security today being assured just by the United States, and we need a much better burden sharing.

'Thats why I do believe that we need more European capacities, more European defense, in order to take this part of the burden,' he assessed. 'When President Trump has to protect or to defend one of the states of the United States, he doesnt ask France or Germany, or another government of Europe to finance it.'

President Trump will visit Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial this afternoon, where he will deliver traditional Veteran's Day remarks, before departing for the United States in the early evening, arriving back at the White House late Sunday evening.

Trump called off a a trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial on Saturday after a bad weather call grounded Marine One.

He and first lady Melania Trump had planned to visit the memorial for American marines near the Belleau Wood battlefield on Saturday afternoon, however their program was nixed at the last minute due to a storm that would have prevented them from helicoptering to the site that's more than an hour's drive from Paris.

Despite the heavy security presence a topless female protester was able to break through near the President's motorcade

Trump caused controversy on Saturday after his trip to the Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial was called off because of the rain

'The President and First Lady's trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial has been canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather,' the White House said. 'An American delegation led by Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf.'

The site honors United States Army's 2nd Division and an attack it led on the Germans on June 6, 1918 that liberated the Bouresches. The skirmishes ended 20 days later on June 26.

According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 8,100 soldiers died in the wooded area near Belleau, France that month.

Trump came under immediate scrutiny for skipping the trip and was compared to Canada's Justin Trudeau who last year visited monuments in France under a steady downpour.Two women have been severely injured after three masked men stormed a deli armed with a machete.

The offenders, who were all wearing balaclavas, reportedly charged into Murdoch Drive Continental Super Deli in Mandurah, southwest Western Australia at 4pm on Sunday.

One woman was slashed across the face and a second was stabbed in the shoulder in the horrific attack, reports Perth Now.

Bother women were working at the deli at the time.

Three masked men stormed the Murdoch Drive Continental Super Deli (pictured) in Mandurah armed with a machete at around 4pm on Sunday afternoon

Despite their injuries, the deli workers were able to escape the terrifying robbery and seek help nearby.

Both were taken to hospital with their injuries believed to be not life-threatening.

Police have since swarmed the area and are now searching for the offenders.

They are still speaking to witnesses to get a description of the assailants.French police on Sunday arrested three topless rights protesters who approached the motorcade of US President Donald Trump on the Champs-Elysees in Paris heading to a ceremony marking 100 years since the end of World War I.

One of the protesters, who had slogans including 'fake peacemakers' and 'hypocrisy parade' written on their chests, got within metres of the rear of the motorcade after jumping over a barricade.

She was grabbed by a police officer, while a second woman could be seen being hauled away by security services on the edge of the famous thoroughfare.

A third woman, who was positioned a little higher up the avenue, also managed to breach the security cordon and run towards Trump's convoy with her arms raised.

The Femen protester got within meters of President Trump's car (center) as she sprinted towards the motorcade

One of the protesters got within metres of the rear of the motorcade after jumping over a barricade.

She too was quickly overpowered by the police and all three were arrested.

The incident revealed chinks in the tight security put in place for the event, with some 10,000 security force members deployed around a city which has been hit by a series of jihadist attacks since 2015.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said Trump's security had 'in no way been threatened'.

Inna Shevchenko, one of the leaders of radical feminist group Femen, confirmed the group was behind the protest.

'FEMEN activists 'welcomed' the cortege of @realDonaldTrump twice on his way to Arc de Triumph,' she tweeted.

The woman was pictured being hauled away by police in the middle of the procession towards the Arc de Triomphe

French police tackle a FEMEN protester after she approached the motorcade of the US President

Constance Lefevre, another activist who was among the crowd but did not participate in the protest, told AFP that Femen was protesting the presence in Paris of leaders 'who are responsible for most of the world's conflicts'.

She cited Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among others.

Trump's motorcade briefly paused due to the breach of security before continuing on to the Arc de Triomphe where around 70 world leaders had gathered to mark the centenary of the Armistice.

Three Femen protesters had already demonstrated at the Arc De Triomphe on Saturday morning to denounce the presence of 'war criminals' among the guests at the ceremony.

The three were also arrested.

Trump had been driving towards the Armistice Day ceremony in his high-security vehicle 'the Beast' picturedDouglas Plumpton, 26, was jailed for life for murdering Iain Maddocks by stabbing him in the leg with a sword

A game of Thrones-obsessed writer has been jailed for life for murdering his neighbour with a ceremonial sword he kept to inspire his own fantasy novel.

Douglas Plumpton, 26, stabbed Iain Maddocks in the leg on his 32nd birthday with the large Saxon-style sword, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Plumpton, of Whetstone Lane, Birkenhead, called 999 as his victim lay bleeding to death in his flat and told the operator: 'If he dies, it's his own fault.'

He tried to cover his tracks by claiming the victim had attacked him - but was convicted of murder after a nine-day trial.

The left-wing activist - dubbed 'Rasta Jack' - stabbed Mr Maddocks on his 32nd birthday on March 30.

He claimed Mr Maddocks had produced a kitchen knife so he grabbed the sword, which was one of two he owned which provided him inspiration for his novel.

During the trial the jury heard how the victim bled to death after suffering a number of stab and slash wounds, including an injury to his femoral artery.

Judge Alan Conrad QC said low-level drug dealer Plumpton would supply illegal narcotics to people known to him, including Mr Maddocks.

But Plumpton had damaged Mr Maddocks' car's headlight in a row over an outstanding 140 drug debt - leaving the victim angry.

The sword that Plumpton used to stab his victim. Plumpton was a game of Thrones-obsessed writer who owned swords which provided him inspiration for his novel

The judge said: 'When Mr Maddocks came to your door, believing you were responsible for damaging his car, you armed yourself.

'Iain Maddocks' untimely death, in the horrific circumstances in which it took place, has caused misery and pain to those close to him.

'He had done nothing to deserve the brutal armed violence that you used and which ended his life.

'I am satisfied so as to be sure that you used two weapons - sword and knife - in your attack upon Mr Maddocks.

Linda Maddocks (centre), mother of Ian Maddocks, who was stabbed to death on his birthday with a sword

'You adopted a selfish lifestyle, supplying drugs to people known to you including Mr Maddocks, whose debt was the real cause of your annoyance.'

In her personal victim statement, read out in court, Mr Maddocks' mum Linda said the death of her son was 'the worst day of my life.'.

She added: 'When my eldest son told me Iain had been stabbed, I went hysterical. I was on the floor screaming when I found out.

'My life has been devastated. I'm angry we had to be put through this trial when we could have been spared this heartache.

Ian Maddocks lay bleeding to death in Plumpton's flat after being attacked with a ceremonial sword

'This is something you never get over as a mum. I just wish I could change places with him.'

She said her son's death was made worse by the fact it occurred on his 32nd birthday.

She added: 'Easter Day 1986 was a very special day when he was born.

'My life changed dramatically on the day Iain was taken from us. It was so unreal, like having some nightmare.

'There were 100 people at his funeral. His friends have been amazing.'

Plumpton, whose former dreadlocks had been shorn off and who was wearing a grey suit, showed no emotion as he was led down from the dock after being sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 19 years.Countries around the world have marked 100 years since the end of the First World War with moving remembrance services.

Australia, Hong Kong and France were among the nations to hold massive ceremonies to honour the fallen.

Pictured showed servicemen from across the globe on parade in the searing temperatures of the Far East and Australasia.

Across Commonwealth nations, services of remembrance were held from Sydney to Singapore on Sunday to commemorate those who lost their lives on the other side of the world during the First World War.

The Sydney Opera House is lit up with poppies marking the centenary of the end of World War I

Phillip Skelton from the Highgate RSL Branch during Remembrance Day commemorations in Perth, Australia

Over 12,000 people gathered for a national ceremony of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison led a minute's silence.

Thousands of people also attended memorial services across Melbourne to mark the centenary of the Armistice ending World War One.

Attendance at Melbourne's the Shrine of Remembrance was bigger than expected, with visitors determined to show they were not bowed by Friday's stabbing of three civilians, one fatal, by Islamic State sympathiser Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, 30.

Earlier in New Zealand, the country's main remembrance ceremony was held in the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardenaddressed the crowd's assembled and a minute's silence was held.

As the silence came to an end, the sound of a 100-gun salute rang out over Wellington Harbour and white poppies fell from the cenotaph.

Over 330,000 Australians and nearly 10,000 New Zealanders served overseas during the First, with the majority posted on the Western Front alongside British soldiers and their allies.

In Singapore, the British High Commission held a service to mark the Armistice centenary at the Kranji War Cemetery, where over 3500 casualties are buried from both world wars.

Cadets stand to attention during a Remembrance Day ceremony honouring members of the armed forces in Hong Kong

Hong Kong veterans pose for a photograph in front of the Cenotaph on Sunday afternoonA woman charged with starting the strawberry needle contamination crisis reportedly worked as a farm supervisor and was unhappy with the way she was being treated.

My Ut Trinh, known as Judy, was arrested on Sunday after a two-month police investigation linked her DNA to the first discovered needle, which police allege was found in a punnet from Queensland's Berrylicious/Berry Obsession farm.

The 50-year-old operates the Caboolture labour hire company, which provided staff to the farm, according to The Courier Mail.

She is accused of inserting a needle into a strawberry because she was unhappy with the company - triggering the contamination crisis and setting off a string of copycat incidents across Australia.

My Ut Trinh (pictured), known as Judy, was arrested and charged on Sunday after a months-long police investigation linked her DNA to the first discovered needle

Pictured is a needle found in a punnet in Gladstone, Queensland

Trinh allegedly told others she 'wanted to bring them down' and 'put them out of business, 7 News reported.

The day prior to a needle being found in a punnet of strawberries in a Woolworths in Geelong, Trinh allegedly told the pickers at the farm their services would no longer be needed.

The 50-year-old has been charged with seven counts contamination of goods, which has a three-year maximum penalty.

In addition, a circumstance of aggravation will be alleged, elevating the maximum to 10 years in prison.

She is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker from the Drug and Serious Crime Group said investigators were always determined to solve the case.

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'

'This is a major and unprecedented police investigation with a lot of complexities involved,' Superintendent Wacker said.

'The Queensland Police Service has allocated a significant amount of resources to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

'While the investigation is far from over, I would like to acknowledge the tireless effort of our investigators as well as members from all other agencies across Australia who played a role.

'I would also like to thank those within the strawberry industry for their cooperation and members of the public who assisted us with our inquiries.'

The company is one of many, such as Donnybrook Berries (pictured), that have been forced to scrap many thousands of dollars in stock as frightened customers refuse to buy

More than 100 reports of tampered fruit are being investigated by police across Australia, many of which are thought to be fake or copycat cases

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'

More than 100 reports of tampered fruit are being investigated by police across Australia, many of which are thought to be fake or copycat cases.

Queensland Health officials issued a safety warning on September 12 after the discovery of needles hidden inside a punnet of strawberries.

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'.

Brands effected included Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries, Berry Obsession and Berry Licious.

Farmers across Australia were forced to lay off staff as a result of plummeting sales, with people terrified to purchase fruit.

Needles were then found in packets of strawberries nation-wide and the contamination was dubbed 'food terrorism'

Suncoast Harvest, a small farm on the Sunshine Coast, laid off about 100 workers weeks ahead of schedule, blaming a customer 'frenzy'.

'We have decided it is best to pull out of growing strawberries for the rest of this year... and begin spraying out healthy paddocks of luscious, juicy berries,' it said.

Stephanie Chheang, whose mother and step-father run Donnybrook Berries, shared a heartbreaking video of harvested fruit being dumped from a loader.

'This is no doubt the worst thing to ever happen to my family. This is worth more than you could ever imagine and within three days we lost it all,' she said.

The small family business north of Brisbane was forced to dump millions of strawberries in a ditch after its brand was recalled.

'We have to throw them out because the markets wouldn't take our strawberries due to the needle scare,' she said.

Stephanie Chheang, whose mother and stepfather run Donnybrook Berries, shared a heartbreaking video of harvested fruit being dumped from a loader

Ms Chheang said her mother Leena Lee Cufari and stepfather spent years and 'all their money' building the farm, only for it to be wiped out.

'They put all their money and effort in to building such a successful business. They work hard to make the money for our family and to have these selfish individuals destroy it is just so upsetting.

'My mum works day through to night, controlling the shed and her 250 employees, making sure her strawberries are packed to perfection.'

A state-wide campaign was launched by the Queensland government to encourage consumers to back farmers by buying their produce.

The state government has previously revealed more than half the $1 million it put forward in response to the saga will be spent on an advertising campaign, with $250,000 allocated for safeguarding supply chain integrity.

Funds will also be given to the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association and Growcom to distribute to affected farmers.

The federal government also rushed through laws to see those responsible face up to 15 years behind bars.Into the fall, Tim has become busy, including weekends.

It's crab season, however, and we haven't forgotten. Sunday

morning, after reading at the coffee shop for two hours,

I bought the bait, a chicken quarter, at a nearby Philipino

market, filled the gas tank, picked up Tim (who's just off

math training) and gears, and headed to SF.

We entered via the Bay Bridge and skirted the edge of the

city toward our spot. The area has always been bustling and

crowded with people. This weekend was no exception, although

tourists seemed to be the majority.

Runners had to be local and many looked very fit, parading

their six-packs and, in compression wear, sexy legs up and

down the streets, oblivious. It often reminded me of GK

joking that, whereas Californians had to keep good looks in

case their marriages wouldn't work out, in the mid-west,

putting on body weight was a sign of commitment.

West to Fisherman's Wharf, the SF Municipal Pier is a

concrete curve stretching out from one end of the Aquatic

Park into the Bay. Between it and the straight Hyde Street

Pier at the other end, they form an enclosure with an

opening facing Alcatraz. Within the corral is swimmer

heaven, except near the edge, where we crab.

The aging pier is a popular tourist attraction and over the

years we have become part of it. People, especially those

with kids, often stop and watch when we hoist up the cage

to share the excitment. They ask questions and tell us where

they are from and we often have a nice chat. Tim plays the

crabbing authority, passing around his deep knowledge of the

art plus local rules while showing off the catch.

Most tourists we talked to were friendly. There were

exceptions, though. Once an elderly couple came to tell us

that we broke the law. And this round, a mid-aged lady

over-did it to two anglers some distance from us. I didn't

know the details, but the guy was furious: "I want an

apology! You are very rude!" as he was taking her to the

front gate to read the law. (People stand pat with their

opinions once expressed. I don't think he got her apology.)

Waiting for crabs can be boring. Ghirardelli Square, a mall

built around the famous chocolate factory (I don't like

their chocolates, BTW), sits across the street and we walk

there for the public restroom. We often visit the shop, too,

where they used to give out free samples. Their chocolate

chip cookie, however, costs almost five dollars a piece, a

clear rip-off as almost everything else in that mall. One

day, coming out of "The Cheese School," a big-ticket cafe,

without buying anything, I told Tim: "The world is full of

traps; just make sure you are not that crab."

Our catch that day was five good-sized red rock crabs,

enough for a meal, and we headed home.A Labour MP and her former councillor son who was recently convicted for drug offences are living in a social housing home  despite their earnings totalling an estimated to 130,000-per-year - it has been claimed.

Kate Osamor, shadow development secretary, and son Ishmael, 29, share the 750,00 home in Haringey, London  where there are currently 10,000 households waiting for a home.

Haringey Council last year said households earning in excess of 64,200 are not eligible to apply for a social housing property.

However, controversial Osamor earns a salary of 77,379 plus expenses, according to The Sun. Meanwhile, Ishmael now works as his mothers chief of staff and is paid up to 43,835.

MP Kate Osamor backed Jeremy Corbyn's leadership bid and is one of his close allies in the party. (pictured together)

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn flanked by Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Dawn Butler (left) and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Kate Osamor

Kate and Ishmael would not be eligible to apply for social housing now but would have had to have been at one time. There is currently no upper limit to earnings once having been placed in the home.

However, it is the expectation of many critics the mother and son would free up the home for a desperate family in the borough.

Haringey is one of the most deprived boroughs in Britain where 3,000 are living in temporary accommodation.

Some families are living together in just one room.

The MP has faced criticism in recent weeks for promoting her son in his House of Commons job, despite his conviction for having 2,500 of Class A drugs with intent to supply at Bestival in Dorset.

Last year, Ishmael was caught taking drugs into Bestival in Dorset. He pleaded guilty to the drug charges on October 26, having brought 2,500 of ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to the music festival.

He was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work ordered and to pay 400 prosecution costs.

Mrs Osamor and her son Ishmael earn more than 120,000 between them but are living in social housing

Ishmael Osamor, son of Shadow International Development Secretary Kate Osamor, was sentenced to community service after being found with up to 2,500 worth of Class A and B drugs

Ms Osamor has denied wrongdoing in the row over her son.

Twitter users were furious over the revelations.

Mikey Halford said: 'You couldn't make it up. For the few, not the many!'

Resham Kotecha said: 'This is absolutely ridiculous. Theres a massive waiting list. Move out and let someone on the list have this home. You earn more than enough & should make way for people who actually need social housing.'

Another added: 'Kate Osamor's salary makes you ineligible to apply for social housing, not continue an existing tenancy. And her principles, may make you think she would move. Regardless it does make her a hypocrite. On yet another thing.'

Kate Osamor Shadow Secretary of State for International Development with Jeremy Corbyn at the Labour party Annual Conference at the Liverpool Exhibition centrePrince Philip missed the Cenotaph service for the first time in 20 years, as the Queen was joined by Kate and Camilla to pay tribute to the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday.

The Queen viewed the service from a nearby balcony, although the Duke of Edinburgh was absent - one of the few times he has missed the occasion.

The 97-year-old officially retired from royal duties in May 2017 but he did attend last years service in Whitehall.

The Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen watching the Cenotaph in November 2017. Prince Philip missed the Cenotaph service this year for the first time in 20 years

Prince Philip appeared frail as he watched the ceremony from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office balcony, whose wreath was laid by his Equerry

However the Duke of Edinburgh was seen yesterday, on the eve of the armistice, riding his carriage on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

He set off for his customary morning carriage ride despite the cold and rainy weather in Berkshire.

Last year the Queen observed the service from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office balcony alongside her husband Philip, whose wreath was laid by his Equerry.

Prince Philip set off for his customary morning carriage ride despite the cold and rainy weather in Berkshire

The Duke of Edinburgh was seen yesterday, on the eve of the armistice, riding on his carriage on the grounds of Windsor Castle

Prince Philip appeared frail and had trouble standing as he watched the ceremony for the first year since he retired.

The Queen, 92, asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties this year as she observed the service alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Prince Philip was previously unable to attend in 1956, 1964, 1968 and 1999, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said.

At this year's Cenotaph, the Prince of Wales led the Royal Family's tributes to the nation's war dead this year on the centenary of the Armistice.

The event marks 100 years since the signing of the treaty which ended the battle on the Western Front of the First World War at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother for the second year in a row, while an equerry laid a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she joins the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony overlooking the ceremony

The Queen, 92, asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties as she observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside other senior members of the royal family

The Monarch was flanked by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge - while the Duchess of Sussex, the Countess of Wessex and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence stood on neighbouring balconies.

The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, also laid a wreath on behalf of the German people.

It is the first time since the Cenotaph was inaugurated in 1920 that a representative of the country has taken part in the UK's national service of remembrance.

The Prince of Wales led the rest of the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row

The Prince of Wales (pictured left) and Prime Minister Theresa May (shown right) were both present at the ceremony to lay down wreathes

President Steinmeier's presence was a symbol of the friendship that exists between the two countries today, a representative of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

The Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent all laid tributes to Britain's veterans.

Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also laid wreaths at the foot of the Whitehall memorial, along with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.

The traditional two minutes' silence was held at 11 o'clock and was marked by the chiming of Big Ben - despite the ongoing renovations to the clock tower.

The Prince of Wales has led the Royal Family's tributes to the nation's war dead on the centenary of the Armistice, as the Queen looked on from a nearby balcony

The end of the silence was marked by cannon fire and The Last Post sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines before the wreaths were laid.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: 'On the centenary of the Armistice, we will come together as a nation to stand in silence and honour the fallen of all conflicts.

'Over the past four years, we have told the story of the First World War and the unique generation who served so bravely and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

'Today, we will also give thanks for all those that returned and the peace they fought so hard for.'

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'To be at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday is a privilege and provides us with the opportunity for reflection along with millions of people in countries that continue to be strong allies.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph

'The First World War touched communities across the globe and I commend all those who have helped us remember the First World War generation.

'We will never forget them or the sacrifice of thousands of British and Commonwealth troops who have given their lives in other conflicts.'

The ceremony will be followed by the annual Royal British Legion's Veterans Parade.

The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Sussex (right) stood alongside the Queen to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph, as their husbands placed wreaths

Big Ben will sound again today at 12.30pm, joining bells across the country and the rest of the world - an event to echo the celebrations of November 11, 1918 as news of the Armistice spread.

In the afternoon, 10,000 members of the public - chosen by ballot - will process past the Cenotaph for 'A Nation's Thank You - The People's Procession'.

The day will conclude with a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.Labour plunged into fresh Brexit chaos today as Emily Thornberry insisted the party could back a second referendum - despite Jeremy Corbyn saying the process of leaving the EU 'can't be stopped'.

The muddled stance came as Theresa May struggles to thrash out a deal with the EU - amid rising fears that negotiations could fail.

But Labour's confusion over how to respond to the outcome of the talks was highlighted as Mrs Thornberry was grilled on TV.

Many of the party's MPs have been demanding a so-called 'People's Vote' to stop Brexit, and were furious when Mr Corbyn said in an interview yesterday: 'We can't stop it.

In an interview today, Emily Thornberry (left) insisted Labour could back a second referendum - despite Jeremy Corbyn (right at a Remembrance Day event in London today) saying the process of leaving the EU 'can't be stopped'

Mrs Thornberry today denied that Labour was pushing a 'fantasy prospectus' on Brexit

'The referendum took place. Article 50 has been triggered. What we can do is recognise the reasons why people voted Leave.'

But Mrs Thornberry said today that the option of campaigning for a second referendum was still on the table.

'Theresa May is simply giving us a devil in the deep blue sea - she's saying you can either fall off a cliff or get on this bridge to nowhere, and you're going to have to vote on that,' she told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

'That's not a meaningful vote, that's not an injection of democracy.

'So, we say if you're going to give us that, we refuse to play that sort of game and, frankly, if you can't come up with a decent suggestion then we should have a general election, if we don't have a general election then yes, of course, all the options remain on the table and we would campaign for there to be a people's vote.'

Calls for a referendum were fueled on Friday when Boris Johnson's brother Jo dramatically quit, saying the emerging divorce package was a disaster and urging another national vote.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has risked accusations of intruding on domestic politics by backing a second Brexit vote.

'If I was Theresa May, I would call a second referendum  no doubt,' he told Politico.

Large numbers of Labour MPs, the SNP, the Lib Dems and some Tories have joined the campaign to force a new vote that could cancel Brexit altogether.

Polls have also suggested that the balance might have swung away from the 52 per cent to 48 per cent result last time.

On BBC Question Time last night, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott admitted her constituents were furious about leaving the EU but played down second referendum calls

Ex-transport minister Jo Johnson (pictured right) resigned calling for a second referendum on whether Brexit should go ahead

But Mrs May has dismissed the idea pointing out that the country made a clear decision on the issue in 2016.

The Labour leadership has so far resisted grass roots pressure to endorse the plebiscite.

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott laid bare internal splits last week by delivering a stark warning that people should be 'careful what you wish for'.

She admitted her constituents were furious about leaving the EU and said MPs should not be forced to back a 'bad and destructive deal'.

But she said she believed that another national vote on whether to leave the bloc would just give the same result, with the public asking: 'Didn't you hear us the first time?'

Mrs Thornberry was pressed on how Labour would secure a better Brexit deal and asked if she has had a 'serious conversation' with a senior EU official who has suggested the UK could meet the party's demand for the exact same single market and customs union benefits post-Brexit.

She replied: 'Oh, no, no, no, no, of course not. But what we've had are discussions and they know what it is that we want, and they know we are democrats and if they were in our position they'd be trying to negotiate exactly the same way as we are.'

Told it was a fantasy prospectus, Ms Thornberry replied: 'It is not a fantasy prospectus.'A jury has ordered Aetna to pay more than $25 million to the family of an Oklahoma woman who died after the insurance company refused to cover a type of radiation therapy.

Jurors found that Aetna doctors didn't spend enough time reviewing Orrana Cunningham's case before denying her coverage for proton beam therapy in 2014, The Oklahoman reported.

The jury ruled that Aetna 'recklessly' disregarded its duty to deal fairly and in good faith with Orrana, who had a rare type of head and neck cancer.

The payment, which was awarded to her estate and her husband, Ron Cunningham, is believed to be among the largest in a single 'bad faith' insurance case.

A jury has ordered Aetna to pay more than $25 million to the family of Orrana Cunningham, who died after the insurance company refused to cover a type of radiation therapy. Pictured: Orrana, right, with her husband Ron

In November 2014, Orrana (left and right) was diagnosed with stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer near her brain stem. This rare cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the throat behind the nose

In 2013, Orrana started experiencing pain in her face, according to a GoFundMe page set up by her husband.

She was first diagnosed with a strained muscle and pulled tendon in her left jaw but, after six months, her pain worsened.

Two of Orrana's lymph nodes then began to swell on the left side of her neck, according to the GoFundMe.

Her general physician prescribed her antibiotics, but the swelling didn't subside.

In September 2014, she visited an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor who performed CAT scans and a biopsy on one of the lymph nodes.

In November, Orrana received a diagnosis of stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) near her brain stem.

This rare cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the nasopharynx, which is the upper part of the throat behind the nose

The cause is unknown, but several scientists have linked it to the Epstein-Barr virus, a type of herpesvirus that causes mononucleosis.

Symptoms often include lumps in the neck, facial pain, recurrent ear infections, blurry or double vision and headaches.

According to the American Cancer Society, fewer than one in 100,000 in the US are diagnosed with NPC.

Doctors recommended Orrana (pictured) receive proton beam therapy, which used a high energy beam of protons rather than high energy X-rays, delivering targeted doses to the cancerous areas

While the five-year survival rate for stage I NPC is 72 percent, the rate drops down to 38 percent for stage IV NPC.

The couple visited MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where doctors recommend that Orrana receive a highly effective form of radiotherapy called proton beam therapy.

It uses a high energy beam of protons rather than high energy X-rays, delivering targeted doses to the cancerous areas.

The treatment has been particularly effective treating cancers at the base of the skull and of the spine.

Because Orrana's tumor was right by her optic nerve and moving toward her brain stem, standard radiation meant she would likely go blind and even lose her memory.

However, an Aetna doctor denied coverage for the therapy in 2014, deeming it experimental. Two other in-house doctors reviewed and upheld the decision.

The Cunninghams appealed several times but Aetna denied every request.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved proton beam therapy, and is covered by Medicare, according to Doug Terry, the family's attorney.

He alleged that Aetna denied coverage for financial reasons and that its doctors were unqualified, overworked and biased when making decisions.

Court records show that one doctor complained to the insurer about having to review more than 80 cases a day.

The couple mortgaged their home in Meeker and started a GoFundMe to help raise money for the $92,000 cost of treatment. They raised nearly $18,000.

Orrana passed away in May 2015 at age 54 after a virus spread to her brain.

However, an Aetna doctor denied coverage for the therapy in 2014, deeming it experimental. Two other in-house doctors upheld this decision. Pictured: Orrana, left, with a friend and her husband Ron, right

The couple mortgaged their home for $92,000 to cover the treatment but Orrana (pictured) passed away in May 2015 at age 54 after a virus spread to her brain

Last week, a jury awarded Ron $592,000 and $10 million in punitive damages, and Orranas estate was awarded $15 million. Pictured: Orrana

Last week, a jury found Aetna guilty of reckless disregard and awarded Ron, a retired Oklahoma City firefighter, $92,000 for the mortgage and an additional $500,000. Orrana's estate was awarded $15 million in a nine-to-three vote on Monday.

On Tuesday, the jury awarded Ron $10 million in punitive damages.

In a statement on Wednesday, Aetna said: 'We are disappointed with the verdict and are weighing our options for appeal.'

Ron said his wife, whom he was married to for 28 years, had 'started' the fight and had been the one to file the initial paperwork to sue Aetna.

'My wife, her goal, was to make this fight,' he said after the verdict.

'Her comment was: "If we can save one person and stop Aetna from doing what they traditionally do on every claim, it was worth the battle".'

Ron says he plans on campaigning for legislation nationwide that will require insurance companies to cover proton beam therapAdvertisement

Millions of people all over the country have paid tribute today to the efforts and sacrifices of those who fought and died in the Great War.

To end a day filled with poignant tributes, stunning flaming beacons were lit in several towns and cities as a thank you to those who fought in World War One.

The remembrance beacons were organised by the National Trust to mark 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent at the end of the war.

More than 1,200 beacons are being lit as part of Battles Over at National Trust sites and other locations all over Britain.

All of the services were held at the same time with events in cities including London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast.

The blazing beacons are supposed to symbolise the end of the darkness of war and the return of the light of peace.

The beacon lit in the Sparrow's Nest gardens tonight in Lowestoft, Suffolk, to mark 100 years since the end of World War One. Beacons were lit in 1,200 locations all over the UK

This stunning photo shows how a flaming beacon illuminates trees and glass poppies at Barrington Court, Somerset

In Lowestoft, Suffolk the beacon was lit by former soldier Len Jackson, 66, who was given the title of Veteran of the Year in Lowestoft for his role in setting up a drop in centre for veterans in the town.

In Leeds, David Danks of the City of Leeds pipe band could be seen playing before he lit the beacon at Conisbrough Castle in South Yorkshire.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle joined the Queen alongside a host of senior royals and the prime minister for a service of remembrance at Westminster Abbey this evening.

The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their way into the abbey shortly after 6pm following a day of emotional tributes across Britain.

David Danks of the City of Leeds pipe band plays as a beacon is lit at Conisbrough Castle in South Yorkshire on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice

A stunning photo shows a beacon alight at the Rugeley War Memorial, in Rugeley, Staffordshire as people marked the armistice

The beacons being lit all over the country are supposed to symbolise the end of the darkness of war and the return of the light of peace

Theresa May was present at the service which honoured the countless soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, while the actor John Simm delivered a touching reading to the royals and dignitaries in attendance.

Earlier in the day, several poignant ceremonies were held throughout the country to pay tribute to the fallen.

War veterans, descendants and grateful members of the public marched through the streets of London as part of a 'nation's thank you' to those who fought in the Great War.

Descendants of those who served in the First World War marched past the Cenotaph yesterday in a unique commemoration of their families sacrifice.

They joined relatives of servicemen and women from the Second World War and more recent conflicts to form a 10,000-strong parade, dubbed the Nations Thank You.

For many it was their first opportunity to come together to express their profound gratitude and pride for the actions of a previous generation.

Tributes: Ioan Williams, eight, with medals and wreath, a girl with a photo of a soldier and two boys proudly march in berets as part of Nations Thank You parade

For others the memories were still raw, and they wept as they recalled fathers and grandfathers who never returned from the frontline. Children too young to remember their forebears wore their medals pinned to their chests.

Their families watched them march and expressed the heartfelt hope that they would never have to repeat the sacrifices of the wartime generations.

Eight-year-old Ioan Williams wore the medals of his great-grandfather Sergeant Walter Benjamin, who served in India and Burma during the Second World War.

At his side, his grandmother Jane Benjamin carried a wreath for Ioans great-great uncle, Rifleman Walter Singer, who was killed in France just three weeks before the Armistice.

Mrs Benjamin, 62, from Pontypridd in South Wales, said: The veterans of the First World War arent here any more, so its up to us to make sure their legacy is passed to our children and grandchildren.

We must never forget. The legacy of that war and their sacrifice must be peace so that these children know the value of peace.

A young girl walks past the Cenotaph with a portrait of a soldier during the People's Parade in Whitehall to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice

Thousands of torches create a blaze of light around the Tower of London yesterday evening in the last of eight performances of Beyond The Deepening Shadow, an installation in honour of the Fallen of the First World War

Rifleman Singer served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and was one of four soldiers sent to take a German position near Montay in Northern France on October 23, 1918.

Two were killed as they dived into a German dug-out and he died later that day from his injuries, leaving only one survivor.

His great-great nephew Ioan said he felt proud to take part in the Nations Thank You procession, after his family were awarded two of the coveted spots in the parade, allotted through a public ballot.

Elsewhere in the procession, 13-year-old Harry Gayfer-Toms marched to commemorate several members of his family.

His great-great grandfather Frederick Gray was killed at the Second Battle of the Somme in September 1918, just five months after his brother Hubert died.

Frederick, a soldier with the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was hit by a shell as he dug a grave to bury a dead comrade.

He had written to his wife Ethel just four days earlier, saying he hoped to be home soon to be reunited with her and their one-year-old son Harry, who he had only seen once while on leave.

The most high-profile memorial event in London was the service taking place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, with the Royal British Legion coordinating the March Past

That son, Harry, went on to serve during the Second World War and was captured in the fall of Tobruk in Libya, but survived.

Harrys daughter Vivienne Gayfer, 71, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, said she had brought her grandson, also named Harry, to the procession to commemorate their familys history.

She said: Harry is one of nine great-great grandchildren of Frederick Gray. That generation gave up so much  it is important we remember them.

Belfast also marked the day with a beacon. Here, you can see a beacon that was lit at Belfast City Hall on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice

St Albans cathedral is illuminated by red light to mark the 100 years since the signing of the Armistice

The beacons to mark 100 years since the end of the Great War were spread throughout the country. St Albans Cathedral was also illuminated in light

A flaming beacon is lit in parkland at Barrington Court, Somerset (pictured), to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice

The beacon was just one of 1,200 that are being lit all over the country to pay tribute to the fallen who took part in the Great War

A beacon lighting ceremony takes place at the Rugeley War Memorial, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, in Rugeley, Staffordshire

More than 10,000 people from across the country joined together on the Mall and made their way around St James' Park for Remembrance Sunday.

Among the oldest taking part in the march is private Donald Smith, 98, who joined current members of the Queen's Own Highlanders, and Jeff Watkins, 97, who travelled from California in the United States to participate.

At the same time as the march, people were encouraged to ring bells around the world, to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918.

As news of peace spread on Armistice Day, church bells, which had fallen silent across the UK during the First World War, rang out in celebration.

Members of the armed forces take part in a ceremony at the City Chambers, Edinburgh, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice

The Royal family, including the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their way into the Westminster Abbey shortly after 6pm to pay tribute to those who died in the war

A World War two Royal Air Force Spitfire and modern day Typhoon jet fighter flank a remembrance day service held in the AirSpace museum hanger at Imperial War Museum, Duxford

A world war two Dragon Rapide vintage airplane performs a poppy drop above a beautiful blue azure sky at Duxford Aerodrome

The poppy drop took place at the Duxford Aerodrome at the Imperial War Museum and was another way the UK marked Armistice day

War veterans, descendants and grateful members of the public have marched through the streets of London as part of a 'nation's thank you' to those who fought in the Great War

Members of the Type 42 Association, navy members which have all served on board Type 42 Destroyer ships, gathered in central London for the Armistice parade

More than 10,000 people from across the country joined together on the Mall and made their way around St James' Park for Remembrance Sunday

Among the oldest taking part in the march is private Donald Smith, 98, who joined current members of the Queen's Own Highlanders, and Jeff Watkins, 97, who travelled from California in the United States to participate

Marion Lewis and her sister Dorothy Heslop are marching for their grandfather, Private John Waters of the 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment.

He received a serious head wound at the Somme in October 1916 which left him missing part of his skull.

Eighteen people were killed, 11 were missing and 29 wounded from his battalion in the same action.

As girls, it was an unspoken rule not to ask grandad about the war, they said.

Ms Heslop said: 'They did not expect him to survive so they left him outside the medical tent and we think it's the cold that probably saved him.'

Earlier this morning, the Prince of Wales led the rest of the nation in honouring the country's war dead, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row.

At the same time as the march, people were encouraged to ring bells around the world, to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918

The Queen, 92, asked Prince Charles to once again take on her duties as she observed the service from a nearby balcony alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Other senior royals including Prince William, Prince Harry and Anne, the Princess Royal also paid their respects at the Cenotaph as they laid a series of wreathes.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Sussex watched the poignant proceedings at the Cenotaph for the first time in an official capacity from a separate balcony - although Prince Philip was absent for the first time in nearly 20 years.

In a historic act of reconciliation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also laid a wreath, marking the first time that a German leader has taken part in the annual proceedings since the Cenotaph was inaugurated in 1920.

President Steinmeier's presence was a symbol of the friendship that exists between the two countries today, a representative of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said.

The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge were among those to join the queen on the balcony for the ceremony

The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Sussex (right) stood alongside the Queen to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph, as their husbands placed wreaths

The Prince of Wales led the rest of the nation in honouring the country's war dead on Remembrance Sunday, taking the role historically held by his mother Queen Elizabeth for the second year in a row

The Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent all laid tributes to Britain's veterans.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has joined French President Emmanuel Macron,and Russian President Vladimir Putin at an Armistice Day ceremony in Paris.

The world leaders were pictured standing side by side in the rain at the Arc de Triomphe to pay tribute to those who died in the First World War, 100 years to the day since the guns fell silent.

Send in your photos from Armistice Day How have you marked Armistice Day? Send your own remembrance photographs to pictures@dailymail.co.uk Advertisement

Back in London, Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also laid wreaths at the foot of the Whitehall memorial, along with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow.

The traditional two minutes' silence was held at 11am and was marked by the chiming of Big Ben - despite the ongoing renovations to the clock tower.

The 13.7 tonne bell has been silent since August 2017 since works began, except for ringing in New Year 2018.

It has been fitted with a custom-built electronic mechanism built to power the 200kg striking hammer to ensure it can still sound for important national events while the clockwork undergoes vital repairs.

The end of the silence was marked by cannon fire and The Last Post sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines before the wreaths were laid.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: 'On the centenary of the Armistice, we will come together as a nation to stand in silence and honour the fallen of all conflicts.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph

The Prince of Wales has led the Royal Family's tributes to the nation's war dead on the centenary of the Armistice, as the Queen looked on from a nearby balconyJeremy Corbyn was branded 'scruffy and disrespectful' today as he was widely mocked on social media for choosing to wear a grey anorak to the Armistice Day service at the Cenotaph.

The Labour leader stood out among a sea of black overcoats as smartly-dressed politicians and dignitaries attending the 100th anniversary commemorations in London.

It evoked memories of former Labour leader Michael Foot's infamous donkey jacket moment 37 years earlier, when he was subjected to barbs over his appearance at the Cenotaph in 1981.

Scores of viewers watching the live coverage said they were 'shocked' at the politician's choice of attire, with one man claiming he looked as though he was 'going fishing'.

Princes William and Harry, as well as their father Prince Charles were in full military uniform as they attended the parade in Whitehall. Others, including Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and David Cameron, attended wearing dress coats.

The criticism of Mr Corbyn was similar to that delivered in the Michael Foot 'donkey jacket' row in 1981.

Britain's leader of the opposition Jeremy Corbyn lays a wreath during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph - wearing an anorak

Corbyn's coat row: Critics of the Labour politician were angered by his choice of jacket, with some saying he looked 'scruffy'

Those surrounding Corbyn opted for dress coats as they remebered the war dead

The then Labour party leader was blasted for wearing the mid-length jacket.

Another politician in his party said he was 'disgusted to see that the leader of Her Majesty's opposition looked more like an Irish navvy than a party leader'.

Later, it emerged the coat was in fact an expensive one, chosen by Mr Foot's wife Jill to make him look elegant.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher stands beside Michael Foot in 1981 - on the day he was accused of wearing a 'donkey jacket' to the Cenotaph

Mr Corbyn bowed his head after laying the wreath, and wore a poppy, yet scores of critics were angry about his jacket

However, critics of Mr Corbyn today said he looked 'scruffy' beside them in his choice of jacket.

TalkRADIO Presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer was among the critics.

She said on Twitter: 'I know it's petty but does @jeremycorbyn seriously think that a bright red tie and a scruffy hooded coat are appropriate wear for the Cenotaph? Or is he just trying to signal to his Leftie anti-war chums that he doesn't really want to be there? Such poor judgement.'

Ben Youngman added: 'Nice to see that Jeremy Corbyn has turned up for remembrance day dressed as a scruffy geography teacher! Not even wearing a black jacket! At least he's got a poppy on I suppose.'

Tina Elliot said: 'Scruffy and disrespectful #Corbyn it wouldn't take much to wear smart attire on this special remembrance day Why do you feel the need to stand out and be an embarrassment to our country? Shame on you!'

Michael Foot wore 'donkey jacket' at Cenotaph in 1981 that made him look like 'an out of work navvy' Jeremy Corbyn is not the first hard-Left Labour leader to run into trouble over his attire on Remembrance Day. In 1981 Michael Foot was notoriously accused of wearing a 'donkey jacket' to a service at the Cenotaph. Lined up alongside an impeccably turned out Margaret Thatcher, Foot stood out in a patterned tie and distinctively collared coat. Times diarist Michael Horsnell jibed that Foot was 'dressed as if he had just returned from walking his dog on Hampstead Heath, in green donkey jacket, sneakers and Paisley tie'. The Labour MP for Derby South at the time, Walter Johnson, was even harsher, saying Foot looked like 'an-out of-work navvy' and had displayed 'gross discourtesy to the servicemen he was supposed to be honouring'. For many, the image at the Cenotaph summed up the problems with the shambolic-looking left-wing academic. Labour was later routed at the 1983 general election, with the party's manifesto branded the 'longest suicide note in history'. Ironically, that was the year Mr Corbyn was first election as an MP. Foot later admitted that he never expected the opprobrium over his coat, saying it was actually an expensive gift from his wife. He said the Queen Mother had voiced approval by remarking: 'That's a lovely warm coat you've got on'. Advertisement

Cheryl Townsend added: 'Could @jeremycorbyn look any more scruffy for the remembrance service. This is a man who wants to lead our country #joker.'

Elaine parry urged him to get a new coat.

She said: 'We'll have to say it Jeremy Corbyn still hasn't got any respect at the cenotaph with his purple anorak on with hood inside out scruffy not even holding his wreath up someone buy him a Black Crombie for goodness sake to show some respect.'

Prime Minister Theresa May teamed a smart black coat with a hat and a large string of pearls.

She also laid a wreath, alongside German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

However, supporters of Corbyn said his coat does not matter at all.

Richard Oneill said: 'Before you idiots start banging on about Jeremy Corbybn's coat. I'm a 79 year old ex Army, "War pensioner" And I don't give a flying toss what he wears.

'He is the only politician I know who would actively protect ex service personnel, unlike the Tories who create their problems!'

Others said his choice of clothing does not matter as they praised him for his politics.

Another user added: 'I see they're out for Jeremy Corbyn again - it's the wrong coat this time. You want to judge political leaders on respect they show for war? Fine. Check their voting record, not their clothing: this man shows more respect than anyone.'

Lined up alongside an impeccably turned out Margaret Thatcher in 1981, Foot stood out in a patterned tie and distinctively collared coat.

Times diarist Michael Horsnell jibed that Foot was 'dressed as if he had just returned from walking his dog on Hampstead Heath, in green donkey jacket, sneakers and Paisley tie'.

The Labour MP for Derby South at the time, Walter Johnson, was even harsher, saying Foot looked like 'an-out of-work navvy' and had displayed 'gross discourtesy to the servicemen he was supposed to be honouring'.

For many, the image at the Cenotaph summed up the problems with the shambolic-looking left-wing academic.

Labour was later routed at the 1983 general election, with the party's manifesto branded the 'longest suicide note in history'.

Ironically, that was the year Mr Corbyn was first election as an MP.

Foot later said the Queen Mother had voiced approval for his outfit by remarking: 'That's a lovely warm coat you've got on'.

Angered viewers of the Remembrance Sunday parade said they were outraged at his coat

Critics said 'only Jeremy Corbyn' would shun a dress coat for an anorak but Michael Foot did something similar in 1981The Bourke Street terrorist who killed an elderly man during a stabbing rampage in Melbourne had ties to one of Australia's most notorious extremists.

Hassan Khalif Shire Ali befriended ISIS sympathiser Khaled Sharrouf online in 2014.

While Sharrouf posted photos of his son playing with decapitated heads, Ali shared his desire to be an Islamic State terrorist.

Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali was connected to ISIS sympathiser Khaled Sharrouf (right)

Ali (pictured) listed his occupation as 'God willing at Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham'

Using the name Hassan Ali Shire, he listed his occupation as 'Mujahid in sha Allah (God willing) at Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham'.

That profile, along with a picture of Ali, was discovered on an archive of Sharrouf, acquired by The Australian.

Ali was one of 27 people to connect with Sharrouf in his profile's three-day lifespan before it was deleted by Facebook.

Whether the pair contacted each other personally is unclear, as there is no public interaction.

Ali posted to his own profile, praising the Islamic State for their takeover of the Iraqi city of Mosul in July 2014.

Many of the people listed as friends with Sharrouf used profile pictures of black Islamic State flags or logos. Ali's was a colourful, wide-smiling selfie.

Sharrouf (pictured) planned one of the largest terror attack in Australian history before it was fouled

Ali (pictured) had a history of mental illness and drug and alcohol dependency, friends say

Sharrouf made headlines in 2014 for posting a photo of his nine-year-old son Abdullah holding a severed head under the morbid caption: 'That's my boy.'

He remains one of the most notorious terrorist figures in Australian history and was the first person to be stripped of their Australian citizenship under counter-terrorism laws.

He served five years in a Sydney prison for his role in the plotting of a major terrorist attack in 2005.

'Operation Pendennis' was the most prolific anti-terror operation in Australian history at the time.

Sharrouf flew to Syria using his brother's passport - so as to avoid detection from authorities - a year after he was released in 2010.

He has since been reported dead multiple times, firstly in June 2015 and most recently late last year.

The duo's connection comes a day after Peter Dutton implored Muslims to report extremism

Ali stabbed three men, one fatally, before lunging at police, who shot him in the chest

Whether Ali befriended Sharrouf on Facebook or vice-versa is unclear.

The revelation, however, came after Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton pleaded for Muslims to report suspicious activity to authorities.

'There is a real black spot for us and that is a vulnerability,' Mr Dutton said.

'It is important for us to get as much information from the imams, from spouses, family members, community members, council workers, people that might be interacting with those that might have changed their behaviours, that they think have been radicalised.'

Ali had his passport confiscated in 2015 after counter-terrorism agencies believed he was planning to travel to Syria and join the Islamic State.

He was one of about 300 people known to counter-terrorism authorities, according to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.

Due to a lack of police resources, he was not on a watch list.

ALI'S FAMILY'S STATEMENT Hassan suffered from mental illness for years and refused help. He's been deteriorating these past few months. He has seen psychologist and psychiatrist, but stopped as his paranoia and hallucinations led him to believe they're 'after him'. Please stop turning this into a political game. This isn't a guy who had any connections with terrorism, but was simply crying for help. Advertisement

Ali battled mental health issues for years, as well as a drug and alcohol dependency, according to family friend Isse Musse.

'Hassan suffered from mental illness for years and refused help. He's been deteriorating these past few months,' Ali's family wrote in a statement read by Musse.

'He has seen psychologist and psychiatrist, but stopped as his paranoia and hallucinations led him to believe they're 'after him'.

'This isn't a guy who had any connections with terrorism, but was simply crying for help.'

A note written by Ali's family says he was not a terrorist, but 'simply crying for help'

The rampage was deemed a 'terror attack' by authorities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanded spiritual leaders take 'special responsibility' for stamping out radicalism.

'[But] here in Australia, we would be kidding ourselves if we did not call out the fact that the greatest threat of religious extremism  is the radical and dangerous ideology of extremist Islam.'

The Australian National Imams Council, a nation-wide Islamic body, denounced the prime minister's statement.

'The Australian National Imams Council and the Muslim community are also outraged by the recent comments by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison connecting Islam to a 'radical and dangerous ideology'.

'These are the times where Australians should be standing side by side in solidarity, countering all forms of extremism and violence,' the council wrote.

The deceased victim was revealed to be 74-year-old coffee maestro Sisto Malaspina (pictured)

Tens of thousands of Melburnians visited Bourke St over the weekend, paying respect to murdered coffee icon Sisto Malaspina.

Malaspina, 74, was reportedly trying to help Ali out of his car when he was stabbed to death.

He was fondly remembered as a 'coffee legend' and 'the best boss' and was offered a state funeral by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.

The other two victims are recovering well from their wounds, including 58-year-old Tasmanian man Rodney Patterson, who was stabbed in the face.

A security guard, 24, is also recuperating from neck wounds.A child has been found dead at a home in rural Perthshire while another fights for her life.

The 10-year-old boy was discovered at a home in Coupar Angus at around 2:30am when police were called to the scene.

An eight-year-old girl was also found with life threatening injuries.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested following the incident in the early hours of this morning.

It is believed a man was found injured in the street before a member of the public called police.

They then broke into the home and found the children.

Chief Inspector Ian Scott, of Police Scotland, said: 'At this time, our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the young boy who has died in this incident and with the young girl who remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Police in Scotland are trying to trace anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the Union Street area

'I can confirm that a 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident.

'Enquiries are ongoing however I believe this to have been an isolated and contained incident with no threat to the wider public.

'There will be a police presence at the scene for some time while we undertake our investigation and I would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we carry out our work.

'There will be additional patrols by local community based officers in Coupar Angus to help provide some reassurance to the community.

'If anyone heard or saw anything in the Union Street area, who hasn't already spoken with officers, I would ask that they call Police Scotland on 101 (ref 0611 of 11 Nov) with details.'

The girl, eight, has been taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

More follows...Neanderthals may have mated themselves into extinction rather than being wiped out by humans, as the history books would suggest, according to new research.

Genetic analysis of the fossilised remains of three species of human - the Neanderthals, early humans and modern humans - suggests interbreeding was the true cause of their demise.

'It means they were incorporated, which is why we see so many of their genes living on in modern Europeans, Svante Paabo, professor of evolutionary genetics at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, told The Sunday Times.

Neanderthals may have mated themselves into extinction rather than being wiped out by humans

It's thought Neanderthals evolved from early humans, who left Africa about 450,000 years ago.

The history books say they spread across Eurasia until modern humans arrived 60,000 years ago.

About 30,000 years later they were gone - assumed to be killed off or out-competed for resources by modern humans.

'If we look at a few thousand genomes we can pick out 15,000 Neanderthal genes  so at least half their genome is walking around in people today,' said Paabo.

The findings have promoted researchers in the US to look into Neanderthal's genetic influence on people today.

One study, led by Michael Gregory of the US National Institute of Mental Health, calculated people's 'NeanderScore' by analysing their genes.

Genetic analysis of the fossilised remains of three species of human - the Neanderthals, early humans and modern humans - suggests interbreeding was the true cause of their demise

It found that people who scored highest often had skulls similarly shaped to Neanderthals.

The report found that the Neanderthal genes were still present in the contemporary population.

Research coming out of Norway has linked Neanderthal genes with health problems.

Ole Andreassen, of the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo in Norway said there were links between the presence of the genes with high cholesterol, autism and depression.

He also said it increases ones risk to tobacco addiction.What was supposed to be a nice day at the beach turned into a nightmare for a mom and her seven-year-old son after they drifted miles off the Florida coast.

Tara Myers and her son were lounging on their brand new inflatable swan raft when she quickly realized they were in trouble.

The mother had taken the new giant raft to enjoy a day at Anna Maria island.

At first, there was no wind and no waves. It seemed like the perfect conditions to bring out the family's new beach toy.

Tara Myers and her son were lounging on their brand new inflatable swan raft (pictured) when they suddenly drifted miles off the Florida coast

It seemed like the perfect conditions for Tara and her son (pictured together on the raft) to bring out their new beach toy

But within minutes, Tara and her son realized they were several miles off shore.

'I was not sure if we were going to keep drifting because land just kept getting farther and farther and farther away,' she told WFLA.

'You feel very small and can't be heard or seen. Totally invisible.'

Tara tried to swim against the current, paddling hard and kicking her feet to try and get the swan to move forward. But it wasn't enough.

That's when the mother really started to panic, even questioning if she and her son would survive.

Within minutes Tara and her son realized they were several miles off short. Tara tried to swim against the current, paddling hard and kicking her feet to try and get the swan to move forward

Tara said she began to panic, but tried to stay strong and calm for her son. Thankfully, beachgoers spotted them drifting away and called 911

'I have never been more scared in my entire life,' she said. 'I was just exhausted, and we were not going anywhere.'

As Tara tried to remain calm in front of her son and come up with a plan, fellow beachgoers had thankfully seen them drifting away and called 911.

The mother cried tears of relief when she saw a West Manatee Fire Rescue boat.

'I literally just laid down on that swan float and cried,' she said. 'This could have ended so much worse, and I didn't want him to know that I was that scared.'

The minute they got to shore, Tara made sure the swan could never be used again and her son punctured a hole in it. Pictured is Tara's son with the swan raft's box

The minute they got to shore, Tara made sure the swan could never be used again.

Her son took his shark tooth necklace and used it to puncture a hole in the raft.

Tara was flooded with relief when she saw the swan deflate. A firefighter then threw it into a dumpster.

Now Tara is speaking out to warn families of the dangers of using these types of rafts in the ocean.

'It's not worth it,' she said. 'It's not worth it at all.'

'To even put yourself in that type of position. I'm never going to get on a float again.'Authorities have released more photos in the desperate search for a 13-year-old girl who was abducted from outside her North Carolina home a week ago.

Hania Noelia Aguilar was kidnapped outside the Rosewood Mobile Home Park in Lumberton last Monday.

Witnesses told police they saw a man dressed in black with a yellow bandana grab the eighth grader and force her into a green Ford Expedition before driving off.

The vehicle, which had the South Carolina license plates NWS 984, had been idling outside the girl's home in the moments before she was snatched.

Hania Noelia Aguilar, 13, was kidnapped outside the Rosewood Mobile Home Park in Lumberton, North Carolina last Monday

Authorities said they located the green Ford Expedition on Thursday in the Lumberton area, about eight miles from where Hania was abducted.

Investigators are now seeking help in identifying a person seen on surveillance video walking near the kidnapping scene around the time of Hania's disappearance.

Relatives said Hania had taken her aunt's keys and gone outside just moments before to start the SUV in preparation to drive to the bus stop so she could go to school.

Police said the suspect grabbed her and then forced her into the SUV.

The FBI had previously released footage of the stolen SUV driving through the streets just moments after the kidnapping.

Investigators are continuing to collect and analyze surveillance video from the area and are asking anyone who has a camera or surveillance system to save the video and immediately contact them.

Investigators are now seeking help in identifying a person seen on surveillance video walking near the kidnapping scene around the time of Hania's disappearance

Witnesses told police they saw a man dressed in black with a yellow bandana grab the eighth grader and force her into a green Ford Expedition before driving off

Evidence related to the case was flown on Saturday to Quantico so it could be analyzed by the FBI.

The FBI is currently offering a $15,000 reward for information about Hania's disappearance. The state of North Carolina is also offering a $5,000 reward.

Soon after the teen vanished, 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.

'It breaks my heart to stand here before you five days after Hania has been missing and kidnapped and not have her back yet,' Lumberton Police Chief Michael McNeill told reporters on Friday.

'We urgently need the public's help. We need them more now than ever to find Hania and bring her back.'

Hania is described as a Hispanic girl who is 5 feet tall and weighs about 125 pounds, according to the FBI. She has black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a blue shirt with flowers and blue jeans.

Authorities set up a special tip line to help investigators find Hania: (910) 272-5871.

Hania is described as a Hispanic girl who is 5 feet tall and weighs about 125 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes, according to the FBI

Authorities said they located the green Ford Expedition on Thursday in the Lumberton area, about eight miles from where Hania was abductedHours after President Trump used Twitter to criticize Emmanuel Macron, the French president hit back, saying he prefers not to conduct his 'diplomacy through tweets'.

'I always prefer having direct discussion or answering questions (than) making my diplomacy through tweets,' Macron said in an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria.

Trump had used his preferred social media outlet to tweet Friday night: 'President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of Nato, which the US subsidizes greatly!'

The French president's comments came as Trump touched down in Paris Saturday for events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Emmanuel Macron said he prefers 'having direct discussion' rather than discussing diplomacy through tweets

Macron's comments came days after President Trump criticized Macron on Twitter for suggesting Europe have its own military

When asked by Zakaria if Trump's tweet was a mistake, Macron said: 'I don't know, I'm not the one to command his tweets.'

Trump had begun the short trip to Paris by laying into Macron for his European army proposal but had calmed down by the time the two leaders met Saturday for extended talks.

The U.S. president told Macron as they began a series of meetings that he appreciates France's willingness to pay more for its defense.

'We have much in common in many ways  perhaps more ways than people would understand,' he assessed. 'We're very much similar in our views. And I appreciate what you're saying about burden sharing.'

Macron began the session telling Trump in French that he was 'very delighted' to have him in Paris again and they would be discussing the 'strategic capability of Europe' and its desire to take on a larger role in NATO.

'I do share President Trump's views that we need a much better burden sharing within NATO, and that's why I do believe that my proposals for European defense are totally consistent with that, because it means more Europe within NATO, more capacity, in order to take our part of the burden. And I think it's very fair and it's very important,' he said.

Trump tweeted ahead of his two-day visit to Paris, insulting Macron for suggesting Europe have its own army

Trump said at the meeting, 'We want to absolutely be there. We want to help. We want to be a part of it. But different countries have to also help. That's only fair. And I think the president  we've already discussed this  and the president and I very much agree on that.'

He explained that the U.S. would like to assist Europe with its security obligations, so long as the costs are reasonably distributed, and that's why he's pushed so aggressively for America's allies to increase their contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

'We want to help Europe, but it has to be fair. Right now, the burden sharing has been largely on the United States, as the president will say, and he understands that,' Trump stated. 'And he understands that the United States can only do so much, in fairness to the United States.'

Macron told him that he agrees. 'But its unfair to have the European security today being assured just by the United States, and we need a much better burden sharing,' he said. 'Thats why I do believe that we need more European capacities, more European defense, in order to take this part of the burden.'

Trump and First Lady Melania were no-shows on Saturday afternoon following the row with Macron over France's contribution to Nato.

Sunday, Macron rebuked nationalism in perhaps another dig at Trump who has been vocal about his 'America First' agenda.

In his speech Sunday at the Arc de Trimophe, Macron said: 'Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values.'

Trump watched on as the French president added: 'I know there are old demons which are coming back to the surface. They are ready to wreak chaos and death,' he said. 'History sometimes threatens to take its sinister course once again.'The police officer who was forced to shoot Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali only graduated from the police academy three months ago.

The Somali-born 30-year-old stabbed three men, one fatally, during his Friday afternoon rampage through the heart of Melbourne.

Within minutes of Ali's car bursting into flames on a footpath, two junior officers arrived on the scene and attempted to diffuse the situation.

They employed every aspect of their training to the highest standard, Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said.

The officers then retreated to the other side of the road as the bearded attacker with a shaved head and dressed in a long brown tunic, pursued them as horrified bystanders called on police to shoot him

'The first thing the officers are trained to do is to look to create space, which is technically known as 'corner and contain' and have a conversation to try to verbally de-escalate. That was attempted but that didn't prove to be possible,' he said.

He said after methods of coercion are deemed useless, officers are required to pull out any defensive weapons they may use, including capsicum spray, batons, firearms and occasionally tasers.

When Ali frenziedly continued to lunge at the junior officers with a knife in hand, one of them pulled his gun and shot him directly in the chest - putting an end to the terror.

The officer who fired his gun had only been on the job for three weeks, according to The Age.

All police officers begin their careers with 31 weeks of intense training at the Victoria Police Academy. Training is considered both physical and academic.

'They honestly handled it as well as they could...I couldn't tell you how I'd react, those two blokes will never have a harder job in their career,' another junior officer within the Victoria police force told Daily Mail Australia.

Video showed a man wielding a knife attempt to stab and slash at two police officers before he was shot and fell to the ground, and also a brave shopper try to hit him with a trolley (pictured)

Victoria Police said officers responded to reports of a car fire (pictured) before they were confronted by the man

Commissioner Ashton said officers are trained to use their firearms when they feel lives are threatened, or if they're at serious harm.

And if they are forced to pull their weapons, they have one target.

'They're certainly trained, if they're going to be shooting, to shoot to kill,' he said.

Both officers underwent mandatory drug testing and formal interviews after the attack, and are said to be in high spirits, if a little shaken.

The officers were commended by the likes of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Bill Shorten and Daniel Andrews for their bravery after the horror attack, later claimed by ISIS.

Victoria Police commissioner Graham Ashton and Premier Daniel Andrews spoke at a press conference after the attack

One witness said he was 'terrified' after seeing a body covered in a white sheet on the footpath

Prime Minister Scott Morrison released a statement condemning the actions of the assailant.

'Australians will never be intimidated by these appalling attacks and we will continue to go about our lives and enjoy the freedoms that the terrorists detest,' he wrote.

'I praise the bravery of the police who were on the scene and took action and those who selflessly came to the assistance of the injured and provided comfort to the distressed.'

Opposition leader Bill Shorten also praised the bravery of 'our extraordinary police officers who acted so swiftly and professionally in Melbourne's CBD... and the passers-by whose first instinct was to go to the aid of others.'

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp praised emergency services for their efforts and the city for coming together to support each other.

'Melburnians should be reassured by the rapid response from Victoria Police and emergency services who worked quickly, bravely and effectively to minimise harm to the public and contain the situation,' she said.

'I'm proud of the way our community responded respectfully to police instructions at the scene.A Queensland man has been extradited to NSW accused of raping a child three times and assaulting her nine other times during the 1970s.

The 70-year-old man has been charged with a dozen historical child sexual offences, allegedly stemming from incidents with the 10-year-old girl in NSW between 1974 and 1978, police say.

He was extradited from a Mackay suburb to Sydney on Saturday before he appeared before Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.

A Queensland man has been extradited to NSW accused of raping a child three times and assaulting her nine other times during the 1970s (pictured is Parramatta Local Court)

His offences include nine counts of assault female and commit act of indecency under 16 years and three counts of carnal knowledge of girl aged between 10 and under 16 years.

The man was refused bail and will remain behind bars.

He is set to to appear at Penrith Local Court on November 13.A barrister representing a man acquitted of raping a teenage girl suggested the jury should consider the type of underwear she was wearing, sparking fury among campaigners.

Elizabeth O'Connell, was representing a 27-year-old man accused of raping a 17-year-old teenager in Cork, Ireland, suggested to jurors they should consider the lace thong she was wearing in her closing remarks.

According to the Irish Examiner, she said: 'Does the evidence out-rule the possibility that she was attracted to the defendant and was open to meeting someone and being with someone?

'You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front.'

A barrister representing a man acquitted of raping a teenage girl suggested the jury should consider the type of underwear she was wearing, sparking fury among campaigners

The man wept as he was found not guilty of raping the woman in Cork, by a jury of eight men and four women, who deliberated for one and a half hours, at Central Criminal Court.

Noeline Blackwell, the head of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, told The Independent, she was not surprised by counsel focusing on the girl's underwear.

She said: 'The reference to the girls underwear and the assumption and inference that the jury was being invited to draw  that because she was dressed like that she was asking for sex  does not surprise us, she said.

'We accompany people to court and the whole time we see rape stereotypes used to discredit complainants and to enforce elements of the defendants case.'

The decision also sparked fury online with one user on social media saying: 'Scary that ppl think women's choice of underwear indicate a desire to have sex.

'Why those knickers? Maybe she liked them/they were on sale/her mum bough them for her...instead of asking y she wore lacy knicker we should be asking why he didn't obstain enthusiastic consent.'

The Sexual Violence Centre Cork, responded to the post saying 'rape underwear' is now a 'thing in our criminal justice system.'

The charity also shared a video by fellow charity Rape Crisis Scotland.

Another social media user said: 'Another shameful and disgusting example of the ideology of victim blaming in a rape trial in Cork.'

The case was dominated by the issue of consent, in the immediate aftermath of the disputed incident the complainant said: 'You just raped me' and the defendant said: 'No, we just had sex.'A brazen fugitive has pledged to stay on the run until at least Christmas after polling his friends on Facebook as to whether he should stay or hand himself in.

Daley Smith, 29, is regularly using the social media website to taunt police after he went on the run in July for breaching a court order.

Smith from Alsager, Cheshire, who once compared himself to Raoul Moat, is wanted for alleged drug and criminal damage offences.



Fugitive Daley Smith (left and right), 29, who once compared himself to Raoul Moat, has pledged to stay on the run until at least Christmas after asking his friends to vote on Facebook

Yesterday, under his Facebook name Daley Palin he bragged about being on the run for 156 days

Cheshire Police has been trying to capture him for a number of months but Smith has been goading them using a number of Facebook profiles.

Yesterday he posted his latest message to his 2,287 followers under the name Daley Palin.

It read: 'Daley Smiths official day 156 on the run since he ripped his curfew off and said f*** you to the corrupt ****** up Cheshire Police force & justice system...f*** the courts they ain't getting me in the dock, check the clock, tick tock, tick tock.

The wanted man was handed a three-month curfew requiring him to be at home between 7pm until 7am from May to August. He has also been charged with possession with intent to supply class B cannabis and concerned with the supply of cocaine, according to police

'Well not for 44 days anyway. Slight change of plan, (MY) official day 200 falls on Christmas Day, I'll do my best to get there and then I'm gna set the internet on fire with a big party and then another party for new year.

'Ya's ain't ready!!! 44 days come on Daley lad. I've got this!!!'

In another message yesterday, he wrote: 'Put it in all of ya papers, I'm not afraid, you can read all about it, read all about it, read all about it.'

On November 7, Smith asked his 2,500 Facebook friends to 'love' his post if they wanted him to remain at large or 'like' it if they think he should hand himself in.

Smith wrote: 'Anyone that thinks I should hand myself and go to court 5 weeks before Christmas, the day of my trial on the 19th November, just like the post.

'This will be interesting and will put things into perspective. I don't need your advice, I know everything any of yas could possibly tell me. Just give me your reaction.'

A total of 342 loved his post and only 50 liked it.

In previous posts he taunted Cheshire police by giving clues of his whereabouts on social media

In another Facebook message last month he wrote: 'Cheshire police have got more chance of finding Madeleine Mcann (sic), I may as well be in Japan, they've even been harassing my nan but everything hasn't gone to plan.

'They've f****d with the wrong man, I feel like Peter Pan. So far I don't know how far I've ran but it's been mad since this journey began.'

In another post dated on October 17 he wrote: 'The police's biggest clue ATM is the activity on my phone as I haven't even changed my number, they have that number, still can't catch me.

Previously Smith had also taken pictures of police cars and bragged about how close to them he was

'I've topped up all over Britain hahaha so everyone hit me up with a text or iMessage and give them work to do. Don't be ringing though because I only answer my close people.'

In another post, on September 26, he posted a photograph of the force helicopter with the message: 'Last clue. This was me today watching you eating my full English breakfast. I'm waiting for you. We're going straight to the hospital btw. I have quite a few injuries that need attending to.'

On September 25 he wrote: 'Cheshire Police have just gone through a door in Crewe for me.

'Not a single person in the house. You've already chased me from there lads, I've slid out the window twice like Mo Farah. You've got to do a bit better than that.'

Earlier posts from Smith show him using the hashtag 'copkiller' to threaten Cheshire Police

The profile also shared Crewe Police's Tweet of Smith's mugshot appealing for the public's help to find him.

A warrant for his arrest was issued by South Cheshire Magistrates Court on July 24 for breaching a court order in relation to an appearance in court in May over criminal damage.

Smith was handed a three-month curfew requiring him to be at home between 7pm until 7am from May to August.

Smith has also been charged with possession with intent to supply class B cannabis and concerned with the supply of cocaine, according to police.

He is due in crown court this month.

Last month a Cheshire Police spokesman confirmed he was still at large and added, said: 'We're appealing for help to trace Daley Smith who is wanted in relation to a breach of court order.

'We are aware of the Facebook page and are continuing to appeal for information in relation to his whereabouts.'

Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101.Police are frantically searching for two 'high risk' missing teenage girls who may have travelled 170miles from home.

Grisilda Daudi, 14, and Gabriella Shenbitrasi, 17, have been reported missing by their families in Cardiff, but police believe they may have headed to Croydon, south London.

Metropolitan Police are now searching for the pair in the area which borders Surrey and are asking members of the public for their help.

The Croydon MPS Twitter account, which provides regular policing updates for the borough, tweeted on Sunday (November 11): 'Please help MPSCroydon and metpoliceuk locate **HIGH RISK** vulnerable missing person Grisilda Daudi who is 14 years old.

Cardiff girls Grisilda Daudi, 14, (left) and Gabriella Shenbitrasi, 17, (right) have been reported missing by their families and it is believed they may have made the 170-mile trip to Croydon

'Grisilda is missing from Cardiff and believed to be in the Croydon area.'

A separate tweeted added: 'Please help MPSCroydon and metpoliceuk locate **HIGH RISK** vulnerable missing person Gabriella SHENBITRASI who is 17 years old. Gabriella is missing from Cardiff and believed to be in the Croydon area.'

Police have released images of Grisilda and Gabriella so members of the public know what they look like if they were to see them.

It has not been revealed what part of Croydon they are thought to be in.

Anyone with any information on their whereabouts is urged to call 101, quoting 18MIS045100.A doctor has shared a gruesome photo of her scrubs covered in blood to hit back at the National Rifle Association's claim that doctors should 'stay in their lane'.

Dr Kristin Gee, of Los Angeles, posted a picture of her pants and shoes drenched in a gunshot victim's blood, writing: 'To the @NRA, this is what it looks like to stay in #mylane'.

'We will not be silent about the toll of #gunviolence,' she added. 'I speak out for this patient, for their parents who will never be the same, for every person who came after this one and didn't have to #thisiseveryoneslane'.

Gee is just one of many physicians who spoke out after the NRA tweeted a new blog post against 'anti-gun doctors' on Wednesday, just hours before 12 people were murdered during a mass shooting at a Los Angeles country bar.

Dr Kristin Gee, of Los Angeles, shared a gruesome photo of her scrubs covered in blood to hit back at the National Rifle Association's claim that doctors should 'stay in their lane'

Gee wrote to the NRA that the picture illustrated what it 'looks like to stay in #mylane'. 'We will not be silent about the toll of #gunviolence,' she added

'Someone should tell self-important anti-gun doctors to stay in their lane,' the official NRA Twitter wrote in the caption alongside the blog post.

'Half of the articles in Annals of Internal Medicine are pushing for gun control. Most upsetting, however, the medical community seems to have consulted NO ONE but themselves.'

The tweet hit a nerve with doctors, who set out to prove that they are the exact people who should be consulted when it comes to gun violence.

'Do you have any idea how many bullets I pull out of corpses weekly? This isn't just my lane. It's my f*****g highway,' wrote forensic pathologist Dr Judy Melinek.

'My lane: asking families to identify their child by their tattoos, because their faces are unrecognizable,' added trauma surgeon Dr Stephanie Bonne.

Gee is just one of many doctors who spoke out after the NRA tweeted a new blog post against them on Wednesday

As one doctor noted, the blog came just hours before the third mass shooting in America in the last two weeks

'My lane: helping to intubate a man who shot his wife to death and then shot himself,' wrote Dr Kevin Lee.

Dr Ilya Ratkin, a general surgery resident in Detroit, also shared a picture of his scrubs covered in blood.

'#Thisismylane aftermath of taking care of a young girl who presented with multiple gunshot wounds,' he wrote.

'I'm not here to discuss legislation, my concern is patients and we need less coming in with bullet holes. @NRA wouldn't know anything about having someone die in your arms.'

Dr Nuriel Moghavem shared an X-ray of a gunshot victim and wrote: 'My lane is making sure people don't die, and you're in the way'.

'I helped save a gun violence victim in med school. Those are my hands holding pressure on his femoral artery so that he wouldn't bleed to death,' he added.

'The bullet is right by my fingertips. This is me in #mylane, @NRA.'

The tweet hit a nerve with doctors, who set out to prove that they are the people who should be consulted when it comes to gun violence

Dr Stephanie Bonne, a trauma surgeon, shared this picture of the blood that came from a gunshot victim who didn't survive

Dr Nuriel Moghavem shared an X-ray of a gunshot victim and wrote: 'My lane is making sure people don't die, and you're in the way'

Dr Rick Sidwell, a trauma surgeon, also tweeted his support despite the fact that he is also an NRA member and gun owner.

'I'm an @NRA member. I'm a #gunowner. I'm a caring trauma surgeon who is trying to be part of the solution, working with @ACSTrauma,' he wrote.

'These positions are NOT mutually exclusive. #ISayNoToStayInMyLane.'

Peter Smedley, an Australian doctor who has been practicing medicine for five years, also spoke out.

'This is my lane, but there's no traffic,' he wrote. 'For that I thank strong bipartisan gun control policies and no powerful interest groups controlling policy.'

'I hope the USA is lucky enough to have this some day.'

Multiple doctors shared heartbreaking stories that they have encountered while trying to treat gunshot victims in America

The NRA's tweet was in response to a new article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine titled 'Reducing Firearm Injuries and Deaths in the United States: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians'.

In the article, the American College of Physicians provide a slew of recommendations - for doctors and lawmakers - that they believe can help combat America's rampant gun violence.

Recommendations include training doctors in firearms injury prevention and counseling patients on the 'risk of having firearms in the home'.

'The medical profession has a special responsibility to speak out on prevention of firearm-related injuries and deaths, just as physicians have spoken out on other public health issues,' the paper reads.

Dr Rick Sidwell, a trauma surgeon, also tweeted his support despite the fact that he is also an NRA member and gun owner

Peter Smedley, an Australian doctor who has been practicing medicine for five years, also spoke out

t Bob Doherty, the SVP of the American College of Physicians, said the responses to the NRA's tweet showed it was clear Americans wanted something to change

The American College of Physicians also states its support for 'appropriate regulation of the purchase of legal firearms' in America, including universal background checks, educational programs on firearms safety, and restricting firearm access to domestic violence offenders.

While the NRA's tweet received a mountain of criticism, the organization appeared unfazed.

'It's just another example of gun control advocates with the help of the mainstream media blaming law abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of deranged people and exploiting tragedy to push a gun control agenda that would not prevent these crimes,' NRA spokeswoman Jennifer Baker told CNN.

'The gun control policies they advocate for are already the law in California and they did not prevent tragedy,' she added, referring to last week's massacre at Borderline.

But Bob Doherty, the SVP of the American College of Physicians, said the responses to the NRA's tweet showed it was clear Americans wanted something to change.

'Judging by the thousands of replies posted to this @NRA tweet, doctors don't agree that they "should stay in their lane" and not talk about solutions to gun violence,' he wrote. 'Nor does the public.'The incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman is warning new acting attorney general Matt Whitaker any role he plays with the Mueller probe 'will be exposed.'

And in another demonstration of the dramatic power shift coming in Washington, the incoming Judiciary Committee chair is calling Whitaker a 'lackey' who President Trump wants to act as a 'hatchet man' to destroy the Mueller investigation and said Whitaker will be called to testify.

California Rep. Adam Schiff, who spent the last two years playing defense as the Republican-run panel pushed back against special counsel Robert Mueller and probed accusations of FBI misconduct, how plans to use the panel to keep watch on Whitaker.

Schiff issued the warning after the emergence of public comments by Whitaker criticizing the Mueller probe and recommending ways to cut off its funding.

'And any role that he plays will be exposed to the public. We don't want there to be any ambiguity about that,' Schiff told NBC's 'Meet the Press.'

The incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman is warning new acting attorney general Matt Whitaker any role he plays with the Mueller probe 'will be exposed.'

He also referenced a report that Whitaker acted as Trump's eye and ears inside the Justice Department during the tenure of ousted AG Jeff Sessions, during a period when Trump was fuming over Sessions' decision to recuse himself from the Russia probe.

Schiff continued: 'I want to make this very clear, if he doesn't recuse himself, if he has any involvement whatsoever in this Russia probe we are going to find out whether he made commitments to the president about the probe, whether he is serving as a back channel to the president or his lawyers about the probe, whether he's doing anything to interfere with the probe. Mr. Whitaker needs to understand that he will be called to answer.

Schiff's tough warning came as Senate minority leader Charles Schumer, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, and other Democratic leaders called on Whitaker to recuse himself from the Mueller probe, which he now oversees following Trump's move last week.

Allowing a vocal opponent of the investigation to oversee it will severely undermine public confidence in the Justice Department's work on this critically important matter,' they wrote the Justice Department.

Senate minority leader Charles Schumer and other Democratic leaders wrote the Justice Department calling on Whitaker to recuse himself from the Russia probe

LOYALIST: Former Sessions chief of staff Matt Whitaker has taken over oversight of the Russia probe. He has criticized it in the past and spoken about cutting its funding. He was not confirmed by the Senate for his post

Schiff issued his warning during an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press'

Added incoming House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler of New York: 'He should recuse himself. He has expressed total hostility to the investigation,' speaking on ABC News show 'This Week.'

'His appointment is simply part of an attack on the investigation by Robert Mueller,' Nadler said.

He has 'expressed hostility to the investigation, how he can possibly supervise it,' Nadler asked on CNN's 'State of the Union.'

Nadler called Whitaker 'a complete political lackey' who is 'a real threat to the integrity of that investigation.'

Whitaker's appointment by President Trump 'is simply part of an attack on the investigation by Robert Mueller,' said incoming House Judiciary chairman Jerold Nadler said

'Our very first witness, after January 3 we will summon, if necessary subpoena, Mr. Whitaker,' Nadler vowed.

Schiff also raised doubts whether Whitaker was even eligible for his post. He hasn't been confirmed by the Senate for a senior DOJ position, and in naming him Trump passed over officials who have been confirmed, like deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein.

'I'm not convinced at all. There are serious constitutional arguments that as a principle officer he cannot be appointed to this position,' Schiff said.

Schiff was among the members of the House and Senate leadership signing onto a letter demanding Whitaker's recusal from the Mueller probe.

'I didn't speak to Matt Whitaker' about the Mueller probe, President Trump said

'It's someone who has a relationship with one of the important witnesses in the investigation,' he said, referencing Whitaker's role running the Senate campaign of Sam Clovis, a Trump campaign official who was interviewed by Mueller's team.

'We have every right to expect all employees of the Justice Department to follow the ethics rules,' Schiff said.

Trump's naming of Whitaker set off Democrats, although Republicans have been mostly silent.

'It's clear that this president is trying to ensure the mueller investigation doesn't get all its final product out,' said Senate Intelligence chairman Mark Warner of Virginia. 'He picked this individual, Mr Whitaker, who the best asset i can see is he's a big-time Trump loyalist.'

Axios reported that Schiff also is gearing up for probes of Trump's intervention with the Postal Service as a way to potentially punish rival Jeff Bezos' Amazon, and the administration's handling of the proposed ATT/Time Warner merger.German Chancellor Angela Merkel should not have taken part in a ceremony in France on Sunday marking the centenary of the Armistice as it is an event for the 'winners' of World War One, said the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Germany lost the war and Merkel's participation in a ceremony for the former allies amounted to an attempt to rewrite history, AfD co-leader Alexander Gauland said.

'We can't put ourselves in a historical situation that clearly favours the winner and walk alongside Mr. Macron through the Arc de Triomphe,' he said, referring to the famous Paris monument.

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Alexander Gauland (pictured) said Angela Merkel should not have taken part in the First World War centenary because Germany was not a 'winner'

Gauland's comments stood in marked contast to the themes of reconciliation and the need for vigilance against resurgent nationalism which characterised the official commemorations in London and Paris for the millions killed during World War One.

With U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting just a few feet away, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced those who evoke nationalist sentiment to disadvantage others, calling it a betrayal of patriotism and moral values.

In London, Britain's royal family was joined by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who become the first German leader to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial in an historic act of reconciliation.

Gauland condemned the German participation at the ceremonies in both London and Paris on Sunday

The anti-Islam AfD entered the German parliament for the first time last year, drawing support from a broad array of voters angry with Merkel's decision in 2015 to welcome almost a million, mainly Muslim asylum seekers.

Its leaders have been rebuked for comments that appear to belittle the Nazi dictatorship or suggest that history books should be re-written to focus more on German victims.

In a rare public display of emotion, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war, one of the bloodiest in history.Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is assembling a crack PR-team, including the campaign manager for John McCain's 2008 presidential run, as he considers challenging Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

Schultz, a Democrat and successful businessman, could be a contender against President Trump in the 2020 elections. But he would need someone with experience in the political sphere.

Now Schultz, who is also preparing a book tour for his new memoir, has brought on board Steve Schmidt, a former vice chairman at public relations powerhouse Edelman, who previously managed the late Republican Senator McCain's presidential campaign.

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is eyeing a potential presidential run under the Democratic ticket in 2020

Cheryl Cook, a longtime executive vice president at Edelman, is representing Schultz currently and will remain on board through his book tour.

Meanwhile, Schultz has hired another adviser, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, who he worked with throughout his tenure at Starbucks.

Chandrasekaran was previously a senior correspondent at The Washington Post.

Political pundits say the public relations and advisory team Schultz has brought on is a signal that he is investigating the possibility of running in 2020, despite that he has yet to visit the places like Iowa and New Hampshire, where potential candidates have already begun campaigning in.

'I certainly believe in the abstract people coming from the business into politics, particularly a run for president, they need someone around them. They need to have people familiar to them to help them,' said Thomas Rath, a New Hampshire Republican operative, according to CNBC.

'Others like Schmidt would be invaluable. Steve has seen so much. He would have a sense as to what the calendar means,' Rath added. 'He would know how to hunt delegates and a keen sense as to how best to raising money.'

Democratic political strategist Hank Sheinkopf said he believes Schultz is putting

"He wants to show people he can put together a team quickly and the best presidential campaigns have people from multidisciplinary sectors, from the private sector to those in political work. It's smart. The Clinton's first campaign had film makers. So did Ronald Reagan,' Democratic political strategist Hank Sheinkopf added.

'Bringing all different types of people into the operation shows you know what you're doing and its a warning to other candidates.'A vet that put down 200 dogs with an outdated practice that caused them to scream in agony before they died has been struck off.

John Hendrie Smith, 89, injected dogs into their hearts in a process believed to cause 'appalling pain'.

Hendrie Smith, who has been a vet for nearly 65 years, was found to have used the controversial technique on hundreds of helpless animals at the Valley Veterinary Centre he ran in Galston, Ayrshire.

Pet owner Darren Stevenson with his dog Bounce. John Hendrie Smith, 89, injected dogs into their hearts in a process deemed to cause 'appalling pain'

Pet owner Darren Stevenson had called on Hendrie Smith for help with his terminally ill German Shepherd Bounce, according to records of a disciplinary inquiry.

But the vet had failed to bring a muzzle and instead tried to wrap his belt around the dog's snout in order to bind its mouth closed.

He also asked to borrow pliers from Mr Stevenson to fix a syringe before the needle was inserted through a lung wall. Due to a dense nerve network, it would have caused the animal excruciating pain.

Rachael McRoberts, 34, Mr Stevenson's partner at the time, heard the dog scream in distress as it was put down.

She told Jonathan Leake and Shingi Mararike of the Sunday Times: 'It was horrible. the dog was wailing for what seemed like ages. I've never heard a dog make a noise like that.'

Ms McRoberts remembers Bounce as a protective animal who was a companion to her family, including her three children now aged 16, 12 and five.

Mr Stevenson's partner at the time heard the dog scream in distress as it was put down

She said: 'He was kind of human...he understood you and knew if something was wrong with the kids and would alert me.'

Mr Stevenson complained to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), who found that Hendrie Smith had been using the painful technique a number for years.

He admitted that many animals wailed in agony before dying.

RCVS investigated Hendrie Smith and the case raises questions on veterinary regulations and why an ageing practitioner had not been subject to routine checks.

The RVCS advises vets: 'It's up to you to decide how best to fulfil your learning needs.'

Hendrie Smith could not be reached for comment.President Trump delivered remarks in a steady downpour on Sunday at an American war memorial and cemetery in France - without the cover of an umbrella - as he honored American vets and heroes.

Trump gave the speech on the centennial anniversary of the First World War, which he was in Paris to celebrate over the weekend, after coming under scrutiny for calling off a trip to a similar memorial while it was raining the day before.

'Exactly 100 years ago today, on Nov. 11 1918, World War One came to an end. Thank god,' he said. 'It was a brutal war.'

The U.S. president called it 'one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history' and a 'horrible, horrible war' in an 11-minute address with the Eiffel Tower behind him.

'We gathered together at this hallowed resting place to pay tribute to the brave Americans who gave their last breath in that mighty struggle,' he said.

Lightening the mood, he told six WWII veterans he said were in attendance, 'You look like you're in really good shape, all of you. I hope I look like that someday. You look great.'

President Trump delivered remarks in a steady downpour on Sunday at an American war memorial and cemetery in France, without the cover of an umbrella, as he honored American vets and heroes

Trump noted in the speech, which he gave after coming under fire for calling off a war memorial tour the day before, that Nov. 11 marks the centennial anniversary of the First World War

President Donald Trump, left, arrives for an American Commemoration Ceremony, Sunday Nov. 11, 2018, at Suresnes American Cemetery near Paris

Trump gave the speech on the centennial anniversary of the First World War, which he was in Paris to celebrate over the weekend, after coming under scrutiny for calling off a trip to a similar memorial while it was raining the day before

Attendees covered themselves in ponchos during the remarks that Trump made in spite of a light rain

The veterans had been offered limited space underneath the monument, out of the rain, to watch the speech from.

'You look so comfortable up there, under shelter, as we're getting drenched. You're very smart people,' he said to laughter. 'America is forever in debt, and we are forever in your debt. And we really appreciate you being here.'

Attendees of the president's speech, including members of Congress in Paris for the event, huddled together under umbrellas and ponchos.

'Thank you very much. I know you wanted to be here very badly. We appreciate it,' he told lawmakers who made the trek.

With the celebration of war's end, also came mourning for the live it claimed.

'On this day, in the year 1918, church bells rang, families embraced, and celebrations, as you know, filled the streets like never before, in towns throughout Europe and the United States. But victory had come at a terrible cost,' Trump acknowledged.

More than a million French had died, and 116,000 American soldiers were killed.

'Countless would come home bearing the lasting scars of trench warfare and the grisly horrors of chemical weapons,' he said. 'Here on the revered grounds of Suresnes American Cemetery lie more than 1,500 U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War.'

Trump said the patriots 'embody the timeless virtues' of France and the United States: 'honor and courage; strength and valor; love and loyalty; grace and glory.

'It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago,' he stated.

The president kept his remarks at the monument brief. As the rain continued, he claimed without irony, 'This has been a wonderful two days we spent in France. And this is certainly the highlight of the trip.

Donald Trump is now on his way from Paris to the United States, where he arrives in the evening on the same day.

He attended an internationally broadcast gathering for world leaders at the Arc de Triomphe and lunched with his counterparts earlier on Sunday before driving a half-hour outside of the city to Suresnes for the invite-only ceremony commemorating the end of WWI.

The speech closed out an awkward chapter in his relationship with the host nation's president that began when Trump blasted him on Twitter as he arrived at Orly airport late on Friday.

Trump's rising feud with Emmanuel Macron boiled on Sunday as the French leader forcefully denounced nations 'looking after their own interests' and decried nationalist policies like the ones the American president has embraced.

Macron specifically referred to the 'selfishness of nations only looking after their own interests' in remarks at an Armistice Day event in Paris that Trump and other world leaders attended.

'Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism by saying our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what gives it grace. And what is essential its moral values,' he said in an English-language translation of the speech he delivered with Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting in the front row.

Still, Trump kindly acknowledged Macron, saying that he and the first lady 'were deeply honored to be the guests' of the French government at the event that morning. He said, 'It was very beautiful and so well done. '

Trump and Macron have been sparring over comments that Macron made last week about his desire to form a European army. The U.S. president said in a stinging tweet that Macron's comments were 'very insulting' as he landed in Paris on Friday evening with the first lady.

Donald Trump 's rising feud with Emmanuel Macron took a new turn on Sunday as the French leader forcefully denounced nations 'looking after their own interests' and decried nationalist policies like the ones the American president has embraced

The leaders later attended a luncheon at Elysee Palace with other heads of state as part of a program that Macron is hosting in France this weekend commemorating the cessation of hostilities in World War One.

Donald and Melania Trump skipped an arrival ceremony at the residence of the French president earlier in the day and did not walk down the Champs-Elysees with fellow leaders, traveling to the Arcin the U.S. president's bullet-proof limousine, instead.

They remained inside the car and out of the rain until after visiting leaders and Macron lined up under a covered seating area.

President Trump greeted President Macron again -- having already sat down with him at Elysee and across from him at a dinner for dignitaries that took place on Saturday -- and took his place nearby in the front row of a riser below the arc.

The U.S. president's grand entry was then upstaged arrival of Russia's Putin, who shook Trump's hand and gave him a thumbs up before taking his own seat to Macron's left. Trump was seated two down from Macron, next to Germany's Angela Merkel.

UPSTAGED: Russian President Vladimir Putin was the last to arrive at the Arc de Triomphee. He hook Trump's hand and gave him a thumbs up before taking his own seat to Macron's right

President Trump greets Angela Merkel as he arrives at the Arc in Paris on Sunday

Trump gave Putin a pat on the back as he bid the Russian leader hello in Paris

First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump arrive in the rain for the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday

Right to Left: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brigitte Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump

Putin upstaged Trump by arriving at the ceremony last, after the American president and his wife had entered. Macron and other world leaders came together on buses.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told DailyMail.com in response to an inquiry about Trump's delayed arrival, and the possibility that Trump was meeting with Putin during the time that he was missing, that he was merely abiding by protocol.

'Due to security protocols the President arrived separately,' she said, without commenting on the possibility that he was talking privately with the Russian leader.

Putin confirmed later that he and Trump did not talk in Paris and would have a formal meeting at the G20 in Argentina later this month.

As President Trump was arriving at the unity ceremony in Paris on Sunday, a topless woman bearing the messages 'fake' and 'peace' on her chest threw herself at the president's motorcade in protest as it pulled up.

Two other women also tried to approach the president and were physically arrested by security guards.

Several minutes later, the Trumps entered the ceremony under separate umbrellas, the president in a blue coat and red tie and the first lady in a grey dress and matching overcoat.

The American president and his wife participated in a centennial celebration of Armistice Day, honored in Europe annually on Nov. 11, after the Pentagon indefinitely postponed a military parade Trump planned to have in Washington.

In America, the holiday is marked by Veteran's Day, which Trump honored at the Suresnes cemetery in the afternoon.

World leaders including Donald Trump greet Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives for the ceremony

The armored limousine known as 'The Beast' carrying US president arrives ahead of the ceremony

BY NOW: Trump gets in the his vehicle just before attending the Sunday leaders' lunch

Bells tolled in Paris on Sunday in remembrance of the cessation of fighting that concluded at 11:00 in the morning on Nov. 11, 1918 in Compiegne, France.

The United States entered the war on April 6, 1917 in response to a declaration of war request against Germany from President Woodrow Wilson.

A year and a half later, the war ended, but Europe was again thrown into chaos two decades later with WWII, when America also fought alongside France.

The two sides have become close allies in the nearly 75 years since the fighting began. Macron and Merkel entered the ceremony in Paris on Sunday as part of a united front after walking hand-in-hand through Compiegne on Saturday.

In remarks that were broadcast in French and translated to English, Macron appeared to take a shot at Trump's self-proclaimed nationalism.

'The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten,' Macron said during the broadcast that included a military fly-over. 'It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential.'

As Trump was arriving in France, they fought over Macron's proposal to draft a 'true European army' that would protect the continent's interests in the face of a recoiling United States. He suggested the fighting force would also serve as a check on U.S. military might, lumping the ally in with threats from Russia and China.

Trump said the comment was 'very insulting' and ignored the United States' generous contributions to Europe's defense via the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The following day, the leaders proclaimed themselves to be 'very good friends' at a one-on-one meeting, even as Trump's body language told a different story.

'You know what my attitude has been, and we want a strong Europe. Its very important to us to have a strong Europe. And whichever way we can do it the best and most efficient would be something that we both want,' Trump said.

Macron told him that he agrees. 'But its unfair to have the European security today being assured just by the United States, and we need a much better burden sharing.

'Thats why I do believe that we need more European capacities, more European defense, in order to take this part of the burden,' he assessed. 'When President Trump has to protect or to defend one of the states of the United States, he doesnt ask France or Germany, or another government of Europe to finance it.'

President Trump visited Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial after cancelling a trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial on Saturday when a bad weather call grounded Marine One.

He and first lady Melania Trump had planned to visit the memorial for American marines near the Belleau Wood battlefield, however their program was nixed at the last minute due to a storm that would have prevented them from helicoptering to the site that is more than an hour's drive from Paris.

Despite the heavy security presence a topless female protester was able to break through near the President's motorcade

Trump caused controversy on Saturday after his trip to the Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial was called off because of the rain

'The President and First Lady's trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial has been canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather,' the White House said. 'An American delegation led by Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf.'

The site honors United States Army's 2nd Division and an attack it led on the Germans on June 6, 1918 that liberated the Bouresches. The skirmishes ended 20 days later on June 26.

According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, 8,100 soldiers died in the wooded area near Belleau, France that month.

Macron gifted Trump with a sapling from the area during a state visit in April.

Trump was blasted abroad and at home for skipping the trip to the memorial and was compared to Canada's Justin Trudeau, who last year visited monuments in France under a steady downpour.

The U.S. president sidestepped the controversy on Sunday but gave a nod to the battle site in his speech at Suresnes.

'Among those buried here are legendary Marines who fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood,' he said.

'In that treacherous forest and the surrounding fields, American Marines, soldiers, and Allied Forces fought -- and they fought through hell -- to turn the tide of the war. And that's what they did -- they turned the tide of the war,' he stated.World leaders including Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump missed the exact moment to commemorate Armistice Day after arriving late to a ceremony in Paris on Sunday.

The President put on a very friendly display with Putin despite both men showing up minutes after the bells had finished tolling to signal the moment guns fell silent at 11am 100 years ago.

Other world leaders who arrived to the ceremony on buses also missed the crucial moment and were walking in rain-soaked line towards the Arc de Triomphe as the bells finished tolling.

Moments later, first Trump then Putin, who had been travelling on their own for security reasons, arrived in their armed convoys to join in the commemoration.

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Putin arrived later than his counterparts carrying a large umbrella in the pouring rain of Paris

The armored limousine known as 'The Beast' carrying US president arrives a few minutes after the ceremony began at the Arc de Triomphe

The world leaders walking up the Champs Elysee towards the ceremony on Sunday morning as the bells rang out across Paris to mark the moment the guns fell silent

The other 80 world leaders and politicians arrived at the Arc de Triomphe at 11am exactly, the moment peace was restored 100 years ago

Putin and Trump were filmed shaking hands and exchanging pats on the back as they took their place for the memorial.

The Russian President, who was the last to arrive, was also spotted giving Trump a thumbs up.

In a glass canopy at the foot of the triumphal arch, built by Emperor Napoleon in 1806, Macron, Trump, Putin and Merkel stood amongst scores of other politicians for the solemn ceremony.

In a rare public display of emotion by the leaders of two world powers, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war.

Those who fought in the trenches of World War One lived through an unimaginable hell, Macron said in a 20-minute speech, highlighting that as well as the deaths of 10 million troops, millions of women were widowed and children orphaned.

'The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten,' said Macron, sorrow etched on the faces of former French soldiers standing to attention around him during the ceremony.

Trump and Putin in discussion as the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe gets underway on Sunday morning

Trump smiles as Vladimir Putin arrives to take his place at the ceremony in Paris on Sunday morning

He could also be seen giving Vladimir Putin a friendly pat on the back as the Russian President shook hands with Melania

'It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential.'

As President Trump was arriving at the unity ceremony in Paris on Sunday, a topless woman bearing the messages 'fake' and 'peace' on her chest threw herself at the president's motorcade as it pulled up to the Arc de Triomphe in protest.

Two other women also tried to approach the president and were stopped by security guards.

Several minutes later he and Melania arrived under separate umbrellas, the president in a black suit and red tie and the first lady in a grey dress and matching overcoat.

One of the biggest security operations in French history swung in to action on Sunday as the world leaders prepared to attend the ceremony.

Ten thousand dedicated police officers lined the streets of Paris along with military units to guard 80 VIP guests, including Princess Charlene of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert II.

Most travelled in official buses, while Mr Trump was given special permission to use his 'Beast' armoured Cadillac limousine because he is considered the highest risk.

The Prince of Wales lays a wreath at the Guards' Memorial on Horse Guards Parade, London, on the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which marked the end of the First World War

French President Emmanuel Macron touches the knee of German Chancellor Angela Merkel as he walks past her during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend the opening session of the Paris Peace Forum as part of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

A protester tries to jump into the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump on his way to the commemoration ceremony

US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump prepare to leave after they attended the commemoration

Heads of state including Irish PM Leo Varadkar stood in rank and file as they attended the ceremony

Infrared missiles and rooftop snipers were all available to commanders, along with mobile units of elite anti-terrorist officers.

Those in the French capital for the day also included German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

They received maximum personal protection as they accompany French president Emmanuel Macron to the Arc de Triomphe.

'They will assist in paying their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and take part in a ceremony lasting around an hour and a half' said an organiser of the historic event.

'Beyond the regular police and soldiers guarding them, there will be counter-terrorism units operating.

'Mr Trump has permission to use his own Cadillac because of particular security threats against him.'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron leave the Elysee Palace in Paris to go to the Arc de Triomphe ceremony

Macron was pictured greeting droves of world leaders and politicians including European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Sunday

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron as they arrive at the Elysee Palace for the ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte welcome Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene

Demonstrations were expected against the American head of state, but these were mostly confined to isolated parts of the capital, well away from the main commemorations.

However, one protester did manage to break through the barriers near Trump's convoy.

The topless woman, who is believed to be a member of feminist group Femen, was pictured being hauled away by French police minutes before the solemn ceremony was due to start.

Mr Trump is far from popular in France for a number of reasons, including pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement on reducing carbon emissions.

Mr Trump also caused widespread anger on Saturday by pulling out of a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, 50 miles north of Paris, because of 'bad weather'.

It was claimed that Marine 1  the presidential helicopter  would have struggled to get there in the rain.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks to President Macron's wife Brigitte Macron as she arrives on Sunday

Macron pictured with the Bulgarian President outside the Elysee Palace on Sunday despite the rain

French police take position before the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday

Thousands of soldiers have been brought in to guard 80 VIP guests including US president Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin

Around 80 heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony to honour the fallen on Sunday

Conservative MP Nicolas Soames, Winston Churchill's grandson, was among those who considered this excuse preposterous, and considered it an insult to the war dead.

Mr Soames tweeted: 'They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @realDonaldTrump couldn't even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen.'

Following today's ceremony, many of the world leaders will attend a Peace Forum organised by Mr Macron, aimed at encouraging international cooperation.

However, Mr Trump has made it clear that he will not attend.

The two world leaders wave to the crowds outside the Elysee Palace on the eve of the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day

Trump caused controversy by refusing to attend a ceremony for the American fallen outside Paris because of the rain. Pictured: Trump is greeted by Macron at the Elysee Palace Saturday

Donald Trump shakes hands with Macron ahead of the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918

Melania is glamorous in grey as she leads the First Wives at Armistice commemorations in Paris - while Brigitte Macron keeps the style stakes high in THREE different outfits

by Siofra Brennan for MailOnline

It was a rainy morning in Paris as world leaders and their partners turned out to mark Armistice Day, but the drizzly atmosphere did nothing to put a dampener on the First Ladies' style.

Melania Trump, 48, led the way in a chic grey ensemble as she arrived for the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe.

The First Lady was elegant in a belted grey dress with a full pleated skirt with a pussy bow feature at the neckline, teamed with a grey overcoat she wore over her shoulders in a trendy 'shrobing' style.

French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron, second left, poses with US First Lady Melania Trump, center, and other leaders's partners at the Palace of Versailles

First Lady Melania Trump looked the picture of elegance in a grey wool pleated dress, teamed with an overcoat in the same shade as she attended the international ceremony for the Centenary of the WWI Armistice of 11 November 1918 in Paris

Not to be outdone, her French counterpart Brigitte Macron wore three different outfits, for this morning's events beginning the day in a smart black overcoat with silver buttons, teamed with sleek black trousers as she welcomed guests at the Elysee Palace.

She then changed into another smart black coat trimmed with three leather panels in dark grey, brown and white for the commemoration ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe.

And as she welcomed the First Wives for lunch at the Palace of Versailles, she mixed up her outfit for the third time by donning a smart khaki blazer

Not to be outdone, Princess Charlene of Monaco stunned in a smart grey checked coat teamed with a shirt featuring an oversized bow at the neck.

The mother-of-two also opted for smart black trousers for the event, as she joined her husband Prince Albert.

A friendly duo! French First Lady Brigitte Macron and her US counterpart Melania Trump looked delighted to be spending time in each other's company once more

Quick change! Brigitte Macron donned a second coat trimmed with grey, brown and white leather panels to attend the commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day in Paris

Last night the cohort descended on the Orsay Museum in Paris for an official dinner marking commemorations for Armistice Day.

And despite the solemnity of the occasion, there was no shortage of glamour as wives of European leaders dress to the nines in jewel tones and velvet evening gowns.

Naturally as wife of the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron put her best foot forward, looking perfect co-ordinated with her husband in a smary navy dress and jacket.

But she faced stiff competition in the style stakes from First Lady Melania Trump who opted for androgynous chic in a smart tuxedo.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlene of Monaco also looked achingly chic in a floor length black gown, which showcased her statuesque figure.

Monika Babisova, 44, wife of the Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis, put on a glamorous display in an off-the-shoulder red gown.

The couple who met when she worked as his secretary have been together around 20 years and share two children, but only got around to tying the knot in 2017.

Monika is well known for her love of designer labels such as Fendi, Gucci or Dior, so it's no wonder she was eager to pull out all the stops for the high profile occasion.

Meanwhile, Peristera Baziana - the wife of the Greek PM - also cut a striking figure in crimson velvet.A man who claims he was assaulted by Tucker Carlson and his son at a Virginia country club has now accused the Fox News host of making up the fact he called his 19-year-old daughter a 'c**nt'.

Footage emerged on Saturday that showed Carlson yelling at another man inside the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia as he told him to 'get the f**k out of here'.

The video was taken during an incident at the club on October 13 but only surfaced when celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti posted it online on Saturday, revealing he was representing the alleged victim.

Juan Manuel Granados, who Avenatti confirmed was the man in the video, issued a statement on Sunday accusing Carlson of lying about his version of events.

Juan Manuel Granados has accused Fox News host Tucker Carlson and his son of assaulting him at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Virginia on October 13

Carlson lashed out at Avenatti on Saturday denying claims that he assaulted anyone and said the video showed him and his son confronting Granados after he allegedly called the Fox News host's 19-year-old daughter a 'wh**e' and a 'c**t'.

Granados, however, claims he never called any member of Carlson's family any names and that he was the victim of threats of physical violence and racial comments.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson (above last month) has denied assaulting the man and claims he called his 19-year-old daughter a 'c**t'

'Tucker has created this story out of thin air - it never happened,' Granados said.

Granados said he is a 'proud gay member of the Latino community' and is also an immigrant who obtained his U.S. citizenship in late September.

'Tucker threatened me with physical violence and told me to 'Go back to where you came from' before another patron started filming the incident,' Granados said.

'Tucker's son and Tucker, together with the unidentified 'friend', were the aggressors that night as shown in the video. I never threatened any of them. When one views the video, you can clearly see whom is being aggressive. I am seated calmly.

'On the video, Tucker is shown yelling various profanities at me and threatening me. Tucker's friend is seen grabbing me, yanking me off my chair and also threatening physical violence.

'Tucker's daughter was drinking that night despite the fact that she is underage at 19. She repeatedly came to the bar to get drinks and Tucker was fully away his daughter was drinking.'

Carlson (left in both frames) appears to be saying 'get the f**k out of here' to a man who he says insulted his teen daughter at the Farmington Country Club

The 'gay latino immigrant' Juan who allegedly called Carlson's daughter a 'wh**e' and a 'c**t' is seen circled in both frames above, as unidentified men appear to hold him back

Granados, who says he is an active member of the Charlottesville community and serves on various charity boards, said he intends to pursue assault charges against Carlson, his son and the other man in the video.

His statement comes just one day after Carlson hit back at Avenatti for tweeting what he claims were false details about the incident.

Avenatti, who was not present for the incident, had accused Carlson of 'assault on a gay Latino immigrant' in the filmed exchange.

'That is a lie,' Carlson said in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'I restrained myself. I did not assault this man, and neither did my son.'

Carlson explained that the stranger he was seen yelling at in the video - since identified as Granados - had just called his 19-year-old daughter 'Tucker's wh**e' and a 'f**king c**t'.

He went on to say the stranger decided to verbally abuse the teenager after seeing her seated at the conservative pundit's table.

'Toward the end of the meal, my 19-year-old daughter went to the bathroom with a friend,' Carlson said. 'On their way back through the bar, a middle aged man stopped my daughter and asked if she was sitting with Tucker Carlson.

'My daughter had never seen the man before. She answered: 'That's my dad,' and pointed to me. The man responded, 'Are you Tucker's wh**e?' He then called her a 'f**king c**t.''

Carlson continued: 'My daughter returned to the table in tears. She soon left the table and the club. My son, who is also a student, went into the bar to confront the man. I followed.

'My son asked the man if he'd called his sister a 'wh**e' and a 'c**t.' The man admitted he had, and again become profane. My son threw a glass of red wine in the man's face and told him to leave the bar, which he soon did.'

Carlson said he described the encounter to the club's management, which investigated the incident and revoked Granados' membership.

'I love my children. It took enormous self-control not to beat the man with a chair, which is what I wanted to do,' Carlson said.

'I think any father can understand the overwhelming rage and shock that I felt seeing my teenage daughter attacked by a stranger. But I restrained myself. I did not assault this man, and neither did my son. That is a lie.

'Nor did I know the man was gay or Latino, not that it would have mattered. What happened on October 13 has nothing to do with identity politics. It was a grotesque violation of decency. I've never seen anything like it in my life,' the statement concluded.

Following Carlson's statement, Avenatti tweeted that there were a number of witnesses to back up his clients version of events.

Avenatti is seen appearing on Carlson's show in September. The celebrity lawyer claims that Carlson 'assaulted' a man in a country club last month, which the Fox News host denies

'Your (statement) about what transpired is an absolute lie. Your daughter nor your son were called those things. The man never admitted it. Your son committed assault and battery. You committed assault (learn the difference). Your friend committed assault...' Avenatti tweeted.

'You are the aggressor in the video as is your friend. The man at the bar sits there calmly. Numerous witnesses contradict your claim of innocence. Your daughter was drinking underage in a bar with your assistance and knowledge. You were intoxicated.

'You told the man to 'go back where you came from' before the video starts. And if you were so innocent, why didn't you disclose it weeks ago as you recently did in connection with the protest at your home?'

Carlson, on his weeknight show Tucker Carlson Tonight, has repeatedly spoken out to condemn the trend of angry mobs confronting controversial political figures in restaurants and other public places.

The Fox News host, a staunch conservative on immigration issues, was recently targeted by the antifa group Smash Racism DC when about 20 members of the group pounded on the door of his home and stood outside chanting while wife locked herself in a pantry and called 911..

Carlson has never specifically addressed the October 13 incident with his own family until Avenatti published the video on Saturday.

Avenatti has often butted heads and traded barbs with Carlson, who habitually labels the attorney 'the creepy porn lawyer'.

He is known for representing Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit against President Trump.A British man who lived a lavish life in Kuala Lumpar has disappeared after his boss, the former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, was toppled as the nations leader.

Anti-corruption officials are now hunting for British PR consultant Paul Stadlen, 39, who lived in a 38-storey building with a sky gym and swimming pool. While there is no suggestion of criminality on Mr Stadlens behalf, the public relations chief is being tracked down to help with inquiries.

Mr Razak and his wife now face charges of financial crimes over an alleged multi-billion-dollar financial fraud.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) appealed on Thursday for help finding the man who controlled his media relations.

PR guru Paul Stadlen worked directly for former prime minister Najib Razak and was 'devoted to him' Malaysian media said

Mr Stadlen could be a key witness in the high-profile case, the MACC said.

Until election day, Stadlen worked as a spokesman for the prime minister, as an independent consultant.

It is now believed he fled the country and may have flown to London, before heading elsewhere.

Mr Stadlen lived in the super luxury Loft Sentral Condominium in the city centre and was a regular on the citys party scene.

The Sarawak Report reported, an anonymous source as saying: Stadlen has a terrible party lifestyle.

Its incredible he gets away with it, working for a Muslim head of Government. Hes always out partying in bars, clubs, getting dead drunk.

The report was accompanied by pictures of Mr Stadlen with scantily clad women in bunny dress.

Stadlen was extremely close to his boss despite Najib attempting to promote himself on his strict Islamic beliefs.

Mr Najib faces multiple charges of money-laundering and criminal breach of trust.

The investigation centres on the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB ) fund founded by the former prime minister. It is estimated $4.5bn was stolen from the fund.

The Malaysian authorities are hunting for Mr Stadlen in relation to the alleged fraud although it is claimed he is not accused of criminal wrongdoing

Mr Stalden began to work for the prime minister after meeting him when working for an international firm in the country from 2009. After the firm lost their contract over a PR scandal Mr Stadlen stayed on, it is reported.

Mr Stadlens late father was a veteran BBC journalist, Eric Stadlen, who trained the likes of Jeremy Paxman.

LBC presenter Matthew Stadlen is related to the missing man, as well as Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tommy Stadlen.

Other relatives include high court judge Sire Nicholas Stadlen and former senior civil servant Godfrey Stadlen.

Mr Stadlen himself worked for a while in journalism before joining PR firm APCO worldwide.

His acquaintances called him ruthless in supporting Najib and said he was devoted to his boss.Members of an Albanian gang flooding Britain with cocaine are brazenly posting pictures online showing off their guns, cash and expensive cars, it was revealed today.

The Hellbanianz gang, based in Barking, east London, are understood to traffic millions of pounds worth of drugs into the UK each year.

But rather than hide their illegal activities like other gangs, the group flaunt their wealth and weaponry online, amassing nearly 100,000 followers.

The Hellbanizan gang, based in Barking, east London, use contacts back in Albania to help them move cocaine from South America to the UK. This picture, posted just three days ago, was captioned: 'London city kontrola'

Three gangsters pose next to prison cell walls daubed with the Hellbanianz gang's logo

The east London-based Hellbanianz gang have been boasting about their lawless lifestyle on Instagram. Pictured: Members of the gang drape themselves on luxury cars earlier this year

Images posted to their public Instagram page include a cake made from 50 notes. The gang's HB logo is meanwhile spelled out in drugs in pictures posted online in February

Three leading members of the gang were jailed for a total of 42 years in 2016 after a police operation recovered 6million worth of drugs and a machine gun.

But the jail terms seem to have done little to deter the gang's activities and pictures were posted on their Instagram page as recently as last night.

Yesterday afternoon, one member, pictured showing his middle finger to the camera, wrote: 'I'm trying to spend It.. You still trying to make it #SnowMoney not #ShowMoney'

Shocking images on their social media channels include a cake laden with 50 notes and videos of gang-members in prison rapping about violent attacks.

Members of the gang have even posted pictures of a small child wearing a gang symbol medallion.

They boast of having 'city control' over London and claim they are 'ready for war' with rival gangs.

A member of the gang is pictured in his prison cell in September in designer clothing

Many of the pictures appear to have been taken inside prisons, presumably with mobile phones smuggled in. Members often scrawl the name of the gang on their cell walls. These images were posted online in December last year and June this year

One gang member poses with his middle finger up in an orange Bentley car. The group have links with the Mafia back home in Albania, which gives them a direct supply of cocaine from South American drug cartels

A gang member in a gas mask is pictured in front of a black super car less than a month ago

One photo of the Instagram account shows wads of 20 notes on the red car seat. This picture was posted online in August

They have leapfrogged other drug gangs in London because of their ruthlessness in violent turf wars, The Daily Express reports.

In a chilling YouTube video members of the gang rap to warn their rivals.

They describe themselves as 'God of the streets' and the video shows them posing with flash cars and glamorous women.

They rap: '[Hellbanianz] is ready for violence, he asked this as proof, ask these or talk about facts, ask this if we shoot.

'London city control, f*** this team with crowns, f*** that bitch from tattoos, the gang has already taken over.

'[Hellbanianz] is ready for war, with two arms arm wrist, we about dat gango bando, how do you compare to me?'

A police operation to crack down on the gang in 2016 recovered 21kg of cocaine and a Skorpion sub-machine gun. Pictured: A photo posted by the gang this summer

The Gucci-sporting gangsters often pose in their cars wearing masks to hide their identities. This picture was posted online just four days ago

One post even shows what is believed to be a small child posing with gangster medallions, which are shaped like guns. The Hellbanianz Instagram page has more than 8,000 posts

One member of the gang, Tristen Aslanni was jailed for 25 years for firearms and drug offences in June 2016.

He was caught after crashing his car into a shop in Crouch End during a police chase.

Police officers searched a house in connection to his arrest and found a staggering 6million pound drug stash, including cocaine, and a Skorpion machine gun with a silencer.

Meanwhile in Albania in February this year, a container holding bananas from Colombia unloaded in the main port of Durres was found to contain cocaine worth 160million.

It is likely a large portion of that would have ended up in London had it not been seized by local authorities.

The group have even posted a photo with two pistols side by side, complete with ammunition. They are said to rule London's cocaine trade with an iron fist

The gang are not afraid to show off their ill-gotten gains, often posing with wads of cash. This picture was posted online in July

Albanian gangster Tristen Asllani has managed to post this picture online from his jail cell. Asllani was handed a 25-year sentence for conspiracy to supply drugs, dangerous driving and possession of a firearm in 2016. He was pictured in his cell in January this year

One gang member poses masked with a gold medallion. The Hellbanianz run a public Instagram page which flaunts their gangster lifestyle

Because Albanian gangs import so much cocaine into Britain, the National Crime Agency believes this is what contributed to the so-called 'county lines' gangs epidemic in Britain.

Some gangs groom young children to take drugs out of London to sell it in quiet towns, and in other areas of the country.

A spokesman at the National Crime Agency said groups like these are expanding and increasing in number.

The spokesman said: 'Albanian crime groups have established a high profile and degree of influence within UK organised crime, and have considerable access to the UK drug trafficking market, particularly cocaine.'

Instagram later took down five of the Hellbanianz accounts. A spokesman said: 'We do not allow illegal behaviour, threats of physical harm or organised crime on Instagram. The account @hellbanian.z and related accounts have been removed for violating our community guidelines. We encourage anyone who comes across this type of content to report it via our in-app tools. We work 24/7 to review and remove anything that violates our terms.'

A golden knuckleduster laden with gems in the shape of 'HB' for Hellbanianz is another of the images posted on the group's public profile

The gang posts a picture on their public Instagram with balls of cannabis, along with their gold gang symbol medallion. They have even posted a picture of a cake laden with 50 notes and a video of some of its members rapping in prisonWill Evans posted 'f*** this, I'm out' to his Facebook page less than an hour before he was found dead in Malvern, Worcestershire

A young father was found dead after posting a heartbreaking final message to his Facebook page.

Will Evans posted 'f*** this, I'm out' to social media on Thursday afternoon - less than an hour before being found dead in Malvern, Worcestershire.

Earlier that day, the father-of-one also posted: 'Turns out the people that you think are your mates really aren't.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed an emergency call was made at 3.11pm with a male 'declared dead at the scene.'

A spokesman said: 'We were called to reports of a patient in cardiac arrest in Beauchamp Road.

'We sent one ambulance, a paramedic officer, a basics doctor and an air ambulance from Strensham.'

On arrival, it was realised that 'unfortunately, nothing could be done.'

Hundreds of tributes have since flooded Mr Evans' Facebook page.

Stevie-May Corbett said: 'Crnt (sic) get my head around it R.I.P will gone but not forgotten made lots of memories.'

Roxanne Wells said: 'I'm heartbroken to hear the news.

Dozens of tributes have since been posted to Mr Evans' Facebook page. Roxanne Wells said she was 'heartbroken' to hear the news

'Will Evans, you were always such a happy lad, always had a huge smile on your face.

'You have so many people who love you. So sad to think you were in such a horrible place, that you couldn't speak to anyone.'

Fred Barber said: 'Devastated to hear you've passed bro - always had a chat when we bumped into each other.

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed it was called to Beauchamp Road at 3.11pm with a man 'declared dead at the scene'

'Thinking deeply for all your family and friends. R.I.P Will x.'

April Smith said Mr Evans had 'left a lot of holes in people's hearts, but also a lot of memories for your loved ones to hold and cherish.'

Hannah Stimson said: 'Will. I can't believe I've read this news this evening. You were such a lovely person, sending my love to you and your family.'

The father-of-one, who was believed to be in his 20s, studied music technology at Kidderminster College before working in burger restaurant HANBAO.

 For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local branch. See www.samaritans.org for details.British companies are planning on microchipping their staff to boost security and prevent them from accessing safe areas of the business.

Swedish company Biohax is in talks with a number of UK legal and financial firms to implant staff with the devices which are about the same size as a grain of rice and cost around 150, according to The Telegraph.

A major financial services firm, which has 'hundreds of thousands of employees' is said to be one of the prospective clients.

Jowan Osterlund (left) the founder of Biohax said the chips would allow firms to set restrictions for whoever

Jowan Osterlund, the founder of Biohax and a former professional body piercer, said: '[The chips] would allow them to set restrictions for whoever.

'These companies have sensitive documents they are dealing with.

'There's no losing it - there's no dropping it, there's no forgetting it. There's always going to be an ultimate backup.'

There are around 4,000 people chipped in Sweden - of which 85 are employees of travel firm Tui.

Mr Osterlund said he was aware that not everyone would want to have a microchip fitted at first.

He added that 'it was a learning curve' and that if the idea came from a government he understood why people would not want it to happen.

Hampshire based entrepreneur Steven Northam was the first person on the UK to be microchipped.

He is also offering the service to businesses and individuals.An NYPD captain accused of drunkenly pulling over a driver has quietly resigned after 33 years on the force.

Wilfredo Camargo, 57, was found guilty at a June department trial and placed on dismissal probation before resigning in a case that was never made public.

He was the second-in-command at Transit District 12 in the Bronx and in September 2016 was accused of stopping a driver improperly while drunk and fleeing the scene when officers were called by the motorist.

The New York Daily News revealed that this is just one of four cases in which officers involved in drunk driving incidents have been given a second chance, rather than being fired, and the case was not made public.

Wilfredo Camargo, 57, was found guilty at a June department trial of drunk driving and placed on dismissal probation instead of being fired. He retired in June after 33 years on the force at Transit District 12 in the Bronx (pictured)

The motorist Camargo pulled over had noticed the off-duty officer had been drinking, sources told the Daily News.

The driver called 911, but Camargo had driven off by the time other officers arrives.

However, the driver wrote down Camargo's license plate and gave it to police. Internal Affairs eventually traced it to Camargo's car.

In June, Camargo was found guilty of driving under the influence, being unfit for duty and misleading the Internal Affairs Bureau.

He was also found guilty of using a department car for personal use 38 times, disciplinary records acquired by the Daily News show.

As a result, he lost 60 vacation days and was placed on dismissal probation, which meant he could be fired if he committed another offense.

Instead, he chose to retire.

His case, however, was never made public because the NYPD says it is bound by a 1976 state law.

Sources tell the Daily News dismissal probation is considered a second chance.

'It's a second chance, but it is the last chance,' a high-ranking cop said. 'If you f*** up one more time, you have to go.'

Four officers, including Captain Camargo, were found guilty at their department trials but were given a second chance by New York Police Commissioner James 'O'Neill (pictured)

This is not the first time an officer has been given a slap on the wrist for drunk driving.

Officer Kevin Bryant was caught drunk driving and speeding in North Carolina in April 2017, while Sgt Lynda Chervoni was arrested in Long Island on the same offense in December 2016.

Neither of their cases were made public because the NYPD said they only alert the media when their officers are arrested within the five New York City boroughs.

Chervoni walked away with 35 hours of community service and $1,000 fine.

The fourth officer, Detective Michael Gries, was the only one to be arrested when he was found drunk behind the wheel in Brooklyn in October 2017.

He had his license suspended and had to pay a $300 fine.

All four officers, including Captain Camargo, were found guilty at their department trials but were given a second chance by New York Police Commissioner James 'O'Neill.

NYPD spokesman Phil Walzak said the four officers went through a 'comprehensive process to determine appropriate discipline based on work history, previous disciplinary history and a matrix of other factors, including an evaluation by the officer's current and former supervisors.'

'The process emphasizes consistency, outcomes commensurate with incidents and fairness,' Walzak told the Daily News.Advertisement

After days of heavy rain and gale-force winds, brighter and warmer weather will arrive in Britain this week - but you'll want to make the most of it as a cold snap is just around the corner.

Thousands were left without power over the weekend as heavy rain caused heavy flooding in a number of areas, including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire in Wales.

Both saw the worst of the weather with some homes under 10ft of water and many properties evacuated.

Warmer weather is on the horizon, and will start to creep up on Britain tomorrow (left). As the week wears on, temperatures will continue to rise bringing a high of around 16C to the south on Friday (right)

Today, as millions across the country attended Remembrance Day services, they were advised to 'take a brolly' as heavy showers continued.

But the recent inclement weather is set to disperse, making way for much more pleasant conditions across Britain this week.

Marco Petagna, a senior meteorologist at the Met Office, told MailOnline: 'Later this week we could see temperatures between 59C and 60C, which is above average for this time of year.

'It will also become drier over the next couple of days, giving us a lot of fine weather over the coming week.'

Although above average, temperatures will be nowhere near record-breaking. The highest ever recorded temperature for November was set in 2015, when on November 1 they reached 72.32F.

But you'll not want to get used to the mild conditions. A cold snap is on the way, and temperatures are set to drop later this month.

Mr Petagna said: 'Later on in the month temperatures will dip to around 50F to 51F in the south and 46F to 48F in the north.

'This will bring them more in line with the average for this time of year.'

People queue early morning in the rain to attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial today in London. All areas of the UK are set to be beset by heavy showers this morning, while people pay their respects at services across the country

Heavy rains and winds struck Milford Haven, in Wales on Saturday, with some areas under 10ft of water and some properties evacuated

The changing weather will come as a relief to the thousands affected by heavy rain over the weekend.

Emergency services were called on Saturday night to ease flooding at more than 1,000 properties which were also left without power.

Thundery showers and wind over the weekend also brought flooding and travel disruption to large part of the country.

On Remembrance Sunday, Britons were hit with more heavy showers as they attend services throughout the country, with the Met Office recommending people 'take a brolly.'

A yellow weather warning was in place on Sunday morning in south Wales, with further flooding expected in some businesses and homes.

Next week it will continue to be rainy in the northwest, with possible heavy rain and drier and more mild in the southeast, with highs of 60F (15C).

Today, Britons will be beset by heavy showers, interspersed with sunny spells. As the week progresses it will become milder

Speaking on Sunday morning, Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst from the Met Office said: 'This Armistice Day we are looking at a mixture of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers and a southerly wind will also increase through the day.

'This morning we do already have a scattering of showers along southern parts of England and Wales, a warning in force for south Wales until 9 (am) this morning.

'Across northern England, northern Ireland and Scotland also a scattering of showers.

'But chilly with sunny skies along parts of northern Scotland.

'For the day itself we are looking at a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers which will slowly push their way north eastwards throughout the day.

'Some of these showers could be heavy at times so if you are heading to any Armistice Day services, a brolly will be needed, but there will be plenty of sunny spells in-between.'

Emergency teams wearing life jackets in Milford Haven were seen driving along the streets in vehicles after the rain caused the streets to flood yesterday

On Saturday in Devon a combination of high tide and strong winds in Dawlish caused the sea to flood train tracks, while Western Power Distribution said it had 2,500 customers 'off supply' on Friday evening.

More than 10 flood warnings and around 60 flood alerts were issued across the south west of England and Wales with an amber warning for heavy rain in place until 11pm on Friday.

The fire service were also called to an incident in the nearby village of Fifehead Neville on Saturday, where a car became stuck in over two feet of water.

Two crews from Sturminster Newton used wading gear and a patient carrying sling to carry the gentleman from his vehicle to dry land.

The driver, who was uninjured, was able to return home shortly afterwards.

Images from Dawlish station showed water pouring over the seaside platform and on to tracks ahead of high tide shortly before midnight.

In Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, streets and homes were flooded as the region saw a second day of heavy rain on Saturday.

BBC Wales reported five properties had been left under tenft of water after a lake overflowed.

A localised yellow weather warning for rain was issued for most of Saturday.

The weather warnings come just four weeks after Storm Callum caused flooding across parts of south Wales.

The flood warnings also come on the eve of the centenary of Armistice, which saw the Lancashire Fusilier along with sister locomotive No.45407 hauling passengers over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct in North Yorkshire yesterday.

The powerful locomotives, that were seen billowing steam across the viaduct, took eager spectators back to the Great War when such sights were a regular occurrence on the Settle to Carlisle line.An adorable baby sloth is being raised by zookeepers after its mother rejected it.

The yet-to-be-named baby sloth was born on October 17 and is the first Linnaeus's two-toed sloth ever born at the Brevard Zoo in Brevard County, Florida.

However, when zoo workers tried to introduce the mother, Tango, to her newborn, she showed 'no interest' in rearing her baby.

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The first ever Linnaeus's two-toed sloth born at the Brevard Zoo in Brevard County, Florida was born on October 17 weighing 11.2 ounces (pictured)

When zoo workers tried to introduce the mother, Tango, to her newborn (pictured), she showed 'no interest' in rearing her baby

'When we found the baby away from Tango, we tried to reunite them,' Lauren Hinson, area manager at the zoo, said in a video.

'But the new mother was not nursing, nor did she show interest in the newborn. Tango is a first-time mother whose inexperience likely led her to not care for the little one.'

The baby's father is a sloth named Dustin, but the zoo's release did not state that he has any relationship with his offspring.

Hinson is among the workers providing round-the-clock care for the newborn, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Baby sloths often cling to their mothers, so the zookeepers gave the newborn its choice of materials to mimic its mother.

In an ironic twist, the material the baby chose is a sloth blanket from the zoos gift shop, according to the Sentinel.

Zookeepers like Lauren Hinson (pictured) are among the staff providing round-the-clock care for the newborn, including feeding it every 2.5 hours

Baby sloths often cling to their mothers, so the zookeepers gave the newborn its choice of materials to mimic its mother. In an ironic twist, the material the baby chose is a sloth blanket from the zoos gift shop (pictured)

Every two-and-a-half hours, zoo staff feed the baby goat's milk, and will likely not begin weaning for another five months.

The baby weighed 11.2 ounces at birth, but it has not been named because officials are not sure of its sex.

The sex of a sloth can be difficult to determine and often requires laboratory testing for a definitive answer.

Linnaeus's two-toed sloths are native to South America and are most commonly found in Colombia, Ecuador, the Guyanas, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil north of the Amazon River.

Sloths live in tropical rainforests but have been threatened in recent years by habitat loss.

According to the National Aviary, rainforests once covered almost 40 percent of Earth and they now cover just six percent.

Many experts worry in the next 40 years, rainforests, which contain more than half of of the world's plant and animal species, may be gone.CNN might be preparing to sue the White House after the Trump administration revoked reporter Jim Acosta's media credentials.

Floyd Abrams, a veteran lawyer and expert in First Amendment law, told CNN's Reliable Sources on Sunday that the network had a strong case after Acosta's press access was revoked last week.

'I think it's a really strong lawsuit,' Abrams said.

'I can understand CNN being reluctant to sue because the president keeps saying CNN is the enemy of me, and CNN might have reluctance to have a lawsuit titled 'CNN vs. Donald Trump.' That said, yes, I think they should sue.'

Floyd Abrams, a veteran lawyer (second from left), told CNN's Reliable Sources on Sunday that the network had a strong case after Jim Acosta's press access was revoked last week

Former ABC News reporter and anchor Sam Donaldson also appeared on the program and revealed he had been asked to help prepare an affidavit to support CNN's case.

He described the decision to ban Acosta as 'not only wrong and unfair' but also 'dangerous for the press as a whole'.

While he initially said he understood CNN and Acosta had already filed the lawsuit, the network later clarified that a decision has not yet been made in regards to legal action.

'No decisions have been made. We have reached out to the White House and gotten no response,' CNN said in a statement.

Acosta was banned from the White House last week after a heated exchange with President Trump during a press conference.

Acosta was banned from the White House last week after a heated exchange with President Trump during a press conference in which an intern tried to take his microphone away

Acosta saw his press credentials rescinded Wednesday after he clashed with an intern over a press conference microphone

Trump later denied suggestions that a White House-released video depicting contact between a young intern and Acosta was not altered.

The president insisted that the video distributed by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was simply a 'close-up' and 'was not doctored'.

A frame-by-frame comparison with an Associated Press video of the incident at Trump's post-election news conference on Wednesday shows that the video tweeted by Sanders appears to speed up Acosta's arm movement when he makes contact with intern who was trying to take away his microphone.

The speed-up appears to make the gesture more threatening.

Abrams, an expert in First Amendment law, said: 'I think it's a really strong lawsuit'

Trump, speaking on Friday, also did not back off his administration's decision to suspend Acosta's press credential, which allows the CNN correspondent access to the White House grounds.

'He's a very unprofessional guy. I don't think he's a smart person but he has a loud voice,' Trump told reporters in a testy 20-plus-minute exchange before he left for Paris.

'You have to treat the White House with respect. You have to treat the presidency with respect.'

He said he had not decided if Acosta's pass would be reinstated and suggested there 'could be others' who lose their credentials.

Despite losing his White House pass, Acosta traveled to Paris to cover Trump's trip to meet world leaders.Israeli special forces soldiers last night assassinated a top Hamas commander after crossing into the Gaza Strip before a gun battle left one soldier and six more Palestinians dead.

The gun fight took place east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian officials who said the undercover Israeli forces travelled in a civilian car.

Hamas' armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said its local commander Nour el-Deen Baraka was fatally shot before militants found the vehicle and chased it down - prompting Israel to launch airstrikes.

Reports on Twitter suggested that the unit had attempted to kidnap the commander after infiltrating the Strip wearing women's clothing.

As tensions rose following the clash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would cut short his trip to Paris, where he had been attending World War I commemorations, and return home.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, denounced a 'cowardly Israeli attack'.

Israel's army said an exchange of fire erupted last night during an operation in the Gaza Strip (pictured), while Palestinian officials reported six people killed, including a local commander of Hamas's armed wing

The gun fight took place east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian officials who said the undercover Israeli forces travelled in a civilian car. A number of members of a Hamas Islamist group are believed to have died in the fighting last night (pictured) following a clash with Israeli forces in Khanyounis city, southern Gaza Strip

A man looks at the body of Nour el-Deen Baraka, a commander for Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, at a hospital morgue in Khan Yunis. The commander is believed to have died during fighting with Israeli forces

Palestinian security sources said the clash included Israeli air strikes.

After the clash erupted, '17 launches were identified from the Gaza Strip at Israel', the army said, with three projectiles intercepted by Israeli missile defences. It was not immediately clear where the others had landed.

Details were still emerging of the incident that Palestinian officials said occurred east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Gaza's health ministry said six Palestinians were killed.

The dead included a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the brigades said in a statement. He was later identified as Baraka.

Israel's army confirmed one soldier was killed and another was injured.

'During an (Israeli) special forces operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved,' the army said in a statement.

'At this incident, an IDF officer was killed and an additional officer was moderately injured,' it added, referring to the Israel Defence Forces and identifying the officer only by his rank, Lt. Col., and the first letter of his name - M.

Hamas's armed wing alleged in a statement that an Israeli special forces team infiltrated near Khan Yunis in a civilian car.

Israel's military had not confirmed those details nor described what type of operation it carried out.

A ground operation inside the Gaza Strip would be rare and likely significantly boost tensions.

The incident took place along the Gaza Strip yesterday (pictured). It is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean sea

The mother of Baraka (left) was pictured at a hospital morgue where her son's body was taken

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman held security consultations at military headquarters late Sunday and early Monday morning, his office said.

The clash comes after months of deadly unrest along the Gaza-Israel border had appeared to be calming.

Recent weeks have seen Israeli decisions to allow Qatar to provide the Gaza Strip with millions of dollars in aid for salaries as well as fuel to help ease an electricity crisis.

Netanyahu had earlier defended his decision to allow Qatar to transfer the cash to Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move, saying he wanted to avoid a war if it wasn't necessary.

'I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security establishment, to return quiet to the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis,' Netanyahu said late Saturday, referring to Israeli towns near the Gaza border and deteriorating conditions in the enclave.

Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu's education minister and right-wing rival, compared the cash flow to 'protection money' paid to criminals.

Lieberman said he had opposed 'transferring the money to Hamas'.

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008, and recent months of unrest have raised fears of a fourth.

Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, since the demonstrations began, while others died in tank fire or air strikes.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in that time.

Dead bodies of Palestinians are seen at the European Gaza Hospital, in Khan Younis, Gaza after Israeli forces reportedly targeted a group of people east of the city

Video footage reportedly shows Israeli airstrikes over Gaza last night (pictured). Local witnesses said Israeli planes fired over 20 missiles into open areas in the area where the incident took place

Sunday's exchange of fire came as Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers appeared to be making progress toward an unofficial cease-fire.

Israel last week allowed Qatar to deliver $15million to Hamas, while Hamas scaled back its weekly demonstration along the Israeli border.

Shortly after the exchange of fire, air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel, indicating rocket fire from Gaza.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said all Israeli soldiers involved had returned to Israel.

'IDF operated in the Gaza Strip, exchange of gunfire ensued,' he wrote on Twitter, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

'All IDF soldiers back in Israel. Several alarms have sounded in southern Israel.'

The separation wall between Palestinian territory and Israel. Last night's fighting shattered what appeared to be a turning point after months of bloodshed along the Israel-Gaza border, with weekly Hamas-led protests drawing thousands to the perimeter fence with Israel

A spokesman for Israel's Airport's Authority says some flight landings and departures have been changed at the country's international airport amid a new spasm of violence between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Ofer Lefler said Sunday that the runway changes were made after the fighting began. He says they would not affect the flight schedule.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu decided to cut short a trip to Paris yesterday and return home, his office said, after a clash erupted in the Gaza Strip between Palestinian militants and soldiers.

'In view of the security incidents in the south, the prime minister has decided to cut short his visit to Paris and to return home tonight to Israel,' a statement said.

Netanyahu was in Paris as part of World War I commemorations.

Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu had defended his decision to allow the transfer of the Qatari money, rejecting criticism that the move had strengthened the Islamic militant group.

Netanyahu told reporters that it was 'the right step' at the moment and that he was committed to restoring quiet along the Israel-Gaza frontier and preventing a humanitarian crisis in the coastal Palestinian territory.

Palestinian demonstrators burn tyres in response to Israeli soldiers' intervention during a demonstration within the 'Great March of Return' near Al Bureij Refugee Camp on the Gaza-Israel border last month. Since then Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is committed to restoring quiet along the Israel-Gaza frontier

A disabled Palestinian tries to remove Israeli wire during the a protest on the Gaza Strip last month. Protesters were calling for lifting the Israeli blockade on Gaza, which came in spite of Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire

A wounded Palestinian is evacuated during a protest on the Gaza Strip last month which large crowds gathered along the Gaza border in what Hamas called a 'challenge to Israel'

'Every action, without exception, has a price,' he said. 'If you can't handle the price you cannot lead. And I can handle the price.'

Israeli critics, including members of Netanyahu's hard-line coalition, accused him of capitulating to violence and of granting relief to the embattled Hamas group.

The internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, angrily accused the U.S. and Israel of being involved in a 'conspiracy' to permanently sever Gaza from the West Bank. He promised to take unspecified measures against his Hamas rivals in the coming days.

Hamas leaders in Gaza have described the arrival of the $15 million, delivered last week in three suitcases by a Qatari diplomat, as their first major gain of more than seven months of weekly protests along the perimeter fence.

Hamas has been leading the protests since March 30 in a bid to ease a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade that was imposed in 2007 in order to weaken the militant group. The blockade has led to over 50 percent unemployment and chronic power outages, and prevents most Gazans from being able to leave the tiny territory.

Israel says it is defending its border against militant infiltrations, but its army has come under international criticism because of the large number of unarmed protesters who have been shot.

Just last month Palestinian protesters launched flaming kites and incendiary balloons towards Israel in a fresh outbreak of violence in Gaza which left 130 people injured.

Thousands of Palestinians massed along the border on Friday, October 19 in a protest co-ordinated by Hamas which saw some demonstrators breach the perimeter fence.A Virginia woman has been arrested after she allegedly killed her 23-year-old sister and mother and then staged the crime scene so that it looked like a murder-suicide.

Megan Hargan, 35, was arrested 16 months after her mother Pamela Hargan, 63, and sister Helen Hargan were found dead in their home in McLean on July 14, 2017.

Authorities initially believed Helen had shot her mother dead and then committed suicide. But now it is Megan Hargan who is the prime suspect.

Hargan has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Megan Hargan, 35, (pictured) was arrested after she allegedly killed her 23-year-old sister and mother and then staged the crime scene so that it looked like a murder-suicide

Pamela Hargan, 63, (left) and Helen Hargan (right) were found dead in their home in McLean, Virginia on July 14, 2017

Authorities were first alerted to the shooting after Helen's boyfriend, Carlos, called from Dallas.

Carlos told police that his girlfriend had called to tell him that her sister had killed her mother, according to WUSA9.

When authorities arrived on the scene, Pamela's body was found in the laundry room. There were shell casings strewn about her body.

Helen's body was found in the bedroom, a gun by her side. Both women had died of rifle wounds to the head.

Pamela's death was immediately ruled a homicide, but Helen's cause of death was undetermined.

Authorities initially believed Helen (right) had shot her mother dead and then committed suicide. But now it is Megan Hargan who is the prime suspect.

Police said they realized early on that the crime scene was staged.

'It was made to look one way,' Maj Ed O'Carroll said during a press conference on Friday.

'Our detectives are smart and we realized that that necessarily wasn't the case, and we followed up on every lead.'

O'Carroll said it was 'not very long at all' before detectives realized there was more to the story, but they kept quiet about their suspicions so as not to alert Hargan.

'We always try to inform our community,' he said. 'But investigative strategy is of the utmost importance.'

Detectives reconstructed the crime scene and interviewed Hargan twice as they tried to crack the case.

When authorities arrived at the women's home (pictured) Pamela's body was surrounded by shell casings. Helen's body was found in the bedroom, a gun by her side

That's when they discovered that Hargan had attempted to make fraudulent money transfers from her mother's account the day before and the day of the murders, O'Carroll said.

Hargan had access to her mother's passwords and authorities found out that documents related to the wire transfers had disappeared from Pamela's laptop a week after her death, according to the Washington Post.

Tammy North, Pamela's sister, said Hagan was motivated by money and jealousy.

She said Pamela had just bought Helen a house that she was about to move into. Both daughters were living with Pamela before she was murdered.

'There's never been any question. I believed from day one that she did it,' North said of Hagan.

Authorities later discovered that Hargan (pictured) had attempted to make fraudulent money transfers from her mother's account the day before and the day of the murders

'I've known that it was coming, and now it's here. It was like it all blew up in your face.'

Hargan and her six-year-old daughter moved to West Virginia to live with her husband after her mother and sister's deaths.

Hargan was arrested on Friday morning in West Virginia during a traffic stop after dropping her daughter off at school.

She will eventually be extradited to Virginia to face charges.

'Tragedy struck in July 2017 here in our community,' O'Carroll said. 'Today, justice prevails.'Asia Bibi was reported in 2009 by women who alleged that she had insulted Islam during a discussion near a well in the province of Punjab

Somewhere in Islamabad, Asia Bibi is believed to be at a safe house, technically a free woman, but in fear for her life. But she is well used to that cloying sense of dread.

During her eight years in jail, every time the door to her cell opened, she feared someone had come to kill her.

Now she still needs protection after religious extremists threatened to kill her.

Violent protests following her release brought Pakistan to a standstill and even her lawyer fled Pakistan last weekend after also receiving death threats.

The story of this farm labourer casts a deeply uncomfortable spotlight on Pakistan and attitudes towards Christians.

It is almost eight years ago to the day since Mrs Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging.

The Roman Catholic, 53, lived with her husband Ashiq Masih, a labourer, in Ittan Wali, a rural village in Punjab province.

Mr Masih had three children from a previous marriage and the couple had two children of their own. Life was tough and Mrs Bibi could not read or write.

Her ordeal began in June 2009 when she went out to pick berries on a farm with some other women, who were Muslim.

A row broke out when Ms Bibi went to fetch some water in a bucket and the other women refused to drink from it after being told by one woman that it was 'haram', Islamic for forbidden by God.

Prosecutors alleged the women said Mrs Bibi should convert to Islam and she made offensive comments about the Prophet Muhammad in response.

Five days later, a 200-strong mob surrounded her while she was out fruit picking and accused her of insulting the Prophet Muhammed. She says she was told to convert to Islam or die. When she refused, the mob set upon her and she was beaten with sticks and spat at.

Supporters of the Pakistani religious Islamist group Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal gather during a protest rally against the release of Asia Bibi on Thursday

The arrival of the police, who arrested Mrs Bibi, almost certainly saved her life. She was sentenced to hang on November 11, 2010 by a Pakistani court in Nankana district in Punjab Province.

A couple of weeks later, her husband said he and his children had been forced to flee from their home. They were spending a few weeks at a time in safe houses in Christian enclaves.

'I am frightened that they will come and beat us and kill us,' said Mr Masih. 'I keep getting phone calls from people with hidden numbers asking where I am and whether they can meet me. But I know what they want  they want us dead.'

Mr Masih said his wife was struggling to cope with the death sentence. 'She had been very strong in prison,' he said.

'She is different now. She is mentally stressed. She is very scared for her life and for the life of her family.' In January 2011, the then governor of the Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, was murdered by his bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri, after he attempted to gain clemency for her.

In an interview she gave to Life for All, a Christian organisation, from jail in December 2011, she said: 'I am allowed to go out for only 30 minutes every day and allowed to meet my family for one hour every Tuesday.

Ms Bibi spent eight years in solitary confinement on charges of blasphemy after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad

'I am given raw material to cook for myself, since the administration fears I might be poisoned, as other Christians accused of blasphemy were poisoned or killed in the jail.' She said a guard had been suspended for trying to kill her.

At the time, Mrs Bibi said: 'I am hopeful that I will be released although there is a bounty of about $8,000 (5,100) offered by the Islamic clerics to anyone who will kill me.'

Her family and human rights groups continued to campaign and her case has been supported by the Vatican.

But in 2014, an appeal was quashed by Lahore High Court amid reports that Mrs Bibi's health had deteriorated. And, at the end of last month, Pakistan's Supreme Court overturned the conviction.

In response, thousands of protesters took to the streets. In an apparent act of appeasement, the government agreed a deal with Islamic parties to begin proceedings to put Mrs Bibi on a no-fly list.

But she and her family are desperate to leave and find a safe sanctuary abroad.MPs and campaigners last night demanded Britain should offer asylum to a Christian Pakistani woman facing a lynch mob after being freed from death row.

Asia Bibi spent eight years in solitary confinement on charges of blasphemy after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a row with her Muslim neighbours.

The Roman Catholic and her family appealed for sanctuary in the UK after her conviction was quashed and hardliners took to the streets in violent protest.

A total of 19 Catholic MPs and Peers have written to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt urging him to allow her to come here.

Supporters of the Pakistani religious Islamist group Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal gather during a protest rally against the release of Asia Bibi on Thursday

Labour MP Mary Creagh, one of the signatories to the letter, said: 'I think the world has been shocked by the awful treatment of Asia Bibi and her unjust imprisonment. Several countries have offered her asylum and it is a mark of shame that Britain has failed to do so given our large Pakistani community here and our historic ties.'

While John Woodcock, an Independent MP on the home affairs select committee, said: 'The UK should be proud to be a sanctuary for those being persecuted because of their religion so it would be appalling if Asia Bibi is genuinely being denied asylum because of fears she could be targeted by Islamist hardliners over here.'

Wilson Chowdhry, from the British Pakistani Christian Association, said that Britain had been helpful, but added: 'The failure of Britain to provide an offer of asylum to Asia is disturbing.

'British people should feel disgusted at the recent actions of our Foreign Office which scrubs away a much lauded history of providing asylum and refuge to the most vulnerable victims of persecution.'

A total of 19 Catholic MPs and Peers have written to Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt urging him to allow her to come here

Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen added: 'I think the Foreign Office should look again at this case and we should be offering her and her family asylum.'

Margot Parker, a Member of the European Parliament, said: 'She must be allowed to live in peace with her family in a country that can offer sanctuary to a genuine refugee fleeing for her life.'

While Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'The UK ought to let her in, she clearly needs asylum.'

A candlelight vigil will be held for Ms Bibi outside Pakistan's High Commission in London today.

Last night, the Home Office refused to comment on the case.

Beaten by a mob and told: 'Convert to Islam... or die'

By Natalie Clarke

Somewhere in Islamabad, Asia Bibi is believed to be at a safe house, technically a free woman, but in fear for her life. But she is well used to that cloying sense of dread.

During her eight years in jail, every time the door to her cell opened, she feared someone had come to kill her.

Now she still needs protection after religious extremists threatened to kill her.

Asia Bibi was reported in 2009 by women who alleged that she had insulted Islam during a discussion near a well in the province of Punjab

Violent protests following her release brought Pakistan to a standstill and even her lawyer fled Pakistan last weekend after also receiving death threats.

The story of this farm labourer casts a deeply uncomfortable spotlight on Pakistan and attitudes towards Christians.

It is almost eight years ago to the day since Mrs Bibi was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging.

The Roman Catholic, 53, lived with her husband Ashiq Masih, a labourer, in Ittan Wali, a rural village in Punjab province.

Mr Masih had three children from a previous marriage and the couple had two children of their own. Life was tough and Mrs Bibi could not read or write.

Her ordeal began in June 2009 when she went out to pick berries on a farm with some other women, who were Muslim.

A row broke out when Ms Bibi went to fetch some water in a bucket and the other women refused to drink from it after being told by one woman that it was 'haram', Islamic for forbidden by God.

Prosecutors alleged the women said Mrs Bibi should convert to Islam and she made offensive comments about the Prophet Muhammad in response.

Five days later, a 200-strong mob surrounded her while she was out fruit picking and accused her of insulting the Prophet Muhammed. She says she was told to convert to Islam or die. When she refused, the mob set upon her and she was beaten with sticks and spat at.

The arrival of the police, who arrested Mrs Bibi, almost certainly saved her life. She was sentenced to hang on November 11, 2010 by a Pakistani court in Nankana district in Punjab Province.

A couple of weeks later, her husband said he and his children had been forced to flee from their home. They were spending a few weeks at a time in safe houses in Christian enclaves.

Ms Bibi then spent eight years in solitary confinement on charges of blasphemy after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad

'I am frightened that they will come and beat us and kill us,' said Mr Masih. 'I keep getting phone calls from people with hidden numbers asking where I am and whether they can meet me. But I know what they want  they want us dead.'

Mr Masih said his wife was struggling to cope with the death sentence. 'She had been very strong in prison,' he said.

'She is different now. She is mentally stressed. She is very scared for her life and for the life of her family.' In January 2011, the then governor of the Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, was murdered by his bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri, after he attempted to gain clemency for her.

In an interview she gave to Life for All, a Christian organisation, from jail in December 2011, she said: 'I am allowed to go out for only 30 minutes every day and allowed to meet my family for one hour every Tuesday.

'I am given raw material to cook for myself, since the administration fears I might be poisoned, as other Christians accused of blasphemy were poisoned or killed in the jail.' She said a guard had been suspended for trying to kill her.

At the time, Mrs Bibi said: 'I am hopeful that I will be released although there is a bounty of about $8,000 (5,100) offered by the Islamic clerics to anyone who will kill me.'

Her family and human rights groups continued to campaign and her case has been supported by the Vatican.

But in 2014, an appeal was quashed by Lahore High Court amid reports that Mrs Bibi's health had deteriorated. And, at the end of last month, Pakistan's Supreme Court overturned the conviction.

In response, thousands of protesters took to the streets. In an apparent act of appeasement, the government agreed a deal with Islamic parties to begin proceedings to put Mrs Bibi on a no-fly list.

But she and her family are desperate to leave and find a safe sanctuary abroad.A British carpenter who tragically died after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs and alcohol had spoken to his mum in the UK just hours earlier, excited to see her for Christmas.

Zac Taylor, 28, was found unconscious at a friend's house in Warriewood, Sydney, on October 22, 2017, by his girlfriend Danielle Treharne, an inquest has heard.

Mr Taylor and Miss Treharne had been living in the Sydney suburb of Manly and Mr Taylor was in the process of obtaining Australian residency when he was found dead.

Zac Taylor (pictured, right), 28, was found unconscious at a friend's house in Warriewood, Sydney, on October 22, 2017 by his girlfriend Danielle Treharne (pictured, left), an inquest into his death has heard

His mother Jane said she had an 'open and honest relationship' with her son, and that they spoke nearly every day, Wales Online reports.

'The night/morning that Zac passed away I had spoken to Zac on FaceTime not long after he arrived at his friend's  he was happy, we laughed and joked and he told me he couldn't wait to see us all at Christmas,' she said.

Originally from Porthcawl in South Wales, Mr Taylor was reportedly a recreational drug user and on the night he died he had been drinking and taking drugs at the house of friend Geraint Evans in Warriewood.

Mr Evans said he awoke early the next morning at around 5am to play with his young daughter.

The carpenter was in the process of obtaining Australian residency before he died, and had spoken to his mother in Wales just hours previously, telling her how excited he was to come home for Christmas

Originally from Porthcawl in South Wales, Mr Taylor was a recreational drug user and on the night he died, he had been drinking and taking drugs at the house of friend Geraint Evans

At around 7am, he heard Miss Treharne call his name in a 'distressed way' having found Mr Taylor lying on his back on a mattress, not breathing.

Mr Evans allegedly began chest compressions to try and resuscitate his friend while waiting for emergency services to arrive, but he was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Glamorgan Coroner Graeme Hughes told the inquest in Pontypridd, Wales, that Mr Taylor had died of 'combined multi-drug (oxycodone and benzodiazepines) and alcohol toxicity'.

His toxicology reports revealed non-toxic levels of Xanax and Valium, and his alcohol levels were 127ml per decilitre  more than twice the NSW drink-drive limit.

'Zac was an intermittent abuser of alcohol and drugs,' the Coroner said.

'That evening he was taking quantities of alcohol and drugs. Thusly it became toxic, causing respiratory depression leading to his death.'

Mr Taylor's brother Shay said that Zac was someone he looked up to: 'I have always been referred to and introduced to many as Zac's little brother... this is something I always take great pride in, and just to be mentioned in the same breath as someone so funny, caring, charismatic, loving, generous and gifted is an honour and a privilege'

Mr Taylor and Miss Treharne arrived in Australia seven years ago, originally planning to travel the world, before they decided to settle in Sydney.

Mr Taylor's brother Shay spoke at his funeral, saying that Zac was 'always someone I looked up to'.

'Throughout my life I have always been referred to and introduced to many as Zac's little brother... this is something I always take great pride in, and just to be mentioned in the same breath as someone so funny, caring, charismatic, loving, generous and gifted is an honour and a privilege,' he said.

'It was overwhelming to see his transition from the boy that had left South Wales into the man that he had become in Australia. I will always be proud of my brother Zac. Truly one of a kind.'A teenage aristocrat who died from a drugs overdose was working as a prostitute before her sordid death, her boyfriend has claimed.

Lady Beth Douglas, 18  the youngest child of David Douglas, the 12th Marquess of Queensberry  died after injecting heroin for the first time in March.

Her boyfriend Jenan Karagoli, 21, alleged she had been working as a prostitute and earning money by taking part in online sex videos. She had also been selling her underwear online for 30 a time.

Lady Beth's boyfriend Jenan Karagoli, 21, alleged she had been working as a prostitute

I knew about all this adult work, escorting, so on and so forth  but I kept my mouth shut, he said. He added that the day before her death on March 7, the couple had argued about her sexual behaviour. She would tell him to wait in a pub while she disappeared for hours.

She told me to sit and enjoy my Guinness while she went and met a friend. Soon she would phone and say she had got us a hotel room for the night, he said.

When Mr Karagoli asked how she had procured 250-a-night rooms when they were penniless, Lady Beth told him I did what I had to do.

Jenan Karagoli, 21, at his home in Trellick Tower in Golborne Road in West London

Lady Beth Douglas was a student and talented violinist but struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and was being treated for mental illness

He was disgusted at the idea of her working as an escort, and the pair had a tearful row in the middle of a three-day drugs binge, he said.

I knew something had been happening, but my mind was too clouded from the drink and drugs. I told her: I know what youre doing, you can talk to me about it. You dont have to hide things from me and, if youre desperate for money, Ill help, said Mr Karagoli.

He claimed he knew she had been performing dominatrix webcam shows with men for two or three months and then she asked him if she should sell her used underwear online.

The Marquess of Queensberry, with his Daughter Beth 'Ling Ling' (R) and his granddaughter Hero

He called that a step too far, adding: I now think all of this was a gateway to her seeing men in person, hence the hotel rooms. Mr Karagoli met the talented violinist, known to her family as Ling Ling, through friends on her 18th birthday and they had a ten-month relationship.

But he could tell she had her demons from the day we first met. He said: A lot of it stemmed from losing her half-brother Milo to suicide. She loved him and would often tell me he was the only sibling to truly accept her.

She would also often mention the Queensberry curse and that the dynasty has endured centuries of misfortune. He said their relationship descended into regular cocaine-taking. On March 6, they were invited to a house party in Notting Hill, West London, close to the flat they shared.

The teenage daughter of the Marquess of Queensbury died at a house party after a two day drug and alcohol binge

The 18-year-old had injected heroin, possibly for the first time. Tests also revealed cocaine and morphine in her blood

He described how Lady Beth asked him to leave the party to buy wine. When he returned at around 11.30pm, she had passed out on the sofa, so he went to sleep beside her. But at 1.30am he woke to find her lifeless.

He said: She was so troubled but she was a wonderful woman. Mr Karagoli has now sworn off all drugs and declares himself clean as a whistle.

Last week an inquest recorded Lady Beths cause of death as a cardiac respiratory failure and cocaine and heroin poisoning.Australia's most famous homeless man has criticised police for killing Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali rather than taking him into custody.

Michael Rogers, 46, was the brave hero who rammed Ali with a trolley as police attempted to subdue him.

By that point, the ISIS-inspired attacker had already crashed his ute, set it alight and stabbed three bystanders - one fatally.

One of the two officers who confronted Ali eventually shot him in the chest, but Mr Rogers said he would have preferred it if they had shot him somewhere less fatal.

Australia's most famous homeless man has criticised police for killing Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali rather than take him into custody

Mr Rogers told The Age he originally thought Ali had been tasered by police, and only later found out he had died at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

He said: 'They could have shot him in the leg. I believe he should have been kept alive and sent to jail for 30 years.'

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page set up by Melbourne Homeless Collective founder Donna Stolzenberg on Saturday to raise funds to help Mr Rogers get his life back on track has raised more than $110,000.

Michael Rogers, 46, (in black) was the have-a-go hero who rammed Ali with a trolley as police attempted to subdue him on the pavement before falling over (right)

By that point, the ISIS-inspired attacker (left) had already crashed his ute, set it alight (pictured) and stabbed three bystanders - one fatally

'He's a hero in our eyes and he can do what he feels best with any funds he receives. He risked his own life that day for nothing in return and you can't put a price on that,' the page states.

'We're absolutely blown away by everyone's generosity and spirit in helping our hero 'Trolleyman', get back on his feet.

'We don't actually have a set target to reach but due to the incredible generosity we've seen so far we'll keep increasing the total accordingly,' an update on the page states.'

Mr Rogers said he wished his beloved late grandmother was still alive to see the astonishing footage of the 46-year-old taking on Ali, 30, as the attacker repeatedly lunged at police officers with a knife.

Mr Rogers rammed Ali with a shopping trolley after the Somalian stabbed three people, killing well known cafe co-owner Sisto Malaspina, 74.

Still coming to terms with his new fame as the 'Trolley Man', Mr Rogers paid tribute to his late grandmother, who he described as the 'dearest lady' who he often let down.

He was in jail serving time for aggravated burglary when she died in 2013, aged 92.

'She would have been exceptionally proud,' Mr Rogers told The Age.

Mr Rogers said he had a tough childhood and grew up in a housing commission unit with a mother who was addicted to Benzone.

He went to live with his grandmother at age 14.

'I loved her dearly but the problem I had being that age was I had already grown up a little too quickly. I was a bit of a lost cause. Trouble came my way far more often than not,' Mr Rogers said.

With a lengthy criminal career and a history of drug use, the homeless man admitted he has not always had a good experience with police, but said he wanted to help and 'do something right for the first time in [his] life.'

Bystander Michael Rogers (pictured) says he doesn't see himself as a hero

Melbourne Homeless Collective founder Donna Stolzenberg established a GoFundMe page (pictured) in order to help Mr Rogers 'get back on his feet'

Mr Rogers said he's unsure what he'll do with the money but has vowed to get his act together.

Ms Stolzenberg says she's aware of Mr Rogers' checkered past and will work to connect him with homeless services and help him use the money in appropriate ways.

'As a person he just deserves it,' she said.

'This funding is growing and may grow further. Michael is experiencing homelessness and probably hasn't had much experience with large sums of money.'

Video showed a man wielding a knife attempt to stab and slash at two police officers before he was shot with a taser and fell to the ground, while a brave shopper tried to hit him with a trolley

Mr Rogers told 7 News on Saturday he didn't see his actions as heroic, but believes they may have helped to save lives.

'I've seen the trolley at the side and so I picked it up and ran,' he said, while imitating the action,' he said.

'I threw the trolley straight at him, and I got him. I didn't quite get him down, though.

'I did that motion quite a number of times but it just wasn't getting him down.'

One witness said he was 'terrified' after seeing a body covered in a white sheet on the footpath

Mr Roger's phone shattered during the melee, but he said it was a small price to pay to defend his city.

He was seen shaking hands with a police officer who thanked him for his help.

But not all police officers were happy with his efforts, with Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton urging civilians to avoid putting their lives at risk like Mr Rogers did.

But police want to avoid copy-cat scenarios in potential future incidents.

Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said authorities had spoken with Mr Rogers, but the public should not be putting themselves on the front line in dangerous situations.

A man caught a birds eye view of the explosion, recording the car bursting into flames from his bedroom window

'Look, you just have to be a bit careful about  in that situation how close you do get  because he could have been injured himself,' Mr Ashton told Weekend Today on Saturday.

'But certainly he was acting in the spur of the moment and looking to support the police.

'There was a number of people that did that and we are always grateful when the community are supporting our police members.'

Mr Rogers received an outpouring of public support online and from civilians in the street, with people telling him he was 'a hero', and 'a champion'.

'Extraordinary and humbling. So many people look upon the homeless (if they even look at all) with disdain and, sometimes, even fear, yet this man, who doesn't even have a home, risked the only thing he has - his life - to keep strangers safe,' one person said.

Another said: 'Trolley man is everything great about Australia. He's not running away. He's helping in a crisis, and he's doing it in a ridiculous but effective way.'

'Total respect to the shopping trolley hero trying to take down a mad knife man with nothing but a metal basket on not very good wheels,' one person tweeted.

'Incredible work by police in Melbourne but also bystanders - one using a trolley to try subdue the man,' another said.

'Cops trying to take down man armed with knife. Passerby seems to be trying to take him out with a shopping trolley!' one comment said.A Turkish newspaper reports the last words of Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident Saudi journalist killed at his country's consulate in Istanbul last month, reveal the way he pleaded with his murderers moments before his death.

It came the same day US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman via phone Sunday, telling the man accused of orchestrating the murder everyone involved will be held 'accountable'.

The Daily Sabah says they will soon publish images of the tools used by a team of 15 people who are suspected of slaying the Washington Post writer, and claim to have heard his final utterances in secret audio recordings on October 2.

Dissident Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, was murdered at the Istanbul Saudi consulate

A tough critic of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate (pictured) in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document

'I'm suffocating  Take this bag off my head, I'm claustrophobic,' Khashoggi said according to the head of investigations for the Turkish newspaper Nazif Karaman.

Karaman told Al Jazeera in an interview that the hit squad placed plastic bags down to protect the floor before dismembering Khashoggi.

The Turkish newspaper claims it took 15 minutes to carry out the grisly killing and traces of acid were discovered at the Saudi consul general's home in Istanbul.

It's believed the body was taken there to be disposed of using chemicals.

The Daily Sabah reports the planning of the murder was led by the head of the Saudi Scientific Council of Forensics, Salah al-Tubaigy.

Pompeo spoke to Salman regarding the slaying, which emerged two weeks after the part-time US resident first went missing.

With the Middle Eastern royal being accused of planning the attack, the US-Saudi alliance came under immense strain as people called for America to get to the bottom of the story.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (right) spoke about how to respond to the killing at a dinner with heads of state. French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and French First Lady Brigitte Macron (center) welcomed Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan (center right) for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI at Elysee Palace Saturday

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by telephone Sunday

Pompeo told Prince Mohammed bin Salman that all involved in killing Jamal Khashoggi will be held accountable

Pompeo told Salman that he expects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take the necessary reaction to deliver justice to Khashoggi and his family.

'Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,' spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement Sunday.

'The Secretary emphasized that the United States will hold all of those involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi accountable, and that Saudi Arabia must do the same.'

Pompeo's phone call came one day after President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke about how to respond to the killing at a dinner with heads of state.

As leaders gathered in Paris to mark the World War One Armistice centenary, Erdogan said Saturday that audio recordings of the killing had been given to various governments.

The Daily Sabah reports the planning of the murder was led by the head of the Saudi Scientific Council of Forensics, Salah al-Tubaigy (left and right)

'We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, German, French and British, all of them,' the Turkish president said. 'They have listened to all the conversation in them. They know.'

He claimed the operation had been ordered at the 'highest levels' of the Saudi government.

Erdogan's comments came the same day the fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist wept as hundreds gathered in Istanbul to honor the memory of her husband.

Hatice Cengiz, 38, was pictured in tears as tributes were paid and images shown of her fiance to a crowd of around 200.

She had waited outside the Saudi consulate for Khashoggi to emerge before raising the alarm when he failed to appear after going to collect papers for their forthcoming marriage.

Protesters also gathered outside the consulate where Khashoggi was attacked. The murder has pushed attention back to the war in Yemen which the journalist criticized Salman for intervening in.

Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of murdered Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reacts while watching a tribute video to her husband at the commemorative ceremony

Hatice Cengiz had waited outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for her fiance Jamal Khashoggi before raising the alarm when he failed to emerge. Khashoggi had gone to the consulate to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. She is pictured here weeping at a commemorative ceremony to the journalist in Istanbul yesterday

Yasin Aktay speaks in front of images of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a commemorative ceremony

People chant slogans and hold posters in protest of Saudi Arabia's actions in Yemen during a protest outside the Saudi Arabian consulate Istanbul - where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered

The prince's highly controversial intervention to bolster President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government in the face of an insurgency by Huthi rebels also came up during the call, the White House spokesperson added.

Nearly 10,000 people have since been killed and the country now stands at the brink of famine.

After Khashoggi's killing was confirmed, royal court media adviser Saud al-Qahtani and deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri were both fired in the aftermath of an investigation.

But adding to speculation Salman was behind the Khashoggi killing, the New York Times reports the prince sent Assiri to attend a meeting in March 2017 where they allegedly inquired about hiring private companies to assassinate Iranian enemies.

Citing three people familiar with the discussions, Salman is said to have ordered advisers to ramp up military and intelligence operations abroad.

During the alleged meeting there was supposedly talk of a $2billion plan to sabotage Iran's economy and kill Qassim Suleimani, the Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds force leader.

Lebanese-American businessman George Nader, a convicted pedophile, was said to have pitched the plan to White House officials and met with Salman beforehand.

The Saudi Crown Prince (left) allegedly got a team to meet with Donald Trump's (right) presidential campaign team to help sabotage Hillary Clinton's campaign

George Nader poses backstage with President Donald Trump at a Republican fundraiser in Dallas October 25, 2017. Nader, a convicted pedophile, was told by the Secret Service that he could not meet the president. His business partner, Elliott Broidy, helped him secure this photo

He was allegedly present at meetings about the plan, accompanied by Israeli Joel Zamel, a man with deep ties to Israel's intelligence and security agencies.

Both Nader - also an adviser to the Crown Prince Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates, - and Zamel are witnesses in the current Robert Mueller-led inquiry into possible meddling in Trump's presidential campaign.

The special counsel and his team have questioned them on American-Saudi talks on the Iran sabotage proposal.

Saudi was said to be feeling the threat of Clinton leading the US to mean a continuation of the Iran nuclear deal Barack Obama had signed

It's not clear how the two are specifically related however it was reported Zamel's Psy-Group had also pitched the Trump presidential campaign team on a social media sabotage plan in 2016.

Saudi was said to be feeling the threat of Hillary Clinton leading the US to mean a continuation of the Iran nuclear deal Barack Obama had signed.

Lawyers for the company consulted about sabotaging Iran reportedly rejected the plan and suggested another London-based company operated by former British special operations troops.

The Times obtained a 2017 email Nader sent an associate where he wrote the prince - referred to as MBS - advised him to 'review [possible contracts] and discuss it with General Ahmed'.

Nader allegedly told the associate around the time he was gathering with both Salman and Assiri: 'Had a truly magnificent meeting with MBS.'

The Saudi government as well as Nader and Zamel's lawyers declined to comment to The Times.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about resolving the conflict in Yemen

Fire and smoke rise after a Saudi-led airstrike hit a site believed to be one of the largest weapons depots on the outskirts of Yemen's capital, Sanaa (pictured October 2016)

Last Wednesday US President Trump said he expects to form a 'stronger opinion' by this coming week on Khashoggi's killing and Washington's response. He said he was working with Congress, Turkey and KSA to establish who bore responsibility.

Pompeo and Trump spoke about the importance of keeping close ties with KSA due to the strong commercial, strategic and national security relationships between the countries, when the story first emerged.

However the US has gotten stricter as more details were revealed about the way Khashoggi was killed.

The top US diplomat previously said Khashoggi's killing 'violates the norms of international law,' and that the US was reviewing possible sanctions on an individual basis for those found to be involved.

Khashoggi was a critic of Salman and was killed after a team sent from Riyadh arrived at the consulate hours before him.

Saudi authorities have acknowledged that the killing was premeditated, but his body has not been found.

'On Yemen, the secretary reiterated the United States' calls for a cessation of hostilities and for all parties to come to the table to negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict under the UN Special Envoy,' Nauert said.For the first time, the old foe Germany joined Her Majesty at our most sacred event: ROBERT HARDMAN watches the historic moment the German President joined the Royal Family at The Cenotaph to remember the fallen soldiers of WW1 - 100 years on

At the going down of the sun, Britain's greatest commemorative endeavour of modern times finally drew to a close. Four years of centennial remembrance for the dead of the First World War concluded last night as the Queen and the German president attended a service of thanksgiving and reflection at Westminster Abbey.

Similar sentiments were echoed at concerts, vigils and events in every part of Britain, following traditional Remembrance Sunday services attended by exceptional crowds.

The fact that the centenary of the Armistice should fall precisely on the second Sunday in November, the traditional date for remembering our fallen, gave added impetus and poignancy to this immense anniversary.

The Duchess of Cambridge joins the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony overlooking the ceremony

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany lays a wreath at the cenotaph

Crowds pay their respects at the Cenotaph in Whitehall where Red Poppy wreaths were laid on the ground

The Duke of Cambridge lays a wreath during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London

Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn lays a wreath during the service

And nowhere was that more apparent than at the Cenotaph. Big Ben  silent all year during essential maintenance work  emerged from enforced hibernation to toll the 11th hour.

For the first time in history, the old foe was in pride of place at the most sacred event in our national calendar. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German head of state, stood in the midst of the Royal Family and laid the first wreath after that of the Queen. He bowed deeply as he did so.

The sense of an historic line being drawn under an epochal chapter in our mutual past was palpable. 'Hopeful for a future in peace and friendship,' he wrote (in English) on the card attached to his wreath.

The Queen's wreath had been laid by the Prince of Wales. As she did last year, the Monarch elected to watch the service from a Foreign & Commonwealth Office balcony, this time flanked by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Earlier in the day, in a historic act of reconciliation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid a wreath during a poignant ceremony at the Cenotaph, marking the first time a German leader has ever taken part in the proceedings

Prince Charles read an extract from St John while Mrs May and actor John Simm also read passages followed by the Dean of Westminster John Hall who lead the service

Appearing at her first Armistice service since becoming a fully-fledged royal, she instead took on an ambassadorial role, standing next to Elke Budenbender, partner of the German president

The Princes of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their way into the abbey shortly after 6pm following a day of emotional tributes across Britain

The Queen making her way into Westminster Abbey this evening just before 6pm joined by Dean of Westminster John Hall

The Duchess of Cambridge smiles as she joins the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall on a balcony overlooking the ceremony

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph

The Duchess of Sussex (shown right) looked on solemnly from a different balcony as her husband, the Duke of Sussex, and several other senior members of the royal family laid wreathes in central London

The Queen and Senior members of the Royal Family attend an Armistice Service at Westminster Abbey. Charles and Camilla make their way into the Abbey together following a day of tributes across Great Britain

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother for the second year in a row while an equerry will lay a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh

The Duchess of Sussex, attending her first Cenotaph parade, stood on an adjacent balcony with Mr Steinmeier's wife, Elke, 56, a judge.

As the daughter of a First World War veteran and the only head of state in the world today who served in uniform during the Second, the Queen's authority was undiminished by her absence from the parade. In her tenth decade, she simply felt that it was tempting fate to be negotiating the Cenotaph steps unaided on such a crucial occasion. Besides, it was easier to see her on her balcony. For the first time, the Duke of Edinburgh was not at her side. Palace officials said the 97-year-old Duke had never been expected to attend and that there were no grounds for concern. His wreath was laid by his equerry, ahead of those of other members of the Royal Family.

Next came the party leaders, starting with the Prime Minister in a long dark overcoat. The Opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, was in a dark blue anorak, inviting inevitable comparisons with the infamous 'donkey jacket' worn by former Labour leader Michael Foot many years ago.

Unlike previous occasions, however, there could be no quibbling over the fact that Mr Corbyn performed a respectful bow to the fallen and was clearly seen to be singing the National Anthem.

Following the short service by the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, (the first time a woman had presided at the Cenotaph), the path was cleared for the eternally moving Royal British Legion parade.

Around 10,000 representatives of nearly 200 organisations, from the Army Widows' Association and the Royal Marines to the Black Watch and the Blenheim Society, came marching down Whitehall, more or less in time to all the old favourites  Pack Up Your Troubles, It's A Long Way To Tipperary and the rest. Among the oldest on parade was Donald Smith, 98, formerly of the Seaforth Highlanders, who was seriously wounded and taken prisoner outside Dunkirk in 1940. 'I don't like to cry, but this event always brings tears to my eyes,' he said. 'I was one of five friends who joined up and I was the only one who came back.' Every conflict was being remembered yesterday. Michael Bye, 83, had flown in from Canada, as he does every year, to march with his old chums in the Suez Veterans' Association. 'I always think of two men from the Royal Signals who were sent out one day and were never seen again,' he explained. The fallen of Korea, the Falklands, both Gulf Wars, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan were all being honoured by old comrades.

On parade for the very first time were representatives of the Women's Institute. Considering that this is an organisation with more than 200,000 members which was born out of the pressing need to feed a hungry nation in the First World War  and was an invaluable part of the Home Front in the Second  it seems odd that it had to wait until yesterday to be included. But there were no complaints. 'We're just very privileged to be here on such an emotional day,' said Lynne Stubbings, chair of the National Federation, proudly carrying the WI wreath.

Compounding all that emotion was the fact that this year, for the first time, more than 10,000 members of the public had been chosen by ballot to take part in a further centenary parade past the Cenotaph. It had been described variously as 'a national thank-you' and 'the people's parade' and consisted of people of all ages and backgrounds bearing floral tributes of all complexions (some of them knitted). Despite some exemplary marching music from several bands, led by Christ's Hospital school, this was more of a leisurely stroll than a march. Some proudly held up photos of their fallen kinsmen. Many wore the medals which a great-grandfather or great-great-uncle had never lived to wear.

Pregnant Meghan Markle displays he growing baby bump in an elegant navy frock and Parisian beret ensemble

Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the remembrance service, dressed in a black coat and matching black hat

Queen Elizabeth II and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend a National Service to mark the centenary of the Armistice at Westminster Abbey

It all added an endearing note of informality to a day rich in grand ceremonial  and all in marked contrast to events in Paris. There, President Macron's week-long appropriation of this centenary for contemporary political ends continued. After much glad- handing of world leaders and energetic striding around in front of the television cameras at the Arc de Triomphe, he delivered a speech on the perils of nationalism.

In London, we had to wait until last night before hearing a word from our national representatives.

As the Tower of London's commemorative torches blazed for the last time, Westminster Abbey was packed for the service of reflection and reconciliation. The Queen and President Steinmeier began by placing wreaths on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Finally, lessons from the Book of John were read by the president and the Prince of Wales. 'Beloved, let us love one another,' said the president, speaking in German. 'Greater love hath no man than this,' said the Prince, 'that a man lay down his life for his friends.'

Children laid further flowers on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. His actions and his sacrifice are now more distant from us than the Battle of Waterloo was from his own generation. But their heroics have no sell-by date. As the inscription in our war cemeteries declares: 'Their name liveth for evermore.' And so it shall.

Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip leave 10 Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph

Thousand people take part in a march in Westminster, London to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day

Children who wore their lost ancestors medals with pride

Young and proud, they came to honour a lost generation, carrying medals and memories.

Descendants of those who served in the First World War marched past the Cenotaph yesterday in a unique commemoration of their families sacrifice.

They joined relatives of servicemen and women from the Second World War and more recent conflicts to form a 10,000-strong parade, dubbed the Nations Thank You. For many it was their first opportunity to come together to express their profound gratitude and pride for the actions of a previous generation.

Tributes: Ioan Williams, eight, with medals and wreath, a girl with a photo of a soldier and two boys proudly march in berets as part of Nations Thank You parade

For others the memories were still raw, and they wept as they recalled fathers and grandfathers who never returned from the frontline. Children too young to remember their forebears wore their medals pinned to their chests.

Their families watched them march and expressed the heartfelt hope that they would never have to repeat the sacrifices of the wartime generations. Eight-year-old Ioan Williams wore the medals of his great-grandfather Sergeant Walter Benjamin, who served in India and Burma during the Second World War.

At his side, his grandmother Jane Benjamin carried a wreath for Ioans great-great uncle, Rifleman Walter Singer, who was killed in France just three weeks before the Armistice. Mrs Benjamin, 62, from Pontypridd in South Wales, said: The veterans of the First World War arent here any more, so its up to us to make sure their legacy is passed to our children and grandchildren.

We must never forget. The legacy of that war and their sacrifice must be peace so that these children know the value of peace. Rifleman Singer served with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps and was one of four soldiers sent to take a German position near Montay in Northern France on October 23, 1918.

Two were killed as they dived into a German dug-out and he died later that day from his injuries, leaving only one survivor. His great-great nephew Ioan said he felt proud to take part in the Nations Thank You procession, after his family were awarded two of the coveted spots in the parade, allotted through a public ballot.

Elsewhere in the procession, 13-year-old Harry Gayfer-Toms marched to commemorate several members of his family. His great-great grandfather Frederick Gray was killed at the Second Battle of the Somme in September 1918, just five months after his brother Hubert died. Frederick, a soldier with the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was hit by a shell as he dug a grave to bury a dead comrade.

He had written to his wife Ethel just four days earlier, saying he hoped to be home soon to be reunited with her and their one-year-old son Harry, who he had only seen once while on leave. That son, Harry, went on to serve during the Second World War and was captured in the fall of Tobruk in Libya, but survived.

Harrys daughter Vivienne Gayfer, 71, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, said she had brought her grandson, also named Harry, to the procession to commemorate their familys history.

She said: Harry is one of nine great-great grandchildren of Frederick Gray. That generation gave up so much  it is important we remember them. Serving officer Mark Goodwin-Hudson brought four of his children to the procession to commemorate his great-uncle, who was severely injured at the start of the First Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916  the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army.

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother for the second year in a row while an equerry will lay a wreath on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh

British forces suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 who were killed, and gained just three square miles of territory. Hubert Goodwin-Hudson was shot by a machine gunner as he approached a German trench and lay dying in No Mans Land, beyond the reach of the British stretcher-carriers.

He was rescued by a German who had briefly lived in the same Essex village, and recognised him from the church where they had both worshipped.

Colonel Goodwin-Hudson, of the Household Cavalry, said: It was an extraordinary rescue. My great-uncle thought he was done for and then suddenly heard a German voice asking, Are you Hubert?. This German man took him to a field hospital and ensured he received the best possible treatment. He saved his life.

Thousands of torches create a blaze of light around the Tower of London yesterday evening in the last of eight performances of Beyond The Deepening Shadow, an installation in honour of the Fallen of the First World War

The most high-profile memorial event in London was the service taking place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, with the Royal British Legion coordinating the March Past

Princes William and Harry attend a National Service of Remembrance

Former British Prime Minister John Major and Mrs May at the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial

Crowds gather on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace as 10,000 thousand people take part in a march in Westminster,

The Salvation Army make their way past the Cenotaph on Whitehall in The People's Procession

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier stand in Westminster Abbey

Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey

Colonel Goodwin-Hudson was joined by his wife Alice and their children Rose, nine, Tarka, 12, Henry, 15, and Benjy, 18. Henry said: Its a great honour to be here today to remember all those who died in the First World War.

Its important we remember all the sacrifices that were made to give us the freedom that we have today. Kate Nicholls, 48, joined the procession in honour of her great-grandfather John Waugh and his brother and sister Tommy and Violet. Tommy Waugh was injured by shrapnel at the Somme but survived by hiding under the bodies of the dead for three days.

Taken to a field hospital at Verdun for treatment for his wounds, he heard a voice he recognised and was reunited with brother John and their sister Violet, who was working as a nurse. The reunion was to be the last time the three siblings, from Nettlesworth in County Durham, were together. John Waugh was on his way back to the front and was killed in action just three weeks before the Armistice was signed, aged 28.

Mrs Nicholls, who was joined at the procession by her daughter Sophie, 16, said: Their story has been passed down to us. Those generations who experienced the impact of war are dying out and we need to make sure their stories of indescribable sacrifice continue. Sophie said: Its very important to remember, and its very emotional.Police chiefs want an expansion of stop and search powers to combat knife crime by lowering the level of suspicion an officer needs to take action.

They want to scrap the requirement that reasonable grounds are needed before a suspect can be frisked.

It came as Home Secretary Sajid Javid was last night locked in a bitter war of words with the police over how to fight the violence epidemic which has seen 250 knife killings in Britain this year.

Police chiefs want an expansion of stop and search powers to combat knife crime

Adrian Hanstock, of the National Police Chiefs Council, said talks had been held with Mr Javid over stepping up stop and search. He stressed: There are a lot of calls for officers to do more stop and search. But the current individual threshold that officers have to meet is very tight and precise.

So is there any appetite to reduce that threshold where an officer has a genuine fear that the person is at risk, or there is a safeguarding threat, or [there] is a risk to others?

If that officer does not have sufficient grounds or X-ray vision to see they are carrying a weapon, and they are concerned they may have something to cause harm, that should trigger a search, he told the Guardian.

Mr Javid earlier clashed with Scotland Yard commissioner Cressida Dick after she accused the Government of leaving police hamstrung in the battle against violence. She called for the Home Office to show more leadership only for Mr Javid to insist there needed to be more leadership all round. The blame game flared up after five knife killings in six days in London so far this month. Three victims were teenagers.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid during a visit to Brixton, south London, as he unveiled details of a new drive to stop youngsters being drawn into crime or exploited by gangs

The crisis has sparked a furious debate between the Government and senior police over the link between deep funding cuts and rising crime.

Crime reported to police in Wild West Britain has soared to a 13-year high of 5.6million offences in the year to June  an average of one every six seconds.

Last week the Met Police investigated its 120th murder of the year  more than in the whole of 2017.

It prompted Mr Javid to urge Scotland Yard to get the situation under control. In a phone call to Miss Dick, he ordered her to step up action against knife crime.

But she responded by claiming the Home Office had stepped back a lot and needed to show greater leadership  a view echoed in a damning report on the future of policing by the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.

She also said a Government failure to fund more officers and refusal to allow them to use face recognition technology was making the Mets job harder.

Yesterday Mr Javid hit back, by saying: Young people are losing their lives. Parents and others will be absolutely devastated. They are looking for leadership  absolutely from Government, also from police, mayors and others. And thats what theyre certainly going to get from the Government.

First and foremost, I am ensuring police have all the powers they need. He told the Sun on Sunday: Carrying any type of knife is totally unacceptable

He said the Offensive Weapons Bill, currently going through Parliament, would make laws even tighter. However, police chiefs have warned ministers that forces are struggling to cope following a 19 per cent cut in funding since 2010-11 to 12.3billion this year.

Since 2009, the number of police and PCSOs has plummeted from 160,000 to 132,000.You may not have heard of Rathfinny, but head to the South Downs, beyond the pretty village of Alfriston in East Sussex, and youll discover an exciting new destination for English wine.

Rathfinny Wine Estate is a labour of love for husband-and-wife owners Mark and Sarah Driver, who bought the 600 acres in 2010. They recognised that the undulating slopes and chalky soil would be perfect for grapes to produce sparkling wine.

The first vines were planted in 2012 and last month Rathfinny harvested a bumper crop. By 2022, the estate expects to produce more than 80,000 cases of sparkling wine.

Bumper crop: Vines outside the 40-seater Winery Tasting Room

Rathfinny offers bed and breakfast at the restored Flint Barns, which can also be hired for parties. With ten bedrooms, its a small, modern retreat where you can enjoy meals in an airy loft-style communal dining room with open kitchen and bar.

While its a great place to stay for walkers who want to explore the South Downs Way, Rathfinny is all about the wine, and tours reveal its breathtaking scale.

There is also the Rathfinny trail, a well-marked 30-minute route around the estate  keep an eye out for skylarks, hares and Adonis blue butterflies.

Back at the barns, settle into a sofa in the lounge and warm yourself next to the wood-burning fire. In summer, enjoy a Seven Sisters gin and tonic (Rathfinny-produced) in the cobbled courtyard.

The USP: The 40-seater Winery Tasting Room opened last summer and attracts quite a crowd. The outdoor wraparound terrace is where you can enjoy a drink and admire the vines in the sun.

Comfort and style: A family room at Rathfinny, which features bunk beds

The rooms: Luxury meets functional in flint-walled bedrooms, with iron beds and pristine bedding, all softened by a posy of fresh flowers. Family rooms have bunk beds.

The food: The Flint Barns serves a cracking English breakfast, and Saturday suppers and Sunday lunches are very popular. For a foodie adventure, try the Winery Tasting Rooms tasting menu offering fish, meat and vegetarian options, including delicious morsels such as baked squash stuffed with chestnut, sage and ricotta risotto. Wine is not included but the list is not crazily expensive and the sparkling Sussex rose is sublime.Advertisement

Writer and keen walker Tom Chesshyre has hiked more than 2,000 miles in many different countries.

But some of his favourite walks are in the UK.

Here he shares some of those routes

1. Mevagissey to Gorran Haven, Cornwall

The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset. The harbour at Mevagissey in Cornwall (above)

The South West Coast Path runs for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset, making it the countrys longest National Trail (southwestcoastpath.org.uk).

You cant beat the sweeping clifftop scenery and beautiful beaches between the Cornish villages of Mevagissey and Gorran Haven. Stop at the Rising Sun Inn in Portmellon for a glass of something cold. The round trip is seven miles.

2. Aylsham to Cromer, Norfolk

This walk follows about 11 miles of the 61-mile Weavers Way footpath between Great Yarmouth and Cromer (norfolk.gov.uk/weaversway). The path passes two fine National Trust properties  Blickling Hall and Felbrigg Hall (nationaltrust.org.uk). Stop at one or both to make a day of it.

3. Laugharne to St Johns Hill, Wales

Poem In October by Dylan Thomas describes his birthday walk from Laugharne to St Johns Hill in Carmarthenshire, with the mussel-pooled and the heron Priested shore below. It is about a four-mile round trip (dylanthomasbirthdaywalk.co.uk). Afterwards, reward yourself with a pint in Dylans favourite watering hole, Browns Hotel (browns.wales).

4. Clyro to Painscastle, Powys

This one also has a literary connection: its the old stomping ground of the Reverend Francis Kilvert, whose humorous 19th Century diaries about his work as a curate here has a cult following. It is a nine-mile round trip  the Roast Ox Inn at Painscastle is the perfect pit-stop (roastox.co.uk).

5. Hambleton loop, Rutland

Rutland is Englands smallest county and much of it is taken up by Rutland Water, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe. In the middle of the lake is a peninsula with the village of Hambleton in the centre. A countryside walk around the wonderfully remote setting, starting and finishing in the village, is about four miles. A pint can be enjoyed at The Finchs Arms when you return (finchsarms.co.uk).

6. Balquhidder to Inverlochlarig, Perthshire

Rob Roy is buried in the churchyard in the little village of Balquhidder next to Loch Voil. From his grave, it is a joy to walk along the waters edge all the way to Inverlochlarig, about eight miles (or further if you feel like it), with the hills rising all around you. The Monachyle Mhor hotel, by the loch, makes a good stopping off point for refreshments (monachylemhor.net).

Sublime: Langdale Valley in Cumbria, pictured, has breathtaking views of the mountains

7. Hadrians Wall, Northumberland

Hadrians Wall Path is another official National Trail that runs for 83 miles along the Unesco World Heritage Site (nationaltrail.co.uk/hadrians-wall-path). Visit the old forts, stop at cosy pubs and go as far as you feel like  the website has a good distance calculator. Dont miss the stretch after Haltwhistle heading east to Newcastle.

8. Martinhoe to Heddon Valley, North Devon

From the Old Rectory Hotel in Martinhoe (oldrectoryhotel.co.uk) it is about a three-mile walk along the North Devon coastline  another part of the South West Coast Path and within Exmoor National Park  to Heddon Valley. The views are awesome and at the end there is a terrific pub, the Hunters Inn (thehuntersinnexmoor.co.uk).

9. Langdale Valley, Cumbria

Pit stop: The Daily Mail's Tom Chesshyre recommends rewarding yourself with a drink at Wainrights Inn in Cumbria

It is a ten-mile walk from Wainrights Inn (langdale.co.uk) taking in a big loop around this sublime valley in the Lake District. Pass an old quarry and head across isolated heathland before curving back. Wainrights makes a good target thanks to its great food and crackling fires.

10. Gravesend to the Isle of Grain, Kent

Who couldnt have a soft spot for this 20-mile walk through the mysterious marshland that Charles Dickens describes in Great Expectations? This walk came at the end of my 350-mile hike following the course of the Thames from its source in Gloucestershire. This is old smuggler land and the estuary views are atmospheric.Relations between Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown have been frosty for years. And they are now set to hit an all-time low over Scarys forthcoming autobiography, which I am assured is absolute dynamite.

Posh and those close to her are so nervous about what Mel is about to reveal that they have been attempting to find out whats in the book ahead of its publication later this month.

Their fears have been heightened by the fact that the other band members  Emma Bunton, Geri Horner and Melanie Chisholm  have received advance copies of the memoir.

Mel B and Victoria Beckham(pictured in 1997) before the band split up. Victoria Beckham (right) is said to be nervous by the fact that other band members have received copies of Mel B's memoir

The girls are very much like sisters, a source close to Victoria tells me. They bicker, they fall out and they make up, but this book is going to be explosive, so of course Posh and her team are fearing the worst. Victoria hasnt been allowed to see it and Mel most definitely has a reputation for mouthing off.

Victoria and Mels rivalry began at the height of the Spice Girls phenomenal success in the mid-1990s when they would often clash over dance routines.

Relations took a turn for the worse in 2007 after Posh, husband David and their children moved to Los Angeles, where Mel had been living since the early Noughties.

Geri Horner (left in blue) Melanie Chisholm (second in red) Emma Bunton (third in pink) and Mel B (right in green) are promoting a Spice Girls reunion

Mel had hoped she would be able to hang out with her old friend and felt shunned when Posh preferred to socialise with actresses Katie Holmes and Eva Longoria.

Mel also says Victoria has refused to lend her clothes from her fashion range, claiming Posh thought she would lower the tone of the label.

The band  minus Victoria  last week announced a comeback UK tour. I can reveal that tickets for their Wembley Stadium show on June 15  on sale at official agency Ticketmaster for between 66 and 146  are being sold for as much as 4,167 on controversial resale site Viagogo. It is also selling passes to the prestigious Golden Circle by the front of the stage for 2,636  more than ten times the face value.

Viagogos inflated prices have previously so outraged Ed Sheeran, Adele and Taylor Swift that they have banned the agency from selling tickets to their shows.

Spice Girls fans took to Twitter to share their disappointment, and Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson said: Once again loyal fans are being ripped off by Viagogo.

Even the standard price is steep for many fans but these prices are just extortionate.Even the Duchess of Sussex didnt mind carrying her own umbrella to shield herself and Prince Harry from the rain on their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand  but it seems that actress Rachel Weisz is a bit more precious.

The wife of James Bond actor Daniel Craig enlisted the help of an assistant to keep her dry as she left a screening of her new drama, The Favourite, in New York on Friday night.

If the 48-year-old star of The Mummy was trying to avoid the attention of photographers, Im afraid she used the wrong tactic...

Rachael Weisz (left in black dress) enlisted the help of her assistant (right in beige coat) to hold an umbrella over her head

Meghan Markle gazed lovingly at Prince Harry as she held an umbrella over his head during their tour of Australia

Hollywood marriages can be notoriously short-lived, but more than 30 years after they said I do, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson still look like high school sweethearts.

Oscar winner Tom, 62, and his actress wife couldnt keep their hands off each other after Rita was awarded a Woman of Courage award at a gala dinner in New York on Friday night.

The couple were introduced in the mid-1980s and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in April. Now theres something for Hollywoods brat pack to aspire to

Tom Hanks (left) and Rita Wilson (right) still look like childhood sweethearts

David Cameron has finally quit his post-Brexit smoking habit, I can reveal. He boasted that hed given up when he was PM, but has been seen puffing away more than once since the EU referendum two years ago and was snapped with a cigarette while hugging a Corbynista at last summers Wilderness festival. I have practically given up now, Cameron told me at the launch of Imogen Edwards-Joness book The Witches Of St Petersburg last week. Well, not practically, actually.

Helena Bonham Carter loved her latest film costume so much  including the fake boobs  she kept it. I took the whole lot, says Helena, 51, of the gear she wore to play a psychiatric patient in 55 Steps. It was very, very comfy. Ultimately, when you act anybody  whether theyre fictional or real  you do take something. You absorb them into your system. I brought her boobs home. I actually wore an outfit that made me look much bigger.

Must be a perk of the job!Twelve years have passed since the tragic death of Steve Irwin.

And on Saturday night, Terri and their children, Bindi and Robert, kept his spirit alive while hosting the glittering annual gala dinner held to honour the late Crocodile Hunter.

Leading a galaxy of stars at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Terri, 54, stunned in a black tunic top and satin skirt boasting floral detail.

Remembering a hero! Terry Irwin cut as glamorous figure alongside son Robert and daughter Bindi as she honoured late husband Steve at star-studded gala paying tribute to the memory of the late Crocodile Hunter

As brother Robert cut a dapper figure in a suit worn over trademark khaki shirt, Bindi, 20, commanded attention in a striking pattered black number.

Bindi posed happily next to her suited and booted beau, Chandler Powell.

The couple put on a loved-up for the cameras, fueling speculation of an imminent engagement announcement.

Also stepping out to pay tribute to the fallen hero were celebrities including Georgie Gardner who dazzled in an glittering ivory number.

Should we buy a hat? Posing next to her suited and booted beau, Chandler Powell, the couple put on a loved-up for the cameras, fueling speculation of an imminent engagement announcement

Close bond: The American looked like part of the family while appearing next to girlfriend, Bindi, her mother Terri and brother, Robert

Posing with Terri on the red carpet, The Today Show host, 48 kept it simple with a black clutch and fawn pumps.

And it was a family affair for TV personality David Campbell, who attended the event with sons Billy and Leo.

Steve was one of the world's most beloved conservationists, best known for his hit series, The Crocodile Hunter.

Paying respect: Stepping out to pay tribute to the fallen hero were celebrities including Georgie Gardner who dazzled in an glittering ivory number

Glam pair: Posing with Terri on the red carpet, The Today Show host, 48 kept it simple with a black clutch and fawn pumps

He also hosted other shows including Croc Files from 1999 to 2001 along with the Crocodile Hunter Diaries.

And the family have picked up where the late and great hero left off as Australia's most iconic conservationist, after he was tragically killed by a stingray barb while filming a wildlife program in 2006.

Last month, Terri, Bindi and Robert launched their brand new series, Crikey! It's The Irwins, which airs on American television channel, Animal Planet and around the globe.Mandy Moore hosted the GarnierxUNICEF event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 34-year-old actress dazzled in an green Lela Rose pencil dress and yellow heels as she helped promote Garnier's new Whole Blends Holiday Kit that benefits UNICEF.

'Your purchase can help children in need who have been affected conflict and natural disaster,' Moore wrote on Instagram. 'Each kit helps five children in an emergency situation for a day.'

Giving back: Mandy Moore hosted the GarnierxUNICEF event in Los Angeles on Saturday. The 34-year-old actress dazzled in a green Lela Rose pencil dress and yellow heels as she helped promote Garnier's new Whole Blends Holiday Kit that benefits UNICEF

Mandy's Lela Rose dress featured a square neckline and longsleeves.

Her glam for the day included a bright pink lip and a chic updo.

The This Is Us star accessorized with her diamond ring from fiance, Taylor Goldsmith.

'Your purchase can help children in need who have been affected conflict and natural disaster,' Moore wrote on Instagram. 'Each k it helps five children in an emergency situation for a day'

Relief efforts: For every holiday kit purchased, Garnier will donate $1 to support UNICEF's efforts to create child friendly spaces in areas of conflict and natural disaster

Good cause: Whole Blends kits are available exclusively at Walmart for roughly $10

For every holiday kit purchased, Garnier will donate $1 to support UNICEF's efforts to create child friendly spaces in areas of conflict and natural disaster.

Whole Blends kits are available exclusively at Walmart for roughly $10.

Along with speaking about relief efforts, Moore spent the afternoon writing Christmas cards to the children of the Makani Center in Jordan.

Happy holidays! Along with speaking about relief efforts, Moore spent the afternoon writing Christmas cards to the children of the Makani Center in Jordan

Dressed to impress: Mandy's Lela Rose dress featured a square neckline and longsleeves

Moore became the new face of Garnier back in September 2017.

'When it comes to the brand itself, I love that Garnier really encourages women to be their best,' the actress told Forbes in a recent interview.

'Their philosophy centers around embracing your individuality and caring for the world around you. I love that. And I love that Im able to use my voice in a way that allows me to help raise awareness to issues that are important to me.'Two months after her arrest on domestic violence charges, The Bachelor star Amanda Stanton has returned to Las Vegas.

Stanton, 28, posted several Instagram photos with herself and boyfriend Bobby Jacobs, 32, who were attending the Revolve Awards at the Palms Casino on Friday.

Both Stanton and Jacobs appeared to be quite happy while attending the awards ceremony, judging by the photos on both of their Instagram accounts.

Back in Vegas: The Bachelor star Amanda Stanton returns to Las Vegas with her boyfriend Bobby Jacobs, two months after her domestic violence arrest in Sin City

Stanton was wearing a strapless red NBD dress and strappy tan heels for the event, while Jacobs donned a classic black tuxedo.

Stanton posted one shot of her by herself, where she stated, 'ready for my tonight with #REVOLVEawards and a second with Jacobs where she said, 'my better half.'

The second photo showed Jacobs giving Stanton a kiss on the cheek as she showed off a bright smile.

Stanton back in Vegas: Stanton posted one shot of her by herself, where she stated, 'ready for my tonight with #REVOLVEawards and a second with Jacobs where she said, 'my better half'

Jacobs, a six-foot-six-inch professional beach volleyball player on the AVP tour, shared a few shots on his own Instagram, including one with the five-foot-two-inch Stanton lovingly looking up at him.

'This lady has become my whole (world emoji) and I wouldn't change it for anything,' Jacobs said.

He also added a solo shot in his tux, joking that he's 'always the +1,' and another pic with another woman whose height was just between Stanton and Jacobs.

Ready to go: Here they posed side by side. He said 'this lady has become my whole new world'

'I'd like to call this one "cell signal has 3 bars,"' Jacobs joked.

While the couple certainly seemed to be having a good time on Friday, the same couldn't be said for their last time in Vegas.

Stanton was arrested in September, when hotel security was called to their room for a noise complaint, when a reportedly-intoxicated Stanton tried to intervene and shoved Jacobs hard enough to warrant security to call the cops, according to TMZ.

Fun times in Vegas: While the couple certainly seemed to be having a good time on Friday, the same couldn't be said for their last time in Vegas

Sources claimed that both Amanda and Bobby think that a drug may have been slipped into her drink, resulting her her behavior.

The whole incident was said to be a big misunderstanding, with a rep for Stanton releasing a statement a day after the arrest.

'Amanda is embarrassed and ashamed this happened and sincerely apologizes to hotel security and the Las Vegas Police Department,' began the statement, which added, 'Amanda is a gentle, respectful person who has never gotten physical with anyone under any circumstance.'

'That evening she had a few drinks at a bachelorette party and when hotel security asked her and Bobby to quiet down, she got a bit rambunctious, the statement continued. 'Amanda gave Bobby what she thought was a playful shove; hotel security did their job and reported the incident to the police, who in turn did their job.'

Back in Vegas: Sources claimed that both Amanda and Bobby think that a drug may have been slipped into her drink, resulting her her behaviorCaroline Flack entered the final year of her thirties in spectacular style on Friday night.

The Love Island star hired a private room at a pub in Kentish Town, London to celebrate her 39th with her twin sister Jody and their family and friends, but the wild night ended with the birthday girl vomiting in the street.

Caroline shared Instagrams from her bed the morning after the night before, following the party which lasted until the early hours of Saturday.

It's my party! Caroline Flack entered the final year of her thirties in spectacular style on Friday night, celebrating into the early hours with pals at a Kentish Town pub

The star chose a low-key private room in a North London pub for her big night, arriving with her brother and mum for a sit down meal with her family and friends.

But the night soon turned wild as in pictures obtained by The Sun, the star is seen vomiting in the street in the early hours after heading to a corner shop with pals to stock up on more booze after last orders.

Caroline joked about the 'tame' celebrations as she emerged on social media on Saturday afternoon, revealing she was still in bed at midday opening presents with her pet pooch.

Dancing queen The Love Island star hired a private room at a pub in Kentis h Town, London to celebrate her 39th but the wild night ended with the birthday girl vomiting in the street

Jokes: Caroline joked about the 'tame' celebrations as she danced to Sweet Caroline with her friends and family, including her siblings and her parents

Let's party: Caroline marked her big day with a party in a private room at her local

Calm before the storm: The night soon turned wild as in pictures obtained by The Sun , the star is seen vomiting in the street in the early hours

Sharing videos of herself dancing with her pals to the classic tune Sweet Caroline, the star joked it was 'quite a tame birthday'.

She also uploaded footage of herself dancing on the tables in her leopard print maxi dress, telling fans 'that's one way to get older.'

Noticeably absent from the celebrations was Caroline's on/off beau Andrew Brady.

And with no sign of the Apprentice star or her engagement ring, Caroline looked looked effortlessly chic in a leopard print dress and statement suede coat as she dashed through the rain with her brother Paul, to meet her mum and pals at the North London pub before the night turned wild.

Candles: The star looked delighted as she was presented with cake after a pub dinner

All night long: The group reportedly partied from 8pm until 2am at the pub before Caroline headed to a local corner shop to stock up on more booze

Wild thing: The birthday girl shared snaps and video from her night on Instagram

Ouch: Caroline revealed she was still in bed at midday on Saturday as she opened presents with the help of her pet dog

Caroline chose a wild maxi dress for her celebrations, adding a vintage vibe with her brown suede coat which had statement fur detail on the cuffs.

She kept comfy on the rainy streets by ditching the heels in favour of white trainers. while she kept a tight hold of her black leather bag and phone.

The fashion fan added a touch of glam with her shimmering bronze eyeshadow and curled locks as she beamed for the cameras.

Family time: The TV star looked effortlessly chic in a leopard print dress and statement suede coat as she dashed through the rain with her brother Paul, to meet pals earlier on Friday

Quirky sense of style: Caroline chose a wild maxi dress for her celebrations, adding a vintage vibe with her brown suede coat which had statement fur detail on the cuffs

Caroline's birthday outing comes amid claims she has split from Andrew, 27, who she got engaged to on April 28 after a whirlwind romance.

The former X Factor presenter has been fuelling split speculation by stepping out without her engagement ring several times in the last few weeks.

The tempestuous couple have been notoriously on and off in recent months.

Single? Caroline's birthday outing comes amid claims she has split from Andrew Brady, 27, who she got engaged to on April 28 after a whirlwind romance

Hold on tight: She kept comfy on the rainy streets by ditching the heels in favour of white trainers. while she kept a tight hold of her black leather bag and phone

No ring: The star didn't appear to be wearing her engagement ring, after ditching the bling from Andrew multiple times in recent days

Caroline took to her Instagram page on Friday morning to wish her twin sister Jo a happy 39th birthday.

The Love Island presenter was feeling nostalgic as she shared adorable childhood snaps of the pair to commemorate the happy occasion.

The TV personality penned a sweet caption alongside the selection of images, and vowed to not let 'anyone or anything' ever come between the sisters.

Mum: The star's mother Christine (left) was also seen heading to the pub for the knees up

Caroline told her 1.9million followers: 'Today isnt just my birthday but its my twin sister's too! I cant explain what its like to be a twin because I dont know any different.

'But what I do know is that we will always look after each other and not let ANYONE or anything come between us. Shes also a complete twit like me . Love you jo x'

The former X Factor presenter also shared a selection of images on her Instagram stories.

Is it over? Caroline's outing comes amid claims she has split from reality star fiance Andrew Brady, 27, again (pictured in June)

So sweet: Caroline melted hearts as she took to her Instagram page on Friday morning to wish her twin sister Jo a happy 39th birthday

Cuties: The Love Island presenter was feeling nostalgic as she shared adorable childhood snaps of the pair to commemorate the happy occasion

In one snap she wrote: 'I always loved shorts', while standing outside, and on another the beauty said: 'We were so small we fitted in a single chair'.

Caroline branded her critics 'mean and weird' earlier this week for pressuring her to have children.

The former Strictly Come Dancing winner revealed fans had bombarded her with questions about when she's going to be a mother ahead of her birthday.

Venting her irritation in a series of Instagram stories, the ITV star questioned why 'we all have to do the same thing' in terms of getting married and starting a family.

Adorable: In one snap she wrote: 'I always loved shorts', while standing outside, and on another the beauty said: 'We were so small we fitted in a single chair'

'I had a square head... still have': The presenter shared snap after snap on her Instagram stories

Caroline kicked off the clip by revealing she has just sent her French bulldog Ruby, who she shares with Apprentice star Andrew, to an obedience school for dogs.

'I've just sent my puppy off to puppy school and it was really sad,' she explained.

'I don't have kids so I don't know what it feels like but it felt like I was sending my child away. And she was wearing a really cute looking jumper, and yeah, it feels weird.'

She continued: 'On that note, it's my birthday tomorrow. It's not a big one, but I'm getting older.

'And a lot of people do say to me, like, "Oh, you should have kids by now." Or "You should be doing this by now".

'And I just think, "Why? Why do we all have to do the same thing?" It's just weird. People are weird. They are. Saying anything mean to someone is just weird.'As a a Florida-born star she's used to sunshine.

But Charlotte McKinney braved the London rain on Saturday night for dinner at Nobu in Shoreditch.

The Baywatch beauty turned heads in a wild animal print coat and sizzling thigh-high boots as she strutted to the celebrity hotspot.

Exploring London: As a a Florida-born star she's used to sunshine. But Charlotte McKinney braved the London rain on Saturday night for dinner at Nobu in Shoreditch

Charlotte looked gorgeous in her on-trend leopard print coat, flashing a hint of skin with her black boots teamed with a mini.

She carried a designer bag, while her blonde locks were styled into a chic up do for her night on the town.

With her glam makeup finishing off her look, the US star made a dash to Nobu, sheltering under an umbrella at one point.

Rainy night: The Baywatch beauty turned heads in a wild animal print coat and sizzling thigh-high boots as she strutted to the celebrity hotspot

Wild: Charlotte looked gorgeous in her on-trend leopard print coat, flashing a hint of skin with her black boots teamed with a mini

It's been a whirlwind trip to Europe this week for the actress, who spoke onstage at Web Summit 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal on Thursday.

The 25-year-old joined Centre Stage alongside UFC star Paige VanZant to talk about social media, revealing that an obsessed fan actually took things off the internet and tried to 'find' her in real life.

The blonde's looked like sisters on stage, dressed in matching long sleeve brick red dresses and high heels.

Jet setting: It's been a whirlwind trip to Europe this week for the actress, who spoke onstage at Web Summit 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal on Thursday

Social media mavens: Charlotte, right, took the state with UFC star Paige VanZant at the Summit

When the Summit's moderator questioned the social media guru's about how they deal with the negative aspects of things, like online trolls, the Baywatch star told a harrowing tale.

Charlotte explained to the audience that she 'recently had an incident' where a crazed Instagram follower was 'trying to find me.'

The fan didn't succeed in finding the actress but, they did manage to locate her parents.

Trolls: The moderator questioned the stars about how they deal with the negativity that comes from social media

'It can be really scary, they can really obsess:' Charlotte described her fear about stalker-type fans

Scary: A fan recently showed up at Charlotte's parent's work

'[He] went to my parents' work,' she divulged 'It really frightened me.'.

Adding: 'It can be really scary, they can really obsess.'

Charlotte went on to explain that she feels the need to protect her family and friends from her public persona and is now careful about what she shares.

'I have a niece,' the Orlando native said, 'I don't like to share her.'

The actress didn't notify authorities about her most recent incident and said she just has to 'hope for the best.'

Both beauties explained that over-eager fans are a double edged sword.

'Hope for the best:' The 25-year-old didn't contact authorities about the fan

Instagram love: Charlotte credits social media with helping her to land her first modeling contract

'You wanna embrace them,' the model said. 'You don't want to be mean to them in a way.' Adding: 'But there is also a barrier.'

McKinney's MO for dealing with that is to be 'as polite as can be.'

Over all, it seems that the DWTS alum, feels positively about social media and credits Instagram for helping to to get the modeling contract that started her career.

They've been holed up at Kendall Jenner's 'safe house' Beverly Hills mansion to avoid the fires in Calabasas.

And Kourtney Kardashian, 39, stepped out with her 23-year-old half sister to grab a caffeine fix on Saturday morning.

No doubt the pair were in need of a coffee boost after the worry of dangerous fires so close to their family homes, as they picked up a beverage at Alfred's in West Hollywood.

Boost: Kourtney Kardashian, 39, stepped out with her 23-year-old half sister to grab a caffeine fix on Saturday morning

Victoria's Secret model Kendall seemed to be feeling suddenly shy, as she covered her face upon leaving the coffee shop.

She was wearing a vivid yellow drop back sweatshirt and blue denim jeans.

Kourtney, whose home narrowly escaped the flames, showcased her fit physique in a white tank top which revealed her arms.

Covered: Victoria's Secret model Kendall seemed to be feeling suddenly shy, as she covered her face upon leaving the coffee shop

She covered her eyes with dark glasses and appeared to be tucking into a green smoothie.

Kendall's father Caitlyn Jenner narrowly avoided having her Malibu mansion destroyed on Friday in the wild fires in California.

And Kendall provided much needed mirth to Kourtney amid the threat from the Woolsey fire on Saturday morning.

Brights: She was wearing a vivid yellow drop back sweatshirt and blue denim jeans

Kenny's safe house: Kourtney kept it casual as she took shelter from the fires with her half sister

Looking good: Kourtney, whose home narrowly escaped the flames, showcased her fit physique in a white tank top which revealed her arms

Stressful time: They've been holed up at Kendall Jenner's 'safe house' Beverly Hills mansion to avoid the fires in Calabasas

'Kenny's safe house,' captioned Kourtney on her Instagram, as she took on the model in a pancake making competition.

'It's on b*tch,' Kourtney was heard saying, on her Instagram feed before pressing her pal Daniel Chetrit to decide whose pancakes looked better.

Kourtney dubbed the cook-off, 'Pancake wars', as she joked that Kendall even needed assistance to add chocolate chip cookies.

Wars! Kourtney (pictured) was taking shelter with her sister Kendall and they had a pancake bake-off

Battle of the batter: Kourtney dubbed the cook-off 'Pancake wars'

Natural beauty: Kourtney appeared to be make-up free, and tried to hide her face behind her hands

The mother-of-three appeared to be make-up free, and tried to hide her face behind her hands.

The sisters took their minds off the stressful situation threatening Kourtney's home - as well as the homes of Khloe and Kim - both of whom had also evacuated from the area.

The ex-girlfriend of Scott Disick had decamped to Kourtney's house in Beverly Hills - which previously belonged to actor Charlie Sheen.

Kourtney renovated the $8.55 million estate in a gated community off Mulholland Drive earlier this year.

'It's on b*tch': Kourtney was heard challenging her sister on her Instagram feed

Competition time: The sisters took their minds off the stressful situation threatening Kourtney's home

Helping hand: She joked that Kendall even needed assistance to add chocolate chip cookies

Getting it right: Kendall enlisted her pal Daniel to add some of the chocolate chips

Yum! He ably assisted the model, who can relax and eat pancakes since the VS show was earlier this week

Sprinkle: She made banana and chocolate chip pancakes

No pressure: Kendall asked her pal Daniel Chetrit to decide whose pancakes looked better

Flap jacks out: The sisters proudly displayed their pancakes for all to see

The seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom home has plenty of space for Kourtney and her brood to hide out from the fires - standing at a very generous 8,932 square feet.

Meanwhile, Kim revealed she had just an hour to evacuate her Hidden Hills home and her sister Khloe tweeted last night that she couldn't sleep over the fires.

Khloe, 34, revealed on Twitter that she has also left her Calabasas, California home with her six-month-old son True, and his staying with her brother Rob after the Woolsley Fire broke out.

Grateful: Kourtney thanked firefighters in a posted shared on Saturday afternoon

Family hide-out: The ex-girlfriend of Scott Disick had decamped to Kourtney's house in Beverly Hills - which previously belonged to actor Charlie Sheen

'I am with Rob, Dream and True and I am up keeping watch! Saying prayers and thanking all of the brave firefighters who risk their lives for us,' Khloe said in tweet on early Friday morning.

She added another tweet a few minutes later, stating, 'I can not sleep! I am too nervous with these fires,' along with the hashtag #MamaKoKo.

The reality star also retweeted tweets from The Los Angeles Times and LAFD Fire Talk that included more information about the wildfires.

Kourtney, 39, shared a photo with supplies packed into one of her vehicles, stating, 'I pray that everyone is safe and protected from these fires,' adding, 'No Calabasas tonight.'

Many members of the Kardashian-Jenner family, including Kourtney, have shared tweets urging people to donate to the California Fire Foundation in order to support the firefighters who are continuing to battle the deadly blaze that has seen them forced out of their homes.

On the go: Kourtney Kardashian, 39, shared a photo with supplies packed into one of her vehicles, stating, 'I pray that everyone is safe and protected from these fires,' adding, 'No Calabasas tonight'

Affecting her: Kourtney shared this photo on Instagram of the California fire

Evacuating: Khloe revealed she's staying with her brother Rob after the Woolsley Fire broke out

Mama Koko: She added another tweet a few minutes later, stating, 'I can not sleep! I am too nervous with these fires,' along with the hashtag #MamaKoKo

Kourtney then headed to half-sister Kendall Jenner's home, where she proceeded to 'raid' Kendall's pantry.

She shared a photo of 'Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Sandwich Cremes' from the Whole Foods brand 365 Everyday Value, adding, 'Wait, What? I'm raiding your pantry @kendalljenner.'

Kim also took to her Instagram story on Thursday night, sharing a photo from a private plane of the fires.

'Pray for Calabasas,' Kardashian-West said. 'Just landed back home and I had 1 hour to pack up and evacuate our home. I pray everyone is safe.'

Both Kylie Jenner and family matriarch Kris Jenner were both in New York City for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show when the fires broke out, according to People.It was recently revealed that she has been happily dating burger CEO John Miller.

And things seem to be smooth sailing for Jennifer Garner and her beau, who was pictured enjoying their first public date night on Friday since their romance news broke.

The 46-year-old and her man reportedly attended a performance of the musical Dear Evan Hansen at Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles and arrived via limo.

Love is in the air! Jennifer Garner enjoyed a romantic date night with new burger CEO beau John Miller on Friday night at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles to watch the musical Dear Evan Hansen

They arrived just before 8 p.m. in a limo, with Garner exiting first and Miller a few minutes afterwards.

The burger CEO looked over adoringly at his new love while they sat in the back seat of the vehicle.

Jennifer was dressed casually in a pair of skinny jeans, a white blouse and a double breasted grey blazer.

Date night! Jennifer was casual and makeup free for her night out with the burger CEO

New romance: The 46-year-old and her man reportedly attended a performance of the musical Dear Evan Hansen at Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles

Leading man: Miller has been dating the actress for a short while and Friday marked their first public date

Her brunette locks were down and air dried and the actress opted for her eyeglasses and a makeup free look.

Meanwhile, her date looked proper in a white Oxford shirt under a grey pull over sweater.

The new couple appeared happy as they smiled while sitting next to each other in the limo.

Going strong: Radar recently reported that the Camping beauty had been dating burger CEO John Miller for longer than the past six months

And whilst Jennifer is quite active on social media, she's 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.

'Garner and Miller both have separate families that they are focused on,' reported People last week.

Family: Jennifer shares children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six, with ex-husband Ben Affleck

'They see each other when they can. It's not serious, but she enjoys his company. She seems very excited about the future.'

Jennifer's 2015 divorce from ex Ben Affleck was reportedly finalized 'without a lawyer' on Thursday.

The active co-parenting duo used an attorney Laura Wasser to mediate the divorce, according to TMZ.

Jennifer shares children Violet, 12, Seraphina, nine, and Samuel, six, with Ben.Kate Upton welcomed her first baby with husband Justin Verlander this week.

On Saturday the 26-year-old Vogue model made the announcement on Instagram.

'Genevieve Upton Verlander,' she said in the caption as she shared a photo of the little girl.

New addition: Kate Upton welcomed her first baby with husband Justin Verlander this week. On Saturday the Vogue model made the announcement on Instagram

Proud daddy: Justin shared this image and said 'You stole my heart'

The lingerie model announced she was pregnant with an Instagram note in July.

She was last seen on Sunday in Houston, Texas with her husband.

The Michigan-born model and Houston Astros pitcher, 35, looked more in love than ever, marking their one-year wedding anniversary on the same day.

Oh baby! Here the blonde held her bump at the Copper Fit And Kate Upton Launch Event In NYC in Septembe

It was only one year ago that Kate and Justin were wed in a magical ceremony in Tuscany.

Celebrating their anniversary on Instagram, Upton shared a striking black and white image of the happy couple dancing at their lavish reception.

Her gushing caption read: 'This year has been the best year of my life! It had a crazy beginning with a World Series win and the BEST wedding weekend, where I got to marry my best friend and love of my life.

'Now to celebrate our love and our first year of marriage we are preparing to welcome a new addition to our family. Im so excited to go through this journey of life with you! I love you so much! Happy One Year @justinverlander.'He was recently the guest of honour at a charity function in the Big Apple earlier this week.

And Pierce Brosnan showed that he's quite the doting son-in-law as he sweetly walked arm-in-arm with his wife Keely Shaye Smith's mother Sharon on Saturday.

The Mamma Mia! star, 65, cut a casual yet stylish figure for the outing as he wore a pair of washed blue denim jeans and and a navy blue coat.

Sweet: Pierce Brosnan showed that he's quite the doting son-in-law as he sweetly walked arm-in-arm with his wife Keely Shaye Smith's mother Sharon on Saturday

Dressing for the cool autumnal weather, he added a light blue scarf, dark beanie hat and suede desert boots.

Pierce appeared to have been taking some time off his busy schedule as he cradled several books in his arms.

Meanwhile, his mother-in-law, Sharon, looked very glamorous in a camel coloured cashmere belt coat with a dramatic soft pink fur collar.

She teamed the item of clothing with a pair of pearl earrings, black knee-high boots, a gold necklace and a brown crocodile patterned handbag.

We are family: The Mamma Mia! star, 65, cut a casual yet stylish figure for the outing as he wore a pair of washed blue denim jeans and and a navy blue coat

Quite the gentleman!: Pierce looked every inch the doting son-in-law as he walked arm-in-arm with his wife Keely's (pictured) mother Sharon in New York City

Pierce looked every inch the doting son-in-law as he walked arm-in-arm with Sharon in New York City.

Only recently, Keely took to her Instagram to wish her glamorous mother a happy birthday.

She shared a picture of Sharon in a fuchsia pink top, sunglasses, tortoise shell sunglasses and pearl earrings as she posed in front of a celebratory dessert.

Keely sweetly captioned the snap with: 'Happy Birthday Mom! I love you to the moon and back.'

Glamorous: Only recently, Keely took to her Instagram to wish her glamorous mother a happy birthday

Pierce and his wife of almost 17 years recently celebrated their 25th anniversary together, they have two sons together - Dylan, 21, and Paris, 17.

Malibu-based Pierce and Keely have been inseparable since meeting on a Mexican beach back in 1994, exchanging vows seven years later in Pierce's native Ireland in 2001.

Pierce frequently shares gushing, retro snaps of the pair with his captive, combined 1.8M social media following.

The actor tragically lost both his first wife Cassandra Harris and daughter Charlotte to ovarian cancer. He also has sons Chris, 45, and Sean, 34, with his late wife.Katie Price splashed out on a pink Barbie-style wrap for her Suzuki jeep earlier this week, but it's been revealed the car does not have tax or an up to date MoT.

According to publicly available records the MoT on the jeep ran out on October 11, and the tax expired on November 1, although it's believed the car is currently off the road and not being driven by Katie, who is not insured on the motor.

Despite being unable to legally drive the car, The Sun reported earlier this week that Katie decided to give her ride an expensive makeover.

Off the road? Katie Price splashed out on a pink Barbie-style wrap for her Suzuki jeep earlier this week, but it's been revealed the car does not have tax or an up to date MoT

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.

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: Despite being unable to legally drive the car, The Sun reported earlier this week that Katie decided to give her ride an expensive makeover

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 this month 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.

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.They tied the knot in 2010 and have two children together.

And Emily Blunt looked as smitten as ever with John Krasinski as they attended the 2018 Producers Guild of America's Produced By: New York conference at the One Time Warner Center.

The Devil Wears Prada actress, 35, who was promoting her new film Mary Poppins Returns at the event, looked loved-up as she cosied up to actor John, 39.

Cute couple: Emily Blunt looked as smitten as ever with John Krasinski as they attended the 2018 Producers Guild of America's Produced By: New York conference at the One Time Warner Center

Emily looked typically chic on the night, donning an embellished crochet vest over a simple white shirt teamed with tartan trousers.

Styling her golden tresses in tousled waves, the A Quiet Place actress framed her striking features with minimal make-up.

John, meanwhile, kept things casual in a simple blue sweater with jeans as he supported his wife at the event.

The beauty's sighting comes after she teased that there would be more Mary Poppins movies are in the pipeline.

Looking good: Emily looked typically chic on the night, donning an embellished crochet vest over a simple white shirt teamed with tartan trousers

Taking centre-stage: She was joined by producer Rob Marshall as they promoted their new film Mary Poppins Returns

Chatting to American Vogue, Emily - who takes over the role of the iconic nanny from Dame Julie Andrews 54 years after the first movie - has said there 'are more stories to tell' and that she'd be more than open to another film.

'Oh, I would pay Rob [Marshall, director] to do it again with me,' she gushed to the publication for their December issue. 'Yeah, I would. Definitely. More stories left to tell.'

Also in conversation with the magazine, director Marshall said: 'I do know that theres a lot of material there and its very rich with all kinds of adventures and ideas. Its certainly ripe for the picking.'

Mary Poppins originates from a series of books by P L Travers, whom Emma Thompson portrayed in the 2013 film Saving Mr Banks, about the author's concerns about selling the movie rights of the stories to Disney.

Onward and upward: The beauty's sighting comes after she teased to American Vogue that more Mary Poppins movies are in the pipeline

There were eight books in the series, published between 1934 and 1988. Marry Poppins the movie - released in 1964 - was based on books 1-4, while the forthcoming Mary Poppins Returns is said to be an amalgamation of books 2-8, expanding the story beyond Travers' original stories.

Of the role of Mary herself, Blunt, 35, added: 'Shes a superhero. You could say shes some sort of angel. She recognizes what people need, and she gives it to them. Yet they discover something about themselves in the process.

'I dont think she concerns herself with what she is. Theres nobody else like her - which she quite likes.'

The actress - known for roles in the likes of The Devil Wears Prada, The Young Victoria and A Quiet Place - was shot for Vogue by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.MTV announced the return of The Hills back in August.

And it seems filming for the upcoming New Beginnings series is well underway, as Audrina Patridge, Stephanie Pratt and newcomer Mischa Barton embarked on a getaway trip to Las Vegas on Friday.

Stephanie was one of the first cast members who took to her official Instagram account, as she gave fans a little teaser of what they could expect.

Surprise! Stephanie Pratt seemed surprised when she woke up in Las Vegas on Friday

'when @justinbobbybrescia wakes you up & says we are in VEGAS!!' the 32-year-old had captioned an Instagram Story post while seemingly wearing a sleep mask.

Stephanie's expression gave off the thought that she wasn't aware of the whereabouts regarding their road adventure.

But it seemed as if the sister of Spencer Pratt was rather delighted afterward, having posted yet another Instagram Story during the late hours of the night.

Arrived: Co-star Audrina Patridge was tagged in Mischa Barton's story while in Vegas, strongly hinting that the cast is filming scenes for the forthcoming series

This time, the fashion designer flaunted her long legs next to what appeared to be a bar.

32-year-old Barton continued the parade, taking to her own Story to share further details on what the cast was up to while in Vegas.

Apparently, lots of partying.

Mischa started off by showing a glimpse of Las Vegas upon having made her evening arrival.

That's different: Mischa had posted a video of Audrina working up a sweat in her party attire while seemingly trying for a workout on an elliptical

She followed up with a video of Audrina working up a sweat in her party attire while seemingly trying for a workout on an elliptical.

While performing the fitness exercise, Audrina struggles to keep up as her skimpy dress begins to show more than it's supposed to.

The 32-year-old awkwardly tries to readjust her attire before the Story cuts off.

'We are having fun #Vegas!' Mischa captioned another video while making several facial expressions with Audrina as they try to find their best angle in the hilarious clip.

Having a blast: It wasn't hard to see that Mischa and Audrina were having lots of fun in Vegas

Enjoyment: 'We are having fun #Vegas!' Mischa captioned another video while making several facial expressions with Audrina as they try to find their best angle in the hilarious clip

Mischa's final Instagram post for the night showed the three ladies appearing to have a wonderful time as they posed for a selfie with Frankie Delgado.

The Mexican-American TV personality, who starred in the show's original run from 2007 until 2010, appeared to have confirmed his own return with the photo.

Meanwhile, since the announcement in August, MTV has remained rather quiet regarding details concerning the return of The Hills.

Frosty feelings: Lo Bosworth was supposedly in talks but turned the opportunity down while Heidi and Spencer Pratt are believed to have signed on

While it's not been confirmed just yet, Heidi and Spencer are also expected to make their anticipated return while the likes of Lo Bosworth has since ruled out a possible return.

The socialite revealed in February that executives had approached her with an offer, but there was absolutely no way that Lo was going to accept under any circumstances.

'I was like, 'Fk, no! I don't want any association with those people,' Us Weekly quotes the Laguna Beach native saying.

Out: Lauren Conrad and Kristin Cavallari won't return for the New Beginnings series

Kristin Cavallari and Lauren Conrad also won't be back, stressing that both ladies are too busy with other business ventures.

'I want to check it out. I'm kind of sad I can't be part of it because I have my show,' the blonde beauty revealed at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in September.

Given that she stars in her own show titled Very Cavallari, which his taped in Nashville, Tennessee, on the E! network, she would evidently be breaching her contract.

'Heidi [Montag] and I have joked about swapping an episode so we'll see,' she joked.

'I'd love to be part of it in some little way if I can.'They're presenting together for the first time on one of ITV's flagship programmes.

And Holly Willoughby and Declan Donnelly certainly didn't look nervous about their debut on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here as they shared a laughter-filled get together at their hotel on Sunday - a week before the 2018 series kicks off.

The TV stars looked relaxed as they enjoyed the Gold Coast sunshine with friends and Dec's wife Ali Astall.

Ready for action! Holly Willoughby and Declan Donnelly certainly didn't look nervous about their debut on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here as they shared a laughter-filled get together at their hotel on Sunday

Holly dressed down in a blue t-shirt as she basked in the Australian sunshine at the plush hotel.

Dec and his new co-host both sported shades as they sat chatting around a table with their friends and Ali.

The new presenting duo both touched down in Australia this week, with a week to prepare for the start of the new series on November 18.

Casual cool: Holly dressed down in a blue t-shirt as she basked in the Australian sunshine at the plush hotel

Laughs: The TV stars looked relaxed as they enjoyed the Gold Coast sunshine with friends and Dec's wife Ali Astall (right)

Keeping it cool: Dec and his new co-host both sported shades as they sat chatting around a table with their friends and Ali

Dec and Ali have been pictured out and about in their new base, heading to a clocal supermarket on Friday.

The couple welcomed their first child together in September, with proud dad Dec gushing that he is 'head over heels' with his little girl on her arrival.

While Dec has his family for company while out in Australia, he is missing close pal Ant McPartlin.

Dec without Ant: While Dec has his family for company while out in Australia, he is missing close pal Ant McPartlin - who is taking time off from work

Big change: It will be the first time the embattled star hasn't presented I'm A Celebrity in 16 years

Ant will not present I'm A Celebrity's new series with Dec, as he has decided to take an extended break from TV to continue his recovery, following a drink drive incident and rehab treatment for a painkiller addiction.

It will be the first time the embattled star hasn't presented I'm A Celebrity in 16 years.

Holly's addition to I'm A Celebrity was confirmed in August and she will be joined in Australia by her husband Dan Baldwin and their three children; Harry, nine, Belle, seven, and Chester, four.

New parents: Dec and his wife welcomed their first child together in September, with proud dad Dec gushing that he is 'head over heels' with his little girl on her arrival

New face: Holly's addition to I'm A Celebrity was confirmed in August and she will be joined in Australia by her husband Dan Baldwin and their three children; Harry, Belle, and Chester

So soon! I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here will return to our TV screens next week

'Keeping it warm for him': Holly says she has no desire to break up the iconic Ant and Dec duo

In an interview with You magazine this weekend, the star of ITV's This Morning reveals she was given the blessing of her friend Ant McPartlin, Donnelly's long-time sidekick, to take his place in Australia. 'Yes, we've spoken and he's happy  he was part of the decision that I'd do it,' reveals Holly.

'He just needs to look after himself  that's the most important thing.'

She has no desire to break up the Ant and Dec award-winning partnership, saying: 'He knows I'll look after the show and keep it warm for him.'She's the comedic model and TV presenter known for sharing adorable photos of her family for her 21 million followers.

And Chrissy Teigen surpassed all expectations when she took to Instagram on Saturday to post a photo of her five-month-old son Miles Theodore Stephens sitting in between an array of teddy bears.

The cute tot was dressed in brown, camouflaging with the stuffed animals.

Too adorable to handle! Chrissy Teigen took to social media on Saturday to post adorable photos of son Miles, five-months, snuggling up to his dad John Legend and a selection of bears

'BEARS!!!' she captioned the photo.

Miles was dressed in a brown two-piece set and appeared to be a happy little baby.

And the cuteness didn't stop there, with mom-of-two Chrissy also posting a shot of Miles with dotting dad John Legend.

Just like twins! And it wasn't long before fans quickly recognized the immense similarities between the father and son duo

'All the bears,' she captioned with John sitting between the animals.

And it wasn't long before fans quickly recognized the immense similarities between the father and son duo.

'They look so alike,' wrote one with many others commenting: 'twins'.

Family: Chrissy and John, 39, met on the 2007 set of his Stereo music video and are now parents to Luna Simone, two, and Miles Theodore, five-months

Working girl: The Lip Sync Battle host headed to Nordstrom at The Grove on Saturday to promote her new beauty collaboration with Becca Cosmetics

Gorgeous: She completed her glam look with bronzed cheekbones and a bold red lip

After just touching down in Los Angeles following a whirlwind trip to New York, it was back to work for Chrissy Teigen on Saturday.

The Lip Sync Battle host headed to Nordstrom at The Grove to promote her new beauty collaboration with Becca Cosmetics.

Chrissy looked incredibly elegant in a white power suit that was cinched in at the waist.

Gorgeous mama: Chrissy looked incredibly elegant in a white power suit that was cinched in at the waist

First-born: John and Chrissy welcomed daughter Luna on April 14, 2016

She completed her glam look with bronzed cheekbones and a bold red lip.

Chrissy and John, 39, met on the 2007 set of his Stereo music video; they dated for four years and got engaged in December 2011.

The lovebirds tied the knot on September 14, 2013 in Como, Italy.

They welcomed daughter Luna on April 14, 2016 and their son Miles on May 16, 2018.They have been an item for over a year now.

And Hollywood heartthrob Scott Disick, 35, was glimpsed in Beverly Hills on Friday with his drastically younger girlfriend Sofia Richie, 20.

The daughter of Lionel Richie teamed a simple off-white crop top with flowing black trousers, clasping on a glinting necklace and carrying a colorful purse.

Stepping out: Hollywood heartthrob Scott Disick, 35, was glimpsed in Beverly Hills on Friday with his drastically younger girlfriend Sofia Richie, 20

Scott shares three children - Mason, eight, Penelope, six, and Reign, three - with Kourtney Kardashian, whose home narrowly evaded the current California fires.

She fired up her Insta Stories on Saturday morning and wrote that 'the fire was coming up the hill towards my house and it just stopped on its own.'

Kourtney had earlier fled her home in Calabasas in order to shelter at the home of her 23-year-old half-sister Kendall Jenner.

On the move: The daughter of Lionel Richie teamed a simple off-white crop top with flowing black trousers, clasping on a glinting necklace and carrying a colorful purse

Kendall's father Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce, was evacuated from her Malibu mansion, which barely escaped the blaze.

Kourtney's younger sister Kim Kardashian and Kim's husband Kanye West, with whom she has three children, have been evacuated from their Calabasas residence as well.

So has their sister Khloe Kardashian, who dashed over to her younger brother Rob Kardashian's house with her infant daughter True.

Backdrop: Scott shares three children - Mason, eight, Penelope, six, and Reign, three - with Kourtney Kardashian, whose home narrowly evaded the current California fires

'I just left with the clothes on my back but I think I packed Trues entire bedroom and closet into my car,' Khloe tweeted, noting: 'obviously shes all that matters to me.'

Kendall's 21-year-old sister Kylie, who is on tour with her baby-daddy Travis Scott back east, wrote on her Insta Stories Friday that the 'Fire is so close to my house.'

Kourtney and Scott, who were introduced in 2006 by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis in Mexico, last ended their romantic relationship in July of 2015.Holly Willoughby looked fresh-faced and raring to go on Sunday, as she finally landed in Australia for her presenting role on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The 37-year-old cut a casual chic figure in a black slim-fit T-shirt and jeans, as she strolled through Sydney airport, ahead of her stint filling in for Ant McPartlin on the survival reality series.

Holly teamed the look with white trainers, a black Prada shoulder bag and tinted sunglasses.

The eagle has landed: Holly Willoughby looked fresh-faced and raring to go on Sunday, as she finally landed in Australia for her presenting role on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

Styling her blonde locks in gentle waves, the mother-of-three sported minimal make-up, looking wide-awake despite the long-haul flight.

The This Morning and Celebrity Juice star will join her new co-host Declan Donnelly, while his partner Ant continues his recovery from a painkiller addiction, drink-driving offence and a marital breakdown.

Filming will soon get underway ahead of the show's premiere scheduled for November 18, airing, as usual, on ITV.

Holly's television producer husband Daniel Baldwin, 43, and their three children have also relocated to Australia for the duration of filming.

Incoming: The British television presenter and model wheeled a trolley of suitcases through the airport terminal

Effortless style: The 37-year-old cut a casual chic figure in a black slim-fit T-shirt and jeans, as she strolled through Sydney airport, ahead of her stint filling in for Ant McPartlin on the survival reality series

Designer taste: The mother-of-three slung a black leather Prada handbag over one shoulder

Comfort: Holly teamed the look with white trainers

Stint Down Under: Styling her blonde locks in gentle waves, the mother-of-three sported minimal make-up, looking fresh-faced despite the long-haul flight

Family: The blonde beauty's family, including husband Daniel Baldwin and their three children, have also relocated Down Under

Countdown: The next season of I'm A Celebrity will air on November 18

The couple, who wed in 2007, share sons Harry, nine, and Chester, four, and daughter Belle, seven.

In an interview with Hello! magazine recently, Holly said that her brood will not be treating the trip Down Under as a holiday.

'The children will have a tutor out there, they've got loads to do. I've spoken to their teachers. The kids are like, "What do you mean we're not going on holiday?",' she explained.

'I've had to be really clear with them, they can play for a couple of hours but none of us are on holiday? We're all doing work,' Holly added.

Interview: In an interview with UK's Hello! magazine just recently, Holly said that her brood will not be treating the trip Down Under as a holiday

Holly added: 'I've had to be really clear with them, they can play for a couple of hours but none of us are on holiday? We're all doing work'Rachael Gouvignon failed to find love on both the 2016 season of The Bachelor and its 2018 spin-off, Bachelor In Paradise.

But it appears it might be third time lucky for the brunette beauty who was seen touching down in Fiji last Monday.

It's believed the 32-year-old has signed on to star in the new season of Bachelor In Paradise, which began filming on the island nation earlier this month.

Third time lucky! It seems Rachael Gouvignon is looking to find love on reality TV AGAIN as she was spotted arriving in Fiji last Monday ahead of filming for the new season of Bachelor In Paradise

Remember me? Rachael - who can certainly now classify herself as a Bachelor franchise veteran - had previously been on TV looking for live twice before

Rachael - who can certainly now classify herself as a Bachelor franchise veteran - looked to be in high spirits after her long-haul flight.

The Perth-based starlet flashed a smile, but tried to go incognito in dark sunglasses and a chimney sweep cap.

It seems the stunner is staying in Fiji for quite some time, as she pushed a trolley laden down with large suitcases.

Trying to go incognito? Rachael kept her head down and wore dark sunglasses and a chimney sweep cap

Staying long? It seems the stunner is staying in Fiji for quite some time, seen pushing a trolley laden down with large suitcases

It's believed Bachelor In Paradise began filming on November 4 - just one day before Rachael jetted into Fiji.

That date was named by former Bachelor contestant Tiffany Scanlon, who claims she was 'cruelly' dropped as a cast member on the show.

And while Tiffany may have been dropped, Cassandra Wood and Brooke Blurton have both been confirmed as stars.

What a coincidence! It's believed Bachelor In Paradise began filming in Fiji on November 4, with Rachael seen arriving the following day

The beauties both competed on the most recent season of The Bachelor, and Channel Ten revealed their casting in an October 31 Instagram post.

Meanwhile, it's thought Cass and Brooke's co-star Dasha Gaivoronski has also signed on, with the Russian beauty seen jetting out of Sydney International Airport late last week.

No male contestants have yet been named, although NW recently reported that Sam Cochrane could be among the suitors starring on the series.

Get ready boys! Blonde beauty Cassandra Wood is officially starring on Bachelor In ParadiseShe walked in her first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this week.

And 19-year-old Sabah Koj was nothing short of over the moon after she made her long-awaited debut for the lingerie giant.

The South Sudanese-Australian took to Instagram to express her excitement on Saturday.

'Proud to represent South Sudan and Australia': Model Sabah Koj, 19, took to Instagram to gush about her first appearance in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this Saturday

'Words can't even describe how happy I am to have done my first ever @VictoriasSecret fashion show! I am beyond excited and over the moon right now! Dreams honestly and really do come true,' she wrote on Instagram.

She described the evening as 'spectacular' and 'emotional'.

Sabah, who moved to Australia at the age of eight after fleeing war-torn South Sudan, thanked several people including her friends and model managements.

Walk of a lifetime: The South Sudanese-Australian took to Instagram to express her excitement following the show

However, she said she was happiest representing her two countries.

'I am more then proud to say I am representing South Sudan and Australia,' she wrote.

On Thursday, the young model turned heads in a white cotton crop top and underwear.

'Downtown Angel': Beaming as she hit the end of the runway, she then did a dance called 'shoki shoki'

As she hit the end of the runway, she then did a dance called 'shoki shoki'.

Taking to Instagram she wrote:' Downtown Angel. Had to Shoki Shoki for my Africans one time!'

The Melbourne-based model has walked in shows for labels such as Giorgio Armani.She's the Melbourne-model of Sudanese descent who made her Victoria's Secret debut this week.

And in a candid Instagram post on Saturday, Duckie Thot revealed how a car accident just 48 hours prior to the show, put things into perspective.

The 23-year-old told her followers that no matter how hard you have worked or how deserving you feel, 'it can easily be taken away'.

'No matter how hard you've worked, it can easily be taken away': Duckie Thot, 23, reflected on a car accident just 48 hours ahead of her Victoria's Secret debut, in an Instagram post on Saturday

Alongside a photo of Duckie on the runway at the Victoria's Secret show in New York, Duckie began: 'I had to take some time for myself to process the week. 48 hours before the VS fashion show, I got into a car accident on my way to a workout session.

'Thankfully, I walked away without a scratch. The incident put a few things into perspective for me; no matter how hard you've worked for something or how deserving you may feel, it can easily be taken away,' the former Australia's Next Top Model star continued.

Duckie went on to say that she's always dreamed of taking to the Victoria's Secret runway, and encourages others to do whatever they can to follow their dreams.

The Melbourne-born model told her followers: 'Thankfully, I walked away without a scratch. The incident put a few things into perspective for me; no matter how hard you've worked for something or how deserving you may feel, it can easily be taken away'

'I challenge all of my followers to pursue your dreams, no matter how big they may seem. If you don't try to use your gift to share it with others, it'll terrify you,' the newly-appointed L'Oreal Paris ambassador said.

Duckie, who is also a face of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line, stunned on the Victoria's Secret runway in a floral abstract push-up bra, teamed with coordinating high-waisted leggings.

The beauty added a glitzy zip-up jacket with bold purple and black panels, strappy heels and statement drop earrings.

Her time to shine: Duckie, who is also a face of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line, made her Victoria's Secret debut in New York last week

Bold: The former Australia's Next Top Model star stunned on the runway in a floral abstract push-up bra, teamed with coordinating high-waisted leggings

Raised in Melbourne as the daughter of South Sudanese refugees, Duckie competed in the 2013 season of Australia's Next Top Model where she finished in third place.

She later signed with New York Model Management but it was a chance run-in with rapper Kanye West in 2016 that helped propel her career to new heights.

'I left a casting in New York and Kim, from Kanye's team, ran out after me,' she previously told UK Vogue.

''You have to come upstairs! Kanye will love your look!' she cried. I didn't even know Kanye was in the same building! I followed her to see what was up and ended up shooting a magazine cover that day.'

Duckie then booked the Yeezy spring/summer 2017 show, which was her first runway gig.He shocked fans when he made the leap from reality star to Federal Reserve System Law Enforcement Officer.

Yet Jack Osbourne used his skills to help others as he assisted the Malibu Police Department on Sunday afternoon in wake of the recent California wildfires.

The TV personality, 33, looked sharp in his uniform as he sported a black polo shirt, which displayed his heavily-tatted arms.

Rescue: Jack Osbourne stepped out as an officer for Malibu's Police Department on Sunday afternoon to help with the recent California wildfires

Continuing his casual display, the youngest child of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon donned a pair of khaki green cargo pants, sturdy black boots and his M.P.D badge.

At least nine people have died and 35 are missing from the Northern Californian wildfire earlier this week, while in Southern California thousands of homes are under threat and all of Malibu has been evacuated as two other fires bear down.

The Camp Fire in Northern California is now the most destructive in state history, after wiping out the town of Paradise. Authorities suspect it may have been started by a malfunction in power lines.

More than 300,000 people from across the state have been forced to flee their homes, as the fast moving flames from the three fires that all started on Thursday have raced to cover more than 200 square miles.

Casual display: The TV personality, 33, looked sharp in his uniform as he sported a black polo shirt, which displayed his heavily-tatted arms

Helping out: The reality star rose to fame as the youngest child of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, but has now forged a career in the police force

One Direction star Liam Payne, 25, recently told fans he fears he will lose his $10 million home in the wildfires.

The Kardashians, Lady Gaga and Caitlyn Jenner have been forced to evacuate their homes after they burnt down in the blazing inferno.

Reflecting on the situation on his Twitter account on Saturday, Liam also lamented he will lose happy memories from the house, which is where he first set up home with now ex girlfriend Cheryl.

Horror: Liam Payne voiced fears he will lose his $10 million LA pad and his 'memories' with ex Cheryl in California wildfires... as fellow Brit Orlando Bloom shared blazing inferno snap

Liam shared with his 32,400,000 followers on Twitter: 'My heart goes out to everyone caught in the fires please stay safe and dont take unnecessary risks.

'I think Im about to lose my house and its memories. Even worse tragically people have died thoughts and prayers with everyone. Its been a tough day, lets hope it gets better.'

The Bedroom Floor hitmaker had been renting out his plush five-bedroom property for 46,000 ($60,000) a month.

'I will lose my house and its memories': Reflecting on the situation, Liam also lamented he will lose happy memories of living with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl if his house burns in the flames

Destruction: British star Orlando Bloom also revealed how close the devastating fires have got to his property as he shared a snap of the huge fire burning on the street where his home is

Liam, who has owned his home since late 2015, had a change of heart about selling his home after initially listing the pad for 9.8 million ($13.9million) in February.

The dad-of-one once lived at the 4.69-acre secluded Californian mansion with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl when she was pregnant with their son Bear.

British star Orlando Bloom also mused on the consequences of the devastating fires as he shared a snap of the huge fire burning on the street where his home is.

Blast from the past! The dad-of-one once lived at the 4.69-acre secluded Californian mansion with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl when she was pregnant with their son Bear (November 2016)

He wrote: 'This is my street as of two hours ago praying for the safety of all my malibu fam, grateful to our brave firefighters please stay safe.' (sic)

American actor Will Smith also expressed his fears about the wildfire approaching his family home in Malibu.

The infamous Bachelor Mansion and the set of West World have been consumed in the destructive flames of the wildfire.

Pictured: Liam, who has owned his home since late 2015, had a change of heart about selling his home after initially listing the pad for 9.8 million ($13.9million) in FebruaryShe's the A-list actress who is an ambassador for McHappy Day next Saturday.

And Naomi Watts was all smiles as she jetted into Sydney on Sunday.

The 50-year-old cut a casual chic figure in a red floral jumpsuit and tan boots.

High-flying style: Naomi Watts, 50, cut a casual chic figure in a floral jumpsuit and boots, as she jetted into Sydney on Sunday, ahead of supporting McHappy Day next Saturday

Naomi teamed the look with a tailored black blazer, a khaki fedora, delicate gold necklaces and aviator sunglasses.

Carrying a blue leather handbag on one arm, the Mulholland Drive star wheeled a blue Away suitcase and weekender bag out of the airport terminal.

Looking fresh-faced after the flight from Bangkok, Naomi added a slick of red lipstick.

The mother-of-two landed in Sydney ahead of McHappy Day next Saturday.

Beautiful: The actress sported a red floral jumpsuit, tan ankle boots and a tailored black blazer, and was seen wheeling a blue Away suitcase

Naomi is this year's national ambassador and will be supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities on their biggest day of the year, raising funds for sick children and their families.

The activist, who shares two children, sons Alexander 'Sasha' Pete and Samuel Kai with ex Liev Schreiber, spoke about the challenges of motherhood with E! News in March last year.

'The struggle to do your best and multitasking and all of those things, I think every single mother even if you've given up your work, you're just plagued by guilt from day one. You're always comparing yourself to other mothers,' she said.

Naomi added that she does her best, but in hindsight wishes she had done some things better.

'There are days when I feel I've just got it right down and then there are days in which you go, 'I wish I handled that better',' she admitted.She's set to wed Karl Stefanovic on December 8 in Mexico.

But Jasmine Yarbrough's 92-year-old grandmother can't endure the flight all the way to San Jose del Cabo for the big day.

So instead, her parents Cheryl and Bobby hosted a high tea this weekend so that her beloved nan Isabel could be included, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Bridal party for nan! Jasmine Yarbrough's parents host high tea ahead of her wedding to Karl Stefanovic to include the designer's 92-year-old grandmother Isabel who's unable to fly to Mexico for the big day. Pictured: Jasmine Yarbrough (left), nan Isabel (left) at Isabel's 92nd birthday celebrations in April

'It was really important to Jasmine and Karl that her Nan be a part of the wedding,' a source reportedly told the publication.

'The long flight to Mexico was going to be just too much for her so this was the best option,' they're said to have added.

Also in attendance at the low-key get-together was Karl's older sister, makeup artist Elisa Stefanovic, and his brother Peter Stefanovic's wife, Sylvia Jeffreys.

Treat: 'The long flight to Mexico was going to be just too much for her so this was the best option,' a source said. Pictured: Jade Yarbrough (left), nan Isabel (centre) and Jasmine (right) at Isabel's 92nd birthday celebrations in April

Nan Isabel was presented with a special white, frosted cake decorated with a bouquet of pale pink roses.

Jasmine and her family and friends then indulged in cake and champagne as they enjoyed the relaxed soiree at her parent's home.

The high tea comes after Jasmine enjoyed a 'boisterous' hen party with her girlfriends at Crown Towers, the Sydney Morning Herald reported last week.

Inclusive: Jasmine's parents, Cheryl and Bobby (pictured) hosted a high tea this weekend so that her beloved nan, Isabel, could be included, The Daily Telegraph reports

Accompanied by chicken heiress Tamie Ingham and a group of female friends, the 33-year-old and her posse stayed at the Crown's $11,500-a-night presidential suite, according to the paper.

The Crown's website explains that the presidential package includes a 24 hour butler service.

It also features its own entrance via private elevator access, and a bottle of complimentary champagne is on offer.

Ready to wed! Karl Stefanovic (left) and partner Jasmine are expected to get married in Mexico on December 8

It comes at a busy time for Karl and Jasmine, who are expected to get married in Mexico on December 8.

They will tie the knot in a picturesque chapel at the One&Only Palmilla Resort, in the seaside town of San Jose del Cabo.

According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, Karl's children from his first marriage to Cassandra Thorburn, Jackson, 19, Ava, 13 and River, 13, will travel to Mexico with Karl and Jasmine.

Nice digs! The high tea comes after Jasmine enjoyed a 'boisterous' hen party with her girlfriends at Crown Towers, the Sydney Morning Herald reported last week. She stayed at the Crown's $11,500-a-night presidential suite (pictured)

Fancy! The Crown's website explains that the presidential suite (pictured) includes a 24 hour butler service and has its own entrance via private elevator access

Karl and his shoe designer partner will tie the knot in a picturesque chapel at the One&Only Palmilla Resort, where they'll also be staying.

The wedding will be a three-day affair, with the soon-to-be newlyweds sparing no expense.

They've booked two villas, one at US$8500 (approximately AU$11600) per night, and another for US$11000 (approximately $AU15000) per night.Elizabeth Debicki may be famous, but she doesn't live like a typical celebrity.

She appreciates her privacy, doesn't use social media, and has even said in the past that fame does not 'suit' her.

But the 28-year-old admits that like many of those in her profession, there are times she does need some affirmation.

'You'd be lying if you said you didn't want people to love you, affirm you': Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki discusses how she deals with acclaim as it's revealed she will be the GQ Magazine Woman of the Year

Speaking to GQ Australia, the actress says: 'You'd be lying if you said you didn't want people to love you, affirm you, respect you, whatever you do.'

Although she's said in the past that she does not deal well with acclaim, Elizabeth does like to hear she's done a good job at the end of a long day of shooting.

'If you finish the scene, they check the gate, and your director says, 'That was good work. I'll see you tomorrow'. That's all you really need,' she told the magazine.

The confession comes as Elizabeth gears up to be crowned GQ Woman Of The Year at the magazine's annual Men of The Year awards on November 14.

A little encouragement: Although she's said in the past that she does not deal well with acclaim, Elizabeth does like to hear she's done a good job at the end of a long day of shooting

The young actress who hails from Melbourne, Australia, is staunchly protective of her privacy, telling Vogue Australia recently: 'I've always been a private person.'

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. actress added that she keeps her work and her life very much apart.

'I feel like the thing I want out in the world is my work and I've always believed, and it's the way I approach my work, that me and the work are separate,' she told the fashion magazine.

Quiet life: The 28 year-old insists that her privacy is paramount to her, telling Vogue Australia: 'I've always been a private person.' Pictured in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Elizabeth added: 'I think that people with social media can blur it so beautifully, and I respect that, but it's not really how I am and I just want the work to speak and people to receive it the way they will without anything influencing it.'

In the past, the Peter Rabbit star has revealed that she does not use social media.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, she said: 'I also don't have social media or anything like that, which was a choice.He has returned to Cornwall with his on-screen wife Eleanor Tomlinson to reprise his role as Captain Ross Poldark for the final time.

And Aidan Turner was seen getting to work on set for the fifth series of the show, as he got into character and confronted a female co-star on set at Penberth Cove in Cornwall on Thursday.

The actor, 35, was having a heated conversation with the actress while in character, and they put on a brave face as they continued to film even though they were blasted by strong winds.

Show must go on: Poldark's Aidan Turner put on a brave face as he was hit by strong winds on Thursday during an intense scene... before crew filmed wedding between Rosina and Sam

Aidan transformed into his beloved character as he donned his signature hat and brown full-length coat, which he teamed up with a black waistcoat, white shirt and black trousers.

The actress could be seen in a paisley skirt which she wore with a yellow cardigan, and she completed her look with a pair of brown boots.

As they filmed the scenes the actors were bombarded by strong gusts of wind which made their hair cover their faces as they powered through the scene.

Happy occasion: A festive scene was also on the shooting schedule, though, as a wedding for characters Rosina (Amelia Clarkson) and Sam Carne (Tom York) appeared to be taking place

In character: Aidan transformed into his beloved character as he donned his signature hat and brown full-length coat, and his long raven locks were blown into his face by the gusts of wind

A more festive scene was also on the shooting schedule, though, as a wedding for characters Rosina (Amelia Clarkson) and Sam Carne (Tom York) appeared to be taking place.

In series four, Demelza (Eleanor) took it upon herself to help Rosina by acting as a matchmaker, and introducing the young girl to her brother Sam.

Sam moved to Cornwall with his and Demelza's brother Drake, and the Methodist preacher seems so taken with Rosina that they're set to tie the knot.

Budding romance: In series four, Demelza (Eleanor) took it upon herself to help Rosina by acting as a matchmaker, and introducing the young girl to her brother Sam

Going strong: Both Aidan and his female co-star powered through the scenes despite the bad weather, and they appeared to be confronting each other

Romantic bliss: Sam moved to Cornwall with his and Demelza's brother Drake, and the Methodist preacher seems so taken with Rosina that they're set to tie the knot

Filming kicked off last month after Poldark bosses confirmed series five will be the BBC One show's final series.

Talking about the upcoming series writer Debbie Horsfield revealed it will be based between 1800 and 1810, which takes place in between Winston Graham's seventh novel, The Angry Tide and The Stranger from the Sea.

She said: 'In The Stranger from the Sea Winston Graham made many references to developments that happened in the 'gap' years. Much can also be inferred.

'There are, of course, also historical events and people of the time, both in Cornwall and in London.

'Series five will draw on all of these to follow the lives of the Poldarks, George Warleggan, the Enyses, and the Carnes in this intervening period.'

Mystery character: The actress could be seen in a paisley skirt which she wore with a yellow cardigan, and she completed her look with a pair of brown boots

Getting ready: The pair could be seen preparing for their scenes in between takes

End of an era: Filming kicked off last month after Poldark bosses confirmed series five will be the BBC One show's final series

Fans were understandably devastated by the finale of the fourth series of Poldark, when Ross was left shattered after his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed) died.

The fourth series of the hit BBC drama ended in tragedy when the popular character died shortly after the birth of her daughter Ursula with husband George.

Viewers saw a desperate Elizabeth take drugs to induce an early birth, in an attempt to persuade husband George (Jack Farthing) that her son Valentine, was his and not Ross's.

By trying to induce her second baby and have an early delivery, Elizabeth hoped her husband would be convinced her first child Valentine was also premature and end his suspicions for good.

The dangerous plan at first worked, and Elizabeth gave birth to a healthy baby daughter but soon after she was found collapsed and in pain and died holding George's hand.

Inspiration: Talking about the upcoming series writer Debbie Horsfield revealed it will be based between 1800 and 1810, which takes place in between Winston Graham's seventh novelShe's the A-list star who has two Academy Award nominations under her belt.

But as a young actress in Sydney, Naomi Watts struggled financially and took up residence the home of her then-agent, John Cann, rent-free.

On Sunday, the 50-year-old returned to the property to relive those happy memories of her salad days.

'Demons were slayed and dreams were made': Australian actress Naomi Watts returns to the home where she stayed rent-free during her years as a struggling young actress in Sydney

Taking to Instagram, the blonde performer shared a photo in which she is sitting on a bench outside the two-storey Sydney home.

She explained at length in the caption: 'This is the house that I used to live in, many years ago.

'My very first agent and dear, dear (late friend) John Cann gave me (and others in need) a room when I didn't have a bean.

'Demons were slayed and dreams were made. Ps. It didn't look anything like this when I lived there,' she concluded, adding 'I love Sydney'.

She explained at length in the caption: 'This is the house that I used to live in, many years ago. 'My very first agent and dear, dear (late friend) John Cann gave me (and others in need) a room when I didn't have a bean'

John Cann, who passed away in 2008, worked with a bevy of future Australian stars including Nicole Kidman, Simon Baker, Noah Taylor, Dominic Purcell and Bryan Brown, among many others, in their early days, and saw them all as family.

Naomi began her career as a model and actress in the 1980s, appearing in commercials until she landed a role in the 1986 film For Love Alone.

She continued to struggle finding work after a move to Los Angeles in the 1990s, which was encouraged by her good friend Nicole Kidman.

Early days: Naomi began her career as a model and actress in the 1980s, appearing in commercials until she landed a role in the 1986 film For Love Alone. Pictured: 1995

On her way: She continued to struggle finding work after a move to Los Angeles in the 1990s, which was encouraged by her good friend Nicole Kidman. Pictured in 1988.

The former Home and Away star's big break finally came in 2000, when legendary director David Lynch cast her in thriller Mulholland Drive.

The King Kong star went on to be nominated for two Oscars, in 2004, as Best Actress in drama 21 Grams, and again for Best Actress in 2013 for thriller The Impossible.

The blonde star, now based in New York, jetted into Sydney on Sunday ahead of attending an event as the ambassador for McHappy Day next Saturday.Quentin Tarantino has been branded a 'cretin' who makes 'trash' movies by the composer of The Hateful Eight Ennio Morricone.

The musician, 90, made the comments during an interview which appeared in Playboy Germany's December edition.

He slammed the director, 55, as he said: 'The man is a cretin. He only steals from others and puts stuff back together again. There's nothing original about that. That doesn't make him a director.'

Blasting him: Quentin Tarantino was branded a 'cretin' who makes 'trash' films by The Hateful Eight composer Ennio Morricone in an interview for Playboy Germany's December edition

'He is nothing compared with the Hollywood greats, such as John Huston, Alfred Hitchcock or Billy Wilder. They had class. Tarantino simply recooks old dishes.'

Ennio is an iconic composer, who has helped create the score for over 500 films including Cinema Paradiso, The Good The Bad And The Ugly and A Fistful Of Dollars.

The composer worked with Tarantino on his latest release The Hateful Eight, and described working with the Kill Bill director as being 'absolutely chaotic', because he does 'everything at the last minute.'

Critical: The composer slammed the director, 55, as he said: 'The man is a cretin. He only steals from others and puts stuff back together again'

Ennio explained: 'He calls up out of the blue and wants a complete score in just a few days. That's not possible.

'It makes me so mad. I'm not going to put up with this. And I told him so last time,' he added, seemingly in reference to when he worked on the 2015 Western.

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Quentin Tarantino for comment.

Unhappy: Ennio worked with Tarantino on his latest film The Hateful Eight (pictured), and said working with him as being 'absolutely chaotic', because he does 'everything at the last minute'

Tarantino is currently working on his new film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Al Pacino amongst others.

The story sees DiCaprio play Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, while Pitt plays Cliff Booth, his long-time stunt double.

The pair embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves once again in the film industry they no longer recognise in the Hollywood of 1969, the year of the Charles Manson murders.

Rick is next door neighbour to Sharon Tate (played by Margo Robbie), an actress who was murdered by the Manson family, and was eight and a half months pregnant with husband Roman Polanski's baby at the time.James Jordan was slammed by Danny John-Jules as the professional dancer said the contestant's mother 'looked miserable' while watching her son perform on Saturday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

Ballroom dancer James, 40, took to Twitter to comment on the BBC show, stating that the 58-year-old's elderly parent 'looked as miserable as him' during her time in the audience.

Clearly unimpressed by his remarks, the Red Dwarf actor responded: 'So you take the p*** out of an 82 YO woman with Alzheimers #BigMan' (sic).

Insult: James Jordan was slammed by Danny John-Jules as the professional dancer said the contestant's mother 'looked miserable' while watching her son perform on Saturday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing

Danny's wife Petula Langlais was also disappointed in the CBB star's comments as she wrote: 'Out of order! Attacking an elderly woman who has done nothing to you! You know nothing about our personal lives! That is below the belt!!! Love and light to you.'

TV personality James defended his tweet, which has since been deleted, as he said hours later: 'I just stated facts... said what everyone was thinking. Not attacking anyone.

'She did look miserable when the camera was on her, but Im sure she is a lovely lady. No malice intended. But everyone gets offended over everything nowadays', he added.

There are more than 850,000 dementia sufferers in the country, with Alzheimer's disease the most common form. Symptoms of the disease often include difficulties with thinking and memory loss. MailOnline has contacted James' representative for further comment.

Upset: Ballroom dancer James, 40, took to Twitter to comment on the BBC show, stating that the 58-year-old's elderly parent 'looked as miserable as him' during her time in the audience

Support: The actor's mother took to the audience at Elstree Studios to support her son

Meanwhile, Strictly viewers claimed Danny was 'undermarked' for his Samba routine with dance partner Amy Dowden on Saturday, amid 'bullying' claims on his part.

Taking to Twitter in their droves, one penned: '@DannyJohnJules very annoyed at @bbcstrictly. Perfect performance yet lowest scores. How does that even make sense, I loved your performance it was actually dancing instead of a bloody exercise video which was total rubbish.' (sic)

Another echoed: Okay I know Dannys had a lot of hate this week for the Amy rumours but I liked that Samba and thought it deserved a higher score #Strictly.'

A third tweeted: 'Some serious overmarking tonight in a not so subtle attempt to usher Danny off the show #Strictly', while another simply wrote: 'Danny was undermarked #Strictly'.

'Big man': Clearly unimpressed by his remarks, the Red Dwarf actor responded: 'So you take the p*** out of an 82 YO woman with Alzheimers #BigMan' (sic)

'Out of order': Danny's wife Petula Langlais was also disappointed in the CBB star's comments

But other viewers claimed Danny should be sent home after being in the bottom two last week: 'Danny really deserves to go tonight after 2 straight weeks bottom of the leaderboard. Itd be cruel for anyone else to get knocked out! #Strictly.'

'Danny John Jules should be in the dance off. Hes coming across a bit moody. Its hard to put my finger on it. Needs to be more like his character on Death in Paradise', another added.

He recently spoke on the 'bullying' reports as he insisted he's 'the victim of a vendetta' after Amy, 27, allegedly fled their training session on Wednesday and told producers that she didn't know if she could continue with the show.

During the episode over the weekend, the actor was told to 'chill out' by judge Craig Revel Horwood after he received mixed feedback for his routine to Feels Like Home.

'She did look miserable': TV personality James defended his criticism as he said hours later: 'I just stated facts... said what everyone was thinking. Not attacking anyone'

After his Samba routine, Danny received mixed feedback from the judging panel and received scores of six, seven, seven and seven from the judges, which gave him a total of 27 points.

Danny hit headlines earlier this week over claims he 'bullied' his dance partner during rehearsals on Wednesday, and has since said he is 'the victim of a vendetta' in an interview with The Sun.

'I'm a man who says what he means and means what he says, my conscience is clear over all of it. It seems to be turning into a vendetta. For some reason, some don't want me to be successful on Strictly', he added.

The Death in Paradise actor went on to like several supportive tweets from his fans who accused the judges of 'undermarking' him after he found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard, despite not making a single mistake.

Unimpressed: Meanwhile, Strictly viewers claimed Danny was 'undermarked' for his Samba routine with dance partner Amy Dowden on Saturday, amid 'bullying' claims on his part

'Undermarked': Fans of the show furiously took to Twitter to share their views, just weeks after the Paddington native received the first 10 of the series for his Jive routine

Hitting a bum note: After his Samba routine, Danny received mixed feedback from the judging panel and received scores of six, seven, seven and seven from the judges, which gave him a total of 27 points

The actor was hit with allegations that he left Welsh dancer Amy in tears after he 'repeatedly shouted and swore' their training session earlier this week.

'I'm a man who says what he means and means what he says, my conscience is clear over all of it. It seems to be turning into a vendetta. For some reason, some don't want me to be successful on Strictly', he told the publication.

But the duo set the record straight during an appearance on Friday's It Takes Two.

They were asked by host Gethin Jones: 'It has been a tough week of training for Danny and Amy. Been quite a lot of press about Strictly today and I know you guys would like to say a few words about it. How would you want to respond?'

To which Amy said: 'Yeah, it's our turn this time! Things did get a little intense the other day in rehearsals,' with Gethin adding: 'This was Wednesday?'

'Yeah, but do you know what we took a half an hour break and got straight to it,' the professional dancer continued.

'I've never felt threatened or bullied by Danny. I really want to get this man to Blackpool, and then to the final.'

Making light of the situation, Gethin joked: 'She has said the B (Blackpool) word! What about you Danny?'

With the actor adding: 'Well, all I can tell you is that the only reason I'm here, this far, is because of Amy and I would never bite the hand that feeds me.

'I'm more than happy; it's probably the best dancing we have done in the last couple of days since I have been on the show. And I'm just happy to go along, she is the boss, she wears the pants. Why would I argue with a Welsh woman!'

Reports: The actor was hit with allegations that he left Welsh dancer Amy in tears after he 'repeatedly shouted and swore' their training session earlier this week

After the pair denied the claims on TV on Friday, Danny liked a tweet accusing the Beeb of targeting him and creating a 'big stitch-up'.

The actor approved a tweet from a fan that read: 'This woman [Amy] has 100% denied there is any issue between her and Danny, they make a great pair on the dance floor!'

'In my opinion its a damn big stitch up by the powers that be! Just the BBC doing what they do best, bullying others!'

Danny also responded 'fake news' as he waded into a row between fans over the bullying claims.

'She said she never felt threatened by him. So how does that equate to bullying? Don't exaggerate things! Drama queen,' one fan told another as they discussed the claims.

He tweeted in response: '#FakeNews is in the mouth of the beholder' along with a face palming emoji.

'Intense': The pair dismissed the reports on Friday's It Takes Two, although they did admit that 'things did get a little intense' during rehearsals

Not impressed: Following the reports, Danny has since accused the BBC of 'bullying' him - after it was claimed he 'repeatedly shouted and swore' at Strictly partner Amy

It comes after his wife Petula Langlais accused Strictly Come Dancing of 'trying to destroy' her husband after claims emerged that he had been 'bullying' dance partner Amy Dowden.

Danny's protective wife also decided to clear up the claims as she took to her Twitter to furiously lash out at the hit BBC One dance show, accusing it of throwing her husband 'under the bus' and trying to 'destroy' him.

Petula, who has been with the actor for 17 years and has two children with him, tweeted: 'Wow @bbcstrictlyPR @bbcstrictly are really throwing #Dannyjohnjules under that bus!... I'm in shock... Why are you trying to destroy him???'

Claims: He was hit with allegations that he left Welsh dancer Amy in tears after he 'repeatedly shouted and swore' their training session earlier this week

Hitting back: And after the pair denied the claims on TV on Friday, Danny liked a tweet accusing the Beeb of targeting him and creating a 'big stitch-up'

Meanwhile, a source told The Sun that show bosses have been left 'stunned' by Danny's attitude amid the claims, after he tweeted a meme of King Kong holding a distressed Ann Darrow, adding the caption: 'My new CV.....'

A source told the publication: 'He's shown no remorse. It's shocking.'

MailOnline has contacted BBC for comment.

The interview comes after Danny was reportedly issued with a 'final warning' by show bosses over his 'bullying' behaviour.

According to reports, he allegedly left his professional partner Amy in tears during training, after shouting and swearing at the dancer, who is in her second series of the hit BBC show.

Joking: The screen star had earlier reacted shockingly to the allegations, taking to his Twitter account in the early hours of Friday morning to upload a meme of King Kong

However, the screen star reacted shockingly to the allegations, taking to his Twitter account in the early hours of Friday morning to upload a meme of King Kong holding a distressed Ann Darrow, adding the caption: 'My new CV.....'

He also wrote on the micro-blogging site that his 'conscience has never been clearer' as he lashed out at the reports and retweeted several supportive messages.

The Sun reported Amy threatened to quit the show, while a source has told MailOnline it has been a 'tough' week for the pair.

Family first: Danny's wife Petula Langlais (pictured) accused Strictly Come Dancing of 'trying to DESTROY' her husband after the claims emerged, defending her husband in an angry tweet

Sources claimed that Amy stormed out of training this week after her partner swore and shouted at her.

'Amy's been crying constantly at the hands of Danny. He gets very angry in the training room and he swears and shouts at her a lot. He also makes a lot of snide comments about him being famous and her not.

After fleeing to a cafe after a tense session on Wednesday, the Welsh dancer called producers to say she did not know if she could continue, leading bosses to step in and hold a series of meetings with the acclaimed actor.

Angry scenes: Sources claimed that Amy stormed out of training this week after her partner swore and shouted at her, phoning bosses to say they could not continue

A source close to the show played down the bullying incident to MailOnline, explaining: 'It's been a tough week for Danny and Amy learning their challenging Samba routine.'

'After a long day training they had a minor disagreement but they've put their differences behind them and were back in rehearsals today and are looking forward to performing on Saturday night's show.'

The Sun's insider adds that popular Amy is being supported by her fellow dancers on the show, and alleges 'everyone on Strictly wants Danny to go.'

While there is no suggestion Danny's arguments have got physical, in 2008 the star was ordered to carry out 120 hours community service for assaulting two dustmen, in an incident the district judge called 'ugly'.

For more information on Alzheimer's, you can call the Dementia helpline on 0300 222 11 22.Sopranos star Annabella Sciorra filed an insurance claim back in December 2015 after two construction companies tracked wet cement into her NYC condo.

The 58-year-old actress received $112,034.97 for the damages and now Sciorra's insurance company, Pacific Indemnity, is suing Central Construction Management and B&Z Industries to recoup the money.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, Pacific believes 'blame lies squarely on the construction companies due to negligence and failure to provide reasonable protection.

Legal battle: Sopranos star Annabella Sciorra filed an insurance claim back in December 2015 after two construction companies tracked wet cement into her NYC condo. The 58-year-old actress received $112,034.97 for the damages and now Sciorra's insurance company, Pacific Indemnity, is suing to recoup the money

Annabella, known for her Emmy-nominated role on The Sopranos, is one of the many women who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

In October 27, she told The New Yorker that Weinstein 'violently raped her in the early 1990s.'

'I am a private person, with a rule of speaking to the press only for professional reasons,' she said. 'I feel a moral obligation to support the women who have suffered much more egregious transgressions.'

Seeking justice: Annabella is one of the many women who accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct. In October 27, she told The New Yorker that Weinstein 'violently raped her'

Harvey faces five criminal charges with a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The Hollywood producer is currently out on $1 million bail.

'I got no relief from seeing this monster walk into court, then sneak out the back door after posting a million dollar bond,' Sciorra wrote on Twitter back in May.

'All that says is, money buys VIP treatment in the justice system no matter how serious or violent the crimes.'

'I am a private person, with a rule of speaking to the press only for professional reasons,' she told the publication. 'I feel a moral obligation to support the women who have suffered much more egregious transgressions'

Annabella is currently filming an upcoming Apple series titled Are You Sleeping.

The crime-drama follows a group of siblings who attempt to solve the mystery surrounding their father's death, according to IMDB.

Are You Sleeping is a Hello Sunshine production and stars Octavia Spencer and Mean Girls' Lizzy Caplan.Pierce Brosnan and his family are some of the thousands of California residents who have been displaced from their homes due to a raging wildfire sweeping through the area.

The 65-year-old was spotted with his wife and kids at the mall trying to make the best out of a bad situation on Sunday.

Over the weekend, the actor arrived back in Los Angeles after a trip to New York only to be swiftly evacuated from his home.

Evacuated: After being forced to evacuate from their home, Pierce Brosnan took his family to see a movie at the mall in Los Angeles

Pierce donned a pea coat and a stoic expression as he headed in to a movie theater at the Century City mall.

The Golden Eye star was with his wife Keely, 55, and two sons Dylan, 21, and Paris, 17.

The family of four was spotted together just as they were getting their tickets checked by a theater employee before heading in to see a film.

Just a day before the Mamma Mia! star was spotted strolling around Manhattan with his mother in law.

Doing their best: The actor and his family seemed to be making the best out of a bad situation as they headed into a movie

Stoic: Keely, 55, and Pierce, 65, looked somber as they spent the day at the mall not knowing the fate of their Malibu residence during a raging wildfire

Frightening: Nearly 300,000 people in Southern California have been evacuated from their homes

On Friday, the Brit took to social media to post a terrifying photo of his smoke filled hometown and a mess of cars trying to flee.

'God bless Malibu,' he captioned the harrowing image.

At least 23 people have died from the Northern Californian wildfire, while in Southern California, thousands of homes are under threat and all of Malibu has been evacuated as two other fires bear down.

The Camp Fire in Northern California is now the most destructive in state history, after wiping out the town of Paradise. Authorities suspect it may have been started by a malfunction in power lines.

On fire: The actor shared this image on social media showing smoke clouds billowing up over Malibu

Death tolll: At least 23 lives have been claimed by the fires raging in Northern California and in Southern California, the blaze has barely been contained

Evacuees: The Kardashians, Lady Gaga and Caitlyn Jenner are among the many celebrities who've been evacuated

The Southern California blaze is raging in the backyards of hundreds of celebrities and many are refusing to sit idle.

Jack Osbourne donned his uniform and returned to work as a Federal Reserve System Law Enforcement Officer to assist the Malibu Police Department.

And, Khloe Kardashian slipped on a mask to protect herself from the smoke filled air as she went out shopping to buy necessities for firefighters like water, granola bars and Chapstick.

The Kardashians, Lady Gaga and Caitlyn Jenner are among the many who have been forced to evacuate their homes.

Lending a hand: Khloe Kardashian donned a protective mask to buy supplies for fire fightersShe's won the hearts of the nation as a doting parent on the Mummy Diaries.

And Sam Faiers pulled out all the stops or her daughter Rosie's first birthday on Sunday.

The reality TV, 27, star hired out Cliveden House, a stately home in Berkshire to celebrate her little girl's big day, making sure no expensive was spared at the lavish party.

Lavish: Sam Faiers pulled out all the stops or her daughter Rosie's first birthday as she hired a stately home to celebrate her little girl's big day

Sleepover time! After a fun-filled day of partying, Sam shared this adorable picture saying: 'Such a wonderful day with my family. Now its sleepover time, games with the kids & dancing'. Left to right: Claudia Allen, who is the girlfriend of Paul's brother, Gaynor, Paul's mother, Suzanne Wells, the mother of Billie and Sam, Sam Faiers, and her sister Billie Faiers

Doting: The former TOWIE star, 27, documented the day of her Instagram page

The former TOWIE star documented the day of her Instagram page, sharing images of a floral Dolce and Gabbana dress for the tot to wear and a video of the delighted one-year-old spinning in front of her new dollhouse to her 2.1million followers.

She teased her followers from early on in the day, sharing a video on her stories showing a giant white box engraved with 'Rosie's 1st birthday' with a large pink bow on. The excited mum-of-two added the caption 'Too excited for Rosie to wake up'.

Sam later shared a picture of a gorgeous personalised birthday card of little Rosie saying 'We love you with all our hearts love Mummy and Daddy'.

The whole brood! The doting mum later shared a picture of Rosie with her bigger brother Paul, and cousins Nellie and Arthur

Personalised: Sam later shared a picture of a gorgeous personalised birthday card of little Rosie saying 'We love you with all our hearts love Mummy and Daddy

She teased her followers from early on in the day, sharing a video on her Instagram stories showing a giant white box engraved with 'Rosie's 1st birthday' with a large pink bow on. The excited mum-of-two added the caption 'Too excited for Rosie to wake up'

The doting mum later shared a picture of Rosie with her bigger brother Paul, and cousins Nellie and Arthur.

Later on, Sam opened up the gorgeous box to show an intricate pink, white and grey dollhouse - that Rosie later danced in front of.

Another series of videos the brunette beauty showed the inside of the luxurious party, including a floral number one and balloon letter in baby pink spelling out 'Rosie'.

Girly: Another series of videos the brunette beauty showed the inside of the luxurious party, including a floral number one and balloon letter in baby pink spelling out 'Rosie'.

Generous: Also in the dining room was a giant toy giraffe and generous looking gift bags for guests

The former CBB star didn't stop there, with a beautiful floral centrepiece made out of stunning white and pink flowers.

Also in the dining room was a giant toy giraffe and generous looking gift bags for guests.

Sam's elder sister Billie, 28, also shared a pictures from the extravagant party, and paid tribute to her adorable niece.

Pyjama party time! It was fun for all the adults and kids as the Faiers showed off the extravagant party on their social media pages

Little girls dream! Sam spoilt baby Rosie with her very own dollhouse, making her very happy

'So happy'!: Baby Rosie was over the moon with her new dollhouse, which was a first birthday present

Standing infront of the marble fireplace, Billie posed with the birthday girl adding the caption: 'One today ... My beautiful niece Rosie ... Happy Birthday. Having the most wonderful day celebrating with you my little darling'.

Sam's Mummy Diaries and TOWIE co-star also shared pictures of the delicious lunch - a beef roast dinner, and shots of the lavish mansion, including a video of her tots in the swimming pool.

Billie also shared pictures of her adorable four-year-old, Nellie, who she shares with fiance Greg Shepherd.

Adorable: Billie also shared pictures of her adorable four-year-old, Nellie, who she shares with fiance Greg Shepherd

Going all out! Sam's Mummy Diaries and TOWIE co-star also shared pictures of the delicious lunch - a beef roast dinner, and shots of the lavish mansion, including a video of her tots in the swimming pool

Fun for the grown ups too! Sam and Billie posed with their friend Claudia Allen in matching PJs

And the party wasn't just fun for the kids either, Billie also shared snaps of her posing with Sam and Mummy Diaries co-star Claudia.

The trio wore matching velvet pyjamas, each individually monogrammed with their names.

Billie also showed the lavish entrance to the party, as the couple drove up to the gates.

Making an escape! Billie also shared pictures of her youngest son Arthur 'making an escape'

The cake! The former TOWIE star also shared images of her niece's lavish birthday cake, which was covered in macaroon, pink roses and pearls

The former TOWIE star posted snaps images of her niece's lavish birthday cake, which was covered in macaroon, pink roses and pearls.

The party comes as Sam revealed being a mother had helped her to rekindle her friendship with Ferne McCann.

She told MailOnline: 'We haven't spoken about it and I doubt we will. We've both moved on.

'We attended my sister Billie's bridal shower in Ibiza and we saw each other the other day at the Pride of Britain Awards, so we're just over it now.'

Aunties beautiful girl! Billie shared a throwback snap to her niece's birth on her first birthday

She added: 'It's Sunday's birthday coming up and we're going to that so everything is back on track. Everything is absolutely fine.'

Sam's own daughter Rosie has featured prominently on the Mummy Diaries in the months following her birth, but she provoked bemusement from fans after revealing she sleeps with the youngster while partner Paul Knightley sleeps with their oldest child, son Paul Jr.

But while the couple are happy to sleep apart for the sake of their children's well-being, she admits the unusual arrangement might change in the near future.

Birthday chick! Little Rosie was the centre of attention as all cameras were on here to celebrate turning one

'Little Paul sleeps with Paul and I sleep with Rosie, and that's how it's been since Rosie was born,' she explained.

'But I'm just about to decorate Paul his own bedroom; it will have an animal theme and toys and once I present his room to him as a surprise he will 100% want to sleep in his own room.

She added: 'Up until now it's been absolutely fine. Our kids get to sleep and our house is really chilled. For us it's not a problem.

Everything in pink! Claudia Allen was also at the party and posed with pink balloons

'I know people say when do you spend time alone, but we do, we always do. We just say how nice it is to have our babies in with us.'

The TV personality has been equally open about her willingness to breastfeed Rosie in public, but admits she's cautious after suffering unnecessary backlash for posting a series of breastfeeding images on social media.

'I've had some funny looks but if I am somewhere really busy I have a muslin or a little blanket and I cover it over, because I can't be bothered with it,' she explained.

Loved up! Billie also shared a snap sharing a kiss with her fiance Greg, who she shares Arthur and Nellie with

'If someone says something to me it would really aggravate me. I'd have to respond. I just feel like if she's really thirsty or hungry I have to whack the boob out there and then.

'If you don't like it then just look away and don't be offended because I'm just trying to comfort my baby.

'But I wouldn't be able to hold back if someone said something to me, and I'm not a confrontational person.'

Meanwhile, her sister Billie and Greg welcomed daughter Nelly five months after their engagement in July 2014. The couple later added a second addition to their family and Billie gave birth to son Arthur in March last year.Sofia Vergara kept it casual on Saturday night while out for a big family dinner in Los Angeles.

The 46-year-old was spotted heading out for a bite to eat with her son and look-a-like niece.

The trio met up with several other members of the actresses huge Colombian family to grab so Japanese BBQ in Los Angeles.

Beautiful family! Sofia Vergara, 46, her son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, 26, and her niece Claudia Vergara, 25, headed out for dinner together on Saturday night

The Modern Family star donned some ripped skinny jeans and a black top under a puffer coat for her night out.

Just like her television alter ego, Gloria Delgado-Prichett, the beauty paired the casual look with some sky high peep-toe platform pumps.

Sofia's luxurious brunette locks were cascading down in big waves and she rocked a brick red lip.

On one arm, the beauty carried a small animal print purse.

Chic! Sofia managed to make her casual look of jeans and a black top ultra chic with a pair of sky high platform pumps

Twins! The 46-year-old actress and her 25-year-old niece could pass for sisters

Her 25-year-old niece, Claudia Vergara, looked like Sofia's spitting image as they walked down the block.

The duo could pass as sisters as Claudia resembles her famous aunt so much, from her brunette tresses, down to her skinny jeans and black platform heels.

The girls were escorted by the CoverGirl's son Manolo, 26, who opted for black jeans, a black T-short and a denim jacket.

Table for eight: The Modern Family star snapped some social media pictures with her real life family

Big laughs! The group was seen laughing and smiling in a social media video

On social media, the Chef actress shared a snap of her whole family outside of Manpuku BBQ in West Hollywood.

'Family dinner in LA,' she captioned the group shot along with several heart-eyed smiling emojis.

The actress' husband, True Blood star Joe Manganiello, didn't appear to have made it out to dinner that night with the group.

Inside the restaurant, Sofia snapped a video of the group having a blast while BBQing their own meats and seafood at a grill that was inset in their table.

Check please! Even with dinner and drinks for eight people, it's safe to assume Sofia could foot the bill

Dinner and drinks with such a large group can be pricy but it's a drop in the bucket for the actress who Forbes recently named as the highest paid on television.

The Colombian mother of one earned stunning 42.5 million in the course of just one year thanks to her starring role on her long running ABC sitcom and several lucrative endorsement deals.

The actress even spread the wealth to her son who has starred alongside his mother in commercials for Head & Shoulders, one of the many product lines that the actress promotes.Khloe Kardashian looked sporty in her new camouflage designs for her company Good American.

A new image of the 34-year-old mother to True Thompson appeared on the Good American Instagram page on Sunday.

This comes just after the Keeping Up WIth The Kardashians star had to evacuate the Calabasas mansion she bought from Justin Bieber in 2014 for $7.2m due to one of the California wildfires.

Her sisters Kim, Kylie and Kourtney as well as mom Kris Jenner also had to leave their mansions. The California fires have claimed 25 lives so far.

Ready to sell: Khloe Kardashian looked sporty in her new camoflaugue designs for her company Good American. A new image of the 34-year-old mother to True Thompson appeared on the Good American Instagram page on Sunday

Chic star: The star had some of her hair up in a knot on her head while tendrils flowed down over her shoulders

The star had some of her hair up in a knot on her head while tendrils flowed down over her shoulders.

Looking ready to work out, the siren had on a crop top and leggings with white sneakers.

There were three faceless women behind her and a yellow rope on the ground.

Khloe has been staying with her brother Rob during the fires.

And on Saturday she slipped on a mask and went out shopping to buy necessities for firefighters like water, granola bars and Chapstick.

And the mother to True Thompson, aged six months, shared the experience on social media.

The brand works: The clothes come in size XS to 4X as Khloe wants her designs to be available to all women

Good choice: Khloe slipped on a mask and went out shopping to buy necessities for firefighters

Her camera never stops: And the mother to True Thompson shared the experience on social media

Open your wallets: Khloe asked her fans to make a donation to help victims of the fire

She wore a light blue hoodie and sunglasses with her hair up.

The star had to leave her house in Calabasas - where Justin Bieber used to live - after a mandatory evacuation.

The diva also asked her fans to make a donation to help victims of the fire and to the California Fire Foundation in order to support the firefighters who are continuing to battle the deadly blaze.

Kris Jenner added: 'We spent yesterday evacuating our homes and I want to take a moment to thank all of the incredibly brave firefighters, servicemen, first responders, volunteers and all of those who are working tirelessly to protect our lives and our homes. We are so appreciative of your bravery and everything youre doing for us. Im praying for everyones safety.'

She asks for more: Kris Jenner said the firefighters needed more help and they could use water, Chapstick and sunscreen

Kourtney also paid tribute to these brave men and women for doing all that they are doing to contain the flames.

Kim Kardashian had to evacuate her Hidden Hills, California, mansion after the wildfires got close on Friday.

And the 38-year-old siren was quick to give an update on how she was doing. The TV star shared a photo to Instagram where she was holding Khloe's daughter True Thompson. Her caption read: 'Trying to get my mind off of this fire and snuggling with my niece. We are all safe and thats all that matters.'

Meanwhile, her former step parent Caitlyn Jenner thought her Malibu mansion burned to the ground but new photo evidence shows it did not.

And on Monday morning Caitlyn's son Brody Jenner shared a video of flames in his neighborhood. 'Fought as long and as hard as I possibly could but finally had a throw in the towel. Praying my house still there when I get back. Thoughts and Prayers are with everybody going through this tragedy.'

Happy with her niece: Kim Kardashian had to evacuate her Hidden Hills, California, mansion after the wildfires got close on Friday. And the 38-year-old siren was quick to give an update on how she was doing

Sad day: Meanwhile, her former step parent Caitlyn Jenner thought her Malibu mansion burned to the ground but it did not. Here she is seen with her friend Sophia Hutchins

All OK: This image shows Jenner's house doing fine after a fire raged near her home

Meanwhile, Kim's husband Kanye West took to Twitter to share his feelings.

'My sincere condolences to everyone suffering from the loss of their homes, loved ones and the unknown certainty of how much damage the fires will have caused.'

The rapper added, 'In light of these situations, I am so inspired by the firefighters and first responders who are risking their lives to do whatever they can to help. They are our true heroes.'

Ye's response is better than Donald Trump's: Meanwhile, Kim's husband Kanye West took to Twitter to share his feelings. 'My sincere condolences to everyone suffering from the loss of their homes, loved ones and the unknown certainty of how much damage the fires will have caused'

More: The rapper added, 'In light of these situations, I am so inspired by the firefighters and first responders who are risking their lives to do whatever they can to help. They are our true heroes'

Earlier Kim took to Twitter to says, 'Flames hit [the] property', things have since been 'contained.'

She was also leaving a Epione Skin Clinic in Beverly Hills with pal Larsa Pippen so it's clear she is out of the region.

Beverly Hills is an hour drive south east of Hidden Hills.

Thanks! And Kourtney thanked the firefighters for doing all that they are doing to contain the blazes

So close to the flame: Brody Jenner shared images of flames in his neighborhood

Under control: Earlier the reality star updated fans, telling them fires were 'contained' at her property

'I heard the flames have hit our property at our home in Hidden Hills but now are more contained and have stopped at the moment,' Kim wrote Friday, just a day after the forest fires were sparked.

'It doesnt seems like it is getting worse right now, I just pray the winds are in our favor. God is good. Im just praying everyone is safe,' her message continued.

Kim also praised firefighters, writing: 'Firefighters, I love you and thank you for doing all that you can to keep us safe!'

Before Kim's update flames reportedly breached her estate, according to TMZ.

The night prior, Kim and her three children were given just one hour to evacuate her home as wildfires swept through Southern California.

Her view top: Kourtney shared this image on Saturday morning. It is not known where she was taking the image from

So close: Kourtney shared this image near her house the night before

High drama: Kim has asked her fans to 'pray for Calabasas' after the reality TV star was 'evacuated' from her home due to wildfires

Firestorm: Kim made sure to document the action, sharing pictures and videos of first responders to the tragedy

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's $20m home in the Hidden Hills neighborhood in Calabasas. She was forced to flee with her children as wildfires swept Los Angeles and Ventura County

The fire first erupted on Thursday afternoon east of neighboring city Chatsworth and has since grown to 4,000 acres in Ventura County.

It rapidly burned down several houses as mandatory evacuations were ordered in areas like the Kardashian neighborhood of Hidden Hills.

Kim and her sister Kourtney, 39, both live in exclusive Calabasas, near their mother Kris Jenner and brother Rob.

Kourtney left her Calabasas home and posted an Instagram picture of suitcases in her car as she went to stay with sister Kendall Jenner's house in Beverly Hills and joked she was raiding her pantry for food.

Kim posted an Instagram story from her private plane as she touched down in California of wildfires raging through the county

Kourtney Kardashian's house in Calabasas, California. She also left her home and stayed with sister Kendall in Beverly Hills while she was at the Victoria Secrets fashion show in New York

She wrote alongside the picture: 'I pray that everyone is kept safe and protected from these fires. No Calabasas tonight.'

Kris Jenner's upmarket Hidden Hills neighborhood was evacuated, but she was also not at her $9.9m home as the drama unfolded as she was watching daughter, Kendall, take to the catwalk and star in the Victoria Secrets fashion show in New York.

Kylie was not in California at the time as she was supporting boyfriend, Travis Scott, at his Astroworld tour in Baltimore, Maryland.

Khloe revealed that she and daughter True were staying with Rob Kardashian and his daughter, Dream, who live near Kris, but were not forced out of their home.

She tweeted last night: 'I am with Rob, Dream and True and I am up keeping watch! Saying prayers and thanking all of the brave firefighters who risk their lives for us.'

The Kardashian/West family live just around 13 miles from Thousand Oaks, where the night after a mass shooting left 12 dead, fires have threatened to rip through the community.It's been over 20 years since Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a disease which is known the cause severe tremors.

That didn't stop him from taking the stage with rock legend Joan Jett at The Michael J. Fox Foundation's annual gala, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's, in New York City.

A yearly star studded event, the gala raises millions of dollars in the quest to cure Parkinson's disease.

Rock on! Joan Jett joined Michael J. Fox to perform a few hits on the electric guitar on stage at the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Cure Parkinson's Gala for The Michael J. Fox Foundation on Saturday night

In love! Michael J. Fox and his wife of 30 years Tracy Pollan smiled broadly together on the red carpet before the event

Michael, 57, looked dapper on the red carpet in a tailored suit and a blue and red striped silk tie.

The actor smiled alongside his wife of 30 years Tracy, 58, who glowed in a two-piece ensemble with a long black tulle skirt and a black and white embroidered floral sleeveless top.

And, the hosts of the evening got a ton of support during the night from their brood of beautiful children.

Twins Schuyler Fox and Aquinnah Fox, 23, Sam Fox, 29, and Esme Fox, 17, were dressed to impress as they sandwiched their parents on the red carpet before the soiree.

Amazing! Michael's symptoms didn't stop him from rocking the house on stage with the 80s icon

Family support: (Left to right) Twins Schuyler and Aquinnah, Michael, Tracy, Sam and Esme Fox all smiled as one big happy family together

Remarkable! The couple has been together for 30 years which is practically a miracle in Hollywood

The Michael J. Fox Foundation: After revealing he was battling Parkinson's disease in 1998, the couple launched their charitable foundation to find a cure for the ailment

Blast from the past! Michael reunited with his Back to the Future costar Christopher Lloyd, 80, at the event

The Spin City star was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease in 1991.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder causing tremors and, when the disease has matured, the loss of motor skills.

Michael told People Magazine in August that following his diagnosis he turned to drinking which put a strain on his marriage.

It wasn't until 1998 when the iconic 80s actor would reveal his diagnosis to he public and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research was created two years later.

Battle: The actor was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, in 1991

Smile! Michael posed with veteran news anchor Katie Couric inside the event

A swanky gala is held every year to raise money to find a cure and boasts a lavish affair, performances and celebrity guests.

The 2017 gala raised over $5 million dollars.

The actor got support this year from his Back to the Future costar Christopher Llyod, 80.

Doc and Marty McFly smiled together for a few photos at the event, 33 years after their hit film franchise first premiered.

Big money: Last year the Michael J. Fox Foundation's gala raised over five million dollars

Famous faces: Dennis Leary and Jim Gaffigan attended this year's gala

Rock star Joan Jett took the stage at the gala alongside Michael and the two jammed out together on electric guitars.

The New York Times has called the Teen Wolf star's foundation 'the most credible voice on Parkinson's research in the world.'

It is the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's drug development in the world, through their work, Michael said he believes that within the next five years, doctors will be able to predict a diagnosis.Doctor Who has never shied away from showing the brutal nature of some of history's most catastrophic events.

And this week was no different as fans saw the brutal reality of a marriage doomed thanks to impending 1947 India partition.

It was an episode that saw an expansion on companion Yaz's family history, as she discovered the tragic reality of her Nan's first marriage, which lasted mere hours thanks to a demon prophecy.

Emotional: This week's Doctor Who saw a demon presence collide with an all-to-real international conflict, as we saw the reality of the 1947 India partition

In typical Who fashion, our Doctor originally rules out a trip to see Yaz's grandmother Umbrine due to her disastrous past of interfering with history (see 2005's Father's Day for more details).

But of course the journey is made, and Yaz is stunned to see her grandmother is actually betrothed to Prem, a man who is NOT her grandfather.

But looming over the family is the impending division of India into two nations, as the Hindu and Sikh's clash with Muslims.

Heart-breaking: Fans saw companion Yaz's family past expanded, as she met a younger version of her grandmother Umbrine

The Partition Of India - What Is It? The Partition of India was the time British India divided in 1947 to form the states of India and Pakistan after a clash in religious values. It saw the end of Britain's colonial power over the country as two new nations were formed: Hindu and Sikh majority India and the Muslim majority Pakistan. Bangladesh was later seceded from Pakistan in 1971, with the devastating fallout causing an estimated death toll of between 200,000 and two million. Muslims, at 25 per cent of the population of British India, enjoyed a protected status as a minority government under imperial rule, with many concerned that this would end with the Partition. What followed was the biggest mass migration in human history, along with sexual violence, mutilation, torture and abductions. 70 years on, the effects of the Partition still hang over the two nations, thanks to the ongoing threat of nuclear conflict. Advertisement

This takes centre stage in a mixed religion storyline, as Muslim Umbrine plans to marry non-Muslim Prem, despite her family's disapproval.

And under the veil of this dramatic tale of international relations dissolving, there are also evil armoured demons watching over proceedings.

Many fans assume that the intergalactic presence are there to cause typical death and destruction - this is not the case, as they are actually there to acknowledge the dead who are not remember.

This includes Prem, who mere hours after marrying Umbrine is destined to die.

Not so evil: The demons of this week's episode are in fact present to acknowledge the dead, prediction Prem's demise on the eve of the international conflict

Sad: Unbeknown to the couple, Prem is destined to die thanks to the prophecy put in place by the demons, leaving Umbrine widowed just hours after becoming a wife

In reality the threat looming over Umbrine - and Yaz's ancestors - is much closer to home, as it is revealed the Prem's brother Manish is the true perpetrator, slipping into extremism at the idea of his brother marrying into another faith.

In a show of loyalty to his new nation, he orders armed forces to come and gun Prem down for choosing to instead marry a woman of Islam.

This leads to one the episode's most tense and heart-wrenching scenes, as Umbrine is forced to watch her spouse be shot by his sibling, and Whovians yet again learn that the Doctor cannot save everyone.

It is a morally grey area for many fans as it is later assumed that Umbrine goes onto marry someone else, and this rings true in the closing scene as Yaz asks her Nan whether she truly loved her granddad.

Doctor Who continues on Sunday 18th November at 6:30pm on BBC One.

Brutal: Emotional final scenes see Prem's brother Manish revealed as the true perpetrator, after slipping into extremism thanks to the looming threat of the partitionShe recently confirmed she had not been invited to former Today co-host Karl Stefanovic and his fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough's upcoming wedding.

And now the 'surprising reason' why Lisa Wilkinson was snubbed from the guest list has reportedly been revealed.

New Idea claims that Karl knew the 58-year-old Project star wouldn't show up, even if she was invited.

Scroll down for video

REVEALED: The surprising reason why Lisa Wilkinson (pictured with Karl last year) was snubbed from former Today co-host Karl Stefanovic and his fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough's upcoming wedding

A source allegedly told the publication: 'Karl knew she wouldn't come even if he asked her.'

'There is too much water under that bridge now and they both know it's too hard to come back from everything that's been said and done.'

The unconfirmed 'source' also added that if Lisa was at the wedding it would have 'gone down like a lead balloon' with the other guests, especially since fellow attendees include head honchos at Nine and former colleagues.

Awkward! Lisa recently confirmed that she had not been invited to former Today co-host Karl Stefanovic and his fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough's upcoming wedding

The publication also claims that Karl's brother and sister-in-law, Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys, weren't too keen on a possible 'awkward' reunion with Lisa at the wedding as they're 'very loyal' to Karl.

Earlier this month, Lisa confirmed to Confidential that she had not been invited to the nuptials.

There have long been reports that Karl and Lisa had a purely professional relationship, despite sharing a news desk for over a decade.

'There are elements of Today which I do miss but I am so focused on my new life and the new challenges which I have,' Lisa told Confidential.

Not interested? New Idea claims that Karl knew the 58-year-old Project star wouldn't show up, even if she was invited

Meanwhile, Karl was not in attendance when Lisa renewed her wedding vows with husband Pete FitzSimons last year.

However Today stars and Channel Nine personalities, including Pete and Sylvia and Richard Wilkins, were on hand for the celebrations.

Karl and Mara and Mine shoe designer Jasmine are set to wed in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico in December.

Awkward: The publication also claims that Karl's brother and sister-in-law, Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys, weren't too keen on a possible 'awkward' reunion with Lisa at the wedding as they're 'very loyal' to Karl

Beachside nuptials: Karl and Mara and Mine shoe designer Jasmine are set to wed in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico in December

The celebrity couple will tie the knot in a picturesque chapel at the One&Only Palmilla Resort, where they'll also be staying.

The wedding will be a three-day affair, with the soon-to-be newlyweds sparing no expense.

They've booked two villas, one at US$8500 (approximately AU$11600) per night, and another for US$11000 (approximately $AU15000) per night.

Lisa quit the Today show last year because Karl, 44, was reportedly earning $2 million - double her $1.1 million salary.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Karl and Lisa's management for comment in relation to this story.Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) looked every inch the Hollywood star as she attended a charity gala in Los Angeles over the weekend.

The bikini model turned beauty entrepreneur stunned on the red carpet at the 2018 Baby2Baby Gala on the arm of her husband, Avatar actor Sam.

The 31-year-old mother-of-two showed off her incredible figure in a beautiful pink embellished strapless dress.

Pretty in pink! Lara Worthington channels Marilyn Monroe and stuns in an embellished strapless dress at charity gala in LA... but why can't husband Sam raise a smile?

She paired the pretty frock with black satin pumps and a glittering diamond choker necklace.

The blonde beauty had her hair slicked back and tucked behind her ears, while her perfect pout was painted a deep red.

Meanwhile, Sam opted for a grey pinstripe suit and suede desert boots for his red carpet look.

The 42-year-old maintained a serious expression and barely raised a smile as he held his wife's hand tightly.

Stunning: The 31-year-old mother-of-two showed off her incredible figure in a beautiful baby pink embellished strapless dress

Lara has been married to Sam for four years, and the couple have two sons together, Rocket, three, and Racer, two.

Speaking to PopSugar recently, she revealed that she feels like a different person to the one she was before meeting her husband

'Five years ago I felt like a different person to what I am now, and it's nice to be able to grow,' she told the publication.

'When you get married and have children it's not all about you anymore, you have a responsibility to make your family proud and I really cherish that,' she continued.

Home: Lara was back in Australia last week to attend Melbourne Cup Day

'That's probably the most important thing to me.'

It's not the first time Lara has spoken fondly about family life.

In June last year, she told The Sydney Morning Herald becoming a mother had taught her to love.

'Everything just seems far more rich and meaningful now,' she told the newspaper.

'I love the quote, "Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

'This resonates deeply with me. Motherhood has taught me the greatest love of all.'

Lara said Sam was also the backbone of their family, describing the 42-year-old Avatar star as their 'world'.

'Sam has a really good heart - amazing husband, and he's so good with the kids. He's very hands-on, and I think we really complement each other. He is our world,' she added.She spends more than half of her time in a bikini.

So it comes as no surprise that model and actress Emily Ratajkowski headed straight to Bondi Beach on Sunday after touching down in Australia.

The 27-year-old posted a picturesque snap of iconic Icebergs swimming pool upon her arrival, writing in the caption 'She's Here!'

'She's Here!' Bikini babe Emily Ratajkowski touches down in Sydney to host GQ Australias Men Of The Year Awards... and heads straight to Bondi Beach for a dip

The brunette beauty is in the country to host GQ Australias Men Of The Year Awards on Wednesday night.

She arrived in Australia after a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend to attend the REVOLVE Awards.

Earlier this year, Emily surprised friends and fans when she announced she married Sebastian Bear-McClard in a courthouse wedding in February after dating just a few weeks.

Big name: The brunette beauty is in the country to host GQ Australias Men Of The Year Awards on Wednesday night

Sorry guys, she's taken! Earlier this year, Emily surprised friends and fans when she announced she married Sebastian Bear-McClard in a courthouse wedding in February after dating just a few weeks

Sebastian, who is an actor and producer, wooed his lady to the altar in unique fashion that included some fast-thinking ingenuity.

Turns out, he proposed to her with a ring made out of the paper clip from her restaurant bill.

'He proposed to me at Minetta Tavern [an upscale restaurant in New York City], and he didn't have a ring so I was like, mmm, nah,' the model and actress revealed during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

'And then he took the paper clip that the bill was paid with and made me a ring which I actually thought was really romantic.

It doesn't appear as though Sebastian has joined his wife on her trip Down Under.The next generation of Kardashians is clearly growing up to be as close as their famous parents are.

In a series of photos shared by momager Kris Jenner to celebrate granddaughter Dream Kardashian's second birthday, the toddler is seen sharing a sweet kiss with her cousin Saint West, who turns three next month.

Dream is seen in the snap bending down to plant a smooch on the little boy's lips as he sits on the ground with his face turned upwards towards her.

Cute: In photos shared by Kris Jenner to celebrate granddaughter Dream Kardashian's second birthday, the toddler is seen sharing a sweet kiss with her cousin Saint West

Dream is the daughter of Kris's only son Rob Kardashian and his former fiancee Blac Chyna.

Saint is the son of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

While Rob's love life has been a roller coaster and there's been friction between him and Chyna and between Chyna and Rob's family, it's obvious that Dream has been fully embraced by the reality TV clan.

On Saturday, Saint's mom Kim tweeted a photo of herself holding the little girl and wrote: 'My baby Dream, Happy Birthday! We've come a long way since this pic lol! I love our snuggles. Saint loves you so much & so do I!!!!'

Doting aunt: On Saturday, Saint's mom Kim tweeted a photo of herself holding the little girl and wrote: 'My baby Dream, Happy Birthday! .....Saint loves you so much & so do I!!!!'

Grandma: Kardashian momager Kris described Dream as 'the most beautiful, sweet, kind-hearted and loving little girl' in her birthday tribute to the tot

Parents: Dream is the daughter of Kris's only son Rob Kardashian and his former fiancee Blac Chyna. They're pictured in May 2016

Dream's mom Chyna also posted a loving tribute to her daughter on social media.

'To my Dreamy, Today is your 2nd Birthday and one day when you are older you will read this and know how much I love and cherish you.

'I wish you the most fulfilling experiences on your journey, blessings that overflows on your hands and the courage to pursue your 'Dreams'.

'As your mother I hope happiness and peace will follow you every step of the way. Happy Birthday to my beautiful and smart babygirl!!!!! Love Mommy.'

Her mini me: Chyna posted a batch of photos of the little girl to mark her second birthday on Saturday

His girl: Rob shared an adorable snap of his daughter with a smoothie as she wore a birthday t-shirt

In addition to Saint, Dream's cousins include Kim's two other children, North and Chicago, Kourtney Kardashian's kids Mason, Penelope and Reign, Khloe Kardashian's baby daughter True and Kylie Jenner's baby daughter Stormi.

Over the past couple of days, some of the Kardashians have had to evacuate their mansions due to the Woolsey fire that has been raging out of control in the Calabasas and Malibu areas of LA.

On Friday, Khloe and True left their own home to stay with Rob and Dream.

'I am with Rob, Dream and True and I am keeping watch!' Khloe tweeted on Thursday night in response to a fan. 'Saying prayers and thanking all of the brave firefighters who risk their lives for us.'The Partition of India was the time British India divided in 1947 to form the states of India and Pakistan after a clash in religious values.

It saw the end of Britain's colonial power over the country as two new nations were formed: Hindu and Sikh majority India and the Muslim majority Pakistan.

Bangladesh was later seceded from Pakistan in 1971, with the devastating fallout causing an estimated death toll of between 200,000 and two million.

Muslims, at 25 per cent of the population of British India, enjoyed a protected status as a minority government under imperial rule, with many concerned that this would end with the Partition.

What followed was the biggest mass migration in human history, along with sexual violence, mutilation, torture and abductions.

70 years on, the effects of the Partition still hang over the two nations, thanks to the ongoing threat of nuclear conflict.Indian Hindu activists blocked a road to the Sabarimala Temple, in India's southern Kerala state, when it opened for the first time to women of all ages

A new standoff between Hindu traditionalists and Indian police over a flashpoint shrine is looming next week, with 560 women reportedly registering to visit the side when it reopens on November 17.

India's Supreme Court in September ruled that all females should be allowed into the Sabarimala hilltop temple in the southern state of Kerala, and not just those under 10 or over 50 as before.

But when the temple reopened in mid-October, a handful of women who wanted to go were prevented by hardliners, who also threw stones at police and assaulted journalists.

Police later detained around 2,000 people. The protesters' anger reflected an old but still prevalent view in some areas of India that connects menstruation with impurity.

The temple opens again on November 17 for a Hindu festival period lasting 41 days, and some 300,000 people have registrated to visit -- including some 560 woman, media reports said.

Police said that several thousand extra officers would be deployed and that tighter restrictions will be in place in an attempt to avoid clashes.

"Now, private vehicles will only be able to get to Nilackal, the first base camp, after getting prior passes (permission) from the local police," Pramod Kumar, Kerala police spokesman told AFP.

The people will have to board government buses from there to Pamba, the next base camp around 20 kilometres (12 miles) away, before they start their on-foot climb to the top of the hill.

The Hindu daily said that Kerala police are considering using a military helicopter to take women to the hilltop site. In October women could not even begin ascending because of the protests.

Before the re-opening, on Tuesday the Supreme Court is due to hear review challenges against its earlier verdict. More than a dozen complaints have been filed.A view of Long Island City in the Queens borough of New York -- it could be the new home of a satellite headquarters for Amazon

New York's Long Island City, where Amazon is tipped to set up a new home, is a neighborhood in flux -- a construction site of warehouses and skyscrapers where some fear the online retail giant will only make everything worse.

While nothing has been announced officially, The New York Times has reported that Amazon, which is outgrowing its headquarters in Seattle, has finally found the answer to its year-long search for a second base.

The plan appears to be to split the difference on the East Coast with two new sites -- one in Virginia just outside Washington and the other in Long Island City, the westernmost part of Queens just across the East River from Manhattan.

For those who don't venture across the water, Long Island City is synonymous with the giant neon red "Pepsi-Cola" sign visible from Manhattan, a relic from the beverage company's factory that shut down in 1999.

It's a hallmark of what Long Island City was for most of the 20th century -- an industrial zone close to the river and the rail network.

But de-industrialization has forced the neighborhood to reinvent itself since the dawn of the 21st century.

A view of the waterfront of Long Island City -- which is just across the East River from Manhattan

In the last 10 years, dozens of new towers have sprung up, injecting a new, more affluent breed of resident into the area along with companies such as Ralph Lauren and Uber, seduced by the proximity to Manhattan and New York's airports.

The bank of the East River has been transformed into a landscaped park, invaded by designer strollers and joggers.

"They have built, built, built," says Pascal Escriout, who owns French bistro Tournesol in Long Island City. "Amazon coming or not doesn't make a difference. If it's not them, it'll be someone else."

- 'Priced out' -

The exact "campus" space that Amazon could inhabit in Long Island City has not yet been made revealed, but there are plenty of options in a neighborhood where uber-modern skyscrapers rub shoulders with disused factory chimneys

"The place changed so much in the last 10 years, it's just going to be some part of the neighborhood," says Mike Barratt, a store manager at Spokesman Cycles in southwest Long Island City.

The exact "campus" space that Amazon could inhabit has not yet been made revealed, but there are plenty of options in a neighborhood where uber-modern skyscrapers rub shoulders with disused factory chimneys.

Some compare Long Island City to Williamsburg, perhaps the most chic Brooklyn neighborhood -- and certainly the most fashionable and most striking example of gentrification over the last 20 years.

There is an uneasy balance between young families who move in and buy at elevated prices -- albeit still lower than in Manhattan -- and long-term residents of the neighborhood.

"A lot of people don't own but they've been living here renting for 15, 20 years, and they're getting priced out," said Barratt. "They're upset."

Long Island City has turned into a commuter town, complains Escriout. "People stay home. And when they go out, they go to Manhattan."

Dozens of luxury high-rise buildings, eminently suitable for senior Amazon executives, had been in the planning well before the company came on the scene, says Jonathan Miller, CEO of the real-estate firm Miller Samuel.

Amazon's arrival could end up "essentially bailing out developers that went ahead despite the excess supply... most of the product that's being built is skewed to luxury rental projects," he said.

- 'Congested transit' -

Many in Long Island City are worried about how an influx of thousands of Amazon employees could affect public transportation

Many also worry about the impact 25,000 new employees will have on the already crisis-ridden public transport system.

"This isn't a done deal," said Jimmy Van Bramer, Long Island City's elected representative on the New York City Council.

"Before anything is confirmed with Amazon, we've got to make sure that we could handle this and that sustainable infrastructure would be put in place to prevent our communities from being overwhelmed.

"We cannot allow longtime residents to be driven out by rising rents and congested transit," he added.

He complained about a lack of transparency, with New York's newly re-elected Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo talking about all the benefits without actually spelling out what they might be.

"I will do whatever I need to do to make it a reality," Cuomo said last Monday, promising Amazon would be "a great economic boost" for the state.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who traditionally has a terse relationship with the governor, is also on board.

"There will be hassles, there will be challenges, but I think we can accommodate them," he said on Wednesday.

"We will have to invest in infrastructure. I think it will be worth it."Syrian regime forces retook control of the Nassib border crossing from rebels in July

Near the recently reopened border with Jordan, former Syrian rebel fighter Bahaa al-Masri sells date-filled pastries and sesame biscuits to Jordanians flocking across the frontier to snap up bargains.

Syrian regime forces retook control of the Nassib border crossing from rebels in July, and last month reopened it after a three-year closure.

Just several hundred metres (yards) from the frontier, 26-year-old Masri counts the boxes of biscuits he still has left in a green plastic crate strapped to the back of his motorbike.

"For two weeks I have been bringing sweets from Damascus and selling them to Jordanians who come to buy them here because they're cheaper," says the ex-combatant, wearing a black jacket and woollen hat.

"I sell 27 to 30 boxes a day."

Masri hawks the pastries every day in a rest area on the edge of Syria's southern province of Daraa for three Jordanian dinars each (around $4, 3.5 euros).

"Thank God, when the border opened there was work again here, after I spent around six years without a job," Masri tells AFP.

Because money was tight, he joined a rebel group that paid him a monthly wage to fight.

"I picked up arms so we could eat and live," he says, crates of green apples and oranges stacked behind him.

- 'Just for breakfast' -

Daraa was once seen as the cradle of Syria's seven-year uprising, but in July regime forces took back control through a military push and deals that saw rebels surrender.

Under those agreements, brokered by regime ally Russia, many fighters chose to leave with their families to remaining opposition areas in northern Syria.

But Masri opted to stay and settled his status officially with the returning government authorities, a move likely to see him called up for military service.

Until the summons comes from the army, he is happy taking advantage of the money-making opportunities on offer now the border is open.

Also looking to cash in are Jordanian drivers, jokingly dubbed "sailors", who ferry goods from Syria across the frontier for a small commission.

A whole economy has sprung up again since the border begun working.

At the crossing itself cars sit side by side in several long queues waiting to cross over into Syria.

Large trucks, some refrigerated, also wait their turn.

Before the war, "we used to come over to Syria every day -- sometimes just to have breakfast", says Mohammed Sayes, a 25-year-old from Jordan's adjacent border town of Ramtha.

It was his second such trip since the border reopened "to see the sights, go out and eat" cheap, he says.

"Yes, Syria lived through a war, but we suffered a siege," says the specialist in tourism management.

"When the border reopened, it was like paradise opened up again."

- Fuel 'half the price' -

Further up, dozens of people stand in line outside a row of small pre-fabricated buildings to have their Jordanian passports stamped by Syrian officials.

Bahaa al-Masri sells date-filled pastries and sesame biscuits to Jordanians at the recently reopened Nassib border post in Daraa, south of Damascus

Jordanian driver Muflah al-Hurani, 53, is crossing the border to drive a family back home from the Syrian capital Damascus just over 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the north.

He has been going in and out of Syria on an almost daily basis since Nassib reopened, to transport passengers or shop for relatives.

"I bring back fruit and vegetables including potatoes, onions, garlic, as well as children's clothes made of cotton," he says.

"And I fill up my car will fuel... It's less than half the price (in Syria) despite the war."

Not far off, the former arrivals hall is being repaired after it was damaged in the war.

Workers carry rubble away and a rebel slogan is still visible.

Damascus hopes the reopening of Nassib will boost its war-ravaged economy.

Before the conflict, the crossing was a key passage for trade, linking Syria -- but also Lebanon and Turkey -- with Jordan and the Gulf beyond.

Syrian officials have registered more than 33,000 arrivals since October 15, against 29,000 departures.

Among those waiting to head across the border are also Syrians returning home, car roofs piled high with suitcases and blankets.

Last week, a Jordanian official said 6,000 Syrians had gone back to their country, among them 517 registered refugees.

The head of the Nassib crossing Colonel Mazen Ghandour says the number of people heading into Syria is increasing daily, and that most of those coming are Jordanians.

"Most Jordanians come to shop and then go home," Ghandour says. "Others go to see Damascus."

A few metres away, a Syrian woman living in Jordan smiles as she waits to cross over with her family for a two-week visit.

"Damascus is a blessing... That's why everybody wants to visit after being cut off for so long," she says.The two attacks near the country's eastern border with Uganda were blamed on the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one of armed movements operating in the unstable east of the DRC

Suspected Ugandan rebels killed six people, hacking one woman to death, and kidnapped five others -- mostly children -- in the Democratic Republic of Congo's restive east, officials said on Sunday.

Officials blamed the two attacks in Beni near the country's border with Uganda on the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one of several armed movements operating in the region.

"They entered Beni in the night between Saturday and Sunday and killed five people and looted the shops and the homes," Donat Kibwana, local Beni administrator, told AFP, blaming the ADF.

During separate attack by the same group in another Beni neighbourhood, a woman was hacked to death by machete and five people, including four children were kidnapped, Kizito Bin Hangi, a Beni civic leader, told AFP.

"We thought the military had a security cordon around the town, but nothing was done. It's deplorable to leave the town defenceless," Kizito said.

Soldiers were pursuing the rebels after they came under attack in Mayi-Moya and Beni, an army spokesman said.

Congolese forces in the Beni area have clashed with the ADF, an Islamist armed group that has killed hundreds of people since 2014

The Beni area has for the last four years been under seige from the ADF, an Islamist armed group that has killed hundreds of people since 2014.

The ADF was blamed for killing 15 Tanzanian UN peacekeepers a year ago in eastern DRC.

Unrest in eastern regions is running in parallel with another DRC conflict in central Kasai, casting a shadow over the country's ability to stage presidential elections next month to replace Joseph Kabila.HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - The leaders of Vietnam and Cuba on Friday pledged to deepen relations between two of the world's few remaining communist countries.

President Nguyen Phu Trong and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel witnessed the signing of trade and finance agreements after an hourlong talk behind closed doors in Hanoi.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Trong, who is also the general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, said "Vietnam and Cuba will continue close and comprehensive cooperation ... and deepen exemplary fraternal relations."

Trong said he and the Cuban president discussed measures to deepen ties in defense, security and diplomacy and enhance cooperation in agriculture, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical sector, medicine, education, science and people-to-people exchanges.

Diaz-Canel said all the Cubans had great admiration for Vietnam's struggles for independence and that his and Trong's visit to Cuba in March will contribute to strengthening the countries' relations.

"We also expressed our desire to continue to share experiences of building socialism in each country," Diaz-Canel said.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong, left and his Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel, right, review an honor guard in Hanoi, Vietnam, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Diaz-Canel is on a three-day visit to Vietnam to boost ties between the two Communist allies and part of his first international tour since taking office in April (Tri Dung/ Vietnam News Agency via AP)

He thanked Vietnam for its support in efforts to lift the U.S economic embargo on the island country. Last week, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning the embargo on Cuba and rejected proposed U.S. amendments strongly criticizing the lack of human rights in Cuba.

The Cuban president is on a three-day visit to Vietnam as part of his first international tour since taking office in April. He has already visited Russia, North Korea and China and will visit Laos after Vietnam.

Diaz-Canel replaced Raul Castro in April in a historic changing of the guard in Cuba, becoming the first non-Castro head of state in the country since the revolution led by Fidel Castro in 1959.PARIS (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump in France (all times local):

12:55 a.m.

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron are trying to project unity after Trump lashed out at one of America's strongest allies in Europe.

Trump had claimed Macron insulted the United States when the French president pushed the idea of the continent having its own defense force.

The American and French leaders have had an up-and-down relationship, but they told reporters that they are good friends as they prepared for talks at the Elysee Palace on Saturday.

The meeting was Trump's first stop on a weekend trip to Paris where dozens of world leaders are gathering to commemorate Sunday's 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, puts his hands on U.S President Donald Trump's knee before their talks at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Saturday, Nov.10 2018. Trump is joining other world leaders at centennial commemorations in Paris this weekend to mark the end of World War I. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)

___

6:35 p.m.

President Donald Trump is being criticized for not finding a way to visit a cemetery in France for Americans killed in World War I.

Trump was to visit the cemetery on Saturday, but the White House canceled the trip because of bad weather, which grounded the presidential helicopter that was to fly him to Belleau, about a two-hour drive east of Paris. The White House sent a delegation that included chief of staff John Kelly in his place.

David Frum, once a speechwriter for President George W. Bush, tweeted that he thought it was "incredible" that a president would travel to France for a WWI ceremony and not pay respects to the U.S. servicemen who died in France during WWI.

Trump is to visit a different cemetery on Sunday.

___

2:20 p.m.

French officials say the Trump administration has agreed to consult with NATO partners on its plan to pull out of a arms control treaty with Russia.

Aides to French President Emmanuel Macron said the decision was made during a meeting between President Donald Trump and Macron in Paris on Saturday.

The White House did not immediately comment. But Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, told reporters in Paris on Friday that the U.S. is in "very close consultation" with allies on the treaty issue and are "very optimistic about a common position."

The U.S. and NATO have accused Russia of violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty.

Trump's decision to exit the pact has worried many in Europe, where the treaty is seen as a cornerstone of the post-Cold War era. Macron has warned that if its scrapped and Russia deploys such missiles, they could easily reach Europe but not the U.S.

___

12:55 p.m.

The White House is calling off President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to a World War I cemetery due to poor weather.

Trump was slated on Saturday to visit Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near the village of Belleau, France. It's the site of a 1918 battle in which the American and French repelled German forces. More than 1,800 Americans died there.

The battle looms large in the history of the U.S. Marines Corps. Trump was supposed to participate in a wreath-laying and a moment of silence at the site.

It has been raining in Paris all day and the weather prevented Trump from arriving via helicopter to the site, which is more than 50 miles east of the French capital.

White House chief of staff John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, his wife and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit instead.

___

11:35 a.m.

President Donald Trump is assuring that the United States will "help" with European defense but repeated his insistence that nations on the continent pay their fair share.

Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met Saturday after a public spat over the French leader's suggestion that Europe should rely less on the United States.

Trump said that Macron "understands that the United States can only do so much." But he also made clear that the U.S. was not disengaging, declaring "we want to help."

Macron has fashioned himself something of a "Trump whisperer" in Europe and has forged a close relationship with the president.

Their meeting Saturday, however, included declarations of friendship but lacked their previous over-the-top displays of warmth.

___

11:30 a.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron is defending his push for more robust European defense in a meeting with President Donald Trump.

As the two men met at the French presidential palace Saturday, Macron called Trump "my good friend" and even appeared to tap him on the thigh. The two men have had an up-and-down relationship.

Their meeting got off to a tense start after Trump called it "insulting" that Macron wants a European army. Macron defended the idea, saying "It's unfair to have European security today being assured by the U.S."

"That's why I believe we need more European capacities and more defense to take this part of the burden," he said. He says the states in the U.S. don't ask France or Germany or other countries to finance their armies.

___

11:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump is meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron.

Trump pulled up in his limousine Saturday at the Elysee Palace where he was greeted by Macron.

The two men briefly shook hands and ignored shouted questions about Trump's criticism of his French host he delivered as he landed in Paris the night before.

Trump tweeted Friday night that Macron "has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. He added that it was "very insulting" to the U.S. and suggested that "Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO."

Macron's office says Trump misunderstood the remarks.

Trump is in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

___

10:45 a.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office says President Donald Trump is confused by French President Emmanuel Macron's drive for Europe to create its own army.

Trump tweeted Friday night that Macron "has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia." Trump said that was "very insulting" to the U.S. and suggested that "Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!"

An official in Macron's office said Saturday that Macron didn't say that.

The French official, who was not authorized to be publicly named, says Trump lumped together two different comments by the French president.

Macron said in an interview earlier this week that Europe needs to protect itself against "China, Russia and even the United States" in terms of cyberspace. Later, Macron reiterated that Europe needs to build up its own military because it can no longer depend on the U.S. for defense.

The two men are meeting in Paris on Saturday, and Macron's office says this issue will be on the table.

___

9:52 a.m.

President Donald Trump is asking if there's anything better than celebrating the end of a war.

Trump tweeted Saturday that he is in Paris to join other world leaders in marking 100 years since the end of World War I in which millions were killed. The centennial is Sunday.

The president asks on Twitter, "Is there anything better to celebrate than the end of a war, in particular that one, which was one of the bloodiest and worst of all time?"

Before Sunday's festivities get underway, Trump will meet Saturday with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump will also visit the American cemetery in Belleau, France, on Saturday to pay their respects to U.S. soldiers who died on French soil during the war.

___

For more information on World War I, go to The Associated Press' WWI hub: https://www.apnews.com/WorldWarI

The US flag flutters at half mast prior to a ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American cemetery and memorial in Belleau, eastern France, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. President Donald Trump cancelled his visit due to bad weather. More than 60 heads of state and government are converging on France for the commemorations that will crescendo Sunday with ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, exactly a century after the armistice. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, his wife Karen, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, right, with his wife Ellyn visit the Aisne Marne American Cemetery near the Belleau Wood battleground, in Belleau, France, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Belleau Wood, 90 kilometers (55 miles) northeast of the capital, Iis the place where U.S. troops had their breakthrough battle by stopping a German push for Paris shortly after entering the war in 1917. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

French President Emmanuel Macron, second right, his wife Brigitte, U.S President Donald Trump, and first lady Melania Trump, left, leave the Elysee Palace after their talks and lunch in Paris, Saturday, Nov.10, 2018. Trump is joining other world leaders at centennial commemorations in Paris this weekend to mark the end of World War I. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron gesture during their meeting inside the Elysee Palace in Paris Saturday Nov. 10, 2018. Trump is joining other world leaders at centennial commemorations in Paris this weekend to mark the end of World War I. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - A Syrian woman captured by Islamic State militants said her 8-year-old son died in her lap after the extremists shot him and his cousin during a military operation to liberate them more than 100 days after they were kidnapped.

Najwa Abu Ammar, 35, was kidnapped with her two sons and daughter and nearly two dozen others in July from southern Sweida province in a bloody attack on their villages in which the militants killed over 200 people.

When a military operation began to liberate them Thursday, the children panicked during the gunfire, she said. Her son Rafaat and his 13-year-old cousin Qusay ran and the militants fired at them.

"We were in the open air at the bottom of a valley as the clashes raged between the army and gunmen," she said. "When my son tried to run away, they (IS militants) shot him. He was in my lap when he died."

His cousin Qusay bled to death after nearly five hours, Abu Ammar said.

"''I am very very sad," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview through a crackling line from her remote village of Shbiki. "I am tired."

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, mourners carry the coffin of Rafat Nashat during a mass funerals in Sweida province, Syria, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Nashat was kidnapped by Islamic State militants with nearly two dozen others in July from the southern Sweida province during a bloody attack on their villages. (SANA via AP)

A large funeral procession for the two children set out Saturday from the national hospital in Sweida to their village, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) to the east.

"What is the sin of those innocent children, who should now be in their classrooms," Monzer al-Shoufi, a resident of Sweida who took part in the procession, told AP by telephone.

The family of Abu Ammar suffered another loss in the kidnapping - Rafaat's grandmother was killed on the day of the abductions.

Nashaat Abu Ammar, Rafaat's father, said his mother was among those kidnapped by the militants, who forced the elderly, sick woman to walk about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). When she failed to continue, they shot her dead.

The militants kept their own injured who fell fighting with government troops in the hideouts with the hostages, another freed woman, Mashaal Saeed told reporters.

"Two days ago there were airstrikes and they suffered a lot. Many were injured and killed. They buried their dead while some lost their limbs. They put them right there with us," Saeed told reporters in a video posted online. "This really scared the kids."

Saeed said they were also held in a cave, and in a desert area, finally using a vehicle for the hostages to sleep in it, "under it and next to it," creating a second level as sleeping quarters.

The rare attacks in the province populated mainly by minority Druze included several suicide bombings. The violence on July 25 devastated the community and shattered the region's calm. At least 216 people were killed and the militants walked away with the captives.

Nashaat Abu Ammar said about 20 of those killed were close relatives and 60 others were related.

Najwa Abu Ammar said the captors held the group in different hideouts, including a camp and a cave, and once kept them in a moving car for over 12 hours, the captives not knowing where they were headed.

The militants fed them sporadically and beat and insulted the children. They didn't torture them, Abu Ammar said, but started threatening to kill them as time passed.

At least two women and one man died in captivity, including a woman who was shot by the extremists to pressure authorities in negotiations for the captives' release.

Abu Ammar's husband said she looked frail.

"Sometimes they fed us once every two days and other times twice every day," Abu Ammar said, adding that it was mostly just olive oil, thyme and jam.

"They held us first in a camp then a cave and kept moving us from one place to the other," she said.

Abu Ammar said she didn't know about the killed hostages until they were liberated.

Six other hostages, two women and four children, had been freed in an exchange with the government in October. Negotiations were expected to free the remaining hostages but talks failed and Syrian troops launched a broad offensive against IS in southern Syria.

Separately, a war monitoring group and Syrian state media accused the U.S.-led coalition of killing over two dozen civilians in airstrikes in Hajin, a town in southeastern Syria near the border with Iraq, IS's last stronghold.

Spokesman Col. Sean Ryan told the AP in an email that the U.S.-led coalition "successfully struck (and) destroyed" an IS observation post and staging area in Hajin "void of civilians at the time."

Ryan said the coalition team in charge of tracking civilians reviews claims of civilian casualties they see in media reports.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 26 persons, believed to be members of IS families, were killed in Hajin and another seven were killed in Shafaa in airstrikes Friday. The Observatory said the dead were mostly Iraqi women and children.

Syria's state news agency reported 26 killed, quoting locals.

The Islamic State group posted a rare video from inside Hajin showing badly destroyed homes, bodies protruding from under rubble and dust still rising from some buildings.

The U.S-led coalition and local allies have been battling IS militants on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River in a small sliver of territory around Hajin.

____

Associated Press writer Sarah El Deeb contributed to this report from Beirut.

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a man holds an young girl who has been rescued from the Islamic State group in the Hamima area east of the historic town of Palmyra, after she arrived with others liberated hostages to the southern province of Sweida, Syria, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Islamic State group militants shot and killed two children during an operation to liberate a group of hostages from southern Syria that were being held by the extremist group since July, a father and activists said Friday. (SANA via AP)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, women and children who were rescued from the Islamic State group in the Hamima area east of the historic town of Palmyra, after they arrived to the southern province of Sweida, Syria, Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. Islamic State group militants shot and killed two children during an operation to liberate a group of hostages from southern Syria that were being held by the extremist group since July, a father and activists said Friday. (SANA via AP)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian Druze clergymen pray in front of the coffins of victims who were kidnapped by Islamic State militants with nearly two dozen others in July from the southern Sweida province during a bloody attack on their villages, during a mass funerals in Sweida province, Syria, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (SANA via AP)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows women and children who has been liberated from the Islamic State group in the Hamima area east of the historic town of Palmyra, Syria, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. Syrian troops have liberated 19 women and children hostages held by the Islamic State group since July in a military operation in the country's center, ending a crisis that has stunned Syria's Druze minority, state media reported today. (SANA via AP)

FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, file photo, young Druze armed men, who carry weapons to defend their village from Islamic State attack, patrol the village of Rami in the southern province of Sweida, Syria. Syrian troops have liberated 19 women and children hostages held by the Islamic State group since July in a military operation in the country's center, ending a crisis that has stunned Syria's Druze minority, state media reported Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, file photo, Druze children run at the village of Shreihi in the southern province of Sweida, Syria. Syrian troops have liberated 19 women and children hostages held by the Islamic State group since July in a military operation in the country's center, ending a crisis that has stunned Syria's Druze minority, state media reported Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - In this Thursday, July 26, 2018, file photo, released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Abeer Shalgheen and her four children after being freed by the Islamic State group that kidnapped them on July 25 during a raid by the extremists on the southern province of Sweida. Syrian troops have liberated 19 women and children hostages held by the Islamic State group since July in a military operation in the country's center, ending a crisis that has stunned Syria's Druze minority, state media reported Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. (SANA via AP, File)People in Scotland have fallen silent in an act of remembrance to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

Thousands of people in communities the length and breadth of the country observed a two-minute silence at 11am in recognition of the centenary of the Armistice and those who have served and lost their lives in conflict.

Many did so as they attended ceremonies, parades and services, others pausing for reflection in locations such as railway stations  echoing acts of remembrance taking place across the UK on this day of commemmorations globally.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon lays a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers, Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

Following the period of quiet observation, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath at a ceremony at the Stone of Remembrance outside the city chambers in Edinburgh.

She did so after 11 rounds were fired from Edinburgh Castle, with the guns then falling silent.

Of the 700,000 Scots who joined the forces, more than 100,000 died during the First World War.

Nearly every village, city and town in Scotland has some form of memorial displaying the names of their war dead.

Members of the armed forces take part in a remembrance parade and service in Fort William (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Speaking ahed of the ceremony, Ms Sturgeon said: Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for people in Scotland to join with others across the world to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts during the last century.

It allows us a chance to honour the memory of those who gave their lives, while also paying tribute to our veterans and those who continue to serve today.

This year of course has added poignancy as it marks 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War.

The laying of a wreath is a small but significant tribute, and I am privileged to be able to do so on behalf of the people of Scotland.

More than 100 wreaths were being laid at the poignant service, organised by Legion Scotland and attended members of the Armed Forces, and representatives of the emergency services and faith organisations.

Tributes outside Liberton Kirk in Edinburgh, where 16,000 poppies have been installed to mark the centenary of the Armistice (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Later in the day, Ms Sturgeon and the Princess Royal will join around 1,000 people attending a national service at Glasgow Cathedral to mark the end of the Great War.

A two-minute silence was being observed at 11am at the cenotaph in Glasgows George Square, as it was at war memorials in communities large and small around the country.

Musicians and artists have also come together to commemorate the milestone.

The names of people who were killed serving on behalf of Scotland in the First World War will be projected on to the Scottish Parliament (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Before sunrise, individual pipers at locations around the world, including a number in Scotland, performed Battles Oer, a traditional song played at the end of conflicts.

Six Scottish beaches are taking part in filmmaker Danny Boyles UK-wide event to mark the centenary.

St Ninians Isle beach in Shetland, West Sands in St Andrews, Scapa beach in Orkney, Ayr beach, Burghead Bay beach on the Moray Firth and Cula Bay beach on the isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides all have a large-scale portrait of a casualty from the conflict drawn in the sand before it is washed away by the incoming tide.

Boyle said: Beaches are truly public spaces, where nobody rules other than the tide. They seem the perfect place to gather and say a final goodbye and thank you to those whose lives were taken or forever changed by the First World War.

Eilean Donan Castle was among landmarks illuminated in red ahead of Armistice Day in support of the 2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal (Poppy Scotland/PA)

After dark, a special light and sound projection will take place at the Scottish Parliament, with the names of all those Scots who died during the conflict to be beamed on to the building.

It will take seven hours, from 5pm until midnight, for the names of each of the 134,712 men and women to be shown.

Beacons of fire will be lit at points around Scotland and the rest of the UK during Armistice Day in a National Trust project.

Buildings and landmarks across the country have also been showing their support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal by lighting up red in the week running up to, and including, Remembrance Day.As Parliament looms large for its next session, it will have to decide whether to ratify some Ordinances.

One of these, the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 (Triple Talaq Bill), has been converted into an Ordinance because of a compelling necessity... as the practice has continued unabated despite the Supreme Court Order last year.

This is sheer constitutional escapism.

Minority report

The Bill was not passed in the Rajya Sabha, although it was passed by the Lok Sabha where the government has a clear majority  denying meaningful discussion.

So to avoid the Parliamentary process  the emergency Ordinance route.

There can be no question of using this power when Parliament has examined and denied the Bill. Denying Parliament its prime legislative function is bad; bypassing it a constitutional sin.

The Supreme Court frowned on repeated use of this escapism in 1987.

An Ordinance subverts Parliament and democracy and abuses the rule of law.

What was the necessity?

An Ordinance subverts Parliament and democracy and abuses the rule of law. (Photo: Reuters)

The effect of the Ordinance is to criminalise a civil misfeasance. The real reason is to curry favour with the Hindu electorate. The claim that this emanates from the Supreme Court judgment of August 2017 is fallacious. The majority in the Supreme Court (Justices Kurien, Nariman and also for Lalit) never demanded legislation.

Justice Nariman said that all Muslim law was statute law from 1937, and therefore contrary to equality.

There was a disparate majority only because Justice Kurien took the view that Triple Talaq was not an essential part of Islam.

But it is the minority (Khehar also for Nazir) that said Triple Talaq was, in fact, an acknowledged practice and it was constitutionally protected, adding it was for Parliament to undo this by legislative means.

They did not say you must legislate, but could. They certainly did not advocate criminalisation. This was only an option that was not necessary since Triple Talaq had already been declared unconstitutional by the majority.

But, in following the minority view, the government went out of its way to attack Islamic precepts as iniquitous. They gathered feminist support without emphasising that the SC majority had already invalidated Triple Talaq.

Even if the minority judgment of the Supreme Court gave leeway to legislate, it did not sanction government the licence to adopt unconstitutional means. Hiding behind the minority SC judgment as a source of authority to legislate is too thin in the face of the facts. Is this really the most compelling necessity India is facing? Ordinances should elaborate compelling necessity in detail. In this case clearly to bypass Parliament.

The Supreme Court did not ask for criminalisation of the practice. (Photo: India Today)

Triple Talaq

The Supreme Court did not ask for criminalisation of the practice.

The majority declared is illegal, the minority legal, inviting parliamentary intervention if necessary, not mayhem.

The recipe for criminalising civil wrongs is not universal.

Section 377 was de-criminalised, defamation not.

It cant be that if the government thinks an illegality be criminalised, an Ordinance will be passed even though the remedy of civil wrongs exits.

The distinction between civil and criminal is not necessarily one of degree, but of process, prosecutions and relief, with the State as a party in some criminal cases.

In case of Triple Talaq, the effect of the Supreme Court majority is triple talaq being invalid, the marriage subsists. This means that the wife continues to be the wife and is entitled to be treated as one in every sense. No declaration is required.

But even if it is, the Section 3 of the Ordinance declares that such talaqs are void and illegal.

Even maintenance for the wife and children exists under the post-Shah Bano law designed for Muslims that has worked well and has been validated by the Supreme Court.

Equally, the Section 6 of the Ordinance gives custody of minor children to the wife, which has to be read with existing maintenance provisions.

But the rest of the Ordinance is on criminalisation.

In the first instance, the erring husband can be imprisoned for three years and also be liable to fine.

Consider the consequences.

Criminality and its procedure will kill all family relationships with strife and enmity.

Equally, after incarceration, how will Muslims who depend on work for livelihood comply?

The offence will be cognisable and specifically bring in the police to arrest.

The magistrate has a dual role to deal with the criminal case as well as determining the maintenance (Section 6  second part). Of course, the offence is compoundable in that the husband can pay an amount (which may be more than maintenance) and agree to the terms and conditions the magistrate thinks fit. This is arbitrary.

Save the marriage

The object of both the Supreme Court and part of this Act (Section 3) is to save the marriage by denying triple talaq legal validity.

The question that has to be asked is whether this Triple Talaq Ordinance will save the marriage or destroy it.

By putting the couple at criminal odds with each other is to place them in a position of antagonism. The antagonism will generate enmity.

Enmity will leave behind scars and destroy the marriage. Ironically, the very marriage that the Triple Talaq pronouncements of the Supreme Court sought to save will now be vulnerable to self-destruct.

Parliament should condemn this kind of legislation, making a political statement that Ordinances cannot bypass pending legislation and is otherwise wrong.

Now there is a cry for Ordinance and legislation for Babri-Ram janmabhumi to short-circuit the case pending in the Supreme Court.

Rule by Ordinance is Emergency rule.

(Courtesy of Mail Today)

Also Read: Can the government actually take the legislation route on the Ayodhya dispute? No. Heres whyThe row over the entry of women between 10 and 50 years of age into Sabarimala temple is becoming increasingly political.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday (November 8) embarked on a 22-day Save Sabarimala Rath Yatra' to protect the traditions and rituals of Lord Ayyappa shrine. The yatra, which started from Madhur Siddhi Vinayaka temple in Kasargod district, will pass through districts across the state before culminating at Sabarimala on November 30.

#Sabarimala Rath Yatra that begins from Mattur today will reach Sabarimala on 30th. Our culture has always given prominence to women&treated them with respect. It's all because of Kerala govt&its failure to handle the case before SC that situation has become tensed:BS Yeddyurappa pic.twitter.com/QLIzboLdG7  ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2018

The move by the Lingayat stalwart is being seen as an attempt at walking in the footsteps of BJP veteran LK Advani.

It was exactly 28 years ago when the then BJP president took out his Ram Rath Yatra to garner support for the 'Ram Mandir' movement, setting off a chain of events that resulted in the demolition of the Babri Masjid two years later. Advani's rath yatra  that began on September 25, 1990 from the holy city of Somnath in Gujarat  was planned to pass through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, before reaching the city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on October 30.

The rath yatra by Lingayat stalwart BS Yeddyurappa is being seen as attempt at walking in the footsteps of BJP veteran LK Advani. (Credit: Twitter)

However, it came to an abrupt end on October 23, after Advani was arrested by the Lalu Yadav government in Bihar and sent to preventive custody.

Advani's rath yatra began in Somnath, Gujarat, on September 25, 1990. (Credit: India Today)

It seems more than a coincidence that Yeddyurappa flagged off his rath yatra on a day when LK Advani celebrated his 91st birthday.

Advani's rath yatra is remembered for two reasons  the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992 and the rise of the BJP to power in the coming years.

The BJP seems to be trying to garner a similar support over the Sabarimala issue from all Hindu nationalist organisations. Just like Advani was arrested during his Ram Rath Yatra, there are apprehensions that Yeddyurappa too might face arrest by the Left government in Kerala before he reaches Sabarmiala.

On September 28, the Supreme Court allowed the entry of women of all ages into the shrine. The five-judge constitution bench, in its 4:1 verdict, said that banning the entry of women into the shrine is gender discrimination and the practice violates the rights of Hindu women.

Even though the judgment was initially welcomed by certain sections of society for upholding gender equality, women who attempted to enter the temple faced extreme resistance from devotees.

While the Left Democratic Front government of Kerala vowed to implement the Supreme Court verdict, the BJP and the Congress have backed devotees who have been protesting against the judgment, citing violation of tradition.

While flagging off the rath yatra, Yeddyurappa said, Our culture has always given prominence to women and treated them with respect. It's because of the Kerala government and its failure to handle the case before the Supreme Court that the situation has become tense."

The former Karnataka chief minister further claimed that 90 per cent of women are opposing the entry of women of menstrual age in the shrine. "It is high time that the Kerala Chief Minister takes necessary action and approach the Supreme Court to stop the entry of women to the temple. Our party is not opposing the Supreme Court's verdict, but people's emotions should be respected," Yeddyurappa said.

Self-proclaimed devotees, which included many women, stopped each and every car heading to Sabarimala. (Photo: Reuters)

It is pertinent to remember that Advani, back in 1990, embarked on his rath yatra just months ahead of the 1991 general elections. The yatra succeeded in whipping up a strong BJP wave, increasing the party's votebank from 85 in 1989 to 120 in the 1991 general elections.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is desperately seeking to make inroads into the southern states. While the partys citadel in Karnataka has already collapsed, its presence is negligible in Kerala.

Yeddyurappas rath yatra, many believe, is a last-ditch attempt by the BJP to 'conquer' the South to return to power at the Centre in 2019.

Also read: Sabarimala: Why Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Police failed to keep their promise to women devoteesThe disinvestment department will soon come out with guidelines for sale of 'enemy shares' after consulting enforcement agencies of the revenue department, which have experience in auctioning confiscated properties.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, last week gave 'in-principle' approval for sale of shares which are part of 'enemy property'.

Enemy property refers to the assets which were left behind by people who migrated to Pakistan or China and are no longer citizens of India.

Over 6.50 crore shares in 996 companies of 20,323 shareholders are under the custody of Custodian of Enemy Property of India (CEPI), under the Home Ministry. Of these 996 companies, 588 are functional/active companies -- 139 of these are listed, while 449 companies are unlisted.

At the current price, these shares are estimated at around Rs 3,000 crore.

According to sources the guidelines will be framed in consultation with the agencies of revenue department like the Enforcement Directorate as also officials with experience in auctioning of confiscated properties.

Last year in March, Parliament had amended the Enemy Property Act, 1968, to bar successors of those who migrated to Pakistan and China during partition from any claim over the properties left behind in India.

The government has vested these properties with the CEPI. After the India-Pakistan War of 1965, the Enemy Property Act was enacted in 1968 to regulate such properties and list the powers of the custodian.

As the CEPI has no expertise in selling of shares, the government has decided to rope in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) for sale of these 'enemy shares', many of which are not even listed on the stock exchanges.

The process for selling these shares is to be approved by the Alternative Mechanism headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising Minister of Road Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari and Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

The DIPAM will also decide on the modalities for appointing merchant bankers and legal advisors for sale of these shares. "Since this would be the first of its kind share sale, DIPAM would decide whether only one banker would manage all share sale transactions or it needs to be managed by more than 1 merchant banker," a source said.

The proceeds of the share sale will be accounted for as disinvestment proceeds, the source said, adding the process would take time and may spill over to next financial year.

In the current fiscal, the government has targeted to raise Rs 80,000 crore from PSU disinvestment. So far, it has raised over Rs 15,000 crore through PSU share sale.Shareholders of Usha Martin have approved the sale of the companys steel business to Tata Steel as a going concern on a slump sale basis.

A special resolution in this regard was passed with requisite majority at Usha Martin Limiteds extraordinary general meeting, with 99.99 per cent shareholders voting in its favour, the company informed the exchanges in a regulatory filing late night on Friday.

Tata Steel had earlier said it has executed definitive agreements for the acquisition of UMLs steel business for Rs 4,300-4,700 crore through a slump sale on a going concern basis.

According to Usha Martin Limited (UML), the sale of its steel business to Tata Steel will help the company significantly reduce its debt.

UMLs steel business comprises the specialised 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) alloy based manufacturing capacity in long products segment based in Jamshedpur, a producing iron-ore mine, a coal mine under development and captive power plants, Tata Steel had said.Though China is keen to become the world leader in promotion of Buddhism, it will never happen because of the gap between the Marxist theory and repression on the ground

China is a country full of dichotomies. Take Buddhism. On one side, China promotes Buddhism; on the other hand, Beijing severely represses the Buddha dharma. On October 28, the World Buddhist Forum opened with fanfare at Putian, in Fujian Province. According to the official release, it was attended by a record number of over 1,000 Buddhist monks, scholars and representatives from 55 countries. Zong Xing, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) and Xiao Hong, a deputy secretary of the China Religious Culture Communication Association (CRCCA), the joint hosts, gave a press conference.

Xiao announced that the forum wanted to carry forward the positive Buddhist cultural spirit, promote exchanges between Buddhism and other religions and make contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity. That sounds good. One of the themes of the meet was Buddhism and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a project dear to President Xi Jinping. A couple of weeks earlier, the Global Times had reported that a two-day symposium in Qinghai Province discussed the way Buddhism could better serve the BRI and resist separatism.

The website tibet.cn noted: Guided by the core socialist values, the symposium aims to encourage Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to the socialist society and teach the religion to serve the construction of the BRI. Was the Fujian Forum a great success? It does not appear so reading the rare comments which appeared in the Chinese Press. One of the problems was that Master Xuecheng, the BCA president and Abbot of Longquan Temple in Beijing, had to resign in a hurry in August.

The 52-year-old was accused to have coerced nuns into having sex, overseen illegal construction work and embezzled funds. The claims were made in a 95-page document published on July 31; it immediately went viral on Chinese social media, bringing support to Chinas #MeToo movement. It is not that Xuecheng was not well-connected with the Communist Party; he was a member of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), but in the present days, even tigers fall (President Xi had warned the tigers and the flies that he would not accept corruption).

One of the BCAs Vice Presidents was Gyaltsen Norbu, the Chinese-selected Panchen Lama. He made a timid appearance on the first day. He spoke on, to live together in harmony through the Middle Path, a purely religious topic; Norbu emphasised a common future for humanity and the fact that the creation of a common-destiny community is more and more accepted the world over. He mentioned the Buddhist precepts of living in symbiosis, equality, tolerance, compassion and harmony: We are one family living in the same house, he said. There was no word of praise for Xi.

His presence was hardly reported by the Chinese media, probably because he did not eulogise Xi Jinping and he forgot about the BRI in his speech. The only big shot was You Quan, director of the United Front Work Department, which looks after religious affairs for the Partys Central Committee. He hoped that Buddhist communities would look deeper into Buddhism values and contribute wisdom to promoting the well-being of humanity and safeguarding world peace.

Here comes the dichotomy. While Beijing promotes Buddhisms humanitarian precepts, it takes repressive measures against Buddhist practitioners. For the third consecutive year, the authorities banned a major Tibetan prayer festival in Larung Gar, the largest Buddhist institute in Tibet, situated in Serthar County in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. The monastery had a population of 30,000 Buddhist nuns and monks before it was partially destroyed by the authorities last year.

According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), a Chinese official announced that the Dechen Shingdrup festival would be banned this year. He cited Chinese religious affairs management laws. Further, outsiders should not be invited to Larung Gar. A source told RFAs Tibetan Service: The notice advised village leaders and Chinese Communist Party committee members to inform the public that they would not be allowed to enter the village for any religious events. In past years, when it was allowed, the festival lasted for a whole week. Human Rights Watch published a new report on the Four Standards Policy recently introduced in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). The standards are competence in Buddhist studies, political reliability, moral integrity capable of impressing the public and willingness to play an active role at critical moments. In other words, be good Communist Buddhists.

Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, commented: Chinese authorities have always placed heavy constraints on religious freedom, especially in Tibetan and other minority regions, compelling Tibetan monks and nuns to be propagandists for the Communist Party takes Government intrusion in religion to abhorrent new levels.

The new policy is a continuation of the 2005 Regulations on Religious Affairs but with more oppressive clauses. On October 25, the Global Times said that the TAR Government was encouraging Tibetan monks and nuns to learn about the laws, a move experts hailed as using education to raise local peoples legal awareness.

Tibets Department of Justice announced that professional working teams organised by the regional department of justice taught the monks about legislation and law enforcement in the region. Teams are composed of prestigious monks, legal professionals and officials that were dispatched to temples. Xiong Kunxin, a professor at Tibet University in Lhasa, summarised the issue: Legal education on law enforcement was weak in Tibet because some Buddhist practitioners consider themselves as people beyond judicial reach.

Already in August, when Wang Yang, the CPPCC Chairman and a member of the Politburos Standing Committee, visited the Sera monastery near Lhasa, he mentioned the new theme of Xi Jinpings religious campaign, Sinicisation of the religions in China. Wang said that more efforts should be made to integrate Tibetan Buddhism into Chinas socialist society; he asked the monks to firmly uphold the leadership of the CPC, inherit and promote patriotism and be courageous to battle all separatist elements, in order to further protect the national reunification, ethnic unity and social stability.

Though China is keen to become the world leader in promotion of Buddhism, it will never happen because of the gap between the Marxist theory and the repression on the ground, which are incompatible.

(The writer is an expert on India-China relations and an author)The Cabinet on Thursday approved the signing and ratifying of an extradition agreement between India and Morocco.

The decision was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement will be signed during a proposed VIP visit from Morocco from November 11-18, an official statement said.

The agreement will provide a strong legal base for the extradition of fugitive offenders who are accused of economic offences, terrorism and other serious offences in one state and found in the other state.

The Cabinet also approved the agreement between India and Morocco on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters.

This agreement between India and Morocco will enhance cooperation in the service of summons, judicial documents, letters of request and the execution of judgments decrees and arbitral awards.Sending out a huge message on the revival of ties, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Maldivian President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17. This will be Modi's first visit to the Maldives after assuming office. In March 2015, his visit was cancelled owing to the volatile political situation in that country.

Announcing Modi's day-long visit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the Prime Minister has accepted President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih invitation to attend the ceremony with pleasure. Kumar, however, made it clear that it is not a bilateral visit.

In keeping with its neighbourhood first policy, India looks forward to closely working with Maldives in further deepening the partnership, Kumar said. PM Modi will also visit Singapore to take part in the 13th East Asia Summit and other meetings on November 14 and 15, Kumar said at a media briefing.

Solih had invited Modi to his swearing-in on September 24 after the PM had called him to congratulate on his victory. During the telephonic conversation, Modi conveyed his good wishes for the strengthening of democracy, peace and prosperity in the country. Solih said the two leaders agreed to work closely together to further strengthen the close, friendly and good neighbourly relations between the two countries.

Solih had won the Maldives presidential election on the September 23 and Abdulla Yameen was forced to concede defeat. Yameen had agreed to vacate the position on November 17 when his term ends.

The relations between India and Maldives were on a downward spiral during Yameen's term, which was nothing short of an autocracy. Yameen had openly embraced China over India.

Some decisions by Yameen including imposition of restrictions on work visas for Indians and signing of a new Free Trade Agreement with Beijing also did not go down well with New Delhi.

The relations deteriorated further after Yameen imposed emergency on February 5 this year. India had criticised his decision and asked his government to restore the credibility of the electoral and political process by releasing political prisoners. The emergency lasted for 45 days.

Maldives is an important country for India's maritime security and there have been concerns in India over China's growing influence over the country in last few years.The promised double-engine of the government has yet to start nearly two years into the term of the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Uttarakhand. Due to this, work has not even on the schemes launched during the term of the previous Congress-led state government. The current government has stalled the schemes launched by the previous stat government. The Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee president Pritam Singh said this while addressing the media here on Sunday.

The PCC president opined that in the urban local body elections, the people of the state are looking for a change and viewing the Congress as a viable alternative. Clarifying that the Congress does not support encroachment, he said that the manner in which the encroachments were removed was not right. Demolition was undertaken in slum settlements and in various places encroachments were demolished without the affected persons even being heard. Singh further alleged that the state of Rudrapur city had been deteriorated under the current state government. He further said that the state government had not advocated its stand properly in the high court due to which the general public has had to face severe consequences. Criticising the policies of the Central Government, Singh said that the prime minister Narendra Modi seems to take most decisions in the dark of the night. He said that decisions like demonetisation, imposition of Goods and Services Tax and transfer of the chief of Central Bureau of Investigation are all decisions taken during the night. Expressing concern at unemployment, impact of GST and suicides being committed by farmers, the PCC chief demanded immediate loan waiver for farmers.

Addressing the media on the occasion, the leader of opposition in the Vidhan Sabha and Haldwani MLA, Indira Hridayesh opined that the BJP lacks the mentality to facilitate development. The Congress is working according to a well thought out strategy in the urban local body elections due to which the electoral calculations of the BJP have gone into disarray. She further alleged that during the tenure of the BJP mayor, corruption was at its peak in the municipal corporation of Haldwani. This is being revealed now through applications filed under the Right To Information Act. During the five-year BJP tenure here, the public suffered due to state of roads, electricity and water supply. Even today, people in rural areas are paying for water supplied in tankers. The BJP mayor had turned Haldwani into a garbage bin, she alleged. If the Congress candidate Sumit Hridayesh is elected to the post of mayor, the roads, supply of electricity and water will be improved in the urban and rural areas, she assured. Congress national secretary Prakash Joshi and other office bearers were also among those present on the occasion.It is probably the first time that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Varanasi on the same day on Monday, and they are likely to have a brief meeting against the backdrop of 2019 Lok Sabha election with focus on Ram Mandir.

Bhagwat has already arrived in the temple city while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving on Monday.

The Prime Minister is slated to inaugurate the Ring Road and the Babatpur airport road in Varanasi besides dedicating to the nation the Inland Waterways Terminal on river Ganga.

The RSS will be holding a six-day meeting in Varanasi from November 11 to November 16. Bhagwat will be in Koirajpur to discuss the RSS ideology and nationalism with workers of the organisation. The issues of Ram temple and Lok Sabha poll will also be discussed.

RSS workers from six states along with senior leaders of the organisation will be attending the meet.

This is a chance that Modi and Bhagwat will be in Varanasi together for a few hours on Monday. There is all likelihood that the RSS chief and the PM may have a brief meeting, a senior RSS leader said.

The meeting will be symbolic so as to send a message across the eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that Prime Minister enjoys the backing of the RSS, he said.

Varanasi has been the fulcrum of political activities in eastern UP and Bihar. The message from Kashi has far-reaching significance and therefore the backroom managers of RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party are trying for a brief meeting between Modi and Bhagwat. They also wants to make it a photo-op.

Security has been tightened in the city in view of both the programmes while Special Protection Group has taken over the security of the venues to be visited by the Prime Minister.The Congress on Sunday came on defensive mode by clarifying that in its manifesto it has not talked of ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The Congress clarified that it has been mentioned in the manifesto that Congress will ban the participation of Government employees in RSS shakhas.

As the party announced 973 promises to be fulfilled after coming to power, it was mentioned that the party would ban holding of RSS shakhas inside Government buildings and the relaxation earlier extended to Government staffers for taking part in RSS activities in an order would be revoked. Angered by the move, the BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra told the media on Sunday that the Congress seems to be of the view that they will neither the temple (Ram temple) built nor would allow RSS shakhas to take place. An aggressive Patra referred to an old statement of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi saying he had called the urban naxals the revolutionaries.

Mounting the attack further on Congress, the BJP leader claimed during a meeting with US ambassador, Gandhi had claimed that the Congress deemed Hindu and Hindutva more dangerous than organizations like SIMI.

The Congress always spreads malicious slander against RSS among minorities and other communities, BJP spokesperson Rajnish Agrawal said, adding Congress chief visits places where anti-India slogans are raised.

Congress defended its move with vigour. Its about priorities. Congress wants Government staffers to queue up in RSS shakhas while the Congress wants them to be in their offices so that public dont need to queue up in government offices, tweeted MPCC president Kamal Nath.

Party spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi also clarified on the matter saying the manifesto did not announce it intends to ban the RSS, it only aims at disallowing government staffers participation in shakhas. We want the government staff to fulfill its obligations towards the country and constitution.

Chaturvedi attacked RSS cultural organisation tag saying even the ministers in MP are appointed from Nagpur (The RSS headquarters).The Odisha Police Havildar, Constable and Sepoy Association on Sunday demanded a Crime Branch (CB) probe into the alleged assault on two police personnel in the Orissa High Court premises here on October 29.

Despite a complaint lodged with the Commissionerate police, the cops are yet to take any action in the incident, the association alleged at a meeting held to decided on its future course of action.

The investigation regarding the assault on the on-duty constables inside the HC premises was handed over to the Commissionerate police. However no legal steps have been taken so far. We do not believe the CP anymore and request the High Court to direct the Crime Branch to take up the matter, demanded association president Santosh Satapathy.

Satapathy further requested the High Court to monitor the entire investigation.

Notably, the body has been demanding the arrest of the accused involved in the attack. The association had on November 1 also threatened to launch a cease-work stir if culprits involved in alleged assault were not arrested within 48 hours.

It had resorted to agitation over three-point charter of demands. However, after an assurance from the State Government and the Police Commisioner, the association had called off its agitation.Haryana Chief Secretary DS Dhesi on Sunday said the seriousness of administrative officers and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions would be evaluated on the basis of their contribution in curbing burning of crop residue in the State.

He said it will be added to the ACRs of the sub divisional officers that the concerned officer has shown this much seriousness in curbing such incidents.

Apart from this, he directed to suspend Sarpanches of village Hizrawan Kalan and Hizrawan Khurd and Nambardar of village Kasimpur of district Fatehabad for not cooperating with the district administration in putting a check on crop residue burning incidents.

Dhesi, who was presiding over a meeting of administrative officers of districts Fatehabad, Sirsa and Jind, at Fatehabad, said that the period till November 25 is very crucial because this is the period when maximum cases of crop residue burning are reported.

In view of this, the Chief Secretary constituted two committees. A committee comprising of members of Revenue, Agriculture and District Development and Panchayat Departments would monitor the sensitive villages all the time whereas the committee of sub divisional officer and Tehsildar would visit different villages of the district from time to time.

The Chief Secretary was informed that geo tagging would soon be done of agricultural implements being given on subsidy at custom hiring centres or individually. This would help in assessing whether the implements have been actually used or not.

It was also directed to hold a meeting with scientists of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University to suggest new variety instead of PUSA 1401 variety of paddy, which causes more pollution on burning.

In the meeting, sarpanches, panches, nambardars, gram sachivs, patwaris, chaukidars and government employees were strictly cautioned that if they or their relatives are found burning crop residue then action would be initiated against them.

The Chief Secretary also directed the Deputy Commissioners of district Sirsa and Jind to adopt the decision taken by the Deputy Commissioner Fatehabad of not issuing arms licences or renew old licences of those persons who are found guilty of burning crop residue.PGI kicks off pre-conference CME on Hepatitis C

Chandigarh: The Department of Virology, PGIMER conducted one day Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on Hepatitis C: Past, Present and Future which was attended by 150 delegates and 10 guest faculty to deliver lectures on various aspects of hepatitis C infection. The CME was awarded 4 credit hours by Punjab Medical Council. The CME was inaugurated by renowned Hepatologist  Dr YK Chawla, former Director, PGIMER who is also considered as an iron man behind establishing state-of-art diagnostic facilities in the department of Virology. Prof RK Ratho, Head, Department of Virology highlighted the importance of timely diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

National-level function on Feb 10

Chandigarh: A national level function would be organised on the occasion of 138th birth anniversary of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram and Basant Panchmi on February 10. In this function, families of martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir, outstanding sportspersons and meritorious students would be honoured. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Satyapal Malik, Union Minister of Steel Birender Singh, Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh and other national level leaders would be present in this function, said president, Jat Sabha Chandigarh and former DGP Haryana, Mahender Singh Malik.

Georgians to join safe driving campaign

Chandigarh: Georgians Association (North), an association of former students of King Georges Schools now renamed Rashtriya Military Schools, has decided to join the campaign for safe driving and making roads safer for all. Georgians from the King Georges Royal Indian Military School, Chail came together at a reunion organised at Defence Services Officers Institute (DSOI) in Sector 36 here. The campaign would start in Chandigarh and then would be taken up across the Tricity. Hundreds of old students of the schools, which are managed directly by the Ministry of Defence, reside in the Tricity and have volunteered to join the campaign.

Workshops on new construction materials held

Faridkot: A series of District level Workshop-cum-Exhibition on Energy Efficient Building Materials was organized by Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in association with Chandigarh based Saakar Foundation and Pune based VKe Environmental at DC Complex in Fazilka and Adesh Institute in Faridkot. Surinder Bagha of Saakar Foundation said, the events are aimed to empower architects, engineers and builders on utilizing green materials to save energy. He spoke on designing buildings to suit local climate and culture.A special sight and sound show, Jang-e-Saragarhi dedicated to 21 valiant soldiers of 36th Battalion of Sikh Regiment was organised at Birpur Cantonment here on Sunday.

Jang-e-Saragarhi is a commemoration to the valour and sacrifice of 21 Sikh soldiers who fought against an army of 10,000 Pathans at the relay post of Saragarhi during 1897.

All of them were awarded Indian Order of Merit posthumously, the highest gallantry award at that time.

The saga of unparalleled bravery is recorded in the list of eight stories of collective bravery in the history of mankind assembled by UNESCO.

The sight and sound show was attended by the GOC, 14 RAPID(S) and chairperson, GK FWO, a number of veterans & serving personnel along with their families and students of APS Birpur, SGRR (PG) College, APS Clement Town, TVAPPS and Doon School.

At the end of the memorable programme GOC, 14 RAPID(S) felicitated Harbaksh Singh Latta and other participants for a spectacular display.Scores of Kashmiri migrant Pandit youths on Saturday staged a demonstration outside Raj Bhavan here against the "delay" in releasing the final list of candidates selected under Prime Minister's special employment package some months back.

The protesters, carrying banners and placards, assembled outside Raj Bhavan and staged the sit-in, seeking intervention of the Governor Satya Pal Malik in releasing the final list of candidates selected under Prime Minister's special employment package by J&K services selection board (SSB).

The protesters shouted slogans like we want justice and save our future.

The delay in releasing the list is tantamount to grave injustice with over 1100 candidates who have passed the examination in April and completed all formalities by July," claimed Vijay Koul Budgami, one of the protesters.

We have been running from pillar to post for the last two months to know the reason for the delay but failed, forcing us to stage the sit-in outside the governor's house to seek his intervention, he added.Tamil Nadu political parties, including the main opposition DMK Saturday termed the dissolution of the Sri Lankan Parliament as "murder of democracy".

They also sought the Central government's intervention to ensure that the security of India and the welfare of the Tamil people in the island nation are protected.

DMK chief M K Stalin said the dissolution of parliament was "trampling of the Constitution" and "atrocious" since the Sri Lankan constitution says that only a resolution by two thirds of its members can pave the way to dissolve the House within four and a half years of its convening.

The leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly, dubbed the move as a political emergency that threatened stability and jeopardised the welfare of Tamils.

Urging the Centre to condemn the "murder of democracy", the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader said the Union government must take steps to ensure a dignified life for Tamils with peace and security.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss said although it was Sri Lanka's internal issue, the Centre cannot overlook the developments as the security of India and the welfare of the Tamil population of the island nation was at stake.

"It is a brutal murder of democracy since Parliament's tenure ends only in August 2020," Anbumani, who is also the party's Dharmapuri Lok Sabha MP, said.

He alleged that the Maithripala Sirisena-Rajapaksa combine would try to win the January 5 polls through intimidatory tactics and by indulging in poll irregularities.

If they succeeded, it would lead to "both anti-Tamil" and "anti-India measures" in Sri Lanka, Anbumani claimed.

"Strategic locations in Sri Lanka may be given on a platter to China, jeopardising India's security interests," he alleged.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko accused Sirisena of executing a "treacherous drama" to hand over full powers to Rajapaksa, who was allegedly responsible for the killings of Tamil people during the civil war in 2009.

T T V Dhinakaran of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam too condemned the dissolution of parliament and demanded that the United Nations and the Indian government monitor the situation to ensure that Tamils were not affected in any way.

Accusing Rajapaksa of being responsible for the killings of Tamils in 2009, he said the House was dissolved at a time when Tamils all over the world were expecting annulment of his appointment as the prime minister by parliament, an "atrocious act that would root out democracy".

Sri Lanka is facing a major constitutional crisis after President Maithripala Sirisena ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and replaced him with Rajapaksa and suspended Parliament.

Days ahead of the floor test in the house, his spokesman Friday acknowledged that Rajapaksa remains short of the 'magic number' 113 required to prove his majority in Parliament.

The sudden constitutional crisis came amid growing tensions between Sirisena and Wickremesinghe on several policy matters and the President has been critical of the prime minister and his policies, especially on the economy and security.According to a report, the Middle Kingdom will be a tourist favourite by 2030 because of rising spends in the region, friendly initiatives and hospitality infrastructure

China is set to overtake France as the worlds 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 at an industry conference in London, Euromonitor said it is predicting that there will be 1.4 billion trips made in 2018, up by five per cent from the last year. Stronger growth in many major economies means industry receipts will rise by an estimated 11 per cent.

By 2030, international arrivals are expected to have risen by another billion, corresponding to around $2.6 trillion in receipts. China is expected to have overtaken France by then to become the worlds number one travel destination.

Much of the sustained boom in travel and tourism, which has outpaced growth in the global economy for eight years, is centered in the Asia-Pacific region, where trips are expected to grow by 10 per cent this year. The region has benefited from rapidly growing economies as well as an expanding middle class that seeks to spend disposable income on leisure.

Euromonitors senior travel analyst, Wouter Geerts said the gradual process of loosening visa restrictions has made travelling in the region easier, with 80 per cent of arrivals in Asia originating from the region. He also said that sporting events will likely boost the region further, with Tokyo hosting the 2020 Summer Olympic Games and Beijing the 2022 winter event.

Tourism is a key pillar of the Chinese economy, and much investment has been made to improve infrastructure and standards, in addition to tourism-friendly policies and initiatives, he said. Other bright spots in the forecast are countries like Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey, which have seen sharp falls in tourist numbers over the past few years linked to security concerns.

Egypt, in particular, appears to be doing well, following a long period of decline largely linked to the political upheaval since a popular uprising in 2011 and the downing of a Russian passenger plane over Egypts Sinai peninsula in 2015 by an affiliate of the Islamic State group, killing 224 people.

Though Egypts bookings were up 134 percent in 2017-18 from the year before, according to Euromonitor, the industry is still short of where it was in 2010. Egyptian government figures show 8 million tourists visited the country last year, way down on the 14 million recorded in 2010.

Europe is also proving resilient and growing strongly despite economic and political turmoil in some countries and a slew of extremist attacks in recent years.

One source of uncertainty for the outlook centers on Brexit. A no-deal Brexit, which would see Britain crashing out of the European Union in March, would see millions opting to stay at home  an estimated 5 million in 2022  rather than book overseas holidays, the report says. That would have a ripple effect across many destinations, notably in Spain, where UK travellers account for around a fifth of the tourist-related revenues. Euromonitor also warned that the US tourism industry could face a hit if the trade tensions between the US and China escalate.Austria has a launched a probe into an army colonel suspected of spying for Russia for several decades, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Friday, the latest in a string of cases where Moscow has been accused of espionage in EU states. Kurz told a Press conference that the colonel, now retired, is suspected to have begun working with Russian intelligence in the 1990s and carried on until 2018.

Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl has summoned the Russian charge daffaires over the matter and cancelled an upcoming trip to Russia. Russias Foreign Ministry meanwhile said it was calling in the Austrian ambassador to discuss the issue.

Of course if such cases are confirmed, whether it be in the Netherlands or in Austria, it cant improve the relationship between the EU and Russia, Kurz told reporters in Vienna.Sprint Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various wireless and wireline communications products and services to consumers, businesses, government subscribers, and resellers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. It operates in two segments, Wireless and Wireline. The Wireless segment offers wireless data communication services, including mobile productivity applications, such as Internet access, messaging, and email services; wireless photo and video offerings; location-based capabilities comprising asset and fleet management, dispatch services, and navigation tools; and mobile entertainment applications. It also provides wireless voice communications services that include local and long-distance wireless voice services, as well as voicemail, call waiting, three-way calling, caller identification, and call forwarding services. In addition, this segment offers voice and data services internationally through roaming arrangements; and customized wireless services to large companies and government agencies, as well as sells handsets, tablets, and hotspots. The Wireline segment provides wireline voice and data communications, which comprises domestic and international data communications using various protocols, including multiprotocol label switching technologies, Internet protocol (IP), managed network services, Voice over IP, session initiated protocol, and traditional voice services to other communications companies and targeted business subscribers. Sprint Corporation offers its services under the Sprint, Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Assurance Wireless brands. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. Sprint Corporation is a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.

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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.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Green Dot Corp. operates as a financial technology leader and bank holding company, which engages in the provision of modern banking and money movement accessible for all. It operates through the following segments: Account Services; Processing and Settlement Services; and Corporate and Other. The Account Services segment consists of revenues and expenses derived from deposit account programs, such as prepaid cards, debit cards, consumer and small business checking accounts, secured credit cards, payroll debit cards, and gift cards. The Processing and Settlement Services segment comprises of products and services that specialize in facilitating the movement of funds on behalf of consumers and businesses. The Corporate and Other segment represents eliminations of intersegment revenues and expenses, unallocated corporate expenses, depreciation and amortization, and other costs that are not considered when management evaluates segment performance. The company was founded by Steven W. Streit in October 1, 1999 and is headquartered in Pasadena, CA.

Read MoreJohn Menzies plc provides aviation services in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and internationally. It offers ground and cargo handling; into-plane fueling services and fuel farm management to airlines, airports, oil companies, and other partners; executive services, which includes lounge provision and meet-and-greet services for executive and VIP air travel; and offline services for airline customers, as well as cargo forwarding services. The company was founded in 1833 and is based in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreDHX Media Ltd. develops, produces, distributes, broadcasts, and licenses television and film programs for conventional and specialty terrestrial and cable/satellite television broadcasters worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Content Business, DHX Television, and Consumer Products Represented. It focuses on children's, youth, and family productions; offers animation programs; and provides production services. The company also sells initial broadcast rights; the packages of programs; and reuse rights to existing series to individual broadcasters and other content exhibitors, as well as pre-sells series in development. In addition, the company holds broadcast licenses for Family Channel, Family Jr., Telemagino, and Family CHRGD television channels; and exploits the company's own and third party brands in toys, games, apparel, publishing, and other categories. Further, it licenses its brands, such as Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake, Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Johnny Test, In the Night Garden, and Twirlywoos, as well as music publishing and retransmission rights, and live tours. The company was formerly known as The Halifax Film Company Limited and changed its name to DHX Media Ltd. in March 2006. DHX Media Ltd. was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Read MoreGTT Communications, Inc. provides cloud networking services to multinational enterprises, carriers, and government customers in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers wide area networking, such as software-defined wide area networking, multiprotocol label switching, and virtual private LAN service; high bandwidth-Internet connectivity and IP transit, as well as broadband and wireless Internet access services; managed equipment and security services; and unified communication services consisting of session initiation protocol trunking, cloud unified communication service, and traditional analog voice. It also provides transport services, such as Ethernet services that enable to design network equipment; and video transport services to support broadcast quality transmission of live events, sports entertainment, and news to media and entertainment industry. In addition, the company offers infrastructure services enabling transport of high volume data between data centers, enterprise office locations, and media hubs; wavelength services to deliver scalable high-performance optical connectivity; colocation, turnkey, duct, and dark fiber services; advanced solutions, including security, hybrid cloud, database, and application management Its IP network consists of approximately 600 points of presence. GTT Communications, Inc. markets its products and services through a network of direct sales force and indirect sales channels. The company was formerly known as Global Telecom & Technology, Inc. and changed its name to GTT Communications, Inc. in January 2014. GTT Communications, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Tyson Foods: APF Legacy Subs LLC, Advance Food Company LLC, AdvancePierre Foods, AdvancePierre Foods Holdings Inc., AdvancePierre Foods Inc., Aidells Sausage Company Inc., Allied Specialty Foods Inc., American Proteins Inc, Artisan Bread Co. LLC, Australian Food Corporation Pty Limited, Australian Food Corporation Trust, BRF, Barber Foods LLC, Bosco's Pizza Co., Bryan Foods Inc., C.S. Grain LLC, C.V. Holdings Inc., CBFA Management Corp., Central Industries Inc., Chefs Pantry LLC, Clovervale Farms LLC, Cobb (Hubei) Breeding Co. Ltd., Cobb (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Cobb Ana Damizlik Tavukculuk Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cobb Columbia S.A.S., Cobb Europe B.V., Cobb Europe Limited, Cobb Peru (Andina) S.A.C., Cobb-Heritage LLC, Cobb-Vantress Brasil Ltda, Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cobb-Vantress New Zealand Limited, Cobb-Vantress Philippines Inc., Coominya AFC Pty Limited, Coominya AFC Trust, DFG Foods Inc., DFG Foods L.L.C., Don Julio, Egbert LLC, Equity Group - Georgia Division LLC, Equity Group - Kentucky Division LLC, Equity Group Eufaula Division LLC, Equity Meat Corp., Flavor Corp., Flavor Holdings Inc., Foodbrands America Inc., Foodbrands Supply Chain Services Inc., Gallo Salame Inc., Global Employment Services Inc., Grow-Out Credit LLC, Grow-Out Holdings LLC, Haimen Tyson Poultry Development Co. Ltd, Hudson Foods Company, Hudson Midwest Foods Inc., Hybro Genetics Brasil Ltda, IBP Caribbean Inc., IBP Foodservice L.L.C., IBP Inc., International Affiliates & Investment LLC, Jiangsu Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Keydutch Finance B.V., Keydutch Holdings I LLC, Keydutch Holdings II LLC, Keydutch Investments B.V., Keystone CLJV Holdings Limited, Keystone County House Road LLC, Keystone Foods, Keystone Foods (AP) Limited, Keystone Foods Holdco LLC, Keystone Foods Intermediate LLC, Keystone Foods LLC, Keystone Foods Pty Limited, Keystone Management Inc., Keystone Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, LD Foods LLC, M & M Express LLC, M&M Restaurant Supply (MI/OH) LLC, MFG (USA) Holdings Inc., Mac Food Services (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., Madison Foods Inc., McKey Food Services (Hong Kong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Shandong) Limited, McKey Food Services (Thailand) Limited, McKey Food Services Limited, McKey Luxembourg Holdings APMEA S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., McKey Luxembourg S.a.r.l., McKey VI Holdings Limited, Myung Seung Food Company Ltd., National Comp Care Inc., New Canada Holdings Inc., Oaklawn Capital Corporation, Oaklawn IT Solution Private Limited, Original Philly Holdings Inc., PBX inc., Pierre Holdco Inc., River Valley Ingredients LLC, Rizhao Tyson Foods Co. Ltd, Rizhao Tyson Poultry Co. Ltd, Rural Energy Systems Inc., Sara Lee - Kiwi Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Diversified LLC, Sara Lee Foods LLC, Sara Lee Household & Body Care Malawi Ltd., Sara Lee International LLC, Sara Lee International TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Mexicana Holdings Investment L.L.C., Sara Lee TM Holdings LLC, Sara Lee Trademark Holdings Australasia LLC, Saramar L.L.C., Shandong Tyson-Da Long Food Company Limited, Smart Chicken, Southern Family Foods L.L.C., Southwest Products LLC, TF 20 B.V., TF 5201 B.V., TFA Leasing LLC, TFA Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, TFI of California Inc., Tecumseh Poultry LLC, Texas Transfer Inc., The Bruss Company, The Hillshire Brands Company, The IBP Foods Co., The Pork Group Inc., TyNet Corporation, Tyson (Shanghai) Enterprise Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Tyson Americas Holding Sarl, Tyson Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Tyson Breeders Inc., Tyson Chicken Inc., Tyson China Holding 2 Limited, Tyson China Holding 3 Limited, Tyson China Holding Limited, Tyson Deli Inc., Tyson Europe Holding Company, Tyson Farms Inc., Tyson Farms QOZB LLC, Tyson Foods Brasil Investimentos Ltda., Tyson Foods Canada Inc., Tyson Foods Europe (Netherlands) B.V., Tyson Foods Europe GmbH, Tyson Foods France S.A.R.L., Tyson Foods Germany GmbH, Tyson Foods Group Limited, Tyson Foods Holland B.V., Tyson Foods Huadong Development Co. Ltd, Tyson Foods Iberia Alimentos S.L.U., Tyson Foods Italia S.p.A., Tyson Foods Korea, Tyson Foods Netherlands B.V., Tyson Foods Products Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Europe Limited, Tyson Foods Scotland Sales (Europe) Limited, Tyson Foods UK Limited, Tyson Foods Wrexham Limited, Tyson Foods oosterwolde B.V., Tyson Fresh Meats Inc., Tyson Fresh Meats Sales and Distribution LLC, Tyson Global Holding Sarl, Tyson Hog Markets Inc., Tyson India Holdings Ltd., Tyson International APAC Ltd., Tyson International Company Ltd., Tyson International Holding Company, Tyson International Holding Sarl, Tyson International Service Center Inc., Tyson International Service Center Inc. Asia, Tyson International Service Center Inc. Europe, Tyson Mexican Original Inc., Tyson Mexico Trading Company S. de R.L. de CV., Tyson New Ventures LLC, Tyson Opportunity Zone Fund LLC, Tyson Pet Products Inc., Tyson Poultry Inc., Tyson Prepared Foods Inc., Tyson Processing Services Inc., Tyson Refrigerated Processed Meats Inc., Tyson Sales and Distribution Inc., Tyson Service Center Corp., Tyson Shared Services Inc., Tyson Storm Lake Holdings LLC, Tyson Warehousing Services LLC, Tyson of Wisconsin LLC, Uninex SA, Universal Meats (UK) Limited, WBA Analytical Laboratories Inc., Wilton Foods Inc., Xamol Consultores e Servicos, and Zemco Industries Inc..Kew Media Group Inc. operates as a content company worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Production and Distribution. It develops, produces, and distributes a range of genres comprising drama, comedy, documentary, crime, home improvement, paranormal, and entertainment. The company also offers fiction and non-fiction content from a range of third-party producers and suppliers. In addition, it publishes music, as well as manages content library. Kew Media Group Inc. was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Toronto, 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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..Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, national, and international news to professionals through desktop terminals, media organizations, and industry events, as well as directly to consumers. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation is a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited.

Read MoreCF Industries Holdings, Inc. engages in the manufacture and distribution of nitrogen fertilizer. The firm owns and operates nitrogen plants and serves agricultural and industrial customers through its distribution system. It operates through following segments: Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN, and Other. The Ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia, which is company's most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer product as it contains 82% nitrogen. The Granular Urea segment produces granular urea, which contains 46% nitrogen. The UAN segment produces urea ammonium nitrate solution, which is a liquid fertilizer product with a nitrogen content from 28% to 32%, is produced by combining urea and ammonium nitrate. The AN segment produces ammonium nitrate, which is a nitrogen-based product with a nitrogen content between 29% and 35%. The Other segment includes diesel exhaust fluid, nitric acid, urea liquor and aqua ammonia. The company was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Deerfield, IL.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of BorgWarner: B80 Italia S.r.l., BERU AG, BW El Salto S.A. De C.V., BWA Receivables Corporation, BWA Turbo Systems Holding LLC, Borg Warner Europe Holdings (PDS) B. V., BorgWarner (China) Investment Co. Ltd., BorgWarner (Reman) Holdings L.L.C., BorgWarner (Thailand) Limited, BorgWarner Aftermarket Europe GmbH, BorgWarner Alternators Inc., BorgWarner Arden LLC, BorgWarner Arnstadt RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Asia Inc., BorgWarner Automotive Asia Limited, BorgWarner Automotive Components (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Automotive Components (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Brasil Ltda., BorgWarner Chungju Co. LLC, BorgWarner Comercial e Distribuidora de Pecas para Veiculos Automotores Ltda., BorgWarner Comercializadora PDS S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner Componentes PDS S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner Cooling Systems (India) Private Limited, BorgWarner Cooling Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Diversified Transmission Products Services Inc., BorgWarner Drivetrain Engineering GmbH, BorgWarner Drivetrain Management Services de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Drivetrain de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Electric Motors L.L.C., BorgWarner Emissions Systems (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Emissions Systems (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Emissions Systems Holding LLC, BorgWarner Emissions Systems India Private Limited, BorgWarner Emissions Systems LLC, BorgWarner Emissions Systems Portugal Unipessoal LDA, BorgWarner Emissions Systems Spain S.L.U., BorgWarner Emissions Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner Emissions Talegaon Private Limited, BorgWarner Engineering Ketsch RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Engineering Kibo RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Esslingen GmbH, BorgWarner Europe GmbH, BorgWarner Europe Holding S.a. r. l., BorgWarner Gateshead Limited, BorgWarner Germany Holding GmbH, BorgWarner Germany Holding Services GmbH, BorgWarner Germany REH GmbH, BorgWarner Germany REM GmbH, BorgWarner Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, BorgWarner Global Holding S.a. r. l., BorgWarner Heidelberg I RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Heidelberg II RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Heidelberg REH GmbH, BorgWarner Heidelberg REM GmbH, BorgWarner Holding Inc., BorgWarner Holdings Limited, BorgWarner Hungary Kft., BorgWarner IT Services Europe GmbH, BorgWarner India Holdings Inc., BorgWarner Investment Holding Inc., BorgWarner Ithaca LLC, BorgWarner Ketsch Plant RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Ketsch REH GmbH, BorgWarner Ketsch REM GmbH, BorgWarner Kft., BorgWarner Kibo RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Korea Holdings (PDS) B.V., BorgWarner Korea Holdings LLC, BorgWarner Korea LLC, BorgWarner Limited, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg GmbH, BorgWarner Ludwigsburg RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Markdorf Plant RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner Markdorf REH GmbH, BorgWarner Markdorf REM GmbH, BorgWarner Massachusetts Inc., BorgWarner Mauritius Holdings Ltd., BorgWarner Mexico Holding BV, BorgWarner Mexico Holdings II LLC, BorgWarner Mexico Holdings LLC, BorgWarner Morse Systems India Private Limited, BorgWarner Morse Systems Italy S.r.l., BorgWarner Morse Systems Japan K.K., BorgWarner Morse Systems Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner Muggendorf RE GmbH & Co. KG, BorgWarner NW Inc., BorgWarner Netherlands Holdings (PDS) B.V., BorgWarner Oroszlany Kft., BorgWarner PDS (Anderson) L.L.C., BorgWarner PDS (Changnyeong) LLC, BorgWarner PDS (Indiana) Inc., BorgWarner PDS (Livonia) Inc., BorgWarner PDS (Ochang) LLC, BorgWarner PDS (Thailand) Limited, BorgWarner PDS (USA) Inc., BorgWarner PDS Brasil Produtos Automotivos Ltda., BorgWarner PDS Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner PDS Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., BorgWarner PDS Technologies L.L.C., BorgWarner Poland Sp. z o.o., BorgWarner Pyongtaek LLC, BorgWarner Romeo Power LLC, BorgWarner Rzeszow Sp. z o.o., BorgWarner Shenglong (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., BorgWarner South Asia LLC, BorgWarner Southborough Inc., BorgWarner Spain Holding S.L.U, BorgWarner Sweden AB, BorgWarner Systems Lugo S.r.l., BorgWarner Thermal Systems Inc., BorgWarner Thermal Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems Beijing Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Tralee Ltd., BorgWarner Transmission Products LLC, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Arnstadt GmbH, BorgWarner Transmission Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Korea LLC, BorgWarner Transmission Systems Tulle S.A.S., BorgWarner Trustees Limited, BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems France S.A.S., BorgWarner Turbo Systems Engineering GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems LLC, BorgWarner Turbo Systems Worldwide Headquarters GmbH, BorgWarner Turbo Systems of Michigan Inc., BorgWarner Turbo and Emissions Systems de Mexico S.A. de C.V., BorgWarner UK Financing Ltd., BorgWarner UK Holding and Services Ltd., BorgWarner US Holding LLC, BorgWarner USA Industries L.L.C., BorgWarner United Transmission Systems Co. Ltd., BorgWarner Waterloo Inc., BorgWarner Wrexham Limited, Cascadia Motion LLC, Creon Insurance Agency Limited, Delphi Technologies, Dytech ENSA, Gustav Wahler GmbH u. Co. KG, Haldex, Kuhlman LLC, Kysor Europe Limited, M. & M. Knopf Auto Parts L.L.C., NSK-Warner (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., NSK-Warner K.K., NSK-Warner Mexico S.A. de C.V, NSK-Warner U.S.A. Inc., New PDS Corp., Old Remco Holdings L.L.C., Old Remco International Holdings L.L.C., Remy International, SeohanWarner Turbo Systems LLC, Sevcon, Sevcon New Energy Technology (Hubei) Company Limited, and Transmission Systems AutoForm LLC.Morgan Stanley China A Share Fund, Inc. is a closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is to seek capital growth. The firm invests its assets in A-shares of Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, either by investing directly in A-shares through a licensed qualified foreign institutional investor or by gaining exposure to the A-share market through the use of derivatives. The company was founded on July 6, 2006 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Read MoreiShares MSCI India ETF's stock was trading at $28.76 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, INDA shares have increased by 72.3% and is now trading at $49.56.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.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..DTE Energy Co. operates as a diversified energy company, which engages in the provision of electricity and natural gas sales, distribution and storage services. It operates through the following segments: Electric, Gas, Non-Utility Operations, and Corporate & Other. The Electric segment engages in the generation, purchase, distribution and sale of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers in south-eastern Michigan. The Gas segment engages in the purchase, storage, transportation, distribution and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout Michigan and the sale of storage and transportation capacity. The Non-Utility Operations segment engages in gas storage and pipelines, power and industrial projects, and energy trading. The Corporate & Other includes various holding company activities, holds certain non-utility debt, and holds energy-related investments. The company was founded in January 1995 and is headquartered in Detroit, MI.

Read MoreiShares National Muni Bond ETF's stock was trading at $114.45 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, MUB shares have increased by 1.6% and is now trading at $116.25.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.CGI Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) and business process services in Canada, Northern Europe, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Its services include the management of IT and business outsourcing, systems integration and consulting, and software solutions selling activities. The company also offers application development, management, testing, portfolio management, and modernization services; business consulting, including agile, business transformation, change management, CIO advisory, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital enterprise, project management, and industry-specific services; and a suite of business process services designed to address the needs of specific industries, as well as IT infrastructure consulting, solutions, and services. It serves clients operating in government, financial services, health, utility, communication, oil and gas, manufacturing, retail and consumer service, transportation, and post and logistics sectors. The company was formerly known as CGI Group Inc. and changed its name to CGI Inc. in January 2019. CGI Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Read MoreBlack Diamond Group Limited rents and sells modular space and workforce accommodation solutions. It operates through two segments, Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. The Modular Space Solutions segment provides modular space rentals to customers in the construction, real estate development, manufacturing, education, financial, and resource industries, as well as government agencies in North America. Its products include office units, lavatories, storage units, large multi-unit office complexes, classroom facilities, banking and health care facilities, custom manufactured modular facilities, and blast resistant structures. This segment also sells new and used space rentals units; and provides delivery, installation, project management, and ancillary products and services. The Workforce Solutions segment provides workforce housing solutions, including rental of accommodations and surface equipment, and provision of turnkey lodging and travel management services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. This segment also provides associated services, such as installation, transportation, demobilization, and sale of used fleet assets. This segment primarily serves the resource, infrastructure, construction, disaster recovery, and education sectors. The company also provides specialized field rentals to oil and gas industries. Black Diamond Group Limited markets its rental assets, custom sales, and ancillary products and services through in-house sales personnel, its website, social media, web campaigns, and its digital marketplace. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of IDEX: ADS Corp., ADS Environmental Services Pty Limited, ADS Environmental Technologies Inc., ADS LLC, AEGIS Flow Technologies, AEGIS Flow Technologies L.L.C., AWG, AWG Fittings GmbH, Abel Pumps, Advanced Thin Films, Advanced Thin Films Inc., Airtech Group, Akron Brass, Akron Brass Company, Alfa Valvole, Alfa Valvole S.r.l., Band-It Clamps (Asia) Pte. Ltd., Band-It Company Limited, Band-It-IDEX Inc., Banjo Corporation, Banjo Europe S.r.l., BarbIDEX International SRL, CIDRA Precision Services, CVI Laser, CVI Laser LLC, CVI Laser Limited, CVI Melles Griot, Corken Inc., ERC, Eastern Plastics, FAST & Fluid Management S.r.l., FM Delaware Inc., FM Investment Inc., FMD Distribution and Service LLC, FMD Fabrication Services LLC, FTL Seals Technology Limited, Fast & Fluid Management B.V., Fast & Fluid Management Eastern Europe Sp. Z O.O., Fast and Fluid Management Australia Pty. Ltd., Flow Management Devices, Flow Management Devices LLC, Fluid Management Canada Inc., Fluid Management Inc., Fluid Management Operations LLC, Gast Group Ltd, Gast Manufacturing Inc., Godiva Limited, Godiva Products Limited, Hale Products Europe Limited, Hale Products Inc., Hurst Jaws of Life Inc., IDEX Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., IDEX Dinglee Technology (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., IDEX Europe GmbH, IDEX Health & Science KK, IDEX Health & Science LLC, IDEX Holdings GmbH, IDEX Holdings Inc., IDEX India Private Limited, IDEX Italy S.r.l., IDEX Japan GK, IDEX Korea Ltd, IDEX Leasing GmbH, IDEX MPT Inc., IDEX Mexico S.A. de C.V., IDEX Middle East FZE, IDEX Pump Technologies (Ireland) Limited, IDEX SAS, IDEX Service Corp., IDEX Sourcing Corporation, IDEX Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., IDEX Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, IDEX UK Investment Ltd, IDEX UK Ltd., IDEX do Brasil Servicos e Vendas Ltda., IETG, Isolation Technologies, KNIGHT LLC, KVT-Koenig Holding Limited, Knight (Canada) Limited, Knight Inc., Knight UK Ltd, LUKAS Hydraulik GmbH, Liquid Controls, Liquid Controls LLC, Matcon, Matcon (R&D) Limited, Matcon Group Limited, Matcon Limited, Melles Griot B.V., Melles Griot GmbH, Microfluidics, Microfluidics International Corporation, Micropump Inc., Nova Technologies, Nova Technologies Corporation, Novotema, Novotema S.p.A, OBL, OBL Srl, Oil & Gas Process Solutions LLC, PP AWG GmbH, PPE International LLC, PPE LLC, Precision Photonics, Precision Polymer Engineering Limited, Project Gold Acquisition Corp., Pulsafeeder Inc., Quadro Engineering Corp., RV Acquisition Corp., Richter Chemie-Technik, Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH, Richter EP (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Richter Pumps & Valves Inc., Roplan AB, Roplan GmbH, Roplan Holding AB, Roplan Ltd, Roplan Machinery (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., Roplan Machining AB, Roplan Sales (Ningbo) Co. Ltd., Roplan Sales AB, Roplan Sales Inc., Roplan Trading AB, S.A.M.P.I. S.p.A., SFC KOENIG, SFC KOENIG Flow Control (Suzhou) Co. Limited, SFC Koenig AG, SFC Koenig Beteilgungs GmbH, SFC Koenig GmbH, SFC Koenig LLC, Scivex, Seals Limited, Semrock, Steridose Sales AB, The Fitzpatrick Company, Toptech Systems, Toptech Systems Inc., Toptech Systems NV, Trebor International Inc., Velcora, Velcora Holding AB, Vetter GmbH, Viking Pump Inc., Viking Pump of Canada Inc., Warren Rupp Inc., Wright Flow Technologies Limited, XAM Swiss Holding I GmbH, iPEK, iPEK International GmbH, iPEK Spezial TV GmbH, thinXXS Microtechnology, and thinXXS Microtechnology AG.Guess?, Inc. engages in designing, marketing, distributing and licensing of contemporary apparel and accessories for men, women and children that reflect the American lifestyle and European fashion sensibilities. It operates through the following segments: Americas Retail, Americas Wholesale, Europe, Asia, and Licensing. The Americas Retail segment includes the Company's retail and e-Commerce operations in North and Central America and its retail operations in South America. The Americas Wholesale segment consists of the Company's wholesale operations in the Americas. The Europe segment comprises the Company's retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment refers to the Company's retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Asia and the Pacific. The Licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. The company was founded by Paul Marciano and Maurice Marciano in 1981 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of EnerSys: ABSL Power Solutions Inc., ABSL Power Solutions Ltd., Acumuladores Industriales EnerSys SA, Alpha Alternative Energy Inc., Alpha Broadband Services Inc., Alpha Innovations Industria e Comercio de Produtos Eletronicos Ltda., Alpha Innovations Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Alpha Mexico Network Power S.A. de C.V., Alpha Tech Energy Solutions India Private Limited, Alpha Technical Services Ltd., Alpha Technologies Ltd., Alpha Technologies Pty. Ltd., Alpha Technologies Services Inc., Alphatec Technologies (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Argus Research Ltd., Batterias Hawker de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Battery Power International Pte Ltd., Coppervale Enterprises Inc., DCPM Engineering Sdn Bhd, EH Batterien AG, EH Europe GmbH, EH Global Holdings GmbH, EH Swiss Holdings GmbH, ENAS Industrial Batteries Morocco Sarl, EnerSys (Chaozhou) Huada Batteries Company Limited, EnerSys (China) Huada Batteries Company Limited, EnerSys (Chongqing) Huada Batteries Company Limited, EnerSys (Jiangsu) Huada Batteries Company Limited (94.7%) *, EnerSys (Luxembourg) Finance Sarl, EnerSys (Yangzhou) Huada Batteries Co. Ltd., EnerSys A/S, EnerSys AB, EnerSys AD, EnerSys AE, EnerSys AS, EnerSys Advanced Systems Inc., EnerSys Argentina S.A., EnerSys Asia Limited, EnerSys Australia Pty Ltd., EnerSys BV, EnerSys BVBA, EnerSys Battery Private Limited, EnerSys Brasil Ltda., EnerSys Bulgaria EOOD, EnerSys Canada Inc., EnerSys Capital Inc., EnerSys Cayman Euro L.P., EnerSys Cayman Holdings L.P., EnerSys Cayman Inc., EnerSys Delaware Inc., EnerSys Delaware LLC I, EnerSys Delaware LLC II, EnerSys Delaware LLC III, EnerSys Delaware LLC IV, EnerSys Delaware LLC V, EnerSys Energy Products Inc., EnerSys Europe Oy, EnerSys European Holding Co., EnerSys GmbH, EnerSys Holdings (Luxembourg) Sarl, EnerSys Holdings UK Ltd., EnerSys Hungaria Kft., EnerSys India Batteries Private Ltd., EnerSys JSC, EnerSys LLC, EnerSys Ltd., EnerSys Malaysia Sdn Bhd, EnerSys Mexico Holdings LLC, EnerSys Mexico Management LLC, EnerSys Participacoes Ltda., EnerSys Reserve Power Pte. Ltd., EnerSys S.r.l., EnerSys SARL, EnerSys SNC, EnerSys South East Asia Pte. Ltd., EnerSys de Mexico II S de R.L. de CV, EnerSys de Mexico S de R.L. de CV, EnerSys s.r.o., EnerSys sp. z o.o., EnerSystem Chile Ltda., Enersys Aku Sanaya Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Esfinco LLC, Hawker GmbH, Hawker Power Systems Inc., Hawker Powersource Inc., Hawker Systems GmbH & Co. KG., ICS Industries Pty Ltd, ICS Industries Pty Ltd., ICS Sheet Metal Pty Ltd., Industrial Battery Holding Ltda., International Communication Shelters Australasia Pty Ltd., Lancord Pty Ltd., Lenmic Pty Ltd., MIB Energy Sdn Bhd, N Holding AB, National Infrastructure Pty Ltd., National Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd., NaviSemi Energy Pte Ltd., NaviSemi Inc., New Pacifico Realty Inc., NorthStar Battery Company LLC, NorthStar Battery Company LLC, NorthStar Battery DMCC, Outback Power Technologies Inc., Powercom (NSW) Pty Ltd., Powersonic S de R.L. de CV, Purcell Systems, Purcell Systems Inc., Purcell Systems International AB, Quallion LLC, Riverfront Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Shenzhen Huada Power Supply Mechanical & Electrical Co. Ltd. , SiteTel Shanghai Co Ltd., SiteTel Sweden AB, Telecomponents & Supply (Hong Kong) Ltd., The Enser Corporation, UTS Holdings Sdn Bhd, UTS Technology (JB) Sdn Bhd, UTS Technology (PG) Sdn Bhd, YCI Inc., and Yecoltd S. de R.L. de CV.Bank of America Corp. is a bank and financial holding company, which engages in the provision of banking and nonbank financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth and Investment Management, Global Banking, Global Markets, and All Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers credit, banking, and investment products and services to consumers and small businesses. The Global Wealth and Investment Management provides client experience through a network of financial advisors focused on to meet their needs through a full set of investment management, brokerage, banking, and retirement products. The Global Banking segment deals with lending-related products and services, integrated working capital management and treasury solutions to clients, and underwriting and advisory services. The Global Markets segment includes sales and trading services, as well as research, to institutional clients across fixed-income, credit, currency, commodity, and equity businesses. The All Other segment consists of asset and liability management activities, equity investments, non-core mortgage loans and servicing activities, the net impact of periodic revisions

Read MoreHannover RAck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services worldwide. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance, and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. The Property & Casualty Reinsurance segment offers specialty lines comprising marine, aviation, facultative and direct business, credit, surety, and political risks reinsurance products; and treaty, catastrophe XL, and structured reinsurance, as well as insurance-linked securities. This segment also provides risk solutions for agricultural, livestock, and bloodstock businesses; aviation and space business; and marine and offshore energy business. The Life & Health Reinsurance segment offers group and individual credit life, enhanced annuities, group life and health, and Sharia-compliant Takaful reinsurance products. This segment also provides risk solutions in the areas of critical illness, disability, health, longevity, long term care, and mortality and morbidity, as well as underwriting services. In addition, it offers various financial solutions, including new-business financing; monetization of embedded value; reserve and solvency relief; and divestiture of non-core businesses. The company was formerly known as Hannover RAckversicherung AG and changed its name to Hannover RAck SE in March 2013. The company was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Hanover, Germany. Hannover RAck SE is a subsidiary of Talanx AG.

Read MoreHeidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, sells, and deals in printing press and other print media industry products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia/Pacific, Eastern Europe, North America, and South America. It operates through Heidelberg Digital Technology, Heidelberg Lifecycle Solutions, and Heidelberg Financial Services segments. The company offers printing machines, including digital, offset, narrow web, screen, and inline-flexo printing, as well as remarketed equipment; and finishing equipment comprising cutting, die-cutting and embossing, folding, inspection, folding carton gluing, and hot foil stamping. It also provides technical services, such as installation and relocation, maintenance and cleaning, remote support, repair, and overhauling services, as well as service parts; and performance services consisting of performance evaluation, color management, training, upgrades and retrofits, monitoring, output optimization, print shop optimization, and investment planning. In addition, the company offers financial services; and consumables, such as CtP printing and analog plates, films, platemaking chemicals, proofing materials, toners, glues, staple cartridges, hole punching supplies, inks, coatings and varnishes, blankets, rollers, chemicals, pressroom supplies, cutting knives, banderoles, dispersion glues, binding glues, stitching wires and sealing threads, and folding carton gluing supplies. Further, it provides software solutions; and consulting and other services in the field of mechanical, engineering, electronics, and electrical engineering, and the metal industry. The company was formerly known as Schnellpressenfabrik AG Heidelberg and changed its name to Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft in 1967. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1850 and is based in Heidelberg, Germany.

Read Moreinnogy SE operates as an energy company in Europe. The company operates in two divisions, Grid & Infrastructure and Retail. The Grid & Infrastructure division is involved in the operation of gas distribution network in Croatia, as well as electricity distribution network in Poland and Hungary; and water business. The Retail division sells electricity and gas. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, and corporate customers, as well as distributors. innogy SE has a strategic partnership with Nordex. The company was formerly known as RWE International SE and changed its name to innogy SE in September 2016. innogy SE was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Essen, Germany. innogy SE is a subsidiary of E.ON Verwaltungs SE.

Read MoreiShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF's stock was trading at $52.82 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, ICF stock has increased by 34.5% and is now trading at $71.04.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. is a supplier of precision instruments and services. The firm manufactures weighing instruments for use in laboratory, industrial, packaging, logistics, and food retailing applications. It also manufactures several related analytical instruments and provides automated chemistry solutions used in drug and chemical compound discovery and development; and also, metal detection and other end-of-line inspection systems used in production and packaging and provides solutions for use in certain process analytics applications. Its operations are conducted by the following segments: U. S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations and Other. The U.S. Operations segment represents certain of the company's marketing and producing organizations located in the United States. The Swiss Operations segment includes marketing and producing organizations located in Switzerland, as well as extensive R&D operations that are responsible for the development, production, and marketing of precision instruments, including weighing, analytical, and measurement technologies for use in a variety of industrial and laboratory applications. Th

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A  Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited.The following companies are subsidiares of Moody's: Administracion de Calificadoras S.A. de C.V., BlackBox Logic, Bureau van Dijk EP DMCC, Bureau van Dijk Editions Electroniques S.A.S., Bureau van Dijk Editions Electroniques SRL, Bureau van Dijk Editions Electroniques Sarl, Bureau van Dijk Edizioni Elettroniche S.p.a, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing AB, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing ApS, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing B.V., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Beijing Co. Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing GmbH, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Hong Kong Limited, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Inc., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing K.K., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing LLC, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Pte. Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Pty. Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing S.A. de C.V., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Unipessoal Lda., Bureau van Dijk Electroniq Publishing S.A. (Pty) Ltd, Bureau van Dijk Publicaciones Electronicas S.A., Bureau van Dijk Publicacao Eletronica Ltda., DVBS Inc., Equilibrium (Chile) Holding SpA, Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS) Limited, Fermat International SA, Four Twenty Seven, Four Twenty Seven France SAS, Four Twenty Seven Inc., GGYAXIS Inc., Gilliland Gold Young Consulting Inc., ICRA Lanka Limited, ICRA Limited, ICRA Nepal Limited, ICRA Online Limited, KIS Pricing Inc., Korea Investors Service, Korea Investors Service Inc., Lewtan Technologies Inc., MIS Asset Holdings Inc., MIS Quality Management Corp., MIS Support Center Private Limited, MIS Support Services CR Sociedad de Responsabilidad Ltda., Midroog Ltd., Moody's (China) Limited, Moody's (Japan) K.K., Moody's (UK) Limited, Moody's America Latina Ltda., Moody's Analytics (DIFC) Limited, Moody's Analytics (India) Private Limited, Moody's Analytics (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd., Moody's Analytics (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Moody's Analytics Australia Pty. Ltd., Moody's Analytics Canada Inc., Moody's Analytics Czech Republic s.r.o., Moody's Analytics Deutschland GmbH, Moody's Analytics Global Education (Canada) Inc., Moody's Analytics Holdings (UK) Limited, Moody's Analytics Hong Kong Ltd., Moody's Analytics International Licensing Gmbh, Moody's Analytics Ireland Limited, Moody's Analytics Japan K.K., Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services (Jersey) Limited, Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services Holdings (Mauritius) Limited, Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services Research (Mauritius) Limited, Moody's Analytics Korea Co. Ltd, Moody's Analytics SAS, Moody's Analytics Singapore Pte Ltd., Moody's Analytics Technical Services (Hong Kong) Ltd., Moody's Analytics Technical Services (UK) Limited, Moody's Analytics UK Limited, Moody's Analytics do Brazil Solucoes para Gerenciamento de Risco de Credito Ltda, Moody's Asia Pacific Limited, Moody's Asia-Pacific Group (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Moody's Canada Inc., Moody's Canada LP, Moody's China (B.V.I.) Limited, Moody's Company Holdings (BVI) I Limited, Moody's Company Hong Kong Limited, Moody's Credit Ratings (China) Limited, Moody's Deutschland GmbH, Moody's EMEA Financing (Cyprus) Limited, Moody's EMEA Holdings Limited, Moody's Eastern Europe LLC, Moody's Equilibrium I (BVI) Holding Corporation, Moody's Equilibrium II (BVI) Holding Corporation, Moody's Finance (BVI) Limited, Moody's Financing (BVI) Limited, Moody's Financing (Cyprus) Limited, Moody's France SAS, Moody's Group (BVI) Limited, Moody's Group (Holdings) Unlimited, Moody's Group Australia Pty Ltd, Moody's Group Cyprus Limited, Moody's Group Deutschland GmbH, Moody's Group Finance Limited, Moody's Group France SAS, Moody's Group Holdings (BVI) Limited, Moody's Group Japan G.K., Moody's Group NL B.V., Moody's Group UK Limited, Moody's Holdings (B.V.I.) Limited, Moody's Holdings Limited, Moody's Holdings NL B.V., Moody's Indonesia (B.V.I) Limited, Moody's Information Consulting (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Moody's International (UK) Limited, Moody's International Holdings (Cyprus) Limited, Moody's Investment Company India Private Limited, Moody's Investors Service (BVI) Limited, Moody's Investors Service (Beijing) Ltd., Moody's Investors Service (Korea) Inc., Moody's Investors Service (Nordics) AB, Moody's Investors Service Cyprus Limited, Moody's Investors Service EMEA Limited, Moody's Investors Service Espana S.A., Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Limited, Moody's Investors Service India Private Limited, Moody's Investors Service Limited, Moody's Investors Service Middle East Limited, Moody's Investors Service Pty Limited, Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Moody's Investors Service South Africa (Pty) Limited, Moody's Israel Holdings Inc., Moody's Italia S.r.l., Moody's Latin America Agente de Calificacion de Riesgo S.A., Moody's Latin America Holding Corp., Moody's Lithuania UAB, Moody's Local PA Calificadora de Riesgo S.A., Moody's Local PE Clasificadora de Riesgo S.A, Moody's Mauritius Holdings Limited, Moody's Risk Assessments Limited, Moody's SF Japan K.K., Moody's Shared Services India Private Limited, Moody's Shared Services UK Limited, Moody's Singapore Pte Ltd, Moody's South Africa (B.V.I.) Ltd., Moody's de Mexico S.A. de C.V. I.C.V, Moodys Advisors Inc., Moodys Analytics Inc., Moodys Analytics Knowledge Services Solutions (US) Inc., Moodys Analytics Solutions LLC, Moodys Assurance Company Inc., Moodys Assureco Inc., Moodys Capital Markets Research Inc., Moodys Group Holdings Inc., Moodys Holdings LLC, Moodys International LLC, Moodys Investors Service Inc., Moodys Overseas Holdings Inc., Moodys Risk Assessments Holdings LLC, Moodys Risk Assessments Inc., Moodys Shared Services Inc., Nile 1 Limited, Nile 2 Limited, Nile 3 Limited, Nile 4 Limited, Nile 5 Limited, Omega Performance, Omega Performance Corp./S.C.C. A Rendement Omega, Omega Performance Corporation, Omega Performance Corporation Pty. Limited, Omega Performance NZ Limited, Omega Performance Pte. Ltd., PT ICRA Indonesia, Pragati Development Consulting Services Limited, RBA International, Reis, Reis Inc., Reis Services LLC, Risk First (Holdings) Limited, Risk First (IP) Limited, Risk First Enterprise Limited, Risk First Group Limited, Risk First Inc., Risk First Limited, Risk First Management Services Limited, Skyval Holdings LLP, Skyval Limited, The Moodys Foundation, Vigeo, Vigeo Belgium NV, Vigeo Eiris, Vigeo Eiris Canada Inc., Vigeo Eiris Chile SpA, Vigeo Eiris Hong Kong Limited, Vigeo Eiris USA LLC, Vigeo Group, Vigeo Italia S.r.l, Yellow Maple Holding B.V., Yellow Maple I B.V., Yellow Maple II B.V., and Zephus Ltd..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Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc. engages in the acquisition and operation of multifamily properties in select targeted markets throughout the United States. It operates through the following segments: Multifamily Communities, Financing, New Market Properties, Preferred Office Properties, and Others. The Multifamily Communities segment consists of company's portfolio of owned residential multifamily communities. The Financing segment refers to the portfolio of real estate loans, bridge loans, and other instruments deployed by the company to partially finance the development, construction, and prestabilization carrying costs of new multifamily communities and other real estate and real estate related assets. The New Market Properties segment covers portfolio of grocery-anchored shopping centers, as well as the financial results from the retail real estate loans. The Preferred Office Properties segment relates to the portfolio of office buildings. The Others segment includes deferred offering costs. The company was founded by Leonard A. Silverstein and John A. Williams on September 18, 2009 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE). 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.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Tableau Software, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides business analytics software products. It offers Tableau Desktop, a self-service, powerful analytics product with data; Tableau Server, a business intelligence platform for organizations; Tableau Online, a hosted software-as-a-service version of Tableau Server; Tableau Prep, a data preparation product for combining, shaping, and cleaning data; and Tableau Public, a cloud-based platform for analyzing and sharing public data. In addition, it offers Visual Query Language (VizQL) for databases, which is a computer language for describing pictures of data, including graphs, charts, maps, time series, and tables of visualizations; Live Query Engine that interprets abstract queries generated by VizQL into syntax understandable by database systems; and Hyper, an in-memory data engine technology that helps customers to analyze a range of data sets by evaluating analytical queries directly in the transactional database. Further, the company provides support, maintenance, training, and professional services. It serves organizations in various industries, including business services, energy and telecommunications, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, manufacturing and technology, media and entertainment, public sector, and education, as well as retail, consumer, and distribution industries. The company sells its products directly, as well as through indirect sales channels, such as technology vendors, resellers, original equipment manufacturers, independent software vendor, and distributors in the United States, Canada, and internationally. Tableau Software, Inc. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Read MoreThere is not enough analysis data for Telkonet.

4.4 Community Rank

Outperform Votes Telkonet has received 63 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes Telkonet has received 32 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment Telkonet has received 66.32% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Telkonet and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe TKOI will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe TKOI will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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NextUnifi, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of synthetic and recycled products made from polyester and nylon. It operates through the following segments: Polyester, Nylon, Brazil, and Asia. The Polyester segment sells polyester-based products to other yarn manufacturers, knitters, and weavers that produce yarn and fabric for the apparel, hosiery, home furnishings, automotive, industrial, and other end-use markets in U.S. and El Salvador. The Nylon segment offers nylon-based products to knitters and weavers that produce fabric for the apparel and hosiery markets in U.S. and Colombia. The Brazil and Asia segments comprises polyester-based products to knitters and weavers that produce fabric for the apparel, home furnishings, automotive, industrial, and other end-use markets principally in South America and Asia. The company was founded by George Allen Mebane IV in 1969 and is headquartered in Greensboro, NC.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial.The following companies are subsidiares of UnitedHealth Group: 1031387 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, 1070715 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, 1st Avenue Pharmacy Inc., 310 Canyon Medical, 310 Canyon Medical LLC, 4C MSO LLC, 4C Medical Group PLC, 5995 Minnetonka LLC, ABCO International Holdings LLC, ACN Group IPA of New York, ACN Group IPA of New York Inc., ACN Group of California, ACN Group of California Inc., AHJV, AHJV MSO, AHN Accontable Care Organization LLC, AHN Central Services LLC, AHN Target Holdings LLC, AMIL International, AMIL International S.a.r.l., APS  Assistencia Personalizada a Saude Ltda., ARC Infusion, ASC Holdings of New Jersey LLC, ASC Network LLC, ASI Global, ASI Global LLC, Access Administrators Inc., Access HealthSource Administrators Inc., Access HealthSource Inc., Access I.V., Administradora Clinica La Colina S.A.S., Administradora Country S.A., Administradora Medica Centromed S.A., Advanced Care, Advanced Care Pharmacy, Advanced Pharma Inc., Advanced Surgery Center of Clifton LLC, Advanced Surgical Hospital LLC, Advantage Care Network Inc., Advocate Condell Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Advocate Sherman Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Advocate Southwest Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Advocate-SCA Partners LLC, Alere Health, Alere Health Improvement Company, Alere Healthcare of Illinois, Alere Wellbeing, Alere Wellology, Alere of New York, Aliansalud Entidad Promotora de Salud S.A., All Savers Insurance Company, All Savers Life Insurance Company of California, Alliance Surgical Center LLC, Aloha Surgical Center LLC, Ambient Healthcare, Ambient Healthcare Inc., Ambient Healthcare of Central Florida, Ambient Healthcare of Georgia, Ambient Healthcare of Northeast Florida, Ambient Healthcare of S. Florida, Ambient Healthcare of West Florida, Ambient Holdings, Ambient Holdings Inc., Ambient Nursing Services, AmeriChoice, AmeriChoice Corporation, AmeriChoice Health Services, AmeriChoice of Connecticut, AmeriChoice of New Jersey, AmeriChoice of New Jersey Inc., American Health Network of Indiana Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Indiana II LLC, American Health Network of Indiana LLC, American Health Network of Ohio Care Organization LLC, American Health Network of Ohio II LLC, American Health Network of Ohio LLC, Amico Saude Ltda., Amil, Amil Assistencia Medica Internacional S.A., Amil Lifesciences Participacoes Ltda., Antelope Valley Surgery Center L.P., Analisis Clinicos ML S.A.C., Apothecary Holdings Inc., Apothecary Shop of Phoenix Inc., AppleCare Medical Management, AppleCare Medical Management LLC, Aquitania Chilean Holding SpA, Arise Physician Group, Arizona Physicians IPA, Arizona Physicians IPA Inc., AssuranceRx, AssuranceRx LLC, Athens ASC Holdings LLC, Audax Health Solutions, Audax Health Solutions LLC, Austin Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., Avella Patient Access Program Inc., Avella Specialty Pharmacy, Avella of Austin Inc., Avella of Columbus Inc., Avella of Deer Valley Inc., Avella of Denver Inc., Avella of Gilbert Inc., Avella of Las Vegas II Inc., Avella of Orlando Inc., Avella of Phoenix III Inc., Avella of Sacramento Inc., Avella of Scottsdale Inc., Avella of St. Louis Inc., Avella of Tampa LLC, Avella of Tucson II Inc., Avella of Tucson Inc., Aveta Arizona, Aveta Health Solutions Inc., Aveta Inc., Aveta Kansas City, Aveta Tennessee, AxelaCare Health Solutions, AxelaCare Intermediate Holdings, AxelaCare Intermediate Holdings LLC, AxelaCare LLC, B.R.A.S.S. Partnership in Commendam, Banmedica Colombia SpA, Banmedica Internacional SpA, Banmedica S.A., Beach Surgical Holdings III LLC, Behavioral Healthcare Options, Behavioral Healthcare Options Inc., Belleville Surgical Center Ltd. an Illinois Limited Partnership, Benefit Administration for the Self Employed L.L.C., Benefitter Insurance Solutions Inc., Birmingham Outpatient Surgical Center LLC, Blackstone Valley Surgicare GP LLC, Blue Ridge GP LLC, Bordeaux (Barbados) Holdings I SRL, Bordeaux (Barbados) Holdings II SRL, Bordeaux (Barbados) Holdings III SRL, Bordeaux Holding SpA, Bordeaux International Holdings Inc., Bordeaux UK Holdings I Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings II Limited, Bordeaux UK Holdings III Limited, Bosque Medical Center Ltda., Brandon Ambulatory Surgery Center LC, BriovaRx, BriovaRx, BriovaRx Infusion Services, BriovaRx Infusion Services 102 LLC, BriovaRx Infusion Services 200 Inc., BriovaRx Infusion Services 204 Inc., BriovaRx Infusion Services 209 Inc., BriovaRx Infusion Services 305 LLC, BriovaRx Infusion Services 402 LLC, BriovaRx Infusion Services Inc., BriovaRx Specialty LLC, BriovaRx of California, BriovaRx of California Inc., BriovaRx of Florida, BriovaRx of Florida Inc., BriovaRx of Georgia, BriovaRx of Georgia LLC, BriovaRx of Hawaii, BriovaRx of Indiana, BriovaRx of Louisiana, BriovaRx of Louisiana L.L.C., BriovaRx of Maine, BriovaRx of Maine Inc., BriovaRx of Massachusetts, BriovaRx of Massachusetts LLC, BriovaRx of Nevada, BriovaRx of New York, BriovaRx of New York Inc., BriovaRx of Texas, BriovaRx of Texas Inc., CDC Holdings Colombia S.A.S., CLISA  Clinica de Santo Antonio S.A., CMO  Centro Medico de Oftalmologia S/S Ltda., CMS  Central de Manipulacao e Servicos Farmaceuticos S.A., CNIC Health Solutions Inc., COI Participacoes S.A., COI  Clinicas Oncologicas Integradas S.A., Cabin Enterprises LLC, Cabin Holdings LLC, California MedTrans Network IPA LLC, California MedTrans Network MSO LLC, California Medical Group Insurance Company Risk Retention Group, Camp Hill-SCA Centers LLC, Capital City Medical Group L.L.C., Cardio Management, Cardio Management Inc., Care Improvement Plus Group Management, Care Improvement Plus Group Management LLC, Care Improvement Plus South Central Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus Wisconsin Insurance Company, Care Improvement Plus of Texas Insurance Company, Casa de Saude Santa Therezinha Ltda., Casa de Saude Santa Therezinha S.A., Castle Rock SurgiCenter LLC, Catalyst360, Catalyst360 LLC, Catamaran Finance (Ireland) Unlimited Company, Catamaran Health Solutions, Catamaran Holdings I, Catamaran IPA III, Catamaran Mail, Catamaran PBM of Illinois II, Catamaran PBM of Puerto Rico, Catamaran PD of Pennsylvania, Catamaran PD of Puerto Rico, Catamaran Rebate Management, Catamaran S.a.r.l., Catamaran Senior Services, Catamaran of Pennsylvania, Cedar Park Surgery Center LLC, Cemed Care - Empressa de Atendimento Clinico Geral Ltda., Cemed Care  Empresa de Atendimento Clinico Geral Ltda., Central Indiana Care Organization LLC, Central Ohio Care Organization LLC, Central de Compras SpA, CentriHealth Corporation, CentriHealth UK Limited, CentrifyHealth LLC, Centro Medico Hospitalar Pitangueiras Ltda., Centro Medico Odontologico Americano S.A.C., Centro Medico PJ Ltda., Centro de Entrenamiento en Reanimacion y Prevencion Limitada (CERP), Centro de Servicios Compartidos Banmedica S.A., Centromed Quilpue S.A., Centros Medicos y Dentales Multimed Ltda., Centurion Casualty Company, Channel Islands Surgicenter L.P., Channel Islands Surgicenter Properties LLC, Charleston Surgery Properties LLC, Charlotte-SC LLC, Childrens Surgery Center LLC, ChinaGate (Hong Kong) Limited, ChinaGate Company Limited, Citrus Regional Surgery Center L.P., Clinica Oftalmologica Danilo de Castro Sociedade Simples, Clinical Partners of Colorado Springs LLC, Clinica Alameda S.A., Clinica Bio Bio S.A., Clinica Ciudad del Mar S.A., Clinica Davila y Servicios Medicos S.A., Clinica Medico Cirurgica de Santa Tecla S.A., Clinica San Borja (La Esperanza del Peru S.A.), Clinica San Felipe S.A., Clinica Santa Maria S.A., Clinica Sanchez Ferrer S.A., Clinica Vespucio S.A., Clinica del Country S.A., Coachella Valley Physicians of PrimeCare, Coachella Valley Physicians of PrimeCare Inc., Coalition For Advanced Pharmacy Services, Coalition for Advanced Pharmacy Services Inc., Coastal Physicians Management Inc., Collaborative Care Holdings, Collaborative Care Holdings LLC, Collaborative Care Services, Collaborative Care Services Inc., Collaborative Care Solutions, Collaborative Realty, Collaborative Realty LLC, Colmedica Medicina Prepagada, Colonial Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Colorado Innovative Physician Solutions Inc., Colorado Springs Surgery Center Ltd., Comfort Care Transportation, Comfort Care Transportation LLC, Commonwealth Administrators, Connecticut Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Connecticut Surgery Properties LLC, Connecticut Surgical Center LLC, Connextions, Connextions HCI, Constructora e Inmobiliaria Magapoq S.A., Consumer Wellness Solutions Inc., Country Scan Ltda., Crescent Drug Corp., Cypress Care, Cypress Care Inc., DBP Services of New York IPA, DBP Services of New York IPA Inc., DTC Surgery Center LLC, DWIC of Tampa Bay, DWIC of Tampa Bay Inc., DaVita Magan Management Inc., Danbury Surgical Center L.P., Day-Op Surgery Consulting Company, Day-Op Surgery Consulting Company LLC, Definity Health, Dental Benefit Providers, Dental Benefit Providers Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of California, Dental Benefit Providers of California Inc., Dental Benefit Providers of Illinois, Dental Benefit Providers of Illinois Inc., Derry Surgical Center LLC, Diagnostico Ecotomografico Centromed Ltda., Diasnostico por Imagenes Centromed Ltda., Dilab Medicina Nuclear Ltda., Diplomat Pharmacy, Distance Learning Network, Distance Learning Network Inc., Doctor + S.A.C., Dry Creek Surgery Center LLC, Dublin Surgery Center LLC, Duncan Printing Services, Duncan Printing Services LLC, E Street Endoscopy LLC, ELG FZE, EP Campus I, EP Campus I LLC, East Brunswick Surgery Center LLC, Electronic Network Systems, Electronic Network Systems Inc., Elual Participacoes S.A., Empire Physician Management Company, Empire Physician Management Company LLC, Employers Health Choice PPO Inc., Empremedica S. A., Endoscopy Center Affiliates Inc., Enterprise Life Insurance Company, Equian, Equian LLC, Equian Parent Corp., Esho  Empresa de Servicos Hospitalares S.A., Etho  Empresa de Tecnologia Hospitalar Ltda., Evercare Collaborative Solutions, Evercare Collaborative Solutions Inc., Everett MSO Inc., Excellion Servicos Biomedicos Ltda., Excellion Servicos Biomedicos S.A., Excelsior Insurance Brokerage Inc., Executive Health Resources, Executive Health Resources Inc., Executive Surgery Center LLC, Eye Clinic Oftalmologia Clinico Cirurgica e Diagnostico Ltda., FMG Holdings, FMG Holdings LLC, FOR HEALTH OF ARIZONA, Family Health Care Services, Family Home Hospice, Family Home Hospice Inc., First Rx Specialty & Mail Services, Florida MedTrans Network LLC, Florida MedTrans Network MSO LLC, For Health, For Health Inc., For Health of Arizona Inc., Fortified Provider Network Inc., Fortify Technologies Asia LLC, Fortify Technologies LLC, Foundation Financial Services Inc., Franklin Surgical Center LLC, Freedom Life Insurance Company of America, Freeway Surgicenter of Houston LLC, Frontier MEDEX Limited, Frontier Medex Tanzania Limited, FrontierMEDEX, FrontierMEDEX (RMS), FrontierMEDEX (RMS) Inc., FrontierMEDEX Government Services, FrontierMEDEX Government Services LLC, FrontierMEDEX Inc., FrontierMEDEX Kenya Limited, FrontierMEDEX US, FrontierMEDEX US Inc., Fundacion Banmedica, GRANTS PASS SURGERY CENTER LLC, Gadsden Surgery Center LLC, Gadsden Surgery Center Ltd., Gainesville Surgery Center L.P., Gainesville Surgery Properties LLC, Genoa, Genoa Healthcare Inc., Genoa Healthcare LLC, Genoa QoL Wholesale LLC, Genoa Technology (Canada) Inc., Genoa Technology Inc., Genoa Telepsychiatry Inc., Genoa of Arkansas LLC, Glenwood Surgical Center L.P., Glenwood-SC Inc., Golden Outlook, Golden Outlook Inc., Golden Rule Financial Corporation, Golden Rule Insurance Company, Golden Triangle Surgicenter L.P., Grapevine Finance LLC, Greater Hartford ASC LLC, Grove Place Surgery Center L.L.C., Guardian Health Systems Limited Partnership, H&W Indemnity (SPC), H&W Indemnity (SPC) Ltd., H.I. Investments Holding Company LLC, HCP ACO California LLC, HCP ACO Nevada LLC, HCentive Technology India Private Limited, HMI NewCo LLC, Harken Health Insurance Company, Hayes-Strub LLC, Health Business Systems, Health Care-ONE Insurance Agency Inc., Health Inventures Employment Solutions LLC, Health Inventures LLC, Health Net Insurance of New York, Health Net Services (Bermuda) Ltd., Health Plan of Nevada, Health Plan of Nevada Inc., Health Technology Analysts Pty Limited, HealthAllies, HealthAllies Inc., HealthCare Partners ASC-LB LLC, HealthCare Partners Management Services California LLC, HealthCare Partners RE LLC, HealthFirst IPA Inc., HealthMarkets Group Inc., HealthMarkets Inc., HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Inc., HealthMarkets LLC, HealthMarkets NewCo Inc., HealthMarkets Services Inc., HealthSCOPE Holdings Inc., HealthScope Benefits Inc., Healthcare Partners Plan of Nevada Inc., Healthcare Solutions Inc., Heartland Heart and Vascular LLC, Help S.A., Help Service S.A., Highlands Ranch Healthcare, Highlands Ranch Healthcare LLC, Home Care I.V. of Bend, Home Infusion With Heart, Home Medical S.A., Hospice Inspiris Holdings, Hospice Inspiris Holdings Inc., Hospitais Associados de Pernambuco Ltda., Hospital Alvorada de Taguatinga Ltda., Hospital Ana Costa S.A., Hospital Maternidade Promater Ltda., Hospital Samaritano de Sao Paulo Ltda., Hospital Santa Helena S.A., Hospital de Clinicas de Jacarepagua Ltda., Humedica, Humedica Inc., Hygeia Corporation, Hygeia Corporation (Canada), Hygeia Corporation (DE), Hygeia Corporation (Ontario), INOV8 Surgical at Memorial City LLC, INSPIRIS of New York IPA, INSPIRIS of New York Management, INSPIRIS of New York Management Inc., INSPIRIS of Texas Physician Group, IRX Financing I LLC, Illinois Independent Care Network, Imed Star  Servicos de Desempenho Organizacional Ltda., Impel Consulting Experts, Impel Consulting Experts L.L.C., Impel Management Services L.L.C., Indian River Surgery Center Ltd., Indian River Surgery Properties LLC, Indiana Care Organization LLC, Infusource, Ingram & Associates, Ingram & Associates LLC, Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3001 S.A., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo 3600 Ltda., Inmobiliaria Apoquindo S.A., Inmobiliaria Clinica Santa Maria S.A., Inmobiliaria Vinamed Ltda., Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Alameda S.A., Inspiris, Inspiris Inc., Inspiris Services Company, Inspiris of Tennessee, Instituto do Radium de Cammpinas Ltda, International Psychological Services Pty Limited, Inversiones Clinicas Santa Maria S.A., Isapre Banmedica S.A., Isapre Vida Tres S.A., Johnston Surgicare L.P., Joliet Surgery Center Limited Partnership, LHI, Laboratorio ROE S.A., Laboratorios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., LifePrint Health, LifePrint Health Inc., LifeStyles Marketing Group Inc., LifeWell Ltd. Co., Lifeprint Accountable Care Organization, Lifeprint Accountable Care Organization LLC, Lifeprint East, Lifeprint East Inc., Logistics Health Inc., Lotten-Eyes Oftalmologia Clinica e Cirurgica Ltda., Louisville S.C. Ltd., Louisville-SC Properties Inc., Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook Inc., Lusiadas - Parcerias Cascais S.A., Lusiadas A.C.E., Lusiadas S.A., Lusiadas SGPS S.A., MAMSI Insurance Resources, MAMSI Life and Health Insurance Company, MD Ops, MD Ops Inc., MD-Individual Practice Association, MD-Individual Practice Association Inc., ME AHS UC LLC, MEDEX Insurance Services, MEDEX Insurance Services Inc., MGH/SCA LLC, MHC Real Estate Holdings, MHC Real Estate Holdings LLC, MIAMI SURGERY CENTER LLC, MSLA Management LLC, MXMD Centros De Cancer, Mamoeco  Mamografia e Ecografia Centro de Diagnostico, Managed Physical Network, Managed Physical Network Inc., March Holdings, March Holdings Inc., March Vision Care, March Vision Care Inc., Marin Surgery Holdings Inc., Maryland Ambulatory Centers, Maryland-SCA Centers LLC, Massachusetts Assurance Company Ltd. PIC, Massachusetts Avenue Surgery Center LLC, Mat-Rx Development, Mat-Rx Fort Worth GP, MedExpress Development, MedExpress Development LLC, MedExpress Urgent Care Alabama LLC, MedExpress Urgent Care Inc. - Ohio, MedExpress Urgent Care Maine Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care New Hampshire Inc., MedExpress Urgent Care of Boynton Beach, MedExpress Urgent Care of Boynton Beach LLC, MedSynergies, MedSynergies LLC, MedSynergies North Texas, Medalliance Net Ltda, Medalliance Net Ltda., Medica Health Plans of Florida, Medica Health Plans of Florida Inc., Medica HealthCare Plans, Medica HealthCare Plans Inc., Medical Clinic of North Texas PLLC, Medical Hilfe S.A., Medical Preparatory School of Allied Health, Medical Support Los Angeles Inc., Medical Surgical Centers of America Inc., Medical Transportation Services, Medical Transportation Services LLC, Medication Management Systems Inc., Melbourne Surgery Center LLC, Memorial City Holdings LLC, Memorial City Partners LLC, Memphis-SC LLC, Memphis-SP LLC, Mesquite Liberty LLC, Metro I Stone Management, Metropolitan Medical Partners LLC, Metropolitan Medical Transportation IPA LLC, Mid Atlantic Medical Services, Mid-West National Life Insurance Company of Tennessee, Midwest Center for Day Surgery LLC, Mile High SurgiCenter LLC, Mississippi Surgery Holdings LLC, Mississippi Surgical Center Limited Partnership, Mobile Medical Professionals, Modern Medical Inc., Monarch Management Services, Monarch Management Services Inc., Montgomery Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Mountain View Medical Group LLC, Mt. Pleasant Surgery Center L.P., Multiangio Ltda., Muskogee Surgical Investors LLC, Mustang Razorback Holdings, Mustang Razorback Holdings Inc., My Wellness Solutions LLC, NAMM Holdings, NAMM Holdings Inc., NSC Fayetteville LLC, NSC Greensboro LLC, NSC Lancaster LLC, NSC Seattle Inc., NSC Upland LLC, Nashville-SCA Surgery Centers Inc., National Foundation Life Insurance Company, National MedTrans LLC, National Pacific Dental, National Pacific Dental Inc., National Surgery Centers LLC, Neighborhood Health Partnership, Neighborhood Health Partnership Inc., Netwerkes, Netwerkes LLC, Nevada Medical Services LLC, Nevada Pacific Dental, New Orleans Regional Physician Hospital Organization L.L.C., New West Physicians Inc., Newton Holdings LLC, North American Medical Management - Illinois, North American Medical Management California, North American Medical Management California Inc., North Puget Sound Center for Sleep Disorders LLC, North Puget Sound Oncology Equipment Leasing Company LLC, Northern Nevada Health Network, Northern Nevada Health Network Inc., Northern Rockies Surgicenter Inc., Northwest Surgicare LLC, Northwest Surgicare Ltd., Nutritional/Parenteral Home Care, Nutritional/Parenteral Home Care of Huntsville, OC Cardiology Practice Partners LLC, OSB  Tecnologia e Servicos de Suporte Ltda., Omesa S.A., OmniClaim LLC, Oncocare S.A.C., OneNet PPO, OneNet PPO LLC, Optimum Choice, Optimum Choice Inc., Optum, Optum Bank, Optum Bank Inc., Optum Biometrics, Optum Biometrics Inc., Optum Care Inc., Optum Care Services Company, Optum Clinical Services, Optum Clinics Holdings, Optum Clinics Holdings Inc., Optum Clinics Intermediate Holdings, Optum Clinics Intermediate Holdings Inc., Optum Digital Health Holdings LLC, Optum Finance (Ireland) Unlimited Company, Optum Global Finance (Ireland) Unlimited Company, Optum Global Solutions (India) Private Limited, Optum Global Solutions (Philippines), Optum Global Solutions (Philippines) Inc., Optum Global Solutions International B.V., Optum Government Solutions, Optum Government Solutions Inc., Optum Growth Partners LLC, Optum Health & Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd, Optum Health & Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, Optum Health & Technology (India) Private Limited, Optum Health & Technology (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Optum Health & Technology (UK) Limited, Optum Health & Technology (US), Optum Health & Technology (US) LLC, Optum Health & Technology FZ-LLC, Optum Health & Technology Holdings (US), Optum Health & Technology Holdings (US) Inc., Optum Health & Technology Servicos do Brasil Ltda., Optum Health Services (Canada) Ltd., Optum Health Solutions (Australia) Pty Ltd, Optum Health Solutions (UK) Limited, Optum Health and Technology FZ-LLC, Optum Healthcare of Illinois, Optum Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Optum Hospice Pharmacy Services, Optum Hospice Pharmacy Services LLC, Optum Inc., Optum Infusion Services 100 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 101 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 103 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 201 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 202 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 203 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 205 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 206 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 207 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 208 Inc., Optum Infusion Services 301 LP, Optum Infusion Services 302 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 308 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 401 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 403 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 404 LLC, Optum Infusion Services 501 Inc., Optum Insurance of Ohio, Optum Insurance of Ohio Inc., Optum Labs, Optum Labs Dimensions, Optum Labs Dimensions Inc., Optum Labs Inc., Optum Labs International (UK) Ltd., Optum Life Sciences (Canada) Inc., Optum Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Optum Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Optum Networks of New Jersey Inc., Optum Nevada Accountable Care Organization LLC, Optum Operations (Ireland) Unlimited Company, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care Inc., Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Pennsylvania, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Pennsylvania Inc., Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Texas, Optum Palliative and Hospice Care of Texas Inc., Optum Perks LLC, Optum Pharmacy 701 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 702 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 703 LLC, Optum Pharmacy 705 LLC, Optum Public Sector Solutions, Optum Public Sector Solutions Inc., Optum Rocket, Optum Rocket Inc., Optum Senior Services LLC, Optum Services, Optum Services (Ireland) Limited, Optum Services (Puerto Rico) LLC, Optum Services Inc., Optum Solutions UK Holdings Limited, Optum Solutions do Brasil  Tecnologia e Servicos de Suporte Ltda., Optum Technology, Optum Technology LLC, Optum UK Solutions Group Limited, Optum Women's and Children's Health, Optum Women's and Children's Health LLC, Optum of New York Inc., Optum360, Optum360 LLC, Optum360 Services, Optum360 Services Inc., Optum360 Solutions LLC, OptumCare ACO Florida LLC, OptumCare ACO Holdings LLC, OptumCare ACO New Mexico LLC, OptumCare Clinical Trials LLC, OptumCare Colorado ASC LLC, OptumCare Colorado LLC, OptumCare Colorado Springs LLC, OptumCare Endoscopy Center New Mexico LLC, OptumCare Florida CI LLC, OptumCare Florida LLC, OptumCare Health Plan of California Inc., OptumCare Holdings Colorado LLC, OptumCare Holdings LLC, OptumCare Holdings New Mexico LLC, OptumCare Management LLC, OptumCare New Mexico LLC, OptumCare New York IPA Inc., OptumCare South Florida LLC, OptumHealth Care Solutions, OptumHealth Care Solutions LLC, OptumHealth Financial Services, OptumHealth Financial Services Inc., OptumHealth Holdings, OptumHealth Holdings LLC, OptumHealth International B.V., OptumInsight, OptumInsight Holdings, OptumInsight Holdings LLC, OptumInsight Inc., OptumInsight India Private Limited, OptumInsight Life Sciences, OptumInsight Life Sciences Inc., OptumRx, OptumRx Administrative Services, OptumRx Administrative Services LLC, OptumRx Discount Card Services, OptumRx Discount Card Services LLC, OptumRx Group Holdings, OptumRx Group Holdings Inc., OptumRx Health Solutions LLC, OptumRx Holdings, OptumRx Holdings I LLC, OptumRx Holdings LLC, OptumRx Home Delivery of Illinois, OptumRx Home Delivery of Ohio, OptumRx Home Delivery of Ohio LLC, OptumRx IPA III Inc., OptumRx Inc., OptumRx NY IPA, OptumRx NY IPA Inc., OptumRx PBM of Illinois, OptumRx PBM of Illinois Inc., OptumRx PBM of Maryland, OptumRx PBM of Maryland LLC, OptumRx PBM of Pennsylvania, OptumRx PBM of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx PBM of Puerto Rico LLC, OptumRx PBM of Wisconsin, OptumRx PBM of Wisconsin LLC, OptumRx PD of Maryland, OptumRx PD of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumRx Pharmacy, OptumRx Pharmacy Inc., OptumRx Pharmacy of Nevada, OptumRx Pharmacy of Nevada Inc., OptumRx of Pennsylvania LLC, OptumServe Technology Services Inc., Orlando Center for Outpatient Surgery L.P., OrthoNet Holdings, OrthoNet Holdings Inc., OrthoNet LLC, OrthoNet New York IPA, OrthoNet New York IPA Inc., OrthoNet Services, OrthoNet Services Inc., OrthoNet West, OrthoNet West Inc., OrthoNet of the Mid-Atlantic, OrthoNet of the South, OrthoNet of the South Inc., Ovations, Ovations Inc., Oxford Benefit Management, Oxford Benefit Management Inc., Oxford Health Insurance, Oxford Health Insurance Inc., Oxford Health Plans (CT), Oxford Health Plans (CT) Inc., Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Oxford Health Plans (NJ) Inc., Oxford Health Plans (NY), Oxford Health Plans (NY) Inc., Oxford Health Plans LLC, P2 Lower Acquisition, P2P Link LLC, PCCCV, PCCCV Inc., PCN DE Corp., PHC Subsidiary Holdings, PHC Subsidiary Holdings LLC, PHYS Holding Corp., PHYSICIANS DAY SURGERY CENTER LLC, PMI Acquisition, PMI Acquisition LLC, PMSI, PMSI Holdco II, PMSI Holdings, PMSI Holdings LLC, PMSI LLC, PMSI Settlement Solutions, PMSI Settlement Solutions LLC, POMCO Inc., POMCO Network Inc., PPH Holdings LLC, PacifiCare Health Systems, PacifiCare Life Assurance Company, PacifiCare Life and Health Insurance Company, PacifiCare of Arizona, PacifiCare of Arizona Inc., PacifiCare of Colorado, PacifiCare of Colorado Inc., PacifiCare of Nevada, PacifiCare of Nevada Inc., Pacific Casualty Company Inc., Pacifico S.A. Entidad Prestadora de Salud, Paoli Ambulatory Surgery Center, Paoli Surgery Center L.P., Parkway Surgery Center LLC, Pasteur Plaza Surgery Center GP Inc., PatientsLikeMe, PatientsLikeMe LLC, Patrimonio Autonomo Nueva Clinica - PANC., Payment Resolution Services, Payment Resolution Services LLC, Peoples Health, Peoples Health Inc., Pharmaceutical Care Network, Pharmacy Review Services, Pharmacy Software Holdco Inc., PhyServe Holdings, Physician Alliance of the Rockies LLC, Physician Care Partners, Physicians Health Choice of Texas, Physicians Health Choice of Texas LLC, Physicians Health Plan of Maryland, Physicians Health Plan of Maryland Inc., Physicians Plaza Holdings LLC, Plano de Saude Ana Costa Ltda., Plus One Health Management Puerto Rico, Plus One Health Management Puerto Rico Inc., Plus One Holdings, Plus One Holdings Inc., Polar II Fundo de Investimento em Participacoes, Polar II Fundo de Investimento em Participacoes Multiestrategia, Polo Holdco, Polo Holdco LLC, Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center Inc., Pomerado Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Precision Dialing Services Inc., Preferred Care Partners, Preferred Care Partners Holding, Preferred Care Partners Holding Corp., Preferred Care Partners Inc., Preferred Care Partners Medical Group, Preferred Care Partners Medical Group Inc., Premier Choice ACO, Premier Choice ACO Inc., Premier Surgery Center of Louisville L.P., Prime Health, Prime Health Inc., PrimeCare Medical Network, PrimeCare Medical Network Inc., PrimeCare of Citrus Valley, PrimeCare of Citrus Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Corona, PrimeCare of Corona Inc., PrimeCare of Hemet Valley, PrimeCare of Hemet Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Inland Valley, PrimeCare of Inland Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Moreno Valley, PrimeCare of Moreno Valley Inc., PrimeCare of Redlands, PrimeCare of Redlands Inc., PrimeCare of Riverside, PrimeCare of Riverside Inc., PrimeCare of San Bernardino, PrimeCare of San Bernardino Inc., PrimeCare of Sun City, PrimeCare of Sun City Inc., PrimeCare of Temecula, PrimeCare of Temecula Inc., ProHEALTH Fitness of Lake Success, ProHEALTH Fitness of Lake Success LLC, ProHEALTH Medical Management LLC, ProHealth Medical Management, ProHealth Physicians, ProHealth Physicians ACO, ProHealth Physicians ACO LLC, ProHealth Physicians Inc., ProHealth Proton Center Management, ProHealth Proton Center Management LLC, Procura Management, Procura Management Inc., Progressive Enterprises Holdings, Progressive Enterprises Holdings Inc., Progressive Medical, Progressive Medical LLC, Progressive Solutions, Promotora Country S.A., Pronetics Health Care Group, Pronounced Health Solutions Inc., Prosemedic S.A.C., Prospero Management Services LLC, Pueblo-SCA Surgery Center LLC, Pulse Platform LLC, QoL Acquisition Holdings Corp., Quality Software Services, QuarterMaster Newco LLC, R&H Family Fitness Unlimited LLC, Rally Health, Rally Health Inc., Real Appeal Inc., Recaudacion y Cobranzas Honodav Ltda., Redlands Ambulatory Surgery Center, Redlands-SCA Surgery Centers Inc., Reliant MSO LLC, Research Surgical Center LLC, River Valley ASC LLC, Riverside Electronic Healthcare Resources Inc., Riverside Medical Management, Riverside Medical Management LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Meadowlands LLC, Riverside Surgical Center of Newark LLC, Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization Incorporated, Rocky Mountain HealthCare Options Inc., SC Affiliates LLC, SCA Alaska Surgery Center inc., SCA Athens LLC, SCA Austin Holdings LLC, SCA BOSC Holdings LLC, SCA California Surgical Holdings LLC, SCA Capital LLC, SCA Cedar Park Holdings LLC, SCA Clifton LLC, SCA Danbury Surgical Center LLC, SCA Development LLC, SCA EHSC Holdings LLC, SCA EWASC Holdings LLC, SCA Hays Holdings LLC, SCA Heartland Holdings LLC, SCA HoldCo Inc., SCA Holding Company Inc., SCA Holdings Inc., SCA IEC Holdings LLC, SCA Indiana Holdings LLC, SCA Nashville ASC LLC, SCA Pacific Holdings Inc., SCA Pennsylvania Holdings LLC, SCA Premier Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, SCA ROCS Holdings LLC, SCA Rockledge JV LLC, SCA SSC Holdings LLC, SCA SSSC Holdings LLC, SCA Sage Medical LLC, SCA Sage Medical MSO LLC, SCA Southwestern PA LLC, SCA Specialists of Florida LLC, SCA Stonegate Holdings LLC, SCA Surgery Center of Cullman LLC, SCA Surgery Holdings LLC, SCA Surgery Partners LLC, SCA Surgicare of Laguna Hills LLC, SCA Teammate Support Network, SCA eCode Solutions Private Limited, SCA of Clarksville Inc., SCA-Albuquerque Surgery Properties Inc., SCA-Alliance LLC, SCA-Anne Arundel LLC, SCA-Applecare Partners LLC, SCA-Bethesda LLC, SCA-Blue Ridge LLC, SCA-Bonita Springs LLC, SCA-Brandon LLC, SCA-Castle Rock LLC, SCA-Central Florida LLC, SCA-Charleston LLC, SCA-Chatham LLC, SCA-Chevy Chase LLC, SCA-Citrus Inc., SCA-Colorado Springs LLC, SCA-Connecticut Partners LLC, SCA-DRY CREEK LLC, SCA-Davenport LLC, SCA-Denver LLC, SCA-Denver Physicians Holdings LLC, SCA-Derry LLC, SCA-Doral LLC, SCA-Downey LLC, SCA-Dublin LLC, SCA-Encinitas Inc., SCA-Eugene Inc., SCA-First Coast LLC, SCA-Florence LLC, SCA-Fort Collins Inc., SCA-Fort Walton Inc., SCA-Franklin LLC, SCA-Frederick LLC, SCA-Freeway Holdings LLC, SCA-Ft. Myers LLC, SCA-GRANTS PASS LLC, SCA-Gainesville LLC, SCA-Gladiolus LLC, SCA-Grove Place LLC, SCA-Hagerstown LLC, SCA-Hamden LLC, SCA-Hilton Head LLC, SCA-Honolulu LLC, SCA-Houston Executive LLC, SCA-IT Holdings LLC, SCA-Illinois LLC, SCA-JPM Holdings LLC, SCA-Kissing Camels Holdings LLC, SCA-MC VBP Inc., SCA-Main Street LLC, SCA-Marina del Rey LLC, SCA-Mecklenburg Development Corp., SCA-Memorial City LLC, SCA-Merritt LLC, SCA-Midlands LLC, SCA-Midway Management LLC, SCA-Mobile LLC, SCA-Mokena LLC, SCA-Mokena Properties LLC, SCA-Morris County LLC, SCA-Mt. Pleasant LLC, SCA-ND VBP Inc., SCA-Naperville LLC, SCA-Naples LLC, SCA-New Jersey LLC, SCA-Newport Beach LLC, SCA-Northeast Georgia Health LLC, SCA-PORTLAND LLC, SCA-Palm Beach LLC, SCA-Palm Beach MSO Holdings LLC, SCA-Paoli LLC, SCA-Phoenix LLC, SCA-Pocono LLC, SCA-Practice Partners Holdings LLC, SCA-River Valley LLC, SCA-Riverside LLC, SCA-Riverside Partners LLC, SCA-Rockville LLC, SCA-Sacred Heart Holdings LLC, SCA-San Diego Inc., SCA-San Luis Obispo LLC, SCA-Sand Lake LLC, SCA-Santa Rosa Inc., SCA-Shelby Development Corp., SCA-Somerset LLC, SCA-South Jersey LLC, SCA-Sparta LLC, SCA-Spartanburg Holdings LLC, SCA-St. Louis LLC, SCA-St. Lucie LLC, SCA-SurgiCare LLC, SCA-Swiftpath LLC, SCA-VERTA LLC, SCA-Wake Forest LLC, SCA-Western Connecticut LLC, SCA-Westover Hills LLC, SCA-Wilmington LLC, SCA-Wilson LLC, SCA-Winchester LLC, SCA-Winter Park Inc., SCA-Woodlands Holdings LLC, SCAI Holdings LLC, SCP Specialty Infusion, SCP Specialty Infusion LLC, SHC Atlanta LLC, SHC Austin Inc., SHC Hawthorn Inc., SHC Melbourne Inc., SPINETRACK 20/20 Inc., SRPS LLC, SXC Comet, Sacred Heart ASC LLC, Saden S.A., Salem Surgery Center LLC, Salveo Specialty Pharmacy, Salveo Specialty Pharmacy Inc., Sand Lake SurgiCenter LLC, Santa Cruz Endoscopy Center LLC, Santa Helena Assistencia Medica S.A., Santos Administracao e Participacoes S.A., Savvysherpa Administrative Services LLC, Savvysherpa Asia Inc., Savvysherpa LLC, Scanner Centromed S.A., ScripNet, ScriptSwitch Limited, Seisa Servicos Integrados de Saude Ltda., Senate Street Surgery Center LLC, Senior Benefits L.L.C., Senior Care Partners, Serquinox Holdings LLC, Serquinox LLC, Servicios Integrados de Salud Ltda., Servicios Medicos Amed Quilpue S.A., Servicios Medicos Bio Bio Limitada, Servicios Medicos Ciudad del Mar Ltda., Servicios Medicos Santa Maria Limitada, Servicios Medicos Vespucio Ltda., Servicios de Entrenamiento en Competencias Clinicas Ltda., SharedClarity LLC, Shelby Surgery Properties Inc., Sierra Health Services, Sierra Health Services Inc, Sierra Health Services Inc., Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company, Sierra Health and Life Insurance Company Inc., Sierra Health-Care Options, Sierra Health-Care Options Inc., Sierra Home Medical Products, Sierra Home Medical Products Inc., Sierra Nevada Administrators, Sierra Nevada Administrators Inc., Sirona Infusion, Sistema de Administracion Hospitalaria S.A.C., Small Business Insurance Advisors Inc., Sobam  Centro Medico Hospitalar S.A., Sociedad Editorial para la Ciencia Limitada., Sociedad de Inversiones Santa Maria S.A., Somerset Outpatient Surgery L.L.C., Southwest Medical Associates, Southwest Medical Associates Inc., Southwest Michigan Health Network Inc., Southwest Surgery Center LLC, Southwest Surgical Center of Bakersfield L.P., Space Coast Surgical Center Ltd., Specialists in Urology Surgery Center LLC, Specialized Pharmaceuticals Inc., Specialty Benefits, Specialty Benefits LLC, Spectera, Spectera Inc., Spectera of New York IPA, Spectera of New York IPA Inc., Spotlite, Spotlite Inc., St. Cloud Surgical Center LLC, StoneRiver P2P Link, StoneRiver Pharmacy Solutions, Stonegate Surgery Center L.P., Streamlines Health LLC, Summit Home Infusion, SunSurgery LLC, Surgery Center Holding LLC, Surgery Center at Cherry Creek LLC, Surgery Center at Kissing Camels LLC, Surgery Center of Boca Raton Inc., Surgery Center of Clarksville L.P., Surgery Center of Colorado Springs LLC, Surgery Center of Des Moines LLC, Surgery Center of Easton LLC, Surgery Center of Ellicott City Inc., Surgery Center of Louisville LLC, Surgery Center of Maui LLC, Surgery Center of Muskogee LLC, Surgery Center of Rockville L.L.C., Surgery Center of Southern Pines LLC, Surgery Center of Spokane LLC, Surgery Center of Summerlin LLC, Surgery Center of The Woodlands LLC, Surgery Center of Vero Beach Inc., Surgery Center of Wilmington LLC, Surgery Center of Wilmington Properties LLC, Surgery Centers of Des Moines Ltd. an Iowa Limited Partnership, Surgery Centers-West Holdings LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates, Surgical Care Affiliates LLC, Surgical Care Affiliates Political Action Committee, Surgical Care Partners of Melbourne LLC, Surgical Center of South Jersey Limited Partnership, Surgical Center of Tuscaloosa Holdings LLC, Surgical Health LLC, Surgical Health of Orlando LLC, Surgical Hospital Holdings of Oklahoma LLC, Surgicare LLC, Surgicare of Belleville LLC, Surgicare of Jackson LLC, Surgicare of Joliet Inc., Surgicare of La Veta Inc., Surgicare of Minneapolis LLC, Surgicare of Mobile LLC, Surgicare of Oceanside Inc., Surgicare of Owensboro LLC, Surgicare of Salem LLC, Surgicenters of Southern California Inc., Symphonix Health Holdings, Symphonix Health Holdings LLC, Symphonix Health Insurance, Symphonix Health Insurance Inc., THE SURGICAL CENTER OF THE TREASURE COAST L.L.C., TeamMD Holdings Inc., TeamMD Iowa Inc., TeamMD Physicians of Texas Inc., TeamUP Insurance Services Inc., Tecnologias de Informacion en Salud S.A., The Advisory Board (Chile) SpA, The Chesapeake Life Insurance Company, The Lewin Group, The Lewin Group Inc., The Magan Medical Group, The Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head LLC, The Polyclinic MSO LLC, Thomas Johnson Surgery Center LLC, Thousand Oaks Endoscopy Center LLC, Three Rivers Holdings, Three Rivers Holdings Inc., Three Rivers Surgical Care L.P., Tmesys, Tmesys LLC, Topimagem Diagnostico por Imagem Ltda., Touchpoint Health Plan, Trails Edge Surgery Center LLC, Travel Express Incorporated, TriMed LLC, Trinity Infusion, Trio Motion LLC, Tucson Arizona Surgical Center LLC, U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, U.S. Behavioral Health Plan California, UHC Finance (Ireland) Unlimited Company, UHC Global Health Services BC Ltd., UHC International Services, UHC International Services Inc., UHC of California, UHCG Holdings (Ireland) Limited, UHCG Services (Ireland) Limited, UHCG  FZE, UHG Brasil Participacoes S.A., UHIC Holdings, UHIC Holdings Inc., UICI Funding Corp. 2, UMR, UMR Inc., USHEALTH Academy Inc., USHEALTH Administrators LLC, USHEALTH Advisors L.L.C., USHEALTH Career Agency Inc., USHEALTH Funding Inc., USHEALTH Group Inc., USMD Administrative Services, USMD Administrative Services L.L.C., USMD Affiliated Services, USMD CT (Mo), USMD Cancer Treatment Centers, USMD Cancer Treatment Centers GP, USMD Diagnostic Services, USMD Holdings, USMD Holdings Inc., USMD Inc., USMD PPM, USMD PPM LLC, USMD of Arlington GP, Ultima Rx, Unidad Medica Diagnostico S.A., Unimerica Insurance Company, Unimerica Life Insurance Company of New York, Unison Administrative Services, Unison Health Plan of Delaware, Unison Health Plan of Delaware Inc., United Behavioral Health, United Behavioral Health of New York I.P.A., United Behavioral Health of New York I.P.A. Inc., United Group Reinsurance Inc., United Health Foundation, United HealthCare, United HealthCare Services Inc., United Management Services Inc., United Resource Networks IPA of New York, United Resource Networks IPA of New York Inc., UnitedHealth Advisors, UnitedHealth Advisors LLC, UnitedHealth Group Finance Inc., UnitedHealth Group Global Healthcare Services Limited, UnitedHealth Group Global Services, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, UnitedHealth Group Information Services Private Limited, UnitedHealth Group International Finance (Ireland) Unlimited Company, UnitedHealth Group International GP, UnitedHealth Group International L.P., UnitedHealth International, UnitedHealth International Inc., UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services, UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services LLC, UnitedHealth UK Limited, UnitedHealthcare, UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas, UnitedHealthcare Benefits of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of California Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Georgia, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas L.L.C., UnitedHealthcare Consulting & Assistance Service (Beijing) Co., UnitedHealthcare Consulting & Assistance Service (Beijing) Co. Ltd., UnitedHealthcare Europe S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Europe S.a.r.l., UnitedHealthcare Global Canada Limited, UnitedHealthcare Global Medical (UK) Limited, UnitedHealthcare Inc., UnitedHealthcare India Private Limited, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River Valley, UnitedHealthcare Insurance Designated Activity Company, UnitedHealthcare Integrated Services, UnitedHealthcare Integrated Services Inc., UnitedHealthcare International Asia, UnitedHealthcare International Asia LLC, UnitedHealthcare International I B.V., UnitedHealthcare International I S.a.r.l., UnitedHealthcare International II B.V., UnitedHealthcare International II S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International II S.a.r.l., UnitedHealthcare International III B.V., UnitedHealthcare International III S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International III S.a.r.l., UnitedHealthcare International IV S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International IV S.a.r.l., UnitedHealthcare International V S.a.r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VI S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International VIII S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare International X S.a r.l., UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley Inc., UnitedHealthcare Service LLC, UnitedHealthcare Services Company of the River Valley, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits LLC, UnitedHealthcare of Alabama, UnitedHealthcare of Alabama Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arizona, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas, UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Colorado, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Florida, UnitedHealthcare of Florida Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, UnitedHealthcare of Georgia Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Illinois, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky, UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky Ltd., UnitedHealthcare of Louisiana, UnitedHealthcare of Louisiana Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi, UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New England, UnitedHealthcare of New England Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico, UnitedHealthcare of New Mexico Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York, UnitedHealthcare of New York Inc., UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Ohio, UnitedHealthcare of Ohio Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma, UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oregon, UnitedHealthcare of Oregon Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania, UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., UnitedHealthcare of South Carolina Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Texas, UnitedHealthcare of Texas Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Utah, UnitedHealthcare of Utah Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Washington, UnitedHealthcare of Washington Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands, UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest, UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest Inc., UpFront Insurance Agency LLC, Upland Holdings LLC, Upland Outpatient Surgical Center L.P., Urgent Care Holdings, Urgent Care Holdings Inc., Urgent Care MSO, Urgent Care MSO LLC, Urology Associates of North Texas, Urology Associates of North Texas P.L.L.C., VERTA MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC, Valley Hospital L.L.C., Valley Physicians Network, Valley Physicians Network Inc., Vida Tres Internacional S.A., Vidaintegra S.A., Vivify Health Canada Inc., Vivify Health Inc., WESTMED Practice Partners LLC, Wauwatosa Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Wauwatosa Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Wayland Square Surgicare Acquisition L.P., Wayland Square Surgicare GP Inc., WebInsure Benefits LLC, WellMed Medical Management, WellMed Medical Management Inc., WellMed Medical Management of Florida, WellMed Medical Management of Florida Inc., WellMed Networks  DFW, West Coast Endoscopy Holdings LLC, Western Connecticut Orthopedic Surgical Center LLC, WillowB Labs LLC, Wilmington ASC LLC, Winchester Endoscopy LLC, Winter Park LLC, XLHealth Corporation, XLHealth Corporation India Private Limited, Your Health Options Insurance Services, Your Health Options Insurance Services Inc., Your Partner in Health Services, divvyDOSE, eCode Solutions LLC, gethealthinsurance.com Agency Inc., hCentive Inc., inPharmative, inPharmative Inc., and ppoONE.The following companies are subsidiares of Tenet Healthcare: 1 Subsidiaries of this entity in which Tenet Healthcare Corporation directly and indirectly held a 95% ownership interest at December 31 2020 are set forth in the table below., 25 East Same Day Surgery L.L.C., 300 PBL Development LLC, 45th Street MOB LLC, 601 N 30th Street I L.L.C., 601 N 30th Street II L.L.C., 601 N 30th Street III Inc., AHM Acquisition Co. Inc., AIG Holdings LLC, AIGB Global LLC, AIGB Group Inc., AIGB Holdings Inc., AIGB Management Services LLC, AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #1 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #2 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #3 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #4 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #5 L.L.C., AMI Information Systems Group Inc., AMI/HTI Tarzana Encino Joint Venture, APN, ARC Worcester Center L.P., ASC Old Co. LP, ASC of New Jersey LLC, ASJH Joint Venture LLC, Abrazo Health Network EP Clinical Services LLC, Abrazo Surgical Outpatient Center LLC, Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Care L.P., Advanced Center for Surgery  Vero Beach LLC, Advanced Regional Surgery Center LLC, Advanced Surgery Center of Metairie LLC, Advanced Surgery Center of Sarasota LLC, Advanced Surgery Center of Tampa LLC, Advanced Surgical Care of St Louis LLC, Advanced Surgical Concepts LLC, Advantage Health Care Management Company LLC, Advantage Health Network Inc., AdventHealth Surgery Center Celebration LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Center Mills Park LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Center Wellswood LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Center Winter Garden LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Centers Central Florida LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Centers West Florida LLC, Adventist Midwest Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Alabama Cardiovascular Associates L.L.C., Alabama Digestive Health Endoscopy Center L.L.C., Alabama Hand and Sports Medicine L.L.C., Alamo Heights Surgicare L.P., All Star MOB LLC, Allegian Insurance Company, Alliance Surgery Birmingham LLC, Alliance Surgery Inc., Alvarado Hospital Medical Center Inc., Ambulatory Surgical Associates LLC, Ambulatory Surgical Center of Somerville LLC, American Institute of Gastric Banding Ltd., American Institute of Gastric Banding Phoenix Limited Partnership, American Medical (Central) Inc., Amisub (Heights) Inc., Amisub (Hilton Head) Inc., Amisub (North Ridge Hospital) Inc., Amisub (SFH) Inc., Amisub (Twelve Oaks) Inc., Amisub of California Inc., Amisub of North Carolina Inc., Amisub of South Carolina Inc., Amisub of Texas Inc., Anaheim Hills Medical Imaging L.L.C., Anaheim MRI Holding Inc., Anesthesia Partners of Gallatin LLC, Arizona Care Network  Next L.L.C., Arizona Health Partners LLC, Arlington Orthopedic and Spine Hospital LLC, Arrowhead Endoscopy and Pain Management Center LLC, Asia Outsourcing US Inc., Aspen Healthcare, Atlanta Medical Center Inc., Atlanta Medical Center Interventional Neurology Associates L.L.C., Atlanta Medical Center Neurosurgical & Spine Specialists L.L.C., Atlanta Medical Center Physician Group L.L.C., Atlantic Coast Surgical Suites LLC, Atlantic Health-USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Avita/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., BBH BMC LLC, BBH CBMC LLC, BBH DevelopmentCo LLC, BBH Imaging Jasper LLC, BBH NP Clinicians Inc., BBH PBMC LLC, BBH SBMC LLC, BBH WBMC LLC, BCDC EmployeeCO LLC, BHC-Talladega Pediatrics LLC, BHS Accountable Care LLC, BHS Affinity LLC, BHS Integrated Physician Partners LLC, BHS Physician Performance Network LLC, BHS Physicians Alliance for ACE LLC, BHS Physicians Network Inc., BHS Specialty Network Inc., BT East Dallas JV LLP, BW Cardiology LLC, BW Cyberknife LLC, BW Hand Practice LLC, BW Office Buildings LLC, BW Parking Decks LLC, BW Physician Practices LLC, BW Retail Pharmacy LLC, BW Sports Practice LLC, Bagley Holdings LLC, Baptist Accountable Care LLC, Baptist Diagnostics LLC, Baptist Health Centers LLC, Baptist Physician Alliance ACO LLC, Baptist Physician Alliance LLC, Baptist Plaza Surgicare L.P., Baptist Surgery Center L.P., Baptist Womens Health Center LLC, Baptist/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Bartlett ASC LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Baylor Plano LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Blue Star LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Granbury LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Mansfield LLC, Baylor Surgicare at North Dallas LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Plano LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Plano Parkway LLC, Bear Creek Surgery Center LLC, Beaumont Surgical Affiliates Ltd., Bellaire Outpatient Surgery Center L.L.P., Berkshire Eye LLC, Bloomington ASC LLC, Blue Ridge/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Bluffton Okatie Primary Care L.L.C., Bluffton Okatie Surgery Center L.L.C., Bon Secours Surgery Center at Harbour View LLC, Bon Secours Surgery Center at Virginia Beach LLC, Bozeman Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Bozeman MOB LLC, Briarcliff Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Bristol Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Broad River Primary Care L.L.C., Brookwood - Maternal Fetal Medicine L.L.C., Brookwood Ancillary Holdings Inc., Brookwood Baptist Health 1 LLC, Brookwood Baptist Health 2 LLC, Brookwood Baptist Health 3 LLC, Brookwood Baptist Imaging LLC, Brookwood Center Development Corporation, Brookwood Development Inc., Brookwood Diagnostic Imaging Center LLC, Brookwood Garages L.L.C., Brookwood Health Services Inc., Brookwood Home Health LLC, Brookwood Occupational Health Clinic L.L.C., Brookwood Parking Associates Ltd., Brookwood Primary Care - Homewood L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Inverness L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Mountain Brook L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Oak Mountain L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Vestavia L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care Cahaba Heights L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care Hoover L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care The Narrows L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Network Care Inc., Brookwood Specialty Care - Endocrinology L.L.C., Brookwood Sports and Orthopedics L.L.C., Brookwood Womens Care L.L.C., Brookwood Womens Diagnostic Center LLC, C7 Technologies LLC, CGH Hospital Ltd., CHIC/USP Surgery Centers LLC, CHN Holdings LLC, CHRISTUS Cabrini Surgery Center L.L.C., CHVI Tucson Holdings LLC, CML-Chicago Market Labs Inc., CRNAs of Michigan, CS/USP General Partner LLC, CS/USP Surgery Centers LP, California Joint & Spine LLC, Camp Creek Urgent Care L.L.C., Camp Lowell Surgery Center L.L.C., Captive Insurance Services Inc., Cardiology Physicians Associates L.L.C., Cardiology Physicians Corporation L.L.C., Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates L.L.C., Cardiovascular Clinical Excellence at Sierra Providence LLC, CareSpot of Austin LLC, CareSpot of Memphis LLC, CareSpot of Orlando/HSI Urgent Care LLC, Carmel Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Carondelet St. Marys-Northwest L.L.C., Cascade Spine Center LLC, Castle Rock Surgery Center LLC, Catawba-Piedmont Cardiothoracic Surgery L.L.C., Cedar Hill Primary Care L.L.C., Cedar Park Surgery Center L.L.P., Centennial ASC LLC, Center for Advanced Research Excellence L.L.C., Center for the Urban Child Inc., Central California Healthcare Holdings LLC, Central Carolina Physicians - Sandhills L.L.C., Central Carolina-IMA L.L.C., Central Jersey Surgery Center LLC, Central Texas Corridor Hospital Company LLC, Central Valley Quality Alliance LLC, Central Virginia Surgi-Center L.P., Centura Ventures Surgery Centers LLC, Centura/USP Colorado Springs Surgery Centers L.L.C., Chalon Living Inc., Chandler Endoscopy Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Charlotte Endoscopic Surgery Center LLC, Chattanooga Pain Management Center LLC, Chesterfield Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Chesterfield Anesthesia Associates of Missouri LLC, Chico Surgery Center L.P., Childrens Hospital of Michigan Premier Network Inc., Citrus Heights ASC RE LLC, Clarkston ASC Partners LLC, Clarksville Surgery Center LLC, Coast Healthcare Management LLC, Coast Surgery Center L.P., Coastal Carolina Medical Center, Coastal Carolina Medical Center Inc., Coastal Carolina Physician Practices LLC, Coastal Carolina Pro Fee Billing L.L.C., Coastal Endo LLC, Colorado GI Centers LLC, Commonwealth Continental Health Care Inc., Community Connection Health Plan Inc., Community Hospital LLC, Community Hospital of Los Gatos Inc., Conifer Care Continuum Solutions LLC, Conifer Ethics and Compliance Inc., Conifer Global Business Center Inc., Conifer Global Holdings Inc., Conifer Health Solutions LLC, Conifer Holdings Inc., Conifer Patient Communications LLC, Conifer Physician Services Holdings Inc., Conifer Physician Services Inc., Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions LLC, Conifer Value-Based Care LLC, Conroe Surgery Center 2 LLC, Coral Gables Hospital Inc., Coral Ridge Outpatient Center LLC, Corpus Christi Surgicare Ltd., Covenant/USP Surgery Centers LLC, CreAtiv Management Company Inc., Creekwood Investors LLC, Creekwood Surgery Center L.P., Crown Point Surgery Center LLC, DH/USP SJOSC Investment Company L.L.C., DH/USP Sacramento Pain GP LLC, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital Premier Clinical Co-Management Services LLC, DMC Education & Research, DMC Harper University Hospital Premier Clinical Co-Management Services LLC, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Premier Clinical Management Services LLC, DMC Imaging L.L.C., Dallas Surgical Partners LLC, DeTar/USP Surgery Center LLC, Delray Beach ASC LLC, Delray Medical Center Inc., Delray Medical Physician Services L.L.C., Denton Surgicare Partners Ltd., Denton Surgicare Real Estate Ltd., Denville Surgery Center LLC, Des Peres Physician Network LLC, Desert Cove MOB LLC, Desert Regional Medical Center Inc., Desert Ridge Outpatient Surgery LLC, Desoto Surgicare Partners Ltd., Destin ASC RE LLC, Destin Surgery Center LLC, Detroit Education & Research, DigitalMed Inc., Dignity/Abrazo Health Network LLC, Dignity/USP Folsom GP LLC, Dignity/USP Grass Valley GP LLC, Dignity/USP Las Vegas Surgery Centers LLC, Dignity/USP Metro Surgery Center LLC, Dignity/USP NorCal Surgery Centers LLC, Dignity/USP Phoenix Surgery Centers II LLC, Dignity/USP Phoenix Surgery Centers LLC, Dignity/USP Redding GP LLC, Dignity/USP Roseville GP LLC, Dignity/USP/John Muir East Bay Surgery Centers LLC, Doctors Hospital of Manteca Inc., Doctors Medical Center Neurosciences Clinical Co-Management LLC, Doctors Medical Center Orthopedics Clinical Co-Management LLC, Doctors Medical Center of Modesto Inc., Doctors Outpatient Center for Surgery LLC, Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center of Jupiter L.L.C., EPHC Inc., EPIC ASC LLC, East Atlanta Endoscopy Centers LLC, East Cobb Urgent Care LLC, East Cooper Coastal Family Physicians L.L.C., East Cooper Community Hospital Inc., East Cooper Hyperbarics L.L.C., East Cooper OB/GYN L.L.C., East Cooper Physician Network LLC, East Cooper Primary Care Physicians L.L.C., East Portland Surgery Center LLC, East West Surgery Center L.P., Eastgate Building Center L.L.C., Effingham Surgical Partners LLC, Einstein Montgomery Surgery Center LLC, Einstein/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., El Mirador Surgery Center L.L.C., El Paso Center for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy LLC, El Paso Day Surgery LLC, El Paso Urology Surgery Center Curie LLC, Emanate/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Emanuel Medical Center, Emerson Surgery Center LLC, Encinitas Endoscopy Center LLC, Endoscopy Center of Hackensack LLC, Endoscopy Center of South Sacramento LLC, Endoscopy Consultants LLC, European Surgical Partners Ltd., Eye Center of Nashville UAP LLC, Eye Surgery Center of Nashville LLC, FMC Medical Inc., FMCC Network Contracting L.L.C., FPN  Frisco Physicians Network, FREH Real Estate L.L.C., FRS Imaging Services L.L.C., FSC Hospital LLC, FSH IT Services LP, First Choice Physician Partners, Flatirons Surgery Center LLC, Folsom Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Fort Bend Clinical Services Inc., Fort Worth Hospital Real Estate LP, Fort Worth Surgicare Partners Ltd., Foundation Bariatric Hospital of San Antonio LLC, Foundation San Antonio Borrower Sub LLC, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Fountain Valley Surgery Center LLC, Franklin Endo UAP LLC, Franklin Endoscopy Center LLC, Fresno Surgery Center L.P., Frisco Medical Center L.L.P., Frontenac Ambulatory Surgery & Spine Care Center L.P., Frye Regional Medical Center Inc., FryeCare Boone L.L.C., FryeCare Morganton L.L.C., FryeCare Physicians L.L.C., FryeCare Valdese L.L.C., FryeCare Watauga L.L.C., FryeCare Womens Services L.L.C., GCSA Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Gamma Surgery Center LLC, Gardendale Surgical Associates LLC, Garland Surgicare Partners Ltd., Gastric Health Institute L.L.C., Genesis ASC Partners LLC, Geneva Surgical Suites LLC, Georgia Endoscopy Center LLC, Georgia Gifts From Grace L.L.C., Georgia Musculoskeletal Network Inc., Georgia North Fulton Healthcare Associates L.L.C., Georgia Northside Ear Nose and Throat L.L.C., Georgia Physicians of Cardiology L.L.C., Georgia Spectrum Neurosurgical Specialists L.L.C., Georgia Spine Surgery Center LLC, Glen Echo Surgery Center LLC, Golden Ridge ASC LLC, Good Samaritan Medical Center Inc., Good Samaritan Surgery L.L.C., Grapevine Surgicare Partners Ltd., Grass Valley Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Graystone Family Healthcare - Tenet North Carolina L.L.C., Great Lakes Surgical Suites LLC, Greater Dallas Healthcare Enterprises, Greater Northwest Houston Enterprises, Greenville Physicians Surgery Center LLP, Greenwood ASC LLC, Greystone Internal Medicine - Brookwood L.L.C., Gulf Coast Community Hospital Inc., HCH Tucson Holdings LLC, HCN Emerus Management Sub LLC, HCN Emerus Texas LLC, HCN Laboratories Inc., HCN Physicians Inc., HCN Sunnyvale Holdings LLC, HCN Surgery Center Holdings Inc., HDMC Holdings L.L.C., HMA/Solantic Joint Venture LLC, HMH-USP Surgery Centers LLC, HMHP/USP Surgery Centers LLC, HNMC Inc., HNW GP Inc., HNW LP Inc., HPI Holdings LLC, HPI North LLC, HPI Physicians LLC, HSRM International Inc., HSS Palm Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, HSS/USP Surgery Center LLC, HUG Services Inc., HUMC/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Hacienda Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Hagerstown Surgery Center LLC, Hardeeville Medical Group L.L.C., Hardeeville Primary Care L.L.C., Harlingen Physician Network Inc., Harper-Hutzel AHP Services Inc., Harvard Park Surgery Center LLC, Haymarket Surgery Center LLC, Hazelwood Endoscopy Center LLC, Health & Wellness Surgery Center L.P., Health Horizons of Kansas City Inc., Health Horizons of Murfreesboro Inc., Health Horizons/Piedmont Joint Venture LLC, Health Services CFMC Inc., Health Services HNMC Inc., Health Services Network Care Inc., Health Services Network Hospitals Inc., Health Services Network Texas Inc., HealthCorp Network Inc., Healthcare Compliance LLC, Healthcare Network Alabama Inc., Healthcare Network CFMC Inc., Healthcare Network DPH Inc., Healthcare Network Georgia Inc., Healthcare Network Holdings Inc., Healthcare Network Hospitals (Dallas) Inc., Healthcare Network Hospitals Inc., Healthcare Network Louisiana Inc., Healthcare Network Missouri Inc., Healthcare Network North Carolina Inc., Healthcare Network South Carolina Inc., Healthcare Network Tennessee Inc., Healthcare Network Texas Inc., Healthcare Partners Investments LLC, Healthmark Partners Inc., Healthpoint of North Carolina L.L.C., Heart and Vascular Institute of Michigan, Heritage Park Surgical Hospital LLC, Hershey Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Hialeah Hospital Inc., Hialeah Real Properties Inc., Hickory Family Practice Associates - Tenet North Carolina L.L.C., Hill Country ASC Partners LLC, Hill Country Surgery Center LLC, Hilton Head Health System L.P., Hilton Head Regional Healthcare L.L.C., Hilton Head Regional OB/GYN Partners L.L.C., Hilton Head Regional Physician Network LLC, Hilton Head Regional Physician Network  Georgia L.L.C., Hinsdale Surgical Center LLC, Hitchcock State Street Real Estate Inc., Holston Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Holy Cross Hospital Inc., Home Health Partners of San Antonio LLC, Hoover Doctors Group Inc., Hoover Land LLC, Horizon Ridge Surgery Center LLC, Hospital Development of West Phoenix Inc., Hospital RCM Services LLC, Hospital Underwriting Group Inc., Houston Northwest Partners Ltd., Houston PSC L.P., Houston Specialty Hospital Inc., Houston Sunrise Investors Inc., Hyde Park Surgery Center LLC, ICNU Rockford LLC, Imaging Center at Baxter Village L.L.C., InforMed Insurance Services LLC, Integris/USP Health Ventures LLC, International Health and Wellness Inc., Irving-Coppell Surgical Hospital L.L.P., JFK Memorial Hospital Inc., JFP UAP Sugarland LLC, Jackson Surgical Center LLC, Jacksonville Endoscopy Centers LLC, Journey Home Healthcare of San Antonio LLC, KHS Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, KHS/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Kingsport Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Laguna Medical Systems Inc., Lake Endoscopy Center LLC, Lake Health Care Facilities Inc., Lake Lansing ASC Partners LLC, Lake Surgical Hospital Slidell LLC, LakeFront Medical Associates LLC, Lakewood Regional Medical Center Inc., Lakewood Surgery Center LLC, Lancaster Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Lansing ASC Partners LLC, Lawrenceville Surgery Center L.L.C., Lebanon Endoscopy Center LLC, Legacy Warren Partners L.P., Legacy/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Leonardtown Surgery Center LLC, Liberty Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Lifemark Hospitals Inc., Lifemark Hospitals of Florida Inc., Lifemark Hospitals of Louisiana Inc., Lone Star Endoscopy Center LLC, Longleaf Surgery Center LLC, Los Alamitos Medical Center Inc., Lubbock ASC Holding Co LLC, MASC Partners LLC, MCSH Real Estate Investors Ltd., MH Memorial City Surgery LLC, MH/USP Bay Area LLC, MH/USP Brazoria LLC, MH/USP Kingsland LLC, MH/USP Kingwood LLC, MH/USP Kirby LLC, MH/USP Main Street LLC, MH/USP North Freeway LLC, MH/USP North Houston LLC, MH/USP Richmond LLC, MH/USP Sugar Land LLC, MH/USP TMC Endoscopy LLC, MH/USP West Houston L.L.C., MH/USP Woodlands Parkway LLC, MSH Partners LLC, MSV Health/USP Surgery Centers LLC, MVH/USP Surgery Centers LLC, MacNeal Management Services Inc., MacNeal Medical Records Inc., MacNeal Physicians Group LLC, Magnetic Resonance Imaging of San Luis Obispo Inc., Magnolia Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Manchester Ambulatory Surgery Center LP, Maple Lawn Surgery Center LLC, Marion Surgery Center LLC, Mary Immaculate Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Mason Ridge Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Mayfield Spine Surgery Center LLC, McLaren ASC of Flint LLC, Meadowcrest Hospital LLC, Medical House Staffing LLC, Medical Park Tower Surgery Center LLC, Medplex Outpatient Medical Centers Inc., Medplex Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Memorial Hermann Bay Area Endoscopy Center LLC, Memorial Hermann Endoscopy & Surgery Center North Houston L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Endoscopy Center North Freeway LLC, Memorial Hermann Specialty Hospital Kingwood L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Surgical Hospital L.L.P., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Brazoria LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Cypress LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Katy LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Kingsland L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Kirby LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Main Street LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Memorial City L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Northwest LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Pinecroft LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Preston Road Ltd., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Richmond LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Southwest L.L.P., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Sugar Land LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Texas Medical Center LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Woodlands Parkway LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center  The Woodlands LLP, Memorial Hermann Texas International Endoscopy Center LLC, Memorial Hermann West Houston Surgery Center LLC, Memorial Hermann/USP Surgery Centers II L.P., Memorial Hermann/USP Surgery Centers III LLP, Memorial Hermann/USP Surgery Centers IV LLP, Memorial Surgery Center LLC, Memphis Urgent Care #1 L.L.C., Memphis Urgent Care #2 L.L.C., Merced Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Mercy/USP Health Ventures L.L.C., Metro Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Metro Surgery Center LLC, MetroWest HomeCare & Hospice LLC, Metrocrest Surgery Center L.P., Metropolitan New Jersey LLC, Michigan ASC Partners L.L.C., Michigan Pioneer ACO LLC, Michigan Regional Imaging LLC, Mid Rivers Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Mid State Endo UAP LLC, Mid-State Endoscopy Center LLC, Mid-TSC Development LP, Middle Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Midland Memorial/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Midland Texas Surgical Center LLC, Midwest Digestive Health Center LLC, Midwest Pharmacies Inc., Midwest Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Millennium Surgical Center LLC, Mobile Imaging Management LLC, Mobile Technology Management LLC, Modesto Radiology Imaging Inc., Monocacy Surgery Center LLC, Mountain Empire Surgery Center L.P., Munster Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Murdock Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, NHSC Holdings LLC, NICH GP Holdings LLC, NKCH/USP Briarcliff GP LLC, NKCH/USP Liberty GP LLC, NKCH/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., NKCH/USP Surgery Centers LLC, NMC Lessor L.P., NMC Surgery Center L.P., NME Headquarters Inc., NME Properties Corp., NME Properties Inc., NME Property Holding Co. Inc., NME Psychiatric Hospitals Inc., NME Rehabilitation Properties Inc., NSCH GP Holdings LLC, NSCH/USP Desert Surgery Centers L.L.C., NUCH of Georgia L.L.C., NUCH of Massachusetts LLC, NUCH of Michigan Inc., NUCH of Texas, Nacogdoches ASC-LP Inc., Name of Entity, National ASC Inc., National Ancillary Inc., National Diagnostic Imaging Centers Inc., National HHC Inc., National Home Health Holdings Inc., National ICN Inc., National Imaging Center Holdings Inc., National Medical Services II Inc., National Outpatient Services Holdings Inc., National Surgery Center Holdings Inc., National Urgent Care Holdings Inc., National Urgent Care Inc., Network Management Associates Inc., New Dimensions LLC, New England Physician Performance Network LLC, New H Acute Inc., New Horizons Surgery Center LLC, New Medical Horizons II Ltd., New Mexico Orthopaedic Surgery Center LLC, New Salem ASC RE LLC, Newhope Imaging Center Inc., North Anaheim Surgery Center LLC, North Atlantic Surgical Suites LLC, North Campus Surgery Center LLC, North Carolina Community Family Medicine L.L.C., North Central Surgical Center L.L.P., North Denver Musculoskeletal Surgical Partners LLC, North Fulton Cardiovascular Medicine L.L.C., North Fulton Hospitalist Group L.L.C., North Fulton Medical Center Inc., North Fulton Primary Care - Willeo Rd. L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care - Windward Parkway L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care - Wylie Bridge L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care Associates L.L.C., North Fulton Pulmonary Specialists L.L.C., North Fulton Womens Consultants L.L.C., North Garland Surgery Center L.L.P., North Haven Surgery Center LLC, North Miami Medical Center Ltd., North Shore Medical Billing Center L.L.C., North Shore Medical Center Inc., North Shore Same Day Surgery L.L.C., North Shore Surgical Suites LLC, North State Surgery Centers L.P., NorthPointe Surgical Suites LLC, NorthShore/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., Northern Monmouth Regional Surgery Center L.L.C., Northridge ASC RE LLC, Northridge Surgery Center L.P., Northwest Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Georgia Orthopaedic Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Regional ASC LLC, Northwest Regional Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Surgery Center LLP, Northwest Surgery Center Ltd., Novant Health/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Novant/UVA/USP Surgery Centers LLC, OCOMS Imaging LLC, OCOMS Professional Services LLC, OLOL/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Okatie Surgical Partners L.L.C., Oklahoma Center for Orthopedic and Multi-Specialty Surgery LLC, Old Tesson Surgery Center L.P., Olive Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Olive Branch Urgent Care #1 LLC, Ophthalmology Anesthesia Services LLC, Ophthalmology Surgery Center of Orlando LLC, Optimum Spine Center LLC, OrNda Healthcorp, OrNda Hospital Corporation, Orlando Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., OrthoArizona Surgery Center Gilbert LLC, OrthoLink ASC Corporation, OrthoLink Physicians Corporation, OrthoLink Radiology Services Corporation, OrthoLink/ Georgia ASC Inc., OrthoLink/Baptist ASC LLC, OrthoLink/New Mexico ASC Inc., Orthopedic Associates of the Lowcountry L.L.C., Orthopedic South Surgical Partners LLC, Orthopedic and Surgical Specialty Company LLC, PAHS/USP Surgery Centers LLC, PDN L.L.C., PHPS Inc., PHPS-CHM Acquisition Inc., PHS/USP Health Ventures LLC, PM CyFair Land Partners LLC, PMC Physician Network L.L.C., PPRE LLC, PSS Patient Solution Services LLC, Pacific Endo-Surgical Center L.P., Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC, Pain Diagnostic and Treatment Center L.P., Paley Institute Global LLC, Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital Inc., Palm Beach International Surgery Center LLC, Palm Valley Medical Center Campus Association, Palos Health Surgery Center LLC, Paramus Endoscopy LLC, Park Cities Surgery Center LLC, Park Plaza Hospital Billing Center L.L.C., ParkCreek ASC LLC, Parkway Recovery Care Center LLC, Parkwest Surgery Center L.P., Patient Partners LLC, Peak Gastroenterology ASC LLC, Pediatric Surgery Center  Odessa LLC, Pediatric Surgery Centers LLC, Physician Performance Network L.L.C., Physician Performance Network of Arizona LLC, Physician Performance Network of Detroit, Physician Performance Network of South Carolina LLC, Physician Performance Network of Tucson LLC, Physicians Performance Network of Houston, Physicians Performance Network of North Texas, Physicians Surgery Center at Good Samaritan LLC, Physicians Surgery Center of Tempe LLC, Physicians Surgical Center of Ft. Worth LLP, Physicians Surgery Center of Chattanooga L.L.C., Physicians Surgery Center of Knoxville LLC, Piccard Surgery Center LLC, Piedmont ASC LLC, Piedmont Behavioral Medicine Associates LLC, Piedmont Cardiovascular Physicians L.L.C., Piedmont Carolina OB/GYN of York County L.L.C., Piedmont Carolina Vascular Surgery L.L.C., Piedmont East Urgent Care Center L.L.C., Piedmont Express Care at Sutton Road L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Rock Hill L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Tega Cay L.L.C., Piedmont General Surgery Associates L.L.C., Piedmont Internal Medicine at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Physician Network LLC, Piedmont Pulmonology L.L.C., Piedmont Surgical Specialists L.L.C., Piedmont Urgent Care Center at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Urgent Care and Industrial Health Centers Inc., Piedmont/Carolinas Radiation Therapy LLC, Placentia-Linda Hospital Inc., Pleasanton Diagnostic Imaging Inc., Point of Rocks Surgery Center LLC, Practice Partners Management L.P., Premier ACO Physicians Network LLC, Premier ASC LLC, Premier Adult and Childrens Surgery Center LLC, Premier Endoscopy ASC LLC, Premier Health Plan Services Inc., Premier Medical Specialists L.L.C., Prince William Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Professional Anesthesia Services LLC, Professional Liability Insurance Company, Pros Temporary Staffing Inc., Providence/UCLA/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Providence/USP Santa Clarita GP LLC, Providence/USP South Bay Surgery Centers L.L.C., Providence/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Pueblo Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, R.H.S.C. El Paso Inc., RE Plano Med Inc., RHC Parkway Inc., RLC LLC, Reading Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Reading Endoscopy Center LLC, Reagan Street Surgery Center LLC, Redmond Surgery Center LLC, Renaissance Surgery Center LLC, Republic Health Corporation of Rockwall County, Resolute Health Physicians Network Inc., Resolute Hospital Company LLC, Resurgens East Surgery Center LLC, Resurgens Fayette Surgery Center LLC, Resurgens Surgery Center LLC, Rheumatology Associates of Atlanta Medical Center L.L.C., Richmond ASC Leasing Company LLC, Rio Grande Valley Indigent Health Care Corporation, River North Same Day Surgery L.L.C., Riverside Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Rock Bridge Surgical Institute L.L.C., Rock Hill Surgery Center LLC, Rockwall Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.P., Rocky Mountain Endoscopy Centers LLC, Roseville Surgery Center L.P., Roswell Surgery Center L.L.C., SCNRE LLC, SFMP Inc., SFMPE - Crittenden L.L.C., SL-HLC Inc., SLH Physicians L.L.C., SLH Vista Inc., SLPA ACO LLC, SLUH Anesthesia Physicians L.L.C., SMSJ Imaging Company LLC, SMSJ Tucson Holdings LLC, SPC at the Star LLC, SRRMC Management Inc., SSI Holdings Inc., Sacramento Midtown Endoscopy Center LLC, Safety Harbor ASC Company LLC, Saint Agnes/Dignity/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Saint Agnes/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Saint Francis Cardiology Associates L.L.C., Saint Francis Cardiovascular Surgery L.L.C., Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital Billing Center L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital Medicare ACO LLC, Saint Francis Hospital Pro Fee Billing L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett Inc., Saint Francis Medical Partners East L.L.C., Saint Francis Medical Partners General Surgery L.L.C., Saint Francis Physician Network LLC, Saint Francis Quality Alliance LLC, Saint Francis Surgery Center L.L.C., Saint Francis Surgical Associates L.L.C., Saint Francis-Arkansas Physician Network LLC, Saint Francis-Bartlett Physician Network LLC, Saint Thomas Campus Surgicare L.P., Saint Thomas Surgery Center New Salem LLC, Saint Thomas/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., Saint Thomas/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Saint Thomas/USP  Baptist Plaza L.L.C., Saint Vincent Physician Services Inc., Salmon Surgery Center LLC, Same Day Management L.L.C., Same Day SC of Central NJ LLC, Same Day Surgery L.L.C., San Antonio Endoscopy L.P., San Fernando Valley Surgery Center L.P., San Gabriel Valley Surgical Center L.P., San Martin Surgery Center LLC, San Ramon ASC L. P., San Ramon Ambulatory Care LLC, San Ramon Network Joint Venture LLC, San Ramon Regional Medical Center LLC, San Ramon Surgery Center L.L.C., Santa Barbara Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Santa Clarita Surgery Center L.P., Savannah Endoscopy Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Schertz Surgery Center LLC, Scripps Encinitas Surgery Center LLC, Scripps/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Seaside Surgery Center LLC, Shands/Solantic Joint Venture LLC, Shelby Baptist Affinity LLC, Shelby Baptist Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Shore Outpatient Surgicenter L.L.C., Shoreline Real Estate Partnership LLP, Shoreline Surgery Center LLP, Shrewsbury Surgery Center LLC, Sierra Pacific Surgery Center LLC, Sierra Providence Health Network Inc., Sierra Providence Healthcare Enterprises, Sierra Vista Hospital Inc., Silicon Valley Outpatient Surgery Centers LLC, Silver Cross Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Silver Cross/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Sinai-Grace Premier Clinical Management Services LLC, Siouxland Surgery Center Limited Liability Partnership, Solantic Corporation, Solantic Development LLC, Solantic Holdings Corporation, Solantic of Jacksonville LLC, Solantic of Orlando LLC, Solantic/South Florida LLC, South Carolina East Cooper Surgical Specialists L.L.C., South Carolina Health Services Inc., South Carolina SeWee Family Medicine L.L.C., South County Outpatient Endoscopy Services L.P., South Denver Musculoskeletal Surgical Partners LLC, South Florida Ambulatory Surgical Center LLC, South Fulton Health Care Centers Inc., SouthCare Physicians Group Neurology L.L.C., SouthCare Physicians Group Obstetrics & Gynecology L.L.C., Southeast Ohio Surgical Suites LLC, Southern Orthopedics and Sports Medicine L.L.C., Southern States Physician Operations Inc., Southwest Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., Southwest Childrens Hospital LLC, Southwest Endoscopy LLC, Southwest Orthopedic and Spine Hospital LLC, Southwest Orthopedic and Spine Hospital Real Estate LLC, Southwestern Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Spalding Regional Medical Center Inc., Spalding Regional OB/GYN L.L.C., Spalding Regional Physician Services L.L.C., Specialty Surgery Center of Fort Worth L.P., Specialty Surgicenters Inc., Spinal Diagnostics and Treatment Centers L.L.C., Spine & Joint Physician Associates, Springfield Service Holding Corporation, St. Augustine Endoscopy Center LLC, St. Christophers Pediatric Urgent Care Center - Allentown L.L.C, St. Josephs Hospital Surgical Co-Management LLC, St. Josephs Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, St. Josephs Surgery Center L.P., St. Louis Physician Alliance LLC, St. Louis Surgical Center LLC, St. Louis Urology Center LLC, St. Lukes/USP Surgery Centers LLC, St. Marys Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, St. Marys Hospital Cardiovascular Co-Management LLC, St. Marys Hospital Surgical Co-Management LLC, St. Marys Levee Company LLC, St. Marys Medical Center Inc., St. Vincent Health/USP LLC, St. Vincent/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Stockton Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Subsidiaries of USPI Holding Company Inc., Suburban Endoscopy Center LLC, Summit View Surgery Center LLC, Sun View Imaging L.L.C., Sunrise Medical Group I L.L.C., Sunrise Medical Group II L.L.C., Sunrise Medical Group IV L.L.C., SurgCenter Camelback LLC, SurgCenter Northeast LLC, SurgCenter Pinellas LLC, SurgCenter Tucson LLC, SurgCenter at Paradise Valley LLC, SurgCenter of Deer Valley LLC, SurgCenter of Glen Burnie LLC, SurgCenter of Palm Beach Gardens LLC, SurgCenter of Plano LLC, SurgCenter of Southern Maryland LLC, SurgCenter of St. Lucie LLC, SurgCenter of White Marsh LLC, Surgery Affiliate of El Paso LLC, Surgery Center at Mount Pleasant LLC, Surgery Center at University Park LLC, Surgery Center of Atlanta LLC, Surgery Center of Canfield LLC, Surgery Center of Columbia L.P., Surgery Center of Coral Gables LLC, Surgery Center of Okeechobee LLC, Surgery Center of Pembroke Pines L.L.C., Surgery Center of Peoria L.L.C., Surgery Center of Richardson Physician Partnership L.P., Surgery Center of Santa Barbara LLC, Surgery Center of Scottsdale LLC, Surgery Center of Tempe Real Estate II L.L.C., Surgery Center of Tempe Real Estate L.L.C., Surgery Centers of America II L.L.C., Surgery Centre of SW Florida LLC, Surgical & Bariatric Associates of Atlanta Medical Center L.L.C., Surgical Clinical Excellence at Desert Regional LLC, Surgical Elite of Avondale L.L.C., Surgical Health Partners LLC, Surgical Institute Management LLC, Surgical Institute of Reading LLC, Surgical Specialists at Princeton LLC, Surgicare of Miramar L.L.C., Surginet Inc., Surgis Inc., Surgis Management Services Inc., Surgis of Chico Inc., Surgis of Phoenix Inc., Surgis of Redding Inc., Surgis of Victoria Inc., Sutton Road Pediatrics L.L.C., Sylvan Grove Hospital Inc., TENN SM LLC, TFPS IV L.L.C., TH Healthcare Ltd., TH International Services Florida LLC, THV Park Cities LLC, THVG Arlington GP LLC, THVG Bariatric GP LLC, THVG Bariatric L.L.C., THVG Bedford GP LLC, THVG Bellaire GP LLC, THVG DSP GP LLC, THVG DeSoto GP LLC, THVG Denton GP LLC, THVG Fort Worth GP LLC, THVG Frisco GP LLC, THVG Garland GP LLC, THVG Grapevine GP LLC, THVG Irving-Coppell GP LLC, THVG Lewisville GP LLC, THVG North Garland GP LLC, THVG Park Cities/Trophy Club GP LLC, THVG Rockwall 2 GP LLC, THVG Valley View GP LLC, TLC ASC LLC, TMC Holding Company LLC, TOPS Specialty Hospital Ltd., TPG Hospital LLC, TPR Practice Management LLC, TPS VI of PA L.L.C., TRMC Holdings LLC, TSPE LLC, Tamarac Surgery Center LLC, Tempe New Day Surgery Center LP, Templeton Imaging Inc., Tenet Business Services Corporation, Tenet California Inc., Tenet Central Carolina Physicians Inc., Tenet EKG Inc., Tenet El Paso Ltd., Tenet Employment Inc., Tenet Finance Corp., Tenet Florida Inc., Tenet Florida Physician Services II L.L.C., Tenet Florida Physician Services III L.L.C., Tenet Florida Physician Services L.L.C., Tenet Fort Mill Inc., Tenet Global Business Center Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Bucks County L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Graduate L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Hahnemann L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Medical Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Nacogdoches ASC GP Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Philadelphia Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Roxborough LLC, Tenet HealthSystem St. Christophers Hospital for Children L.L.C., Tenet Hilton Head Heart L.L.C., Tenet Hospitals Limited, Tenet Network Management Inc., Tenet Patient Safety Organization LLC, Tenet Physician Resources LLC, Tenet Physician Services - Hilton Head Inc., Tenet Rehab Piedmont Inc., Tenet Relocation Services L.L.C., Tenet SC East Cooper Hospitalists L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Gastrointestinal Surgical Specialists L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Island Medical L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Lowcountry OB/GYN L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Mt. Pleasant OB/GYN L.L.C., Tenet Unifour Urgent Care Center L.L.C., Tenet Ventures Inc., TenetCare Frisco Inc., Terre Haute Surgical Center LLC, Teton Outpatient Services LLC, Texan Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Texas Endoscopy Centers LLC, Texas Health Venture Arlington Hospital LLC, Texas Health Venture Baylor Plano LLC, Texas Health Venture Carrollton LLC, Texas Health Venture Centennial LLC, Texas Health Venture Ennis LLC, Texas Health Venture Fort Worth L.L.C., Texas Health Venture Granbury LLC, Texas Health Venture Heritage Park LLC, Texas Health Venture Keller LLC, Texas Health Venture Las Colinas LLC, Texas Health Venture Mansfield LLC, Texas Health Venture Plano Endo LLC, Texas Health Venture Plano LLC, Texas Health Venture Plano Parkway LLC, Texas Health Venture Texas Spine LLC, Texas Health Ventures Group L.L.C., Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center LLC, Texas Regional Medical Center LLC, Texas Regional Medical in Sunnyvale, Texas Spine and Joint Hospital LLC, The 6300 West Roosevelt Partnership, The Ambulatory Surgical Center of St. Louis L.P., The Healthcare Insurance Corporation, The Healthcare Underwriting Company a Risk Retention Group, The Huron Corporation, The Outpatient Center LLC, The Southeastern Spine Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., The Surgery Center at Jensen Beach LLC, The Surgery Center at Williamson LLC, The Tresanti Surgical Center LLC, Theda Oaks Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center LLC, Titan Health Corporation, Titan Health of Chattanooga Inc., Titan Health of Hershey Inc., Titan Health of Mount Laurel LLC, Titan Health of North Haven Inc., Titan Health of Pittsburgh Inc., Titan Health of Pleasant Hills Inc., Titan Health of Princeton Inc., Titan Health of Sacramento Inc., Titan Health of Saginaw Inc., Titan Health of Titusville Inc., Titan Health of West Penn Inc., Titan Health of Westminster Inc., Titan Management Corporation, Titusville Center for Surgical Excellence LLC, Toms River Surgery Center L.L.C., Total Joint Center of the Northland LLC, Tower Road Real Estate LLC, Tower/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Treasure Coast ASC LLC, Trophy Club Medical Center L.P., True Medical Weight Loss L.P., True Medical Wellness LP, True Results Georgia Inc., True Results HoldCo LLC, True Results Missouri LLC, Tucson Digestive Institute LLC, Tucson Hospital Holdings Inc., Tucson Physician Group Holdings LLC, Turlock Imaging Services LLC, Turlock Land Company LLC, Tuscan Surgery Center at Las Colinas LLC, Twin Cities Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Twin Cities Community Hospital Inc., UAP Las Colinas Endo LLC, UAP Lebanon Endo LLC, UAP Nashville Endoscopy LLC, UAP Scopes LLC, UAP of Arizona Inc., UAP of California Inc., UAP of Missouri Inc., UAP of New Jersey Inc., UAP of Oklahoma Inc., UAP of Tennessee Inc., UAP of Texas Inc., UCC Tucson Holdings LLC, UMC Surgery Center Lubbock LLC, UMC-USP Surgery Centers LLC, USC/Norris Cancer Hospital, USP 12th Ave Real Estate Inc., USP Acquisition Corporation, USP Alexandria Inc., USP Assurance Company, USP Athens Inc., USP Atlanta Inc., USP Austin Inc., USP Bariatric LLC, USP Beaumont Inc., USP Bergen Inc., USP Bloomington Inc., USP Bridgeton Inc., USP Cedar Park Inc., USP Chesterfield Inc., USP Chicago Inc., USP Cincinnati Inc., USP Coast Inc., USP Columbia Inc., USP Connecticut Inc., USP Corpus Christi Inc., USP Creve Coeur Inc., USP Denver Inc., USP Des Peres Inc., USP Destin Inc., USP Domestic Holdings Inc., USP Effingham Inc., USP Encinitas Endoscopy Inc., USP Fenton Inc., USP Festus Inc., USP Florissant Inc., USP Fort Lauderdale Inc., USP Fort Worth Hospital Real Estate Inc., USP Fredericksburg Inc., USP Fresno Inc., USP Frontenac Inc., USP Gateway Inc., USP HMH Surgery Center at Shore LLC, USP Harbour View Inc., USP Houston Inc., USP Indiana Inc., USP International Holdings Inc., USP Jersey City Inc., USP Kansas City Inc., USP Knoxville Inc., USP Little Rock Inc., USP Long Island Inc., USP Louisiana Inc., USP Lubbock Inc., USP Maryland Inc., USP Mason Ridge Inc., USP Mattis Inc., USP Michigan Inc., USP Midland Inc., USP Midland Real Estate Inc., USP Midwest Inc., USP Mission Hills Inc., USP Montana Inc., USP Morris Inc., USP Mt. Vernon Inc., USP Nevada Holdings LLC, USP Nevada Inc., USP New Hampshire Inc., USP New Jersey Inc., USP Newport News Inc., USP North Carolina Inc., USP North Kansas City Inc., USP North Texas Inc., USP Northwest Arkansas Inc., USP OKC Inc., USP OKC Manager Inc., USP Office Parkway Inc., USP Ohio RE Inc., USP Oklahoma Inc., USP Olive Inc., USP Orlando Inc., USP Philadelphia Inc., USP Phoenix Inc., USP Portland Inc., USP Reading Inc., USP Richmond II Inc., USP Richmond Inc., USP Sacramento Inc., USP San Antonio Inc., USP Santa Barbara Surgery Centers Inc., USP Securities Corporation, USP Silver Cross Inc., USP Siouxland Inc., USP Somerset Inc., USP South Carolina Inc., USP Southlake RE Inc., USP St. Louis Inc., USP St. Louis Urology Inc., USP St. Peters Inc., USP Sunset Hills Inc., USP TJ STL Inc., USP Tennessee Inc., USP Texas Air L.L.C., USP Texas L.P., USP Torrance Inc., USP Tucson Inc., USP Turnersville Inc., USP Virginia Beach Inc., USP Washington Inc., USP Waxahachie Management L.L.C., USP Webster Groves Inc., USP West Covina Inc., USP Westwood Inc., USP Winter Park Inc., USP Wisconsin Inc., USP-HMH Surgery Center at Central Jersey LLC, USP/Carondelet Tucson Surgery Centers LLC, USP/SOS Joint Venture LLC, USPI Group Holdings Inc., USPI Holding Company Inc.1, USPI Holdings Inc., USPI Physician Strategy Group LLC, USPI San Diego Inc., USPI Stockton Inc., USPI Surgical Services Inc., Ulysses True Results NewCo LLC, Underwood Surgery Center LLC, United Anesthesia Partners Inc., United Real Estate Development Inc., United Real Estate Holdings Inc., United Surgical Partners Holdings Inc., United Surgical Partners International, United Surgical Partners International Inc., Universal Medical Care Center L.L.C., University Surgery Center Ltd., University Surgical Partners of Dallas L.L.P., Upper Bay Surgery Center LLC, Upper Cumberland Physicians Surgery Center LLC, Urgent Care Centers of Arizona LLC, Utica ASC Partners LLC, Utica/USP Tulsa L.L.C., VB Brownsville LTACH LLC, VBOA ASC GP LLC, VBOA ASC Partners L.L.C., VHM Services Inc., VHS Acquisition Corporation, VHS Acquisition Partnership Number 1 L.P, VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 1 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 11 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 12 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 3 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 4 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 5 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 6 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 7 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 8 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 9 Inc., VHS Arizona Heart Institute Inc., VHS Brownsville Hospital Company LLC, VHS Chicago Market Procurement LLC, VHS Childrens Hospital of Michigan Inc., VHS Detroit Businesses Inc., VHS Detroit Receiving Hospital Inc., VHS Detroit Ventures Inc., VHS Harlingen Hospital Company LLC, VHS Harper-Hutzel Hospital Inc., VHS Holding Company Inc., VHS Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Inc., VHS Imaging Centers Inc., VHS New England Holding Company I Inc., VHS Outpatient Clinics Inc., VHS Phoenix Health Plan Inc., VHS Physicians of Michigan, VHS Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Inc., VHS San Antonio Imaging Partners L.P., VHS San Antonio Partners LLC, VHS Sinai-Grace Hospital Inc., VHS University Laboratories Inc., VHS Valley Health System LLC, VHS Valley Holdings LLC, VHS Valley Management Company Inc., VHS West Suburban Medical Center Inc., VHS Westlake Hospital Inc., VHS of Anaheim Inc., VHS of Arrowhead Inc., VHS of Huntington Beach Inc., VHS of Illinois Inc., VHS of Michigan Inc., VHS of Michigan Staffing Inc., VHS of Orange County Inc., VHS of Phoenix Inc., VHS of South Phoenix Inc., Valley Baptist Lab Services LLC, Valley Baptist Physician Performance Network, Valley Baptist Realty Company LLC, Valley Baptist Wellness Center LLC, Valley Health Care Network, Vanguard ASC LLC, Vanguard Health Financial Company LLC, Vanguard Health Holding Company I LLC, Vanguard Health Holding Company II LLC, Vanguard Health Management Inc., Vanguard Health Systems, Vanguard Health Systems Inc., Vanguard Holding Company I Inc., Vanguard Holding Company II Inc., Vanguard Medical Specialists LLC, Vanguard Physician Services LLC, Ventana Surgical Center LLC, Veroscan Inc., Victoria Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Virtua-USP Princeton LLC, WHASA L.C., Walker Baptist Affinity LLC, Walker Street Imaging Care Inc., Warner Park Surgery Center LLC, Watermark Physician Services Inc., Webster Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Wellington Endo LLC, Wellstar/USP Joint Venture I LLC, Wellstar/USP Joint Venture II LLC, West Boca Health Services L.L.C., West Boca Medical Center Inc., West Boynton Urgent Care L.L.C., West Bozeman Surgery Center LLC, West Palm Healthcare Real Estate Inc., West Suburban Radiation Therapy Center LLC, Westgate Surgery Center LLC, Westlake Hospital LLC, Westlawn Surgery Center LLC, Westminster Surgery Center LLC, Westminster Surgery Centers LLC, White Fence Surgical Suites LLC, Willamette Spine Center Ambulatory Surgery LLC, Wilmington Endoscopy Center LLC, Wilshire Rental Corp., Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center L.L.C., Wisconsin Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Wymark Surgery Center LLC, and YNHHSC/USP Surgery Centers LLC.The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. 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The DeepVeer wedding is coming here and the excitement for it just keeps on increasing with each passing day.

Last night Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh were spotted at the Mumbai airport, leaving for their destination wedding in Lake Como, Italy.

Twinning in white, they gave couple goals and their crews Instagram stories has got our tummies twisted in excitement!

The couple will be back in Mumbai and Bengaluru to celebrate their wedding via a reception and now we hear that Deepikas Bangalore venue also has an Italy connect.

A source told Pinkvilla, "The biggest reason why Deepika chose to have the reception at the Leela, Bangalore was renowned Italian restaurant of New York Le Cirque which goes by the name Le Cirque Signature. DP loves the restaurant in NYC and their franchise in Bengaluru drew Deepika to The Leela. Her mother has also gone for food tasting 2-3 times. The food will be pre-dominantly South Indian though. They will check into the hotel on 20th and check out on 22nd."

Deepika had previously revealed her love for Italy and always desired to have a destination wedding there, which is all set to become a reality in few days.

The wedding ceremony will take place on November 14 and 15 since they will get married with South Indian rituals as well as Anand Karaj, which happens to be the auspicious ceremony in Ranveer Singhs caste.

It is also being said that 4 members from Bollywood will attend the wedding, where both the families will wear colour co-ordinated outfits and Deepikas side of the family will wear Sabyasachi outfits.Director Ali Abbas Zafar, who gave a blockbuster in December 2017 in the name of Tiger Zinda Hai, is all set to bring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif once again in Bharat.

The movie is extremely special for Salman due to some unknown reasons, and Katrina, who was keen on doing the movie even before she was cast, also seems to have dissolved herself into the role as she was seen prepping hard for it a few hours before her Zero trailer was unveiled.

After the whole cast waited in Mumbai, they are now off to Punjab to shoot for an intense sequel.

Looking suave in maroon tee and denims paired with aviators, Salman Khan threw his swag all around, leaving everybody in awe.

The team is reportedly all set to recreate Wagah border there, which is basic for recreating the intense portions of the film.

A source from the team told DNA, The film will span across seven decades and will also capture the evolution of India, along with its main leading character (played by Salman). The team had to film a few portions at the Wagah border, but it wasnt feasible for security reasons. So, for the Punjab leg of the shoot, the team has built a gigantic set. Producer Atul Agnihotri and Ali have envisioned the film in a certain way and they are making sure it looks like a visual extravaganza. They have recreated the Wagah border in Ludhiana where Salman and Katrina will be shooting for the next eight days, starting today.

Apart from Punjab, the Bharat team will also shoot small portions in Delhi and Mumbai.Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, along with their respective families finally left for Italy on Friday night putting an end to speculations on whether the marriage was happening at Villa del Balbianello, an exotic villa overlooking Lake Como. The couple have not confirmed any location officially, but the flight to Italy confirmed the location at least for us. The wedding is taking place on November 14 and 15, and the families want to reach the location early to prepare for the wedding. They have invited a few people from Bollywood, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Farah Khan being two of the invitees. There are others who have been invited and we will know in due course when they leave for Italy, says a source from the industry.

Apart from a few friends and family members, not many people are expected to attend the wedding. Deepika was seen shopping for gold wedding jewellery worth more than one crore rupees at Tanishq. The jewellery included a solitaire in her mangalsutra, two necklaces and a 200-gram chain for Ranveer. Ranveer was also seen wearing sherwani during his departure.Actor Nawazuddin Siddiquis career seems to be in jeopardy after he was called out by actress and ex-girlfriend, Niharika Singh, in her #MeToo post. Niharika wrote, I tried to push him away but he wouldnt let go. After a little coercion, I finally gave in. I wasnt sure what to make of this relationship, adding that the actor told her that hed always wanted a Miss India or an actress wife. Phantom Films, who are themselves embroiled in #MeToo allegations made against director Vikas Bahl, has indefinitely postponed the release of the latest Nawaz-starrer, Ghoomketu. Also, there are chances that the second season of Netflixs Sacred Games may now be dropped as well. Two other crew members of the series, writer Varun Grover and Vikas Bahl, whose now-dissolved parent company Phantom Films is a co-producer of Sacred Games, have already been called out by women for sexual misconduct. Having effectively defended Grovers inclusion in the second season of Sacred Games, Netflix may find it impossible to defend Nawazs presence in the series and is likely to drop him from the second season of Sacred Games.

Actress Kubbra Sait, who is part of the cast, has come forward in defence of Nawaz. She took to Twitter and wrote, A relationship gone sour, isnt #MeToo someone needs to recognize the toxic difference before we go picking sides. I stand by #NawazuddinSiddiqui or #Nowaz as a man. (sic)The number of people in the U.S. who have difficulty controlling sexual feelings and urges may be greater than realized, researchers say.

Seven percent of women and more than 10 percent of men said they were distressed due to difficulty controlling sexual urges, feelings and behaviours, according to study results published in JAMA Network Open.

Its a lot more people than we expected to be having difficulty controlling sexual urges and behaviors and who are feeling distressed and impaired, said the studys lead author, Janna Dickenson, of the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis.

The differences between the sexes are a lot less than we would have expected, raising concerns that the difficulty in controlling sexual behavior affects more than just men, she added.

Dickenson and colleagues surveyed 2,235 people, ages 18 to 50, across all 50 states. Questions covered household income, personal details and 13 other items specifically addressing sexual urges, feelings and behaviors. Among these 13 were: How often have you had trouble controlling your sexual urges?, How often have you felt unable to control sexual behavior?, How often have you felt guilty or shameful about sexual behavior?, How often have you made pledges or promises to alter your sexual behavior? and How often have your sexual activities caused financial problems for you?

Study volunteers were told to answer by rating each question using a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very frequently). Other research has shown that a score of 35 or more indicates that the person is likely to have compulsive sexual behavior disorder, a newly designated diagnosis listed in the International Classification of Diseases, Dickenson said. The diagnosis is not one that is recognized in the reference used by U.S. psychiatrists and psychologists, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Overall, 10.3 percent of men and 7.0 percent of women scored 35 or more. That number is higher than previous research has found, Dickenson said.

Dr. Robert Hudak isnt sure exactly what the new study is telling us. They kind of mix things up, for example, using impulsive and compulsive interchangeably, said Hudak, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pennsylvania and medical director of the Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Outpatient Program at the at Western Psychiatric Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who wasnt involved in the study.

Still, Hudak allowed, they do find a high rate of people with some sort of distress with their sexuality. But is it impulsive, compulsive, addictive? Is it something else? You cant tell from what they did.

What you can take from this research is that there are a pretty decent percentage of people who are complaining about some sort of negative feelings about their sexuality, Hudak said. And those negative feelings are leading to some distress.

But that wouldnt earn them any kind of diagnosis in the U.S., Hudak noted.

Based on his experiences as a therapist, Thomas Plante wasnt surprised by the large numbers of people distressed by their sexuality.

There are a lot of people in my patient population - regular folks - who really struggle with their sexual impulses, said Plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University in California and an adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine who also wasnt involved in the new research. There are folks who are engaging with sex workers when they travel. Others struggle with pornography or the temptation to step away from marital fidelity. Many take risks even when it can impact their lives.

Plante suspects that more and more people are having trouble these days because so much temptation is at their fingertips. Just a few taps on the smart phone and pornography pops up, or an assignation that might later lead to guilt, can be arranged, he said.

Ive had a lot of patients like that, Plante said. They start out just poking around on the internet. Then theyre doing it more and more. And then it becomes a problem for them. Their spouse gets all upset, or someone walks in on them. Then they come looking for help.NEW YORK - Jubilant New Yorkers took to the streets when the Great War ended at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, my late grandmothers ninth birthday.

The gritty Brooklyn waterfront neighborhood where she lived celebrated mightily, but a grim legacy of the war went on to take an even deadlier toll.

People filled the streets. It was so exciting, even though I wasnt exactly sure what was happening, Marie Starace recalled years later. They were laughing, crying, and singing. Some men fired guns into the air.

A woman fell to her knees in the street with her hands together as if she was praying. She was crying so hard that looking at her made me cry, too. Despite the passage of time, my grandmothers eyes filled with tears as she described the scene.

Later in life, during many tea-soaked storytelling sessions with me about her life, Armistice Day remained a vivid memory for my grandmother.

The cessation of hostilities had been anticipated for days. There had even been an inaccurate report of an armistice on Nov. 7. It finally came to pass on Nov. 11, a date the adventurous little girl, who was mostly called Mary, was sure to remember.

A multitude headed to the 14th Regiment Armory on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn, she told me, and my grandmother made the long walk from the docks with them. To this day a bronze of a doughboy, as soldiers in the American Expeditionary Forces were known, stands there in the name of the Men of the 14th Infantry who were engaged in the World War 1917-1918. The sculpture was donated by families who lost loved ones in the war.

The crowds swelled and marched on to where soldiers were gathering near Prospect Park at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, dedicated to those who fought to defend the union in the U.S. Civil War. The sight of the soldiers brought the throng to fever pitch.

Soldiers were already marching by the time I got to the park. When I saw the parade, I thought they were celebrating my birthday!

She marched with them, she said, fondly recalling a soldier who gave her a nickel. It was a precious gift, good for a small sack of flour or some apples in a neighborhood where families, including her own, scraped at times to make ends meet, hard times made harder by the war.

On the steps of a house not far from where she lived, my grandmother saw a young man sitting quietly by himself. I wondered why he seemed so sad, she remembered. She asked her mother, my great-grandmother, about him. Mamma said, Leave him alone, Mary. Hes shell-shocked.

The suffering and deprivation the war wrought hung heavy over Europe and the United States like so much cannon-fire smoke as people struggled to restore equilibrium to a shattered world.

Soldiers returned home broken, with mental and physical wounds, some with lungs burned raw by mustard gas, others with the Spanish flu, called La Grippe in Europe and The Grippe in Brooklyn. The war to end all wars claimed some 17 million lives.

The pandemic killed at least 50 million worldwide, about 675,000 in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in its 100th-year commemoration of the flu pandemic.

For the daughter of ships pilot Salvatore Starace and Antonia Esposito, the grippe was another indelible childhood memory. New York Citys Health Department struggled to contain the disease, quarantining stricken households and restricting public gatherings.

My grandmother recounted bodies being put on ice inside horse-drawn trucks as morgues filled up. Hospital staffs were depleted by the flu, and my grandmother told of men who had been medics in the Army pitching in.

Her maternal uncle, Alexander Esposito, who served with the U.S. Army, was one of them. Uncle Allie volunteered to help at the hospital because he had some medical training, she told me. Mamma was worried that he would get the flu and die.

In Brooklyn alone in 1918, 4,514 people died from influenza from a population of 1,798,513, according to almanacs published in 1918 and 1920 by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper.Local residents gathered at the spot reportedly told Fire and Emergency Department officials that there were over five to six workers at the site.

Bengaluru: A security guard was buried alive after a four-storeyed, under-construction residential building collapsed in Basavanagudi in Thyagrajnagar police limits on Saturday evening.

The deceased, Suneel (23), was on duty when the building collapsed.

A call was made to the Fire and Emergency Department around 5 pm. Soon, five tenders and over 10 quick response teams, including personnel from civil defence, rushed to the spot and began the rescue and search operation.

No one, except Suneel, was at the building, which was yet to be occupied. No labourers too had reported at the site, which is near Sai Baba Temple at Thyagaraja Nagar, because of Deepavali holidays, the police said.

An official told Deccan Chronicle that the pillars of the building collapsed because of loose soil. There is also construction going on at a neighbouring site, he said.

Local residents gathered at the spot reportedly told Fire and Emergency Department officials that there were over five to six workers at the site. But even after a search of over two hours, they could not find any bodies, except that of Suneel, which was pulled out around 7.30 pm.

As the roads are narrow, the rescue teams took some time to reach the spot.

Officials shifted the body to a government hospital for post mortem and a case has been registered.Bengaluru: Lambasting BJP leaders for criticising Tipu Jayanti, water resource minister D. K. Shivakumar, invoking President Ramanath Kovinds speech, dared the BJP to get Mr Kovind to withdraw his word of praise for the 18th century ruler of Mysuru, on Saturday.

Tipu Sultans birth anniversary was celebrated under tight lice protection across the state. Tipu Jayanti, which the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government started in 2015, was held at banquet hall, Vidhana Soudha. The event was held amidst stiff opposition from the BJP and with prohibitory orders clamped in parts of the state.

In his address, Mr Shivakumar referred to Mr Kovinds address at the joint session of Karnataka legislature, to mark the diamond jubilee of Vidhana Soudha in October 2017, in which he hailed Tipu Sultan as a hero. He (President) came, showered praise on Tipu Sultan and left. Was he a fool to do that? Was he a fool to simply read out the speech? Let the BJP tell the President of India to withdraw his speech? Let the BJP tell the President of India to withdraw his speech. Or, let them tell the Centre to issue a diktat against celebrating Tipu Jayanti, he said in defence of the event.

Mr Kovinds address last year had caused embarrassment to BJP. Tipu Sultan died a heroic death fighting the British. He was also a pioneer in the development and use of Mysore rockets in warfare. This technology was later adopted by the Europeans, Mr Kovind had stated. Former minister R. Roshan Baig questioned in his address that should Muslims seek permission of the BJP to celebrate Tipu Jayanti when there a Congress-JD(S) coalition in power? A time will come when Tipu Jayanti will be celebrated in Delhi, he thundered. Minister, B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan questioned: Why did BJP leaders B. S. Yeddyurappa, Jagadish Shettar and R. Ashok celebrate Tipu Jayanti in the past? Why are they opposing now? Tipu Sultan will continue to be celebrated irrespective of the opposition. I request the BJP not to spoil communal harmony.

The audience at the Tipu Jayanti event comprised mostly of Minority Welfare Minister Mr Khans followers and many special invitees to the event did not show up, including Council chairperson Basavaraj Horatti of JD(S), Housing Minister U. T. Khader, former minister Tanveer Sait, MLC C. M. Ibrahim, former union ministers C. K. Jaffer Sharief and K. Rehman Khan.Vijayawada: TD president and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu breaking ties with the BJP has resulted in a bonanza time for Muslim leaders in the state. After taking a decision to induct a Muslim leader in the state Cabinet, Mr Naidu on Saturday announced two more posts for Muslim leaders.

While Legislative Council Chairman N.M.D. Farooq will be inducted into the Cabinet on Sunday, MLC M.A. Shareef has been named as his replacement. Mr Naidu ignored the claims of leaders of other communities.

Kadiri legislator Attar Chand Basha has been named as government whip. Mr Basha had defected to the TD from the YSRC and had expected a Cabinet berth. Due to political compulsions, Mr Basha was not taken into the Cabinet.

The Chief Minister on Saturday held a meeting with the Muslim TD leaders and public representatives who expressed their contentment with Mr Naidu giving them preference. Mr Naidu also explained to them why he could not give a Cabinet berth to the community for the last four years.

Mr Naidu broke the news of inducting Mr Farooq and Kidari Sravan, son of slain Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, into the Cabinet when they met him separately.

Mr Naidu advised Mr Sravan to work in coordination with other ministers from the district and party leaders. He reminded him that though he was young and did not have political experience, he was being inducted out of respect for his father Sarveswara Rao who was killed by Maoists, and the sentiments attached to him in the tribal belt of Vizag district. Mr Farooq later tendered his resignation to as Council Chairman.Hyderabad: Additional Secretary, Defence, Subhash Chandra IAS visited the headquarters of Telangana and Andhra Sub Area, Secunderabad, on Saturday. He was briefed on security-related aspects, including civil-military joint operations as well as initiatives in connection with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

He was also briefed on implications of the orders on opening of military roads.

Mr Subhash Chandra and Major General N. Srinivas Rao also discussed various land-related issues, including the Strategic Road Development Project, encroachment of Defence land and land exchange matters.Hubballi: Accusing Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy of adopting double standards over the Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the state, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader K.S. Eshwarappa claimed here on Saturday that this was the reason why Hindu activists were killed in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Bagalkot, he regretted that the state government continued to hold the celebration every year although no one had asked it to.

The coalition government is intentionally creating a controversy by holding the event. Kumaraswamy, who had earlier assured that he would not allow the celebration if he became Chief Minister , stayed away from it as his conscience did not permit him to attend it, he contended.

Clarifying that the Bharatiya Janata Party was only against Tipu Jayanti and not the Muslims, he claimed it was the Congress, which wanted to divide the Hindus and Muslims.

No communal riots are reported from any state where the BJP is in power. But the Congress is trying to benefit from dividing people on religious and caste lines, he alleged.

As for minister Zameer Ahmeds statement that the Bharatiya Janata Party had lost power because it opposed the Tipu Jayanti celebrations, Mr Eshwarappa demanded to know why the Congress government headed by Mr Siddaramaiah was defeated in the May election.

The BJP leader demanded an apology from minister T B Jayachandra for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed he was only trying to get into the good books of his party president, Rahul Gandhi and former Congress president, Sonia Gandhi by making them.Hyderabad: Telugu balladeer Gummadi Vittal Rao, popularly known as Gaddar, has decided after a lifetime spent fighting against democracy that the ballot is better than the bullet to address peoples problems.

In a quick switch, he decided to enter electoral politics just months after he registered himself as a voter for the first time.

Then, equally quickly, Gaddar, 70, decided to contest against TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao from the Gajwel Assembly constituency, leading to criticism that he had colluded with the ruling party to split Opposition votes.

In an interview, Gaddar said, My contesting against KCR is certain. I do not belong to the ruling party or the Opposition, I am an independent contestant. He said he did not care about the criticism that his decision has evoked.

He said he would contest as an independent if the Mahakutami decided to field Congress leader Vanteru Pratap Reddy. He had earlier said he would contest against Mr Chandrasekhar Rao only if he was the unanimous candidate of the Opposition, before he broke rank and shocked the Mahakutami.

Gaddar said he would meet all Opposition leaders and request them for their support.

Excerpts from an interview with Gaddar

Q Why did you suddenly take a decision to contest in the Assembly elections?

For the first time, I got the voting right. I want to utilise my voters right. So, I decided to contest in the Assembly elections.

Q You had earlier said that you could contest only if all Opposition parties wanted you to.

People are bringing pressure on me, they are forcing me to contest. So I decided to fight with the autocratic KCR in Gajwel.

Q Are you sure about contesting from Gajwel?

Yes, I have asked my followers to complete the necessary formalities, they are on the job.

Q Did you meet Opposition leaders?

Yes, I will approach all Opposition leaders and request their support.

Q The Mahakutami has decided to field Vanteru Pratap Reddy as its candidate from Gajwel.

The Mahakutami or the Congress did not finalise its candidate. Why should I bother about other candidates? My contesting from Gajwel is certain.

Q Your contesting in Gajwel while there is a Mahakutami candidate may help caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

I am not interested in who will benefit and who will lose, I want to serve the people and I am contesting.

Q Are you not going to benefit the TRS by contesting in Gajwel?

I do not belong to the Opposition and I do not belong to the ruling party, I am an independent.

Q By contesting in Gajwel you may face criticism that you have colluded with the TRS.

I dont care for such criticism, and I dont want to reply also. People know what kind of a person Gaddar is. My agenda is the peoples agenda.

Q Why did you meet Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi?

Rahul Gandhi has taken up a save democracy moment. To express my solidarity I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have already made it clear that I will not join any political party.Bengaluru: The manhunt for mining baron and former BJP minister G. Janardhan Reddy by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), ended on Saturday with Mr Reddy appearing before the police for questioning. He appeared before the police a day after a local court refused him anticipatory bail, protesting his innocence and insisting that he had been in Bengaluru, and therefore there was no question of a manhunt.

The CCB was looking for the absconding former minister in an alleged bribery case involving Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd, a city-based fraudulent investment company, which has cheated over 15,000 investors of over Rs 600 crore.

Ambidant owners Syed Fareed Ahmed and Syed Afaq Ahmed had accused Mr Reddy of demanding 57 kg of gold worth Rs 18 crore to bail them out of ED investigation into their fraudulent transactions, including huge investments in cryptocurrency.

Mr Reddy walked into the CCB office with his lawyer Chandrasekhar on Saturday afternoon and denied his involvement while extending his cooperation in the investigation.

Denying reports that he was evading arrest, Mr Reddy told the media that he was not absconding and that he had been in Bengaluru all the time. I received the summons only on Saturday morning and I have appeared before the police today, he said.

"When the issue was first reported in the media, I told my lawyer that it would be better to go to the police. But my lawyer asked me to wait until I received the summons and also informed me that my name does not appear inthe FIR," he told reporters. While CCB officials claim that they are armed with evidence against Mr Reddy for his transactions with Ambidant, Mr Reddy maintained that he has not done anything wrong and the police don't have any proof. "I can guarantee you that they won't find anything to incriminate me," he said.

A senior CCB officer, who was part of the team that questioned Mr Reddy, said that the former mining baron maintained that he had no involvement in the fraudulent investment scam. He accepted that he met Syed Fareed and his son Syed Afaq Ahmed but for other reasons.

Mr Reddy, prior to appearing before the CCB, released a video from an undisclosed location, claiming that he is not absconding and that he is in Bengaluru. He also asked for two of the investigating officers in the case to be changed.

Hours after Mr Reddy was quizzed, the CCB summoned owner of Ambidant Syed Fareed Ahmed to confront him with Mr Reddy. Several investors who have been cheated by Ambidant, meanwhile, also came to the CCB office on Saturday with documents to file complaints. But they were sent back by the CCB officials, asking them to file complaints at jurisdictional police stations.Vijayawada: Jana Sena founder K. Pawan Kalyan stated that the party had planned to contest 23 Assembly and three Lok Sabha seats in Telangana state if elections were conducted according to schedule.

It is reviewing the plan as the Assembly elections are being held early.

Addressing mediapesons at Vijayawada, he said the JSP had not yet decided about contesting the elections in Telangana state.

Mr Kalyan said the JSP leadership would conduct a meeting with party leaders and discuss the question of contesting in the Telangana state elections and would announce the party stand in Telangana state in two or three days.Chidambaram said if the government did not need any more money this financial year, why was it "mounting pressure" on the central bank in the last four months of its tenure. (Photo: File | PTI)

New Delhi: Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday asked the Centre what was its "tearing hurry" to "fix" the capital framework of Reserve Bank of India when the ruling dispensation had just four months to complete the term.

In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader slammed the government for allegedly seeking funds from the RBI despite claiming that its (Centre) fiscal math was correct.

"The NDA government has competed 4 years and 6 months of its term. It has effectively 4 months left. What is the tearing hurry to 'fix' the capital framework of RBI?" he said.

Chidambaram said if the government did not need any more money this financial year, why was it "mounting pressure" on the central bank in the last four months of its tenure.

"Why did it keep silent for 4 years and 6 months?" he said.

The Congress leader said the government had claimed that its "fiscal math is correct" and "boasts" that it had given up Rs 70,000 crore of borrowing for 2018-19.

"If so, why does it need money from the reserves of RBI this year?" he said.

The central government had on Friday said it was discussing an "appropriate" size of capital reserves that the central bank must maintain, but denied seeking a massive capital transfer from the RBI. The RBI has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore reserves and the government, if reports are to be believed, wants the central bank to part with a third of that fund -- an issue which along with easing of norms for weak banks and raising liquidity has brought the two at loggerheads in recent weeks.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg took to Twitter on Friday to clarify that the government was not in any dire need of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

"There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer (Rs) 3.6 or (Rs) 1 lakh crore, as speculated," he tweeted.

Government's FD (fiscal deficit) in FY 2013-14 was 5.1%. From 2014-15 onwards, Government has succeeded in bringing it down substantially. We will end the FY 2018-19 with FD of 3.3%. Government has actually foregone (Rs) 70,000 crore of budgeted market borrowing this year," Garg said.

The official said the only proposal under discussion was to "fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI". Economic capital framework refers to the risk capital required by the central bank while taking into account different risks.This was the fourth IED blasts in Bastar in the last two weeks.

Bhopal: A day before Bastar in Chhattisgarh goes to assembly polls, Maoists on Sunday resorted to violence in the insurgency-hit region by carrying out a series of blasts and attacking security personnel at different places, leading to death of a BSF officer.

Maoists triggered seven improvised explosive device blasts in one go in Koyali Beda in north Bastar district of Kanker targeting a BSF patrol party which was sanitizing the area to facilitate movement of polling parties, leading to death of sub-inspector of the Central paramilitary force, Mahendra Singh.

The slain BSF officer who hailed from Bharatpur in Rajasthan was injured in the incident and later succumbed, a senior police officer posted in Bastar told this newspaper.

Two BSF jawans were injured in Naxal attack in the same area on November 2. This was the fourth IED blasts in Bastar in the last two weeks.

All total five civilians including a Doordarshan cameraman and a CISF jawan were killed in the Maoist explosions at different places in south Bastar district in the last fortnight.

In another incident, the Leftwing insurgents attacked a search party comprising special task force personnel at Bedre in south Bastar district of Bijapur, leading to a gun battle between them that last around an hour.

Security forces recovered body of a Naxal in Maoist uniform at the attack site after the encounter ended.The fatwa was issued in a response to a query by a Muzaffarnagar-based man.

Lucknow: A fatwa issued by renowned Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has banned the tradition of a bride being carried to the palanquin by her maternal uncle.

The fatwa claims that carrying the bride to the palanquin by male members of her family can give birth to lust.

The fatwa was issued in a response to a query by a Muzaffarnagar-based man.

A man cannot lift his fully grown niece, it is certainly not acceptable in the eyes of Muslim law. There is always a danger of destruction of such relationship if this activity leads to the birth of lust in either of the two, the fatwa said and added that it would be better if the brides mother accompanied her to the palanquin.

The seminary further said that the practice of lal khat prevalent in Muslim weddings was a foreign concept borrowed from non-Islamic belief.

Lal khat is a decorated invitation card that a womans family sends to the grooms side. The bench was quoted as saying, Instead, it should be a normal letter or postcard or intimation by phone call. This activity must be abandoned.Congress workers being administrated saline after they have been on strike for three days demanding that Congress leader Rathod Ramesh should not be given Khanapur MLA ticket. (Photo: P. Surendra)

Hyderabad: Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of the state Congress, has turned into a protest zone, thanks to indefinite hunger strikes, relay fasts and dharnas being conducted by party leaders and activists to press their various demands onto the leadership.

The situation is so bad that the main entrance of the building has been kept closed for the last few days.

Police has deployed constables at Gandhi Bhavan, in addition to the private security that the party had hired earlier.

Party workers from Khanapur continued their indefinite hunger strike for the third day at Gandhi Bhavan demanding that a ticket be given to their leader Azmeera Hari Naik instead of Mr Ramesh Rathod who joined the party recently.

A man climbs a tree demanding Malkajgiri ticket for Congress leader Nandikanti Sridhar. (Photo: P. Surendra)

Doctors performed health tests on them to assess their medical condition.

Party workers from Malkajgiri were staging a protest demanding that the decision of the party to give the seat to the Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) as part of the Mahakutami seat adjustments be withdrawn immediately.

Apart from this, party workers from various constituencies such as Vemulavada and Patancheru arrived at the party headquarters and demanded that tickets be issued to their leaders Mohan Reddy and J. Ramesh.

Party leaders from Warangal East are worried that the ticket is being issued to a person in the granite business.

They have approached the high command in Delhi and requested that the ticket not be issued to outsiders by marginalising party workers.

Telangana State Congress leaders are now worried as the situation is going out of their hands and the protests may intensify after the Congress announces its list of candidates.

The high command plans to talk with leaders who are unhappy and try to pacify them.New Delhi: The just-ended Moscow peace conference on Friday on Afghanistan is seen to have led to a further convergence in the positions of host Russia and Pakistan, which will be much to Indias discomfiture.

India had participated in a non-official capacity through two distinguished retired diplomats  ex-ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha and former high commissioner to Pakistan T.C.A. Raghavan.

The conference was also attended by the Taliban, of which Pakistan is widely seen as the main backer. The failure of the US and the Afghan government backed by it to defeat the Taliban has ensured that Pakistan continues to play a role in the Afghan peace process. New Delhi is also worried that the Afghan conflict has been caught up in the tensions between Russia and the US. The US is a powerful backer of the Afghan government while Russia is feeling left out and is seen to have gone soft on the Taliban and Pakistan.

Sources had told this newspaper that New Delhis non-official participation was because Afghanistan too was participating at a non-official level. Kabul is said to be miffed over some of the aspects of the conference and given Indias close relations with Kabul, New Delhi took the cue from Kabul. At the same time, India had not been able to ignore the conference since it has a had a decades-long time-tested friendship with host Russia.Hyderabad: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will head another meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee on Monday to finalise the list of candidates for the Telangana state elections.

TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior leaders will be present at the meeting that will be held in Delhi.

The committee had earlier decided on 74 constituencies and the rest would be finalised on Monday. It is learnt that there might be some changes in the earlier decided candidates due to the protests and other developments.

The party expects to announce the list by the evening. The candidates will be selected on the basis of their winnability.

Senior leaders are rushing to Delhi to lobby for tickets for their followers. Even at this late stage, the aspirants are hopeful of getting a seat.

Some leaders like former PCC chief Ponnala Lakshmaiah are fighting for their own seats, amid speculations that they may be dropped or their seats given to allies. There is still no word on the constituencies being given to the Mahakutami allies.

Some leaders were confident that they would top the list but were uncertain if their seats would stay with the Congress or be given away to the allies.Chennai: The non-BJP alliance being attempted by TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will impact neither the State nor national politics, BJP state president Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has said.

She claimed that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu was going around the country meeting various political party leaders and created an illusion that he was stitching a mega alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha election next year.

On Friday after meeting DMK president M. K. Stalin (at the Alwarpet residence) the CM gave the impression that he was attempting to forge a major alliance.

But the truth is he is only meeting all those leaders who are already opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Tamilisai said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters here after attending a meeting on the second year of demonetisation organised by the BJP, she said their alliance will impact neither the State nor national politics.

She ridiculed TNCC chief Su. Thirunavukkarasar for indulging in petty squabbles within his party and said he did not seem to know anything about demonetisation.

Thirunavukkarasar leads a protest agitation (against demonetisation) in the city on Friday but speaks targeting his own party colleague E. V. K. S. Elangovan (former TNCC chief). He is involved only in internal bickering and doesnt seem to know anything about national issues, Dr. Tamilisai remarked.Hyderabad: The Election Commission will issue the notification for the December 7 Telangana state Assembly polls on Monday, formally kicking off the process to elect the new House even as the Opposition is to fully get its act together.

The results will be declared on December 11. Filing of nominations will also start from Monday, and the final date for filing papers is November 19. The Telangana Rashtra Sami-ti has announced 107 candidates out of 119 more than a month ago, and the BJP 66 candidates about a fortnight ago.

The main Opposition Congress is still in the process of selecting candidates. Its Mahakutami allies  the Telugu Desam, CPI and the Telangana Jana Samiti  are awaiting confirmation from the Congress over the seats to be allotted to them. Both the TJS and the CPI have been fighting hard for more seats than the Congress is offering.

It is expected that the TRS will announce its nominees for the 12 remaining seats after the Mahakutami announces its candidates.

It has by and large quelled rebellion in its ranks for tickets. The Congress is expected to announce its list on November 13.

TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will file his papers on November 14. A majority of TRS candidates are also likely to file their nominations on the same day.

Twenty-three days are left for the the campaign, and candidates take to canvassing after the filing of nominations is done. TRS candidates have completed two rounds of campaign in their constituencies.

The most serious phase of the campaign will be for two weeks from November to December 5, when campaign ends for the polls. The canvassing has already seen rival leaders criticising each other bitterly, and this is only expected to worsen as election day approaches. Congress president Rahul Gandhi will hold meetings in the state on November 28, 29 and December 3.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi will campaign on November 22 and 23. TPCC is planning a public meeting at Hyderabad with Mrs Gandhi.

The party found that the Gachchibowli stadium has been booked for that day, and are trying for an alternative venue like the Parade Grounds or LB Stadium.Hydeabad: TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday indicated that he would tour 70 to 80 constituencies from November 15.

After issuing B Forms to party candidates, which entitles them to file their nomination papers from Monday, he told them that the party was strong in about 100 constituencies, and the position of candidates in 20 constituencies including Wyra, Yellan-du, Bellampalli, Nalgonda and Khanapur was causing concern. Mr Rao issued the first B Form to Mr Koneru Konappa of Sirpur, and took the last form. Though he had announced 107 seats, he issued forms to 106, leaving out Nampally candidate M. Anand Kumar Goud. TRS sources said this could be in view of the friendly contest with the MIM.

M. Anand Kumar Goud was working for a ticket from Goshamahal but was picked for Nampally. He had lost to the MIM by five votes in the GHMC elections at Jambagh.

Asked about the 14 seats given to the TD by the Mahakutami, he said he had instructed the party leaders to keep in touch with Opposition dissidents.

Sources disclosed that the party chief had appointed in-charges in 20 constituencies with a clear instruction that they should be stay with the segments till the completion of polling.

Mr Rao said the TRS would show up a tremendous show in Hyderabad. Minister K.T. Rama Rao, credited with the sweep in the GHMC elections, was made incharge of the election campaign in Greater Hyderabad.

It is said that Mr Chandrasekhar Rao will address a public meeting after December 3 in the city.

He has instructed candidates to file their nomination papers accompanied only by five followers who have to abide by the model code of conduct and respect the police and officials.

He instructed candidates to file error-free nomination papers, and consult the helpline in the election control room at Telangana Bhavan in case of doubt.

He also sought the opinion of the candidates on three songs which were recorded for the campaign.Hyderabad: Maharashtra may be the Janam Bhoomi (birth place) but Hyderabad is the Karma Bhoomi, said caretaker Minister KT Rama Rao while addressing a Maratha community meeting in Hyderabad on Sunday.

He noted that Maharashtrians were part of the erstwhile Hyderabad. He said, Hyderabad is mini India and welcomes people of all regions. Maharashtrians remind us of the courageous and brave Shivaji Maharaj, Balgangadhar Tilak, Baba Saheb B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule who are not just Maharashtrians but Indians.

He urged the Maratha community to collaborate with the government for skill development programmes.

He added that in Telangana, Maharashtrians are not just a small group of businessmen but a community which contributed to society.

Mr Rama Rao reminisced on how his grandfather was treated by a senior doctor, Dr Arungabadkar.

The caretaker minister noted that several issues which were haunting people have been cleared after K. Chandrashekar Rao become Chief Minister

Mr Rama Rao concluded his speech by saying, Jai Bhavani, Jai Telangana, Jai Maharashtra, Jai Hind.Women are seen in a cheerful mood during caretaker IT minister KT Rama Raos meeting with Gujarati community at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday. (Photo: Gandhi)

Hyderabad: Caretaker IT and Municipal Administration minister K T Rama Rao on Sunday urged Gujarati industrialists and businessmen to ask their employees working in their units and business houses to vote for the TRS.

He was addressing the members of All Gujarati Samaj who joined the TRS at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday.

The caretaker minister said that the Gujaratis supporting the TRS was as good sign as they always elude from politics.

He said that there were no regional disparities during the TRS rule and also there will not be any discrimination in extending the welfare schemes to needy Gujaratis living in TS.

While emphasising there has not been a single incident of regional disturbance during the TRS reign, he said that Telangana stood an example in the country in maintaining law and order and there was not even four-minute curfew in the state during the four years ruling of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

Stating that the Command Control Centre will soon become operational, the minister said that the centre will function as a role model for all other states in the country.

He said that already five lakh CC TV cameras have been installed in the city and another five lakh cameras will be installed in the near future.

The caretaker minister assured the Gujarati community that the their problems will be resolved after the TRS comes to power He said that through the I Pass, the government has given 8,000 clearances and provided direct and indirect employment to five lakh people.

After the introduction of the I Pass system, he said, Lena-dena band hogaya (demanding and accepting bribe has ended) and the I-Pass system is working in the state better than Gujarat.

Referring to the request of Gujaratis for government support to schools and other institutions run under various Gujarati Samajs, he said that the government had already taken the decision to waive property tax for schools under charities and trusts. Earlier in the day, while participating in the Minorities Ashirwada Sabha at Kondapur, Mr Rama Rao said the Chief Minister was committed to the welfare of minorities.

The minister noted that the state government has launched 206 residential schools for minorities.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:This week, it is 100 years since the conclusion of World War I, and Britain is finally doing its bit to remember the Asian soldiers who died in European battlefields. Though over the years, there have been efforts to commemorate their contributions, it speaks volumes about the clout that Indians carry today, that, on this occasion, there has been an attempt to acknowledge the sacrifice of Indian soldiers. Even Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, freshly back from his and Meghans foreign tour, said that he would like to include marigolds in memory of the Indians who died when he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on Sunday.

I personally do think that having marigolds instead of poppies is much more Indian, and it would be worth adopting this practice in India, too. The money raised from the sale of these special commemorative flowers goes towards the welfare of soldiers. This time some of the usual commemorative poppies have also been made of khadi as a tribute to Indians (and of course, Mahatma Gandhi), and these are being sold on the streets and worn with pride. It seems the idea of using khadi is for the flowers which originated from Lord Gadhia, and so he must be thanked as well.

Among the many ceremonies, the main one was at Westminster Abbey, attended by the Queen and her family, where church bells rang out as they did at the end of World War I. The British do commemoration services in style, and the royals get involved with great gusto. And for the centenary, sculptures and displays were specially commissioned: for instance, 10,000 torches in the dry moat around the Tower of London, which have attracted thousands of tourists.

But I must add that the commemoration activities have been planned for four years  and that is why they are always immensely successful. There is also an effort to involve ordinary folk, which is another essential aspect for anything to create an emotive impact. It is not about being an onlooker, but being actually involved.

One interesting installation, recently, was of a Sikh soldier, 10-feet-high, commissioned by the Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, in Birmingham, to mark the sacrifices made by South Asian servicemen of all faiths during World War I. I was surprised to learn that it is the first full statue of a South Asian World War I soldier in the UK. This is despite the fact that memorials have been created, previously for instance, for the Gurkhas. Sadly, this sculpture of the Sikh soldier was vandalised over this weekend, The words Lions of the Great War were defaced. The police has not yet been able to identify the culprits but the reality is that these could come from any community.

As we are aware (and as I have said it in my new book, Jallianwala Bagh, 1919, The Real Story), there was an uneasiness in participating in World War I in Punjab, even at the time, due to the coercion over recruitment, and the racism which existed within the Army ranks, where there was a marked difference in the way the British and Indian soldiers lived and were treated. However, this recent vandalism could have had many reasons, and is regrettable. It could have been a racist attack, or even a sorry attempt by other forces at play. This needs to be investigated but we must learn from the lessons of history and respect the memory of all those who suffered and died, for the idea of freedom.

It was a surprise to see someone who is a friend (and a friend of India) resign from the Cabinet. Indeed, for many, Jo Johnson, minister for transport, quitting was a complete shock. Unlike his brother Boris Johnson, Jo has always been understated, rarely coming out to take credit for even those things which were his achievements. But the fact that he is unhappy about the Brexit deal makes many of us now more conscious that all is not well. He has said that it would be a democratic travesty not to have a second Brexit vote. If he is finding the Brexit deal incoherent, what would it mean to the British people? And why this reluctance to have a second referendum?

After all, in a democracy, when people make bad choices the ballot is the only way to set the record straight. It happens every five years, anyway, and even if this means that there is a risk that people might still vote for Brexit, at least there will be an effort to explain to them what it exactly means.

This actually, has been the biggest problem with Brexit. Many feel now that the ramifications of it had never been properly explained  and people voted thinking all it meant was that migration from Europe would be controlled. Now that they know the other implications, it might make more sense to go back to the ballot again .

Meanwhile, one is happy to see that Mira Kaushiks The Troth, a dance presentation which is based on Usne Kaha Tha, Chandradhar Guleris short story, is winning accolades. It is also very timely as it is set in Punjab during World War I. Mira has been working away at popularising Indian dance in the UK, and it is so good to see her efforts bearing fruit.

The writer is the author of Jallianwala Bagh, 1919: the Real StoryParis: French President Emmanuel Macron led tributes to the millions of soldiers who died during World War One on Sunday, holding a solemn ceremony attended by dozens of world leaders in Paris to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

In the presence of US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and dozens of princes, monarchs, presidents and prime ministers, Macron also talked about patriotism and nationalism.

"Patriotism is the exact opposite nationalism. Nationalism is its betrayal," the French leader said in his 20-minute address.

Those who fought in the trenches of World War One lived through an unimaginable hell, Macron said, highlighting that as well as the deaths of 10 million troops, millions of women were widowed and children orphaned.

"Old demons are reawakening, ready to sow chaos and death," he said, warning of how ideology, religion and a disregard for facts could be exploited. "History sometimes threatens to repeat its tragic patterns, and undermine the legacy of peace we thought we had sealed with the blood of our ancestors."

"The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten," said Macron, sorrow etched on the faces of former French soldiers standing to attention around him during the ceremony.

"It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential."

The commemoration is the centrepiece of global tributes to honour those who perished during the 1914-18 war and to commemorate the signing of the Armistice that brought the fighting to an end at 11 a.m. on Nov 11, 1918.

In a glass canopy at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, built by Emperor Napoleon in 1806, Trump, Merkel, Macron, Putin and the other leaders listened through earpieces as the French president spoke. Putin, who was last to arrive at the ceremony, gave Trump a brief thumb's up as he greeted them.

As Trump's convoy was making its way up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, a bare-breasted protester from the Femen radical feminist group ran towards his motorcade, coming within a few metres, before being apprehended by police.

Photographs of the incident appeared to show that she had the words "fake peacemaker" scrawled across her body.

In a rare public display of emotion by the leaders of two world powers, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war.

The conflict was one of the bloodiest in history, reshaping Europe's politics and demographics. Peace, however, was short-lived and two decades later Nazi Germany invaded its neighbours.

Macron spent the week in the build up to Sunday's ceremony touring towns and former battlfields that laid along France's western front. During the tour, he warned of the dangers of the resurgence of nationalism in Europe, saying it posed a threat to the continent - a theme he touched on again in his speech. After the ceremony, leaders returned to the Elysee Palace for a lunch to be hosted by Macron and his wife Brigitte.

On Sunday afternoon, Macron will host the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, which seeks to promote a multilateral approach to security and governance and ultimately avoid the errors that led to the outbreak of World War One.

Merkel said in a statement the forum showed that "today there is a will, and I say this on behalf of Germany with full conviction, to do everything to bring a more peaceful order to the world, even though we know we still have much work to do."

Trump, who champions a nationalist 'America first' policy, will not attend the forum but Putin is expected to.As the year inches to a close, here's a look back at Rahul Gandhi targeting Narendra Modi and the BJP government at the Centre during its fourth year in power across various issues, including and not limited to the Rafale deal and Padmaavat, which saw widespread protests in many parts of India.

Padmaavat:

2018 had scarcely begun and already signs of discord were visible when Right-wing fringe outfits across India spread out against the release of Padmaavat. The film, originally titled Padmavati, was a retelling of the poem Padmavat by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi.

Many states, mainly run by the BJP, had banned the screening of Padmaavat in view of protests and demands from fringe Hindu organisations, who decried 'distortion of history' as the reason for their protests. There was even a failed plea in the Supreme Court (https://www.deccanherald.com/content/654693/sc-rejects-plea-cancel-cbfc.html) to have the film's certificate revoked.

When it became obvious that there was no stopping the film's release in a legal manner, Karni Sena and other fringe outfits took to the streets, damaging public property and endangering lives in their protests against the film. They even declared a bounty on Deepika Padukone for good measure.

Rahul Gandhi, and by extension the Congress, and AAP targeted the BJP for the violence occuring in the name of protests shortly after a school bus was targeted by protesters. While Delhi Arvind Kejriwal termed the attack on the school bus as "utterly shameful", Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the saffron party for using "hate and violence" to tear the country apart. Ironically, Pakistan's censor board cleared the film with no cuts despite the film's portrayal of Alauddin Khilji.

Political potshots:

Being a year of elections, Rahul had many opportunities to target Modi and the BJP over their perceived failures at ensuring development and failing to protect law and order throughout the country.

During a visit to poll-bound Meghalaya, Rahul was seen wearing a leather jacket. When photos of said jacket began circulating, the BJP took no time in accusing the Congress head of using black money to buy a Rs 63,000 suit to keep himself warm in a sort of return hit to Gandhi's frequent "suit-boot ki sarkar" jab to the Centre.

During the Congress campaign in Tripura, Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress "does not make false promises" like the BJP, and went on to allege that neither the ruling CPI(M) nor the saffron party paid attention to development. However, the Congress went on to lose Tripura, with the BJP making the government in the north-east state.

During the Congress' 84th Plenary session, Rahul spared no chance to launch attacks on the BJP, saying India was tired of the BJP, which spread hatred and anger in the country and only the Congress could show the way forward with politics of love and amity. He even went on to accuse Narendra Modi helping his namesakes Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi carry out the "biggest theft in the history of India".

Rahul Gandhi also accused the Narendra Modi government of "disrespecting" and "demolishing" various institutions by having RSS men "sitting in every ministry and giving orders."

Rafale Deal:

When the Central government announced that they were buying 36 Rafale jets in flyaway condition from French aviation corp Dassault for the price of USD $8 billion. Comparing to the earlier deal, which involved 126 Rafale for the price of nearly $11 billion, the Congress saw a scam in the deal inked by the Centre and France, and took little time to begin targeting the Modi government of corruption and crony capitalism, a charge which was only intensified when it became known that the Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence would be getting the contract for manufacturing the jets.

Gandhi led an intense attack on Modi and the Central government, calling the deal "the biggest issue of corruption" in the country and asked the prime minister to reply why he took the contract from HAL and gave it to a "friend". Not long after, Nirmala Sitharaman gave a reply to the Congress' allegations, saying the Rafale deal would not go the way of the Bofors.

Undeterred, the Congress continued to attack the Government, saying that the BJP compromised on national security when it inked the deal with France, a charge which Nitin Gadkari rubbished as "anti-national", a word that had become a catch-all phrase to describe critics of the government, both political and civilian, since its ascent to power in 2014.

Gandhi later accused Modi of redoing the Rafale deal just to allow re-tendering the contract, saying that the "Rs. 40,000 crores loss to the exchequer" was "sayonara" to the money. He also went on to add Bengaluru to his arguments against Modi, saying that the PM gave the city a 'raw deal', referring to the suburban rail project and Bengaluru-based HAL not getting the Rafale contract.

Nirmala Sitharaman said that the price for the Rafale jets could not be revealed because such disclosures were barred by the provisions of an inter-governmental agreement signed between India and France in the UPA dispensation, an argument that France backed Modi on.

Bolstered by France's backing of Modi, the BJP return fired on the Congress, with BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi saying "Congress never allowed defence production in India so that it could strike "deals" with foreign suppliers and now levelling baseless allegations after the Modi government has worked to start domestic production".

Less than an hour later, the Congress hit back at the BJP, accusing the party of lying on Reliance Defence's role in executing the Rs 30,000 crore offset contract as part of the Rafale deal.

After the political back-and-forth, Rahul Gandhi next sought to use a more populist touch to his accusations. He said that the taxpayers of India would pay Rs. 1 lakh crores to Modi's "56-inch-friend" to maintain the 36 Rafale jets. The "chhappan inch ki chhati" was a phrase used by Modi in his rallies in Uttar Pradesh leading to 2014's general elections, where he said that was a prerequisite to turn a state like UP into Gujarat.

The Lok Sabha, too, was party to the political mud-slinging between the two big parties. The Congress stormed the Well, demanding a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee and causing the House to be adjourned twice, and then as the monsoon session came to a close, the Congress-led UPA began putting more heat on the BJP. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi took more aims at Modi during his pre-poll Jaipur rally, calling Rafale the biggest-ever defence scam and Modi was a partner in corruption, challenging the PM to a public debate.

While Arun Jaitley launched a counter-attack on Congress, saying that the price of a fully weaponised combat jet as per the contract inked by the BJP-led NDA government was 20% cheaper than the price negotiated by the UPA, Rahul Gandhi got busy taking more aim at Modi and Anil Ambani, accusing Modi of protecting his industrialist "friend" and letting him know that HAL would not be getting the contract. He also claimed that the Demonetisation that took place was a scam to help his crony capitalist friends.

In September, the Congress claimed, once again, that Modi intentionally caused losses to state-run HAL so that Anil Ambani's newly-founded Reliance Defence could be benefitted to a tune of Rs. 30,000 crores, but the Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar refuted the Congress' allegations, saying it did not match with facts at all.

The BJP was not going to keep mum while Rahul made allegations after allegations, of course, with Ravi Shankar Prasad, the IT Minister, saying that the Rafale deal will not be probed to satisfy the ego of an "ill-informed" leader of the opposition party who "repeats lies".

The Congress for its part met the CAG with a demand to conduct a time-bound and forensic audit of the Rafale fighter aircraft deal, while Rahul demanded Nirmala Sitharaman's resignation and Arun Jaitley took to Facebook to claim that Rahul was lying about Modi waiving the loans of 25 industrialists to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh crore rupees.

The Opposition got some real weapons against the Modi government, however, when Francois Hollande remarked that India proposed Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault in the Rafale deal and French media outlet Mediapart claimed France was given no choice but Reliance.

Capitalising on this chance, Rahul went for the jugular against Narendra Modi over Hollande's revelations that India had proposed Anil Ambani's company as the offset partner for the Rafale deal, saying "chowkidar chor hai" and that the deal was a surgical strike on the Armed Forces of India jointly run by Modi and Jaitley. However, Dassault and the French government came to defend the deal, saying they chose Reliance freely. It quickly turned into a political slugfest on social media with the BJP and Congress coming up with hashtags to shame the other.

Soon after, both Arun Jaitley and Prakash Javadekar took turns at aiming at Rahul, with Jaitley saying the Rafale deal will not be scrapped and Javadekar saying that Rahul has neither facts nor evidence against the Centre.

Eventually, the Rafale deal went to the Supreme Court, which sought details of the deal, insisting that it only wants the details of the decision making process for its 'satisfaction'. Dassault went on record once again to clarify that it chose Reliance as its partner, leading to Sambit Patra, BJP's favourite spokesperson, to call Rahul Gandhi a 'clown prince' who is "lying through his teeth" to build his political career.

During Rahul's visit to Bengaluru, where he interacted with HAL employees, the BJP took another turn to hurl questions at him and accused him of betryaing HAL by shunting it out of the Rafale deal. Undetrred, Rahul maintained that HAL was a strategic asset and vowed to protect it.

When the chief of the CBI, Alok Verma and his second-in-command Rakesh Asthana were sent on leave on orders of the government, Rahul found and used fresh ammunition against Modi, saying that the PM had the two removed because they were nosing into the Rafale deal and he was scared of what they could find. However, the Defence Minister continued to insist that Modi kept the deal transparent.

Finally, as the Supreme Court asked the Centre to provide details on the price of the Rafale jets, Rahul Gandhi issued another statement claiming Modi would not survive an enquiry into the deal, alleging that Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence got Rs 284 crores from Dassault as the first kickback. This came just before Reliance itself dismissed the entirety of Rahul's claims as preposterous and a blatant lie.Former prime minister and JD(S) leader H D Deve Gowda has embarked on a five-day trip of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Gowda left for Dubai along with his wife Chennamma and JD(S) national secretary Danish Ali. Gowda will lay the foundation stone for Kannada Bhavan of the Kannada Sangha in Bahrain on Tuesday. Gowda will also take a break from politics and will be going on a sight-seeing trip of Dubai and Bahrain, according to an itinerary released by his office. Gowda will be back in Bengaluru on Thursday.The district administration on Saturday successfully organised Tipu Jayanti celebrations at three places in the district in spite of stiff opposition to the same from various quarters.

Fear had gripped the people of Kodagu district for the last one week in the wake of Tipu Jayanti celebrations. With the conclusion of the programme, public, merchants and hotel owners have heaved a sigh of relief.

In Madikeri, Tipu Jayanti programme was organised on the premises of Fort Hall. However, the programme was over within 20 minutes.

MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan and MLC Sunil Subramani arrived on the stage wearing black shirts in protest against the celebration. The duo were followed by BJP City Municipal Council and Zilla Panchayat members, who were also wearing black badges. Even before the commencement of the programme, the BJP leaders objected to Tipu Jayanti leading to confusion and chaos at the venue.

MLC Sunil Subramani was adamant on not to welcome anyone for the programme.

However, Zilla Panchayat Congress member K P Chandrakala, who came near the stage, asked the protesters to allow the celebration of Tipu Jayanti as per government protocol.

This led to an argument between Congress and BJP members. Though DC P I Sreevidya and SP Suman D Pennekar tried to convince the BJP leaders to drop their protest but to no avail. Finally, the programme ended with the arrest of all the protesters.

City Municipal Council president Kaveramma Somanna inaugurated the programme. The programme was restricted to offering floral tribute to the portrait of Tipu, welcome speech and a special lecture.

There was no inaugural and presidential speech. In spite of district administration requesting, Kaveramma Somanna to speak, she did not do so. Soon after the programme, the portrait of Tipu and banners were removed.

CMC member Amin Mohisin said, We were saddened by the fact that the programme was not held as per the expectation. There was no inaugural speech. The bandh called by various organisations have failed to evoke a good response. By not supporting the bandh call, the public has indirectly supported Tipu Jayanti, which is a good development. It is not right to oppose Tipu Jayanti.

The absence of District In-charge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh and MLC Veena Acchaiah was very conspicuous.

Tipu Jayanti was also organised at Somvarpet and Virajpet in the district.LINCOLN UNIVERSITY-Two Lincoln University students have been arrested in connection with a brawl that broke out Friday, Nov. 9, and 15 students were hospitalized, according to campus police.

The students were waiting in line for a dance that was to take place inside the Student Union Center at 10:30 p.m..

Johnny Whitehead, director of public safety at Lincoln University said one of his officers was trying to arrest one student who had become disorderly, and while he was trying to make the arrest, another student tried to hit the officer.

That led to a skirmish and the decision was made to deploy pepper spray to get things under control, Whitehead said. A lot of people became exposed (to the pepper spray).

There were about 1,000 students in attendance

Students affected were transported to Jennersville and Chester County hospitals for treatment. All students have been released from the hospital. There were no major injuries to officers or other injuries to students.

Whitehead said the students arrested face disorderly conduct charges. Order was restored and the party ended early. The 1,800-student University requested and received additional law enforcement support from surrounding jurisdictions.

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen has cancelled all future parties, pending review of procedures, and has pledged to bring students and administrators together to address concerns and develop procedures to prevent such incidents in the future.SALT LAKE CITY  Some people find heroism in the deeds of others who never made news headlines, but actively participated in the fight to preserve the freedom that Americans today enjoy.

For one Utahn, documenting the stories of such a group of military heroes has become a passion project and a way to bring recognition to men who lost their lives in World War II.

In December 2016, just after the 75th anniversary of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Bountiful resident Don Milne started thinking. With the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day approaching on Nov. 11, he wanted to bring attention to a large group of military members whom he believes has been somewhat overlooked, at least on an individual basis.

The group is the remaining veterans of World War II "who are all quickly passing away from old age."

"Within a few years they will all be gone," he said. "As a student of history, I read a lot of soldier memoirs. Invariably these memoirs make mention of the servicemen who never made it home, that they were the real heroes.

"Not to take anything away from the remaining living veterans, but they made it home and lived a full life in the greatest nation ever," he added. "The fallen never made it home."

Milne noted that the Vietnam Memorial lists the names of all of the fallen for that war, while the national World War II Memorial is a wall of remembrance with 4,080 stars, each representing 100 of the fallen  making them effectively anonymous.

Since he enjoys writing, he decided to use his free time to undertake a project where every day beginning Jan. 1, 2017, until the 75th anniversary of the end of the war on Sept. 2, 2020, he would write a brief profile about one of the fallen on that person's 100th birthday.

"I've been a student of history my whole life," Milne said. "Military history has a lot of cool stories because it's real. You hear stories of people that are put in difficult situations  that make a difference (in the world)."

In all, it would tally to about 1,600 individual profiles of "unsung heroes," he estimated. "It takes me about an hour a day to write the article," he said.

Milne, who is the financial literacy manager for Zions Bank by profession, often posts the profiles online as he commutes to and from work on the bus each day.

Considering the relative ease of gathering information with the internet, he was surprised to find that no one had already created a website to individually honor WWII fallen. Since he launched his effort nearly two years ago, his daily profiles have attracted more than a million views online and through social media, he said.

The stories he tells are sometimes about average people put into challenging circumstances, along with stories of some performing extraordinary feats of bravery that result in the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He said part of the success of the series thus far has been people's interest in real feats of heroism in combat or just learning about the lives of ordinary veterans that lost their lives while serving their country who were also true patriots.

As an example, he mentioned the story of a Utahn in the military transport command named Lewis Smith, son of Joseph Fielding Smith  10th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  who while on break took a trip to Jerusalem.

"After they were done, he was flying back to Egypt and his plane crashed," Milne explained. "It wasn't combat related, but he never made it home."

Another Utah-born soldier was Donald Roy Christensen, the youngest of 13 children. He completed four years of college and was sent by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve as a missionary in Denmark, but his mission was cut short when the war started in Europe.

As an Air Force pilot, Lt. Christensen was flying over Czechoslovakia in March 1945 when his B-17 aircraft was shot down, killing Christensen and all but one of his crew. He left behind a wife and two sons.

Today, his eldest son, Don Christensen, 76, lives in the central Colorado town of Salida. He said Don Milne's project to commemorate the lives of men like his father is "amazing."

"Somebody who is not related to almost any of these people that is taking all of this effort and that much time is very commendable," he said. The author of a blog called Carrying Fire, Christensen has also spent a fair amount of time and labor to find out more about his father's life as a World War II airman.

He is grateful to Milne for his efforts to highlight the lives of fallen WWII veterans. "I'm glad people are remembering these things more than they use to," he said.

For Milne, being able to tell the stories of real-life American heroes has been particularly satisfying.

"There are a lot of people who like following the Marvel movies because they're superheroes who do 'super' stuff, but they're all make-believe," Milne said. "These guys were the 'real deal.'"

While Milne does most of the writing, he has some help from fellow history buffs Christopher Prough of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and Bob Fuerst of Huntsville, Alabama. He has created a Facebook called WW2 Fallen 100 and is also an administrator for the Facebook group Americas Fallen Warriors with 39,000 followers.

"I would guess this is the site where most of the readers come from," he said.

He doesnt make money from this effort, but the Greatest Generation Foundation donated $250 to help him pay for some internet site subscriptions that provide more information than is available for free, Milne noted.

To read more about those from Utah that Milne has profiled, visit https://ww2fallen100.blogspot.com/search?q=utah.

Correction: A previous version incorrectly spelled Lewis Smith's name as Louis Smith. And photo captions incorrectly referred to the 100th anniversary of WWII instead of the 75th anniversary.WASHINGTON  The longest-serving Republican senator in history, a lawmaker who has passed more bills than any person in modern times, a man who is third in line for the presidency, is doing something he isnt very good at  isnt good at at all.

Hes stepping down.

Hes never done it before. Hasnt had to. Orrin Grant Hatch began serving in the United States Senate as Jimmy Carter was becoming president; back in the day when Americans didnt wear seat belts and smoked on airplanes and sent telegrams and no one knew how to spell magnetometer. He ran for office seven times, every six years, like clockwork. He won seven times, every six years, like clockwork.

The closest he came to losing was the first one, and he won that with 54 percent. The rest were virtual landslides. Democrats started drawing straws to see who had to run against him.

Administrations came and went. Carter gave way to Reagan who gave way to the first Bush who gave way to Clinton who gave way to the second Bush who gave way to Obama who gave way to Trump. Democrats were in power, then Republicans, then Democrats, then Republicans. Every cycle, Washington-area real estate agents got rich. But not from Orrin Hatch, they didnt. He and Elaine bought a six-bedroom house in Vienna, in suburban Virginia, and 42 years later theyre still there.

Washington, and the Senate, has seldom seen such longevity. Of the 1,974 people elected to the U.S. Senate since it began 229 years ago in 1789, only five of them  Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Patrick Leahy of Vermont  have served longer than Hatch of Utah. He seemed to be the definition of forever.

But then one day, not very long ago, the senator looked in the mirror and staring back at him was the one man he knew he couldnt beat.

Hatch's home

Courtesy of the longest-serving Republican senator in history, were on a tour of a place Orrin Hatch knows like the back of his hand: the U.S. Capitol.

On a day when Congress is in recess, hes taking us through the warrens and tunnels, the passageways and back corridors, past the Senators Only and Off Limits signs, to show us his various offices and hangouts and talk about his decision to finally leave it all behind.

Theres his desk on the floor of the Senate chamber  right off the aisle on the second row, directly behind the majority leaders desk. Right where he wants me, says Hatch.

He points to another desk, on the far right next to the wall. That was where he started out. It was from there, as a mere rookie, that he orchestrated a five-week filibuster that doomed a labor law reform bill championed by the liberals and marked him forevermore as a conservative bulldog. That was an all-important battle, says Hatch, who has always been his best P.R. person. If we hadnt won it, the country would be gone today, in the sense that we know it. It would have given Democrats absolute control.

There are the cloak rooms on either side of the Senate floor. The one on the left, the Republican cloakroom, Hatch explains, is where the deals are cut. The one on the right, the President's Room, is a lounge with comfortable chairs, where deal-making is strictly verboten.

Hatch moves comfortably from room to room, like hes been here before, and before, and before. You behaving yourselves? the senator asks casually as he passes two security guards  you can only imagine how many times hes used that greeting before, and how many times the guards have responded, Oh yes sir, trying to.

Down the hall, theres the office reserved for the president pro tempore of the Senate. As the most senior senator of the majority party, Hatch became pro tempore  a Latin phrase meaning for the time being  in January 2015, making him presiding officer of the Senate and third in line of succession to the presidency of the United States, behind only the vice president and speaker of the House of Representatives. The ornate office has a chandelier that once hung in the White House, a portrait of Lincoln that was used as the model for his likeness on the penny, and a large round conference table where, Hatch explains, world leaders meet to discuss world leader type things.

To climax the tour he takes us to his Capitol hideaway office on the third floor. All senators have a hideaway, but this one is special. It used to belong to Ted Kennedy, Hatchs political opposite and best friend in the Senate. When Kennedy died in 2009, Hatch asked for and got the office.

Hes full of Kennedy stories. We fought each other tooth and nail, but I could get him to agree to things no one else could get him to, he says. He speaks specifically about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, a law Hatch calls without a doubt one of the most important bills in history  and one that might not have passed if Hatch hadnt talked Kennedy into agreeing to introduce it when the Democrats were in charge.

Looking around the room, Hatch notices a painting of Kennedys  a scene of Hyannis Port  is not on the wall. Still looking out for his friend, he asks an aide if it might have been stolen.

No, hes told. The Capitol archivists have been coming around collecting historical items they want to preserve. It also explains why there were moving boxes at the pro tem office.

The 'hard job'

On the ride in the subway that connects the Capitol with his office in the Senate Hart Office Building  his working office where he spends the bulk of his time; the one the public sees  Hatch, who will turn 85 in March, massages his right knee. I should get it replaced, he says.

He might have had the surgery years ago, but who could find the time? Agree or disagree with Orrin Hatchs politics, but no one has ever disputed his work ethic. In his 42 years in the Senate he has passed just under 800 bills  and could go over the 800 mark before this Congress is finished. Thats far more than anyone in the past half-century, maybe more than anyone ever. (The Library of Congress, which keeps track of such things, notes that ways of giving credit for bills has varied over the years, making it hard to compare then and now. But Hatch, for sure, has no modern peer. In the 114th Congress, for example, comprising the last two years of the Obama presidency, Hatch sponsored or co-sponsored 45 bills that were signed into law  by far the most of anyone in the Senate and three times the Senate average.)

Im proud of passing 800 bills, Hatch answers when asked what hes most proud of in his long tenure. Im proud of being the longest-serving Republican in history; Im proud of being one of the few senators who has been chairman of three major committees.

I still go long hours every day, he adds. This is a hard job, if you do it right. If you dont want to do it right you can have a pretty easy time; just stroll around and act important. Thats easy.

Working harder, an underdog beating the odds, has been Hatchs narrative ever since he rode it to Washington in the first place.

He was a 42-year-old attorney practicing in Salt Lake City, a native of Pittsburgh, not that well known, with no political experience, when he came out of nowhere to best Ted Moss in 1976, 54 percent to 45 percent. It didnt make sense on any number of levels. Moss was a popular incumbent who had won three previous elections. The country was still fed up with Republicans because of Nixon, as evidenced by Democrat Jimmy Carter out-dueling Nixon replacement Gerald Ford for the presidency. Hatchs biggest endorsement in '76 came from Ronald Reagan, whom Hatch had stumped for in 36 states only to see Reagan lose the Republican nomination to Ford.

In his endorsement telegram, Reagan called Orrin Warren.

Nobody in their right mind thought Orrin Hatch should be a U.S. senator. Nobody thought Ted Moss could be beaten, Hatch says, never tiring of telling the story. I was raised in poverty in Pittsburgh; I really had nothing but good parents who worked hard and taught me to love people from whatever walk of life and respect them.

He thought about following his dad as a metal lather, but instead went to BYU when a $25 academic scholarship showed up in the mail.

To this day hes not sure how that scholarship materialized. Maybe my parents sent it, he muses. His mother was keen on him going to college. But I dont know where theyd have found $25.

I was so impressed with that; $25 was a lot of money back then, he says. So I went to BYU and fell in love with learning and of course the rest is history.

He was challenged by popular Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson in his first bid for re-election in 1982 and won 58 percent to 41. In 1988 he received 67 percent of the vote to 32 percent for Brian Moss, Ted Moss son. In the next four elections he won by margins of 69-28, 66-31, 62-31 and 65-30.

The people who ran against me werent pushovers; they were good candidates, Hatch says, reflecting on the improbable winning streak. I actually believe I was destined to do this. Im not saying it was divinely sanctioned, but it could very well have been.

What 'went wrong'

The years, though, have taken their mortal toll. Forty-two years of flying the Delta nonstop between Salt Lake City International and Reagan National in D.C. at least once and usually twice a month, traveling to most of the countries on Earth, running an office the size of a small company, herding conservative nominees onto the Supreme Court, campaigning every six years for yourself and every two years for colleagues 

Im pretty worn out, Hatch confesses, saying something no one running for office would ever think to utter.

As evidence, he wears a hearing aid, he limps. But the biggest problem by far is his eyesight.

Ive always had bad eyesight, he says. I did have one operation that allowed me not to use eyeglasses for years, which was a blessing. But as Ive gotten older, my vision has not improved, its degraded.

Two years ago, he had surgery on his eyes that greatly furthered the decline.

The procedure he had went wrong, says Matt Whitlock, Hatchs deputy chief of staff and communications director. Instead of improving things, it ended up knocking out about 60 percent of his vision. Since then hes been trying to work through it. Even 5 to 6 feet away, things are blurry.

One of the biggest frustrations is not being able to see whos approaching him. Hes been in conversations with people and theyd put out their hand and his peripheral vision is just shot, so theyd think, Why isnt he taking my hand? Whats going on? Theyd think he was losing his memory or declining in that way, when really, its that he cant see.

Hatch is more sanguine about the issue. I dont want to overemphasize my eyes because Ive been able to handle this for a number of years now and not only do a credible job but one of the best jobs in the Senate, he says.

But the fact is I cant see very well and that bothers me a lot. When youre chairing committees, seeing the faces and expressions of others is really part of it; its very important. I can see them, but not very well. Im still good at reading body language, but I was a lot better at it when I could see.

Its helped, the past four years, to be surrounded by a police detail that surrounds him wherever he goes. Ever since being elected president pro tempore, hes had the mandatory added security. He doesnt have to drive anywhere. He travels in the middle car of a three-car police escort to and from the office. At night a police car sits outside his house in Vienna.

Theyve become my pals, says Hatch of the officers. Sometimes they go to Costco and eat hot dogs together.

Passing the baton

Leaving the Senate and all its trappings isnt easy. Few do so voluntarily. Of the five men in history who have spent more time in the Senate than Hatch, the first four  Robert Byrd (51 years, five months), Daniel Inouye (49 years, 11 months), Strom Thurmond (47 years, five months) and Ted Kennedy (46 years, nine months)  died in office. All were contemporaries; each time, Hatch was there when it happened. (The fifth, Patrick Leahy, at 43 years, 11 months, is still serving).

Watching them leave that way didnt shape his decision to leave, he says. What did shape his decision was worrying about measuring up to his own high bar.

I didnt want to stay here so long that I wasnt going to be as effective as Ive always been, he says.

About this time a year ago, even as President Donald Trump was publicly urging Hatch to run for re-election, Hatch reached for the phone and called Mitt Romney.

I thought if I could find somebody to replace me and hopefully do a good job here, Id be happy to retire, says Hatch. I went to Mitt and talked him into running. Getting him to commit made me feel better about it.

Sen. Hatchs final day will be Jan. 3, 2019, when the 115th Congress officially adjourns. He will have logged exactly 42 years and two days in office. The next day, Senator Romney, his designated heir, will start day one.

Orrin and Elaine plan to put the big house in Vienna up for sale. Once it sells, they will relocate full time to their condominium in Salt Lake City. "It's not a big home like here," Hatch says. "But I consider Utah home. It doesn't mean I won't come back (to Washington) "

He lets the thought hang.

It won't be as a U.S. senator.

Ill miss it, theres no use kidding, says Hatch. Im good at it and Ill miss it.

That is the longest-serving Republican senator in historys concession speech. Or as close to one as youre ever going to get.Afghanistans Neda has commissioned satellite terminal provider Isotropic Systems to develop self-installing, all electronic scanning terminals to extend its single channel per carrier (SCPC) broadband capabilities across the country for enterprise, government and consumer users.

Isotropic will supply Neda with an out of the box consumer web experience that eliminates the need for skilled installation, and allows for remote repointing to alternative satellite capacity services when required. The deal with Isotropic Systems demonstrates Nedas commitment to innovation in Afghanistan to provide world-class connectivity in the region.

Isotropic Systems optical technology will enable terminals that meet or exceed traditional very small aperture terminal (VSAT) performance at one-tenth the cost of current VSAT. The technology mitigates several key engineering challenges to deliver seamless auto tracking, unlimited instantaneous bandwidth through true time delay, and a 90% reduction in power consumption over conventional design. In addition, it automatically tunes the satellite beam pointing to maintain the precise accuracy over time that is uniquely needed for Ka-band systems to optimise the efficiency of the links in the service provider's network.

John Finney, founder and CEO of Isotropic Systems, said: This initial order of terminals is a small fraction of the opportunity available in this market. Our agreement underscores the need for Isotropics price-disruptive terminals with features that target low customer revenues that are challenging to serve with out of the box, self-installing, fully integrated terminals. Based on this initial success, we anticipate easily achieving an overall company backlog of 50,000 to 100,000 terminals prior to the first commercial deployments scheduled for late 2019.

Artem Belotski, Chief Technology Officer, Neda Telecommunications, said: Our strategy is to embed Isotropic technology into the network to allow ourselves the freedom to offer customers the best capacity at highly affordable pricing. The Isotropic terminal allows us to pre-stage, configure, test, pack and ship to our customers for a truly out of the box experience with unparalleled price and features.Exactly one hundred years ago today, Sunday, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918, in a railway carriage in the Compiegne Forest France, Allied delegate Marshal Ferdinand Foch and German delegate, Secretary of State, Mathias Erzberger signed the Armistice which was to end World War One.

It was a war that was one of the deadliest conflicts in the history of the human race and supposedly a War To End All Wars.

It claimed the lives of almost 15 million people, six million civilians and nine million military personnel. The total number of both civilian and military casualties injured or died is estimated at 37 million.

On that same day as this World War was ending after four years of slaughter, a young Donegal man, Joseph McHugh, Derrylaconnell Doochary, as a soldier in the United States army, was killed in battle.

Of the 8,000 Donegal men and women who participated in the war, an estimated almost 1,200 lost their lives. At the 141 days Battle of the Somme over one million died, among these 3,500 Irish. I would guess some of these young Irish soldiers could have cared less on the problems of Austria, Serbia or the murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, one of the many causes of World War One.

Over the years many myths have grown up surrounding the almost 300,000 Irish who fought in World War One, which fall into several categories. These myths became more prominent after the Easter Rising and also at the foundation of our State. Some incorrectly said their ancestors served with the Irish Guards in WW1, not the British Army.

The Irish Army was non existent during 1914-18. Of course it could be construed that the 15,000 Irish Volunteers of 1916 were an Irish Army, of whom only 1400 fought against the British Army in the Easter Rising.

Another Myth

Another myth was that their ancestors were conscripted throughout those years against their will and forced to fight. Conscription was never introduced in Ireland even though the British government tried and failed. Or every Irishman who joined was an economic mercenary, hungry, destitute and desperate for employment. Thousands did see the British army as a way of escaping poverty, others as a great adventure.

Also forgotten were the 32,000 members of the Home Rule Irish National Volunteers who enlisted. Dubliners and Irish Catholic nationalists, their major goal, to further the cause of Irish self government.

Yes, Republicans and Unionists were completely opposed and irreconcilable pre 1914. But on the 7th August 1914 the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Irish National Volunteers both took part in a joint march through Omagh, with both groups called up for active service. Later in the war the Unionist 36th (Ulster) division and the predominantly Nationalist 16th (Irish) Division, fought side by side, many died, others won great victories.

At Messines Ridge on 7th June, 1917 it was written that no writer of fiction would ever dare to create the bravery of a figure like that of (Manorcunninghams) Capt Henry Gallaugher DSO 11th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in this battle.

Henry Gallaugher was recommended posthumously for the Victoria Cross, but this never came to fruition. Only one Donegal man was honoured with a Victoria Cross, James Duffy.Donegal ETB has announced a programme of events for College Awareness Week taking place from 19-24 November.

College Awareness Week (#CAW18) aims to promote and celebrate the benefits of going to college and to support students of all ages to become college ready. It aims to inspire and inform all students about the importance of having a post-secondary education plan. It advocates for students to have the choice to pursue the course best suited to their interests, abilities and dreams, whether that is a Further Education and Training (FET) course such as a Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) course or an apprenticeship or a university degree.

As the largest education and training provider in the county, with almost 26,000 learners completing courses with it in 2017, Donegal ETBs schools and Further Education and Training (FET) Service hopes to raise awareness amongst its own students and learners and the general public about the wide range of further education and training opportunities it can provide throughout the county as well as other further, higher and employment opportunities.

The programme for the week kicks off with a focus on careers in the HSE (such as first response, psychologist, midwives, ambulance and environmental health) for its Errigal College Transition Year (TY) students on Monday 19 November. Throughout the week its Colaiste Ailigh teachers will host a Teachers Pathways Poster Campaign for their students with teachers displaying posters showing their college/university pathways. Its Sixth year students will also talk to First year students about their upcoming college choices throughout the week. Abbey Vocational School students will visit the National Fisheries College of Ireland in Greencastle.

On 20 November, Donegal ETBs Deele College in Raphoe will host From STEM to Start-ups: Making Career Connections at Deele, featuring thirty representatives from traditional and innovative industries, including the ETBs own Apprenticeship Service, to enable them to learn about the vast array of careers and the benefits of college. Its Crana College students will benefit from a Role Model day which involves past students, parents and friends from all walks of life talking to current students about their career journey in a series of small group discussions where students will hear exactly what their job is like and how they got there.

Throughout the week Donegal ETBs Further Education and Training (FET) Service will host open days in its Ballyshannon FET Centre on Tuesday 20 November (2.00-4.00pm), its Buncrana Youthreach Centre on Wednesday 21 November (10.00am-12.00pm) and its Gaoth Dobhair Training centre on Thursday 22 November (2.00-5.00pm). These are open to the public who are encouraged to come along and find out what some of Donegal ETB's FET centres have to offer.

Donegal ETBs FET Service has also organised an information session of for its FET learners in Donegal Town on Higher Education course progression options available to them at both Letterkenny IT and IT Sligo, while its Gortahork Youthreach programme will host a series of talks for its learners throughout the week including talks from Donegal ETBs own Apprenticeship team, North West Regional College, Gartan Outdoor Education Centre, as well as former learners talking about their experiences and journey through college. Learners will also visit Letterkenny IT and Donegal ETBs Gaoth Dobhair Training Centre.

You can check out the full range of College Awareness Week events taking place in Donegal here: https://www. collegeaware.ie/events/events- by-county/?county=Donegal and keep an eye on Donegal ETB's social media accounts during the week (@DonegalETB) and through the hashtag #CAW18.

Further information on Donegal ETB can be found on its website www.donegaletb.ie or its social media accounts Facebook/Twitter (@DonegalETB), YouTube (Donegal ETB) or LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/ company/donegaletb).The following is a reflection today by Michael D. Higgins, Uachtaran na hEireann Tofa, on Armistice Day 2018 at Glasnevin Cemetery:



A chairde,

Bailithe mar ataimid chun omos a thabhairt doibh siud a maraiodh, a gortaiodh, agus a d'fhulaing sa Chead Chogadh Domhanda, maraon lena gclanna, tugaimis omos doibh siud ar fad.

One hundred years ago the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front, signalling the conclusion of one thousand five hundred and sixty-four days of continuous warfare, waged from the fields of Flanders to the mountains of Italy, and from the hills and ravines of Greece to the banks of the Tigris and the Euphrates, the first of two wars that would disfigure a century.

We assemble, on this most solemn day, to remember the fourteen million souls who lost their lives in that terrible conflagration. Ours is not a celebration of militarism, nor a valorisation of martial spirit, but a simple recognition of our common humanity, as we recall the destruction of the promise and potential of a generation in the First World War, the lasting damage inflicted on the millions wounded and maimed, and the countless others who would go on to suffer mental anguish as a result of the horrors of their war experience. Is mor an meid a d'fhulaing siad.

We remember, in particular, the two hundred thousand men from across the island of Ireland, North and South, East and West, who served in that war, and we call to mind in a special way the tens of thousands who never returned home who remain forever in the soil of Belgium, France, Greece and Turkey.

Not driven by a single political aspiration, nor by a single animating motivation, some fought for the rights of small nations, some in defence of the United Kingdom and the Union, some for adventure, while others were compelled by economic necessity in a country still feeling the aftershocks of the Lockout of 1913. We must respect their ideas as they knew and felt them. Yet, despite all the differences of religion, class and political aspiration, they were united by what would be a shared experience of war, the humanity expressed towards each other, with its comradeship, friendship and shared hardship whether it was on the Western Front, at Gallipoli, or in the Middle East.

There, they joined soldiers, drawn not only from the continent of Europe  Germans, French, British, Belgians, Austrians, Hungarians, Poles, Russians, Slovenes, Turks, Czechs, Finns, Bulgarians, Ukrainians, Moldavians, Byelorussians, Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, Croatians and Slovaks  nor from nations across the oceans  the United States, China, Australia, New Zealand and Canada  but also many who came from lands ruled by the empires of Europe  from Western and Central Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Madagascar, the Middle East, Somalia and India, for the war represented a collision of empires.

Some of those who were thrown into the maelstrom of the war demonstrated remarkable courage and bravery in the most trying and difficult of circumstances. They were witnesses to the barbarism and brutality of a war made all the more terrifying by the perverse use of a new science and technology and industrial power in the pursuit of total war and mutual destruction.

Writing upon hearing of the death of his friend the great Irish poet and public servant, Thomas MacGreevy, reflected the disorientation of millions of soldiers who found themselves in the blasted landscape of the Front:

I labour in a barren place,

Alone, self-conscious, frightened, blundering;

Far away, stars wheeling in space,

About my feet, earth voices whispering.

When the soldiers of the First World War returned to their homes they found countries and empires transformed. It was a return that varied in accordance with new circumstances. From the old dynastic empires to the East arose new nations seeking self-determination, pursuing a renewed and hard-won liberty. Here, in our country, some of those who came from the front threw themselves into our own battle for national independence, while others would experience a lack of sorrow, compassion, understanding of either their service or their wounds and would struggle to find their place in a rapidly changing Ireland.

For many years, there was an uncertainty, even a reticence, to recognise the human cost and reality of the First World War, and those who fought and died in it. In our public history, the reticence was reflected by a form of official amnesia that left a blank space in our public memory.

That has now changed, as citizens across our island have begun to discover a greater  and perhaps too long-delayed  insight into the experience of their grandparents, great-grandparents and neighbours. With this excavation of the past we have a far greater understanding of the motivation of those who enlisted in the war effort, and a better appreciation of the experience of the war, not only for those in uniform, but for civilians.

As we assemble this morning to remember our dead, we are joining peoples from across the world. We do so in a spirit of solidarity and compassion, and we do so in a world still sadly subject to war and the rumours of war, a world that still seems  if I may borrow from the words of Martin Luther King from another time and another place 

a [world] gone mad on war, a world in which, more than at any other time, so many people are subject to atrocities, to famine, to starvation and to displacement and exile.

Even as we, in these first decades of the twenty-first century, have the material capacity to abolish all forms of human poverty, to alleviate all unnecessary suffering, we are still devoting so much of our creativity, not to the preservation or achievement of peace, but to the prosecution of and preparation for war.

Amidst great human suffering, some nations now seek to embark upon a new arms race, increasing not only their own stockpiles, but exporting weapons of death and destruction to fuel the fires of war in other lands, in Yemen, in Syria, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On this Armistice Day we are called to remember. We must remember how easily the powers of Europe, with all their centuries of scholarship, philosophy and learning, cast it all aside and fell into enduring and terrible enmity. We must affirm as we remember that solidarity amongst peoples and nations is not only a moral necessity, but that it is fragile and that it must be asserted again and again as our shared aspiration. We must remember that peace will only ever be established, and can only be sustained, when it is based upon the principles of justice, dignity and mutual respect.

Let us then, on this day, re-dedicate ourselves to cause of peace, and the support of those institutions which promote and preserve the peace.

Let us recall the great spirit that animated Europe in the days and months and years after Armistice Day, the spirit that gave birth to the League of Nations.

Let us re-capture that rare spirit of mutual solidarity, that recognition of our common humanity, and let us once again resolve to build, together, a more just and equal world, free from the terrors of war.

Siochan siorai d'anamacha na marbh. Guimis beannachtai ar a gclanna.In response to the news that Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville is shortly to become a Direct Provision centre accommodating around 100 people seeking international protection in Ireland, Inishowen Together say they wish to extend "the warmest of welcomes" to those arriving.

While welcoming those arriving they are highly critical of the Direct Provision system: "They join us via the discredited system of Direct Provision".

The satement describes Direct Provision as "a disgrace": "Direct Provision  characterised by the movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland as an open prison  is a disgrace that this country will have to apologise for in the same way the State has had to face up to the cruelty of the Magdalene Laundries. We do not want the legacy of Direct Provision to be a stain on lovely Moville."

Inishowen Together, a group that evolved out of the local Together For Yes campaign during the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment, state: "Above all, we wish to extend the warmest of Inishowen welcomes to all those who are arriving  and to let them know that they will have many new friends here.

"We understand that people seeking asylum have faced untold difficulty in the countries that they have fled  the horrors of war and the terror of political and religious persecution  and we would like to offer solidarity and whatever support we can usefully provide.

"The people arriving in Moville are in a vulnerable position and place in their lives  but immense strength and resilience have brought them here. And, as Inishowen Together spokesperson, Siobhan Shiels says: 'Inishowen is certain to benefit massively from this injection of many new talents, perspectives and experiences'."

Their statement states that while it is good news that they get to meet 100 new people, the "bad news" is the fact that they "join us via the discredited system of Direct Provision."

The statement adds: "Across the country, we have seen reports of the damage done to Direct Provision residents mental health from years stuck in a system that infantilises them; that tells them what and when to eat; that makes them live in small rooms with strangers; that forces them to work out how to survive in isolated locations on 21.60 per week; that pushes them out of work and education to see their skills and qualifications stagnate.

"We in Inishowen Together stand with the country-wide campaign to End Direct Provision  and we will offer support to new Moville residents embattled by the system. We will also be pushing for the immediate and genuine right and opportunity to work for residents: Inishowen without a car is a challenge; and the border rules out any opportunity that the nearest city of Derry might have had to offer since asylum seekers arent free to cross it."North West Hospice will host the official opening of their new charity shop at Quay Street, Sligo on Thursday November 15, at 12 noon and they are extending an open invitation to the public to come along.

The new charity shop is on Quay Street, Sligo, near to Garys Cycles and next door to the Polish shop. Ocean FM will be broadcasting live from the shop, there will a free draw for all customers, spot prizes and bargains galore with lots of fabulous pieces of furniture, clothing and household goods to buy in the new shop on the day.

North West Hospice provides specialist care with compassion to those living with life-limiting illness in south Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan.

North West Hospice is appealing to the local community for donations of good quality furniture for their new shop. Please donate your items to the new charity shop in Sligo during opening hours, Monday to Saturday from 10am  5pm. Please note due to Health & Safety guidelines electrical goods cannot be accepted. The shop is the first venture of its kind for North West Hospice in Sligo and follows on from the opening of their first Charity Shop in Carrick-on-Shannon in July 2017.

Nuala Ginnelly, North West Hospice Manager told the Democrat: We are so excited about this new venture in Sligo. A huge amount of work has gone into preparing the shop and it is thanks to our wonderful volunteers and donations from the generous people of Sligo and south Donegal we are able to do this."

She added: "Please come out next Thursday and join us for our official opening at 12 midday. The demand for North West Hospice Services is increasing annually as is the cost to grow our services to meet this demand. The aim of this new Charity Shop venture is to help us raise the vital funds needed to fund our growing services.

Further details are available from www.northwesthospice.ieThe best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option.Can your smart phone determine if you're having the most serious - and deadly - form of heart attack? A new research study says it can - and may be a valuable tool to save lives.

The international study, led by researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City, found that a smartphone app to monitor heart activity and determine if someone is having an ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a heart attack in which the artery is completely blocked, has nearly the same accuracy as a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), which is used to diagnose heart attacks.

Researchers say the findings are significant because the speed of treatment after a STEMI heart attack helps save lives.

"The sooner you can get the artery open, the better the patient is going to do. We found this app may dramatically speed things up and save your life," said J. Brent Muhlestein, MD, lead investigator of the study and cardiovascular researcher at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute.

In the study, 204 patients with chest pain received both a standard 12-lead ECG and an ECG through the AliveCor app, which is administered through a smartphone with a two-wire attachment. Researchers found the app with the wire set-up effective in distinguishing STEMI from not-STEMI ECGs accurately and with high sensitivity compared to a traditional 12-lead ECG.

"We found the app helped us diagnose heart attacks very effectively -- and it didn't indicate the presence of a heart attack when one wasn't occurring," Dr. Muhlestein said.

A STEMI is a very serious type of heart attack during which one of the heart's major arteries -- which supplies oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart muscle -- is blocked. ST-segment elevation is an abnormality that's detectable on the 12-lead ECG.

Researchers presented results from the study at the American Heart Association's 2018 Scientific Session in Chicago.

Researchers conducted the study, called the ST LEUIS International Multicenter Study, at five international sites that are all associated with the Duke University Cooperative Cardiovascular Society (DUCCS), with Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute serving as the coordinating institution where they collected and collated data.

Other participating research centers include: Duke University, Integris Heart Hospital (Oklahoma City), Catholic University (Argentina), Mayo Clinic, Stanford University, Erlanger Institute for Clinical Research (Tennessee), University of Utah Health, AliveCor Corporation, and the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.

The idea for this kind of ECG set-up perhaps came from the use of treadmills for personal fitness development, said Dr. Muhlestein. Many people using treadmills wear a simple device that can detect their heart rate, through a single ECG lead, more accurate than just checking the pulse. "It's a simple jump from there to putting it on a smartphone, and then recording the same ECG lead from several body positions." he said.

The new Apple 4 smartwatch also comes with a single-lead ECG. A typical ECG has 12 leads, which improves the accuracy of a diagnosis because heart attacks happen in different parts of the heart, and each lead looks at a different part. With the AliveCor app, the two wire leads are moved around the body in order to record all 12 parts.

The findings of the study are important for two reasons, said Dr. Muhlestein.

The first is it could speed up the urgent treatment a patient needs after suffering a STEMI. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend that the "door-to-balloon time" - or the time from when a patient enters the hospital to when a catheter with a balloon on the tip is inserted into the patient's blocked artery, then inflated to flatten plaque against the wall of the artery - be less than 90 minutes.

"If somebody gets chest pain and they haven't ever had chest pain before, they might think it's just a bug or it's gas and they won't go to the emergency room," Dr. Muhlestein said. "That's dangerous, because the faster we open the blocked artery, the better the patient's outcome will be."

The app can take the electrocardiogram on the spot, send the results into the cloud where a cardiologist reviews it immediately and, if a STEMI is found, tell the person so they can be rushed to the hospital.

Secondly, the price of the app with the two-wire extension is low, which could put the power of an ECG into the hands of anyone with a smartphone or smartwatch, and make ECGs accessible in places like third world countries where people have smartphones but where expensive ECG machines are hard to find, if they're available at all.

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NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using.If youre having a baby in Russia, heres a guide to pregnancy and childbirth in the country. Find out more about maternity healthcare, services and costs, pregnancy testing, prenatal and postnatal care, delivery, parental leave, and child benefits in Russia.

Maternity care in Russia is a little different to what you are familiar with. However, Russian healthcare provides high-standard options for childbirth that should help make your pregnancy in Russia a stress-free experience. This guide tells you all you need to know if youre about to have a baby in Russia.

COVID-19 in Russia

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. Many expats find themselves separated from family and loved ones in their home countries. As a foreigner, it is also sometimes difficult to find critical information regarding coronavirus infection rates, local measures and restrictions, and now, thankfully, vaccinations. For general coronavirus health information in Russia, consult our guide to the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.

For official COVID-19 measures, rules, and vaccine schedule in Moscow, visit the official Moscow Mayors COVID-19 website.

Pregnancy and childbirth in Russia

When it comes to childbirth in Russia, expectant parents have a choice between giving birth in one of the municipal maternity hospitals or in a private hospital. If cost is a deciding factor, state-run hospitals and clinics are free to any foreign national with a permanent registration in Russia and the Obligatory Medical Insurance fund (OMI). But expats tend to opt for private maternity healthcare (through their voluntary health insurance, also known as VHI), as state facilities are not always up to par with western medical standards or dont often have English-speaking staff on call.

Doctors or midwives generally oversee births in Russia. Hospital births are the most common birthing option in Russia compared to home births, water births and other alternatives.

Private hospitals and international medical centers can be costly. They typically offer improved maternity facilities, higher quality of care and more frequent services, including additional examinations during pregnancy. You can typically access private facilities if you have a private health insurance policy but check that your desired hospital or clinic is in your insurance companys list of approved health facilities before your first check-up.

The fertility rate of the country has increased over the last 20 years. In 1999, the rate was 1.16 births per woman. In 2017, Russias fertility rate was 1.8.

Read more about healthcare in Russia and see a list of hospitals in Moscow.

Accessing maternity services in Russia

If you are having a baby in Russia, be aware that the administration and care you will receive at all maternity hospitals is primarily in Russian. You may find that an appointed gynecologist speaks a degree of English. International medical centers, however, typically have staff members who speak English if needed. Not all hospitals have maternity wards and the Perinatal Medical Center (PMC) in Moscow is fast becoming the specialist in maternity care.

Childbirth in Russia

Expaticas guide to healthcare in Russia offers a detailed overview of the system.

Insurance for maternity costs in Russia

Russia has a good public health insurance system that covers most costs associated with childbirth. However, the network of care is very uneven and many expats opt for voluntary health insurance to ensure the highest quality of maternity care and to cover additional needs and treatments. Private health insurance is also necessary for those without a state-funded plan. International companies that offer insurance plans covering maternity costs to expats in Russia include:

Pregnancy testing in Russia

If you think you may be pregnant, you can go to any pharmacy to get a pregnancy test (test na beremennost); to confirm that youre about to have a baby in Russia, you can also visit any hospital with maternity facilities.

Prenatal care in Russia

Antenatal appointments

After you confirm the pregnancy, you should plan a prenatal visit with a Russian doctor as soon as possible. You will then attend the maternity hospital of your choice at regular stages during the pregnancy for routine tests, so choosing one close to your residence or workplace is advisable. Many public hospitals in the heart of Moscow tend to be overcrowded. In some cases, it is advisable to choose a reputable hospital a little outside of the city center.

You can reach out to your network and other fellow expats when selecting a doctor or midwife to help you throughout your pregnancy and delivery. You will need to make your own arrangements if you have specific requirements or need a medical professional or midwife who can communicate in your preferred language.

During the early stages of your pregnancy, you will be given a certificate by your doctor. You should carry this with you throughout the nine-month cycle. It contains all of the information regarding the tests. Your doctor is also the person to contact right away if you have other issues or complications during your pregnancy.

You should discuss the maternity process with your doctor to understand what to expect during pregnancy until after giving birth; this can help identify if there are any differences to what you would experience at home. Good to know: during the first six months, you will see your doctor every 46 weeks  and even more often during the last three months of your pregnancy.

You can also benefit from doula support during your pregnancy. There are services such as Mariposa that provide lists of English-speaking doulas. You can also reach out to the Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Scans, tests, and checks

During all visits, your health, blood pressure, weight, urine, and your babys heart rate and growth will be checked.

Having a baby in Russia

You can expect more detailed check-ups for your very first visit. Your height, weight, and blood pressure will be checked, and you will have to give a sample of your blood and urine. Your doctor will perform a physical and pelvic exam, and will ask about you, your partner and your familys health history. You will also find out your (estimated) due date.

Click here to know more about vaccinations in Russia.

Antenatal classes

Pregnancy can be a stressful experience for parents-to-be. But luckily, you can take antenatal classes to know more about (among others) childbirth in Russia, baby care or breastfeeding. If you dont talk Russian, private clinics such as the EMC Maternity Hospital in Moscow provide classes in English.

Giving birth in Russia

You should head to your chosen maternity hospital once signs of labor begin. Once you arrive, you will be taken to a maternity ward and cared for by the medical staff. It is advisable to have a birth plan written in advance and given to the hospital, so they are familiar with and can try to accommodate your requirements, including whether you want an epidural. This generally comes with an extra cost and you should specify if you wish the father to be present at the birth, which does not always happen in Russia, as fathers sometimes have to wait a few days before seeing their partner and newborn. Recently, there has been an increase of family wards in Russia where fathers can stay with their wives and babies.

The medical staff will be on hand throughout the period of labor, but your gynecologist will only be present as the birth approaches.

After childbirth, it is typical for mother and baby to stay in the maternity ward for at least three days. It should be no more than one week before you are released home. Some hospitals will allow you to leave before three days have passed, but you may be asked to sign a disclaimer to do so.

Postnatal care in Russia

After giving birth in Russia, mothers usually receive in-depth care from medical staff, with nurses sometimes even taking extra time to provide assistance. If you opt for private maternity healthcare, check whether your private health insurance includes postnatal care at a private hospital and book in advance if it does.

Vaccinations

Babies will be immunized against several diseases with the service being provided either by the public health care system (free) or through private hospitals (at a cost). It is recommended to plan the babys first vaccinations before the due date, as they are usually given when the baby is just born.

Russia doesnt have a set vaccination schedule for children but you can enquire about which vaccines are available and when they should be administered.

Nurseries and childcare

You will be able to find a range of childcare services in Russia, including kindergartens, nannies and babysitters, child allowance and child support. You can find more information about it in our Childcare in Russia guide.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is common in Russia. You can find groups like La Leche League (in Russian) to get tips and support.

Registering a birth in Russia

One of the first things you should do after the birth, is acquire your babys birth certificate from the civil registry office, locally known as Zapis Aktov Grazhdanskogo Sostoyaniya (ZAGS). The closest one to the PMC is at 13/12 Profsoyuznaya Ulitsa. You can call the ZAGS office before visiting to check their opening hours and what paperwork required for registration. At least one parent must go in person and, advisably, accompanied by a Russian speaker.

You would typically need to bring the following documents on your visit:

Babys hospital birth certificate

A translated and notarized copy of your marriage certificate

Translated and notarized copies of your passport(s)

A copy of your Russian visa registration forms

Registration fee in cash

After obtaining a birth certificate, you can then register your baby at your embassy. Doing so will ensure that your child receives a passport for the country where you are a national, or other countries if applicable, as well as Russian citizenship.

You should contact your embassy or consulate before giving birth in Russia, to determine what the process entails. You will normally need to bring the following documents:

Birth certificate obtained from the ZAGS office

Hospital records

Birth certificates of both parents

Completed birth registration form

Parents passports and other identification

Non-residents, visitors, and tourists giving birth in Russia

If you are on a trip and about to give birth in Russia, it is advisable to opt for private maternity facilities, where you will be able to find English-speaking staff. Note that the costs may vary from one hospital to another; check what your health insurance covers beforehand.

Will your child get Russian citizenship?

If both (or one of the) parents are foreigners but live in Russia, if the child was born in Russia and if the parents home country didnt grant citizenship to the newborn, the child can obtain Russian citizenship.

Be aware though, that your child will not get Russian citizenship automatically. To do that, you will need to reach out to the Russian General Directorate of Migratory Affairs (GUVM). You can also check our guide for more information on Russian citizenship.

Parental leave in Russia

Working mothers are entitled to 140 days of maternity leave in Russia. Maternity leave begins 70 days before the pregnancy due date and continues for an additional 70 days after the completion of the first half of the entitlement, should the birth occur earlier than expected (or 84 days for multiple births). During the 140-day period, women receive 100% of their wages. Additional days can be added to your maternity leave in the event of multiple births (194 days in total) or if you run into some complications. Women are also protected from dismissal during their maternity leave in Russia.

Fathers, however, sacrifice their entire salary during the time they are absent from work as there are no laws guaranteeing paternity leave in Russia.

The Social Insurance Fund or Fond Socialnovo Strahovanya Rosiyskoy Federaciy handles maternity leaves and benefits. You can visit their website for more information.

Child benefits in Russia

Maternity and child benefits in Russia are covered by the states Social Insurance Fund. The exact amount you will receive may vary, depending on where you live. You can ask your regional office for an estimate of how much you will be reimbursed. In January 2019, the maximum monthly allowance for childcare was increased from 24,000 to 26,000 rubles.

Child and maternity benefits in Russia include:

parental leave;

maternity capital (if you give birth to more than one child);

an early stages benefit (if you register your pregnancy within the first 12 weeks);

a one-time benefit for children born (or adopted) in the same family;

benefits for children of a serving soldier;

monthly childcare benefits (fixed amount if you take parental leave, extra amount added to your salary if you return to employment);

monthly benefits for low-earning parents.

Useful resourcesWestend61/Getty Images/Westend61

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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! ! !

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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 ...

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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.The aisles in Flip Side Record Parlor were crowded Saturday, and cars overflowed from the parking lot as customers browsed through shelves of albums inside.

In the lot behind the South Side store, dozens of people gathered to eat, drink and listen to music.

Owner Clarisa Pena was a blur, working the cash register, answering questions, greeting friends and posing for pictures while wearing a record-shaped sandwich board.

Pena, 44, who started working weekends at the store in 1993, has managed Flip Side for more than 20 years. She has owned it since 2011, after cofounder Doug Lease passed away.

In 2016, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, and after nearly two years in remission, recently learned that the disease is back and has progressed.

Keeping up with bills at the 47-year-old shop while fighting stage-four cancer has put the stores future in jeopardy, but friends and customers rallied to support her at a fundraiser Saturday.

I love it here, said Bradley Tejeda, 27. He praised the unique records sold there and the friendly atmosphere.

He said he likes to start conversations with strangers at the store, asking about each others purchases and musical tastes. Its a social place, he said.

This is a huge part of the South Side and of San Antonio, said Lisa Perotti, 47. Shes been shopping there on Southwest Military Drive for years, she said, because she likes the stores vibe and wants to support local business.

Wooden shelves hold hundreds of records while posters and string lights cover the walls. Pena burns incense and sells stickers, patches and jewelry as well.

Sachmo, the stores beloved bird and mascot, chirped and rang a bell in his cage behind the counter Saturday afternoon.

It never really ages, Tejeda said.

You never know what youre going to find, said Michael Black, 52. Its more fun to just browse and go through the racks and see what posters she has up, he said.

He praised Pena for finding records that are hard to come by elsewhere. Shes always so nice and helpful, he said, prompting him to come support the store Saturday.

In addition to records and T-shirts, Flip Side sold burgers, chips and dessert outside, all to raise money to help Pena make ends meet.

Jacob Trevino pulled out his phone as he sifted through a box of records, searching for a song online. He held the phone up to his ear for a moment, then set the record in his hand back down.

He likes to rifle through the stacks of records, he said, and will look up songs by artists he hasnt heard of to see if hell like it.

Ive come here throughout my life, he said. Its a little bit of the nostalgia, and the authenticity of this place. Its kind of a cultural cultivator, that brings people together, he said.

This is absolutely phenomenal, said Joann Hetrick, a longtime friend of Pena. Im overwhelmed with joy at how everyone has rallied for her.

Lteitz@express-news.net | @LizTeitzTexas Democrats may have fallen short in their efforts to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz or the Republicans top statewide leaders, but they managed to flip four influential state appeals courts in Houston, Dallas and Austin, and now hold majorities on half of the 14 obscure-but-vital regional courts.

When we saw our huge turnouts in Dallas and Travis counties, and unprecedented numbers in Houston and Harris County, we knew it would be momentous. said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party and himself a former appellate court judge. We were taking a lot of courts.

Democrats swept all but one contested appeals court race last Tuesday, removing 19 incumbent Republicans. In the 1st and 14th courts of appeals, both of which cover Harris County, Democrats had been absent entirely. Now they have majorities on both benches.

This is a very big deal, said Dallas appellate lawyer David Coale. In the 5th court (covering Dallas and five adjoining counties), we have eight new judges overnight. In Houston and Dallas, two of the most important cities to the American economy, the courts of appeal have changed character.

On the 5th Court of Appeals, a Democrat had not been seated since 1992.

The states highest courts, the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminals Appeals, did, however, remain firmly in Republican control. Democrats had dominated the statewide benches until the mid-1990s.

By now the reasons for the massive Democratic turnout are familiar - U.S. Rep. Beto ORourkes aggressive race against Cruz and opposition to Donald Trumps presidency - but ultimately such tidal shifts among judges depend more on straight-ticket voting than innovative campaigns or judicial brilliance.

This had nothing to do with Anglo or Hispanic, liberal or conservative, said St. Marys University School of Law professor Wayne Scott. This was all about party affiliation. We should have a separate ballot for judges and then only the most informed people would vote.

Mark Curriden, a lawyer and editor of The Texas Lawbook, observed: I think even the Democrats who won Tuesday would say they dont think partisan elections are all that great, but the leadership of both parties have not shown much desire to change the system.

Texas is one of about seven states that still elect most of its judges in partisan elections that allow judicial candidates to seek campaign contributions, often from lawyers and special interests who may have cases before those judges.

Its a controversial practice - corrosive, say many critics - that seems to invite potential conflicts of interest, but is often supported by factions in both parties that believe voters, not a governor or state commission, should determine who sits in judgment of the big and small cases that impact society.

Across the state, most contested appellate court races won by Democrats saw victory margins of 4 to 6 percentage points. The closest appeared to be in the 13th Court of Appeals, based in Corpus Christi, where Democrat Rudy Delgado beat Jaime Tijerina by just over 3,000 votes out of 447,882 cast.

Some reversals were dramatic. Ken Molberg, a former Democratic Party chairman, came up 70,000 votes short when he ran for the 5th Court of Appeals in North Texas in 2014. This time, he was the victor by more than 80,000.

On the 4th Court of Appeals, based in San Antonio and covering 32 South Texas counties, Democrat Beth Watkins defeated incumbent Republican Marialyn Barnard by nearly 4 percentage points; Democratic incumbents Patricia Alvarez, Luz Chapa and Rebeca Martinez won with roughly 6-point margins and Democrat Liza Rodriguez won an open seat by 5 points.

As in the previous election cycle, the 4th Court of Appeals will remain the only state appellate court that is all female.

These benches are, in effect, the court of last resort for about 95 percent of the criminal and civil cases coming out of state district courts. They handle thousands of cases annually, while the state Supreme Court might only hear about 100 cases a year.

Many of the Courts of Appeals civil cases would seem mundane matters about money and about half of them involve family law.

But if its your child-custody case, and the trial court made an error, its the most important thing in the world, said David Coale. If your small company has gone bankrupt because a bigger company wont fulfill its contract, these courts may be the only way you get justice.

Hinojosa served on the 14th Court of Appeals and also is a former state district judge. He and other legal observers agree that Democrats on the bench in Texas tend to side with district courts and their juries more than Republicans.

On the criminal side, its mainly law and order, and you see less ideology, Hinojosa said. But in areas like product liability, deceptive trade, personal injury law, labor law, discrimination  Democrats are much more likely to hold corporations responsible for irresponsible behavior.

Coale said another major area of contention at the state appeals level arises in cases involving parties bound by arbitration, a practice that legal studies indicate usually favor corporations over consumers and small business.

I would say that in all of these new Democratic-controlled courts there will be increased scrutiny paid to private arbitration, Coale said. And you would expect them to be more deferential to trial judges.

Former Republican State Supreme Court Justice Craig Enoch, now in private practice in Austin, suggested that the biggest change may be for the lawyers themselves whose work is evaluated by the appeals courts.

It used to be that you might tailor some of your arguments based on how judges had ruled in the past, Enoch said. But now there are so many new faces, so many judges who we really know very little about.

bselcraig@express-news.netShayne Larango is a very, very good liar.

How good? She recently won the Biggest Liar in Texas trophy at the 30th Annual George West Storyfest, one of the premier storytelling events in the state, held in the namesake town about an hour south of San Antonio.

The festival features a host of speakers spinning yarns in the grand old style of Texas storytellers. But its the liars competition  a seemingly fitting coda for the recent mid-term elections  where things truly go off the rails.

As a raconteur, Larango could hold her own against even the slipperiest political prevaricator. Shes the perfect fabulist for our post-truthiness era.

You just take a kernel of truth and then you stretch it, said the grinning, exuberant redhead who spent some time with family in Floresville after the contest before heading home to Dallas.

The corn analogy is apt, in more ways than one.

Larangos ridiculous but lively tall tale involves a woman who accidentally knocks her husband unconscious with a can of shoepeg corn. (For the uninitiated, shoepeg is a white corn valued for its sweetness.)

The 10-minute story follows the woman as shes wrongly arrested and held overnight in jail, where shes surprised to discover the seriousness of her crime lends her a certain vaunted status among the assorted female check-kiters and traffic-ticket scofflaws.

Once her husband wakes up at the hospital and clears things with the cops, the woman is released  to her unexpected disappointment.

Seems the jail birds were going to teach her how to paint pictures using the dye from colored candy shells, which would have been a great craft for the next vacation Bible school.

Dressed as her stage persona  red hair teased to the rafters, cowboy boots, black dress, pearls  Larango delivers her whopper of a fib with a delicious Texas twang and a flair for the preposterous that clearly impressed the judges.

There were several stories that stood out from the rest and it was a very close contest, said judge and Storyfest founder Rob Schneider. Shayne had just an edge on believable absurdity.

The liars contest, held for the 14th time on Nov. 3, is open to the first 10 people to enter. As the rules pointedly state, no politicians are allowed. Perhaps the judges feel they bring an unfair advantage, given all that practice.

Larango, 50, comes by her storytelling skills, well, honestly.

She grew up in Kaufman, a town 30 miles southeast of Dallas, and used to linger with her relatives at the barbecue pit and kitchen table and listen to the men spin tales. The women told stories too, but they werent near as much fun.

The men told stories about tall tales and adventure, she said. The womens stories were more honest and factual.

She listened to the albums of Jerry Clower, an American comedian who told tales about the rural South and was known as the The Mouth of Mississippi.

About three years ago, while caring for her ill mother, Larango needed a creative outlet. She took part in a workshop based on The Artists Way, a book about fostering creativity.

Having spent her professional life in the corporate and academic consulting world, shed always loved writing. The workshop prompted her to try her hand at oral storytelling.

Larango created a ghost story, which she would perform at the 2016 Texas Storytelling Festival in Denton. So impressive was her performance that she was named one of a handful of Rising Stars at the festival.

I was just hooked, she said.

To prepare for the liars contest, Larango attended another workshop, this one put on by the Tejas Storytellers Guild in Waco and tailored to creative ways of stretching the truth.

To tell a good lie you have to have specifics, she said. Add as many true details as you can. Youre creating a world that people can just slip into with their imaginations. People just want to be entertained.

These days, she performs at festivals as well as weddings, bars, private events, open mic nights and just about anywhere people want to be beguiled by what she calls her 10-gallon Texas tall tales.

One of the best compliments she received came from a man who approached her after a show and said her performance reminded him of Jerry Clower.

I mean, who even knows about Jerry Clower? she said.

Larango wasnt aware the Washington Post keeps a running tally of the false or misleading statements made by the president since he took office two years ago. The most recent count: more than 6,000.

She did raise an eyebrow about it, saying its all fine and good to conflate reality with fiction on the stage. In the real world, not so much.

You dont want to start believing your own BS, she said. Then were all in trouble.

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TRIP REPORT

Austrian Airlines

Lufthansa

This trip report will cover six flights from Skopje to Vancouver and back. My initial plan to travel to Vancouver was for June 2019, but then I found a ticket for travel in October 2018 for only 570 euros and with a chance to fly on B788 and A359. I think this price was a real bargain having in mind that I bought the ticket one month prior my travel date.









AUSTRIAN





My first flight was from Skopje to Vienna on board E195 reg .OE-LWP. This is an early morning flight out of Skopje at 04:30. Load factor was great - 100% in business and 95% in economy, with a mix of passengers for European or North American connections out of VIE. On all my flights on Austrian to/from Skopje there is a special breed of passengers: young people from NGO or government services, they behave like they are the most travelled people on earth, they speak loud how they are tired of all those travels and conferences ,usually they know everything about aircraft and delays and...





Connection in VIE was fast with very little time to spare. Second flight OS121 to FRA was A320 reg. OE-LBR and it was fully booked in both classes .For this flight, I pre ordered a warm breakfast from DO&CO. It was great value for the fifteen euros paid. This was my third time ordering a meal from DO&CO, and I really recommend it, but only if you can cope with the jealous looks of other passengers.





After going from concourse A to concourse B at Frankfurt, I made my pre-boarding check, meaning a visa and purpose of travel check by a gate agent. At this part of Frankfurt Airport, Air Canada departs with flights to Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and my AC841 flight to Vancouver.





My first impression on board was that it looked very modern but when I took my window seat I was surprised by how narrow it was in the shoulder area since the wall was leaning towards the seat. Luckily, the middle seat remained empty, so it was comfortable for the ten hour flight.





Economy and premium economy were almost full but I don't know about business class. IFE was great and I really liked the window dimming feature. The flight attendants were very polite, but aren't all Canadians polite?. We were served lunch, mid-flight snack and pre-arrival warm snack. After ten hours and two movies, C-GHPX, a Dreamliner in the old "ice white" livery landed safely in Vancouver.

















A week later I was on Canada Line metro train from Vancouver city centre to the airport. Vancouver Airport check-in and departure area is very spacious with natural green space. International flights to/from Vancouver include many Asian destinations, three Australian cities and the rest is in Europe. Vancouver is a very seasonal destination from Europe. During the summer there are daily flights to Frankfurt on Air Canada, daily to Munich and to Frankfurt on Lufthansa and three weekly on Condor. During the winter, there are only Lufthansa flights to Frankfurt.









LUFTHANSA

My fourth flight was on D-AIXA, a Lufthansa A359 in the old colour scheme. The A359 is considerably bigger than the B788 and is more spacious inside. There was about a 60% load in economy, which meant three seats for myself.





IFE on Lufthansa was even better than Air Canada and you can chose between three cameras but the one on the tail is the best.





Dinner and proper breakfast were served by a very nice cabin crew and snacks and drinks were available during the flight in the galley. Although I slept during the flight, the nine hour time difference meant a five hour layover in Munich would be very long.





The fifth flight from Munich to Vienna was a Lufthansa flight operated by Austrian Airlines aircraft and no, it was not a codeshare. The A320 was full to the last seat and from takeoff to landing it took 44 minutes.





My sixth and last flight was Vienna - Skopje on an A319 reg. OE-LDE. Load was around 80% in economy and only three passengers in business class. We were in Skopje right on time.





And to compare the B788 and A359: they are both very modern, From the outside I like the Dreamliner better. However, on the inside it is better on the bus. So they are both great planes to fly on and I really enjoyed this experience.





Share your travel experience by submitting a trip report to exyu@exyuaviation.comJoette Katz, the commissioner for the state Department of Children and Families, plans to leave her position in two months, according to reports.

Fox61 reports that Katz emailed staff on Friday telling them she did not aim to seek reappointment by Gov.-Elect Ned Lamont.

In her email, Katz said she had been considering since the summer whether to leave her job when the new governors term starts.

But she said her departure does not have to do with the difficulty of the position.

I made the decision to not seek reappointment because I strongly believe that the Department needs a honeymoon phase, she said in the email, according to Fox61.

Katz said a new commissioner could benefit from that goodwill and get legislation passed, as she did when she was first appointed.

Katz is from Fairfield and was appointed commissioner of the department in 2011 and earned reappointment in 2014. She had previously served as a State Supreme Court Justice.

Katz and the department have been criticized after the death of an autistic teen, Matthew Tirado, who had been starved. The department was sued and accused of failing to follow-up on a case it had on the Tirado family.

The Department of Children and Families did not immediately return a request for comment.STAMFORD  Police say a city man charged last week with trespassing has been linked to a December burglary and may have been involved in other incidents.

Phillip Mayo, 45, of Lipton Place, has been charged with criminal trespass and interfering with a police investigation.

Police said Officer Eric Cooper investigated several reports Thursday night of suspicious activity at the Parc Grove apartments on Broad Street. A woman told Cooper she saw a suspicious man in the courtyard of the complex while she was walking her dog.

Police said Mayo gave a fake name and claimed to be a resident of the building when Cooper and other officers approached him. Police said they determined Mayo did not live there and charged him with trespassing.

Police said they determined Mayo was also the suspect in several other incidents in the area.

Police said they were not able to identify the suspect in a December incident at the same building until Mayo was arrested last week.

Mayo has been charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree criminal trespass and second-degree breach of peace for the incident in December when police say he broke into an apartment and ran off when he was confronted by two residents.

Mayos bail was set at $325,000.

Police said Mayo is a suspect in other Stamford crimes and is expected to face more charges.

Anyone with information related to Mayo in any of these investigations can call Investigator Damien Rosa at 203-977-4421.STAMFORD  Sgt. Ted Ogonek is not used to being in the spotlight.

The 92-year-old veteran spent his time in World War II working as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer, toiling behind the scenes to make war airplanes airborne and efficient.

But on Sunday, all eyes were on Ogonek as he served as the grand marshal of the Stamford Veterans Day parade.

Im a low-key guy, said Ogonek, who still lives in Stamford. Ive always been in the background. Now Im in the forefront. ... When (I) was first told I was a candidate, you couldve knocked me over with a feather because I never expected anything like this... I never had such an honor in my life.

In a Jeep, Ogonek made his way down Bedford Street, greeting residents standing three deep on the sidewalks of the city he has always called home.

Ogonek, the youngest

of six children of first-generation Polish immigrants, grew up on Selleck Street.

He attended John J. Ryle Elementary School, Cloonan Junior High School and the Connecticut Trade School (now known as J.M. Wright Technical High School).

Ogonek was drafted into the Army in March 1944. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and learned how to work on aircraft mechanics, focusing his craft on B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-24 Liberators and B-29 Super Fortresses.

The work drew on Ogoneks love of airplanes that dated back to his childhood when his older brother would take him to watch the planes at the Westchester County Airport.

After Japan surrendered, Ogonek went to Germany to work on P-51 Mustangs and helped assemble the P-80 Shooting Star, the first U.S. jet fighter plane in Germany. Ogoneks skills in the latter project were evident, helping him get promoted to corporal and then sergeant in just one month.

After the war, he returned to Stamford, where he struggled to find work before getting a job at Stamford Tool and Die. Ogonek spent 25 years there before joining Perkin Elmer as a manager for integrated circuit production.

He was also part of the effort to get a World War II memorial constructed in Washington.

Ogonek and other local veterans were honored at Sundays parade through musical numbers performed by local bands, including the marching band from Ogoneks former school, Cloonan. American flags lined the streets on light posts and parade participants were greeted at the end of the route with an enormous flag hoisted over Bedford Street by a firetruck.

To me, its very important, Ognek said of honoring veterans. My brother was in the Navy, my sister-in-law was in the Navy. We had three of us in the service and so did other families. We lost several hundred people from Stamford who were killed in the war. It was a big undertaking.

Many of Stamfords younger residents attended the parade, whether marching in a band or with a club, or sitting along the route in lawn chairs, covered by blankets and waving miniature flags.

Its something Army veteran Paul Kipphut, who came from his Cove home to watch the parade, thinks is a good thing.

The young people dont know what sacrifices people gave for our freedom, he said.

erin.kayata@stamford

advocate.com; 203-964-2265; @erin_kayata

This article has been updated to correct the name of the company where Ogonek worked.The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of ABB: A88 for Electrical Industries (ABB ARAB) S.A.E., AABB Business Services Sp. z o.o., ABB (China) Investment Limited, ABB (China) Ltd., ABB 0y, ABB A/S, ABB AB, ABB AG, ABB AS, ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd, ABB Australia Pty Limited, ABB Automacao Ltda., ABB Automation GmbH, ABB Automation Products GmbH, ABB B.V., ABB Beijing Drive Systems Co. Ltd., ABB Beijing Switchgear Limited, ABB Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsges. MbH, ABB Bulgaria EOOD, ABB Canada EL Holding GmbH, ABB Capital AG, ABB Electrical Control Systems S. de R.L. de C.V., ABB Electrical Industries Co. Ltd., ABB Electrical Machines Ltd., ABB Electrification Canada ULC, ABB Electrification Norway AS, ABB Elektrik Sanayi A.S., ABB Eletrificacao Ltda., ABB Engineering (Shanghai) Ltd., ABB Engineering Trading and Service Ltd., ABB Finance (USA) Inc., ABB Finance B.V., ABB France, ABB Global Industries and Services Private Limited, ABB Group Investment Management Pty. Ltd., ABB Holding AS, ABB Holdings (Pty) Ltd., ABB Holdings B.V., ABB Holdings Inc., ABB Holdings Limited, ABB Inc., ABB Inc., ABB India Limited, ABB Industrial Solutions (Bielsko-Biala) Sp. z o.o., ABB Industrial Solutions (Klodzko) Sp.z o.o., ABB Industries (L.L.C.), ABB Information Systems Ltd., ABB Installation Products Inc, ABB Installation Products International LLC., ABB Investment Holding 2 GmbH, ABB K.K., ABB Limited, ABB Ltd., ABB Management Services Ltd., ABB Mexico SA. de C.V., ABB Motors and Mechanical Inc, ABB N.V., ABB Norden Holding AB, ABB Pte. Ltd., ABB S.A., ABB S.p.A., ABB SAS, ABB Schweiz AG, ABB Shanghai Free Trade Zone Industrial Co. Ltd., ABB Shanghai Motors Co. Ltd., ABB South Africa (Pty) Ltd., ABB Sp. z o.o., ABB Stotz-Kontakt GmbH, ABB Treasury Center (USA) Inc., ABB Xiamen Low Voltage Equipment Co. Ltd., ABB Xiamen Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB Xinhui Low Voltage Switchgear Co. Ltd., ABB s.r.o., APS Technology Group, ASTI Mobile Robotics, Asea Brown Boveri S.A., Asea Brown Boveri S.A.E., Asea Brown Boveri SA. de C.V., B + R Industrie-Elektronik GmbH, B&R Holding GmbH, B&R Industrial Automation, B&R Industrial Automation GmbH, Baldor Electric Company, Busch-Jaeger Elektro GmbH, Chargedot, Codian Robotics, Cylon Controls, DynaMotive Ltd., ELBI Elektrik, Edison Holding Corporation, Envitech Energy, Epyon, GE Industrial Solutions, Gomtec, Gresin Grupo Estudios Industriales, Industrial C&S Hungary Kft., Industrial C&S of RR. LLC, Industrial Connections & Solutions LLC, KEYMILE - Business, Kuhlman Electric Corp., Lorentzen & Wettre, Los Gatos Research, Mincom, NUB3D S.L., Newave Energy Holding, Newron System, Power-One, Powercorp, RGM - Rail vehicle power business, SVIA, Spirit IT, Thomas & Betts, Trasfor, Tropos Networks, Validus DC Systems, Vectek Electronics, and Ventyx.Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sport shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Prim + Preux, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer panty hoses, tights, and leggings under the brands of Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, GT a GoldToe Brand, Silver Toe, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Kushyfoot, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brand names; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, or embellishers, as well as to retailers and consumer brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.

Read MoreBy Trend

Azerbaijani Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has sent letters of condolences to Turkish Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar and Chief of the General Staff, Army General Yasar Guler in connection with the death of soldiers as a result of an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot in Hakkari province, Turkey.

"I am deeply shocked by the news of the death and injury of military personnel as a result of an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot in Hakkari province of the fraternal Republic of Turkey," the letter says. "Your grief is our grief too."

"I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased, share the sorrow and grief of their relatives and express my deep condolences to their families," the letter says. "I wish speedy recovery to the wounded."iShares MSCI Netherlands ETF's stock was trading at $27.57 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWN stock has increased by 89.2% and is now trading at $52.16.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.5 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Metro Bank in the last year. There are currently 2 sell ratings and 3 hold ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" Metro Bank stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in MBNKF, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares.

View analyst ratings for Metro Bank or view top-rated stocks.Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in Asia, Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; And Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment provides mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, group retirement and savings products, and institutional asset management services through agents and brokers affiliated with the company, securities brokerage firms, and financial advisors pension plan consultants and banks. The Insurance and Annuity Products segment offers deposit and credit products; individual life, and individual and group long-term care insurance; and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products through insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners, and direct marketing. The Corporate and Other segment is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance businesses; and run-off reinsurance operations, including variable annuities, and accident and health. It also manages timberland and agricultural portfolios; and engages in insurance agency, portfolio and mutual fund management, mutual fund dealer, life and financial reinsurance, and fund management businesses. Additionally, the company holds and manages oil and gas properties; holds oil and gas royalties, and foreign bonds and equities; and provides investment management, counseling, advisory, and dealer services. Manulife Financial Corporation was incorporated in 1887 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Read MoreiShares MSCI Chile ETF's stock was trading at $25.05 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, ECH stock has increased by 1.6% and is now trading at $25.45.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.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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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with the US President Donald Trump the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish media reports.

According to the report, the conversation between the leaders of the two countries took place in France during a dinner given by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Orsay Museum.

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi, known for his criticism of the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to obtain documents for registration of marriage with a Turkish citizen. A few days later, the Turkish police launched an investigation into his disappearance.

On Oct. 20, the Saudi authorities reported that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general.

Prosecutor General of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Saud al-Mujib said 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the murderers of Khashoggi must be convicted in Turkey.

"Although Khashoggi was killed in the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, the crime was committed in Turkey, which makes Ankara pay more attention to this," he said. Considering that Khashoggi was brutally murdered, Saudi Arabia must do everything possible to find and punish the criminals."

The authorities of Saudi Arabia claim that the body of the killed reporter was handed over to someone in Turkey, Erdogan noted.

If Saudi Arabia claims that the body of Khashoggi was handed over to someone, that persons name should be revealed, Erdogan said.



Guyana Goldfields Inc. provides exploration and production of gold. It engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, production, and operation of gold mineral properties. The company also owns and operates gold drilling rights. The company was formerly known as Chiboug Copper Company Limited and changed its name to Guyana Goldfields Inc. in January 1995. Guyana Goldfields Inc. was incorporated in 1994 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. As of August 25, 2020, Guyana Goldfields Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited.

Read MoreThe Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal and commercial banking products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through auto dealer network. It also provides credit cards; real estate secured lending; auto finance; consumer lending; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, private banking, investment advisory, and trust services to retail and institutional clients; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to companies, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,085 branches, 3,440 automated teller machines, and 1,223 stores, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC.iShares MSCI South Korea ETF's stock was trading at $52.04 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWY stock has increased by 50.7% and is now trading at $78.43.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.The 2019 edition of Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2019) is poised to address the global challenge in the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI), which has slowed down to a 15 per cent decline following increased protectionist policies being adopted by several countries, said event organisers.



Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the ninth edition of AIM is being organized by UAE Ministry of Economy to be held on April 8-10, 2019 in Dubai.



The event gathers global investors, entrepreneurs, government officials to discuss FDI flows to global technology projects.



In its next staging, AIM adopts the theme, Mapping the Future of FDI: Enriching World Economies through Digital Globalization.



The fall in FDI has in turn greatly impacted the economic outlook of developing countries. However, many are optimistic with new investment interest in disruptive technologies which have gained traction in the recent years and are considered to change the nature of global industries in the coming decades.



AIM 2019 aims to rethink and identify strategies to direct the flow of FDIs to nation-states whose investment outlooks are aligned with disruptive technological advances or smart city solutions such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Big Data, Blockchain, etc.



Thus, living to its reputation as the worlds leading FDI platform, AIM 2019 will bring together prominent political, economic, financial and academic figures to map out how to attract FDIs through strategic partnership, knowledge sharing, networking, exchange of experiences, and exploring business opportunities on a global scale.



UAE Minister of Economy, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri stated that while there is a current shift in investment policies and structure, the trend also offers great new opportunities and challenges for the regulators. We have seen how technology has rapidly advanced over the years creating an efficient digital economy which is not just limited to the technology sector, but has penetrated across every sector, evolving to what we now validly recognize as digital evolution, the minister said.



Despite the premise of declining global FDIs in the recent years, AIM 2019 remains optimistic to play its part in matching large-scale investments with investment projects and destinations from various participating organizations and countries. Industry 4.0 alone has started to dictate the flow of global investments and has been enjoying huge optimism which is anticipated to continue, if not increase, in the coming decades.



A glimpse on the outlook for these disruptive technologies places Artificial Intelligence to contribute $15.7 trillion to global economy by the year 2030 and with global investment reaching $89.9 billion by 2025. Blockchain, the most disruptive technology today, sees its worth of global investment to come around $300 billion by 2024.



Smart Mobility, or intelligent transport system, has been attracting serious and heavy investments that by 2024, global FDIs on this sector is expected to reach $57.44 billion. Smart Infrastructure, a trend that we are beginning to see to replace our aging buildings and facilities, have taken huge investment interest to an anticipated $3.7 trillion by 2035.



Likewise, global projects on Sustainability will reach large scale investment of $22.89 trillion. FDIs on disruptive technologies can also play a major role in increasing cross-border investments and regional trade facilitations.



The ninth edition of AIM aims to be yet the most relevant, if not the biggest FDI platform in the world. Part of its milestone in its previous staging had been putting under one roof 1,000 experts and FDI specialists and 20,000 attendees from over 140 countries, where 1,200 conference delegates benefitted from FDI dealings and strategic networking.



The three-day event facilitated 1,852 business-to-business meetings and 821 government-to-business meetings and was graced by prominent international government ministers, governors, mayors, chairmen, director generals, CEOs, managing directors, corporate heads, general managers, investors, businessmen, C-level participants from private sector, entrepreneurs, advisors, and economic specialists.  TradeArabia News ServiceiShares MSCI Switzerland ETF's stock was trading at $35.66 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWL stock has increased by 42.0% and is now trading at $50.64.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.The following companies are subsidiares of Arrow Electronics: A.E. Petsche Belgium BVBA, A.E. Petsche Canada Inc., A.E. Petsche Company, A.E. Petsche Company Inc., A.E. Petsche Company S De RL, A.E. Petsche SAS, A.E. Petsche UK Limited, ACI Technology, AKS Group Nordic AB, ARROWECS Portugal Sociedade Unipessoal, ARROWECS Sociedade Unipessoal LDA, ARW Electronics Ltd., ARW Enterprise Computing Solutions S.A., ARW Portugal Unipessoal LDA, ASI Dedicated Services LLC, ASI Electrical Services LLC, ASI Managed Services LLC, ATM Electronic, ATM Electronic Corp., ATM Electronic Corporation (HK) Limited, ATM Electronics Hong Kong Limited, ATM Electronics Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd, Addex Distribution AS, Adilam Pty. Ltd, Aiqi Xinxing (Beijing) Information Technology Co. Ltd., Altimate Belgium BVBA, Altimate Group, Altimate ND Belgium BVBA, Altimate Netherlands B.V., Annuity Systems Pty Ltd, Arrow (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Arrow Altech Distribution (Pty) Ltd., Arrow Altech Holdings (Pty) Ltd., Arrow Argentina S.A., Arrow Asia Distribution Limited, Arrow Asia Pac Ltd., Arrow Brasil S.A., Arrow Capital Solution BVBA, Arrow Capital Solutions Inc., Arrow Capital Solutions Nederlands BV, Arrow Capital Solutions SAS, Arrow Capital Solutions UK Ltd, Arrow Central Europe GmbH, Arrow Central Europe Holding Munich GmbH, Arrow Chip One Stop Holdings GK, Arrow Componentes ACCR S.R.L., Arrow Components (M) Sdn Bhd, Arrow Components (NZ), Arrow Components Mexico S.A. de C.V., Arrow Components Sweden AB, Arrow Denmark ApS, Arrow Denmark ApS, Arrow ECS (Ireland) Limited, Arrow ECS (NI) Limited, Arrow ECS AG, Arrow ECS ANZ Limited, Arrow ECS ANZ Pty Ltd, Arrow ECS Asia PTE. Ltd, Arrow ECS Australia, Arrow ECS B.V., Arrow ECS Baltic OU, Arrow ECS Brasil Distribuidora Ltda., Arrow ECS Canada Ltd., Arrow ECS Central GmbH, Arrow ECS Denmark A/S, Arrow ECS FZCO, Arrow ECS Finland OY, Arrow ECS GmbH, Arrow ECS Internet Security AG, Arrow ECS Internet Security S.L., Arrow ECS Kft., Arrow ECS Ltd., Arrow ECS New Zealand Limited, Arrow ECS Nordic A/S, Arrow ECS Norway AS, Arrow ECS Pty Ltd., Arrow ECS SA/NV, Arrow ECS SAS, Arrow ECS SPA, Arrow ECS Sarl, Arrow ECS Services Sp.z.o.o., Arrow ECS Singapore Pte. Limited, Arrow ECS Sp.z.o.o., Arrow ECS Support Center Ltd., Arrow ECS Support Center Morocco S.A.R.L.A.U, Arrow ECS Sweden AB, Arrow ECS a.s., Arrow ECS d.o.o., Arrow Eastern Europe GmbH, Arrow Electronice S.R.L., Arrow Electronics (CI) Ltd., Arrow Electronics (China) Trading Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Jersey) Limited, Arrow Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Sweden) KB, Arrow Electronics (Thailand) Limited, Arrow Electronics (U.K.) Inc., Arrow Electronics (UK) Ltd., Arrow Electronics ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd., Arrow Electronics Asia (S) Pte Ltd., Arrow Electronics Asia Limited, Arrow Electronics Australia Pty Ltd., Arrow Electronics B.V., Arrow Electronics Canada Ltd., Arrow Electronics China Ltd., Arrow Electronics Components (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics Czech Republic s.r.o., Arrow Electronics D.O.O., Arrow Electronics Danish Holdings ApS, Arrow Electronics EMEA Group GmbH, Arrow Electronics EMEASA S.r.l., Arrow Electronics Estonia OU, Arrow Electronics FC B.V., Arrow Electronics Funding Corporation, Arrow Electronics GmbH & Co. KG, Arrow Electronics Hellas S.A., Arrow Electronics Holdings Vagyonkezelo Kft, Arrow Electronics Hungary Kereskedelmi Bt, Arrow Electronics India Ltd., Arrow Electronics India Private Limited, Arrow Electronics International Holdings LLC, Arrow Electronics International Inc., Arrow Electronics Italia S.r.l, Arrow Electronics Japan GK, Arrow Electronics Korea Limited, Arrow Electronics Labuan Pte Ltd., Arrow Electronics Ltd., Arrow Electronics Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Arrow Electronics Norwegian Holdings AS, Arrow Electronics Poland Sp.z.o.o., Arrow Electronics Russ OOO, Arrow Electronics Services S.r.l., Arrow Electronics Slovakia s.r.o., Arrow Electronics South Africa LLP, Arrow Electronics Taiwan Ltd., Arrow Electronics UK Holding Ltd., Arrow Electronics Ukraine LLC, Arrow Elektronik Ticaret A.S., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions Inc., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions India Private Limited, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions Ltd., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions S.A., Arrow Finland OY, Arrow France S.A., Arrow Global Asset Disposition Inc., Arrow Global Supply Chain Services Inc., Arrow Holdings (Delaware) LLC, Arrow Iberia Electronica Lda., Arrow Iberia Electronica S.L.U., Arrow International Holdings L.P., Arrow International Holdings Limited, Arrow Nordic Components AB, Arrow Norway A/S, Arrow S-Tech Norway AS, Arrow SEED (Hong Kong) Limited, Arrow Systems Integration Inc., Arrow UEC Japan KK, Arrow United Holdings LLC, Arrow United International Holdings LP, Arrow Value Recovery ApS (fka Greentech Denmark ApS), Arrow Value Recovery Belgium BVBA, Arrow Value Recovery Czech Republic sro, Arrow Value Recovery Denmark ApS, Arrow Value Recovery EMEA BV, Arrow Value Recovery Finland Oy (fka Greentech Finland OY), Arrow Value Recovery France SAS, Arrow Value Recovery Germany GmbH, Arrow Value Recovery Netherlands BV, Arrow Value Recovery Norway AS (fka Greentech AS), Arrow Value Recovery Sweden AB (fka Greentech Sweden AB), Arrow Value Recovery UK LTD, Arrow eCommerce B.V., Arrow/Artlink Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, Arrow/Components (Agent) Ltd., Arrow/Rapac Ltd., Artlink Technology Co. Ltd., Aspen Labs LLC, Aspencore China Investment LLC, Aspencore LLC, Aspencore Media GmbH, Aspencore/IDG China Investment LLC, Asplenium SA, Asset Recovery Corporation, B.V. Arrow Electronics DLC, Beijing AIQI Technology, Beijing Arrow SEED Technology Co. Ltd, Beijing Canon Advertising Co. Ltd., Broomco (4184) Limited, COMPUTERLINKS, COMPUTERLINKS (UK) Ltd., COMPUTERLINKS Belgium BVBA, COMPUTERLINKS Denmark A/S, COMPUTERLINKS Nederland B.V., COMPUTERLINKS S.A., CSS Computer Security Solutions Erwerbs GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Holding GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Ltd., CT3 Europe Limited, Centia Group Ltd, Centia Ltd., Channel Support Pty Ltd, ChiWan Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Chip One Stop, Chip One Stop (Hong Kong) Ltd., Chip One Stop (Shenzhen) Ltd., Chip One Stop Inc., Commtech Solutions (UK) Limited, Components Agent (Cayman) Limited, Components Agent Asia Holdings Ltd., Components Distribution Business - Achieva, Conrac Asia Display Products Pte. Ltd., Conrac MENA FZE, Converge, Converge (Shanghai) International Trading Co. Ltd., Converge Asia Pte Ltd., Converge Electronics Trading (India) Private Ltd., Converge France SAS, Converge Netherlands BV, Converge Scandinavia AB, Cross Telecom, Data Modul, Data Modul AG, Data Modul Electronics Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Data Modul FZE, Data Modul France S.a r.l, Data Modul Hong Kong Ltd., Data Modul Iberia S.L., Data Modul Inc., Data Modul Italia S.r.l., Data Modul Ltd., Data Modul Shanghai Ltd., Data Modul Suisse GmbH, Data Modul Weikersheim GmbH, Diasa Informatica, Dicopel Inc., Distribution Business - Seed International, Distribution Central (MY) Sdn. Bhd., Distribution Central HK Pty Limited, Distribution Central Limited (NZ), Distribution Central Pte Limited (SG), Distribution Central Pty Limited, E-InfoChips KK, EC America, EDN Asia Advertising Pte Ltd., ETEQ Components Pte Ltd., Electronics Products Technology Co. Ltd., Embedded Developer LLC, Erf 211 Hughes (Pty) Limited, Eshel Technology Group Inc., Eurocomponentes S.A., Excel Tech, Excel Tech Inc., Firewall Systems Pty Limited, Fusion Distribution FZCO, Gates - Arrow Distributing, Gates - FA Distributing, Global Link Technology, Greentech Holding AS, Gross Telecom, ICC Global Media GmbH, IP Vista A/S, IPVista A/S, ITM USA Enterprises Inc., Intechra Holdings, Intex-semi Ltd., KeyLink Systems Group, LED Franchise LLC, LED Source Holdco LLC, LED Source LLC, LOGIX S.A., License Central Pty Ltd, Lite-On Korea Ltd., Marubun Arrow (HK) Limited, Marubun Arrow (S) Pte Ltd., Marubun Arrow (Thailand) Co Limited, Marubun Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun Arrow Europe Kft., Marubun Corporation, Marubun USA Corporation, Marubun-Arrow Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Marubun/Arrow (HK) Limited, Marubun/Arrow (M) Sdn. Bhd (Malaysia), Marubun/Arrow (Philippines) Inc., Marubun/Arrow (S) Pte Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shenzhen) Electronic Product Consulting Company Limited, Marubun/Arrow (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun/Arrow USA II LLC, Marubun/Arrow USA LLC, NIC Components Asia PTE Ltd., NIC Components Corp., NIC Components Europe Limited, NIC Eurotech Limited, NUH Electronics India Private Limted, Networld Systems Pty Ltd, Nextworth Solutions Inc., Nu Horizons Electronics, Nu Horizons Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Asia PTE Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Hong Kong Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Malaysia SDN BHD, NuHo Singapore Holdings LLC, Observatory Crest, Openway Group SA, Openway SAS, PCG Parent Corp., PCG Trading LLC, PT Marubun Arrow Indonesia, Pansystem S.r.l., Pax8 Inc., Power and Signal Group GmbH, R.D. Trading Limited, RDC, RF Wireless & Power - Richardson Electronics, Rack Systems Pty Ltd, Red Education Pty Ltd, Redemtech, Renewal Systems Pty Ltd, Richardson RFPD (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Richardson RFPD (Thailand) Limited, Richardson RFPD Australia Pty. Ltd., Richardson RFPD Canada Inc., Richardson RFPD Electronics Trading (China) Co. Ltd., Richardson RFPD France SAS, Richardson RFPD Germany GmbH, Richardson RFPD Hong Kong, Richardson RFPD Inc., Richardson RFPD Israel Ltd., Richardson RFPD Italy Srl, Richardson RFPD Japan KK, Richardson RFPD Korea Ltd., Richardson RFPD Netherlands BV, Richardson RFPD Singapore, Richardson RFPD Spain SL, Richardson RFPD Sweden AB, Richardson RFPD Taiwan, Richardson RFPD UK Ltd., Richey Electronics, San Systems Pty Ltd, Schuylkill Metals of Plant City Inc., Seneca Data, Seneca Data Distributors Inc., Shared Technologies, Silicon Frameworks LLC, SiliconEgypt Technologies LLC, SiliconExpert Holdings LLC, SiliconExpert Technologies, SiliconExpert Technologies Inc., Sphinx CST Limited, Sphinx CST Networks Limited, Sphinx Group, Sphinx Group Limited, Sphinx Professional Services Limited, Spoerle Hungary Kereskedelmi Kft, Sun Chain Technology Corp., TLW Electronics Ltd., TechTurn, Titan Supply Chain Services Limited, Titan Supply Chain Services Pte Ltd., Trafomo AB, Trafomo ApS, Transim Technology, Transim Technology Corporation, U.S. Micro Operating Company LLC, UBM Tech Electronics Network, Ultra Source Electronics (SZ) Co LTD, Ultra Source Technology Corp., Ultra Source Trading Hong Kong Limited, United Technical Publishing Division - Hearst Business Media, Universe Electron Corporation, Verical, Verwaltungsgesellschaft Arrow Electronics GmbH, Wireless and Infrastructure Business Unit - Waching Company, Yongming Xincheng (Beijing) Technology Co., e-InfoChips, e-Infochips Private Limited, eInfochips, eMedia Asia Limited, immixGovernment Inc., immixGroup, immixGroup Inc., immixSolutions Inc., and immixTechnology.The following companies are subsidiares of AON: 6824625 Canada Ltd., 7193599 Canada Inc., A.B. Insurances Limited, ADIS A/S, AIB Services Limited, AIS Affinity Insurance Agency Inc., AIS Insurance Agency Inc., AMXH LLC, ARM International Corp., ARM International Insurance Agency Corp., ARMRISK CORP., AS Holdings Inc., ASPN Insurance Agency LLC, Access Plans USA Inc., Acumen Credit Insurance Brokers Limited, Adm Administradora de Beneficios Ltda., Administradora Aon C.A., Admiseg SA, Admix, Admix - Administracao Consultoria Participacoes e Corretora de Seguros de Vida Ltda., Aeropeople Limited, Affinity Group Insurance Services Limited, Affinity Insurance Services Inc., Affinity Risk Partners (Brokers) Pty Ltd, Agenion N.V./SA, Agility Credit Insurance Brokers Limited, Alexander & Alexander Holding B.V., Alexander Clay, Alexander Insurance Managers (Netherlands Antilles) N.V., Alexander Reinsurance Intermediaries Inc., Allen Insurance Associates Inc., Alliance HealthCard Inc., Alliance HealthCard of Florida Inc., American Insurance Services Corp., American Special Risk Insurance Company, Aon (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon (CR) Insurance Agencies Company Limited, Aon (DIFC) Gulf Limited, Aon (Fiji) Ltd., Aon (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon (Thailand) Limited, Aon 180412 Limited (in liquidation), Aon ANZ Holdings Limited, Aon APAC Holdings B.V., Aon Acore Sarl, Aon Adjudication Services Limited, Aon Affinity Administradora de Beneficios Ltda., Aon Affinity Argentina S.A., Aon Affinity Chile Ltda., Aon Affinity Colombia Ltda. Agencia de Seguros, Aon Affinity Mexico Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Aon Affinity Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aon Affinity Servicos e Participacoes Ltda., Aon Affinity do Brasil Servicos e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Aon Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Americas Holdings BV, Aon Angola Corretores de Seguros Limitada, Aon Antillen N.V., Aon Aruba N.V., Aon Assurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Australia Group Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 1 Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 2 Pty Ltd, Aon Australian Holdco 3 Pty Ltd, Aon Austria GmbH, Aon Bahrain W.L.L., Aon Belgium B.V.B.A., Aon Benefit Solutions Inc., Aon Benfield (Chile) Corredores de Reaseguros Ltda., Aon Benfield Argentina S.A., Aon Benfield Australia Limited, Aon Benfield Brasil Corretora de Resseguros Ltda., Aon Benfield Canada ULC, Aon Benfield China Limited, Aon Benfield Colombia Limitada Corredores de Reaseguros, Aon Benfield Fac Inc., Aon Benfield Global Inc., Aon Benfield Group Limited, Aon Benfield Inc., Aon Benfield Israel Limited, Aon Benfield Italia S.p.A., Aon Benfield Japan Ltd, Aon Benfield Latin America SA, Aon Benfield Limited, Aon Benfield Malaysia Limited, Aon Benfield Mexico Intermediario de Reaseguro SA de CV, Aon Benfield Middle East Limited, Aon Benfield New Zealand Limited, Aon Benfield Panama S.A., Aon Benfield Peru Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Aon Benfield Puerto Rico Inc., Aon Bermuda Holding Company Limited, Aon Bermuda QI Holdings Ltd., Aon Beteiligungsmanagement Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Aon Bolivia S.A. Corredores de Seguros, Aon Botswana (Pty) Ltd., Aon Brazil Holdings LLC, Aon Broking Services SA, Aon Broking Technology Limited, Aon CANZ Holdings B.V., Aon CANZ Holdings N.S. ULC, Aon Canada Holdings N.S. ULC, Aon Canada Inc., Aon Canada Intermediaries GP, Aon Captive Services Antilles N.V., Aon Captive Services Aruba N.V., Aon Cash Management B.V., Aon Central and Eastern Europe a.s., Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics Ltd, Aon Charitable Foundation Pty Ltd, Aon Chile Holdings LLC, Aon Commercial Insurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Commercial Services Ireland Limited, Aon Commercial Services and Operations Ireland Limited, Aon Consolidation Group Pty Ltd, Aon Consulting & Insurance Services, Aon Consulting (Chile) Limitada, Aon Consulting (Thailand) Limited, Aon Consulting Bolivia S.R.L., Aon Consulting Ecuador S.A., Aon Consulting Financial Services Limited, Aon Consulting Inc., Aon Consulting Kazakhstan LLP, Aon Consulting Limited, Aon Consulting Private Limited, Aon Consulting Romania SRL, Aon Corporate Services (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon Corporate Services Limited, Aon Corporation, Aon Corporation Australia Limited, Aon Corporation EMEA B.V., Aon Credit International Insurance Broker GmbH, Aon Cyprus Insurance Broker Company Limited, Aon DC Trustee Limited, Aon Danismanlik Hizmetleri AS, Aon Delta Bermuda Ltd., Aon Delta UK Limited, Aon Denmark A/S, Aon Deutschland Beteiligungs GmbH, Aon Direct Group Inc., Aon Edge Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Energy Caribbean Limited, Aon Enterprise Insurance Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Finance Bermuda 1 Ltd., Aon Finance Bermuda 2 Ltd., Aon Finance Canada 1 Corp., Aon Finance Canada 2 Corp., Aon Finance International N.S. ULC, Aon Finance Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Finance N.S. 1 ULC, Aon Finance N.S. 5 ULC, Aon Finance N.S. 8 ULC, Aon Finance US 1 LLC, Aon Finance US 2 LLC, Aon Financial & Insurance Solutions Inc., Aon Finland Oy, Aon France, Aon Global Holdings 1 Limited, Aon Global Holdings 2 Limited, Aon Global Holdings 3 Limited [In strike-off], Aon Global Holdings Limited, Aon Global Operations plc, Aon Global Risk Consulting B.V., Aon Global Risk Consulting Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Global Risk Research Limited, Aon Grana Peru Corredores de Seguros SA, Aon Greece S.A., Aon Groep Nederland B.V., Aon Group (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Group (Thailand) Limited, Aon Group Holdings International 1 B.V., Aon Group Holdings International 2 B.V., Aon Group Inc., Aon Group International N.V., Aon Group Pty Ltd, Aon Group Venezuela Corretaje de Reaseguros C.A., Aon Hewitt (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Hewitt (Ireland) Limited, Aon Hewitt (PNG) Ltd., Aon Hewitt (Thailand) Ltd., Aon Hewitt Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aon Hewitt Consulting Korea Inc., Aon Hewitt Financial Advice Limited, Aon Hewitt GmbH, Aon Hewitt Health Market Insurance Solutions Inc., Aon Hewitt Hong Kong Limited, Aon Hewitt Inc., Aon Hewitt Investment Consulting Inc., Aon Hewitt Investment Management Inc., Aon Hewitt Japan Ltd., Aon Hewitt Limited, Aon Hewitt Ltd., Aon Hewitt Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Aon Hewitt Management Company Limited, Aon Hewitt Middle East Limited, Aon Hewitt Risk & Consulting S.r.l., Aon Hewitt Risk & Financial Management B.V., Aon Hewitt Trust Solutions GmbH, Aon Hewitt US Holdings Limited, Aon Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aon Holdings (Isle of Man) Limited, Aon Holdings Antillen N.V., Aon Holdings Australia Pty Limited, Aon Holdings Austria GmbH, Aon Holdings B.V., Aon Holdings Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Aon Holdings Corretores de Seguros Ltda., Aon Holdings France SNC, Aon Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Aon Holdings International B.V., Aon Holdings Israel Ltd., Aon Holdings Japan Ltd, Aon Holdings Limited, Aon Holdings Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Aon Holdings Mid Europe B.V., Aon Holdings New Zealand, Aon Hong Kong Limited, Aon Hungary Insurance Brokers Risk and Human Consulting LLC, Aon Insurance Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Insurance Agencies (Macau) Limited, Aon Insurance Brokers (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Aon Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Ltd., Aon Insurance Management Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (Antilles) N.V., Aon Insurance Managers (Barbados) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Bermuda) Ltd, Aon Insurance Managers (Cayman) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Dublin) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Guernsey) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Holdings) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Isle of Man) Ltd., Aon Insurance Managers (Liechtenstein) AG, Aon Insurance Managers (Luxembourg) S.A., Aon Insurance Managers (Malta) PCC Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers (Shannon) Limited, Aon Insurance Managers (USA) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers (USVI) Inc., Aon Insurance Managers Gibraltar Ltd., Aon Insurance Micronesia (Guam) Inc, Aon Insurance Underwriting Agencies Hong Kong Limited, Aon Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Philippines Inc., Aon International Cooperatief U.A., Aon International Energy Inc., Aon International Holdings Inc., Aon Investment Holdings Ireland Limited, Aon Israel Insurance Brokerage Ltd., Aon Italia S.r.l., Aon Japan Ltd, Aon Jauch & Hubener Gesellschaft m.b.H., Aon Korea Inc., Aon Latam Holdings N.V., Aon Lead QI B.V., Aon Life Agency of Texas Inc., Aon Life Agente de Seguros S.A. de C.V., Aon Life Insurance Company, Aon MacDonagh Boland Group Ltd, Aon Majan LLC, Aon Management Consulting Taiwan Ltd., Aon Mauritius Holdings, Aon Meeus Assurantien B.V., Aon Mexico Business Support SA de CV, Aon Mexico Holdings LLC, Aon Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Aon Middle East Co LLC, Aon Nederland C.V., Aon Netherlands Operations B.V., Aon Neudorf Finance S.a.r.l., Aon New Zealand, Aon New Zealand Group ULC, Aon Norway AS, Aon Overseas Holdings Limited, Aon PHI Acquisition Corporation of California, Aon PMI International Limited, Aon Parizeau Inc., Aon Pension Trustees Limited, Aon Pensions Insurance Brokers GmbH, Aon Polska Services Sp. z o.o., Aon Polska Sp. z o.o., Aon Portugal - Consultores Unipessoal Lda., Aon Portugal - Corretores de Seguros S.A., Aon Premium Finance LLC, Aon Private Risk Management Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Private Risk Management of California Insurance Agency Inc., Aon Product Design & Development Australia Pty Limited, Aon Product Design and Development New Zealand Limited, Aon Product Risk Services Hong Kong Limited, Aon Property Risk Consulting Inc., Aon Qatar LLC, Aon Re (Thailand) Limited, Aon Re Bertoldi - Corretagem de Resseguros S.A., Aon Re Bolivia S.A. Corredores de Reaseguros, Aon Re Canada Holdings SARL, Aon Real Estate B.V., Aon Realty Services Inc., Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc., Aon Retirement Plan Advisors LLC, Aon Retirement Solutions Limited, Aon Risiko & Unternehmensberatungs GmbH, Aon Risk & Asset Management Pty Ltd, Aon Risk Consultants Inc., Aon Risk Insurance Services West Inc., Aon Risk Management (Pty) Ltd, Aon Risk Services (Chile) Corredores de Seguros Limitada, Aon Risk Services (Holdings) of Latin America Inc., Aon Risk Services (Holdings) of the Americas Inc., Aon Risk Services (NI) Limited, Aon Risk Services (PNG) Ltd., Aon Risk Services (Thailand) Limited, Aon Risk Services Argentina S.A., Aon Risk Services Australia Limited, Aon Risk Services Canada Inc., Aon Risk Services Central Inc., Aon Risk Services Colombia SA Corredores de Seguros, Aon Risk Services Companies Inc., Aon Risk Services EMEA B.V., Aon Risk Services Ecuador S.A. Agencia Asesora Productora de Seguros, Aon Risk Services Holdings (Chile ) Ltda., Aon Risk Services Inc. of Florida, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Hawaii, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Maryland, Aon Risk Services Inc. of Washington D.C., Aon Risk Services Northeast Inc., Aon Risk Services South Inc., Aon Risk Services Southwest Inc., Aon Risk Services Venezuela Corretaje de Seguros C.A., Aon Risk Solutions (Cayman) Ltd., Aon Risk Solutions Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas SA de CV, Aon Risk Solutions of Puerto Rico Inc., Aon Riskminder A/S, Aon Romania Broker de Asigurare - Reasigurare SRL, Aon Rus Insurance Brokers LLC, Aon Rus LLC, Aon S.p.A. Insurance & Reinsurance Brokers, Aon Saver Limited, Aon Securities (Hong Kong) Limited, Aon Securities Investment Management Inc., Aon Securities LLC, Aon Securities Limited, Aon Service Corporation, Aon Services (Guernsey) Ltd, Aon Services (Malta) Ltd, Aon Services Group Inc., Aon Services Hong Kong Limited, Aon Services Pty Ltd., Aon Sigorta ve Reasurans Brokerligi ve A.S., Aon Soluciones S.A., Aon Soluciones S.A.C., Aon Southern Europe UK Limited, Aon Sp. z o.o., Aon Special Risk Resources Inc., Aon Superannuation (PNG) Limited, Aon Superannuation Pty Limited, Aon TC Holdings Inc., Aon Taiwan Ltd., Aon Treasury Ireland Limited, Aon Trust Company LLC, Aon Trust Corporation Limited, Aon Trust Services B.V., Aon UK Group Limited, Aon UK Holdings Intermediaries Limited, Aon UK Limited, Aon UK Trustees Limited, Aon US & International Holdings Limited, Aon US Holdings 2 Inc., Aon US Holdings Inc., Aon Ukraine LLC, Aon Underwriting Agencies (HK) Limited, Aon Underwriting Managers (Bermuda) Ltd., Aon Underwriting Managers Inc., Aon Versicherungsberatungs GmbH, Aon Versicherungsmakler Deutschland GmbH, Aon Vietnam Limited, Aon Ward Financial Corporation, Aon-COFCO Insurance Brokers Co. Ltd., Aon/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services Inc., Asevasa Argentina S.A., Asevasa Caricam S.A., Asevasa Chile Peritaciones e Ingenieria de Riesgos S.A., Asevasa Mexico S.A. de C.V., Asevasa Panama S.A., Asian Reinsurance Underwriters Limited, Asscom Insurance Brokers S.r.l., Association of Rural and Small Town Americans, Associacao Instituto Aon, Assurance Licensing Services Inc., B E P International Corp., B.V. Assurantiekantoor Langeveldt-Schroder, BMS Insurance Agency L.L.C., Bacon & Woodrow Partnerships (Ireland) Limited, Bacon & Woodrow Partnerships Limited, Bain Hogg Group Limited (in liquidation), Baltolink UADBB, Bankassure Insurance Services Limited, Bayfair Insurance Centre Limited, Beaubien Finance Ireland Limited, Beaubien Finance Limited, Beaubien UK Finance Limited, Becketts (Trustees) Limited, Becketts Limited, Beech Hill Pension Trustees Ltd, Bekouw Mendes C.V., Benefit Marketing Solutions L.L.C., Benfield Advisory Inc., Benfield Corredores de Reaseguro Ltda., Benfield Finance (London) LLC, Benfield Group, Benfield Investment Holdings Limited, Benfield Juniperus Holdings Limited, Benfield do Brasil Participacoes Ltda. (dormant), Benton Finance Ireland Limited, Benton Finance Limited, Blanch Americas Inc., Bowes & Company Inc. of New York, CEREP III Secondary Manager LLC, CFSSG Real Estate Partners I LLC, CFSSG Real Estate Partners II LLC, CIF-H GP LLC, Cammack Health LLC, Cananwill Corporation, Cananwill Inc., Cardea Health Solutions Limited, Casablanca Intermediation Company Sarl, Celinvest Amsterdam B.V., Chapka Assurances SAS, Citadel Insurance Managers Inc., CoCubes, CoSec 2000 Limited, Coalition for Benefits Equality and Choice, Cocubes Technologies Private Limited, Coles Hewitt Partnership, Contingency Insurance Brokers Limited, Contractsure Limited, CoverWallet, Coverall S.r.l. Insurance and Reinsurance Underwriting Agency, Credit Insurance Brokers (Reynolds) Limited, Crion N.V., Custom Benefit Programs Inc., Cut-e, Cut-e (UK) Limited, Cut-e Assessment (Hong Kong) Limited, Cut-e Assessment Solutions Europe Limited, Cut-e Australia Pty Limited, Cut-e Consult DMCC, Cut-e Danmark A/S, Cut-e Finland Oy, Cut-e GmbH, Cut-e Ireland Limited, Cut-e Nordic AS, Cut-e Norge AS, Cytelligence, Delany Bacon & Woodrow Partnership, Dempsey Partners, Denney O'Hara (Life & Pensions) Limited, Doveland Services Limited, E. W. Blanch Holdings Limited, E. W. Blanch Investments Limited, E.W. Blanch Capital Risk Solutions Inc., E.W. Blanch International Inc., EW Blanch Limited, Elysium Digital IP Products LLC, Elysium Digital L.L.C., Ennis Knupp Secondary Market Services LLC, Essar Insurance Services Limited, Exploitatiemaatschappij Beukenlaan 68-72 B.V., Farmaseg - Solucoes Assistencia e Servicos Empresariais Ltda., Farmsure Limited [In strike-off], Finaccord Limited, Financial & Professional Risk Solutions Inc., Futurity Group Inc., GTCR/AAM Blocker Corp., Ge.f.it. S.r.l., Gefass S.r.l., Glenrand M I B (Mocambique) Corretores de Seguros Limitada, Global Safe Insurance Brokers S.r.l., Globe Events Management, Gotham Digital Science LLC, Gotham Digital Science Ltd., Grant Liddell Financial Advisor Services Pty Ltd, Grant Park Capital LLC, Groupe-Conseil Aon Inc., Grupo Innovac Sociedad de Correduria de Seguros SA, HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd., Hall Rhodes Holdings Limited, Hall Rhodes Limited, Hamburger Gesellschaft zur Forderung des Versicherungswesens mbH, Harbourview West Lake Co-Invest (GP) LP, Health Index Advisors LLC, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, Henderson Corporate Insurance Brokers Limited, Henderson Insurance Brokers Limited, Henderson Insurance Partnership Limited [In strike-off], Henderson Risk Management Limited, Hewitt Amalco 3 ULC, Hewitt Amalco 4 ULC, Hewitt Amalco 5 ULC, Hewitt Associates (a partnership), Hewitt Associates Administradora e Corretora de Seguros Ltda., Hewitt Associates Corp., Hewitt Associates Outsourcing Limited, Hewitt Associates Pty Ltd, Hewitt Associates S.C., Hewitt Associates SAS, Hewitt Associates Servicos de Recursos Humanos Ltda., Hewitt Beneficios Agente de Seguros y de Fianzas S.A. de C.V., Hewitt Holdings Canada Company, Hewitt Insurance Brokerage LLC, Hewitt Insurance Inc., Hewitt International Holdings LLC, Hewitt Management Ltd., Hewitt Risk Management Services Limited, Hewitt Western Management Amalco Inc., Hogg Group Limited, Hogg Robinson North America Inc., Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency Inc., I. Beck Insurance Agency (1994) Ltd., IAO Actuarial Consulting Services Canada Inc., INPOINT INC., IRM/GRC Holding Inc., Impact Forecasting L.L.C., Inspiring Benefits, Inspiring Benefits Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Insuractive Limited [In strike-off], Insurance Broker Aon Kazakhstan LLP, International Risk Management (Americas) Inc., International Risk Management Group Ltd, International Space Brokers Europe Limited, International Space Brokers France, International Space Brokers Inc., International Space Brokers Limited, Inversiones Benfield Chile Ltda., J H Minet Puerto Rico Inc., J. Allan Brown Consultants Inc., JDPT Manager LLC, Jenner Fenton Slade Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Credit Insurance) Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Insurances) Limited, John Reynolds & Company (Life & Pensions) Limited, Johnson Rooney Welch Inc., K & K Insurance Brokers Inc. Canada, K & K Insurance Group Inc., K & K Insurance Group of Florida Inc., K2 Technologies Inc., KVT GP LLC, Kloud S.a.r.l., Krumlin Hall Limited, Lake Erie Real Estate General Partner Limited, Lake Tahoe GP LLC, Lake Tahoe II GP LLC, Lake Tahoe III GP LLC, Lake Tahoe IV GP LLC, Lenzi Paolo Broker di Assicurazioni S.r.l., Lincolnshire Insurance Company PCC Limited, Linx Underwriting Solutions Inc., Lombard Trustee Company Limited, M.A. Shakeel Management Ltd. Amalco, MacDonagh Boland Crotty MacRedmond Ltd, Marinaro Dundas S.A., Marinaro Dundas SA, Mark Kelly Insurance and Financial Services PTY LTD, McLagan (Aon) Limited, McLagan Partners Asia Inc., McLagan Partners Inc., Membership Leasing Trust, Minet Consultancy Services Ltd, Minet Group, Minet Holdings Inc., Minet Inc., Minet Re North America Inc., Modern Survey Inc., Muirfield Underwriters Ltd., NBS Nominees Limited, National Insurance Office Ltd., Nauman Insurance Brokers Limited, Nexus Insurance Brokers Limited, One Underwriting Agency GmbH, One Underwriting B.V., One Underwriting Health B.V., One Underwriting Pty Ltd, Optica Agency A/S, Optimum Risk Solutions Limited, Ovatio Courtage SAS, P.G. Bradley & Co Limited, PGOF Manager 1 LLC, PRORUCK Ruckversicherungs Aktiengesellschaft, PT Aon Benfield Indonesia, PT Aon Hewitt Indonesia, PT Aon Indonesia, PWZ AG, Paragon Strategic Solutions Inc., PathWise Solutions LLC, Penn Square Manager 1 LLC, Penn Square Manager II LLC, Portus Consulting, Portus Consulting (Leamington) Limited, Portus Consulting Limited, Portus Online LLP, Praesidium S.p.A. - Soluzioni Assicurative per il Management, Premier Auto Finance Inc., Private Client Trustees Ltd., Private Equity Partnership Structures I LLC, Probabilitas N.V./SA, Protective Marketing Enterprises Inc., Randolph Finance Unlimited Company, Rasini Vigano Limited, Redwoods Dental Underwriters Inc., Richard Kiddle (Insurance Brokers) Limited, Risk Laboratories LLC, Riskikonsultatsioonide OU, Ronnie Elementary Insurance Agency Ltd, SA Special Situations General Partner LLC, SG IFFOXX Assekuranzmaklergesellschaft mbH, SLE Worldwide Limited, SN Re S.A., Salud Riesgos y Recursos Humanos Consultores Ltda. (former Aon Corporte Advisors Ltda.), SchneiderGolling IFFOXX Assekuranzmakler AG, SchneiderGolling Industrie Assekuranzmaklergesellschaft mbH, Scritch Inc., Shanghai Kayi Information Technology Co. Ltd, Sheppard Netherlands B.V., Specialty Benefits Inc., Sports Insure Limited [In strike-off], Strategic Manager-III LLC, Stroz Friedberg (Asia) Limited, Stroz Friedberg Inc., Stroz Friedberg LLC, Stroz Friedberg Limited, Stroz Friedberg Risk Management Limited, Superannuation Management Nominees Limited, Suresport Limited [In strike-off], Swire Blanch MSTC II SA, Swire Blanch MSTC SA, TTG BRPTP GP LLC, TTG Cayuga Bavaria Intermediate 2 S.a.r.l, TTG Core Plus Investments LLC, TTG German Investments I LLC, TTG Investments II LLC, TTG Irish Investments I LLC, TTG Manager LLC, Tecsefin S.A. en liquidacion, The Aon Ireland Mastertrustee Limited, The Aon MasterTrustee Limited, The John Reynolds Company Limited, The Key West Saxon Group LLC, The Townsend Group Inc, The Townsend Group LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager I LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager II LLC, Townsend Alpha Manager III LLC, Townsend Group Asia Limited, Townsend Group Europe Ltd., Townsend HWL GP Ltd., Townsend Holdings LLC, Townsend Lake Constance GP Limited, Townsend REF GP LLC, Townsend Re Global GP Limited, Townsend SO Manager I LLC, UAB One Underwriting, UADBB Aon Baltic, UK Credit Insurance Specialists Limited, UNIT Versicherungsmakler GmbH, US Underwriting Solutions S.r.l., USLP Underwriting Solutions LP, Underwriters Marine Services Inc., Unidelta AG, Unirobe Meeus Groep, UnitedPensions Deutschland AG, Univers Workplace Solutions, VERO Management AG, Ventiv Technology, WT Government Services LLC, WT Technologies LLC, Wannet Speciale Verzekeringen B.V., Wannet Sports Insurance GmbH, Ward Financial Group Inc., West Lake General Partner LLC, West Lake II GP LLC, Wexford Underwriting Managers Inc., White Rock Insurance (Americas) Ltd., White Rock Insurance (Europe) PCC Limited, White Rock Insurance (Gibraltar) PCC Ltd., White Rock Insurance (Guernsey) ICC Limited, White Rock Insurance (Netherlands) PCC Limited, White Rock Insurance (SAC) Ltd., White Rock Insurance Company PCC Ltd., White Rock Insurance PCC (Isle of Man) Limited, White Rock Services (Bermuda) Ltd., White Rock USA Ltd., Willis Towers Watson, Worldwide Integrated Services Company, Wrapid Specialty Inc., Zalba-Caldu Correduria de Seguros SA, and cut-e USA Inc..Alkhabeer Capital, a Saudi-based asset manager specialised in alternative investments, has launched the initial public offering (IPO) of its shariah-compliant Alkhabeer REIT (real estate investment trust) fund, of SR1 billion ($266.4 million).

The IPO size of SR237 million ($63.1 million) equates to 24 per cent of total fund assets, said a statement from Headquartered in Jeddah, and with a branch the company.

Subscription in Alkhabeer REIT units is scheduled to continue until November 29, it stated.

The Saudi firm invited prospective subscribers to apply through the following institutions: Aljazira Capital, National Commercial Bank, Riyad Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, Arab National Bank and Saudi Fransi Bank.

Alkhabeer Capital CEO Ahmed Saud Ghouth said: "The target returns of over 9 per cent every year, distributed quarterly, are among the highest in comparison with other real estate investment traded funds listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul)."

Alkhabeer REIT is a closed-ended Shariah compliant real estate investment traded fund, Alkhabeer REIT.

It invests in seven income-generating real estate assets at prime locations in Riyadh, Jeddah and Tabuk, it added.

Alkhabeer Capital is a specialist in providing innovative world class investment products and solutions to institutions, family groups and qualified high net worth investors.

Its shariah compliant business activities are distinguished by executional vigour and a profound understanding of clients needs and risk profiles, said the statemment.

Alkhabeers asset management services focus on providing investment opportunities in domestic, regional and international capital markets through a wide range of real estate and private equity funds, it added.-TradeArabia News ServiceiShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF's stock was trading at $25.60 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWU shares have increased by 28.9% and is now trading at $33.00.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF's stock was trading at $36.70 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWT stock has increased by 80.4% and is now trading at $66.20.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.iShares MSCI Thailand ETF's stock was trading at $63.83 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, THD shares have increased by 22.3% and is now trading at $78.05.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.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Hormann, one of the worlds largest producers of industrial, commercial and residential doors, celebrated the companys 10 years of operations in the Middle East with the opening of a new 4,800-sq-m production line at Jafza in Dubai.



With a capacity to produce 35,000 doors a year, the new facility will redefine Hormanns operations in the region, said a statement from the company.



Jafza CEO Muhammed Al Muallem officially opened the production line in the presence of Martin Hormann, the managing partner of Hormann; Darius Khanloo, the director of Middle East and Africa, Hormann Middle East and Africa and other senior officials, it stated.



The German company said the new factory will serve the demand from all GCC countries and Africa. It will also enable Hormann to customise doors for regional customers promptly.



In the last 10 years of operations in the region, Hormann said it had provided its products and services to many prestigious projects such as Bvlgari Hotel (Dubai), Louvre Museum (Abu Dhabi), showrooms of Lamborghini, Porsche and BMW in Dubai, and those of Nissan (Sharjah), Lexus (Ras Al Khaimah) and Jeep (Abu Dhabi), Coca Cola (Riyadh), Mars Chocolate Factory (Dubai), Royal Clock Tower (Makka) and Porsche Showroom (Nairobi).



"With the opening of our new production facility, we will now have more flexibility with delivery time, it usually takes six weeks if ordered directly from Germany and now it will only take about a week," remarked Hormann.



"Our Jafza factory can produce hinged doors, such as fire-rated doors, security doors, internal doors and multi-purpose doors, all based on German standards. Our doors meet the requirements of regional Civil Defense authorities as safety of our customers is very important to us," he noted.



"All Hormann factories employ the most advanced technology. Microprocessor-controlled machinery guarantees the accuracy of all of the production processes, while stringent in-house monitoring ensures consistently high product quality," he explained.



"With Hormann fire-rated doors, customers are assured of decades of quality, protection and safety. Offering both exquisite appearance and optimum fire protection Hormann doors are used in industrial and public buildings, villas, apartment compounds, hospitals and at airports," he added.-TradeArabia News ServiceTeekay Offshore Partners L.P. provides marine transportation, oil production, storage, long-distance towing and offshore installation, and maintenance and safety services for the oil industry. It operates in six segments: Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO); Shuttle Tanker; Floating Storage and Off-Take (FSO); Unit for Maintenance and Safety (UMS); Towage and Offshore Installation Vessels; and Conventional Tanker. The company serves customers in offshore oil regions of the North Sea, Brazil, and the East Coast of Canada. As at December 31, 2018, it had a fleet of 35 shuttle tankers, 2 chartered-in vessels, 1 HiLoad dynamic positioning unit, 8 FPSO units, 6 FSO units, 10 long-distance towage and offshore installation vessels, 1 UMS, and 2 chartered-in conventional oil tankers. Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. serves as the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. The company was founded in 2006 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. is a subsidiary of Brookfield TK TOLP L.P.

Read MoreThe farming industry has marked one hundred years since the end of World War One by paying tribute to farmers who fought on the front line and those who helped produce the nations food during a time of crisis.

British farmers played a crucial role in producing food for the nation during the Great War.

As German U-Boats cut off trade routes, the government turned to British farmers to feed the nation during a time of crisis.

More than 170,000 farmers fought in the trenches and up to half a million farm horses were requisitioned by the War Office to help at the front line.

Faced by a lack of labour, farms adapted the way they worked to meet the food production challenge. For example, a total of 98,000 extra women from the Womens Land Army worked on farms to fill the void left by men.

A further 66,000 soldiers returned from the frontline to help with the harvest. And, crucially, tractors began to do the work of many hands.

The majority of women who worked in agriculture during WWI were milkers and field workers, but some were carters and plough women

In 1917, the Government bought 400 British Saunderson Tractors and a further $3.2million was invested in US models such as the Fordson.

By 1918, there were 6,000 tractors in operation in Britain. The 'Ploughing Up' campaign of 1917 saw an extra 2.5 million acres of land used for growing cereals.

By the end of the war, an extra 915,000 tonnes of oats, 1.7million tonnes of potatoes and 830,000 tonnes of wheat were grown.

And thanks to the work of British farmers and growers, the country avoided being starved into submission.

'Bitter conflict'

NFU President Minette Batters said the nation remembers those who fought and died on the front line.

She said the NFU wanted to pay its tribute, however small, to the people who "gave so much during a time of bitter conflict".

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

We also pay tribute to the people who helped produce food to sustain the nation  a key supporting role during the ongoing crisis," she 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.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.Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

SubCategory Select Sub-CategoryZulekha Hospital Sharjah has recently saved the life of a patient suffering with advanced lung cancer which had spread to the brain causing him to vomit uncontrollably.



Following decades of heavy smoking, the patient was diagnosed with bronchogenic carcinoma over two years ago at the hospital.



Following his diagnosis, the patient quit smoking and was recommended by Zulekha Hospital doctors to undergo a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The patient initially chose not to undergo treatment due to conflicting reports from the internet about the effects and side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.



There were also concerns from the patient as he had witnessed his family members suffering from cancers. More recently, the patient was advised to see Dr Ravi Dadlani Parasram, consultant neurosurgeon at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah after suffering with ongoing episodes of vomiting and headaches.



An MRI was taken and the results highlighted an urgent requirement to operate. The brain scan revealed a tumour at the back of his brain which was 3centimetersin size, and was compressing the normal water circulation system of the brain (CSF) and causing an excessive accumulation of water in the brain (hydrocephalus).



After this revelation the patient was still apprehensive to undergo a surgical operation. Following three days of conservative management with intravenous medications and still suffering with severe vomiting, the patient consented to the life-saving microsurgery.



Commenting on the procedure, Dr Dadlani said: This unique case highlights the important role of healthcare professionals in counselling patients to make life saving decisions. Through this procedure we have been able to remove the cancer from the patients brain, and as such, save his life  putting a stop to his persistent vomiting and allowing him a greater outlook and quality of life. He will now need to undergo follow-up radiation.



The procedure lasted five hours and was performed using Zeiss Kinevo 900, a top-of-the-line neuro-microscope  the UAEs first installation of such advanced technologies in Zulekha Hospitals facilities (Sharjah and Dubai).



As part of the patients recovery, it is critical that he undergoes adjuvant radiotherapy for the brain to avoid a high chance of recurrence. He will also require treatment for the lung cancer as it has the potential to spread to other organs in the body.



Zulekha Hospital recommends that for anyone suffering with cancer to seek accurate counselling from an oncologist rather than relying on the internet. By receiving treatment early, lives can be saved and complex procedures avoided. Smoking kills over 2,900 people in the UAE every year, with greater awareness of the dangers of smoking and the treatments available for smoking related diseases, more lives can be saved.



Dr Dadlani concluded: Smoking is now implicated with dozens of diseases  either directly or indirectly  and the need for early diagnosis and treatment should be stressed.  TradeArabia News ServiceTanushree Dutta Had Lesbian Sex With Me & I Have Proof, Says Rakhi Sawant

"Tanushree Dutta knows every inch of my body as she enjoyed me a decade ago and I have proof of that. She is a bisexual and she has also harassed several other women and they too will come out with their own #MeToo stories soon," said Rakhi Sawant in a video interview to RVCJ.

Tanushree Dutta Made Me A Lesbian, Says Rakhi Sawant

"See, I am straight woman, but Tanushree Dutta made me a lesbian. She used me thinking I will not become a big star and reveal what she did to the public. She is wrong"

Tanushree Dutta Slept Her Way To Become Miss India

If accusing Tanushree Dutta as being a rapist and lesbian was not enough, Rakhi Sawant stated that "Tanushree Dutta became Miss India as she slept her way to the top. "

My Name Is Being Spoilt Due To Tanushree Dutta

"I have built a very good reputation in India and a lot of Indians respect me. Tanushree Dutta is spoiling my image with her fake 'me too' propaganda which she imported from America. She hates India and is bringing shame to the country with her antics. She loves America instead," said Rakhi Sawant to RVCJ.Deepika - Ranveer Wedding : Inside Decoration of rooms at Lake Como; Watch Video | FilmiBeat

One of Bollywood's most adorable couples, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are all set to tie the knot on 14th and 15th November at a villa which overlooks Lake Como, Villa Del Balbianello in Italy. A day before yesterday, the couple was spotted at Mumbai airport, leaving for their destination wedding. While Ranveer's family accompanied him to Italy along with Deepika last night, the latter's family flew off to Italy from Bengaluru itself.

Touted to be one of the most awaited-weddings in tinsel town, everyone is eagerly waiting to watch Ranveer and Deepika in their wedding attires. But before that, we must tell you that the preparations have already begun for DeepVeer wedding.

We recently came across a picture of everyone at work for DeepVeer's wedding at the venue. Check it out here-

Not just that, we even got our hands on a video which gives a little sneak-peek inside the villa where the rooms have been beautifully decorated with red roses and candles. Have a look at it here and we are sure, you won't stop drooling over them-

Credit- Instagram

Ranveer and Deepika had been dating for almost six years before they decided to take the wedding plunge. Earlier while speaking to India Today, Deepika had mentioned that she is very excited about her nuptials and was quoted as saying, Of course (I am excited), I think it's the same way that I am excited about signing my next film."

This Extravagant Villa In Italy Will Host Deepika Padukone & Ranveer Singh's Wedding; View PicturesRimmel's IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign is an integral part of Coty's commitment to tackle prejudice and discrimination

Timed to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week, the emotive film tells stories of beauty cyberbullying from all over the globe

Film released alongside Rimmel white paper which highlights the global impact of beauty cyberbullying

Rimmel today launches the brand's hero film to mark the start of the global IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign aimed at combatting the issue of beauty cyberbullying.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181111005037/en/

'The cast of Rimmel's IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign film on set with brand ambassador Rita Ora. The film is launched today to mark the start of Anti-Bullying Week 2018 and the start of global beauty company's Coty's ongoing commitment to tackle the prejudice and discrimination that stand in the way of self-expression' (Photo: Business Wire)

The emotive film features a number of young people who have had first hand experience of the negative effects of beauty cyberbullying. They are supported by Rimmel global brand ambassadors Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne sharing their own authentic stories of being on the receiving end of beauty cyberbullying.

The campaign is an integral part of global beauty company Coty's ongoing commitment to tackle the prejudice and discrimination that stand in the way of self-expression based on gender, sexual orientation, disability and ethnicity and to celebrate and liberate the diversity of consumers' beauty.

Rimmel is about championing self-expression in beauty and has always been against narrow definitions of beauty and people being judged because of the way they look.

The film, released today to coincide with the start of Anti-Bullying Week 2018, includes the accounts of many of the young people from all corners of the globe who have been central to the development of the IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign.

Some of the stand-out stories included in the campaign hero video include:

Tess Daly a beauty blogger and aspiring fashion designer from Sheffield who has received hateful comments online linked to her disability

a beauty blogger and aspiring fashion designer from Sheffield who has received hateful comments online linked to her disability Eden - Eden is a UK-based model originally from Birmingham. As a young woman growing up and experimenting with social media, Eden used to receive hurtful comments telling her to bleach her skin, leading her to delete social media posts. She is now empowered to celebrate the uniqueness of her beauty.

- Eden is a UK-based model originally from Birmingham. As a young woman growing up and experimenting with social media, Eden used to receive hurtful comments telling her to bleach her skin, leading her to delete social media posts. She is now empowered to celebrate the uniqueness of her beauty. Ascia Al Faraj Ascia is an American-Kuwaiti blogger, entrepreneur, model, and fashion designer. Ascia has faced bullying relating to her decision to break cultural beauty norms. Her piercings and tattoos have led her to be ostracised in some quarters for not representing Arab cultural norms.

The IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign will see Rimmel partner with the multi award-winning anti-cyberbullying non-profit organisation, The Cybersmile Foundation.

Rimmel will work with Cybersmile to tackle the societal issues that stop people of all ages from feeling unable to fully express themselves on social media due to fear of negative commentary or retribution.

As part of this long term partnership, Rimmel will work with Cybersmile to create The Cybersmile Assistant, a state-of-the-art AI-driven tool that will be available for all visitors to the Cybersmile website from across the globe. Set to launch in early 2019, this ground-breaking virtual assistant will be rolled out in several languages and recommend approved local resources, helplines and organizations that can help those affected by beauty cyberbullying.

Rimmel has also published a white paper Beauty Cyberbullying Expression Repression which highlights the global impact of beauty cyberbullying. The white paper spoke to over 11,000 women aged 16-25 and discovered that beauty cyberbullying is a growing global issue. Some of the facts it discovered include:

1 in 4 women have experienced beauty cyberbullying

46% of women who have experienced cyberbullying have self-harmed either through an eating disorder, substance abuse or physical self-harm

57% of women who have experienced cyberbullying didn't tell anyone and suffered in silence

54 of women have bullying behaviour on their mind when they're about to post something online

32% have closed a social media account and 22% have deleted an image due to cyberbullying

115 million images are deleted each year as a result of cyberbullying

Sara Wolverson, Vice President of Rimmel Global Marketing, Coty, commented: 'The release of our film to mark the start of the global IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign is a hugely exciting moment for everyone that has been involved thus far.

At Rimmel, we have a clear purpose as a brand to inspire people to experiment and express themselves through make-up. Beauty cyberbullying is on the rise and the white paper that we publish today includes some truly shocking findings.

We launch our global campaign today to give a voice to people who have been beauty cyberbullied and we offer them this platform to tell their stories

We believe by through sharing this film and delivering this campaign, we will raise global awareness of this issue. Our partnership with The Cybersmile Foundation is an integral part of ambition to find solutions to some of these global issues."

Scott Freeman, CEO, The Cybersmile Foundation, said: "We're very excited to be working with Rimmel as part of the IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign. The research has highlighted how big an issue beauty cyberbullying is among young women and we're confident that The Cybersmile Assistant will play an active role in addressing these concerns."

The IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign launches globally as of today (Monday 12th November)

- ENDS -

[1] All statistics taken from a global study conducted by Rimmel of 11,000 women across 10 countries, aged between 16 and 25

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181111005037/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA RELATIONS

For more information, film assets and photography please contact:

Ryan Sketchley

Editorial Director

ryansketchley@welcometofrank.com

+4407889559186

or

James Brown

Account Manager

jamesbrown@welcometofrank.com

or

Diana Robertson, VP Corporate Affairs, Coty

Diana_robertson@cotyinc.com

+44(0)7768 861827Srinivasan was Samuel C. Park, Junior Professor of Economics Emeritus and Professor Emeritus in International and Area Studies at Yale University

Well-known economist T N Srinivasan passed away on Saturday. He was 85 years old.

Born in 1933, Srinivasan or TN as he was popularly known, completed his BA honors degree in Mathematics in 1953 and MA degree in Mathematics in 1954 -- from the University of Madras, India, University of Madras. He also earned a two-year professional training in statistics from the Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta. He had an another Masters degree in Economics from Yale University where he earned his PhD degree in Mathematics in 1962.

Srinivasan was Samuel C Park, Junior Professor of Economics Emeritus and Professor Emeritus in International and Area Studies at Yale University. He was a Distinguished Professor (2014-2019) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Formerly a Professor, and later Research Professor, at the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi (1964-1977), he has taught at numerous universities in the US.

His death was mourned by Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor on Twitter:

Great Indian economist, TN Srinivasan has died. His legacy: outstanding scholarship; principled belief in growth, free trade & multilateralism; unassuming; mentoring; and wit. A great TN quip:Perfect examples of Self-Referential Systems are papers written by Indian economists.  Arvind Subramanian (@arvindsubraman) November 11, 2018

Calling Srinivasan a 'veritable guru to many' Jairam Ramesh, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh said he was a 'great inspiration on Twitter. He said, "one of India's truly great economists has just passed away." Jairam Ramesh recalled how Srinivasan never craved for public recognition. He was immersed in the world of scholarship till the very end," he said. Historian Ramachandra Guha recalled the 'wicked wit' of Srinivasan.

TN Srinivasan also had a wicked wit. In 1991, he wrote that the Indian Marxists who still worshipped Lenin and Stalin should import the now demolished statues in Eastern Europe of these dictators under the customs category, Open General License. https://t.co/zFMhmtU9uZ  Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) November 11, 2018

Shamika Ravi, member of the prime minister's Economic Advisory Council, expressed her sadness at the passing away of the economist. She tweeted:

Very sorry to hear of #TNSrinivasan passing away. TN is an academic giant in Economics. Despite decades of teaching abroad, he spent (almost all) winters in Madras. This is a big loss for me personally - he and I had been working on ways of improving employment data in India.   Shamika Ravi (@ShamikaRavi) November 11, 2018

Srinivasan's research interests included the economy, international trade, development, agricultural economics, law and economics, and microeconomic Theory. His latest book on India was Growth, Sustainability and Indias Economic Reforms in 2011.The entire board is appointed by the government under the RBI Act, which mandates the central board with 'general superintendence and direction of the Reserve Bank's affairs'.

Mumbai: As an unprecedented fight plays out between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government, it is the central bank's 18 board members who are being keenly watched for their next course of actionthey are not only central bankers and government officials but also business leaders, economists and activists.

The RBI board is scheduled to meet next on 19 November amid an ongoing tussle with the government on multiple fronts.

Going by the public utterances of the RBI and government officials so far, the contentious issues are how to manage the huge surplus the RBI has accumulated, how should it deal with errant lenders and borrowers amid a persisting bad loan crisis and what could be the 'public interest' for the government to dictate directions so that it is not seen as an attack on the central bank's autonomy.

As per the RBI website, its central board currently has 18 members, though the provision is that it can go up to 21.

The members include Governor Urjit Patel and his four deputies as 'full-time official directors', while the rest 13 have been nominated by the government, including two Finance Ministry officialsEconomic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar.

There are also Swadeshi ideologue Swaminathan Gurumurthy and cooperative banker Satish Marathe, nominated by the government as "part-time non-official directors".

The entire board is appointed by the government under the RBI Act, which mandates the central board with "general superintendence and direction of the Reserve Bank's affairs".

The government can nominate 10 'non-official' directors from various fields and two government officials. The four non-official directors are one each from the four regional boards of the RBI.

Besides Patel, the four official directors are N S Vishwanathan and Viral Acharya, both of whom have gone public with their direct or indirect criticism of any attempt to undermine the RBI's autonomy, as also B P Kanungo and M K Jain.

Patel became Governor in September 2016 after serving as Deputy Governor since January 2013. Previously, he had served at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was also on deputation from the IMF to the RBI during 1996-1997.

He was a Consultant to the Ministry of Finance from 1998 to 2001 and has a PhD in economics from Yale University, an M Phil from University of Oxford and a BSc from the University of London.

Acharya is a New York University Professor of Economics, while Kanungo and Vishwanathan are career central bankers. Jain was appointed as a Deputy Governor in June 2018 and previously headed IDBI Bank and Indian Bank, among other professional banking roles.

Business leaders on board

The business leaders on the RBI board include Tata group chief Natarajan Chandrasekaran, former Mahindra group veteran Bharat Narotam Doshi, Teamlease Services co-founder Manish Sabharwal and Sun Pharma chief Dilip Shanghvi.

The other members are Sudhir Mankad (retired IAS officer whose last assignment was as Gujarat government's Chief Secretary), Ashok Gulati (agricultural economist), Prasanna Mohanty (ex-IAS officer and economist), Sachin Chaturvedi of Delhi-based think-tank Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and Revathy Iyer (a former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General).

In the past also, the RBI's board has had several business leaders such as Ratan Tata, Kumar Mangalam Birla, N.R. Narayana Murthy, Azim Premji, G.M. Rao, Y.C. Deveshwar and K.P. Singh.

Recently, the tenure of board member Nachiket Mor, who had previously been an executive director at ICICI Bank, was cut shortnearly a year after he was re-nominated by the government in August 2017 for a second term of four years.

The central board members in the past also included Kiran S Karnik, Y H Malegam, Ela Bhatt, V Rajeev Gowda, Suresh Tendulkar and Suresh Neotia.

The RBI was established on April 1, 1935 and the appointment and tenure of the board members are governed by Section 8 of the RBI Act.

It is Section 7, which has been in news lately, that provides that the "Central Government may from time to time give such directions to the Bank as it may, after consultation with the Governor of the Bank, consider necessary in the public interest".

"Subject to any such directions, the general superintendence and direction of the affairs and business of the Bank shall be entrusted to a Central Board of Directors which may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Bank," Section 7 further says.

It also provides that "save as otherwise provided in regulations made by the Central Board, the Governor and in his absence the Deputy Governor nominated by him in his behalf, shall also have powers of general superintendence and direction of the affairs and the business of the Bank, and may exercise all powers and do all acts and things which may be exercised or done by the Bank".

Though originally privately owned, since nationalisation in 1949, the Reserve Bank is fully owned by the Government of India.

The RBI is mandated "to regulate the issue of bank notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage".

It is also required "to have a modern monetary policy framework to meet the challenge of an increasingly complex economy, to maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.What happens to the Verma-Asthana feud doesnt matter as much as what the government plans to do with the CBI, which is a prestigious investigation agency.

Gair Mumkin Hai Ki Halat Ki Gutthi Suljhe

Ahle Danish Ne Bahut Soch Kar Uljhai Hai

(It is impossible to get out of this swamp we have fallen in; the wise people have created these conditions after careful consideration).

This Urdu couplet was once used by ace investigator BR Lall to quite aptly describe the rot within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), an agency which, he said, deals differently with people in power, people not in power and people out of favour. Lall, former joint director, was shunted out of the CBI in 1996 for his persistence in probing the prime minister's role in the Jain hawala case. He later wrote a book, Who owns CBI? in 2007, unraveling shocking details of a cover-up in big-ticket corruption cases and harassment of honest officers in the agency who want to do their job with complete integrity.

The investigating officers are not supposed to cross the path of the elite. No wonder that during the last sixty years, no action has ever been taken against any higher-ups despite rampant corruptioneven the honest investigating officers keep weighing the political fallout and the political and administrative consequences, rather than the merits of a case before taking any actionI discovered that in the CBI, naked uncovering of facts was neither acceptable, nor would it be tolerated beyond certain limits. The unwritten rule was that certain persons were not to be touched and if the line of investigation reached them, the probe should be diluted, diverted or dropped and scuttled in due course, he wrote.

I met him on several occasions and each time, he would narrate some nuggets, providing me a glimpse into the CBIs sanctum sanctorum and how people at the helm of affairs were busy pleasing the political masters. Lall, who is no more, always maintained that the agency has excellent officers but they are told not to enter into forbidden territories. That means despite the requisite skills, the CBI never fought corruption at high places. After the Jain hawala fiasco, the Alok Verma-Rakesh Asthana feud would be the second incident where corruption and a cover-up within the agency has been dragged and vigorously debated in the public domain. The Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) probe into allegations against Verma is likely to be submitted to the Supreme Court on Monday, but the ripple effect of the tussle between the two top officers will be felt for months and years to come. In the ongoing conflict involving officials from different agencies, the fearless investigators are perplexed over the public spectacle of mudslinging. The question is not about who is honest, but who is less corrupt.

One of the most puzzling problems the CBI is going to face is, what will happen to those found guilty? Are they going to be punished? Government sources insist that the officers will be thrown out. Irrespective of the outcome, it is a doomsday scenario for the agency, which had been created to tackle the web of corruption. Ongoing events have cast a shadow over the cases it is investigating. An officer said that after the first chargesheet in the Aircel-Maxis case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which sent four reminders to the CBI seeking details into Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approval, kept waiting for a reply for almost a year.

There is a serious doubt that it was delayed deliberately because high-profile people are involved in it. When it comes to the powerful and corrupt, investigations into cases appear to be open for manipulation, the officer said, adding that the very frequently used statement that the central government does not interfere in the investigation of cases carried out by the CBI is merely a deception.

The agency has never analysed the conviction rate in corruption cases, but the details show that it is far from satisfactory. In 2008, the conviction rate was 66.2 percent, while in 2017, it was 66.8 percent. A total of 299 cases have been ordered by the Supreme Court for investigation since 2015, but chargesheets have been filed in only 107 cases, and just 3 cases resulted in conviction. There is no doubt that a majority of officers  more than 4,000 of executive ranks and 270 law officers  do their job diligently to ensure that people who have indulged in corruption are convicted. However, this mainly happens in cases which do not have political implications. For example, in 2017, while a total of 741 persons were convicted in corruption cases, 755 were acquitted due to lack of evidence or tardy investigation. Approximately 569 corruption cases have been pending for more than two years, despite the fact that the government has set up 46 courts of special judges, 92 additional special courts and ten courts of special magistrates exclusively for the trial of CBI cases all over the country. Further, no one seems to know the status of 45 VVIP cases involving ministers and MPs that were opened up in 2011.

The CBI argues that in some cases, investigation requires scrutiny of voluminous documents and examination of a large number of witnesses and hence, delays take place. However, the justification appears to be delusional. It is the top boss who decides the course of investigation and people to be named. In the animal husbandry scam case, the then CBI director Joginder Singh had rubbished the report filed by the joint director UN Biswas and deleted Lalu Prasad Yadavs name. In the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case, the investigating officer was transferred after he refused to toe the line. The cases of Bofors, Bhopal gas tragedy, UTI, petrol pump allotment, Taj corridor and Mulayam Singh's disproportionate assets met the similar fate. Even in the 2G scam, the judgment pointed out that the agency, which started the case with great enthusiasm and ardour, subsequently became highly cautious and guarded, making it difficult to find out as to what the prosecution wanted to prove.

The list of suspected manipulation on the direction of top bosses due to political interference is never-ending. What happens to the Verma-Asthana feud doesnt matter as much as what the government plans to do with a prestigious investigation agency at the forefront of the fight against corruption. If the government is willing to have a strong and effective anti-corruption unit, the time is ripe for massive reform by placing it under a constitutional head instead of the CVC's superintendence. Such reforms can prevent a future calamity with respect to the agency.Janardhana Reddy, who has been accused of being linked to a Ponzi scheme with Ambident Marketing, may be presented to a judge in his home, as courts are not operational on the weekends. He will also be taken to a hospital for a routine medical checkup.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru on Sunday arrested Karnataka mining baron and BJP leader G Janardhana Reddy over his alleged links to a ponzi scheme with Ambident Marketing Group. He has been sent to judicial custody till 24 November.

Additional Director General of Police Alok Kumar said Reddy was arrested on criminal conspiracy charges, CNN-News18 reported. He added that he may be presented to a judge at his house as courts do not function on the weekends. Reddy will also be taken to a hospital for a routine medical checkup.

The arrest comes a day after Reddy surrendered to the police in Bengaluru and was held until late on Saturday night for questioning.

On Saturday, ahead of his appearance before the CCB, Reddy released a video, in which he called the allegations against him a "political conspiracy". He also claimed that he had not been absconding as there was no need for him to flee.

"I have not done anything wrong. The police do not have a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his video, which was telecast by news channels.

CCB investigators had launched a hunt for Reddy on Wednesday in connection with a transaction worth crores. Reddy is accused of taking money to thwart investigations into a Ponzi scam involving the owner of Ambident Marketing, Syed Ahmed Fareed. However, the BJP leader has denied the allegations.

The CCB has also been on the lookout for Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, who had allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Fareed to bail him out from an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate.

The company is involved in collecting investments from customers in the name of Halal Investment and offering huge returns to the extent of up to 12 percent per month, according to India Today.

Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru T Suneel Kumar had said on Wednesday that Reddy was absconding and that the police were looking for him to question him in the case.MDC Business Management Services (BMS), wholly-owned by Mubadala Investment Company, was recognised with the Best Shared Services Initiative in the UAE award at the Government Shared Services Conference, held recently in Abu Dhabi, UAE.



The event, organised by the Ministry of Interior, was hosted by Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.



Lt General Sheikh Saif presented the award to Nasir Al Nabhani, chief executive officer of MDC BMS in an award ceremony hosted during the conference.



Held recently at Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi, the ceremony was attended by senior officials and executive directors of national government, local and federal authorities, international experts from government and private sectors, along with several of the Ministrys officers, said a statement from BMS.



MDC Business Management Services was recognised for delivering optimised services across the Mubadala Group and for adapting its offering to fit the needs of group companies while adhering to, and sharing, best practices, it said.



Al Nabhani said: This recognition is a testament to the effort of all employees of our company and the support of our clients. I would like to take this opportunity and thank Mubadalas leadership for their continuous support since inception which has led to this award.



As an evolving company, we continue to invest in our people, processes and technology to reach our goal of becoming a regional benchmark in the provision of shared services. We look forward to continuing this journey with our clients, enabling them to focus on their core businesses, he added.



The participants at the conference, which is a platform for exchanging international expertise and knowledge of government services, outsourcing and government shared services practices, discussed several topics and working papers related to best practice and innovation.



Several government officials from the US, and Singapore participated in the conference while leading international officials presented working papers on their experiences.



Following the award ceremony, Chua Soon Guan, chief executive of Vital Shared Services from the Singapore Government, who was the events guest speaker, visited MDC-BMS offices and was introduced to the companys operating model and processes, it stated.  TradeArabia News ServiceOn 8 November, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district when Maoists detonated a bus with an improvised explosive device.

Raipur: Nearly one lakh security personnel have been deployed in the Maoist-affected districts going to polls in the first phase in Chhattisgarh on Monday, amid the threat from Maoists who have called for a boycott of the elections.

On the eve of the polls, a sub-inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) lost his life when Maoists detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Kanker district while a Maoist was gunned down in an encounter in Bijapur district.

Voting will be held Monday in 18 seats spread over eight Maoist-affected districts in the state.

The outfits have given calls for boycott of the election and executed over half-a-dozen attacks in the last 15 days, three of the major ones left 13 people dead including a cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign.

According to police, escorting polling parties to their destinations and bringing them back after the polls pose challenges to them in the Maoist hotbed.

"Around one lakh security personnel, including central paramilitary force, have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling in the first phase," Chhattisgarh's Special Director General (anti-Maoist operations) DM Awasthi told PTI.

"All counter measures have been taken to thwart attempts by Maoists to disrupt the poll process," he said.

"A total of 650 companies (roughly around 65,000 security personnel), including of paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and other state forces, have been sent by the Centre for poll duty," he said.

"These units are apart from the paramilitary personnel and 200 companies of state forces already engaged in the anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh," Awasthi said.

He said around 650 polling booth parties were airlifted by helicopters on Saturday to remote areas while other teams were being sent by road on Sunday.

"Choppers of the Indian Air Force and the BSF were pressed into service for the purpose," he said.

"The challenge is to escort all polling parties safely to their destination in Maoist-affected areas and later to conduct polls and bring back them safely," Awasthi said.

He said there are inputs of Maoists planning to plant IEDs to target security men. "Therefore, a hawk eye was being kept on roads in such areas," the official said.

Awasthi said forces that have arrived from other states have been advised to avoid using any road unless it has been sanitised by "road opening parties" (ROPs) or subjected to a de-mining exercise to detect and clear IEDs.

"Security men have also been asked to avoid patrolling on foot as Maoists are known to place iron spikes to inflict injuries," he said.

"They have also been asked to maintain extra caution and sanitise polling booths and other premises in sensitive areas," he said.

"In the last 10 days, over 300 IEDs were recovered from the Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district by security forces," he added.

Another state police official said as many as 198 polling booths have been relocated in the eight districts going to polls, in view of the Maoist threat and convenience of locals.

The highest number of 76 polling booths were shifted in Bijapur, followed by Sukma-40, Kanker-25, Dantewada-21, Narayanpur-18, Rajnandgaon-12, Kondagaon-four and Bastar- two, the official said on condition of anonymity.

"Drones have been deployed in sensitive areas to track the movements of Maoists as they might target polling personnel on way to the booths," he said.

Police have been asked to maintain a strict vigil on the borders with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Due to Maoist threat, polling in 10 constituencies - Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta - will start at 7 am and end at 3 pm.

In the other eight seats Khairgarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Bastar, Jagdalpur and Chitrakot the polling time will be 8 am to 5 pm.

On 8 November, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when Maoists detonated a bus with an IED in Dantewada district.

Before that on 30 October, three police personnel and a cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan were killed in a Maoist attack in Aranpur area of Dantewada.

On 27 October, four CRPF personnel were killed and two others injured after Maoists blew up their bullet proof bunker vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district.Opposition parties to meet in Delhi soon to discuss grand alliance; Kerala BJP chief goes back on his claims; Tipu Jayanti celebrated in Karnataka without the presence of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and more

Grand Opposition meet in Delhi soon; Chandrababu Naidu to lead

All major Opposition parties are expected to meet in Delhi on 22 November in what is being seen as the first major move to build a grand anti-BJP front ahead of the next general elections. The plans for a grand Opposition show of strength in the midst of the ongoing state Assembly polls were announced by Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu after he met Congress General Secretary Ashok Gehlot in Amaravati on Saturday evening. Naidu, who has met many top Opposition leaders in the last one month, said the parties would decide on the future course of action at the proposed meeting.

Speaking to the media, the Andhra Pradesh chief minister said efforts were on to bring together parties for an anti-BJP bloc ahead of the elections and he would meet his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on 19 or 20 November to seek her support as well for the alliance.

Ban on construction activities extended till 12 November as Delhi continues to choke

As Delhi's air quality remained severe on Saturday, authorities extended till 12 November the ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass, and entry of trucks, while the CPCB issued show cause notices to police departments and officials of Delhi-NCR over "non-compliance" of the Supreme Court order on sale and bursting of firecrackers.

Kerala BJP chief denies claim that Sabarimala thantri sought his advice

After creating controversy over his statement that the Sabarimala head priest had consulted him before threatening the closure of the Lord Ayyappa shrine if women of menstrual age entered it, the BJP's state unit chief PS Sreedharan Pillai on Saturday denied this, saying that not the thantri but someone else in his family had sought his (Pillai's) views. Since the head priest has clarified that he had not called him up, there is no need to doubt it, Pillai said.

When the controversy broke out, Pillai had said that the priest had sought a legal clarification, which he had given. However, the thantri denied having consulted Pillai and said he had only spoken to his senior priest Kandararu Mohanararu.

Tipu Jayanti celebrated in Karnataka but CM, deputy CM skip events

The Congress-JD(S) led Karnataka government managed to celebrate Tipu Jayanti without any incident of violence on Saturday but the absence of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and his deputy G Parameshwara from the events has created some discord among the coalition partners. Voices of disapproval emerged from within the ruling coalition, with a Congress MLA terming the leaders absence an "insult" to the Muslim community.

The Chief Minister's Office (CMO), however, issued a statement on Kumaraswamy's absence. Wishing success for Tipu Jayanti celebrations, Kumaraswamy said that Tipu's progressive measures in administration and his quest for innovation were "commendable". Meanwhile, water resource minister and Congress troubleshooter DK Shivakumar had instead presided over the celebrations.

Jamal Khashoggi's body was dissolved in acid, his remains poured down the drain, claim report

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's remains were poured down down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported on Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources. This led investigators to believe the dead body of the insider-turned-critic of the Riyadh regime was disposed of through the drains as a liquid, the paper said.

Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on 2 October to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. His body was never found. After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia had finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation.

Alibaba generates record sales in annual shopping bonanza

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba generated $3 billion in five minutes during its annual 24-hour online shopping sale on Sunday with Apple, Xiaomi featuring among the top brands. It recorded the purchases of products worth $10 billion in the period of little over an hour, News18 reported.

Last year, Alibaba recorded sales worth $25 billion in 24 hours. Los Angeles, Tokyo and Frankfurt were among the global cities that saw orders being placed for various goods.Most Indians today believe that it is not only wrong to say certain things, but also that there should be no right to say them. Till we support restrictions on freedom of speech, true greatness will elude this nation, no matter how brilliant the individual at the helm may be.

If you ask Indians what sort of India they want, almost all will say they want a powerful and prosperous one. The most powerful nation in the world is the United States of America, which is also one of the most prosperous. It has an economy 10 times the size of Indias and it has one fourth the population. This means that in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the US is 40 times Indias size per person.

We want to be a nation like the United States of America, which is rich, large, militarily powerful, and feared and respected by the whole world. There is another type of powerful nation which is China. It is also rich (Chinas economy is six times bigger than Indias) and strong militarily.

What is the difference between the power of these two nations? I think this comes down to another question: who and what makes the country powerful? In India, the assumption is that it's the government. It is a strong leader like the current prime minister who will produce something special with his genius. He will do the work that is required to transform India. I have known Narendra Modi personally for many years and I can say that he also believes that.

China has more or less followed the same philosophy of the government taking the lead. It's also undeniably true that the Chinese people are very talented and extremely hardworking. And if you go the nations of Southeast Asia, like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore and to places like the western United States, you will notice this quality in the Chinese immigrants. But it has been the Communist government and one-man rule that has led the way to their modern strength. In many ways, however, this has been a limited strength. The lack of freedom has meant that China is not particularly inventive. And this will ultimately stop it from matching America.

In the US, the assumption and the belief is that it is the people who make the nation and that it's the people who will bring greatness. All that is required from the government is to give them the space and freedom to do so.

The First Amendment of the American constitution was written 227 years ago. It says that the government can make no law that restricts free speech. If you are wondering what that means, the First Amendment gives an individual the power to say the most hateful and vulgar things in the United States without fear of being called anti-national or urban Naxal.

Modern pornography comes out of magazines like Playboy and Penthouse which were taken to court for obscenity and won the cases because of the First Amendment. US governments continued to write laws restricting free speech but their courts continued to uphold the rights of the speaker, even when the speech was disliked, or rabid, or vulgar.

It is this freedom that has in large part produced the American greatness. Indeed, across the history of what is called the western world, the emphasis has been on individual freedoms and the right to defy authority and society intellectually. It goes back to the beginning and the ancient Greeks (called Yunani or Yavana in India). Socrates was sentenced to death about 2,400 years ago because he refused to accept the Athenian form of government. But he was already very old at the time that he was sentenced, showing that for decades he was tolerated in Athens. Aristotle and Plato produced theories that rejected the Gods as the Greeks knew them but they were not only allowed to work, but were revered for their original thinking and their defiance.

If there is a period when the western world saw decline it is the period in which free thinking was curbed, as it is being in India today. This period is called the Middle Ages. A mix of feudalism, illiteracy and the church produced this period of decay. In this same period, the Islamic kingdoms in Baghdad and southern Spain valued learning and free speech and they became great powers. The history of man has usually supported the American form of a nations rise to greatness rather than the Chinese form. It is freedom not uniformity that produces greatness.

In India we have traditionally had a lot of freedom when it comes to expression of the nature of God and of reality. But there is not much freedom when it comes to expressions of the nature of the nation and its people. The levels of tolerance are low both from the government and society on many things.

Unfortunately, we have not had much support from our courts as the Americans have had. And so there has not been much resistance to the suppression of free speech. This is why most Indians today believe that it is not only wrong to say certain things, but also that there should be no right to say them.

Till we continue to go down that path, true greatness will elude this nation, no matter how brilliant the individual at the helm may be.A Jammu and Kashmir police spokesman said that the militants attacked a security forces party at a naka at Handwara bypass in the north Kashmir district.

Srinagar: A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant from Pakistan was killed in a shootout on Sunday after the ultras attacked a security forces party in Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

"In the afternoon hours, a group of militants while moving through Handwara was intercepted by a naka party near Chattipora which led to a brief exchange of gunfire," a police spokesman said.

The militant was killed in the ongoing gunfight, he said.

"Some arms and ammunition and incriminating material were recovered from the slain militant who was identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan," the spokesman said.

"Ishtiyaaq was affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM and was involved in a series of terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area," he said.

Police have registered a case and initiated investigation, the spokesman said.Just a day before the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, a Maoist was killed and another was apprehended in an encounter between security forces and Maoists in Bijapur district's Bedre area of Chhattisgarh on Sunday.

Just a day before the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, a Maoist was killed and another was apprehended in an encounter between security forces and Left-Wing Extremists in Bijapur district's Bedre area on Sunday. A gunbattle is still underway between security forces and the ultras in the Maoist-affected district.

Meanwhile, arms and ammunition were recovered from the site and further details on the ongoing operation are being awaited.

In another incident on Sunday morning, Border Security Force (BSF) ASI Mahender Singh was injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Kanker's Koyalibeda. Later, he was airlifted to Raipur where he succumbed to his injuries.

A set of 6 IEDs were planted in a series and were set off in one go between village Gome and Gattakal in Koyali beda, ANI reported. Singh sustained splinter and bullet injury on his neck.

P Sundaraj, DIG, Anti-Naxals Operations, in Raipur said, "The situation in the area is normal now. Security forces are conducting search operation in the area."

The attacks on Sunday took place just days after Maoist killed four civilians and one Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel in an IED blast triggered at a bus near Bacheli in the Dantewada district. Whereas, a cameraperson working with national broadcaster Doordarshan and two police officers were killed by Maoist in an attack on 30 October. In February, six police personnel, including an SHO, were killed in a Maoist attack in the Dantewada district.

Ahead of the polls in the 18 Assembly seats in eight districts of Chhattisgarh on 12 November, in phase one of the state Assembly election, tight security arrangements have been made in the Maoist-affected areas of the state as they have put up posters and pamphlets across the state warning locals to steer clear of the elections. India Today reported that the Maoists have threatened to cut off the fingers of people who are spotted with the voter ink on their hands.

With inputs from ANIAfter inaugurating the infrastructure projects, Narendra Modi is also likely to address a public meeting at Varanasi's Wajidpur village.

Lucknow/Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two major national highways and an inland waterways project at his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Monday.

The two roads have a combined length of 34 kilometres and have been laid at a cost of Rs 1,571.95 crore. The 16.55-kilometre Varanasi Ring Road Phase-I has been completed at a cost of Rs 759.36 crore, while the four-laning and construction of the 17.25-kilometre-long Babatpur-Varanasi Road on NH-56 cost Rs 812.59 crore, read a statement from the PMO.

The Babatpur Airport Highway will link Varanasi to the airport and go on to link Jaunpur, Sultanpur and Lucknow. With the flyover at Harhua and a road over bridge (ROB) at Tarna, the new road plan will reduce travel time from Varanasi to the airport, providing relief to the locals and tourists coming here, the statement said.

The Ring Road, with two ROBs and a flyover, is expected to reduce traffic, fuel usage and pollution on NH-56 (Lucknow-Varanasi), NH-233 (Azamgarh-Varanasi), NH-29 (Gorakhpur-Varanasi) and Ayodhya-Varanasi highway, the statement said.

Furthermore, the Ring Road is expected to provide smooth road access to Sarnath, a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site.

On the day, at a separate event, the prime minister will inaugurate the first multi-modal waterways terminal on the Ganga river as part of the Centre's Jal Marg Vikas Project which aims to develop the stretch of the river between Varanasi and Haldia for navigation of large vessels weighing up to 1,500 to 2,000 tonnes, an official statement said.

The objective of the project is to promote inland waterways as a cheap and environment-friendly means of transportation, especially for cargo movement. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the project implementing agency.

National Waterway-1 (Haldia-Varanasi stretch) is being developed with technical assistance and investment support from the World Bank. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 5,369.18 crore, which will be shared between the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 ratio.

The project entails construction of three multi-modal terminals (Varanasi, Sahibganj and Haldia), two inter-modal terminals, five roll-on-roll-off (Ro-Ro) terminal pairs, new navigation lock at Farakka, assured depth dredging, integrated vessel repair and maintenance facility, differential global positioning system (DGPS), river information system (RIS), river training and conservancy works.

Operation, management and further development of the terminal is proposed to be entrusted to an operator on public-private partnership model and selection of the operator through an international competitive bidding is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed by December, an official statement said.

The multi-modal terminal project and proposed freight village in Varanasi are expected to generate 500 direct employment and more than 2,000 indirect employment opportunities.

Later in the day, the prime minister will receive India's first container vessel that sailed from Kolkata on inland waterways on 30 October, carrying cargo belonging to PEPSICO (India).

Modi will be accompanied by Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik, Union minister for road transport and highways, shipping, water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath at the function.

The prime minister is also likely to address a public meeting at Wajidpur village in Varanasi on the day.Police questioning of Karnataka mining baron and BJP leader G Janardhana Reddy, who was held by Bengaluru police until 2 am on Sunday morning, is likely to continue on Sunday.

The police is likely to continue questioning Karnataka mining baron G Janardhana Reddy on Sunday as well, a day after the BJP leader surrendered to the police in Bengaluru, reports said. However, it's not clear whether or not the police will arrest him. Reddy was questioned till late night on Saturday.

Reddy has been accused of taking money to thwart investigations in a ponzi scam involving the owner of Ambidant Marketing, Syed Ahmed Fareed. However, the BJP leader has denied the allegations.

On Saturday, ahead of his appearance before the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Reddy released a video message, where he termed the allegations as a "political conspiracy". In the video, he said he was not absconding as there was no need for him to flee.

"I have not committed anything wrong. The police do not have a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his message telecast by TV news channels.

According to reports, Reddy spent Saturday night in the CCB waiting room.

The CCB police had launched a hunt for Reddy since Wednesday in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to the ponzi scheme.

The CCB was also on the lookout for Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, who had allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Fareed of Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd  a company accused of involvement in the ponzi scheme  to bail him out from the Enforcement Directorate investigation. According to India Today, "the company is involved in collecting investments from the customers in the name of Halal Investment and offering huge returns to the extent of up to 12 percent per month".

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar had said on Wednesday that Reddy was absconding and the police were looking for him to question him in the case.Rahul said that many including Modi, Anil Ambani, Francois Hollande, Emmanuel Macron and others are all aware of the costs of the Rafale deal, but yet none are disclosing the same to the Supreme Court.

New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday took a dig at the Narendra Modi dispensation, saying many people knew the cost of the Rafale fighter aircraft deal but the government considered it a "national secret" that could not be revealed to the Supreme Court.

Taking to Twitter, Rahul, who is on the campaign trail in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, said:

The PM knows.

Anil Ambani knows.

Hollande & Macron know.

Every journalist now knows.

Defence Ministry babus know.

All of Dassault knows.

All Dassaults competitors know. But the price of the #RAFALE is a National Secret, that cannot be revealed even to the Supreme Court. https://t.co/1W8Z3JXQCc  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 10, 2018

The Dassault Aviation-made Rafale deal was renegotiated during the tenure of French president Francois Hollande, who was succeeded by Emmanuel Macron.

Gandhi has been asking the government to reveal the price of the aircraft, as negotiated by the NDA government.

The Congress chief has also accused the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of renegotiating the price of the aircraft and purchasing it at a price three times higher than what was negotiated by the erstwhile UPA government. He alleged corruption in the deal and favouritism towards the Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Group, a charge denied by both the government and the company.The SIT probing police firing incidents at Behbal Kalan on sacrilege issue, has summoned Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal and actor Akshay Kumar.

Chandigarh: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing police firing incidents at Behbal Kalan on sacrilege issue, has summoned former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir Singh Badal and actor Akshay Kumar.

While Parkash has been asked to appear before the SIT of Punjab Police on 16 November, Sukhbir has been summoned on 19 November and Akshay has been asked to come on 21 November to the Circuit House in Amritsar.

The summon orders have been issued separately for the three by SIT member and IG rank officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, according to an official release.

The SIT is probing police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in Faridkot in 2015 after a series of sacrilege incidents in the state. In police firing at Behbal Kalan, two persons were killed.

Notably, the actor's name was mentioned in Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report on sacrilege incidents.

According to the report, a meeting between former deputy chief minister Sukhbir and Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in connection with the release of latter's movie 'MSG' was held at Akshay's flat in Mumbai.

The meeting was held before the pardon given to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a blasphemy case. However, Akshay had denied all the claims.

Kunwar Singh said the summons relate to investigation of cases originating from the various incidents of sacrilege in the year 2015.

The summons have been issued under Section 160 of the CrPC, requiring attendance at investigation, relating to the Bargari sacrilege case and the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents, the release said.

The notice says the presence of the aforesaid person is necessary for the purpose of inquiry into the above-mentioned offence and the person summoned needed to give such information relating to the said alleged offence as he may possess.

The SIT had earlier examined ADGP Jitendra Jain, then IG Bathinda; IGP Paramraj Singh Umaranangal; then Commissioner Ludhiana; IGP Amar Singh Chahal, then DIG Ferozepur Range; MS Jaggi, then DC Faridkot; SS Mann, then SSP Faridkot; VK Syal then SDM Faridkot, besides Mantar Singh Brar, then Kotkapura MLA.

In addition, 50 private persons and more than 30 police officials of junior rank have also been examined.

The five-member SIT was set up by the state government in September this year, soon after issuance of the notification to withdraw investigation of sacrilege incidents of the Guru Granth Sahib from the CBI.US Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would discuss India-US defence cooperation and bilateral relationship during their meeting in Singapore next week, the White House said on Saturday, asserting that 'sky is the limit' for New Delhi's role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Washington: US Vice President Mike Pence and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would discuss India-US defence cooperation and bilateral relationship during their meeting in Singapore next week, the White House said on Saturday, asserting that "sky is the limit" for New Delhi's role in the Indo-Pacific region.

"They would be talking about the bilateral relationship and a defence cooperation in the kind of larger context. I can't really say if they'll get into the trade (ties) specifically at this time," a senior administration official told foreign journalists during a conference call on Saturday.

Modi and Pence are scheduled to meet during the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Singapore next week. Pence leaves on a four-nation Asia trip over the weekend, that would take him to Japan, Australia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea. He will be representing President Donald Trump at the ASEAN and East Asia Summit in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Papua New Guinea.

Responding to a question, the official said the two leaders would be talking about "a common vision" for maintaining what the US refers to a free and open Indo-Pacific as India has talked about the Act East policy and their "enormous convergence" in these two approaches. In some respect, these are different names for common approach and talking about some of those common principles that "we share, seeks to promote and sustain including a freedom of navigation and overflight, sustainable development for the region; the importance of ASEAN and the role that they play, as well as a major democracy in the region that we have very good relations in common with like Japan," the senior administration official said.

"Really the role for India (in Indo-Pacific region), the sky's the limit," he said when asked about what role the US sees for India in the region and President Trump's Indo-Pacific policy. Noting that India is "such a huge component" of the Indo-Pacific region, the official said, "It is the second largest population, the world's largest democracy, while the United States is the world's second largest democracy." He added that India is not only the dominant feature geographically, but also politically and culturally in the Indian Ocean. "With this administration, there is a significant increase in quality and tempo of interaction from the top leadership on down," the White House official said.

Referring to the recent two plus two dialogue in New Delhi, he said Defense Secretary James Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a "very, very good" meeting. "It was amazing to see the amount of progress that's been made in areas of cooperation as part of our partnership," said the official, who spoke with foreign reporters on condition of anonymity.The Ford Motor Company Fund recently marked the completion of its fifth Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy (HFEA) workshop in the UAE, with the Higher Colleges of Technologys (HCT) Abu Dhabi Womens campus hosting the programme.

The HFEA has previously launched successful workshops in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and two in Dubai, with the inaugural installment in the capital marking the fourth emirate to date.

The continued partnership between Ford and the HCT, the UAEs largest applied higher education institution, further strengthens the Ford Motor Company Funds long-standing commitment to empowering the youth by providing better opportunities through education.

The number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE has been growing at a rapid pace, and theres been a 10 per cent growth since 2016, said Simonetta Verdi, director, government and community relations, Ford Middle East and Africa.

In fact, SMEs comprise 95 per cent of businesses in the country, which stresses the importance of providing innovative opportunities for the next generation of business leaders in the UAE.

A business-oriented and highly-focused approach to learning, assisted by training and opportunities generated by the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy workshops can help participants gain important entrepreneurial skills, generate innovative ideas, and become more prepared for the future, Verdi added.

Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, HCT president and CEO, said: Encouraging our students to become entrepreneurs and providing them with the right mindset, skills and toolkit is a core element of the HCT 2.0 strategy. We are embedding entrepreneurship and innovation in our academic programs to enable students to hone their skills and knowledge in these fields to successfully transit from student to entrepreneur.

Students selected to participate in the HFEA had the opportunity to shape their thinking and learn how to build their future businesses using best international practices. HCT expects to host further HFEA workshops across its system to allow many more of our students to consider setting up their own ventures," Dr Al Shamsi added.

Aspiring entrepreneurs in the Middle East could be considered to be among some of the most connected thinkers in the world. The HFEA is designed to help enhance the potential of budding entrepreneurs in the UAE.

The three-day HFEA workshop, entitled The Entrepreneurship Journey, has been drawn up to complement the work undertaken by the UAE government, which continues to create initiatives to empower the youth to innovate, contributing to the welfare of the wider UAE community.

Taking place at HCTs Abu Dhabi Womens campus, over three days (October 29-31), the HFEA saw the 32 participants compete to best demonstrate entrepreneurial capacity, during a pitch competition. The top honour went to third-year Electrical Engineering Technology student Maitha Al Hosani, who was awarded a much sought-after in-depth consultancy from a premier US-based start-up strategy firm.

Al Hosanis business idea is for a fire alarm for people with a hearing impairment or vision issues, and for heavy sleepers. The system intends to alert those in need via a strobe light, buzzers, or with an innovative vibration pillow. In addition to the consultancy prize, Al Hosani was presented with a certificate, trophy, and awarded a brand-new iPhone.

Ford, HCT and the VCU have formed an exceptional partnership to address local entrepreneurship training needs, and remain committed to arming the successful businesspeople of the future with the skills and acumen to thrive. Through business-specific education, guidance and networking opportunities, such as the HFEA, the regions young entrepreneurs will be better equipped to handle future challenges in the business world. - TradeArabia News ServiceA sixteen-year-old tribal girl succumbed to her injuries at the government hospital in Dharmapuri on 10 November, after she was allegedly raped by two youths.

Dharmapuri: A sixteen-year-old tribal girl succumbed to her injuries at the government hospital in Dharmapuri on 10 November, after she was allegedly raped by two youths from her village.

Parents and relatives of the girl and about 500 residents from 20 tribal villages around Sittling had been protesting in front of the hospital in Dharmapuri and in their own village since Saturday morning alleging negligence by the police. They refused to accept the body until their list of demands were met, which includes the immediate arrest of the absconding accused. One of the accused  Ramesh  has been arrested by the police.

The 11th-grade student of a government school in Pappireddipatti town was visiting her village for Diwali. On the night of 5 November, she had gone into the forest behind her home to attend nature's call. The two accused  Sathish (22) and Ramesh (22)  then attacked her while in an inebriated state, gagged and raped her. Her father says, When my daughter didnt return home, we went looking for her and found her torn clothes in the forest. The two men escaped when they saw us coming and we found her lying unconscious.

The next day when the parents reached Kottapatti police station to lodge a complaint, they say they were dissuaded by the police from filing a rape case. They had asked them to consider their childs reputation and her future, according to a Childline worker in Dharmapuri, Thomas, who has been following the case. A case of rape under the POSCO Act was only registered after the death of the victim on Saturday along with other charges, he said. The victims father alleges that despite identifying the culprits, arrests were not made immediately and they were allowed to escape.

On the same day, on 6 November, the police escorted the girl to the Child Welfare Committee in Dharmapuri as per protocol when a crime is committed against a child. CWC chairman Saravanan says the girl was brought in around 7 pm that evening and she was traumatised and wasnt saying anything much. He says the police misled the CWC by claiming she is a victim of a rape attempt.

They didnt disclose the rape incident to them, he said. But before the CWC could make any further inquiries, the girl started vomiting and she was taken to the government hospital at Dharmapuri after she fainted. Saravanan alleges that the rape was not disclosed to the hospital by the parents either. They had told the doctors that she had been suffering from stomach aches. She had been receiving treatment at the hospital for this when her health starting deteriorating mid-week and she died sometime in the morning on Saturday.

Her parents refused to receive the body until action was initiated against the policemen on duty at Kottampaati Police Station and the culprits were nabbed. Speaking to the press on Saturday, the girl's father said, Our daughter was not taken immediately to the hospital and given the appropriate treatment. This is why she is dead today. The police wouldnt take our complaint. And the culprits were able to escape. I will not accept my daughters body until they are caught.

On Sunday, for the second day, the villagers along with the relatives of the girl resorted to "road roko" and were also sitting on a hunger strike in front of the government hospital.

Their other demands include the autopsy to be done in the presence of people appointed by the SC/ST Commission and the procedure be taped on video, a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the victims family and the suspensions of Inspector Muthukrishnan of Kodampatti police station along with other policemen who were with him during the incident.

As the Revenue Divisional Officer was not able to pacify the protesters, Dharmapuri District Collector S Malarvizhi visited the protesters on Sunday afternoon and held discussions with them. Speaking to reporters after this, Malarvizhi said the police have assured her that the accused will be arrested within 48 hours. Regarding the compensation to the victims family, she said the demand will be brought to the government's attention and appropriate compensation will be provided. The protests and hunger strike were called off following this.

Deputy Superintendent of Police AC Sellapandian said that an inquiry has been ordered into the complaint against the inspector and necessary action will be taken in this regard if he is found guilty.

Rajalakshmi, a womens rights activist in Dharmapuri, drew attention to an incident last month in Attur, Salem, where another young girl was beheaded by her neighbour for refusing his sexual advances. In that case too, the accused was not arrested immediately. She said unless the police act swiftly in such cases and make an example of culprits, sexual crimes against young girls will continue.

[The author is a Chennai-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters)In her book, Kishwar Desai focuses on those accounts of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre which did not find a place in the mainstream narrative

The atrocities perpetuated at Amritsar have proved that Imperialism run mad is more dangerous, more vindictive, more inhuman, than a frenzied uncontrollable mob.

Kishwar Desai begins her book with words by Lala Lajpat Rai, which were written as a foreword to Pandit Pearay Mohans An Imaginary Rebellion and How it Was Suppressed.

In Desais Jallianwala Bagh, 1919: The Real Story, one finds accounts of the horrific misdeeds of a colonial regime that are often spoken of along with the reports that are on record, but which are inevitably distanced from the mainstream narrative. These are the tales of ordinary people fighting an oppressive regime, of atrocities against civilians, the widespread prevalence of racism and a pre-planned effort to divide and rule a diverse community.

Official figures indicated that the firing at Jallianwala Bagh on 13 April, 1919 exhausted 1,650 rounds of ammunition and killed 379 people, wounding 1200. The Indian National Congress reported more than a thousand people dead and nearly 1,500 were injured.

In her book, Desai writes about a multitude of incidents that led to this massacre nearly a hundred years ago and the aftereffects of the attack on the residents of Amritsar. It all started with a photograph, she says.

Desai, who is the chair of the Arts and Culture Heritage Trust that set up the Partition Museum in Amritsar, was gathering material on the history of the Town Hall (situated next to the Bagh) with her team. One day, she came across a photograph of the Town Hall burnt down during riots. It was dated 1919.

Extensive research led her to more photographs around the same timeline as the incident on that Baisakhi day, and she was able to draw a picture of how the people of Amritsar were trapped by the British, not only at Jallianwala Bagh, but in the whole city. Accounts of the humiliation they underwent also surfaced in her readings.

The history of Amritsar is one of great significance to the author. Her grandmother was a little girl during the attacks. Not many families spoke up back then about the atrocities inflicted on the people. One of the reasons, Desai concurs, was perhaps that any anti-British protest such as those against the Rowlatt Act would have led to immediate arrests and torture.

Desai elaborates in her work using reports of the Hunter Committee, those of the Indian National Congress and other archives  the testimonies that changed the way she looked at Jallianwala Bagh.

She put together material from those few accounts of the people who were actually present at the Bagh on 13 April. And slowly she came to realise that the story was not just about Amritsar; it was about the undivided Punjab that witnessed scores of riots when the British tried to suppress the protests against Mahatma Gandhis arrest. And after reading about the two officials infamously associated with Amritsar  Colonel Reginald Dyer and Sir Michael ODwyer  Desai says, I formed very different opinions about both of them.

The historical narrative that has been handed down has always suggested that Dyer was responsible for what transpired, but while researching, Desai realised that it was a series of wrong decisions by ODwyer  the arrests of Saifuddin Kitchlew and Satya Pal, the oppression inflicted through the Crawling Order, punishments following an attack on an Englishwoman  that instigated a reaction from the people of Amritsar prior to the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh. Dyer was in fact just one of the many officers following orders in Amritsar. None of them were operating on their own.

The British pinned the blame on Dyer, she says, and made him look like an aberration for fear that people would never look upon them as being fair and just again.

Holding Dyer accountable for the massacre and the atrocities in Punjab shifted the blame from the system as a whole to one bad individual.

The repercussions of these incidents were felt all over Punjab but for the British, the author states, it was all pre-planned.

If Jallianwala Bagh was the end of any coexistence of the colonised with the imperial power, it was the incidents that occurred in the days before the massacre that dealt the final blow.

The British recruited a bulk of their army from Punjab to fight during World War I and the people of Punjab believed in mutual trust between Indians and the colonial regime. Before Jallianwala Bagh, the Indians and the British were working together. Atrocities inflicted were sporadic and the freedom movement was in its nascent stages. Indians travelled abroad and returned inspired by ideas of liberty and home rule.

But Jallianwala Bagh was the first time that atrocities were inflicted on defenseless people, and Indians saw a very different side to the British. Slowly, the society realised that this was a deeply racist colonial power. Punishments were all meant for Indians, Desai explains and it was when Amritsar was put under pressure that the idea of freedom completely solidified. One by one all the leaders started distancing themselves from the British, she added.

The massacre caused social and economic mayhem, however, the immediate impact was that the Hindu-Muslim unity that was being forged was impacted greatly, Desai opines. The immediate impact was that the British took away members from each community and made them confess against each other. Brutalities rose to the extent that individuals were shot dead in front of their relatives for no reason. There was no media, no one to turn to, Desai says. The situation became a question of survival.

Those wounded were arrested by the British and when doctors who treated them spoke to the survey officials, they were left wondering if their statements would have led to further problems. Some of these things happened inadvertently, but the British were very clear that they were not going to give any treatment to Indians. Many, Desai writes in her book, succumbed to their injuries months after the incident for want of medical aid.

Economically, Amritsar suffered. Many traders, doctors, lawyers were not able to work for months  they were sick, or in jail or simply prohibited under curfew. Coupled with the Partition and the world people woke up to after Jallianwala Bagh, according to Desai, one wonders whether Amritsar ever recovered, because the constant pressure put on the city by the colonial regime never stopped.

Yet, it was the ordinary people who were really carrying forward the battle in each of these places; people that we dont even know of, Desai says mainly, because they are considered minor actors in a larger historical context. But it was the smaller characters, these nameless individuals in all the cities, that made possible a massive freedom movement.

Desai says that she still has a lot of questions about how Amritsar fared in the years to come. She is currently working on a subsequent addition to the book that details what happened after the attack and the martial law that followed.

Kishwar Desai's Jallianwala Bagh, 1919: The Real Story is published by Context, an imprint of Westland PublicationsThe artworks on display indicate SH Razas artistic development over the years, and also his contributions to the field of visual arts  especially to post-Independence modernism and abstraction

Art is reality, art is a muse if it helps us to realise the truth. It is the major guiding element which helps you to realise the truth.  SH Raza

A little over two years after his death, a retrospective  Traversing Terrains  at Mumbais Piramal Museum of Art, pays homage to SH Razas legacy, spanning half a century of the artists work.

As befits a retrospective, the artworks on display indicate Razas artistic development over the years, and also his contributions to the field of visual arts  especially to post-Independence modernism and abstraction. The retrospective also provides an impetus to look back over Razas fascinating life.

SH Raza was born in 1922 in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh; his father, Sayed Mohammed Razi, was a forest ranger. His mother was called Tahira Begum.

Raza began painting at the age of 12; he went on to study at the Nagpur School of Art and later, at Mumbais Sir JJ School of Art. In 1950, he moved to France to attend the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts on a government scholarship. After completing his course, Raza decided to stay on in France and was exposed to Western modernism, including American abstraction and expressionist art.

In 1956, Raza became the first non-French artist to be awarded the prestigious Prix de la Critique. He married his colleague  the French artist Janine Mongillat  who passed away in 2002; Raza returned to India in 2010-11.

In 2007, the Indian government conferred upon him the Padma Bhushan and, in 2013, the Padma Vibhushan. He was also honoured with the Commandeur de la Legion dHonneur (the Legion of Honour) by the French government, in 2015.

The emergence of the artist

After his childhood in central India, Raza found the city of (then) Bombay an eclectic place. In its cityscape, cosmopolitan demographic and cultural potpourri, one could always find various subjects or inspirations. The city also gave artists like Raza a platform to bring change, or rather a revolution, in the conventions of art. It was here that Raza co-founded the Bombay Progressive Artists Group in 1947 along with FN Souza, MF Hussain, KH Ara, HA Gade and SK Bakre, among others.

Bombay became a subject of many of Razas remarkable works in the 1940s. Also, since the practice of travelling and painting on the spot was the norm at the time, Raza also brought to the canvas, the cities of Benaras, Nashik, Indore and Jaipur. The representations of these places, painted during the 1940s, also bear some reflections of the conventional art practices of those days  albeit with some splashes of disregard for those very conventions in Razas brushstrokes.

He would not draw something and paint on it; instead, his paintings would be more direct, out there. That also showed the emergence of a more confident artist who would paint as he saw. It was in late 1948 when Raza met the legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson who, owing to his own personal training as a painter, suggested that Raza observe cubism and thus bring some structure to his pieces. Little did he know, this brief rendezvous with Cartier-Bresson would open doors for him in France, which was to be home for the next 50 years.

He reached Paris in 1950 and was instantly charmed. Raza wrote of Paris: its buildings, the atmosphere, the charged energy; it seemed to reveal at every corner that it was marvellous He continued his quest to understand French art closely by visiting various museums and reading as much as he could on French literature. He scrutinised the paintings of Cezanne, Cubists like Picasso, and artists like Mondrian and Vasarely.

By the mid-1950s, Raza had gained mastery over watercolours and started exploring pigments in the form of oil painting; he worked around viscous paints that dried gradually and thereby could be used to impart a certain texture that would often seem overlapping each other. Despite these new learnings, Raza still continued his affinity for landscapes  in the form of churches, cathedrals, road-side shrines, towers, residential quarters etc  as his primary subject, just like his days in Bombay.

At the same time, even if Raza wasnt in India physically, he kept abreast of all the advancements in the Indian art scene due to his conversations with fellow expatriate artists like Ram Kumar, Akbar Padamsee and Jean Bhownagary.

Raza wrote, French landscape interested me in a special manner because there I had the message of Cezanne and the possibility of acquiring a technique, a certain understanding of form, values, colour relationships and the orchestration of these fundamental elements without which you are not a painter.

The development of the philosopher

While the 1940s and 50s were significant for Raza in terms of excelling at his craft, the following years marked the emergence of a more conscious, self-aware and introspective artist. His visits to India also became frequent and his focus shifted towards spirituality and philosophy. He learnt more about Indian art (both old and new), poetry and music, which in turn, formed a major aspect of his art. The philosophical lens towards his art also meant that the 1960s and 70s saw Raza approach his craft from the inside out.

Razas art strove for a more internal perspective of spaces: They were still landscapes, but the best form of an artistic oxymoron  formless forms. Razas paintings were bereft of any specific markers of place and space, they were definitely about visual expression, and what the soul perceived of it. Thus began his quest for the Roopadhyatmik (abstract beauty) in his art and he worked endlessly towards it, painting over and over again: doing a japa to evolve and reach the higher realm of time and space.

His sense of colour was also paramount in making his art what it is. Raza used very few colours, explains Vaishnavi Ramanathan, curator and art historian at the Piramal Museum of Art. Since he had used many colours in the beginning, he knew the techniques of how to balance them, evoke a certain feeling using a certain colour and also in what density to use those colours. Youll see some colours will be applied opaque, while some will be applied in a way which gives a certain texture. Raza has evolved in a way to use colours in the minimal way possible and yet narrate what he has to. At the same time, Raza knew really well how to use light. He knew how to play with the quality of the canvass itself, maximise it and bring out its beauty  in some ways cutting out whatever is not needed. Its like a sanyasis journey to forego what is not essential and working with a minimalistic approach. In Razas case, he started working with bare minimum shapes  circle, triangles, she says.

In Razas own words:

Instead of being constructions, my paintings from the 1970s are more gestural in technique and expression. In terms of colour too, they are expressionistic. The spontaneity was new and compulsive- I let the canvas grow.

His in-depth study of Indian philosophy  by the means of the epics, ancient texts, concepts of Hinduism like the Purush-Prakriti, yoni, linga  were reflected in his major works over subsequent years. However, what became synonymous with Razas oeuvre was his depiction of the bindu (dot), which is also an important facet of Hindu philosophy. The 1980s saw him painting a series of works based around this bindu. Speaking to the Indo-Asian News Service in 2011, Raza said that even after exploring the concept of bindu for over four decades, he was yet to tire of it. Over the years, that dot in his art came to be known as the raza-bindu.

One of my teachers in Mandla had once drawn a sign  a dot on the wall knowing that my mind was wandering. He told me to look at the point while he went for a wash. I did not understand the significance of the bindu then  but it existed in my mind, Raza recalled, in his IANS interview.

Raza and music

If one looks closely at Razas paintings, especially those from the later years of his career, one is bound to find a close association with music.

Often you will find a musical tendency in his works, especially in the way he would use colours. Some of his later works, he would be working with one particular colour and will repeat it in different shades across the painting. It is almost like a raga and the various notes of it. So he has a sort of translation of music coming into his work through these shades. Each note in the Indian music system has a very spiritual connotation to it and Raza was very aware of that. You can see that with years even he had turned spiritual; his vision had turned from outside to inside. So I think Indian music resonated with him much more than anything else, Vaishnavi Ramanathan says.

Comparing Razas approach to Wassily Kandinskys abstract works, she adds, He would always relate colour to music and he came from very spiritual thought process  where his green would evoke a certain kind of sound and his yellow would evoke another sound. So, each colour would speak for something; it is just not a pigment but also has a certain symbolic connotation.

In fact, music was one of the reasons Benaras piqued a special interest in Raza. His frequent travels to the city brought him closer to the music and musicians of that place, says Ramanathan. In the later version of the city that Raza painted, one definitely finds a sort of rhythm and melody in the brushstrokes, the use of colours and light and the visual form of what the city stood for.

Going over the artworks displayed as part of the retrospective brings Razas own words to mind: Everyone sees for himself, the artist also sees for himself, he said. Others see where ideas coincide, or whether they agree or disagree. There is no binding, no forcing of things. It has to be a free association of ideas.Mehbooba Mufti reacted on Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's statement where he asked the BJP to change the names of three of their Muslim leaders before changing the names of places in the state.

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for changing the names of cities and towns and said that the move was an attempt to demolish the idea of India.

"Name changing is an attempt to demolish the idea of India we grew up with. It is an assault on the country's composite Ganga-Jamuni culture. The BJP is trying to tell the Muslims that they don't belong to this place. But be sure it is as much my country as yours. We are just not going anywhere," Mufti tweeted on Saturday.

Mufti reacted on the micro-blogging site to Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief and Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar's statement where he asked the BJP to change the names of three of their Muslim leaders - Shahnawaz Hussain, Abbas Naqvi, Mohsin Raza - before changing the names of different towns and places in the state.

There is a sudden spurt in demands seeking change in the names of various cities after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath renamed Faizabad as Ayodhya and Allahabad as Prayagraj. Recently the name of Mughalsarai Railway Station was renamed as Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction.For the newly formed Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), the upcoming Assembly election is all about making governments more accountable to the people and ensuring their participation in the decision making process

Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has released its list of candidates for the upcoming state Assembly election, several days later than expected due to prolonged discussions on seat-sharing among the coalition partners of the Praja Kootami or Peoples Coalition.

The delay, more often attributed to M Kodandaram, president of the newly-minted political outfit and alliance partner Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS), is perhaps indicative of the role the party could play in potentially upsetting KCRs return to power; the Congress's Telangana unit certainly thinks so. So far, they have offered Kodandaram the deputy chief ministers post as well as a Rajya Sabha seat if he is flexible on the number of seats for TJS.

A former professor at Osmania University, Kodandaram chaired the Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) that spearheaded the movement for statehood, particularly mobilising students and civil society organisations. Fresh from this victory, Telangana is, especially familiar and amenable to the kind of on the ground activism that Kodandaram and the TJAC are adept at.

As the political front of TJAC, what the TJS leader offers the congress-led coalition is a grassroots mobilisation by the civil society organisation in exchange for the price of a cultural shift in politics and governance.

"Over the last four years, the civil society groups have emerged as the main opposition to KCR. It is in this context that I am proposing this alternative," he said.

Kodandaram says that the People's Coalition can't replicate KCR's strategy of "distributing money and buying caste associations", rather the focus should be on projecting the alliance as a counter to KCR and mobilising the masses on the basis of a common minimum agenda.

This (KCR's strategy) cannot be replicated (by us) and in fact, it wont yield results. It is a kind of trap. Rather we (the People's Coalition) must mobilise the people, civil society organisations, youth and caste-based organisations on the basis of the common minimum agenda as decided by the alliance partners, he says.

However, the discussions on working out an election strategy are still going on.

To me it appears that parties are not able to visualise more concretely this alternative (mobilising of the masses) to the traditional campaign model that we propose. In order to be successful, we have to go from house to house. Talk to each person. During the course of the Telangana agitation, we followed this and were quite successful. The general publics involvement in politics has increased because of this campaign method, he informed.

Considering that many TJS leaders are also activists who have been associated with various social movements over the past three decades, Kodandaram says they have the acceptance and legitimacy that can help bring home victory for the alliance.

TJS, which was launched in April this year, was all set to go to polls independently. They wanted to be able to act and think without relying on borrowed support, he says, but the early dissolution of the Assembly disturbed their calendar of activities. While forming an alliance might not have been their first choice, Kodandaram has come to realise that with the decision to form join forces, the mood has completely changed all over the state.

We have seen and it has been proved by various survey reports that the opinion is shifting in favour of the Kootami, against KCR. That is a positive development, he says.

However, despite the urgency, TJS had remained firm on its demand to contest in at least 12 seats out of the 119 going for polls, based on TJS strength and capacity.

We have explained, with data, how we can deliver victory in some of the seats that the Congress has never won in the last 35 years, because we are organisationally strong in these constituencies. Over the past few months, the constituency in-charge in as many as 25 seats have been building a network down to the villages, and with alliance support, we can ensure victory here, he says.

The TJS eventually agreed to contest only on eight seats, however, Kodandaram has said he has accepted it on the condition that all these seats are in the constituencies of their choice, and are not those that the Congress wants to hand out.

'Its not about changing the government, but changing governance'

TJS was always going to challenge KCR, a former partner in the fight for Telangana, on the electoral field; but ironically, the Praja Kootami has put TJS on the same side of the table as TDP, which vehemently opposed the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. They may be unlikely bedfellows, but Kodandaram says they have decided to unite to realise an important objective: Democracy must be restored and the autocratic rule of KCR should come to an end.

Things changed after Telangana was formed, he says, We, as a civil society organisation, decided to act as a watchdog and the TRS, as a political party, decided to work on their own. Though we were not interested in giving unsolicited suggestions, we expected some kind of access to the decision-making structure. In a democracy, the involvement of people in the decision-making process is essential, but they were not interested.

Kodandaram also says that KCR has an autocratic hold over his partymen and the government; so even ministers were nothing more than rubber stamps and key decisions were not taken in time.

The TJAC, he says, was very critical of the governments large-scale land acquisitions, and lack of a strong employment policy and measures to handle drought. They asked the government for strict implementation of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013. They also insisted that a UPSC-like vacancy system should be adopted by the government for employment, and critiqued the current drought-relief, skill development and education reforms in the newly-formed state.

And so, five years after Kodandaram insisted that he had no political ambitions, the college professor found himself entering the arena. The goal is not to change the government, but governance itself, he insists. For TJS, this means making governments more accountable to the people and ensuring participation, he says.

In the agenda, we have suggested a series of measures including strengthening the SC/ST commissions, human rights commissions, Lokayuktha and anti-corruption bureaus. We must allow for people to claim government welfare schemes as a matter of right; not treated as charity. So, we have suggested a civic amenities act with a redressal mechanism built into it, he informs.

And Kodandaram is well aware of how most of the manifestoes are ignored after elections. Which is why, even before seat sharing negotiations, a pre-condition to the alliance was that TJS would have and should have ample control over its implementation.

The author is a freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reportersIn his resignation letter addressed to the Chhattisgarh's Congress president Bhupesh Baghel, Ghanaram Sahu alleged that he was mentally harassed by Baghel due to personal grudges.

Durg (Chhattisgarh): Chhattisgarh's Congress vice-president Ghanaram Sahu resigned from the party on Sunday, a day ahead of the first phase of polling in the state.

In his resignation letter addressed to the state's party president Bhupesh Baghel, Sahu has alleged that he was mentally harassed by Baghel due to personal grudges.

The first phase of elections comprises 18 seats distributed in eight Maoist-affected districts of the state. Of these, 12 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes, while one is Scheduled Caste reserved seat.

The polling for remaining 72 seats will take place on 20 November. The counting of votes will take place on 11 December.

A total of 1,291 candidates are in the fray for the two-phased state polls.Twelve of the 18 constituencies going to the polls in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh elections are located in the Maoist hotbed of Bastar, the biggest Maoist stronghold in the state.

Ahead of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, phase one of which is scheduled for Monday, Maoists have stepped up violence to ensure that voters boycott these polls. This time, the Maoists seem willing to go to any extent to get their message across, which is evident in their latest attacks in Chhattisgarh, the last of which killed four civilians along with one officer of the Central Industrial Security Force, their intended target.

Every election in Chhattisgarh faces an open threat by Naxals to prevent or severely disrupt polling. Even this year, Maoists have threatened voters to "boycott the fake Chhattisgarh elections", or else risk having their inked fingers chopped off. So feared are these Maoists that even electrifying a village is a security threat in their strongholds.

On Monday, 18 of the 90 Assembly constituencies in eight districts of Chhattisgarh go to the polls in the first phase of the elections. These eight districts located in Maoist hotbeds in south Chhattisgarh are among the worst-affected by Left-Wing Extremism in the country, which is why the polls will be held amid a tight security cover of thousands of police and paramilitary personnel.

Twelve of the 18 constituencies are located in Bastar, the biggest Maoist stronghold in Chhattisgarh, and also a Congress bastion. At present, the Congress holds eight of these seats, as against the BJPs four.

Besides Bastar, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Dantewada and Sukma are the other places where the first phase of the elections will be held on Monday. In some security-sensitive areas of Dantewada, polling booths have been set up for the first time in 20 years.

The other six constituencies that go to the polls are in Rajnandgaon district. Here, even though Chief Minister Raman Singh holds the Rajnandgaon seat, the Congress holds four of the six seats in the district, which is not free from the Maoist threat either.

It is clear from the campaigning that the BJP, Congress as well as the alliance comprising Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) are aware that the Naxal-ridden 'Red Zone' holds the key to forming the next government in Chhattisgarh. The promises made by all the parties centre around development in this area.

While the ruling BJP has claimed that the state is nearly Naxal-free, the reality is very different. Villagers in these areas continue to live in fear, more so now with the battle between the insurgents and the government heightened ahead of the elections.

Security agencies have been preparing to ensure peaceful polls. Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer Subrat Sahoo is also confident of successful elections in the state. But the Maoists have also stepped up their efforts to thwart a successful election, having threatened voters with dire consequences.

Furthermore, while Maoists have put up hordes of posters to drive home their message, the Election Commission has also plastered hoardings and posters to counter these messages and encourage people to vote. Sukma and Dantewada have scores of such posters by Maoists, asking people to boycott the polls.

In the 2013 polls, several polling booths in these Maoist hotbeds recorded 10 percent votes, with some registering zero votes as well. It remains to be seen whether efforts by the government, Election Commission and the self-help groups brought on board to bring voters out of their homes can help increase the turnout in these regions despite the security threat.Chhattisgarh Assembly Election 2018: People chanted chowkidar hi chor hai as Congress chief Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Lalbagh maidan of Jagdalpur in Maoist-infested Bastar region of Chhattisgarh Jagdalpur

Jagdalpur: The crowd chanted chowkidar hi chor hai as Congress chief Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections on 12 November. The Gandhi scions rally at the Lalbagh maidan of Jagdalpur in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh attracted a huge crowd on Saturday surprising even the Congress cadre.

Modis rally did not have a good turnout yesterday (Friday) so I bought less milk today. But surprisingly, there are more people here than Friday. Even Congress cadre and senior leaders were surprised," claimed Mannu Pal, owner of a popular tea shop outside Jagdalpurs Lalbagh maidan.

Senior Jagdalpur-based journalist SK Hasan Raza believed that there was a pertinent reason why more people attended the Congress rally. "Bastar has always been Congress bastion. Plus, Congress manifesto attracted farmers and youths of the state especially Bastar, where people want to get rid of the conflict and other issues," he said adding that the anti-incumbency factor against BJP, which has been in power for 15 years, also worked in Congress favour.

Scores of people from the neighbouring villages like Biringpal, Karkapal, and Malgaon travelled to the venue in trucks to Lalbagh Maidan. Chintamani, 55, a female Congress supporter from Malgaon, which falls under the Jagdalpur Vidhan Sabha, said she attended the rally to see how Rahul Gandhi looks like in real life. "I had seen Indira Gandhi in my childhood and Rajiv Gandhi when I was young. I wanted to see Rahul Gandhi. Around 25 people from my village came here today to see and listen to him, she said.

Another Congress supporter Sanju Kawar, 27, even took out a motorcycle rally before Gandhis arrival with nearly 40 bikers. The rally is for change and the youth will do their best to bring Congress to power so that they create jobs for youngsters like me, said Sanju, who is currently unemployed.

The people of the Jagdalpur constituency are miffed with sitting BJP MLA Santosh Kumar Bafna and accuse him of negligence towards development projects. Areas like Aman Nagar and Biringpal in Jagadalpur have announced to boycott the elections over zero development work. Jagdalpur, which is the divisional and district headquarter of Bastar, also faces a severe health and education crisis.

Gandhi slammed Modi over his urban Maoist swipe made at Congress a day earlier. "Congress workers have sacrificed their lives for Bastar and the prime minister should stop insulting them, he said amid applause.

"We always gave them (the BJP and the prime minister) respect but they have insulted our party cadre who were killed in the Naxal attack.

The prime minister and the BJP should stop teaching deshbhakti (patriotism) to the Congress and instead tell the country that why the Rafale contract was given to Anil Ambani who has no qualification or experience in making fighter aircraft," Gandhi said.

The Congress chief also promised that his party would waive farmers' loans within 10 days of forming a government if voted to power. "Bonus will be given to farmers for their produce and food processing plants will be set up in all districts where farmers' children will get employment, he said to the cheering crowd.

Congress has a very good hold in the 12 Vidhan Sabha seats of the Bastar division. During the 2013 state Assembly elections, the grand old party was able to win eight seats but it lost the Jagdalpur seat to BJPs Santosh Bafna by 17,000 votes.

As per the 2017 voter list, there are 1,86,898 electorates and 234 polling stations in this constituency. Voter turnout in the 2013 election was 73.61 percent whereas it was 69.74 percent in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections.

The author is a member of 101Reporters, a pan-India network of grassroots reportersWith Chhattisgarh's voters scared to go out and cast their ballots amid Naxal threats of getting their inked fingers chopped off, the BJP, Congress, and JCC alliance's promises are just promising enough to rouse a larger voter turnout than the 77% of the previous election.

With issues such as Naxalism, intrastate connectivity and farmers' distress plaguing poll-bound Chhattisgarh, political parties are ramping up their claims and promises to garner votes. Both the BJP and Congress on Friday sent in the big guns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, to address rallies in Jagdalpur.

The ruling BJP, Congress as well as the alliance between Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) have made it clear that the Naxal-ridden 'Red Zone', including Bastar and Sukma districts, holds the key to forming the next government in Chhattisgarh. The promises made by all the parties centre around development in this area.

Ahead of the elections  scheduled to be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh on 12 and 20 November  the unrelenting waves of Naxalism in the state have particularly stood out, with at least three attacks making headlines within weeks.

On 30 October, security forces were ambushed in Dantewadas Aranpur village, which was followed by another attack in Balrampur the same day. The first attack claimed the life of a Doordarshan cameraman. In another attack on 8 November, Naxals killed five, including two Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, near Bacheli in Dantewada district.

Modi, while speaking at a rally in the state on Friday, addressed the growing unrest in Chhattisgarh, saying that the Congress government had not done enough to develop the Maoist hotbeds in the state. His sentiments were underscored by BJP chief Amit Shah, as well.

The prime minister claimed that the Congress was, in fact, working with the Naxals and was disrupting the government's crackdown on them. "Will you forgive such people? These people will not win Chhattisgarh. I appeal to you to ensure that the BJP wins all seats in the Bastar region. If anyone else wins, it will be a blot on Bastar's dreams," he said.

The BJP is also heavily relying on promises of better rail and road connectivity in the state to appease voters. "In the past four years, more than 9,000 villages have been connected by roads. Not just that, but by spending approximately Rs 35,000 crore, the work for a 3,000-kilometre National Highway Project was started by the BJP government," the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, the Congress president's rhetoric steered clear of Naxals. Instead, he hit out at the prime minister, as well as Chief Minister Raman Singh, over unemployment and farmers' woes in Chhattisgarh. "The Raman Singh government has been in Chhattisgarh for the past 15 years, while the Modi government has been at the Centre for the past 4.5 years. Both promised jobs to the youth and security for farmers, but failed to deliver," Rahul said, while addressing a gathering at the chief minister's Rajnandgaon constituency.

Rahul also addressed problems in Naxal-affected Bastar, saying: "Bastar is rich in natural resources, but local people don't have access to their benefits. The benefits are reaching a few industrialist friends of Modi ji and the Chhattisgarh chief minister.

He has promised that if the Congress is voted to power in Chhattisgarh, it will write off the debts of each farmer within 10 days of taking over. "Raman Singh and Modi snatched bonuses from farmers. The Congress government will not only ensure that farmers get their bonus, but also give bonuses to those farmers who the BJP government failed to help in the last two years."

Rahul also promised ti fill the vacancies for staff and lecturers at state-run educational institutes.

Furthermore, the JCC-BSP-CPI alliance has also made some large promises in its manifesto, including 100 percent reservation in government jobs; 90 percent reservation in other jobs; stipends for unemployed graduates and post-graduates; depositing Rs 1 lakh for every daughter born in the state in a joint account she will hold and can claim upon turning 18; titles for houses and land to rightful owners; halving GST and other taxes on fuel; health insurance up to Rs 7 lakh for state residents; and also setting up super-specialty hospitals in every district.

The JCC has also promised complete prohibition, except in scheduled areas, which have a large tribal community). In an interview to the Hindustan Times, Jogi had said that with time, his government  if elected  would try to win over the tribal community as well and impose total prohibition.

It is apparent for all the three major players in Chhattisgarh that they have their work cut out for them if voted to power. With voters scared to venture out and cast their ballots amid threats of getting their inked fingers chopped off, the poll promises of all three contenders are just about progressive enough to attract a voter turnout larger than the 77 percent that voted in the 2013 election.Accusing the Congress of creating obstacles in the path of development, Yogi Adityanath chided the party for ignoring national interests.

Bhilai (Chhattisgarh): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday came down heavily on the Congress, accusing them of "shamelessly" glorifying Maoists as "revolutionaries".

Addressing a public rally in Bhilai, Adityanath said: "Naxalism in Chhattisgarh has spread due to Congress. They have made a breeding ground for the Naxals here. The Congress is shamelessly glorifying the Naxals as revolutionaries. Congress' culture is just to promote loot, Naxalism and corruption."

Accusing the Congress of creating obstacles in the path of development, Adityanath chided the party for ignoring national interests. "The Congress always creates obstacles in development. They are the biggest obstacle even in the construction of the Ram Temple. Congress is only interested in vote bank politics and have completely ignored national interests," Adityanath asserted.

The chief minister hailed the Raman Singh-led government in the state, saying that the welfare programmes had benefitted the public who, according to him, were now looking forward to re-elect Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Criticising the previous Ajit Jogi-led government, Adityanath said: "When they were in power, Congress openly promoted corruption. They never made policies for farmers and the poor. Under Raman Singh and Narendra Modi governments, Chhattisgarh has made great strides. It was earlier known as a bimaru state, but Raman Singh has changed the face of Chhattisgarh. Hospitals, educational institutions and stadiums have been built under him, strengthening the infrastructure of the state. Surplus electricity was also achieved due to Raman Singh's efforts. All such things did not happen during the Congress regime."

On Saturday, while addressing a rally in Lormi, Adityanath said that once the Ram Temple is built in his 'maternal state' Chhattisgarh, it will also be constructed in Ayodhya too.

Claiming that the BJP has been tirelessly working for the rights and welfare of the poor, he had said, "For the first time after independence, a prime minister announced that no poor in India will be without a house by 2022. Had there not been a BJP government at the Centre, people in Chhattisgarh wouldn't have got houses which they are receiving now."

The first phase of the state assembly elections will be held in 18 constituencies across eight districts on Monday, while the remaining 72 constituencies will go to polls on 20 November. The counting of votes will take place on 11 December.The department of Economic Development - Ajman (DED-Ajman) has announced the opening of two new customer service centres.



The new 'Moamalat' and 'Tas-Heel Hajes' customer centres have been designed to offer its customers with improved and enhancing licensing services and economic permits via an electronic link connecting the department and the service centres, said a statement from the company.



The move falls in line with DED-Ajman's continuing efforts to develop the level of its services provided to its customers and investors--facilitating the journey of the clients based on the vision and guidance of the wise leadership, who have directed on serving its citizens and placing the happiness of society at the top of its priorities, it said.



Saud Al Shammari, director of Registration, Department of Economic and Licenses, DED-Ajman, said: "The Department strives to achieve its strategy of increasing the level of services offered to investors through cooperation with various public and private entities.



The opening of the two new centres represents a key step in completing DED-Ajmans efforts to provide a wide range of services across its largest service centres in the country, enhancing the level of services of the department and facilitating investor services in Ajman."



For his part, Ahmed Khair Al Balushi, director of customer relations department, DED-Ajman, stressed the importance of cooperation between the Department and each of the 'Moamalat' and 'Tas-Heel Hajes' customer centres to provide the highest level of services to clients, where the private sector operates now 6 service centres, as well as a group of centres directly affiliated to the Department, such as the Happiness Centre for Traders in Hamdiya, the Sanad Centre in Mussafoot and the Departments centre at the Municipality and Planning Department in Manama.



Mohammed Al Hammadi, chief executive officer, 'Tas-Heel Hajes' Centre, emphasised on the need to strengthen cooperation between the various entities in the UAE and the emirate.



He commended the cooperation agreement between the Department and the Centre, which has resulted in the opening of the new Hajes Centre and will in turn, lead to handling a number of the department's services based on a partnership made in accordance with the highest standards of excellence in government service and under the supervision of the DED- Ajman.



For her part, Marwa Al Maghraby, executive director of 'Moamalat' Centre, praised the efforts of the Department and its continuous efforts in providing the highest level of government services that facilitate the process of completing transactions and facilitating procedures for investors to achieve the highest levels of satisfaction and happiness, in line with the objectives of the centre to simplify procedures and work to provide full service under one roof.



The opening of 'Moamalat' and 'Tas-Heel Hajes' centres represents a major boost to the level of services, serving the Department's efforts to enrich the customer experience and provide a range of services to facilitate access to services, shorten time for investors and enhance confidence in the local investment environment, it stated.  TradeArabia News Service'The Congress believes in mandir nahin banane denge, shakha nahin lagne denge (won't allow the temple, won't allow shakhas),' the BJP's Sambit Patra said.

Bhopal: The Congress's manifesto for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, pledging a ban on holding RSS shakhas on government premises and stopping government staffers from attending those has raised the hackles of the ruling BJP in the poll-bound state.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra, vice-president Prabhat Jha and Madhya Pradesh unit chief Rakesh Singh hit out at the Congress Sunday, accusing it of being opposed to Lord Ram.

The Congress manifesto also talks about withdrawing a relaxation given to state government staffers to attend shakhas (class) conducted by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"The Congress believes in mandir nahin banane denge, shakha nahin lagne denge (won't allow the temple, won't allow shakhas). These are the very people who had earlier said that Lord Ram did not exist, that he was a mythical character. That's why they were opposed to the construction of the Ram temple," Patra told reporters in a hurriedly-convened press meet here.

"Kapil Sibal (senior Congress leader and lawyer) had objected to the hearing of the Ram temple issue in the Supreme Court before 2019. The Congress's ideology appears to be mandir nahin banane denge, shakha nahin lagne denge...This is a consistent effort by (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party to demean the efforts of the RSS," he claimed.

Hitting out at former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh, Patra said, "Digvijay Singh has also said that the RSS should be banned. He had referred to terrorist Osama bin Laden as Osamaji and also called Zakir Naik, on the run now, an apostle of peace."

Naik is a controversial Islamic preacher who has been living abroad to evade arrest in various cases related to hate speeches and money laundering in India.

"And post 26/11 (Mumbai terror attack), he (Digvijay) had said 26/11 was the RSS's conspiracy and tried to give a clean chit to Pakistan. The same Digvijay Singh calls for a ban on the RSS today," Patra said.

"This is nothing but the politics of appeasement followed by the Congress. It reminds us of the days of Emergency of (former prime minister) Indira Gandhi," he added.

"For Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, urban Naxals are the best-performing NGOs of India, while the RSS, which is known across the globe for its humanitarian approach, is being defamed," Patra said.

Jha told reporters in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh that former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had banned the RSS, but their moves had boomeranged.

"Rather, the RSS then grew stronger and expanded manifold. No one can stop the RSS as it is a cultural organisation. It is the biggest cultural organisation in the world. The threat of the Congress against the RSS will boomerang and sink the party," he later told reporters.

Singh too lashed out at the Congress, saying the opposition party's remarks against the RSS signalled its "beginning of the end".

"I challenge the Congress to impose a ban on the RSS if it has the strength," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "The RSS, while it calls itself a cultural organisation, is busy pushing and aggressively promoting a political ideology and a political party."

In Indore, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram described the RSS as a political organisation and defended the Congress manifesto.

"They can deny it to whatever extent but the truth is that the Sangh is a political organisation. This organisation has a political agenda," he told reporters.

"After coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress will fulfil its election promise by banning the government staffers' tendency to participate in RSS shakhas," the former Union minister told reporters.

"The people of the state will welcome it, because government staffers should not get connected to a political organisation," he said.

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11.Mashribhai Dodiya consumed pesticide as soon as Rupani started addressing the public at the village where he earlier inaugurated a new marketing yard.

Ahmedabad: A farmer on Sunday attempted suicide by consuming pesticide at a public gathering where Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was present in Pransli village of Gir Somnath district, some 400 kilometres from Ahmedabad, police said.

Mashribhai Dodiya was upset with local authorities for failing to remove an encroachment on a panchayat land at the entrance of his farm in Dolasa village in Kodinar taluka of the district, Gir Somnath Superintendent of Police Rahul Tripathi said.

"Someone has illegally captured a panchayat plot outside the agricultural land belonging to the farmer, making it hard for him to enter his own land. Orders had already been issued by the collector to remove the encroachment, but local authorities have not acted upon it," the SP added.

Dodiya consumed pesticide as soon as Rupani started addressing the public at the village where he earlier inaugurated a new marketing yard, Tripathi said.

"The victim was held by the police deployed at the venue and rushed to a government hospital in Veraval. Doctors have said his condition is stable," he said.

Dodiya told reporters that the encroachment of the panchayat land, which he claimed was the handiwork of the land mafia, had made it difficult for him to enter his own farm.

"Some land mafia closed the road leading to my farm by encroaching upon a land. I had approached the chief minister, who had ordered that the encroachment be removed, but nothing has happened so far," Dodiya said.

"I have made repeated appeals to the village panchayat officials and the taluka development officer (TDO) but in vain. Fed up of running around, I decided to end my life," he told reporters at the hospital.The YSR Congress on Saturday decided not to contest the 7 December assembly elections in Telangana since its 'complete focus' is on the 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh, its actual base.

Amaravati: The YSR Congress on Saturday decided not to contest the 7 December Assembly elections in Telangana since its 'complete focus' is on the 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh, its actual base. The party, however, said it would take steps to strengthen the organisation across Telangana with the elections in 2024 as the target.

The YSRC won three assembly seats and one Lok Sabha seat in the 2014 elections, but its elected legislators subsequently switched sides to the ruling TRS. A statement from the YSRC Central Committee late Saturday night said the decision not to contest the polls was taken since 'our complete focus' was on the 2019 general elections in Andhra Pradesh.

"Taking into account the happenings (in Telangana) in the last four and a half years, we have decided not to contest the elections in that state," the statement added. The YSRC is fighting a do-or-die political battle in Andhra Pradesh and the 2019 elections are critical for its future. Meanwhile, the Jana Sena Party said it would take a call on fighting the Telangana elections in a few days.

"There is some uncertainty in the party because of the mid-term elections in Telangana.

Had the elections been conducted as per schedule (in 2019), we wanted to contest 23 Assembly and three Lok Sabha seats," Jana Sena Chief Pawan Kalyan said in Vijayawada. Some candidates were eager to jump into the fray as independents and sought Jana Senas support, he said. "We will deliberate all aspects and take a decision in a few days," he added.Indo-Asian News Service

Google is rolling out the ability to initiate manual backups to Google Drive  that does not need the usually recommended WiFi  on Android devices including the older ones, a media report said.

Previously, for backups, a smartphone had to be connected to a WiFi network and the device would have to in the charging mode. Because of this, if a handset lost its ability to charge or could not connect to the WiFi, users were unable to back their data up on Google Drive.

"According to Twitter user Alex Kruger who spotted the feature. it seems a new 'Back up now' button is beginning to appear in the Backup settings of devices of all kinds  the feature is available on 'Pixel 2' and also on some older devices like a 'Droid Turbo' from 2014 running on Android Marshmallow," 9T05Google reported on Friday.

"The capability was always there, hiding in the depths of Android, with the possibility to manually trigger Google Drive backups from a command prompt," the report added.

The release of the manual-backup feature was first speculated in August.tech2 News Staff

Samsung is planning an overhaul of sorts for budget offerings, better know its J and On lineup. Soon after Samsung Developer Conference began, a report suggests that the Korean giant will likely consolidate its J, On, and C series of phones under a new Galaxy M lineup.

According to a report by SamMobile, the naming sequence of these M series phones will take after the new A series devices, with a two-digit number accompanying the letter M. Not a lot is known about Samsung's plans so far but the report does claim that Samsung will use LCD displays for its M series offerings with only one model featuring an AMOLED panel.

Digging a little deeper reveals that Samsung does have two M-series phones lined up. They will likely be referred to as the Galaxy M20 and M30 when they launch but for now, we'll have to make do with their respective model numbers  SM-M205F and SM-M305F.

Samsung apparently has more such devices in the works and these double-digit product names are expected to be used for the Galaxy A series as well. However, its also possible the model numbers would be different from the actual phone names.

The report also reveals the storage variants that will be on offer. The higher end SM-M305F will be offered in 64 GB and 128 GB storage variants while the SM-M205F will be sold in 32 GB and 64 GB storage offerings. Both the phones will also likely feature dual SIM slots which is a key feature on Samsung's current crop of budget devices.

We will have to wait and keep our eyes peeled for more news on the M-series though since nothing is official yet.Indo-Asian News Service

As the nation gears up for the Assembly polls in Chattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana, conversations and debates on Twitter in the past week alone recorded 1.2 million tweets related to #AssemblyElections2018, the microblogging site said.

Among the initiatives that Twitter launched for the state elections include special emoji, #ElectionOnTwitter events, as well as live Q&As on the platform.

From now until 23 December, citizens can activate a special Twitter #AssemblyElections2018, Twitter said on Saturday.

To activate the emoji, users can use hashtags such as #AssemblyElections2018, #IndiaElections2018, #IndiaDecides, among others.

These initiatives are aimed at supporting citizens in having their say in the public conversation leading up to voting day and engaging with political candidates and political leaders directly, Twitter said.

Voting in the five-states will take place between 12 November and 7 December, while counting of votes for all the five states will be held on 11 December.In California's Paradise town, in Butte County, rescuers removed remains over a period of several hours and placed them in a black hearse. Pieces of bodies were transported by bucket, while intact remains were carried in body bags.

Paradise: Rescue workers recovered multiple bodies on Sunday from the charred remains of residences in a California town ravaged by the most destructive fire to hit the US state.

Firefighters are battling raging blazes at both ends of California, but there is little hope of containing the flames anytime soon. More than 250,000 people have been ordered to evacuate a wide area near the state capital Sacramento and, in southern California, the Hollywood resort town of Malibu.

In the town of Paradise, in Butte County, rescuers removed remains over a period of several hours and placed them in a black hearse. Pieces of bodies were transported by bucket, while intact remains were carried in body bags. So far, all the dead have been reported in Paradise, where more than 6,700 buildings  most of them residences  have been consumed by the late-season inferno.

The death toll in the California wildfire from 11 to 23 after rescue workers recovered the bodies of 14 more people Saturday who were killed by the most destructive fire in California history, bringing the total death toll to 23, the local sheriff said.

"Today 14 additional bodies were located, which brings our total number to 23," Sheriff Kory Honea told a news conference.

US President Donald Trump put the death toll at 11 on Saturday evening  a count that seemed set to rise with bodies being recovered in Paradise.

"Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated, and the families of the 11 who have died," Trump tweeted.

From miles around, acrid smoke could be seen in the sky around Paradise, the sun barely visible. On the ground, cars were reduced to metal carcasses, while power lines were also gnawed by the flames. Locals fled the danger, but police told AFP some farmers returned to check on their cattle.

"The magnitude of destruction we have seen is really unbelievable and heartbreaking, and our hearts go to everybody who has been affected by this," said Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California Office of Emergency Services.

Governor-elect Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to provide assistance to the hardest-hit areas in the fire-prone state. The fast-moving blaze in the north, which authorities have named the "Camp Fire," broke out early Thursday.

Fanned by strong winds, it has so far scorched 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) and is 20 percent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said Saturday. So far, three of the more than 3,200 firefighters deployed have been injured.

They estimate they will need three weeks to fully contain the blaze. Local power authorities have told state officials an outage occurred near the spot where the fire erupted, The Sacramento Bee reported, but there is still no official cause of the Camp blaze.

Trump, who was in France for World War I commemorations, drew criticism online for his somewhat unsympathetic reaction to the devastation earlier on Saturday.KUWAIT (Reuters) - Iraq's president on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran. The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in U.S. dollars.

KUWAIT (Reuters) - Iraq's president on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran.

The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in U.S. dollars. Sanctions on Tehran's oil sector took effect on Nov 5.

"We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the U.S. sanctions on Iran," Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait.

Iraq wanted to maintain "balanced" relations with all its neighbours and the international community, he said.

"Iran is a neighbouring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran," he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties.

Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State.

Iraq central bank officials said in August that the country's economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alexandra Hudson)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.The Sri Lanka Supreme Court's determination of any case brought before it may be key in deciding how long the current crisis will continue.

On 9 November, President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Parliament and announced that elections will be held on 5 January.

The move came in the wake of drawn out negotiations by Sirisenas party, the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), in an attempt to gain the majority in Parliament. On 10 November, the United National Party (UNP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna announced that they plan to challenge the dissolution of Parliament in Supreme Court.

This is the gravest crisis Sri Lanka has had since Independence (in February 1948), said political analyst Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda. If the matter is brought before the Supreme Court, the judges will have to decide on a very controversial political issue. It will be a test case for the courts sense of independence, as well as its constitutional duty to uphold and protect the Constitution, its democratic values, and democratic freedoms of citizens.

Norway, the United States, Canada and Australia have raised concerns around the dissolution of the Sri Lankan Parliament in official statements.

The past week has seen uneasy calm as Sirisena has continued to appoint new Cabinet ministers, despite several legal analysts decrying the appointments, including that of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister, as unconstitutional. However, the negotiations to coerce MPs to switch over were only partly successful, and reports emerged that Sirisena had been unable to muster a majority in Parliament. This was particularly so after UNP parliamentarian Palitha Ranga Bandara leaked several audio clips of MP and UPFA loyalist SB Dissanayake trying to convince him to switch allegiances. UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardene also tweeted that parliamentarians were being offered money to cross over.

In a UPFA press conference, Dissanayake admitted that money had been offered to Bandara, claiming that he had "earlier agreed to accept Rs 200 million and had come down to Rs 80 million". He added that offering ministerial portfolios was not a bribe.

Sirisena subsequently appointed Dissanayake the Chief Government Whip.

Meanwhile, citizens continued to gather in protest at Kollupitiya, calling for Parliament to re-convene and for a floor vote to be called.

The current crisis in Sri Lanka was precipitated when President Sirisena withdrew the UPFA from the coalition government, the result, he said, of differences of policy and culture between himself and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former prime minister.

At a "Jana Mahimaya" rally organised by the UPFA on 5 November, the president levelled several homophobic comments towards his former allies, referring to the UNP as leading a "butterfly life". In Sinhala, the word 'samanala' (butterfly) is used to describe the LGBTIQ community, often in a derogatory way. The comments at the rally drew condemnation from the public.

In a returning salvo, UNP MP and minister of mass media and finance Mangala Samaraweera tweeted, I would rather be a butterfly than a leech, Mr President!!

The next day, members of the LGBTIQ community, including LGBTIQ rights organisation Equal Ground, joined the citizens' protest in Kollupitiya. On social media, including Twitter and Facebook, many updated their profile photos or posted photos of butterflies in solidarity.

As the uncertainty in Sri Lanka continues, the focus of attention remains on the Supreme Court. Its determination of any case brought before it may be key in deciding how long the current crisis will continue.Donald Trump and his wife Melania cancelled a trip to Belleau Wood battlefield and cemetery in northern France, citing 'scheduling and logistical difficulties' caused by the rainy weather.

Paris: US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday sought to ease tensions caused by a defence row that risked clouding World War I centenary commemorations in Paris.

Trump was one of the dozens of world leaders taking part in events to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

On Saturday, he and his wife Melania cancelled a trip to Belleau Wood battlefield and cemetery in northern France, citing "scheduling and logistical difficulties" caused by the rainy weather. Coming on the eve of Veteran's Day in the United States, the decision drew criticism on social media, where many noted that the rain had not stopped Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel or Canada's Justin Trudeau from paying their respects to the dead.

Nicholas Soames, a British Conservative member of parliament and grandson of Winston Churchill, tweeted:

They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @realDonaldTrump couldnt even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen #hesnotfittorepresenthisgreatcountry  Nicholas Soames (@NSoames) November 10, 2018

Ceremonies have been held across the world this week in honour of the 18 million soldiers and civilians who perished in World War I. In one of the high points, Macron and Merkel on Saturday unveiled a plaque to the Franco-German reconciliation in the forest clearing in northeast France where the armistice ending the conflict was signed.

Macron, a centrist advocate of open borders and multilateralism, has repeatedly invoked the war in recent weeks to hammer home his message that rising nationalism is again destabilising the world. He will host Trump, Merkel, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Canadian prime minister Trudeau, among others, for dinner at Orsay Museum on Sunday evening.

On Sunday morning, they will be joined by Russian president Vladimir Putin for the main ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, which will draw in 70 world leaders.

On Saturday, Macron and Trump downplayed their divisions after a tumultuous start to the weekend, which saw Trump fire off a tweet slamming Macron's proposals for a European army just as his plane was touching down in Paris.

The spat was the latest between Trump and Macron, who struck up a warm relationship initially but have clashed over a growing list of issues, including Trump's decision to pull the US out of the 2015 Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal. "President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia," the US president tweeted, referring to remarks made by Macron in an interview three days earlier.

"Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidizes greatly!" he added.

In the interview, Macron had cited Trump's plans to pull the US out of a Cold War-era nuclear treaty and said a joint European Union force was needed to end Europe's reliance on US military might. "We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States," he said, listing various threats including cybercrime.

During talks later at the Elysee Palace Macron said his call for greater European autonomy on defence was not intended as a snub towards the US and backed Trump's calls for EU members to boost their defence spending. "We need a much better burden-sharing within NATO," he said, patting his counterpart's knee affectionately.

Trump described himself and Macron as "very good friends" and expressed support for "a strong Europe". The US leader has however ducked out of a peace conference Sunday in Paris, which Macron and Merkel intend to use as a platform for promoting multilateralism.

The WWI commemorations come at a watershed moment for the liberal post-war order, with anti-immigration populists at the helm in the US and Brazil, sharing power in Italy, and making strong gains in Germany, where Merkel has announced her resignation in 2021 after a series of electoral setbacks.

On Saturday, she visited the site of Germany's capitulation at the end of World War I, the first German leader to do in 78 years.

The forest in Compiegne is doubly symbolic as Adolf Hitler chose the same train carriage in the same clearing to sign the surrender of the French on June 22, 1940 at the start of World War II.

Macron, sporting a cornflower in his lapel  the French equivalent to Britain's remembrance poppy  and Merkel reviewed grey-clad soldiers from the Franco-German brigade, before unveiling a plaque to Franco-German reconciliation.

They also visited a replica of the carriage which was destroyed during World War II.

The visit underscored the close ties between two countries that fought three wars between 1870 and 1945 but are now seen as the lynchpins of peace in Western Europe.Art Bahrain Across Borders (ArtBAB) has recently held an open discussion headed by the chairman of the Labour Fund Tamkeen Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa and attended by more than 25 Bahraini artists.

Shaikh Mohammed, along with the artists, looked into ways of maximising the impact of the support given to this sector.

The meeting discussed ArtBAB milestones since its establishment in 2016 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King, as well as highlighted key indicators of arts industry contribution in economic development. - TradeArabia News ServiceLet's face it: Few investors really like risk. Everyone would much prefer a sure thing than a not-so-sure thing. However, the potential for gaining rewards by investing inherently comes with risk. It's the trade-off investors have to make.

However, some stocks have lower levels of risk than others. Three great stocks that should appeal to low-risk investors right now are Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) (NYSE:BRK.B), Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (NYSE:BIP), and Dollar General (NYSE:DG).

1. Berkshire Hathaway

Ask any savvy investor the best way to reduce risk, and the response will probably be to diversify. The benefit of diversification is that it spreads risk across multiple investments. If some investments lose, it's possible that others will win enough to make up for the poor performers.

Berkshire Hathaway ranks as one of the best stocks for investors seeking diversification. The company owns over 60 subsidiaries that span multiple industries, including consumer goods, insurance, jewelry, manufacturing, and railroads. In addition, Berkshire holds positions in around 40 stocks of other publicly traded companies. These stock holdings also offer plenty of diversification, representing a variety of industries.

Risk-averse investors should find Berkshire's latest quarterly results comforting. The company doubled its operating profit from the prior-year period. Two of its four largest operating businesses posted healthy pre-tax profit growth. The other two didn't, but the winners more than offset the losers. That's diversification working exactly as you'd want it to.

At the end of the third quarter, Berkshire had $103.6 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments. That's a lot of dry powder for Warren Buffett and his associates to scoop up shares of more stocks when valuations are attractive -- giving Berkshire even more diversification.

2. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is another stock that provides some diversification for investors. The company is one of the largest owners and operators of global infrastructure networks in the world.

What does "global infrastructure networks" mean? Brookfield's infrastructure businesses include data centers, electricity transmission lines, gas pipelines, ports, railroads, toll roads, and utilities. The company's operations span every continent on the planet except Antarctica, giving Brookfield plenty of geographical diversification.

One great thing about Brookfield Infrastructure Partners' businesses is that they provide steady recurring revenue. Roughly 95% of the company's adjusted EBITDA comes from regulated or contracted revenue. The biggest jolt to Brookfield's revenue typically stems from a divestiture, as seen in the company's Q3 results, with funds from operations falling because of its sale of a Chilean electricity transmission business.

On the other hand, acquisitions help fuel growth for Brookfield. The company recently announced that it's investing up to $1.8 billion in six new businesses, including a Colombian gas pipeline, a U.S. data center, and a leading South American data center.

3. Dollar General

Dollar General doesn't offer diversification to investors the way Berkshire Hathaway and Brookfield Infrastructure Partners do. However, the discount retailer should be able to give stability during both good and bad economic times.

While consumers usually cut back on spending during economic downturns, Dollar General sells the kinds of staples and other goods that are in demand regardless of what happens with the economy. The company's competitive prices and convenient locations give it an advantage in weathering tough times.

But Dollar General does really well during positive times also. The stock has doubled over the past five years, with strong revenue and earnings growth during the period. Consistent growth is probably one of the best ways for a company to reduce risk for investors.

Dollar General should be in great position to keep its growth momentum going. The retailer added around 1,000 stores in 2017 and should add roughly the same amount in 2018. CEO Todd Vasos said in Dollar General's Q3 conference call that the new stores don't significantly cannibalize existing store sales and have a payback period of two years or less. The company has around 13,000 sites identified for adding more new stores.

Low risk isn't no risk

All three of these stocks have some level of risk, though. Warren Buffett could step down from Berkshire Hathaway. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners could make an investment that doesn't pay off as expected. Dollar General could see higher levels of cannibalization of existing stores as its grows. And there are more risks that could pull any of these stocks down.

As mentioned, investing inherently comes with some risk. But if you're looking for low-risk stocks to buy, Berkshire Hathaway, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, and Dollar General should be great places to start.(CNN)  If you've never heard of eight-year-old Gavin Thomas, you clearly aren't one of the millions of people around the world who have fallen in love with the young internet sensation.

But it isn't in his native United States where Gavin has really hit the big time, that honor belongs to China.

Since creating a profile a mere four months ago on Weibo, a Chinese platform similar to Twitter, Gavin has gained an astonishing 1.8 million followers -- and the number continues to grow, along with his fame. On Twitter, by comparison, Gavin has a mere 450,000 followers.

Why is a young American, born in Minnesota and still in elementary school, an instant sensation in the largest country in the world? It's because of Gavin's unique facial expressions, which have become a hugely successful, viral meme.

Gavin first made a name for himself in the US, when short videos of him playing with his uncle Nick Mastodon quickly became a hit online.

But it wasn't until Gavin's videos spread organically to the Chinese cyberspace, particularly one of him reacting with a nervous smile to a gecko being placed on his head, that his fame truly took off.

A gif of Gavin's face, smiling awkwardly, might be used as many as 10 million times a day across China's various social media platforms, according to Ann Ding, founder and CEO of Dongtu.com, a major distributor of online gifs, told CNN.

"Gavin seems to be more popular in China than in the US," Ding said. She'd know -- her company partners with major Chinese social media platforms affiliated with Tencent and Alibaba.

She estimated that all of the total number of Gavin related gifs used across platforms in China has easily exceeded 1 billion. His debut on Weibo was widely reported by Chinese state media, and his first trip to China in August made headlines across the country.

The fake smile boy

While many Chinese people can't identify him by name, his meme-turned-gifs have been circulated widely across social media, primarily on WeChat, the country's predominant messaging app with 1 billion users.

Gavin's nickname in China is "the fake smile boy," a reference to the eight-year-old's uneasy but polite smile which struck a chord with millions of Chinese internet users.

39-year-old Cai Qianyi, who works in the media industry, said he constantly shares Gavin gifs online.

"I got to know him from the gifs other people sent me on WeChat. I saved the gifs to use as they are so appropriate to express myself," he told CNN.

Chinese people, especially millennials, have latched on to Gavin's signature smile, the gif of which is used to express forced positivity in uncomfortable situations.

"If someone says something embarrassing, but you don't want to shoot it down directly, the fake smile gif can convey your embarrassment while leaving a way out," Leo Li, a 21-year-old college senior in Beijing who uses the Gavin gif, told CNN.

Li said Gavin's "forced but polite smile" is a useful "social lubricant."

Ding, the distributor of online gifs, said Gavin's smile has the kind of genuine emotion that hits home with Chinese people who need a way to express a feeling of polite reluctance.

"People use it as a form of self-mockery," Ding added.

Million dollar baby

American memes have gained temporary fame in China before, but unlike his viral predecessors Gavin's team has made the decision to embrace his popularity overseas.

Soon after he opened his Weibo account, Gavin made a sponsored trip to Beijing to meet his fans in person, generating even more memes of Gavin posing in front of Chinese landmarks in traditional Chinese dress.

At the same time, his store on Taobao, the hugely popular online Chinese online shopping site, has quietly opened and has started to sell merchandise such as phone cases with Gavin's smiling face on the back.

On his second trip to China in early November, he signed a contract with the Chinese internet giant Tencent to be featured in its new short video app -- Yoo.

"China is surely a key market, and it felt important for us to integrate into their culture and platforms to maximize the opportunity around his success there," Gavin's agent Byron Austen Ashley told CNN.

Experts say Chinese people's love for animated images in digital conversation is rooted in its culture of politeness.

"Chinese people tend not to be so blunt (in conversation) and are careful to avoid hurting others' feelings. But online communication is inherently straightforward, so people like to use funny images to relax the communication atmosphere," said Liu Qian, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Communications at Beijing Normal University.

'He will grow up eventually'

As far as Gavin himself is concerned, he told CNN he is enjoying his fame in China.

"They love watching my pictures and videos, and they tell me I'm cute. Sometimes, they tell me they love me," he told CNN over email.

But despite his success, celebrity always brings additional complications.

In a country where copyright laws are not always strictly enforced, celebrities looking to build a brand in China will often find themselves pitted against "meme entrepreneurs" who react to the latest trends for a living.

Gavin's agent Ashley told CNN that they have already had to take down several bootleg Gavin products since opening up for business.

Some are worried about Gavin's future earning ability as he's growing up quickly and cute facial expressions alone no longer work.

"Chinese people tend to love foreign toddlers...I don't know how long his fame will last. He will grow up eventually," Gavin-fan Cai said.

Others are concerned that a life under the limelight may have a negative impact on him.

Batting aside these questions, his agent Ashley said that they have prepared alternate strategies to show his "amazing personality" when he's older.

He added that the team is making sure that Gavin is having fun in every project and that he lives life "as normal as possible."

"His dream is to be a YouTuber and he seems to be heading down the right path," he said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "How an eight-year-old American boy became a viral sensation in China"A majority (94.1 per cent) of family businesses in Asia have experienced at least one technological disruption, but less than half are prepared to integrate disruptive technologies into their business models, according to a study commissioned by Lombard Odier, a global wealth and asset manager.



The report, titled Where Technological Disruptors Meet Asian Family Businesses: Rethinking Next-Generation Leadership and Career, is authored by Professor Roger King and Jeremy Cheng of the Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and based on the results of an extensive survey conducted by Lombard Odier and HKUST of 119 next generation members of family businesses in South East Asia and North Asia.



The top five disruptors to Asian family businesses include big data (60.5 per cent), artificial intelligence or AI (52.1 per cent), Internet of Things or IoT (48.7 per cent), renewable energy (42.0 per cent), and robotics (40.3 per cent).



Awareness but limited action



While over 60 per cent of respondents have taken steps to identify and understand the nature of disruptive technologies, only one-third have developed a clear perspective on the future direction for their own industry, market, and business amid technological disruptions. Twelve per cent did not take any action at all when facing technological disruptions, while only less than 30 per cent managed to embrace deep transformation by integrating disruptive technologies into their existing business models.



On average, it took approximately 28 months for Asian family businesses to identify and execute a response to a disruptive technology.



Barriers to countering disruption



Major barriers to Asian family businesses overcoming disruption include rigid mental models, emotional ties to loyal staff and existing assets, formalization, and political resistance. Asian family businesses also show low dependence on resources from external capital providers, indicating their concern about control dilution.



Families should rethink their control mentality. Those choosing to delicately balance control and resources may stand a better chance of exploiting opportunities presented by technological disruption.



Professor Roger King, from the Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies at HKUST, said Todays owners of Asian family businesses need to open up, embrace technological disruptions and rethink their businesses.



Many Asian family businesses are still in the awareness stage and remain far from formulating competitive strategies to exploit opportunities fuelled by technological disruption. External advisors and investment can be valuable in this process, yet our findings showed that only one quarter of family businesses in Asia had engaged outside expertise to manage technological disruptions. Such entrenchment could be an expensive lesson to a family business facing abrupt environmental changes.



Other regions less impacted than Asia



Over 94 per cent of the respondents in Asia said that their family businesses would be affected by at least one disruptive technology. This is in strong contrast to a separate 2017 survey, where over half of family businesses in Europe, Middle East, and Africa indicated that they did not experience any market disruptions.



While technological disruption is not a unique phenomenon in Asia, it appears that Asian family businesses are facing a keen drive in transforming themselves facing waves of technological disruptions.



Family businesses must strive to maintain flexibility and agility to be able to respond to disruptions in a timely manner. This can be a challenge when a family business grows in size and is passed down across generations, said Vincent Magnenat, limited partner, and CEO Asia Pacific at Lombard Odier.



Embracing generational differences -Its not a life sentence



The study found that Generation X took longer to recognise disruptive technologies than Generation Y. Families should actively consider strategies that capitalise of Generation Ys digital diversities and absorb home-grown digital natives in their response to technological disruption.



However, families should be mindful of other potential generational differences. Generation Y/Z counterparts are far more motivated by the concept of being my own boss than their Generation X counterparts. 34 per cent of the next generation wanted to lead or work in their family businesses whilst creating their own ventures.



Encouraging next generation members of the family business to create their own ventures that leverage disruptive technologies can lead to new revenue streams for the family. Alternatively, even exiting the business to refocus on different areas is a valid and valuable option, if well planned, to counter disruptive forces.



Magnenat added, The study has highlighted Generation Ys ability to add value by identifying disruptive technologies quicker than prior generations, but an increasing number want to create their own ventures. Families should look to embrace the next generations digital savviness within the family business, or alternatively grab opportunities to turn next generation start-ups or spinoffs into a disruptor.



In Asia, Lombard Odier provides wealth management solutions, including DPM and family services, to entrepreneurs and family businesses from its three offices in Asia, as well as to the clients of its banking partners around the region.  TradeArabia News ServiceThe Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre has welcomed chef Altamash Iqbal to the luxury hotel ahead of the Diwali festival of lights.



Altamash will oversee specialty restaurant Cara, a sophisticated dining experience that offers an international menu blending European, Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern influences, as well as developing specialty menus for seasonal events and festivities.



Joining the hotel from The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore, Altamash brings more than 12 years of experience to the property and is passionate about delivering unparalleled culinary experiences and developing the hotels diverse gourmet offering which celebrates the cuisine of the Indian subcontinent. As Chef Tournant, Altamash will also oversee banqueting and catering for weddings and large-scale events at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC.



At The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, Altamash shares the time honoured culinary traditions of his Northern Indian hometown, Lucknow, and is a veritable force within the glittering space of Indian cuisine. Having refined his culinary craft during his time with The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong and The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore, he brings an artful blend of epicurean principles, with a deep respect for fresh and flavoursome ingredients. He has also overseen a number of Indian food festivals at The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen, The Ritz-Carlton, Jakarta and The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu, developing exciting interpretations of ancient family recipes.



Executive chef Andreas Schatzschneider, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre, commented: We are very pleased to welcome chef Iqbal to The Ritz-Carlton team. He brings an abundance of experience in delivering treasured experiences to gourmands across Indian, China and Hong Kong and we are very pleased to have him join us here in Dubai to share his culinary heritage and expertise with our valued guests.



Guests visiting The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre between November 6 and 13 are invited to join chef Altamash and his team for a spectacular culinary celebration ahead of Diwali. The Hindu festival of lights signifies the victory of light over darkness and Cara under the helm of chef Altamash will unite families and friends, whilst offering an abundance of food with an authentic dining experience and live cooking stations.



The Diwali package is available from Dh295 ($80.3) with soft drinks, Dh395 ($107.5) with house beverages and bubbly and Dh495 ($134.7) with premium beverages and premium bubbly per person and Dh130 ($35.3) for children up to 12 years old. Complimentary for children under seven. - TradeArabia News ServiceCebu Pacific Air (CEB), the Philippines largest airline, has announced a two-day Crazy Seat Sale, starting today (November 11) and running till November 12.



Passengers from the UAE enjoy and benefit from the seat sale with fares as low as Dh11.11 ($3.0). The travel period for the sale will be from February 1 to May 31, 2019.



The promotion follows the airlines celebrations commemorating its fifth year of operations in the UAE, having flown over 1 million passengers across the Dubai-Manila route.



To date, Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier (LCC) flying directly between the Philippines and the UAE. - TradeArabia News Service

Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) recently welcomed the inaugural Nordwind Airlines flight to the kingdom.



The Russian low-cost carrier serves passengers travelling between Amman and Moscows Sheremetyevo International Airport through weekly flights every Sunday and Wednesday.



The newly-established route was commemorated with the customary water arch salute and a welcoming ceremony attended by representatives from Airport International Group - operator of the Queen Alia International Airport, Jordan Tourism Board and Nordwind Airlines.



The latest addition brings the total number of airlines serving QAIA to 46, divided between scheduled passenger airlines and local charter and cargo carriers. This step corresponds with Airport International Groups goal to attract more low-cost carriers, given their significant role in enhancing the kingdoms accessibility to passengers of different backgrounds and financial abilities.



Were very pleased for Nordwind Airlines to join QAIAs growing airline network, as it grants passengers travelling to and from Moscow an alternative airport option. As Jordans prime gateway to the world, we strive to collaborate with in-demand carriers in order to cover a broad spectrum of destinations within the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. In doing so, we are helping to link travellers worldwide to the kingdom, thus positively impacting the national economy, particularly the tourism sector. We look forward to forging new airline partnerships that cater to passenger needs and offer them the comfortable, convenient and affordable air travel experience they desire, said Kjeld Binger, CEO of Airport International Group. - TradeArabia News Service

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has announced the launch of the first edition of Cultural Pottery Festival, which is taking place in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood over two periods: November 11  15 and November 18  19.



The festival, held under the theme Pottery: Legacy and History, will shed light on the UAEs handicrafts and is in line with Dubai Cultures mandate to preserve national heritage and pass it on to future generations especially as these crafts are an inspiring and cultural means of expression.



Saeed Al Nabouda, acting director general at Dubai Culture, said: This festival plays an important role in achieving the authoritys vision to establish Dubai as a global, creative, and sustainable city for culture, heritage, arts, and literature. Pottery involves creative and artistic skills and has persisted throughout time despite changes in peoples habits. We hope this festival helps revive the spirit of this craft by encouraging artisans to practice it, giving it a distinctive cultural, unique, commercial and touristic character to preserve this profession from extinction."



Al Nabouda added: Dubai Culture is committed to conserving the handicrafts of our heritage, and we encourage all efforts that highlight our national identity to remain a source of pride for all citizens. This all falls within the framework of an integrated strategy for handicrafts which will serve as a basis for the future and independent development of the handicraft sectors.



The festival will serve as a journey to the past to identify pottery and its stages of development as well as its old uses, allowing visitors from different nationalities to experience the pottery industry, introducing children to this profession through workshops, and allocating a corner for a pottery library where visitors will gain access to books about pottery.



Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubais cultural scene and draw attention to the UAEs rich heritage. The authoritys mandate is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures to enhance Dubai's position as a creative and sustainable global city for culture, heritage, arts, and literature, with the aim to empower these sectors by developing creative and innovative projects and initiatives locally, regionally, and globally. - TradeArabia News ServiceGoogle Duo lets you earn up to Rs. 9,000 cash reward: All you need to know News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu

Google appears to be aggressively promoting its apps for new users to download and install the same. Especially, the company is promoting the Google Duo and Google Pay apps with rewards. Initially, the cash rewards program was introduced for the users of Google Duo in the Philippines. Now, the program has been rolled out for the users in India as well.

As per the support page, the users from India making their first call on Google Duo can earn cash rewards that will be credited directly to the users' account via Google Pay. Google states that when a user invites a friend to sign up on Duo, both of the can earn rewards provided the new user makes the first video call using the app after installing it via the shared invite link.

How to earn cash rewards

If you want to earn cash rewards on using Google Duo in India, then you need to have a mobile phone taken in the country and a bank account linked to Google Pay, the UPI-based app. New users have to make their first call using the video calling app by downloading the app from the invite link to earn the reward.

To invite your friends to Duo, you need to open the app and click on the menu and hit the option 'Invite Friends' and share the invite link. Once your friend registers themselves on Duo, you will get an email with the instructions on how to redeem your reward. You can redeem the reward and the cash reward will be transferred to your bank account.

Terms and conditions

In order to earn rewards, you need to ensure that your friend installs the Google Duo app using the unique link that you shared with the person. And, the mobile number should not have been used with the app before. Also, the person should have the latest version of the app installed.

The cash rewards might take 2 to 4 hours to be credited and is applicable only for the Android users. However, the iOS users can still invite their friends using Android to use the app and earn the rewards. Google notes that the rewards cannot be redeemed after the expiry of the mentioned reward period.

Earn up to Rs. 9,000

As per the official rewards programme terms and conditions page, you can earn up to Rs. 9,000 reward in a year using this programme. And, once an invited user joins Duo, you will earn a scratch card with up to Rs. 1,000. And, this offer is not available for the residents in Tamil Nadu.

Best Mobiles in IndiaYour favorite Xiaomi smartphones just got a price hike: Thanks to depreciating rupee value News oi-Vivek The new prices are effective from the 11th of November

The value of rupee is depreciating by the against the US$, and smartphone OEMs have started to increase the price of their budget smartphone, especially the entry-level models. And now, Xiaomi has updated the price of the Redmi smartphones, smart televisions, and power banks due to the 15% increase of the US$ value over the value of the rupee.

This is the second time Xiaomi increasing the price of the smartphones and television. In early 2018, Xiaomi did increase the price of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro by Rs 1000 and the Xiaomi Mi TV 55-inch 4K TV by Rs 5000.

In fact, at the time of the launch of the Xiaomi Redmi 6 series of smartphones in India, the company hinted that the price of these smartphones might go up a bit if the value of the rupee continues to depreciate.

The new prices will be effective from the 11th of November 2018.

Mi Fans, we have an important update regarding Redmi 6, Redmi 6A, Mi Powerbank 2i, and Mi TV. pic.twitter.com/014Sn9uEf7  Redmi India (@RedmiIndia) November 10, 2018

Here are the updated prices of some of the Xiaomi smartphones and TVs

The base variant of the Xiaomi Redmi 6A with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage is available for Rs 6,599, and the Redmi 6A with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage is now available for Rs 7,499.

Xiaomi has increased the price of the Xiaomi Redmi 6A with 2 and 3 GB RAM with Rs 500, and Rs 600, respectively.

The Xiaomi Redmi 6 with 3 GB RAM with 32 GB internal storage is also available for the Rs 8,499, with a price increase of Rs 500.

The Xiaomi Mi LED TV 4C Pro is available Rs 15,999 and the Xiaomi Mi LED TV 4A Pro is available for Rs 31,999. The Mi LED TV 4C Pro price has been increased by Rs 1,000, and the Mi LED TV 4A Pro's price has been raised by Rs 2,000.

Lastly, the Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 2i is now available for Rs 899 with an increase in the price of Rs 100, from the original price tag.

So, what do you think about the increase in the prices of the Xiaomi smartphones and smart televisions? Are you still interested in buying the Xiaomi Redmi 6 or the Xiaomi Redmi 6A comment below?

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Lavrov Says Moscow Being 'Unfairly' Blamed In Spy Scandal With Austria

By RFE/RL November 10, 2018

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has told his Austrian counterpart that Russia was unfairly being accused of espionage after Vienna said it was probing a former Austrian colonel for allegedly spying for Moscow for decades.

According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov spoke of "unsubstantiated accusations" while speaking by phone on November 10 with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl.

Lavrov said Vienna should have discussed the allegations privately and directly with Moscow and not aired them publicly.

The spy dispute risks damaging ties with one of Russia's few European allies. It is the latest in a string of cases where Moscow has been accused of espionage in EU states and elsewhere.

On November 9, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Defense Minister Mario Kunasek revealed that an Austrian colonel who retired five years ago is suspected of having worked for Russian intelligence from the 1990s until this year.

"Espionage is unacceptable, and Russian espionage in Europe is also unacceptable," said the chancellor.

Kneissl reacted to the scandal by cancelling an upcoming trip to Russia.

"Should the suspicions be confirmed, it would seriously strain the bilateral relations between Austria and Russia," she said.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Kneissl told Lavrov during their phone call on November 10 that she hoped the affair would not damage bilateral ties.

Kneissl raised eyebrows in August when she waltzed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bowed to him at her wedding.

According to reports, Vienna suspects a 70-year-old army official of working with Russian intelligence for several decades and is investigating him for allegedly revealing state secrets.

An Austrian Defense Ministry spokesman told the Kurier newspaper on November 10 that the information allegedly passed on by the suspect "ranged from unimportant things to more sensitive information."

However, other media reports suggested that the colonel wasn't in a position to reveal the highest levels of classified data.

The Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper reported that he is alleged to have passed on information from NATO seminars and courses he had attended, as well as information available on the army's intranet system.

Austria is not a member of NATO but cooperates closely with the Western military alliance.

With reporting by AFP and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lavrov-says- moscow-being-unfairly-blamed-in-spy- scandal-with-austria/29593400.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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Hezbollah to retaliate against Israeli aggression on Lebanon: Nasrallah

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 03:53PM

The secretary general of Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement says his fellow fighters will not hesitate to respond proportionately to any Israeli act of aggression against the Arab country.

"We will retaliate against any attack on Lebanon. We will not accept any enemy aggression against our country," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said as he addressed his supporters via a televised speech broadcast live from the Lebanese capital Beirut on Saturday afternoon.

He also praised sacrifices made by resistance fighters, stressing that their heroic actions had helped Hezbollah score glorious victories.

"Our martyrs' blood protected our land, so did the 'Golden Formula' and Hezbollah's missile capabilities. Our strength point is missile power because the Lebanese army is forbidden from acquiring state-of-the-art missiles and military hardware," Nasrallah pointed out.

The Hezbollah chief then censured attempts by certain regional states to normalize diplomatic relations with the Israeli regime.

"Dear Palestinians, don't grieve at normalization bids! What had been going on behind the scenes for long is now taking place blatantly and unashamedly. The current normalization attempts will put an end to Arab hypocrisy, and will tear off the masks of deceivers and hypocrites," Nasrallah said.

He further noted that demonstrations in the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip, which are dubbed "The Great March of Return" and demand the right to return for the Palestinians driven out of their homeland, filled our hearts with hope that Palestinians would not give in to pressure at all.

"Had the Syrian people and government not withstood pressure by Tel Aviv, we would have been witness to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu marching in Damascus," Nasrallah said.

The Hezbollah secretary general also lauded Iran's stance vis-a-vis the Palestinian issue, stating that sanctions against the Islamic Republic will have no effect on the movement.

He also criticized the international community for its outcry over the murder of prominent Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul on October 2, while turning a blind eye to Saudi crimes and atrocities in neighboring Yemen.

The Hezbollah chief also described a demand by US President Donald Trump's administration for a ceasefire in Yemen as a hoax, stating that doubts surrounded the timing of such a call.

He called upon Yemeni people to remain patient and persevere as they are very close to victory.

Nasrallah strongly condemned the recent life sentence handed down to prominent Bahraini Shia cleric and opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman, saying the Appeals Court's decision to overturn his acquittal proved the ruling Al Khalifah regime was oppressive.

Turning to the formation of a new national unity government in Lebanon, he said Hezbollah was right to demand 10 ministerial shares, and that its share of six ministers in the next Lebanese administration did not reflect its parliamentary, political and popular size.

Nasrallah then underlined that the six "independent" Sunni lawmakers, who were insisting on being represented in the next government, had prevented the transformation of the political stalemate in Lebanon into a sectarian crisis.

"We told Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri that our demand for their representation is basic, and helps the formation of the new government," Nasrallah concluded.

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Nasrallah, Bassil discuss representation of Sunni MPs

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:09AM

Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil met on Saturday to discuss the representation of six so-called independent Sunni lawmakers as the Arab country is struggling to remove remaining barriers to the formation of a new government.

Nasrallah and Bassil, who is also the acting foreign minister, also exchanged views on the deadlocked government formation process as well as other issues, said a statement from Hezbollah.

According to the statement, both officials said the cabinet needed to have "clear criteria" for the formation of the government.

The country has currently no formula to decide on the number of parliamentary seats for political parties and their future ministerial posts.

Six months after a parliamentary election in Lebanon, a row over Sunni representation has obstructed the formation of a national unity government which is expected to group most of Lebanon's political parties.

A deal looked close last week when the Christian Lebanese Forces Party ceded ground to President Michel Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement, sparking a row over Christian representation that had been seen as the main obstacle.

However, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has yet to resolve a row over the Sunni representation.

Lebanon is in dire need of a government able to implement the economic reforms that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says are needed to put its public debt on a sustainable path. Lebanon has the world's third largest public debt as a proportion of the economy and growth is stagnant.

Lebanon's first parliamentary vote in nine years was held on May 6, with over 500 candidates vying for seats. Turnout was 49.2 percent, according to officials. Hezbollah and its political allies secured over half the seats.

Hezbollah as well as groups and individuals affiliated to it won at least 67 seats, according to the results cited by politicians and campaigns and reported in Lebanese media.

Hezbollah's allies include the Amal Movement led by Nabih Berri and the Christian Free Patriotic Movement founded by Aoun.



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Hudaydah to be 'graveyard' for Saudi-led militants: Houthi

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 10:53AM

A senior Houthi official has said Yemen will turn into a "graveyard" for aggressors as Saudi-backed militants and mercenaries continued with a fresh push to occupy the port city of Hudaydah.

"Our people, with their full-scale defense of Hudaydah, once again have proved that Yemen will be a graveyard for the aggressors," Mohammed Abdulsalam said in a tweet late Friday..

Saudi-backed militants announced on Friday that they had begun a military operation to take over Hudaydah, claiming that they had advanced towards the northern and the western flanks of the port city.

Abdulsalam dismissed the claims, saying the aggressors had already failed to achieve any of their objectives due to the "exemplary steadfastness" of the Yemeni people.

"The American-British-Israeli coalition, along with domestic and foreign mercenaries and terrorists groups, including Daesh and al-Qaeda  have failed to achieve any of their objectives after four years of aggression, due to the exemplary steadfastness of the nation," he tweeted.

A statement by militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi claimed that they were progressing from all fronts. On Saturday, they said they had taken the main hospital in Hudaydah.

Nearly 80 percent of Yemen's commercial imports and practically all UN-supervised humanitarian aid pass through Hudaydah's port.

Yemeni officials say the extent of Saudi-led military aggression has intensified ever since US President Donald Trump's administration demanded a ceasefire.

Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of Yemen Mohammed Ali al-Houthi said in an opinion article in The Washington Post on Saturday that the US call for ceasefire was hollow.

"The continued escalation of attacks against the port city of Hudaydah in Yemen by the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition confirms that the American calls for a ceasefire are nothing but empty talk," he said.

"The recent statements are trying to mislead the world. Saudi leaders are reckless and have no interest in diplomacy. The United States has the clout to bring an end to the conflict but it has decided to protect a corrupt ally," he said.

Al-Houthi said, "Trump and his administration clearly prefer to continue this devastating war because of the economic returns it produces  they drool over those arms sales profits."

Last month, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis called for a ceasefire in Yemen and for all parties to come to the negotiating table within the next 30 days.

Al-Houthi said the Saudi-led blockade of Hudaydah is meant to bring the Yemeni people to their knees.

"The coalition is using famine and cholera as weapons of war. It is also extorting the United Nations by threatening to cut their funds as if it were a charity and not a responsibility required under international law and Security Council resolutions."

He further emphasized that Ansarullah was ready to stop the retaliatory missile attacks if Saudi Arabia stopped its airstrikes against the impoverished nation.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees warned on Friday that many people were trapped in Hudaydah. Other UN bodies have said an all-out attack on Hudaydah could trigger famine in Yemen.

In an interview with Press TV, political columnist David William Pear described the Saudi blockade of Yemen as a "war crime."

"No one is really stepping in to help the Yemenis. The people are starving. This is a war crime and a clear war crime. This has been the intended purpose of Saudi Arabia," he said.

Colin Cavell, a university lecturer, said Saudi Arabia "is doing a massive humanitarian catastrophe on the people of Yemen and the world needs to take notice of this massive humanitarian catastrophe."

He also accused the UK and the United States of complicity in war crimes being committed in Yemen.

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Sri Lankan president dissolves parliament, sets January snap elections

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 09:26AM

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena has dissolved the parliament and called for snap general elections amid deepening political crisis in the Indian Ocean country.

The move was prompted late on Friday after Sirisena sacked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in a shocking move last month and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, a controversial former president.

Wickremesinghe denounced his dismissal as unconstitutional and refused to vacate his official residence, demanding an emergency session to prove he commanded majority among parliament members.

The Sri Lankan president signed an official decree dismissing the 225-member assembly on Friday, just hours after his ruling party admitted that it had failed to muster enough parliamentary support for its designated prime minister.

Sirisena also announced that general elections will be held on 5 January, nearly two years ahead of schedule.

Wickremesinghe has made no immediate comment on the move but his United National Party (UNP) said it would challenge Sirisena's sacking of the legislature.

"This dissolution by the President is illegal and goes against the constitution," the UNP said on Twitter. "We will be fighting this to ensure that democracy reigns supreme in the country."

The party also accused Sirisena of robbing the "people of their rights and democracy."

Rajapaksa, however, welcomed Sirisena's move, saying in a Twitter post that a "general election will truly establish the will of the people and make way for a stable country."

The power struggle on the island of 21 million people has paralyzed much of the administration, according to legislators on both sides of the dispute.

Before the dissolution of the Sri Lankan parliament, the European Union said Friday that the protracted political crisis had scarred the Indian Ocean island's international reputation.

In a joint statement with Norway and Switzerland, the 28-member bloc called for parliament to reconvene and hold an immediate vote.

"Any further delay could damage Sri Lanka's international reputation and deter investors," the statement said.

In a video message posted on Facebook on Thursday, Wickremesinghe appreciated his supporters and called on them not to abandon their efforts in restoring democracy in the country.

"In extraordinary numbers and with extraordinary courage you came out on to the streets, you spoke out," Wickremesinghe said. "You have not let this country be plunged into the darkness of dictatorship. For this inspiring effort, I want to thank everyone who has risen to fight for democracy and justice."

Sri Lanka's regional neighbors and Western nations have called on all political sides in the Indian Ocean country to exercise restraint and respect the constitution.

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US suspends refueling Saudi jets in deadly bombing campaign on Yemen

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 08:08AM

The US and Saudi Arabia say they have agreed to end US refueling of Saudi aircraft bombing Yemen but several officials underlined that American training and military assistance will continue.

The decision was announced by Saudi Arabia on Saturday and confirmed by the US, coming at a time of mounting global outcry over the high number of civilian casualties and the murder of Jamal Khoshoggi.

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Riyadh had itself demanded to stop inflight refueling services by the US military for its warplanes after "consultation" with Washington.

"Recently the kingdom and the coalition has increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the coalition has requested cessation of support for it's operations in Yemen," the SPA said.

According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya al-Hadath channel on Saturday, Saudi Arabia has a fleet of 23 planes for refueling operations, including six Airbus 330 MRTT used for Yemen, while the UAE has six of the Airbus planes.

Riyadh also has nine KC-130 Hercules aircraft that can be used, it added.

Pentagon chief Jim Mattis confirmed that the decision to stop refueling was taken in consultation with the US government. "We support the decision by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said.

Several US officials, however, were quick to clarify that the end to refueling would not stop American training and military assistance for the Saudi aggression against Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have recently launched a new offensive against Hudaydah, which is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis, after seeing several campaigns to occupy the main port city thwarted by Yemen's Houthis and their allies in the army.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the Houthi supreme revolutionary committee, said US calls for peace and its political posturing are meaningless.

"The continued escalation of attacks ... by the US-Saudi-Emirati coalition confirms that the American calls for a ceasefire are nothing but empty talk," he wrote in a column published by the Washington Post.

The ceasefire call, he said, is an attempt "to save face after the humiliation" caused by the murder of Washington Post columnist Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi policy, who was brutally murdered at the US consulate in Istanbul last month.

US Representative Ro Khanna, an advocate of barring US military support to the Saudi war on Yemen, has reportedly introduced a measure in the House to ensure the Trump administration follows through on its decision.

"From everything that I've understood, from activists on the ground, from people who are briefed on policy, the war could not continue without the assistance of US refueling," he told US online news publication The Intercept.

Since the outbreak of the invasion in 2015, the US military has been refueling Saudi aircraft that conduct airstikes on Yemen.

Senator Chris Murphy emphasized that the Trump administration should cut off all forms of support for the Saudi-led coalition, not just refueling.

"Why are we still helping the Saudis with targeting? Why are we still selling them the bombs at a discount?" he asked.

"Now that it's no longer a secret that the war in Yemen is a national security and humanitarian nightmare, we need to get all the way out."

In January 2016, Saudi Arabia said the US and UK military advisers were in the command and control center for strikes on Yemen and had access to lists of targets.

The brutal war was launched in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall Yemen's former Riyadh-allied regime and crush the Houthi Ansarullah movement, which has been running state affairs in the absence of an effective government.

In June, Saudi Arabia and the UAE launched an offensive against the port city of Hudaydah despite international warnings that it would compound Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

The Western-backed imposed war on Yemen, coupled with a naval blockade, has destroyed the country's infrastructure and led to famine as well as a cholera outbreak.

So far, the aggressors have been unable to penetrate the defenses of the Yemeni nation and Houthi fighters.

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Trump slams Macron's 'very insulting' call for 'a real European army'

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 05:11AM

US President Donald Trump blasted French President Emmanuel Macron in a tweet moments after landing in Paris, saying his suggestion that Europe must create a European army was "very insulting."

"President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting," Trump tweeted Friday.

Trump renewed his criticism of NATO, claiming the military alliance does not pay enough for mutual defense.

"Perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly," he said.

Trump's remarks could signal another high-level international meeting in which he spars with traditional American allies.

The US president is set to spend the weekend in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the World War I. About 60 world leaders will participate in the events this week.

On Tuesday, Macron called for creation of a "real European army" within the European Union.

"We will not be able to protect Europeans if we don't decide to have a real European army," he said in an interview with Europe 1 radio, adding that Europe had to defend itself without depending "only on the United States."

European leaders worry that Trump's "America First" foreign policy is undermining long-standing Western alliances such as NATO.

Macron's criticism of Trump came after the US president decided to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) -- a key 1987 nuclear treaty with Russia.

The INF allowed the US to counter Chinese moves to build up arms in the Pacific but prevented Washington from deploying new nuclear armaments in response.

"Who is going to be the main victim [of Trump's decision to leave the INF]? Europe and its security," Macron underlined.

The French president also suggested that since Trump took office, the US has been seen as a less reliable ally in Europe.

Macron is not the only European leader to raise the prospect of Europe beefing up its defense independent of the United States.

EU President Donald Tusk made a similar suggestion in May after Trump had withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate accord, threatened a series of trade disputes with Europe and constantly slammed NATO.

"Europe must do everything in its power to protect, in spite of today's mood, the transatlantic bond. But at the same time we must be prepared for those scenarios, where we will have to act on our own," Tusk said.

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Pompeo calls on China to stop militarization of South China Sea

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 01:38AM

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called on China to stop what Washington claims to be militarization of the disputed South China Sea.

"We have continued concerns about China's activities and militarization in the South China Sea," Pompeo said on Friday. "We pressed China to live up to its past commitments in this area."

Beijing has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, which serves as a crossing for more that $5 trillion worth of maritime trade annually. The sea is also claimed in part by the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan.

The remarks by Pompeo came at a press conference he and Defense Secretary James Mattis held with their Chinese counterparts following their meeting in Washington.

Pompeo and Mattis held talks with Chinese Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe at the State Department in a meeting aimed at reducing tensions over a range of political and military issues.

The meeting was due to be held last month but was postponed after Washington imposed sanctions on the Chinese army for buying Russian weapons and announced new arms deals with Taiwan.

During the press conference, Pompeo said the talks were a placeholder for an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a Group of 20 summit in Argentina later this month.

"As President Trump has made clear, the US seeks a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China grounded in fairness, reciprocity and respect," Pompeo said.

"Even as our countries confront important differences in the bilateral relationship between the nations, our cooperation remains essential on many many central issues," he added.

Denuclearizing North Korea was one of the topics that Pompeo said he had discussed with Yang which required cooperation between the two sides.

The top American diplomat noted that the US needed China's help in its new campaign of economic pressure against Iran in order to force Tehran to give up its nuclear energy and ballistic missile programs while rolling back influence in the Middle East.

Last week Pompeo announced reimposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran in an attempt to curtail the Islamic Republic's oil exports and put extra pressure on the country's economy.

However, Pompeo admitted back then that Washington had failed to get the main buyers of Iranian oil to tag along and had to grant temporary waivers to China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Japan and Taiwan.

Mattis underlines importance of military ties

Taking the podium next was Mattis, who mostly focused on the importance of close military to military ties with China in order to ensure that all Chinese and American warships and aircraft operating off Chinese territories will do so in a "safe and professional" manner.

He was referring to an incident that took place in September, where a US warship had a near collision with a Chinese vessel in the South China Sea.

Washington has long irritated China by conducting so-called "freedom of navigation" missions in the area.

Mattis said Washington sought "peaceful resolution of all disputes" in the region while maintaining open lines of military communication.

"And we made clear that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," he added.

The meeting came amid an unprecedented trade war between Beijing and Washington, where the Trump administration has slapped high tariffs on over $200 billion in Chinese goods. Beijing has hit back with retaliatory duties on $50 billion of US products.

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Merkel, Macron Unveil Memorial Amid World War I Centenary Celebrations

November 10, 2018

The leaders of France and Germany have marked the centenary of the armistice that ended World War I by unveiling a new message of peace.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on November 10 visited a site north of Paris where the defeated Germans and victorious Allies put an end to World War I.

Merkel and Macron unveiled a somber memorial lauding Franco-German reconciliation "in the service of Europe and of peace."

It was fixed on the base of a monument that still bears an older, more triumphalist message boasting of victory over "the criminal pride of the German empire."

The two leaders also climbed aboard a replica of the train wagon where the armistice was signed a century ago on November 11, 1918.

Among the missing at ceremony, however, was U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House said his trip from Paris to the ceremony was canceled because of bad weather that grounded the president's helicopter.

More than 60 heads of state and government were expected in Paris on November 10-11 for the events, which will culminate at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the exact moment of the war-ending armistice  11 minutes after the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Around 9 million soldiers and about 6 million civilians died during the 1914-18 war, which involved some 40 countries. The war rewrote the map of Europe, leading to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian empires.

Earlier, Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump attempted to smooth over tensions during a meeting in Paris.

Earlier, Trump described as "very insulting" a proposal by Macron to create a European defense force.

Macron's office said the U.S. president misunderstood his proposal, which was aimed at reducing Europe's reliance on the United States for defense.

After the November 10 meeting, Macron said it's "unfair to have European security today being assured just by the United States."

Trump stressed that the United States wants to "absolutely be there" to help defend Europe, but renewed calls for NATO members to increase defense spending.

"We want to help Europe, but it has to be fair," Trump said. "Right now, the burden-sharing has been largely on the United States."

Macron said he shared Trump's assessment.

"We need a much better burden sharing with NATO and that's why I believe my proposal for a European defense [is] utterly consistent with that," the French president said.

Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-macron -hold-talks-on-european-defense-amid-wwi- commemorations/29593303.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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Thaci Says Kosovo-Serbia Border Won't Be Redrawn Along Ethnic Lines

By RFE/RL November 10, 2018

Kosovo's President Hashim Thaci has said that any revised border with Serbia that comes out of the two neighbors' normalization talks will not be drawn along ethnic lines.

"We will work together to define the borders, just like we did with Macedonia and Montenegro, but there will be no borders based on ethnic lines," he said In an interview with AFP published on November 9.

"Kosovo will stay multiethnic, Serbia as well, no population displaced. The region will be safer thanks to this agreement," Thaci said one day after a short, tense meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, in Brussels that was hosted by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

The two Balkan countries are both pursuing normalization in hopes of furthering their bids to join the European Union, and Mogherini has made clear that they must reach a binding agreement on sensitive issues such as their common border and whether Serbia will recognize Kosovo's independence, which it declared 10 years ago.

This summer, Thaci and Vucic both raised the possibility of redrawing their border in comments that alarmed some observers who feared it might revive the ethnic divisions that fed the 1990s Balkans war.

Thaci's comments to AFP suggest that whatever changes in the border the two are contemplating would not include a simple swap of ethnic territories, with Albanian-majority Kosovo getting Albanian-dominated areas of Serbia in exchange for Serbia gaining Serb-dominated areas of Kosovo.

While the two countries' normalization talks have been marked by tensions and fits and starts, Thaci remained cautiously optimistic in his interview with AFP.

"Last evening's meeting was difficult but important for the final phase of the agreement for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia," he said. "I think it is the right momentum and the right leadership to reach an agreement."

Thaci told AFP his agreement with Serbia would meet many goals Kosovo has sought, among them "mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia, a legally binding agreement, an opportunity for Kosovo to join the UN because Russia will be lifting its veto at the Security Council."

Serbia has never recognized the independence of its former province although more than 110 other nations have done so. Serbian ally Russia has for years blocked Kosovo's recognition at the UN.

Kosovo's recent decision to create its own army has provoked anger from its own ethnic Serb minority as well as from Serbia.

NATO, which currently leads the KFOR military force that ensures Kosovo's security, has also expressed reservations.

"I am the president of a sovereign country," Thaci told AFP. "The armed forces of Kosovo will be created. This is a done deal... Nobody in Serbia can put a veto on this, whether they like it or not."

"It is a new army, peaceful, multiethnic, with over 10 percent minority representation," he said.

"Everything we'll do will be constitutional and legal," he told AFP. "This will be a gradual process, coordinated with our partners in NATO and the U.S."

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-president -thaci-says-wont-redraw-kosovo-serbia-border- along-ethnic-lines/29592878.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-Led Coalition Probing Reports About Strikes in Syria That Killed Civilians

Sputnik News

17:02 10.11.2018(updated 18:04 10.11.2018)

US-led coalition air strikes against Daesh* militants in Hajin, Syria had also claimed the lives of at least 26 local civilians, including 14 children, AFP reported Friday.

According to the coalition, the reports of the deaths of the civilians due to the airstrikes in Hajin are under investigation.

"We've heard claims of strikes in Hajin reportedly killing civilians. As part of the stringent planning process in identifying ISIS [Daesh] targets, we take extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties and take all instances of civilian casualties seriously. This incident is currently under investigation," the coalition's spokesperson said.

In the meantime, the Syrian Foreign Ministry has reportedly sent two letters to the United Nations over the deadly airstrikes, carried out by the US-led coalition.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, quoted by SANA, that the incident had "once again" denounced US "false" claims on contributing to terrorism fight, proving that the United States indeed aimed at "killing as many Syrian people's sons as possible."

The ministry called on the UN Security Council to take "serious and immediate" steps toward non-repetition of such attacks, and also to create an independent international mechanism for the investigation into such incidents.

Earlier in November, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the coalition carried out airstrikes in the region using white phosphorus munitions, which are banned under the 1977 First Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

The province of Deir ez-Zor was partly occupied and besieged by Daesh between 2014 and 2017 when Syrian government forces launched an offensive against terrorists and lifted the siege.

The US-led coalition of more than 70 countries has been conducting military operations against Daesh in Syria and Iraq. However, the coalition's activity in Syria has not been authorised by the government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council.

*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia

 Sputnik

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Serbia Launches Biggest Military Drills in Its History Involving 8,000 Troops

Sputnik News

15:04 10.11.2018(updated 15:24 10.11.2018)

BELGRADE (Sputnik) - Serbia on Saturday launched the biggest military exercise in the country's history involving 8,000 soldiers to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The drills, dubbed the Age of the Winner, are being aired by the Serbian national broadcaster RTS.

"The latest exercises, the scale and complexity of which could be compared to the Age of the Winner were the Freedom and Unity exercises that took place back in 1971 and 1975. Since then no one dared to or could demonstrate such strength and organisation," Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said, commenting on the matter.

According to the minister, 100 -84 tanks, 100 armoured infantry fighting vehicles, more than 60 River Flotilla vessels and 24 planes and helicopters are involved in the ongoing military exercises.

The drills come a few weeks after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the plans of the Kosovo administration to turn its security forces into a 'NATO-compatible army,' stating that the move would violate the breakaway region's own constitution and the spirit of all its agreements with Belgrade.

 Sputnik

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Mattis Supports Riyadh's Decision to Halt US Refuelling of Aircraft in Yemen

Sputnik News

09:44 10.11.2018(updated 10:15 10.11.2018)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States supports Saudi Arabia's decision that the Saudi-led coalition, engaged in the Yemeni conflict, should refuel its aircraft independently, without US support, US Secretary of Defence James Mattis said in a statement on Saturday.

"We support the decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after consultations with the U.S. Government, to use the Coalition's own military capabilities to conduct in-flight refueling in support of its operations in Yemen," the statement, published on the department's website, read.

Mattis went on to say that the US would continue cooperating with the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen to "minimise civilian casualties and expand urgent humanitarian efforts throughout the country," while it would also support UN effort's to solve the crisis.

Earlier in the day, Saudi media reported that the coalition had requested the United States to halt aerial refuelling of the coalition's aircraft, specifying that the decision had been made following consultations with Washington.

The coalition's request came amid the backdrop of US media reports that Washington planned to cease its refuelling support to the coalition amid mounting criticism of the devastating Yemeni conflict, raging since 2015, and the killing of Saudi opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Turkey.

The coalition supports the Yemeni government in the conflict, carrying out airstrikes targeting the other warring party, the Houthi rebel movement. The conflict has resulted in a huge civilian death toll, leading to an acute humanitarian disaster and outbreaks of cholera across the country. The situation has provoked global concern and criticism.

The killing of Khashoggi triggered an escalation of criticism against Saudi authorities. The journalist went missing after visiting the Saudi Consulate in early October, while Riyadh eventually acknowledged that he had been killed inside the building.

 Sputnik

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US Navy Creates Aggressor Training Unit to Mimic Russian, Chinese Submarines

Sputnik News

04:26 11.11.2018

The US Navy wants to create a version of the TOPGUN program, but for submarines.

The United States Navy wants to create a special unit that will mimic Russian and Chinese submarines to train their own submarine crews.

"We're taking a page from naval aviation and we're establishing an aggressor squadron with a team that will become experts in employing our adversaries' potential capabilities and then set them up to be able to go head-to-head with our units so that we're always training against what we think is the highest fidelity simulation I can give them in terms of what they might be able to expect when they go into combat," US Navy Vice Admiral Charles Richards said, according to The Drive.

This is "a cadre that does nothing but emulate red in all of our training and certification exercises," he added.

According to Richards, this would be a lot like Air Force's TOPGUN advanced training program, but for submarines. In TOPGUN, pilots who undergo advanced training return to their unit to become instructors themselves.

"We have restructured and returned the fast attack training period to ensure that we're ready for that high-end fight, including restructuring what we used to call the Tactical Readiness Evaluation, and it is now a Combat Readiness Evaluation to ensure we're focused on warfighting," Richards commented.

"I want to produce winners and losers just like we do in battle; it does you no good to be at standards if your opponent is more at standards than you are. You still lose, and in this competition, you may not come home."

Sounds cool, right? Having a team known in military jargon as 'aggressor' or 'opposing force (OPFOR)' or simply 'red' entirely dedicated to simulating attacks on your own fleet should be beneficial to combat readiness.

In reality, however, things are much more complicated.

Currently there are no submarines to equip an OPFOR unit. The US Navy struggles to equip its regular fleet with submarines, due to a major maintenance backlog. The most extreme example of this is USS Boise, a Los Angeles-class submarine that will have been out of action for two years when it returns to service in 2019.

At present, there are no plans to give the submarine aggressor squadron its own boats, US Navy Commander Sarah Self-Kyler, a service spokeswoman, told USNI News.

Without its own submarines, a 'red' unit will have to wait until a sub is ready to take on an 'aggressor' training mission, significantly limiting the number of operations OPFOR could carry out, and significantly curbing the opportunity to transfer the experience to other crews.

A larger problem is obviated by the US Navy's nuclear-powered submarines, which it considers to be superior to diesel-powered boats. However, not only nuclear subs are significantly more expensive to produce and maintain, they also have a certain acoustic profile, which is not only unsuitable to train sub crews in finding Russian subs, it is simply much louder.

Both Russia and China use so-called air-independent propulsion systems, which run on electric batteries and are charged by a diesel generator, allowing them to move in almost absolute silence, as long as the battery has charge. The Kilo class Russian submarines have been nicknamed Black Hole by the US Navy for their silent operation.

Nuclear subs, on the other hand, have to constantly pump coolant and use other systems that generate a constant, if weak, noise profile.

In 2005, the US borrowed a Swedish AIP submarine, the HSMS Gotland, to act as an aggressor during navy drills. To the Pentagon's surprise and embarrassment, the submarine successfully 'sank' a $6.2 billion US aircraft carrier, sneaking into the carrier defense group without notice. The outcome was replicated several times during the two years of war games, along with multiple kills against US attack subs and surface combatants. US Navy acoustics were not prepared to intercept a stealthy boat.

If the US Navy wants to create a realistic threat simulation, it will benefit from procuring its own small fleet of AIP submarines, specifically to equip its training OPFOR unit, The Drive speculated.

Diesel-electric submarines are cheaper than those powered by nuclear reactors and allow for smaller-scale operations, freeing up the nuclear fleet for longer and larger patrols, the website suggested.

"The service looks to be facing a number of complex decisions in the future in order to truly get the most from this important new training capability," it read.

 Sputnik

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US Presses China on Religious Rights, South China Sea, Taiwan

By Nike Ching November 09, 2018

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed their Chinese counterparts on religious freedom, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and other issues Friday in a meeting aimed at setting up a summit between their nations' presidents later this month.

While Pompeo noted the U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in Washington was "productive," he highlighted China's repression of some religious groups.

"The United States and the international communities will continue to express our concerns with respect to China's repression of religious groups  Christians, Buddhists, and 800,000 to possibly millions of Muslims  that have been denied their freedoms," Pompeo said during a joint press briefing following Friday's talks.

When pressed by VOA during the briefing, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi said those issues are "China's internal affairs" and that "foreign countries have no right to interfere."

Beijing has defended its internment camps in western Xinjiang that human rights groups say now house around 1 million Muslim men and women.

China says the "vocational education centers" are aimed at ensuring security. Activists say there is evidence of torture, widespread surveillance, and signs that those being held are being forced to renounce their faith.

Yang on Friday noted the Chinese government attaches great importance to social and economic development in Xinjiang and Tibet and has taken a host of measures to promote stability, "unity" and people's well-being there. Xinjiang is home to ethnic Uighurs, the region's Turkic-speaking minority, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims.

Taiwan policy

During Friday's dialogue, U.S. officials also reaffirmed "strong ties" with Taiwan, which has been self-ruled since the 1940s but claimed by China.

"I reiterated the U.S. policy has not changed, and that we are concerned about China's increasing efforts to coerce others constraining Taiwan's international space," Pompeo said.

In response to a question by VOA, senior Chinese diplomat Yang noted, "Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory," adding Beijing would continue to remain committed to its "One China principle."

The nuance between Washington's "One China Policy" and China's "One China Principle" is that the U.S. stance leaves open the possibility that a future resolution could be determined peacefully by both China and Taiwan.

The United States sees Taiwan as part of a network of Asian democracies, and informal Taiwan-U.S. ties have improved under U.S. President Donald Trump. He signed the Taiwan Travel Act earlier this year, which encourages visits "at all levels" between U.S. and Taiwanese officials.

And a high-profile meeting could occur in the coming days, when U.S. Vice President Mike Pence travels to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Papua New Guinea. Diplomatic sources indicate arrangements are being made for Pence to meet with Morris Chang, a retired tech guru who founded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

A senior administration official said Pence's meetings with regional leaders were still being planned, but a meeting between Pence and Chang, Taiwan's envoy to APEC, was not being ruled out.

"The United States will meet with whomever the United States wants to meet with," the official said when asked whether China was warning against such a meeting.

South China Sea

On the issue of the South China Sea, Chinese officials said the United States should stop sending ships and planes near islands that China claims as its own.

The disputed sea is a major Asian trade route, where Beijing has landfilled areas for military infrastructure.

"We have continued concern about China's activities and militarization in the South China Sea," Pompeo told reporters Friday. "We pressed China to live up to its past commitments in this area."

U.S. officials said they would not halt so-called freedom-of-navigation patrols that are aimed at ensuring countries do not restrict traffic in international waters.

Both nations have been seeking ways to lessen tension, maintain open lines of communication and reduce the risk of miscalculations in the South China Sea.

Mattis said all military and civilian vessels and aircraft should "operate in a safe and professional manner" in the contested international waters.

"The United States is committed to finalizing a military-to-military crisis deconfliction and communication framework with China," Mattis said following Friday's talks at the State Department.

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China, U.S. defense ministers meet for postponed security dialogue

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:14, November 10, 2018

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe and U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis met here Friday afternoon to discuss bilateral and military-to-military ties.

Wei said Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump have reached a series of important consensuses that provide strategic guidance for developing Sino-U.S. relations.

Both sides should earnestly implement the consensuses, strive to avoid conflicts and confrontation, respect each other and conduct win-win cooperation, so as to make positive contributions to world peace and prosperity, Wei said.

Both sides should treat military-to-military relationship in a positive and calm manner, enhance strategic communication, boost strategic mutual trust, expand dialogue and cooperation, properly manage risks, discuss rules and ways to avoid unexpected conflicts and frictions, so as to make the military-to-military relationship a stabilizer for the overall bilateral relationship, Wei said.

Mattis agreed with Wei's position that bilateral and military-to-military relations should be developed steadily. He said the United States has no intention to contain China and that fostering a constructive military-to-military relationship with China has always been a goal for the United States.

Mattis said he hopes both militaries could make full use of the current dialogue and communication mechanisms to improve risk management, avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations, and seek pragmatic cooperation in more fields.

Wei and Mattis also exchanged views on issues relating to the South China Sea, Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula.

Wei noted that the Chinese military firmly opposes any acts to separate China, and will safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and territory at all costs.

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Russia: France's rule over Indian Ocean island 'illegitimate'

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:14AM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused France of snubbing United Nations resolutions and illegally holding control over its former African colony, the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mayotte.

"Despite numerous resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly on this issue, France continues to illegitimately hold Mayotte," Lavrov said Friday at a joint press conference in Moscow with Comoros Foreign Minister Souef Mohamed El Amine.

Situated between Madagascar and Mozambique, Mayotte is the single island in the Comoros archipelago that remained under French control following an independence referendum in 1974.

Although Mayotte reportedly opted to be ruled under its colonial-era power, the Comoros still claims control over it, as it is backed by several UN resolutions in a territorial dispute with France.

Lavrov further emphasized, "Countries which organized the separation of Kosovo from Serbia, Mayotte from the Comoros, and have tried several times to change regimes in countries where they considered it necessary, show blatant double standards," referring to Western countries.

Mayotte comprises two islands of Petite-Terre and Grande-Terre and currently has the administrative status of a French "department," which is almost equivalent to a county.

This entitles the island to funding and maintenance for infrastructure, medical care, as well as education just as in mainland France.

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Re-imposition of unilateral sanctions openly defies international law: Khoshroo

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 10 November 2018 / 13:53

Tehran (ISNA)  Iranian ambassador to the United Nations stressed that US' unilateral policies and illegal actions openly defy rule of law, international order and multilateralism.

Ambassador and permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Gholam Ali Khoshroo made the remarks at the United Nations Security Council meeting on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Strengthening Multilateralism and the Role of the United Nations".

Here is the full text of Mr. Khoshroo's statement:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful,

Mr. President,

I sincerely thank you for convening this meeting. I also thank you and the Secretary-General for your valuable input and align myself with the NAM statement.

This is a timely debate because as the UNSG puts it, "multilateralism is under fire precisely when we need it most".

What is multilateralism? Why and how should we promote it?

Multilateralism is an approach to address global challenges collectively, pursue international common goals and goods cooperatively, uphold international law solemnly, and apply it to all nations equally.

True multilateralism is founded on inclusion instead of exclusion; cooperation in place of confrontation; equality rather than inequality; rule of law instead of rule of power; pursuing the common goods and long-term objectives of all States, not short-sighted goals of only one State; and solving differences peacefully and justly, not violently and unfairly.

To solve global problems, multilateralism is not only an option, it is the only option. It is an option, but not optional. It is a must, as there is no alternative; as certain transnational issues do not know boundaries and thus cannot be managed with one or certain countries alone, no matter how powerful they are. Climate change is a perfect example.

Therefore, when multilateralism is challenged by bold illegal unilateral actions, we must preserve it; address its threats; and promote its relevance and effectiveness. This is essential for rule-based international order.

International law and effective international institutions with universal membership, like the UN, are the core elements of multilateralism.

Therefore, to preserve and strengthen multilateralism, the United Nations should act decisively.

This is how we can "make the United Nations relevant to all people", which was the theme of the UNGA's 73rd session where many world leaders appealed for supporting multilateralism and strengthening the UN's role.

Incidentally, we fully support NAM's proposal to designate an "International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace".

We need such an annual forum to discuss emerging challenges to multilateralism; the latest of which is the doctrine of "withdrawal from international instruments and institutions" of a member of this Council.

This, among others, has resulted in its withdrawal from the Human Rights Council, UNESCO, Paris Agreement, and the JCPOA.

The JCPOA is the result of intensive negotiations to peacefully solve a manufactured crisis. It was endorsed unanimously by the Council's resolution 2231 drafted by the US.

The US withdrawal from the JCPOA and re-imposition of unilateral sanctions -- four days ago -- appallingly violates resolution 2231 and openly defies international law.

For the first time in the UN history, the United States  a permanent member of this Council with veto power  is penalizing nations across the globe not for violating a Security Council resolution, rather, for abiding by it.

The world should not allow the United States to pursue its unilateral, arrogant and self-centered policy which focuses on continuing to reorder the world order to be founded on power, not law.

Additionally, the United States shamefully avoids implementing the recent ICJ order issued unanimously asking for the immediate removal of the US sanctions.

The JCPOA's conclusion and Iran's compliance with its commitments, as confirmed by 12 IAEA reports, is our contribution to multilateralism. This was commended globally.

The world community should strongly condemn and reject the US sanctions, not only in word but also in deed. This will be an action of pragmatic support to international law and multilateralism.

I thank you, Mr. President.

End Item

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Iran calls for developing full national nuclear fuel cycle for peaceful purposes: UN envoy

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sat / 10 November 2018 / 12:15

Tehran (ISNA) - Deputy permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, Eshagh Al Habib announced that Iran called for full realization of the inalienable right of any State to develop, research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

He made the remarks at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on agenda Item 92 "Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency" in New York.

Here is the full text of Al Habib's statement:

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Mr. President,

I thank the distinguished Director-General of the IAEA for his report.

Nowadays, nuclear energy is part and parcel of the socio-economic development of our societies. Accordingly, all States, in particular developing countries, must have a free and indiscriminate access to all benefits of nuclear energy.

From this perspective, Iran stresses the high importance of the full realization of the inalienable right of any State to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

This includes the inherent right of each State to develop a full national nuclear fuel cycle for peaceful purposes.

Likewise, they have a right to participate in the fullest possible exchange of equipment, materials and scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

These inherent rights have also been reaffirmed in the NPT. Accordingly, developed States parties are obliged to cooperate in the further development of the applications of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, especially in the developing countries.

In this context, the IAEA, in Article II of its Statute is mandated to "seek to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world."

For this reason, Iran emphasizes the importance of statutory functions and primary responsibility of the Agency to assist Member States in research on, and practical application of, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Appreciating the related activities of the Agency, Iran stresses the need for further enhancement of such activities, particularly to meet the expectations of developing countries. It should be ensured that the Technical Cooperation Program of the Agency remains firm and sustainable through sufficient, assured and predictable financial and human resources.

Iran underlines that the IAEA is the sole competent authority responsible for the verification of the fulfillment of safeguards obligations.

Related functions of the Agency should be carried out in full conformity with the relevant legally-binding instruments, and take into account the concerns and interests of Member States, in particular, by strict observance of the principle of confidentiality.

Mr. President,

Iran is determined to vigorously continue to exercise its inalienable rights to nuclear energy, including development of a full national nuclear fuel cycle, for peaceful purposes. It is essential for its socio-economic development.

All accusations against Iran's nuclear program were baseless from the beginning. It was a manufactured crisis to sustain pressure on Iran.

However, it came to an end with the conclusion of the JCPOA that was the outcome of long and intensive multilateral diplomatic efforts to resolve such an artificial crisis and to build trust.

Now, according to the IAEA, Iran is subject to the most robust nuclear verification regime. Likewise, in its 12 consecutive reports, the IAEA has confirmed Iran's full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA.

However, the current U.S administration, in violation of its international commitments, withdrew from the JCPOA and re-imposed its illegal sanctions against Iran.

The U.S. continues to systematically violate its commitments under the JCPOA and resolution 2231. Now, it brazenly forces others either to violate that resolution or face punishment.

All such illegal measures of the U.S. were rejected by the international community, including by almost all of its friends and allies.

The U.S. policy towards the JCPOA and resolution 2231 clearly indicates that even in the past, they did not have any genuine concern about Iran's nuclear program. They openly lied in expressing concern over this program only to continue their animosity against Iran.

In a statement on 2 November 2018, the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Foreign and Finance Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, called the JCPOA "a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture and of multilateral diplomacy" and "crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world."

Therefore, to ensure the continuity of such an important document as the JCPOA, the international community must remain vigilant and should not allow to be deceived once again by the U.S. fabrications which is rooted only in its hostility towards Iran.

Iran has been and will remain fully committed to the JCPOA inasmuch as all other JCPOA participants also fully and timely fulfill all their related commitments.

The JCPOA acknowledges Iran's discretionary right to "cease performing its commitments under the JCPOA in whole or in part", if the lifted sanctions under the deal are re-introduced or re-imposed. Paragraphs 26 and 36 reflect the common understanding, at the time of the negotiations, that any re-imposition of sanctions gives Iran the right to respond by wholly or partially ceasing performing its reciprocal measures under the accord.

The Islamic Republic of Iran made it very clear on different occasions that the re-imposition of sanctions was a "grave material breach" of the JCPOA. Iran called upon the remaining participants of the JCPOA to hold the United States "accountable for the consequences of its reckless wrongful act" and stated that in order to continue the implementation of JCPOA in its totality, "the remaining JCPOA participants need to provide objective guarantees that Iran is compensated unconditionally through appropriate national, regional and global measures."

The JCPOA participants are therefore urged to genuinely carry out all their commitments. This indeed is in the interest of the JCPOA participants and the international community of States as a whole. Therefore, current supports for the full implementation of the JCPOA by all its participants need to be continued.

Likewise, in line with the principles embodied in the UN Charter and in support of multilateralism, the international community has a responsibility to preserve the JCPOA through rejecting the illegal unilateral measures of the United States.

I thank you, Mr. President.

End Item

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Starve? Iran won't just survive, it'll thrive: Zarif to Pompeo

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 04:08PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed his American counterpart's starvation threat, stressing the Islamic Republic will survive and even advance despite Washington's sanctions.

In a post on his official Twitter account on Saturday, Zarif said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's open threat to starve the Iranian nation was "a crime against humanity" and "a desperate attempt to impose US whims on Iran."

"Like his predecessors, he'll also learn thatin spite of US effortsIran will not just survive but advance w/out sacrificing its sovereignty," Zarif said.

In an interview with BBC Persian, the US secretary of state said that Iranian officials must listen to Washington "if they want their people to eat."

The administration of US President Donald Trump announced on November 5 the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran's banking and energy sectors with the aim of cutting off its oil sales and crucial exports. The bans had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The first round of the anti-Iran bans -- which had been lifted under the accord -- was re-imposed in August.

Pompeo also said in his interview that since the re-introduction of the sanctions, there was no sign yet that Iranian officials would return to the table for talks.

In an online video message on Tuesday, Zarif lashed out at the US 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.

Europe wants to benefit from JCPOA: French FM

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France and other European countries were determined to enjoy the economic benefits of the multilateral nuclear agreement.

In a phone call with the Iranian foreign minister on Saturday, Le Drian added that the Europeans were working on special mechanisms in this regard.

The top Iranian and French diplomats also discussed the latest developments about Tehran-Paris relations, the JCPOA and other issues of mutual interest.

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President Rouhani: New US sanctions have no effect on Iran

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:02AM

President Hassan Rouhani says the US administration is seeking to exert pressure on the Iranian people through imposing "inappropriate" sanctions that he said would affect their livelihood.

Rouhani made the remarks at the end of a meeting of the heads of the three branches of power in Tehran on Saturday.

He rejected Washington's claim that it is not after putting pressure on the Iranian nation, but rather on the Iranian government and the Islamic establishment.

The claim, Rouhani said, is "totally incorrect and inaccurate, and they (the American officials) have themselves exposed this fact."

He further stressed that the Iranian people were already standing against US sanctions contrary to what Washington expected.

"The Iranian nation has demonstrated its resistance and withstanding and it is clear that the one who is thinking about pressure and oppression against the people is the ruling US administration not the other side," Rouhani said.

"They are the ones who want to negatively affect people's lives and their everyday livelihood through inappropriate and wrong sanctions," he added.

The Iranian chief executive also said that the US had targeted the country's banking system as well as its exports of oil and other goods to hit the Islamic Republic's revenues and its import of basic goods.

However, Rouhnai said, the fresh round of anti-Iran sanctions, which took effect on November 5, "had no impact on the country's economic trend because the US had already used all the weapons at its disposal and had nothing new to use against us."

The US just filled in a long list of sanctions only to have "psychological effect" on the Iranian nation, he noted.

Earlier this week, the administration of US President Donald Trump unleashed a second round of sanctions against Iran. The punitive measures targeted 700 individuals, banks, aircraft, ships and companies tied to Iran's energy and financial industries.

They came months after Washington scrapped the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), despite international objections.

The first round of the anti-Iran bans  which had been lifted under the accord -- were re-imposed in August.

The Trump administration had earlier vowed to reduce Tehran's oil revenue to zero, but it went back on its pledge and gave waivers to almost all major customers of the country.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said that the US would never be able to cut Iran's crude exports to zero.

"Either all [countries] in the region export oil or if Iran's oil exports are to stop, others will be in trouble," he said.

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Iran blasts US unilateralism, calls for global condemnation of US sanctions

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 10:46AM

Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gholamali Khoshroo, has slammed US unilateralism and called on the international community to condemn Washington's sanctions reimposed on the Islamic Republic.

Khoshroo made the remarks in a letter to the UN Security Council in New York on Friday.

Iran's UN envoy stressed the necessity of multilateralism for solving global problems, describing Washington's unilateral withdrawal from international agreements, including the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, as a challenge to the world order.

"True multilateralism is founded on inclusion instead of exclusion; cooperation in place of confrontation; equality rather than inequality; rule of law instead of rule of power; pursuing the common goods and long-term objectives of all States, not short-sighted goals of only one State; and solving differences peacefully and justly, not violently and unfairly," Khoshroo said.

"We need such an annual forum to discuss emerging challenges to multilateralism; the latest of which is the doctrine of 'withdrawal from international instruments and institutions' of a member of this council," he said while referring to the United States.

"This, among others, has resulted in its withdrawal from the Human Rights Council, UNESCO, Paris Agreement, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," Khoshroo noted.Save

The permanent representative of Iran to the UN also added that the global community "should not allow the United States to pursue its unilateral, arrogant and self-centered policy which focuses on continuing to reorder the world order to be founded on power, not law."

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 of 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."

Washington 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.

In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on November 5, Khoshroo said the United Nations must hold the United States to account for its "illegal" move to reinstate sanctions on Tehran.

Khoshroo emphasized that Iran has scrupulously fulfilled its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA, as has been repeatedly and consistently verified by the consecutive reports of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Despite Washington's withdrawal, Iran has not left the JCPOA 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 the deal. The parties have slammed Washington's pullout of the agreement, which has also been endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution, saying they will work to keep the landmark deal alive.

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Iran remains compliant with 2015 nuclear deal: IAEA

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 10:33AM

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again reaffirmed Iran's full compliance with its commitments under the 2015 landmark nuclear deal.

In a statement to the 73rd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said Iran "is implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It is essential that Iran continues to fully implement those commitments."

"The agency continues to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its Safeguards Agreement. Evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran continue," Amano added.

Under the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia-- in 2015, Iran agreed to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions.

US President Donald Trump, however, withdrew Washington in May from the landmark agreement, and re-imposed unilateral sanctions against Tehran.

Other signatories to the JCPOA have slammed Washington's decision to abandon the agreement, which has also been endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution, saying they will work to keep the accord alive.

The Trump administration, however, announced the re-imposition of the "toughest" sanctions ever against Iran on Monday.

Earlier, 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 IAEA has said that Iran has stayed within the limits set in the nuclear deal on its enriched uranium level, its stock of enriched uranium and other items.

The UN nuclear agency said Tehran continued to provide it with the necessary access for inspections aimed at verifying Tehran's commitment to the nuclear deal.

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Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar dangerous: Aid groups

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 07:32AM

Aid groups and humanitarian agencies have warned about "dangerous" plans of repatriation of thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees to their home country Myanmar, where they faced unimaginable atrocities at the hands of military.

A group of 42 aid agencies and civil society groups, including Oxfam, World Vision and Save the Children signed a statement on Friday, calling the plan as premature and dangerous.

More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since last year, when Myanmar's armed forces, backed by Buddhist extremist mobs, launched an intensified crackdown against the Muslim community in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

Thousands of Rohingya Muslims have been killed, and those who have survived by fleeing to Bangladesh are now living in severely-overcrowded camps in southeast Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district.

Myanmar and Bangladesh first reached an agreement last year to begin the repatriation of the refugees, but the process has been delayed. Officials from both countries met earlier this week and announced that repatriation would begin with a first batch of 2,000 returnees in mid-November.

"They are terrified about what will happen to them if they are returned to Myanmar now, and distressed by the lack of information they have received," the aid group's statement said.

The refugees said if the Bangladeshi government "forcefully deport" them to Myanmar, they will be facing the same violence, killing and the persecution there.

A refugee father of a seven, Nurul Amin said he was terrified to be sent back to Myanmar because he saw the violence in Southeast Asian country. "I have seen people with their throats slit, and my house was partially destroyed by a grenade launcher [fired by the Myanmar]."

Another refugee, Muhammad Ali said that they "will refuse to go" back to Myanmar.

Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project, a monitoring group, also expressed concern about the plan, saying the Rohingya refugees "have nowhere to go. No one wants them, and now they face on top of that the threat of repatriation."

UN Special Rapporteur Yanghee Lee warned on Tuesday that the Rohingya are still facing a "high risk of persecution."

The United Nations has already concluded that the atrocities against the minority community constitute genocide, and called for the country's military leaders to be investigated.

Myanmar, however, has blatantly denied the violence and rebuffed the calls for probe.

The United States, which already described the violence as "ethnic cleansing," called on both Myanmar and Bangladesh to allow "for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of refugees from Bangladesh."

Following the rights groups statement, the State Department said it "would look closely at any plans to ensure that it is, in fact, voluntary."

Myanmar has been refusing to grant citizenship to the Muslim community, who has lived in the country for generations. They are branded illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, which likewise denies them citizenship.

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Analysts' Views Mixed on China, Saudi Aid to Pakistan

By Madeeha Anwar November 09, 2018

Pakistan has requested financial help from its close allies, including China and Saudi Arabia, and a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help revive its economy and deal with debt and balance-of-payments problems.

Earlier this week, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan secured financial pledges from China during a four-day official visit to China, where he met with leaders, including President Xi Jinping.

Chinese and Pakistan officials have not given details, but they say China plans to provide an unspecified financial "grant" to Pakistan.

Among other financial dealings, Khan also secured more than $6 billion in financial support from Saudi Arabia during a September visit there. And the United Arab Emirates is reportedly considering Islamabad's request for up to $6 billion.

What strings are attached?

Many experts, however, say taking financial assistance from the Saudis and UAE might require a diplomatic or strategic payback.

"It's unlikely a $6 billion gift would come with no strings attached," Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the U.S.-based Wilson Center, told VOA.

"I imagine in all likelihood Islamabad had to reassert its allegiance to KSA [the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia], with the implication that Pakistan should back away from the Imran Khan government's strong assertion of neutrality in the Iran-Saudi Arabia rivalry," Kugelman added.

Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's former ambassador to the U.S. and director for South and Central Asia at the Washington-based Hudson Institute, echoed Kugelman's assessment.

In a recent op-ed for The Print, Haqqani said that Riyadh wants Pakistan to support the kingdom against Iran's actions in the region.

Stand with the Kingdom

"Saudi Arabia is also unwilling to continue giving cash first and making requests later, something it has done as a friend of Pakistan in the past. Its current leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud, wants Pakistan to shed ambiguity and stand by the Kingdom against Iran, in addition to providing troops or other material support for the Saudi war effort in Yemen," Haqqani wrote.

"The Saudis say they are willing to invest in Pakistan but, like the Chinese, would want security and a good return for their investments," Haqqani added.

"Saudi Arabia has money and Pakistan has military power with great strategic location. Saudi Arabia is facing pressure from Turkey, Iran, and now it is not in good alignment with Washington after [Saudi journalist Jamal] Khashoggi's episode, and therefore it wants a big country like Pakistan to stand by its side," Kamran Bokhari, another Washington-based South Asia analyst, said.

Domestic concerns

While Pakistani officials claim the Saudi aid is based on mutual financial and strategic interests, some lawmakers in the country have voiced concern about what they call the ambiguity of the terms and conditions.

"Would Pakistan have to participate in the Saudi war in Yemen? Or have to side with Saudis on their Sunni-Shiite rivalry with Iran?" Farhat Ullah Babar, a senior lawmaker from Pakistan's opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, told VOA.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, however, told Pakistan's Senate on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia had not asked Pakistan to participate in the Yemen war in exchange for financial assistance.

"We have received an unconditional package from Saudi Arabia. No conditions have been imposed," Qureshi said.

Qureshi told lawmakers that Khan had only offered to play a mediator role to resolve the Yemeni conflict and that his initiative had been welcomed by all the parties concerned.

Shiite vs. Sunni

Hasan Askari Rizvi, a Pakistan-based security analyst, warns that any military involvement in the regional conflict between Saudi and Iran could have severe consequences for Pakistan.

"Saudi Arabia would want to use Pakistan's military strength to its benefit. Pakistan needs to define its role clearly as it has a big Shiite minority and any fight or rivalry with Iran will have consequences to Pakistan, too," Rizvi told VOA.

Some analysts like Fatemeh Aman, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center, believe that Iran's Arab rival countries already support local insurgencies in the border region between Iran and Pakistan.

"Iran's Arab neighbors are believed to be [a] major financial support for insurgency groups in the border regions of Iran, including Baluchistan. More insurgency in the highly volatile region of Baluchistan could have devastat[ing] effect on both Iran and Pakistan," Aman told VOA.

Pakistan shares a 900-kilometer-long porous border with Iran in Baluchistan province, which has long been rife with drug smugglers, separatists and militant movements.

Iran's stance

Iran has complained that anti-Iranian militants use Pakistani territory to plot cross-border attacks inside Iran, but the country has cautiously welcomed Saudi aid to Pakistan.

"Iran would always support Pakistan whatsoever is in its best interest," Mehdi Honardoost, Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, told Pakistan's APP news agency in reaction to Saudi's $6 billion aid.

Sahar Khan, a South Asian research fellow at the Washington-based Cato Institute, believes Tehran seems to give Islamabad the benefit of the doubt.

"I think Iran largely understands that Khan's seeking Saudi money has more to do with Pakistan's economic crisis than its relationship with Iran," Sahar Khan said.

"For years, Pakistan has had a good relationship with GCC countries without jeopardizing its relationship with Iran, and I think [Prime Minister] Khan is very cognizant of that, though his offer to serve as a mediator between the Saudis and Iranians in Yemen threatens this," she added.

Sahar Khan was referring to Prime Minister Khan's televised address in September, in which he announced that Pakistan would play the role of mediator in the Yemen conflict.

"Imran Khan's offer to be a mediator in Yemen after accepting $6 billion of Saudi money seems a bit odd and not very well thought out. After all, how can Pakistan be a mediator when one party has given it money?" Khan of Cato said.

VOA's Mehdi Jenidia, Ayaz Gul and Asad Hassan contributed to this report.

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For Russia's Navy, A Damaged Aircraft Carrier Is Bad Enough. A Sunken Dry Dock Is Even Worse.

By Mike Eckel November 10, 2018

It's bad enough that Russia's only aircraft carrier was damaged in a mishap involving the country's largest floating repair dock -- the only one big enough to maintain the flagship of the Russian Navy.

What's worse is that the decades-old dock is now sitting on the bottom of Kola Bay, not far from the major Arctic Circle city of Murmansk.

But even that may not be the extent of the bad news.

The dock, even if it is raised to the surface, may be beyond repair, meaning Russia's only aircraft carrier, several of its largest naval ships, and at least one ballistic-missile submarine may not be able to be serviced for months, if not years.

That's a not-insignificant setback for Kremlin efforts to upgrade the country's fleet, experts say, an effort that parallels a larger ongoing modernization of Russia's armed forces.

"That is a very serious problem for the Russian Navy because they don't have another thing like that," says Pavel Felgenhauer, a longtime Russia military analyst.

Known as the PD-50 and built in Sweden in the late 1970s, the floating dock sank on October 30 as repairs were being made on the Admiral Kuznetsov, an aging 50,000-ton, Soviet-designed aircraft carrier whose frequent breakdowns and aircraft mishaps, including during recent operations over Syria, have made it an object of derision among Western observers.

In the incident, a heavy crane toppled onto the Kuznetsov, poking a hole in the ship's deck. It was unclear what caused the incident. Some Russian press accounts suggested that the Kuznetsov might have suffered greater damage if it hadn't pulled away from the PD-50 in time. Four workers were injured in the accident and one person remains missing and is presumed dead.

Due to its size, the dock serviced not only the Admiral Kuznetsov but other warships, like the heavy cruisers Pyotr Velikiy and Admiral Nakhimov. It was also used for repairs on the ballistic nuclear-missile submarine Dmitry Donskoi, according to Felgenhauer.

Russia has other floating docks, but they can only handle smaller ships like cruisers or cruise-missile submarines. The floating dock in the White Sea port of Severodvinsk, 800 kilometers to the southeast, is smaller but capable of hosting ballistic-missile submarines, and even the Admiral Nakhimov, though press reports said workers had great difficulty just getting the Admiral Nakhimov into the dock in the first place.

Meanwhile, the closest other dock in comparable size is located in the Pacific port of Bolshoi Kamen, near Vladivostok, a 10,000-kilometer overland journey to the east -- and a vastly greater distance by sea -- a journey the Admiral Kuznetsov is in no shape to make.

"The story is likely to become infamous in the annals of Russia's notorious shipbuilding and ship repair industry," Michael Kofman, an analyst with the Washington-area think tank CNA, wrote in an analysis published the day after the incident.

In comments on November 7 to the TASS news agency, Aleksei Rakhmanov, the head of the state-run United Shipbuilding Corporation, said other ships had other alternatives for repairs, except for the Admiral Kuznetsov.

"We don't feel any special problems in this regard," Rakhimov was quoted as saying.

With state coffers filled by years of high oil prices, President Vladimir Putin had sought to rebuild Russia's military capabilities.

That effort took on greater urgency after the 2008 war with Georgia, which showcased major shortcomings in operations, tactics, and weaponry.

The Russian Navy was included in this accelerated modernization effort and was given priority in the Kremlin's State Armament Program for 2010-20, according to a newly published report by Anton Lavrov, an independent defense analyst affiliated with the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.

That, he said, included construction of 24 submarines -- 16 of them nuclear -- and 54 large surface ships.

However, as of May 2018, "the ambitious plan remains largely unfulfilled," Lavrov wrote. "There are no indications that by 2020 there will be major improvements or that the rest of planned ships will be completed. Plans for the modernization and overhaul of combat ships were also unsuccessful."

Dmitry Gorenburg, an expert on the Russian military at Harvard University's Davis Center, says the PD-50 accident will likely cause delays in the repairs not only of naval ships but civilian vessels, as well.

If the dock is unsalvageable, Moscow will have to have another dock of comparable size built. However, Russia doesn't have the infrastructure to build one. Nearby Sweden, or even Norway, could, but the Western sanctions imposed in 2014 on Russia for its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula could prevent them from doing so.

That would leave other countries like China or South Korea, both of which have infrastructure and deep experience building massive oceangoing ships and oil-rig platforms. But even if construction on a new dock was begun immediately, it would take months if not a year or more. And then the dock would have to be towed from the Pacific, through the Indian Ocean, around Africa, through the Atlantic Ocean and Barents Sea, to Murmansk.

Another shipyard that might be capable of handling a heavy warship like the Admiral Kuznetsov is the Mykolaiv yard, where the biggest Soviet naval ships were built, located near Ukraine's Black Sea coast. But Kyiv has all but ended any defense-related trade with Moscow in the wake of the Crimean annexation and the Russia-backed war in its eastern Donbas region.

For many close observers of the Russian Navy, there's wide agreement that the Admiral Kuznetsov is more of a vanity project for Russia's top brass, and that its military usefulness, even in the Syria conflict, was limited at best.

In fact, even with the State Armament Program, Russian military planners were already moving away from big oceangoing warships of the sort that made the Soviet Navy so formidable, toward smaller distance ships like frigates and corvettes, something Felgenhauer calls a "mosquito fleet."

Outfitted with highly accurate cruise missiles known as the Kalibr, those ships have played more visible roles, particularly in the Syrian conflict, firing the missiles from the Mediterranean as well as the Caspian Sea.

But that effort has bumped up against another shortcoming in Russia's shipbuilding infrastructure, Felgenhauer says: the lack of Russian factories able to make the engines for the frigates and the corvettes.

"The Kuznetsov survives, though the carrier is largely a white elephant with no real mission besides sustaining Russia's fledgling carrier aviation, and projecting status," Kofman wrote. "Its primary mission is to exist."

"Meanwhile, the ship's track record of bringing bad luck continues unbroken," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/for -russia-s-navy-a-damaged-aircraft -carrier-is-bad-enough-a-sunken- dry-dock-is-even-worse-/29593113.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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Video Places Putin-Connected Oligarch At Top-Level Military Talks

By RFE/RL's Russian Service November 10, 2018

A video posted on social media by the Libyan military shows a Russian oligarch with close personal ties to President Vladimir Putin and who owns Russia's best-known private security firm attending a November 7 meeting in Moscow between high-level Russian defense officials and a Libyan military delegation.

Novaya Gazeta reported on November 9 that oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin -- who is connected to the Vagner private-security firm that has been involved in mercenary activities in Ukraine, Syria, and Africa --appeared in the video showing official talks between the head of the Libyan Army and top Russian officials, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

Earlier releases by the Russian government about the Libyan meeting did not mention Prigozhin's participation.

The Russian government has not commented officially on the video.

However, the Interfax and RIA Novosti news agencies on November 10 quoted an unidentified "military and diplomatic source" as confirming the authenticity of the video and saying Prigozhin was present in his capacity as the event's caterer.

"Well-known Russian restauranteur Yevgeny Prigozhin has made arrangements for a meeting between the Russian and Libyan top military officials in the Russian Defense Ministry," the source was quoted as saying by Interfax.

"He arranged an official dinner and took part in the discussion of the cultural program of the Libyan delegation's visit."

The Kremlin generally denies any government connection with the activities of private Russian security companies.

Mercenary activity is illegal under Russian law.

Among other businesses, Prigozhin owns Concord Management and Concord Catering, which control a group of restaurants.

The firms often cater official events, and Prigozhin has earned the nickname "Putin's chef." He also owns the Internet Research Agency, better known as the St. Petersburg "troll factory" that has been accused of carrying out covert influence campaigns in the United States and elsewhere.

All three companies and Prigozhin were named in an October 19 U.S. indictment charging them with funding and organization operations aimed at influencing U.S. political processes, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Prigozhin has also been sanctioned by the United States for his alleged involvement in Russia's 2014 annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea and Moscow's military support of separatist formations in eastern Ukraine.

Novaya Gazeta reported last month that people hired by Prigozhin had organized attacks against figures in Russia's political opposition.

With reporting by Novaya Gazeta, RIA Novosti, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/video-places -putin-connected-oligarch-at-top-level- military-talks/29593059.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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U.S. Gives Russian Aluminum Tycoon More Time To Comply With Sanctions

By RFE/RL November 10, 2018

The United States has once again postponed the enforcement of sanctions against Russian aluminum giant Rusal and two other companies to allow their top shareholder time to carry out a plan to pare down his holdings.

The U.S. Treasury Department late on November 9 said it was giving Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska an additional four weeks, until January 7, to reduce his holdings in EN+, RUSAL, and GAZ, extending its previous deadline of December 12.

"EN+, RUSAL, and GAZ are proposing substantial corporate governance changes that could potentially result in significant changes in control of these sanctioned entities," the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Rusal, En+, and GAZ declined to comment. Deripaska has hired influential lobbyists in Washington to negotiate with the Treasury over the sanctions in hopes of having them eventually lifted.

The Treasury Department originally imposed the sanctions in April on Deripaska and several companies in which he is a large shareholder, citing "malign activities" by Russia, as well as allegations of past crimes by Deripaska himself.

The sanctions announcement roiled the global stock and aluminum markets, causing a run on Rusal's shares and an exodus of customers that led to fears the world's second-largest aluminum producer might be forced out of business.

With the markets in turmoil and Rusal's future in doubt, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin shortly after announcing the sanctions said Washington's intent was not to destroy the company and the thousands of jobs it provides in Russia and elsewhere around the world.

He has since then postponed the sanctions several times as the Treasury Department considers plans by Deripaska to divest shares in the companies so that he no longer controls them, among other moves.

Rusal and its parent company En+ in the meantime have recruited directors and management not linked to Deripaska in moves apparently stemming from the companies' talks with the Treasury over easing the sanctions.

Rusal named Yevgeny Nikitin, who has been acting chief executive since May and previously headed its aluminum division, as its chief executive on November 2. En+ also appointed a new CEO.

The latest move by the Treasury Department extends licenses enabling the sanctioned firms to authorize activities needed to wind down operations or contracts, according to the department's website. It also extends licenses to authorize transactions needed to divest debt, equity, and other holdings.

Rusal is the world's second-biggest aluminum producer after China's Hongqiao.

Japan's top aluminum rolling company, UACJ Corp, said on November 1 that it was removing Rusal from its 2019 suppliers list due to uncertainty over the sanctions.

With reporting by Reuters and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-gives -russian-aluminum-tycoon- deripaska-more-time-comply-sanctions- rusal-en-plus/29592875.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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From the CAR to Eritrea, Russia's African Ambitions Unfold

By Salem Solomon November 10, 2018

The Central African Republic might seem like an unusual venue for Russia's evolving strategy in Africa. The CAR doesn't boast Ethiopia's booming economy or Angola's deep oil reserves. It lacks a developed mining industry like Zambia or a strategic location like Djibouti.

But the landlocked country of fewer than 5 million people, most of whom survive on subsistence farming, has something else of interest to Moscow: conflict.

Since 2013, the CAR has grappled with a protracted civil war. Mass displacements, political instability, and competing factions of rebels and militia groups have weakened the government and eroded peoples' trust in its institutions.

In the ensuing volatility, Russia has found opportunities to project power far beyond its borders and rekindle strategic partnerships in Africa that have been dormant since the end of the Cold War.

'Armed adventurism'

Russia has stepped up its presence in the CAR in the past few years. But its strategies there, which rely on the use of private contractors and mercenary groups, have been employed since the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s and, later, in Ukraine and Syria.

"We should think about mercenaries as an instrument which allows plausible deniability but also hard-power projection, which has multiple uses in contested areas," said Kiril Avramov, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin's Intelligence Studies Project.

Avramov told VOA's Russian service that Moscow officially bans mercenaries and security companies, but ex-military or intelligence officers often organize them, providing close ties to the Kremlin. Their work, which Avramov called "armed adventurism," has helped Russia rebound from isolation and advance its political objectives.

One company, Wagner Group, has come under increasing scrutiny. This summer, three journalists investigating Wagner's operations in the CAR were ambushed and killed. Footage captured by the journalists suggests Wagner may have been assisting both the government and rebels.

Marie-Noelle Koyara, the CAR's minister of defense, told VOA's French-to-Africa service that the Russian journalists had not secured appropriate media credentials from the Ministry of Communication.

"All who arrive here to cover news, no matter what event, they are always welcome, but they have to respect the procedure," Koyara said.

She hopes authorities can piece together what happened to the slain journalists "to take away lessons." "We would really like to know the true cause of these assassinations," Koyara said.

'Club of illiberals'

For Russia, private military contractors complement a broader strategy focused on strengthening state sovereignty, Avramov said. "The current Kremlin is trying to export counterrevolution," he added. Rather than destabilize regimes, Russia looks for countries already besieged, from the CAR to Syria.

These governments welcome help, Avramov said, and that provides Russia with multiple opportunities, from weapons deals to training programs.

In the CAR, Moscow has gone a step further, cementing deals for political consultations, joint foreign operations and security details for the president, Faustin-Archange Touadera. In the future, mineral mining might present opportunities to "entrepreneurs and their little private armies," Avramov said, even if the sector is currently underdeveloped.

But the country may be getting more than it bargains for. "You're going to get what I call the 'club of illiberals.' You buy insurance, and then you receive a package," Avramov said.

That package includes mercenary groups, such as Wagner, which often have ties to both oligarchs and political elites. "You somehow start losing a grasp (on) where the private ends and the state begins," Avramov said.

Countries also can end up pawns in Russia's geopolitical ambitions. In the CAR, Russia is "playing in the backyard of France and trying to sow division with the neighbors," Avramov said.

And while Russia may not want the countries with which it aligns to plummet into chaos, quick resolutions to the battles it inserts itself into aren't desirable, either. Drawn-out conflict means more time to sell arms, secure energy contracts and counterbalance China.

Despite outpacing Russia in political alliances and economic deals, Beijing faces real competition from Moscow, Avramov said. Compared to China, "(Russia) is punching above its weight, and it's doing it in a very spectacular manner," he added.

Logistics facility

Two thousand kilometers from the CAR, Moscow sees opportunities in another country dealing with the fallout of war. Eritrea, in East Africa, emerged this summer from decades of active conflict with Ethiopia, followed by 20 years of isolation.

In August, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed plans to build a logistics center at the Port of Assab, in southern Eritrea, during a meeting with a high-level Eritrean delegation, according to RIA, a Russian state-owned news agency.

Avramov said it makes sense for Russia to pursue the base, along with similar partnerships.

"We will see those activities on the rise," he said, citing Russia's desire for recognition as a world superpower and its need for diplomatic relationships.

Countries steeped in conflict give Moscow a chance to develop a longterm presence, Avramov added, despite limited resources. They also give the Kremlin a chance to send a message, both to China and the West.

"It's a way of saying, 'If you're criticized for your human rights record, if you're criticized for any of the things the West clings on, here is always another option,'" Avramov said.

This story originated in VOA's Africa Division. Sandzhar Khamidov contributed reporting from the Russian service. Idrissa Fall contributed reporting from the French-to-Africa service.

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Riyadh rules out int'l probe into journo's murder

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 10, IRNA -- Riyadh will never accept international investigations into the killing of the Saudi dissident journalist Turki al-Faisal, former head of Saudi intelligence said on Saturday.

According to Sputnik News Agency, during his speech at the International Peace Research Center in New York, al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia has provided all the details regarding the case and has responded to all relevant questions.

Earlier some international organizations had called Saudi investigation into slaying Jamal Khashoggi unreliable, urging an independent international inquiry into the incident.

When Riyadh admitted Khashoggi was killed inside its Consulate in Istanbul and the Saudi king ordered a probe into the issue, Rawya Rageh, a senior crisis advisor for the Amnesty international, cast doubt on the result of the investigations.

Along the same lines, the European Parliament has called for an international investigation into the murder and imposing sanctions against Saudi officials whose involvement in the murder of the prominent journalist has been proven.

The Saudi veteran writer and journalist entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October second to collect paperwork for his forthcoming marriage, but ended up being murdered by senior security officials close to the crown prince.

Saudi Arabia officials initially denied all the information leaked to the media, but due to international pressure they eventually admitted he was murdered on purpose.

The whereabouts of his body remains to be known, but Turkish investigators believe the journalist's dismembered body was dissolved in hydrofluoric acid in one of the rooms of the consulate general.

9477**2044

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'I'm choking' were last heard from Khashoggi: Daily Sabah editor

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:15PM

A senior Turkish journalist has revealed bits from a secret audio tape that was allegedly recorded from the brutal assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, saying the slain man begged for his life before he died at the hand of killers.

Nazif Karaman, head of investigation department at the Daily Sabah, a Turkish newspaper, said Saturday that people who killed Khashoggi put a bag on his head to strangle and suffocate him.

"I'm choking, put this bag away from my head, I'm scared of claustrophobia," Khashoggi said before he died, according to Karaman who shared the information with the Qatari-based news channel Al Jazeera.

Karaman based his account of the brutal killing on an audio tape that Turkish authorities say can prove Khashogi's assassination in the Consulate on October 2 was pre-mediated. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that Ankara had shared the audio with Saudi officials as well as intelligence services from four Western countries.

In his interview with the Al Jazeera, Karaman, who is believed to be close to the Turkish government, said the strangulation of Khashoggi lasted for seven minutes.

He also cited information from Turkish intelligence officials, saying that the 15-member Saudi hit squad that had traveled to Istanbul to kill Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate spent 15 minutes to dismember Khashoggi's body after he was killed.

The killers, he said, stretched plastic bags in the room where Khashoggi was murdered to prevent his blood from spreading on the floor. Salah al-Tabiki, a member of the team that had been introduced in media reports as a forensic expert, then chopped Khashoggi's body into five parts to allow other people to stuff them in five large bags. The bags were then transferred to a car belonging to the Consulate to transport them to the outside of the diplomatic mission.

Karaman did not elaborate on how the Saudi assassination team managed to dispose of Khashoggi's body, a question that remains unsolved in Turkey's investigation. He said, however, that the Saudi team had traveled to Turkey with some special "tools and equipment", adding that the pictures and details of the gadgets will be published by Daily Sabah in the coming days.

The journalist said the Turkish newspaper is also planning to release details of the audio recording from Khashoggi's assassination to shed more light on how the journalist was killed in the Saudi Consulate.

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Ankara gave out 'recordings' on Khashoggi murder to Riyadh, Washington

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 02:31PM

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey has given "recordings" on the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France, and Britain.

In a televised speech on Saturday, Erdogan said Saudi Arabia knew the killer of Khashoggi was among a group of 15 people who arrived in Turkey one day ahead of the October 2 murder.

"We gave the recordings, we gave them to Saudi Arabia, we gave them to Washington, to the Germans, to the French, to the English," the Turkish president said.

"They listened to the conversations which took place here, they know."

Erdogan said there were no written documents.

The contents of the gruesome recording allegedly prove that Khashoggi was grabbed, drugged and dismembered with a bone saw. The voice attributed to a Saudi forensic evidence chief also suggests that others witnessing Khashoggi's harrowing fate listened to music in order to drown out the sounds.

In a November 2 op-ed for the Washington Post, the Turkish president said there were still many "questions" for Saudi Arabia to answer regarding the killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish judicial sources have said that Khashoggi was "strangled" as soon as he entered the diplomatic mission and his body was then "cut into pieces" under a "premeditated plan."

The body of Khashoggi remains missing and a joint Turkish-Saudi investigation into Khashoggi's fate has made little progress so far.

Khashoggi, a prominent commentator on Saudi affairs who wrote for the Washington Post's Global Opinions section, had lived in self-imposed exile in the US since September 2017, when he left Saudi Arabia over fears of the Riyadh regime's crackdown on critical voices.

He was seeking to secure documentation for his forthcoming marriage when he entered the Saudi consulate, but never came out despite Riyadh's initial claim that he exited the mission less than an hour after completing his paperwork.

The kingdom, however, later admitted that Khashoggi had been murdered in the consulate during an interrogation by rogue operatives that had gone wrong after diplomatic pressure grew tremendously on Riyadh to give an account on the mysterious fate of its national. However, Saudi Arabia said that it did not know the whereabouts of the body.

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Turkey: Khashoggi Tapes Shared With Key Foreign Nations

By VOA News November 10, 2018

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday he has shared recordings of the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi with Britain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

There was no immediate confirmation from the five countries that they had received the recordings.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier this week his government has more information about the killing and that it likely will make the evidence public after investigations of his death have been completed.

Speaking during a trip to Japan, Cavusoglu told reporters that Turkey said Saudi Arabia and other countries interested in the information have been given the opportunity to see it.

Khashoggi was killed in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Initially, Saudi Arabia said Khashoggi walked out of the consulate and that his whereabouts were unknown, then that he died in a fist fight and still later that he had died in a chokehold. The kingdom's public prosecutor has since called the killing premeditated, but has not said who planned or approved it.

Cavusoglu said Tuesday that after multiple conversations with Saudi King Salman, President Erdogan was convinced the king was not involved.

Cavusoglu said it is clear, though, that a 15-man team alleged to have traveled to Turkey to act as a hit squad would not have taken such action on their own, and that investigators need to find who would have given that order.

Turkey said last week that Khashoggi, a U.S.-based journalist who had written columns for The Washington Post that were critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate, his body dismembered and then destroyed, possibly dissolved in acid.

No trace of Khashoggi's remains has turned up, even as the 59-year-old journalist's sons appealed on the U.S. television news network CNN on Sunday for the Saudis to return his body so he can be buried in the major Islamic pilgrimage city of Medina with the rest of his family.

A Turkish official, speaking anonymously, confirmed a Monday report in Sabah, a newspaper close to Turkey's government, that chemicals expert Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Janobi and toxicology expert Khaled Yahya al-Zahrani were part of a team sent from Saudi Arabia, supposedly to investigate Khashoggi's October 2 killing.

The Sabah report said the two experts visited the consulate every day from their arrival on October 11 until October 17, with Saudi authorities allowing Turkish investigators to search the consulate on October 15.

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Erdogan says shared recordings on Khashoggi killing

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 11, IRNA -- Turkish media stated earlier that Ankara had obtained the recordings during its own investigation into the murder of the Saudi journalist in Istanbul.

'We gave the recordings, we gave them to Saudi Arabia, we gave them to Washington, Germany, France, and Britain,' Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday, according to Sputnik.

According to him, Riyadh knows the killer of Jamal Khashoggi is among a group of 15 people who arrived in Turkey one day ahead of the incident, so there is no need to search for the killer elsewhere.

At the same time, the head of the state accused Saudi Prosecutor General Saud al-Mojeb of obstructing the ongoing investigation into the killing.

Istanbul prosecutors said on October 31 that Khashoggi had been strangled in a premeditated murder after entering Saudi Arabia's consulate, and his body was subsequently dismembered and destroyed.

The statement came after al-Mojeb's two-day visit to Turkey, which, according to Istanbul's chief prosecutor's office, brought no concrete results.

'The Saudi prosecutor general visited [Turkey] to obstruct the investigation There can be no other explanation: why did these 15 people come [from Saudi Arabia to Turkey on the day of Khashoggi's killing]?' Erdogan told reporters in Ankara, adding that Turkey had no information on the location of Khashoggi's body.

Turkish public prosecutor Irfan Fidan previously stated that the journalist had been 'strangled as soon as he entered the consulate' and that his body was 'subsequently destroyed by being dismembered, once again confirming the planning of the murder.'

Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen, and resident of the US, disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Following more than two weeks of denial, Riyadh admitted that he had been killed in a brawl inside the consulate. According to Saudi authorities, 18 people have been arrested over their involvement in the incident. It was also reported that the assassination was premeditated.

1396**1396

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Syria demands international mechanism to investigate US-led coalition's crimes

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 05:27PM

The Syrian government has demanded an independent and international mechanism to investigate the crimes being perpetrated against civilians by the US-led coalition purportedly fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in two separate letters addressed to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the rotating president of the UN Security Council Ma Zhaoxu on Saturday, stated that the Friday airstrikes by the US-led coalition against the eastern town of Hajin near the Iraqi border, which claimed the lives of at least 26 local civilians, including 14 children, once again exposed Washington's false claims of combating terrorism and revealed that the military alliance had no respect whatsoever for the lives of innocent people and international law.

The letters added that the US-led coalition's goals were to kill as many Syrian people as possible, further destroy Syria's infrastructure, undermine the country's future, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and hinder a political settlement of the ongoing crisis.

"All these attempts constitute a blatant violation of all United Nations Security Council resolutions on Syria," the Syrian foreign ministry said.

"Whilst the United States and its allies continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Security Council has maintained an awkward silence and failed to take any measure to stop these misdeeds," it pointed out.

The Syrian foreign ministry highlighted that the Damascus government had on several occasions pointed to the US-led coalition's systematically barbaric attacks against innocent civilians, and its use of internationally banned weapons, including white phosphorus bombs.

The ministry then called on the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities, and propose an independent and international mechanism to help stop the coalition's crimes, investigate them and punish their perpetrators.

The US-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against what are said to be Daesh targets inside Syria since September 2014 without any authorization from the Damascus government or a UN mandate.

The military alliance has repeatedly been accused of targeting and killing civilians. It has also been largely incapable of achieving its declared goal of destroying Daesh.

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Militant shelling kills 6 Syrian soldiers in Hama:Russia MoD

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Nov 11, IRNA -- A total of six Syrian servicemen were killed, while five others were injured in the attacks in Syria's western-central province of Hama, the Russian Defense Ministry said late on Saturday.

"Over the past 24 hours, insurgents attacked Tel-Maraq, Tell Bizam, Qubeybat-abu-al-Houda, Halfaya in Hama province, Ikko, Latakia province, Shukaydila and Zakhabia in Aleppo province, and western outskirts of Aleppo city. During an attack at Tall-Maraq in Hama province, two Syrian servicemen were wounded. Six Syrian servicemen died and three were wounded in Hama province as a result an attack at Halfaya," the ministry said in its daily bulletin, Sputnik reported.

Moreover, ceasefire violations have been registered in the Idlib de-escalation zone over the last 24 hours, according to the bulletin.

The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides has also held a meeting with the local authorities of eastern province of Deir Ezzor to discuss restoration of infrastructure.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and militant and terrorist organizations. Russia, along with Turkey and Iran, is a guarantor of the ceasefire regime in Syria.

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MOFA thanks U.S. for support of Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

2018/11/10 16:09:39

Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Saturday thanked the United States for its backing of Taiwan and vowed to continue to cooperate with the U.S. on the basis on their solid relations.

"Based on the firm and friendly bilateral relations, Taiwan will continue its cooperation with the U.S. in terms of regional and global affairs," MOFA said. "Taiwan will actively seek to take part in international activities to contribute to the world."

The ministry said Taiwan will do its share to safeguard its own security and will work closely with the U.S. and other like-minded countries to protect regional peace and stability.

MOFA made the statement after U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo expressed support for Taiwan at the second U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in Washington on Friday.

Pompeo said Washington maintains a key partnership with Taiwan, based on the Taiwan Relations Act that is the core of the U.S.'"one China policy."

The U.S. has a solid relationship with Taiwan and is concerned about China's continued suppression and diplomatic confinement of Taiwan in the international community, Pompeo said.

(By Flor Wang)

Enditem/pc

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15 PKK militants 'neutralized' in northern Iraq: Turkey

Iran Press TV

Sat Nov 10, 2018 03:16PM

Turkey's military has claimed to have "neutralized" 15 militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) after striking the group's hideouts and armories in Iraq.

"Fifteen armed members of the separatist terror organisation, who were in preparations for an attack to military bases, were neutralized," said the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in a statement after the Friday operation.

The airstrikes targeted Gara, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions of northeastern Iraq, near the Turkish border. The Zap area, along with other locations in the mountainous Qandil area, is known to be Kurdish separatist strongholds.

The Turkish military generally uses the term "neutralize" to signify that the militants were killed, captured or surrendered.

Turkey, along with the European Union and the United States, has declared the PKK a terrorist group and banned it. The militant group has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region since 1984.

A shaky ceasefire between the PKK and the Turkish government collapsed in July 2015. Attacks on Turkish security forces have soared ever since and PKK militants regularly clash with Turkish forces in the Kurdish-dominated southeast of Turkey attached to northern Iraq.

Over the past few months, Turkish ground and air forces have been carrying out operations against PKK positions in the country as well as in northern Iraq and neighboring Syria.

More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the autonomy-seeking militant group.

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EU Again Condemns 'Elections' In Separatist-Held Parts Of Ukraine

By RFE/RL November 10, 2018

The European Union has issued a statement rejecting "elections" scheduled for November 11 in the separatist-controlled parts of eastern Ukraine, saying that they are a breach of international law and undermine the Minsk agreements aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

"The EU considers the 'elections' planned for November 11, 2018, in the nongovernment-controlled territories of the so-called 'Luhansk People's Republic' and 'Donetsk People's Republic' as illegal and illegitimate and will not recognize them," the November 10 EU statement said.

It also called on Russia "to make full use of its considerable influence over the separatists it backs" to ensure the speedy and complete implementation of the Minsk agreements "starting with a comprehensive cease-fire and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry."

The European Union, the United States, and UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo have previously rejected the planned votes.

Ukraine has also denounced the polls, which according to the 2015 Minsk agreements should be held under Ukrainian law.

"I expect that the fake elections that Russia decided to hold on November 11 will prompt the imposition of new sanctions and show that the West's patience is not unlimited," said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on November 7. "It is time now to talk not about easing the sanctions on Russia but about tightening them."

Poroshenko added on November 10 that "we are absolutely sure that no one will recognize these elections. They fall outside the standards of the Ukrainian legislation."

He added that the elections "are absolutely unacceptableSecurity conditions have not been created."

Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiation, echoed those comments while speaking in Kyiv, saying the EU is committed to the Minsk accords and reiterating that the bloc will not recognize the election

Ahead of the vote, four Ukrainian soldiers were reported killed in or near separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine.

Two soldiers died after being ambushed by separatists near the city of Luhansk, the Ukrainian military said.

In a separate incident, two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and two wounded in an explosion near Svitlodarsk in the nearby Donetsk region.

Russia provides military, political, and economic support to the separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine.

In November 2016, the International Criminal Court (ICC) determined the conflict to be "an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation."

More than 10,300 people have been killed since the violence erupted in April 2014, as Russia was fomenting separatism in eastern Ukraine after pro-European protests drove Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych from power.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-again-condemns -elections-in-separatist-held-parts- of-ukraine/29593147.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 Has No Plans to Place New INF Non-Compliant Missiles in Europe - Bolton

Sputnik News

03:11 10.11.2018(updated 03:29 10.11.2018)

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States does not plan to deploy new nuclear missiles in Europe in violation of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, National Security Adviser John Bolton told reporters.

"So there are no American plans to seek to deploy INF non-compliant missiles in Europe for the foreseeable future," Bolton said upon arriving in Paris on Friday.

Bolton called this matter a part of US international alliances and noted that the United States remains in close communication with its partners on the issue. Bolton added that Russia is violating the agreement while other states, like China and Iran, are not bonded by the accord, but could be also breaching the INF treaty, if they were signatories to it.

US President Donald Trump said in the past that China should have been part of the treaty. Trump also warned Russia that the United States would withdraw from the INF treaty if Moscow continues to violate it.

However, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that US and Chinese officials have not addressed the INF Treaty in the wake of United States' decision to pull out from the accord.

In October, US President Donald Trump announced his country's intention to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty over Russia's alleged violations of the accord.

In turn, the Kremlin has rejected US accusations of violating the pact and warned that Moscow would take measures to protect Russian security interests.

The INF Treaty was signed by Mikhail Gorbachev Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in 1987. The historic agreement saw both sides cut their nuclear arsenals and pledge to destroy all cruise or ground-launched ballistic missiles with ranges between 310 and 3,400 miles.

Gorbachev said Thursday that the main threat to the world was the start of a new arms race and promised to do everything in his power to stop a new cold war. He also echoed the words of former US President Ronald Reagan, saying that a nuclear war could not be won and no one would emerge as the victor.

Gorbachev stressed that these words should become the slogan of a new movement against the nuclear threat.

 Sputnik

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 11)  The President reiterated his claim that there is no militarization of the customs bureau but maintained that the military has to intervene to prevent corruption.

In a speech Saturday, the President said he did not appoint the military to specific positions in the Bureau of Customs (BOC). He explained that he was merely asking for their help because the BOC has become an "anarchy."

"Hindi naman militarization 'yan [That is not militarization]... When you are calling the military for help, you are not appointing them to any position neither are you designating them with specific functions," he said during his speech at the Subaraw Biodiversity Festival in Puerta Princesa, Palawan.

President Rodrigo Duterte said the BOC has become a place where any appointed official would be subjected to corruption, which warrants the need for military intervention.

"They [military] are there to keep peace because customs is an anarchy. Maski sinong ilagay mo talagang may corruption [Whoever you appoint to be there, there will still be corruption]" he maintained.

Duterte mentioned ex-Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, who was entangled in a "pork" controversy during his stint from 2011 to 2013.

The President earlier slammed reports of militarization in the bureau on Tuesday, saying there was no appointment of any sort.

"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 employees," he said.

In October, Duterte said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would take over the BOC, as all employees of the agency were on floating status.

The President then said, "They will be replaced, all of them, by military men. It will be a takeover of the armed forces in the matter of operating in the meantime, while we are sorting out how to effectively meet the challenges of corruption in this country."

His order drew flak and some senators also questioned the order's legality.

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GREENWICH  Greenwich Avenue was filled with local veterans Sunday morning, as some 200 people assembled to pay special tribute to the sacrifices of World War I servicemen and servicewomen on the centennial of the wars end.

It was 100 years ago this very day that an armistice was signed, putting an end to a horrific, bloody struggle, said Peter LeBeau, commander of American Legion Post 29. The conflict is little remembered today, he said, but the contributions and sacrifices made by Americans who fought in the closing months of the war in 1917 and 1918 should be preserved in public memory.

Most of our schoolchildren today know little about World War I. Many history text books make no mention of Vietnam  a war I fought in, and tore our country apart, said LeBeau, speaking at the World War I monument off Greenwich Avenue as part of the celebration of Veterans Day in Greenwich. Do we not owe it to our children to let them know what it cost, the blessings of freedom we enjoy today?

LeBeau paid tribute to a Greenwich resident who was killed in the Great War, Col. Raynal Bolling, who is commemorated with a statue near the World War I monument. Calling him one of Greenwichs most accomplished, humble and revered residents, LeBeau said, I would ask you today to think of Colonel Bolling, and people like him, who gave up everything for their country.

Bolling was a pioneering figure in military aviation, and the first high-ranking American officer to be killed in combat in World War I, in March 1918 during a German offensive.

A bagpiper and a drummer led the procession of old cars, motorcycles and a police color guard in a parade down Greenwich Avenue.

Veterans said the day held special significance for them. Elderly soldiers from World War II were part of the procession, as well as veterans from more recent conflicts.

Vietnam veteran Mike Zygmont of Glenville was upholding an annual tradition  hauling out a pair of jungle boots he wore in service in Southeast Asia: 52-year boots, he said, looking down at his footwear.

I wear them sparingly, he said. The soles are a little hard, but they served me well. He said he liked connecting with other veterans at commemorations like the one held Sunday on Greenwich Avenue.

Fred Cofone, another veteran from Old Greenwich, said the Veterans Day observations served a useful purpose. What the veterans have done for our country, a lot of people forget, he said. Events like the Greenwich Memorial Day parade also provide some recognition and public awareness, he said.

Paul Bergagna was one of the younger veterans out on the Avenue. He served in the Air Force and was deployed to Saudi Arabia.

My father served, I served, its a great honor, said Bergagna, who recently moved to Greenwich from New York City. He said it was a pleasure to be among other veterans, if only for a day.

Its nice to be around like-minded people. And so many great stories, he said, A lot of people are removed for the real world  so many have sacrificed so we can have freedom and enjoy our lives. Its good to remember that.

Veterans are the foundation for preserving out inalienable rights, First Selectman Peter Tesei said. Tesei placed a wreath at the base of the World War I memorial at the conclusion of the ceremony, following a volley of rifle fire and a rendition of Taps by two Greenwich High School students.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.comThe restrained events that mark Veterans Day stand in stark contrast to the grueling four-year-long First World War that ended 100 years ago today

World War I, which introduced industrialized killing to a world utterly unprepared for it, ended at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918  the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

Beginning in 1919, the day was marked in America as Armistice Day.

Church bells would sound at 11 a.m. and people would observe a moment of silence to remember the men who died in the 1914-18 war.

In 1954, in the aftermath of World War II, Congress renamed the day as Veterans Day.

In August, 1914, Europe had blundered into a war that all the major nations swore would be over by Christmas.

Instead, as the British historian Sir Max Hastings recounts in his book Catastrophe 1914, by that first Christmas, over 300,000 Frenchmen had been killed, wounded or captured. During the same period, the Germans suffered 800,000 casualties.

The toll of deaths was unrelenting.

Throughout four years of war, casualties on both sides on the western front averaged 2,250 dead and almost 5,000 wounded every day, Joseph Persico writes in his 11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour.

The war ushered in new, ever more violent ways of killing: poison gas, flamethrowers, the tank, and saw the emergence of the machine gun as a mass killing machine.

The airplane, a mere 11 years old when the war began, was quickly converted into sinister new roles; in 1917, massive German Gotha bombers launched terror raids on London.

The submarine, which had been around in very rudimentary form since the American Revolution, was refined into an increasingly lethal weapon.

The ripples of the war continue to reverberate in any number of places, most particularly in the Middle East.

The war caused three empires to collapse: Russia, the Hapsburg Empire (which governed a polyglot mix of 10 Eastern European countries), and the Ottoman Empire, which had governed much of the Middle East.

In his essential book The Great War and Modern Memory, the author Paul Fussell addresses the true impact of the war.

The Great War was more ironic than any before or since. It was a hideous embarrassment to the prevailing meliorist myth... It reversed the idea of Progress.

In battles large and small fought on three contents  Africa, Asia and especially in Europe  the war claimed some nine million combatants and an estimated seven million more civilian lives.

America, which entered the war in April 1917, lost 53,402 of her sons in combat and another 63,114 to non-combat deaths, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Another 204,000 American soldiers were wounded.

Regrettable as they are, those losses pale in comparison to those of other major combatant nations, according to data compiled by the Robert Schuman Center.

Germany lost 2.050 million men, while Russia lost 1.8 million. Great Britain lost 885,000 men  more than twice the number of Americans killed in World War II.

Frances losses were catastrophic. Fully 1.397 million men, 4.29 percent of Frances population, died in the war.

The war crippled France, both in body and in spirit.

With so many of her sons lying dead, the next generation of Frenchmen was sorely constricted.

That and the fighting that had  and still does  scar France also sapped the will necessary to fight back at the German invasion of May, 1940.

The battlefields of Flanders and northern France were drenched in blood and became home to the remains of countless thousands.

As just one example, the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme contains the names of 72,337 United Kingdom soldiers who died on the Somme but whose remains have never been recovered.

The now-pleasant fields were also left studded with the detritus of war.

Fully a third of the artillery shells fired during the war failed to go off. They still pose a threat, however, because many of those shells contained poison gas.

Corroded and slowly rusting away, they could yet claim more victims.

The war did not end so much as it stopped.

The time of the Armistice had been announced in advance, at 5 a.m.

Yet, incredibly, some commanders, seeking either glory or promotion, still sent their troops forward in the waning six hours.

Henry Gunther, a 23-year-old soldier from Baltimore, was the last man to die in the war  at 10:59 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Gunther was not alone, Persico notes.

The total casualties of that last day were 10,944, of whom 2,738 were killed, he writes.

Not only did it kill millions and destroy the innocence of millions more, the war also laid the groundwork for the even greater slaughter that was World War II.

Exhausted as the war wound down, the British and French chose not to push on and occupy Germany once the fighting ended.

Doing so would have forced Germany to face the reality it was beaten on the battlefield. But by not doing so, the Allies enabled Adolf Hitler to claim Germany was stabbed in the back by the men who negotiated the armistice.

Instead, the Allies laid down their arms and tried to pick up their lives and move on, embracing an ideal of remaking the world.

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Chief of the French General Staff, Supreme Allied Commander, was not fooled by the Armistice signed in a railway car in Compiegne, however.

This is not peace; it is an Armistice for twenty years, Foch declared.

He was off by a nine months and 21 days.ANKARA, Turkey - An audio recording tracking the dying moments of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul has been shared with Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany in addition to the United States, the leader of Turkey said Saturday.

"We gave it to Saudi Arabia," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the Ankara airport before departing for Paris for commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. "We gave it to America. To the Germans, French, English, we gave it to all of them."

It was the first time that Erdogan has publicly acknowledged the existence of an audio recording that Turkish officials say backs the assertion that Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post World Opinions section, was killed by a 15-member Saudi hit team after he entered the consulate on Oct. 2.

Wider access to the recording could increase pressure on the Trump administration to take stronger measures against Saudi Arabia in response to Khashoggi's killing.

Although Erdogan said he "gave" the tapes to those countries, it was unclear whether he meant that he had physically passed them on.

A senior German official said that the head of the Federal Intelligence Service received a briefing and listened to the audio recording during a trip to Ankara. "The recording was very convincing," the official said.

The White House and Elysee Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The British foreign office said it was "not confirming or denying" Erdogan's comments.

U.S. officials have said that CIA Director Gina Haspel listened to the recording during a trip to Turkey last month.

Two Turkish officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic, said the audio makes clear that Khashoggi suffered a drawn-out death. He is choked for about seven minutes before he dies, they said.

One said he had been told directly by Erdogan that the killers took 7.5 minutes to choke Khashoggi. The other said he had been briefed by someone who had listened to the recording. Neither said they had heard the tape themselves.

Turkey has not said how it obtained a recording from inside the consulate. Wiretapping of foreign missions breaches the Vienna Convention. Turkish newspapers had run stories on how the recording was made by Khashoggi's Apple watch, a scenario that was met with skepticism by experts.

Saudi Arabia now acknowledges that Khashoggi was intentionally killed in the building and says it has arrested 18 people. It also has fired two senior officials close to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The crown prince has not been directly implicated by Turkey, but Erdogan has said that the order to kill Khashoggi came from the "highest levels" in Saudi Arabia and that he doesn't think King Salman is responsible.

Erdogan said that he may meet President Donald Trump during his Paris visit. Two Turkish officials said they expected a meeting to take place, with discussion to include U.S.-Turkish relations, Iranian sanctions and the Khashoggi case.

As Turkey has increased pressure on the Saudis through leaks to the news media on the gruesome killing, Saudi Arabia has been forced to shift its story. Saudi officials had initially insisted that the journalist left the consulate alive.

Analysts and Western diplomats say that Erdogan may be using the carefully orchestrated leaks to leverage Turkish interests internationally.

"Erdogan can afford for this crisis to play out in a number of different ways, given the strength of his position," said one Western diplomat who declined to be named, citing protocol. "He has a media infrastructure that works for him, and power is pretty much centralized."

Turkish officials had repeatedly complained about a lack of Saudi cooperation in the investigation, saying that Saudi Arabia's top prosecutor, who visited Istanbul last month, did not share any information.

The Turkish official who said he had been briefed on the tape said the prosecutor had been more interested in finding out what evidence Turkey already had than in offering information. He also asked for the dead journalist's cellphones, the official said.

Erdogan said the Saudi prosecutor was obstructive during his visit. "And then they invite our chief prosecutor there," he said. "The scene of the crime is here."

"The murder or murders are definitely within this 15," he said, referencing 15 members of an alleged hit team identified by Turkish authorities. "The Saudi Arabian administration will succeed in revealing this by making these 15 people talk."

Speaking at an International Peace Institute event in New York on Friday evening, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former head of Saudi's intelligence service and ambassador to Washington and London, rejected calls for an international investigation into the killing. "The kingdom is proud of its legal system," he said. "It will never accept foreign interference in that system."

He said he expects Saudi Arabia to "put all the facts on the table."

"The kingdom wants to show the rest of the world exactly what happened and to go on from there," he said. He said he hoped that would mean an improvement in the conduct of the Saudi security forces and also in the image of the kingdom, "which has been tarnished by this tragic and extraordinarily painful incident in all of our lives."

However, Turkish officials say that they do not trust Saudi Arabia to try the suspects or hold accountable the person responsible for giving the order. They say Saudi Arabia has rejected Turkish requests to extradite the suspects to be tried in Turkey.

"They are not telling the whole truth," said another Turkish official. "There is an important person behind this and they have to explain."

- - -

Mekhennet reported from New York. The Washington Post's Zeynep Karatas in Istanbul, and James McAuley and Seung Min Kim in Paris, contributed to this report.Pepperdine University's 3,600 undergraduates were ordered to shelter in place Friday as a wildfire closed in on the Malibu, California, campus. The Woolsey fire has forced evacuations, but Pepperdine students were urged to shelter in one of two buildings on campus - a decision that frightened some parents and students despite reassurances from the university that it was advised by fire officials.

Shortly after midnight local time Saturday morning, the university alerted campus that there were flames on the hillsides. "Pepperdine's shelter-in-place protocols remain in place. Multiple L.A. County fire department strike teams and fire department air operations are engaging the fire from campus." Just before 2 a.m., the school announced, "Los Angeles County Fire strike teams and air operations are working to contain the flames on and around the Malibu campus. No permanent structures have been lost."

A few minutes after 8 a.m., the university lifted the shelter-in-place order. "Flames on hillsides near campus were extinguished early this morning," university officials announced to campus, "although spot fires may appear and should be reported to Public Safety." All classes were canceled.

Overnight, debate raged over whether the students were in the safest possible spot - or trapped.

Someone else wrote on Twitter, "that's a hell of a risk #Pepperdine have taken," not to evacuate students.

Some students left campus despite the shelter-in-place order. Alanah Jimenez, a freshman, said she was hearing from friends who were trapped in traffic, watching plumes of smoke rising behind them and wondering if they would get out in time.

Many people were reassuring worried parents and students that the campus was well prepared for this type of threat, with huge tanks full of water and students sheltered far from the burning chaparral, or shrub land. Jimenez said school officials had been quick to help. "I am grateful to Pepperdine," she said.

It seems counterintuitive, said Connie Horton, the vice president for student affairs, but the Los Angeles County Fire Department supports the shelter-in-place plan as the safest course. "We have lived it a number of times over the years, practiced it, rehearsed it, trained on it."

The university has followed the same procedure since 1993, according to a social media message from the school's president.

Campus buildings are constructed with fire-resistant materials, according to the university website explaining the practice. School roads provide fire breaks, brush is cleared every year to 200 feet or more from buildings, and with a limited number of ways on and off campus, roads can quickly become congested and dangerous as wildfires shift unpredictably.

It can be confusing for parents and students when evacuation orders are issued in the community, Horton said Friday, so they had several people taking phone calls to reassure families.

She watched "the migration" to the shelter sites, with students holding pillows and bags, and finding a spot to settle in. "It shifts from a moment of anxiety to a slumber party. They're hanging out, taking a nap, going to their books."

That was before the fire closed in.

Madeleine Carr, a junior who is the news editor for the Pepperdine University Graphic, the campus paper, said that early on someone was playing piano and people were singing along to songs such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Don't Stop Believin'," setting up tents and reading aloud from a Harry Potter book. "People were trying to distract themselves or keep the tone light."

University staff handed out ice cream at 10 p.m. and people tried to go to sleep, but the floor was hard, helicopters were thundering overhead, and face masks made breathing hot and uncomfortable, Carr said.

There was a bright glow in the west that wasn't the sunset. And then there were flames coursing down the hill toward campus. It was wildly different from seeing a fire on TV, Carr said, especially as the air inside began to smell like a campfire.

Carr realized that her backup plan - running to her car to get away - would mean running toward the fire.

It was terrifying, and eerily beautiful. "People kept saying, 'It's weirdly pretty - I can't stop watching it,'" she said.

The Los Angeles Times reported that firefighters "staged an all-out fight overnight to save Pepperdine" and that the intense attack by air and on the ground appeared to have prevented any major damage.

A spokesman for Cal Fire said Saturday he could not confirm what had happened at the campus overnight.

A university spokeswoman and student government leaders did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Saturday.

It has been an emotionally wrenching and exhausting series of days for the private Christian university: On Wednesday night, people at Pepperdine were trying to find and help students who were at the Borderline Bar and Grill in nearby Thousand Oaks when a gunman opened fire, killing 12. On Thursday, they were gathering to grieve for Alaina Housley, an 18-year-old freshman who was one of the shooting victims.

And then the fire closed in.

It was almost hard to believe, Jimenez said. "All this devastation in such a little amount of time has taken a toll on everybody. . . . I feel empty."

On Saturday morning, when they were allowed to go back to their dorms, she saw the scorched areas, black marks on some buildings and smoke still rising in a few places.

University officials closed the Malibu and Calabasas campuses and canceled all events through Tuesday.

But by midday Saturday, Pepperdine's president, Andrew Benton, was able to reassure the campus: Everyone was safe.Comets are like cats. They have tails and they do precisely what they want.  Astronomer David Levy

Another celestial tabby is about to promenade past us. With luck, it will purr and rub against our ankles, rather than turn tail with barely a nod our way.

Comet 46P/Wirtanen is about to get very close to Earth in December  only 7.2 million miles away. It will be the 10th closest comet pass in modern times.

If it brightens enough  as many astronomers expect it to do  people may be able to see it with their naked eyes, making it the brightest comet of the past few years.

Lets put it this way, said Richard Talcott, senior editor of Astronomy Magazine. As comets go, this should be a pretty good one.

Which has put area astronomers on alert.

We havent seen it yet, said Monty Robson of the John. J. McCarthy Observatory at New Milford High School. But well be looking for it. Its within our range.

And because Comet Wirtanen will be most visible, high in the sky, near the Pleiades in the middle of December, it will coincide with the Geminid meteor shower  traditionally one of the best of the year.

Which means, if the night skies are clear, there will reasons for serious skywatching parties.

Robson said the McCarthy Observatory will almost certainly have a public event in mid-December.

New Pond Farm in Redding, in conjunction with The Discovery Center in Ridgefield, already has a date set  Saturday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m. To register, go to the Discovery Centers website at ridgefielddiscovery.org or New Ponds at newpondfarm.org

All in all, it should be a pretty good night, said Cliff Wattley of Ridgefield, who leads the skywatch events at New Pond Farm.

Comets are either dirty snowballs or snowy dirtballs that orbit around our solar system. When those orbits take them close to the sun, some of their mass melts, with the debris flowing behind creating their tails. When that debris hits the Earths atmosphere, we see it as a shooting star.

There are billions, even trillions, of comets in the Oort Cloud and Kuiper Belt at the outer edge of the Solar System. Humans  who have been watching them for millennia, first in fear, then scientifically  have identified 5,253 of them.

Astronomer Carl Wirtanen first identified the comet named after him in 1948 at the Lick Observatory in San Jose, Calif.

Unlike some of the faraway visitors, Comet 46P/Wirtanen is part of the neighborhood. Its orbit only takes it around Jupiter and back, circling the sun every 5.4 years. Its also relatively small, with a diameter of about three-quarters of a mile.

What makes it special this year is simply that its orbit is bringing it closer to Earth than it usually does. As it gets closer to the sun, it should brighten enough to see easily with binoculars or a telescope.

Brighten some more, and it becomes a naked-eye object  a fuzzy cotton ball of light amid the stars sharper points.

Talcott, of Astronomy Magazine, said what also makes Comet Wirtanen good for ordinary skywatchers is that it will be accessible. People can view it around 9:30 to 10 p.m. rather than at 3 a.m. Rather than hanging low near the horizon, it will be high in the sky.

What astronomers dont know is whether Wirtanen will show off or be a no-show.

Its anybodys guess, said Geoff Chester, spokesman for the US Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

Chester said 1973s Comet Kahoutek was the most celebrated celestial dud of recent years.

It was billed as the comet of the century, Chester said. It was more like the comet of the month.

On the other hand, in 2007 Comet Holmes flared much brighter than any estimation. And two recent comets  Hyakutake in 1996 and Hale-Bopp in 1997  lived up to their advanced notices and were breathtaking.

The Geminids  which peaks Dec. 12-14  is the product of debris the object known as 3200 Phaethon leaves as it orbits through the solar system.

Phaethon was once classified as a asteroid. Today astronomers think it might be something completely different  a dormant comet, a rock comet.

The Geminids are special, Robson of the McCarthy Observatory in New Milford said.

Combine them with a living comet and mid-December could a great night for looking at the heavens.

It could be spectacular, Robson said.

Contact Robert Miller at earthmattersrgm@gmail.comBy West Kentucky Star Staff Nov. 05, 2018 | 06:43 AM | GRAVES COUNTY

A Graves County woman was arrested on drug charges Sunday after deputies responded to a disturbance at her home.

According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, deputies went to a home on Big Valley Drive and spoke to 40-year-old Tyea Newsome. While deputies were investigating the complaint, they allegedly gained pertinent information that led them to obtain a search warrant for the home.

During the search, deputies reportedly found methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and legend drugs.

Newsome was arrested and lodged in the Graves County Jail. She's charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of illegal possession of a legend drug.



Haiti - Security : The PM calls the police officers to avoid the provocations of the demonstrators





At the approach of the commemoration of the Battle of Vertieres (18 November), which augurs several dark days, of social disorder and demonstrations, as announced in particular by the radical opposition, the Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant also President of the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN) indicated that he had passed instructions to the high command of the CSPN, to ensure the safety of life and property of the population.



The Head of Government, while recognizing the right of all citizens to demonstrate peacefully, recommends that the police officers "avoid the provocation of demonstrators", convinced that the problems in Haiti must be resolved through dialogue, in order and disciplined.



He reminded the police officers of the institution's motto of "serving and protecting".



HL/ HaitiLibre





















Haiti - Politic : Gary Bodeau calls for national dialogue !





The Deputy of Delmas Gary Bodeau, Speaker of the Lower House, who calls for a national dialogue to solve the problems faced by Haiti, says "the problem of the country is not a question of government, but of inefficiency of the system."



He also said the time was not right for a cabinet reshuffle, just a few months after the last changes https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24186-haiti-flash-appointment-of-5-ministers.html and insisted that the best strategy would be to put on the table of controversial issues such as "the formation of the Permanent Electoral Council, energy and construction, the depreciation of the national currency, the reform of justice, the insecurity as well as the PetroCaribe file."



While radical opposition groups call to convert the demonstrations of 18 November, against the embezzlement of public funds, into "a battle" for the overthrow of President Moise and his administration, Bodeau warned "In this chaos, no one will win. If anyone thinks that President Jovenel Moise will leave the Palace, to take his place and dismiss the parliamentarians and magistrates, he lies to himself," recalling "we are the majority and we will not leave power [...] the only solution is the dialogue table."



According to the Deputy of Delmas the Head of State receives many criticisms and loses the trust of the population. He urged him to promote political discussions during which he will have to give up some of his positions. He is convinced that the establishment of a common and realistic agenda, as well as the realization of the national dialogue, would be starting points to mitigate the crisis in Haiti.



SL/ HaitiLibre

















By The Associated Press

By The Associated Press Nov. 06, 2018 | 05:46 AM | FRANKFORT

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is leading a delegation on a trip aimed at boosting trade ties with China.

Bevin's office says the goals include strengthening relationships with Chinese companies operating in Kentucky, as well as developing new business and government connections to promote future growth.

Bevin says he wants Kentucky to be the first state that countries around the world think of when they choose to locate in the United States.

Joining Bevin for the weeklong trip are Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development executive officer Vivek Sarin and Erran Persley, the cabinet's executive director for international affairs and business development.

Bevin's office says Chinese-owned companies employ about 8,700 people at facilities in Kentucky.

Last year, Kentucky exports to China hit record levels, with more than $2.8 billion in products and services shipped.



Haiti - Social : Return from Chile difficult for 176 compatriots





As part of the "Humanitarian Plan for an Orderly Return" launched by the Chilean Government on October 17 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25877-haiti-flash-chile-launches-its-free-voluntary-return-plan-to-haiti.html intended for the voluntary return of Haitians living today in Chile, a first flight of returnees arrived this week in Haiti



176 Haitian adults who lived in Chile for several months in a situation of economic precariousness, unable to finance their return to Haiti and wishing for personal and family reasons to return to their country of origin composed this first group.



Visibly frustrated and disappointed, our compatriots back did not hide their dissatisfaction with their mishap in Chile. According to them, Haitian nationals are not welcome in Chile lately. The Government of Chile would have given priority to Venezuelans because of the political and economic crisis that is hitting their country hard, making it more difficult for Haitians to find work in Chile.





Several migrants, whose none of relatives had come to pick them up, strongly criticized the Government's lack of help to facilitate their return to their community.



A situation that forced the Support Group for Repatriated and Refugees (GARR), despite its limited financial means, to take charge some of them. They were fed and accommodated in a hotel in the metropolitan area for one night. Transportation costs were made available for them to return home.



Nevertheless, it is worth to mentioning that at their arrival, hot dishes and water were offered to them by the Haitian authorities.



GARR deplores the reception of returnees, convinced that the Government could do better to accommodate its citizens with dignity. It urges the authorities to better coordinate their interventions with a view to welcoming the next groups in a dignified manner and to elaborating a reintegration plan for the benefit of all those who have been repatriated to Haiti.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-26026-haiti-flash-176-haitiens-rapatries-du-chili-attendus-cette-semaine.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-25877-haiti-flash-le-chili-lance-son-plan-de-retour-en-haiti-volontaire-et-gratuit.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-23276-haiti-flash-pres-de-105-000-haitiens-sont-arrives-au-chili-en-2017.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-25474-haiti-flash-retour-volontaire-des-haitiens-du-chili-par-avion-presidentiel.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-25395-haiti-flash-le-chili-annonce-un-plan-de-retour-volontaire-pour-les-haitiens.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-25381-haiti-flash-reunification-familiale-au-chili-l-oim-ouvre-son-premier-centre-de-services-de-visa-en-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-24839-haiti-flash-visa-disponible-pour-le-regroupement-familial-au-chili.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-24657-haiti-politique-le-sort-des-130-000-haitiens-illegaux-au-chili-a-l-agenda-du-ministre-de-l-interieur.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-24387-haiti-social-le-nombre-de-migrants-haitiens-vers-le-chili-chute-de-62.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-24055-haiti-flash-le-chili-exige-un-visa-pour-les-haitiens.html



HL/ HaitiLibre





















Haiti - Politic : Prime Minister ready to reshuffle the Government IF...





On the sidelines of his visit this week to the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26072-haiti-news-zapping.html Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant, reacting to a question about a possible ministerial reshuffle as a solution to the political crisis in Haiti replied "No sacrifice is above the love we have for the country. If so reshuffle that may help find a calming, why not ?" A point of view, which according to Ceant would be shared by the Head of State, but which would depend on the dialogue with all statas of the society...



However, most political parties, whether those close to power, or those in the radical opposition who demand the departure of the Head of State, a reshuffle of the Government will not change anything in the situation in Haiti.



Let us note that at the beginning of the week Jean Wilson Hippolyte, President of the majority group (Parliamentary Alliance for Haiti - APH) of the Lower House had demanded a "fundamental reorganization of the Government" https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26059-icihaiti-politic-the-majority-group-of-the-lower-house-could-drop-the-executive.html , position that has since opposed that of Gary Bodeau, Speaker of the Lower House, who does not consider it conducive to a cabinet reshuffle https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26083-haiti-politic-gary-bodeau-calls-for-national-dialogue.html



Add to this the parties of the radical opposition that demand the departure of President Moise, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26072-haiti-news-zapping.html affirming that the demonstrations will not be peaceful and that the population will remain mobilized in the streets until the departure of the Head of State...



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26083-haiti-politic-gary-bodeau-calls-for-national-dialogue.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26072-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-26059-icihaiti-politic-the-majority-group-of-the-lower-house-could-drop-the-executive.html



TB/ HaitiLibre





















Haiti - News : Zapping...





PetroCaribe : Complaints from the Diaspora

"The plaintiffs Maxi Francois, Tina Lorquet and Roland Sainristil domiciled in the United States will be questioned soon to the Cabinet of instruction in the framework of the embezzlementof the US$3.8 billion of the fund PetroCaribe [...] We welcome the mobilization of the Haitian Diaspora who gave this dossier its international dimension [...]" informed Me Andre Michel.



Godson Orelus case, the IGPNH clarify

On the sidelines of its monthly report, the Divisional Commissioner Jean-Claude Benjamin, communication manager of the General Inspectorate of the National Police of Haiti (DGPNH) made it clear to the media that the visit of Inspector Carl-Henry Boucher to the former Director General Godson Orelus of the PNH incarcerated in the prison of Saint-Marc https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25946-haiti-justice-godson-orelus-former-dg-of-the-pnh-arrested-and-imprisoned.html , was a courtesy decision but not a decision of the IGPNH, recalling that Godson Orelus was no longer a police officer.



The OAS reiterates its willingness to cooperate

On Friday, Haiti's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bocchit Edmond, met with the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro. The Chancellor took the opportunity to reiterate the support and willingness of the Haitian government to cooperate with the OAS on joint commitments. "We have received Chancellor of Haiti Bocchit Edmond to whom we have conveyed the OAS support and willingness to cooperate in the fight against poverty, against corruption and in the democratic stability of the country," said Luis Almagro.



Action Plan of the Observatory of Youth

In the presence of international and national organizations, the Observatory of Haitian Youth presented its "Advocacy Action Plan for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights for Adolescents and Young People, 2019-2021"



Towards the relaunch of ENARTS activities

Following the launch of the reconstruction work of the National School of Arts (ENARTS), October 22 last https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25910-haiti-culture-launch-of-the-reconstruction-works-of-the-enarts.html , Philippe Dodard, the Director General of ENART organized this week a cultural day to revive the academic activities of the school by paying tribute to Boukman Dutty, a great name of the Haitian revolution according to Dodard.



MENFP : installation of 2 new directors

Friday Dr. Meniol Jeune Director General of the Ministry of National Education proceeded to the installation of Gasner Jean as Director of the Human Resources Directorate (HRD) and Anne Monique Monday as Assistant Director. They replace respectively Jose Joseph and Jean Ricot Docteur.



HL/ HaitiLibre

















Published on 2018/11/11 | Source

President Moon Jae-in (right) poses with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Mt. Baekdu, in this file photo taken in September.

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Hyundai Asan will hold a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of package tours to the North Korean resort of Mt. Kumgang in collaboration with the North's Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee on Nov. 18-19, a spokesman said Monday.

"We're now waiting for an invitation of staff to the North to prepare for the celebration", the spokesman added.

The Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation issued a statement after a meeting at the Mt. Kumgang resort in North Korea last Saturday saying, "Inter-Korean cooperation is a sovereign right of our nation and an issue that our nation should determine".

The two sides also called for resuming the package tours, but that would violate international sanctions against North Korea at the moment.

Meanwhile, North Korea is apparently eyeing a Nobel Peace Prize for its leader. Kim Chang-su, who heads the South Korean staff at the liaison office in the border town of Kaesong on Monday told a radio program on Monday, "In October, I proposed a celebration if the two leaders won the Nobel peace prize jointly, which the North Koreans were very well aware of".

A North Korean official said, "We should have applied by February to win a Nobel prize, but we didn't. But if public opinion forms in the international community to support the idea of giving the Nobel peace prize to the leaders of the two Koreas, it will mean that the international community supports what we're now doing for peace on the Korean Peninsula".By Panos Kotzathanasis | Published on 2018/11/10

The second feature of festival favorite Zhang Lu is one of his most acclaimed works, winning awards in Cannes, Busan and Vesoul, and presented in festivals all over the world. The film deals with the Korean Chinese (Zhang Lu's ethnicity) one of the recognized ethnic minorities in China, comprising about 2.7 million citizens. Korean Chinese are spread throughout the country, and their group situation is consequently invisible to other Chinese, though many have difficulties integrating into society. Televised folklore celebrations and popular Korean foods such as the world-famous kimchi serve as one of the few common reminders of Korean Chinese culture for other Chinese. (source: Wikipedia). This last concept is presented quite eloquently in a scene in the movie, where a policewoman asks Shun-ji to teach her Korean dances, with the woman complying, ending up in a somewhat surrealistic dancing sequence. The title refers to the summer heat that shimmers over the plains of Northeast China, which the locals call "Grain in Ear".

"Grain in Ear" (festival entry) is screening at the London Korean Film Festival

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Cui Shun-ji is a woman who belongs to the aforementioned minority and lives in a rundown area, on the borders between the urban setting of Beijing and the farmlands that dominate the surrounding area. Her husband is in prison, and she raises her only son, Chang-ho, by illegally selling kimchi from a food stall. On the hours she is out working, the prostitutes that live in the adjacent "house" take care of the little boy.

A sympathetic Chinese cop offers to help her get a license, and a male customer befriends her when they discover they are both from the Korean minority. However, their help is not without exchange, and soon Cui Shun-ji finds her life being not so different from the one her neighbors' live. When tragedy strikes her life in the worst way, she decides to exact revenge.

Zhang Lu directs a film that is minimalist in visuals, as it is rich in context, in a story filled with social comments. These comments have the lives of immigrants in the non-urban areas as their base, but through this main concept, extend to a number of others. The differences between rich and poor, men and women, locals and immigrants is one of the central ones, with Lu focusing on the hardships of all the second categories, while putting an obvious blame on the first ones, whose sole purpose seems to be to take advantage of the "weak" ones.

Sex also plays a central role, both through the lives of the prostitutes and the way Shun-ji ends up using it in order to survive, in essence. The fact that she also has sex for payment (another kind, but still), initially, it may seem as if making her also a prostitute, and the comment something like "all women are whores". However, this is not the case in any way, since Lu's comment suggests that in a world where women are completely powerless, sex is the only "weapon" they can use in order to survive. This concept is presented in a somewhat bittersweet fashion, when Chang-ho asks his mother why everyone is calling her a chicken, which in Chinese slang is the word for prostitute.

The ending of the film, which focuses on a rather harsh, although subtly depicted revenge, seems to change the aesthetics and the overall context of the story, towards something extreme. However, Zhang's explanation states something completely different: "the film is essentially anti-terrorist. Not at all in the way of Bush's political agenda, but on the scale of everyday life, how we, as humans, terrorize those around us"

Liu Yonghong's minimalist but evocative cinematography is one of the film's greatest assets. His use of long shots is excellent, in a tactic that results in the depiction of the area the story takes place in, as a dystopian setting, which suits the characters and the story to perfection. On the other hand, the depiction of the interiors, and particularly the framing of Shun-ji's cramped house communicates the pressure she feels from all sides, as much as the restraint she exercises against her problems, in an effort to survive and to protect her son. Kim Sun-min's editing implements the slow-burning rhythm of the movie nicely, although some jump-cuts here and there, give a sense of speed to the film.

Ryoo Yeon-hee as Shun-ji is great in a role that unfolds in perfect resonance with the film's aesthetics: measured and minimal.

"Grain in Ear" is a very meaningful film that uses a genuine art-house approach in order to present its harsh but very realistic comments. At times, and due to the themes (marginalized people, prostitutes) it reminded me much of Kim Ki-duk's early films, although Zhang Lu's effort is almost completely stripped of the visual depiction of violence.

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

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"Grain in Ear" is directed by Zhang Lu, and features Ryoo Yeon-hee, Kim Bak, Joo Kwang-hyun and Tong Hui Wang.A BLIND war veteran from Watlington will be taking part in the march at the Cenotaph in London on Remembrance Sunday.

Ken Cook, 94, of Orchard Walk, will be joined by more than 100 other former servicemen at the event, which is supported by the charity Blind Veterans UK.

It will be the first time he has taken part in the parade, which this year will commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Mr Cook joined the Royal Navy in 1942 and served in the Mediterranean and Italy during the Second World War.

He took part in various missions, including the invasion of Anzio in 1944.

He said: I had always admired the armed forces so I signed up and did my bit. Ive had the greatest of respect for all servicemen and women ever since.

This will be my first time marching at the Cenotaph and itll be the most important day I will have had for a long, long time.

I will be remembering all those that served but with the centenary of the end of the First World War, I will be especially remembering my father, who served as a staff sergeant farrier in France during that conflict.

Mr Cook, who left the navy in 1946, lost his sight in later life due to macular degeneration, a deterioration of the retina which often affects older people.

In 2016, he started receiving support from Blind Veterans UK, which pays for a volunteer carer called Sue to visit him once a week.

Mr Cook said: Her visit has become the highlight of my week. She helps me with bits and bobs and its great to have a cup of tea and a chat.

I genuinely dont know what I would have done without the help of Blind Veterans UK. The guidance and equipment Ive received from them has allowed me to live on my own and look after myself, even after sight loss.

The charity was formed in 1915 in response to the 3,000-plus veterans blinded in the Great War. Now it supprts veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight.

For more information, visit blindveterans.org.ukUh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here.Seven days of horror end with two ex-cops and two little girls dead

newsRussia and China on Monday refused to back a UN resolution that will allow the Security Council to slap sanctions on perpetrators of rape and sexual violence in Libya.

The British-drafted resolution renewing sanctions on Libya was adopted by a vote of 13 in favour in the 15-member council.

Russia and China abstained but did not use their veto power to block the measure that expanded the criteria for applying sanctions to include gender-based violence.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the Netherlands and Sweden, which pushed for the new sanctions criteria, of trying to score political points at home.

This is populism distilled in its purest form, Nebenzia told the council, who noted that preventing sex crimes in Sweden and the Netherlands is the remit of the national governments.

Sexual and gender-based violence are part of crime in any specific country, said the ambassador, adding that the council should focus on threats to international security.

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The council has added sexual violence as a criteria for sanctions in recent resolutions on the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Swedish Deputy Ambassador Carl Skau said he hoped that adding the new sanctions criteria will have a deterrent effect and that there will be accountability for such crimes.When we think of Bali, the first notion that comes to our mind is that of an exciting holiday destination. You can visit spots which are diverse in nature, whether it is the Besakih Temple or the Ubud Monkey Forest. However, what most people dont know is about the unique connection which Bali has with India, commemorated every year in the form of a festival called Baliyatra.

Baliyatra literally means A voyage to Bali. This festival takes place in Cuttack, Odisha, to celebrate the maritime history of Odisha and its ancient trading links in Bali, Indonesia. This year Baliyatra shall take place on November 23.

The festivity begins In the wee hours of the auspicious Kartik Purnima morning in November with womenfolk congregating in large numbers for a riverside ritual on the banks of the Mahanadi to launch little midnight floats - in symbolic commemoration of the traditional farewell that used to be accorded to the brave sea-farers of yore on the eve of their annual voyage to Bali - with a song in their heart and a prayer in their minds for a safe journey of their men then and welfare of the family now.

Bali normally conjures up images of exotic holidays. (Unsplash)

This customary ritual is followed by a week-long carnival of commerce, culture and much celebration, explains Sudip Sen, Director, Resource Indica: Roots & Revelations.

But why do most Indians not know about it?

Bali-yatra is an age-old festival that is traditionally celebrated in Odisha and awareness of the same has till now been limited to the people of Odisha. But it merits general awareness in India and Indonesia, says Sen.

Bali-yatra still takes place and is celebrated across cross Odisha including the modern-day port town of Paradip.

Scenes from the riverside ritual in Odisha. (Sudip Sen)

Women getting the boats ready during the riverside ritual for Baliyatra. (Sudip Sen)

Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, who is the ambassador at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Delhi, elaborates on the significance of Bali Yatra in the current scenario and how India and Indonesia have always been close.

There are many reasons why India and Indonesia have been very close throughout history-since the time of Rama and Sita, the Pandavas and Kaurawas; since our sailors, traders, religious teachers, and learned men arrived in each others shores. By celebrating Bali Yatra, we seek to revive the old connectivity and people to people contact which became the basis of emotional closeness between the people of Odisha and Bali. Today, when you visit Odisha or Bali, you can see how the cultural traits and habits of the close relationship still remain, as if frozen in time, says Suryodipuro.

The author tweets at @shadowwarior and be reached at kabir.bhandari@htdigital.inBollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan on Saturday called for restoring old Bengali films on a war footing and urged the industry and the public to come together in building a movement on the issue.

Delivering his inaugural speech at the opening ceremony of the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival here, Bachchan also expressed his happiness at the West Bengal governments initiative.

If we dont take urgent steps, in hundred years very few Bengali films will be left to celebrate. We must save a hundred Bengali films. This works should be taken up on a war footing. The film industry and public should come together and join this movement, Bachchan said as the capacity crowd at the Netaji Indoor stadium listened to him in rapt attention.

Bachchan said it was heartening that the state government has entered into an agreement with the Film Heritage Foundation for training 60 resource personnel.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee shares a light moments with Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, while Shahrukh Khan looks on during inauguration of 24th Kolkata International Film Festival on November 10, 2018. (AP)

Calling cinema an important part of Bengals cultural ethos, he said the state produced some of the greatest film directors over decades, with great works and accolades in numerous international film festivals.

As we celebrate the 100 years of Bengali Cinema, there is a need to talk about those who work behind the scenes of these celebrated film productions, accomplished technicians and creative minds that are never truly given their due.

Depending on what your job is you are doing your part to get a shot ready. In all probability the camera caretakers are busy loading the film in the camera, the makeup and hair stylists are getting the actors ready in the makeup room and so on.

He said very few movie enthusiasts were aware that several famous directors began their careers on very humble circumstances working behind the scenes almost unknown and unrecognised, he said.

To buttress his point, Bachchan referred to celebrated director Bimal Roy who entered the cinema world as a camera assistant, while another famous film maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee began working initially as a cameraman and then as a film editor.

Similarly, the legendary actor-director Guru Dutt struggled as a telephone operator at the Lever Brothers factory in (erstwhile) Calcutta.

Turning to contemporary filmmakers, he said Rajkumar Hirani slogged away as a film editor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali started as an assistant to Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Farah Khan was a choreographer for several years before becoming a director.

Bachchan said many top stars began their careers as faceless assistants.

The star kids work as assistants to learn the art of filmmaking. Hrithik Roshan assisted his father (Rakesh Roshan) in four films, Siddharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan worked as assistant director to Karan Johar for My name is Khan. Parineeti Chopra was an unknown marketing intern in Yash Raj Film studio.

He said while Satyajit Rays films are applauded for the craftsmanship and content, the contribution of cinematographer Subrata Mitra cannot be undermined.

He said a film unit extends much beyond the stars, the director and the producer.

There is the clapper boy, sound mixer, boom operator, the gaffer, the special effect supervisor and so on, he added.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

Follow @htshowbiz for moreWe are just days away from one of the biggest Bollywood weddingsDeepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will tie the knot at Italys scenic Lake Como on November 14 and 15. Early on Saturday morning, the couple was photographed at the Mumbai airport, leaving for the wedding venue.

Deepika Padukone spotted at Mumbai airport as she leave for her wedding in Italy on November 9, 2018. (IANS)

Ranveer Singh at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport as he leaves for his wedding with Deepika Padukone in Italy on November 9, 2018. (IANS)

Ahead of their arrival, members of Deepikas team, some of whom have already reached Italy, have been sharing pictures from Italy. Among those include her manager, Karishma Prakash, who instagrammed a picture of her hotel room. The cosy room looks nice and chic. Similarly, Deepikas hair stylist, Amit Thakur too put up a video clip, enroute his journey. They both shared the information as Instagram stories.

Amit Thakur (left) put up a short video clip of him leaving for Italy, while Karishma Prakash put up a picture of her room (centre). (Instagram)

It may be recalled that in both Ranveers and Deepikas households, the pre-wedding functions had commenced from early November. While Deepikas family had held a Nandi puja, in early November, Ranveers family held a haldi ceremony as well. The Deepika-Ranveer wedding will be a three-day affair, which will kick-start with a sangeet ceremony on November 13. Next day will see the duo getting married as per Kannada tradition while on the following day, the families will hold a north Indian wedding, Anand Kaaraj.

Then, on the evening of November 15, the couple will host an intimate party at the same venue. On their return to India, they will host a reception at Mumbais Grand Hyatt for all their industry friends. There will also be a reception in Bengaluru.

The wedding is expected to be a strictly family affair with just three people from industry attending it, as per reports. Karan Johar, Sanjay Bhansali and Arjun Kapoor will reportedly be part of the wedding.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreIt is officially wedding season in Bollywood. Even as we prepare to witness the destination wedding of Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh on November 14 and 15, another couple is preparing for their nuptials. We are talking of Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas wedding in December. And talking of pre-wedding functions, we have all seen just how much fun Priyanka has been having with her girl gang. Now, Nick had put up some pictures from his own bachelor party and he looks elated.

Posting a picture, in which he can be seen in a sailors outfit, he wrote: Bachelor party weekend is officially underway people ???? @elit_vodka #distinguishedbytaste #lightupthenight #topshelfspirits #makeitelit. With a drink in hand, as he lies on the deck with the blue ocean behind him, its clear he is having a great time.

He posted another picture, this time from the evening hours, in which he is dressed in formals, and wrote: Keep it classy. Looking away from the camera, he has a cigar in hand.

A day before his bachelor party, Nick had posted another picture, but this one was about his gift for his groomsmen. Looks like Nick has decided to gift scooters of the Lime brand to his boy gang. He captioned: I was searching for a fun way for my groomsmen to be mobile and ready to roll - so I called up my friends at @Limebike for some hel... #groomsmengift #CitrusGotReal. Written on them are the names of his brothers--Frankie, Joe and Kevin--and Priyankas younger brother, Siddharth.

Priyanka, of course, has been on a roller coaster ride with her girl squad. It all started with her bridal shower in New York towards the end of October, which was followed by a bachelorette party in Amsterdam and then a pyajama party, too.

While neither has confirmed the location of their wedding, speculations are rife that the couple will get married at the impressive Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur on December 2.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreHours before the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections, state Congress vice president Ghanaram Sahu today announced his resignation from the party, alleging harassment by state unit chief Bhupesh Baghel

Sahu is the second senior leader to quit the party ahead of the 2018 Chhattisgarh assembly election. Earlier this month, the partys state working president and tribal leader Ramdayal Uike had resigned to join the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While Sahu did not state his future plans, he is also likely to join the BJP.

The BJP knows that they are losing the elections, thus this type of trading of leaders is going on. We have seen earlier the Ramdayal Uike episode and now Sahu is the second leader who fell into the BJPs trap, said Congress communication head and spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

BJP spokesperson Sanjay Shrivastava said that people are fed-up with internal politics of Congress and joining his party.

The ethical and moral value of Congress has gone down in Chhattisgarh. Congress leaders and people are fed-up with the party. Secondly, we are winning, hence many Congress leaders are joining the BJP, Shrivastava added.

In his resignation letter to Baghel, Sahu accused him of mental harassment due to personal animosity, reported ANI.

Sahu, who hails from the Durg district and had thrice been an MLA from the area when it was still part of undivided Madhya Pradesh, was reportedly unhappy at not being fielded in the current polls. He unsuccessfully contested from the Gundardehi constituency in the district in the 2008 assembly election.

Polling will be held in 18 seats spread across eight Maoist-affected districts of the state Monday, while the remaining seats in the 90-member assembly will vote on November 20. The BJP, headed by chief minister Raman Singh, is eyeing a fourth straight term in the tribal-dominated state as the opposition Congress seeks to return to power after 15 years.It was past five in the evening on Diwali when my landline started ringing. Though bright outside you could sense dusk was not far away. This is the twilight time when, in previous years, families would prepare for the fireworks theyd planned. I answered the phone to find an agitated Pertie on the other side.

Do you realise the Supreme Court has played a trick on us?, he began. This took me aback. Unsure of what to say, I mumbled: What on earth do you mean?

Well look at it this way. The Supreme Court has said only green crackers can be used but the truth is green crackers arent made anywhere in India and, therefore, you cant buy them. So, in effect, without actually saying so, the Supreme Court has banned crackers altogether. How many people realise that?

The penny dropped and I suddenly realised why Pertie was so worked up. What are you upset about? The fact crackers have been altogether banned or the way thats been done?

Youre missing the point Pertie shot back. Did the Supreme Court know green crackers arent made in India and, therefore, cannot be used on Diwali? In which case why didnt it simply ban crackers altogether rather than resort to this ruse? Or did it pass its order in the belief green crackers were available?

Are you suggesting the Supreme Court could have passed an order without fully knowing the facts of the matter?

What else could it be? When you say only green crackers can be used but we then discover there are no green crackers to be had for love or money doesnt it follow this was either a backdoor way of banning crackers altogether or an ignorant order?

Hmmm. That was the best I could come up with. But this only applies to Delhi and not the rest of the country. The Supreme Court amended its original order to permit ordinary crackers elsewhere.

And isnt that odd too? If crackers cause an unacceptable level of pollution that will be the case whether theyre let off in Delhi or Chennai. Or does it mean the Supreme Court cares more about pollution in Delhi than elsewhere?

Once again, Pertie had a point. He had obviously thought about this and the contradictions he now spotted seemed undeniable. However, he wasnt finished.

Theres something else. Nearly 80% of this country is Hindu and Diwali is their favourite festival. For hundreds of millions, letting off crackers is the traditional way of celebrating. Was it fair to ban them in one fell swoop, as the Court initially did?

If crackers are a serious health hazard then surely theres no alternative? I thought that was fairly obvious.

Well, gluttony isnt good for you but no one bans overeating at Christmas! The Supreme Court needed to strike a balance. Instead its gone to one extreme. If it was serious only green crackers can be used, why was this order not passed ten months ago, so there was time for manufacturers to make such crackers? Why pass it just two weeks before Diwali? If today millions feel hurt I can certainly understand their reaction.

By now it was dark and in earlier years the sound of exploding crackers would have been audible. This year there was initial silence. Later there were areas where the Supreme Court order was violated, but nothing like the past. As a result Diwali was cleaner and healthier, but was it as much fun?

Karan Thapar is the author of The Devils Advocate: The Untold Story

The views expressed are personalThe votes have now been counted in the first US national election of the Donald Trump era and, as expected, the Democrats have seized majority control of the House of Representatives, significantly shifting the political balance of power away from Trumps party. The presidents Republican Party expanded its majority control of the US Senate, but the Democrats now have real power for the first time in two years.

This result was not as clear a repudiation of the president and his party as voters delivered against Barack Obamas Democrats in 2010, but it is significant nonetheless. Much more than Obama and other presidents of the past, Trump invited voters and the media to treat this election as a referendum on his performance in the White House. Angry Democrats, and a good number of voters unaffiliated with either party, turned out to vote against him in large numbers.

Where does president Trump go from here? How will the new reality in Washington influence his foreign policy? First, Trump will face a heightened level of political pressure from the opposition party. With their House majority, Democrats have new powers to investigate the president, win access to White House and personal Trump documents that may deeply embarrass him, and force members of his administration, perhaps even his family, to testify under oath before Congress on a wide variety of questions.

There will also be pressure on the Democratic House majority to impeach the president. Thats especially true given the sheer number of Democratic Party officials who are about to announce their candidacy for president in 2020 and their desire to distinguish themselves with Democratic voters with especially tough criticism of an unpopular president. Democrats will likely wait until Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivers a report on possible criminal conspiracy between the 2016 Trump presidential campaign and the Russian government and the possibility that Trump has obstructed justice during the investigation. But depending on what Mueller finds, Democrats will have a hard time ignoring pressure to move toward impeaching the president.

President Trump will respond to this pressure and criticism with signature defiance, and his drive to demonstrate continuing political virility may lead him to search for foreign (as well as domestic policy) villains. The likeliest candidates for this role are Iran, Mexico, and China, but hell remain combative even with traditional US allies in Europe and elsewhere.

Iran has proven a popular target for Trumps aggressive approach to foreign policy. Trumps desire to distinguish himself from Obama, who counted the nuclear deal with Iran among his signature achievements, will be a recurring theme as the 2020 election approaches.

Mexico is another country that Trump appears ever ready to criticise. Replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the new USMCA deal with Canada and Mexico removes one obvious point of contention. But the presidents confidence that illegal immigration provides a reliable boost with his support base will keep the government of incoming president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on edge.

North Korea is more likely to escape Trumps pressure. The president may issue warnings to force Kim Jong-un to offer concessions that advance negotiations over denuclearisation, but just as Trump believes Obama owns the US relationship with Iran, he knows that he owns the effort to disarm North Korea. Admission of failure is unlikely as Trump works to build a list of accomplishments he can carry into the next election.

Finally, there are many reasons why the Trump administrations trade dispute with China will likely continue well into next year, whatever tentative agreements Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping announce in the meantime. Trumps desire to persuade voters in politically crucial manufacturing states that he can force major trade concessions from China will be an important one. And theres close to a Washington consensus that a harder line is needed against Beijing on a host of issues.

China may well decide to wait Trump out. Kim Jong-un has already provided other governments the best model for how to deflect Trumps pressure over the next two years: By smiling, offering agreements in principle, stalling negotiations with the US, and trying to wait until Trump is defeated in 2020. But Trumps political talents should not be underestimated, and many presidents, including Obama, have recovered from midterm defeats to win re-election, sometimes easily.

Its a risky move. But for any government in Trumps target sites, there may not be a more effective defensive strategy.

Ian Bremmer is the president of Eurasia Group and author of Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism

The views expressed are personalPollution levels in the NCR remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day on Sunday because of a combination of unfavourable weather conditions keeping dangerous pollutants from firecrackers used during Diwali and increased stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana suspended in the air, according to multiple experts who monitor air quality.

But the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said some improvement was likely on Monday with the speed of surface winds, which have been also negligible for the last three days, expected to pick up.

Delhis air quality index (AQI) on Sunday, according to CPCBs 24-hour average released at 4pm, was at 405. All NCR towns, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad, were in the severe zone  in which even healthy people find it harder to breathe and doctors advise physical activity be kept at a minimum.

Over the last 72 hours, the air quality in the city has been between 401 and 420. This is the first time this season that the AQI value has remained severe for three days in a row, indicating that the worst is not over for the region that plunges into a public health emergency every winter.

An AQI value between 0-50 is classified as good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe. If the AQI breaches 500 for a 48-hour period, emergency measures have been deployed according to the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) to fight pollution.

These severe plus steps include a ban on the entry of trucks, construction activity, the shutting of schools, and the odd-even road rationing scheme.

No further action has been proposed at the moment. As per input received from the governments air quality early warning system, air quality is likely to improve slightly on Monday, lifting pollutants trapped in the air. Pollution levels have been severe mainly because of accumulation of pollutants from firecracker bursting on Diwali and smoke from stubble burning, which is not getting dispersed due to calm and cold wind conditions, said Sunita Narain, a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution [Prevention and Control] Authority (EPCA).

On Saturday, EPCA extended some severe plus measures  ban on entry of trucks within city limits, construction activities, and shutting of industries using coal and biomass  till November 12 on the advice of a CPCB task force. These measures can also be invoked if the levels of deadly particulate matter  PM2.5 and PM10  cross 300 and 500 microgrammes per cubic metre.

The PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels on Sunday were recorded at 271 and 439 as against the safe limits of 60 and 100 respectively.

As per the air quality forecast, AQI is likely to fluctuate between severe and very poor with only a marginal improvement expected on Monday. So far, landlocked Delhi is not able to disperse local emissions from November 7-8 [during Diwali] and those from stubble burning which have been building up for lack of adequate wind speed. With some sun and slight wind speed, AQI may improve to very poor on Monday after which the task force will review the measures, said a senior CPCB official who asked not to be named.

He added that air quality has also been severe because the mixing height (how quickly pollutants can get dispersed) increases during the day but comes down at night due to a fall in temperature. The minimum temperature on Sunday was 12 degrees Celsius, two notches below average.

The amount of smoke pollutants from stubble burning in neighbouring states, which majorly contributes to PM2.5 levels has been around 13%. Even when local emissions are controlled, smoke coming to Delhi with the northwesterly winds from Punjab and Haryana again spikes pollution. Also, cold and weak winds along with fog results in a thick cover of haze, not allowing pollutants to disperse, the CPCB official said.African leaders are expected to renew their call for continental unity in assuring security and sustainable growth for the African countries after years of Western interventions, at the annual Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security this week.

The 5th edition of the forum on the outskirts of Senegalese capital on November 5-6 will be attended by the foreign and defense ministers of France, Poland, African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, as well as international experts on security and new technologies. This years theme for the forum is Peace and Security in Africa: Stakes of Sustainable Stability and Development.

There will be no less than 600 participants coming from all over the world, for the two-day conference that opens on Monday at the Abdou Diouf International Conference Center in Diamniadio, some 30 kilometers southeast of Dakar, Senegalese Foreign Minister Sidiki Kaba was quoted as saying by the local media.

Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, who is among the keynote speakers at the forum, arrived in Dakar on Saturday. He will also preside over a panel discussion on Rights, Justice and Freedom faced with security challenges on the opening day.

Clarifying that this forum is neither an intergovernmental conference nor a meeting or summit of heads of state, Kaba described the annual forum as simply an event that will bring together institutional, official and unofficial elements, military, teachers, members of civil society, academics and all sectors representative of society.

These actors will come to Dakar to deliver their views which will enable us to guard against the dangers and other security threats to the stability of African states, he elucidated, adding that security is a prerequisite for sustainable stability and development.

Only states that have a solid foundation can guarantee the prosperity of African peoples, Kaba said stressing that over the years the Dakar International Forum has become a credible platform for such deliberations which could set the diplomatic agenda for Africa.

The Senegalese foreign minister said that the forum also helps in taking the African voice to a larger global audience. As a proof, he cited the presence of over 150 foreign journalists, who have flown into Dakar to cover the event, which is bound to have a national and international impact.

For a unified African voice

Senegalese President Macky Sall speaks during the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, in Dakar, Senegal, December 6, 2016. /VCG Photo

Launched at the 2013 France-Africa Summit in Paris, the first Dakar International Forum was held in December 2014 under the patronage of Senegalese President Macky Sall  a vocal proponent of a unified African voice.

The action begins with unity first. The strength of Africa lies in this unity. She must speak with one voice to take part in the concert of the great nations, Sall had famously said at the 2016 African Union (AU) Summit.

Africans must learn to take difficult measures, because there are sacrosanct principles of interference. We must not let others act in our place. We can still hope that we are on the right track, he said.

Over the last five years, the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security has emerged as a key event for decision-makers in Africa.

The genesis of the forum was for the African Union, the African states and their international partners to reflect at the same time on the global issues that concern our continent and also the world, foreign minister Kaba said.

These issues relate to the security challenges of terrorism, violent extremism, climate change, cybercrime and cross-border crime, which today constitute real threats to the stability of our states, requiring from us a permanent mobilization in order to face it, he elaborated.

The Sahel and beyond

Malian soldiers, part of a joint military force, the G5 Sahel, patrol in central Mali, in the border zone with Burkina Faso and Niger, November 2, 2017. /VCG Photo

At last years forum, the African leaders called for extra support from their international partners as the continent took steps towards assuring its own security after years of Western interventions.

They drew attention to the vast Sahel region  that stretches from Senegal to Sudan and Eritrea  which has turned into a hotbed of lawlessness since the Libyan crisis in 2011, extremists overran northern Mali in 2012 and Boko Haram became a force in northern Nigeria.

The Senegalese President, in his opening address, urged solidarity within the continent to deal with the challenges. [A] military response must be comprehensive, and one of solidarity, to leave terrorist groups no place to hide, Sall said, adding: The risk today is seeing terrorists defeated elsewhere seeking fallback zones in Africa.

Sall pointed to the western intervention in Libya as an example of why African populations had to be involved in decisions on rooting out terror groups, as the nations instability has fuelled conflict elsewhere.

Last years Dakar International Forum saw African leaders calling for extra support from their international partners as the continent took steps towards assuring its own security at the Dakar. /Photo via www.dakarforum.org

We must beware of preconceived solutions formulated without Africans, Sall added. The consequences of these interventions, which we are living in the Sahel, are often worse than what they were supposed to rectify.

The 2017 forum was held immediately after the formation of the G5 Sahel force, an anti-jihadist military initiative working across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger to counter the significant threat Al-Qaeda-linked groups pose in the region and to stop Islamic State gaining a foothold.

Away from the Sahel region, militants from Al-Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab group regularly carry out suicide bombings in an attempt to overthrow Somalias internationally-backed government, while conflicts in South Sudan, eastern Congo and the Central African Republic continue to threaten the security of the continent.

It would be noteworthy how this wide range of security challenges are addressed at this years forumAir pollution lingered between very poor and severe levels in the national capital on Saturday and threatened to enter the emergency category even as officials in Punjab reported a big spike in farm fires after Diwali.

According to scientists at pollution forecasting agencies, the air is likely to worsen over the next two days since the wind is bringing in particulates from the northwest, where farm fires have been raging.

The concentration of PM 2.5  the more harmful of the particulates  would remain in the severe or severe+ (emergency) category till November 11, said an official who maintains the early warning system that can forecast pollution levels up to two days in advance.

An official at Punjabs pollution control board said that since Wednesday, at least 10,000 instances of farm fires were recorded  nearly a fourth of the roughly 40,700 instances seen this year.

A total of 48,000 fire incidents were reported in Punjab last year and the number was 78,000 in 2016. At this rate, the total count might cross last years numbers, said the official, asking not to be named since he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Farm fires and emissions from firecrackers contribute heavily to concentrations of PM2.5 particles in the air, which can lead to major health problems since they can enter the bloodstream after penetrating deep into the lungs.

Emergency is the worst of five grades classifying pollution, followed in decreasing intensity by severe and very poor.

Last year in November, a fortnight-long period when the air remained in the emergency category forced schools to be closed and people, especially the elderly and young children, were asked not to go out.

On Saturday, authorities extended a ban on construction work and entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi in order to help control local emissions. Industries running on coal have also been asked to cease operations.

Several emergency measures have been rolled out while new measures were added over the past ten days. These might have worked, said Sunita Narain, member of the Supreme Court-appointed pollution control authority Epca.

Farm fires are largely seen as the reason for the air to enter hazardous levels at the start of winters in recent years. In a bid to check this, the Union and state government in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana have announced strict penalties on farmers who burn crop residue. In Punjab, the pollution control official quoted above said that farmers are now resisting inspections.

Most of the incidents are being reported from the Malwa districts where farmer unions are strong and are not allowing authorities to take action against violators. There have been more than 600 cases where field staff could not take action against violators following farmers opposition. On Friday, a Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) team was gheraoed in Bathinda, said another official.A new set of purportedly leaked concept pictures of Avengers 4 show the superheroes wearing what appears to be their Quantum Realm suits, which will reportedly be used in the films rumoured time travel sequences. Previously leaked pictures of merchandise have shown versions of this suit, as worn by Thor and Rocket Raccoon.

The pictures, shared on Reddit, show the entire Avengers lineup, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow and even Hawkeye, who wasnt seen in this years Avengers: Infinity War. The characters are all wearing a uniform of sorts, coloured red, white and blue. The costumes have the Avengers logo in front and on the sleeves, with a mysterious blue gizmo glowing above the wrists.

Leaked set pictures from Avengers 4 showed the characters in a new version of the Battle of New York scene from 2012s first Avengers film. The characters were wearing their older costumes, and were joined by Ant-Man (who wasnt a part of the battle originally). Ant-Mans presence, combined with the blue gizmos on their wrists, fuelled speculation that the scene being shot involved the characters travelling back in time.

The Quantum Realm, introduced in the recent Ant-Man and the Wasp, will reportedly play a much more significant role in the fourth Avengers movie. At the end of Ant-Man we followed Scott Lang into the Quantum Realm for the first time, Marvel president Kevin Feige was quoted in a special commemorative book. We were beginning to peel back the onion that would later be completely peeled back in Doctor Strange as we go into the multiverse. So that was our little test into that. But now the Quantum Realm is a whole other territory that we can play with to tell our stories. This Quantum Realm is much larger than we ever imagined, and there are all sorts of adventures to be had at that level, which perhaps we will explore in another film, he said.

Pictures that show Hulk in a suit have already been leaked. These new ones also serve as a reminder that both Captain America and Black Widow will undergo major look changes in the film. Cap is no longer bearded and Black Widow has ditched her short, blonde hair from Infinity War in favour of a braid.

Avengers 4 is touted to be the epic conclusion to this phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film has been scheduled for a May, 2019 release, following which the series will reportedly explore new characters.

Follow @htshowbiz for moreMore than half the poorest of Indias poor, entitled to monthly doles, have not had their Aadhaar details verified with the authorities, prompting the Centre to push the states to bridge the gap in a mission mode.

The Centre acted in line with the September judgment of the Supreme Court that allowed the government to make the 12-digit unique identity number mandatory for accessing government subsidies and welfare schemes, while ordering that it could not make it a condition for operating bank accounts or buying mobile phone connections.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is targeted at the old, widowed, disabled and pregnant members of poor households. Officials argue that seeding of Aadhaar with bank or post office savings accounts and biometric details, and getting them verified by state governments makes it easier for people to receive payments.

On November 1, Union rural development secretary Amarjeet Sinha wrote to states that out of the 2.84 crore registered beneficiaries of NSAP, Aadhaar seeding in respect of 1.92 crore has been completed and out of these seeded Aadhaar numbers, 1.02 crore beneficiaries are such in whose cases Aadhaar entries have been verified.

The ... gap between total number of beneficiaries and beneficiaries with verified Aadhaar number is huge and needs special efforts from your end, the letter to social welfare secretaries in the states, a copy of which has been seen by Hindustan Times, said.

The rural development ministry, which anchors several social schemes including the NSAP, has been using the unique identity, clubbed with the Socio-Economic Caste Census data, to identify beneficiaries and transfer the money to their accounts, bypassing possible routes of leakage.

NSEP includes the National Old Age Pension Scheme for the destitute aged above 65 years; a disability pension grant to a bereaved household upon death of the primary breadwinner; and the National Maternity Benefit Scheme of monetary help to women during pregnancy.

Sinha asked the states to complete the verification exercise without any further delay. He also underlined that to address the potential failure of Aadhaar-based authentication, alternative methods for identifying such persons shall be adopted after finding the causes of failure.

Economist Ritika Khera said the use of Aadhaar in NSAP was a terrible idea that may lead to exclusion and other problems for the beneficiaries. In an Aadhaar-based system, no one else can withdraw money in a recipients account. And the rate of biometric failures is very high among old people. There is zero added value in Aadhaar, she said.

Khera emphasised that some states send money via the age-old post office money order system or hand it over at monthly panchayat meetings. When you are dealing with old, fragile people with mobility issues, then sometimes technology cant give the best results. Some states are doing very well in traditional methods of money transfers in NSAP. What we need is creating awareness about their entitlements, she said.

Sinha, however, maintained that the government has the means to hand over money to poor, disabled people at their bedside.

He said meetings had been held with the Reserve Bank of India and the Union finance ministry so that women self-help groups can be appointed as banking correspondents to deliver money to beneficiaries in their villages.

The biggest challenge for any financial inclusion is last-mile connectivity. In places where banks are not available already 3,000 SHG women have been trained to be bank correspondence. Another 2,500 SHGs will be added soon. By end of this financial year, there would be 15,000 to 20,000 women groups working as banking correspondence and earning 8,000 to 10,000 per month, said Sinha.Chetanya Sardana, the daughter of Poonam Sardana who died in the Punjabi Bagh car crash on Friday night, has sustained critical injuries, her family members said. The 13-year-olds eyes and brain has been damaged severely, her family said.

Sonia Sardana, Poonams sister-in-law, said Chetanya sustained multiple fractures on her face. They said they have donated Poonams eyes as they were told by doctors that in case Chetanya needed an eye, the donation would ensure they would be given an eye on priority. Chetanya was not in a condition to be operated by Saturday, they said.

Pieces of shattered glass have pierced her eyes damaging them badly... Doctors have said that she has also developed air gaps in her brain and therefore cannot be given anaesthesia for a surgery, Sonia said.

She added that Chetanyas ear drum had also been damaged. Doctors have told us she can develop further complications doctors, she said. She said doctors told them that it was not possible to preserve Poonams eyes for more than two days and that there was no guarantee that Chetanyas condition may stabilise in that period.

On Friday night, Sardana familys get-together on Bhai Dooj turned into mourning when their car was rammed by another car being driven by a woman under the influence of alcohol. They said they were on their way home from a temple in south Delhis Chhatarpur when the accident happened.

Chetanyas father Vimal, who was driving their Mahindra Quanto car, said he initially spotted the errant Maruti S-Cross car on the other side of the divider being driven rashly. Within two-to-four seconds the car had jumped onto their lane and hit them before he could react. It just sprang up and crashed into us. It was like straight out from a movie, said Vimal.

Poonam sustained injuries in her head and back causing her death instantly, he said. Chetanya, a Class 8 student, who was sitting next to the right rear window, is battling life at Fortis Hospital, Punjabi Bagh.

Abhishek Sardana, Vimal and Poonams nephew, said the locals and their family members had apprehended the woman who was driving the other car.

The police said that adequate measures have been taken and a case has already been lodged under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code and the 22-year-old woman, Shivani Malik, who was allegedly driving the other car has been arrested. Deputy commissioner of police (west) Monika Bhardwaj said that besides charging Malik with sections such as rash and negligent driving, causing death due to negligence, police have also booked her for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. We are probing the matter diligently, the DCP said.Border Security Force (BSF) sub-inspector Mahender Singh Gurjar, who was killed in multiple IED blasts reportedly triggered by Maoists in Chhattisgarh today, has a seven-month-old son who he met only during his visit home six months back after his birth.

As the news of Gurjars death reached his house in Dumaria village in Rajasthans Bharatpur district, his father Samundar Singh fell unconscious. His wife, brother and sister were sent for. A large number of villagers gathered at the house.

Gurjars wife Rajvati Devi, and 7-month-old son, Iwan currently stay in a rented accommodation in Jaipur with Gurjars brother and sister, who are preparing for competitive examinations. Gurjar, who joined the BSF in 2013, was the eldest among three brother and three sisters.

Posted in Chhatisgarhs Kanker, Gurjar, 28, was seriously injured when Maoists reportedly triggered six IED blasts in the district, a day ahead of polling in the first phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly election 2018. The blasts took place at around 8.30 am when a BSF team was on routine area domination in Koliyabeda area, under Antahgarh assembly constituency, one of the 18 seats where polling will be held tomorrow.

According to Kanker superintendent of police KL Dhruve, Gurjar was rushed to a hospital after he sustaining splinter and bullet injuries but declared dead by doctors.

Bharatpur district collector Sandesh Nayak said Gurjars mortal remains will be cremated on Monday with full state honours in his home village.The cyclonic storm Gaja coursing over the Bay of Bengal is likely to become severe in the next 24 hours and hit the coast along northern Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh by late Monday, the weatherman has warned.

The deep depression over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph in the past six hours and intensified into a cyclonic storm Gaja and lay centred over east-central and adjoining west-central and southeast Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.

The cyclonic storm is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hrs and move west-northwestwards during next 36 hrs and west-southwestwards towards north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh in the subsequent 48 hours, the department said.

Tamil Nadu fisheries department has urged the fishermen to avoid fishing in the south-east of the Bay of Bengal on Monday due to the prediction, according to news agency ANI.

Fishermen in Andhra Pradesh have also been warned against venturing into the sea for the next 24 hours as the conditions are expected to deteriorate and get rough along and off south-Andhra Pradesh coast from Tuesday evening, it reported.

Fishermen who are in the deep sea have been advised to return to coast before November 12.Literature, they say, holds up a mirror to a society and its concerns. A 100 years after the end of the Great War, it is useful to see how Indians themselves responded to the events surrounding a war to which they contributed immensely without fully comprehending its reasons and implications; even though their response is not uniform and un-variegated. We see the war in an unusual binary provided by Rabindranath Tagore who sees it as a battle between soldiers and merchants. Using the tropes of the Indian caste system and the Kurukshetra war, the bard links European mercantile interests with the expansion of the empire in Asia and Africa. Business, he famously declared, is now no longer trade and commerce: it is now married to the empire. Then there is Abdullah Husseins seminal novel The Weary Generations, the story of Naim, who travels from his small village in Punjab to reach Marseilles. Les Indiens, the French say to one another, pointing to the dark soldiers. Naim fights the firangis war in France, loses an arm, comes back with a stump but also a Distinguished Conduct Medal, an award of ten acres of land in his village, a promotion-on retirement to subedar and an increase in his pension. The war has been good to him though it has also opened new ways of seeing, and by extension, engaging with the world.

Watch: Remembering the Indians who fought in World War 1

Chandradhar Sharma Guleris short story Usne Kaha Thha published in 1915, often regarded as the first Hindi short story, presents one of the earliest Indian responses to the Great War through fiction. The camaraderie among Indian sepoys, subedars, naiks and other non-commissioned officers and their dynamics with their superior English officers, the presence of mind and bravery of Indian troops, and the bitter wet cold conditions in the trenches provide valuable insights. Literacy rates being low in India, we have few first-person accounts in the form of memoirs or diaries. The account by Lt-Col Azmatullah Khan, who belonged to an elite educated family from the princely state of Hyderabad, presents a rarity. Apart from accurate and minute descriptions of places and events, along with exact dates, it highlights the role of the princely states in the war effort.

Also Read: Duty and loyalty on display in the First World War

An Indian barber at work in the Indian Cavalry Camp, possibly the 9th Hodsons Horse, near Querrieu, France, 29 July 1916. Several small makeshift tents can be seen in the background. This was during the 1916 Battle of the Somme. (Imperial War Museums)

A most remarkable piece of writing is Bondhon-Hara (meaning the breaking of bonds), an epistolary novel by the legendary Bangla poet Kazi Nazrul Islam who joined the British Army as an 18-year-old lad in 1917 and was posted at the Karachi harbour. No mention of the Indian response to the First World War is complete without a reference to the Khilafat Movement spearheaded by Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar that emerged as a direct consequence of Britains misadventures in the middle east. His autobiography My Life: Fragments, reveals the impact of international politics on Indian Muslims, the spread of what Ali deemed nai roshni (the new light), and the Indian response to Europes temporal aggression.

Possibly the first full-length novel written by an Indian on the First World War in the years between the two wars is Mulk Raj Anands Across the Black Waters, also possibly the only novel written by an Indian showing the subaltern view of the war. Sufficiently close in time, it reads virtually as an eye-witness account, being the story of Lalu, dispossessed from his land, going off to an alien land to fight a war he has little comprehension of. Lalu talks of his first interactions with the French people, how hes taken aback by their kindness and gratitude for saving their country, how he cant get over the mem who offers him fruit and milk, his experiences in a French brothel and a bar (both equally bewildering), his reaction at seeing men and women interact freely, the breaking of caste taboos in the camp kitchens, the easy mingling between sepoys of different religions, castes and ethnicities, his admiration for French cities and villages alike but most of all how different the Frenchwomen seem compared to the Englishwomen in India who were condescending and disdainful of any contact with Indian men.

Also Read: When a Sikh sepoy saved a British 2nd Lieutenants life during the fierce Gallipoli Battle in World War 1

From the 16th-century, the jungnamah, poems about war, a tradition dating to the 16th century, yielded a rich corpus of verse chronicles about the series of wars fought under the British  namely, the Anglo-Afghan, Anglo-Egyptian wars, and the Boxer Rebellion in China. It took a loyal British soldier, Nand Singh, to write the Jangnamah Europe depicting the sequence of events starting from the assassination of the shahzada (the prince of the Austro-Hungarian empire) to the German invasion of Belgium, the compassion of the British government in coming to the aid of France and Belgium in the face of the arrogance of Germany, studded with local references to native wars and heroes. Redolent with the pluralism and syncretism of undivided Punjab, Jungnamah Europe is both refreshing and invigorating despite the grimness of its subject.

In English, there is Sarojini Naidus jewel-like The Gift of India. It talks with eloquence and passion of the many, many gifts India has bequeathed to Britain. Apart from the rich gifts of raiment or grain or gold she has given her priceless treasures, her sons who went marching to the drum-beats of duty who now, alas, sleep in forgotten graves. For all its beauty and elegant turn of phrase, while Naidus is the voice of a loyal elitist that takes pride in the idea of India rising to the occasion and helping its benign masters, poet and scholar Shibli Nomani shows us another side of the coin in his wryly mocking Jang-e Europe aur Hindustani (The War in Europe and Indians; see box below).

Several poets, lost in the veils of time and virtually unknown today, made important interventions on the War. For instance, Brij Narain Chakbast in Watan ka Raag (The Song of the Homeland) declares:

Its futile to wish for the thorn

instead of the flower

We shall not accept even paradise

instead of Home Rule

Also Read: The key theatres of World War 1 and the important battles

Similarly, Hasrat Mohani in a poem called Montagu Reforms is scathing about the so-called reforms which were mere kaagaz ke phool (paper flowers) with no khushboo (fragrance) even for namesake. The poem ended with a fervent plea that the people of Hind should not be taken in by the sorcery of the reforms. Josh Malihabadi, who acquired his moniker of the shair-e inquilab or the revolutionary poet during this period, talks with vim and vigour of the revolution that is nigh, a revolution that will shake the foundations of the British empire. The ever-doubting, ever-satirical voice of Akbar Allahabadi, a long time critic of colonial rule and a new-found admirer of Gandhi, shows us the great inescapable link between commerce and empire that Tagore too alluded to:

Though Europe has great

capability to do war

Greater still is her power to do business

They cannot install a canon everywhere

But the soap made by Pears is

everywhere

The great visionary poet Iqbal who is at his most active, most powerful during the war years, does not make direct references to actual events in the war arena; nevertheless, he is asking the Indians to be careful, to heed the signs.

Then there is Hashar Kashmiri who, in a sarcastic ode to Europe called Shukriya Europe, thanks it for turning the world into a matamkhana (mourning chamber) and for having successfully transformed the east into an example of Hell.

Slender though the output is, writings on the Great War reflect a wide spectrum of voices and attitudes. While for the informed Indians, the war brought vestiges of loyalty to the empire into direct conflict with a rising nationalistic consciousness, for the great mass of peasantry, enlistment in the Army was due to a combination of reasons: a steady income with either a pension or a grant of land for loyalty and courage, upward mobility within their own social class, a chance to see the world, a chance to get access to better food, money and clothes and, occasionally, enforced enlistment by over-zealous recruiters. The Indian response to the First World War was complex and variegated; the writings on the Great War reflect that ambiguity.

(Rakhshanda Jalil has edited The Great War: Indian Writings on the First World War (Bloomsbury))Despite not being directly involved in the World War 1, Indian soldiers fought in the war, just for the cause of peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday, reiterating Indias commitment to furthering an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood in the world.

Today, as we mark one hundred years since the end of the horrific First World War, we reiterate our commitment towards world peace and pledge to work to further an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood so that the trail of death and destruction caused by wars does not occur, Modi said in a tweet.

India remembers our brave soldiers who fought in WW-1. This was a war in which India was not directly involved yet our soldiers fought world over, just for the cause of peace, he said.

India remembers our brave soldiers who fought in WW-1 This was a war in which India was not directly involved yet our soldiers fought world over, just for the cause of peace.



Here is what I had spoken about India and WW-1 during last month's #MannKiBaat. https://t.co/DTdwxxrEK3  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 11, 2018

Modi recalled that he had paid tributes to the soldiers at memorials in Frances Neuve-Chapelle and Israels Haifa during his trips there and when Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to India and Teen Murti-Haifa.

He posted pictures of the same on Twitter.

At the time of the First World War, India was part of the British empire and more than one million troops fought alongside the British army against the German empire. Around 70,000 Indians died in the war fighting at various fronts in European, Mediterranean, Mesopotamian, North African and East African regions.

Recently, Britain had commissioned a statue, Lions of the Great War, in Smethwick in Birmingham to honour people from the Indian subcontinent who fought in the first and second world wars.Having been born a few years after his death, I did not have the pleasure of hearing of his personal experiences as a soldier during World War I. Of course I heard of the valour of my grandfather, Bhupinder Singh, from my father and others in the family. However, it was not until I myself joined the Indian Army that I absorbed the full implications of the contribution made by him, and over a million other Indian soldiers, to the First World War, in which India had no stake at all except that it was then a part of the British Empire, which was directly engaged in the war.

Extensive research over the years helped me unearth some interesting data on Indias role in WW1, which I even captured in my book Honour and Fidelity - Indias Military Contribution to the Great War 1914-18. The grand total of the British and Indian officers, other ranks and non-combatants sent on service overseas from India was 1.38 million, including 285,037 British and 1,096,013 Indian personnel.

Unfortunately, while most of us in India are quite aware of the sacrifices made by millions of known and unknown Indians in the battle for independence, WW1 and WW2 still remain a largely forgotten story for us. Perhaps because it was too remote, considering that the battlefields were located in various parts of the world, far removed from our own land. The Indian Army reportedly fought against the German Empire in German East Africa and on the Western Front. Indian troops, in fact, fought in all the major theatres of war, from the Western Front in Europe to Africa and China. India sent seven Expeditionary Forces to the various theatres of the war between 1914 and 1918. In these four years, it lost 74,000 men killed in action and 67,000 wounded, of which many were to die later of wounds.

With more soldiers than Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa combined, Indias contribution to WW1 cannot be undermined, even though a large part of this history has been forgotten, despite being scripted in various historical documents. The reason for the Indian role in the big war being pushed into oblivion over the years is not really clear. One can only assume that the war was centered around Western interests and Indias role, though extremely vital, did not merit an acknowledgement from them.

That, perhaps, is the reason why India continues to be relegated, albeit unfortunately, to the lowest rung of the ladder of the events of the Great War even today, though there has been renewed interest in those events in recent years. In fact, to share a small part of this perspective, a few years ago, I happened to go through a BBC serial of the war which had just been released. It comprised 12 parts with around 23-and-a-half hours of viewing. Having seen it, I was greatly saddened by the fact that India was relegated to less than a minute of total viewing in the 23-and-a-half hours. This, despite the fact that India was the first army to reach France to prop up the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of Sir John French, which was on the verge of collapse after being in constant battle for on to a hundred days. Had Indian troops not shown up and strengthened British units, or filled gaps in the trench lines, till more troops and formations could arrive from Britain, the BEF could well have collapsed.

However, as mentioned, the recorded data shows that India played a critical role in mandating the eventual results of the war, with its efforts having commenced within 20 days after the start of the war, when the first Indian division  the Lahore Division (forming part of the Indian Corps)  sailed from Karachi for France on August 24th. By the end of 1914, seven expeditionary forces had been sent from India to various theatres of the war. These included two infantry divisions, eight infantry brigades and one mixed force with three infantry battalions, two cavalry divisions, one cavalry brigade and the attendant administrative services, as well as four field artillery brigades in excess of the normal allotment to France.

Concurrently, with the dispatch of the Indian Expeditionary Force to France, a mixed force was sent to East Africa to defend Zanzibar and protect the Mombasa-Nairobi railway. An infantry brigade was sent to the Persian Gulf while six infantry brigades, together with one Imperial Service Cavalry brigade, were sent to Egypt. Expeditions to Mesopotamia and Aden too sailed out of Indian ports. By the early spring of 1915, two more infantry brigades and one more cavalry brigade had been sent abroad.

The princely states, including my home state of Patiala, also played a notable part, sending 26,099 combatants overseas and recruiting 115,891 combatants and non-combatants for the regular army. These troops were maintained in the field at the expense of their rulers, and gave an excellent account of themselves, winning many distinctions in the far-flung theatres of war.

Indeed, throughout the war, Indian soldiers displayed courage, valour, devotion to duty and loyalty of the highest order. The rigours of the terrain and the inclement weather did not deflect them from their duty. From the damp and flat fields of Flanders to the burning and swirling sands of Mesopotamia, the rocky cold and windy hills of Gallipoli, the healthy uplands and stifling jungles of East Africa, Indian soldiers  Sikhs, Gorkhas, Baluchis, Punjabis, Pathans, Rajputs, Jats, Dogras, Marathas, Kumaonis, Garhwalis and Madrasis  left indelible imprints of their heroism, winning world-wide acclaim.

For the first time, Indian soldiers won the Victoria Cross for which they had become eligible in 1911. Eleven Victoria Crosses were won by them in Belgium, France, Egypt, Mesopotamia and Palestine. In addition, six British officers of the Indian Army also won the highest award of gallantry, the VC. These awards etched the gallantry and courage of our soldiers as precious historic moments in Indias military history, and continue to inspire the military forces till this date, especially when they hear of stories of how these soldiers fought in what was possibly the worst winter of the decade in France, some of them even freezing to death during the night while on duty. I salute these men, a majority of whom remain unheard of even today.

And mind you, it was not just men and animals that India sent in large numbers for the various battles, it also made massive monetary contributions, without which no war can be fought or won. In addition to sending a hundred million pounds to Great Britains war fund, a sizeable sum in 1914, the entire funding of over a million Indian troops overseas, in weaponry, ammunition, rations and expendable war stores, was contributed by India.

Unfortunately, a large number of the soldiers who died in the war did not even get proper graves and were buried in fields in the countryside, where they remain unknown and unhonoured. To them, and to the other Indian soldiers who gave their lives during the Great War, I pay my humble tributes.

And today, as the world prepares to observe the centenary of the culmination of the Great War, it is my sincere hope that the Indian soldiers, without whose contribution the contours of the war might well have changed, get their due recognition on the global stage.

(Captain Amarinder Singh is the chief minister of Punjab and the author of the book Honour and Fidelity - Indias Military Contribution to the Great War 1914-18)Former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa was driven to death by her long-time close aide VK Sasikala, senior AIADMK leader and minister Dindigul C Srinivasan has alleged. He accused Sasikala and her family members of feeding slow poison to Jayalalithaa by giving her food unsuitable for her health condition.

The allegations, made at a party function at Nilakkottai in Dindigul district Saturday, only spread Sunday when a video of the event emerged. The minister accused both Sasikala and her nephew, TTV Dhinakaran who is now leading a rebel faction of AIADMK.

Jayalalithaa had diabetes but Sasikala was unconcerned, Srinivasan alleged. Just like feeding slow poison, they (Sasikala and family) fed food items which were not conducive to Jayalalithaas health and which eventually led to death of our leader, he claimed.

When Jayalalithaa was alive, Sasikala assisted the former in her daily routine. Misusing that proximity, Dhinakaran used to threaten AIADMK workers. However, such strategies will not work now, Srinivasan is seen telling the audience.

Meanwhile deputy assembly speaker Pollachi V Jayaraman, speaking to party workers at Tuticorin on the same day, also made an indirect attack on Sasikala saying that someone had refused to let Jayalalithaa be taken abroad for treatment.

We were ready to shift our leader to foreign countries for providing treatment. If Jayalalithaa was treated abroad, she could have been saved. The Arumugasamy commission enquiring into Jayalalithaas death will reveal who had prevented from taking Amma

(Jayalalithaa) to foreign countries for treatment, he claimed.

The state government has already set up the judicial commission, headed by retired Madras High Court judge Justice A Arumugasamy, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jayalalithaas death.

However, Raja Sendoor Pandian, counsel for Sasikala, said that these statements were not appropriate

When the Arumugasamy judiciary commission was formed, as counsel of Sasikala, I urged people who are having any information to appear before the commission and raise their queries. However, the minister is speaking about it in his party meeting. This seems to be an act of insulting the commission formed by the TN government, Raja told Hindustan Times.

Sasikala is currently serving a four year jail term in a disproportionate assets case.France flexed its muscles in West Africa on Monday granting millions of euros in aid to Gambia to support its democratic transition amid fears of regional instability and took aim at Russia over its opportunist role in Central African Republic.

Born of British and French colonial rivalry in the 19th century and surrounded by francophone Senegal, Gambia  a tourist haven and groundnut producer  won independence from Britain in 1965.

President Adama Barrow won the December 2016 election by beating exiled authoritarian former leader Yahya Jammeh, who fled Gambia after regional militaries launched an operation to remove him.

What counts is Frances support for a democratic transition without any hidden pretenses because there was a dictatorship here that was overturned by the ballot box, Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told reporters after signing accords in the Gambian capital Banjul.

Le Drian, who was the first senior French official to visit Gambia since a secret trip by then resistance leader Charles de Gaulle in 1943, agreed the first part of a 50 million euros aid package that includes budgetary support, drinking water and agriculture projects.

Paris has major economic interests in neighboring Senegal and wants to ensure that a rebel movement in the southern Casamance area, separated from the more affluent north by Gambia, does not flare up after Jammeh broke ties with Dakar.

The International Monetary Fund has warned Gambia against any new borrowing after its debt stock reached 130 percent of gross domestic product at the end of last year. Financial support from donor countries is crucial as Barrow attempts to reverse many of his predecessors most controversial decisions and rehabilitate Gambias image abroad.

As part of those efforts, Barrow was given observer status in October to the Francophonie organization, the French equivalent to Britains Commonwealth.

Under President Emmanuel Macron, France is attempting to broaden its influence in Africa to anglophone regions.

Le Drian said Paris was also looking at investment opportunities for its firms, including at Banjuls port and airport. Companies including Bollore and energy group Total are among those vying for contracts in Gambia.

If Gambia is a success it sets an example for the region, said a French diplomatic source.

Paris is also worried about the ongoing instability in its former colony Central African Republic, where it intervened in 2013, and in particular an increased Russian military presence that France believes could undermine peace efforts.

Le Drian on Friday committed some 24 million euros in aid and the delivery of 1,400 assault rifles to local authorities, but warned that CAR could not become a playground for world powers.

Speaking in Dakar on Monday, French Defense Minister Florence Parly took aim at Russia specifically calling on it to play within the multilateral frameworks.

Any manipulation of opportunist powers would be inept and unworthy. Let us give our full support to the African Union to preserve all chances for a quick and peaceful resolution of the crisis, she said.Ballari mining baron and former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy was arrested, along with an aide, after hours of questioning in an alleged bribery case in Bengaluru on Sunday. Reddy was sent to judicial custody till November 24.

We have taken the decision to arrest him on the basis of credible evidence and witnesses statements, said Alok Kumar, additional commissioner of police, central crime branch (CCB) of Bengaluru police.

The bribery case against Reddy pertains to one Syed Ahmed Fareed, a ponzi scam accused, alleged to have cheated around 15,000 people to the tune of Rs 600 crore through his firm Ambidant Marketing.

Fareed allegedly told police that he had given Reddy 57 kg of gold worth Rs 18 crore after the latter promised to help him in an investigation launched by the Enforcement Directorate.

The central crime branch of the Bengaluru police had questioned Reddy from around 4 pm on Saturday, when he appeared before the police, till about 2.30 am, police sources confirmed. The questioning resumed on Sunday before Reddy was arrested, police said.

His secretary Ali Khan was also arrested. Reddy was taken to a hospital for medical check up and produced before a magistrate. He has been sent to judicial custody till November 24 and will be taken to the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Reddys lawyers approached the magistrate with a bail application which has been listed for hearing on Monday.

In a series of videos released on Saturday, Reddy had rebutted all the charges and criticised the police for spreading false information.

Refuting allegations by police that he was apparently on the run, Reddy said he had been in Bengaluru the whole time.

Speaking to HT, Reddys advocate Sunil Kumar said he had just been informed of the arrest.

We will wait and watch what happens as it is a holiday today. We will apply for bail once the situation becomes clear, Kumar said.

A strongman from Ballari, Reddy was denied ticket by BJP in the Karnataka assembly elections in May, but campaigned for his two brothers, Gali Karunakara Reddy and Gali Somashekhara Reddy and his aide Sriramulu, who had won the Ballari seat.

However, after Sriramulu resigned as the Ballari Lok Sabha MP, Congress won the seat in the recent by-election.Kala Bhavan, the fine arts school of Visva-Bharati university founded by Rabindranath Tagore, is set to turn 100. The institute will start its year-long centenary celebrations with an art walk and exhibition on November 29.

The centenary celebration will see the second edition of International Kala Mela (art fair), organised by the New Delhi-based Lalit Kala Academy, taking place in Santiniketan in February 2019. Besides, an exhibition of iconic works of the Santiniketan school of art will be held at New Delhis National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) from the collections of Kala Bhavan and NGMA in the second half of 2019, said Goutam Das, principal of Kala Bhavan. A series of national and international workshops will be held at the university town of Santiniketan through 2019.

Kala Bhavan is part of Visva-Bharati, the central university that has the Prime Minister as the chancellor. Although art historians have not been able to determine the exact date of Kala Bhavans foundation for want of authoritative documentary evidence, 1919 is considered the year when the fine arts school started its journey.

Kala Bhavan stalwarts like Nandalal Bose, Asit Kumar Haldar and Surendranath Kar as teachers during its early years and later the likes of Jogen Chowdhury. It produced students of the stature of Benode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinkar Baij and K G Subramanyan.

The school is credited with introducing in India an all-inclusive visual culture, combining various forms of fine arts with crafts and blending realism with abstraction. Kala Bhavans influence on Indias modern visual art scene was more than that of the Bengal school of the early 20th century, said R Siva Kumar, former principal of Kala Bhavan.

Santiniketan turned to the immediate life around the artist  the space and the people around, said Kumar, now a visiting professor at University of Carleton in Canada. The school also developed its own architectural style. Students were encouraged to explore nature and collaborate with local craftsmen.

The school departed from the tradition of teaching students to be specialists and instead taught various forms to each individual  painting, sculpture, designing, architecture, murals and crafts  in a bid to develop versatility.

Ratan Parimoo, who headed the department of art history and aesthetics at MS University, Baroda sai, The Santiniketan school is distinct. The other major schools in the colonial megacities were more influenced by European modern art. Santiniketan, while institutionalising Indias traditional roots, assimilated the arts of different parts of the world.Convening after Diwali holidays on Monday, the Supreme Court will take up pleas on Indias most-debated issues in the next three days, when it will hear petitions pertaining to an infighting in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the entry of women into Keralas Sabarimala temple and the deal to buy 36 Rafale jets from France.

To kick-start what is likely to be a high-voltage week, the court is expected to hear on Monday the petition of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma, who has challenged the governments move to divest him of powers last month over an internal battle with deputy Rakesh Asthana, who too has been sent on leave. Both have accused each other of bribery.

The Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC) is investigating allegations against Verma.

In an October 26 order, the court gave CVC two weeks to complete the probe against Verma, who has accused the government of interfering with CBIs independence and autonomy. It also said the inquiry will be done under the supervision of a retired SC judge in a one-time exception.

People familiar with the matter say CVC has completed its probe and will file a report before the court on Monday.

The Congress partys leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, too has filed a petition in the matter, saying he should be heard because he is a member of the three-member committee that selects the CBI chief. The other two panel members are the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Kharge is part of the panel as the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliaments Lower House.

Next on Tuesday, a three-member bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi is likely to hear pleas challenging the courts verdict lifting the ban on the entry of women of all ages into Keralas Sabarimala temple.

In a 4:1 majority verdict on September 28, the court ruled that divinity and devotion cannot be subject to the rigidity and stereotypes of gender. It added that the exclusion on the basis of biological and physiological features was unconstitutional and discriminatory because it denied women the right to be treated as equals.

But traditionalists staged protests, clashed with police and even intimidated journalists to stop women between 10 years and 50 years to enter Sabarimala after the temple opened. Protesters believe the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is celibate.

Petitioners who have challenged the court order say faith cannot be judged by scientific or rational reasons or logic. They say the ban is not on physiological grounds but it is based on the deitys celibate character.

On Wednesday, the court will take up the Rafale deal. On October 31, the court asked the Centre to submit pricing details of the Rafale jet deal in a sealed cover within 10 days. The government argued that the information is so sensitive that it has not been shared even with Parliament.

The Opposition has accused the government of overpaying for the planes and a lack of transparency in the deal. The government has repeatedly dismissed the charges.An Air India pilot was grounded minutes before he was to fly over 200 passengers from New Delhi to London on Sunday afternoon because his mandatory pre-flight medical tests showed he was too drunk to commandeer the aircraft.

A second-time offender who was booked in August for a similar offence, 56-year-old Arvind Kathpalia faces licence suspension for three years.

Airline officials familiar with the matter said the London-bound AI 111, scheduled to depart at 2:45 pm, was delayed after its captain, Kathpalia, who is also the director of Air Indias flight operations, was found with more alcohol in his bloodstream than the permissible limit.

As per the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the level of blood alcohol compatible (BAC) with safe flying is zero. Kathpalia was declared unfit to fly as he had 007% BAC. The airline got the test results at 1:30 pm, a little over an hour before departure, and had to scramble to get another pilot to fly the Boeing 787 that goes non-stop to Londons Heathrow International airport.

Meanwhile, another Air India flight, AI 332, from New Delhi to Bangkok was forced to turn back less than half an hour after departure because the airline staff realised that the one of its pilots skipped his mandatory medical tests, which includes the breatheanalyser test, according to a senior official who asked not to be named. The ground staff realised that its pilot had boarded the plane without being tested. Air Traffic Control asked the flight to turn back. About 200 passengers booked on the flight took off as the crews maximum flying hours lapsed and an alternative crew couldnt be arranged.

I had a connecting flight which I am going to miss for sure. The airline is not bothering to inform us when will we fly... This is pure harassment, said a passenger requesting anonymity.

Air India officials declined to reveal the identity of the pilot, and it was unclear whether his blood alcohol level and other mandatory medical parameters were within prescribed range.

On January 19 last year, Kathpalia commandeered the Delhi-Bengaluru flight AI 174 without going through the mandatory breathalyser test. He did not take the test after landing at Bengaluru either despite being reminded about it, according to the complaint filed by the Indian Commercial Pilots Association.

An FIR was lodged against Kathpalia on August 24 after the pilots union alleged that the episode involved forgery, intimidation of a doctor, and violations of aviation rules.

Three official spokespersons of Air India and its chairman and managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola did not respond to repeated calls and text messages.

The civil aviation ministry, however, tweeted, HMCA @sureshpprabhu has viewed this incident... and already directed earlier that there will be zero tolerance on safety thus now has asked #DGCA to take action as per rules immediately, they are awaiting report from Air India, action will be taken ASAP.Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu met United States president Donald Trump and French president Emmanuel Macron at a banquet hosted by the latter in honour of Heads of States who are attending a ceremony in Paris to commemorate the Armistice of First World War.

With the President of France @EmmanuelMacron during reception hosted by him. Congratulated him on the initiative to organise Armistice centenary & Paris Peace Forum 2018 #VPinFrance @ParisPeaceForum pic.twitter.com/oPSgvNeEfx  VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) November 10, 2018

Meetings with President of US @realDonaldTrump , German Chancellor Merkel, President of Kenya @UKenyatta, Turkish President Erdogan and other world leaders at a banquet hosted by President of France.@ParisPeaceForum #VPinFrance pic.twitter.com/VAreVXfKkL  VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) November 10, 2018

Earlier in the day, Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel marked the centenary of the end of the First World War at an event at Compiegne, in the woods north of Paris, CBC reported.

Also Read: Vice-president Naidu inaugurates first India-built war memorial in France, remembers Indian soldiers sacrifice during WWI

The leaders of the two nations unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site of the railway carriage where military leaders signed a ceasefire on November 11, 1918.

Meanwhile, Vice-president Naidu inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Villers Guislain in France on Saturday.

Speaking during the inaugural function, the Vice-president spoke about the importance of the memorial, terming it as a tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting selflessly during the World War I.

He had also opined that the World War I not only changed the social and political fabric of Europe, but perhaps changed the destinies of a number of countries across the world.

Nearly 1.3 million Indian soldiers fought during World War I, out of which 1,40,000 Indian soldiers took part in World War I in France and Belgium.

Even though a memorial dedicated to the Indian soldiers who died during World War I was made by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) at Neuve Chapelle in 1927, a need to build a unique Memorial by Independent India was felt. In Europe, the only other such memorial stands at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

The main motif of the Indian War Memorial at Villers Guislain is the Indian national emblem which consists of Ashoka lions along with a bronze wreath, plaque, and lances which have been designed in India.The results of the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram will set the tone for the national contest in 2019. Of particular interest will be the outcomes in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh, where the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are locked in a direct contest.

This author had argued in an earlier article that agrarian distress is likely to play a big role in the elections in these three states. However, the results of pre-poll surveys conducted by Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS)  Lokniti have thrown up some counter-intuitive findings.

While the Congress has a comfortable lead over the BJP among both rural voters and farmers in Rajasthan, this does not seem to be the case in MP and Chhattisgarh. These patterns also find a reflection in overall levels of support for the two parties in the states.

The Congress has a lead of four percentage points over the BJP in Rajasthan, the two are locked in a tight contest in MP and the BJP seems to be comfortably ahead in Chhattisgarh.

To be sure, there is no guarantee that pre-poll surveys capture the actual mood of the electorate. However, the CSDS surveys are seen to be slightly more credible because they are transparent about methodology and sample size. It is extremely unlikely that rural distress in MP is significantly less than that in Rajasthan. Anecdotal evidence of a large number of farmers protests in Madhya Pradesh supports this argument. So, what is happening in the state?

There is reason to believe that an asymmetry in organisational strength of the Congress and the BJP might be playing a role in the ability of the two parties in canvassing voter support on the ground. There is some evidence of this in the Lokniti survey itself.

Overall support levels for the two parties are in keeping with the popularity of their potential chief ministerial candidates. Thirty-seven percent of respondents in MP wanted to see BJPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan back as the chief minister of the state.

This is equal to the combined support for Kamal Nath, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Digvijay Singh, the three main leaders of the Congress in the state. In Chhattisgarh, 40% of the respondents wanted to see Raman Singh of the BJP back as the chief minister. Singh is far ahead of his potential competitors.

Estranged Congress leader Ajit Jogi, who is contesting in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party, is ranked second with 20% support, while Congresss Bhupesh Baghel is third with 14% backing. The Congress is doing much better in Rajasthan.

Forty percent of the respondents in Rajasthan wanted to see either Ashok Gehlot or Sachin Pilot of the Congress as the next chief minister, which is eight percentage points more than the figure for Vasundhara Raje, the current BJP chief minister.

It is to be expected that popular leaders also galvanise a partys organisation. An analysis of the latest assembly elections in Punjab, Gujarat and Karnataka  three big states which went to polls since January 2017, and where the Congress is an important player  proves this point.

HT classified assembly constituencies (ACs) by victory margins in these three states. Closely contested seats can swing either way in an election. Therefore, it helps if a party has existing areas of dominance with a significant lead over others.

The Congress did well in winning the closely contested seats in these three states. It won more than half the seats where the victory margin was up to 5% of the total votes polled. However, it did badly in winning seats where the victory margin was more than 5% in Gujarat (37.6%) and Karnataka (28.8%). In Punjab, it won 70% of these seats. This had an impact on the partys total tally in the assembly too.

In Punjab, 78% of the Congresss seats came from ACs where the victory margin was more than 5% of the total votes polled. This figure was 61% and 59% in Gujarat and Karnataka.

The Congress did not have a popular state-level leader in Gujarat. Siddaramaiah, who was Congress incumbent chief minister in Karnataka, erred in social engineering during the Karnataka campaign. Amarinder Singh, in contrast, proved to be an astute leader in Punjab.

He pretty much won the state on his own in 2017. To be sure, there is nothing surprising in these findings. One reason for the Congress political decline has been its inability to develop or retain influential regional-level leaders, who have strong support bases of their own.

This has adversely affected the partys electoral performance in the recent past. Breaking this vicious cycle is a key long-term challenge for Rahul Gandhi, who took over as the Congress president last year.

The more pertinent question in the short term is whether the BJP will eventually surge ahead of the Congress in MP, which at the moment seems to be a close contest. We will know the answer on 11 December.One person was missing after a fishing boat carrying seven people met with an accident in the sea off Mumbai coast early on Sunday morning.

The vessel Morning Star collided with an unknown vessel,presumed to be a tugboat, 15 nautical miles off Vasai coast at around 1.10 am.

One person identified as Baban Pal(42) was thrown off from the boat into the sea and is missing, said deputy commandant Avinandan, CPRO,Coast Guard.

Rescue operations have been launched, with the Coast Guard sending an interceptor vessel Charlie, a Chetak helicopter and an inboard patrol vessel.Taking a jibe at its saffron ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena termed the formers plan to rename cities and construct a statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (UP), as a lollipop to the masses. The statement was made on Saturday in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, which voices Sena chief Uddhav Thackerays views.

The statement comes after UP chief minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath announced earlier this week that his government would construct a statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.

The editorial read, Yogi, according to his wish, renamed Faizabad to Ayodhya and announced a grand statue of Lord Ram. But this statue is like a lollipop by the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections There are many statues and temples of Lord Ram around the world. But the demand is to free Lord Ram from the prison (referring to the makeshift temple where the idol is currently installed) and install him in the temple (in Ayodhya). Lord Ram is still in exile, what good is erecting a statue in Ayodhya?

The Sena also reminded the BJP that the latter is in power because of the sacrifices made by the kar sevaks (religious volunteers who had participated in the Rath Yatra and Janmabhoomi movement of early 90s).

Lakhs of kar sevaks had demanded a Ram Mandir, but the government merely renamed Faizabad and is planning to construct a statue, the editorial read.

The editorial also asked Hindus to be cautious of such announcements ahead of polls.

Hindus should be wary of such announcements ahead of the polls. They have put aside the Ram temple and are now talking about statues, the editorial read.

The Sena, which is sharing power with the BJP at the Centre and in the state, has been taking on the Narendra Modi government for not fulfilling its poll promise of constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The party demanded that the Centre bring in an ordinance instead of waiting for the Supreme Court verdict on the matter. Thackeray, in an attempt to put pressure on the BJP, would also be visiting Ayodhya on November 25.To mark the 150th-year celebrations of St Xaviers High School in Fort, its administration decided to install a solar power plant on October 31 this year.

A 35-kilowatt power (kWp) solar power plant consisting of 100 panels will generate 54,000 units annually or an average of 148 units per day for the school (a two bedroom-hall-kitchen flat in Mumbai uses 10-12 units of electricity a day). Each solar panel will generate 350 watts of power.

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), a 35 kWp system mitigates carbon dioxide emissions by 1,076 tonnes over 10 years, which is equivalent to planting 1,722 full-grown teak trees.

In their aim to go green, adopting solar power was the first step, the school management said. This project gives us a kind of impetus to take newer projects and schemes and to educate children about the environment and its importance practically, said Father Francis Swami, manager of the school. The solar plant was sponsored by a private company as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.

Environmentalists welcomed the initiative and suggested other schools should take up similar efforts. Children will witness this and demand for an environmentally-friendly lifestyle in the future with some of them inventing similar eco-friendly initiatives. We should never forget that India has a huge amount of solar energy which is free, said Ajay Marathe, an environmentalist.

Maharashtra currently leads the country with maximum rooftop solar power capacity. Of 1,095 megawatt (MW) rooftop solar capacity in India, Maharashtra leads with a maximum number of installations and capacity at 145.09MW, according to data from MNRE.

The solar project installed by Xaviers is a net-metered project which allows the school to sell excess electricity generated to the public grid. They will be charged only for the net usage. However, schools do not have a fixed usage like residents or factories, but Xaviers high school expects to generate most out of it as the school functions through the day.

This is a boon for us and has given our students an opportunity not only to conserve energy but also to support our eco-friendly initiatives, said Sharmila Sunny, one of the teachers.The Nagpur police Saturday termed as fake media reports about the arrest of two suspected agents of Pakistans spy agency ISI from Nagpur.

Police Commissioner B K Upadhyay said no such operation was carried out in the city.

There were reports Friday on social media that two suspected ISI agents were arrested from Bhaldarpura area under the Ganeshpeth Police Station.

Some newspapers carried reports that the Military Intelligence (MI) had made the arrests in a covert operation on Friday night.

However, the police commissioner said these reports were fake and no such operation was carried out in any part of the city.

Irfan Quazi, a social activist residing in Bhaldarpura, said no one noticed any such raid in the densely populated area.Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algerias frail 81-year-old president who has been in power since 1999, will stand for a fifth consecutive term in elections next year, according to the head of his party.

National Liberation Front chief Djamel Ould Abbes said Bouteflika, who has been confined to a wheelchair since suffering a stroke in 2013, will be the partys candidate in the vote set for April 2019, state news agency APS reported on Sunday.

Bouteflika is the candidate of the FLN for the presidential election, Ould Abbes was quoted as saying at a meeting with legislators from the party.

His candidacy has been demanded by all the FLN cadres and activists across the country, he said.

The FLN central committee will meet soon to formalise the candidacy, Ould Abbes chief of staff Nadir Boulegroune told AFP news agency.

The president, who last addressed the nation more than six years ago, has yet to officially announce his candidacy.

If he wins, he will be 87 by the time Algerias following elections are held.

Stability over prosperity

More than 40 percent of Algerias 41 million population is under 25 and many of them know no leader other than Bouteflika.

Algeria: President Bouteflika and the armys political end game

Many Algerians have chosen peace and stability over political reform, pointing at the devastation in neighbouring Libya as a result of the countrys revolution and political turmoil.

In 2014, in light of the presidents failing health, the military thought it unwise for Bouteflika to run for a fourth term.

However, in a rare moment of indecision, the army is believed to have conceded to the ailing presidents demands, deeming it necessary to preserve stability in times of uncertainty.The split in the Samajwadi Party (SP) seems final. Despite Mulayam Singh Yadavs political ambivalence, a majority now believe that a patch-up is impossible between the warring factions in the SP.

A senior party leader said, The tussle started over the issue of party leadership that Mulayam had settled in his sons favour in 2012 though his brother (Shivpal Yadav), too, was a claimant. Much water has flowed down the Gomti since then. How can there be any patch-up now?

Apparently, Mulayam tried to avert a split, but eventually failed. It was soon after the SP lost power in Uttar Pradesh in 2017 that Shivpal revealed his plans to form a morcha from which Mulayam had distanced himself. Efforts to heal the rift came to naught.

How can there be a reunion when there are outsiders active in the family? said a source.

Although Mulayam appears to be torn between his son and brother, many believe he will remain steadfast with the Samajwadi Party, which he had formed in November 1992.

There are some indicators to his flip-flop. Recently, when Mulayam visited his brothers Pragatisheel Samajwadi Partys newly allotted office, much to the consternation of the party workers, he exhorted them to strengthen the Samajwadi Party. When Shivpal pointed out his apparent faux pas, he remained evasive.

Thereafter, he drove down to the SP office and interacted with the party workers there.

Two days later, Mulayam flew to New Delhi with Akhilesh Yadav for a meeting with Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is at the forefront of efforts to stitch together the Grand Alliance against the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The father-son duo returned together the next day.

Although some associates of Shivpal maintain its nothing but putra moh (love for his son), senior observers in the party insist, Its the party, nothing else.However, SP founder-member Beni Prasad Verma said, If ever he has to choose between his son and his brother, he will go with the former.

For now, everyone seems to be asking, Can a canny politician like Mulayam be oblivious to the damage that he is causing to the party that he had raised with his blood and sweat?

They recall how the same Mulayam, during his days of struggle, gave precedence to politics over his personal life, so much so he had little time for his growing son Akhilesh.

Allahabad-based socialist leader Vinod Chand Dubey says, When a person is touching the 80s, he goes on a parivar or bhakti darshan (family and pilgrimage). However, Mulayam will not cause any damage to the party.Nonetheless, the other consensus in the Samajwadi Parivar is that a split in SP, will be advantageous for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After all, the SP is one of the two regional forces that have dominated the states politics since the early 1990s. It is also likely that Shivpal will dent the SP but the extent will depend on the plans that he will unfold in the days to come. Its election time and the cadre is confused, said Dubey.

Not a good sign, especially when the SP is pitted against a robust Bharatiya Janata Party which, while strengthening its own roots in the state, is out to break vote banks that it cant win overnamely the Jatavs (SC) and Yadavs (OBCs). Ironically, it was Mulayam Singh who believed in keeping the party machinery well oiled, but now his party seems to be in doldrums.

Till the virtual split, the Samajwadi Parivar was confident that the party will remain intact as along as Mulayam was around despite tremors shaking its foundation.Their confidence stemmed from the fact that Mulayam has been a unifying force, both for the SP that he formed, as well as the large family that he promoted in politics. However, this trust was shaken when Shivpal, whom he had literally raised in politics, broke away from the SP and floated the Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia).As of now, Shivpal is trying to muster Mulayams and other family members support . Mulayams second daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav has openly come out in his support. Aparna is married to Prateek Yadav, Akhilesh Yadavs stepbrother. She had come into the limelight a few years ago after she publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Most of the other young members of the Yadav family are keeping a low profile.

Then, there is the question of the alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Mayawati will join hands with the SP, though some conjectures are being drawn about her alliance with Shivpals Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party, if the BJP arm-twists her.The joint statement issued after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans four-day visit to meet his Iron Brothers in Beijing is most instructive as it inadvertently acknowledges the rise of India as a global power and willy-nilly reduces Islamabad to, at best, a client state.

The line  both sides dismissed the growing negative propaganda against China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expressed determination to safeguard the CPEC projects from all threats  is directly pointed at India and so is big brothers support for Pakistans efforts for improvement of Pakistan-India relations and for settlement of outstanding disputes  read Kashmir  between two countries.

On its part, Pakistan, which is self-proclaimed leader of Muslims, in the statement has upheld one-China policy and supports all efforts made by Chinese government to realise national reunification, a euphemism for turning a blind eye towards Beijings decades-long repression in Xinjiang and Tibet. All this leads us to examine the relationship between these two all weather iron brothers, where Beijing goes to the extent of vetoing UN designation of a global jihadist like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and blocks Indias legitimate entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group with a Pakistan entry condition.

Fact is that Islamabads supping with Islamists targeting India and Afghanistan is not hidden from Chinese intelligence but the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) sees Pakistan as a low-cost weapon to checkmate India with Afghanistan as a bonus.

Beijing watchers believe there is a split between Chinese intelligence and PLA over Pakistans role in exporting terror to India but that the generals prevail when it comes to Islamabads use for containment of India.

Time and again Chinese officials have privately shared with their Indian counterparts, their knowledge about the existence of terror training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

But this fact is glossed over by Beijing as its gets relief in Xinjiang with Pakistan blocking jihadist movement across the Wakhan corridor and preventing them from joining hands with their militant Uighur brothers fighting against Chinese repression.

Repression in Xinjiang virtually coincides with the rise of militancy in Kashmir in 1991 but finds little global attention as rampaging Communist party cadre backed by PLA subsume local culture and religion in both Xinjiang and Tibet through what is euphemistically called re-education of the masses.

Militancy in Xinjiang, however, cannot be swept under the carpet as a few hundreds to a few thousands from there joined the so called Islamic State in Syria in support of ultra conservative Wahabbi Islam.

The reason why China allows Pakistan to take the lead in Afghanistan affairs despite knowing all the brutal facts of Islamabad nurturing Taliban, is to buffer the militancy in Xinjiang.

While Pakistan may think its relationship with China is all milk and honey, Beijing clearly sees Islamabad as a weapon to degrade India and a mere portal to access the Arabian Sea through Gwadar just as it uses Myanmar to access the Indian Ocean through Kyaukpyu port and possibly make India vulnerable in its rapid growing North-Eastern states.

Containment of India through a pincer move is understandable as Chinas worst case scenario is India and the US joining hands to counter PLA aggression South China Sea and Indo-Pacific region with the choking of the Malacca Straits as a potential flash point.

After the 73-day Indian Army-PLA standoff at Doklam, the Chinese leadership has started looking at India with respect with its paramount leader Xi Jinping taking the final call on decisions in respect of New Delhi rather than leaving this to the mandarins in the foreign ministry or PLA headquarters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also made it clear to President Xi Jinping that while India will not do anything to destabilise Beijing, it will not play second fiddle to anyone in the world when it comes to protecting national interests.

While Indias ties with the US are ever growing with a bipartisan consensus, they are not at the cost of Russia even though PM Modi knows the growing synergy between Moscow and Beijing. Fact is that Indian and US interests converge in Afghanistan, Indian Ocean, Middle-East and the Far East much to the chagrin of China, which despite all aggression has a constant two-front hostility nightmare.

Beijing revised its attitude towards India after the latter stood up on Beijings imperialistic Belt Road Initiative and supported the freedom of navigation in South China Sea, with the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia joining hands. China has always treated India as a civilization power with no history of animosity towards the middle kingdom. The problem is that India under Modi is a global player, not the regional supplicant China wants.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ONThe district administration on Sunday declared 14 ghats in Patna sadar and eight in Patna City as unsafe for offering prayers on Chhath festival. The ghats were found unfit for reasons like the status of banks and depth of water. To ensure the safety of Chatth devotees, the administration will use coloured curtains to demarcate safety of ghats.

After inspecting the Ganga river stretch from Deedarganj to Kalighat by a state disaster response force boat, DM Kumar Ravi directed the sector officers and SDOs concerned to complete the ghat development works.

He asked the municipal commissioner and BUDCO authority to check all streetlights on main roads, lanes and flyovers and rectify the faulty ones. All the roads and flyovers of the state capital would be illuminated properly, as thousands of devotees use them during the festival.

Ganga ghats demarcated with yellow and white curtains stand as safe and useful for the Chhath festival.

On the other hand, those demarcated with red are technically unfit and dangerous for holy dip and are banned from usage by the district administration.

Perhaps for the first time, colour codes highlight not only the status of Ganga ghats but also indicate the basic amenities provided by the administration.

Blue and white enclosures are for basic amenities like urinals, toilets, changing rooms, watch towers, waiting sheds, medical facilities and control rooms, said the DM.

Kurji, Patliputra, Shiva, Minar, LCT, TN Banerjee, Misri, Judges, Adalat, Vanshi, Sipahi, Anta, BN College, Bankipur club and Jahaj ghats were declared unsafe, either due to the river bank being dangerously vertical or having stagnant water in the Ganga channel.

Khajekalla, Keshav Rai, Adrakh ghat, Mirchai ghat, Gaderiya ghat, Pirdamaria, Nandan Gola and Nasaruddin ghats were declared unsafe in Patna City. DM also directed Patna Municipal Corporation to remove encroachments from the demarcated approach roads and check presence of stray animals.

As hundreds of people will throng the riverbank for the Chhath festival, the administration has also placed a number of watchtowers for the easy location of ghats.

Ravi appealed to devotees not to venture beyond the barricaded spaces in the river for having a dip before offering the arghya to Sun god as the riverbed could be deeper ahead and lead to accidents.

HAJIPUR

The ghats at Hajipur and the Terasia in Vaishali district draw massive crowds of more than 50,000 devotes for the Chhath festival every year. Anticipating massive crowds of devotees this year, the Hajipur administration in Vaishali district has made an elaborate arrangement to ensure safety of devotees. Four ghats were earmarked unsafe out of total notified 13 ghats of Hajipur urban areas.

At Kaunhara ghat alone, more than 10,000 devotees pay obeisance during the Chhath festival. Executive officer of Hajipur Municipality, Siddhartha Harshwardhan said that all safety measures had been taken at each ghat to ensure safety of devotees. We have done physical inspection of ghats and declared three to four ghats unsafe for devotees, he said, adding that multi-layered barracking at ghats were done.

Club ghat, Sidhi ghat and north and south side of old Gandak bridge ghats have been declared unsafe. Around 10 metres of up and down stream of Gandak at old Gandak Bridge were also declared unsafe because of marshy and irregular surfaces under the water. In a joint order issued by DM Rajiv Raushan and superintendent of police (SP) MS Dhillon, deployment of police forces in addition to the divers and the NDRF and the SDRF personnel would be made at each ghats of Hajipur.

At more than a dozen ghats in Hajipurs Terasia, thousands of devotees from Patna assemble during Chhath every year. The DM has directed the local agencies to make sure roads leading to ghats are clean and well-lit. Traffic police personnel would be deployed during the evening and the morning of Chhath rituals on November 13 and 14.The divorce plan of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasads elder son and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav is not only giving anxious moments to the partys first family but has also cast its shadow on seat sharing talks for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls among partners of Grand Alliance (GA).

Some GA leaders, requesting anonymity, said there had been no talk on seat sharing among partners of the alliance, comprising RJD, Congress and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), since Tej Pratap filed for divorce on November 2.

They said the RJD top leadership, including Tej Prataps brother and leader of opposition in Bihar legislative assembly Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, has been busy trying to handle the crisis in the partys first family owing to the former ministers adamant stand to seek divorce from his wife of six months, Aishwarya Rai, and staying away from Patna.

As a result, a coordination committee of GA partners and Left parties, that was supposed to be formed in the first week of November to formalise seat sharing, had been delayed, they said.

There has been no seat sharing talk in the last one week. The divorce episode has pushed politics into backseat in the GA, said a senior GA leader, not wishing to be quoted.

Though the exercise of seat identification had started a few months back, it did not make much headway for various factors, including the Samvidhaan Bachao Nyay Yatra of Tejashwi which continued for a fortnight in mid-October, he said. All GA partners should have held meetings in last few months. But it has not happened and there is not much time left for the Lok Sabha polls, he added.

Meanwhile, Tejashwis meeting with his incarcerated father at Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi on Saturday is being seen as politically significant. There are speculations that Tejashwi had called on his ailing father not only to enquire about his health but also to discuss the seat sharing arrangement among GA partners. Many leaders, including Loktantrrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav, have called on Lalu in last few weeks apparently to speed up the seat adjustment talks.

The RJD chief, who has been convicted in three fodder scam cases since December 23 last year, surrendered before a court in Ranchi on September 1. Later, Birsa Munda Central Jail authorities shifted him to RIMS.

The crisis within Lalus family over Tej Prataps divorce plan should blow over soon as it may affect the seat sharing talks with GA partners, said a RJD leader on the condition of anonymity.

RJDs spokesperson and MLA Bhai Birendra, however, said there was no hitch on seat sharing as all GA partners were unanimous that defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was the ultimate aim of the secular coalition.

Seat adjustment in GA is almost final and an announcement will be made in December last week or January first week. There is no problem at all, Birendra said, adding that he was hopeful that the GA would add more allies in coming days. He said differences in the NDA was growing, with Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) led by Union minister Upendra Kushwaha and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of Ram Vilas Paswan not accepting the seat sharing formula between the BJP and Janata Dal (United).

Birendra said seats would be allocated to each partner in the GA on the basis of vote base of political parties.

Has the NDA finalised its seat adjustment? It has not happened. But in GA, the seat adjustment will be done in a smooth manner and we will have a total alliance, said senior RJD leader Jagdanand Singh.

The state Congress leaders, however, maintained there had been no formal talks on seat adjustments among GA partners and the process would start only after the results of elections in five states are announced.

They said Congress in-charge for Bihar Shaktisinh Gohil was busy campaigning in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. He could talk with RJD leaders on seat sharing during his visit to Bhagalpur in November last week.

Seat sharing arrangement would be worked out after the results of assembly elections in five states are declared. We are also hopeful that the GA would grow bigger in coming days as more parties will join it, said Congress state spokesperson and MLC Prem Chand Mishra.The BJP on Sunday night declared a list of 131 candidates for the Rajasthan assembly elections, including 25 new faces and dropping at least one minister.

Sitting minister Surendra Goyal was dropped while senior leader Devi Singh Bhatis daughter- in-law Poonam Kanwar was given the ticket. Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Col Sonaram was fielded from Barmer seat. His candidature gains significance in view of former BJP MLA Manvendra Singh joining the Congress.

There were several new names in the Shekhawati area where the BJP is on a weak wicket

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, union minister JP Nadda said the party was issuing a list of 131 candidates in which there were 12 women, 32 youth, 17 SC and 19 ST candidates. There are 85 sitting MLAs and 25 new faces in the list, he added, according to ANI.

He said the list had given representation to all castes and regions, and candidates for the remaining 69 seats would be announced soon.

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje, ministers Gulab Chand Kataria, Rajendra Rathore, Arun Chaturvedi, Shrichand Kriplani, Kiran Maheshwari, Vasudev Devnani, Anita Bhadel and Prabhulal Saini have been repeated.

From Jaipur, while several names were repeated, minister and senior leader Kalicharan Sarafs name not being included in the first list indicates that he could be dropped.

Filing of nominations will begin from Monday and continue till November 19. Polling will be held on December 7.

The list came after several rounds of talks in Rajasthan and Delhi. The state leaders including chief minister Raje were in Delhi since the last two days to finalize the list.

Meetings were held at Rajasthan election incharge Prakash Javadekars residence and between Raje and BJP national president Amit Shah. Meetings continued during the day on Sunday before the parliamentary board meeting in the evening where prime minister Narendra Modi, Shah and other senior leaders were present.

Senior leaders also undertook a detailed feedback from workers, office bearers, and sitting and former MLAs and MPs.

The assembly election is being seen as a semi-final to the 2019 general elections. The BJP is keen to retain power in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

In 2013, the first BJP list of 176 candidates was announced on November 5, the day the nominations began.Movie goers who booked tickets for the matinee show of Thugs of Hindostan in Jaipurs Raj Mandir theatre were in for a shock on Saturday when they found that the hall was occupied by Congress workers for a meeting.

An embarrassed movie hall management had to apologise to the crowd and refund the money.

When people went to the hall, they found posters of Sanvidhan Bachao, Desh Bachao (Save constitution, Save India) along with the movie posters. Those who had booked tickets in advance were not permitted entry, while many were refused tickets at the counter.

People were visibly upset due to cancellation of the show because of the meeting organised by Rajasthan Congress scheduled caste unit. The meeting was held from 11am to 2pm, while the show was from 12-3pm.

Soon, there was chaos outside the hall. Movie hall manager Ashok Tanwar said 200 tickets were sold through advance booking and online in the belief that the Congress would not get permission to hold the meeting on a holiday. But the party was given permission to use the movie hall.

Tanwar said, It was our mistake that we could not inform the audience in advance about the cancellation of the show. Many tickets were refunded and those who had booked online will be refunded on Monday.A woman has been charged after a complex investigation into an Australian strawberry scare where needles were found stuck into the fruit, police said Sunday, in a crisis that sparked nationwide panic.

Queensland state authorities offered a large reward and the national government raised jail terms for such crimes after sewing needles were found in plastic boxes of the fruit sold in supermarkets in September.

Since the first case came to light when a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after consuming strawberries, more than 100 alleged incidents of pins and needles found in fruit, mostly strawberries, were reported in September around the country.

One incident was also reported in neighbouring New Zealand.

Police said a 50-year-old woman was arrested and charged on Sunday with seven counts of contaminating goods following a complex... and extensive investigation.

This is a major and unprecedented police investigation with a lot of complexities involved, detective superintendent Jon Wacker said in a statement.

The Queensland police service has allocated a significant amount of resources to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

She faces up to 10 years imprisonment and is due in a Brisbane court on Monday.

Police did not reveal the reasons and motives behind her alleged involvement.

The sabotage crisis led supermarkets to pull the fruit from the shelves and saw farmers dump tonnes of the unwanted berry. The government raised the maximum prison sentence for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years.

Queensland Strawberry Growers Association spokeswoman Jennifer Rowling welcomed the news and said the crisis had a crippling impact on the states strawberry growers.

However, it is disconcerting that the charges relate to only six or seven punnets (plastic boxes) of strawberries, proving that the majority of... incidents were copycats or false reports, she told national broadcaster ABC.Algerias prosecutors freed six senior generals detained two weeks ago over charges of corruption and wrongdoing. The six are only a few of a large sweep, by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, that sacked dozens of officials.

The former commander of the National Gendarmerie, Maj. Gen. Manad Nuba, former commander of the 1st Military Region Major General Habib Shantouf, former commander of the second district Major Saeed Bay, former commander of the Fourth Military Region Major General Abdul Razzaq Sharif, and the Director of Finance of the Ministry of Defense Major, General Bujmaa Budwar, have walked out of military detention, a judiciary source told Asharq Al Awsat.

A martial law amendment allows military suspects to undergo litigation on two phases, just similar to civil courts, the source added.

In another scope, thousands of educational institutions in Algeria received strict instructions from Education Minister Nouria Benghabrit-Remaoun forbidding female educators and state employees from wearing the niqab to their respective workplaces.

This comes 15 days after the Ministry of the Interior ordered a niqab ban to be implemented by all civil servants.

Education sector officials and employees are obliged to follow instructions issued on the civil servant workplace dress code, an official statement said without directly noting that niqabs arent allowed anymore.

Benghabrit-Remaoun stressed that she is keen on implementing rules and requirements needed to ensure security in the workplace, which call for the swift identification of public servants.

No official statistics exist for the number of women wearing the niqab in the education sector, but it goes without saying only a few female civil servants in Algeria wear the religious head and face cover. Religious headdresses and niqabs are more popular in local areas known for their conservative character.It took Santanu Das, a professor of English literature in UK 12 years to write his recently-released book, India, Empire and First World War Culture. But his research for the book has helped him unearth a wealth of information about the role played by Indians in the Great War. Research for the book took him to archives spread across seven countries in three continents. He met descendants of those who had been a part of the war and searched for anecdotes and memories within his own family. Excerpts from an interview with Poulomi Banerjee:

Which were the major states and regions of India that sent soldiers to the First World War?

In spite of Indias vast population, the men were recruited from a narrow geographical and ethnic pool, spread across Northern and Central India, the North West Frontier Province and the kingdom of Nepal in accordance with the theory of martial races. According to this construct, only certain ethnic and religious groups  such as the Pathans, Dogras, Jats, Garhwalis, Gurkhas and Sikhs, among others - were deemed fit to fight; incidentally, these were men from rural backgrounds who had traditionally been loyal to the government, as opposed to the politicised Bengali who were branded effeminate. Various strands - from Victorian interest in physiognomy and Darwinism to indigenous notions of caste and political calculation - combined to form this elaborate pseudo-scientific theory. Forged in the aftermath of the Sepoy Uprising of 1857, it was enormously influential and shaped the formation of Indias armed forces.

The total number of men enlisted from Punjab, including both the British districts and the Indian states, during the war years was 470,000, including 400,000 combatants and 70,000 non-combatants.

How were these men recruited? Was it voluntary, or was authority/coercion used?

In 1914, India had the largest voluntary army in the world, though a question mark hangs over the word voluntary. For most, soldiering was a source of livelihood. It is not however possible to impose a common motive for enlistment of the 600,000 combatants. If the FWW soldier is usually flattened into a izzat-driven sepoy or a hardened mercenary, we need to find a more socio-culturally and psychologically nuanced vocabulary. Economic necessity or incentive, family and community traditions, an internalised ethos of martial races and the cult of heroic masculinity were all fused and confused, hinting at a complex structure of feeling that went beyond the reductive categories of organic loyalty or mercenary impulse: instead, what we have is a complex, and at times ambivalent, emotional world where loyalty to ones regiment and comrades would co-exist with reservations against the colonial state.

The whole recruitment campaign can be divided into three rough phases: from 1914 to 1916, it was largely voluntary, even if propelled by economic incentives; in 1917, we see the beginning of the use of force; and from April to November 1918, it was largely coercion. July 1917 marked a turning point. With a fresh directive to double the previous flow of recruits, Punjab was called upon to provide a monthly total of 14,290 fighting men and a punitive quota system was introduced whereby the zaildars, sufed poshes and lambardars were required to raise a certain number of men, through their influence or force.

In the summer of 1918, the Lieutenant-Governor Michael ODwyer promised to raise 200,000 men over the coming year. Andrew Thompson, the Chief Secretary to the Punjab Government admitted to a series of coercive measures, from the cutting off of irrigation water supply to levying exorbitant revenues on zails which failed meet the recruitment quota. Indeed, the Congress Report on the Punjab Disturbances in 1919, widely held to be written by Gandhi, is particularly illuminating. During the summer of 1918, the district officers and local zaildars and lambardars, resorted to a spree of brutal measures: lists were compiled of families which had more than one son; recruits began to be bought and sold for large amounts of money; farmers who did not offer their sons were denied remission from income tax. The number of men charged with offences or chalaned went up by 300% in 1918 and charges were dropped when they enlisted; in Attock and Mianwali, men fled to the North West Frontier province to avoid being recruited; water-supply was cut off to parts of Multan

What was the average pay for these men and what was the highest rank that they could hope to reach in the force.

The average pay of the sepoy or infantryman was Rs 11 and he received batta or special allowance for foreign or field service; a sowar or cavalryman was paid Rs 14, and an additional Rs 20 for the horse, totalling Rs 34.

Bengal;s participation in the war, though significant, was different in nature from that of the rest of India. Do we have an estimate of how many combatants joined the force from here?

During to the prevalence of the martial race theory, the politically conscious Bengalis were constructed as effeminate and thus barred from joining the British Indian army. However, during the war, due to the great enthusiasm and persistence of a number of prominent Bengalis, the 49th Bengalis - a regiment of citizen-soldiers - was formed, expanded from the smaller Bengal Double Company and generating tremendous excitement. In fact the famous Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam joined the 49th Bengalis in 1917, and quickly rose through the ranks, working successively as a Lance Naik, Havildar and finally Quarter-master Havildar. They were sent to Karachi for training and some of them even went to Mesopotamia in 1917 where they are remembered for their rather inglorious record. They never saw combat and struggled with the desert conditions and disease. A commanding officer divided the regiment into Measles Squad, The Whooping Cough Squad and Scarlet Fever Squad! More seriously, there was infighting and a junior member opened fire on three senior colleagues while they were asleep, and the regiment was disbanded soon after the war.

In addition to combatants, there was a large number of Bengalis among the labourers and lascars and often one comes across Bengali names in their memorials. There were also a sizeable number of distinguished Bengali doctors, including two from my extended family - one of them, Captain Dr Manindranath Das, was awarded the Military Cross for saving lives in Mesoptamia. In fact I had a third family member who served as a translator - Dhiren Basak - I vividly remember him from my childhood days.

Yet, the best documented lives of two Bengalis who served in that war are those of the doctor Kalyan Mukherjee, captured through a remarkable memoir Kalyan Pradeep, written by his 80 year-old grandmother after he died in Mesopotamia; and the other is the truly extraordinary diary-cum-memoir Abhi le Baghdad by Sisir Kumar Sarbadhikari, a medical orderly who took part in the Siege of Kut, was taken a POW by the Turks, survived the brutal 500-mile march across the deserts and spent the war years in captivity. Abhi Le Baghdad is the most sustained and powerful first-person testimony to have emerged so far out of the war: in terms of its vividness, precision and emotional power, I think it matches up to the memoirs of Edmund Blunden and Siegfried Sassoon.

What was the social/educational background of these people?

Educational background varied widely, from non-literate lascars to super-sophisticated men such as Indra lal Roy, who was a student in London when the war broke out. Indra Lal Roy was credited with 8 kills and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the only Indian pilot to be so decorated during the war. He was sadly killed in action in a dogfight against Fokker D.VIIs of Jagdstaffel 29 over France on 22nd July 1918. He was the uncle of Air Marshal Subroto Mukerji, Indias first air chief.

Please share with us in detail two or three interesting case studies of Bengalis in the first world war  Jon Sen and Indra Lal Roy, may be and what you could find of them

Jon Sen: It was in December 2005 that I first came across the bloodstained glasses and other artefacts of Jon Sen in a small quaint archive - the Dupleix Museum and House - in the former French colony of Chandernagore. And I became hooked. Jogen Sen was the only non-white member of the Leeds Pals battalion or indeed, of any other battalion of the West Yorkshire regiment. He came to England in 1910 as a student and completed a degree in Engineering at the University of Leeds in 1913. He volunteered in the opening months of the conflict in the Leeds Pals Battalion. Popular as Jon Sen among the Pals, he was gunned down on the night of 22 May, 1916, and his death was reported in The Times on 4 September 1916 as A Bengali Soldiers Death. During an interview in 1988, Arthur Dalby, a Leeds Pals veteran, remembered his Indian comrade: We had a Hindu in our hut, called Jon Sen. He was the best educated man in the battalion and he spoke about seven languages but he was never allowed to be even a lance corporal because in those days they would never let a coloured fellow be over a white man, not in England, but he was the best educated. More recently, a wartime letter, written by another Leeds Pals member Private Harold Burniston, written just before his own death on July 1, 1916, had surfaced which notes: I heard poor Jon Sen had been brought in killed. He was hit in the leg and neck by shrapnel and died almost immediately.

Sisir Kumar Sarbadhikari: Abhi Le Baghdad is as singular in the history of the First World War as it is in the genre of South Asian life-writing. It is possibly the only surviving full-length memoir of the Indian war experience in Mesopotamia, including the Siege of Kut and captivity by the Ottoman forces. For the Indians, Mesopotamia was the main ground of battle: the largest number of Indians  some 588,717, including 7812 officers, 287,753 other ranks and 293,152 non-combatants (often forming porter and labour corps)  served there between 1914 and 1918. An educated middle-class Bengali youth, Sarbadikari volunteered for the Bengal Ambulance Corps as a stretcher-bearer and arrived at Basra on 15 July, 1915. His unit was attached to the 6th Division of the Indian Expeditionary Force D commanded by General Charles Townshend and got caught up at the battle of Ctesiphon (22-23 November 1915) where he nursed the wounded and collected the dead from the battlefield. He experienced the six-month long Siege of Kut, from December 1915 till Townshends surrender on 29 April 1916, which he evokes with remarkable power. He was among the 10,000 Indians who were taken as POWS and subjected to two years of trauma, including the horrific march to Ras el Ayn via Baghdad in July 1916. He then worked in a number of hospitals as a POW, first at Ras el Ayn and then at Aleppo.

Abhi Le Baghdad has a tantalising textual history. It was based on his secret Mesopotamia diary, written in captivity, which was broken up into individual pages and hidden in his boots during the horrific march from Samarra via Mosul to the POW camp in Ras-el-Ain in July 1916. Later, the contents of the faded pages were copied into a new diary which was hidden underground and retrieved at Ras el Ayn.

An educated, middle-class non-combatant, his extraordinary memoir provides a detailed account of life in captivity and opens up the world of lateral encounters between an Indian subject and the multi-ethnic and multi-religious population of the Ottoman empire. From providing one of the very few Indian eye-witness accounts of the Armenian genocide to evoking the desperate yet cosmopolitan atmosphere in the hospital, Abhi le baghdad is ultimately an immensely moving and human record of both human lives uprooted by war as well as how it also creates spaces for fresh encounters. The core of the memoir is the web of relationships, friendships and alliances that develops between him and the people around him built around Sarbadhikaris multiple, often contradictory, identities - as POW, as a British colonial subject, as fellow-Asian, as educated and middle-class, as both friend and enemy.

Were you able to trace the descendants of any of the participants? Do you think the participation of Indians is well documented? ?

Yes of course I managed to trace and interview many of the descendants. In fact, Ive three people in my own family who served and my aunts - Mrs Sunanda Das and Professor Indrani Haldar - gave me vital anecdotes.

How easy was it for you to find information while you were researching for your story? What were the challenges that you faced and where did you get the best records?

It took me 12 years to write this book and it is based on research conducted in dozens of archives in some 7 countries across 3 continents. But far more importantly: I had to thinkdifferently; my subject is English literature and not history, and rather than doing a straightforward history, I wanted to capture the texture of sepoy experience, his inner tumultuous world of feeling or what I call the echoes of the sepoy heart. And I found it such a difficult thing to do - to be evocative while being rigorous, to consciously de-Europeanize the methodologies of conventional war studies and most importantly: to know what questions to ask of our materials.

But how can you recover the story of a group of people most of whom did not know how to read and write and did not leave the superabundance of letters and memoirs - in the battlefields, hospitals and POW camps. And I realised that one has to go beyond the written and the textual: I started looking at artefacts, photographs, sketches, paintings, sound-recordings, rumours, posters, periodicals, folksongs, and different forms of literature. For, in a world of fugitive fragments, literature fills in the gaps of history. And I thought a cultural and literary history is one of the ways I could possibly catch the echoes of the sepoy heart. And it is the testimonial, the affective and the intimate that I have tried to recover and understand and through them their humanity, their vulnerability and their world of the senses where horror, pity, affection, wonder, awe, loneliness and vulnerability were often fused and confused.

But I also wanted to look beyond the story of sepoys and labourers and wanted to embed the war in the socio-cultural, intellectual and literary fabric of undivided India. From heated debates about what Indias war participation might mean for its political future to the recruitment speeches of Mahatma Gandhi, from photographs, testimonies and voice-recordings of the troops to womens folk-songs in Punjab, from fictional representations by Indian and British writers to the imagining of a post-war world by intellectuals such as Mohammed Iqbal and Rabindranath Tagore, the countrys involvement in the war, the book claims, produced a distinct and recognisable culture.At least 61 combatants have been killed in clashes in Yemens flashpoint Hodeida, medics and a military source said on Sunday, and dozens of wounded were taken to hospitals outside the city.

Medics in the Red Sea city reported 43 Huthi rebels and nine pro-government forces killed in clashes over the past 24 hours. Another nine pro-government fighters were reported killed by medics at a hospital in government-held Mokha, south of Hodeida. A government military source confirmed the toll.

Dozens of wounded rebels were transferred to hospitals in the provinces of Sanaa and Ibb, further inland, a source at the Hodeida military hospital said.A topless protester ran into US president Donald Trumps motorcade as it drove down the Champs-Elysees to an Armistice Day event with world leaders.

The woman, who was quickly detained by police, came within a short distance of the presidents limousine, which was driving slowly toward the Arc de Triumph. Femen, an anti-war group with origins in Ukraine known for topless protests at high-profile events, claimed credit for the incident.

A second topless protester was detained as she attempted to clear barricades that had been erected for the event. The women appeared to have the phrase Fake Peacemakers daubed on their torsos. Femen claimed three protestors breached the barrier.

A topless protester ran into US president Donald Trumps motorcade as it drove down the Champs-Elysees to an Armistice Day event with world leaders. (Reuters Photo)

Inna Shevchenko, leader of the Femen group, tweeted a video of the incident and said the presence of Trump and other world leaders, including Russian president Vladimir Putin and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had transformed the Armistice Day event into a sad spectacle which is entertaining only for the criminals participating in it.

Theyve come to celebrate peace but theyre promoting war, she wrote, later adding: Welcome war criminals.

The US Secret Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the security breach, which occurred just outside the Louis Vuitton flagship store.

French police officers run after a topless protestor who ran toward the motorcade of President Donald Trump who was headed on the Champs Elysees to an Armistice Day Centennial Commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe, Sunday. (AP Photo)

The incident occurred shortly after other world leaders and dignitaries, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, walked down the Champs-Elysees avenue toward the event marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the first World War. Some leaders, including Trump and Putin, did not participate in the march, citing security concerns.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.)There are many stories of the participation of my great grandfather, Subadar Thakur Singh, in the First World War. I find the story about his bayonet quite fascinating, says 57-year-old GJ Singh, who runs a medical transcription firm in Chandigarh.

He is referring to the rifle bayonet which Thakur Singh gifted to Colonel Bruce Seton, the commanding officer of the Kitchener Indian Hospital in Brighton, England.

Singh was being treated at the hospital in October 1914 after sustaining injuries in the battle of Neuve Chapelle, France, in World War I.

Part of the 47th Sikhs regiment, he was one of the first Indian soldiers to arrive in Brighton. After hospitalisation, Singh rejoined his regiment in January 1915.

Gurinderjeet Singh grandson of Subedar Major Thakur Singh, who participated in World War-I at his residence, in Sector-04 in Panchkula, Haryana (Photo by Anil Dayal/Hindustan Times)

During World War I and immediately after, he witnessed action in France, Mesopotamia and Palestine.

You can guess his contribution from the fact that he held the rank of Jemadar in March 1901, and by the end of World War I, his title was Subadar Major Thakur Singh Bahadur, M.C. Order of British India, 2nd Class, says GJ Singh.

Bahadur was an honorary title used by soldiers who got the Order of British India. M.C. or the Military Cross, which was instituted by King George in 1914 to recognise the contribution of junior officers during wartime.

Five years later, Singh retired from active service only to be called back into service at the break of World War 2.French President Emmanuel Macron confronted fellow world leaders with an uncompromising validation of international cooperation, calling on them to work together to maintain peace and avoid the spiral of war that marked the Armistice signed 100 years ago.

Standing in a Paris drizzle just feet from leaders including Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Macron used the culmination of a ceremony commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I to champion the work of international institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations.

Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism, nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism, Macron said. In saying our interests first and who care about the others we erase what a nation has thats most precious, what makes it live, what is most important: its moral values.

The message was both a call to learn the lessons of 1918, when an armistice was signed that led to another world war with two decades, and a rebuke to present-day leaders who shun the international order in favour of protectionist, nativist policies. It came a day after Macron and Trump said theyd patched up differences over a twitter tussle, even as the showy friendliness of their past encounters was replaced by a stiffer interaction.

Turning Inward

During the ceremony Sunday, Macron sat with Angela Merkel on his immediate right, with Trump just beyond the German Chancellor. Merkel and Macron have emerged as the leading defenders of the multilateral institutions created at the end of World War II, while Trump, who embraces what he calls America First policies, pronounced at the UN in September that hes a nationalist who rejects globalism.

Lets add up our hopes and not our fears, Macron said. Lets reject the fascination for turning in on ourselves, violence, and domination. He listed climate change, poverty, hunger, inequality and ignorance among the global challenges to be tackled jointly.

The weekends centenary commemorations have been marked by contrasting shows of German-French reconciliation -- with Merkel constantly at Macrons side -- and Trumps testy isolation. The U.S. president set the tone for his trip by blasting Macron for very insulting comments advocating a more integrated European security, and was then roundly criticized for skipping a planned visit to a U.S. military ceremony because of bad weather.

In a symbolic display of unity before his speech Sunday, Macron led the dozens of gathered leaders in a broad line up the Champs-Elysees. Trump and Putin arrived separately in their own motorcades. At the start of the ceremony, they shook hands and Putin flashed a thumbs-up. Putin was seated next to Trump at the luncheon, Russias state-run RIA Novosti reported.

Trump-Putin Meeting?

The Russian president is hoping his personal ties with Trump, who regularly touts their good relationship, will at some point yield a softening of the U.S. approach to his country. So far, however, the tensions have only built, with the U.S. imposing new rounds of sanctions and vowing to pull out of a Cold War disarmament treaty.

Publicly, the Kremlin has played down the possible absence of a sit-down with Trump, saying the two leaders will have time for talks in a few weeks at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. The White House has also been cool about bringing the two leaders together amid the political pressure in Washington over alleged Russian meddling in U.S. elections.

The White House is eager to avoid a repeat of the controversy that blew up the last time they met. In Helsinki in July, Trumps apparent acceptance of Putins denials Russia had intervened in the vote over the conclusions of U.S. intelligence triggered a wave of criticism in Washington and a push for new sanctions in Congress.

Since then, the U.S. has sent National Security Adviser John Bolton for two rounds of talks with Russian officials, but the only deal announced publicly was a vague agreement for the two leaders to meet again next year, possibly in Washington.

Russian officials said the French had been the ones to ask that no separate Trump-Putin meeting be arranged Sunday in order not to distract from the solemn commemorations.

Cemetery Visits

Trump on Saturday skipped a planned visit to Belleau Wood battlefield and cemetery because of heavy rain, sparking a storm of criticism for what some saw as disrespect to veterans. U.K. Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood was among those to rebuke Trump, saying that rain did not prevent our brave heroes from doing their job.

The U.S. president was also planning to skip the Peace Forum his host was organizing later on Sunday. Trump is scheduled to visit another military cemetery before departing Sunday.

As the other leaders gathered in the morning, Trump tweeted about the devastating wildfires in California, criticizing local officials for poor forest management. On the way to the ceremony, topless protesters from the Femen group ran into the street toward his motorcade before being detained by police.

Sundays ceremony included youths reading letters written by soldiers and civilians in the Great War, and ended with the traditional lighting of the flame on the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Macron paid tribute to the allies and opponents who battled for four years on French soil.

France knows what it owes these fighters that came from across the world, France salutes with honor the death of soldiers that it fought, he said. The combat thats most worth it is the combat for peace and for a better world.Millions dead and millions more wounded, widowed and orphaned: the dizzying casualty tolls from World War 1 are an indication of the scale and horror of the 1914-1918 conflict.

A lack of reliable statistics from the 52-month war a century ago makes the figures difficult to pin down, accounting for the sometimes substantial variations between historians.

AFP has compiled the most widely accepted figures from the Great War, providing estimates in cases where major discrepancies remain.

More than 70 nations

Even this figure is tricky, as many of the more than 70 current-day nations drawn into the conflict had not yet gained independence from the six empires and colonial powers at its heart: Austria-Hungary, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the Ottoman empire.

A dozen independent nations went to war at its start in 1914, the rest entering later, such as Italy in 1915 and the United States in 1917.

Together the warring nations accounted for more than 800 million people, which was more than half the worlds population at the time.

Only around 20 countries across the globe were to remain neutral throughout the conflict, most of them in Latin America or northern Europe.

70 million troops

About 20 million men were mobilised by the warring parties at the outset, the number rising to around 70 million as the war dragged on and expanded.

There were eight million soldiers from France, 13 million from Germany, nine million from Austria-Hungary and six million from Italy.

Britain sent nine million men, including troops from around the British Empire, chiefly India. The United States deployed four million.

10 million soldiers killed

Germany and Russia suffered the highest numbers of dead and wounded, with 10 million soldiers generally estimated to have been killed and more than double that number wounded overall.

Here is a broad breakdown:

Russia: two million dead, five million injured;

Germany: two million dead, 4.2 million injured;

France: 1.4 million dead, 4.2 million injured;

Austria-Hungary: 1.4 million dead, 3.6 million injured;

Britain and British empire: 960,000 dead, two million injured;

Italy: 600,000 dead, one million injured;

Ottoman empire: 800,000 dead;

United States: 117,000 dead.

Serbia suffered the worst losses proportional to the size of its army with 130,000 dead and 135,000 wounded, or three-quarters of its forces.

The opening weeks of the war exacted the heaviest human toll. For example, 27,000 French soldiers were killed in a single day on August 22, 1914, the deadliest day in the history of the French army.

Artillery fire caused 70 percent of the casualties in the fighting, after which between five and six million men were left mutilated for life.

The conflict saw the first large-scale use of chemical weapons when German forces deployed chlorine gas at Ypres in Belgium in 1915.

Toxic gas eventually claimed 20,000 lives over the war.

Millions of civilians dead

Between five and 10 million civilians are estimated to have been killed in the war and its consequences, which were many and make a precise figure difficult to establish.

The toll generally includes those killed in the actual fighting as well as from the resulting forced displacements of populations, famine and the subsequent civil conflicts in Russia, eastern Europe and Turkey.

Some historians include the disputed figure of 1.2-1.5 million Armenians massacred in the Ottoman empire.

A Spanish influenza epidemic that broke out at the end of the war then spread across the world claimed tens of millions of lives in Europe.

Other figures

- There were six million prisoners of war.

- By 1915 about 20 million civilians were living under the occupation of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria. Most were in Belgium, France, Poland and Serbia.

- The war left 10 million refugees across Europe.

- And three million widows and six million orphans.

- Around 1.3 billion shells were fired during the conflict.

- About 10 billion letters and packages were exchanged between fighters on the front and their loved ones back home.

- The war is estimated to have cost the main parties the equivalent of three or four times the combined GDP of its European players, who were left ruined by the conflict.World War 1 started on July 28, 1914, and ended more than four years later on November 11, 1918. The war led to the mobilisation of more than 70 million military personnel from the European powers and their colonies, making it one of the largest wars in history.

An estimated nine million soldiers and seven million civilians died as a direct result of the war; between 50 and 100 million more were estimated to be killed in genocides and epidemics that followed. Some 100 years later, let us have a look at the key theatres of the war and the important battles that changed the course of history forever.

The Western Front

Spread across France and Belgium, from the Swiss border to the Northern Sea, it was from the Western Front that the war really started. Beginning with the early trench wars, this Front saw some of the most important battles of the war. It was here, in Ypres (in Belgium), that soldiers faced deadly poison gas for the first time. By the end of the war, both the Allies and the Germans had used tonnes of gas, killing thousands of people. Erich Maria Remarques classic novel All Quiet On The Western Front, which also lent itself to a screen classic of the same name, is based on the action here.

The Eastern Front

The Eastern Front included east and central Europe and the Middle East. Battles here involved big armies making sweeping movements and using innovative war tactics. One of the important battles here was the campaign of Gallipoli where the Ottomans defeated the Allied forces. According to recent estimates, more than 15,000 Indians are believed to have fought in Gallipoli and over 1,500 are believed to have been killed. In the siege of Kut al Amara, in the Middle East, Allied troops were trapped for five months, surrounded by enemies, with nothing to eat.

The African Front

The battles here were because of the imperial colonies. The war in East Africa was the longest of all  even as the Armistice was being signed in Europe on November 11, the German and British troops were still fighting here. There was action along the coast; in the West and south, the allies attacked German-held ports. Most of those who fought here were Africans or Indians. Native carriers including women and children were used to carry supplies and ammunition and many died. Around 1,00,000 died in East Africa and 65,000 in French North Africa and French West Africa. The war also fuelled mutinies in some colonies.

Asia and Pacific

The war here mostly consisted of naval battles and the conquest of German colonies in China and the Pacific Ocean. The most significant battle here was the siege of Tsingtao, a German controlled port. After the end of the war, Tsingtao became a bone of contention between China and Japan - the two countries had been vying for supremacy for years. While Japan was part of the Allied forces, China had sent thousands of labourers to help the Allied forces. The issue of Tsingtao was the reason the Chinese didnt sign the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919. The issue also led to a protest in China.US president Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan discussed how to respond to the killing last month of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a White House official said on Sunday.

The conversation took place during a Saturday dinner with heads of state gathered in Paris to mark the World War One Armistice centenary.

Khashoggi, a critic of ruling Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the kingdoms Istanbul consulate by a team sent from Riyadh. Saudi authorities have acknowledged that the killing was premeditated, but his body has not been found.

Erdogan revealed on Saturday that audio recordings of the killing had been given to the U.S., French, German and British governments, adding that the operation had been ordered at the highest levels of the Saudi government.

Trump expects to form a much stronger opinion by next week on Khashoggis killing and Washingtons response, he said on November 7, adding that he was working with Congress, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to establish who bore responsibility.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)As a young lad, Uday Singh was known in Ferozepur, Punjab, for his wrestling prowess. In the monsoon of 1907, the recruiting party of the 14th Ferozepur Sikhs noticed Singhs massive frame and persuaded him to join the army.

In 1914, Reginald Savory was 2nd Lieutenant with the 14th Ferozepur Sikhs, stationed at Peshawar in the north-west frontier. Singh first met Savory in January 1915 on their way to Karachi. The previous month, the regiment had received orders to proceed overseas. Uday Singhs son, Harbans Singh Thandi, has documented the meeting of the two men in a book he wrote, Saga of Devotion and Bravery: A Leaf from the Gallipoli Campaign 1915.

Savory sahib responded to my fathers salute saying Thik hai. My father replied Thik hai. Afterwards, whenever they met, they exchanged the same greeting.

Watch: Remembering the Indians who fought in World War 1

In April, the 14th Sikhs reached the Gallipoli peninsula. During the Gallipoli Battle of 1915-16, more than 58,000 Allied soldiers died, including 29,000 British and Irish soldiers. In the opposite camp, 87,000 Ottoman Turkish troops perished.

According to Thandi, on June 4, 1915, Savory and Singh met on the battlefield. Savory left after discussing a few hand-to-hand fighting strategies with Singh. My father became very concerned when Savory sahib did not return after a long time. His friends told him to leave Savory to his fate. But he didnt listen to them and went searching for him, says Thandi.

Also Read: Indian soldiers fought World War 1 for the cause of peace: PM Narendra Modi pays tributes

Singh discovered that Savory had passed out on the battlefield after being severely wounded. The Turkish soldiers had taken him for dead. Singh carried him on his shoulders to safety.

After a few days, Singh himself was struck by an acute attack of dysentery and evacuated to India. In 1917, he was demobilised, came back to the village in Patiala and took to farming.

The two men remained in touch through letters  the first letter was written by Savory to his mother explaining how Uday Singh had saved his life. Savorys mother wrote to Singh and sent him a wristwatch.

We have exchanged more than 100 letters since. General Savory wrote to my grandfather, father and me, says Dr Charanjeet Kaur, Thandis daughter. They never served the British. They fought because they were told that the country will be given freedom if we help them win the war, she adds.

Also Read: The key theatres of World War 1 and the important battles

In 1934, Singh discovered that Savory had become a Lieutenant Colonel, and was posted at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Singh immediately wrote to Savory and they met in Dehradun.

Uday Singh died in December 1947. His family assumed that it would be the end of Savorys association with them. They were wrong. In 1968, when Savory was in India, he visited Singhs grandchildren in Chandigarh.Author and journalist Shrabani Basu has written on diverse topics  the curry, the exploits of the Indian spy Noor Inayat Khan, and the special relationship between Abdul, an Indian clerk, and Queen Victoria  but all have one abiding theme: the Indo-British encounter. Both the World Wars and the Indian role in it are other areas of specialisation. She has written a book on World War 1 titled For King and Another Country  Indian Soldiers on the Western Front 1914 -18. Paramita Ghosh interviews her on the racism faced by Indian soldiers who fought in the First World War:

Over a million Indian soldiers fought in WWI, the largest contingent from Britains colonies. Why has Indian history writing ignored them as did British history? Does this history find mention in Britains school textbooks?

When India became independent, the contribution of the Indian soldiers was forgotten by both India and Britain. For India, the new heroes, understandably, were those who had fought for freedom and kissed the hangmans noose like Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukhdev and all the other martyrs. They no longer cared for those soldiers who had served the colonial power.

For Britain, honouring and commemorating the soldiers was now Indias problem.

So the Indian soldiers fell in a kind of no-mans land, forgotten by their own country and their former masters. I grew up in India and studied the First World War but had no idea that there were Indian soldiers in the trenches on the Western Front. My daughters went to school in England, and they did not know this either. Neither British textbooks nor Indian history books mention the role of the Indians in the First World War.

It is important to remember that the soldiers did not go there on their own account. They were sent there as part of the British Indian Army. Also, the Indian leaders including Dadabhai Naoroji, backed the war effort. Mahatma Gandhi, who was in London at the time, raised volunteers for the war effort from the Indian community. The Indians fought and died in foreign fields with honour, dignity and bravery. To forget them is to do them an injustice.

In your research for the book, For King and Another King Country, which findings shocked you the most about the difference between Indian and British soldiers in terms of rations, clothing, winter clothing, weaponry, promotion. Would you say this was racism?

The most shocking fact was that the Indian soldiers did not receive their warm woollen greatcoats till November. The Indians left India in their cotton khakis and entered the trenches in the cold October months in the same uniforms. They were not prepared for the long harsh winter and the incessant snow and rain that turned the trenches into bogs. They died of cold and frostbite as well as their injuries.

They were not adequately trained, and did not have the latest guns. They faced the German army  the best-trained military machine in the world  with improvised bombs made by filling jam jars with cotton wool and nails. In the early years of the war, the casualties were highest as the British Army was simply not equipped enough. It was not racism as such, but sheer negligence.

While the British soldiers could go home on short leave and come back refreshed, the Indians could not go back as the journey was too long and ships could not be spared. As a result, they worked continuously without a break for four years. What was also shocking was that children as young as ten reached the frontline and many were injured.

What kinds of pressure  whether in recruitment practice or in battle  did Indian soldiers have to face vis-a-vis their superiors , which in this case was made worse because here the superiors were literally masters as India was under British rule at the time? Is there any particular WWI battle where this comes to the fore?

The soldiers volunteered for the war. Yet, there was no doubt that there was a lot of coercion in the process. The local village chiefs were under pressure to recruit the villagers. They had to answer to the district collector or magistrate who was British. The British strategy was to recruit from the villages, so there was a sense of loyalty and pride among the men. The soldiers would try to win military honours for the pride of the village.

At the end of the day, the Indians signed up for a uniform, three meals a day and a pay of eleven rupees. For most families, this was still a better choice than starvation.

In battle itself, there was no evidence of racism. In the trenches they fought shoulder to shoulder. The British Indian Army officers were familiar with the Indian soldiers. The officers all spoke Hindustani and communicated well with the soldiers. Many of their personal diaries show accounts of camaraderie in the trenches and loyalty on the part of the Indians. There are accounts of British officers saving Indian soldiers and Indian soldiers going out of their way to save the lives of British officers. It is also important that there were very few desertions from the Indians.

Did the letters that soldiers wrote to their families express the angst of colonialism, difference in work conditions, the difference in work, pay, and leave and the alienation and absurdity they felt in having to die for another country, and that very country that is oppressing theirs? Were these letters censored?

The letters expressed angst about the conditions in the trenches, the constant shelling, the weather, the loss of their colleagues. Many soldiers pleaded with their relatives not to volunteer for the war in Europe, others worried that they would never see their home again. However, most were very loyal, saying they had to fight as it was their duty. They could not understand why three Christian Kings were fighting each other. But they knew they had to be loyal to Jarj Parcham as they called King George V.

Some were fascinated by what they saw in the West and realised how important it was to be educated. Many admired the scientific achievements of the west. They had great praise for the hard-working Frenchwomen who looked after the farms when their husbands were away fighting.

Thousands of letters were translated from Gurmukhi, Urdu, Hindi, and other Indian languages and passed through the censors office. Some were held back if they revealed any military or strategic points. Letters that suggested that British women were interested in the Indian soldiers and available, or if they described relations with white women, were also held back. Many letters asked for substances that would induce fever, so they would not have to return to the trenches. These were not sent out either. A few praising the Germans were held back. Newspapers inciting the Indian soldiers to rise against the British were confiscated at ports and post offices.

French nurses tended to Indian soldiers wounded in war. Why were English nurses not allowed to? What was the colonial administration afraid of?

English nurses could not tend to the wounded Indian soldiers. They could only supervise the wards. It was a completely racist directive without any logic. It raised many objections from the Indians who complained that they were good enough to fight but not good enough to be treated by English nurses. White women were also not allowed to visit wounded Indian soldiers in the hospitals.

The administration was afraid that lonely white women would be attracted to the Indian soldiers, who were also lonely and looking for comfort. They did not want any liaisons or romantic attachments developing between them.King of Morocco Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan distinguished guests at the 100 Years WWI Armistice in France

King Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan along with more than 60 world leaders have arrived in Paris to take part in the Armistice Day Commemoration.

Upon his arrival at the Elysee Palace, King Mohammed VI was received by French President Emmanuel Macron and French first lady Brigitte Macron.

In front of world leaders, young students read out letters from combatants in English, Chinese and French at the commemoration, marking the 100th anniversary of the Armistice.

Marking the break out of peace after World War I (1912-1918), the ceremony aims to remember the sacrifice of soldiers who participated in the deadliest war, killing around 17 million soldiers and civilians across the world.

It also offers the opportunity to honor many Moroccan victims who contributed to World War I.

For their bravery, Moroccan soldiers become known to Germans as swallows of dear.

The commemoration of this day also aim to raise awareness on the circumstances of wars.it also invites young generations to learn lessons from the past and to avoid making same errors, urging them to build a secure, prosperous and peaceful future, according to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).

At the start of the ceremony, French-born Chinese-American cellist Yo-yo Ma performed a masterpiece to pay a tribute to the victims of thewar.

The event also marks the participation of Moroccos crown Prince Moulay el Hassan, who is accompanying his father King Mohammed VI throughout the event.

Photographers covering the event captured the elegantly dressed Moroccan price. This is the second time that the 15-year old prince traveled with the king for an official visit after his participation at the One Planet Summit in France.

Princes participation in the summit was welcomed by international officials, including Macron who warmly received Moulay El Hassan in the Elysee Palace.Former journalist, 59-year-old Kevin McKenzie, is accusing law enforcement of racial profiling after he witnessed an incident in which a young Black man was detained for violating the malls no hoodie dress code policy.

A video of the interaction was captured and uploaded to McKenzies wifes Facebook page. According to the post, the whole thing began as the couple was headed for a cellphone store at the WolfChase Galleria Mall in Memphis, Tennessee when they noticed an older white male security guard following a group of young black men not far from a mall entrance.

According to the McKenzies, when the teenagers began to outpace the guard, he called for backup. A black law enforcement officer soon showed up and escorted the group of young men out of the mall. Kevin McKenzie confronted authorities, asking them what was going on and he was informed that the mall had a strict no hoodie policy.

Hoodie profiling was news to me, Kevin wrote.

The code of conduct at the WolfChase Galleria only says to wear appropriate clothing, with no direct mention of any hoodie policy. McKenzie, speaking with Yahoo, noted that he understood the need to watch out for patrons with their hoodies up because they dont want people to come in and not be able to be identified through the cameras. However, he notes that he did not see the young men with their hoodies up.

To make the leap from having a crime problems to a hoodie profiling policy that ends up with a young man in handcuffs is not the way to go []I dont know what that private security guard saw that had him trail [the teens] and have them thrown out, but I do know that they were challenging that policy and there was nothing on their heads.

McKenzie adds that four off-duty enforcement individuals were at the scene and did not allow the young men to reenter, threating to arrest them for trespassing. He says that soon one of the teens, with his hoodie down, was handcuffed and led away.

In a predominantly African American area like Memphis and Shelby County, [using trespass laws to enforce the dress code policy] clearly disproportionately targets young black men, he wrote in the Facebook post.

McKenzie who was recording the whole thing was eventually detained by officers as well for violating mall policy when he refused to stop recording. Both he and the detained teen were asked to sign forms that band them from the mall. The young man singed the form while McKenzie did not.

I didnt need to because I will never spend another dollar at WolfChase Mall, he said. Baby Boomers like me have failed to reverse the laws and policies that have led young black men in our community to be targeted by public laws and on this private pro.

Read this full story via Yahoo Lifestyle.As previously reported, Pete Davidson had come under fire for making a distasteful joke at the expense of Texas Republican Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw. Crenshaw wears an eye-patch after surviving an IED blast while he was stationed in Iraq. Pete Davidson suggested that Crenshaw looked like a hitman in a porno movie, due to his eye-patch, a joke that didn't go over too well, even amongst comics.

Everything came to a head last night when Davidson invited Crenshaw to join him on SNL's "Weekend Update," in an attempt to reconcile their differences. Davidson expressed his regrets live on air.

"In what I know was a huge shock for people that know me, I made a poor choice last week...I made a joke about Lt. Comm. Dan Crenshaw and on behalf of the show and myself I apologize," Davidson said. "If there is one good thing that came from this, maybe it was for one day the left and the right finally came together to agree on something: That I'm a dick."

Then out of nowhere, Crenshaw appeared on stage next to Davidson. The two men traded barbs, mostly at Davidson's expense, on the defensive for once, before Crenshaw relayed the following message of respect to the television audience, and his younger counterpart: "There are a lot of lessons to learn here. Not just that the left and the right can still agree on some things. But also this: Americans can forgive one another."King Mohammed VI said on Tuesday that Morocco stands ready for a direct and frank dialogue with neighboring Algeria in order to settle the transient and objective differences impeding the development of relations between the two countries and suggested the setting up of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation to break the stalemate in bilateral relations.

In a speech he delivered Tuesday on the occasion of the 43rd anniversary of the Green March, 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, explained the Monarch.

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.

Nevertheless, we must () admit that the state of our bilateral relations is not normal, much less acceptable, added King Mohammed VI, affirming 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 put an end to this situation, the King suggested to the Algerian brothers the setting up of a joint political mechanism for dialogue and consultation, saying that Morocco is willing to consider the Algerian proposals to break the stalemate in the relations between the two neighbors.

But the mission of this mechanism would be to analyze all the issues in good faith and in a very candid, objective and honest way, using an open-ended agenda, without conditions or exceptions, insisted King Mohammed VI.

This mechanism can also serve as a practical platform for cooperation in all bilateral matters and for making the most of the numerous development opportunities existing in the Maghreb, explained the Monarch, stressing that this efficient approach will also contribute to enhancing bilateral coordination and consultation on regional and international challenges, such as terrorism and migration.

King Mohammed VI reiterated commitment to work hand in hand with Algerian brothers and to spare no effort to build bilateral relations on the solid foundations of trust, solidarity and neighborliness.Earlier this year, Playboy model Karen McDougal revealed that she and President Trump had an affair in 2006, shortly after his marriage to Melania Trump. "I can tell you we saw each other a minimum five times a month, up to bigger numbers per month," McDougal admitted. Around the same time, adult film actress Stormy Daniels sat down for a 60 Minutes interview in which she alleged that in 2006, she had an affair with Donald Trump. She went on to reveal that she was later offered over $100,000 to keep details of her trust with Trump under wraps ahead of his presidential campaign.

President Trump and his team have long maintained that he was not involved in paying off the women. When probed about the matter at a news briefing in March, White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said: With respect to interview, I will say the president strongly, clearly and has consistently denied these underlying claims and the only person who has been inconsistent is the one making the claims." A new report by the Wall Street Journal suggests that there is evidence that Trump was much more involved than he let on.

The publication reports that in August 2015, Trump sought the assistance of his friend David Pecker, publisher of the National Enquirer, in squashing allegations made by McDougal. Pecker's company is said to have issued McDougal over $150,000 in exchange for her silence an exchange that Trump purportedly knew about and later thanked Pecker for. To silence Daniels, Trump recruited the help of attorney Michael Cohen who alleged Trump urged Cohen to pay Daniels using personal funds after Pecker refused to help.

For more on the story, click here.

[via]After learning of Tekashi 6ix9ine's disaster-ridden video shoot with Kanye West and Nicki Minaj, Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Felicia Mennin regrets not throwing him in the slammer. Mennin sentenced Tekashi to a more lenient probationary clause, likely convinced he would turn things around in the midterm. 6ix9ine could have been dealt a 4-year bid after breaking the plea deal to his statutory rape case twice, once in Houston, the other in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center. A rep for Mennin commented on her change of opinion.

"Although Judge Mennin was the sentencing judge, the long-standing plea agreement was agreed to by the presiding judge at the time, and the other parties involved," Mennin's rep told TMZ.

During Tekashi's case, Judge Felicia Mennin likened his offense in Houston to pushing an overly-intrusive paparazzi to the ground, which in turn informed her lenient decision. Evidently, now that she's done her homework, she sees things a little differently. She nevertheless contends that, even though her decision may have been the wrong one, the cause for "Tekashi's realignment" is no longer any of her concern.

Judge Mennin isn't the only authority figure to change their tune as federal law enforcement agencies are growing concerned that Tekashi 6ix9ine may be at the center of a growing East-West battle of the Coasts, that could turn violent at any moment.2 1 of 2 J. Patric Schneider/Freelance Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Courtesy of Triple Tap Ventures Show More Show Less



A historic Sugar Land property set to be redeveloped into a mixed-use project with retail and office space, housing and a hotel has been foreclosed on by its lender.

The property, the original site of the Imperial Sugar factory, was sold to SLP-90A Ltd. at an Oct. 2 foreclosure auction, according to documents filed with Fort Bend County.PARADISE, Butte County  The death toll in the Camp Fire raging in Butte County rose to 29 on Sunday, tying the inferno with the deadliest in Californias recorded history.

Officials said 228 people remain unaccounted for, even as many others who were reported missing turned up in area shelters.

The fire that began Thursday morning and devastated the town of Paradise now matches the 1933 Griffith Park Fire in Los Angeles as the states cruelest in human cost.

In one sign of hope, despite howling winds and fire-friendly weather, the Camp Fire grew only moderately Sunday, as firefighters were able to hold the line. Winds are forecast to lessen by Monday, although dry conditions will continue.

The Camp Fire holds another harsh record as the states most destructive in terms of property loss: It destroyed 6,453 homes and 260 commercial buildings, numbers that officials said are expected to increase significantly.

Gov. Jerry Brown called the wildfire truly a tragedy, and said Earths warming climate is threatening our whole way of life.

As his deputies updated statistics on the Camp Fire and two others raging in Southern California, the governor warned that it will take billions of dollars  probably hundreds of billions  to fight a growing number of firestorms in the decades to come.

This is not the new normal, Brown said. This is the new abnormal.

On Sunday, officials estimated that 52,000 people had evacuated the region, as the inferno grew to 111,000 acres, up from 105,000 Saturday. Containment is at 25 percent.

More than 4,500 firefighters are fighting the blaze with help from at least 500 engines, 79 bulldozers and 23 helicopters, officials said. Seven other states have sent in people and equipment to help.

In Paradise, a parking lot has been transformed into a grim staging area for hearses.

Among the dead is Ellen Walker, whose body was found in bed in a burned house in Concow, a remote area east of Paradise, authorities confirmed. She was in her 70s.

How to help Evacuees need warm clothes, shoes and socks, and donations are being accepted at the Hope Center in Oroville at 1950 Kitrick Ave. A. Monetary donations may be made to the North Valley Community Foundation through its website (bit.ly/CampFireHowToHelp), according to Butte County's website. Monetary donations may also be made to the American Red Cross. Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-733-2767 or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Source: Chronicle research See More Collapse

A family friend, Nancy Breeding, said Walker was sick and home alone when the fire began. She said Walkers husband was at work and called a neighbor to tell his wife to evacuate. Then, assuming his wife had escaped, he looked for her at rescue centers, to no avail.

They were married for 20-something years. Hes having a difficult time accepting, Breeding said. This is a devastating thing, and its happening to so many people.

The fire has hollowed out a community, ravaging Paradise landmarks, schools and businesses. Yet on Sunday, even as the conflagration raged, residents and community leaders looked toward the future with hope.

Paradise has always been a close-knit, strong community, Mayor Jody Jones said. We need to depend on that strength more than ever now. We have a long and arduous process in front of us, but we are committed to rebuilding and making our town Paradise again.

The Paradise City Council expects to move into a municipal building in Chico, about 14 miles to the west, to resume government functions, with the regular meeting happening as scheduled Tuesday.

Mike Greer, a trustee with the Paradise Unified School District whose own home burned down, said classes can resume when the area is safe. Yet many of the districts 4,000 or so students will have no home to return to, and its unclear how many students will be able to come back. Greer said he hopes many will find temporary housing in surrounding communities.

We are talking and discussing different ideas, he said. Do we rent a building in Chico for Paradise students? We have online learning.

He said that when Pacific Gas and Electric Co. notified school officials that power could be cut off because of the fire risk, the district held school anyway Thursday. Greer said he believes that decision saved lives, because several children and employees were together and not in homes that burned down. Teachers loaded students onto buses and into their own cars, then drove through the flames to safety.

We are very resilient in Paradise, Greer said.

Todd Trumbull

Dry air and strong winds from the northeast have created prime conditions for the blaze to spread southwest toward Oroville. In addition to Paradise, officials have issued evacuation orders to the communities of Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley, as well as nearby hot spots.

Winds that whipped up to 40 mph in the higher elevations over the weekend are expected to relax early in the week. But with humidity down into the teens, the area will remain bone dry.

In terms of the overall long-range (forecast), there is no significant precipitation or cooldown, Ryan Walbrun, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Sunday. The forecast remains dry and unseasonably warm through the rest of the week and through the weekend at this time.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection expanded a red-flag warning to vast portions of the state Sunday, indicating a high level of fire risk.

On Sunday, Brown requested that President Trump declare a major disaster for California, indicating his judgment that the state cant provide an adequate response to the fires on its own. The step would authorize federal recovery programs beyond the essential assistance provided under a state of emergency, which Trump declared Friday.

Despite contentious tweets from Trump blaming poor forest management for the fires blazing in Butte County and Southern California, Brown struck a polite tone in his letter and thanked the president for Fridays emergency declaration.

The governor outlined the outsize effects the Camp Fire will have on Paradise and Butte County because many older, disabled and poor people live there.

There will be an extraordinary need for sheltering of the evacuees, particularly those who have fled Paradise and will be displaced for quite some time, Brown wrote.

The fires cause is under investigation, but PG&E officials Friday told state regulators that a high-voltage power line near the area where the blaze started experienced a problem just before the fire was reported.

Five emergency shelters were full Sunday: Butte County Fairgrounds, Glenn County Fairgrounds, Chico Elks Club, Oroville Nazarene Church and Neighborhood Church.

The Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds was the only shelter that had room.

Chronicle staff writer Evan Sernoffsky and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ashley McBride, Melody Gutierrez and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com, mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb, @MelodyGutierrez, @NanetteAsimovMany Harris County residents didnt expect Democrat Lina Hidalgo to be elected county judge.

Hidalgo is 27 years old. This was her first bid for public office. And during the course of the campaign, she didnt even attend a meeting of the Harris County Commissioners Court.

In fact, some of incumbent County Judge Ed Emmetts supporters seem to see Hidalgos election as a terrible accident, the result of straight-ticket voting, in conjunction with ballot placement, during a blue wave fueled by an angry and energized left.

Thats not fair to Hidalgo, though. She was surely the beneficiary of the surge in Democratic turnout that Harris County saw this year, but she didnt win for that reason alone. She earned the votes she needed by campaigning for them. Shes earned the confidence of some Harris County voters.

Read more: Hidalgo, surprise victor in Harris County judge race, prepares to lead

She wants to promote opportunity and improve equity across the county, to advocate for underserved communities and work with Houstons city leaders on common goals. That message resonated in Tuesdays general election.

Texas Republicans werent necessarily alarmed when Harris County went blue in 2016. Some of them were confident that it would turn red again this year.

It didnt. This was a midterm election cycle, but Texans were more energized than usual. In Harris County alone, more than 1.2 million voters mobbed the polls.

The result was such a serious blue wave that even some Democrats were distressed by the results. There are a number of Republican incumbents in Harris County who have won re-election in past cycles thanks to crossover support from Democrats. Emmett is one example, and as usual, he outperformed all the other Republicans in countywide office.

But this time around, that wasnt enough. Hidalgo edged Emmett by less than two percentage points.

That wasnt an outright trouncing like the one Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart got courtesy of Democrat Diane Trautman, who defeated him by 12 percentage points. Still, it was a painful loss for the many Harris County residents who have come to rely on Emmetts leadership as chief executive of Texass largest county.

Emmett led Harris County through Harvey, along with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. He has since emerged as a leading voice on flood control and an effective advocate for the region in its dealings with state government  which will still be led by Republicans when the Texas Legislature convenes for its next regular session in January.

Read more: Hidalgo, immigrant and first-time candidate, hopes to unseat popular Harris County judge

Still, three-quarters of Harris County voters chose the straight-ticket option this cycle and 55 percent of them opted for Democrats over Republicans.

A majority of ticket-splitters preferred Emmett to Hidalgo. There were 410,060 votes for the Republican ticket, and he received 575,101 votes in total.

Hidalgo, however, received 593,946 votes, and only 514,758 of those votes were cast for the Democratic ticket. In other words, nearly 80,000 ticket-splitters chose her, deliberately, as an alternative to Emmett. Her outreach to Latino voters in particular likely helped her cause.

Those voters werent necessarily hostile to Emmett. Hidalgo didnt vilify him when we met, or disagree with my glowing assessment of his leadership during Harvey. Her pitch to voters was that they should expect more from Harris Countys chief executive, especially given the current state and national political debates that have outsized implications for the Houston region.

Grieder: Texans should put the election behind them and work together

Hidalgo is right, of course, that the Harris County judge has responsibilities other than disaster response. I didnt find that to be a persuasive case against Emmetts re-election, but others may have. Hidalgo may not live up to their expectations but I dont see any reason to assume that she wont.

And given the Texas GOPs ongoing war on local control, Harris County voters should be careful before casting Hidalgo as a lightweight who fluked her way into office. She may not have been everyones preferred candidate. She may not live up to the standard set by Emmett in the event of a crisis like Harvey. She hasnt held any office before; thats true.

But she has already earned the confidence of some voters. Emmetts supporters should give her the chance to earn theirs after shes sworn in as Harris County judge.

erica.grieder@chron.comUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has agreed with King Mohammed VIs proposal for a more frank and direct dialogue between Morocco and Algeria.

The Secretary-Generals spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that Guterres has always been very supportive of increased dialogue between Algeria and Morocco. The two neighboring countries share the worlds longest closed border.

Dujarric made his remarks at a press briefing on Wednesday in response to a journalists question about King Mohammed VIs proposal.

On Tuesday, King Mohammed VI delivered a speech on the 43rd anniversary of the Green March.

In his speech, The King said that Morocco is open to any proposals and initiatives from Algeria to re-establish bilateral ties. He added that the bilateral ties between Algeria and Morocco are not normal and much less than acceptable.

The King also called for a political mechanism to analyze all pending issues in good faith and in a very frank, objective and honest way, using an open-ended agenda, without conditions or exceptions.

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, said the King.

Dujarric also said that Guterres welcomes the support of King Mohammed VI for the Secretary-Generals Personal Envoy Horst Kohler, who invited all parties for talks in Geneva December 5-6.

The UN chief also commended the parties and neighbours for responding positively to the invitation of Mr. Kohler for an initial roundtable to discuss the Western Sahara conflict.

According to Dujarric, Guterres also hoped that this initial roundtable will be the beginning of a process that will lead to a solution of this long-standing conflict.

The roundtable was also highly welcomed by Resolution 2440 adopted by the Security Council on October 31.

The resolution has for the first time mentioned Algeria as a party that should contribute and work constructively with Kohler to ensure the success of the political process.My father was a career Army soldier who spent his life defending our country. Sgt. Maj. Linwood Baker fought in the Korean War and World War II and was part of the Army of the United States that led the Allies in the occupation and rehabilitation of Japan. He was a highly decorated combat veteran, receiving Bronze Stars and many other medals for his dangerous missions in enemy territory, where he was frequently under fire and subject to ambush by enemy forces.

For many years, he was stationed away from all that was familiar, living a soldiers existence in foreign lands to protect the United States and ensure the liberty of our people. During his time in Japan, he met Masako Tsuchiyama, a young Japanese woman who danced in USO shows to support her family members, who had lost everything in the war. She became his military wife, my mother, and ultimately, a U.S. citizen.

When my father finally returned to the United States with a Japanese war bride, he was accepted as a hero, but the family he had acquired along the way was not accepted. The hatred of the Japanese was still too raw, and my parents had a mixed-race baby when that was simply not accepted.

To say that my mother and I were not welcome or included in our neighborhood is an understatement. We looked different than everybody else. In fact, we looked just like the people who had killed the fathers, sons and husbands of the American people. We were the face of the enemy. And we had moved right into their neighborhoods.

My father did his best to protect us. We tried our best to fit in. But as a child, all you know is that the other kids in the neighborhood are not allowed to play with you, that you are not invited to any birthday parties and you are not welcome in their homes. You dont know why, what you did wrong or how to fix it. You just know you are different  and not in a good way. Being excluded is something you never forget. It feels bad.

The good news is that as I grew up, and the world began to change. Desegregation happened and suddenly there were a whole lot of new kids in my school. No one would play with them either. But I would, and I now had a bunch of new friends who would play with me. For the first time, I was included. It felt good.

When my father died in 1990, we were told that he could be buried in his North Carolina hometown with his parents, but that my mother would not be welcome when her time came. Only whites were allowed in the Baker family cemetery.

Thankfully, Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., welcomes our veterans and their military wives, regardless of race. Both my father and mother are interred there, and the United States gave them each an amazing military funeral.

I could not help but acknowledge the irony that our government would welcome the Japanese-born wife of a veteran into their most hallowed burial ground, even though they had once been at war with her country, when his own family would not. Good for our country.

As we honor our veterans on Nov. 11, let us also pay tribute to the military families who support, sacrifice and bear the burdens that can come along with military service and the impacts of war. I think of my father and mother every single day and as their Asian-American child, I am grateful to our country for honoring them both with a place of rest at Arlington National Cemetery where their names will live on forever.

Baker is the managing partner of the Houston-based Baker Wotring LLP law firm, where she practices environmental law. She is a frequent speaker and publisher on issues of gender fairness, diversity and inclusion in America.It was my first time volunteering as an alternate election judge, and I felt like I was taking crazy pills.

The presiding judge was refusing to give a provisional ballot to an elderly woman whose voter registration had not updated after she moved from her home in Humble. By failing to offer this woman a provisional ballot, I was sure we were violating the law, and I told the judge as much. I even showed him the Texas election law code on provisional ballots, which I had highlighted only two days prior in my election law manual. Raising his voice to just shy of shouting, he assured me that I was dead wrong. He said the voter was, in fact, not eligible to vote provisionally. Furthermore, he informed me that he was the only person authorized to decide which voters could be given a provisional ballot, and that no provisional ballots would be given to any voter that day, no matter what.

Less than an hour later, I watched as he studiously worked on the provisional ballots of four elderly people whose registration had also not been properly updated after moving. Im not an expert on election law, but nothing happening around me was passing the smell test.

What the hell was going on?

A few texts later, and after some contact with the ACLU, two county attorneys showed up at the northwest Houston voting location. Apparently that was too much for the presiding judge.

In a stunning display of petulant, partisan rage, he began hollering at me in a room full of voters, and tried to fire me on the spot. I reminded him I did not work for him, and that he had no authority over my presence at the polls. Never in a million years did I envision having to argue with a seasoned election judge, 40 years my senior, about why treating one voter differently from another was not only unfair, it was illegal.

Democracy is not a given. It depends on all of us to make it work, and requires a constant vigilance to keep those checks and balances in place.

For too long we have put the burden on voters. We have focused campaigns on getting out the vote rather than working to eliminate the obstacles that keep millions of Americans from casting their ballots.

Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, Green  every American citizen who is eligible to vote should be able to.

At the very core of the issues Harris County voters faced on Election Day was the lack of accountability and oversight that happens when poll workers from only one party are present. That is why I implore all Houstonians to get involved with the election process. Had I not volunteered to work at a polling location, I can only wonder how many folks would have been unfairly denied their vote. Not only was I the sole Democratic election worker at that location, I was also the youngest of the seven poll workers by about 30 years. In an ideal world, each polling location would be as politically and demographically diverse as Harris County. Doing your part for democracy feels pretty good, and, you get paid for it, too.

But efforts cant stop at individual volunteers. Local government has responsibility to make it easier to vote.

Id love to see what voter turnout looks like when every day of early voting in Harris County polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm, including the weekends. Maybe an ordinance declaring Election Day a local holiday would encourage even more Houstonians to vote. How about making primary and general polling locations one and the same, and no longer moving or eliminating polling locations all over the county, from election to election? One step further would be to allow Harris County residents to vote at any polling location on Election Day. Fort Bend County does this, sparing voters one more obstacle to voting.

Statewide adherence to the Motor Voter Act would get more Texans registered to vote, and thus, out to the polls. Any time Texans obtain or renew a drivers license they should be automatically allowed to register to vote, even if theyre doing it online. This isnt just a good idea, its the law.

A federal judge found Texas to be in violation of the Motor Voter Act earlier this year and were still not doing all we can to make sure Texans who want to vote can vote.

To that end, voter registration should be automatic  qualified voters only fill out a form if they want to opt out. Fourteen states have automatic voter registration. Why shouldnt we?

Securing our elections via use of paper ballots is something Id like to see the Texas Legislature strongly consider. Machines malfunction (see: Election Day 2018), databases can be wiped clean (see: Georgia), and networks can be compromised (see: Russia and 2016), but paper cant be hacked.

Of course, some of the heaviest lifting has to be at the federal level.

Like most other developed countries, voting day in the United States should be a federal holiday. Congress must prioritize federal funding to update states election infrastructure. Also, the Voting Rights Act must be fully reinstated to ensure many of my fellow Americans wont be disenfranchised.

Voting should be an experience that makes you feel like a Star Spangled Banner-singing, fried Twinkie-eating, American flag-waving Lady Liberty or Uncle Sam. Instead, I saw frustrated, disillusioned Americans being told their voice didnt matter. I find that unacceptable. The United States is the best damn country in the world. We can figure out how to make sure Americans can vote.

Malik is the head of strategy for the financial planning and wealth management company Owlfa, LLC, and she co-hosts the talk radio show Coming to America, which explores immigration issues and other issues relevant to Houstonians.As an Air Force veteran, I look forward to Veterans Day. Its an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of my own military service and to reconnect with my veteran buddies. I served with people from all backgrounds, political affiliations and religions. Our differences didnt divide or define us, and they didnt prevent us from caring for each other.

I dont want to romanticize the military; there was nothing romantic about the work we did. The fact is we came together in pursuit of a common goal, in a shared commitment to country. We looked out for one another like family would.

That camaraderie is what Im thinking about on this Veterans Day. Its willingness to help each other, even when it may require personal sacrifice, because youre in it together and serving a purpose greater than yourself.

The country is not the military, of course. Its a whole lot bigger and a whole lot messier. The rules are looser and hazier. Theres no chain of command. Yet the kind of camaraderie and unity  the transcendence of difference  that I was fortunate enough to experience is precisely what the country needs at this challenging moment.

Following a bruising election season, the United States is as divided as it has been in many years. Make no mistake, our differences are real; people hold strong beliefs about crucial issues. But in a healthy democracy, people engage politically without resorting to violence and without dehumanizing opponents. We dont have to love each other, but we have to live together.

Weve forgotten how to relate to each other as neighbors, instead of enemies. So many are so focused on our differences, and so much energy is spent attempting to exclude others from participating in the American experience. We beat each other down, rather than build each other up.

I refuse to accept this state of affairs. It doesnt have to be this way. Im going to do my best to bring people together and lead by example. On Veterans Day, in between catching up with old friends and sharing photos and stories from my time in the military, Im going to serve. Ill be working to build up rather than tear down, and trying to prove just how much good can be accomplished when we each commit to making the United States a country we are proud to call home. In Houston, Ill be providing free legal services to people who helped our country and doing so with a fellow veteran.

Other veterans all across the country are also serving others. Were cleaning parks, helping rebuild homes destroyed by hurricanes, providing warm meals to those without homes, and welcoming newly arrived refugees. Were teaming up with friends, and with people weve never met, and rolling up our sleeves to make our communities stronger. We are being kind to others.

I invite you to join us. To my fellow veterans: the call to serve doesnt stop. Our country needs leaders who know firsthand that were at our best when we get busy building up, not tearing down. So lead. Model what it really means to love your country, by getting to work in your community and leaving it a bit better than you found it. Remind those around you that our diversity is our strength, by treating everyone you meet as your neighbor.

To the rest of my fellow Americans: Your gratitude for our service is appreciated, but it is not enough. Our country needs you, too. After you thank a veteran today, ask yourself what youre doing in service to your country and to the aspirational ideals upon which it was founded, and which so many veterans risked their lives to defend.

It doesnt have to be much. Reach out to a neighbor in need. Share a meal with someone whose background is nothing like yours. Volunteer in your community. Donate money or belongings or canned goods. Look out for strangers as you would for family, because were all in this together, and an America that lifts up everyone is worth fighting for.

Roshelli is a former captain in the Air Force Nurse Corps and leader with Veterans for American Ideals. She currently is a health care attorney in Houston.Vitebsk became the first Belarusian city to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Belarus' Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleg Kravchenko said at the event to mark this achievement on 18 October, BelTA has learned.

An important decision was made to include the first Belarusian city, Vitebsk, to the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. This is an acknowledgment of the efforts that Vitebsk has put in the process of ensuring continuous education of the population. This leads to the achievement of one of the Sustainable Development Goals [the Goal on Quality Education], said Oleg Kravchenko

According to the deputy minister, the inclusion of Vitebsk in the global network will contribute to the development of creative economy of the city. We hope that other Belarusian cities will follow suit. We hope that in the foreseeable future (about a year) we will see more cities join this authoritative, prestigious network of UNESCO, Oleg Kravchenko said. The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities is designed to promote their development. Cities and communities are engaged in international dialogue on policy, experimental research, capacity-building and exchange of experiences, effectively using the methodology of learning cities to ensure access for their residents to lifelong learning. The network operates under the auspices of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (Hamburg, Germany) and unites the cities from more than 50 countries around the world.

Source: https://eng.belta.by/society/view/belarus-vitebsk-joins-unesco-global-network-of-learning-cities-115809-2018/Plans have been made to open 431 vehicle charging stations in Belarus by 2022.

The target is set by the government program on setting up a state network of vehicle charging stations. The program has been adopted by the Council of Ministers' resolution No.731 of 10 October 2018, BelTA has learned. The program is designed to build a chain of vehicle charging stations and offer quality and affordable car charging services in compliance with international standards. The program will be implemented in three stages. The first one will be implemented by 2021 and provides for placing 431 vehicle charging stations in Minsk, in priority locations in the oblast capitals, and along M and M/E category roads. The second stage is meant to be implemented in 2022-2025, provided the number of electric vehicles in Belarus exceeds 10,000. The third stage will be implemented in 2026-2030, provided the number of electric vehicles in Belarus exceeds 25,000. Plans have been made to build a total of 1,304 vehicle charging stations in Belarus by 2030, including 1,224 stations in populated localities and 80 stations along the main motorways. The stations to be built along the motorways will be 50-70km apart. As many as 25 superfast charging stations will be set up in Minsk, the oblast capitals, and along the main motorways (120-150km apart). The gasoline fueling stations chain operator Belorusneft will use its own resources to finance the program's implementation. The targets stipulated by the program may be adjusted later on to take into account the actual number of electric vehicles in Belarus and the world trends in the area of charging infrastructure development.Source: https://eng.belta.by/society/view/plans-to-open-431-vehicle-charging-stations-in-belarus-by-2022-115666-2018/The majority of experts from 90 countries recognized Twitter as the best emergency communication platform when interviewed at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 2 October, BelTA learned from Vitaly Novitsky, official representative of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry.

The IAEA headquarters in Vienna is hosting the International Symposium on Communicating Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies to the Public. It is attended by 400 experts from 90 countries. When asked about the most effective emergency communication platforms, 60% of experts named Twitter. Second place went to Facebook (31%), followed by YouTube and other social media. At the same time, above 40% of the respondents believe that the authorities should post information on social media during 15 minutes after the incident. According to one-third of the experts, such information may be posted during 15-30 minutes. The Belarusian Emergencies Ministry noted that it has run its Twitter account for seven years. More than 87,000 people follow it. The account is used to quickly report incidents, answer the followers' questions connected with the work of rescue teams. The ministry also has a Viber community with over 86,000 followers and a Telegram channel with 1,700 followers. The ministry uses both messengers mainly to warn people about emergency situations.Source: https://eng.belta.by/society/view/twitter-named-best-emergency-communication-platform-115297-2018/Two AI avatars that can read news in English and Mandarin were unveiled last week. This adds TV News Anchor to the long list of jobs in which machines will soon replace humans.

Calling it a "world first", Xinhua, the official state-run press agency of the People's Republic of China, debuted a pair of virtual news anchors at the fifth World Internet Conference held in Zhejiang province last week as part of a state-directed embrace of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Based on the appearance of two flesh-and-blood Chinese news presenters, and built in collaboration with Chinese search engine company Sogou the simulacrums learn from live broadcasting videos and can read texts as naturally as a professional news anchor. their mouths moving in tandem with the reports. Apart from the rather flat facial features - and a not-quite comfortable fit in his suit jacket - I find this rookie TV presenter fairly convincing:

According to reports from Xinhua, the news anchors will reduce the cost of daily TV news report, thanks to being able to work 24 hours a day on the news agency's official website and various social media platforms. The AI TV anchor is also said to improve efficiency as it can quickly generate breaking news.

A recent report from the World Economic Forum, The Future of Jobs 2018, suggest that developments in automation technologies and artificial intelligence could see 75 million jobs displaced. Machines are expected to perform about 42 percent of all current tasks in the workplace by 2022, compared to only 29 percent now, according to firms surveyed by WEF. Humans are expected to work an average of 58 percent of task hours by 2022, up from the current task hours of 71 percent.

When we think of the jobs that are likely to be replaced we list first dangerous and onerous occupations such as miners, oil rig and factory workers, also agricultural workers. We are also anticipating a much reduced workforce of shop assistants, bank and postal services clerks.

TV news presenter, however, is not just a job, it is an elite and prestigious job. Many of us recognize news readers more easily than politicians and are undoubtedly influenced by them - even if political neutrality is part of the job description. It is interesting to speculate the effect on public opinion that replacing humans by AIs might have - perhaps the public would have to weigh up issues for themselves.

More Information

World's first AI news anchor makes "his" China debut

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or email your comment to: comments@i-programmer.infoHigh School students in Pittsfield thanked each veteran in the audience during ceremonies at the World War I memorial.

Pittsfield, North Adams Observe Veterans Days



Robert Rhodes was the keynote speaker in Pittsfield. More photos are available here. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A parade marched down North Street Sunday afternoon as the city gathered to honor veterans of all wars.

The annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony stepped off at 1 p.m. and concluded at the Veterans War Memorial on South Street. There the Berkshire Veterans Coalition was joined by city officials, residents, and veterans to recognize the day.

Robert Rhodes served as the keynote speaker, reflecting on exaction who is a veteran.

"He or she is someone who will do the duty that many will try their utmost to avoid. He or she will do the work of more than one man or woman. He or she will go places many have never heard of in defense of our cherished nation. He or she will willingly put themselves in harm's way if necessary. They will never quit or surrender unless something against impossible odds," Rhodes said.

Rhodes was drafted to serve in the Army during Vietnam and served three tours there, and two more tours in Australian. He is well traveled and returning home he got involved in a number of veterans organizations.

Rhodes said less than 1 percent of the population is currently serving or is a veteran. But yet, veterans are able to defend the country all over the globe.

But yet, Rhodes said current soldiers returning are coming home with high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder.

"The pressures, responsibilities, and expectations placed on our present-day personnel are gargantuan and beyond the imagination," Rhodes said.

He said the enemies now have found ways to exploit an American soldier's emotional thinking. He said, for example, pets could be boobies trapped and a soldier will instinctively pick up the animal. So, Rhodes said, the military has worked had to train soldier not act so emotionally.

"The military has not come up with a successful way to program a soldier's emotions back into him or her upon arrival home because it suits no military purpose," Rhodes said.

Mayor Linda Tyer said it is the job of local officials to make sure those returning from war have everything they need.

"Our job as leaders is to support our veterans when they return home. After they served our country on battlefields, on sea, and in the air, all over this globe, our job when they return is to make sure that they have health care, that they have housing, that they have access to education and opportunities for employment. As we thank and honor them today, there is work to do when we return to everyday life," Tyer said.

Sunday was also the centennial of the armistice for World War 1. Tyer read a special proclamation to honor the anniversary and later bells were tolled to recognize it.

The ceremony was the first for new Veterans Service Officer John Herrera. Herrera didn't give a speech. Instead, he called all of the veterans up to the front and then asked for the high school students to shake their hands, which they did. Herrera said it is important for the high school students, who may be the future veterans, to be able to meet World War 2 and Korean War veterans while they still can.

The ceremony also recognized Arnold Perras as the veteran of the year. Perras was humbled by the award saying there are a lot of other people worthy of such an honor. But, it was still a meaningful award for Perras, especially given the timing.

"This award for 2018 will always have a special meaning in my life. First, it is my 50th and my daughter's 25th wedding anniversary, which we recently celebrated together, being the 100th anniversary of the World War 1 armistice, and for the Red Sox winning the World Series," Perras said.

The coalition also honored Parks and Open Spaces Manager Jim McGrath for his effort to preserve and maintain monuments in city parks, such as the one on South Street. Former Veterans Service Officer James Clark was also honored for his time in the position.

North Adams Observes Veterans Day



iciHaiti - Education : US Embassy Scholarship and Exchange Program





The "American Corner" program of the Monique Calixte Library invites students, professionals and the general public to its annual conference on scholarship and exchange programs at the US embassy in Port-au-Prince. This activity, scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 from 5 pm, is part of the celebration of the "International Education Week" which will extend this year from 12 to November 16th.



The presentation will be made in 4 stages, by executives of the American Embassy, with Joanne Gousse, Estelle Cameau, Leslee Alexandre and Lyle Mikowicz. Ms. Gousse is Administrative Assistant at the Documentation Center and is also Academic Advisor Education USA for Haiti. She will present the five stages of support for her program for students who can finance their own studies in the United States.



The UGRAD (Undergraduate) and SUSI (Study of the United States Institutes) programs will be presented by Ms. Cameau, who works as a Cultural Affairs Assistant. Leslee Alexandre will be in charge of presenting "Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative" (YLAI). Lyle Mikowicz, Vice-Consul, will speak about processes related to obtaining student visas and exchanges.



It should be remembered, among other things, that the "International Education Week" aims to highlight the benefits of education and international exchange worldwide. It is a joint initiative of the US Department of State and US Department of Education.



IH/ iciHaiti

















Imperial Valley News Center

Presidential Proclamation on Veterans Day, 2018

Washington, DC - On November 11, 1918, the United States and its allies signed an armistice with Germany to end hostilities in World War I. The Great War exacted a tremendous toll on our Nation. More than 100,000 American service members perished in the war, and the lives of countless others were forever altered. In 1919, to honor and memorialize these sacrifices, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day, the precursor to Veterans Day, expressing solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countrys service. This year, as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, we again salute the generations upon generations of American heroes who have sacrificed so much to secure the blessings of freedom for their fellow Americans.

We will never be able to repay the debt we owe the brave men and women who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. To the 20 million veterans alive today: this Veterans Day, we recommit ourselves to providing you with the care you deserve. In June, I signed into law the VA MISSION Act of 2018, enacting some of the most substantial reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a generation. This landmark legislation made Veterans Choice permanent, ensuring that our Nations veterans have timely access to the highest quality of care possible and the flexibility to receive care either at the VA or at a private healthcare facility. The VA MISSION Act is removing barriers to telemedicine and expanding access to walk-in clinics. And it is giving veterans who were catastrophically injured in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War the same access to caregiver assistance that veterans of more recent conflicts already enjoy. My Administration is also processing veteran claims and appeals more quickly than ever before, and veterans can now use their GI Bill benefits at any point in their lives. And, for the first time in history, the Department of Defense and the VA will share electronic health records, improving accessibility and easing the healthcare burden on our veterans.

For many service members, the transition into civilian life can be fraught with challenges. To enhance their access to critical resources and support, I signed an Executive Order that directs the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Homeland Security to develop and implement a Joint Action Plan that provides seamless access to mental health treatment and suicide prevention resources for service members in the year following the conclusion of their military service.

As we mark the centennial of the Armistice, we remember the countless sacrifices that our countrys heroic veterans have made throughout our history to preserve our liberty and prosperity. Our veterans embody the values and ideals of America and the timeless virtue of serving a greater cause. With respect for, and in recognition of, the contributions our service members have made to the advance of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nations veterans. As Commander in Chief of our heroic Armed Forces, I humbly thank our veterans and their families for their selflessness and love of country as we remember their service and their sacrifice. Today, and every day, we pay tribute to those who have worn the uniform, and we pray for the safety of all currently serving in harms way.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2018, as Veterans Day. I encourage all Americans to recognize the fortitude and sacrifice of our veterans through public ceremonies and private thoughts and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I call on all Americans, including civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, and communities to support this day with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMPImperial Valley News Center

NIH, Amgen Foundation, and FNIH renew support for undergraduate research opportunities

Washington, DC - A program at the National Institutes of Health to provide hands-on laboratory experience to undergraduate students from across the United States will continue for another four years, thanks to a grant from the Amgen Foundation to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH). The Amgen Scholars Program at NIH aims to break down barriers for many students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to engage in science at the worlds top educational and research institutions. Financial support for students is a critical component of the program, which seeks to ensure that eligible students, regardless of their financial status, can participate.

Through the Amgen Scholars Program (link is external) up to 15 undergraduates each year will be provided with financial support and hands-on summer research opportunities in biomedical and biotechnology fields.

Amgen Scholars at NIH work side-by-side with some of the world's leading scientists, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Scholars work on a research project with the mentorship of NIH faculty, participate in seminars and networking events, and take part in a symposium where they meet their peers and learn about biotechnology from leading scientists in industry and academia.

Our goal is to train highly diverse students for graduate education and the personal, professional, and scientific skills to succeed in a collaborative and complex global research community, said Dr. Sharon Milgram, director of the NIH Office of Training and Education. Science education must include more career information earlier in the teaching arc, with a greater focus on self- and relationship-management to promote better team science, a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary approaches needed to solve research problems, and a greater understanding of the impact of science on society.

Since 2015, the Amgen Scholars Program at NIH has provided 79 scholars with research opportunities in the NIH intramural research program. These 79 students represented 69 colleges and universities. Of the 49 Amgen program alumni who have completed their undergraduate studies, nearly 22 are currently pursuing an advanced graduate degree in a scientific field. Ten alumni are employed in scientific fields across the United States, with 100 percent of surveyed alumni saying the program impacted their academic or professional direction. Alumni of the program are beginning to make a growing impact across academia, industry and government, garnering numerous awards and recognitions such as the Rhodes Scholarship, Medical Student Training in Aging Research Program, Indian Health Service Scholarship, AISES A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship, National Congress of American Indians Fellowship, Global Health Corps Fellowship, and Harvard Medical School Dean's REACH Scholarship.

NIH will begin accepting applications for the 2019 Amgen Scholars Program at NIH from Nov. 26, 2018 through Feb. 1, 2019. For more information about the Amgen Scholars Program, or to complete an application, visit www.AmgenScholars.com .

About the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH): The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health creates and manages alliances with public and private institutions in support of the mission of the NIH, the worlds premier medical research agency. The Foundation, also known as the FNIH, works with its partners to accelerate key issues of scientific study and strategies against diseases and health concerns in the United States and across the globe. The FNIH organizes and administers research projects; supports education and training of new researchers; organizes educational events and symposia; and administers a series of funds supporting a wide range of health issues. Established by Congress in 1996, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For additional information, visit www.fnih.org .

About the Amgen Foundation: The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators and to invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work. To date, the Foundation has donated over $300 million to local, regional and international nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. For more information, visit www.AmgenInspires.comImperial Valley News Center

Former Precious Metals Trader Pleads Guilty to Commodities Fraud and Spoofing Conspiracy

Hartford, Connecticut - A former precious metals trader at a United States bank (Bank) pleaded guilty in a proceeding unsealed yesterday to commodities fraud and a spoofing conspiracy in connection with his participation in fraudulent and deceptive trading activity in the precious metals futures contracts markets.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham of the District of Connecticut and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. of the FBIs New York Field Office made the announcement.

John Edmonds, 36, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty under seal on Oct. 9 in the District of Connecticut to an information charging him with one count of commodities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, commodities fraud, commodities price manipulation and spoofing. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19 before U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny of the District of Connecticut.

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 Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. The Criminal Division is committed to prosecuting those who undermine the investing publics trust in the integrity of our commodities markets through spoofing or any other illegal conduct.

This defendant was involved in manipulating the precious metals commodity markets for several years, and I thank the FBI for its diligent investigation of this matter and its commitment to hold accountable those who use technology to their advantage to cheat these markets. said U.S. Attorney Durham. The investigation of deceptive trading practices by others involved in this scheme is ongoing.

"With his guilty plea, Edmonds admitted he intended to introduce materially false and misleading information into the commodities markets, said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Sweeney. By conspiring with his trading partners to place spoof orders, he blatantly attempted to profit off of an unfair market that he helped create. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to insure financial markets remain a level playing field for all investors."

As part of his plea, Edmonds admitted that from approximately 2009 through 2015, he conspired with other precious metals traders at the Bank to manipulate the markets for gold, silver, platinum and palladium futures contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange Inc. (NYMEX) and Commodity Exchange Inc. (COMEX), which are commodities exchanges operated by CME Group Inc. Edmonds and his fellow precious metals traders at the Bank routinely placed orders for precious metals futures contracts with the intent to cancel those orders before execution (the Spoof Orders), he admitted. This trading strategy was admittedly intended to inject materially false and misleading liquidity and price information into the precious metals futures contracts markets by placing the Spoof Orders in order to deceive other market participants about the existence of supply and demand. The Spoof Orders were designed to artificially move the price of precious metals futures contracts in a direction that was favorable to Edmonds and his co-conspirators at the Bank, to the detriment of other market participants. In pleading guilty, Edmonds admitted that he learned this deceptive trading strategy from more senior traders at the Bank, and he personally deployed this strategy hundreds of times with the knowledge and consent of his immediate supervisors.

This case is the result of an ongoing investigation by the FBIs New York Field Office. Trial Attorney Matthew F. Sullivan of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi M. Perry of the District of Connecticut are prosecuting the case.Imperial Valley News Center

Former U.S. Congressman Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Extensive Fraud, Tax, and Election Crimes Scheme

Houston, Texas - Former U.S. Congressman Stephen E. Stockman was sentenced Wednesday to serve 120 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,014,718.51 in restitution, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for orchestrating a four-year scheme to defraud charitable donors of hundreds of thousands of dollars and secretly to funnel the proceeds to pay for personal expenses and to illegally finance his campaigns for public office.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of the Southern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno of the FBIs Washington Field Offices Criminal Division and Special Agent in Charge D. Richard Goss of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Houston Field Office, made the announcement.

Former Representative Stockman stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from charities, then used the money to pay personal expenses and fund his political campaigns, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. As this case demonstrates, the Justice Department and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue corrupt public officials, including those who seek to corrupt our elections for personal gain.

At trial, the government proved to the jury that former Congressman Stockman ran his campaign and fraudulent charities to simply enrich himself and defrauded well-meaning donors, said U.S. Attorney Patrick. This type of corruption by public officials gives our entire democratic system a black eye.

Former U.S. Representative Stephen E. Stockman, 61, was convicted by a federal jury in Houston on April 12, of 23 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to make conduit contributions and false statements to the Federal Election Commission, making false statements to the Federal Election Commission, making excessive coordinated campaign contributions, money laundering, and filing a false tax return. Two of Stockmans former congressional staffers previously pleaded guilty in the case. Thomas Dodd, 39, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2017, to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to make conduit contributions and false statements. Jason T. Posey, 48, of Tupelo, Mississippi, pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2017, to one count of mail fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

Former Congressman Stockman was entrusted by his constituents to serve in their best interest, said FBI Special Agent in Charge DeSarno. Instead, Stockman used his position in a series of schemes for personal gain at the expense of the public. Todays sentence should send a clear message that the laws of the land apply to everyone, regardless of position or power. The FBI and our partners at the IRS will continue our efforts to identify fraudulent practices carried out by elected representatives. Public officials who abuse their position will be investigated, prosecuted, and subjected to the full punishment of the law for their actions.

Congressman Stockman used his position to defraud charitable foundations to advance his political career and pay for personal expenses, said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Goss. His actions and failure to pay taxes on these illicit funds not only undermines the American tax system, but cultivates a lack of trust in our elected officials. Todays sentencing demonstrates IRS-Criminal Investigations commitment to bring justice to those public officials who believe they are above the law.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from May 2010 to February 2014, Stockman and his co-defendants solicited $1,250,571.65 in donations from charitable organizations and the individuals who ran those organizations based on false pretenses, 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.

Specifically, the evidence established that in 2010, Stockman and Dodd solicited an elderly donor in Baltimore, Maryland for $285,000 to be used for legitimate charitable and educational purposes. Stockman and Dodd used a sham charity named the Ross Center to funnel the money to be used for a variety of personal expenses. The evidence further established that, in 2011 and 2012, Stockman and Dodd received an additional $165,000 in charitable donations from the Baltimore donor, much of which Stockman used illegally to finance his 2012 congressional campaign.

The trial evidence also showed that shortly after Stockman took office as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, he and Dodd used the name of another sham nonprofit entity, Life Without Limits, to solicit and receive a $350,000 charitable donation, to be used to create an educational center called the Freedom House. 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, an in-patient alcoholism treatment for a female associate, and payments for hundreds of thousands of robocalls and mailings promoting Stockmans candidacy for U.S. Senate in early 2014.

In addition, the evidence established that, in connection with Stockmans Senate campaign, Stockman and Posey used another sham nonprofit entity to secure a $450,571.65 donation in order to fund a purportedly legitimate independent expenditure promoting Stockmans candidacy. The evidence showed that the purportedly independent expenditure was in fact secretly controlled by Stockman, who directed his campaign and Posey to file false affidavits with the FEC covering up Stockmans involvement.

Finally, the evidence at trial demonstrated that Stockman failed to pay taxes on any of the $1,250,571.65 in fraudulently acquired donations. In addition, during the early stages of the investigation, Stockman directed Posey to flee to Cairo, Egypt, for two and a half years so that Posey could not be questioned by law enforcement.

The FBI and IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Ryan J. Ellersick and Robert J. Heberle of the Criminal Divisions Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Annis of the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case.Imperial Valley News Center

U.S. National Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for the Attempted Murder of U.S. Consulate Official in Mexico

Arlington, Virginia - A U.S. national and former medical student was sentenced to 264 months in prison for the 2017 shooting of a U.S. diplomat stationed at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger of the Eastern District of Virginia, Acting Special Agent in Charge Tom Jones of the FBIs Miami Field Office and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christian J. Schurman for U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security and Director for Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), made the announcement.

Zia Zafar, 33, of Chino Hills, California, previously pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder of an internationally protected person and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Zafar was sentenced by U.S District Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia. In addition to the prison sentence, Zafar was sentenced to serve eight years of supervised release.

Zia Zafar targeted a U.S. government employee and surveilled him before shooting him in the chest at close range, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. The Department of Justice will do everything in its power to prosecute anyone who targets U.S. officials at home or abroad. I commend the investigative team and our law enforcement partners in Mexico for their outstanding work in bringing Zafar to justice for this premediated heinous act.

The FBI works closely with international partners and security services in order to conduct complex investigations and acquire evidence from abroad for criminal prosecutions in the United States, said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Jones. I want to thank the Mexican government for their full support and cooperation throughout this investigation.

The Vice Consul was targeted and shot because he represented the United States, said U.S. Attorney Terwilliger. No one should doubt the resolve of law enforcement to steadfastly investigate and apprehend those who attack us. I wish to express our sincere thanks to the many United States and Mexican law enforcement agencies involved in the apprehension and return of this defendant to the United States to face justice.The Vice Consul was targeted and shot because he represented the United States, said U.S. Attorney Terwilliger. No one should doubt the resolve of law enforcement to steadfastly investigate and apprehend those who attack us. I wish to express our sincere thanks to the many United States and Mexican law enforcement agencies involved in the apprehension and return of this defendant to the United States to face justice.

Todays sentencing of Zia Zafar sends a strong message: Diplomatic Security is committed to making sure those who attack diplomatic personnel representing America abroad face serious consequences, said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Schurman. Diplomatic Securitys strong relationships with the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. and foreign law enforcement partners around the world continue to be essential in the pursuit of justice. Such crimes threaten the national security of the United States.

According to admissions made in connection with his guilty plea and facts presented at the sentencing hearing, on Jan. 6, 2017, Zafar, then living in Guadalajara, Mexico, armed himself with a firearm and wore a wig and sunglasses to disguise his appearance. He then waited in a parking garage for the victim, a vice consul who worked at the U.S Consulate in Guadalajara, following him as he walked towards his vehicle. After noticing a security guard nearby, Zafar changed his location to the vehicle exit ramp, where he waited for the vice consul to exit. When the vice consul approached the exit in his car, Zafar fired a single shot into the vehicle, striking the vice consul in his chest. The vice consul survived, but the bullet remains lodged in his spinal column, as it was deemed too dangerous to remove. Zafar admitted that he targeted the vice consul because he knew from earlier surveillance that the victim worked at the U.S. Consulate.

FBI and DSS investigated the case in close cooperation with Mexican authorities and with valuable assistance from the Justice Departments Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations. Trial Attorney Jamie Perry of the Criminal Divisions Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walutes of the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case.Imperial Valley News Center

MoneyGram International Inc. Agrees to Extend Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Forfeits $125 Million in Settlement

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - MoneyGram International Inc. (MoneyGram), a global money services business headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has agreed to extend its deferred prosecution agreement and forfeit $125 million due to significant weaknesses in MoneyGrams anti-fraud and anti-money laundering (AML) program resulting in MoneyGrams breach of its 2012 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). In addition to the monetary payment and extension of the deferred prosecution agreement, the company must enhance its anti-fraud and AML compliance programs.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney David J. Freed of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joseph Simons and Postal Inspector-in-Charge Daniel B. Brubaker of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Philadelphia Division made the announcement.

A two-count felony criminal information was filed on Nov. 9, 2012, in the Middle District of Pennsylvania charging MoneyGram with willfully failing to maintain an effective AML program and aiding and abetting wire fraud. The government agreed to defer prosecution on the information for five years provided MoneyGram complied with the DPA. Todays amendment to the agreement will extend the term of the DPA for 30 months.

According to court documents filed in 2012, MoneyGram was involved in consumer fraud schemes perpetrated by corrupt MoneyGram agents and others. In the fraud scams, which generally targeted the elderly and other vulnerable groups, perpetrators contacted victims in the United States and falsely posed as victims relatives in urgent need of money, falsely promised large cash prizes, or promised items for sale over the internet at deeply discounted prices. The perpetrators required the victims to send funds through MoneyGrams money transfer system.

According to the joint motion filed today to extend and amend the DPA, MoneyGram breached its 2012 DPA. During the course of the DPA, MoneyGram experienced significant weaknesses in its AML and anti-fraud program, inadequately disclosed these weaknesses to the government, and failed to complete all of the DPAs required enhanced compliance undertakings. As a result of its failures, MoneyGram processed at least $125 million in additional consumer fraud transactions between April 2015 and October 2016.

Today, as a result of MoneyGrams breach of the DPA, the government filed a motion to extend all the terms of MoneyGrams DPA and amend and enhance MoneyGrams compliance requirements pursuant to the DPA. In addition, MoneyGram agreed to forfeit $125 million, which the department intends to return to victims of fraud through the Justice Departments Victim Compensation Program. Under the terms of the extension, the government has agreed to continue to defer prosecution for a period of 30 months, after which time the government would seek to dismiss charges if MoneyGram has complied with the agreement.

As part of the amendment to and extension of the DPA, MoneyGram has agreed to additional enhanced compliance obligations, including creating policies or procedures:

to block certain reported fraud receivers and senders from using MoneyGrams money transfer system within two days of receiving a complaint identifying those individuals;

to require individuals worldwide to provide government-issued identification to send or receive money transfers;

to monitor all money transfers originating in the United States in its anti-fraud program; and

to terminate, discipline, or restrict agents processing a high volume of transactions related to reported fraud receivers and senders.

In a related case, MoneyGram agreed to settle contempt allegations by the FTC filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging that MoneyGram violated its 2009 order with the FTC. The FTC alleges that MoneyGram failed to implement the comprehensive fraud prevention program mandated by the 2009 order, which requires the company to promptly investigate, restrict, suspend, and terminate high-fraud agents. According to the FTC, MoneyGram was aware for years of the high levels of fraud and suspicious activities involving certain agents, including large chain agents, but failed to promptly conduct required reviews or suspend or terminate agents, as required by the 2009 order.

In resolving the FTC allegations, MoneyGram agreed to a monetary judgment of $125 million and to an expanded and modified order that will supersede the Commissions 2009 order and apply to money transfers worldwide. The modified order requires, among other things, that the company block the money transfers of known perpetrators of fraud schemes and provide refunds to fraud victims in circumstances where its agents fail to comply with applicable policies and procedures. In addition, the modified order includes enhanced due diligence, investigative, and disciplinary requirements.

The USPIS and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania have been investigating and prosecuting consumer fraud schemes using MoneyGrams money transfer system since 2007. To date, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania has charged 37 MoneyGram agent owners for conspiracy, money laundering and fraud-related violations. Twenty-eight of those charged have been convicted.

USPISs Philadelphia Divisions Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Office investigated the case. Senior Trial Attorney Margaret A. Moeser of the Criminal Divisions Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Sections Bank Integrity Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Douglas Daniel of the Middle District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. The department appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the FTC in this matter.

Persons who believe they were victims of the fraud scheme should visit the Department of Justices victim website at MoneyGramRemission.com or call 844-269-2630 for updates on how to request compensation as a result of this action.

The Victim Compensation Program, operated by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, is composed of a team of experienced professionals, including attorneys, accountants, auditors and claims analysts. In hundreds of cases, the Victim Compensation Program has successfully used its specialized expertise to efficiently convert forfeited assets to victim recoveries.

The Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes complex, multi-district, and international criminal cases involving financial institutions. The Units prosecutions focus on banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.Los Angeles Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Investors Through an $8.3 Million Binary Options Scheme

Los Angeles, California - The former CEO of Citrades pleaded guilty Thursday for his role in a scheme to defraud investors out of $8.3 million in the United States and across the world in financial instruments known as binary options, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division and Assistant Director in Charge Nancy McNamara of the FBIs Washington Field Office. Citrades was a purported internet-based investment platform.

Jason Benjamin Scharf, 37, of Los Angeles, California, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge George H. Wu of the Central District of California. Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 25, 2019, before Judge Wu.

As part of his guilty plea, Scharf admitted that from February 2013 through December 2015, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of Citrades as the companys CEO, and that he agreed with his co-conspirators to induce investors to purchase binary options based on materially misleading misrepresentations and omissions. As described in the plea agreement, a binary option is a type of option contract in which the payout depends on the outcome of a discrete event, typically related to whether the price of a particular assetsuch as a stock or a commoditywill rise above or fall below a specified amount.

Scharf admitted that representatives of Citrades falsely claimed to be representing the interests of investors in binary options when in reality they were representing the financial interests of Citrades. Scharf further admitted that while Citrades marketed itself as a trading platform through which binary options could be traded, investors were not actually trading with other investors. Instead, they were investing in transactions whose parameters, including the strike price associated with the binary option, were set by a separate company that served as a platform provider. Scharf admitted that Citrades operated its binary options business principally out of Israel, but had representatives and co-conspirators working on its behalf in the United States.

Scharf further admitted that after being served with an administrative subpoena, he deleted potentially incriminating emails from an account that he used to conduct Citrades-related business.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Trial Attorney Ankush Khardori of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section is prosecuting the case. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs and the Israeli National Police also provided assistance.President Trump Visits France to Mark the 100th Anniversary of World War Is End

Washington, DC - For 100 years, since the conclusion of World War I, Veterans Day has offered Americans a moment to join together and recognize those who bravely pass the torch of freedom from one generation to the next. Our veterans represent the very best of America.

One year ago, President Donald J. Trump marked Veterans Day with a trip to Vietnam, spending time with seven U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War whom he called great, great warriors. He vowed to ensure that America would not rest until all 1,253 veterans who were still missing in action from that conflict are recovered and returned home.

A similar legacy has long beset the United States from the Korean War, where more than 8,000 American troops were simply listed as missing and never returned home. This summer, as a result of President Trumps historic summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, 55 boxes containing the remains of U.S. Service Members lost in the Korean War were returned to American soil.

This year, President Trump has traveled to Paris, France, where he will participate in a commemoration for the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. He will recognize the 116,516 Americans who gave their lives in that warand the many other brave veterans who served honorably in the Great War.

While in France, the President and First Lady Melania Trump will join French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, First Lady Brigitte Macron, for bilateral meetings ahead of the World War I commemoration. President Trump and President Macron share a close personal bond; last year, the American President visited France to celebrate Bastille Day at President Macrons invitation.

* * *

President Trumps commitment to our veterans goes beyond symbolism. Part of paying our respect means recommitting to our Nations sacred obligation to care for those who have protected the freedom we often take for granted, he says. That obligation includes both Americas current Service Members and those who have served in the past.

For the heroes of today, President Trump is hard at work on his pledge to rebuild our great American military. Earlier this year, he signed into law the largest pay raise for our troops in nearly a decade. That law, the John McCain National Defense Authorization Act, strengthens our national defense by growing the size of our forces by more than 15,000 members across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

For our veterans, President Trump pushed for and signed the VA MISSION Act, which enacts some of the most sweeping reforms to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a generation. Included are provisions that give veterans access to walk-in care, provide needed funding for the Veterans Choice Program, and modernize the VAs assets and infrastructure for delivering care.

In addition, the Trump Administration will continue to hold VA employees accountable for past misconduct and poor performance. During the first eight months of 2018 alone, the VA took nearly 2,300 accountability actions against such employees, resulting in more than 2,100 removals from the department.

As a candidate for President, I promised to make reforming the VA one of my absolute highest priorities, President Trump said. And from the first day of my Administration, that is exactly what weve done.Fifth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Participating in Sophisticated International Cellphone Fraud Scheme

Miami, Florida - A former West Palm Beach, Florida resident pleaded guilty today to multiple criminal charges in connection with a sophisticated global cell phone fraud scheme that involved compromising cellphone customers accounts and cloning their phones to make fraudulent international calls.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBIs Miami Field Office made the announcement.

Braulio De la Cruz Vasquez, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, the use, production or possession of modified telecommunications instruments and the use or possession of hardware or software configured to obtain telecommunications services; one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 18, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida.

According to the plea agreement, De la Cruz and his co-conspirators participated in a scheme to steal access to existing cell phone accounts, and fraudulently open new cellphone accounts, using the personal information of individuals around the United States.

De la Cruz admitted that his role in the scheme included operating a call site from his residence in West Palm Beach. He admitted that he would receive telecommunication identifying information associated with customers accounts from his co-conspirators and use that data, as well as other software and hardware, to reprogram cellphones that he controlled. According to the plea agreement, De la Cruzs co-conspirators would then transmit thousands of international calls over the internet to De la Cruzs residence, where he would route them through the re-programmed cellphones to Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and other countries with high calling rates. The calls were billed to the customers compromised accounts.

In addition, De la Cruz admitted that from March 2011 through April 2013, coconspirators sent him more than 700 emails containing approximately 2,158 telecommunications identifying numbers associated with cellphone account holders around the United States. He also admitted that, as part of the conspiracy, he received tens of thousands of dollars from at least one Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) company for fraudulently routing international calls through his call center.

De la Cruz is a citizen of the Dominican Republic. He was arrested in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States and then, in August 2018, extradited to Miami, where he is currently in custody.

De la Cruz is the fifth defendant to plead guilty in the case. Previously, defendants Edwin Fana, Farintong Calderon, Jose Santana, and Ramon Batista pleaded guilty to similar charges and have already been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 36 months to 75 months.

The FBI Miamis Cyber Task Force investigated the case, dubbed Operation Toll Free, which is part of the FBIs ongoing effort to combat large-scale telecommunications fraud. The Criminal Divisions Office of International Affairs handled the extradition in this matter, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Divisions Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared M. Strauss of the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.U.S. Government Imposes Sanctions on Supporters of Russia's Occupation of Crimea and Forcible Control of Eastern Ukraine

Washington, DC - Today, the United States imposed financial sanctions on three individuals and nine entities that are supporting Russias attempt to integrate Crimea region of Ukraine through private investment and privatization projects or those that are engaging in serious human rights abuses in furtherance of Russias occupation or control over parts of Ukraine.

The sanctioned individuals are Andriy Volodymyrovych Sushko, Aleksandr Basov, and Vladimir Nikolaevich Zaritsky. The sanctioned entities are the Ministry of State Security of so-called Luhansk Peoples Republic, Mriya Resort and Spa, Limited Liability Company Garant-SV, Limited Liability Company Infrastructure Projects Management Company, Joint Stock Company Sanatorium AY-Petri, Joint Stock Company Dyulber, Joint Stock Company Sanatorium Miskhor, KRIMTETS, AO, and Limited Liability Company Southern Project.

As a result of todays announcement, all of these individuals and entities property and interests in property subject to the U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. individuals and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Todays action reinforces the Crimea Declaration of July 25, 2018, stating that the United Sates does not and will not recognize Russias purported annexation of Crimea. The designations underscore the United States steadfast partnership with Ukraine and the European Union in unified opposition to Russias illegal purported annexation and occupation of Crimea and use of force to control parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Eastern Ukraine.Although most of us have been told not to worry what others think, it's understandable to wonder whether being liked will help sell more products, land that coveted position, or woo angel investors.

Turns out, likability helps.

To be sure, it's not the be-all and end-all of getting ahead in business. At the same time, raising the likability factor can push professionals toward their corporate and personal goals.

Winning the likability lottery

Most people know who fits the "likable" description in their workplace or circle of friends. Generally, the likable member of any group becomes a magnet for good times. She's the one who brightens the mood, brings the pizza, and even makes long meetings seem to fly by.

And what about the guy with the delightfully self-deprecating sense of humor? He's probably benefiting from the pratfall effect, a researched phenomenon that suggests people who can admit their flaws seem more human and therefore more attractive to be around.

People who fit the likability bill tend to snag lots of goodies, including job offers. Even if they lack some technical skills or education, they seem trustworthy to bosses. The overall expectation is that they can learn anything because they're so open, warm, and focused.

Plus, they make good first impressions. As one study noted, first impressions are powerful stuff. A likable photograph was all it took to create a strong first impression in the minds of study participants, and their positive impression lasted for at least a month.

Worried that perhaps you aren't coming off as an affable soul? You can learn the rules of the likability game by doing these five things.

1. Seek out the positive.

See the glass as half empty? Rather than immediately pointing out the bad aspects of a situation, focus on something positive, such as the opportunity to learn after your sales team experiences a lousy week.

Ironically, you don't even have to say a word to appear positive. A smile can encourage others to mirror your perceived behavior and attitude, according to research. Pretty quickly, they'll associate that positivity with being around you.

2. Find common ground.

Have you ever had the experience of trying to sell to a tough nut who won't budge? You're at your wit's end until you bring up your upcoming trip to, say, Costa Rica. Suddenly, your prospect changes her tune and starts rattling off Costa Rican hotspots. By a happy coincidence, you found a connection, and your likability score just went way up.

Every time you find common ground, you make yourself seem more familiar. This helps reduce resistance to talking or doing business with you, not to mention opening the door for future shared experiences based on commonalities. And you needn't rely on a lucky coincidence, either: Unearthing similarities is easy with a little old-fashioned scrutiny of pictures on desks, viewing of LinkedIn profiles, and social-media account browsing.

3. Own your faults.

Perfection is highly overrated. Be willing to talk about your mistakes and laugh off the blunders you make. Walked out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to your shoe? Don't be afraid to have a chuckle at your own expense. Of course, some missteps won't be cause for hilarity, and in those cases it's even more important to acknowledge your mistake and do all you can to make things right.

Mike Monroe, digital strategy manager at Vector Marketing, believes this type of behavior boils down to basic self-awareness. In fact, he notes, likability and showing a human side go hand in hand. "Being likable means more than not burning bridges," he explains. "It means being aware of what it's like to work with you." Admitting your faults and working to overcome them will make you a more valuable--and likable--colleague.

4. Ask questions.

Do you have a habit of doing all the talking in meetings? Rather than commandeering conversations, turn on your inquisitive side. Ask others about themselves and spark discussions that circle around their life and work, not yours.

As you practice, be sure you're actively paying attention to people's answers. Don't allow your mind to wander, or you'll seem insincere instead of charismatic. Rather than thinking about what you're going to say next, listen intently to what the other person says, repeating key phrases or getting clarification when necessary.

5. Open up to the power of praise.

To be likable, you have to learn to both give and receive compliments. A huge error many people make after receiving a compliment is arguing with the giver. Even if you don't feel you deserve merit, be gracious. Flash your pearly whites and say a sincere, friendly "thank you."

At the same time, look for chances to genuinely point out others' good deeds and attributes. Just telling a team member "I liked the way you handled that tough client" can mean a great deal.Schools in polluted areas should have living walls installed to protect children from toxic substances in the air, campaigners have claimed.

Covering walls with plants could prove an effective strategy as they are able to absorb dangerous pollutants from the air, they said.

Two neighbouring west London schools are trying to raise thousands of pounds to help pay for these structures, hoping to protect their children from health problems linked with pollution.

It comes after reports of state school parents crowdfunding for air purifiers to alleviate the dangerous levels of air pollution found throughout London.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged to tackle pollution in the capital, but Laurie Laybourn-Langton, from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, said more needs to be done to clean up the air.

"It's important that individuals, as well as the communities, businesses and schools in which they live and work, take measures to understand how air pollution impacts them and act to reduce their exposure, lowering the chance of harm, he told Sky News. "For schools, measures like living walls can help to improve the quality of air children breathe and therefore improve their health and well-being, enhance the look and feel of their environment and also educate them about air pollution and climate change.

Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Show all 10 1 /10 Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city A battery run tricylce rickshaw passes by the Red Fort amid heavy smog in New Delhi AFP/Getty Images Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Indian visitors walking through the courtyard of Jama Masjid amid heavy smog AFP/Getty Images Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city An Indian policeman wearing a protection mask as he works near India Gate AFP/Getty Images Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city New Delhi during heavy smog REUTERS Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Indian commuters wait for transport amid thick blanket of smog on the outskirts of New Delhi AP Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Prince Charles and Camilla arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport surrounded by smog on November 8 Getty Images Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Prince Charles and Camilla depart their plane in New Delhi to smog Getty Images Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city The morning sun is enveloped by a blanket of smog on the outskirts of New Delhi AP Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city Indian residents walking along a road amid heavy smog AFP/Getty Images Thick smog engulfs New Delhi as air pollution peaks in the city A woman drives a scooter through the morning fog to drop off a child at school AP

"However the responsibility of cleaning up our air lies with the government, which has the power, resources and duty to respond. Primarily, this requires the government to introduce new laws."

Andrea Carnevali, a parent at St Mary's Catholic School in Chiswick, set up the crowdfunding campaign in an attempt to raise money for both a living wall and air filters.

"We know that this is one of the top 50 schools in London and one of the most polluted schools in the country, he said.

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He added that Mr Khan had pledged to contribute 32,000 if the community can raise the rest of the costs.

The mayor has promised to make air pollution a top priority, particularly in Londons schools.

In June he announced a major new study to test the impact the newly introduced ultra-low emission zone  which aims to keep high-polluting vehicles away from the city  will have on childrens respiratory health.

Headteacher Joan Hart said she had cut outdoor playtime to a minimum after learning about the dangerous levels of pollution in the schools area, and called for a nationwide programme to tackle the issue.

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"Obviously that needs large amounts of funding. We can't do this on our own  we are a small closed community but we are working with our neighbours... and obviously the mayor of London's office as well, she said.

In recent years, environmental lawyers ClientEarth have won legal challenges against the government three times due to their inadequate efforts to tackle illegal levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said they had introduced a 3.5bn plan to reduce harmful emissions and published an ambitious Clean Air Strategy, but realise more needs to be done.

They added: "We are also supporting local communities to deal with this issue through our Air Quality Grant Scheme, which funds projects to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions affecting schools, businesses and residents."An enormous shark nursery swarming with the predatory fish and strewn with their eggs has been found in the waters 200 miles off the western Irish coast.

The rare discovery was made by a remotely operated vehicle exploring the regions cold-water coral reefs at depths of around 750m.

Scientists observed a large school of blackmouth catsharks, a relatively small species found throughout the northeast Atlantic, alongside the more unusual and solitary sailfin roughshark.

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The sites egg cases, or mermaids purses, are seldom seen in such vast numbers, and are thought to belong to the catsharks.

While there were no shark pups swimming around the site, the researchers behind the SeaRover survey that captured the footage want to keep an eye on events there and potentially watch them hatch in the future.

No pups were obvious at the site and it is believed that the adult sharks might be utilising degraded coral reef and exposed carbonate rock on which to lay their eggs, said David OSullivan, chief scientist at SeaRover.

A healthy coral reef in the vicinity, may act as a refuge for the juvenile shark pups once they hatch.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

It is anticipated that further study of the site will answer some important scientific questions on the biology and ecology of deep water sharks in Irish waters.

The new findings were announced at INFOMAR Seabed Mapping Seminar in Kinsale this week, where the marine scientists played highlights taken by the Holland 1 underwater vehicle.

We are delighted that this discovery has been unveiled at todays event, demonstrating the importance of mapping our seabed habitats in understanding and managing our vast and valued ocean resources, said Mr OSullivan.

Our data and team continue to make significant contributions to harnessing our ocean wealth.

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Informar is an Irish government initiative, and the new discovery will help the country meet its obligations to monitor deep water sharks as part of its marine conservation programme.

The nursery was found within one of six special areas of conservation in Irelands enormous ocean territory.

These regions, designated by the EU, are home to an enormous variety of creatures from sea fans to a variety of fish species. Due to their protected status, fishing trawlers are not allowed to operate in these zones.

Our key objective is to assess, protect and monitor Irelands rich offshore marine biodiversity so we can begin to manage our marine resources effectively, said Dr Yvonne Leahy from the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Without knowledge of what lives in our seas we are at risk of never fully understanding and appreciating Irelands marine environment.Many of our favourite stores have joined in the spending frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, and if you're quick, you can still bag a bargain.

This is the ideal time nab that winter coat or pair of boots you've had your eye on for months. But where to look? To save you time, we've gathered together a list of retailers offering some of the best fashion and beauty bargains.

Recommended Best Black Friday UK deals of 2018

Here, we will be constantly updating the best deals throughout the weekend and into Cyber Monday. Make sure you keep checking back.

Which stores are taking part?

ASOS is now offering 20 per cent across everything on its site. ASOS hosts more than 850 brands, as well as its own clothing, accessories and beauty line.

AllSaints is offering 30 per cent across everything on its site. Its leather jackets are particularly coveted.

There's 20 per cent off everything at this jewellery brand. Deals last until 10am GMT on Wednesday, 28 November.

Boden is offering 30 per cent off if you use the code N3N1 at checkout. Delivery is free over 30.

Online fashion store Boohoo are likely to be offering discounts on coats, jackets, knits and boots. Deals go live at midnight on Thursday, 22 November.

Cult knitwear brand Chinti & Parker is offering up to 30 per cent across its site.

Daisy London is offering 20 per cent off everything from necklaces and bracelets to rings and earrings.

Evans is known for its plus-size fashion. It's offering up to 30 per cent off everything this year. The sale is on now.

Club members benefit from 20 per cent off across the site until midnight, Thursday 22 November (there's still time to join). Deals will then be open to all customers. Last year, we spotted up to 50 per cent off everything and free delivery.

Get 20 per cent off everything on the Hobbs website right now. Plus, 30 off some of their skirts.

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Jaeger is offering a free gift when you spend more than 100 this weekend. Last year, we spotted up to 50 per cent off some of its items, too, from workwear to statement pieces.

French fashion retailer is offering 40% off everything on its site if you enter the code 'BLACKFRIDAY' on checkout. Home delivery is free on all orders over 50.

There's up to 50% off everything on the New Look site.

Get an extra 30% off already reduced shoes and sports clothes on Thursday and Friday. There will be new items on sale on both days.

Use the code 'GLITTER' to get 20% off full-priced shoes at Office. The deal runs until 27 November and includes free UK standard delivery.

Fashion store The Outnet has clearance across its clothing ranges this weekend, and you can get a further 20% off with the code FINAL.

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There's up to 50% off everything at Topshop, with free worldwide delivery.

Buy one get another item for half price at Urban Outfitters.

Get up to 50 per cent off pre-loved designer bags and jewellery from Vestiaire Collective.

Whistles is offering 30% off everything this Black Friday.

Wallis is offering up to 30% everything across its site. This Thursday there are dresses from 30.

Get up to 20% off with Zara this weekend.

Health and Beauty Retailers

This online beauty retailer is releasing Black Friday deals throughout the weekend.

There are deals on perfumes, electric toothbrushes and shavers on the Boots website, with some products less than half price. If you have an Advantage Card, you can get 10 of points for every 60 you spend online.

Get 25 per cent off when you buy two or more products using the code BLACK25 until Monday, 26 November.

Get 20 per cent off when you buy two or more products using the code INDY20 until Monday, 26 November.

Get 20 per cent off across the website until Monday, 26 November.

Save up to 25% in LookFantastic's Black Friday sale.

Three are dozens of deals across the Superdrug site, with half-price makeup sets and huge savings on electric toothbrushes.

Get 20 per cent off if you buy two or more products using the code INDY20 until Monday, 26 November.

IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing.Glowing from enthusiastic reviews and well-deserved plaudits since the spectacular Kengo Kuma building was unveiled in September, the V&A Dundee  the first V&A outside of London  has much longer standing connections with the city than many people realise.

Billed as Scotlands first design museum the building houses a permanent new Scottish Design Gallery and space for circulating exhibitions. Discovering this hidden history helps reflect on this new V&A, the stories it tells and the stories it chooses to leave out  chiefly, why a gallery dedicated to telling the story of Scottish design focuses only on the past 600 years.

Published to coincide with the opening of the new V&A, The Story of Scottish Design (edited by Philip Long and Joanna Norman) acknowledges more than 5,000 years of Scottish design history. The gallery includes accomplished objects whose design consciously references Scotlands earlier heritage, such as a George Bain carpet, an Alexander Ritchie firescreen and metalwork designed by John Duncan  all showcasing the two Celtic revivals of the late 19th century and postwar period.

In A Living Room for the City (as Kuma described the new museum), V&A London director Tristram Hunt notes an important historical connection to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert  after whom the V&A is named  thanks to her love of Scotland. In 1844 the royal couple made a visit to Dundee during one of their early trips to the Highlands. And it is in the 19th century that the reasons can be found as to why the museum has decided not to provide the full history of Scottish design.

The strengths of the V&As own Scottish collection, which have shaped todays Scottish Design Gallery, lie in the period from the 15th century to present. This reflects the ethos of the 19th-century V&A. However, my research shows that Dundee and the V&A have a history that goes back to the late 1880s  which did embrace earlier Scottish design from the eighth century onwards. To understand why this material might not be present in V&A Dundee, we need to look at the history of creating and circulating replica artefacts, and what has happened to them since.

Ten years in the making: the new museums interior (Getty)

The V&A was originally established to improve the design of popular manufactured goods by providing suitable models for artists and others needing technical training. Native prehistoric design was not a part of that preferred 19th century design repertoire, but post-Roman Christian Celtic art styles burst on to the scene in Owen Joness influential Grammar of Ornament (1856), an illustrated book of world designs intended to improve the repertoire of craftspeople.

The South Kensington Museum, as it was then known, acquired just two examples of Scottish early Christian art, still on display in the V&A  a decorated Pictish cross slab from Nigg and the Anglo-Saxon Ruthwell Cross. These were plaster casts, for replicas that could be circulated among international museums were the in thing 150 years ago.

Antiquarians made efforts to interest curators in acquiring more casts of early and later medieval Scots sculptures, but were rebuffed. As Gerard Baldwin Brown, professor of fine art at Edinburgh University noted in 1902, the V&A was not a place where national self-love is flattered.

While the V&A did not invest much in earlier Scottish material for itself, it supported Scottish museums in copying Celtic sculptures that might inspire local artists to improve the design of gravestones, for instance.

At the turn of the century, in other parts of Scotland, Dublin, Cardiff and the Isle of Man, there was a strong interest in acquiring collections of Celtic crosses. Serious scholarship on these monuments was just maturing and the regionally distinctive sculpture spoke to an awakening sense of national identities.

The V&A supported the creation of such collections as part of the package of loans, grants and advice to provincial museums delivered by its circulation department to newly founded operations in Glasgow, Dundee, Paisley and Aberdeen (in Edinburgh the Royal Scottish Museum originated as a branch of the V&A).

Architect Kuma says the museum is a living room for the city (Getty)

As the 19th century ended and the 20th century began, Dundees curator John Maclauchlan was highly appreciative of the V&As support. Between 1894 and 1917 V&A staff visited and advised on annual loan collection displays, educating teachers about new exhibitions, and giving lantern-slide lectures to the public. The Albert Institute (now The McManus) had begun acquiring plaster casts of sculptures and other types of reproductions, including the Elgin Marbles. In 1904, Dundee acquired casts of some of the finest Celtic crosses in Scotland.

Visitors to Dundees new V&A will hopefully get a chance to visit the McManus gallery whose earlier history is bound up with the V&A in London. While a plaster cast, particularly a Scottish Celtic subject, might today have spoken for that earlier relationship, none of Dundees V&A-assisted collection now survives (although equivalent collections do in Glasgows Kelvingrove and Aberdeen Art Gallery).

The evolution of the collection in London has framed the chronological breadth of V&A Dundees Scottish Design Gallery. The point is not to criticise, but to promote awareness and debate. V&A Dundee should have a profound impact for generations on how people living in Scotland and international visitors alike perceive the pedigree and value of Scotlands extended design history. How the institution realises its aims depends upon both vision and accidents of its history.

Sally Foster is a lecturer in heritage and conservation, history and politics at the University of Stirling. This article is was first published on The Conversation (www.conversation.com)An 11-year-old child with his leg hanging on by a strip of skin was in one operating theatre where we were attempting a vascular repair, with an eight-year-old shot in the groin in a holding bay, when seven more arrived, also critically injured by sniper fire.

These are the words of a top British orthopaedic surgeon, normally operating in a state of the art theatre at a London teaching hospital. He was reporting on a typical day of work at Shifa Hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip, where along with scores of other international surgeons, he volunteers to save the lives of Gaza protesters  and, increasingly, their limbs.

The limbs have been shattered by high velocity bullets, fired by Israeli snipers ranged along the barrier which separates Gaza from Israel, keeping 2 million Palestinians penned inside the strip, most of them refugees.Dozens of cat mummies and a rare collection of mummified scarab beetles have been unearthed in seven ancient Egyptian tombs south of Cairo, according to local archaeologists.

While preparing the site at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, the team also came across the door of another tomb that remains sealed.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the intact door suggests the contents inside are likely untouched, and experts plan to open the door in coming weeks.

The tomb is thought to date back to the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, which ruled Egypt from about 2,500 BC to 2,350 BC, not long after the great pyramid of Giza was built.

Saqqara is thought to have served as the necropolis for Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt for more than two millennia.

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Over the past six months archaeologists working at the site have discovered a wealth of new artefacts there, including both mummies and wooden statues of animals and birds.

Depictions of cats were particularly common at the site, reflecting the ancient Egyptian worship of the cat-headed god Bastet.

The team also found painted wooden cobra and crocodile sarcophagi, a collection of gilded statues depicting animal features, as well as objects including amulets, canopic jars, writing tools and papyri baskets.

Humans were mummified to preserve their bodies for the afterlife. Animals treated in this manner, such as the unusual scarab mummies, are thought to have been used as religious offerings.

Tombs of the pyramid builders discovered in Giza, Egypt Show all 4 1 /4 Tombs of the pyramid builders discovered in Giza, Egypt Tombs of the pyramid builders discovered in Giza, Egypt 294541.bin Images courtesy the SCA (Supreme Council of Antiquities) Tombs of the pyramid builders discovered in Giza, Egypt 294544.bin Images courtesy the SCA (Supreme Council of Antiquities) Tombs of the pyramid builders discovered in Giza, Egypt 294543.bin Images courtesy the SCA (Supreme Council of Antiquities) Tombs of the pyramid builders discovered in Giza, Egypt 294542.bin Images courtesy the SCA (Supreme Council of Antiquities)

"The (mummified) scarab is something really unique. It is something really a bit rare," said Mr Waziri.

"A couple of days ago, when we discovered those coffins, they were sealed coffins with drawings of scarabs. I never heard about them before."

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Scarabs also held religious significance in ancient Egyptian society, associated with the sun god Khepri.

The tombs in which these discoveries were made lie in a buried ridge that has only partially been uncovered and could offer many more similar discoveries, according to Mr Waziri.

Excavations in the area had halted in 2013 before resuming earlier this year.

Egypt has been whipping up publicity for new historical discoveries in recent years in an attempt to revitalise its tourism sector, which has still not recovered since the 2011 uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak.

Additional reporting by agencies.Thousands of people have marched in a peoples procession through central London to honour Britains fallen soldiers on the 100th centenary of the end of the First World War.

Around 10,000 members of the public passed the Cenotaph war monument, where senior members of the royal family, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn placed wreaths earlier on Sunday.

Prince Charles laid a memorial on at the foot of the Cenotaph while Queen Elizabeth II watched from a balcony.

The solemn Armistice Day ceremony, marked by two minutes of silence at 11am, was repeated in dozens of towns, cities and villages throughout Britain.

The procession of people marching from the Mall to St James Park on Sunday afternoon, chosen in a public ballot, included the descendants of many veterans.

Marion Lewis and her sister Dorothy Heslop were marching for their grandfather, Private John Waters of the 23rd Battalion Middlesex Regiment.

10,000 people walked down Whitehall on Remembrance Day (PA)

He received a serious head wound at the Somme in 1916 which left him missing part of his skull. Ms Lewis and Ms Heslop said it was an unspoken rule not to ask granddad about the war.

They did not expect him to survive so they left him outside the medical tent and we think its the cold that probably saved him, said Ms Heslop.

Jackie Sheridan, whose great-great uncle Oliver Davies died aged just 21 while serving as a driver for the Royal Engineers near Jerusalem, was also taking part. Its a very proud moment to represent my family who are descendants, she said.

Ms Sheridan was wearing a Land Army badge that belonged to her grandmother Valda Davies, who received it a few years before she died. Wiping away tears, she said: That was very important to her.

Prince Charles lays wreath at the Cenotaph in place of the Queen (AFP/Getty Images)

In another poignant act of remembrance, portraits of soldiers who died during the conflict were etched out on beaches around the British coastline.

The homage was carried out on 32 beaches, including Blackpool, Folkestone, Colwyn Bay and the Shetland Islands.

Hundreds of people came out to express their gratitude before the likenesses of the dead were washed away by rising tidewater.

People on Porthcurno beach in Cornwall work on portrait of Lieutenant Richard Charles Graves-Sawle (Getty ) (Getty)

The Pages of the Sea project, organised by filmmaker Danny Boyle, saw artists and volunteers used rakes and stencils to make the images in the early hours of Sunday when the tide was low.

Silhouettes of soldiers from the First World War were also projected on to famous UK landmarks, while services were held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff, St Annes Cathedral in Belfast and Glasgow Cathedral.

A senior representative of the German government took part in Britains Remembrance Day observances for the very first time.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph, a gesture meant to symbolise the friendship between the nations.

Thousands gathered for a national service of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Large crowds also attended the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington for New Zealands main remembrance ceremony.

A former Gurkha soldier created his own armistice commemoration by planting a poppy at the peak of a Himalayan mountain.

Nims Purja, 35, reached the peak of Ama Dablam in the eastern region of Nepal shortly before 11am on Sunday.Theresa May has been forced to abandon plans for an emergency cabinet meeting to approve a Brexit deal, after fresh opposition at home and abroad plunged her timetable into turmoil.

The prime minister shelved the meeting, pencilled in for Monday, slamming on the brakes after fierce resistance in her cabinet and in Brussels threatened to derail the path to an agreement.

A government source conceded that an outline deal might not be ready by Tuesday  making it increasingly unlikely that a special EU summit to sign it off can be held in November, as hoped.

That would leave the UK having to ramp up hugely expensive no-deal preparations and in danger of being unable to pass all necessary legislation before the Brexit deadline next March.

At home, Ms May faced an open challenge to her plans from Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader, who vowed the UK cannot be held against its will by the backstop plan for the Irish border.

Ms Leadsom became the second cabinet minister to insist on a unilateral power to escape being bound in the EU customs union  something explicitly ruled out by Brussels.

In the Belgian capital, talks between UK and EU officials hit a wall over how to terminate the backstop, with fishing rights another key obstacle.

Meanwhile, there was fresh confusion over Labours stance on a Final Say referendum on the Brexit outcome  with Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, directly contradicting Jeremy Corbyn.

Cabinet ministers had been told to clear their diaries for an approve the deal meeting at the end of last week, a get together then put back until Monday.

But, the source told The Independent: There is not going to be one tomorrow.

They added: The cabinet will meet as normal on Tuesday, but I cant say if it going to be a Brexit cabinet or not, because the negotiations are ongoing.

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

The source acknowledged the delay, but said: The fact is that we have got to get something thats right. We are not going to accept an outline deal at all costs and we are still working on it.

Ministers are also demanding to see full legal advice on the power to be conceded over ending the backstop, after Ms May indicated only a legal summary would be made available.

The continued turmoil burst out into the open when Ms Leadsom told BBC Radio 5 Live: The UK cannot be held against its will in a customs arrangement.

The prime minister has urged her cabinet to abandon hopes of a unilateral power to end the backstop and push for a joint review mechanism with Brussels instead.

But pro-Brexit Tories fear the UK will locked indefinitely into the customs union  unable to sign its own trade deals  unless it can end the backstop unilaterally, at some point soon after 2020.

Ms Leadsom said: It must be capable for the United Kingdom to decide to leave that customs arrangement and it cannot be something that the European Union can then hold us to.

And she warned: Its because that would be to then fail to fulfil on the will of the people expressed in the referendum and I very much doubt that we would get it through parliament.

The warning came days after Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, also insisted the power must rest with the sovereign British government.

Ms Leadsom also rejected the idea of an independent body to review if an alternative solution has been found to avoid checks at the Irish border  something dependent on untested technology.

However, she insisted she was not on the verge of resigning, saying: Im sticking in the government to make sure thats where we get to in the end.

Crucially, the EU is believed to have rejected Britains proposal of independent arbitration over ending the backstop, insisting the European Court of Justice must make the decision.

If the prime minister also makes that concession  after repeatedly ruling out ECJ jurisdiction  she would risk even greater opposition on the Tory benches.

Ms Thornberry sought to calm Labour tensions by saying the party could still back a Final Say Brexit referendum, just a day after her leader rubbished the idea.

The shadow foreign secretary said all options remain on the table if Labour fails to force a general election by voting against the deal, if there is one.

Mr Corbyn has angered Labour MPs and supporters by arguing Brexit cannot be stopped  and by going on to reject the growing calls for a fresh public vote.

But Ms Thornberry said: If we dont have a general election then, yes, of course all the options remain on the table and we would campaign for there to be a peoples vote  but there are several stages before we get that.A second cabinet minister has rejected a key plank of Theresa Mays Brexit plan, raising the prospect of fresh resignations if she tries to force it through.

Andrea Leadsom, the Commons leader also warned the proposal  giving the EU a joint say over when the UK can break free of the Irish border backstop  would be thrown out by parliament.

The prime minister has urged her cabinet to accept they must abandon hopes of a unilateral power to end the backstop and push for a joint review mechanism with Brussels.

Recommended Thornberry says Labour could still back Final Say Brexit referendum

But Ms Leadsom told BBC Radio 5 Live: The UK cannot be held against its will in a customs arrangement.

It must be capable for the United Kingdom to decide to leave that customs arrangement and it cannot be something that the European Union can then hold us to.

And, frankly, its because that would be to then fail to fulfil on the will of the people expressed in the referendum and I very much doubt that we would get it through parliament.

The warning comes days after Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, also insisted the power must rest with the sovereign British government.

At stake is the fear of pro-Brexit Tories that the UK risks being locked indefinitely into the EU customs union  unable to sign its own trade deals  unless it can end the backstop unilaterally.

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

Ms Leadsom also rejected the idea of an independent body to review if an alternative solution has been found to avoid Irish border checks  something currently dependent on untested technology.

However, she insisted she was not on the verge of resigning, saying: Im sticking in the government to make sure thats where we get to in the end.

The Commons leader also dismissed suggestions that she was expecting other ministers to quit, adding: No Im not. That was a great surprise to me that he [Jo Johnson] resigned.

Nevertheless, the cabinet fightback means the prime ministers hopes of agreeing an outline deal with her cabinet as early as tomorrow appear to be fading.

Senior ministers are also demanding to see full legal advice on the power to be conceded over ending the backstop, after Ms May indicated only a legal summary would be made available.

Meanwhile, EU leaders have also warned that crucial obstacles remain over how to settle future disputes over the Irish border and also over fishing rights.

Crucially, they are believed to have rejected Britains proposal of independent arbitration over ending the backstop, insisting the European Court of Justice must make the decision.

If an outline deal is not agreed by the middle of this week, it is unlikely that an emergency summit to sign it off can be held in November  throwing back a final agreement until the middle of December.

That would leave the UK having to ramp off hugely-expensive no-deal preparations and in danger of being unable to pass all necessary legislation before Brexit day next March.

Damian Hinds, the education secretary, warned cabinet rebels that the EU would not accept the UK being able to end the backstop.

If you have too hard a line about saying, 'well we must just have a totally unilateral exit, or there's an absolutely fixed, hard end date', that is very, very unlikely that is going to be negotiable with the other side, he admitted.Almost 80 per cent of people believe police force spending cuts have made them less safe on the streets of Britain, an exclusive survey has shown.

Some four-fifths of those questioned in the exclusive survey for The Independent said swingeing cuts enforced during a near-decade of austerity driven by the Conservatives have damaged public safety.

In a worrying omen for Theresa May, an even larger proportion of Tory voters were of the view that spending reductions have had a negative impact  potentially undermining the Conservatives traditional claim to be the party of law and order.

The data from BMG Research, released amid a spiralling knife crime epidemic, throws down the gauntlet to home secretary Sajid Javid who has said he is seeking more funding for police from the Treasury.

More than 100 people have been killed in London alone in violent crimes this year, with five stabbings recently taking place in six days.

A weighted sample of some 1,500 people was questioned about a government spending watchdog report which found police funding had reduced 19 per cent since 2010, and whether they thought it had a negative impact on public safety.

A total of 78 per cent said that it did have a negative impact, while just seven per cent said it did not and 15 per cent said they did not know.

In their 2017 manifesto the Conservatives sought to live up to their traditional claim to be the party of law and order by promising to help Britains world-leading police forces and prosecutorial services to fight crime.

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But among those who said they intended to vote Conservative at the next election, a huge 83 per cent said they believed cuts had a negative impact.

The report from the National Audit Office published earlier this year found there had been a 19 per cent drop in funding for police since the Conservatives took power in 2010 and that an effective service was at risk.

It said the number of police employees had as a result fallen from 244,497 to 199,752, and the proportion of reported crimes resulting in a charge or summons had fallen from 15 per cent in 2015 to 9 per cent now.

It read: While no police force has failed financially, there are signs emerging that forces are finding it harder to deliver an effective service.

As with local government, legal requirements prevent commissioners and forces from running deficits. Given this, the department recognises that any problems caused by funding reductions are likely to manifest themselves in a force being unable to provide an adequate policing service rather than in financial failure.

 Cressida Dick on London knife crime spike: 'We clearly, as a city, have a big problem'

For example, the time it took to charge an offence increased from 14 days for the year ending March 2016 to 18 days for the year ending March 2018.

Amid the recent spate of violent crime in the capital, home secretary Mr Javid has been under increasing pressure to come forward with more funding to support cash-strapped forces in London and further afield.

Earlier this week he challenged chancellor Philip Hammond to give police the resources they need in the face of a surge in knife crime.

Police chiefs have warned they are at tipping point as they face losing another 10,000 officers because of a 420m pension shortfall.

In her party conference speech the prime minister signalled that the government would end austerity, promising an increase in public funds after a major review of government spending due next year.

But if the police do not now get extra money, the data suggests the Tories could be held accountable for further increases in crime.

A large majority of 68 per cent of people also disagreed with a government request that police forces should begin recording incidents of misogyny, even where crimes have not been committed.

Just 6 per cent backed the idea that they should be recorded and 10 per cent did not know.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Police officers do vital work, and we are on the front foot in engaging with them.

"The policing minister has spoken to leaders in every force in England and Wales to better understand the demand and changing nature of crime faced by forces.

"Overall, public investment in policing has grown by over 1bn from 2015-16 to 2018-19, including counter-terrorism policing, local policing and funding for national programmes.

Source note: BMG Research interviewed a representative sample of 1,506 GB adults online between 6 and 9 November. Data are weighted. BMG is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rulesThe Houston area's courts are going to be a lot more diverse thanks to a group of 17 African-American women.

The women, who were part of an effort dubbed the "Black Girl Magic" campaign, all won races on Tuesday to be judges in various Harris County courts in an election that featured more black women on the county's ballot than any other.

The "Black Girl Magic" campaign debuted over the summer with a viral photo that featured the 17 women and two other sitting Harris County judges inside a courtroom.

Although those two judges lost their bids for seats on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, they will retain their local judgeships.

Those behind the campaign say it was part of an effort to broaden the diversity of the Houston area's judiciary and ensure more African-Americans and other minorities can bring their backgrounds and life experiences to the bench and better reflect the diversity of the nation's fourth largest city.

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"I think that while Houston itself is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, our elected officials have not always reflected that," said Lillie Schechter, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party, which put together the "Black Girl Magic" campaign. "Having a government that reflects the people, the population is something that is incredibly important."

Lori Chambers Gray, a Houston defence attorney who won election to be a judge on a criminal district court, said the photo and the "Black Girls Magic" campaign provided her with a source of strength and motivation as she proceeded to election day.

"I hope that it's an example for women that we do have opportunities to run and to win a campaign," Ms Gray 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

The "Black Girl Magic" moniker has been used as a hashtag in recent years to highlight the accomplishments of African-American girls and women.

In politics, it has been used to highlight the role African-American women have played in helping decide various races, including the highly contested Senate race in Alabama last year in which Democrat Doug Jones beat Republican Roy Moore.

The victory by the 17 black women was part of a Harris County rout by the Democrats, who won almost all of the nearly 70 local judicial races and ousted a popular Republican from the county's top elected office.

Although Tuesday's election will increase the diversity of the Houston-area's judiciary, more than three-quarters of US trial judges are white, according to a 2016 report by a liberal legal organisation, the American Constitution Society. The group found less than one-third of state judges were women and less than one-fifth were people of colour.

In Texas, women of colour make up about 28 per cent of the state's population but only about 12 per cent of its state court judges, according to the American Constitution Society's report.

According to US Census figures, African-Americans make up about 20 per cent of Harris County's population. Tuesday's election will increase the number of black female judges in Harris County from eight to 25, according to the Harris County Democratic Party.

Angela Graves-Harrington, a family law attorney in Houston who was one of the 17 women elected, said Tuesday's success will be an important step in improving diversity, as this will be the first time black women have been elected as family court judges and as judges on misdemeanour criminal courts in Harris County.

"We felt showcasing the number of African-American women on the bench would galvanise our base and also galvanise those who don't typically vote in the midterm elections and get them excited about coming out," Ms Graves-Harrington said. "We also wanted to have something out there that we could be proud of, that our community could be proud of and that Harris County could be proud of."

Ms Schechter said she hopes the successful election of the 17 African-American women inspires "candidates of all colours" to run for local offices.

Associated PressCalifornia firefighters are embarking on exhaustive search-and-rescue operations for survivors and the remains of victims killed in massive wildfires as the death toll climbed to 25.

More than 100 are still missing after a wildfire engulfed 164 sq miles of northern California.

Many of those residents could still be found alive, Butte County sheriff Kory Honea said, as his department initially received over 500 calls about missing loved ones.

With some of the numerous fires becoming at least partially contained by Sunday, authorities stepped up efforts to recover and identify people who died.

A local coroners team is helping to find bodies in burned down areas, along with a DNA lab truck to assist in identifying human remains.

Recommended Malibu evacuated as California Woolsey wildfire rages

I know that members of the community who are missing loved ones are anxious, and I know that the news of us recovering bodies has to be disconcerting, the sheriff told reporters.

In some cases, investigators have only found bones or bone fragments.

Anthropologists from nearby California State University, Chico, have provided expertise to officers during the process, as sheriffs officials cross-check their lists with official shelters to search for the missing.

Most victims have not yet been identified. Two people were found dead in a wildfire in southern California, bringing the total number of fatalities for the state to 25.

Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Show all 32 1 /32 Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Firefighters battle a blaze at the Salvation Army Camp in Malibu Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Flames from the Camp fire burn near a home atop a ridge near Big Bend AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Cathy Fallon (centre) who stayed behind to tend to her horses during the Camp Fire, embraces Shawna De Long (left) and April Smith who brought supplies for the horses Reuters Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A helicopter drops flame retardant on a wildfire in Malibu Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures An air tanker drops water on the fire along the Ronald Reagan Freeway in Simi Valley AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures An abandoned car from fleeing residents of Paradise in the Pentz road area EPA Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A firefighter tackles the fire along the Ronald Reagan Freeway in Simi Valley AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A Jack In The Box fast food restaurant burns as the Camp fire moves through Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Yuba and Butte County Sheriff officers label a body bag AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Firefighters hose down trees on Bell Canyon Road, near Malibu AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A fire burns at the Salvation Army Camp Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A firefighting DC-10 makes a fire retardant drop over a wildfire in the mountains near Malibu Canyon Road AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Bins have melted and ballooned in the heat in Magalia, Butte County EPA Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Satellite image taken on 8 November shows plumes of smoke from the Camp Fire stretching across portions of Northern California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Firefighters battle the Camp Fire AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Firefighters battle the Woolsey Fire Reuters Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Deputy Coroner Justin Sponhaltz, of the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office, recovers human remains found at a home destroyed by the Camp Fire AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Buildings burn in Paradise, California EPA Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Local residents bring their horses to Zuma Beach and away from the Woolsey Fire in Malibu Reuters Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A used car dealership burns in Paradise, California Reuters Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Yuba and Butte County Sheriff officers inspect a burned vehicle after discovering remains nearby in Concow AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Firefighters battle the flames in Thousand Oaks Reuters Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Search and rescue teams work to evacuate patients from the burning Feather River Hospital in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Embers blow in the wind in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures In Butte County, the sky is filled with the smoke of the Camp Fire EPA Wildfires spread across California  in pictures Firefighters at work in Thousand Oaks Reuters Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A house burns in Paradise, California AP Wildfires spread across California  in pictures The burned remains of a house and car are left after the Camp Fire in Paradise, California AFP/Getty Wildfires spread across California  in pictures A shop burns in Paradise, California AFP/Getty

The northern California fire became the states third deadliest since record keeping began, with the death toll surpassing that from a blaze last year that ravaged the city of Santa Rosa.

An additional search and recovery team on top of the four already on the ground was being brought in to search for remains, officials said.

The flames burned down more than 6,700 buildings, almost all of them were homes, making it Californias most destructive wildfire on record.

Many dead bodies were reportedly discovered inside their cars or outside vehicles and homes.

State officials put the total number of people forced from their homes by Californias fires at more than 200,000. Evacuation orders included the entire city of Malibu that is home to some of Hollywoods biggest stars.

Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration providing federal funding for fires at both ends of the state. He later threatened to withhold payments to California, claiming its forest management is so poor.

The president continued attacking Californias Forest Management on Twitter over the weekend, writing on Sunday: With proper Forest Management, we can stop the devastation constantly going on in California.

Get smart! he added.

The criticisms have caused Californias Professional Firefighters Union to respond by calling the presidents message a shameful attack and ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines".

At a time when our every effort should be focused on vanquishing the destructive fires and helping the victims, the president has chosen instead to issue an uninformed political threat aimed squarely at the innocent victims of these cataclysmic fires, the statement added.

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California Governor-elect Gavin Newsom responded on Twitter that this was not a time for partisanship.

This is a time for coordinating relief and response and lifting those in need up, he said.

Mr Trump took a more empathetic tone later in the day, tweeting sympathies for firefighters, people who have fled their homes and the families of those killed by the flames.

Reporting contributed by APRegardless of whether Nancy Pelosi becomes the next speaker of the US House of Representatives, one thing has become immediately clear in the wake of the 2018 midterms: the Democratic Party is ready to provide a check on Donald Trump.

The California Democrat told Face the Nation that she is prepared to hold the president and his administration accountable, while conducting oversight with the cool, strategic mindset that has been missing for too long".

We are not doing any investigation for a political purpose, she said, but to seek the truth. So I think a word that you could use to describe how Democrats will go forward in this regard is, we will be very strategic.

Democrats are facing questions from reporters on Capitol Hill since the election about whether they will support the House minority leader to become the next speaker, or if theyd vote for any one of the rising stars within the party who have taken further left-of-centre stances on a range of issues.

However, with its newfound voice in Congress, Ms Pelosi appears slated to become the Democratic Partys House speaker. As of Sunday, nobody within the party had announced a challenge to the 78-year-old congresswoman.

Shes now walking a fine line between catering to the liberal factions of her party who are demanding various investigations into the president and his conduct, while also pushing to accomplish policy initiatives that Democratic candidates won on in battleground districts, from health care to immigration.

Soaring prescription drug prices and insurance costs drove voters to the polls in reliably red states like Texas, the uninsured capital of the nation, where more than 17 per cent of residents lack health care coverage compared to a nearly eight per cent uninsured nationwide average.

Health care was on the ballot, and health care won, Ms Pelosi said after the House Democrats victories last week.

Among the first early votes Democrats plan to hold include proposals that will protect those with pre-existing medical conditions  an effort that will test promises several Republicans made along the campaign trail in which they claimed to support coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions, the New York Times reported.

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 House will also attempt to stabilise former President Barack Obamas landmark health care initiative, the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, by controlling prescription drug prices.

And yet, at the end of it all, Democrats still plan to launch a range of investigations  with at least one likely probe involving health care. The NYT also reported the soon-to-be majority will seek to investigate Trump administration actions that undermine Obamacare.

The Democratic Party may also intervene in a major lawsuit which challenges key provisions to Obamacare  including coverage for pre-existing conditions.

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Ms Pelosi may find herself at odds with a new range of Democratic newcomers and rising stars in Congress who ran in 2018 on Medicare for All". Several Democrats in the House have called for plans to provide federal funding to states in order to pay the largest medical claims, while others have said they want to add funding to encourage Americans to enrol under the Affordable Care Act.

The former House speaker told CNN this week she was 100 per cent confident she will return to her previous post in order to spearhead these policy proposals and investigations. Meanwhile, at least 10 key House Democrats are reportedly unified behind blocking Ms Pelosi, including Tim Ryan of Ohio and Kathleen Rice of New York.

A vote to determine who will lead the House Democrats will take place at the start of the new Congress in January; the fate of which could ultimately shape the balance of focus on both policies and investigations under the new world order in Washington.James Comey used his private email account to conduct FBI business while serving as the head of the federal agency, according to hundreds of pages of his correspondence obtained by a political watchdog.

The emails were released after a Freedom of Information request by the Cause of Action Institute and appear to support the claim made by Mr Comey that he generally used his private account for incidental purposes while serving as the head of the agency.

Approximately 1,200 pages of messages were obtained according to the New York Post, although the Justice Department reportedly declined to release at least seven emails, saying the information would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions.

But the released emails appear to support comments Mr Comey made in interviews with the Justice Departments internal watchdog, in which he admitted to using his Gmail account for word processing at home when he was writing longer messages for work. Several of the emails sent to his personal account were transmitted at the time in which Mr Comey oversaw the agencys investigation into Hillary Clintons emails.

He has since called the emails incidental and said he typically forwarded them to his government account.

During his interviews for the agencys inspector general report, Mr Comey said he wasnt sure if that was in accordance with FBI regulations, but had checked it with another official and he had the sense that it was okay.

 Sarah Sanders: Donald Trump considering revoking Comey security clearance due to politicising and monetising his clearance

The inspector general eventually said Mr Comey had not followed regulations.

The CEO of Cause of Action disputed Mr Comeys position on his email use, saying in a statement to the New York Post: Using private email to conduct official government business endangers transparency and accountability, and that is why we sued the Department of Justice  Were deeply concerned that the FBI withheld numerous emails citing FOIAs law enforcement exemption. This runs counter to Comeys statements that his use of email was incidental and never involved any sensitive matters.

The inspector general previously revealed Mr Comeys use of personal email in its report about the FBIs handling of the investigation into Ms Clintons email practices and whether she mishandled classified information as secretary of state.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

The former FBI director publicly commented on the investigation in the explosive final months of the 2016 presidential campaign. Ms Clinton has written that those moves contributed to her loss to Donald Trump.

She has also lambasted Mr Comey for his use of private emails, writing in a three-word tweet: But my emails.

The inspector generals report found there was no evidence that Mr Comeys or the departments actions were motivated by political bias towards either candidate, however.

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In several emails, Mr Comey forwarded items to his personal account, including drafts of messages and other unclassified items.

Other emails showed correspondence between FBI officials discussing arbitrary internal matters, including a joke referencing the NBC show Parks and Recreation, which the agencys official Twitter handle had tweeted and was retweeted by one of its actors.

Conservative influencers spent the weekend once again criticising Mr Comey over his use of a personal email, with one viral tweet reading, Well, isnt this interesting?

Reporting contributed by AP.Cardiff was not the first place that came to mind when businessman Alexei Smatko imagined Britain. No palaces; no Tussauds; no elbows or cold indifference.

But as a processing centre for asylum seekers, it became his reality. He fled here from Russias justice system, he says, after being tortured by police while in detention. He got to like it: Cardiff has a beach just like Miami.

Last year, Smatko broke from his Welsh anonymity to initiate a petition with a dozen fellow businessmen, asking Vladimir Putin to remove charges and allow them to return to Russia. He says his main aim was to overturn fabricated charges; residency was a secondary affair. Nonetheless, the list was taken up by one of the minor candidates for president, Boris Titov, who presented it to the Kremlin.A giant balloon depicting Donald Trump as an angry orange baby was floated in Paris on Sunday, as activists protested against his visit to the city for Remembrance Day commemorations.

The British campaigners behind the blimp loaned it to French demonstrators holding an anti-Trump protest at the Place de la Republique.

The six-metre-high balloon  which portrays the US president wearing a nappy while clutching a smartphone  was first seen at anti-Trump rallies in London when he was in the UK capital in July.

Since then it has been used at protests in New York City and Dublin.

Mr Trump appeared alongside French president Emmanuel Macron and more than 60 other world leaders at the Arc de Triomphe to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

But the Trump-hating activists in Paris said Mr Macron should not have invited the US leader.

Its important for me to be here today to send a message to Macron for having invited Trump, organiser Sophie Haas told CNN.

By inviting Trump, Macron is supporting Trumps racist, xenophobic, sexist policies all over the world.

Earlier on Sunday, a pair of topless protesters were apprehended by police after they ran at the motorcade carrying Mr Trump to the Armistice Day ceremony.

The British protesters who first launched the balloon raised 15,000 following an online crowdfunding campaign.

In September, organiser Kevin Smith told The Independent the collective hoped their stunt could become an international phenomenon.

When we passed our original crowdfunding target, we said wed use the excess money to take the Trump baby wherever we could to globally troll Donald, said Mr Smith.

In July the US campaign group Peoples Motorcade said they had been given permission to create a replica balloon from the original design.Eysa thought he had finally escaped the shadowy Chinese security services that had pressed him into serving as a spy against his own community and turned his life in Xinjiang province into a living hell for three years. He had moved himself and his family to Turkey, and begun to carve a new life out for himself among the ethnic Uighur Muslims seeking refuge in a country with a language and religion similar to his own.

Then the 36-year-old began receiving messages on his phone from Qurban, the state security official who had detained him, pressed him into collaborating with the Chinese services, and then sought to throw him to the wolves when he had proven himself useless.

Eysa, his interrogator begins, in one of several recordings he retained on his phone and plays for The Independent.  You think youre safe in Turkey. But what about your brothers and in-laws?

Eysa, a 36-year-old ethnic Uighur, was blackmailed into spying for the Chinese intelligence services (Tara Todras-Whitehill)

Human rights advocates in recent years have raised alarms about the treatment of Chinas Uighur minority, a Turkic language-speaking, mostly Muslim population concentrated in the nations western Xinjiang province. The UN in August voiced concern that perhaps a million Uighurs were being held in conditions resembling a massive internment camp that is shrouded in secrecy.

But increasingly, say members of the community, security professionals and scholars, the crackdown on Uighurs is extending across the globe, with Chinese operatives threatening to silence, intimidate and blackmail those who make it abroad.

In addition to Istanbul, experts close to the Uighurs living abroad say the Chinese security forces are seeking to infiltrate, recruit spies, and threaten embers of the ethnic group in Munich, Frankfurt, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki.

The goal, say scholars, is to pressure Uighurs into serving as intelligence assets when theyre abroad, as well as to sow friction and mistrust among members of the ethnic group seeking refuge abroad. Just the fact of being able to travel abroad and coming back home puts them under suspicion, says Rune Steenberg, an expert on Chinas Uighur minority. It destroys the community.

Just the fact of being able to travel abroad and coming back home puts them under suspicion Rune Steenberg, expert on Uighurs

Inspired by his time studying linguistics at the University of Kansas on a Ford Foundation scholarship, Abduweli Ayup returned to China and launched a preschool for kids, teaching in English, Chinese, as well as Uighur. It became enormously popular, with Xinjiangs elite enrolling their kids. But the scholars project raised the suspicion of the authorities, who warned him to shut down his school, and in 2013 arrested him when he refused.

He spent 15 agonising months in prison, where he says he was subject to torture and sexual assault. My life was full of humiliation and full of torture, says Ayup.

From eight in the morning until six in the evening they interrogated me in the interrogation room, he continues. Those officials get tired and go home. Thats when the problems start. Then I am humiliated and tortured in the detention cell. They insult me, and my sex. Its very hard for me as a man. Those guys did sexually attack me.

In addition to prisons, Beijing authorities have set up a network of re-education camps where Uighurs are taught about the dangers of Islam and the superiority of Chinese culture and the Communist Party ideology over their own customs.

Abdursalam Mohammed, 40, spent weeks in a Chinese re-education camp (Tara Todras-Whitehill)

From very early in the morning we wake up and are forced to run for an hour, and then breakfast, and then four hours of classes, and then fours in the afternoon and then classes until 10pm, says Abdursalam Mohammed, a 40-year-old cook from the Xinjiang city of Hotan. He fled China in late 2016 after spending seven weeks at a re-education camp.

A draconian system of checkpoints makes life unbearable even outside the camps. Loudspeakers affixed to utility poles suddenly announce mandatory ideological indoctrination classes in villages and neighbourhoods. When you hear the voice on the loudspeaker, you know you have to run to the meetings, says Mohammed, now residing in Istanbul.

An elderly man stands near a mosque in Chinas Xinjiang province. (AFP/Getty) (AFP)

Eysas entanglement with Chinas security services began on 23 October 2015, after he returned with his family from a trip to Turkey. He was detained on arrival at the Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, shackled, had his jacket pulled over his head, and whisked away to an army base where he was held for two days, and then taken to an encampment which belonged to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a government paramilitary organisation, for six weeks.

During hours-long interrogations, he was accused of contacting separatist groups while in Turkey and Malaysia. He explained that he travelled abroad only to purchase soaps, spices, and herbs for his shop. He says he was not subject to torture. The Chinese had other plans for him. His interrogator, Qurban, played the good cop.

He told me, Yes, I know you are innocent, Eysa, whose last name is being withheld for security reasons, recalls. But the problem is we need someone to work with us. He told me, If you want to keep running your business, and travelling abroad, you have to spy for us on other Uighurs.

They insult me, and my sex. Its very hard for me as a man. Those guys did sexually attack me Abduweli Ayup, former prisoner

Chinas ethnic Han-dominated society and Communist Party has long looked suspiciously upon the Uighurs, a Sunni Muslim minority with strong ethnic and cultural ties to Turkey and Central Asia. Chinese central government repression of Uighurs escalated dramatically with a series of terrorist attacks claimed by Islamists and separatists that began in the 1990s, with tensions exacerbated by the arrival of Han Chinese seeking economic opportunities in the undeveloped region.

On 22 May 2014, men in two vehicles began hurling explosives at shoppers in a busy street in Urumqi before blowing themselves up, killing 43 people and injuring nearly 100, prompting a ferocious and unprecedented clampdown by security forces.

An Uighur man looks on as a truck carrying paramilitary policemen travels along a street during an anti-terrorism oath-taking rally in Urumqi, Xinjiang (Reuters) (REUTERS)

Chinese officials have been struggling hard to keep stories about Xinjiang under wraps, and to control the activities of even those Uighurs living abroad. Experts say the Chinese intelligence services have long pressured or recruited citizens studying abroad as assets or informants, but that the Uighur infiltration is far more pervasive.

It goes further with Uighurs and goes beyond students, says Michael Dillon, a Sinologist and historian. He spent years travelling in and out of Chinas Xinjiang province for research.

Steenberg says hes spoken repeatedly to Uighurs whove been offered benefits or money to keep an eye on the communities, with initial approaches sometimes disguised as innocuous requests for help. The recruitment as a spy is often a slow and sneaking process, and not an overt one, says Steenberg.

Eysa says he agreed to spy, but only to get his passport back so he could continue to travel to Turkey for business. He says he didnt really know many Uighurs abroad and none that were up to nefarious activities or attached to separatist or violent groups.

He was arrested again a little more than a year later after arriving back from a trip to Turkey. Qurban got him released, but he was summoned by police again on 18 March 2017, and taken to a detention camp. His relatives were also arrested.

This time, the conditions were harsher and filthier, and Eysa was subject to gruelling interrogations. They accused him of failing to come up with any intelligence while abroad. They said, You didnt do anything for us, he recalls.

Qurban had him released again, with the stipulation that he would attend a re-education workshop for a day and try harder to gather intelligence next time he was abroad. He left again for Turkey in June 2017.

Eysa, a Chinese ethnic Uighur, with his child at their home in Istanbul. (Tara Todras-Whitehill)

But Qurban had seriously misread Eysa. Instead of spying, he moved to Turkey permanently, refused to go back home, and then began writing about his experiences at the hands of the Chinese authorities in social media posts that went viral. Thats when the phone messages started. I helped you to get your passport and got you out of prison twice and you didnt do anything for us, Qurban said in a message sent in May.

Yes, you are in Turkey, he said in June. But your brother, brother-in-law, and father-in-law are in our hands. If we torture them its on you. Think about that. We are very powerful and we can reach you wherever you are.

After years of allowing Uighurs relatively free travel abroad, Chinese authorities have severely restricted them from leaving since around the summer of 2017, in what scholars believe is an attempt to keep the lid on stories they might tell about the ongoing repression inside Xinjiang.

When people are working abroad, they are told they have to return or they will lose their properties, says Steenberg. Theyre told, You musnt say anything bad, or terrible will things will happen to your family.

Ayup, who serves informally as a community leader for Uighurs in Turkey, says hes repeatedly been in touch with other members of the community whove been harassed by Chinese security officials, even from abroad. During one video chat, the Chinese enforcer put an Uighur mans terrified, elderly parents on the screen and demanded he spy on fellow Uighurs in Turkey, note addresses, their connections to each other, sources of income, names and activities of civic groups, and the locations and actions of former detainees.

They told him he has to work for them, recalls Ayup. Otherwise they will put his mother and father in jail. If you work for us you can live freely. If you dont, well put your parents into jail. If you love your parents you are a patriot. If you dont, we will put them in a detention centre.

People from the Uighur community living in Turkey carry flags of what ethnic Uighurs call East Turkestan, during a protest in Istanbul on 6 November 2018 against what they allege is oppression by the Chinese government to Muslim Uighurs in the far-western Xinjiang province. (AP)

The heavy-handed measures against the Uighurs may wind up backfiring. Instead of targeting terrorist networks, Chinese authorities are going after the whole thing, says Steenberg, engendering a global revulsion.

Its really a paranoia on the side of Chinese state, he says. They didnt know what they were up against and they panicked.

The repression is coupled with uneven economic development in the Xinjiang region that has benefited newly arriving Han businesspeople more than Uighurs, who have been displaced from local governance and lost out on contracts, exacerbating grievances and feeding the potential for a violent reaction.

The Chinese government forces us to take action, says Mohammed. They arrest my brothers and sisters. They dont allow me to read what I want, think what I want. These things force us to act.Commemorations for the centenary of Armistice Day began with remembrance services across Australia, New Zealand and Commonwealth countries. In the UK a lone piper played in the day before dawn in Northern Ireland.

Tens of thousands of people paused to reflect on the lives lost in the First World War a century ago, in Sydney and other Australian cities.

Meanwhile, more than 100 people gathered in the dark at Enniskillen Castle in County Fermanagh at 6am to hear the piper play When The Battle's O'er, a traditional retreat march song.

The Wilfred Owen poem Anthem For Doomed Youth was read before ministers from the four main churches in the town led prayers of reflection.

A two-minute silence was observed after The Last Post was played on the bugle that sounded the charge of the 36th Ulster Division at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Lord-Lieutenant for County Fermanagh, Viscount Brookborough, gave the oration at the ceremony.

"All of our communities served willingly and suffered equally throughout the long years of that war and I am delighted to see so many people here this morning," he said.

Attendee Phillip Skelton from the Highgate RSL Branch during Remembrance Day commemorations at the WA State War Memorial in King's Park, Perth, Australia (EPA)

"The Armistice was signed a few minutes after 5am on that 11th day, and we are in Enniskillen, the western most point of this celebration this year. Enniskillen was the first town to hear of the Armistice through a radio operator scanning the airwaves and he heard, in Morse code, the message which was transmitted in Paris and he translated it.

Another service will take place in Enniskillen on Sunday morning at the Cenotaph, followed by a service at St Macartan's Cathedral.

The news of the Armistice reportedly broke in Enniskillen three hours before London, Edinburgh, Manchester or Dublin thanks to the local wireless operator who picked up a very faint signal with the news.

(EPA (EPA)

Local newspapers reported at the time, that the news spread like wildfire with rockets fired into the sky and the ringing of church bells.

There is an added poignancy to Remembrance Sunday in Enniskillen, after an IRA bomb exploded close to the Cenotaph during the annual commemoration killing 11 people.

Across Commonwealth nations, services of remembrance were held from Sydney to Singapore on Sunday to commemorate those who lost their lives on the other side of the world during the First World War.

Over 12,000 people gathered for a national ceremony of remembrance at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where Prime Minister Scott Morrison led a minute's silence.

Armistice centenary commemorations in Wellington, New Zealand (WW100/PA/Mark Tantrum)

In Sydney, crowds gathered at the Anzac Memorial and there was also a service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.

Earlier in New Zealand, the country's main remembrance ceremony was held in the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, where Prime Minister Jacinda Arden addressed the crowd's assembled and a minute's silence was held.

As the silence came to an end, the sound of a 100-gun salute rang out over Wellington Harbour and white poppies fell from the cenotaph.

Over 330,000 Australians and nearly 10,000 New Zealanders served overseas during the First, with the majority posted on the Western Front alongside British soldiers and their allies.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan waits to lay a wreath during Remembrance Day commemorations at the WA State War Memorial in King's Park, Perth, Australia (EPA/Tony McDonough)

In Singapore, the British High Commission held a service to mark the Armistice centenary at the Kranji War Cemetery, where over 3500 casualties are buried from both world wars.

A special bell was rung and sailors from HMS Argyll, which is currently visiting Singapore, attended the service, along with Gurkha bagpipe players.

In Malaysia wreaths were laid at the cenotaph at the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur during a service organised by the British High Commission.

Armistice Day ceremonies were also held in Fiji at the National War Memorial in Veiuto led by President Jioji Konrote and in Tonga the centenary was marked at the the Cenotaph in Nuku'alofa.

There was also a service at the Coastwatchers' Memorial in Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands.

Remembrance Day services will take place across the UK to mark the Armistice centenary and those killed din the First Word War and other conflicts.

 Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

The Queen and prime minister will attend a service at the cenotaph before travelling to Westminster Abbey.

Events are also taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow,and other locations across the country and silhouettes of soldiers from the First World War have been projected on to famous UK landmarks

Additional reporting by PAOn Sunday 11 November I will be wearing a poppy, and for a few days before and after. I will remember brave and honourable (mostly) men who died serving their country. Twice. I will remember that they were British. I will also remember that many more of them were German, French, Dutch, Norwegian, Indian (including Pakistani Muslims), Jamaican, from the African empire (including South Africa), Italian, Greek, Russian, Australian, New Zealanders  well, you get the point.

Some revolting war criminals died and survived. I guess they were fairly well spread too!

Perhaps that memory emphasises the Churchill doctrine that jaw jaw is better than war war and that cooperation, even shared sovereignty in some respects, may have better outcomes than nation states in constant competition.

Andy Wilson

Winscombe

My grandfather survived the First World War including battles at Ypres. He never spoke about his experiences. Yet in his delirium just before he died in 1971, he hallucinated, desperately trying to load a shell into what to him was the breech of a field gun and to us was just an old slipper. We will never know what other terrors and horrors had remained buried in his mind for more than 50 years but there were surely many.

So, as the continuing host to some of his genes I feel it reasonable to suggest that while he would applaud the annual remembrance of those on all sides who gave their lives with good intent, he would also look askance at our failure, and especially the failure of our politicians, to learn the lessons of that and other wars.

In 1914 Europe dissolved into war essentially due to sovereign-state arm wrestling by arrogant leaders of rag-bag assemblages of nations. They were linked by treaties designed to ensure conflagration followed the attack of any one on any other. At that level they were sadly not disappointed.

Barely 100 years later, we are witnessing the promotion of sovereign-state politics with the attitude that we will do better on our own and make (our particular state) great again. Since greatness is essentially a comparative term and likely to involve a lot of bullying by some states of others as well as an unfair distribution of resources, war is a serious possibility based merely on what led to the First World War.

But 2018 is not 1914 and we now have additional powerful drivers for a future war, all of which require the opposites of sovereignty, of Brexit and of a potentially fragmented Europe. To deal with global threats such as climate change, increasing global population, ecological damage, migration (aggravated by all these factors), abuse of social networks and big data, religious intolerance, advances in robotics, effective control of transnational companies, cyber warfare, nuclear proliferation and international security, we need less sovereignty and more global collaboration.

I have yet to learn from any Brexiteer how regaining UK sovereignty addresses any of these matters (we are 60 million in a world of seven billion), how sovereignty has any meaning anyway when so much of the foregoing is outside UK control and why they think war is less likely than it was in 1914. The scenario they promote is simultaneously making war more likely and reducing our future ability to deal with it.

My grandfather has fortunately been spared this debacle and prospective horrors but our grandchildren have not.

David Rhodes

Nottingham

We ought to stop depending on technology for important political decisions

As we finally untangle the nightmare for small post office managers who were wrongly accused of fraud due to a massive computer failure years ago, why are the Tories still touting technology twaddle as an answer to the Brexit Irish border question?

If my memory serves me correctly, the first time I heard the idea of technology solving the border question (just one of many issues that should have been addressed before a referendum was even called) it was at the 2018 Tory party conference. At the same conference delegates personal info was exposed due to  technology failure...

Amanda Baker

Edinburgh

Why a Final Say is so essential

If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy, declared leading Brexiteer David Davis.

Leave voters were promised a quick, easy exit deal, more money for public services and better trade deals. Being forced to lower our food standards and reduce workers rights was not mentioned.

Since the referendum we have seen a shambolic mess of an EU exit process, frequent lazy incompetence and even lies about detailed impact assessments being undertaken, followed by denials that such assessments existed.

Every time the government edged closer to an agreement, the hardline, dogmatic, small minority of Tory MPs threw a spanner in the works.

Even prominent Leave advocate Arron Banks is now saying that if he had realised the turmoil and difficulties the referendum would cause, he would have voted Remain.

We now have a much better understanding of Brexit. Surveys, polls and the upsurge in the rejection of Brexit nationally show we, as a nation, have changed our minds. If we are not allowed to demonstrate this through a second vote, the democratic credibility of any Brexit decision will be in shreds. Being forced to leave the EU with all the uncertainty and with no final say is profoundly undemocratic.

Sam Selman

Wiltshire

Icelands Christmas ad should have been applauded, not banned

The news that Icelands Christmas advert  with its powerful, consumer-friendly sustainability message  has been banned is a bad decision.

Icelands advert shows a brand that is trying to do good work in improving its impact on the world. Earlier this year, they became the first major supermarket to pledge to remove palm oil from their own-brand products and so they are using their ad to campaign on an issue that is important and is actually credible for them to talk about with customers.

Reducing usage of palm oil is a complex issue, and not everyone agrees with the action taken by the supermarket. However, it is such a shame this has been blocked as the traditional Christmas advert is a platform for brands to really connect with consumers, and the fact that Iceland chose to focus on sustainability is amazingly progressive.

It is also incredibly important for brands like Iceland to be making this stand as it democratises the idea of sustainability. The whole brand purpose movement has for some time been in danger of becoming overly directed towards a left-wing middle class audience who have the time, money and resources to be able to get involved (either by buying into a sustainable product at a higher price point or through making some form of compromise).

Iceland has been broadening its base of shoppers over the past three years, but a large proportion of its customers are lower income families. Through the actions of the business, it is working to make sure it acts with purpose in the decisions it is making. Through this campaign, the brand is making sure that sustainability generally, and complex issues around the impact of products like palm oil, becomes more accessible.

It is absolutely critical that big, mass-market brands are able to shout about the good work they are doing. If Iceland, and other brands like them, dont have the opportunity to present and connect big social and environmental issues to less affluent audiences, sustainability and social responsibility will quickly become someone elses problem.

Becky Willan, managing director at marketing agency Given London

LondonMinister of State for Trade, Business and EU Digital Single Market, Pat Breen TD led a five-day trade mission to Brazil in September. Photo: Steve Humphreys

With a population of 208 million and an expanding middle class, Brazil is Latin America's largest economy. Now emerging from recession, growth in the market is forecast to stand at 1.2pc for 2018 and 2.5pc in 2019 according to the OECD.

Brazil accounts for 21pc of all exports by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies to Latin America. In 2017, Irish SMEs grew their sales in the country to 42m.

To strengthen business relationships in this increasingly important market, Pat Breen, Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, led a five-day trade mission to Brazil in September, accompanied by eight companies supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Brazil's major industries are petrochemical, automotive, and agri-food. Key sectors targeted by Irish companies include engineering, fintech, life sciences, telecom software, Internet of Things, and education services. Brazil is the world's third-largest aircraft manufacturer and has a well-established car manufacturing sector, areas in which Irish companies are increasingly competitive internationally.

During September's trade mission, Mr Breen opened the new Sao Paulo office of Crowley Carbon, an energy services business that helps to reduce energy consumption for global industrial and commercial customers. The Co Wicklow company employs five staff in Brazil and aims to employ a further 10 in 2019.

"Opening our new office in Sao Paulo marks the latest expansion of our international business," said Crowley Carbon founder and chief executive Norman Crowley.

"Having a significant presence in Brazil will support the delivery of innovative solutions to existing and future customers. Our story is a great example of how an Irish organisation can transform into a global enterprise.

"The driving force behind our unprecedented growth has been the high calibre of our service and quality of our people, which has led us to triple in size each year for the last three years."

Smurfit Kappa, a global Irish company, also has a significant presence in Brazil, having acquired two packaging businesses in 2015 with an investment of 186m. The company recently opened an Experience Centre in Sao Paulo.

Combilift, the Irish materials handling and storage manufacturer, has achieved 20m in export sales to Brazil since 2008. The company's largest client in the market is retail and online giant Magazine Luiza, which owns Brazil's largest fleet of Combilift trucks.

HealthBeacon, an Irish medical technology company, promoted its smart sharps system during the trade mission. Earlier this year HealthBeacon secured regulatory approval to bring their product to the Brazilian market.

Uniao Quimica, one of the biggest Brazilian pharmaceutical companies specialising in both human and animal health, hosted the minister at its Brasilia site for a meeting with HealthBeacon and Prodieco, a global Irish engineering firm specialising in pharma process lines and blister packs.

Education is an important link between Ireland and Brazil. The country's main language is Brazilian Portuguese with only 5pc of the population speaking English, according to a 2014 study for the British Council. Approximately 16,000 Brazilian students come to Ireland each year, the majority to study English. Increasing the number of third-level students and research projects between the two countries are key goals.

In recent years, Irish firms have sustained impressive growth in Brazil, even as the country as a whole experienced low growth, a sign of the valuable opportunities worth pursuing in Latin America's leading economy. Successfully accessing the Brazilian market, however, requires resources, market research, and most often, a local presence, whether in association with an established local business, or by appointing a team on the ground. This is particularly important here as Brazil's standards and regulations often differ from those familiar elsewhere in the world.

With an office in Sao Paulo, Enterprise Ireland is on hand to provide advice and supports that can help you win business in this exciting market.British Prime Minister Theresa May attends the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London Picture: CHRIS JACKSON/AFP/Getty Images

Ministers and TDs have been warned to take the heat out of tense Brexit negotiations by not appearing in the British media.

All eyes are now on Theresa May's increasingly difficult balancing act amid fears that further resignations could see any Brexit deal at risk of being voted down by both Remainers and Brexiteers.

DUP leader Arlene Foster continued her offensive against the outline proposals from Mrs May last week. She described the UK-wide customs arrangement as akin to handcuffing the UK to the EU, while allowing Europe to hold the keys.

"The 'new' idea of a UK customs arrangement does not appear to be a genuinely UK-wide offer but a GB offer and an NI offer badged as one - Northern Ireland in the EU customs territory and GB in a customs union," she wrote in the Belfast Telegraph.

In addition to her ongoing woes with her partners in Northern Ireland, Mrs May is also facing further chaos in London.

Jo Johnson, who unexpectedly resigned as a minister last Friday, has said colleagues are "reflecting hard" on their next steps.

The staunch Remainer, and brother of Boris, hit out at the promises made during the Brexit campaign by those keen to exit the union. He called for a second referendum - a position which has been repeatedly rejected by Downing Street. His resignation raises fears that other Remainers will follow suit or be emboldened to vote down a deal.

Yesterday, Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg claimed there was not enough Conservative support to get a deal through Parliament without the support of Labour. British trade minister Liam Fox also issued a fresh warning that Britain may not agree a deal if a solution cannot be found.

Expand Close State talks: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Chief Minister of Jersey John Le Fondre at the British-Irish Councils summit on the Isle of Man. Photo: PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp State talks: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and Chief Minister of Jersey John Le Fondre at the British-Irish Councils summit on the Isle of Man. Photo: PA

As the political fray continues in the UK, British officials were due to return to Brussels today to meet with their EU counterparts to continue work on a potential withdrawal agreement with the Irish question still to be resolved.

"It's close but everything is hanging by a thread because of the political situation in the UK," one diplomat familiar with an EU briefing of national envoys told Reuters last Friday.

Against this backdrop, Irish politicians are being urged to stay out of the mix and avoid media interviews on the subject of Brexit in the UK.

"We're staying out of it, there is nothing to gain from us to be in the middle of that bunfight. Our energy is focused on getting a deal," a source said.

Meanwhile, Ireland plans to substantially ramp up efforts to expand our influence "at every level" throughout the US post-Brexit.

Details of the strategy seen by the Sunday Independent do not include specific references to engagement with the White House but it is planned that the Tanaiste, Simon Coveney, will travel to the US in March to launch a new Ireland-US/Canada strategy.

High-profile Congress representatives and senators will be targeted in the hope of increasing the number of visits here from the US.Clontarf Energy owner John Teeling has dismissed reports that the company had recommenced negotiations with the government of Ghana to allow it to explore a potentially lucrative offshore exploration off the coast of the African country,

Clontarf - which is a long-time joint-venture partner in the Tano block with fellow Irish exploration firm Petrel Resources - saw its share price jump by over 25pc in one day this week after 64 million shares in the company changed hands.

The spike followed reports in industry publications that the parties had finalised a new agreement that would now be presented to the cabinet in Ghana for final approval.

But when contacted by the Sunday Independent, Teeling insisted that the company has had no word at all from Ghana that any new progress had been made in negotiations that stalled almost a decade ago.

Teeling said that Clontarf was prone to such fluctuations, but that it had been an unusually large jump.

"There was a big movement in the share price this week. But we have no evidence that anything has changed in Ghana," said Teeling.

"We know that our proposal is before the cabinet in Ghana, but we haven't heard anything on that. It is unlikely that it has gone through the cabinet, because I think we would know immediately. Sometimes in shares like this they can become the target of speculation."

Clontarf, which is also searching for lithium deposits in South America, did the original deal on the Tano 2A block in 2008 before Tullow Oil's massive Jubilee oil field had created major focus on the country's resource potential.

The deal was renegotiated in 2010 with Ghana's national petroleum corporation and that was due to go to government for parliamentary approval. But when the government changed the deal was sidelined. The previous administration, which had struck the original deal in 2010 - and is now back in power - has reignited industry speculation that a full licensing agreement for the block will finally be approved.

"They [the new government] are very keen to clean up any legal issues before they go out on their new bid round. I can't - and won't - give anyone a date on when all of this might be completed because nine years of fairly bitter experience, and a lot of money spent, has put manners on me. It has just sat there and we have been trying to do other things in recent years."Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the House of Commons, London, with an update on the latest developments in the Brexit negotiations. PA Wire

The EU and UK are heading for a Brexit showdown with their main agricultural trading partners.

A group of countries at the World Trade Organization (WTO), including the US, Australia, Argentina and Canada, have come out against the EU's proposed carve-up of agricultural quotas post-Brexit.

The row is brewing as a Brexit deal inches closer, with negotiators weighing a 'backstop' plan for the Irish border that would bind the UK to EU customs rules until a new trade deal is in place.

The UK would be granted some scope to set its own rules on tariffs and trade, which it would not enjoy in a fully fledged customs union with the EU.

But Northern Ireland would have to remain bound to some EU standards (on food and goods) in order to avoid creating a border with Ireland.

Product inspections would be carried out in ports, at sea or in factories to avoid the need for border checkpoints.

EU officials and diplomats are more positive about a deal, though they were quick to dismiss speculation by Brexit secretary Dominic Raab that a deal can be done by November 21.

"We're worried the conditions are not there in the UK for them to handle their process," one EU diplomat said.

"The politics are so complicated, we may end up having too little time."

A compromise hinges on language in the final EU-UK exit treaty that gives the UK a get-out clause from the backstop, and reassures Brexiteers - especially the Democratic Unionist Party - that it will not split Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

It also needs to pass muster with both sides' obligations at the WTO.

A variant of the backstop plan has been on the table for a number of weeks, but was rejected by UK negotiators.

Details on the EU-UK part of the backstop will be worked out during a 21-month transition period (to the end of 2020), which UK prime minister Theresa May (pictured) has agreed could be extended.

Those talks would take place alongside negotiations on a wider EU-UK trade agreement, an outline of which is being drawn up, to be published alongside the exit treaty.

That document will be key to selling the backstop, which both sides still hope will never need to be used.Sales of winter-feeding equipment like diet feeders and straw blowers have been absolutely flying in recent years, according to industry sources from the Irish machinery trade.

It appears farmers are looking to technology in a bid to stretch existing fodder and bedding reserves.

If you are on the market for a new or second-hand diet feeder, there can be a lot of confusing terminology out there. You need to know the ins and outs of what type of feeder will suit your particular farm.

You also need to have at least a rough idea of what the cost of running the feeder will be each year, otherwise the tactic of using a mixer wagon to stretch feed resources will backfire spectacularly through hidden costs. The cost is perhaps best worked out on a per animal basis and will depend on the initial price of the machine, the annual depreciation and maintenance costs, and the length of time you intend to keep the feeder for (see Table 2).

The Basics

Farmer-spec diet feeders can be crudely classified as being from one of two camps: they use either a paddle or tub design to chop and feed the ration mix. In recent times there has been a few sales of bigger self-propelled style feeders, but these are only financially viable in the biggest feed lots in the country.

A typical wagon has three main components: floor conveyor, mixing system and the unloading conveyor. Feed discharge location and height is important when choosing a wagon to match a feed passage. If you are looking to buy a mixer wagon, there are certain things to look out for. Be sure to ask your dealer the following questions:

 Where is it made? (Buy Irish if possible)

 What is the required horsepower to drive the mixer wagon?

 Can the machine handle a wide range of feeds?

 Is the discharge to the rear, front left or right? Can this be changed?

 Is there a two-speed gearbox in the machine for mixing heavy loads?

 Is the machine designed in a way that minimises the occurrence of dead spots (places where concentrates and other components of the ration can linger)?

 Does the machine come with an on-board weighing system?

Expand Close Horizontal auger Keenan Feeder / Facebook

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 What about lighting set up for dark winter road journeys?

 Will the unloading height of the wagon be suitable for my feed bunkers?

 What is the service interval and what are the maintenance costs involved?

The Horizontal Auger feeders

(Paddle Feeders)

The paddle type mixer can be thought of as being a horizontal auger feeder. These are a very common sight throughout Irish farmyards. Typically, these feeders will have a length that is three times their diameter. The horizontal auger feeder is more suitable to the farmer who has easy to access sheds and wide passages that can be entered from either end. It also offers bigger capacity and is favoured by those with larger number of mouths to feed.

This type of wagon gets its name from having a big, horizontally mounted central rotor. The rotor generally turns at low rpm, lifting and turning the material and moving it from one end of the machine to the other. This mixing system requires less horsepower than other designs and produces a lighter resultant feed.

For an average sized horizontal auger feeder (say 12-14 cubic metre capacity) you will need to have a 100 horsepower tractor. However with some feeders that are even twice as big as this, the maximum horsepower required generally does not exceed 130-140hp. In such large machines the limiting factor is often the weight of the load rather than the power required to operate the feeder itself.

Vertical Auger Feeders (Tub Feeders)

These machines mostly use either a single or twin auger, mounted vertically in the centre of the hopper. This type of feeder has experienced a surge in popularity over the last ten years. They are more versatile and seem to be the better option for farmers feeding into old narrow passageways and harder to access buildings. This is very much the case for many yards around the country that were designed and built some years ago.

The ability to handle baled material was the initial attraction of the tub feeder. Power requirements for this feeder can be higher than that required for others. Another consideration is loading height.

Due to engineering design, tub feeders are inherently taller machines than paddle feeders. Have you got the loading equipment to deal with this?The younger generations are going to laugh at us.

We bolt out the door each morning to join thousands of others in crawling queues of traffic in order to get to a few square inches of desk in an office block. Eight hours later, we re-join the masses and try not to think about how many hours we waste commuting to and from a piece of wood.

And, theres an added sting for those living amidst the chaos of the housing crisis gripping Irelands cities. Residents are paying sky-high rents just so they can spend that quality time in the car, bus or train 10 times each week. Alternatively, they settle outside the city and face the prospect of even longer journey times.

That puts pressure on city-based firms, too. They want to attract the best talent, but low housing supply and poor public transport links trump even the most attractive employee packages.

The housing crisis wont be fixed overnight, but businesses can impact how it affects their workforce and even how their business might be contributing to the crisis.

The world is changing and most employees know it  but why dont their bosses? Many still seem married to the idea that bums on seats equals a productive workforce. The fact is we no longer need fixed buildings that house every single employee from nine to five, five days a week. We especially dont need them given the current housing situation. What the city needs is businesses that encourage flexible working from remote locations and that optimise the office space they already have before looking to expand their footprint in the city.

Flexible working

There are now four generations in the workforce to cater for and business leaders need to embrace this by allowing employees the agility to work in the way that best suits them and invigorates their productivity. Whether at home or in the office, in Dingle or in Dublin, technology today supports flexible working and can boost productivity.

Ricohs recent Economy of People research showed that 83pc of Irish workers believe they could be more efficient given the right technology to enable mobile workstyles. This, of course, is good news for businesses, too. Increased employee output means better business performance, enhanced customer service and ultimately, a bigger bottom line.

When employees are in the office, it needs to be worthwhile. That means creating a highly productive environment that supports collaboration in both its layout and the tools made available to staff. Its a format that is often favoured by entrepreneurs and our study found that more than two thirds of Irish businesses that have invested in the workplace have achieved better returns as a result. If every company did this, the impact to the Irish economy would be colossal. Our research showed that optimised offices could unlock 3.4bn  1pc of GDP  for the countrys balance sheets.

With a collective effort to enable mobile workstyles and only use the space that is required, businesses could reduce demand for large office space on land that could instead be earmarked for housing. The optimal office, in turn, would allow Dublin and other Irish cities to become optimal environments for both its residents and businesses.

Making it happen

As a board director in Ricoh UK and Ireland, I have seen first-hand how successful this approach has been in the UK. I was part of the decision-making process that saw us move out of our London offices in favour of a more compact and collaborative space. As part of this move, we encouraged many of our 3,000 UK-based employees to work in their local regional office as much as possible, as well as from home, providing them with the necessary technology and tools to do so.

I work from my local office  150km outside of London  or on the move most of the time and am more productive than I ever would be commuting into the Capital. We are now implementing similar strategies for our Irish team because it has had such a positive impact on our people and we are helping other companies achieve the same.

Whether its digitising documentation or enabling remote working, businesses need to review how their work environment is impacting the workforce. Crucially, this involves speaking to individual team members about how, where and when they would like to work. Often, the feedback will vary from person to person and department to department. The key then is implementing a strategy that caters to these needs and is flexible enough to move with the times.

This kind of thinking wont just benefit Irelands cities. Towns and communities across the country could be revitalised as more people move back to their hometowns, or start to consider extra-city living as a real, workable option.

The message to Irish-based businesses is simple: its time to think outside of the urban-shaped box and unshackle our road-raged workforce from their desks.

Chas Moloney is director at Ricoh UK and Ireland. Ricoh provides document services, consulting, software and hardware to businesses around the world.This has been an age-old tradition in Rajgarh--Muslims taking the flag of Lord Hanuman from the famous dargah to the temple on the occasi...

Leading Indian Muslim Voice on internet since mid-2005. Now in its 12th year. Crossed TWO MILLION HITS long back . For queries , write to indscribe@anindianmuslim.comISIF director Eugene OCallaghan says the funds involvement can act as an investment catalyst

AIB and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) have backed a new 150m investment vehicle aimed at developing renewable energy projects.

The two state-owned entities have invested in the Temporis Aurora Limited Partnership, alongside German renewables specialist Encavis.

The fund aims to support the pre-construction of energy projects that will deliver more than 1,000MW in Ireland over the next 12 years.

The early-stage energy projects that will be targeted will go on to power renewable businesses such as cleantech companies, data centres, and wind farms. It will achieve this through engagement with developers, local communities, green energy buyers, and strategic partners.

AIB, ISIF, and Encavis have all committed to the first close of the fund. The State-controlled ISIF has also committed to increasing its stake in the fund at subsequent closings. AIB's investment in the fund was not disclosed, although it is understood to be in the double-digit millions.

ISIF director Eugene O'Callaghan said the fund has become a "significant investor" in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon economy.

"This is an innovative initiative seeking to establish Ireland's first dedicated renewable energy development equity partnership," he said.

"We feel ISIF's involvement will act as a significant catalyst to attract international private sector investment into Ireland, in line with our 'double bottom line' mandate to generate a commercial return and support economic activity and employment in Ireland."

ISIF is an 8.9bn sovereign wealth fund that invests for the benefit of Ireland in a range of areas. In September, the fund pumped 50m into Irish aircraft lessor Genesis Aircraft Services Limited. It was also involved in the recent acquisition of Pepper Money's 200m loan portfolio.

Colin Hunt, AIB's corporate managing director for institutional and business banking, said the renewable energy sector was the main driver of infrastructure growth globally.

"We are delighted to be participating in this fund, supporting the renewables sector and helping Ireland to meet its sustainability and de-carbonisation targets," he said.

"AIB continues to focus on providing capital support to sectors such as renewable energy which are supporting Irish economic growth."

Temporis chief executive David Watson, whose company is managing the new green energy fund, said the fund was an "important milestone" for the Irish energy market.

"We are pleased to have taken the first step in creating a strategic partnership that aligns high-quality patient capital with our expertise in all stages of renewable energy project development," he said.

"We see the development climate in Ireland for renewables as an attractive investment opportunity over the long term."M&S Ireland chief Ken Scully is hoping customers will be won over by the quality of food in its stores and is looking to grow that side of the business

In Marks and Spencer's Mary Street store in Dublin, Ken Scully, country director of the group's Irish operations, is showing how Christmas products are gradually being introduced into the food hall. The arrival of Christmas is done in phases, with turkey sandwiches making it into the fridges and advent calendars on sale by the cash registers. This is just the November phase - its festive fare will be ramped up several notches in December.

While Scully is highlighting the M&S Christmas goodies, he also draws attention to the items marked out due to their recently reduced prices. Offering better value is a key part of Scully's plan to boost sales in the Irish stores.

Last week the group issued fairly grim half-year results. It said like-for-like sales were down 2.2pc for the six months to the end of September, with the usually reliable food sales down 2.9pc and clothing and home sales down 1.1pc. The company warned trading conditions for the remainder of the financial year would remain "challenging". "We are expecting little improvement in sales trajectory," the retailer said. And in a rare move, it singled out Ireland for its 'difficult trading' in the period.

Scully told the Sunday Independent that the Irish market was very competitive.

"With stronger price competition in the Irish food market as compared to the UK, I believe that consumers in general are more value-conscious in Ireland making it a more challenging market," he said. "Back in May we reduced the price of about 200 products and we brought down the price of some killer deals and then in August again we went and looked at about 180 products. On average there has been a 15pc reduction on those products, between 9pc and 19pc and we're looking at doing some more."

At the value end of the market, M&S is under pressure from Aldi and Lidl, whose popularity has forced all retailers in the Irish market to contemplate their price positioning. On the other side, higher-value ready meals are feeling the squeeze from the likes of Deliveroo, with consumers able to order restaurant food with ease.

Scully is trying to get more and more people to sample M&S food, lured in by cheaper prices, and confident that quality will win them over. "Our customers should be seeing more and more of the great value we have even on the everyday basics. People come to us to eat now, eat tonight and for special occasions, they're the three main shopping missions," he says.

"What we're saying is, 'Look, we have great value, we realise there are certain areas we need to sharpen our prices, which we did but overall, it's having great quality food at a great price'."

The food business accounts for close to half of the sales in the Irish operation, with clothing and home accounting for the rest of the revenue. This roughly mirrors the trend in the UK.

Despite the challenges of the Irish market M&S does have expansion plans for new stores. It is closing 100 stores in the group, but none in Ireland. Instead it opened a substantial food hall in the Omni Shopping Park, Santry in late 2017 and has plans for several more food stores. It is close to signing a deal for a premises in Limerick and is also targeting a location in Waterford.

"Having opened in Omni just shows what our customers think of us, the value they perceive in our store so that has kind of excited us to look around."

He said that the difficulty in getting sites meant it was difficult to quantify expansion targets. "We want to grow the food business, we think there's a great opportunity here in Ireland, we think that Irish customers love our food so it's a question of getting the right number of stores and getting them as quick as we can."

"Waterford is a place that we would look at. Any big population centres where we are not at the moment, we would look at trying to get in," he added. In 2013, M&S closed stores in Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Mullingar and Naas. What does the company think of those decisions now?

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we might have done things differently right across the patch if we knew then what we now know," he said.

Changing consumer habits mean that the group strategy is to add more food stores while anticipating that clothing and homeware items will increasingly be sold online.

"One has to be aware of how rapidly the market is changing and how the clothing and home space will change in years to come. I think what you will find is that most retailers probably have fewer bigger stores."

Within five years, the group wants a third of the sales of clothing and home to come from online. "So, that's something that we're conscious of and I think Ireland has lagged the UK in terms of how people shop online."

He said that investing in the Irish website will be among the company's plans for 2019.Almost 80pc of SMEs in Ireland expect their business to grow by up to 25pc in the next three years, with 13pc believing they could potentially grow their by business by up to 50pc of its current size.

More than seven in 10 of those businesses which foresee growth expect it to come from the expansion of existing relationships and local markets.

The insights come from previously unpublished trends identified in research by Vodafone carried out nationwide with 600 SME employees and employers.

According to the study, almost no SME businesses (4pc) plan to reduce investment in their business in the next three years.

While companies were positive about their future, they did express some concerns about their ability to invest in technology.

Some 42pc of SMEs believe they are not able to take advantage of new technology due to the inability to invest, while 32pc of employees also believe their businesses are not investing in technology.

The research showed that 67pc of SMEs believe flexible working options offer benefits to their workforce such as employee engagement and improved connectivity.

However, inadequate broadband was raised as reason why companies could not embrace smart working. In Dublin, this was raised as an issue by 31pc of respondents, in Connacht it was raised by 32pc of respondents and in Munster it was raised by 49pc.

The issue was least evident in Leinster where only 26pc of people said poor broadband was a barrier to smart working initiatives.

The director of enterprise at Vodafone Ireland, Regina Moran, said she saw technology as being "at the core of enabling Irish businesses to flourish".Name

When Oath moved into its fancy new European headquarters at the Point Village at the far end of Dublin's north docks earlier this year, it still felt as if the US tech multinational was, in many ways, on the edge of things. That has all now changed insists Patrick Scully, who runs Oath's Europe, Middle East and Africa operation from Dublin.

"We're now right in the middle of things," says Scully, gesturing out of the huge windows at a forest of cranes and construction activity that is rapidly reinventing a previously drab urban wasteland at the furthest publicly-accessible end of Dublin's north quays.

The whole area is beginning to take on the same look and feel that has so transformed the nearby Grand Canal Docks area, where Oath's huge competitors Google and Facebook have built their own European headquarters on the south bank of the river. Now, says Scully, coffee and salad outlets are opening as footfall increases around a once-forbidding end of the north quays with the opening of each new gleaming building.

Oath, of course, is the new name for the combined entity that now holds Yahoo and AOL, two companies that have been around since the World Wide Web first became a global phenomenon. Both have lived turbulent existences, as they were eclipsed by Google and Facebook who dominated and became verbs that would define the industry.

Both Yahoo and AOL had operated in Ireland for quite some time. In the middle of 2017, Oath was formed as the result of the acquisition of Yahoo by US telecommunications giant Verizon. It now serves as the business-to-business face for a host of well-known internet brands in the Verizon stable. Yahoo and AOL form the backbone, but it also includes Huffpost, Engadget, Techcrunch, Tumblr and other web brands that account for a billion users.

"We are like a shoal of fish that comes together in the sea - some big ones, some small ones - to fight off the bigger predators. Our collective rounded mass gives us a bit more clout and fighting power in the big ocean that is out there," says Scully.

He is convinced that the new structure is the ideal way for brands that have been around for some time to become newly disruptive, pushing themselves back into the centre of things.

"There is no question that there have been challenges along the way and invariably there still are," he says. "I would argue that there isn't an entity out there that hasn't had its challenging moments across the digital ecosphere. It's a journey for everybody and there is no question it has been for Yahoo and AOL and our other properties. But we find ourselves now in Verizon, which is a super-interesting place."

The new structure under the Verizon umbrella has created a whole new set of possibilities for each of the brands, says Scully. For example, Verizon is making major investments in 5G technology and previously bought Irish vehicle technology player Fleetmatics (which it has rebranded as Verizon Connects). "It opens doors for us in terms of the internet of things, gaming and the digital experience that we weren't even thinking about even two or three years ago. It's a new landscape."

Scully joined Yahoo in 2014, but was part of the original wave of Irish employees to begin their career in Irish-based US tech companies. His first job was with Digital in Galway, which, although it eventually shut its doors, was a famous incubator for indigenous tech talent.

"It was one of the most wonderful university companies of all time and a fantastic place to get experience. I've spent all my time since working at US tech headquarters here in Ireland."

After moving on from Digital, Scully held leadership roles at Siebel Systems and Wood Group, before becoming international director of sales operations at Ballsbridge-based Nuance Communications, which produces Siri for Apple's iPhone.

At Siebel, Scully had worked with Ken Goldman who would go on to become chief financial officer at Yahoo. So, in 2014, when Yahoo decided to move its European headquarters from Switzerland to Ireland, Scully was hired by Goldman to set up the new Irish operation.

"My job was to make Dublin work," he says - no easy challenge at a time when Yahoo was struggling to find its place in the rapidly changing web universe. "Yahoo's profile in Dublin has changed several times over the years. To the credit of people in the organisation here, they withstood a lot of uncertainty and change, as well as some positives too. It has been a fairly dynamic experience for those people who have been here since the early 2000s."

There has been no let-up and the pace of change is as crazy as it has ever been, he says. "I have been involved in the tech industry for the best part of 30 years. My view is that, with all the work happening in 5G, we are entering another period of dynamism that folks haven't seen in a while."

The office has about 360 employees and the company has a data centre to the south of the city, employing engineers, research and development teams, business services, advertising, finance, IT, legal, as well as customer care and support. Taking the wider Verizon group as a whole, it employs up to 900 people at various facilities across the city.

"We have capacity here for another 100 employees and more capacity around the city at other Verizon facilities. It is up to us to identify the opportunities and deliver on them. There are no free passes though. It is all about value. If you deliver value you get the opportunity."

The Dublin operation - one of Oath's largest globally - has lots of potential, not least because Verizon is "super keen to see what it can do internationally", he says.

Over the past 18 months Oath's Dublin-based 200-strong engineering team was heavily involved in the development of the company's new advertising platform, one of the biggest technology developments Oath has undertaken, says Scully.

"I want to see us engage further and deeper with Verizon because our parent company brings a whole lot of opportunity that we didn't have when we were separate independent companies."

In his role he has started to meet more often with key people in other very different Verizon operations also based in Dublin who do not sit under the Oath structure. "We share similar opportunities and challenges. We are constantly asking ourselves how we can add further value. As a local Irish management team who live and work here we obviously have an aspiration to expand here in Ireland, but our ability to deliver on that will be down to whether we can do things that add value, the traction we can get in the market and whether we can leverage some of the 5G stuff that the wider Verizon group is involved in.

"We have a few ideas. We have already done some really cool things here on augmented reality and virtual reality that can make a big difference to the advertiser experience."

Engineers in the Dublin office were recently heavily involved in a major campaign for HP's Instant Ink product that allowed people to use augmented reality to view how individual photographs would look if printed, framed and hung on their wall. Another campaign was developed by the Dublin-based team collaborating with others in Oath's global organisation with US furniture company Pottery Barn that allowed shoppers take a 360-degree video of a room and then add in a furniture item to see how it looks and fits before they bought the item.

Much of that work is carried out in collaboration with other units of Oath in the US and elsewhere. So ingrained is that collaborative environment in Oath that every one of the Dublin office's plush meeting rooms and breakout spaces is equipped with video-conferencing equipment to allow for quick and easy meetings with colleagues in the US and elsewhere.

It makes for an exciting and varied role for Scully, but it is not without its challenges. The internet industry globally faces increased scrutiny on many fronts. In Ireland that plays out most with regard to taxation and what many see as the very cosy deal the industry has had in this regard. Few doubt that there will be change and, with powerful European competitors pushing the issue, there have been concerns that a new taxation system could undermine one of the foundation stones of the sector here.

But Scully is sanguine about the threat. "It doesn't keep me awake at night. We have a lot of capability within Oath and within Verizon that specialise in those areas, be it public policy, taxation or data protection. All of those things are definitely moving pieces and tax is important because businesses like certainty to allow them to plan and execute. So any kind of noise in relation to things like tax creates the need for activity in observation and effort," he says.

Oath - like the Irish Government and many other Irish-based multinationals - believes that OECD plans to reform the overall global taxation system are the right way to go, even if countries such as France are pushing for more rapid localised change that could hit the multinational sector in Ireland much harder.

"Whatever comes through those processes we will manage on, but the Government has been very supportive driving for that OECD approach and that gives collective certainty," says Scully.

Data protection is another key challenge. Yahoo has its own tortured history on that front and has just agreed to pay $50m in damages to 200 million people who had their personal data breached in two huge incidents in 2013 and 2014.

"Those of us who have come to Oath from the Yahoo side of the house have significant experience in this," says Scully. "The legacy data breaches are a matter of public record and we clearly learned a lot from that period. Thankfully now with Verizon's corporate footprint we have a whole lot more capacity, expertise and skill and we are in a much different place having come through all of that."

Overall, Scully does not believe that big regulatory change in Ireland or Europe - on tax, data or anything else - would cause American tech companies to abandon Irish shores. Oath, he says, remains in Ireland for the long haul.

"I like to think that the structure that we have set up here is future-proofed," says Scully, looking out the huge window at Dublin's windy and rainy docks beyond.

"Because of our track record here and the trust that has built up with corporate headquarters," he says, "no matter what wave height comes in - be it tidal or otherwise - I feel good about our ability to withstand and to sustain our activities here and that they are sufficiently robust."

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: Patrick Scully

Age: 50

Position: Vice President of Operations and MD Oath EMEA

Lives: Galway

Education: Engineering GMIT, Post-Grad HDip International Selling DIT

Family: Wife Kathleen, son David, daughter Sarah

Pastimes: Rowing, Connacht Rugby

Business inspiration: Tom Siebel, founder of C3, an AI software platform and applications company

Favourite book: Who Moved My Cheese? - Dr Spencer Johnson

Favourite movie: The Shawshank Redemption

Favourite holiday destination: South of France

Business lessons

A favourite piece of business advice?

Improve, dont perfect.

A lesson you have learned in your career?

Business as usual is a myth.

How have the Irish activities of US tech companies changed in the decades since they first started coming here?

Back in the dinosaur days you were looking at manufacturing activity, relatively low to medium-end value services, logistics, transportation, distribution... that sort of stuff.

Then came a move into more business services with customer-facing operations. That has further now morphed into production, engineering, development and even further into research and idea generation.

I think most the successful operations now based in Dublin find themselves operating across that full value chain and have a direct link back to the company headquarters at a more advanced level than they would have had five or 10 years ago.Oil extended a run of declines after falling into a bear market, heading for its longest losing streak on record. Futures in New York fell for a 10th day, extending a dramatic plunge that's dragged prices down more than 20pc from a four-year high reached in early October. In London, Brent sank to a seven-month low below $70 a barrel.

The drop comes days before the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries meets with partners in Abu Dhabi, having signalled it may cut output next year. Oil's decline has been exacerbated by a US decision to allow eight countries to continue importing from Iran, which it slapped with sanctions earlier this week.

That decision, as well as pledges by Saudi Arabia and other producers to pump more and gains in American supply and stockpiles, have turned fears of a supply crunch into talk of an oversupply.

"The focus is on negative sentiment in oil and negative momentum," said Giovanni Staunovo, a commodity analyst at UBS Group AG. "It'll be interesting to see if some stick with their shorts over the weekend with the Opec meeting." West Texas Intermediate for December delivery dropped $1.07 to $59.60 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at one stage in New York. The contract fell 1.6pc on Thursday, and is headed for a 5.6pc decline on the week - its fifth consecutive such decrease. Total volume traded was 81pc above the 100-day average. Brent futures for January settlement slid 93 cents to $69.72 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. Prices are also on course for a fifth weekly drop, down 4.2pc. The global benchmark crude traded at a $9.87 premium to WTI for the same month.

A potential agreement by Opec to return to output cuts would mark the second production U-turn for the group this year. For Saudi Arabia - the world's biggest crude exporter - it would be the third time in recent years that the kingdom has delivered a supply surge only to quickly reverse it.

In the US, crude production increased to a record 11.6 million barrels a day last week, according to Energy Information Administration data. Nationwide stockpiles rose by 5.8 million barrels, exceeding the two-million-barrel gain expected in a Bloomberg survey. Opec's output in October reached the highest level since 2016, while Russia last month pumped 11.4 million barrels a day, a post-Soviet record.

BloombergFacebook plans to move more than 2,000 staff from Grand Canal Dock to the AIB Bankcentre in Dublins Ballsbridge

Just a week ago commentators (including myself) described how Paschal Donohoe had become isolated in opposing France's idea of a digital sales levy on tech giants. We believed Donohoe would be practically standing alone among EU finance ministers during the week, in defiance of a groundswell of opinion that a digital tax on sales was the way to go.

Instead of being boxed into a corner, our feisty finance minister put the gloves up and saw bigger opponents back away. Even the Germans were in no hurry to see an EU-wide levy introduced.

Instead they want to wait for an OECD report to be completed, which should shed new light on the most pragmatic way forward. This is in line with the Irish position. A big win for Paschal? Not quite.

The French won't be happy. (Perhaps they'll get us late into the night as the final touches are agreed on Brexit).

The digital tax issue has not gone away either and individual countries are going ahead with their own measures. However, the damage the Irish Government feared could be done by going with an EU-wide levy has for now been avoided.

At the same time it has been reported that the European Commission is considering conducting a tax probe into Facebook's Irish corporate structures. It isn't clear whether a full investigation will take place, but reports suggested the EC had sought documentation relating to tax structures.

Once again, at the very least it brings Ireland's corporate tax policies into the spotlight. Bear in mind the practices for which Apple Inc was fined by the EC were historical as the various loopholes it used had already been closed off in Ireland.

Facebook has faced criticism before when it comes to how much tax it pays, but it is full steam ahead when it comes to its investment in Ireland. Facebook announced it is moving 2,275 of its Dublin staff from Grand Canal Dock to AIB Bankcentre building in Ballsbridge. The difference is, its new offices could take up to 5,000 more employees.

This marks a huge commitment to Ireland and not one that could be unpicked in a hurry. It is deeply ironic that just as Ireland has faced more bad publicity around its corporate tax rules and had to close off more loopholes, actual corporate tax receipts continue to go through the roof.

Not even Brexit is eroding the corporate tax take as FDI continues apace. The real challenge for the economy, and the government, is where all of these workers are going to live. This isn't just about the housing or rental crisis, it is about public transport, parking and congestion.

Before the crash the Fianna Fail government had a smart economy blueprint in which IDA Ireland only pursued higher value jobs in FDI projects. The economic crash meant that policy had to change. We needed an emergency jobs plan for a country on life support. That meant attracting the maximum number of jobs possible.

Call centres came back in vogue. Anything that moved on the jobs front was hoovered up. And it has made a big difference - especially in the main cities.

It is getting close to a time now when the next jobs policy might revert back to fewer but higher value jobs as Dublin housing stock and infrastructure creaks.

Brexit now holds key to future of Greencore after US reverse

It is quite a feat for a chief executive. You run a successful company in the UK and decide to take on America. Your US venture is dogged by problems. Eventually several years later you stop losing money in the US operation so you spend three-quarters of a billion dollars buying a bigger business there.

You build it up as key part of your strategy. You raise new equity to make the acquisition and you say it will be transformative for the company. Just 16 months later you shock the market with a big profits warning because the US division is going badly. You promise to fix it.

Six months later you say you are selling the US business and retreating back to the UK. After all that, you then say you are "happy" to stay in your job leading the group.

This is Patrick Coveney's story at Greencore. Despite the surprise profit warning in March which sent the shares tumbling by 30pc, and the withdrawal from the US less than two years after the transformative acquisition, Coveney is most definitely staying on at Greencore.

The trick is the price. He is selling the business for more than he paid for it. Having found a buyer for Greencore's Peacock Foods who is paying 817m for it, shareholders are keen to get their hands on the benefit. Finding a buyer who will pay a reasonable price has saved the day.

Coveney is at least pragmatic rather than stubbornly trying to fix something that hasn't worked. Few would argue that Coveney is making a mistake by selling the business for this price, but perhaps the mistake was made some time ago in the failure to make the US operations really work for the group.

It is a bit of a 'least worst' outcome for Greencore shareholders who approved the sale and special dividend during the week. They are in line to get 72p per share in a special dividend from the proceeds although a significant number of them would prefer a share buyback to avoid tax bills on the dividend.

What's left in Greencore is a convenience foods business with revenues of around 1.4bn and net assets of 788m. It has a strong presence in the food-to-go segment.

The problem is its UK focus. Greencore is big in the UK convenience foods sector but that is about it. Coveney will have the financial firepower for more acquisitions after this US deal, but what will he buy? He says he will buy in the UK. Now doesn't seem like the right time for that.

The British food category grew at 2pc compound per year between 2013 and 2018, but food-to-go has been growing at a compound rate of 5pc. The problem for Greencore is Brexit.

What happens if its wage bill rises due to a shortage of low-paid migrant labour, while sterling falls and decreases the real value and buying power of earnings in the UK? Just like in Ireland in 2009, everyone might start making the sandwiches at home again and bringing them to work.

The group will also lack the counterweight of being in other countries. At least Greencore knows the UK market inside out and has scale there.

But others will want to eat its lunch in that market too.It has long been hailed as one of the greatest ever break-up albums, but the version of Blood on the Tracks that we have known for the past 43 years isn't nearly as heart-rending as the one that Bob Dylan recorded just a few months earlier.

In September 1974, as his marriage to his wife of nine years, Sara Lownds, was beginning to come to a bitter end, he went into A&R Studios in New York and recorded an album so raw and personal that his brother, David Zimmerman, urged him to rethink his decision to release it as is. It was, the younger man argued, too intimate, too autobiographical to release as it was. Nor, David suggested, was it strong enough to appeal to a wide audience.

So, despite the fact that the album had had a December release date and the artwork had been completed, Dylan went back to studio the week after Christmas - this time at Sound 80 studio, Minneapolis, in his Minnesota home state - to re-record five of the 10 songs. He used a hastily assembled band of musicians and completed the task in just two days. The end result - released in January 1975 - was a batch of tracks that weren't quite as personal as he had first intended. But it hardly mattered. As soon as songs like 'Simple Twist of Fate' went into the public domain, nobody was in any doubt that a singing bard who had helped define the 1960s was baring his soul.

Now, thanks to the latest instalment in his long-running official Bootleg series, we're getting to hear the original cuts - and plenty more. More Blood, More Tracks is perfect for the Dylan completist and a remarkable artefact in its own right. It traces the path of some of the best-known break-up songs ever.

But if Dylan's 16th album is hailed as one of the great break-up records in history, there are plenty of other albums that could given it a run for its money - including, in chronological order, the following 10, all released this century.

Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker (2000)

He may have had his struggles with the quality control button - releasing songs that should have been left on the studio floor - but Adams' first solo album since the demise of Whiskeytown is a gorgeously downbeat affair. He had his heart broken and we, the listeners, are the lucky ones as we listen to songs as perfectly formed as the bittersweet 'Amy'.

Beck: Sea Change (2002)

One of the starkest break-up albums you're ever likely to hear was prompted by the end of Beck's nine-year relationship to stylist Leigh Limon. The song titles don't lie - 'Lost Cause' could hardly have been better named - and the overriding feeling is that of a singer and a man struggling to get his life back on track despite the sentiments of standout 'Guess I'm Doing Fine'.

Justin Timberlake: Justified (2002)

Video of the Day

Break-up albums aren't supposed to sound this cheery or make you want to throw shapes on a dancefloor, and this first solo album by the former NSYNC star was motivated by his split from fellow Mickey Mouse Club member Britney Spears. The album's centrepiece, the sumptuous Timberland-produced 'Cry Me a River', suggested that Timberlake was the jilted party.

Amy Winehouse: Back to Black (2006)

The final album from the tragic Winehouse took the notion of dashed dreams and broken love and made something glorious and masterful out of the ashes. Mark Ronson's Spectoresque production abetted the singer's magnificent vocals especially on its stirring title track that sounded like a classic on first listen - and it still is.

Bon Iver: For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)

The backstory is so well known it hardly bears repeating, but for the uninitiated, Justin Vernon - Bon Iver's frontman - was so dejected after a break-up that he hid himself away in a log cabin in the Wisconsin wilderness and came up with these songs that are both lovelorn and defiant. 'For Emma' is suffused with sadness and recrimination - "for all your lies, you're still very loveable" - but closer 're:stacks' is the sound of a man resignedly moving on.

Kanye West: 808s & Heartbreak (2008)

Mr Kim Kardashian doesn't seem overly sentimental these days, what with his bizarre Trump antics, but a decade ago West was going through a very bad time. His mother had died unexpectedly and Kanye was struggling for equilibrium following the demise of his relationship with fiancee Alexis Phifer. And while West displays a rare vulnerability - aided, oddly, by autotuned vocals - there's a cattiness throughout, too.

Adele: 21 (2011)

The biggest selling album of the decade may breed contempt thanks to our familiarity with the songs, but the English songstress's second album is a superlative break-up album. "We could have had it all," she sings on rousing opener 'Rolling in the Deep', a sentiment shared by most of those who have gone through a messy split from someone special.

Nas: Life is Good (2012)

Who's he kidding with a title like that? As if to underscore what he's lost, the rapper looks glum on the front cover as he holds the actual green dress worn by Kelis on their wedding day. There's a fair degree of self-aggrandisement -

the default setting for so many big-name hip hop albums - but he's in reflective mood, especially when weighing up the emotional cost of a marital split, not just for him but for his kids, too.

Angel Olsen: Burn Your Fire for No Witness (2014)

The American's second album plumbed all the emotions associated with a trying break-up - and those sentiments are best expressed on The Breeders-like 'Forgiven/Forgotten' in which she notes: "If there's one thing I fear/ It's only your arms/ So close, but not here." Elsewhere, it's the honesty that gets you: "I feel so lonesome, I could cry." We've all been there.

Robyn: Honey (2018)

The Swede is no stranger to great pop songs about broken-down love but this comeback album - her first in eight years - is full of them. Opener 'Missing U' cuts straight to the chase: "All of the plans we made, it never happened there's this empty space you left behind now you're not here with me." Like Abba, her countrymen and women, Robyn mines chart gold from emotional wreckage.RTE Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy has said he was never going to be a slave for his employer because he loves his family too much.

Tubridy (45), who is dad to Ella and Julia, who he had with ex-wife and RTE producer Anne Marie Power, told the Irish Daily Mail on Sunday that he prefers to put family first.

In May, veteran broadcaster Gay Byrne who is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, admitted in a radio interview that he regretted not spending more time with his girls Crona and Suzy when they were children, and spending too much time at RTE.

Byrne said: "I have only brief little snatches of memories of Crona and Suzy growing up around the place and I regret that.

"But generally speaking I regret now the amount of time I gave to this place. It was an awful lot of time and I should have taken time to do other things and I had the opportunity to do other things but I was dedicated to the place."

Today Tubridy said he himself was wary of falling into the same trap throughout his career.

I was conscious of that from the very beginning. Thats why I never did it. I never became a producer of the programme or asked for a credit. It was never on the cards because I was never going to be a slave. No way. I love my kids too much and I love my time with them too much. I was never going to miss the key elements of being a dad by working. I wasnt going to be that person. I probably learned a lot of that from what Gay did. I was never going to do that.

We would have had a few drinks together over the years and he would have said that to me and talked to me about his own family and the time dads spend with our kids. And I felt he was rueful about that and wistful. I thought, we are different. We have different relationships with our kids than he did. I dont think he should beat himself up about it, because it was a different time.

We are of an era where we tell our kids we love them all the time. Thats not to say we are better dads we are just better at showing it. I work on the premise of family first and everything else will follow.

Tubridy, who has just published a new childrens Christmas book The First Christmas Jumper And The Sheep Who Changed Everything, said he would have loved a bigger family but it wasnt to be.

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Yes, I did think about a bigger family, I think I would have liked a clatter of kids, but it wasnt to be. So, I just look at my girls now and I just swell with pride every time I think about them, they bring very different things to the table and they are my be all and end all, bar nothing. They are why I live.(ANSA) - Milan, November 11 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Sunday that Italy could hinder European Union activities in protest at being 'jerked around' over the handling of migrants. "We have shown that we know how to defend our borders and, in the eventual case it is necessary, we will also show that we can block European budgets and activities as long as Europe and some individual countries jerk the Italian people around," Salvini said. On Saturday Salvini, who has spearheaded Italy's tough stance on asylum seekers that has seen migrant-rescue ships denied access to the nation's ports, accused Malta of giving petrol and a compass to a boat with migrants on board and directing them towards the island of Lampedusa. He said that this was "another hostile act" after allegations French officials crossed the Italian border to drop off migrants on the other side.

Joe Duffy was nine years old when his teacher told him that he was the most curious boy in the class. Fifty-three years later and he's certainly one of the most inquisitive people that I've interviewed. We're sitting in the RTE Radio canteen for what is supposed to be an interview, yet Joe is the one doing the investigating. Where are you living and what are you working on and how are you recording this - is that an app you're using?

Maybe he's trying to break the ice. Or maybe he's just used to asking the questions...

It's a busy time of the year for the broadcaster. He's gearing up for the Liveline Christmas Eve special on Grafton Street and he has just finished filming a new series of Liveline: Callback.

In his spare time, he's working on a book about The Troubles with ex-BBC journalist Freya McClements and rehearsing for the panto (we'll get to that).

Expand Close Joe wears: jacket, 495, Louis Copeland. Shirt, 159, Stenstrom. Cord trousers, 189, Hilt. All from Louis Copeland. Hat, Joe's own. Photo: Fran Veale / Facebook

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Whatsapp Joe wears: jacket, 495, Louis Copeland. Shirt, 159, Stenstrom. Cord trousers, 189, Hilt. All from Louis Copeland. Hat, Joe's own. Photo: Fran Veale

It's a demanding schedule by anyone's reckoning, especially when you couple it with his 6am wake-up time and his early morning swims in Westwood gym in Fairview.

The broadcaster takes his health and fitness seriously - largely because he knows he can't afford to get sick. He drinks a Rubex [Vitamin C] solution every morning and he is seldom if ever waylaid by cold or flu. "Touch wood," he says, before giving the table a hearty smack.

"You're conscious of your voice as well," he adds. A few weeks ago he went to an Abba tribute night and the next day his voice was breaking "because you had to shout it was so loud".

Is his voice insured? "No it's not," he scoffs. "I'm not Lady Gaga!"

It was Gay Byrne who gave Joe the tip about Rubex. He also got him into the habit of washing his face as a pre-broadcast ritual. Joe often credits Gay for showing him the ropes of live radio and the importance of routine. However, he'd have to give himself a little bit of credit too. After all, it takes relentless drive to go from a childhood of poverty to a salary of almost 400,000 a year.

The second eldest of six children, Joe was born in a one-room home in a building on Dublin's Mountjoy Square and brought up in a corporation house in Ballyfermot. His father - who died at 58 - had an alcohol problem; his brother, Brendan, had his own addiction issues and his younger brother, Aidan, died in a car crash in 1991.

Expand Close Joe Duffy: 'I absolutely love the panto'. Photo: Brendan Lyon / Facebook

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The broadcaster sat his Leaving Cert twice. He was determined to get enough points to study Social Work in Trinity College - and even more determined to defy statistics and prove that a working-class person could progress to third-level education.

Joe started his degree in Trinity College in 1977. A couple of years later he was elected president of the Trinity College Students' Union and four years later he became a very outspoken president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

The young Ballyfermot man had fire in his belly, especially when the then Minister for Health, Barry Desmond, announced in late 1983 that third-level students wouldn't be entitled to medical cards in their own right.

Incensed by the discrimination, Joe and a group of students organised a number of protests, which culminated in the occupation of the Eastern Health Board headquarters on Thomas Street. Joe and four others were arrested the following day and brought to Mountjoy Prison where they were incarcerated for the next two weeks.

After completing his degree in Social Work, Joe trained as a family therapist. "I was in the first batch of family therapists qualified in Ireland," he says, "and that was a pretty intense course.

"There would have been an awful lot of intensive supervision and checking yourself - not just knowing what the next question is but knowing what does the next question elicit and in what direction is it likely to go after that."

If his experience as a student activist taught him how to rouse listeners on Liveline, his training as a family therapist taught him how to really listen.

Joe was working as a probation officer when RTE announced an open call for a radio producer training programme. "I remember when I applied for the job I said to them, 'I didn't do media studies in DCU, or journalism in Rathmines or whatever.' I had never used a tape recorder; I didn't know shorthand. I said, 'If you're taking 20 people, maybe take one person who is not a journalist - one person from a different background.' And that's what I tried to sell them - my difference."

The powers that be in Montrose obviously liked the cut of his jib. Joe joined RTE radio as a producer in 1989 before becoming an accidental reporter on Gay Byrne's morning radio show. One of his first reports was from the top of a double-decker bus. "Mobile phones had only come out - they were these big bricks - and somebody was worried about something in Malahide and it involved a bus journey from Malahide into Dublin. I said, 'Why don't I try to get one of those mobile phones off tech services?'

"It was more about the fun of me being upstairs on a bus," he continues. "I remember describing going by Charlie Haughey's house and his washing being out and all that carry on."

Listeners seemed to like the 'difference' that Joe had pitched as his USP. RTE radio bosses did too. Before long, the accidental reporter became an accidental presenter. He took over Liveline in December 1999.

Joe describes the show as a "platform for the powerless" - a show where the listeners do the talking. "I want people interacting with each other," he says. "I want conversations. I want people being able to hear different points of view.

"Irish people are very radio literate," he adds. "If you tune into BBC4's Any Answers?, the opening remark [from listeners calling in] is, 'Hello? Can you hear me?'. Of course we can hear you! It's very sedate and you don't get people interacting with each other."

The broadcaster adds that he doesn't just listen to radio. He "monitors" it. "I could have two stations on the go at the same time," he admits, "and my iPad never leaves my side."

As for podcasts, he likes true crime - West Cork especially - but he doesn't see them overtaking radio. "I don't see that as taking away a slice of the cake," he says. "I think that it's all adding to discourse."

Besides, it's all part of his preparation before arriving into the studio every day at 1.30pm. At that point he reads over the briefs prepared by the show's four producers and two researchers, and readies himself for a live broadcast that, more often than not, goes completely off-script.

"The nature of the programme is that you have a bit of an idea of where it's going to start but no idea where it's going to end," he says. "Last month someone called in about a dog running wild in Naas. Then a farmer rang in with an idea of how to catch it. Then another farmer rang in and said you know those dogs are used for hunting hares. Within three minutes we had people phoning in about coursing - and then a big debate on coursing and cruelty to animals began."

The Liveline team don't always know who's going to call in. Dublin criminal John Daly - who was shot dead in a gangland feud in 2007 - called Liveline from his prison cell in Portlaoise a few months before his death. The infamous broadcast led to a clampdown on mobile phones in prisons. More recently, Dean Russell, a man with a history of criminality, called the show to complain about five Gardai arriving to his home at 3.55am with an arrest warrant for a speeding charge.

"One thing I was very conscious of when he phoned in - and I said it to the lads - was 'has he got current convictions?'" says Joe. "From my background in probation and prison services, I know that a lot of people grow out of crime. They get married and their kids grow up. So I said, 'Let him have his say and let people make up their own minds'."

Of course, for every person pushing for airtime on Liveline, there's another who point blank refuses to go on the show. Joe says it's the "default mode" of PR companies to advise their clients not to go on Liveline. "It's terrible advice," he adds. "If Micheal O'Leary - the biggest, most successful businessman ever to come out of Ireland rings Liveline - why can't the head of the HSE or a bishop come on?"

More than 370,000 people tune into Liveline every day, but the show has its fair share of critics too. Some deride it as an echo chamber for whingebags - or 'Whineline' as they prefer to call it. Comedian David McSavage took it a step further when he portrayed the broadcaster as a bondage gear-wearing sadomasochist who got turned on by the trials and tribulations of listeners.

Yet even the show's loudest detractors can't argue with Liveline's vast influence. And while there are certainly moments of anger, bigotry and vitriol, it is balanced by moments of common humanity and kindness.

Earlier this year, two anonymous Liveline listeners donated 8,000 to a man with spina bifida so he could buy a new wheelchair. In 2009, more than 5,000 people applied to carry organ donor cards after writer Frank Deasy's emotional appeal for a life-saving liver transplant.

"It just goes to show, if someone is in difficulty, we will rally around and help," says Joe. "We're still good at that in this country."

Liveline fans can expect stories of a similar vein in Liveline: Callback. Now in its third series, the television show revisits the people that struck a chord with listeners, from 25-year-old Taekwondo star Conor Grassick who gave up on his Olympic dream to care for his mum and brother, to Derek Burnett, the British man who wanted to find the Good Samaritan who stepped in when he was subjected to racist abuse in a Limerick restaurant.

Joe says he still finds it hard to comprehend the abuse that was levelled at Derek. "What surprised me was that in a group of five men, not one man took a leadership position and said, 'You're out of order there - give it a rest'. I always say to my kids, when someone gets messy, someone has to take a leadership position and say, 'Right lads, we're out of here'."

The broadcaster mentions his children, triplets Ellen, Sean and Ronan (23), throughout our chat. Ellen is a 2nd class teacher and, according to her dad, "very opinionated". Sean is completing a Masters in Public Policy in UCD and is Joe's go-to person for anything to do with foreign affairs. Ronan recently started working with a biotech start-up firm. "He has explained to me what he's doing but I can't understand!"

All three children live at home, much to Joe and his wife June's delight. "I'm glad they're all still at home," he says, "and they will be for a while I'd say.

"They'd be a good social conscience in the house," he adds "They're all involved in Saint Vincent de Paul and June is the chair of different things."

There's also a strong work ethos. "I'm a great believer in work - keeping busy and everyone having their routine," he says. "I don't like my kids sleeping in. I like everyone pulling together."

If the children complain about long work hours, their dad reminds them that they're not "digging coal in Arigna". If they complain about a rude customer or client, he reminds them that they can never truly know what's going on in someone else's life. "If people go down, you try and go up," he counsels.

When the children were younger, they would walk 100 yards behind Joe and June when they were out as a family. "People would walk by and they'd hear them say, 'Is that Joe Duffy from the radio?', or someone else might say, 'Is that that dope Joe Duffy?' Whatever it was, they'd get a bit of a laugh out of it."

If all goes to plan, they'll be laughing even harder at the opening night of the Cheerios Panto of Snow White and the Adventures of Sammy Sausages & Buffy after their dad agreed to play the role of Magic Mirror.

"I absolutely love the panto," says Joe, "and we've been going to that panto since it started. We were one of the few people who turned up in the big snow in 2010 - and we walked halfway to get there!"

Joe won't be treading the boards every night - his performance will be filmed in advance and appear as a hologram on the stage - but he's taking his rehearsals as seriously as any other performer. "I remember Brian Dowling did it before and it was absolutely hilarious," he says. "I said I'll have a go at it but I'm not as good an actor as Brian.

"Anyway, we did a bit last week and Karl [Broderick, director] said, 'On the basis of that rehearsal, you'll be up there with Brian'."

"Look," he concludes, "once you say you're performing, you just go for it. That's showbiz, isn't it?"

'Liveline: Callback' resumes on RTE One on Thursday, November 22 at 7pm

Photography: Fran Veale

Styling: Roxanne Parker

Shot at The Viking Theatre, Clontarf, vikingtheatredublin.comAuthor and broadcaster Kathleen Watkins opened up last night about her husband Gay Byrne's illness and how she would prefer if he didn't go back to work at RTE "at the moment".

Watkins, who has just released her second children's book "Happy Christmas Pigin!", said on Saturday night's Ray D'Arcy Show that she "just doesn't think it's right for him at the moment".

"I'm as they say, working at the cold face, I'm dealing with it every day", she told D'Arcy.

"I would prefer that he didn't go back on the air at the moment. I just don't think it's right for him at the moment and he would be the first to agree that he thinks I'm probably right."

Watkins said that Byrne always loved radio more than television, and "it's nice to still be dabbling at 84, we are 84 after all!"

She opened up about caring for Byrne during his gruelling treatment.

"He's doing ok, we're in a management situation, it's up and down", she said.

"Some days are better than other days. But he's ok, like so many people with that particular cancer, treatment is ongoing, so we're in and out of the Mater the whole time to those wonderful people."

She also paid tribute to staff at the Mater Hospital, who've created an air of calm for Byrne to go into for treatment.

"Could I just say something about the oncology department of the hospital, it's not an unhappy place. In fact it's a place of calm, I wouldn't say joyful, I would just say calm.

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"People going about their work, looking after people beautifully. I couldn't praise them higher", she said to applause from the audience.HAPPIER TIMES: Sean Quinn celebrates his return with drinks for staff at the companys headquarters. Photo: Lorraine Teevan

UNDER ATTACK: From left, Kevin Lunney, chief operations officer, Liam McCaffrey, chief executive officer, and Dara OReilly, chief finance officer of Quinn Industrial Holdings in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh. Photo: Oliver McVeigh

'In the early 1980s we had the notorious Shankill Butchers, based in Belfast... Now in 2018 we have the Derrylin Butchers. This gang is led by local men Kevin Lunney and Liam McCaffrey... with the help of ... Dara O'Reilly."

That abridged quote is one of numerous, grotesquely defamatory, untrue and incendiary posts from a Facebook community page dedicated to Sean Quinn, the billionaire-to-bankrupt founder of the former eponymous Quinn Group.

The Facebook targets, among others, are McCaffrey, Lunney and O'Reilly, three of Sean Quinn's former key lieutenants who, along with senior management of the company that rescued key assets of the former Quinn Group from disposal, are now facing death threats.

What started out as a malicious online campaign after Sean Quinn Snr parted ways with Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH), the entity backed by three American hedge funds - which paid 100m for the former cement and industrial assets - has morphed into a terrifying spate of arson attacks which almost claimed the lives of O'Reilly, his wife and their two young children.

When I travelled to Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, last week, the last person I expected to speak to me was Dara O'Reilly.

The last time we spoke was in 2012, when I doorstepped him at 7am at his home in Butlersbridge, Co Cavan.

O'Reilly was protective of his family then. He is terrified for their safety now following an attack in recent weeks where his car was doused with petrol and set alight after the family had gone to bed.

It was one of three arson attacks so far directed at O'Reilly and members of the Lunney family, all of which, significantly, have taken place in the Republic of Ireland. "It could have been worse," says O'Reilly, who along with McCaffrey and Lunney, have agreed to speak to me to highlight the risks to lives and property in the region.

"Its harder for the children," says O'Reilly, quietly.

"Children shouldn't have to be worried about things happening in their home, they should feel safe in their home".

Kevin Lunney, whose own children have had to run the gauntlet of "wanted" posters on their way to school, says he hopes his children are resilient to deal with the threats.

"Like Dara said, our children should not be living with this worry," said Lunney.

For his part, Sean Quinn Snr and his son, Sean Quinn Jnr, have publicly condemned the attacks.

"As the relationship between the community and Quinn Industrial Holdings deteriorates further it appears to me that it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed," Quinn Jnr told Rodney Edwards of The Impartial Reporter last week.

Quinn Jnr denied the attacks were being carried out by Quinn supporters, but appeared to fan the flames of local tensions by unexpectedly describing McCaffrey, O'Reilly and Lunney as "pariahs" in the local community.

Whoever is directing the campaign of terror - an ex-INLA member is suspected of involvement in the more serious arson attacks - the origins of the current wave of intimidation lie in a much happier time in December 2014. That was when US hedge funds Brigade Capital, Silverpoint Capital and Contrarian Capital bought into the business, offering local management a 22pc stake.

This in turn offered the community a pathway to bring the business back into local ownership. According to McCaffrey, the new QIH board and its US backers could not countenance Sean Quinn as a director or officer, not least because he was still [at that time] an undischarged bankrupt and had served nine weeks in jail for contempt of court for attempting to put 500m worth of property assets beyond the reach of the now-defunct Anglo Irish Bank.

But the company did offer a potential pathway for Sean Quinn, extending a 500,000-a-year consultancy to the former founder at the behest of McCaffrey, who advocated strongly for a consultancy role for Sean Quinn and his son Sean Quinn Jnr.

The 'second coming' was celebrated with front-page pictures splashed across national newspapers in December 2014, with images of Sean Quinn - about to be released from a 2.8bn bankruptcy - carrying a tray of whiskey and beer for staff inside the Derrylin HQ of QIH.

Local businessman John McCartan, who had been instrumental in helping place the Quinn assets back into local ownership, said there was "something very poetic" about Sean Quinn's return.

But the poetry did not last.

McCaffrey, who says he can understand why a broader group of people have sympathy for Sean Quinn, whom he spent many "brilliant" years with, says his former boss "didn't realise that his role hadn't been the same as it had been for 40 years when he owned and controlled the businesses absolutely".

The QIH/Quinn relationship was terminated in May 2016 after multiple allegations of fraud and inappropriate behaviour levelled at the senior management team were refuted by third-party advisers hired by the QIH Board.

The antagonisms which led to the three recent arson attacks intensified last August after a meeting, attended by several hundred people, was addressed by a tearful Sean Quinn, who told supporters there was nobody who could make a greater success of QIH than him. Last week, Sean Quinn Jnr told The Impartial Reporter his father had been "sacked" after "false promises" were made to him.

The social media onslaughts continue unabated, with requests to take down inflammatory posts spurned despite the power of words to have real-life consequences as the localised but life-threatening attacks attest.

Behind all of the acrimony tearing apart Sean Quinn Snr's birthplace is a thriving business providing more than 830 jobs in one of the most economically deprived areas on the Co Cavan-Co Fermanagh border.

QIH, spanning more than 1,000 acres across the Border, is intrinsic to the success of the local economy.

Every day, 120 truck loads traverse the roads around the parish of Teemore, where Sean Quinn was raised, en route to the UK, which accounts for more than 50pc of the business of QIH.

QIH, which has an annual turnover of 209m, and created 200 new jobs in less than three years, has just acquired a quarry in Fivemiletown that will last for a generation.

QIH provides bursaries and apprenticeships for local schoolchildren, schemes for graduates and training programmes, including charterships, for its employees.

But all of that is in jeopardy, with future investment and recruitment on the line.

Incredibly, not one single person has been arrested.

Make no mistake: if this were a Facebook, a Microsoft or a Dell in Dublin, Cork or Limerick, there would be emergency sessions in the Dail and targeted cross-border law enforcement operations akin to those deployed for gangland or paramilitary threats.

I've spent many times, too many times over the last seven years, travelling to Co Fermanagh and Co Cavan covering the so called "Quinn saga".

I fear my next visits there will be to cover funerals. No company or society can countenance that prospect.The Earl of Meath laid a wreath at the Armistice day of remembrance in Bray yesterday. Photo: Fergal Phillips

Ireland remembers her war dead today in ceremonies marking the centenary of the Armistice that ended World War 1.

President Michael D Higgins will lead State commemorations at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin this morning.

The President will speak at the event, which will include the National flag, military honours and wreath laying.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan will unveil five Victoria Cross commemorative plaques at the cemetery.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will represent the State at the Armistice centenary ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney will attend commemorations in Belfast. Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Heather Humphreys will attend ceremonies in Enniskillen.

Justice and Equality Minister Charles Flanagan will attend a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London.

A people's commemoration will take place at the Irish National War Memorial at Islandbridge in Dublin, in association with the Royal British Legion, where the names of almost 50,000 Irish people who died in the conflict are inscribed.

A commemoration took place yesterday in Bray, County Wicklow, at a tall Celtic cross war memorial bearing the names of 155 men who died in World War 1.

A crowd stood in heavy rain as Bray Choral Society sang Abide With Me and Nearer My God To Thee and local church representatives led prayers.

Among the speakers were Michael Grant and William Lennon of the Western Front Association, Dublin branch, and Jim Scannell and Brian White of the Bray Cualann Historical Society.

Among those laying wreaths were Pat Vance, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, and Lord Meath, both of whom had relatives killed in the war. Glenageary resident Michael Lee laid poppy crosses in memory of his two grand-uncles from Bray who lost their lives in the conflict.

National and UN flags were carried by an honour guard from the Irish United Nations Veterans Association.IF LOOKS COULD THRILL: Model Irma Mali, pictured, and Hollywood star Angelina Jolie are blessed with pointed jawlines. Photo: Kip Carroll

First there was the 'thigh gap', then the 'Toblerone tunnel', then next on the list of fad body trends came 'ribcage bragging', 'inguinal lines', 'the thigh brow', 'hip cleavage' and finally the painful-looking 'ab crack'.

Now the latest - and potentially harmful - social media craze which focuses on women's body image is the 'Russian jawline'.

The 'Russian jawline', Irish aesthetic nurse Kerry Hanaphy explains, is a "sharp, sharp jawline" usually seen in the chiselled bone structure of genetically blessed Eastern European models.

Ms Hanaphy told the Sunday Independent that she had been turning away Irish teenagers who come to her practice hoping to emulate the chiselled faces they are seeing on their social media pages.

"The big thing now is that I have girls as young as 19 who are asking for the Russian jawline," says Ms Hanaphy. "They are seeing this on their timelines on Instagram.

"Young girls want to completely change their faces so they can all look like models.

"But what they are asking for is completely abnormal, and when I say, 'no', they will go to someone else for it. And usually someone along the way, often not even a trained nurse, doctor or dentist, will grant their request.

"It's frightening. Traditionally the industry was about women, who were getting older and wanted to bring out the best in themselves or to hold back the clock with touch-ups, but now young girls seem to just completely want to change themselves."

The treatment works by sculpting and shaping the jawline using hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. A long cannula needle is inserted in the skin surrounding the jawbone to tighten and smooth its appearance.

Ms Hanaphy, who operates a cosmetic surgery clinic of the same name on Dublin's South William Street, says teenagers are desperately seeking the treatment.

Lithuanian-born model Irma Mali has been living and working in Ireland for 15 years. The 34-year-old was born with a naturally razor-sharp jawline and says the pressure from online influencers to better your appearance is relentless - even for those in the modelling industry.

"It's frightening that young girls are going for these procedures. It's easy for me to say 'I don't recommend anything' but I do think every girl is pretty the way she is," she said.

Hollywood stars with pointed jawlines include Victoria Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Robin Wright and Keira Knightley, while in the fashion world models Irina Shayk and Olivia Culpo are both famed for their taut angles.Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which Michael D Higgins will be inaugurated as president for a second term. Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire

Michael D Higgins arriving at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which he will be inaugurated as president for a second term. Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire

Michael D Higgins has officially been inaugurated as the President of Ireland for the second time.

Here is his speech in full:

I want to thank you, the people of Ireland, for the honour you have again bestowed on me, an honour I accept with all the energy of mind and heart that is required for the trust your mandate has placed on me. I do want to thank sincerely all those who, from their different political parties, traditions, movements of civil society and communities, who supported my nomination, campaigned on my behalf, and in particular those who put the stamp of their values on a Campaign on my behalf that was inclusive, creative and authentic. Your support has been and will remain a source of the greatest encouragement.

I will, I have emphasised, be a President for all of the Irish people, wherever they may be and in whatever circumstances, those who supported me and those who were not among that number. Taim i ndairire nuair a deirim is mian liom bheith im Uachtaran don phobal uile.

In offering a vision for the next seven years during the election I spoke of a real republic as being a life lived together, one where there is a commitment to equality, to strong sustainable communities, to the sharing of history and to shaping of the future together; recognising our vulnerabilities, drawing on and enhancing our individual and collective capacities.

Delivering this vision involves us all. It is a vision for which you have given a huge mandate. Over the next seven years we will be called upon to deliver tasks of mind and practice that will call for both an affirmation of shared values, and a transformation in assumptions, practice and institutions, if we are to adequately face the challenges that confront us and realise our shared potential.

Key to this is the achievement of a real participation built on equality and empowerment. That requires a rigorous commitment to removing the many barriers to participation; recognising, strengthening and supporting the momentum and demand for equality, positive transformation and sustainability, a momentum that is already underway in so many of our communities.

We cannot afford to be complacent as to how we are living our lives and planning our future at local, national, European or global level.

Inequalities are deepening and many of our people do not have the necessary securities of adequate housing, shelter, health, education, such securities and supports which would allow them to realise their rights and participate with equality.

Changing how our institutions interact with citizens is about so much more than negotiation around the allocation of scarce resources, it is about treating each person with respect, recognising their inherent value and the value of their contribution, whatever form it might take.

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Policy, in all areas of our life needs an ongoing re-evaluation in terms of purpose, practice and participation. The institutional arrangements, and discourse of a previous century cannot be regarded as inevitably permanent or immutable. There must be a consideration as to their adequacy and appropriateness for new circumstances, new dreams and new concerns.

At a time when democratic discourse is too often undermined or diminished, our choice must be to actively extend and deepen democracy, to express it in wider forms and in new ways. We must encourage and deliver better, more meaningful, more equal, participation in decision-shaping, decision-making, decision-taking.

To adequately respond to our new circumstances, we must be open to a pluralism of ideas, and practice, advocate for, and achieve an innovation that promotes inclusivity and is open to new structures and new ideas.

Ideas matter and history tells us that anti-intellectualism has been, and remains, the weapon of authoritarian and anti-democratic forces in so many parts of our shared, vulnerable planet.

Too often long-term thinking has been initiated, but then was stumbled over, or abandoned, in the face of short term pressures. Important discussions on questions such as the need for a social floor, on the significance of regionalism, on the importance of culture in communication, were too often let lapse with consequences for our people and the citizens of Europe in terms of lost opportunities for engagement and cohesion.

We face many challenges which go beyond borders, require cooperation at global level but affect and can be affected by the lives of every person in every local place.

Not only is the very existence of our planet in its bio-diversity threatened but we have not yet slowed the pace of that destruction. We live with ongoing violence against women which must be ended. We must confront and challenge any excuses offered for the denial of the irreducible rights, of women who make up, let us not forget, a majority of humanity on this planet. It is important that we recognize the rights and culture of indigenous peoples. It is also important that each person is free to express their sexuality, gender or relationship.

In some of these global challenges we face, science and technology can play a powerful role, but its use must be accountable and responsible. We must, for example, eliminate global hunger, but now do so in a way that meets the demands of sustainability.

Political vision, bravery and generosity are required for the making of the new urgent global conversation, commitment and action we must undertake together.

Yes we have the benefit of the two great expressions of shared concern that the UN Paris Agreement on Responding to Climate Change, and the UN New York Agreement on Sustainable Development represent  agreements to which Irish diplomats made a distinguished contribution  but we now live with the reality that some of those nations who made those commitments are resiling from them.

The issues of inter-generational justice raised by this cannot be ignored. We need to start taking responsibility, sharing capacities. Far from being abstract challenges, the consequences of neglect are already manifest. They can be seen in the damage to the natural world and the price being paid by the poorest people on our fragile planet, those least responsible for the perilous state to which inadequate and imbalanced models of development have brought us.

We need new models and innovative thinking based on deeper and better connections between economy, society, ecology and culture. Cohesion and participation must be recognized as both the ground and the fruit for that innovation.

The achievement of that necessary cohesion can be best underpinned by a deepening of democracy at national, regional and global level. That is surely one of our greatest challenges, and it must be achieved by the taking of account of diversity in culture, beliefs and capacity.

The task is not simply the repair of an old connection broken, but rather the making of new, urgent, global conversations and the turning of words into deeds at every level and in every sector. Those conversations are ones in which I, as President, look forward to supporting.

The 2030 Agenda set out integrated goals and targets and the pledge of world leaders was that they would Leave No One Behind. On UN End Poverty Day on 17th October 2015 I spoke on behalf of the Irish people, when I said: "Leave No One Behind is a central principle of the Agenda 2030 Goals and we are, above all else, called upon to re-forge a commitment to the inherent and universal dignity of every member of the human family.

The assumption of our responsibilities in these matters is one important part of the shared project of delivery of a Real Republic. A real republic requires a wide embrace, inclusive of all its members, in our case, all of our Irish from different generations including those who are abroad, and it must be generous in its reach. It is perhaps best expressed as an invitation to a shared public world where the common weal of humanity is accepted as one of the well-springs for transacting past, present and future.

The good news is that here in Ireland our rising generation of the young are interested in these issues. Ta fis nua faoi sheoil acu. They are moving past models of insatiable consumption and are forging different paths to personal and collective fulfilment, including a new vision of a shared culture, one that draws on tradition but is open to culture as a process, to diverse contemporary expression of the self and others in an enhanced public world.

They have rejected the undermining of democracy by xenophobia and hate in so many places and have replied by calling for the wider and deeper democracy, to which I have referred, for a real freedom that is inclusive. They have rejected cynicism, have chosen political engagement, the public world and have chosen to be agents of ethical change, to make the possibilities of hope a reality.

For example, our young people are asking why is there an escalation in competing military arsenals with all the abuse and misuse of human, scientific and technological capacity that is involved, capacities and resources that should be directed towards supporting society and sustainability? They see a future as defined by ethics, philosophy and creativity as the kind of future to which science and technology should be called to assist.

At global level conflicts are growing, cohesion informed by even the most basic values of co-operation is being made fragile. It is in this context that Irelands voice is so important.

It will over the next seven years be necessary to reaffirm Irelands commitment to peace-building and multilateralism as defining marks of our foreign policy, and one of our greatest strengths. Our tradition of a diplomacy grounded in normative principles rather than the constraints of narrow interests, has served us well in the world.

Since we first joined the League of Nations, a centenary we will soon mark, and throughout our time in the United Nations, Ireland has won international respect through our work on peace-building, from disarmament to our leadership in addressing consequences of colonisation and the priority we have placed on humanitarian and human rights concerns.

We can and must be advocates for the inclusion of diverse peoples, traditions, and belief systems in a peaceful world assisted by strong multi-lateral institutions, themselves supported by a deeper global consciousness, one derived from the irreducible rights of human dignity. One where we can recognize the complexities of history while coming together to address common global challenges.

The work of ethical memory and the new tasks of imagination sit side by side. It was important, earlier on this special day, to privilege the duty of respectful memory, especially for all those descendants and relatives of those who lost their lives in the first of those two World Wars that marked the previous century; that First World War that cost so many of the lives of a young generation, and devastated families across Europe.

As we mark Armistice Day which brought a partial end to that terrible war, there are contemporary questions that must not be avoided, what are the risks now we must ask, a century later, if we allow diplomacy and the negotiation of difference to be neglected in favour of a language of domination and weapons of war?

As to memory itself, one of the challenges we in Ireland will face in the next seven years will be our public, formal and scholarly remembering of important change-making, change-inducing, events which, while shared, were experienced differently, and are subject to competing constructions in the present.

As we come together for these tasks of addressing the what and how of what is to be remembered, let us recognise that what is involved is much more than the fixing of a story, or the reconciliation of competing versions or struggles to colonise collective memory. It is about our transacting of the past in such a way that any wrong, or perceived wrong, does not rob us of capacity in the present, or block our possibilities of a shared future ethically envisaged.

Above all we must not re-open wounds, but yet we must get sufficiently close to acknowledge those scars that tell us of the depth of hurt experienced and the fragility of the healing achieved. Any false amnesia obscures rather than assists. However, choice of distance will be an important act of judgment, one that will decide what is an act of healing, what might constitute a needless provocation.

If we are generous as to narratives, respectful of complexity, the benefit can be in the acquiring of a capacity from such a release of an imaginative ethic of memory, as will enable us to fledge new arrows that together we can release towards a shared future.

Muintir na hEireann, I have said that a real republic requires a wide embrace - generous, inclusive, moved by an empathy that sees difference or diversity not as sources of division but as a strengthening of our social fabric and potential sources of an ever-deeper richness in friendship, mutuality, possibility, recognising transcendent concerns and rooted in a shared humanity. Empathy can and must inform our relations with neighbours near and far.

One of our deepest and most complex relationships is that with our closest neighbour. When I visited the United Kingdom in 2014, I spoke of our nations as Ar Scath a Cheile  living in each others shadow and shelter. This is something which will remain true, whatever political changes the near future might bring, and the Presidency can continue to play a crucial role in sustaining positive relationships between our peoples in challenging circumstances.

There is a power in placing empathy alongside participation, solidarity and creativity at the heart of policy and action.

These are values which, for example, will inform the three special initiatives I plan to deliver over the coming years. Participation and Transformation, Samhlaiocht agus an Naisuin (Imagination and the Nation) and Shared Island, Shared Ireland.

Much as with those projects I initiated in my previous presidency  Being Young and Irish, The Ethics Initiative and Glaoch which continue to bear fruit, I believe that my three new initiatives will offer frame and forum for exciting discussion and transformative thinking.

Transformation and participation takes work, requires courage and determination. It is about how we engage and interact with each other, how we speak to each other in a way that is that is open yet respectful of difference.

These values are ones we may be able to recall from traditions, but if not, they must be brought into being, renewed. Those are decencies that are lodged in the heart of our Irishness, when it is expressed at its best, are surely among our greatest resources.

Those decencies are the ones that urge us to spring to respond to each others vulnerabilities, to see the merit of enhancing each others capacities, of encountering and sharing care and love, of working together for common benefit in a public world that we share.

There are some contemporary cultural influences that may be dismissive of any responsibility towards the needs, opinions or experience of others, and there can, in too many parts of our shared discourse be too much emphasis on division and domination rather than reflection or understanding. These are tendencies we must not allow to take root. They, if unchecked, can undermine the warmth of our Irishness and stifle those decencies of the heart that have enhanced our lives, filled our imagination, and contributed so much to our reputation and experience.

It is important that we seek to reach always for the best of ourselves, and the best of what we might become, and that we allow that to guide our collective ambition for our country.

During the course of this presidency, alongside those commemorations I spoke of earlier, we will also be marking some important moments of hope and idealism which, even in their recall, can be emancipatory. The time between the Election of 1918 and the War of Independence offered, for example, a space for idealistic anticipation of what freedom might yield, of how independence might be defined.

It was, for example, an honourable, wide and inclusive version of Republicanism that was reflected in the emancipatory and egalitarian language of The Democratic Programme of the First Dail in January 1919.

Among the principles enunciated were that: -

It shall be the first duty of the Government of the Republic to make provision for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the children, to secure that no child shall suffer hunger or cold from lack of food, clothing or shelter, but that all shall be provided with the means and facilities requisite for their proper education and training, as citizens of a free and Gaelic Ireland.

Let us celebrate the fact that we now can renew that idealism through new moments of vision-making, drawing on the power and imagination of an educated, intellectually curious people, a people who root their ethics not merely in reason but above all in the instincts of the heart. Let us celebrate that we have this capacity in our people and taking stock of our current circumstances let us approach the next seven years with energy and enthusiasm, bringing ar lan dhicheall to our work of building together what may come to be seen as a Real and beautiful Republic of inclusivity, creativity, imagination, love and indeed joy, a joy that is shared, for that too is part of what it is to truly participate.

Muintir na hEireann, I thank you again from my heart. This is your presidency and I will work for you and with you towards a future of equality, participation, inclusion, imagination, creativity, and sustainability. It is Together that we go forward.

As lamha a cheile a mhairimid.

Aris, muintir na hEireann buiochas om chroi libh, is beir beannacht.NEW GENERATION: Would todays young adults sign up? Students holding differing views are (left to right) George Wild, Sarah Fox, Dylan OSullivan, Becky Canavan and Stephen Belton. Photo: Tony Gavin

One Irish village has a distinction today as the centenary of the ending of World War I is marked with public remembrance ceremonies.

Rathnew once had the titles of 'the Bravest Village' and 'the Khaki Village'.

More men from the Co Wicklow village reportedly joined up to fight in the war during a considerable period than any other place in Ireland or Britain or the Empire, based on population size.

"Practically every able-bodied man in the village joined up," said John Finlay, chairman of Wicklow Historical Society.

Out of an estimated 190 adult males in the village, 129 signed up to fight - and that appeared to be almost every man of military age.

At least nine fathers from the village joined up to fight alongside their sons.

A letter arrived from Buckingham Palace at the home of Mr P Jameson in Rathnew in February 1916 in which an official wrote that King George V wished to express congratulations that six sons in the family and a son-in-law were serving in the army and the King "much appreciates the spirit of patriotism".

There were eight local men named Jameson in uniform and records show a father and son both died in 1917. Michael Jameson of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, who died in January, aged 46, was the husband of Ellen Jameson. Arthur Jameson of the Royal Field Artillery, who died in May, aged 25, was the son of Ellen Jameson.

There were 13 local soldiers named Doyle, including two pairs of fathers and sons.

At least 12 soldiers from Rathnew died as a result of the conflict and many are listed as having "no known grave". A significant number were wounded. Private Robert Daly died in a German prisoner of war camp.

John Redmond, leader of the Irish Nationalist Party, had urged all members of the Irish Volunteers to represent Ireland by joining the British Army to fight for the freedom of small nations like Belgium which had been overrun by German troops.

Urging immediate enlistment, he addressed thousands of men in Woodenbridge, Co Wicklow, in September 1914.

There is a monument at Woodenbridge with the names of almost 1,200 men from Co Wicklow who were killed in the war.

Rathnew's neighbouring village of Ashford lost 32 men in the war.

The village of Newtownmountkennedy up the road also had exceptionally high numbers of men who joined in the conflict.

Rathnew resident Stan O'Reilly, secretary of the Wicklow Historical Society, said there was widespread economic deprivation in the local area and many men joined the army out of financial necessity.

Their wives and families would receive at least 1 a week while they were on the battlefields.

Thanks to the upheaval that followed the 1916 Rising, men coming home from the war in 1918 failed to receive a heroes' welcome.

In 1921, an explosive device damaged the canteen of the Comrades of the Great War club in Wicklow.

In 2016, all the names of the Rathnew soldiers were displayed on a large Roll of Honour at a local exhibition.

But would today's young people from the locality be as willing to march away to war?

Mr O'Reilly and his wife Maeve accompanied the Sunday Independent to the local Youthreach education centre in nearby Wicklow town last Wednesday, where a group of young people expressed differing opinions about going to war.

"I don't think you would get a lot of teenage boys to fight nowadays," said Becky Canavan (19) from Wicklow.

"The odd few teenagers would fight but the rest would be afraid of breaking a nail. I don't think many of the lads I know would be ready for it all," she said.

She said she would be willing to work as a nurse in the appalling conditions that the soldiers endured in the trenches.

Dylan O'Sullivan (19), whose father came from Rathnew, said he would have been willing to fight in World War I, despite the terrible suffering endured by the troops.

"I definitely would have gone and tried to help. I would have gone if it meant I was fighting for Ireland and it was preventing wars like that from happening again.

"I would be willing to enter the trenches with the possibility of being wounded or killed. I greatly admire those guys in World War I," he said.

He said he was not sure if Ireland should join a European army to defend the European Union nations. He would be willing to fight if it was a defensive war.

"This is our country and we are part of Europe. We should stand our ground," he said.

Stephen Belton (19) said he definitely would not have joined the army in World War I, knowing what happened.

"It would not have been a big enough reason for me to risk my life. I would not go," the Wicklow man said.

He said Ireland should stay out of all wars and Irish defence forces were not strong enough for a war.

Neither did fellow student George Wild (18) feel that he could agree to fight in the conditions experienced in World War I. "I don't want to be killed," he said.

Sarah Fox (19), from nearby Ashford, said she would be willing to help the troops in a situation similar to the trenches of World War I.

"I don't think I'd be much help fighting but I would go and help with nursing and preparing food," she said.

She said she was against Ireland taking a fighting role in any modern war.

"The Irish should try to put an end to wars Irish people should go to those places and try to stop the fighting," she said.

Mr O'Reilly, a passionate local historian, said poverty and patriotism often motivated the local men who went to war.

There was also a local tradition of enlistment going back to the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

A number of local reservists who served in the Boer War with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers were called up at the start of the war.

Local men continued to die from the effects of the war long after it was over.

He said mustard gas attacks had a devastating affect on the lungs of soldiers.

One ex-soldier, who died in Rathnew in the early 1930s, was suffering from flu but a gas attack in the war had damaged his lungs.

He said letters written in the trenches sent home to Rathnew conveyed some of the horror the men endured.

Local man Thomas Sullivan, a private in the Irish Guards regiment, wrote to his wife Martha in the early days of the war on September 13, 1914.

His letter was published soon after in the Wicklow Newsletter and County Advertiser.

Thomas wrote: "Dear Martha, we are getting it very hard and are in every battle There are some terrible sights One of the Cullens is shot dead - one of the three brothers I hope in God this war will soon be over

"Tell all in the quarry that I was asking for them, and tell my mother that I am going on well, thank God.

"With the help of God, I will be spared to see you and my child again."

Two days later, he wrote a more graphic letter.

After asking Martha to send cigarettes and socks, he said: "This is a terrible fight that is going on at present; this is five days going on without a stop night and day.

"I think if we win this battle we will have a lot of them wiped out.

"Our regiment captured a lot of guns and a lot of Germans but we lost a lot of men before we could get to surround them.

"We had to charge them with the bayonet or we could have been all cut up by then. We had given up all hope of ourselves, but we had someone's good prayer that saved us.

"We are going through some cruel hardship; we have never had our boots off since we started. I hope it will soon be over."

Thomas put two 'x's at the end of his letter "for Tottey," adding "Tell Tottey his daddy was asking for him."

It appears that Private Sullivan survived the war.President, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Dublin Castle as he was announced as the next President of Ireland. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM

President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins departing Aras an Uachtarain this evening (Sunday) to attend the inauguration ceremony in Dublin Castle

Michael D Higgins arriving at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which he will be inaugurated as president for a second term. Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire

Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina are greeted by Simon Coveney (second right) and Paschal Donohoe (right) as Mr Higgins arrives at Dublin Castle to be inaugurated as president for a second term. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which Michael D Higgins (centre) will be inaugurated as president for a second term Photo : Maxwells/PA Wire

Michael D Higgins has officially been inaugurated as the President of Ireland for the second time.

Speaking at Dublin Castle this evening, Mr Higgins made the presidential declaration as he was sworn in for another seven years.

In his inauguration speech Mr Higgins spoke at length about the global problems facing Ireland including climate change and nationalism.

He praised young people in this country for rejecting the undermining of democracy by xenophobia and hate.

Expand Close Michael D Higgins at a ceremony at Dublin Castle Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Michael D Higgins at a ceremony at Dublin Castle Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire

Mr Higgins said Irelands youth are moving past models of insatiable consumption and are forging different paths to personal and collective fulfilment and wanted real freedom that is inclusive.

They have rejected cynicism, have chosen political engagement in the public world and have chosen to be agents of ethical change, to make the possibilities of hope a reality, he said.

For example, our young people are asking, why is there an escalation in competing military arsenals with all the abuse and misuse of human, scientific and technological capacity that is involved, capacities and resources that should be directed towards supporting society and sustainability?

They see a future as defined by ethics, philosophy and creativity as the kind of future to which science and technology should be called to assist, he told a select audience at Dublin Castle.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins after the Presidential Inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle today Photo: Maxwells Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which Michael D Higgins will be inaugurated as president for a second term. Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which Michael D Higgins (centre) will be inaugurated as president for a second term Photo : Maxwells/PA Wire Michael D Higgins at a ceremony at Dublin Castle Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire Michael D Higgins at a ceremony at Dublin Castle Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire Michael D Higgins arriving at a ceremony at Dublin Castle in which he will be inaugurated as president for a second term. Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire President Michael D. Higgins after the Presidential Inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle today Photo: Maxwells President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins after the Presidential Inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle today Photo: Maxwells President Michael D. Higgins shakes hands with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar T.D. after the Presidential Inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle Photo: Maxwells Former President Mary Robinson with her husband, Nick, arrive for the inauguration of President Michael D. Higgins, at Dublin Castle. Photo: Maxwells Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, TD, arrives for the inauguration of President Michael D. Higgins, at Dublin Castle. Photo: Maxwells Alice-Mary Higgins arrives for the inauguration of her father, President Michael D. Higgins, at Dublin Castle. Photo: Maxwells Peter & Helen Casey arrive for the inauguration of President Michael D. Higgins, at Dublin Castle. Photo: Maxwells Liadh Ni Riada and her husband, Nicky Forde, arrive for the inauguration of President Michael D. Higgins, at Dublin Castle Photo: Maxwells Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, arrives for the inauguration of President Michael D. Higgins, at Dublin Castle. Photo: Maxwells Tanaiste Simon Coveney pictured this evening at Dublin Castle Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Joan Freeman and her husband Pat pictured this evening at Dublin Castle, where President Michael D Higgins was inaugurated to his second term as President of Ireland Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. Michael D Higgins Photo: Maxwells/PA Wire President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins departing Aras an Uachtarain this evening (Sunday) to attend the inauguration ceremony in Dublin Castle / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Michael D. Higgins and Sabina Higgins after the Presidential Inauguration ceremony at Dublin Castle today Photo: Maxwells

The President said he had received a huge mandate for his vision of Ireland.

But he warned that we cannot afford to be complacent as to how we are living our lives and planning our future at local, national, European or global level. Inequalities are deepening and many of our people do not have the necessary securities of adequate housing, shelter, health, education, such securities and supports which would allow them to realise their rights and participate with equality.

Expand Close President, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Dublin Castle as he was announced as the next President of Ireland. Photo: Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook

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Mr Higgins said ideas matter and history tells us that anti-intellectualism has been, and remains, the weapons of authoritarian and anti-democratic forces in so many parts of our shared, vulnerable planet.

The President said Ireland is facing many challenges which go beyond borders, require cooperation at global level but affect, and can be affected, by the lives of every person in every local place.

Not only is the very existence of our planet in its bio-diversity threatened but we have not yet slowed the pace of that destruction.

We live with ongoing violence against women which must be ended. We must confront and challenge any excuses offered for the denial of the irreducible rights, of women who make up, let us not forget, a majority of humanity on this planet.

It is important that we recognize the rights and culture of indigenous peoples. It is also important that each person is free to express their sexuality, gender or relationship, Mr Higgins said.

Among those in attendance at the event in Dublin Castle were the defeated presidential candidates, including Peter Casey who finished second in last months election.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and several ministers represented the Government.

During his contribution, Mr Varadkar attempted to inject some humour into the formal ceremony.

While acknowledging the Presidents wife Sabina, and children Alice Mary, Michael, John and Daniel, the Taoiseach added people should also think of those who couldnt make the inauguration.

For example, Brod and Sioda - who have nonetheless contributed greatly to life in Aras an Uachtarain, Mr Varadkar said.She was a very incredible person. She really was - full of love and kindness and beauty.

Dublin man Stephen Grant (50) lost his wife Sandra to cervical and lung cancer three years ago. She had undergone 18 months of treatment but the cancer had become secondary and doctors eventually advised them that the treatment hadn't been successful.

Stephen, a former TV3 executive, and his son Joshua were left devastated when Sandra died on November 4, 2015.

She was devoted to Joshua, she was a fantastic mother, it was very, very heart wrenching for the three of us, for Sandra not to get to see him growing up, for me to lose my wife and for Joshua not to have his mother here.

She had a very difficult time of it," Stephen tells Independent.ie. "She had very intense treatment but she just couldnt get in front of it at all. She went through with it with such a brave face. The cancer got to her lungs.

Life without Sandra has been difficult, and Joshua and Stephen have had to adjust to a new chapter in their lives. During Sandra's illness, Stephen had been on a leave of absence from TV3. After her death he knew he had to return to work full-time, but he wanted to find work that would allow him to be there for Joshua too.

Stephen explains: My focus is around trying to work when hes in school, so 35 weeks of the year during school hours. Hes in St Marys in Rathmines and theyre very, very good, they have homework clubs and extracurricular sport, and I can get the work I need to done within his school day.

Its a challenge being a single parent like that. But hes a great kid. Its not easy, but its all manageable. Weve just gotten a dog, which is like having a baby, thats another challenge.

Stephen landed on an idea for a business that would allow him to work during the hours that Joshua was in school or at extra curricular activities.

After such a whirlwind of 18 months, to end the way it did, I wanted to get some time with my son. I decided my son has only one parent and I want to make sure he can see his parent, and I started thinking, what will I do? How will I manage it?

He founded DiscoverBrew, or discoverbrew.com, a beer subscription service which delivers six handpicked beers every month from international breweries to subscribers

It curates a selection of beers based on their character, taste and personality and delivers the six-pack in a BrewBox.

Stephen got the idea from the female-led beauty subscription services like GlossyBox and BirchBox. He partnered with his old school friend Paul Kelly, who owns an off-licence business in Ireland, for his knowledge of beer.

Stephen is currently developing his business model in the UK, and hopes once words of mouth spreads, the idea will take off.

We feel that itll snowball; our ambition is to grow it right throughout the UK, where we have a significant number of tens of thousands of subscriptions and then well look at Ireland.

I talk about me 2.0, and the business is a part of that, and its part of my new life going forward. Im very excited about it and very excited that its a great product, and its a great gift for people going into Christmas. Anyone who has a husband whos impossible to buy for, hes a gift for the man in your life.

Thats one aspect of my life going forward.

Stephen and Joshua have taken in a puppy who is a guide dog-in-training into their home, and their doing their best to make Sandra proud.

Were trying to move forward. What we try and do is think what [Joshuas mum] would want, and shed want the two of us to be happy.

Joshua is a really fantastic person, and I think in a lot of ways, thats his mums legacy. Her legacy lives certainly within Josh, hes a talented, well-adjusted kid and its my job to keep him that way.Pictured at the launch of new routes in Dublins Iveagh Gardens were Aer Lingus cabin crew Muriel Cooke; Chief Executive Stephen Kavanagh and cabin crew David Kennedy. Photo: JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Stock Photo. An Aer Lingus jet prepares to land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, in 2010. Photo: Tim Boyle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Pictured at the launch of new routes in Dublins Iveagh Gardens was Aer Lingus cabin crew Muriel Cooke. JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

If I say the words 'Aer Lingus', what comes to mind?

Irishness? Shamrock? A foot on home soil?

How about high prices, or a ham-fisted Aer Club rollout?

The answer depends on your experience, of course - but it goes to show that brands are not what marketers say they are. They're what we say they are.

I'm writing this column on an Aer Lingus flight from London. I've just gotten a hot water (and some sympathy) to go with a Lemsip, and a man in a middle seat has been invited to move to an empty row.

Another little layer has been added to my sense of the airline. Whereas Ryanair feels functional to me, Aer Lingus is by now almost a feeling in itself.

It's hard to believe that, three years ago, we were fretting about the national airline's takeover by IAG. Now, its expansion seems unstoppable.

A new 'brand identity' is on the way, with uniforms designed by Louise Kennedy. Sean Doyle will replace Stephen Kavanagh as CEO in January, and an assembly line of new routes includes Montreal and Minneapolis-St Paul.

By 2023, 14 new A321LR 'neo' aircraft will be delivered - a new generation of single-aisle, transatlantic planes with both economy and business class.

There have been hiccups, however.

Its handling of uncontrollable events like Storm Emma (or controllable ones, like the switch from Gold Circle to Aer Club) soured customer relations.

Smartly, Aer Lingus tends to follow rather than lead when it comes to unpopular extra charges, but there's no doubt about the bottom line. A 20kg checked bag will cost you 110 on a return flight to the Canary Islands.

Aer Lingus's ambition is to be "the leading value carrier across the North Atlantic."

Clearly, that's not about price - as anyone who has bagged a bargain fare with WOW or Norwegian will know. It's about customers getting the service they pay for, and a little more besides - the sympathetic smile with my Lemsip, a sneak peek into the cockpit, or the soothing of an anxious passenger's nerves.

That, combined with its 82-year heritage, is why our readers have twice voted it 'Ireland's Favourite Airline' in our Reader Travel Awards (vote here).

And in return, our word-of-mouth keeps its reputation flying.

That's not something Aer Lingus should take for granted; 2019 could be its biggest ever year, but aviation is a fickle business (just ask Air Berlin, Primera, Cobalt or Monarch). Fuel prices are rising. The economy won't hum forever.

If it starts to feel like a faceless corporation, or a shake-down for fees, the Aer Lingus brand will hit some serious turbulence.

It may no longer be "our airline". But we remain its secret ingredient - and that gives passengers some power.

Read more:A special European Council to consider the draft withdrawal agreement could be announced in the next few days if there is a decent prospect of success.

If there is insufficient progress in talks at official level, or if the UK cabinet cannot agree to whatever compromises officials have designed, the timetable begins to look tight and some form of political crisis in London becomes more likely.

Last Friday's resignation of the pro-Remain transport minister Jo Johnson was the sixth over Brexit and the DUP weighed in with a threat to vote down a deal from their very different perspective.

The betting must still be on some fudge designed to disguise the necessary concessions from the UK side, but a no-deal crash-out remains possible until the withdrawal deal is done. It must get through the cabinet and then be approved by the European Council, as well as the European and UK parliaments.

The available negotiating time has been spent unproductively. The main reason has been the UK's willingness to believe that the negative consequences of non-membership in the European Union can somehow be negotiated away, the illusion summarised in Mrs May's initial insistence that "no deal is better than a bad deal".

If there is optimism that an orderly withdrawal can still be found, it is because of the growing realisation in London that no deal is the worst possible outcome, and not just because of the immediate implications for the Border in Ireland.

There is no significant business federation or trade union which has failed to express alarm at the no-deal prospect and it is no longer credible as a negotiating threat. If it happens it will happen even though nobody wants it. The government's creation of expectations, in the immediate aftermath of the June 2016 referendum, that this would be a doddle with no downside has bedevilled negotiations ever since.

Whatever the ultimate outcome, the damage-limiting option of remaining in the EU's single market, the best route to borderless trade, is still identified on the Tory right with surrender, even treason, and failure to implement the referendum result. Ruling out the single market ensures that any deal to bridge into the 21-month transition period offered by the EU-27 will leave the UK exposed to border controls and avoidable economic costs. Non-tariff barriers are the most troublesome and a deal to stay in some form of customs union is not enough to avoid border controls, in Ireland or elsewhere. Leaving these fundamental matters to the transition period promises the UK an ongoing fractious relationship with its European neighbours.

The European Union is more than an economic trading bloc. It is indeed the political project that British Eurosceptics have always alleged and withdrawal will have grave political consequences, exacerbated if the economic damage is not minimised.

The least damaging deal, staying inside both single market and allied to the customs union, is so close to remaining fully in the European Union that it raises the taboo question: why bother?

A leaked Whitehall assessment of the long-term economic cost puts the damage at 2pc of GDP with the type of close trading arrangement (virtually staying in both single market and customs union) Mrs May has ruled out, and a 5pc hit with a plain vanilla third-country deal, the so-called Canada option favoured by Brexiteers.

Given that economic performance in the UK is unlikely to be spectacular in any scenario (growth rates no better than 2pc per annum), any hit will be noticed and blamed on European Union negotiators rather than on British decisions.

World leaders, gathered in France this weekend to mark the centenary of the end of World War I, will be mindful that Brexit is a manifestation of the retreat into economic nationalism that has become the dominant feature of international politics since the 2008 crash.

The United States, the principal architect of the global economic order established 70 years ago after World War II, is already embarked on the dismantling of that system. Trump's America has unilaterally imposed tariffs on imports from allies as well as rivals, has weakened international agencies such as the World Trade Organisation, resisted climate change agreements and even revoked existing arms limitation treaties. Trade sanctions threatened on Canada were justified on grounds of national security!

The post-WWII reforms created, through the United Nations and its sister organisations such as the International Monetary Fund, an international order that facilitated relative peace and widening prosperity in the non-communist world.

The lessons of the 1920s and 1930s were learned - World War I was followed by American isolationism, trade wars, the resurgence of economic nationalism and a new conflagration just 20 years later. In this centenary month, the international press has been reflecting on the parallels with the inter-war period and its horrific outcome.

The ingredients are visibly in place, including rising powers willing to challenge an isolationist America, a lurch towards protectionism in trade policy and electoral support for national populism in many European countries. In Britain, the national populist party (UKIP) has faded only because the traditional centre-right party has adopted its principal policy plank, namely Brexit.

In France this weekend, Donald Trump will meet with far more like-minded office-holders than liberal democrats might like to acknowledge, including the leaders of rather a long list of European states and European neighbours - not just Austria, Hungary and Poland and the new leaders of Italy, but Russia and Turkey on the EU's flanks.

Three weeks ago in Madrid, 9,000 turned out at a rally for a new right-populist party called Vox which is planning to contest next May's European Parliament elections. The traditional centre-right Partido Popular, in a country which has thus far resisted the rightward drift, responded by hinting, Tory-like, that it would meet the challenge.

In his resignation letter, Jo Johnson pulled no punches. "To present the nation with a choice between two deeply unattractive outcomes, vassalage and chaos, is a failure of British statecraft on a scale unseen since the Suez crisis."

He went on: "Hopes for 'the easiest trade deal in history' have proved to be delusions. Contrary to promises, there is in fact no deal at all on our future trading relationship with the EU which the government can present to the country.

"Still less anything that offers the 'exact same benefits' as the single market, as David Davis promised, or the 'precise guarantees of frictionless trade' that the prime minister assured us would be available."

On a lighter note, the UK minister responsible for the Brexit negotiations, Dominic Raab, revealed to a conference in London last Thursday that Britain is actually an island.

"I hadn't quite understood the full extent of this, but if you look at the UK and look at how we trade in goods, we are particularly reliant on the Dover-Calais crossing," he said.

Mr Raab is an Oxford law graduate - his boss, Theresa May, has a geography degree from the same university, and could well have been the source of the minister's insight.

But Raab's blundering is best seen as a measure of the retreat from reality in UK politics 28 months after the referendum, as the clock ticks down. Jo Johnson excepted.Robert De Niro has reprised his role as special counsel Robert Mueller for a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live.

The Hollywood star appeared on the US sketch show to bid farewell to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was sacked by President Donald Trump earlier this week.

The departure of Sessions from government means Ghostbusters star Kate McKinnon is retiring her impression of the Republican.

De Niro, who has played Mueller on the show before, appeared in a suit with slicked-back grey hair and thanked Sessions for his help with his investigation into Russias interference of the 2016 presidential election, saying he assisted him more than you will ever know.

When McKinnons Sessions asked if he will be in Muellers report, De Niro replied: A little bit.

Asked if the president will be in it, he replied: A lot a bit.

He told Sessions: You know in Harry Potter when an elf gets a piece of clothing it sets them free? This is for you.

Sessions replied: A piece of toilet paper from the bottom of Mr Trumps shoe? Ill treasure this.European Council President Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, yesterday denounced the eurosceptic populists governing Poland as "contemporary Bolsheviks" who threaten the nation's independence.

Tusk, seen as a likely contender in Poland's 2020 presidential election, spoke in the city of Lodz on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the country regaining its statehood at the end of World War I after 123 years of foreign rule.

He honoured Marshal Jozef Pilsudski, the statesman who restored Polish independence and then, as chief of state, went on to defeat the Bolsheviks' Red Army in 1920. He also paid homage to Lech Walesa, the Solidarity trade union founder who challenged Poland's Soviet-backed communist rule during the 1980s and went on to become president from 1990 to 1995.

"Jozef Pilsudski was facing a more difficult situation than we have today when he was conquering the Bolsheviks and in fact, defending the Western community against political barbarians," Tusk said during an independent anniversary forum.

"Walesa had a more difficult situation when he was conquering the Bolsheviks in a symbolic way, when he was bringing out the European, the freedom, the national values in us. But he managed," he continued.

"Why shouldn't you be able to defeat the contemporary Bolsheviks?" Tusk said to great applause. He appealed for Poles to defend their rights, freedom and to "defend Poland's independence".

He said the government, led by the right wing Law and Justice Party, which has repeatedly clashed with EU leaders, was a threat to Poland.

Tusk's appointment to the EU job in 2014 was partly in recognition of his liberal government's pro-EU policies. He warned yesterday that the government is now moving in the opposite direction.Police detained the suspects, aged 23 and 26, last Friday as they carried nine migrants from Pakistan and one from Bangladesh across a river separating Greece and Turkey. Photo: Roberto Caucino

Greek police say they have arrested two Pakistani migrant traffickers operating from Turkey.

Police detained the suspects, aged 23 and 26, last Friday as they carried nine migrants from Pakistan and one from Bangladesh across a river separating Greece and Turkey.

The two suspects had just landed their small boat on the Greek side. Across the river, about 80 migrants were waiting to be transported by the same boat.

Yesterday police said the traffickers were operating out of Turkey and were previously unknown to them.

The Greek-Turkish border is a busy migrant-smuggling route. After crossing the river, migrants are crammed like sardines into cars and vans to be transported to Thessaloniki, Athens or another country.

The smuggling plots are often chaotic. Last Friday, a four-year-old Iraqi boy was killed and 27 others were injured when a van carrying migrants struck a truck while fleeing police in northern Greece. The two traffickers, including the 24-year-old Iraqi driver, were among the injured.

The van, with Bulgarian number plates, failed to stop at a police checkpoint. The driver exited the road at high speed and hit a truck about 80km east of Thessaloniki. The Greek truck driver wasn't injured.

The migrants were from Iraq, Somalia and Bangladesh. Five of the injured were minors.

Smuggling gangs charge high fees to squeeze migrants into small vehicles at the border with Turkey and carry them to Thessaloniki, and accidents are frequent.

Associated PressHeads of states and governments arrive to attend a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day, 100 years after the end of World War One REUTERS/Yves Herman

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) with his wife Emine Erdogan, Chairman of the African Union (AU) Moussa Faki Mahamat (2L), Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde (L) and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres (R) leave the Elysee Palace (Photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON / AFP)JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron welcome Morocco's King Mohammed VI and his son Crown Prince Moulay Hassan at the Elysee Palace REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Netherland's Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leave the Elysee Palace in Parisfor the Arc de Triomphe prior to the start of commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the 11 November 1918 armistice (Photo by JACQUES DEMARTHON / AFP)JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite, King Felipe VI of Spain, Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and other heads of states and governments arrive to attend a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day REUTERS/Yves Herman

World leaders have gathered to mark the end of World War One 100 years ago, turning Paris into the epicentre of global commemorations that drove home a powerful message: never again.

More than 60 heads of state and government gathered - silent, sombre and reflective - for a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the mute and powerful symbol of sacrifice to the millions who died from 1914-18.

They heard high-school students recalling the joy felt by soldiers and civilians alike when the fighting finally stopped at 11am on November 11, 1918.

And they heard the commemoration's host, French President Emmanuel Macron, warn about the fragility of peace and the dangers of nationalism: a theme that seemed directed, at least in part, at US President Donald Trump, who listened stony-faced.

"The traces of this war never went away," Mr Macron said.

"The old demons are rising again," he intoned. "We must reaffirm before our peoples our true and huge responsibility."

The Paris weather - grey and damp - seemed aptly fitting when remembering a war fought in mud and relentless horror.

The commemorations started late, overshooting the centenary of the exact moment when, 100 years earlier at 11am, the silence of peace replaced the thunder of guns on the Western France.

As bells marking the armistice hour started ringing out across Paris and in many nations hit by the four years of slaughter, French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders were still on their way to the centennial site at the Arc de Triomphe.

Under a sea of black umbrellas, a line of leaders led by Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte, marched in a stony silence on the cobbles of the Champs-Elysees, after dismounting from their buses.

President Trump arrived separately, in a motorcade that drove past two topless protesters with anti-war slogans on their chests who somehow got through the rows of security and were quickly bundled away by police. The Femen group claimed responsibility.

Last to arrive was Russian President Vladimir Putin. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was positioned in pride of place between President Trump and Mr Macron, a powerful symbol of victors and vanquished now standing together, shoulder to shoulder.

Overhead, fighter jets ripped through the sky, trailing red, white and blue smoke.

The geographical spread of the leaders in attendance showed how the "war to end all wars" left few corners of the earth untouched but which, little more than two decades later, was followed so quickly and catastrophically by the even deadlier World War Two.

On the other side of the globe, Australia and New Zealand held ceremonies to recall how the war killed and wounded soldiers and civilians in unprecedented numbers and in gruesome new, mechanised ways.

Those countries lost tens of thousands of soldiers far away in Europe and, most memorably in the brutal 1915 battle of Gallipoli, in Turkey.

In Paris, the jewel that Germany sought to capture in 1914 but which the Allies fought successfully to defend, the armistice commemorations were being followed by the afternoon opening of a peace forum pushed by the host, Mr Macron.

President Trump will be the most notable absentee at the forum, where Mr Macron's defence of multi-lateralism will take centre stage.

President Trump lives by an "America First" credo, and plans to visit the American cemetery at Suresnes on the outskirts of Paris before heading home.

On Saturday, he was criticised for cancelling a visit to the Belleau Wood battleground north-east of Paris because of rain.

In the four years of fighting, remembered for brutal trench warfare and the first use of gas, France, the British empire, Russia and the United States had the main armies opposing a German-led coalition that also included the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires.

Almost 10 million soldiers died, sometimes tens of thousands on a single day.

The United States came late to the war, in April 1917, but over one-and-a-half years it became a key player in the conflict and tipped the scales for the allies.

When the war ended, the US armed forces was on the cusp of becoming the major military power in the world.The first election workers have begun the enormous task of recounting ballots in Floridas bitterly close races for the US Senate and governor.

The move came after the secretary of state ordered a review of the two nationally watched contests.

Miami-Dade County election officials began feeding ballots into scanning machines on Saturday evening.

The tedious work in that one South Florida county alone could take days, considering some 800,000 ballots were cast.

The Florida secretary of state ordered the recounts on Saturday, an unprecedented step for the two flagship races in a state that took five weeks to decide the 2000 presidential election.

Secretary of State Ken Detzners office said it was unaware of any other time either a race for governor or US Senate in Florida required a recount, let alone both in the same election.

Whats embarrassing to democracy is not counting every vote  and you, of course.



Count every vote. https://t.co/ZfrBBcymrg  Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) November 9, 2018

Floridas 67 counties can decide when to begin their recounts, but must complete them by Thursday.

Elections officials in two large counties in the Tampa Bay area  Pinellas and Hillsborough  said they would begin recounts on Sunday morning.

Unofficial results show that Republican Ron DeSantis led Democrat Andrew Gillum by less than 0.5 percentage points, which will require a machine recount of ballots.

In the Senate race, Republican Gov Rick Scotts lead over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is less than 0.25 percentage points, requiring a hand recount of ballots from tabulation machines that could not determine which candidate got the vote.

The recount opens against a backdrop of political tensions. President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted without evidence that the elections were being stolen.

Following the announcement of a recount, Mr Gillum withdrew his concession in the governors race.

Let me say clearly, I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call that we count every single vote, he said, adding that he would accept whatever outcome emerges.

In a video statement, Mr DeSantis said the election results were clear and unambiguous and that he was preparing to become the states next governor.

He also thanked the states supervisors of elections, canvassing boards, and the staffs for working hard to ensure that all lawful votes are counted.

It is important that everyone involved in the election process strictly adhere to the rule of law which is the foundation for our nation, he said.

In the Senate recount, Mr Scott implored the states sheriffs to watch for any violations and take appropriate action during the recount.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said on Friday it has not launched any investigation into election fraud.

The scene recalled the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W Bush the victor over Vice President Al Gore by 537 votes, and thus giving Mr Bush the presidency.Protesters wave their national flags while others burn tyres near the Gaza Strip border with Israel (Adel Hana/AP)

At least six Palestinians have been killed as a fresh wave of fighting erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.

The violence came as Israel and Hamas had appeared to be making progress towards ratcheting down months of border violence.

It was not immediately clear what set off the sudden, late-night burst of violence.

In a statement, Hamas armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said Israeli undercover forces in a civilian vehicle infiltrated two miles into Gaza and fatally shot one of its commanders.

It said militants discovered the car and chased it down, prompting Israeli airstrikes that killed a number of people.

The clashes were still going on, it said.

The Israeli military reported an exchange of fire had taken place during operational activity in Gaza and said that all IDF soldiers back in Israel.

It did not elaborate.

Expand Close A Palestinian protester hurls stones during a protest on the beach at the border with Israel near Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip (Khalil Hamra/AP) / Facebook

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The Palestinian Health Ministry said six people, including at least five militants, were killed and seven others wounded.

In Israel, the military said it had intercepted two rockets fired from Gaza as air raid sirens continued to sound.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on an official visit to France, announced he was going back to Israel to deal with the crisis.

Sundays development shattered what appeared to be a turning point after months of bloodshed along the Israel-Gaza border, with weekly Hamas-led protests drawing thousands to the perimeter fence with Israel.

More than 170 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the border protests, in which Palestinians throw rocks, burning tyres and grenades towards Israeli troops.

Last week, Israel allowed Qatar to deliver 15 million dollars (11.6 million) in aid to Gazas cash-strapped Hamas rulers. Hamas responded by lowering the intensity of Fridays border protest.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu had defended his decision to allow the transfer of the Qatari money, rejecting criticism that the move had strengthened the Islamic militant group.

Expand Close Benjamin Netanyahu was returning from Paris to deal with the crisis (Thibault Camus/AP) / Facebook

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Netanyahu told reporters that it was the right step at the moment and that he was committed to restoring quiet along the Israel-Gaza frontier and preventing a humanitarian crisis in the coastal Palestinian territory.

Every action, without exception, has a price, he said. If you cant handle the price you cannot lead. And I can handle the price.

Israeli critics, including members of Netanyahus hard-line coalition, accused him of capitulating to violence and of granting relief to the embattled Hamas group.

The internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, angrily accused the US and Israel of being involved in a conspiracy to permanently sever Gaza from the West Bank.

He promised to take unspecified measures against his Hamas rivals in the coming days.

Hamas leaders in Gaza have described the arrival of the 15 million dollars, delivered last week in three suitcases by a Qatari diplomat, as their first major gain of more than seven months of weekly protests along the perimeter fence.

Hamas has been leading the protests since March 30 in a bid to ease a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade that was imposed in 2007 in order to weaken the militant group.

The blockade has led to over 50% unemployment and chronic power cuts, and prevents most Gazans from being able to leave the tiny territory.

Israel says it is defending its border against militant infiltrations, but its army has come under international criticism because of the large number of unarmed protesters who have been shot.Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 10)  Charges have been filed against National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace process consultant Vic Ladlad and two others.

In a statement, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Joselito Esquivel said that the district has filed charges of unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives at the Office of the City Prosecutor on November 9.

During the search which was witnessed by Brgy. San Bartolome Officials and President of Dona Tomasa Home Owners Association, several high-powered firearms, assorted ammunition, hand grenades and subversive documents were seized, the statement read on the search and arrest conducted that led to the rest of Ladlad, Ablerto Villamor and Virginia Villamor.

Esquivel said that the suspects will remain in the custody of the QCPD.

As far as the suspects are concerned, they shall remain in custody of the QCPD until an order coming from the court says otherwise. With the filing of charges against them, they shall have their days in court to prove their innocence, he said in a statement.

Malacanang had previously defended the arrest of Ladlad despite the lack of warrant, alleging that he is also guilty of the crime of rebellion.

The crime of rebellion is a continuing crime and therefore no warrant of arrest is needed for that, said Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo Thursday.

READ: NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad arrestedAuthorities called in a mobile DNA lab and anthropologists to help identify the dead as the search went on for victims of the most destructive wildfire in Californian history.

The overall death toll from the outbreak of fires at both ends of the state stood at 25 on Sunday and appeared likely to climb.

The worst of the blazes was in northern California, where flames reduced the town of Paradise, population 27,000, to a smoking ruin days ago and continued to rage in surrounding communities.

The number of people killed in that fire alone, 23, made it the third-deadliest on record in the state.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the county was bringing in more rescue workers and consulted anthropologists from California State University at Chico because in some cases the only remains we are able to find are bones or bone fragments.

This weighs heavy on all of us, Honea said.

Authorities were also bringing in a DNA lab and encouraged people with missing relatives to submit samples to help identify the dead.

The sheriffs department compiled a list of 110 people unaccounted for, but officials held out hope that many were safe but had no mobile phones or some other way of contacting loved ones.

Expand Close The Camp Fire burns along a ridgetop near Big Bend (Noah Berger/AP) / Facebook

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Firefighters fended off strong winds overnight and gained modest ground against the blaze, which grew slightly to 170 square miles from the day before and was 25% contained, up from 20%, said David Clark, a spokesman for the state fire agency.

Clark said Sunday that high winds and dry conditions were expected over the next 24 hours: Were at a pivotal point now. We are still actively in this firefight.

The blaze destroyed more than 6,700 buildings, nearly all of them homes.

Two people were also found dead in a wildfire in southern California , where fires tore through Malibu mansions and homes in working-class Los Angeles suburbs.

The severely burned bodies were discovered in a long residential driveway in Malibu, home to a multitude of Hollywood celebrities.

Among those forced out of their homes were Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian West, Guillermo del Toro and Martin Sheen.

Wildfires also raged on both sides of Thousand Oaks, the Southern California city still in mourning over the massacre of 12 people in a shooting rampage at a country music bar Wednesday night.

All told, a quarter of a million people were under evacuation orders across the state, officials said.

California will see a #RedFlagWarning once again Saturday night through Sunday afternoon bringing another round of #CriticalFireWeather. Gusty winds & low humidity can contribute to extreme fire behavior. Please use caution when outdoors. #OneLessSpark. https://t.co/UNM0xbVv9n pic.twitter.com/86YuwW9oEA  CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) November 10, 2018

Drought, warmer weather attributed to climate change and home construction deeper into forests have led to more destructive wildfire seasons in California that have been starting earlier and lasting longer.

In Paradise, a town founded in the 1800s, residents who stayed behind to try to save their properties or who managed to return despite an evacuation order found incinerated cars and homes.

Wearing masks because the air was still heavy with smoke, people sidestepped metal that had melted off cars as they surveyed their ravaged neighbourhoods.

Some cried when they saw nothing was left.

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Jan McGregor, 81, got back to his small two-bedroom home in Paradise with the help of his firefighter grandson.

He found his home levelled  a large metal safe and pipes from his septic system the only recognisable traces. The safe was punctured with bullet holes from guns inside that went off in the scorching heat.

He lived in Paradise for nearly 80 years, moving there in 1939, when the town had just 3,000 people and was nicknamed Poverty Ridge.

We knew Paradise was a prime target for forest fire over the years, he said.

Weve had em come right up to the city limits, oh, yeah, but nothing like this.

McGregor said he probably would not rebuild: I have nothing here to go back to.Isil militants shot and killed two children during an operation to liberate a group of hostages from southern Syria that had been held by the terror group since July.

Syrian troops, led by Russian officers, liberated the 19 women and children held by Isil. The 19 women and children were among 30 people kidnapped in July when Isil ambushed residents in the town of Sweida and went on a killing spree that left at least 216 people dead.

The rare attacks in the province, populated mainly by Syria's minority Druze, came amid a government offensive elsewhere in the country's south.

The coordinated attacks across the province, which included several suicide bombings, devastated the community and shattered the calm of a region that had been largely spared from the worst of the violence of Syria's seven-year long civil war.

The Russian commander who led the attack said the hostages were kept in brutal conditions, keeping them in pits where they could barely sit or lie down, giving them no food for days and providing no medical care.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian president Bashar Assad and wields significant power in the war-torn country.

Breakaway regions in Ukraine set to vote

The two self-declared breakaway "republics" of eastern Ukraine are today set to hold elections - in defiance of the United Nations, but openly encouraged by Moscow.

The vote, which critics say contravenes peace agreements signed in Minsk early 2015, has been postponed several times.

After the assassination of erstwhile leader of the Donetsk separatist forces, Moscow says the region needs an election to fill a power gap - and not only in Donetsk but in neighbouring Luhansk too.

In Donetsk, the expected winner is Denis Pushilin, the former head of the revolutionary parliament the "People's Council" and also previously distinguished for his pre-war work as an officer of a fraudulent Ponzi scheme.

In Luhansk, the winner is expected to be Leonid Pasechnik, who has headed up the Luhansk separatists' security forces since 2014, during some of its most bloody months.

Asia Bibi still has not left Pakistan

A week after Pakistan's Supreme Court acquitted her of blasphemy, a Christian woman who had been on death row for eight years accused of blasphemy has still not been able to leave Pakistan.

Asia Bibi was freed from detention last Thursday, but her whereabouts are a closely guarded secret following demands by extremists that she be hanged in public.

Bibi remains with her family under heavy security after being transferred to the Pakistani capital from her detention facility in southern Punjab.

Muslide near Rio de Janeiro kills ten

Ten people were killed and 11 injured in a mudslide near Rio de Janeiro yesterday. The mudslide in the city of Niteroi was caused by heavy downpours.

People were killed and injured when a massive boulder rolled on top of six houses in the Boa Esperanca area.

The dead included a 3-year-old boy, two elderly women and a middle-aged man.

The death toll may rise. One resident told reporters that her 8-year-old granddaughter was buried underneath the rubble. She also said she managed to rescue her grandson who was taken to a hospital.

Row back after transgender models slur

Victoria's Secret chief marketing officer has apologised for comments he made about transgender models.

In an interview with Vogue magazine, Ed Razek had said the lingerie company's annual shows were "a fantasy" and should not include them.

Following a backlash on social media, Razek said his remarks were "insensitive". He added: "To be clear, we absolutely would cast a transgender model in our show.

"We've had transgender models come to castings... And like many others, they didn't make it."

Artists' group calls for rise of citizens

Artists and intellectuals across Europe are calling for the founding of a continent-wide republic to replace its many nation states.

Activists planned to proclaim a "European Republic" in dozens of cities at 4pm yesterday, almost exactly 100 years after the end of World War I.

The event is being organised by a group calling itself the European Balcony Project. Its supporters include political scientists, philosophers and writers such as Austrian literature Nobel prize laureate Elfriede Jelinek.

Their manifesto on their website declares that "the sovereignty of states is hereby replaced by the sovereignty of citizens".

12 die as 'biggest deluge' hits Jordan

The death toll from flash floods in Jordan rose to 12 yesterday. The ancient city of Petra was closed for cleanup after what local officials said was the biggest deluge in the area in decades.Turkey has given recordings related to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain, said Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan yesterday.

Turkish sources have said previously that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder.

However, they had also initially said that Khashoggi was tortured before being murdered, only changing their story two weeks after his disappearance.

"We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them. They know," Erdogan said.

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.

Saudi officials initially claimed that Khashoggi had left the consulate, later changing their story and saying that he died in an unplanned "rogue operation". The kingdom's public prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, has since yet again changed the Saudi version of events and said he was killed in a premeditated attack.

Speaking on his departure for France to attend commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia to identify the killer from among a 15-man team that arrived in Turkey some days before Khashoggi's killing.

"There's no need to distort this issue, they know for certain that the killer, or the killers, is among these 15 people. Saudi Arabia's government can disclose this by making these 15 people talk," Erdogan said.

Following a meeting yesterday in Paris, Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron agreed that the Saudi authorities needed to shed full light on Khashoggi's murder.

They also agreed that the matter should not be allowed to cause further destabilisation in the Middle East and that it could create an opportunity to find a political resolution to the war in Yemen, according to the official.

Yesterday, Saudi Arabia and the US agreed to end American refuelling of aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi insurgents.

However, the halt will have little practical effect on the conflict, seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Only a fifth of coalition aircraft require in-air refuelling from the US.

The US and UK late last month called for a ceasefire in Yemen to support UN-led efforts to end the nearly four-year long war that has killed more than 10,000 people and triggered the world's most urgent humanitarian crisis.

As is usually the case in mediated conflicts, the Saudi coalition appears to be accelerating its assault before any ceasefire - to enable a better negotiating position.

This has meant increased pressure on the main port city of Hodeidah, which is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

UN bodies warn that an all-out attack on the Red Sea port, the entry point for 80pc of Yemen's food imports and aid relief, could trigger a famine in the impoverished country.

The World Food Programme said last week that it planned to double food assistance for Yemen, aiming to reach up to 14m people "to avert mass starvation".

Also yesterday the rebel information minister fled the country and defected to neighboring Saudi Arabia.

Abdul-Salam Ali Gaber is the most senior member of the Houthi administration to defect since civil war broke out in 2014, dealing a blow to the rebels' image.

 ReutersFirefighters battle flames overnight during a wildfire that burned dozens of homes in Thousand Oaks, California, U.S. November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Thayer

Firefighters battle flames overnight during a wildfire that burned dozens of homes in Thousand Oaks, California, U.S. November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Thayer

A home is engulfed in flames during the Woolsey Fire in Malibu, California, U.S. November 9, 2018. REUTERS/Gene Blevins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Araya Cipollini cries near the remains of her familys home burned in the Camp Fire, in Paradise (John Locher/AP)

A man uses a shovel with dirt to try to stop the flames approaching. Picture: Reuters

The remains of 14 more people have been found in and around a Northern California town overrun by flames from a massive wildfire, officials said on Saturday, raising the death toll to at least 23.

The bodies were recovered in and around Paradise, a mountain community some 90 miles (145 km) north of Sacramento that has been left devastated by the Camp Fire, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Scott Maclean said.

Maclean said no details were immediately available about the circumstances of the deaths and that the victims' badly burned condition would make identification difficult.

The Camp Fire burned down more than 6,700 homes and businesses in Paradise, more structures than any other California wildfire on record, and the death toll, which could still rise, also makes it one of the deadliest.

Only the Griffith Park Fire in 1933 and Tunnel Fire in 1991 have claimed more lives.

Several of the bodies discovered earlier this week were found in or near burned out cars, police have said. The flames descended on Paradise so fast that many people were forced to abandon their vehicles and run for their lives down the sole road through the mountain town.

An additional 35 people have been reported missing and three firefighters have been injured. It was not immediately clear if any of the missing were among those found dead.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Camp Fire had blackened more than 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) at the edge of the Plumas National Forest. Crews had cut containment lines around about 20 percent of the blaze.

About 500 miles (800 km) to the south, the Woolsey Fire burning in the foothills above Malibu doubled in size over Friday night into Saturday, threatening thousands of homes after triggering mandatory evacuation orders for a quarter million people in the upscale beach city as well as other communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The fire has destroyed at least 177 homes and other structures with a full count still under way, and has now charred more than 83,000 acres as of late Saturday, officials said in a release.

"Our firefighters have been facing some extreme, tough fire conditions that they said that they've never seen in their lives," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby.

He said crews hoped to take advantage of a lull on Saturday in the fierce Santa Ana winds driving the flames, but that gusts could return on Sunday.

All 13,000 residents of Malibu, which is 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, were told to get out on Friday.

Two bodies were discovered in the community on Saturday but it was too early to determine if they died from the Woolsey fire or another cause, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said.

Firefighters took advantage of a lull in winds on Saturday to build containment lines around five percent of the conflagration but warned that gusts were expected to pick up again on Sunday.

The Woolsey Fire broke out on Thursday in Ventura County near Los Angeles and quickly jumped the 101 Freeway, a major north-south artery, in several places.

On Friday, it crossed the Santa Monica Mountains toward Malibu, where flames driven by wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kph) raced down hillsides and through canyons toward multi-million dollar homes.

Early on Saturday, flames approached Malibu's Pepperdine University, a private residential college with 7,700 students, where many remained sheltered on the main campus.

School officials told the students that they have been assured by fire officials that the university's buildings were built to withstand fire.

Among those forced to flee the Malibu area were celebrities including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian, who said on Twitter that flames had damaged the home she shares in nearby Calabasas with Kanye West.

In Ventura County, most of the town of Thousand Oaks was ordered evacuated, adding to the anguish days after a gunman killed 12 people in a shooting rampage at a bar.

President Donald Trump, weighing in on the emergency during a trip to France, said early on Saturday that "gross mismanagement of forests" was to blame.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," he wrote in a Twitter post.

Trump, a Republican, blamed California officials for fires on Saturday and threatened to withhold funding, saying the state should do more to try to prevent wildfires.

There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor, the US president tweeted.

Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!

State officials have blamed climate change and say many of the burn areas have been in federally-managed lands.

"Our focus is on the Californians impacted by these fires and the first responders and firefighters working around the clock to save lives and property - not on the President's inane and uninformed tweets," said Evan Westrub, a spokesman for California Governor Jerry Brown.Leon County Supervisor of Elections employee Johnny To pulls a box of ballots to be recounted (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)

Leon County Supervisor of Elections employee, Holly Thompson, shows an original ballot and one remarked by the canvassing board to allow the ballot to be machine counted (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images)

The first election workers have begun the enormous task of recounting ballots in Florida's bitterly close races for the US Senate and governor.

The move came after the secretary of state ordered a review of the two nationally watched contests.

Miami-Dade County election officials began feeding ballots into scanning machines on Saturday evening.

The tedious work in that one South Florida county alone could take days, considering some 800,000 ballots were cast.

The Florida secretary of state ordered the recounts on Saturday, an unprecedented step for the two flagship races in a state that took five weeks to decide the 2000 presidential election.

Secretary of State Ken Detzner's office said it was unaware of any other time either a race for governor or US Senate in Florida required a recount, let alone both in the same election.

Florida's 67 counties can decide when to begin their recounts, but must complete them by Thursday.

Elections officials in two large counties in the Tampa Bay area - Pinellas and Hillsborough - said they would begin recounts on Sunday morning.

Expand Close Leon County Supervisor of Elections employee Johnny To pulls a box of ballots to be recounted (Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Unofficial results show that Republican Ron DeSantis led Democrat Andrew Gillum by less than 0.5 percentage points, which will require a machine recount of ballots.

In the Senate race, Republican Gov Rick Scott's lead over Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson is less than 0.25 percentage points, requiring a hand recount of ballots from tabulation machines that could not determine which candidate got the vote.

The recount opens against a backdrop of political tensions. President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted without evidence that the elections were being stolen.

Following the announcement of a recount, Mr Gillum withdrew his concession in the governor's race.

"Let me say clearly, I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call that we count every single vote," he said, adding that he would accept whatever outcome emerges.

In a video statement, Mr DeSantis said the election results were "clear and unambiguous" and that he was preparing to become the state's next governor.

He also thanked the state's supervisors of elections, canvassing boards, and the staffs for "working hard to ensure that all lawful votes are counted".

"It is important that everyone involved in the election process strictly adhere to the rule of law which is the foundation for our nation," he said.

In the Senate recount, Mr Scott implored the state's sheriffs to "watch for any violations and take appropriate action" during the recount.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said on Friday it has not launched any investigation into election fraud.

The scene recalled the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W Bush the victor over Vice President Al Gore by 537 votes, and thus giving Mr Bush the presidency.US President Donald Trump has been criticised for failing to go to the cemetery (Thibault Camus/AP)

Donald Trump was yesterday criticised for cancelling his visit to a cemetery in France for Americans killed in WWI.

Trump was due to visit the cemetery yesterday, but the White House cancelled the trip because of rain which grounded the presidential helicopter that was to fly him to Belleau - about a two-hour drive east of Paris.

The White House sent a delegation that included chief of staff John Kelly in his place.

Meanwhile Trump and French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday agreed on the need for more European defence spending, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that had described Macron's call for a European army as "very insulting".

Meeting for talks a day before commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, Macron welcomed Trump under rainy Parisian skies with a firm handshake. But there appeared to be less immediate warmth between the two than in the past. Macron put his hand on Trump's knee and referred to him as "my friend", while Trump kept more distance, though he also talked up common ground on an issue that had caused friction.

"We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States."

Macron echoed those sentiments, saying he wanted Europe to bear a greater share of the defence costs within NATO, a point he has made repeatedly since taking office.

Trump's visit is aimed at bolstering the US-European alliance at a symbolic time, with the world marking the centenary of 1918's armistice.

But in a tweet prior to landing in Paris, Trump took a dim view of comments Macron made in which he seemed to cast the US as a threat.

Discussing the dangers of cyber-hacking, meddling in electoral processes and the US decision to withdraw from a missile treaty, Macron said Europe needed to protect itself against threats from China, Russia "and even the US".

Trump, who has pushed NATO allies to pay more for common defence, complained.

"Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidises greatly," Trump said on Twitter.Gyari's last post was executive chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet . Photo: Getty Images

Lodi Gyari, who has died aged 69, was a special envoy to the Dalai Lama and spent years negotiating with Chinese officials over the status of Tibet.

China invaded the Himalayan kingdom in 1951, and the Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. In talks that began in 2002, Gyari pushed the Dalai Lama's proposal that Tibet be given true, rather than merely nominal, autonomy, while remaining under Chinese rule. That proposal, referred to as the "Middle Way", was rejected in 2008, the Chinese arguing that it would presage a bid for full secession.

Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari was born in 1949 in Nyarong, a Tibetan district later seized by China. He was recognised as a rinpoche, the reincarnation of a Buddhist master, and schooled in the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.

He fled to India when he was 10, during the 1959 Tibetan rebellion which saw the Dalai Lama and his government relocate to Dharamsala. In 1970, he co-founded the Tibetan Youth Congress to fight for his homeland's independence; the Chinese have long said that the Congress is a terrorist organisation.

Gyari worked for a time as part of a CIA plan to train Tibetan guerillas. He then went into journalism. He edited a Tibetan-language newspaper before moving to what later became the Tibetan Review.

Jovial and eloquent, he went on to work in Dharamsala as the kalon, or minister, of the exiled government's Department of Information and International Relations - effectively foreign minister. He continued to knock on China's door, remarking in 1989: "Our strategy is to keep chasing them around so they finally sit down and talk."

His tactics bore fruit, though patience was needed: in 2002, Beijing finally reached out to the Dalai Lama, and gruelling negotiations began.

In 2005 he remarked: "The Chinese took a long time to accept me as the Tibetan interlocutor. Their objection against me has been that I am an active 'splittist' and that I am actively involved in internationalising the issue of Tibet... They wanted us to stop our international activities."

Chinese mistrust may have been heightened by Gyari's work with the US Congress on the 2002 Tibetan Policy Act, under which the US government pledged support to the Tibetans to protect their "distinct" culture. The act also created a State Department special coordinator on Tibet: the position has been vacant under President Trump.

Gyari's last post was executive chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT).

Lodi Gyari, who died on October 29, is survived by his wife, Dawa Chokyi, and by their six children.

 Telegraph

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]Officials from Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain have listened to audio recordings related to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkeys president said.

In the first public acknowledgement of the existence of tapes of the killing, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also told reporters that Saudi Arabia had to act fairly and disclose those responsible for the October 2 killing of The Washington Post journalist to rid itself of suspicion.

We gave them the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to America, to the Germans, the French, to the British, to all of them, Mr Erdogan said before departing for Paris to attend ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

They (Saudi officials) also listened to the conversations and they know. There is no need to distort this. They know for certain who among the 15 is the killer or are the killers, he said.

He was referring to an alleged 15-member assassination squad that Turkey believes was sent to kill Mr Khashoggi at the consulate where he had arrived to obtain papers to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Expand Close Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi Arabia had to act fairly (Ian Langsdon/Pool Photo via AP) / Facebook

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CIA director Gina Haspel, who visited Turkey last month for information on the investigation, is reported to have heard the audio recordings of the killing.

The existence of the recordings was leaked to the media but never openly confirmed until now.

Turkey says Mr Khashoggi, who was critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was strangled and dismembered at the consulate as part of a premeditated killing.

Media reports have suggested that his body could have been chemically dissolved.

Saudi Arabia needs to get rid of the suspicion by responding to Turkey's good will and acting fairlyPresident Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 suspects who have been detained in Saudi Arabia, so they can be put on trial in Turkey. They include the 15 members of the alleged assassination squad.

Saudi Arabia had insisted for weeks after Mr Khashoggi disappeared that he had walked out of the consulate, before changing its account to say he died in a brawl.

Last month, Saudi Arabia acknowledged that Turkish evidence indicates that Mr Khashoggis killing was premeditated, shifting its explanation in an apparent effort to ease international outrage over the death.

Saudi officials characterise the killing as a rogue operation carried out by Saudi agents who exceeded their authority.

Yet some of those implicated in the killing are close to the crown prince, including a member of the princes entourage on foreign trips who was seen at the consulate before Mr Khashoggis slaying.

Mr Erdogan accused Saudi Arabias chief prosecutor, who was sent to Istanbul last month as part of a joint probe, of employing delaying tactics.

Saudi Arabia needs to accept that (the killer) is among the 18 and needs to get rid of the suspicion by responding to Turkeys good will and acting fairly, Mr Erdogan said.(From L) Moroccan King Mohammed VI, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walk towards the Arc de Triomphe (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

World leaders solemnly marked the end of the slaughter of the First World War 100 years ago at commemorations that drove home the message never again but also exposed the globes new political fault lines.

As Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and dozens of other heads of state and government listened in silence, French President Emmanuel Macron used the occasion, as its host, to sound a warning about the fragility of peace and the dangers of nationalism.

The old demons are rising again, ready to complete their task of chaos and of death, Mr Macron said.

Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism, he said.

In saying Our interests first, whatever happens to the others, you erase the most precious thing a nation can have, that which makes it live, that which causes it to be great and that which is most important  its moral values.

Donald Trump, ostensibly the main target of Macrons message, sat stony-faced.

The US president has proudly declared himself a nationalist. But if Mr Trump felt singled out by Mr Macrons remarks, he did not show it. He later described the commemoration as very beautiful.

Expand Close Donald Trump, second left, watches French President Emmanuel Macron putting his hand on German Chancellor Angela Merkels knee (AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool) / Facebook

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As well as spelling out the horrific costs of conflict to those with arsenals capable of waging a third world war, the ceremony also served up a joyful reminder of the intense sweetness of peace.

High school students read from letters that soldiers and civilians wrote 100 years ago when the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front.

Brought alive again by people too young to have known global war themselves, the ghostly voices seemed collectively to say: Please, do not make our mistakes.

I only hope the soldiers who died for this cause are looking down upon the world today, American soldier Captain Charles S. Normington wrote on November 11 1918, in one of the letters.

The whole world owes this moment of real joy to the heroes who are not here to help enjoy it.

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The Paris weather, grey and damp, seemed aptly fitting when remembering a war fought in mud and relentless horror.

The commemorations started late, overshooting the centenary of the exact moment when, 100 years earlier at 11am, an eerie silence replaced the thunder of war on the front lines.

Mr Macron recalled that one billion shells fell on France alone from 1914 to 1918 .

As bells marking the armistice hour rang across Paris and in many nations ravaged by the four years of carnage, Mr Macron and other leaders were still on their way to the centennial site at the Arc de Triomphe.

Il ne depend que de nous que cette image soit interpretee a lavenir comme le symbole dune paix durable entre les nations, et non comme la photographie dun dernier moment dunite avant que le monde ne sombre dans un nouveau desordre. pic.twitter.com/kQ5MKYtgf3  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 11, 2018

Under a sea of black umbrellas, a line of leaders led by Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte, marched in silence on the cobbles of the Champs-Elysees, after leaving their buses.

Mr Trump arrived separately, in a motorcade that drove past three topless protesters with anti-war slogans on their chests who somehow got through the rows of security and were quickly bundled away by police.

The Femen group claimed responsibility. French authorities said the three women faced charges of sexual exhibitionism.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited security protocols for the presidential motorcades solo trip down the grand flag-lined avenue, which was closed to traffic.

Last to arrive was the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, who shook Mr Trumps hand and flashed him a thumbs-up.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was positioned in pride of place between Mr Trump and Mr Macron, an eloquent symbol of victors and vanquished now standing together, shoulder to shoulder.

Overhead, fighter jets ripped through the sky, trailing red, white and blue smoke in homage to the French flag.

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The geographical spread of the more than 60 heads of state and government who attended, silent and reflective, showed how the war to end all wars left few corners of the earth untouched but which, little more than two decades later, was followed so quickly and catastrophically by the Second World War.

On the other side of the globe, Australia and New Zealand held ceremonies to recall how the war killed and wounded soldiers and civilians in unprecedented numbers and in gruesome new, mechanised ways.

Those countries lost tens of thousands of soldiers far away in Europe and, most memorably in the 1915 battle of Gallipoli, in Turkey.

The gulf between Trumps America First credo and European leaders was starkly underscored again later on Sunday, when Mr Trump went his own way.

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He visited an American cemetery outside Paris at precisely the moment that Mr Macron, Mrs Merkel and other dignitaries were opening a peace forum where the French leader again sounded the alarm about crumbling international harmony as he ruminated about the legacy of the mornings commemorations.

Will it be the shining symbol of durable peace between nations or will it be a picture of a last moment of unity before the world goes down in new disorder? Mr Macron asked. It depends only on us.

While praising France for a wonderful two days, Mr Trump described his rainy stop at the American cemetery at Suresnes as the highlight of the trip.

On Saturday, Mr Trump drew criticism for cancelling a separate commemorative visit to the Belleau Wood battleground northeast of Paris because of rain.

With so many leaders in Paris, the commemoration also provoked a flurry of diplomacy on the sidelines, with conflict in Yemen and Syria among the hot-button issues.

On Sunday, Merkel met the head of the United Nations and the president of Serbia.

It was a Serb teenager, Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated the Austro-Hungarian crown prince in Sarajevo in 1914 to set off events which led to the outbreak of war.As Baazigar will complete 25 years of its release on Nov 12, director Mustan got nostalgic. Sharing interesting anecdotes from the movie, the director revealed that he had shot two endings for the movie.

Shah Rukh Khan starrer Baazigar faced quite a few hurdles from delay in shoot due to communal riots, to not getting a hero to play a negative role but as the film completes 25 years, the director duo Abbas Mustan are happy as it is regarded one of the best Bollywood thrillers till date.

Released on November 12, 1993, Baazigar featured Shah Rukh as an anti-hero. The thriller, also Kajol's one of the earliest successes and Shilpa Shetty's debut, became a blockbuster thanks to its plot and chartbuster music by Anu Malik.

As the film completes 25 years, Mustan, in an interview with PTI, talks about the obstacles the team faced, why Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor turned down the anti-hero role and why they shot two different climax scenes for the movie.

screen grab/youtube

"People still like the film and it is a big compliment to the entire team. The important thing is the maker should be convinced with his own vision as that will reflect on screen. We had a hero playing a negative role. Though it led to the hit pairing of Shah Rukh and Kajol, it was not a romantic film. But it all worked well," Mustan told PTI.

He recalls the movie received overwhelming response across the globe and they witnessed it during the film's US and UK screenings. The birth of the film, however, was difficult. The mahurat of the film was done in December 1992 and the shoot was scheduled to start soon, with the aim to wrap it up by January-February. The film hit a roadblock after communal riots broke in different parts of the country post the demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6.

"There was a tense moment due to riots, people were scared and were not going out. But Mumbai is a city that bounces back like never before. Once things got cleared, work began as usual. We started shooting sometime in late March and wrapped it by May-June and decided to release it on Diwali. The film was earlier set to release in June-July."

Baazigar chronicled the story of a young man with a vendetta against a business tycoon and how he plots to destroy the rest of the family. Mustan, an ardent fan of Manmohan Desai's cinema, was inspired by the filmmaking style of the renowned director to form the crux of "Baazigar" as a mother-son story with revenge as backdrop.

"In his films, the character of a mother was of utmost importance. We wanted to have that element in our film. It is all about bringing the right emotion for a film. If the mother-son relationship is explored and justified properly on screen then it definitely strikes a chord with audience . If a son is taking revenge for his mother then his every sin is forgiven. And it worked well with the audience."

The makers felt veteran actor Rakhee Gulzar was the perfect choice to play a distressed mother to Shah Rukh. It was Rakhee, who had told the director duo to change the climax of the film.

"Rakhee ji said yes but wanted the ending to be changed as she felt audience should not be let down. A lot of distributors said the hero should not die in the end and instead the police should come and arrest him. So we had shot both the endings. We felt the ending where the police comes and takes SRK will not work as the emotional graph of the character would not be conveyed correctly."

When the first copy came out, Mustan says, both, the distributors and Rakhee eventually agreed to go with the duo's vision of the climax.

The film is said to be a remake of "A Kiss Before Dying" but Mustan insists only one scene is inspired from this 1991 Hollywood film.

"Our film is completely different from this Hollywood movie. Only one shot where a man throws a girl off the terrace, we just had that scene where Shah Rukh's character throws Shilpa off the terrace to her death. That film has no track of mother-son, it is there in our film," Mustan says.

Shah Rukh, now regarded as the King of Romance, played the anti-hero effortlessly, but he was not the first choice for the film. Mustan says, the producers had approached Salman, who at that point was doing Sooraj Barjatya's film and felt the negative role might not work for his good boy on screen image. While, Anil Kapoor, according to Mustan, felt he may not be able to carry the negative role. Mustan recalls, Shah Rukh had come to meet producers at Venus company for the narration of a film, which he did not like, but a chance encounter with the director duo, got him Baazigar.

Describing SRK as a director's actor, Mustan says, "He used to shoot one scene in four-five different ways. He has a huge range as an actor."

Giving example of a scene, where SRK kills Resham Tipnis (Shilpa Shetty's friend), who had photographs as evidence to unmask him, Mustan says, "We told him that he should keep the photograph in his pocket. Shah Rukh instead thought of tearing the photo and putting it in his mouth. There were things which he did spontaneously."

Mustan says, it was SRK, who helped them in getting the necessary permission to shoot in Delhi, the hometown of the 53-year-old superstar. The film was shot in Delhi and Mumbai and the title track was filmed in Mauritius.

The producers had told the director duo to consider casting big heroines like Sridevi or Juhi Chawla but they felt a fresh pairing was apt for the film.

"We felt if an artiste or actor is bigger than the film then it will not work. When we went to Kajol, she was so lively and jovial, we felt she might not be able to understand the script and her role. She showed her maturity during the shoot and remained focused. Shilpa too worked very hard," Mustan says.

There have been rumours about the sequel to "Baazigar" but Mustan is happy that the film is relevant even today and a part two can only be made if they come across a great story.The talks about Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singhs wedding are going on and grapevine has a lot of details about their big day. After all, there are getting married in just a few days (Nov 14  15).

And soon after that, gossip mills suggest that Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas may also be tying the knot on Dec 2 at Jodhpurs Mehrangarh Fort.

Well, the pre-wedding rituals have already begun. Priyanka Chopra enjoyed her bachelorette with her girl gang  that included Sophie Turner and cousin Parineeti Chopra in Amsterdam.

And now, its time for Nick Jonas Bachelors party. Nick Jonas has revealed some of the pictures from his own bachelor party in different yet sexy avatars that have left Priyanka Chopra lovestruck. Take a look!

Rumour has it Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas will be hosting their pre-wedding parties soon. Are you excited?New Delhi has really turned into a Gas chamber as compared by Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal who has apparently fled to Dubai on the day when Air Quality Index (AQI) touched the 999 mark in the capital.

Delhi has been reeling under thick smog and abysmally low air quality as stubble burning from neighbouring states is at its peak and bursting firecrackers choked the city with pollution. A pair of lungs which were installed at Ganga Ram hospital turned absolute black within six days as doctors said that breathing the capitals air was equivalent to smoking 15-20 cigarettes a day.

       ..

 @ArvindKejriwal     !!

     

   ,       ..

    black  white   signature     ..!!

   ... https://t.co/vsPcpMNXbD  Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariMP) November 9, 2018

The residents too remained ignorant with the situation at hand as they flouted the apex courts cracker rules to light ladi and all kinds of bombs. The Delhi Chief left the city on November 08 without any information to anyone and now is receiving a lot of flak by the opposition and the common public for taking shelter elsewhere as its people inhaled the deadly air.

Delhi BJP Party President, Manoj Tiwari tweeted that Kejriwals sudden trip to Dubai is not right hinting that something was fishy.

ALSO READ:5 Simple Home Remedies That Can Help You Combat Air Pollution

Dear Delhi CM @ArvindKejriwal Ji,

Delhites choke, cough & struggle to breathe air that is hazardous to our lungs. Our children live in a gas chamber that is worse than chain-smoking.

Wrong time to be holidaying in Dubai while Rs.800 Cr of Green Cess funds lie unused! pic.twitter.com/urfKFonlv7  Charu Pragya (@CharuPragya) November 10, 2018

A member of Kejriwals party, the Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party (AAP), told Reuters that the chief minister was not in the city. He declined to elaborate or be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

ALSO READ: Pollution Is So Bad In Hyderabad, Even Metro Trains Are Unable To Operate

Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority has banned all construction activity and ordered the use of sprinklers in the city until Nov. 10, among other measures. On Saturday, it indicated the measures would be extended until Monday.

Heavy vehicles including trucks were also exempted from entering Delhi for the following three days after Diwali. The Aam Aadmi Party dismissed allegations of CM going for a private agenda were rubbished.

Meanwhile, as Delhi chokes with dangerous levels of pollution, CM @ArvindKejriwal has flown off to Dubai with his family on a private trip.  Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) November 10, 2018

The leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta told reporters on Saturday that Kejriwal suddenly left for Dubai on November 8 by Air India flight and will be back on November 11. He alleged that the information about the visit has been hidden as there is something wrong, the HT reported.

Pollution at its peak in Delhi @ArvindKejriwal ji kaha ho aap pic.twitter.com/hL2vxyeBtc  Kabirdas.B.K (@KabirdasBK) November 11, 2018

To isme Kejriwal kya krega muh se foonk maarke pollution Kam krega kya wo,JB patakhe fod rhe the tb Dhyan nhi gya is taraf.  Tushar yadav (@Tk_tusharydv) November 9, 2018

While it was reported that he had gone to attend a family function of his IIT batchmate, many questioned then why were his party members tight-lipped about his visit. Meanwhile, the environmentalists said that Indians were doing nothing to curb the pollution and that they should hold the people in power accountable for this health hazard. Residents negligence is giving politicians the escape from addressing pollution problems.

ALSO READ: Delhi College Students Built Android App That Correctly Checks Pollution Near You Through PhoneThree Krishna idols have been stolen from the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir on Willesden Lane in the London in the early hours of Friday. The three idols, dating back to the 1970s were among the items stolen in a burglary, according to the temple authorities.

According to the temple President, Kurjibhai Kerai, the Hari Krishna murtis were with the temple since its opening in 1975 and hold a huge religious significance to all in our community. The burglary took place just hours after Diwali festivities at the temple on Friday, attended by hundreds of members of the local community.

Police officers have been reviewing CCTV footage and conducting forensic searches as part of their enquiries. While the idols are made of brass, the temple authorities fear the robbers may have mistaken them for gold and hope they would be returned as they are more precious to the community than in terms of their monetary value.

They have been prayed to and been with us since we opened. We pray and hope for their safe return, temple committee member Umang Jeshani said.

We are saddened to hear of the beloved murtis being taken from Willesden Temple. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community, the Neasden temple said in a statement.After a man complained of severe stomach pain because he had consumed sewing needles that were embedded in strawberries in Australia, the police launched an extensive operation following which the culprit has finally been arrested.

News agency AFP reported that a 50-year-old woman had been nabbed after a complex and extensive investigation. The Queensland authorities granted a lucrative reward of A$100,000 ($71,500) reward for information leading to the arrest of those who are sabotaging strawberries on September 15.

Photo: Fox 5 DC/Photos posted on Facebook by a Queensland, Australia mother show needles she says were in strawberries she purchased from a food store called Coles.

Australias government even raised the maximum prison term for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years. Reportedly, close to 100 alleged cases of pins and needles found in fruit, mostly strawberries were discovered all across the state. One such case was also reported from neighbouring New Zealand.

The woman was to be charged on Sunday evening and would appear in front of the Brisbane court on Monday. However, the police didnt reveal any further details regarding the motive behind this act or on what grounds was she being charged?

Photo: Getty Images/istock

"They (Queensland Police Service) coordinated a national investigative response with multiple governments, law enforcement and intelligence agencies," they added in a statement.

Following the crisis, major brands revoked the supply of strawberries from the market though, the supply of other fruits continued as usual. Queensland is a major strawberry producer in a national industry worth A$ 130 million a year.

The Berry Obsession, Berry Licious, Donnybrook Berries, Love Berry, Delightful Strawberries and Oasis brands of strawberries were believed to be affected. Police had said that the contaminated fruit appeared to have originated at a Queensland-based supplier.

Due to the cases, prices of strawberries have dropped drastically in the market. The farmers were also forced to dump unwanted berries.Just a few days after a 10 feet tall, bronze war memorial of a Sikh soldier was unveiled in the United Kingdom, it has been vandalized and inscribed with controversial messages.

The statue which was known as the 'Lions of the Great War' was unveiled in Smethwick, Birmingham to commemorate the lives of Sikh soldiers who were a part of the British infantry and their contribution to World War One that happened a century ago.

A 3-metre statue of a Sikh soldier has been unveiled in Birmingham, UK to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War 1. Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick commissioned the 30,000 work by Black Country sculptor, Luke Perry, which has been paid for by the local Sikh community. pic.twitter.com/VLHb5krgWm  Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) November 4, 2018

Photo; Twitter/Amardeep Bassey

The aim was to honour personnel from all faiths from the Indian subcontinent who fought for Britain during the war.

Inaugurated on November 04 on public land outside Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, it was funded by the gurdwaras congregation. However, the sculpture had been sprayed with the words "Sepoys no more" on Friday night. 'Sepoy' refers to the Indian soldiers who have served in British or European armies.

While the phrase "of the great war" from 'Lions of the great war' had been scratched with a black line and were replaced with the words "1 jarnoil".

Photo: Twitter/ Amardeep Bassey

According to international media reports, the words refer to controversial Sikh personality, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had forfeited the shrine of Golden Temple along with this militant cadre. He was known for his outspoken advocacy towards creating Sikhism as a distinct nation.

It was even reported that he was being funded by Pakistan's ISI organisation with arms and ammunition. He was gunned down by the Indian government in 1984 in Operation Blue Star.

The force said CCTV was being recovered and officers were working with worshippers and management at the temple. The Sandwell Council called the remarks and graffiti on the statue as very disappointing.

Photo: Twitter/Amardeep Bassey

We understand that this attack has caused a lot of concern in the community, and we are working to understand the reasons behind it and identify whoever is responsible, said Sgt Bill Gill from the Smethwick neighbourhood policing team.

He further added that officers had planned to be at the remembrance event a day later and if anybody had any concerns regarding the event they could speak to the officers at the event. Anyone with any information is urged to contact West Midlands police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, the Guardian reported.Who doesnt enjoy the company of children? While enjoying the company of kids is one thing, this family in the UK took it way too far. They are probably one of the biggest families in the country with 23 people in the lineage.

Sue Radford and husband Noel have 20 children and they recently welcomed their 21st child earlier this week, bringing up the total to 21 children in their family or rather we should call- their Army.

Sue gave birth to the little baby girl, Bonnie Raye, after being in the labour for 12-minutes and hopefully for the last time. While Sue promised that now its done and it was her last pregnancy lets hope that the number doesnt succeed to 22.

Weve both decided we dont want any more. Bonnie has completed our family. Some people decide to stop after two or three kids. Weve made it after 21, Sue told a local newspaper.

The 43-year-old mother also said that the children were so exhilarated after seeing their baby sister who is almost three decades younger the oldest brother, Chris.

At first, the couple decided that they would have only three children, but Noel had a vasectomy after the delivery of their ninth child and then decided to reverse it.

It has to come to an end at some point. The maternity clothes will be going in the bin shortly. I wont miss being pregnant at all, Sue told The Sun.

The couple runs a bakery in Morecambe, Lancashire. Meanwhile, to everyones surprise, Sue spent 800 weeks of her life just getting pregnant.

Sue was only 14 years old when she had her first child and this is the line up of their children- Chris, Sophie, Chloe, Jack, Daniel, Luke, Millie, Katie, James, Ellie, Aimee, Josh, Max, Tillie, Oscar, Caspar, Hallie, Phoebe, and Archie. The couple is also grandparents of Sophies three children.We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to formBank of America Corp. (BAC) is one of the leading banks in the U.S. and one of the world's largest financial institutions. It offers a range of financial products and services, including saving accounts, deposits, mortgage loans, cash and wealth management, investment funds, insurance, and more. Bank of America operates through four key business segments: Consumer Banking; Global Wealth & Investment Management; Global Banking; and Global Markets.

The top shareholders of Bank of America are Thomas K. Montag, Brian T. Moynihan, Geoffrey S. Greener, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.B), Vanguard Group Inc., and BlackRock Inc. (BLK).

Bank of America's 12-month trailing net income and revenue are $27.4 billion and $91.2 billion, respectively. The company's market cap is about $284.6 billion. These financial data are as of February 2021.

Below is a look in more detail at Bank of America's 6 biggest shareholders.

"Insider" refers to people in senior management positions and members of the board of directors, as well as people or entities that own more than 10% of the company's stock. In this context, it has nothing to do with insider trading.

Top 3 Individual Insider Shareholders

Thomas K. Montag

Thomas Montag owns a total of 2,310,714 Bank of America shares, representing 0.03% of the company's total shares outstanding. Mr. Montag is Bank of Americas chief operating officer (COO), a position he has held since 2014. Before becoming sole COO, Montag was a co-chief operating officer from September 2011 to September 2014. He joined Merrill Lynch just before Bank of America bought it in 2009.

Brian T. Moynihan

Brian Moynihan owns a total of 1,718,119 Bank of America shares, representing 0.02% of the companys total shares outstanding. Mr. Moynihan is chair of the board and chief executive officer (CEO). Before becoming CEO in 2010, Moynihan directed virtually every major segment of the bank's business, including consumer and small business banking, investment banking, and wealth management.

He joined Fleet Boston Financial as the company's deputy general counsel in 1993, before leading the firm's brokerage and wealth management business operations. Following a 2004 merger of Fleet Boston with Bank of America, Moynihan assumed the position of president of wealth and investment management at the bank, then was promoted to a series of executive positions before rising to CEO.

Geoffrey S. Greener

Geoffrey Greener owns a total of 868,253 Bank of America shares, representing 0.01% of the companys shares outstanding. Mr. Greener has been the chief risk officer (CRO) for Bank of America since April 2014. Before this position, Greener was head of Enterprise Capital Management and head of Global Markets Portfolio Management. He also previously chaired several committees, including on markets regulatory reform.

Top 3 Institutional Shareholders

Institutional investors hold approximately 68% of Bank of America's total shares outstanding.

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway owns 1.0 billion shares of Bank of America, representing 11.7% of total shares outstanding, according to the company's 13F filing. Berkshire Hathaway is a diversified holding company that owns major subsidiaries involved in insurance, rail transportation, energy, and retailing. The company also owns a sizable investment portfolio that includes shares of major U.S. corporations. The value of Bank of America shares in Berkshires portfolio is $24.3 billion. The company reported about $229 billion of managed 13F securities as of Q4 2020.

Vanguard Group Inc.

Vanguard Group owns 613.5 million shares of Bank of America, representing 7.1% of total shares outstanding, according to the company's 13F filing. The company is primarily a mutual fund and ETF management company with about $6.2 trillion in global AUM. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is one of the company's largest exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with about $178 billion in AUM. Bank of America comprises about 0.7% of VOO's holdings.

BlackRock Inc.

BlackRock owns 509.9 million shares of Bank of America, representing 5.9% of total shares outstanding, according to the company's 13F filing. The company is primarily a mutual fund and ETF management company with approximately $7.8 trillion in AUM. The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is one of BlackRock's largest ETFs with approximately $239 billion in AUM. Bank of America comprises about 0.7% of IVV's holdings.Investopedia and our third-party partners use cookies and process personal data like unique identifiers based on your consent to store and/or access information on a device, display personalized ads and for content measurement, audience insight, and product development. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia.com, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, click below. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. List of Partners (vendors)President-elect Michael D Higgins will be inaugurated as President of Ireland this evening.

It has been just over two weeks since Mr Higgins was re-elected to the Aras, and he will be sworn in for a second term tonight.

The Constitution says that the President is inaugurated on the day after the previous President's term ends.

However this year, the date of the inauguration coincides with the centenary of the end of the first World War, and President-elect Higgins has asked that those who wish to attend Armistice Day commemorations be facilitated.

As a result, the inauguration will take place at St. Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle from 6pm.

Mr Higgins will make a formal declaration in the presence of members of both Houses of the Oireachtas and senior members of the Judiciary, as well as invited guests.

In that declaration, he will promise to fulfill his duties as outlined in the Constitution, and dedicate himself to the service and welfare of the people.

Later this evening, the Government will host a reception in his honour at Dublin Castle.

President-elect Higgins is the 9th President of Ireland, and is the fifth to serve two terms in office.

He was re-elected for a second term after winning 56% of the vote, the largest number of first preference votes ever in an Irish Presidential election.

Digital DeskBy Sian Nicholas, Aberystwyth University

During World War I, the only way to keep in touch with loved ones who were serving in the armed forces was through letters.

Sent back and forth over periods of months or even years, they tell the day-to-day stories of soldiers lives and those of the people they had left behind.

We are fortunate that so many of these letters were kept and treasured to this day so that we can retell their tales.

I have been working on the Heritage Lottery Fund-sponsored community project, Aberystwyth at War 1914-1919: Experience, Impact, Legacy, to bring some of the towns war stories back to life using letters and other evidence.

One of the most intriguing that we have uncovered so far is that of Billy and Dot, an army captain and a university student who sent each other love letters during his deployment.

Stanley Wilbrahim Burditt (Billy) was a captain in the Cheshire Regiment, who spent part of 1915 in camp in Aberystwyth, on the coast of west Wales. Agnes Dorothy French (Dot) was a undergraduate student at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

They appear to have met at a series of social gatherings arranged between the visiting officers and female undergraduates.

When the Cheshires left Aberystwyth for France in July 1915, Dot promised to write to Billy. Their wartime correspondence, comprising more than 170 letters, provides a personal insight into two young people whose lives were irrevocably shaped by the war.

Billy and Dots love story was a complicated one. Billy was clearly besotted from the start. Dots early letters are affectionate but light-hearted. When in February 1917 Billy openly declares his love for her, Dots response is raw in its confusion and honesty.

She had no idea he felt that way, indeed would never have written in that tone if she had. She is uncertain of her own feelings  she is desperate to remain friends  but she fears to make promises she cant keep.

Billy is duly apologetic in turn, and Dot agrees to be his  fiancee pendant la guerre (girlfriend for the duration).

As the letters continue into the summer of 1917, Billys feelings persist and Dots soften. By July they are both desperate for Billy to come home on leave so they can meet again and assess their feelings.

For, as Dot notes, she has never actually seen him out of uniform. He finally gets home leave in late August and they spend two chaste but emotionally intense days together. They begin to plan their future. On September 30 Billy is killed by a German bomb.

Through their letters the correspondents characters shine through. Dots are open and impulsive; Billys are solicitous and romantic.

The early letters talk a lot about the books they have read and the plays they have seen, as they find interests and tastes in common (Peter Pan is a constant reference point).

Dots letters recount in self-deprecating detail her wartime life as, first, an ill-fated voluntary aid detachment (VAD) nurse (she is invalided out after contracting scarlet fever), and then a sadly disorganised schoolteacher.

Billys letters are more serious and lyrical, seeking to describe and make order of the world around him, from his Bairnsfather farmhouse billet, to  in one striking passage  a Nevinson scene of a German plane pinpointed in a black night sky by British searchlights, reminiscent of the artists depictions of the horrors of modern war. And throughout their letters they are seeking, haltingly and touchingly, to articulate and analyse their feelings towards each other in a world of strict social and sexual convention.

Like so many letters of this kind, the couple constantly skirt around the grief of war. At one point Dot asks Billy to try to find her young uncles grave near Couin in northern France and he reassures her of the peacefulness of the spot.

There is a conversation where Dot broaches, very tentatively, how she might find out if the worst does happen to Billy, and another where she dreams of him coming home with a Blighty injury (serious but not fatal). The deaths of friends are reported sadly but not lingered over.

And the letters are a story in themselves. They are initially irregular, but eventually Dot and Billy are writing almost daily.

They take anything from a few days to several weeks to be delivered, so their narrative is characteristically fragmented, with conversations jumping across and between letters.

Sometimes there is a lull, filled by what they call deaf and dumbs (field postcards with pre-printed messages).

Reading such letters provokes a range of emotions. They are not historically important  indeed, they are in places determinedly trivial.

They say nothing at all about the horrors of war, that was not why either of them wrote.

But we are drawn intimately into the couples daily lives, thoughts and hopes  whether Billys reminiscences of tea parties at Aberystwyth, Dots of university life once the men had gone (very quiet), the disappearance of chocolate biscuits from the shops, the pilfering of Billys spare kit by person or persons unknown  or the mutual happiness that ends almost as soon as it has begun.

Dot would live to the age of 94. She would never marry. Her letters to Billy were returned to her after his death and she kept the complete correspondence her whole life. That, too, is a story of the war.

Sian Nicholas, is a Reader in History at Aberystwyth University in Wales.

This article was originally published by The Conversation. Read the original article.My thong days are long gone. But for women everywhere this week the revelation that a teenagers choice of underwear  in this case a thong with a lace front  signalled an availability for sex, was simply too much.

The episode surrounds a 27-year-old-man who had denied raping a 17-year-old girl in a laneway in Cork. He was found not guilty by the jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court.

In her closing address, senior counsel Elizabeth OConnell told the jury they should have regard for the fact that the girl was wearing a thong with a lace front.

Upon first reading it I had this crazy image of women everywhere, first thing in the morning, arranging an array of underwear on the bed. Needless to say they would range in size, style and colour. The internal female monologue would consist of asking themselves which of their many knickers would suit the day/activities to come.

Would it be a regular briefs kinda day or maybe a Sunday where they were going to stay at home on the sofa, lessening the chances of meeting anyone, so opt for a big, comfy pair, or alternatively a thong/rapey kind of day/night.

Perhaps, covering all bases, theyd opt for a more bikini style in a bright colour  purely on the basis that you can never really predict what any day is going to bring in terms of potential underwear action.

After the sarcasm/anger stage came the despair. It was fuelled by imagining a maternal conversation with daughters coming into teenagehood and the sort of advice necessary, based upon what gets said in courtrooms, on underwear choices.

Should it be as basic as no matter what, always, always, to avoid allegations of sluttery, have your bottom cheeks fully covered, and under no circumstances whatsoever opt for lace, it is seen as a true enticement?

Sitting at my computer screen yesterday, writing this, and at the back of my mind having that female thing of not being seen to overreact, up pops another court case on the Irish Examiner website.

It involved two men jailed for sexually assaulting a teenager while she was slumped over on a couch in a private room in a Dublin nightclub.

The 21 and 22-year-old both claimed they had no memory of the offence, but pointed themselves out on CCTV footage that showed them sexually assaulting the woman.

One admitted to gardai he could be seen performing oral sex on the woman.

As well as being disgusted by the details I found myself wondering sardonically if, by chance, her underwear choice had played a part.

Just two weeks ago I wrote a column about the daily dose of court cases and news reports involving women who had been raped and abused and murdered that I had noticed over a particular two-week period. Things have not improved since then.

On the thong case, in her closing address to the jury what Elizabeth OConnell SC told jurors was that they should have regard for the underwear the complainant wore on the night.

Does the evidence out-rule the possibility that she was attracted to the defendant and was open to meeting someone and being with someone? You have to look at the way she was dressed. She was wearing a thong with a lace front.

It is indeed the job of any defence barrister to defend their client to the best of their ability. The reality also is that such remarks are not entirely uncommon in court rooms, and elsewhere around Ireland, with victim blaming at their heart.

Its hugely depressing.Digital operations software company BMC Software has announced the rebuild of its IT service-management tools, giving portability across private and public clouds as well as machine learning to enhance predictive analysis.

By using containers, BMCs SaaS solution, Helix Cognitive Service Management, is now available on Microsoft Azure as well as AWS and BMCs own cloud. This software manages applications, IT services and the infrastructure underneath those services, helping IT departments manage the requests, provisioning, automation and optimising of applications and services.

Using containers allows customers to use their cloud of choice, as well as leverage scalable and elastic service platforms.

BMC says the combined power and benefits of cloud, containers and cognitive capabilities will provide enterprises with unparalleled speed, accuracy and cost efficiency.

The firm also announced the availability of BMC Helix Discovery as a cloud service, helping businesses discover assets and services across on-premise and multi-cloud environments such as Azure, AWS, OpenStack, and Google Cloud.

The power of containers enables BMC Helix to run on the customers cloud of choice and significantly improves the operational efficiencies to deliver speed, scale, and cost savings, said Nayaki Nayyar, president, Digital Services Management at BMC. In addition, with Helix Discovery, our customers have a choice to consume Discovery as a cloud service or on-prem solution.

The BMC Helix Cognitive Service Management platform also includesIndia's domestic payments networks are gaining ground over US companies Mastercard and Visa, a few months after the two American firms complained to their government that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pushing a local rival.

Reuters reported that Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in a Facebook post that domestic payments firms RuPay and Unified Payment Interface  the latter allows fast transfers between banks  were growing rapidly two years after Modi, in a shock decision, removed high-denomination currency notes from circulation.

@Mastercard you have done a self goal. You have not only given free promotion to @RuPay_npci but also irked Indians. #BoycottMasterCard  sachin (@sachinrising) November 2, 2018

Modi had said earlier this year that when Indians used RuPay they were aiding their country as transaction fees would remain at home.

Jaitley said in his post, made in both English and Hindi,: "Visa and Mastercard are losing market share in India to indigenously developed payment system of UPI and RuPay card whose share have reached 65% of the payments done through debit and credit cards."

Mr @realDonaldTrump promotes American interest and that is not only legal but all acceptable.



When @narendramodi promotes Indian Interest, it becomes illegal and unacceptable.



I hate @Mastercard @mastercardindia @Visa #BoycottMastercard Adopt @RuPay_npci  Varun Agarwal (@originalvarun) November 8, 2018

He said UPI, launched in 2016, had seen transactions grow from Rs 500 million (A$9.5 million) in October 2016 to Rs 598 billion in September 2018.

The Bharat Interface for Money, an app developed for quick payment transactions using UPI, is used by 12.5 million Indians. BHIM transactions have increased from Rs 200 million in September 2016 to Rs 70.6 billion two years later. The share of BHIM transactions in overall UPI transactions is at about 48% in June, 2017.

The RuPay card is used both at point of sale and for ecommerce and its transactions have increased from Rs 8 billion before demonetisation to Rs 57.3 billion in September 2018 for PoS and from Rs 3 billion to Rs 27 billion in ecommerce.

Hello @Mastercard

Is this true? If yes, I am really happy to #BoycottMastercard. What a self goal and free promotion to #RuPay https://t.co/sJxvBzdBOs  Umang Srivastava (@umangtalks) November 3, 2018

Mastercard, Visa and American Express have also been lobbying the Indian Government to allow them to store the data of Indian customers outside the country.

The news that Mastercard and Visa had complained to their government about Modi's comments on RuPay led to a massive backlash on social media, with users employing the hashtag #BoycottMastercard to protest.

Reuters quoted Ashwani Mahajan, who heads a group linked to Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, as saying Mastercard and Visa should compete with RuPay, not complain.

Post independence, the East India Company has been replaced by various rouge MNC's. @Mastercard going to USTR reflects its sick colonial attitude. MNC's speak of free trade only when they face competition. Such MNC's must be boycotted by the Indian public. #boycottmastercard  Ajay Krishna (@AjayKrishna_IND) November 2, 2018

They have enjoyed their market share for so long, we have the right to protect and promote our economic interests, he said.A British Government review of its telecommunications make-up, initiated in July, may affect the list of companies that supply 5G equipment for the rollout and could increase scrutiny of Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies.

In October, the government wrote to telcos, telling them that it was reviewing whether the country was too dependent on any one hardware supplier. Executives told The Wall Street Journal that they read one thing into it: Huawei was the target.

Both Huawei and its Chinese counterpart ZTE Corporation were banned from participation in the Australian 5G rollout in August. The US put in place a ban on Huawei in 2017, having begun warning its Five Eyes partners about the company in 2012.

For its part, Huawei has repeatedly denied being in any way subject to Chinese Government orders over surveillance. In the UK, the company has a research lab that works with the National Centre for Cyber Security to evaluate any possible risks that are identified.

The Canadian Government recentlyan effort by two US politicians to push it to omit Huawei from involvement in the 5G rollout. And a prominent New Zealand telco, Spark, hasthat it is advising the government not to ban any Chinese companies from playing a role in the country's 5G networks.

The British letter was sent by Matthew Gould, head of digital policy at the Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport, and Ciaran Martin, head of the National Cyber Security Centre, and said the review was looking to make sure that the country's critical national infrastructure remains resilient and secure, the Financial Times reported.

No supplier was mentioned, but the letter said the "outcome of the review may lead to changes in the current rules and that telco would "need to take the review into consideration in any procurement decisions.

In July, a British report claimed Huawei equipment had technical and supply-chain issues that expose the UK's telco networks to new security issues.

The report, signed off by the country's Government Communications Headquarters spy agency, was released after it was told that UK security officials could now only offer limited assurances on the security of Huawei's UK operations.

iTWire has contacted Huawei for comment.Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable.

Tomorrow

Mostly cloudy. High near 80F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.Ilia Radoslavov to Present Faculty Recital

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.  Illinois Wesleyan University music faculty and pianist Ilia Radoslavov will present an all-Beethoven concert Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. in Presser Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.

Associate Professor of Music and Head of the Keyboard Department, Radoslavov will perform a series of movements from Beethovens Piano Sonatas Op. 31., including: Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1; Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No.2, Tempest; and Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3.

A native of Bulgaria, Radoslavov earned a bachelors degree in piano performance from the State Conservatory of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria and a masters degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He received a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a Paul Collins Distinguished Graduate Fellow, an award celebrating outstanding performing ability and musicianship.

Appearing in numerous solo and chamber performances in prestigious venues across the U.S. and internationally, Radoslavov has received many honors and recognitions from piano competitions. He has also performed with prominent musicians. His most recent recording with the Blue Griffin recording label features works from one of his most recent chamber projects with Zanta Hofmeyr  the ten Sonatas for Piano and Violin by Beethoven.

By Vi Kakares 20However, the security forces will continue to retaliate and carryout strikes against hardcore Naxal, officials added.

New Delhi: Encouraged by the recent success of surrender of 62 Naxals in Chhattisgarh a few days ago which Home Minister Rajnath Singh had described as a huge success, security forces, particularly those operating in Maoist-infested Bastar district, have now been directed to focus more on getting the Naxal cadres to surrender rather than launching armed operations against them.

The home ministry is also working on a new surrender policy offering more incentives to the surrendered Naxals in wake of one of the biggest surrenders in recent times.

As of now surrendered Naxals are offered ince-ntives ranging from fina-ncial compensation, wit-hdrawal of cases, providing accommodation and in some cases even gov-ernment jobs particularly in Chhattisgarh supported by the Union home ministry.

However, sources clai-med, that home ministry feels with surrender of such a large number of Naxals, particularly in region like Bastar in four days, the surrender policy needs to be made more attractive as a large number of other cadres are now willing to give up arms.

Sources claimed that intelligence and security agencies operating in Naxal dominated areas of Chhattisgarh have been specifically directed to focus more on convincing the Naxals, with help of local sympathisers, to join the ``mainstream rather than focusing on armed operations. However, the security forces will continue to retaliate and carryout strikes against hardcore Naxal cadre based on specific intelligence inputs, officials added.

In addition, security forces have been asked to increase their presence in Naxal areas by setting up special camps for tactical advantage and provide them a psychological edge which security officials feel will also help to force Naxal cadres to give up arms.

``The recent surrender of these 62 lower range committee cadres is a big success as it comes close on the heels of the Assembly elections. People in the Bastar can not vote without any fear as Naxals have given a call to boycott the polls. We feel that if we make the surrender policy more attractive and increase pressure on them a lot of Naxal cadres are willing to surrender now. We will soon come out with a comprehensive revised policy on this issue, a senior security official involved in anti-Naxal operations added.Myanmars government on Sunday insisted any delays to the repatriation of Rohingya refugees would be the fault of Bangladesh, just four days ahead of the controversial planned start date.

After repeated setbacks, the neighbouring countries declared that the first of more than 2,200 Rohingya Muslims would be repatriated on November 15, even though international NGOs and the United Nations have said conditions are not yet in place for a safe return.

More than 720,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmars western Rakhine state in a military crackdown in August last year.

Survivors brought with them testimony of widespread murder, rape, torture and arson and are fearful of going back to Rakhine state without guarantees of safety, freedom of movement and citizenship.

Myanmar and Bangladesh signed the deal last November but the UN has repeatedly said that any repatriations must be safe, dignified and voluntary.

We are ready, declared social welfare minister Win Myat Aye to reporters in Yangon on Sunday.

Provisions at a transit camp will include clothes and food rations and the refugees will also be provided with money to help them rebuild their homes in one of 42 locations, he added.

But he was unable to confirm who would be in the first group to return, insisting that it was down to Bangladesh to make sure they meet the deadline this week.

It depends on the other country (Bangladesh) if the repatriations will start on 15 November, he said.

Both governments have been pushing ahead with this first large-scale repatriation effort, pledging to bring back a total of 2,251 Rohingya at the rate of 150 individuals a day.

This has prompted criticism from a group of 42 aid agencies  including Oxfam, WorldVision and Save the Children  who say that it would be dangerous for them.

UN investigators have called for the countrys top military brass to be prosecuted for genocide at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the crackdown.

Myanmar vehemently rejects the courts jurisdiction over the country and insists the military campaign was justified to defend itself against Rohingya terrorists.

The UN fact-finding team also said that civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyis government  in a power-sharing agreement with the military  were complicit in the atrocities against the Rohingya through their acts and omissions.

She is due to speak to business leaders at a regional ASEAN forum in Singapore on Monday.The former minister had appeared before the police on Saturday and denied the allegations.

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhan Reddy was arrested on Sunday after hours of intense questioning by police in connection with a Ponzi scam case, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar said.

Reddy, who appeared at the Central Crime Branch (CCB) office Saturday, was arrested after the questioning ended Sunday morning, Kumar said.

The CCB also arrested Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, in the case, he said.

Reddy, who was allegedly on the run, had appeared before police along with his advocates. He had claimed the allegations against him were part of a "political conspiracy". The CCB police had been looking for him since Wednesday in connection with a transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme.

It was also on the lookout for Khan, who had allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambident Marketing Pvt Ltd, a company allegedly involved in the ponzi scheme, to bail him out of an Enforcement Directorate investigation.(CNN)  U.S. President Donald Trump began his 48-hour visit to Paris on Saturday meeting with his host, French President Emmanuel Macron, a onetime friend who he chided on Twitter within minutes of landing in the French capital.

The men worked to paper over their differences during a morning meeting. But the effusive expressions of bonhomie that once colored their interactions were gone, replaced by businesslike handshakes and wooden declarations of cooperation.

Seconds after Air Force One touched down at Orly Airport outside Paris on Friday, Trump vented on social media about a proposal for more robust European military cooperation floated by his French counterpart days earlier.

"President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia," Trump wrote. The message appeared before he'd even gotten off his plane. "Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!"

It was an inauspicious start to Trump's short visit to Paris, which kicked off Saturday morning with one-on-one talks with Macron.

At the start of the meeting, the pair seemed to gloss over whatever differences they may have on European military cooperation, saying they were aligned on burden sharing.

"We're getting along from the standpoint of fairness, and I want to be fair. We want to help Europe, but it has to be fair," Trump said. "Right now, the burden sharing has been largely on the United States as the President will say and he understands that. He understands the United States can only do so much."

Macron said his "proposals for European defense are consistent" with Trump's views. Later, a French presidential spokesman said Macron was able to clear up the "misunderstanding" about his views on Europe's defense policy during his meeting with Trump.

"I think this was a very good opportunity at least for the French President to clarify exactly what he meant, and at the end of today's talks they stated that they had reached agreement on this whole question of the vision of the transatlantic alliance and European security," the spokesman told journalists.

The reason for Trump's visit

The morning meeting precedes the real reason for Trump's visit: marking the 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice, which will bring leaders from across Europe to the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday for a solemn ceremony.

Trump was also due to mark to the centenary with visits to burial grounds for some of the 117,000 American military personnel who died in the war. On Saturday, he was meant to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, near where the Battle of Belleau Wood was fought in 1918, though the 50-mile journey was canceled because of foul weather. His chief of staff John Kelly lay a wreath there instead.

He will deliver remarks from Suresnes American Cemetery on Sunday  Veterans Day in the United States.

"Is there anything better to celebrate than the end of a war, in particular that one, which was one of the bloodiest and worst of all time?" Trump tweeted on Saturday morning.

Trump and Macron began their relationship as fast friends, extending invitations to each others' capitals for ceremony-filled visits. But differences on trade, climate change and the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal have soured their ties.

The tweet only underscored Trump's willingness to blow up his global friendships if he believes it better serves the United States or his own agenda. He has taken similarly assertive stances against leaders in the United Kingdom and at NATO hours before sitting for talks.

On Tuesday, Macron called for a "real European army" during a tour of the former Western Front, according to AFP.

"We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America," Macron said, according to the French press agency.

Macron also suggested that since the start of Trump's presidency, the U.S. has been seen as a less reliable ally.

"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.

Macron has been advocating a similar position for months.

Trump's Friday tweet could preview another high-level international meeting in which the U.S. President distances himself from traditional American allies. Unlike the tense G7 summit in June, however, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be present at this weekend's commemoration.

Evolving relationship

While both Trump and Macron appeared to be off to a warm start following Trump's inauguration, their relationship appears to have soured.

During a call about trade and migration in June, sources familiar with the call told CNN that it didn't end well.

"Just bad. It was terrible," a source told CNN. "Macron thought he would be able to speak his mind, based on the relationship. But Trump can't handle being criticized like that."

And more recently, a senior diplomatic source told CNN that Trump was "ranting and venting on trade" with Macron during their bilateral meeting in September.

There was "some rapport" between the two, "but it's not what it (once) was," the source said.

His meeting with Macron at the Elysee Palace on Saturday morning is the only meeting with another world leader on his schedule, though more informal encounters are possible at the Armistice ceremony and a subsequent lunch on Sunday. Other leaders attending including Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

U.S. officials said the civil war in Syria and efforts to counter Iran would sit high on Trump and Macron's agenda. And trade  one of Trump's signature issues when he visits with foreign leaders  was also likely to arise.

During Macron's visit to Washington last spring for the first  and still the only  formal state visit, Macron lobbied the President to remain in the nuclear accord, including over an intimate dinner of dover sole at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. But it wasn't enough to keep Trump from announcing within weeks that he was pulling out.

Since then, Macron has issued warnings against nationalism and protectionism, even as Trump fully embraced those sentiments during a dark and angry midterm election campaign.

Both men find themselves politically humbled. Trump's Republican Party lost control of the House of Representatives during the midterm vote, and ongoing vote counts have given an edge to additional Democratic candidates.

Macron, meanwhile, is sinking to new lows in polls, weighed down by unpopular reform efforts and an attitude that some French regard as aloof. Once viewed as the next center of European power as Merkel exits the stage, Macron now is fighting just to regain his standing at home.

One part of Macron's efforts was convening the Paris Peace Forum this week, intended to bring world leaders together in the goal of promoting peace just as the deadly events of 100 years ago are top of mind.

But Trump is skipping the forum, deliver his own address on Sunday afternoon before flying Air Force One back home.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Trump, Macron gloss over differences in France after rough start"Voting for first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly poll on 18 seats today; 1 lakh securitymen deployed in 8 Naxal-hit districts.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh is among the prominent candidates whose fate would be sealed in EVMs during the first phase of voting. (Photo: PTI)

Raipur/New Delhi: The big semi-final before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections begins with the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls in 18 seats on Monday, setting up direct contests between the BJP and the Congress in the Hindi heartland across three states which, along with Telangana and Mizoram, promise to reflect the voters mood and their intentions whether they would give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a second term in May next year.

Apart from Chhattisgarh, the high-stakes semi-final will unfold in Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana for 90, 230, 40, 200 and 119 seats respectively till December 7. Results for all five states would be announced on December 11, making clear the picture on how major players such as the BJP, the Congress and the BSP are positioned for alliances to fight the big final in 2019.

As the BJP looks to retain power in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Congress believes that the party is on the verge of wresting power from Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan while in the other four states there is stiff competition.

On Monday, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh is among the prominent candidates whose fate would be sealed in EVMs during the first phase of voting. Mr Singh is contesting from Rajnandgaon where he defeated the Congress Alka Uday Mudliyar in 2013 by a margin of 35,000 votes.

One lakh security personnel have been deployed in eight Naxal-hit districts for the first phase of polls which are being held amid a threat from Maoists who have called for a boycott of the democratic exercise. The second phase of polling for 72 seats in Chhattisgarh will be held on November 20.

A total of 190 candidates are vying for 18 seats in the first phase of election in Chhattisgarh. Of the 18 seats, Congress had won 12 while the BJP bagged six in 2013.

On the eve of the first phase polling, former chief minister Ajit Jogi-led alliance received a setback when a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate joined the Congress. BSP leader Chhabilal Ratre, who had filed nomination for Saraipalli (SC) constituency in east district of Mahasamund, joined the Congress. Voting for the seat is scheduled in the second phase.

For the first phase polling, Bastar division, comprising of seven districts, has literally been turned into a fortress. Twelve Assembly constituencies of the first phase polling are located in this division and six in neighbouring Rajnandgaon district.

As many as 650 companies of central paramilitary forces, including CRPF, ITBP, and BSF, besides 65,000 policemen have been deployed in Bastar to ensure smooth polling, said special director general of police, Naxal operation, D.M. Awasthi.

Apart from giving a call for boycotting elections, Naxals have resorted to violence in different parts of Bastar in the last fortnight to create fear among tribals and keep them indoors on the polling day. Five civilians, including a journalist, and two security personnel have died in the recent spurt in Naxal strikes.

There are intelligence inputs that Maoists may strike on the voting day. The rebels are reported to have mined routes leading to sensitive polling booths with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In the past 15 days, more than 300 IEDs have been recovered on these routes and defused.

As many as 12 helicopters have been deployed to take polling parties and security personnel to polling booths set up in remote areas in the region. Voters in many areas are going to caste a vote for the first time in 20 years.

All the 437 polling booths in Sukma and Bijapur districts have been declared as sensitive. Bijapur collector K.B. Kunjam said that about 80 polling parties were airlifted and 76 relocated to a safer position, but there were still 40-odd booths that were extremely risky.

Drones have been deployed in sensitive areas to track movements of Naxals as they might target polling personnel on way to the booths, an official said.

Police has been asked to maintain a strict vigil on the borders with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Due to the Naxal threat, polling in 10 constituencies  Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta  will start at 7 am and end at 3 pm.

In the other eight seats  Khairgarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Bastar, Jagdalpur and Chitrakot the polling time will be 8 am to 5 pm.

In Rajasthan, the Congress is hoping to benefit from a trend that no party lasted more than a term in the last quarter century with the electorate each time voting the incumbent government out.

There is strong anti-incumbency against the Raje-led BJP government and a wave of anger among the backward castes and the minorities, claimed a party leader.

While the BJP in the state has been losing its leaders, the Congress has been effectively gaining strength. Manvendra Singh, son of veteran BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who served in the Vajpayee Cabinet, joined the Congress recently.

The BJP was looking to gain from the perceived friction between Congress big guns  former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and state unit chief Sachin Pilot  but till now their so-called differences have been kept under wraps and there is little to suggest that the acrimony has reached levels where there may be strong under-cutting.Kushwaha who is also a union minister has been upset at being offered less number of seats for the 2019 general elections.

Patna: Rumblings are likely in Upendra Kushwahas RLSP as two of his partys MLA Lalan Paswan and Sudhanshu Shekhar met JD (U) vice-president Prashant Kishor in Patna on Sunday.

Reports suggest that both the MLAs are likely to be inducted into the JD (U). Sources said both the leaders have been in touch with Mr Kishor and the meeting took place immediately after Upendra Kushwaha left for New Delhi to discuss seat sharing issues with BJP leaders.

RLSP has only two MLAs in the 243 member Bihar assembly. On Sunday Mr Kushwaha in a tweet said that Nitish Kumar has mastered the art of splitting political parties but this time he will not succeed as people of the state are watching everything. Despite all your efforts to break us our fight for the rights of backwards, Dalits and poor among the upper caste will continue.

In another tweet, he said that damaging political parties is also immoral like taking or giving dowry.

The development comes a day after supporters of Upendra Kushwaha took out a procession in protest against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars alleged remark calling him speech last week.

Before leaving for New Delhi on Sunday RLSP Chief Upendra Kushwaha said that he will be meeting BJP President Amit Shah to discuss seat sharing issues and also apprise him about how he was being humiliated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Mr Kushwaha who is also a union minister has been upset at being offered less number of seats for the 2019 general elections.

In a statement recently Upendra Kushwaha said that he has already conveyed his demands for more than three seats and expects a final meeting with BJP top leaders to discuss the issue.

He had also met LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan in Patna earlier on Sunday to discuss seat sharing issues.

Reports suggest that both RLSP and LJP have been unhappy at the way BJP ignored other smaller NDA allies and gave more importance to chief minister Nitish Kumar on the issue of seat sharing.

Last week Upendra Kushwaha had created a flutter in Bihar politics by raking up Prime Minister Narendra Modis DNA jibe to attack Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.1K Shares Share

Compassion. Empathy. These are some of the words commonly thrown around in medical school and residency training. If you ask most medical students why they chose medicine, they will respond with something like this:  I love to help people, or I want to save a life.

I remembered when I entered medical school, one of my professors said, In order to be good a doctor, you must be compassionate and have empathy for your patients. You should put yourself in the patients shoes so you can better take care of the patient.

During my emergency medicine residency training, I saw a glaring disparity in how every physician practiced medicine. There is no right or wrong way, just different styles of practice. It is so different that, as a resident, I was confused. I keenly observed patients responses to different attendings care.

I hear comments from patients, like,  I will never go back to that doctor again, or That doctor did not even examine me or spend time with me. So, what makes a good patient-doctor relationship? Why do some patients want to be treated by specific doctors and others despise their doctors?

Lets talk about some factors that affect how we take care of patient today. Regardless of specialty, the pressure to take care of more patients in less time is at an all-time high. We spend less time with patients and more time documenting in our electronic medical records. In the emergency medicine, there are metrics, door-to-disposition, door-to-doctor time and Press Ganey scores that are mandated by hospital administration and corporate medical companies.

I get it. It affects us all. But what it boils down to is: the time we spend with patients at the bedside is what matters the most. The emergency department is chaotic, patients are in pain, agony, screaming and sometimes dying. Its our job to be a calm in the middle of the storm.

You see, business people get it. Why do you think Amazon and Apple are two of the best companies in the world? Is it because of the products they sell? No. Its their customer service.

In medical school, they do not teach us business strategies  but, oh, how I wish they did. As a customer, what keeps you returning to purchase a product from the same store or brand is because of the customer service experience you had. Why dont we do the same in medicine?

Medicine is a business. My patients do not care what medical school I trained or residency I completed. They only care about how I take care of them. Thats all.

Once I became an attending, I remodeled my practice style using business strategies I learned in business books. I see my patients as paying customers who deserve better service. I see myself as a highly paid servant at the service of my patients.

This is my routine when I see my patients. I would suggest you try some of these practices.

First and foremost, introduce yourself to everyone in the room, say something along the lines of Hello, good morning, my name is Dr. Adesina, and I will be your doctor today.

Next is to give a handshake to everyone in the room, even children.

When you are talking to your patients, dont forget to address them by their names.

Make it a point to sit down. If there is no chair for you to sit on, sit on the garbage can. Studies have shown that the patients perception of time is different when physicians sit while talking with the patient than standing.

Take the proper history and do a good physical exam, do not take shortcuts. One physician once said, Do not let the cloth be a barrier between you and the diagnosis. It could be shingles rash causing chest pain, not MI.

Tell the patient what your plan of action is, and ask if they have any questions. Mr. X, you came in with abdominal pain today, I think you have a gallstone, I will order some lab tests, an ultrasound of your abdomen, give you some pain meds and return to give you your results.

Return to discuss the lab results and explain the diagnosis in accessible terms to the patient. And finally, dont forget to thank them for coming.

Keep a vibrant smile: It affects you and your patient.

So, yes you can be compassionate and have empathy for your patient, but what matters most is how your care is perceived by your patient, and thats what makes the difference.

Adeleke Adesina is an emergency physician.

Image credit: Shutterstock.comThe days event had a special display of the Indian Army Band at both the venues.

Indias role in the War was significant  over 1.4 million Indian servicemen fought in theatres across Europe, the Middle East and East Africa, making the Indian contribution the largest non-British contingent in the British armies. (Photo: AFP/Representational)

Kolkata: The British deputy high commission Kolkata on Sunday commemorated the Indian Armys contribution to the World War I at a ceremony on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice Day which is observed every year  as it marks the day the World War I ended in 1918  at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month.

Indias role in the War was significant  over 1.4 million Indian servicemen fought in theatres across Europe, the Middle East and East Africa, making the Indian contribution the largest non-British contingent in the British armies.

To mark the occasion the British Deputy High Commission organised a commemoration event at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Bhowanipore straight after the Remembrance Sunday Programme at the Cenotaph in Maidan. The days event had a special display of the Indian Army Band at both the venues.

British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata Bruce Bucknell said, I am privileged to be here in Kolkata and have the opportunity to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in war. We recognise Indias remarkable contribution to the war effort, from the third of the total force of the British Expeditionary Force who fought in Belgium in 1914, to the 21,000 from the North East of India who supported the war effort in Europe and the Middle East in 1917-18.

Defence advisor to the British high commission Mark Goldsack, said, Remembrance is our opportunity as a society to recognise the sacrifice made by all soldiers, on all our behalves, irrespective of their backgrounds. It is not about the politics of the conflict, it is about honouring the self-sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price.

Senior officials of the state government, the Indian armed forces, police, foreign consulates, ex-services associations and War Graves Commission attended the event.192 Shares Share

When my father reached his mid-80s, an accelerating accumulation of physical and mental functioning issues persuaded him to switch to a primary care physician in a concierge medical practice.

Although the doctors pedigree proclaimed his competence, he mostly excelled as the medical equivalent of a hotel concierge who can magically procure hard-to-get restaurant reservations at the last minute. The doctor would see my dad on short notice and make sure he quickly received various diagnostic tests or appointments with specialists. My dad trusted him  my siblings and I were less impressed with the medical rationale behind each flurry of activity.

I thought of my fathers experience when reading a new study of community-dwelling older adults. It concluded that older patients view their physicians as serving advocate functions on patients behalf.

To the authors surprise, an overwhelming 87 percent of the participants abjured the empowerment paradigm. Instead, the study concluded that elderly patients believe in the empathic commitment of their doctors to promote patients well-being and trust that their physicians will represent their best interests.

Does that mean we should go back to treating the physician more as pater familias than partner? Not quite. The results serve more as a reminder that as individuals we often gravitate to simple answers even though our lives tell a more complicated story.

To begin with, elderly patient is a generalization that begs for specifics. In this case, the average patient was 78-years-old. About half had a high school education or less and four in ten rated their own health as poor/fair. About one in four were African-Americans or Hispanics. We shouldnt forget that education, race, gender and ethnicity affect both our relationship with and expectations of the health care system. For many patients, prioritizing a doctor who can help navigate the system is eminently sensible.

And frankly, navigational savvy can also make a lot of sense for those of us who are white, younger, in better health and more educated. I wrote about my hernia surgery a couple of years ago in a blog post entitled, My Surgical Shared Decision: Trust the Doctor. My personal attempt at the time to practice empowerment taught me that there are some treatment decisions where its important to ask questions, but there are others where the smart move is to trust your doctor. So, for example, my attempts at researching the choice of surgical mesh were utterly futile.

Different ways to foster partnership

Letting the doctor do some of the heavy lifting is not the same thing as passivity. Intriguingly, the study of elderly patients suggests that positing the physician as navigator may be a subtler form of participation that is intended to be respectful of health care providers and intended to foster partnerships with them.

One variable the study doesnt capture is the influence of adult children. That concierge doctor my father chose was of no use in trying to find home care aides or an independent living facility or, in the opinion of my siblings and me, in a lot of other areas. So we eventually persuaded our dad to switch to a different concierge physician at a different practice who was a lot better partner.

Meanwhile, the elderly population itself will increasingly feel the influence of the Baby Boomers. The recent annual conference of the Society for Participatory Medicine (SPM) honored a 68-year-old cancer survivor known internationally for his advocacy of patient empowerment, online information and a relationship of equals between doctors and patients. e-Patient Dave, the preferred moniker of Dave deBronkart, was recognized along with the primary care physician who helped him find the online information central to his survival, Dr. Danny Sands.

Patient autonomy versus physician as an advocate doesnt have to be an either/or proposition. Complexity and nuance are what give the clinician-patient relationship texture and richness.

Michael L. Millenson is president, Health Quality Advisors, LLC and can be reached on his self-titled site, Michael L. Millenson. This article originally appeared in EngagingPatients.org.

Image credit: Shutterstock.comDRAIN, Ore. -- The Drain community celebrated Saturday as the Mildred Whipple Library reopened.

The library closed in 2017 after the county had to close all libraries due to lack of funding.

RELATED: BALLOT MEASURE COULD REOPEN DRAIN LIBRARY

A ballot measure that passed and funding from The Whipple Foundation Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation allowed the library to reopen.

Candy Vickory, a Librarian, said she felt a lot of pride in her community as the library brethed new life.

"Bond issues aren't easy to pass in this area," Vickory said. "People are careful with their money so their backing the fact that 76-percent of the voters voted "yes," it was a big deal."

She said she hopes the new library will be a hub for community members.

The new library will be open four days a week.ALBERT LEA, Minn.- There's famous art sculptures throughout the world. From Michelangelo to Nefertiti, an area school created their own.

Students at Halverson elementary spent weeks creating this art installation at the school's entrance.

Students k-through-five donated hundreds of old clothes to create a rainbow wave.

Tonya franks is the principal and says it's all to create a vibrant learning environment when students walk through the door.

It's really nice because now when students and staff and community walk in Halverson they feel embraced by color it surrounds them as they enter our building and that's a really good feeling, said Franks.WORTH COUNTY, Iowa  Authorities responded to a combine fire Saturday evening.

The Worth County Sheriffs Office says it got a 911 call around 6:30 pm about a combine on fire in the 4800 block of Raven Avenue. No one was hurt and both the extent of the damage and cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

The Northwood Fire Department assisted at the scene.OSAGE, Iowa  A woman accused of driving drunk with children in her vehicle is pleading not guilty.

Rebecca Ann Golden, 35 of Kensett, is charged with five counts of child endangerment and one count of OWI-1st offense. She was arrested August 19 after the Mitchell County Sheriffs Office got a report of a vehicle all over the road on Highway 9.

The Sheriffs Office says when Golden was pulled over there were five children in her vehicle ranging in ages from under three to nine years old. Court records state a breath test found her blood alcohol content to be .225, nearly three times the legal limit.

Golden is now set to stand trial on December 5.ROCHESTER, Minn. - Advocates, parents, and community members gathered at 125 Live for RT Autism Awareness's Southeastern Minnesota Autism Symposium. Presenters talked about subjects including inclusivity and neurodiversity.

The goal of the symposium is to "really promote the idea that people who have autism really should be full members of our community, full participants in our society," explains RT Autism Awareness's executive director James Rechs.

Authors and autisum advocates. D.J. and Ralph Savarese presented and held a book signing. There was also an 'autism and emergency response in Olmsted County' panel, with panelists from the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office, the Mayo Clinic, and a social worker and law enforcement liaison for the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and Rochester Police Department.ROCHESTER, Minn. - SALUTE Southern Minnesota hosted a free conceal and carry class for veterans and people currently serving in the military.

SALUTE'S "primary mission is to work with underemployed veterans, making connections with employers, and just getting them into a career," explains co-chair Nate Cunningham.

At Coyote Creek Gun and Archery, the group went through classroom training before hitting the gun range to practice firing a hand gun.

"Like a lot of people here, we want the opportunity to be able to protect ourselves and our family members if the need arises so just another way to make sure we're protected," says SALUTE's mentoring chair Dan Wagner, who also took the class himself on Saturday.

The goal of the permit to carry class is to engage and network with veterans. "We thought it would add value to the veterans so it was something that we could engage them with to bring them in, because post 9-11 veterans aren't the type of people that go out and come to you asking for help," adds SALUTE co-chair Anthony Bushman.

The class was put on with the help of Coyote Creek, Realty Edge, and other community partners and contributors.Editor's Note: This column, originally published in 2018, remains a useful guide to establishing or contributing to a scholarship fund to honor a hero in your life. We like to share this resource with our readers on Memorial Day and encourage you to do the same. Question: My family would like to establish an engineering scholarship in memory of my late uncle, who was an engineer and a veteran of World War II. How do we set up a scholarship, and how much do we need to contribute? Answer: You can set up a scholarship directly with a college or through a charitable organization, such as a community foundation. Either can award the scholarship to students who meet general criteria you specify, such as local engineering students. You'll generally need to contribute at least $25,000 or $50,000 to set up an endowed scholarship, which will provide an award every year in the future. "That can be a wonderful way to leave a lasting legacy," says Tod Pritchard, of the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association. Or you may be able to contribute a smaller amount and provide scholarships for a few years. It's usually easiest to work directly with a college. Contact the development department to find out about its minimum contribution requirements, how many of the criteria you can specify and details that might make the biggest impact. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for example, you need to contribute at least $25,000 to endow a scholarship, but you can spread that payment over several years. An endowment of that size would only pay out a small amount every year (about $1,125), but an endowment of $125,000 would create an annual scholarship of about $5,600 in perpetuity. "That scholarship would cover half of a student's in-state tuition costs each year, which is a tremendous gift to UW's promising students who have financial need," says Pritchard.

At the University of Wisconsin, donors may specify many award criteria, such as a field of study, geographic area and other possibilities. "In some cases, we encourage donors to limit the number of criteria for a scholarship to ensure that there will be a large enough pool of students who meet those criteria," Pritchard says. Sometimes, for example, donors will consider awarding based on financial need alone. At San Diego State University, you need to contribute at least $50,000 to set up a scholarship that will last in perpetuity. Or you can set up a scholarship named for your uncle that will pay out over several years with a commitment of at least $5,000 per year over five years. Scholarships at SDSU need to support University-approved scholarship priorities, which include merit, financial need, leadership and international study. The donor can recommend the award value, number of awards, minimum grade-point average, academic major and class level. For example, you could set up a scholarship named for your uncle to be awarded to engineering students. Another option is to work with a community foundation to set up a scholarship that isn't tied to a particular school. For example, the scholarship can aid local high school graduates who plan to study engineering in college. See the Community Foundation Locator to find one in your area. Some community foundations have more experience than others with managing scholarship funds. Ask about how the scholarship will be advertised, how the recipient will be selected and how the money will be managed.The Taliban did not have anything to do with the hijacking itself, but tried to show that they were playing neutral hosts.

Ideological preferences, and even blinkers, are legitimate. But political compulsions are equally important. In 1996, when the Taliban had taken control of over 90 per cent of Afghanistan, India had supported the Northern Alliance and it had even set up a military field hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif. At that time, the Russians too were on the anti-Taliban side. At the time of the Christmas 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane by terrorists seeking the release of Masood Azhar, the aircraft was parked at Kabul airport, which was controlled by the Taliban.

The Taliban did not have anything to do with the hijacking itself, but tried to show that they were playing neutral hosts. However, they were perhaps silently inimical towards India because of their linkage with Pakistan. But the Taliban did not do or say anything hostile towards India as such. When the Taliban blasted the Bamiyan Buddhas, there was condemnation of it in the Indian Parliament. Between 1996 and 2001, when the Taliban were in power, the Americans kept unofficial contacts with them, and there were also some commercial deals on the anvil.

After the American invasion in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the United States by Osama bin Ladens Al Qaeda, the melting away of the Taliban, and the weak constitutional process that began, India became a supporter of these developments. While India was kept out the Bonn conference held in December 2001 at the insistence of Pakistan, New Delhi soon undertook economic reconstruction work in parts of Afghanistan. And India had also officially expressed the view that there cannot be a good Taliban and bad Taliban, and that the fanatical regime was unacceptable. It was an unexceptionable position. But it has so transpired that the elected governments of Afghanistan, both under Hamid Karzai and Abdul Ghani, were reaching out to the Taliban. The Americans too soon recognised that political stability in Afghanistan hinges on the Taliban joining the political system. The Taliban have adopted the apparently rigid position that there should be withdrawal of all foreign troops from Afghanistan before there could be any negotiations. It is possible that once all the foreign troops are out, the Taliban are likely to outflank the democratically-elected government.

Indias apprehensions of the return of a fanatical regime still hold good. If the Taliban return to power, which is a hypothesis, they may or may not deal with India and Iran on friendly terms because of their rigid Sunni ideology. Meanwhile, the Russians who had moved out of Afghanistan in 1989, have adopted the position that the Taliban may have to be armed to fight against the emergence of the Islamic State (ISIS), or Daesh, in the country. Whatever the cunning that may lie behind the Russian move, it makes strategic sense for Russia to oppose Daesh in Syria and in Afghanistan. But the right move would have been to arm the democratically-elected Kabul government rather than the Taliban. But it would be much better to prevent Taliban and Daesh joining hands.

Given the complications of the situation, India perhaps should not be sticking to simplistic positions, which are fine as far as they go. What New Delhi may have to consider is to maintain the position that India is in principle not opposed to the Taliban if the Islamist group adheres to basic democratic norms. The convoluted official Indian position, as stated by the external affairs ministry spokesman, of supporting an Afghan-directed, Afghan-controlled talks for the good of the people of Afghanistan makes eminent sense, but it will require a lot of fine-tuning on the ground.

New Delhi might have to put away the earlier perception that the Taliban in Afghanistan is the creation of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is indeed a fact, and think of ways of dealing with the Taliban, even if it means that the channel of communication to the Taliban is to be facilitated by Islamabad and the ISI. Even if India and Pakistan do not see eye to eye on bilateral issues, they may have to chart a common strategy towards Afghanistan. Of course, India and Pakistan would continue to look to ways to gain an upper hand in Afghanistan, but it would be much better if India remains in touch with the Taliban. In the long run, India has to offer more to Afghanistan by way of economic aid than Pakistan can ever hope to do. Pakistan can hope to scuttle Indias strong position in Afghanistan  given that a majority of Afghans love India and hate Pakistan  only by making space for Afghanistan in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). India will have to learn to play a cleverer game.

Therefore, the Indian move to depute unofficial representatives to the Moscow-convened Afghanistan conference on November 9 was a good one. This should be followed by a subtler strategy of reckoning with the Taliban while supporting democracy in Afghanistan. The present Kabul government is seen as an American-backed puppet regime, which could fall if the foreign troops get out of the country. India should be supporting the efforts of President Abdul Ghani in reaching out to the Taliban.

The Great Game of the Big Powers of the 19th century centred around Afghanistan continues into the 21st century. India as an emergent power has a stake in Afghanistan, and it should learn lessons from the Russian and American involvement from 1978 to 2018 in that country. The biggest lesson for India is that it should not identify itself with any regime in Kabul, or with any other regime in the South Asian neighbourhood for that matter. Learning to deal with the Taliban is the first step.

Afghanistan is indeed a minefield in more senses than one, and it tests Indias diplomatic finesse to the hilt. This needs greater internal deliberation, which has been sadly lacking for the past two decades. India should not be seen as a sulking spectator at the Afghanistan conferences at a time when the Americans are exploring an exit strategy from the region.Last month, astronauts had to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan following a failed launch.

In this image from video made available by NASA, US astronaut Anne McClain speaks during an interview in Star City, Russia on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. She is set to blast off December 3 on her first spaceflight, with a Russian and Canadian. (NASA via AP)

A US astronaut said she has no qualms about riding a Russian rocket next month despite back-to-back mishaps. Army Lt. Col. Anne McClain said spaceflight is never 100 per cent safe and its coincidental that the last two Soyuz missions to the International Space Station encountered trouble.

Last month, astronauts had to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan following a failed launch. A month earlier, a space station air leak was traced to a hole mysteriously drilled into a docked Soyuz capsule. Russian investigators are still working to understand how a rocket sensor ended up bent during manufacturing and how the hole wound up in the Soyuz.

McClain is set to blast off December 3 on her first spaceflight, with a Russian and Canadian. They will spend six months aboard the orbiting lab. The 39-year-old helicopter pilot, who has a young son, said her family is used to her risky work  she flew combat missions in the military. Her crewmates, both men, also have children, she noted from training quarters in Star City, Russia.

The hardest part about this business is being away from the kids, she said in an interview with The Associated Press. But what I hope to teach him  and what I hope to teach all kids that are kind of looking at this  is that to achieve anything, it takes a lot of sacrifices.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut goes back to her preschool days in Spokane, Washington. NASA chose her in 2013. McClain said she views the Oct. 11 launch accident as a success story, given that the abort system saved her friends lives. She was back home in Houston, watching the flight and listening to the astronauts radio communications.

The crew was lucky. But every crew that makes it orbit is lucky. Spaceflights not easy, she said. The American on the aborted flight, Nick Hague, gave her the inside scoop when he got back to Houston.

Hague and Russian Alexei Ovchinin have been promised another shot at space, possibly next year. But McClain said shes uncertain whether they will arrive before her own mission ends in June. Since the accident, three Soyuz rockets have launched successfully with satellites. One more Soyuz flight is planned before McClains launch, this one carrying supplies for the space station.

Her own rocket has been inspected for any deformities. Shes so confident in the rocket and its decades-long history of successes that she said she would have climbed aboard the Soyuz to fly the day after the accident. The launch abort was the first in 35 years for Russias human spaceflight program and only the third one ever.

Russian officials have moved up McClains flight by a few weeks so she, Canadian David Saint-Jacques and Russian Oleg Kononenko can spend enough time with the current three station residents, an American, German and Russian due to return to Earth on December 20. The two Russians plan a spacewalk during their shared time to survey the punctured Soyuz from the outside. A makeshift patch is keeping the spacecraft airtight.By Park Si-soo







Two United States Forces Korea soldiers were caught stealing clothes from a shop in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, police said Saturday.







They entered the shop at 11 p.m. Friday, and got away with a jacket priced at 60,000 won ($54), according to Gwangju Dongbu Police Station. Officers, called by the shop's manager, traced the two and apprehended them.







The two suspects, from an air base in Gyeonggi Province, remained

, refusing to answer questions from investigators.







Police are reviewing CCTV footage to help them in their investigation.





Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong visits Baekrokdam, a crater lake on top of Mount Halla, with journalists on Saturday. Yonhap





By Jung Da-min







Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong is busy preparing for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's possible visit to the island.







Jeju, along with Seoul, is one of the most likely locations to be included in Kim's itinerary.







President Moon Jae-in has expressed hope that Kim will travel to Seoul within this year and they will scale South Korea's tallest mountain Halla on Jeju together in a reciprocal show of appreciation to Kim, after the two visited North Korea's tallest mountain, Mount Paektu, in September.







"It would be tough to reach the summit of Halla on foot because unlike Paektu (whose top can be reached by lifts), nothing has been installed in Halla to keep the mountain's nature undamaged," Won told reporters who climbed the 1,950-meter mountain on Saturday.





Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 35F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 23F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.Those who fought in the trenches of World War One lived through an unimaginable hell, French President Emmanuel said.

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron led tributes to the millions of soldiers who died during World War One on Sunday, holding a solemn ceremony attended by dozens of world leaders in Paris to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

In the presence of US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and dozens of princes, monarchs, presidents and prime ministers, Macron also talked about patriotism and nationalism.

"Patriotism is the exact opposite nationalism. Nationalism is its betrayal," the French leader said in his 20-minute address.

Those who fought in the trenches of World War One lived through an unimaginable hell, Macron said, highlighting that as well as the deaths of 10 million troops, millions of women were widowed and children orphaned.

"Old demons are reawakening, ready to sow chaos and death," he said, warning of how ideology, religion and a disregard for facts could be exploited. "History sometimes threatens to repeat its tragic patterns, and undermine the legacy of peace we thought we had sealed with the blood of our ancestors."

"The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten," said Macron, sorrow etched on the faces of former French soldiers standing to attention around him during the ceremony.

"It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential."

The commemoration is the centrepiece of global tributes to honour those who perished during the 1914-18 war and to commemorate the signing of the Armistice that brought the fighting to an end at 11 a.m. on Nov 11, 1918.

In a glass canopy at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, built by Emperor Napoleon in 1806, Trump, Merkel, Macron, Putin and the other leaders listened through earpieces as the French president spoke. Putin, who was last to arrive at the ceremony, gave Trump a brief thumb's up as he greeted them.

As Trump's convoy was making its way up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, a bare-breasted protester from the Femen radical feminist group ran towards his motorcade, coming within a few metres, before being apprehended by police.

Photographs of the incident appeared to show that she had the words "fake peacemaker" scrawled across her body.

In a rare public display of emotion by the leaders of two world powers, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war.

The conflict was one of the bloodiest in history, reshaping Europe's politics and demographics. Peace, however, was short-lived and two decades later Nazi Germany invaded its neighbours.

Macron spent the week in the build up to Sunday's ceremony touring towns and former battlfields that laid along France's western front. During the tour, he warned of the dangers of the resurgence of nationalism in Europe, saying it posed a threat to the continent - a theme he touched on again in his speech. After the ceremony, leaders returned to the Elysee Palace for a lunch to be hosted by Macron and his wife Brigitte.

On Sunday afternoon, Macron will host the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, which seeks to promote a multilateral approach to security and governance and ultimately avoid the errors that led to the outbreak of World War One.

Merkel said in a statement the forum showed that "today there is a will, and I say this on behalf of Germany with full conviction, to do everything to bring a more peaceful order to the world, even though we know we still have much work to do."

Trump, who champions a nationalist 'America first' policy, will not attend the forum but Putin is expected to.US Military Cancels 300 Million USD Financial Aid to Pakistan. (Photo Credit: ANI)

Moscow, Nov 10 (AFP) Russia said on Saturday that Austria's "unfounded accusations" in a spy scandal were unacceptable while Vienna expressed hope the affair would not hurt bilateral ties.

On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said a probe had been launched into a colonel suspected of spying for Russia for several decades.

The spy row risks hurting Russia's ties with one of its rare European allies.

It is the latest in a string of cases where Moscow has been accused of espionage in EU states and elsewhere.

Moscow said Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl called her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to explain Vienna's motives.

She "expressed hope that the steps will not affect the further development of bilateral cooperation," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Lavrov reiterated Moscow's displeasure that Austria chose to air its grievances in public.

He said the practice of voicing "unfounded accusations" publicly was unacceptable, the foreign ministry said.

"Any possible mutual concerns should be discussed through established channels of dialogue and be based on facts," the statement said.

In August, Kneissl sparked a row in Austria and beyond after she waltzed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bowed to him at her wedding, with critics saying her behaviour hurt the country's image.

Austria suspects a 70-year-old army official of working with Russian intelligence for several decades and is investigating him for allegedly revealing state secrets.

Austrian defence ministry spokesman Col Michael Bauer Bauer told the Kurier newspaper on Saturday that the information passed on by the suspect "ranged from unimportant things to more sensitive information".

However, other media reports suggested that the colonel wasn't in a position to reveal the highest levels of classified data. AFP

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)The weekend is here and its time to take a look at the top 5 news of the week. A lot has been happening in the telly land this week. Here are 5 things that you cant afford to have missed this week. From Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary's pictures first Diwali celebrations to Manish Naggdev's reaction on Srishty Rode-Rohit Suchantis closeness, here is a round-up of TV's newsmakers!

Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary's First Diwali Celebrations, Post Marriage

Newlyweds Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary, who tied the knot on October 12, 2018, in a traditional but lavish wedding ceremony in Mumbai amidst family and close friends, celebrated their first Diwali, post marriage. The couple, who never shies away from documenting their love for each other, took to the photo-sharing app to share adorable pictures from their first Diwali celebrations, post marriage. Dressed in ethnic wear, Prince and Yuvika looked gorgeous as they posed for the picture. In another picture, Prince is seen giving a peck on his wife Yuvika's cheeks and fans couldn't keep calm over the romantic pictures they have shared on their respective Instagram handle.

View this post on Instagram Happy Diwali everyone spread love n happiness  @yuvikachaudhary A post shared by Prince Yuvika Narula (@princenarula) on Nov 7, 2018 at 9:24am PST

Hina Khan Enjoys an Impromptu Underwater Dance With Beau Rocky Jaiswal in Maldives

Hina Khan is currently holidaying with boyfriend Rocky Jaiswal in Maldives and the pictures from their beachside vacation is sure to make you go green with envy. The actress, who will soon resume shooting of Ekta Kapoor's much-celebrated show Kasautii Zindagii Kay 2, has been posting pictures and videos from her Maldives vacation on social media, giving us all travel goals. In one of the videos she shared on the photo-sharing app, Hina and Rocky, who are seen snorkeling in the blue waters of Maldives, broke into an impromptu underwater dance and that was definitely a sight to watch.

Manish Naggdev Reacts on Srishty Rode-Rohit Suchantis Closeness on Bigg Boss 12

Recently, in Salman Khan's Bigg Boss 12 house, Rohit Suchanti and Srishty Rode had to do a romantic dance with each other as a part of a promotional task and the latter was evidently uncomfortable. This is because, we know, Rohit has a tiny crush on his co-contestant, Srishty, while she is dating Manish Naggdev and is pretty serious about him. However, recently in an interview with Times Of India, Manish spoke about Srishty Rode's closeness with Rohit Suchanti on Bigg Boss 12. The actor said, "Im fully secure, I know Srishty and I know It is not Rohits cup of tea (to steal her)." Awe! Isn't that incredibly cute?

Drashti Dhami Bids Adieu to Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka With a Heartfelt Message

Drashti Dhami, who is currently seen playing the character Nandini in Colors' much-celebrated show Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka, is all set to bid adieu to the show. The actress, earlier this week, took to the photo-sharing app to share a picture with Shakti Arora from the sets of Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka along with a heartfelt message. She wrote on Instagram, "And this journey of Nandini on Silsila come to an end today.... Its been short but one helluva of a journey." Reportedly, the last episode is likely to be shot in November mid-week and would be telecasted in December.

Disha Vakaniss Husband Is Not Happy About Her Decision to Return to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?

Disha Vakani, who became a household name with the portrayal of her character of Daya Ben in the popular comedy show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has been missing for a while as she went on maternity leave last year. But recent reports suggested that she will soon be returning to the show as Daya Ben (Dilip Joshi's (aka Jethalal Gada) on-screen wife in the show. However, now chances are such that she may never return to the show. Yes, according to the latest reports, Disha's husband is not too keen on the idea of her comeback. He thinks their baby is still very young and needs Disha around her all the time. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comment section below. Watch this space for further updates.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 10, 2018 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).New Delhi, November 11: India has been the target of over 4.3 lakh cyber attacks from five countries including China, Russia and the US while more than 73,000 attacks were initiated from India between January and June this year, says a Finnish cybersecurity company.

According to F-Secure's honeypot data, Russia, the US, China, the Netherlands and Germany targeted India with 436,090 attacks. This is nearly 12 times more than which originated from India.

Honeypots are basically decoy servers that emulate the real IT environment of a business enterprise. Russia accounted for most cyber attacks on India (255,589), followed by the US (103,458), China (42,544), the Netherlands (19,169) and 15,330 attacks from Germany.

On the other hand, the top five countries that were targeted by Indian cyber attackers were Austria, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan, and Ukraine -- a total of 36,563. UK Accuses Russia's Military Intelligence of Cyber Attacks.

F-Secure gave the break-up: Austria (12,540), the Netherlands (9,267), the UK (6,347), Japan (4,701) and 3,708 attacks targeted Ukraine's businesses.

"The relatively higher number of inbound attacks on Indian honeypots reflects how the fast-digitising country is becoming more lucrative for global cyber criminals," Leszek Tasiemski, Vice President of cyber security products R&D at F-Secure, said in a statement on Sunday.

"We are gathering and analysing all the pertinent data to ensure that our customers stay protected given the dynamically evolving threat landscape," he added.

To track these cyber attacks, F-Secure has deployed 41 honeypots across the globe.

"Our public honeypots are a valuable source of threat intelligence and an integral part of the infrastructure that powers our various security offerings, including our Rapid Detection and Response Service," Tasiemski said.

Honeypots are set up explicitly to grab attention of attackers. They are used to gain critical insights on attack types, popular targets, sources, volume and TTPs (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures).

Such insights are collected by deliberately allowing potential attackers to gain unauthorized access to the emulated services of a server and then studying the attack path to the point that the attacker realizes it is a honeypot, F-secure said.

These honeypots are developed to deceive even elite hackers and appear to be serving a specific purpose or organisation.

They enable F-Secure to collect the latest malware samples or shell scripts and new hacking techniques. The research data is then processed to further benefit F-Secure customers via product enhancements and threat intelligence reports.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2018 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Jammu, November 11: A terrorist was gunned down in a heavy exchange of firing between the security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports inform that the incident took place in Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. According to a tweet by ANI, the terrorists attacked a police Naka party at Handwara. According to details by J&K Police, the terrorist who was killed has been identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan. Police informed that he was affiliated with terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

Police informed that heavy firing is currently underway in Handwara. Reports inform that the identity of the death is being ascertained. Police informed that the forces retaliated and in the shootout. The Police have also recovered arms and ammunition from the encounter spot. Jammu and Kashmir: One Terrorist Gunned Down, Three Trapped in Anantnag, Encounter Underway.

#UPDATE: One terrorist killed in the firing that is underway between terrorists and police in Handwara. The identity of the death is being ascertained. Arms and ammunition recovered. #JammuandKashmir https://t.co/0MxGTHvgwM  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

On Saturday, two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Police informed that security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Tikken area of Pulwama in south Kashmir following specific information about the presence of terrorists in the area. Jammu and Kashmir: One JeM Terrorist Gunned Down by Security Forces in Tral, Encounter Underway.

Earlier this week, one Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist was killed by security forces after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Tral. Several arms and ammunition have been recovered from the spot.

On Sunday, a senior army officer Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh said terror infrastructure in Pakistan remains intact and around 160 terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into Indian territory. According to a report by PTI, the senior Army officer said that cross-border terrorism will stop only if Pakistan changes its policy and intentions.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2018 05:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Ahmedabad, Nov 11: Pakistani forces had nabbed 12 Indian fishermen travelling in two boats off the Gujarat coast near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), National Fishworkers' Forum president Manish Lodhari said Sunday.

While one of the boats had sailed from Porbandar a few days ago, the second one belonged to Okha in Devbhumi Dwarka district, he informed. "Two fishing boats, each carrying six fishermen, were seized by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency near the IMBL two days ago. We received a confirmation on Saturday," Lodhari said. He added that it was the fourth time Indian fishermen were apprehended by Pakistani agencies since the new fishing season began in August. Sri Lanka to Release 10 Indian Fishermen's Boats.

The total number of fishermen apprehended in these four incidents stood at 58, while the number of boats seized was eight, Lodhari said. He claimed that, currently, 450 fishermen from Gujarat were lodged in Pakistani jails for allegedly straying into the neighbouring country's waters. A total of 1,061 Gujarat-based boats were also in the possession of Pakistani agencies, Lodhari said.Teenagers in Indonesia who do not have access to drugs are finding cheaper ways to get high. Indonesian authorities have warned about dangerous ways teenagers mostly in Central Java are opting to get the feel of drugs. They are using horrendous practices like boiling used sanitary pads and drinking the water. While it sounds disgusting to most, these children are addicted to the smell and taste of it. Police in Jakarta, Bekasi, West Java, Kudus, Central Java, have arrested teenagers experimenting with the method to get intoxicated.

The National Narcotics Agency's Central Java Regional Chapter (BNNP) warned the public that teenagers in the provinces are increasingly using the toxic practice with some also using baby diapers. The Indonesian media had reported the practice gaining popularity among teenagers in 2016. It is most popular among the age group of 13 to 16 years coming from economically backwards households. 22-year-old Dies Due to Drug Overdose; Video of His Lamenting Mother Holding His Body in a Garbage Dump Goes Viral.

Jimmy Ginting, an advocate for safe drinking told The Jakarta Post that the practice is not new. He said, "I don't know who started it all, but I knew it started around two years ago. There is no law against it so far. There is no law against these kids using a mixture of mosquito repellent and [cold syrup] to get drunk." The use of discarded sanitary pads and diapers are only gaining popularity with time. Are Millennials Spoiling Themselves? 5 Things The Youth Today Are Made to Believe is Right.

With no popular and easily accessible alternative to sanitary pads, women across the globe use it. While many continue to not have access to these pads, the use of it is equally harmful. Made of plastic materials, they are cancer-causing agents. They contain synthetic fibre, dioxin, sodium polyacrylate that can even affect the woman using it. And using a discarded menstrual pad is equal to inviting trouble to your own body. These teenagers generally dig trash looking for these pads. It can lead to severe problems to the kidneys and liver.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2018 01:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).Marking 100 years of the World War 1, France and Germany have come together to kickstart events commemorating the day. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel signed a book of remembrance in a railway carriage similar to the one used while sealing the 1918 Armistice. United States President Donald Trump and Russian President are among 70 world leaders who attended Remembrance Day at the French capital.

Armistice is an agreement between two warring parties to stop the fight. It may not be the end of the war but a negotiation for peace and hostile behaviour. Armistice Day commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany and France. It took effect at eleven o'clock in the morningthe "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. The First World War that killed 40 million people, finally stopped on November 11, 1918. Since then November 11 is remembered as Armistice Day to remember the tragedy of the war and pay tribute to soldiers who died at the line of duty. World Leaders Mark 100 Years Since WWI Armistice in Paris.

Merkel became the first German leader since the Second World War to visit the forest near the town of Compiegne in northern France where the Armistice was signed. The event also differences of opinion between Trump and Macron over European defence. However, after a meeting at the Elysee Palace, the French leader agreed that Europe should pay more.

Following which the American leader cancelled Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial due to "scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather". His actions were heavily criticised by social media users who compared it to be bad weather conditions faced by the soldiers in war.

During the Second World War, more than three million French and German troops were among an estimated 10 million soldiers who died between 1914 and 1918. The most fighting happened in the trenches in northern France and Belgium.

With Merkle by his side, Macron told addressed youngsters while referring to the peace since the end of World War Two in 1945 saying, "Europe has been at peace for 73 years. It is at peace because we want it to be, because Germany and France want peace. And so the message, if we want to live up to the sacrifice of those soldiers who said 'Never again!', is to never yield to our weakest instincts, nor to efforts to divide us."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 11, 2018 02:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).- The APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole was allegedly held by the DSS for 8 hours

- For the 8 hours he was detained, the DSS reportedly mounted pressure on him to resign his seat as APC national chairman

- Oshiomhole reportedly stood his ground and refused to tender his resignation despite the pressure mounted on him

The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, who was recently held by the Department of the State Service (DSS) reportedly spent about 8 hours in the custody of the security agency.

Oshiomhole, according to several sources was threatened and forced to resign his seat as APC national chairman but stood his ground and refused all pressure mounted on him.

There are unverified reports that some security operatives had plotted Oshiomholes resignation with about six APC governors who are unhappy with him over the outome of the last primary elections in the party.

READ ALSO: El-Rufai blasts Peter Obi, calls him a tribal bigot

An anonymous source who spoke with The Nation said: Some of the governors behind the ambush had relocated to Abuja ahead of the invitation of Oshiomhole by the DSS.

In fact, one of them told a member of the Election Committee in his state to expect a major news on Sunday. He was quoted to have said by Sunday, Oshiomhole is gone and all of you will be put to shame.

They opted for forcible removal of Oshiomhole to take advantage of the substitution window for candidates.

The two options considered against Oshiomhole were either to get the DSS to arrest or invite him.

Some of the governors actually felt that arresting him on spurious charges of fraud would make greater news and prevent Buhari from intervening like he did in the case with some judges.

Unknown to the plotters, the APC national chairman had travelled to lyamho, his village in Edo State, to spend the weekend before jetting out to meet with his family abroad on Tuesday.

The trip to Edo frustrated the first leg of the plot as it was too late for the DSS operatives involved in the plot to stop him from traveling to Edo state.

Another source who spoke on how Oshiomhole left the DSS custody said that: In fact, a governor of the APC came to pick him. There was no issue of surety at all.

It was uncertain if the governor was just being benevolent or was one of the plotters.

The governors who were in Abuja had already put a media plan in place to force the NWC to issue a statement that Oshiomhole has resigned.

The governors later realised that the plot had failed as soon as Oshiomhole survived the siege in DSS headquarters.

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Curiously, some forces in PDP were also in a hotel trying to know the outcome of the unfolding drama in APC, having been told of the plot by their collaborating governors."

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Oshiomhole left the United Kingdom for Nigeria on Fiday, November 9.

The APC chairman left the country immediately after being interrogated by the operatives of Department of State Service (DSS).

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.

APC is the worst party in Nigeria, i regret being a member - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit- The Akwa Ibom PDP has suffered another gale of defection

- A strongman of the party, Godwin Udo Udo, and his supporters left the party for the APC on Friday, November 9

- Udo said he joined the APC to work with the party chieftains to oust the PDP in 2019

- Receiving Udo and his supporters, APC leaders in the state said the PDP is finished with the latest defections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has gained more strength in Akwa Ibom state with the defection of Dr Godwin Udo Udo, regarded as a strongman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ini local government area of the state.

Udo defected from the PDP to the APC on Friday, November 9 at a rally in Methodist School, Mbiabong Ikot Udofia, Ini, with thousands of supporters, including a serving local government supervisor, two chapter executive members, 56 ward executive members and six former councillors, The Nation reports.

Legit.ng gathers that Udos defection came barely three months after the defection of another top political leader of Ini, Obong Otu Robert Akpan, and the earlier defection of a former House of Representatives Member for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, Prof Ini Udoka.

READ ALSO: Oshiomhole slams DSS days after his interrogation by secret agency

Speaking at the rally, Udo said he defected to work with a former chairman of the National Broadcasting Commission, Obong Akpan, to deliver the area to the APC.

He said his defection will boost the chances of the APC in the area.

Receiving the new defectors, Ini Okopido, the APC state chairman said with the number and quality of defectors PDP was finished in Ini.

In his own speech, Obong Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate in the state, said the gales of defection from the PDP to the APC in the state is due to the performance of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government of and the rejection of the current state governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Also, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the immediate past governor of the state, said it was all over for PDP, saying: This is total collapse. I dont like talking when it is all over. I dont like to return to Egypt. I dont want to see even a torn umbrella. It is torn. Go and bury it.

Other APC chieftains present at the rally took turns to celebrate the new defectors, all saying that the current ruling party in the state will lose in 2019.

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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Prince Sunny Elijah, a PDP leader in Nsit Atai of Akwa Ibom state defected to the APC after reportedly rejecting all moves by Akwa Ibom state governor, Udom Emmanuel, to keep him in the party.

He was said to have defected at a grand rally attended by Senator Godswill Akpabio and other APC chieftains in the state on Monday, November 5.

Elijah had earlier reportedly rejoined PDP in August after his disagreement with some Nsit Atai APC leaders over the local government chairmanship nomination.

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.ng- President Buhari has reportedly intervened in the infractions between the APC chairman and some governors

- The president was said to have ordered the DSS which reportedly interrogated Oshiomhole to stay away from party affairs

- He reportedly instructed that any petition(s) about infractions in the party should be sent to appropriate agencies, not the DSS

In the wake of a reported interrogation of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS), President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly asked the secret agency to stay away from party affairs.

The Nation reports that President Buhari said that any petition(s) about infractions in the party should be sent to appropriate agencies, not the DSS.

Citing an anonymous source, the newspaper reports that the president has also appealed to those aggrieved among APC governors to sheathe the swords.

READ ALSO: 2019: Akwa Ibom PDP loses party chieftain, supporters to APC

The source said: The president has waded in the crisis of confidence between the governors and APC national chairman. We expect peace to return to the party. There might also be some reconciliation within the substitution window allowed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The president has however ordered DSS to avoid dabbling in party affairs. He said if there are petitions about any infraction, they should be sent to appropriate agencies. Buhari was worried that the same challenge which the DSS faced on the arrest of judges had re-occurred.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Oshiomhole, on Saturday, November 9, relieved his encounter with officials of the DSS recently.

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Oshiomhole also wondered if it was the duty of the DSS to carry out such interrogation.

The Cable reported Oshiomhole as saying he saw DSS only once and it was a conversation, not an arrest or detention.

Oshiomhole added: The conversation centred around APC primaries. The question now is whether or not it is the DSS job to interfere in a political partys issues.

And if theres an allegation of corruption, it is the responsibility of EFCC and ICPC.

The national chairman of the APC said he was not asked to report the following day as was speculated. He explained that he had to shift his travelling because of a meeting he had with President Buhari.

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.ng- Ex-President Obasanjo said Nigerians are frustrated due to the state of the country

- OBJ, however, advised people not to lose hope, saying God will bring succour to Nigeria

- The former president added that Nigeria would have gone into extinction if not for the love of God

Nigerias former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has once again commented on the state of affairs of the country, saying that many Nigerians are hopelessly frustrated and disillusioned.

Speaking at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, Obasanjo, however, admonished Nigerians not to lose hope, adding that the God of miracle would bring succour to the land, The Nation reports.

The former president said this when the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolade Osinowo, led the candidates of the party in the state, including the governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, the running mate, Bisi Okeowo-Bolade and Titi Oseni-Gomez, for the 2019 general elections to him.

READ ALSO: Primaries: APC governor reportedly offered Oshiomhole $500,000 bribe to impose candidate

Legit.ng gathers that Obasanjo said it is not the fault of God that Nigeria failed to attain its potential despite the great endowments.

He blamed the current state the country on the conscious and unconscious choices of the people of Nigeria.

He further stated that Nigeria as a country has made numerous mistakes which could have plunged it to extinction, but said the country has continued to exist and remained as one because of the love and grace of God upon her.

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Meanwhile, despite his father's insistence that President Muhammadu Buhari should not seek re-election in 2019, Olajunwon, Obasanjo's son, has joined the campaign team of the president ahead of the general elections.

Legit.ng reports that Olajunwo was officially received in Abuja, on Wednesday, October 17, by the director of strategic communications and official spokesperson of PMB campaign headquarters, Festus Keyamo and the Dan Amarna of Dutse and director of logistics, PMB campaign organisation, Alhaji Nasiru Danu.

Olujonwo Obasanjo, had recently expressed his willingness to work for the re-election bid of President Buhari.

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Consider rest - Obasanjo to Buhari - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit Newspaper- Nyalong's family had auctioned her for marriage in line with Dinka culture

- The competition attracted prominent suitors, the eventual winner led the pack with 520 cows and three V8 cars

- Women lawyers have termed the practice dehumanizing and amounts to commoditization of women

Nyalong Ngong Deng, the 17-year-old South Sudanese 'untouched' girl from Awerial in former Lake State whose beauty attracted over six suitors, is finally off the shelf.

Nyalong exchanged vows with tycoon Kok Alat in a colorful wedding ceremony at Freedom Hall in Juba on Friday, November 9, bringing to a close the long extraordinary journey in search of a suitable suitor.

She sat pensively next to her new husband, visibly lost in thought throughout the wedding ceremony.One read anguish and family betrayal written all over her face and still it was easy to conclude she was out place.

READ ALSO: South Sudanese beauty whose dowry is 520 cows and three V8 cars becomes 'hot cake'

Deng Nyalong sits pensively next to her husband, visibly lost in thought during the wedding ceremony. Photo: Juba TV/Facebook.

Prior to the nuptials, the teenager's family had auctioned her for marriage, a two-week event which attracted prominent figures in an epic competition.

The groom beat at least five other men who had expressed interest to marry Nyalong in line with Dinka culture after each failed to match his 520 heifers, three Toyota V8 cars and KSh 1m (N3.5m) to win the beauty's heart.

READ ALSO: Personal letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng (former NAIJ.com)

Among the competitors was the former commissioner of Awerial and the current Deputy Governor of Eastern Lakes State among other who is who in the Africa's youngest independent state.

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In Dinka culture, any man willing to marry must convince the girl's family he has the desired qualities which include ability to take care of their daughter.

It is from here that contestants are carefully 'auditioned' before letting them battle it out in a long search for the lucky son-in-law able to meet dowry terms.

Women lawyers from South Sudan have called out the government to investigate the bizarre incident and take action against those involved in the auction exercise.

The lawyers said the practice though forms part of Dinka's culture, it amounts to commoditization of women.

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Nigeria Latest News: Abuja Hospital, Parents, Speak on Historic Separation of Conjoined Twins | Legit TV

Source: Legit- Senator Eyinanya Abaribe has written the Nigerian High Commissioner to Israel on Nnamdi Kanu's status in the country

- Abaribe wants the ambassador to investigate report to the effect that the leader of IPOB is currently taking refuge in Israel

- The embattled senator wrote the letter through his counsel, Chukwu Machukwu Ume (SAN)

Counsel to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who stood surety for the the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has written the Nigerian Ambassador to Israel, Enoch Duchi, seeking the true status of the IPOB leader in that country.

Abaribes lawyer, Chukwu Machukwu Ume (SAN) in a letter dated Wednesday, November 7, asked the Nigerian Ambassador in Israel to use his good office to find out the true status of Nnamdi Kanu from the government of Israel since he has not been sighted in Nigeria since September 2017.

Part of the letter read: We are the counsel to Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Abia South senatorial zone in the 8th Senate of National Assembly of Nigeria.

As a pronounced patriot, he recently, against all odds, put live into our constitutional provision of the liberty of an accused as well as eased tension in our polity, by standing 3 surety to Nnamdi Kanu (who is on trial on allegations of treasonable offences in CHARGE No. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015.)

In fact, to situate you properly into the salient realities involved in this national tragedy, Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (lPOB). On the 28th, April 2017 the trial xourt granted him bail on medical grounds and Senatorial Abaribe was one of the three sureties who executed the bail bond for his release.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

He told the ambassador that the Nigerian Army, had in September 2017, declared Operation Python Dance( Egwu Eke) in the whole of south-east, from September 15 to October 14 2017.

He added that the military however invaded Kanus house days before the official commencement of the said operation adding that IPOB leader has not been seen since then.

He stated that reports had indicated that Kanu was whisked away by armed soldiers during the raid but was surprised to see social media reports indicating that the IPOB had been sighted in Israel.

He requested the ambassador to painstakingly inquire from the government of Israel as follows:

a) if there is any Nnamdi Kanu, a Nigerian citizen in their country, Israel?

b) Where there is, is that person the same as the Nnamdi Kanu standing trial in CHARGE No. FHC/ABI/CR/383/2015 and that was never seen again during the tragic military invasion of his home on 14 of September 2017.

c) If he is the one in Israel, please find out from the government of Israel how he arrived there and the circumstances that led to that? What of his royal parents?

d) As the law firm representing Sen Abaribe. we are ready to assist you in a necessary DNA procedure to enable you verify whether the alleged Nnamdl Kanu said to be in Israel is same as the Nnamdl Kanu standing trial In CHARGE No. FHC/ABI/CR/383/2015.

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Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has denied that five of its personnel aided Nnamdi Kanu to escape from his Umuahia home last year.

Kanus whereabouts was unknown, until he surfaced in Israel recently, after the alleged raid by a combined team of the army, police and the DSS at his home in Abia state.

A statement by the public relations officer of the service, Peter Afunanya, said that the purported report was fake, mischievous and defamatory.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have updated to serve you better

THE SCOOP: IPOB proscribed, Nnamdi Kanu vanishes, 2600 rifles from Turkey - On Legit TV

Source: Legit.ngEditor's note: Abuja-based public communication consultant, Phrank Shaiubu writes about the alleged illegality and abuse of financial procedures in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in spite of the present administrations claim to transparency and integrity.

Read below:

It is no longer debatable that the deep seated illegality and abuse of financial procedures which has characterized the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the last few decades still bedevils it in spite of the present administrations claim to transparency and integrity.

An instant revelation of this fact is the secret and opaque reintroduction of subsidy in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) without the approval of the National Assembly as exposed in the Premium Times report of 5th November entitled Exclusive documents show the Buharis administration illegally diverted N378 billion NLNG dividend.

The discovery of this scam has not only pitched President Muhammadu Buhari and the executive arm of government against the legislature but it has sent tongues wagging across various strata of the nations polity.

The findings in the referenced report clearly showed that the Buhari administration has continued to make fuel subsidy payments in spite of the stoppage of the fuel subsidy regime and non appropriation of funds for the scheme. This is really sad and highly deceitful and it is obvious from the marks that greeted this disclosure that that Nigerians are unanimous that corruption in under Buhari is not only frightening but is now attaining unprecedented heights of audacious impunity never before seen in the leadership of the oil rich nation.

In truth, Buharis situation is not helped by damning verdicts by two prominent global financial institutions, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation popularly known as HSBC and International Monetary Fund, IMF, which took the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration to the cleaners, citing monumental corruption and maladministration.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

While the HSBC on the one hand noted that Buharis approval ratings sit near all-time lows and this largely reflects the impact of Nigeria's painful recession in 2016-17 and the sustained economic hardship that has accompanied his presidency, including rapidly rising joblessness, poverty, insecurity and unchecked cases of corruption in his administration, have all raised the risk of limited economic progress and further fiscal deterioration, the International Monetary Fund on the other hand, equally gave Nigeria under Buhari, a very negative appraisal during the recent Annual General Meeting of the IMF/World Bank in Bali, Indonesia, where Nigeria's growth prospects was revised downwards in 2018 from 2.1 percent to 1.9 per cent.

To make matters worse, as these two heavy weight financial institutions were projecting into the future of Nigeria with these observations, Premium Times has now uncovered a monumental fraud in Aso Rock, involving the fuel subsidy racket, which has not only revealed the subsidy regime as a huge financial scam, but has added to further rubbishing the so called integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari. The development is no doubt an affirmation of the already globally lampooned anti-corruption posturing of the administration.

The documents right from the heart of the presidency as published by Premium Times, revealed the unbridled impunity that is going on inside Aso Rock under the very nose of President Buhari. The corrupt sect is led by few stinking corrupt and filthy rich close associates of the President has fleeced the country dry through the rogue petroleum subsidy regime orchestrated by the cash cow NNPC, which has become even more of a cesspool for unchecked fraud.

What this rightly suggests is that the NNPC is a ready conduit to raise a war chest of campaign funds to prosecute the 2019 presidential elections in the herculean attempt to deliver a second term for President Buhari at all costs.

Tragically, this mind-boggling fraud is happening under the very watch of Mr. Integrity himself, President Buhari, who will ultimately become the direct beneficiary of the colossal corruption via the fuel subsidy route and yet he will bury his head in the sand like an Ostrich and pretend he is not aware of what is happening around him by his own group, while selective persecution of perceived political opponents on the trumped up charges of corruption, continues in the land unabated with reckless impunity and unchecked brutality, embarrassment, humiliation and assault on Nigerian citizens across the country.

The really annoying and sickening aspect of this whole brazen fraud is that President Muhammadu Buhari who also acts as the minister of petroleum has not spoken. Thus, the temporary conclusion would certainly point to the speculation that the Nigerias frail president is never aware of anything that is happening around him or in his government and indeed the country at large, but what becomes quite glaring is that there is now the dire need for appropriate investigations to be commenced and thoroughly conducted on the many violations and corrupt infractions going on in the Buhari administration.

Indeed, the recent decision of the Nigerian Senate to probe the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC over an unaccounted whooping sum of $3.8 billion dollars allegedly shrouded in secrecy, following a point of order raised by Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South senatorial district, has opened up another rotten can of worms on the Buhari administration, exposing how the slush fund is managed quietly right now by two people namely the NNPC MD, Maikanti Baru and his director of finance, without supervision or appropriation by any know law.

This resolve by the Senate to probe NNPC is in consonance with the 2016 report of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, which strongly indicted the NNPC for withholding and short-changing the country. In addition to the indictment by NEITI, the NNPC had been accused on a number of occasions of large scale graft, and serving as a conduit for the diversion of the countrys finances to private accounts and entering into deals that were detrimental to the economy of the country among others.

There are countless damaging reports on the Buharis administration but for quick reference, the disclosure from the Natural Resource Governance Institute, NRGI is very disturbing. According to the report within the first six months of the Buhari administration, the NNPC withheld over $4.2 billion, about N824.7 billion, out of a total of $6.3 billion, about N1.24 trillion, realized from crude oil sales in the second half of 2015.

The NRGI also accused the NNPC of causing the country to lose about $32 billion, about N7 trillion, due to its opaque Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA), questionable revenue retention practices and corruption-ridden oil-for-product swap agreements. These are really worrisome especially coming from a government that claims it is well intended.

Sadly, the NNPC, in an attempt to clear its name, has denied any wrongdoing leveled against it by NEITI, claiming that its failure to remit about $13.294 billion to the Federation account was due to the fact that the funds were utilized legally in running its operations, while the balance of the funds had been transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

As usual, the NNPC equally denied the recent allegation leveled against it by the Nigerian Senate that it has in its custody 3.5 billion dollars Subsidy fund, through its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, who dismissed the claims in a statement, noting that at the height of the shortage of products supply at the close of 2017, the National Assembly asked the NNPC to do everything possible to stem the hiccups and further added that the corporation initiated the move to raise a revolving fund of 1.05 billion dollars, since the corporation was, and is still the sole importer and supplier of fuel products in the country, even as he added that the fund had been domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, adding that at no time was it in the custody of the NNPC.

While these blatant denials have been echoed by the NNPC to anyone who cares to listen, the fact remains that documents presented by Premium Times fully drives home the complicity of some top close persons to the presidency in the corruption cesspool that is the Buhari administration.

It is indeed amazing and that such massive dastardly level of corruption and fraud are carried out, yet President Buhari will shamelessly stand before the international community and claim that his government is fighting corruption while his own presidency is brimming with and wallowing in all manner of corrupt practices. What these Buharis appointees are doing with brazen impunity on behalf the absentee President is to say the least, pathetic.

This is certainly worse than the alleged crimes that had kept some prominent Nigerians behind the bars for so long, despite court orders which have periodically directed that they be released on bail, but which have been continually ignored with impunity, all of which have confirmed the allegations of selective justice and persecution being practiced by the Buhari administration.

What Buhari and his cronies are doing to the Nigerian economy with this kind of audacious corruption that grates the senses and rankles our sensibilities, portends great danger to our democracy as succinctly captured by the HSBC report which has predicted gloom and doom for Nigeria if Buhari wins a second term. Specifically, this huge swindle perpetrated through the NNPC may just be a tip of the iceberg.

It is very unfortunate that the Buhari administration in its usual attitude, has resorted to grandstanding and barefaced negative propaganda and illogical grandiloquence as it attempts covering up the glaring graft with half baked explanations and denials despite abundant facts and damning evidence as revealed by Premium Times and other reputable organisations. This is really sad for a nation that claims to be fighting corruption.

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Source: Legit- Nigerian Amy has redeployed 103 senior officers

- The Chief of Army Staff said the shake-up was done in order to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles

- With the redeployment, Major General Benson Akinroluyo is now the commander of Operation Lafiya Dole

The Nigerian Army has redeployed 103 of its senior officers, including the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole and some General Officers Commanding to inject new hands into its ongoing operations.

In a statement made available to Legit.ng by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, the director Army Public Relations, the exercise was also carried out to actualise the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

The Chief of Army Staff on Friday, November 9, sent a goodwill message to the troops, congratulating them for their bravery, alertness and doggedness in the ongoing fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.

READ ALSO: Primaries: APC governor reportedly offered Oshiomhole $500,000 bribe to impose candidate

With the redeployment, Benson Akinroluyo, a major general, is now the Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, the anti-Boko Haram operation.

Until the new appointment, he was the GOC 3 Division, Jos.

Akinroluyo takes over from Maj.-Gen Abba Dikko, who has been redeployed to the Department of Civil Military Affairs, as the Chief of Civil Military Affairs.

Maj.-Gen. Jamil Sarham remains in Headquarters, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, as the General Officer Commanding while Maj.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, former Chief of Military/Civil Affairs is now the GOC 3 Division.

Maj.-Gen.Victor Ezugwu from Depot Nigerian Army has been moved to Nigerian Army Vehicle Manufacturing Company as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO).

Maj.Gen. Adeyemi Adetayo, from Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) moves to Department of Army Standard and Evaluation as Director Procurement and Projects.

Brig.-Gen. Ifiok Obot is redeployed from Headquarters, Operation DELTA SAFE to Nigerian Army University Biu as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Military).

The wave of redeployment also affects Brig.-Gen. Olufemi Dada who has been moved from Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Director of Combat Development.

Brig.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa has been moved to Defence Headquarters as Deputy Director Campaign planning, while Brig.-Gen. Adekunle Adesope from Department of Army Standard and Evaluation has been moved to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Acting Director in the Directorate of Audit and Financial Management.

Brig.-Gen. Caleb Dalhatu moves from Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre to Headquarters 81 Division Garrison as Commander.

Brig.-Gen. Abdu Hassan has been redeployed from Headquarters 2 Brigade to Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as Chief of Staff (COS).

Brig.-Gen. Kabir Mukhtar moved from Headquarters 81 Division Garrison to Headquarters Department of Army Administration as Acting Director Manpower.

Brig.-Gen.- Nasiru Jega is now Commander 2 Brigade at the headquarters, while Brig.-Gen. Sani Mohammed was moved from Department of Administration to Depot Nigerian Army as Acting Commandant.

Brig.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe is to remain in Headquarters 16 Brigade as Commander, while Col. Adamu Nura will move from Headquarters 21 Special Armour Brigade to Nigerian Army Armour School as Chief Instructor.

Col. Louis Lepdung has been redeployed from Headquarters 25 Task Force Brigade to Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as Deputy Director Research and Development.

Col. Kingsley Umoh is moving from Administration Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) to Defence Headquarters as Assistant Director Defence Information.

Col. Kayode Ogunsanya has been moved from Headquarters 3 Division Army Public Relations to Defence Headquarters Garrison Army Public Relations as Deputy Director Army Public Relations.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, on Monday, November 5, led a delegation to the headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Abuja to plead against avenge of the recent gruesome murder of Major General Idris Alkali, the retired chief of administration of the security body.

General Alkali was reportedly murdered by some indigenes of a community in the Dura-Du area of Plateau state and his car was hidden in a pond while his body, first buried in a shallow grave, was later exhumed and dumped inside a well.

The remains of the retired army general, who was declared missing on September 3, by the Nigerian Army a couple of days after his retirement, was found in an abandoned well in a village known as Guchwet in Shen district of Jos South local government area of Plateau state.

Lalong also pleaded with the Army not to expose the state to danger by abandoning its current security operations because of the murder of the senior officer.

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TY Danjuma, Nigerian army and the herdsmen crisis | Legit TV

Source: Legit- President Muhammadu Buhari's supporter have planned to stage a one million march in support of their candidature in 2019 election

- The national chairperson of GMB, Fatima Goni, who made this known on Sunday, November 11, said the exercise is scheduled for Thursday, December 6

- Goni also noted that the association would soon commence public procession in major streets across the country in support of their candidature

The Grassroots Mobilisers for Buhari (GMB) and the Abuja chapter of the Arewa Traders Association have agreed to mobilise 1.03 million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GMB is a political association saddled with the task of ensuring electoral victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 general elections.

The national chairperson of GMB, Fatima Goni, who announced this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, November 11, said the agreement was reached at a meeting between the leaderships of the two associations at Kebbi Hotel, Abuja.

READ ALSO: Tambuwal's name reportedly missing on INEC list

She also revealed that the GMB and the traders association planned to stage a one million march in support of President Buhari candidature in the February 2019 general elections.

Goni, who is popularly referred to as Mama GMB, said the association would soon commence public procession in major streets across the country in support of the candidature of the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.

She said: Our campaign strategies include polling to polling mobilisation of voters and continuing sustenance of public enlightenment through media support.

Our strategies will also use structures across the federation to counter the negative narratives being propagated by retrogressive forces.

We require your kind understanding and patriotic support which shall be adequately complemented by our personnel resources to achieve a dynamic result in the monitoring and countering of anti-government propaganda.

This is the time for all who are deeply concerned about the prospects and challenges of our democratic growth and national progress to rise and be counted on the positive side of history where the Buhari administration has steadfastly striven to place our great country, Nigeria.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

She commended leadership and members of the association for being part of the forward-looking pragmatic and progressive cause which the Buhari administration had continued to represent.

Goni pledged to forward all the challenges facing members of the association to relevant authorities with a view to addressing them.

The chairman, board of trustees of the GMB, Alhaji Umar Farouk, disclosed that the association had intensified efforts to mobilise over 10 million of its members nationwide towards ensuring electoral victory for President Buhari in the presidential election.

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Farouk, who narrated the history of GMB, said the political association was formed in 2014 with sole aim of promoting President Buharis political ambitions as well as good governance.

The chairman, Arewa Traders Association, Abuja chapter, Alhaji Adamu Hassan, disclosed that the association, with membership from 63 market areas in the FCT and its environs, voluntarily agreed to join GMB to ensure electoral victory for Buhari in 2019.

Apart from organising the one million-march in support of Buhari/Osinbajo ticket on Dec. 6, we are also working towards mobilising about 23 million of our members across the country to vote for Buhari/Osinbajo in 2019.

We will be doing all these in partnership with the GMB with our little resources because of our love for President Buhari and the achievements of his administration so far.

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Source: Legit.ngA 20-year-old driver is accused of fleeing in a stolen work van and crashing into another car, as well as two mailboxes, during a state police chase in North Whitehall Township.

Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem charged the Walnutport man with eluding, endangering another person, receiving stolen property and multiple traffic offenses. The driver has not been identified because he remains on the lam.

Police said the driver was operating the stolen van shortly after 11:30 a.m. Oct. 21. He failed to pull over during a traffic stop along Mauch Chunk Road and began fleeing troopers at a high rate of speed, police said.

After crashing, the driver ran and troopers were unable to locate him. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. There were no reported injuries to those in the other vehicle after the crash.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.A group of Lehigh Valley planners want people to go take a hike--or a bike.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is developing a regional master plan for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Walk/BikeLV is a program designed to encourage people to find methods of transportation other than their cars. The planning phase will analyze existing walking and biking routes and identify gaps that can be filled over time, which would allow easier access

Lehigh and Northampton counties have a combined population of about 647,000, according to the 2010 census.

Planners expect 225,000 more people to live in the Lehigh Valley by 2040.

LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley said traffic and congestion in the region is reaching a "critical mass" and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

About 45 percent of car trips in the U.S. travel three miles or less, with 75 percent of those being made by private automobiles, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The planning group is looking for public input to help increase mobility and develop options to get people out of their cars instead of driving those short trips

On Nov. 28, LVPC will host a working group meeting from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and an open house from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the plan.

Both events are open to the public and will be held at the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center at 511 E. 3rd Street in Bethlehem.

Registration on www.lvpc.org is preferred but not required to attend the meetings.

Also on the LVPC website is an interactive map, where people can mark areas interest, dangerous areas or potential areas that should be developed.

"We have a truly open table," Bradley said. "We've never had bicyclist or pedestrian plan before."

The plan should be complete by the summer of 2019.

This project is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

John Best is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.It wasn't just a voter referendum on President Donald Trump that changed the Pennsylvania landscape in last week's mid-term elections. Solid judicial decisions played a role, too, particularly the court-ordered redrawing of a gerrymandered congressional map that had favored Republicans. And years earlier, the overturning of a restrictive voter ID law.

This is progress, but Pennsylvania still trails many states in voter access. Early voting would help bring the state into the 21st century. (If you waited in a long line in the rain on Tuesday, you might want to send a follow-up message to your state representative and senator. In Harrisburg, bills to allow early voting die in committee.)

Pennsylvania's idea of early voting is by absentee ballot -- but you've to mail in a sworn statement that you're disabled or going to be out of town on Election Day.

Thirty-seven states extend some form of early voting. New Jersey, for example, allows no-excuse absentee voting, and lets people vote early in person at voter registration sites, for 45 days before an election.

What else? Same-day registration would be a step forward, along with easier ballot access for third-party candidates. And open primaries.

* * *

A predicted blue wave of Democratic fervor didn't sweep through every corner Pennsylvania last week, but a statewide rebalancing took hold.

In January, the state's congressional delegation will be perfectly purple -- nine Republicans and nine Democrats, a dramatic change from the gerrymandered results of the last decade. That imbalance, enabled by a Republican governor and Legislature, helped to elect 13 Republicans to Congress, even though Democrats turned out in higher numbers overall.

Pennsylvania played a leading role in turning the U.S. House of Representatives to a Democratic majority. The state saw an unprecedented number of women candidates, including Democrat Susan Wild, who captured the Lehigh Valley's newly drawn 7th District.

It's notable that Wild won by 15,000 votes in the new 7th district, which reunited the Lehigh Valley. Republican Marty Nothstein, by a razor-thin margin, appears to have won the race to serve the final two months of former Rep. Charlie Dent's term in the old 15th District. That district was gerrymandered to protect Dent after the 2010 census.

Republicans still ran strong, and won, in Republican-dominated areas of the state.

That's the way it's supposed to work.

Still, Pennsylvania voters sent a message in re-electing U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, as New Jersey voters did in returning ethically challenged Sen. Robert Menendez to Washington.

Pennsylvanians opted for a split state government again, choosing Gov. Tom Wolf as a hedge against legislative Republicans, who retained majorities in both houses.

* * *

The rancorous segregation of Americans into red and blue camps isn't going away, and it won't be helped by selectively limiting voter access -- as North Dakota did in making voting difficult for native Americans. A town in Kansas moved a polling site out of town. Georgia and other states have opted for aggressive purging of registration rolls.

It falls to the courts, in many cases, to point out partisan overload. Witness the federal court decision last week to toss Maryland's congressional map. It had been sliced and diced, a panel of judges said, to help elect Democrats.

That's the way it's supposed to work.A 54-year-old Florida man was asleep behind the wheel Saturday morning when his car left the roadway, struck a delivery truck and utility pole before rolling over along Route 31.

Washington Township Police Lt. John Kaufmann said the 7:15 a.m. crash involved Robert Johnston of Palm Coast, Fla., driving a Mercedes-Benz convertible north on Route 31 and Andrew DaSilva, 36, of Effort, Monroe County, heading south in an Utz Food Company truck.

Johnston then swerved into the south lane, striking the truck, before continuing on and taking out the pole, bringing wires down onto the road, Kaufmann said. The car then rolled over and ended up in the parking lot of a used car dealer, he said.

Johnston declined medical assistance and DaSilva was not injured, Kaufmann said. The highway was shut down for more than an hour as police investigated and crews cleared debris from the scene.

Also responding was the Washington Township Fire Dept. and Washington Rescue Squad, as well as Jersey Central Power & Light.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.A forced purchase should be carried out by Laois County Council on a derelict building in Stradbally, say local councillors.

A listed house and shop on Main Street, formerly Dobbins, is closed for over 15 years. The shopfront is part covered with a block wall (photo of building in better days).

Cllr Paschal McEvoy tabled a motion at the October meeting of the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District, asking for an update onpossibly using a Compulsory Purchase Order.

It is owned by an Italian individual. I have called him but he wont answer his phone. He started renovating it and then left it four years ago. It is an absolute eyesore in the town. It takes from the whole look of the town, he said.

Cllr McEvoy said that Stradbally Tidy Towns group has also tried to make contact with the owner.

I want the council to take it back and turn it into social housing. It is sad to have it looking like that, he said.

Cllr Ben Brennan agreed.

Its terrible to start off something and leave it, its worse that way, he said.

Cllr Padraig Fleming was concerned at the reply, which said Planning would look at the property to consider its potential reuse.

Cost implications will have to be considered in terms of potential funding requirements senior planner Angela McEvoy said in her reply.

I thought this whole CPO process had money. Why are they saying if there is funding, he said.

Cllr Tom Mulhall said the building was ideal for the Repair and Leasing Scheme.

Owners can get 40k to do up an old property, the council does a lease agreement and puts a tenant in. If you do get through to the owner, mention it to them, he said.I watched the recent presidential elections with the kind of interest I typically reserve for a Premiership Saturday.

I was interested to know the outcome but it wasnt going to change my life.

Mainly though, I wanted to see Michael D Higgins beaten.

Id interviewed him in the run up to his first run at the presidency, and apart from not being able to make sense of what he was on about, I found him really uninspiring.

Later, when he won, he reneged on promises to sit and talk with Britains Irish community newspapers, having made much of doing just that during his campaign.

I remember, in the weeks after his inauguration, him arriving at the London Irish Centre and asking for those there to meet him to be lined up behind a ceremonial rope so they could queue to shake his hand.

Symbolically it was so far from his brand of socialism that, well, he could have passed for a dictator.

In short, it was more of the same old politics ,which brings me on to his nearest challenger  Peter Casey.

First off, Im no fan but neither am I offended or awakened by his what Casey has to say.

The most interesting thing about this politician is that he made leaps by refusing to play the same politics as Michael D.

Youve seen this before in the rise of Jeremy Corbyn in Britain, Bernie Sanders in the US, and of course, Donald Trump.

Radicals all, to different degrees, who understand theres great gains to be made politically by being authentic and having the courage of an uncomfortable conviction.

And all this brings me to the Green Party in Kildare.

You might have missed it, but the party relaunched in Kildare back in the summer.

Now, just to make sure I wasnt interpreting the word relaunch incorrectly, I checked it in the dictionary and it means to put something in motion again.

But forgive me if it doesnt feel like it.

Ive beaten the green drum on these pages before; about Irelands place among the lowest-ranked countries in Europe in terms of reducing CO2 emissions, and put it this way, if the Green Party in Kildare has something to say, then Im one of their more likely parishioners

But as far as I can tell, theyve said and done little of significance since this relaunch and at time when the environment is getting kicked, pretty much every other day, thats something I find it hard to get my head around.

I get it  no one wants a daily digest of next polluted river or the next lost wildlife sanctuary, or even the creation of one.

People care about jobs, where theyre going to live, how they get to work, and if the Green Party were ever going to strike a blow nationally, and locally, it would be now, when popular politicking as we know it is having holes punched in it by movements on both the right and the left.

Impossible right?

Thats what they were saying in Germany just over 12 months ago when the Green Party was on the run.

Only now they look set to be a major player in the next German government.

And theyve made great strides in targeting areas of obvious neglect like infrastructure and health, and doesnt it sounds very familiar for a poorly-serviced commuter county like Kildare?

Theyve also been coming up with innovative solutions that dont target voters with green leanings, but everyone.

Of course, its all very difficult. Were spoiled for choice in terms of political talent in this country right now.

I mean you only have to look at the calibre of the candidates that contested the recent Presidential election to know that youd have to be the next Jack Kennedy to have any hope of throwing a decent shape at the minute.

Either that, or try and be authentic in your message, true in your vision, and clever in terms of how you get your message out.

It worked well for Peter Casey, and from this remove it looks to be working pretty damn well in Germany right now too.

Robert Mulhern is a London based journalist contracted to RTE's The Documentary on One. To contact him, email mulhernrobert@hotmail.comSligo University Hospital is holding a Bereavement Information and Awareness Event in the main foyer of the hospital on Tuesday, 13 November from 10.30am to 3pm. The event is open to members of the public and staff of the hospital.

Ann Hayes is the End of Life Care Co-ordinator at the hospital and the Bereavement Information and Awareness Event organiser. She said, We will all face the loss of a loved one or friend at some point in our lives. Grief is a natural response to loss and it is all right to be sad. Sometimes people get stuck with their grief and may need a helping hand. At our Bereavement Information and Awareness Event we are bringing together representatives from some of the many organisations who provide support.

There will be representatives from the hospitals Social Work Department; the Irish Hospice Foundation, Feileacain (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland), the Samaritans, Pieta House, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, St Michaels Family Life Centre and the HSEs Bereavement Counsellor among others.

Other organisations which wont be able to send a representative, have sent support material to distribute on the day and these include Barnardos, Anam Cara (supporting parents after bereavement), First Light and Embrace Farm (Farm accident support network).

This is the third year that we are holding a Bereavement Information and Awareness Event in the hospital. Feedback from the organisations taking part and from the visitors has been very positive.

The event takes place on Tuesday 13 November and all are welcome!North West Hospice would like to invite the local community along to join them for the official opening of their new charity shop at Quay Street, Sligo on Thursday November 15, at 12 midday.

The large unit is situated on Quay Street, Sligo, near to Garys Cycles and next door to the Polish shop. Ocean FM will be broadcasting live from the shop, there will a free draw for all customers, spot prizes and bargains galore with lots of fabulous pieces of furniture, clothing and household goods to buy in the new shop on the day.

North West Hospice is still appealing to the local community for donations of good quality furniture for their new shop. Please donate your items to the new charity shop in Sligo during opening hours, Monday to Saturday from 10am  5pm. Please note due to Health & Safety guidelines electrical goods cannot be accepted. The shop is the first venture of its kind for North West Hospice in Sligo and follows on from the opening of their first Charity Shop in Carrick-on-Shannon in July 2017.

Speaking about the new shop Nuala Ginnelly, North West Hospice Manager said We are so excited about this new venture in Sligo. A huge amount of work has gone into preparing the shop and it is thanks to our wonderful volunteers and donations from the generous people of Sligo we are able to do this. Please come out next Thursday and join us for our official opening at 12 midday. The demand for North West Hospice Services is increasing annually as is the cost to grow our services to meet this demand. The aim of this new Charity Shop venture is to help us raise the vital funds needed to fund our growing services.

North West Hospice provides specialist care with compassion to those living with life-limiting illness in Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan. Further details are available from www.northwesthospice.ieHAILED as one of Irelands finest tourism ambassadors, Margaret OShaughnessy, director of the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, has been given the highest civic honour by councillors in the area.

Family, friends and museum staff members gathered in Rathkeale for the civic reception accorded to Margaret by the Adare Rathkeale Municipal District where chairman Cllr Adam Teskey acknowledged Margarets service, dedication and work ethic.

I am honoured to recognise your contribution not only to Foynes but for your contribution to tourism in this region, he said, having traced Margarets career and given a detailed account of her role in founding and developing the museum which now welcomes some 60,000 visitors each year.

Anybody else, Cllr Teskey said, would have retired by now, but Margaret never gives up.

She is already planning to build a new wing to the museum to incorporate a 110-seater cinema, a mini-conference centre, an extensive archive library and a large arts space for exhibition, he continued.

Plus, he added, a wine bar will open in the restaurant on November 30.

You are an inspiration, Cllr Teskey told Margaret. I want other communities and groupings to buy into the idea that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Whenever Margaret has come seeking funds or support, she has never come with a bad reason, Cllr Kevin Sheahan said. Promoting tourism in a small village is not easy, he acknowledged but Margaret has defeated all the pessimists.

What Margaret has achieved with the people around her is absolutely unique, Cllr Richard ODonoghue said. For that you need somebody who is unique themselves.

Margaret was an institution in Foynes, Cllr Stephen Keary said, but she had also represented the area on the national and global stage and was a tireless ambassador for Limerick. He described her as a true entrepreneur and innovator whole unrelenting energy and commitment to Foynes were the reasons for her success.

Limerick is in the top five for visitors which might come as a surprise to many, Cllr Emmett OBrien said, He paid tribute to Margaret for her part, along with Minister Patrick ODonovan, in bringing the Wild Atlantic Way as far as Foynes and developing the Shannon Estuary Way.

Minister ODonovan, who was unable to attend, sent a message in which he acknowledged Margarets work and role in Foynes and for tourism and said: Margaret has rightfully received recognition from individuals and groups from home and abroad for her tireless work. It is fitting that her own local councillors have now sought to give her this reception.

I am delighted to see your hard work is being recognised, Tom Neville TD said.

I have to be honest and say I would not change one day of the last 32 years, Margaret OShaughnessy said in reply to all the good wishes.

While the museum is now firmly established, we have never had it easy, she pointed out. And there is a constant sturggle to pay bills, keep the jobs going and maintain the building.

But, she added: When you are down and feeling at your worst, something or someone always seems to turn up with a donation of either money or some valuable artefact from the Flying Boat days.

We all need to recognise the potential of tourism in our own areas and do all we can to preserve our local history and be proud of where we come from, she said.

She acknowledged the support she had received over the years from the local authority, Shannon Development, Failte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Thank you sincerely for giving me this great honour. I greatly appreciate it  she said, speaking from the heart.

I am delighted to accept it, not just on my own behalf but also on my husband Toms behalf, my family, the board of the museum and the wonderful team we have there. ALMOST 800 dads from across Limerick have availed of the governments paid paternity benefit scheme so far this year.

New figures show payments have been made by the Department of Social Protection to 784 dads locally since January.

Almost 1,100 fathers in Limerick have taken paternity leave since the scheme came into operation in September 2016.

Currently, recipients are paid 240 per week while a 5 increase will come into effect next March.

Senator Maria Byrne has welcomed the uptake of the scheme in Limerick.

It is great to hear that there has been good uptake of the scheme so far. I am encouraging prospective fathers to sign up for paternity benefit and I think they will find the application process to be clear and simple, she said.

Paid paternity leave was a key commitment in Fine Gaels manifesto in advance of the last election as part of our overall efforts to support parents at work and make childcare more affordable. Fine Gael in government is now using the resources from our strong economy to deliver on that commitment, she added.

Eligible fathers are entitled to apply for two weeks paid paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks of their childs life, or following adoption.

They will require a Public Service Card to apply, and if they are an employee, must give four weeks notice to their employer before taking the leave.COUNTY councillors fear that Christmas cheer may not extend past Dooradoyle this year, as a brochure promoting upcoming festivities in Limerick highlights just six events taking place outside of the city boundaries.

Details of the Christmas in Limerick marketing campaign were first revealed at a meeting of the Cultural SPC at the Limerick City and County Council Chambers this week.

Later this month, 100,000 promotional brochures are due to be distributed across Limerick Clare, and Tipperary.

But the festive programme drew ire from county councillors who felt it was too focused on Limerick City, with just six of the 31 events highlighted based in the county.

It's as if any place past Dooradoyle doesnt exist, Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Michael Collins said.

Im very disappointed to see that Newcastle West doesnt appear on the brochure. Local traders in the county do their best. We have a fantastic Santa Grotto planned in Newcastle West but its not included here, he added.

There are also events taking place in Kilmallock, Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale. There is a lot happening but its not being promoted.

It is a very impressive line-up and Im very excited to see whats in store but I have to agree, Councillor Lisa-Marie Sheedy said.

It is very disappointing to see so few county events included. Im disappointed that there wasnt communication with us. We need to be promoting the county equally.

Were trying to encourage people to shop local, to support local traders, she added.

It's very impressive for the city but at what cost to the county, Cllr Stephen Keary said. County shops pay rates as well, dont they deserve to have events highlighted on 100,000 brochures throughout Limerick, Clare and Tipperary?

Limerick City is the capital of the Mid-West, SPC Cathaoirleach cllr Kieran OHanlon said. I think it's very important to attract in people from Clare and Tipperary as well. A group should be set up for next year to take into account the councillors feedback, he added.

You have my assurances that Santy will make it out the county as well as to the city this year, he told councillors.

Speaking after the Cultural SPC, LCCC head of marketing and communications for Laura Ryan said: "Research for our Christmas in Limerick campaign began last September when our marketing team began gathering information and making contact with service providers across Limerick city and county about any planned Christmas events."

"We collated any information that was available to us and have given a free web presence to more than 80 festive events on Limerick.ie/Christmas."

"Not all events can feature in the Christmas in Limerick brochure which goes to print in early November so we selected a wide variety of family friendly events, gigs, pantos, shows and Santa experiences across Limerick and highlighted events in Limerick city as well as Holycross, Newcastle West, Adare, Patrickswell, Croagh, Kilmallock, Lough Gur, Curraghchase and Christmas parking arrangements in Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West and Kilmallock."

"This is a free service provided by the Council and its easy for anyone who is still organising a Christmas event to submit content to us," she added.

"We are happy to feature this content on our Christmas in Limerick website www.limerick.ie/christmas and promote it across our Christmas in Limerick social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram."

Meanwhile, there are no plans for a New Years Eve firework display this year, councillors also heard at the SPC. Limerick traditionally does not host a civic NYE event, a council spokesperson later told the Limerick Leader.THE ONGOING issue of aggressive trespassers with dogs travelling over Limerick farmers land has been raised with the countrys top garda.

IFA president Joe Healy, deputy president Richard Kennedy, from Clarina, sat down with Commissioner Drew Harris on Monday. They were invited to the Phoenix Park by the former deputy chief constable of the PSNI.

Mr Kennedy pressed Comm Harris on a number of points including the unwelcome visitors who have plagued County Limerick land owners.

It has been highlighted a lot in North Dublin but it is a countrywide problem. There are people travelling over land without permission with dogs and worrying livestock. When they are confronted by the farmer or landowner they are quite intimidating. We pressed that point with Comm Harris, said Mr Kennedy, who also raised garda visibility in the countryside and extra resources.

For the first time in a long time they are getting more resources in terms of manpower. We want guards to go out and meet the communities to build intelligence and build the confidence of rural people, so that rural people will feel that they have the guards backing, said Mr Kennedy.

Farmers machinery and tools being stolen was also brought up but Mr Kennedy said farmers have to help too. If some small items are taken it is easy to say it is not worth bothering the gardai but the IFA deputy president said to report everything.

You must let the gardai know. All property should be marked and photographed but we are not doing it. Someone asked at a meeting in Nenagh how many have their property marked and the percentage was very low. Guards are coming across a lot of stolen property but it cant be claimed unless it is marked, he explained.

Mr Kennedy said he and Mr Healy brought one suggestion to Comm Harris that they learned about from the UK.

In an area where there is a particularly bad outbreak of rural crime a task force, made up of three or four guards, would be sent in. They would complement the local guards in the area and help them. It is an idea we got at a conference in the UK. Once the task force has solved the crimes in that area they go on to another locality, said Mr Kennedy, who also called for closer co-operation between garda districts as criminals dont respect boundaries.

Reflecting after the meeting, the Clarina man described the recently appointed Comm Harris as very open, a very nice man and very down to earth.

He invited us because he saw that we have been very active on rural crime because it affects our members throughout the country. He showed a great willingness to take on board the problems we have and the issues that are out there in rural crime.

He is very anxious to solve the issue and he is prepared to put resources into it. You couldnt but leave the meeting on the basis that you would be confident that there is going to be a real effort made by gardai under his stewardship, said Mr Kennedy, who described it as a very constructive meeting.

We will meet again in three months and both see where we are. We are co-operating with guards to the fullest extent, concluded the dairy farmer .A YOUNG girl from Limerick who is battling serious illness will get to walk the red carpet later this month ahead of the National Children of Courage Awards.

Aine Ryan, from Raheen, will be one of the eight children to receive the annual award that celebrates the unmatched bravery of young children facing unbelievable adversities in their lives.

The gala evening also allows a night to honour the love and support that parents of ill children give every day.

Aines mother, Patricia is inspired by her eleven-year-old daughters bravery to keep fighting.

During this nightmare, which is all I can call it, Aine has a smile on her face and is a wonderful patient, and I am so very, very proud of her, she praised.

Last year, Aine was diagnosed with a brain tumour and went through a seven-hour long operation to remove the tumour at Beaumont Hospital Dublin,

After extensive rehabilitation and radiotherapy, the young girl is now doing much better but unfortunately has to be isolated in chemotherapy away from her friends.

Aine saw one dream come true in meeting Limerick hurlers Declan Hannon and Graeme Mulcahy, and the Raheen girl will have another dream realised at the awards show later this month. Founder of the Share a Dream Foundation, Shay Kinsella is delighted to welcome the eight recipients for this years gala.

Seriously ill and disabled children in Ireland deserve to be recognised and honoured for their absolute courage and determination to get as much quality of life as they can.

The National Children of Courage Awards shows these children and their families that they are not forgotten about, and there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel, Mr Kinsella concluded.

The thirteenth annual Dream Ball and National Children of Courage Awards takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel on the Ennis Road, on Saturday, November 24. Tickets are still available at shareadream.ie or 061-200080.TWO Dublin men who attempted to intimidate a potential State witness after she made a statement to gardai in relation to a shooting incident near her home have avoided prison sentences.

Leon McNevin, aged 32, of the Steeples, St Laurences Road, Chapelizod and Ciaran Griffin, aged 28 of the Steeples, Ballyfermot had each pleaded to a single charge relating to an incident at Raheen Square, Ballincaurra Weston on April 27, 2016.

A third man  Christopher McCormack, aged 35, who has an address at Chapelizod  was sentenced to three years imprisonment for his role in the incident.

During a sentencing hearing, Detective Garda Niall Fitzgerald said Samantha OCallaghan  a mother of two young children  was at home at around 11.15pm when she was alerted to three men outside.

When she went to investigate, one of the men asked is that Samantha? before threatening that she and her family would get it if she didnt retract her statement in court.

All three men were wearing dark clothes and hoods in an attempt to disguise their identities. One of the men made a gesture with his hands which Ms OCallaghan felt was a warning.

At the time Ms OCallaghan was a potential State witness in a criminal investigation into a shooting incident which happened at Raheen Square on September 15, 2015.

Detective Garda Fitzgerald said after making the threats the three men fled after walking along railway tracks having jumped over a boundary wall. However, they were apprehended on the M7 motorway later in the night while returning to Dublin in an Opel Zafira.

Judge Tom ODonnell was told Christopher McCormack is a brother of David Skull McCormack, who had been identified by Ms OCallaghan as the alleged shooter the previous September.

Earlier this year, the 34-year-old, who has an address at Ballyfermot, Dublin was found not guilty by a jury of charges relating to the (shooting) incident following a trial during which Ms OCallaghan gave evidence and was the subject of robust cross examination.

John OSullivan BL said while Ms OCallaghan would have identified Christopher McCormack by his voice, she did not know the other two men and would not have been in a position to identify them.

Imposing sentence, Judge ODonnell accepted what happened was not pre-planned and had been conceived at short notice. He also noted submissions that the actions of Mr Nevin and Mr Griffin amounted to complete stupidity.

He said the defendants admissions and guilty pleas were significant but commented that their actions were an attempt to interfere with the justice system.

He sentenced Christopher McCormack to three years imprisonment  backdating the sentence to the date of his arrest.

Leon McNevin and Ciaran Griffin received three year sentences which were suspended in their entirety.LIMERICKS first Marks & Spencer could be shortly on the way, with the company reportedly close to signing a deal for a new premises.

With 100 stores set to close across the chain by 2022, the retailer has announced expansion plans for the Irish market which including launching a number of new premises here.

M&S is very close to agreeing to a new location for a store in Limerick that will include feature food and clothing, according to M&S country manager Ken Scully.

Any big population centres where we are not in at the moment, we would look at trying to get in, he told the Sunday Independent.

We want to grow the food business, we think theres a great opportunity here in Ireland, we think the Irish customers love our food so it's a question of getting the right number of stores and getting them as quickly as we can.

"We will continue to lower prices across our range to become more relevant to more customers and enable them to enjoy our fantastic food," Mr Scully said.

M&S also has plans for a new store in Waterford and several new openings are being targeted, he added.

At this time, it is unclear where the Limerick store will be located.

Planning documents previously submitted by the developers behind the Castletroy SC expansion plan had namechecked Marks & Spencers in its planning application.

There was also hopes previously that the Horizon Valley site on the Dublin Road would house Limericks first M&S.PATIENCE is a virtue, they say, but when youre waiting with your medical card for a cataract consultation at University Hospital Limerick, your virtue is tested to the limit  especially on a week that starts with a bank holiday.

You need the stamina and endurance of Hillary and Tenzing to just hang on in there and if youre not careful youll start hallucinating just as you would without your gas mask on the rarefied heights of Everest.

No, Ive never climbed any mountain higher than Keeper Hill, and my only brush with altitude sickness was when I once found myself paralysed with fear on top of Sears Tower in Chicago. But last week I sat for over four hours in a corridor in the ophthalmic department at the Regional where my husband was waiting to have his cataracts assessed with a view to surgery. There were 60 other patients there that day, I was told, and whether they all had cataracts or not I dont know, but I cant for the life of me understand why they were all called for around the same time on the same day.

Many of the people waiting in the corridors had, like my husband, been waiting for more than two years to get that far. Most of them were elderly  as cataract sufferers usually are  and for all of them, this last lap was the hardest  just sitting there on a hard chair for hours waiting to be seen.

Suddenly, the two years began to feel like a walk in the park.

I was just the driver in this case, but I was stuck there like everyone else, believing that he could be called at any minute. Beside me, a lady from Loop Head was the epitome of fortitude even after four hours waiting, but she was a bit concerned about her son who had to drive her back to the most westerly point of the region. A man in his eighties on the other side was worried about driving home when darkness fell, and a woman across the way got a cramp in her leg from sitting for so long and was fretting about catching the train back to Thurles from where she was getting a lift to her home 13 miles further on. The ironic thing is that there are perfectly good hospitals in Ennis and Nenagh and it would hardly upset HSEs grand plan of excellence to provide a cataract consultation point in each of them so that elderly people wouldnt have to travel such long distances to be seen. I mean, its not rocket science, is it?

It would of course entail an ophthalmologist making a few extra trips to the outback to assess the patients, but that would be infinitely better than dragging 60 people to the Regional from far flung regions like Loop Head.

Now Im told that hundreds of cataract operations are due to be performed in Nenagh Hospital before Christmas. God, I hope the HSE doesnt plan to do them all on the one day or there wont be standing room in the corridor. Seriously though, if they can do this why couldnt they all have been assessed there too?

What impressed me most in the ophthalmic department was the stoicism displayed by those waiting in the corridor. Im afraid I succumbed to something like altitude sickness after three hours and started ranting and raving about the evils of the two tier health system, even though Ive indulged in private health cover myself. Hubby was mortified and so was everyone around me, fearing that theyd all be sent back to the Atlantic coast without being seen or have needles stuck in their eyes for rebellion by association. One woman, inspired by my example no doubt, vowed that she was going to ring Joe Duffy in the morning  if she got home in time

A nurse brought me a complaint form to fill in so that I could have my say quietly without upsetting the whole corridor. But you had to be a patient to make a complaint and, for best results, you were advised to allow HSE officials access to your confidential medical records. I was only the driver.

It was one of the biggest eye clinics this year, the nurse told me, and to cap it all they had lost a day that week with the bank holiday. On top of all that they were down a doctor and the nurse manager was off. Then why the hell didnt they let us know in advance and we could have brought some sustenance? They had advised us that they would review each case as close to the appointment times as possible. Please do not arrive too early, they said, as this will lead to increased waiting time for you and put additional pressure on the limited waiting areas and limited car parking facilities.

Dont get me wrong, I salute the fortitude of those who waited patiently, but Id prefer if they had kicked up an almighty rumpus. Some of them remained in their seats at the very end of the corridor where they couldnt even hear their names being called out after the office staff had signed off for the day at 5.30.

This led to more delays as the Ophthalmologist had to come out of his rooms and walk the corridor calling out names. When he politely asked them to come down to the empty seats beside his room, where they could heard the names being called, they said that they were comfortable where they were.

You couldnt make it up. Next time, were going to bring sleeping bags and flasks of tea and make a night of it.CHICAGO  Pneumonia caused by bacterial infections poses a much greater threat to the heart than pneumonia caused by viral infections, a new study suggests.

Patients in the study who were diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or death, compared with patients diagnosed with viral pneumonia, the researchers found.

The findings were presented here today (Nov. 11) at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions annual meeting. The study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. [27 Devastating Infectious Diseases]

Both bacteria and viruses can cause pneumonia, an infection characterized by inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs.

In the study, the researchers looked at data from 2007 to 2014 on around 4,800 patients at a Utah hospital who had been diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized. Around 80 percent of the patients had been diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. The researchers then looked at data on those patients for the 90 days following their diagnosis, noting which patients experienced heart attack, stroke, heart failure or death. (The researchers tracked the patients for 90 days because previous research has shown that the risk of these complications is increased for 90 days following a pneumonia diagnosis.)

The researchers found that 34 percent of the patients with bacterial pneumonia had a major heart complication within that 90-day window, compared with 26 percent of the patients diagnosed with viral pneumonia.

So, why might the bacterial version pose a greater threat to the heart? This difference is most likely because bacterial pneumonia causes more inflammation in the arteries  a risk factor for heart disease  than viral pneumonia does, said senior author Dr. Joseph Brent Muhlestein, a cardiologist at Intermountain Heart institute in Utah.

Bacteria and viruses infect the body in different ways, Muhlestein told Live Science: Viruses make their way into cells and cause damage, while bacteria stay outside the cells and release toxins into the bloodstream. The latter mechanism causes more inflammation in the blood, which can cause damage to the linings of the arteries.

What's more, bacterial pneumonias often times cause higher fevers, higher levels of inflammation markers in the blood and high white blood cell counts, Muhlestein said. (High white blood cell counts indicate that the body is fighting an infection.) But even so, the symptoms of viral and bacterial pneumonias are not all that different  and most of the time doctors assume the infection is bacterial and start treating the patient with antibiotics, he added.

Still, Muhlestein noted that he was surprised by the findings. Previous research had shown that people with underlying health conditions who get a flu shot are much less likely to have a heart attack in the following year compared with those who don't get a flu shot. "So in my mind, I was thinking, well, it may be that viral infections [such as the] flu [are] worse for a cardiac complication than bacterial infections  but that's not what we found."

In any case, "if you're sick, you should go to the doctor," he said. Indeed, the study found that "people who got viral pneumonia still had heart complications  just not as many" as people with bacterial pneumonia.

Muhlestein said that he also recommends that doctors prescribe antibiotics to patients who are old and and have underlying health problems, even if they think the infection is viral. That's because these individuals have weaker immune systems, and may easily develop a bacterial infection that can progress to pneumonia, he said.

Originally published on Live Science.As winds push smoke from the Camp Fire to the south, air quality in the Bay Area is expected to worsen Monday.

Ryan Walbrun, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service for the Bay Area, said he expects smoke concentration levels in the air to be high in those areas through at least Monday.

The forecast depends on the behavior of the Camp Fire  high winds peaking in Butte County on Sunday could cause the blaze to spread to the south.

A lot of the active heat is south of Paradise now, Walbrun said. Its moving in the direction toward Oroville but still well outside of it at this time.

Low visibility caused by the smoke led to flight delays Sunday at San Francisco International Airport, said Chris Morgan, an airport spokesman.

The FAA implemented two Ground Delay Programs, which limit the number of arrivals an airport can accept in a given time. The first started at 9 a.m. and ended at 3 p.m., and another ran from 6:30 p.m. until midnight. Two cancellations were reported by Sunday evening, plus 202 delays, averaging about 35 minutes, said Airport Duty Manager Maria Buyco. She added that its unclear whether all were caused by the ground delay program.

The local air quality index of 156 is unhealthy and can exacerbate conditions for those with heart and lung diseases. Officials at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District recommend residents stay inside, keep windows and doors closed, and avoid exercising outside.

Todd Trumbull

A winter Spare the Air alert is also in effect, banning residents from burning wood indoors or outdoors.

Even short-term exposure to fine particles can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm and wheezing, according to the California Department of Public Health. The department warns that surgical masks, dust masks, bandannas or other face coverings do not offer protection from particle pollution. For adults, N95 or P100 masks are recommended.

Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @ashleynmcbDavid Burkett was a longtime teacher  at Trinity University and San Antonio College, where he taught communications; with the Air Force, where he taught management classes; and at Christ Lutheran Church, where he taught the lectors to speak with poise and presence.

In his introductory journalism classes, he imparted more than just basic reporting skills. He taught students to see their own potential, to exceed their expectations and to be curious.

He was transformative for me, said Brad Winters, who met Burkett as a freshman at Trinity in 1974 and later joined the fraternity that Burkett advised. In my mind, he was the perfect teacher.

Burkett, a Pennsylvania native who made San Antonio his home, died Nov. 4 after battling health issues for several years. He was 84.

After graduating from Northwestern University with bachelors and masters degrees in journalism, he came here with the Air Force, said his wife, Lynnell Burkett. He remained in the Air Force Reserve after active duty, ultimately retiring with 30 years of military service.

Throughout his career, he just loved teaching, his wife said.

He never pushed, he always pulled, said Winters, describing Burketts style of constantly asking questions, prompting students to find the answers rather than feeding them information. He was able to get the best from everybody and able to help you see that it wasnt even close to your best.

David Burkett Born: July 7, 1934 Died: Nov. 4, 2018 Preceded by: A brother, Lynn Burkett. Survived by: His wife Lynnell Burkett; sister-in-law Martha Burkett; niece Susan Burkett Proctor and husband Dave; nephew John David Burkett, wife Vicki and their children, Ashley and Ryan. Services: A memorial service will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 6720 Broadway. See More Collapse

After leaving Trinity in the 1980s, he led training sessions for the Air Force, focused on helping managers communicate more effectively.

He would be lecturing eight hours a day, all week long, and hed lose his voice at the end of the week, Lynnell Burkett recalled. When doctors told him he was going to wreck his voice, he quit, she said, but he kept teaching part time for as long as he could.

He taught until he was 76, she said.

At SAC, he asked his advertising students to create a campaign as their final exam for the class, and he inspired his ragtag teams to brilliant creativity, said Jan Norris, a longtime friend who helped judge the classes competitions. How he turned these sundry students into creative geniuses amazed me and often surprised David. He was a gifted teacher and motivator.

Off the job, Burkett found ways to guide and mentor young people as well, training lectors at church to be a presence, Pastor Steve Rode said.

When Rode asked him to lead youth retreats, Burkett objected, because retreats meant going backwards, Rode recalled. Instead, he took the youngsters on what he called advances.

David and Lynnell Burkett traveled to Hawaii every year, visiting Lanai, the smallest inhabited island, and exploring other parts of the state. They also made an annual fall trip to Vermont, making friends in both places.

Once known for his elegant suits and sport coats, bright silk ties and fine Italian leather shoes, he later swapped those for an island-inspired look: shorts, sandals and an enviable collection of Hawaiian shirts, Norris said.

The couple loved beagles and had a whole series of them over the years, along with cats who just showed up at the door and moved in, Lynnell Burkett said.

David Burkett was an avid runner, an inveterate listener and a constant learner, friends said. Rode called him a snappy dresser, and a devoted church man. He was a true friend, a lusty eater, lavish tipper, a robust lover of life, Norris said.

He could go from one of the guys to your conscience in a second, said Winters, who recalled Burketts sense of humor along with his high expectations for his students. It wouldnt occur to you to give him anything other than your best effort.

If youre lucky, I guess, you have that teacher in your life somewhere who really makes a difference, he said. He was the teacher who helped young men and women in college see their own potential.

Lteitz@express-news.net | @LizTeitzIn 1968, Latinos in Texas and elsewhere attended low-performing segregated schools. They lagged in educational attainment, in income and in a variety of other important economic indicators.

Its 2018. In Texas and elsewhere, Latinos attend segregated  and underfunded  public schools, albeit not because of official edict. Now, its for reasons that include low-income and high-income residential patterns.

Whatever the reasons, the outcomes are the same.

To wit: According to the U.S. Census, in 2016, 21.4 percent of Latinos were at or below the poverty line, compared to 9.1 percent of whites. Just over 16 percent of Latinos lacked health insurance; that figure was 6.7 percent for whites. Just over 31 percent of Latinos lacked a high school diploma, but it was 6.2 percent for whites. The percentage of Latinos with a bachelors degree or more in 2016 was 16.4 percent, for whites, 37.3 percent.

No doubt Latinos have made economic and educational strides since 1968, when the Chicano movement decrying lack of civil rights reached crescendo pitch. And, yet, even cursory observation will reveal that where inequities exist today, Latinos are still holding the short end.

This is why its so fitting that 50 years after a landmark meeting of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission in San Antonio at what was then-Our Lady of the Lake College, another gathering will examine what progress has been made. That confab is 50 years later  Holding Up the Mirror. This will occur Thursday through Saturday at Our Lady of the Lake University.

What will come out of that gathering of community activists and other experts is a new set of recommendations for fixing what inequities exist.

We applaud this effort and urge community backing.

In 1968, one big issue was that Latinos were not mentioned prominently in the civil rights discussion. That meeting 50 years ago made clear that the same Jim Crow policies that kept black Americans down did the same in many of the same ways for Mexican-Americans in the Southwest.

While the cruder aspects of Jim Crow have been dismantled, the inequities persist. Moreover, other assaults on voting rights in Texas and elsewhere  including gerrymandering  are still serious discriminators.

Its is good that this group will hold up the mirror. Its a mirror that society as a whole would do well to look into. Helping Mexican-Americans advance, specifically in the Southwest, and helping Latinos nationwide is crucial. They will become the largest plurality in the country.

We are confident these recommendations will be worth heeding, particularly in the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature.A pair of boxer dogsnamed Ace and Artie, who received the veterinary treatment and rehabilitation they desperately required at the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Co Longford, have been adopted together and are settled into their perfect new home.

An ISPCA Inspector rescued the dogs from horrendous condition on a Kildare property in January 2017.

Ace, the older dog, took a bit longer to relax but now is a lovely family pet, said the dogs adopter, Jim. Artie has always been a bit more energetic, and needed to learn how to settle a bit. Now they are both in great form, and doing incredibly well.

Ace and Artie love getting out for walks, and are extremely friendly around people. The two dogs are inseparable after all they have gone through, and depend on one another in their new home.

They miss each other terribly if one is away at the vet, said Jim.

They always have a big, doggy welcome when Jim comes home, and even talk to him sometimes. He describes them as a wonderful contribution to the family.

Earlier this week a man was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and fined 5,000 after being convicted of animal cruelty offences against Ace and Artie.

Also read: Debut album in the works for Longford's Brave Giant in 2019

The case originated after an ISPCA Inspector visited a Co Kildare property in January 2017 and discovered Ace and Artie in an extremely poor physical state and living in deplorable conditions.

The ISPCA immediately seized both dogs and transported them to the National Animal Centre in Co Longford where they received the veterinary treatment and rehabilitation they desperately required. The dogs were extremely emaciated and upon examination a vet confirmed that they were suffering from severe malnutrition with their ribs and vertebrae visibly protruding.

Ace had lesions along its back and hind legs, severely overgrown nails, and the tip of his tail had been damaged and was bleeding intermittently. Artie had dark discharge and scabs on its ears, its teeth were worn down and there was also evidence of chronic gingivitis.

Veterinary Surgeon Ann Neville outlined the condition of the dogs to the court, describing the animals as near death. Photographs taken at the time were handed into the court for consideration by the Judge.

Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed two consecutive four-month terms of imprisonment (eight months in total) and fined Mr Cross a total of 5,000 with twelve months to pay. He also awarded the costs of the investigation in the sum of 2,400, including veterinary costs, to the Minister.

ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling said: The conditions these dogs were kept in was simply shocking. There is no excuse and failure to provide the basic level of care for these dogs was just not acceptable and will not be tolerated. The ISPCA and we will do all that we can to improve the welfare for all animals in Ireland and members of the public should continue to report animal welfare concerns to the ISPCA by contacting the National Animal Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515 or report cruelty online in confidence.

Ace and Artie made a full recovery in ISPCA care before they went to their new home.

This is one of a number of cases involving the cooperation between the ISPCA and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The ISPCA would like to remind pet owners of their legal responsibility to provide for the welfare needs of the animals in their care under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

If you can support the ISPCA by making a regular donation, please visit their website here.A Polish man who kicked a garda patrol car during an early morning drink fuelled incident in Granard has been warned to have very deep pockets when the case returns before the District Court next year.

Patrick Prusak (30) of 27 Cnoc Na Greine, Granard pleaded guilty at a recent sitting of Longford District Court to damaging the wing mirror of a garda patrol car on October 14 2018 at Main Street, Gramard contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

Sgt Paddy McGirl said gardai had been alerted to an incident at around 4:15am.

He said three individuals had been sighted leaving a pub in an extremely intoxicated state.

Once outside and when gardai arrived, Sgt McGirl said the atmosphere took on a more abusive and aggressive tone which ultimately led the accused to kick out at the wing mirror of a parked garda patrol car.

Sgt McGirl said despite Mr Prusaks outburst, no damage was caused to the vehicle prior to his arrest and transferral to Granard Garda Station.

Defending, solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client had been residing in Ireland for the past two years and went to try and apologise for his actions the next day.

She also read from a note which Mr Prusak had penned which revealed how the incident had unfolded after he had attended a friends party.

Im sorry, so sorry, read the note.

I would like to apologise, I have never been in court before.

When the discussion turned towards what monetary reimbursement might be proffered to the court on behalf of the accused, Ms Mimnagh said her client was presently employed in local firm Pat the Bakers and took home 345 a week.

She also added he was a father of two children and was soon expected to become a parent for a third time.

Notwithstanding those admissions, Judge Hughes took a more hostile view, commenting: He has a great time in Granard, being able to saunter home at 4:15am in the morning. He has plenty of money.

The judge also called into question Mr Prusaks actions on the night as he ruled out the prospect of an adjournment until January when it was intimated the defendant would be in a position to hand in 500.

It shows you the level of respect he had for our Irish police force, raged Judge Hughes.

His pockets will have to be very deep.

He has plenty of friends (to borrow money from) and can pay them back at his leisure.

I dont have the patience to wait as long as you can, he told Ms Mimnagh, as he warned Mr Prusak he would be looking for at least double the 500 which had been suggested earlier.

He will have to have 1,000 in February, otherwise he will go to prison, Judge Hughes maintained.

The case is expected to resume on February 15 2019, with the 1,000 in compensation earmarked for Granard Gardais Social Fund.A Co Longford teenager who, together with two other co accused defendants, carried out a string of thefts across north Longford has been told to return to court in the new year with compensation money.

Corey Leonard (19), of Esker, Longford, appeared at a recent Longford District Court sitting after pleading guilty to six counts of theft and attempted theft charges between April and May of this year.

At the outset of the case, defence solicitor Frank Gearty said his client had previously submitted a guilty plea on May 18 2018 over the alleged incidents which amounted to 1,050 in total.

After handing in that sum, Mr Gearty said: This was a serious case. There were a series of thefts with other people. He (Mr Leonard) put forward a very good position on May 18 by giving you the most categorical assurances as to the way he had changed his life.

The court was told nearly all of the incidents involved the targeting of batteries from diggers while a further break-in took place at Fr Manning Gaels GAA grounds.

The first of the incidents Mr Leonard was charged with occurred on a date unknown between March 31 and April 2 at Lettergullion, Drumlish which resulted in the theft of two digger batteries valued at 200.

During the same time period, this time at Aughadowry, Ballinamuck, Longford, where an attempt was made to steal two other digger batteries.

Mr Corey was also charged with the theft of a teleporter battery at Esker, Ballinalee on April 25 2018.

Five days later, the Longford teenager was charged with entering the grounds of Fr Manning Gaels GAA Club as a trespasser under Section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

During the course of that incident, the court heard of how a sledgehammer valued at 50 was taken from the clubs gym.

However, it was during the course of a further attempted theft at a quarry the following week that Mr Corey and two other individuals were spotted by a pair of quick thinking neighbours aboard an excavator.

Garda evidence heard how one of the men took a picture of the car Mr Corey and his two fellow assailants had been travelling in while the other approached the trio who were still aboard the excavator.

As the man approached, the court was told that a number of stones were thrown in his direction as all three ran off in different directions across fields.

A car chase consequently ensued which led to a dangerous driving charge also being levelled against the accused.

In the midst of the chase, Judge Hughes was informed that Mr Corey, who was driving the car, forced an oncoming motorist to mount a ditch after driving at speeds of up to 70 m/per hour down a narrow road.

Moments later, the car, which was still being pursued by a member of the public, carried on along a minor road before proceeding straight through a stop sign.

A short distance away, the car stopped with the quick-witted pursuing motorist pulling in behind.

At that point, the court heard details of how the getaway car was suddenly put into reverse, causing the member of the public to also take evasive action by similarly reversing.

It was a manoeuvre which resulted in the mans vehicle becoming stuck in a drain, allowing Mr Corey to drive off and make good his escape.

The vehicle was later identified thanks to the photographic images which had been taken prior to the chase taking place, Judge Hughes heard.

In defence, Mr Gearty said Mr Corey was very much aware of his culpability and had given a very full admission from the off.

In reinforcing the point of Mr Coreys early plea, Mr Gearty said on his previous court appearance his father was in court where an undertaking was made which involved his client relocating to an apartment in Dublin for work related purposes.

Mr Gearty said it was a pledge which had been followed through on with Mr Corey presently working in the fireproofing industry, endeavours which had brought with it a very good reference.

Judge Hughes said he was reluctant to offer any final judgement on the case until he heard from the man who took off in pursuit of Mr Corey.

He also said he would be seeking compensation from the accused, ordering him to save 50 a week from his wages in the interim.

The case was consequently adjourned and is due to return before Judge Hughes on January 22, 2019.Clinical psychologist Patricia P. Martin and Helene De Montreux Houston, whose background is in psychiatric nursing, have authored their second book together - "Well-Come to Retirement: Thriving in Your Third Act."

The book, published Oct. 8 by NorlightsPress, looks at retirement based on eight different dimensions of wellness as highlighted in the stories of 40 retirees.

Martin, who is in private practice, regards wellness as a "dynamic process of change and growth."

"The eight dimensions of wellness are selected from various wellness definitions," Martin said.

"Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change and growth."

She added she and Houston wanted to "be as inclusive as possible" in their definition of wellness "to give every person the opportunity to choose what are their most relevant concepts of wellness."

Houston said the two "wrote the stories of the people in our book based on interviews with specific questions."

"Common themes were dealing with loss due to death, loss of a position, moves, concerns about finances and planning for the future," Houston said.

"A common thread was the importance of meaning and purpose in life."

Houston said selecting people for the book "was not difficult, keeping them to 40 was a challenge."

"We wanted to present people who our readers could relate to. None had perfect lives free of problems," Houston said.

"Overcoming of the challenges, reforming identity and finding meaning and purpose in life is what these wonderful people had in common and which we hoped to express and honor."

She added,"We asked the people in the book how they perceived retirement, what were their challenges and what advice did they have for people approaching retirement age or already retired."

Those interviewed include a well-known Pioneer Valley columnist and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court who was an associate justice on the court when Massachusetts became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

Houston, who is a registered nurse at the doctorate level, has a background in psychiatric nursing and counseling. The two previously authored "The Other Couch: Discovering Women's Wisdom in Therapy."

Martin is also the co-author with Renee Forte of "Liars, Cheats, and Creeps: Leaving the Sociopath Behind."

Martin holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Indiana's Purdue University. She is scheduled to give a talk about her latest book Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Storrs Library in Longmeadow. It is available on amazon.com.

The authors talk further here about what prompted their writing of "Well-Come to Retirement: Thriving in Your Third Act" and what they learned.

What inspired you to write this book?

Houston: In October 2015 Patricia and I were wrapping up the beautiful launch celebration of our first book together "The Other Couch Discovering Women's Wisdom in Therapy" and an attendee came up to me saying, "So, what are you going to write about next?"

The word "retirement" popped out of my mouth and the questioner immediately said, "Oh Wow, I'd read that, I'm going to be retiring in a few years."

I began to think about all the productive, creative, inspiring and generous "retired" people in my life and wondered, "What can we learn from them? How come some people thrive in retirement and others wither on the vine?"

Patricia and I started discussing these questions and determined that the eight dimensions of wellness - social, emotional, spiritual, occupational, creative, financial, physical, and intellectual - are the underpinnings of a successful "third act."

How did you come up with the title and who do you hope will read the book?

Martin: We believe that the "retirement years" can be years of joy and personal growth. Even though you may be dealing with physical and financial issues of aging, the retirement years can be your exciting and fulfilling "Third Act."

Our book title "Well-Come to Retirement: Thriving in Your Third Act" puts a positive spin on the process of aging and living in your final decades of life. The word "welcome" is changed to "Well-Come" to introduce the relevance of holistic wellness in the years ahead in retirement.

We hope our reading audience will be men and women from 50 years of age onward. However, this might be a useful book also for those under 50 as they begin to think about their retirement, or if they are trying to assist their parents in having a more complete life in their later years.

What we hope people will learn and ponder as they read this book is that the later years of life can be a very fulfilling time, if you understand what you can do to make it rewarding.

Even with the difficulties faced in aging, there are many opportunities for growth and engagement in the years ahead. We hope our book helps show the ways to fulfillment as you age.

How diverse are the women and men in the book?

Houston: The people whose stories we tell in our book range in age from early 60s to 99.

They live in Western Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York City, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Florida, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, California and Indiana.

Some are still working and many grew up with poverty.

It is in the telling of their stories that people of all ages will relate to the challenges, difficult decisions and losses of all kinds.

This is what makes the book ideal for folks who are just beginning to think of retirement planning and for those looking for inspiration in their own retirement life.

Could you name one or two Western Massachusetts people in the book and why you selected them as well as two from elsewhere?

Martin: Two renowned area people who allowed us to tell their stories of aging are 92-year-old Republican newspaper columnist Barbara Bernard, and 79-year-old Chief Justice John Greaney.

Both of these individuals demonstrate successful aging in many dimensions. They are great role models for us about how to choose living life as we age.

We have also selected people from other areas of the country to illustrate different dimensions of retirement.

One couple who allowed us to tell their story have retired to Sarasota, Florida. They were both "PIPs," previously important people with big executive jobs in New York City.

We address the issue of losing one's professional identity in retirement and how to cope with this.

Another story from outside the area is of a widow from Oxford, Mississippi.

In this story I talk about Kathy learning to live life after the untimely death of her 68-year-old husband, just as they started retirement. She describes her "five-year plan" which has helped her cope with the loss of her husband and attempt to develop a road-map ahead.

Any notable differences in the stories of men and women in terms of wellness?

Martin: Men and women face similar issues in retirement - how to stay healthy, how to socialize, how to find creative, fun outlets, how to stay engaged in purposeful activities, and how to financially manage.

I think that both men and women who have had rewarding careers will need to adjust to an identity shift.

Often, men who have not had social outlets or hobbies will need to find them in retirement.

What are they going to do with their extra free 40 hours a week when not "on the job?"

Frequently, I have found women who were "stay at home" say they have an adjustment transition when their husbands retire and feel their husbands are "attached at their hip."

They need to figure out how they are going to live together in the years ahead. Although many aspects of retirement are similar for men and women, there can be unique differences for all individuals and couples depending on their past work lives and leisure activity.

Was there much difference in terms of wellness between those who had prepared for retirement and those who had not?

Houston: Sometimes planning is not an option if retirement is thrust upon you because of illness, lay off, changing life circumstances.

A life-long pattern of social connectedness, financial awareness, and the development of values -- knowing what is most important and meaningful for you, seems to be key for a satisfying retirement and life.

How did most people do in terms of all eight markers looked at?

Martin: Most of the 40 people interviewed in our book had at least three or four of the eight markers of wellness incorporated into their retirement.

It was interesting to learn of the struggles and triumphs of the different individuals and couples. I think many of the interviewees gained insight about what they might want to add to their retirement by simply talking about what they do now.

Some said they were going to have to find more "fun," others said they needed more of a "purpose" and others were aware that exercise needed to be added to their daily routines.

Is there a pecking order so to speak to the wellnesses you selected or a common theme to thriving?

Houston: If there is to be a pecking order for the eight dimensions of wellness, I would have to vote for social connectedness and exercise.

Research has confirmed that social connectedness is the greatest predictor of long life. I just returned from the Psych Congress in Orlando which is an organization dedicated to mental health and wellness.

Time after time exercise was stressed and clinicians encouraged to literally prescribe it. Scientific research has found that regular exercise can have an antidepressant effect equal if not more than antidepressant medication.

Baby boomers seem to be redefining retirement but how much do you hear from people in your work about older people being stereotyped or the concept of retirement?

Martin: Baby boomers, people born between 1946 - 1964, are coming into retirement age and are about 25 percent of the U.S. population.

In my psychology practice I frequently work with people facing ageism, as well as issues related to retirement. The phrase "senior moment" is an example of negative stereotyping of seniors in that it describes mistakes or faults rather than acts of virtue or expressions of wisdom.

When Social Security was first introduced the average life span was 66; now the average life span is late 70s. So retiring at 65 may be too early for some people. Retirement is a personal choice and you need to decide what is right for you - when and how you retire.

Did your definition of wellness as the primary goal in retirement change in any way after interviewing these women and women and hearing their stories?

Martin: After interviewing and telling the stories of 40 people, it became clear to Helene and me that "wellness" is a very unique experience for every individual.

There is not a "one size fits all" for a fulfilling retirement.

It also became clear that one's attitude and belief that aging can be a time of vitality and integration will directly influence the type of retirement you can have.

Rather than dread and fear aging, these inspirational people show us through their life compositions how to live fully and "Thrive in Your Third Act."

This book tells of people who learned to re-engage and re-enter life with new purpose and meaning-people who feel ageless regardless of aging.

What are a few tips you offer people in the book in terms of preparing for retirement, and some tips for staying well in retirement?

Houston: There are many tips for preparing for retirement and staying well in the book.SPRINGFIELD - An apartment fire in Springfield's Brightwood neighborhood Friday night displaced four people and killed several pet turtles, officials said.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the blaze at 30 Clayton Street just after midnight, said Dennis Leger, spokesman for the Springfield Fire Department.

The fire appears to have started in the first floor kitchen and spread to the rest of the apartment, causing around $50,000 in damages.

The four occupants of the apartment escaped unharmed from the fire and are being assisted by Red Cross, said Leger.

The fire is under investigation by the Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad.

No further information has been released at this time.iStock/Thinkstock(PARIS) -- President Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined a host of world leaders at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday to mark the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I.



The two traveled separately from most of the rest of the leaders attending the ceremony, who met up first at the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron before making their way to the ceremony.



En route to the event, French police tackled two topless protesters who were sprinting toward the president's vehicle, "The Beast," but it was unclear whether the president and first lady were able to see them.



As their motorcade pulled up to the Arc in the pouring rain, church bells chimed across the city, marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the time of the cessation of hostilities in World War I.



There was a series of readings and songs memorializing the end of the First World War, with more than 60 leaders from countries around the world standing together before departing for a lunch together at the Elysee Palace.



During a speech in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, Macron delivered a direct rebuke of nationalism, warning the leaders gathered that a "fascination for withdrawal, isolationism" contributed to the events that caused the Great War.



"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism," Macron said. "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism."



Trump has recently brushed off criticism over identifying himself as a "nationalist," arguing that it's merely him advocating for putting "America first" in the actions he takes as president.



"By saying, Our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values," Macron said.



During his first and only extensive public remarks during his two-day trip at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, President Trump did not respond to Macron's comments, instead stressing French and American unity during World War I.



"The American and French patriots of World War I embody the timeless virtues of our two republics: honor and courage, strength and valor love and loyalty, grace and glory," Trump said. "It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago."



Russian President Vladimir Putin was in attendance at the lunch following the Arc de Triomphe ceremony, and Trump had said that if the two meet during their time here it would likely be for just a brief interaction at the palace.



Upon arriving at the Arc de Triomphe, Putin made his way over to Trump and the first lady and shook both of their hands. He also delivered a thumbs up before taking his spot on the risers alongside the other leaders.



Trump rankled some feathers in Paris on Friday when he decided to skip a memorial event at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. He cited the rain grounding his helicopter as the reason for canceling the visit.



Former Secretary of State John Kerry ripped the president on Twitter, saying, "Those veterans the president didnt bother to honor fought in the rain, in the mud, in the snow - & many died in trenches for the cause of freedom. Rain didnt stop them & it shouldnt have stopped an American president."



During his speech at the Suresnes Cemetery, the president joked with several World War II veterans in attendance who were sitting under a shelter as he spoke during a light rain.



"You look so comfortable up there under cover while we are getting drenched," Trump joked. "You're very smart people."



Trump called the cemetery visit the "highlight" of his trip. He is scheduled to arrive back in Washington Sunday evening.



Copyright  2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.A 54-year-old Lowell man faces drunken driving charges after he allegedly rear-ended a state trooper who was parked on the side of the highway in Andover with another woman he had just arrested in the backseat.

State police said Edison Martinez, who was driving a white Toyota SUV while under the influence, slammed into the back of a state police vehicle at about 3:10 a.m. on Interstate 93 at the ramp for Interstate 495. This is his third operating under the influence offense, Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Paul Sullivan said.

The trooper had just stopped and arrested 33-year-old Medina Pires for driving under the influence, Sullivan said, and the Methuen woman was sitting in the back of the state police SUV at the time of the crash.

They were waiting for a tow truck.

Both the trooper, who is not being identified, and Pires were taken to the hospital for minor injuries and released to the Andover barracks.

Martinez faces several charges including operating under the influence as a third offense, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and driving with a suspended license, Sullivan said.Massachusetts State Police arrested a person who rear-ended a trooper's SUV during a traffic stop in Andover early Sunday, WCVB reports.

Early Sunday morning the trooper pulled over a white Toyota SUV on Interstate 93 at the ramp for Interstate 495. The SUV then slammed into the back of the state police vehicle, the television station reports.

The person was arrested on the suspicion of operating under the influence. The trooper was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, WCVB reports.With two words, a Massachusetts couple reclaimed their wedding day.

"I do," Ashley and David Mellen said during an intimate second wedding at the Ocean House Restaurant in Dennis Port Saturday.

In mid-September, the Agawam couple were at the Red Jacket Inn in South Yarmouth. She was in her dress. He was in his tuxedo.

The magical day transformed into a nightmare situation for the couple whose love blossomed after meeting on an online dating website.

They learned their minister, a man who was named officiant of the year in a Rhode Island magazine, was never licensed to marry people in Massachusetts.

That man, James Stern, is also accused of stealing the credit card information from some of Ashley's bridesmaids.

The couple's wedding license expired and was never filed by Stern.

Already facing theft charges in Rhode Island, Stern now faces charges in Cape Cod in connection with his alleged actions at the Mellen wedding.

"It is a little weight off my shoulders now," Ashley said after the couple's second ceremony. "It feels nice to feel like it is official. I can now officially call him my husband."

David, with a smile on his face, said the couple made sure the second minister was licensed in Massachusetts.

The minister, Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Zielinski of Creative Weddings in Ludlow, loudly stated she was licensed in Massachusetts during the ceremony. She conducted the ceremony for free.

"We put the past behind us and are going to start fresh," Ashley said. "Having some of our close friends and family here, it is a nice way to start off the official marriage."

Getting married near the water was something the couple wanted to do, and they were certain to make that happen again.

"This is where our hearts are, the Cape. Getting married near the water is something that we had wanted to do," she said.

The couple, and their friends and family, joked about the situation.

"Round two," David said before the ceremony.

After the couple's first ceremony, they learned Stern never submitted the marriage license. They learned he wasn't licensed to marry anyone in Massachusetts.

Ashley then learned Stern was facing credit card theft charges in Rhode Island after his involvement in another wedding. He is also accused of stealing gift cards and identifications from YMCAs in Rhode Island.

Authorities say Stern stole the credit card information for two of Ashley's bridesmaids. He allegedly got into the bridal suite during the first ceremony and stole the information.

Yarmouth police obtained arrest warrants for Stern on charges of larceny of $1,200 by false pretense and impersonating a public official.

"During the ceremony, her bridal party had been provided with a locked room to store their belongings. Later that same evening, several bridesmaids reported the misuse of their credit cards," Yarmouth police said.

Stern remains in custody in Rhode Island. He has 51 entries on his criminal record in Massachusetts for similar crimes such as identity fraud, fraudulent use of a credit card, and related larceny charges dating back to June 1994. He is also wanted for burglary in New Jersey.

Ashley and David are ready to move on from the situation, but are keeping watch on the status of Stern's criminal cases.

"Dave, I never expected to be renewing our vows so soon, but they remain true to this day and will for many years to come," Ashley told her husband.

"I promise you that I will always be there for you in every way possible," David said as the sun began to set Saturday. "I promise to be there for you even on your toughest nights and to provide comfort whenever you need me."

The minister, as soon as the ceremony was over, assured the couple the marriage license would be submitted on time.There was a time when a popular phrase -- "As Maine goes, so goes the nation" -- reflected the Pine Tree State's penchant for favoring the winner in presidential elections.

Such status came crashing down in 1936, when only Maine and Vermont voted for Alf Landon, while Franklin D. Roosevelt swept the other 46 states. Since then, other states, most notably Ohio, have claimed status as a bellwether state.

Nowhere is the nation's current political divide more evident, though, than in Florida. For the second time in 18 years, the eyes of the nation are focused on how the Sunshine State runs its elections.

The third most populous state in the land is holding recounts to decide razor-close races for governor and United States Senate, and a third for agriculture commissioner, which is one of the state's three Cabinet seats.

Generally speaking, this would be cause for interest but not alarm. In 2018, however, the deepening mistrust between Democrats and Republicans is such that whichever side loses the recount, there will almost assuredly be cries of foul play in the election.

True to form, President Trump has jumped into elections that are not his to administrate, fanning the flames of resentment and anger. Trump's tweet was: "Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!" - a 12-word bombast punctuated by capital letters and exclamation points, exposing the president's fear that bellowing by tweet alone would not be sufficient get his point across.

America can survive Democratic, Republican or bipartisan government. It cannot survive a total breakdown of trust in the process of selecting that government. When that happens, our democracy is no better than the Third World governments we have observed with disdain (and lectured) for the past 100 years or more.

Florida has been there before, as any student of recent history knows. One day after the U.S. Supreme Court had barely upheld the results of Florida's 2000 presidential vote, Albert Gore conceded the Florida vote (and with it, the presidential election) to George W. Bush.

Supporters urged Gore to continue contesting the result by any means possible, but there seemed no avenue for that. Even Gore knew the stalemate was paralyzing the country, so he acknowledged defeat.

The decisions remain bitter and controversial to many Democrats to this day, but it was accepted and the nation moved on. With Florida once again in the spotlight as a huge state (21 million people) with a virtually dead-even party split, the uneasy feeling exists that the losing sides in the recount will not be so willing to concede their defeat.

The danger is not about violence, but about mood. The most important time to trust the election process is not when one side dominates but when the outcome is very, very close.

Around the nation and not just in Florida, more Americans are becoming more and more suspicious, not just of the opposing candidates but in the execution of the election itself.

One bill or law does not destroy a republic. A set of policies can damage a country but not cause its downfall.

As Republicans and Democrats abandon the belief that they hold different ideas but are all working for America, the biggest danger to our democracy is being exposed in a more subtle way. A loss of trust in each other and in ourselves can bring the republic to its knees in a way no outside enemy or policy crisis can.

Who wins the recounts in Florida will be less revealing than the reactions following the final results. If suspicion and mistrust poisons the outcome of every hotly contested election, it won't matter much who wins and loses, because ultimately, we will all lose.

When that happens, the system we have cherished for 230 years - and held up as an example for others - will collapse under that loss of faith. If that sounds like alarmist thinking, it's only because the danger is great enough to be cause for alarm before it occurs.We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world

For over 130 years, Merck (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada) has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the worlds most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives.

We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships.

Today, we continue to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals  including cancer, infectious diseases, such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases.Xem them

...

Tin bai cuoi cung

Khong con du lieu e loadYOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Air Force officials have identified an airman stabbed to death Friday outside the home of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo.

Master Sgt. Nicholas Vollweiler, 35, was stabbed with a knife at his home just outside Yokota's east gate in the city of Tachikawa and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, multiple Japanese media reports said.

Vollweiler was assigned to the 374th Security Forces Squadron, according to an Air Force statement issued Sunday.

A woman identifying herself as Aria Saito, 27, an office worker from Tokyo's Koto ward, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesman said. Police were expected to upgrade the charge to murder.

"I stabbed a man I was dating with a knife, aiming at his right neck," Saito told investigators, according to Japanese broadcaster TBS. She also said the incident happened after "break up talk got complicated."

Col. Otis Jones, 374th Airlift Wing commander, called Vollweiler "a truly valued airman" who will be "dearly missed by our community."

"His family, friends, fellow defenders, and all of the Yokota community are in our prayers during this heartbreaking time," Jones said in the Air Force statement.

Pennsylvania television station WNEP reported that Vollweiler was a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in the Poconos. His cousin, Lou Romeo, a photographer with the station, described him as a hero in the report.

"The first day he put on that uniform, he knew what he wanted to do," Romeo said. "I regret not facing him one-on-one and looking in his eye and shaking his hand and saying thank you for serving and protecting us."

The Air Force will continue to work with Japanese police to investigate Vollweiler's death, the Air Force statement said.After more than a year of discussion, the U.S. Army announced Sunday that it has adopted a version of the World War II pinks and greens uniform as the service's new everyday dress uniform.

By 2028, the "Army Greens" will become the "everyday business-wear uniform for all soldiers," according to a Veterans Day Army news release.

"This is the uniform worn by America's 'Greatest Generation' in World War II," the release states.

Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey unveiled the first prototypes of the two-tone uniform in October 2017 at the Association of the United States Army's annual meeting.

In November of that same year, Dailey said the final version of the uniform would be a historically accurate representation of the uniform Gen. George C. Marshall wore as the chief of staff of the Army during WWII. It will feature a belted jacket, khaki shirt and brown leather shoes for men.

Female soldiers will have the option to wear versions with a skirt or pants, and will also have additional shoe options, today's release states.

The adoption of the Army Greens is the second major dress uniform change in less than a decade. The service retired its dress green uniform after 61 years of service in 2014, and replaced it with a version of the Army dress blue uniform, which became the Army Service Uniform.

The ASU will "return to being a formal dress uniform" for soldiers, the release states.

The announcement did not discuss the specific cost associated with the new Army Greens except to say it will be "cost-neutral for enlisted soldiers, who will be able to purchase them with their annual clothing allowance."

Commissioned officers typically receive a one-time clothing allowance at the start of their career.

"The Army Greens will be fielded to soldiers reporting to their first units as early as the summer of 2020," the release states. "The mandatory wear date for all soldiers will be 2028."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.China's Sub Force Is Growing More Powerful. This Is What the US Navy Needs to Do to Stay AheadSCIO TOWNSHIP, MI - A rare bird sighting just west of Ann Arbor has lured hundreds of bird watchers from all over the Midwest to Scio Township to view it and take photographs.

Since Nov. 2, a spotted redshank, nicknamed the "spotshank" by the birding community, has been frequenting the ponds at the corner of Scio Church and Parker roads. Word of the rare shorebird was shared through the American Birding Association Rare Bird Alert, a Facebook group where people report bird sightings.

The spotshank was observed among a group of shorebirds common to Michigan, including killdeer and greater yellowlegs, said Ann Arbor resident and seasoned birder Dan Ezekiel.

"It was an unusual, but very cool sight to see," Ezekiel said. "People came from all over to see this bird, so it was like a fun gathering for the birding community. At one point I'd say there were about 100 people out there with binoculars and cameras."

Chicago ornithologist Sullivan Gibson, who regularly hosts bird tours on Saint Paul Island in Alaska, drove four hours from Illinois to catch a glimpse of the spotshank.

In his 10 years of bird watching, Gibson had yet to see a spotted redshank until last weekend.

"This particular bird is a Eurasian shorebird, so it's extremely rare to see one on this continent, let alone all the way out in Michigan," Gibson said. "It's a bird we can get sometimes on Saint Paul Island, since Alaska is closer to that hemisphere, but I still haven't spotted one out there yet.

"Ironically enough, one turns up in Ann Arbor while I'm back home in Chicago. A fellow birder friend made the trip with me, but it was definitely a sight I would have ventured out to see alone if I had to."

During summer plumage, spotted redshanks are almost entirely black, Gibson said. In the winter, the birds have gray backs and white underneath their bellies and wings.

This is second record sighting of a spotted redshank in Michigan and one of only a handful of recent records in North America, according to the American Birding Association. Previous sightings of the species in Michigan were recorded in 1976 in Monroe County.

The last few North American records of spotted redshank occurred once in 2013 in Indiana, in Alaska and Washington in 2014, and most recently in 2015 in Washington D.C., according to the ABA.

"It's impossible to tell what direction this bird came from and how it ended up on the wrong continent," Gibson said. "Changes in weather patterns could be a factor, but it also could be as simple as the bird just isn't wired right in the head. Either way, it's a very unique experience for birders in North America to come across one."ANN ARBOR, MI - His business was robbed, but he keeps on pedaling.

Four men riding in a Boober Tours bicycle taxi on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor pulled a gun and took money from the driver at 2 a.m. the day after Halloween, police said.

But Boober Tours owner Kevin Spangler said he'd hire the armed robbery suspects if they needed a job.

"I think forgiveness is important," Spangler said. "I'd give them a chance to work for Boober Tours if they need a second-chance job. We're all about helping people. They might have their own problems they're going through. Don't hold resentment for anybody. Pray for them to be happy, healthy and wealthy."

Forgiveness is a formative force for Spangler, an alcoholic and drug addict who's now in recovery. The Manchester native was in and out of jail for 15 years, as he racked up a handful of DUI convictions.

Now three years since his last stint in jail, Spangler, 36, is focused on growing his pedicab business, spending time with his toddler son and giving others the same type of second chance he found.

Setting new goals

Every time Spangler went to jail, he would make lists of ways to improve his life.

He developed a "100 reasons" system, which helped him stop drinking and doing drugs. A Buddhist, Spangler listed spiritual, relationship, career and financial goals for himself.

One of the goals was to buy a pedicab.

Spangler was facing homelessness and trouble finding a job due to his criminal record when he got out of jail in November 2015.

Motivated by wanting to support his newborn son, he worked four jobs - washing dishes at restaurants, doing maintenance and construction work and selling Groundcover News - while he lived at the Delonis Center for three months.

Eventually, he saved enough to rent a room and bought a pedicab in February 2016 to launch Boober Tours.

The name of his business is inspired by the Fraggle Rock character Boober, who is the same seafoam green color as Spangler's first pedicab. Boober also can refer to the world's best boyfriend or someone who is a provider and protector, which resonated with Spangler.

Today, he has grown Boober Tours to 20 pedicabs and employs 30 to 40 drivers who pedal people around downtown Ann Arbor, often giving rides to bar patrons and people headed to Michigan Stadium on game days.

Spangler, who's 6 foot, 5 inches tall and sometimes dresses in costumes when he's driving the pedicab, is a memorable presence downtown.

He's open to hiring pedicab drivers who have criminal records, struggle with addiction or have been homeless. And he teaches his employees the same goal-setting system that has helped him stay sober and turn his life around.

"Focusing on the positive is really the most important thing," he said. "If you focus on the negative, you actually get more negative."

In the October edition of Groundcover News, a nonprofit publication that elevates the voices of low-income people, one of Spangler's employees wrote about how working for Boober Tours changed her life.

"He isn't just a boss that sits around and barks orders," Lyndsey Collier wrote. "He's our friend and a huge inspiration to us all here. Finally, I feel like I can actually be totally clean and sober."

The pedicabs run from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. in Ann Arbor every day, year-round. Drivers average six to 14 cab rides a day.

Trips are free, though riders are encouraged to tip their driver. Spangler collects 30 percent of each driver's tips from their shift, up to $50, and he invests most of the money back into the business.

"I wanted everyone to be able to ride. ... Just to be on the pedicab actually brightens people's day. It heals people," Spangler said. "When people get off the cab they're smiling."

'A ripple effect'

Spangler's next goal is to expand Boober Tours to Ypsilanti, where the pedicabs have offered rides during First Friday activities in the past.

He thinks there's a need for low-cost transportation in Ypsilanti on nights and weekends when Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority buses aren't running as often.

"My main purpose to be in Ypsilanti is safe transit home for Ann Arbor workers, safe rides home from bars and to create second-chance jobs," he said.

To that end, Spangler is planning to apply to Pitch Ypsi, an entrepreneurial competition that awards grants to local businesses in the concept phase, just getting started or looking to expand.

Spangler applied to Pitch Ypsi in 2017, but he wasn't accepted as a finalist. Still, he shared on the Boober Tours Facebook page that he had applied for the competition, and an anonymous donor gave the business $5,000.

Ann Arbor's Trinity Lutheran Church also recently donated $3,000 to Boober Tours, which allowed Spangler to purchase two more pedicabs.

He finds encouragement in the community support and hearing from people he has inspired to pursue their goals.

"I'm trying to live a different type of consciousness to help as many people around me and lead by example," Spangler said. "I just think there's a ripple effect - the more people who care about each other and care about the planet, the more we'll raise our vibration into a new reality."

MLive/The Ann Arbor News Reporter Dana Afana contributed to this story.ANN ARBOR, MI - It takes up only 1,200 square feet, but Common Language Bookstore holds a big place in the hearts of Ann Arbor's LGBTQ community.

Shelves in the bookstore on Braun Court in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown neighborhood are filled with gay and lesbian fiction, books on women's studies and LGBT classics. Duke, a 15-year-old border collie, greets customers and naps beside the books.

Keith Orr and Martin Contreras, who have been together for 32 years and owned Common Language since 2003, announced Saturday, Nov. 3, the store will close at the end of the year due to persistently low sales.

Common Language is one of about a dozen independent LGBTQ bookstores left in the country. Its closure has broader ramifications for the future of Braun Court, which has been considered a safe haven for the LGBTQ community in Ann Arbor for decades.

Orr and Contreras own the three houses-turned-commercial space that house Common Language Bookstore, autBar and the Jim Toy Community Center.

As they close the bookstore and prepare for retirement, the couple is looking to sell the buildings - which leaves the future of the gay bar and community center up in the air.

"We created a little gay center here. ... There's definitely a sense that (Kerrytown) is the LGBT neighborhood of downtown Ann Arbor," Orr said. "I don't know how that's going to change over the years, but change happens."

'Braun Court feels like home'

Strands of twinkling lights, rainbow flags and outdoor seating shaded by two trees fill the center of Braun Court, lined on each side by houses converted into businesses.

"That whole area is a great little oasis," said author David Pratt, who moved to Ann Arbor in 2015 and has done events at Common Language. "Ann Arbor is very liberal, but I really feel like I can breath when I'm there."

Contreras and his mother opened a Mexican restaurant at 315 Braun Court in 1986, and in 1995, he turned it into autBar, which remains a popular gay bar and restaurant that also hosts community events.

In 1997, the Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project - later renamed the Jim Toy Community Center - moved two doors down from autBar, and Common Language Bookstore eventually moved in between the two businesses.

Travis Radina, president of the board of directors for the Jim Toy Community Center, said the center is evaluating its options as the building is put up for sale.

"For so many of us, Braun Court feels like home," Radina said. "For others, it may feel like the only place where they can truly be themselves."

Common Language, which has operated in Ann Arbor since 1991, was previously located on Fourth Avenue beside the former Aunt Agatha's mystery bookstore that closed in August.

Gay literature was helpful to Orr - who has lived in Ann Arbor since the mid-70s - when he was coming out in the '80s. So when he heard Common Language's previous owners were looking to sell, he wanted to make sure gay literature remained available in Ann Arbor.

"We decided we just couldn't see it close. It was too important to the community," Orr said.

He and Contreras bought the store in 2003 and soon moved to its current location at 317 Braun Court, after they purchased the building. It's been a destination for tourists, Orr said, because LGBTQ bookstores are so few and far between.

For Autumn Mahoney, 41, a Ferndale resident, Common Language was an anchor in her coming out journey.

When she was in her early 30s, she worked up the courage to visit Common Language, where she felt welcomed and started reading books that helped her better understand the LGBTQ community. Within a few years, Mahoney had come out as bisexual and transgender.

"Through all the big life changes of living authentically, transitioning, finding my voice and making ever-deeper connections and friendships, that little rainbow-colored courtyard nestled in the heart of Ann Arbor has remained an anchor point," said Mahoney, who frequented Common Language every couple of months. "My life is immeasurably better and more full now on the other side of that journey."

Common Language has been candid with customers about its dwindling sales in recent years. autBar is doing well enough that Orr and Contreras were able to keep the bookstore open past the point where it made financial sense.

But time is up.

"For us there's sort of a sense of resignation about it right now. ... This has been an important place for a lot of people," Orr said. "The hardest part about the decision is knowing it will affect people in different ways. For a lot of folks, this was their first safe space."

In April, a call to support the locally-owned LGBTQ bookstore made the rounds on social media, and Common Language was inundated with hundreds of online orders.

In four days, they received 1,200 online orders, Orr said - a drastic increase from the two or three online sales they previously made each month.

Now, Common Language is processing two or three online sales a week, Orr said, but the majority of the store's sales have always been in store. Even the boost in sales this spring wasn't enough to keep the bookstore going long-term.

"The internet's the juggernaut here," Orr said. "People buy their books online."

'We're losing a piece of community'

Patti Smith remembers the launch for her book "Images of America: Downtown Ann Arbor" at Common Language as one of the best nights of her life.

"(Orr) not only gave me shelf space and embraced the book, but he did the book launch," said Smith, a special education teacher who has published fiction and historical books. "It was just an amazing feeling to be supported like that in the community."

Independent bookstores provide crucial support for local authors and authors early in their careers.

That was the case for Pratt, who did a reading for his first book, "Bob the Book," at Common Language in 2010. He's done other readings there over the years and made appearances at LGBTQ bookstores around the country.

"Bookstores were one of the first gay community centers, that was a function they served," Pratt said. "There's something you get from browsing at a store like Common Language that you don't get from those Amazon suggestions."

Smith agreed that having fewer independent bookstores limits opportunities for people to access a diverse selection of books.

"We're losing voices," she said. "We're losing safe spaces for people. We're losing a piece of community that brought people together."MT. MORRIS TWP, MI -- Carl Rhinebolt remembers trying to yell for help after the armored personnel carrier he was riding atop on April 12, 1970 took on heavy fire while on patrol along Highway 1 between Saigon and the border.

The 19-year-old Rhinebolt, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Triple Deuce," tried to get a machine gunner from out of a turret on the vehicle.

"I didn't know he was dead," said Rhinebolt, 69, speaking while seated at a long table inside American Legion Post 64 in Mt. Morris Township, where he received the Purple Heart on Veterans Day Sunday, Nov. 11, more than 48 years after being injured.

A 1968 Flint Central graduate, Rhinebolt had been working for General Motors when he was drafted in mid-1969 and shipped off to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training in August, Fort Polk, Louisiana for overseas training, and off to Vietnam by January 1970.

"It's so pretty. It's all palm trees. It's like going to Florida," he said of his initial feelings on Vietnam upon arriving in the county. "Except somebody's shooting at you."

Rhinebolt described his duty as an "infantry tunnel rat" and demolitions, going into tunnels using force and searching for enemy combatants.

"I just thought I was John Wayne," he said, grinning. "I was more like Pee Wee Herman."

He spoke of his training honing his response and reflexes, in case an emergency happened, and to be aware of their surroundings.

It's that training, Rhinebolt said, that kept him alive when a Claymore mine detonated and a rocket-propelled grenade hit the armored personnel carrier.

The blast took a chunk of bone out of his leg, with Rhinebolt motioning that his foot wound up lying on his chest, not knowing at the time he'd been shot.

"I tied (one leg) to my other leg and then I started crawling along to the ditch to get out of there," he said, pulling himself to the road where fellow soldiers including Jim Ross found him and managed to take him to safety.

Ross penned a book titled "Outside the Wire: Riding with the "Triple Deuce" in Vietnam, 1970" recounting the incident.

"Carl didn't even know who had saved him," said Wendy Wilson, Rhinebolt's wife. "(Jim) sent us a copy of the book five years ago and he wrote a letter and talked about it."

After learning of the book, Rhinebolt has since reconnected with the remaining members from his division of the Triple Deuce, who hold a reunion on a yearly basis.

"We just go and have a good time, two or three days, just partying and having good food just talking about each other," he laughed, adding "I had a great squad over there. Everybody was just nice. They were like your brothers. You depend on the people so much. They're guarding your back. You're guarding their back."

Wilson had written a paper for college on her husband's experience in Vietnam and knew some about what took place but reading the book and meeting Ross put things into perspective for her to a much greater level.

"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here, we wouldn't have our children, we wouldn't have our grandchildren," said Wilson, a retired Rankin Elementary kindergarten teacher. "I mean, how can you thank a person for that? How do you thank a person for that? It's beyond, the words aren't enough, you know"

After being injured, Rhinebolt was sent to a hospital in Saigon for a little over a week, then later transferred to a hospital in Japan for two weeks and ultimately, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

"I spent nine months there learning how to walk again," he said, along with recovering from injuries including a collapsed lung.

It was also in Washington, D.C. where Rhinebolt heard the anti-war protestors, a far cry from the reception he got after coming back home to the Flint area where he returned to work for General Motors.

"Nobody said baby killer or any of that stuff," he recalled. "I didn't really think of being no hero or nothing like that. I was just doing my job, just doing what I was told to do."

After speaking with Rhinebolt and learning more about his story, Thomas Morehouse, Sergeant at Arms and past commander of American Legion Post 64, started doing some digging and learned his fellow veteran was eligible for a Purple Heart for being injured in combat.

"It was a lot of phone calls, is what it was," said Morehouse, including speaking with the military records division in St. Louis and being referred to offices in Washington, D.C. before getting turned over to the Veterans Administration and updating Rhinebolt's discharge papers to garner the recognition.

For Rhinebolt, it's not about the recognition or ceremony but the journey he's gone through to get this day.

"I spent nine months in the hospital learning to walk and talk. I got shot so many times. I want it," he said, with a reserved spot on his vest as a part of the American Legion Riders group. "Like any medal, if you really earn it you want it because you've done the suffering, whatever it takes to get it."GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The body of a man was found and pulled from the Grand River near Fish Ladder Park in downtown Grand Rapids, according to Grand Rapids police.

The body was found at around 2:03 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, said Grand Rapids Police Lt. Terry Dixon. Police are currently investigating the incident and were assisted by the Grand Rapids Fire Department.

No other information about the incident or the man is available at this time. Dixon said it was too early to tell if the death was accidental or foul play.GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Danielle Montag-Plaza knows first-hand how challenging it can be to navigate veterans benefits and resources.

When the retired U.S. Air Force staff sergeant moved from Texas to Michigan, it took about a year for her to get into the state's Veterans Affairs system.

"While I knew of a lot of my resources in Texas, I was clueless when it came to Michigan," Montag-Plaza said. "It took me over a year to get in the Veterans Affairs' system. It was just a huge struggle, and so I guess that personal experience kind of made me want to advocate for some of these veteran patients."

Montag-Plaza is the veteran services coordinator at Spectrum Health.

Since 2015, Montag-Plaza has helped connect her fellow veterans with state and federal resources.

Sometimes it's making then aware of the benefits. Other times it's connecting them with resources, such as organizations that house homeless veterans.

Day in and day out, she meets with veteran patients, finding out their needs and how she can help then.

"(Sometimes) it's as simple bridging that gap from their Veterans Affairs healthcare to what they're receiving here with us, and maybe they're confused on what needs to be done, or who needs to be spoken to, or what forms need to be filled out," she said.

On Nov. 9, Montag-Plaza met with fellow Air Force veteran Patrick Snyder who had open heart surgery the day before.

She sat on the bed next to his, giving him a brochure about resources and talking about his service and other topics, like fishing.

"It's a good feeling," Snyder said of being recognized for his service.

Montag-Plaza spearheaded the Spectrum Health's veteran services program pilot in 2014 and then saw it through to a full fledged program the following year.

Veterans are marked in the clinical system. Hospital staff, if the veteran wishes, puts an American flag on each of their charts, recognizing them for their serviceLAKE SUPERIOR, MI - "Things look pretty bad. It looks like she may have split apart at the seams."

In the hours after the 728-foot Edmund Fitzgerald abruptly vanished from the radar during a gale on Lake Superior the night of Nov. 10, 1975, the attitude of rescue crews quickly switched from incredulity that a freighter so large could just disappear, to asking nearby ships to help with the search.

Forty-three years ago tonight, the search for the Mighty Fitz was just beginning. Its last radio contact with a nearby ship was at 7:10 p.m. Minutes later, her crew could not be raised on the ship's radio.

In these audio recordings, the U.S. Coast Guard at the Sault Ste. Marie station is talking to Capt. Jesse Cooper from the nearby Arthur M. Anderson, a ship that had been trailing the Fitzgerald for much of that day in fierce seas and waves as high as 25 feet.

The Anderson had been the first to raise the alarm when the Fitzgerald vanished. Now the Anderson's crew was being asked to go back out into the gale and look for the Fitzgerald and her crew of 29 men.

You can hear the Coast Guard saying it's "very certain that the Fitzgerald went down," and is asking nearby ships for assistance.

The Coast Guard was hoping ships near Whitefish Point could look for lights in the water, lifeboats, debris - anything signaling there might be survivors.

Earlier in the day, the Edmund Fitzgerald had lost both it radars and the Arthur Anderson's crew had been helping the Fitzgerald's crew navigate through the storm.

"The last time I talked with him, he said he was 'holding his own.' I lost contact after that," Cooper tells the Coast Guard.

Cooper agrees to go back out to the area where he thinks the Fitzgerald disappeared, but you can tell by his voice that he's worried about his own crew, too.

"I'm afraid I'm going to take a hell of a beatin' out there."

This call was made about 9 p.m. to the Anderson's captain, Jesse Cooper:

Coast Guard: "Anderson, this is Group Soo. What is your present position?"

Cooper: "We're down here, about two miles off Parisienne Island right now...the wind is northwest forty to forty-five miles here in the bay."

Coast Guard: "Is it calming down at all, do you think?"

Cooper: "In the bay it is, but I heard a couple of the salties talking up there, and they wish they hadn't gone out."

Coast Guard: "Do you think there is any possibility and you could...ah...come about and go back there and do any searching?"

Cooper: "Ah...God, I don't know...ah...that...that sea out there is tremendously large. Ah...if you want me to, I can, but I'm not going to be making any time; I'll be lucky to make two or three miles an hour going back out that way."

Coast Guard: "Well, you'll have to make a decision as to whether you will be hazarding your vessel or not, but you're probably one of the only vessels right now that can get to the scene. We're going to try to contact those saltwater vessels and see if they can't possibly come about and possibly come back also...things look pretty bad right now; it looks like she may have split apart at the seams like the Morrell did a few years back."

Cooper: "Well, that's what I been thinking. But we were talking to him about seven and he said that everything was going fine. He said that he was going along like an old shoe; no problems at all."

Coast Guard: "Well, again, do you think you could come about and go back and have a look in the area?"

Cooper: "Well, I'll go back and take a look, but God, I'm afraid I'm going to take a hell of a beating out there... I'll turn around and give 'er a whirl, but God, I don't know. I'll give it a try."

Coast Guard: "That would be good."

Cooper: "Do you realize what the conditions are out there?"

No reply from the Coast Guard. Captain Cooper tries again.

Coast Guard: "Affirmative. From what your reports are I can appreciate the conditions. Again, though, I have to leave that decision up to you as to whether it would be hazarding your vessel or not. If you think you can safely go back up to the area, I would request that you do so. But I have to leave the decision up to you."

Cooper: "I'll give it a try, but that's all I can do."

The Anderson ended up taking the lead in the search. Another freighter came out to assist, along with Coast Guard aircraft, other boats and help from Canadian authorities.

The Fitzgerald was later found at the bottom of the lake, resting in 530 feet of water. She had broken into two pieces.For more than 70 years, the Franey family knew only a few details of what happened on March 1, 1945, the day Francis L. Franey was killed in a plane crash.

They knew it was a training exercise in the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean that had gone wrong, and that he didn't survive. But for decades, they wanted to know what caused the crash and what happened to "Frankie" after the plane hit the ground.

Last year, Dennis Franey, 62, of Bakersfield, Calif., decided to start looking for an answer. Frankie Franey was his uncle and someone he'd always wished he'd known more about. Little did he know, more than 2,000 miles away, Mike Kloian had the answers.

That's because Kloian not only survived the crash, he tried to pull Franey from the fire.

"It cleared up a lot of the questions and concerns about what happened for the family. For 73 years they never knew what happened," Dennis Franey said. "It really completes and closes the final chapter of a book that's been open for 73 years."

Earlier this summer, Dennis Franey heard the story firsthand after he was able to successfully track down Kloian. The two men shared an impromptu phone call that not only began healing some of the wounds for the Franey family, but helped the two families come together and meet.

Making the connection

Dennis Franey began heavily researching his family genealogy in 2012 after he retired. Part of that research involved trying to solve the mystery of what happened to his uncle.

"I've always heard the stories of him and how fond they were of him," Franey said about his uncle.

However, it was difficult to find the answers he was looking for, as the records weren't always clear - as evidenced by the belief Kloian was dead - or the whereabouts of those with direct knowledge weren't easily accessible. It wasn't until he found a 2014 Ann Arbor News profile of Kloian that he realized he may have a shot at figuring out what happened.

Kloian was one of five survivors of the 13 on board when the plane crashed. For years it was believed Kloian died on the flight. He didn't, and shared his story in the 2014 article.

Dennis Franey began searching for Kloian and eventually found a retirement community address for him. Franey called the front office and explained his situation. At first the staff would not comment on whether or not Kloian even lived there. Franey understood the privacy concerns, but pleaded with staff.

Staff explained the situation to Kloian, who recalls being told about the man on the phone and said, "put him through."

"I'm really pleased that he found me," Kloian said.

After the staff got back on the line, Dennis Franey realized he was about to speak with a man who could finally bring some closure to the family search.

"I said a prayer to God to keep me strong. I wanted to break down and cry," Franey said about the phone call. "We talked for 20 or 30 minutes. In my mind, I can see my grandmother, my dad and my uncle."

Kloian says he was happy to share the details and explain what he remembers about the crash.

"He was very emotional. Dennis was very appreciative," Kloian said.

Franey gets emotional still when he talks about learning the details and what it meant to have Kloian share the experience with him. Kloian remembers seeing Frankie Franey strapped into his seat - Frankie was the central gunner on the B-29 plane the crew operated - but he was not trying to get out.

Kloian says he tried to release Frankie from the seatbelt, but he couldn't. Reality set in and Kloian realized he had to crawl out of the plane if he wanted to live. Dennis Franey said it was a relief to know his uncle was likely killed on impact and didn't have to suffer in the burning plane.

Still, Kloian carried around a piece of guilt for not being able to save Frankie Franey in time. But Dennis Franey says he made sure to tell his new friend that there was nothing to feel guilty about.

"I said, 'Michael, don't feel bad that you didn't save my uncle.' If you would have waited any longer, you would have died and we wouldn't be talking today," Franey said.

Meeting in person

Despite only knowing Dennis Franey for less than 30 minutes, Kloian asked him if he would like to accompany the family on their trip to the 504th squadron reunion this year in Columbus, Ga. After giving it some thought, Franey decided to join the reunion along with his son, James.

"I encouraged him to join us at our reunion," Kloian said. "I was extremely pleased that he was going to join us. I was really happy to see that he got into it."

While he was excited at the chance to meet Kloian in person, Franey said he was also anxious because of how much it meant to him to learn about his uncle's fate. That anxiety faded almost instantly as Kloian and his family welcomed the Franeys into the fold with open arms.

"Right away Uncle Mike said, 'We're treating him like family.' As soon as he came, it was easy," said Amy Sarafian, Kloian's niece.

Both men say they feel like they've added members to their family. Kloian said the two trade texts frequently.

"I got a new uncle and cousins out of the deal, too," Franey said.

'A piece of my uncle'

As much as Franey enjoys sharing texts with Kloian, it was something else he shared with him that meant the most. Years ago, when Kloian came forward with his story about surviving the crash, the son of Major Dwyer - who oversaw the plane and died in the crash - presented Kloian with pieces of plexiglass and shrapnel from the crash.

The pieces are the only physical thing Kloian had that connected him to that fateful day. And now they belong to Dennis Franey.

"I felt honored and humbled beyond belief that he would consider passing that on to me. It gave me a piece of my uncle that I can touch... of his last day," Franey said.MUSKEGON, MI - Muskegon's own Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy was posthumously honored on Saturday with the unveiling of a sculpture at a Muskegon veterans museum.

The unveiling and dedication of the sculpture of World War II bugler Clarence Zylman took place at the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum on Nov. 10.

Zylman was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and helped spread the boogie woogie music revolution to the troops.

The song "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by The Andrews Sisters was released in 1941.

U.S. Army Pvt. Zylman got the troops jitter-bugging to his unique style of reveille and was dubbed the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by Stars & Stripes Magazine, The London Times and more than 30 U.S. newspapers.

Zylman attended Muskegon High School but left during his junior year to work, as many did at that time. Always a talented musician, he was drafted and served as a bugler, an antiquated post of old warfare. The bugle was used while changing the guard, during training drills, while the U.S. flag was raised and lowered, for reveille to waken troops and at night for taps.

"It's something we don't even think about now, because of our access to communication technology," USS Silversides Submarine Museum Executive Director Peggy Maniates said in a previous interview regarding an exhibit that honored local military musicians, including Zylman. "He was one of our locals who did this and was recognized by a ton of arts magazines and newspapers as being the inspiration for 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.' After the war he came back here and spent the rest of his life working for Continental Motors and playing in local bands."

The sculpture was created by artist Ari Norris.

Funding for the Zylman sculpture were raised by the Downtown Muskegon Arts Committee, Muskegon Community College, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Lakeshore Museum Center, the USS LST 393 Veterans Museum, the USS Silversides Submarine Museum and the West Michigan Dock & Market Corporation.SAGINAW, MI - When people think of veterans, women who serve in the military don't always come to mind.

Most people think of an older, white male Vietnam veteran with patches and a hat, says Andrea Norton, who served in the U.S. Air Force.

"Society at large doesn't recognize women as veterans," said Norton, now a woman veterans program manager for the Department of Veteran Affairs in Saginaw. "I guarantee if you ask anybody what's in your head, what does a veteran look like, they're gonna have one specific image."

But women who've served their country are out there. The Veteran Health Agency Support Service Center says there are 529 women veterans in Bay County, 986 in Saginaw County and 374 in Midland County.

Beth Alford, director of military student affairs at Saginaw Valley State University, is one of them. The Indiana native served in the Navy in Iraq in 2006 and Afghanistan in 2013. She is also serving in Navy reserves as a naval chief petty officer.

"I've heard in my groups of women that sometimes their service fields may be a little bit more invisible than others," Alford said. "When people think about veterans, they don't think of a 36-year-old female with three kids that works at SVSU, they don't think, 'Oh yeah, she's had two deployments.'"

Alford said women veterans aren't seeking recognition for their service beyond what other vets receive during times such as Veterans Day on Sunday, Nov. 11. But she says it's tough when things happen like a group of men at a gas station thank her husband for his service but ignore her.

"Honestly, I don't need someone to thank me, I don't expect that, but it is sort of a slap in the face," she said.

Norton said the point of the military is not to be individualistic, but feels women have to do extra work to get recognized.

"We all look the same in the military for a reason, it's about cohesion and being a team," she said. But the military can be a "good old boys club" and women have to prove themselves to get "half the amount of respect" that men get, she said.

Being a woman in the military brings its own set of challenges, such as dealing with sexual harassment - or even sexual assault.

According to a VA fact sheet, one in four women veterans say that have experienced sexual trauma or sexual harassment during their service.

"You would be hard pressed to find a single woman who served that didn't experience sexual harassment, it's part of the culture," Norton said, adding that she experienced discrimination as well when she served. "I had a tech sergeant who told me he didn't believe women should be wearing the uniform."

Andrea Norton playing on the monkey bars with an boy outside of Kabul, Afghanistan in 2005.

Haley Tacey, a student at Saginaw Valley and a veteran from Saginaw, says she experienced sexual harassment from a superior officer while she was in the U.S. Marine Corps.

She and another woman in the service reported him and after an investigation he was forced to retire, she said. Tacey said she faced criticism from others for reporting it.

Some of the terms used to describe women in the military, Tacey said, included terms like "wooks" and "walking mattresses."

Her advice for women in the military is to stick up and defend your morals in those types of instances and there are avenues for women to follow, like each base having an equal opportunity adviser to address issues such as sexual harassment.

Despite that incident, she said she is proud to be in the military and to have served her country.

"I just learned a lot from the military," she said, adding that it made her more mature and helped her to go to college, too.

Norton said things have gotten better for women over the years as more women are serving in roles that were traditionally held by men, but still more work is needed.

"There might be policies, but culture has to catch up to policy and sometimes policy has to catch up to culture," Norton said.

Norton said many women who have finished their service are reluctant to contact the VA, but the agency has made strides in recent years to improve its care to women, like the creation of Norton's role in 2010.

"When I was first hired on to this role a little over two years ago, they committed in their facility's strategic plan to prove women's health," she said. "We've been able to expand our staff and develop a more cohesive program."

She added that women have unique needs and that there should be equitable services because everyone has unique needs and all women want is equality.

The VA has services that can help women, and male veterans as well, like talking with a military sexual trauma coordinator who offers counseling, support and help with treatment planning through case management.

Alford said that there has been a lot of progress over the years like at the Aleta Lutz VA Hospital in Saginaw County, which has a robust women veteran's clinic for medical needs that are unique to women.

"I'm the forever optimist, but I think that we've come a long way. I know when I host workshops here, female veterans are always asked about or talked about," she said. "The experience they (women) bring can be so valuable when people might not think that it is."live bse live

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We have seen benchmark indices trading rangebound in the festival week, but midcaps and smallcaps have shown strength during this truncated week. Strong earnings, sharp fall in crude oil prices and appreciation in the rupee are now positive factors for the bulls.

Total equity inflows rose 13 percent over the previous month to Rs 12,622 crore in October. Systematic investment plan (SIP) book touched Rs 8,000 crore this month, which is a positive sign.

This week, the Nifty has strong support at 10,500-10,460 levels and resistance at 10,700-10,750 levels. Our past recommendations -- L&T Finance Holdings, Bharat Electronics, Atul, Amarjothi Spinning Mills, Power Finance Corporation -- have given fantastic returns in the very short term.

Here are the top stock trading ideas that can offer positive returns in the near term:

Jubilant Foodworks:

The company and its subsidiary operates Dominos Pizza brand with the exclusive rights for India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is market leader in the pizza segment with a network of 1,167 Dominos Pizza restaurants across 269 cities in India. The company has 32 Dunkin Donuts restaurants across 10 cities in India as on September 30, 2018.

It has posted fantastic numbers in Q2FY19 led by higher SSG. Its sales and EBITDA grew by 21.3 percent and 44.3 percent YoY, respectively, while PAT increased by 60.3 percent to 77.7 crore. It reported EBITDA margin to 16.7 percent, an improvement of 268 bps on YoY basis.

Same store sales growth (SSG) for Q1 stood at 20.5 percent. At the CMP, the stock trades at a P/E of 52x on TTM EPS. The stock already corrected 31 percent from recent high. We are recommending a buy in staggered manner for medium to long term.

Rural Electrification Corporation:

REC is a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Power. Its business activities involve financing projects in the complete power sector value chain, be it generation, transmission or distribution. It provide financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central/state power utiities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector utilities.

The company has reported stable results for Q1FY19. NII declined by 10.5 percent YoY to Rs.2040.8 crore while PAT increased by 36.5 percent to Rs 1468.7 crore as against Rs 1075.96 crore.

At CMP, the stock is trading at P/E of just 4.8x. The company is paying huge dividend every year and dividend yield is above 7.37 percent based on last years dividend payout. Its capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.66 percent as on 30th June 2018. We are recommending a buy in staggered manner for medium to long term.

Ruchira Papers:

Ruchira Papers is engaged in the manufacturing of kraft paper and writing & printing paper. The company has 52800 TPA capacity of kraft paper division and 33000 TPA capacity of writing and printing paper division.

It has reported excellent results for Q2FY19. Sales grew by 24.96 percent YoY to Rs 129.99 crore while EBITDA grew by 40.46 percent to Rs.22.54 crore and PAT increased by 29.71 percent to Rs 10.89 crore as against Rs 8.39 crore. EBITDA margin expanded ~191bps YoY to 17.34 percent.

At CMP, the stock is trading at P/E of just 8.75x. The company has successful implementation of modernization programme undertaken during Q4 of FY18 and management are hopeful to get the same reflected in topline and bottom-line of Q2 of FY19 onwards. We are recommending a buy in staggered manner for medium to long term.

The author is Founder of Equity99

The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.Iron & Steel | Imports from China, 2019: 4 percent. (Image: Moneycontrol)

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Shareholders of Usha Martin have approved the sale of the company's steel business to Tata Steel as a going concern on a slump sale basis. A special resolution in this regard was passed with requisite majority at Usha Martin Limited's extraordinary general meeting, with 99.99 per cent shareholders voting in its favour, the company informed the exchanges in a regulatory filing late night yesterday.

"The resolution proposed herein above has been passed with requisite majority," Usha Martin said.

Tata Steel had earlier said it has executed definitive agreements for the acquisition of UML's steel business for Rs 4,300-4,700 crore through a slump sale on a going concern basis.

According to Usha Martin Limited (UML), the sale of its steel business to Tata Steel will help the company significantly reduce its debt.

UML's steel business comprises the specialised 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) alloy based manufacturing capacity in long products segment based in Jamshedpur, a producing iron-ore mine, a coal mine under development and captive power plants, Tata Steel had said.

It is amongst the largest wire rope manufacturers in the world and a leading speciality steel producer in India.Skytrax released its list of worlds 100 best airports. Singapore Changi Airport continues to lead for the eighth consecutive year. Four Indian Airports managed to take their place in the list. Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport ranked 50th, while Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Bengalurus Kempegowda Airport and Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport ranked 52, 68 and 72 respectively. Here are the worlds top 10 airports of 2020 on the basis of airport customers review. (Image: PTI)

A hijack scare on a Kandahar-bound flight sent security officials at the Delhi international airport into a tizzy on Saturday after the pilot "mistakenly" pressed the 'hijack button' when it was taxiing for take-off, officials said.

The Ariana Afghan Airlines plane, with nine crew members, 124 passengers and an infant, took off nearly two hours later after "satisfactory" security checks, they said.

The officials said Saturday's incident brought back the chilling memories of the 1999 Kandahar hijacking of an Air India plane

The pressing of 'hijack button' had pushed all agencies concerned, including the anti-terror force National Security Guard (NSG), into action, they said.

NSG commandos and officials of other agencies swiftly responded to the situation and surrounded the aircraft, they said.

After a two-hour operation that created panic among the passengers on board the aircraft, the plane was cleared for take-off, they said.

The Delhi-Kandahar FG312 flight was scheduled to depart at 3.30pm.

Rokai Naimi, captain of the flight, submitted a hand-written note to Indian authorities.

Today our staff in Delhi informed us that there are plans of hijacking aircraft. In the cockpit, I briefed my F/O (first officer) that if hijacking (happens) we just put code... Regarding this code we should be careful But it was too late, the Delhi ATC (Air Traffic Control) got it, reads the letter, a copy of which was shared by the security officials.

According to senior officials in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the plane, while taxiing for take-off, returned to the "isolation bay" presumably due to the pressing of the 'hijack button' by the crew.

The aircraft was cleared for departure on confirmation that it was an error by the captain, one of the BCAS officials said.

Before the flight was allowed to fly out, secondary security checks were carried out and customs clearance of all passengers was taken.Three days after remaining elusive, mining baron G Janardhana Reddy said on November 10 he would appear before the police in connection with an alleged ponzi scam, maintaining that he had not done anything wrong. In a video message from an unknown location, Reddy said he was not absconding and was very much in the city, asserting that there was no need for him to flee. He also rubbished media reports that he had fled to Hyderabad or some other city.

"I have not committed anything wrong. The police do not have not a single document to prove that I am wrong. They are misleading the media," he claimed in his message telecast by TV channels.

Reddy, who was a minister in the erstwhile Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka, said he never panicked as his name neither figured in the first information report (FIR), nor was any notice served to him.

"Now that the notice has been issued by the police, I have decided to appear before the Central Crime Branch today itself though the notice says I should appear on Sunday," Reddy said.

"I decided to make this video to let people know the truth. I have faith in the police and believe that they would not succumb to any political pressure," he added.

The Central Crime Branch police had launched a hunt for him since Wednesday in connection with a money transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme.

The CCB was also on the lookout for Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, who had 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 the Enforcement Directorate investigation.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar had said on November 7 that Reddy was absconding and the police were looking for him to question him in the case.

Reddy's lawyer, C H Hanumantharaya, who earlier moved a city civil court on November 7 seeking anticipatory bail, had told reporters that the minor baron would take a call on Saturday whether to appear before the CCB or not.Arvind Kejriwal AAP

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on November 11 promised a corruption-free administration, prohibition and a loan waiver for farmers if elected to power in Chhattisgarh.

Releasing its manifesto for the state polls, which the AAP is contesting for the first time, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party announced a slew of measures for different sections of the society.

The Delhi-based party has fielded candidates in all the 90 assembly seats in the BJP-ruled state.

The AAP manifesto comes on the eve of the first phase of polling Monday covering 18 assembly seats spread across over half a dozen Naxal-affected districts.

The second and final phase of voting, covering the remaining 72 seats, will be held on November 20.

In its 36-point manifesto, the fledgling outfit has promised Rs 2,600 minimum support price (MSP) for each quintal of paddy, a loan waiver for farmers, jobs to youths and a ban on sale of liquor in the state.

"After the AAP government is formed in the state, the priority will be to make it corruption-free and prosperous," Delhi Cabinet Minister and Chhattisgarh AAP in-charge Gopal Rai said while releasing the manifesto at a press conference.

The journey for a prosperous Chhattisgarh can not be undertaken until corruption is eradicated, he said.

Apart from the main manifesto, all the AAP candidates have released similar documents in their respective areas, incorporating measures based on the situation prevailing in their region, he said.

Targeting the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, Rai sought to know what the two national parties have done for the state, which has a large tribal population.

"What Ajit Jogi had done when he was (Congress) chief minister for three years (2000-2003) and what the BJP has done during its 15-year long rule?" the AAP leader asked.

"Instead of releasing its report card (of works done till now), the BJP released its manifesto on Saturday as if it was seeking a chance for the first time to form its government in the state," Rai said.

The ruling party had made a slew of promises to farmers ahead of every election, but it did not fulfil them, he said.

All these years, farmers did not get good returns on their produce and once again the BJP has made "false" promises to cultivators (in its manifesto), Rai said.

Besides providing remunerative price to paddy growers, the AAP will generate jobs for the youths of the state if elected to power, he said.

The youths of the state will be given priority in jobs in private as well as government sectors and the contract system of employment will be abolished, Rai added.

Agriculture-based industries will be set up in the state, he added.

The manifesto also promised a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre in event of crop loss and introduction of new farm technologies.

Besides, it promised to bring Chhattisgarh Jan Lokpal Bill, an anti-graft legislation covering the Chief Minister, ministers, MLAs and all government officers.

The AAP wants to make Chhattisgarh an alcohol-free state. Liquor will be banned for people barring for some special communities, Rai said.

The party has projected its Bhanupratappur assembly seat candidate Komal Hupendi as its chief ministerial candidate.Ajit Jogi and Mayawati

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi on November 10 released his party's manifesto on stamp paper for the state Assembly polls and challenged the ruling BJP, and the Congress to do the same.

Jogi said he had released the 14-point manifesto of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC)(J) on stamp paper and therefore was committed to fulfilling the promises mentioned in it.

"If I don't fulfil promises made in it, I can be sent to jail," he said.

The state goes to polls in two phases on November 12 and November 20.

Jogi's party is in an alliance with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party and the CPI. The JCC (J) will contest 55 seats, the BSP 33 and CPI two seats.

Jogi took a swipe at the Congress, his former party and the said its manifesto, titled 'Jan Ghoshna Patra', was a "true copy" of the one he had released on June 6, 2016 when the JCC (J) was formed.

He said the Congress had promised farm loan waiver in Punjab and Karnataka within ten days of coming to power, but had failed to do so even after ten months having passed.

Jogi's manifesto promises Rs 2,500 per quintal MSP for paddy, free power supply to agriculture pumps with a capacity of up to 5 horsepower, and complete waiver of farm loans among others.

He said local youth would be given "cent per cent" reservation in government jobs while 90 per cent of other jobs would be reserved for them.

Unemployed youngsters who had passed Class 12 would be given Rs 1001 as allowance, while graduates and post graduates without jobs would be given Rs 1501 and Rs 2001 respectively.

The manifesto promised regularisation of non-permanent employees like shikshakarmis, panchayat secretaries, employment assistants, Anganwadi workers and the like.

Jogi said if elected to power, his government would go for a ban on liquor in all parts of the state except Scheduled areas.

The manifesto said the party would open a Rs 1 lakh joint account for every newborn girl child along with respective district collectors.

The girl will get this amount, along with interest, when she attains 18 years of age, it said.

His government will provide 45 kg rice, 10 kg wheat, 5 kg pulses, 5 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and 5 litres of edible oil to all ration card-holders, except income tax payees among them, Jogi said.November 21, 2018 / 07:34 AM IST

Turnout dips as compared to 2013

A total of 74.17 percent of the over 1.85 crore electors cast their votes in the Chhattisgarh polls, which is less by nearly 3 percent as compared to the last elections, the Election Commission said yesterday.

In the second phase of polling which took place yesterday, the voter turnout was recorded at 71.93 percent till 6 pm. The first phase the poll percentage was 76.42.Supporters of Congress party are framed by the party's symbols installed at the venue where Rahul Gandhi is addressing a rally at Bardoli

The Congress on November 10 promised to write off farm loans of up to Rs 2 lakh and provide a "salary grant" for five years to industries offering jobs to the youth if elected to power in Madhya Pradesh. Releasing its manifesto for the November 28 Assembly polls, the main opposition party also promised a slew of benefits for other sections of the society in the state where it is making a renewed bid to dislodge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from power.

Aggressively wooing farmers, who had launched a statewide protest last year, the party promised a social security pension to them and a rebate in the registration fee of land documents, besides a financial help of Rs 51,000 for the marriage of daughters of small cultivators.

In its manifesto titled "Vachan Patra" (document of promises), the Rahul Gandhi-led party, out of power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003, also promised a minimum support price (MSP) for crops in accordance with the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations.

Releasing the 112-page manifesto at a press meet here, state Congress chief Kamal Nath described it as the "voice of the people of Madhya Pradesh", saying the document was prepared after consultations with every section of the society.

The manifesto offers sops to every section of the society, including government employees, homemakers, the common people, women and journalists, but the focus is largely on farmers and young people.

Among the plethora of measures for farmers mentioned in the document, the Congress has promised a social security pension of Rs 1,000 per month to farmers who attain the age of 60 and whose land holding is below 2.5 acres, besides writing off farm loans of up to Rs 2 lakh.

Other sops promised to farmers include a 50-per cent subsidy on loans for agriculture equipment, halving the power bill rates for them, a bonus on the MSP of some crops and a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre on milk procurement among others.

The opposition party also promised a re-investigation into the Mandsaur police firing incident, in which six farmers were killed in June, 2017.

It also promised a rebate in diesel and petrol prices.

Professionals like tourist guides and lawyers would be provided an "encouragement fee" of Rs 4,000 per month for five years for settling down in their respective professions.

The Congress also promised a "salary grant" of Rs 10,000 per job to the industries offering employment to the youth of the state.

It promised the constitution of a Yuva Aayog (Commission for the Youth) to look into the problems of young men and women.

The Congress also promised several sops, including a rebate in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and subsidised loans for setting up industries with an investment of at least Rs 100 crore.

Those covered under the existing social security pension scheme would get Rs 1,000 per month, instead of Rs 300 now, if the Congress was elected to power in the state, according to the document.

A subsidy of Rs 100 on gas cylinders to poor families and free education to girls up to the post-graduation level were also promised by the party.

In a bid to appease the agitating general category people, the opposition party promised the constitution of a Samanya Varg Ayog (General Category Commission) to look into their issues.

The state recently saw a series of protests by people from the unreserved (general) category communities.

Besides, the Congress promised regularisation of daily wagers, 30 per cent government contracts to tribals, setting up of a Senior Citizen Board, a law to protect journalists and lawyers, honorarium to journalists above 60 years of age, tele-medicine facility in rural areas and four new medical colleges.

Nath said a Jan Aayog (People's Commission) would be constituted for investigations into scams like Vyapam.

A "jan jababdeh kanoon (public accountability law) would be enacted to hold the government departments responsible for providing public amenities, he added.

The manifesto has 973 points on 50 subjects.

State Congress Campaign Committee chief Jyotiraditya Scindia and former chief minister Digvijay Singh were also present at the press meet.

Taking potshots at the BJP, Scindia said the Congress's manifesto was not like the saffron outfit's "jumla patra" (document of rhetoric) as the party would honour every promise made in the document.

"We are bringing a vachan patra and not a jumla patra like the BJP. Our document of promises has something for everybody," the former Union minister said.December 01, 2018 / 04:24 PM IST

Re-polling will take place from 8 am to 5 pm at Mohri polling booth in Anuppur assembly segment of Madhya Pradesh today, an official said Friday.

The Election Commission (EC) endorsed its observer's report which said there was a mismatch of 56 ballots at Mohri in Anuppur district during November 28 assembly polls, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V L Kantha Rao told PTI.

The report prompted the EC to order re-polling in the booth.

There was a difference of 56 in the number of voters' signatures in the register with the presiding officer and the number of votes recorded in the Electronic Voting Machine, he added.

The state polls saw a voter turnout of 75.05 per cent in the elections, Rao had told the reporters Thursday.

 PTIA voter displays her voter identity card as others wait for their turn to cast their ballot during an assembly election at a polling booth in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram, December 2, 2008. (Image- Reuters)

Several political parties in Mizoram have accused former Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) SB Shashank of being anti-Mizo and "puncturing" the state's enviable record of holding peaceful polls for decades.

This the first time political parties have openly criticised the ex-CEO, who was at the centre of a row over allegedly trying to facilitate Bru voters in Tripura relief camps to vote in the November 28 Mizoram Assembly elections from that state.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) Saturday announced its decision to replace Shashank following massive protests by civil society groups here, demanding his ouster over his alleged pro-Bru stance.

The All NGO (Coordination Committee), an umbrella body of major civil society groups and students' bodies, has been demanding that the Bru people, who fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes and are residing in relief camps in Tripura, be allowed to cast their votes only in Mizoram.

Several major political parties in Mizoram have suggested that the 11,232 Bru voters in Tripura relief camps should return to their villages and cast their votes after enrolling themselves here.

"It was a very foolish thing on Shashank's part. It could have been avoided. He behaved like a fool. That is why the ECI has recalled him, and people are protesting against him," former chief minister Zoramthanga told PTI in an interview. Let the "original" Bru people return to Mizoram and enrol themselves in the voters' list here, he said.

Shashank had also sought deployment of 40 companies of central armed police forces in the state. The move was opposed by the powerful NGO Coordination Committee and many political parties.

"Such a heavy deployment is not required here. In Mizoram, we do not need it. Normally, there are two-three policemen (at polling booths)," said Zoramthanga, the president of the main opposition party -- the Mizo National Front (MNF).

Asked if Shashank acted in favour of the BJP as the Brus are considered sympathetic to the saffron party, he said that he is "unaware" of the former CEO's intention.

The ruling Congress accused Shashank of being anti-Mizo and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere "just ahead of polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly".

"Shashank is not the person who loves Mizoram. He does not work for Mizoram or for the interest of its people. That is why all NGOs, civil society and common people went against him for his action in the Chuaungo episode," a Congress spokesperson said.

The ECI had earlier removed Mizoram's Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo after Shashank complained to it that he was interfering in the poll process.

"We want the Brus to cast their votes in Mizoram by enrolling here. That's our stand," the Congress spokesperson said.

Mizoram is the most peaceful state in India and the people here are proud of it, he said. "The electoral process has always been very peaceful here. There was no need to deploy 40 companies of central forces. He disturbed the poll process and turned it into an unpleasant affair," the Congress leader alleged.

The People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), a new entrant in the political arena of Mizoram, also favoured the Brus voting in Mizoram only.

"So many Mizos are there in Delhi, Guwahati and other places. They cannot vote from there. They come here to vote. Similarly, the Brus should also come and vote in Mizoram. "If the Brus vote in Tripura, then the EC should set up booths in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata and other places as well," Prism President Vanlalruata told PTI.Om Prakash Rajbhar

A disgruntled Om Prakash Rajbhar, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government and the chief of BJP ally SBSP, has mocked the saffron party over its renaming spree and suggested it to change the names of its three prominent Muslim leaders. "The BJP says that the cities were named by Mughals. In the the BJP, there is Shahnawaz Hussain, who is the national spokesperson; Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who is a Union Cabinet minister; and, in UP, there is Mohsin Raza, who is minister of state in the Yogi Adityanath government. First, the names of these three persons should be changed," Rajbhar purportedly said in a video, which went viral on social media.

"The GT Road, which was built by a Muslim king, should be uprooted. After all, it was built by Sher Shah Suri. Why do you allow people to use that road? Similarly, the Red Fort in Delhi and Taj Mahal. Who built them?" asked Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya. He also proposed setting up of a new airport, named after Lord Ram, and a medical college in the name of King Dasharath, father of Ram, in the district.

Last month, the state Cabinet had adopted a proposal to rename the historic city of Allahabad as Prayagraj.

When contacted by PTI on Sunday, Rajbhar said: "There is no point in renaming the districts of the state. The work which was done by the Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Congress, the same is being repeated by the BJP. There is nothing new in it."

However, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said though Rajbhar was entitled to have his views as a minister, but should refrain from making such remarks.

"Faizabad and Allahabad were renamed as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively as per the sanctity of these places. It was only a corrective action, as centuries ago invaders with polluted mentality had changed the names of these places," the spokesperson claimed.Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha on November 11 said he would apprise BJP chief Amit Shah of the "humiliation" he had suffered at the hands of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar. Kushwaha said he would also request Shah to clear the "confusion" over seat-sharing among the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) constituents in the state at the earliest.

Before leaving for New Delhi, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief told reporters at the airport here that he had sought an appointment with Shah.

Kushwaha said he met Ram Vilas Paswan, the president of NDA constituent Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), earlier in the day and the latter concurred with his view that seat-sharing talks should be held at the earliest, involving all the coalition partners.

Kushwaha has reportedly been peeved after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (United) decided to contest an equal number of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Bihar.

The state sends 40 members to Parliament and after the BJP-JD(U) deal, there is speculation that this would mean fewer seats for other allies like the RLSP and the LJP.

Kushwaha is also unhappy with Kumar for his alleged "neech" statement. It was made at a television programme about a week ago when the JD(U) chief had refused to comment on reports that the RLSP might end up getting fewer seats than it had fought and won in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Kushwaha took exception to Kumar's response that commenting on the issue would "lower the standard of the discourse". The Union minister has alleged that the remark is tantamount to him being called "lowly".

RLSP supporters took out a protest march here Saturday, demanding an apology from the chief minister.

"During my meeting with Shah, I intend to raise both the issues -- seat sharing as well as the humiliation by Nitish Kumar," Kushwaha said.

He has been maintaining that his party has a tie-up only with the BJP and not with the JD(U).

"I also discussed the issue of seat-sharing with Paswan. He too was of the opinion that formal talks on seat-sharing, taking all NDA constituents in Bihar on board, ought to be held at the earliest in order to dispel confusion," the RLSP chief said.

Paswan's son and LJP parliamentary board chairman Chirag Paswan had recently said his party would like to contest the same number of seats it had done in the last Lok Sabha polls, but he was ready to make a "sacrifice" in the larger interests of the NDA.

Kushwaha, however, has been maintaining a stubborn stance, pointing out that any demand for sacrifice by the RLSP was irrational as of all the coalition partners, only his party was denied a ministerial berth in the NDA government in Bihar, formed after the JD(U)'s return to the alliance last year.

A former JD(U) leader himself, Kushwaha had quit the party in 2013 and floated his own outfit. He had joined the NDA at a time when Kumar had snapped ties with the BJP and has been viewing the JD(U)'s return to the coalition last year with much consternation.

The opposition Grand Alliance -- comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Congress and the Hindustani Awam Morcha -- too has been trying to woo Kushwaha into its fold.

Meanwhile, RLSP MLA Sudhanshu Shekhar met JD(U) national vice-president Prashant Kishor, triggering speculation of a major crisis in Kushwaha's party.With the festival season rolling in last week, there were earnings and other global developments that kept technology buffs engaged.

November 5 saw Hinduja Global Solutions report second quarter results, which were weighed down by its India business and the earlier acquisition of AxisPoint. Nonetheless, CEO Partha DeSarkar told Moneycontrol that he expected the second half to be better for the company.

A day after Diwali, November 8, was the second "anniversary" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation initiative. Two years on, Moneycontrol delved deep to find out how things changed and learnt that cash was still king for a majority of Indians.

According to data from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the amount of currency in circulation rose to Rs 19.6 lakh crore as on October 26, 2018, compared to Rs 17.9 lakh crore on November 4, 2016, the week before the note ban came into force.

However, digital payments have surged since, spurred in part by the government's initiative of unified payments interface and companies like Google and Facebook launching their own digital payments apps.

Also read: Demonetisation - Two years on, digital payments on the rise but cash is still king

Tech giant Google also changed its sexual assault and harassment policy after a global walkout last week from its employees demanding fairer practices.

Indian IT companies on the other hand, are grappling with ways to deal with social media channels being used by current and former employees to air grievances.

Hiring managers and companies see this as a challenge and a double edged sword as they figure out ways to engage more with employees without affecting their right to have a voice on social media.

Also read: IT companies review social media policies as employees air grievances online

Meanwhile, IT firm Mphasis announced the acquisition of Stelligent Systems, for $25 million (about Rs 175 crore). The company provides DevOps and DevSecOps solutions on Amazon Web Services.

In an interview, CEO Nitin Rakesh said the deal will give Mphasis more teeth in the public cloud space.Prime Minister Narendra Modi

An interesting debate has been raging in the media between supporters and critics of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme.

PMJAY or Ayushman Bharat, popularly known as Modicare, aims to provide Rs 5 lakh coverage to 10 crore poor families or nearly half a billion people. It is considered an important scheme politically for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to showcase to voters as he heads into general elections next year.

While advocates of the scheme claim PMJAY has saved 600 million people from becoming impoverished due to medical costs, critics were equally vocal in highlighting structural problems of the scheme like lack of focus on primary care, raising demand in a supply deficit environment, low package rates, paltry budgetary allocations and lack of evidence of health insurance reducing out-of-pocket expenditure.

Former Health Secretary K Sujatha Rao filed her salvo on PMJAY last week. Writing in The Indian Express, under the title "Insurance, false assurance' - Rao listed out the pitfalls of PMJAY.

"Government-subsidised insurance schemes are closely-linked to the prevailing macroeconomic variables. In environments of low tax-to-GDP ratio or high fiscal deficit, budgets for health often get slashed," Rao said, adding: "In such situations, any contractual obligation requiring timely payments could potentially imply a substitution effect with money being diverted from other heads such as the more desperately needed primary care and infectious disease-control programmes."

She cites Andhra Pradesh as an example, where the combined state neglected primary healthcare for the Aarogyasri Scheme, which is meant for secondary and tertiary care delivered largely through private hospitals.

According to Rao, offering a voucher and raising demand in a supply-deficit environment will not solve the problem, more so in a highly commercialised and corrupt system operating within a weak regulatory framework.

The government responded to these charges. Writing for the same paper, Amitabh Kant, CEO of government policy think-tank NITI Aayog and Indu Bhushan, CEO of National Health Agency (NHA), the implementing agency of PMJAY, have jointly tried to rebuke some of the concerns raised by Rao and other critics. Here are five important takeaways from their response:

Kant and Bhushan said that while the government is trying to fix primary care, through 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres, it is equally cognizant of the fact that a large number of poor people will need secondary and tertiary care.

"Currently, they dont have much choice when they fall seriously sick. Without PMJAY, either they would delay or avoid seeking treatment, or sell their assets or borrow heavily to fund such care," Kant and Bhushan said.

"There is no trade-off between investing in primary and preventive health for the general population and supporting curative health for the poor," they argued.

In the short run, Kant and Bhushan said supply will come from spare capacity in the private sector as well as from the more efficient use of existing capacity.

According to them, private hospitals have an occupancy rate of 60-70 percent. In the medium-term, they expect the market to respond through expanded private sector capacity in Tier II and III cities.

"With significantly greater paying power due to PMJAY and government incentives for the private sector and public-private partnership operations, the private sectors supply of quality services is bound to expand," the stated.

"Over the last decade, approximately 1 lakh hospital beds have been added annually, but this will need to increase by almost 1.8 times if we are to reach the target of 3.6 million beds by 2034. PMJAY will catalyse these changes," they Kant and Bhushan wrote.

On package rates, Kant and Bhushan said rates under PMJAY have been fixed conservatively with a view to improve the schemes sustainability. They also point out to the large volume of business that the scheme will generate, creating economies of scale. The government is open to modifying the rates, when supporting evidence becomes available, they added.According to Kant and Bhushan, with a budget of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore per year, it can realistically be expected to have only limited impact on overall out-of-pocket spending on healthcare, which amounts to around Rs 2,40,000 crore. However, PMJAY will significantly reduce the out-of-pocket spending incurred on catastrophic health expenses by the poorest 40 percent of the population.

They believe the newly introduced health cess and other public resources, in addition to government commitment to increase spending on health from the current 1.2 percent of the GDP to around 2.5 percent over the next seven years, will help in funding the scheme.

While Kant and Bhushan admit that there is no national level study to show that government-funded health insurance schemes reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare, they point to China's experience in reducing out-of-pocket expenses by embarking on a similar universal health coverage in 2007. Out-of-pocket spending in China was around 60 percent of its health expenditure in 2007, which has fallen to 30 percent now.It's early days to judge PMJAY. It's commendable that the government expanded access to health services for 40 percent of Indians living below the poverty line. But health activists are deeply concerned about the haste with which the scheme has been conceived and announced.

There are questions on effectiveness of the 'insurance model' that relies heavily on private sector for service delivery, which isn't well regulated.

While the government assures that it has learnt lessons from the failure of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana and several state-level schemes and built checks and balances into PMJAY, only time will tell us how much have they learnt.

But healthy scrutiny of such an important scheme is extremely important.The case is made for legalised cannabis benefitting disabled people, marginalised Americans and people with vagina/uterus related pain.

A renewed siren call for legalizing cannabis is sweeping not just the nation, but the world. Earlier this year, Canada legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and this past month, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that limiting marijuana use to medical reasons violated their Constitution, effectively lifting the prohibition for recreational use there. In America, some states have legalized marijuana for both medical and recreational use, others have legalized marijuana for medical use only, and some states maintain strict prohibition.

The push for legalization of marijuana at the federal level has never been stronger. And if you consider yourself a feminist, you may want to consider getting behind legalizing cannabis for both recreational and medical use in the USA. Heres why.

Legalization Is a Boon to Womens Health

The legalization of cannabis at the federal level would open up a whole new world for women and people with vaginas/wombs suffering from common medical problems, from menstrual cramps to endometriosis. Pain from these conditions can be severe. However, due to the habit many doctors have of dismissing these forms of pain, many suffer in relative silence.

Cannabis-infused tampons exist, claiming to make menstrual cramps a thing of the past. Cannabis can provide some relief from even severe pain, and many people suffering from extreme menstrual cramps and even endometriosis can benefit from this natural treatment. This change could also be a boon for those who are unable to take hormonal birth control to regulate their menstrual periods due to other health conditions.

How Legalization Could Help Native Americans

The legalization of cannabis could also benefit Native Americans in terms of finance and, potentially, health. While studies thus far have been small, on reservations where cannabis has been legalized, residents describe a higher level of mental health and lower levels of alcohol addiction and violence. Not all Native American tribes, leaders or individuals support a move towards legalized cannabis, but the fourth Native American Cannabis and Hemp Conference took place in Autumn 2018, with tribal leaders in attendance. The California Native American Cannabis Association was formed in 2017 to support economic development through tribal sovereignty  so developments in cannabis use and regulation are relatively recent, but most certainly underway.

Legalization Equals Greater Racial Equality

One of the biggest criticisms of our current war on drugs is that it disproportionately targets people of colour. In Iowa, for example, African Americans are disproportionately incarcerated, and the majority are in prison for minor drug offenses, usually involving cannabis.

If we, as a society, are to address the systematic inequalities inherent in our current drug war, the legalization of cannabis paired with the expungement of records related to minor marijuana-related offenses would go a long way toward accomplishing this goal.

Legalization Helps People with Disabilities

Its a grim truth in the United States that many people with disabilities dont receive the support they need to live their best lives. This is also true for those with invisible disabilities. In addition, in a nation gripped by the opioid epidemic, many chronic pain patients have trouble obtaining the medication they need to have any quality of life.

As a potentially potent pain reliever, cannabis can be a godsend for many with disabilities. Unlike opioids, cannabis is not physically addictive in the scientific sense, and overdosing on it is, for practical purposes, impossible.

In addition, preliminary studies have shown cannabis has the ability to heal the myelin sheath lining the nerves, something thats damaged in people suffering from diseases such as MS. Legalizing cannabis not only helps wean those with disabilities off opioid use but also provides them with a safe palliative treatment to restore their quality of life.

Legalization Leads to Economic Independence

Cannabis legalization has opened whole new industries and income streams in states where its been legalized, and many of the new cannabis entrepreneurs are women. Despite facing hurdes in the realms of banking and tax, cannabis business is absolutely booming.

Full legalization would allow more female entrepreneurs to enter the field geared with the tools they need to make their businesses successful. Given the millions that legal cannabis has already collected in states where its legal, legalization at the federal level could only lead to more jobs and greater financial independence for all in the industry, not just women.

The legalization of cannabis is an idea whose time may well have come. Support for legalization stretches across party lines. Congress should actively consider legalizing cannabis at the federal level so that everyone can reap the benefits.Our annual Top 100 Brokers report has selected the industry's finest for over a decade. We rank brokers by the volume of residential loans they have written over the financial year, with all figures verified by aggregators.A 17-year-old male student from Lee High School died Friday from injuries sustained in fight earlier in the day on the Lee campus.

By Staff Reports

Midland Reporter-Telegram

From Staff Reports

A 17-year-old male student from Lee High School died Friday from injuries sustained in fight earlier in the day on the Lee campus.

Midland Police reported late Friday night that the Lee student was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with injuries received during the altercation, which reportedly took place during the school's sixth period (between 2 and 3 p.m.), according to Sgt. David Scardino of the Midland Police Department. The teen, according to Midland County District Attorney Teresa Clingman, died after being taken off life support.

As of press time, neither Midland Independent School District officials nor MPD representatives had yet released the names of the two students involved in the fight.

"It is such a tragic loss," said Clingman, who added investigators from the Midland Police Department and Midland Independent School District are still gathering information into the death. Once that investigation is completed, Clingman said, police will forward the information to her office for review by the grand jury.

Scardino told the Reporter-Telegram both males involved in the fight were 17-year-old Lee students.

Scardino also said the boy who later died was the reportedly the aggressor and the other student defended himself. Scardino said no weapons were involved and gang activity is not suspected to have been a reason for the altercation.

Scardino said the fight took place inside the school building although away from classroom areas of the high school. He couldn't provide any more specifics to the location or what might have taken place during the altercation. There were still witnesses to interview, he said. MISD officials referred all questions to those investigating the incident.

Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace David M. Cobos has ordered an autopsy.A Midland man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly stalking a woman, according to court documents.

Dale Justin Brock, 39, was released on a $20,000 bond for a third-degree felony charge of stalking.

RELATED: Midland woman arrested after stabbing man with butcher knife

A Midland police officer was dispatched at about 8:25 p.m. Wednesday in reference to checking a person.

Brock repeatedly drove past a residence and parked in front of it, trying to get a woman to come outside, according to his arrest affidavit. He also called the woman 41 times and texted her multiple times, according to the affidavit.

If convicted of the third-degree felony charge, Brock could face up to 10 years imprisonment.EDITORS NOTE: This is a weekly column provided by the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau that discusses the impact of tourism on our region.

For many years we have been focused on tourism as a means of building relations, connecting people to a place and even a form of diplomacy. This past week, I had the privilege to travel abroad with the Illinois Office of Tourism to London for the World Travel Market and the Regent Street Motor Show.

The week started out with us celebrating Route 66 on Regent Street at the major shopping district for the Regent Street Motor Show with a huge tent, some classic cars, and photos of Route 66 in Illinois. We partnered with the Illinois Office of Tourism, Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau out of Joliet. Our highlights in the streets included the 1950s Diner at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, the Chain of Rocks Bridge and of course Collinsvilles Worlds Largest Catsup Bottle! We also proudly distributed a new brochure for the entire Illinois Route 66 that hit all of our highlights along the route, from Virden and Girard to Glen Carbon, Edwardsville and Collinsville.

Reports from the day were incredible. Not only did half a million people attend the show, but as they made their way down Regent Street and came along Route 66, their excitement drove us into some pretty exciting conversations as to why they should come to see us. Illinois was the presenting sponsor of this event and the only destination in the world as a part of it. And let me tell you that Illinois shined.

This excitement carried on through the week at the World Travel Market as we met with industry travel trade and media. One after another continued to echo that Route 66 self-drives and group tours were the number one requested itinerary for almost all of their markets. And guess what followed. Thats right, we took the folks on a descriptive itinerary from Springfield through Macoupin and Madison County to St. Louis. New relationships were formed and they will be getting many photos, video clips and more that they can add to their efforts to sell Route 66.

And, the best part of our presentation was when we could tout that we are the one place in America where the River Road meets the Mother Road. So understand and repeat, we have the ability to take the traveler from the nostalgia of Route 66 to the nature of the Great River Road and the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. There are not many places where you can offer so much, but right here in the Rivers and Routes region of Madison, Macoupin, Jersey, and Calhoun counties.

Putting this in context, all of this excitement abroad occurred during the tension in our countrys election. Yes, people are very interested in our politics, but even more interested in our destinations. You see, tourism really is a new diplomacy. It is a welcome mat not only for visitors but for economic development and our communities quality of life. The time is now for us to embrace tourism. Get out there with a fresh perspective and plan your own adventures of your hometown area at www.RiversandRoutes.com. We have a lot for which to be proud.

Brett Stawar is president and CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, which works for the vested interests of hospitality partners in Madison, Jersey, Calhoun and Macoupin counties.Sonora Police video released of woman wanted for questioning related to alleged Sonora thefts View Photos

View Video

Sonora, CA  A stores security video put out by Sonora police earlier this week asking for the publics help in targeting a shoplifter that hit two stores in the downtown area paid off.

Police released the footage that can be viewed in the image box on Wednesday showing a close up of the woman, as reported here. A day later, dispatch got a tip from a caller that the woman was in the Candy Vault shop located at 42 South Washington Street.

Once at the store, investigators confronted 20-year-old Brooke Hines of Angels Camp, who confessed to the two earlier thefts, according to SPD Sgt. Tim Wertz. He detailed, She stole a shirt and some other items. Maybe about a hundred dollars worth. She put them in a bag to get them out of the stores.

Hines was cited for the thefts, but not arrested as there are misdemeanor crimes. It will be up to the Tuolumne County District Attorneys Offices to determine whether to actually press charges against Hines.Small Bites returns with restaurant and food trend news in West Texas. Got a tip or photo? Send to jrlopez@mrt.com.

Appetizers

See photos from Thursday's Coffee with a Cop at Whataburger here.

H-E-B announces its second Selena tote bag with some heavy customer reactions.

Learn how StreetBound can help you find where your favorite food truck is located.

Now Open

The new breakfast and brunch bar Toast is now open in One Wall Plaza in the former Mercy Eatery location downtown. Per its Instagram account, the menu gives focus to its namesake with a variety of bread-based offerings from sweet flavors such as fruit toast with Nutella and house made pop tarts to savory items like avocado toast and green hatch chili burgers.

The restaurant is open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

Featured Bites

Downtown's newest nightlife offering is near its opening. The Buffalo Nickel by Cibolo Creek is gearing up for a December grand opening. In the meantime, owners Michele Kettle and Crystal Wright along with general manager Michael Mielnik are putting the finishing touches on the place with both decor, spirits and staff.

More Information by Cibolo Creek bar See More Collapse

"I'm working to hire bartenders and train them so we can all be on the same page and have consistency to our product," Mielnik said.

Thanks to the mixologist Mielnik, the bar will have a strong focus on craft cocktails offering a selection of both classics like Old Fashioneds and Champagne Cocktails as well as twists on drinks like the Moscow Mule and margaritas. Mielnik was formerly with Opal's Table mixing cocktails before he was hired on as Buffalo Nickel's general manager.

Like its former Cigar Frogs incarnation, the spot will have a humidor to purchase cigars along with a selection of wines and beers on tap. A private room is expected to give the option of indoor smoking along with poker play or gathering for reserved parties. Otherwise, the bar is a non-smoking establishment with a patio.

The bar is a family affair with owners' husbands Ryan Kettle and Michael Wright pitching in. The former was last viewing the art to be hung in the patio and will facilitate the ventilation of the private room.

"We want this to be a place to enjoy some great drinks in a nice environment. You can come here on a date or with some friends or plug in to the wifi," he said.

He added that with women owners, a big emphasis on Buffalo Nickel will be to have a comfortable space for women to come.

"There are a lot of bars that are for the guys. This place is for everyone but definitely an inviting spot for women to not have to deal with certain elements," he said.

Part of that includes keeping a diligent eye out on the crowd as well as attention to safety with lighted areas outside the bar and security cameras in and out.

As the final touches are put in place, a soft opening is expected for Nov. 19 with a grand opening Dec. 1.

"The decor is nice. We have great drinks and a great manager and I think it's really exciting," co-owner Crystal Wright said.

The Buffalo Nickel is located at 216 N. Main St. Hours will be 3-11 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 3 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays; noon-9 p.m. Sundays.

Small Bites Calendar

Today | Adult Paint and Sip: "Fall Scenery." 7-9:30 p.m. at Kidds and Canvas Parties, 3300 N. Midkiff Road. $35. kiddsart.com.

Today | Live Event Trivia. 7 p.m. through Jan. 25 at Twist Restaurant and Bar, 5518 Starboard Drive.

Saturday | Midland Downtown Farmers Market celebrates its 11th season. Along with a variety of vendors, the market will include Music on the Porch, DELL workshops and onsite food trucks. Visit the calendar online for details and changes. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Museum of the Southwest, 1705 W. Missouri Ave. midlanddowntownfarmersmarket.com.

Saturday | Adult Paint and Sip: "Happy Scarecrow." 7 p.m. t Kidd's and Canvas Parties, 3300 N. Midkiff Road. $35. kiddsart.com.

Sunday | Pint Nights featuring one-dollar pints. 5-9 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays through Dec. 30 at Double Dave's Midland, 3208 N. Loop 250 W.

Wednesday | Trivia Game Night, 7 p.m. at True Texas BBQ, 5407 Andrews Highway Free.

Nov. 16 | Mommy and Me Cookie Decorating Class: Thanksgiving. 5:30-7 p.m. at Kidd's and Canvas Parties, 3300 N. Midkiff Road. $45 for half-dozen. $20 for child cookie pack. kiddsart.com.

Nov. 17 | Big Bend Brewing Company sixth anniversary party with music by Brice Daniels Band. 1-8 p.m. at the Taproom, 3401 W. Highway 90, Alpine.

Nov. 18 | Friendsgiving Feast with Young Professionals of Midland. Noon-4 p.m. at Shack in the Back, 11610 W. Highway 80 E., Odessa. $10. ypmidland.org.

Nov. 19 | Grub Give Back benefiting Centers. Proceeds from orders will benefit the organization. Let the cashier know you are there for Centers. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Through Nov. 23 at Grub Burger Bar, 4400 N. Midland Drive.

Nov. 20 | Adult Cookie Decorating Class: Thanksgiving. 6:30-8 p.m. at Kidd's and Canvas Parties, 3300 N. Midkiff Road. $45 for half-dozen; $20 cookie add-on. kiddsart.com.

Nov. 24 | Small Business Saturday Urban Market Brunch. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 300 N. Colorado St.NEWPORT, R.I.  Ensign Donnelle Simmons applied the lessons learned from Houston to help in developing the skills to become a naval supply officer.

My entire state is big on respect, so this is definitely something that I have taken with me and continue to teach others, said Simmons.

Those lessons turned into an opportunity to learn leadership and the most innovative tactics of naval supply in the world at Navy Supply Corps School (NSCS), located in Newport, Rhode Island.

I became a supply officer because I wanted to be a part of the solution to help with financials within the U.S. Navy, said Simmons. In addition to that, I enjoy the aspect of managing a business.

Simmons is a 2017 Devry University graduate.

Considered to be one of the Navys greatest assets, the supply officers must first train and be mentored at supply school.

Prior to any type of extraordinary achievement, the students must first pass a rigorous course structure in order to become a Navy supply officer.

The mission of supply school is to provide students with the personal and professional foundations for success. This mission lends itself to the vision of the school which is to ensure all supply corps officer graduates are prepared to provide global logistics support to Navy and joint warfare.

Once these service members finish training, they are deployed around the world putting their skill set to work.

Our mantra here at NSCS is Ready for Sea, said Capt. Nick Rapley, commanding officer, Navy Supply Corps School. Our graduates leave this institution prepared to support the warfighter on land, at sea, in the air, and in the cyber realm. It is my honor to serve these men and women by providing them with the resources to learn their trade and perform in the fleet. Only a select few will have the privilege of serving as Navy supply corps officers. Logistics support is a critical part of mission success.

There are many sacrifices and goals one must achieve to be selected as a supply officer. Simmons is most proud of his service as an enlisted sailor for 10 years as an information systems technician.

During my time in the Navy Ive had many accomplishments, but I would probably say completing my degree while on active duty and earning my commission is the biggest so far, said Simmons. Earning my degree and a commission as a naval officer shows that my hard work has paid off, and it still feels unreal to live my dream.

The future of naval warfare is rapidly changing, so the course and materials at supply school are constantly evolving to create the most dynamic, lethal, safe and professional warfighting team for the Navy our nation needs.

NSCS flagship curriculum, the Basic Qualification Course (BQC) is modeled to prepare new supply officers for their first operation tours in the fleet, said Lt. Adam C. Johnson, public affairs officer for the school. Other courses like the Supply Officer Department Head Course, Joint Aviation Supply Maintenance Material Management, and the Introduction to Expeditionary Logistics Course, are designed to refine intermediate and advanced level skillsets of both officer and enlisted operators.

Just as Americans go grocery shopping and conduct car and home repairs, supply officers in the Navy ensure sailors have the tools and equipment they need to deter any threat and maintain warfighting readiness and threat deterrence in an era of great power competition.

Simmons is continuing a family tradition of military service.

Most of my family has served in the military, and two were officers, said Simmons. I intend to provide the best life to my children and set the best example that I can for them.

As Simmons and other officers continue to train, they take pride in what it means to serve their country in the United States Navy.

Serving in the Navy means Im contributing to something much more than myself, said Simmons. Im extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead sailors. This is a huge task with tremendous importance.On this Veterans Day, we look back at rare color photos from World War II, that great struggle our forebearers endured to ensure the future of ours and other nations.

The following photos are provided through Getty Images, as well as the Time & Life collection.If you didnt know, last month was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Its the month during which the city of San Antonio and our partner agencies try our hardest to highlight that domestic violence is still among us and that San Antonio can and should do more to combat it.

As a councilman, I have made domestic violence awareness, and our community response to domestic violence, a key priority. Im happy to report that City Hall has doubled-down on our commitment to fight this epidemic and help survivors. Our Police Department, our Fire Department and our delegate agencies are equipped to tackle this important work, and they are all eager and ready to do the heavy lifting.

We all know that domestic violence is not new. We know the numbers are outrageous: nationally, 1 in 3 women is a victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime. Were all aware that the impact of intimate partner violence can be lasting and devastating. Also, most of us know domestic violence has a direct relationship to substance abuse, mental health problems, homelessness, health outcomes, unemployment and PTSD among veterans.

Raising awareness is an important tool in our efforts to reduce domestic violence. However, there is one facet of this pervasive problem that often goes unaddressed and about which too many people have no awareness. Im referring to intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community.

Domestic violence doesnt discriminate. Its ubiquitous and haunts every demographic. But Im particularly alarmed by the rates of LGBTQ intimate partner violence. Its time to have a conversation about this problem.

Intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships, according to experts and studies, occurs at rates higher than those among the general population. LGBTQ partners are more likely to experience severe physical violence than their straight counterparts. Psychological abuse comes in different forms for LGBTQ victims, too, particularly when we consider threats to out a persons sexual orientation or gender identity as a means of control. We can and must do something to address this ugly truth that our LGBTQ neighbors face all too often.

Reliable data regarding this issue was almost nonexistent 10 years ago. That has changed. Today, we know more about this topic. In 2012, the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found that 44 percent of lesbian women and 61 percent of bisexual women experienced physical violence, stalking or rape as a result of intimate partner violence.

From the same survey, 26 percent of gay men, 37 percent of bisexual men and 29 percent of heterosexual men reported the same experience as a result of intimate partner violence.

In addition, a 2012 report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, an organization dedicated to reducing violence and its impacts on the LGBTQ community in the United States, found that fewer than 5 percent of LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence sought protective orders from the courts.

Im very grateful that my City Council colleagues and Mayor Ron Nirenberg are as dedicated as I am to the fight against domestic violence. This is evidenced by the increased funding weve dedicated to combating this crisis in our 2019 budget. But we cant do this alone, which is why I will be proposing to dedicate a portion of the recently allocated 2019 budget to combat LGBTQ intimate partner violence and have asked the mayors LGBTQ Advisory Committee to weigh in.

My hope is that we can also recruit you to join us in this effort, and that you will continue to learn more about how you can help. One way you can start is by spreading knowledge when you share this article with friends and family. After all, a community that knows more is a community that can do more.

If you are a victim or if you know a LGBTQ victim, here are some excellent and zero-cost resources: the Bexar County Battered Women & Childrens Shelter; the Domestic Violence Hotline; the Anti-Violence Project; Forge; and the Network La Red.

Manny Pelaez is the San Antonio city councilman for District 8. He is also the immediate past general counsel for the Battered Women & Childrens Shelter.Former President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace have been fingered in a Zimbabwe Human Rights Commissions (ZHRC) report as human rights violators.

The 2017 ZHRC report, which was tabled before the National Assembly on Thursday, also pointed out that Zimbabweans were suffering due to corruption, political patronage and impunity.

ZHRC chairperson Elasto Mugwadi said in the report 2017 witnessed gross violations of human rights that included the right to life, food and water, education, health, shelter and human dignity.

He said the countrywide Zanu PF youth interface rallies undertaken by Mugabe and Grace when they were still in power were used as a platform to attack and denigrate their perceived political opponents.

(They) grossly undermined Zimbabwes founding constitutional values and principles, including the rule of law and recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of each human being, Mugwadi said.

Accountability to citizens in relation to fulfilment of many of their rights was eroded as government ministers, senior civil servants and other duty bearers spent most of their time attending political rallies and negating their constitutional and statutory obligations to deliver services to citizenry.

The ZHRC report said corruption reported at public entities and in the private sector highlighted the endemic culture of personal enrichment, political patronage and impunity which crippled service delivery across key sectors of the economy. It said this further compromised the protection and fulfilment of human rights to ordinary Zimbabweans.

In 2017, opposition parties appeared to struggle to offer any alternative to help alleviate the deteriorating human rights situation in the country as their calls to authorities to respect human rights went unheeded, reads the report.

Perennial disagreements undermined the opposition parties widely publicised endeavours to form a grand coalition to contest the 2018 general elections as a united front against the ruling Zanu PF party.

The report also cited widespread and pervasive corruption by the Zimbabwe Republic Police officers, particularly the manner in which they were enforcing and managing roadblocks throughout the country where the public perceived them as perpetuating lawlessness and indiscipline.

Human rights violations were committed against street vendors who were assaulted and had some of their wares confiscated by the ZRP and municipal police mainly in Harare during operations to clear the streets of vendors and during demonstrations against police heavy-handedness, said ZHRC.

There were allegations of some of the vendors and other protesters having been tortured in detention following their arrest. Efforts by the commission to engage the police following the completion of the Bulawayo (Burombo Flats) and Epworth reports on brutalities committed during the 2016 demonstrations were met with arrogance.

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Related Zimbabwe Latest NewsCalPERS executives and its board seem determined to implement a private equity scheme which, as our former Sullivan & Cromwell attorney Jerri-Lynn Scofield explained at some length, would have an inherently deficient governance structure. One has to wonder if the reason that CalPERS executives and board have latched so hard onto such a bad idea and are refusing to let any independent experts close enough to do due diligence is that they assume that their personal liability is well covered by the insurance policies CalPERS has in place. In fact, CalPERS self-insurance policies, created under the regime of the now-imprisoned CEO Fred Buenrosto, are at odds with CalPERS governing statute and are being operated out of compliance with the insurance policies themselves as well as state insurance laws.

One example of CalPERS staff and board ignoring expert advice and setting themselves up for liability claims if anything goes wrong: the private equity expert that CalPERS brought in to give the board a pep talk, Dr. Ashby Monk, stressed that far and away the most important thing for CalPERS to get right is the governancesomething which it clearly has badly wrong. The reason deficient governance matters is that it greatly increases the odds of chicanery. That already exists aplenty in private equity, given the warnings the SEC issued, followed by enforcement actions, about embezzlement and other abuses at major private firms.

What ought to be another huge red flag to the board: CalPERS staff has kept the Boards private equity consultant, Meketa, well away from this plan, when youd expect them to be an integral player. Similarly, we understand that no one from CalPERS private equity staff had been involved in coming up with the private equity new business model which explains why its such a monstrosity. Its been cooked up by people with no substantive knowledge, meaning CEO Marcie Frost, departing CIO Ted Eliopoulos, general counsel Matt Jacobs, and Cole, who does not have a background in private equity, with the assistance of hopelessly conflicted Silicon Valley fixer Larry Sonsini.

CalPERS refusal to involve or even listen to experts is a grotesque departure from how competent and risk averse organizations operate, and how CalPERS functions in its normal course of business, as opposed to this case. If youve watched a typical CalPERS board meeting, youll see a parade of hired guns armed with PowerPoint slides. A basic rule of life in the executive suite as well as in investment management is that if youve consulted experts, your personal exposure is limited or or you at least have a viable defense.

So why are CalPERS staff and board behaving in such a cavalier manner when they planning to commit large amounts of funds to an utterly unprecedented, in a bad way, program? If they think their insurance will bail them out, they might want to think twice.

Overview of CalPERS Fiduciary Liability Insurance Plans and Its Self-Dealing Self-Insurance

Just as it is permitted for companies to buy directors and officers insurance, so too can CalPERS buy liability insurance for its board members. But the relevant insurance, which is a CalPERS self-insurance policy is so far outside what its own governing statute, the Public Employees Retirement Law (PERL), and state insurance law allows that one lawyer deemed it to be crazy-town an absolute joke. An expert on insurance who regularly serves as an expert witness said that the supposed insurance contract is in fact not insurance due to the lack of reserving and ongoing estimates of what CalPERS exposure might be as a result of changes in legislation and precedent, and was a mere contract with board members and employees.

But perhaps the most important problem is that these policies represent a conflict of interest under Government Code  1090 that rises to the level of a willful violation. That exposes board members as well well as any employees who participate to fines and criminal liability. In addition, the employees who aided and abetted them, meaning at a minimum the CEO Marcie Frost and the General Counsel Matt Jacobs, are subject to separate violation of Government Code  1090.

Weve embedded the policies below. Well discuss the first, the Fiduciary Liability Self-Insurance Program. The second, The Euclid Vanguard Fiduciary Liability Insurance Policy Certificate is a policy written by an independent insurer. It covers liability with plans that are overwhelmingly health insurance plans and are thus largely not relevant for this post.

CalPERS authority to obtain liability insurance comes from this part of the PERL, the section of the California Government Code that deals with the retirement system:

 7511. Liability Insurance: Fiduciaries

Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary:

(a) A public retirement system may purchase insurance for its fiduciaries or for itself to cover liability or losses occurring by reason of the act or omission of a fiduciary, if the insurance permits recourse by the insurer against the fiduciary in the case of a breach of a fiduciary obligation by the fiduciary.

(b) A fiduciary may purchase insurance to cover liability under this section from and for his or her own account.

(c) An employer or an employee organization may purchase insurance to cover potential liability of one or more persons who serve in a fiduciary capacity with regard to an employee benefit plan.

If you read the statute, CalPERS is allowed to buy insurance for its fiduciaries (more on that later) provided that the insurance policy allows for recourse against the individual(s) for breach of fiduciary duty.

What CalPERS has done instead is set up an contract that is whose terms resemble those of insurance policies. To make it look insurance-like, CalPERS employees and board members purchase a waiver from CalPERS for personal recourse, meaning the having the insurer come after individuals assets to recoup some of the cost of the insurance payouts made on their behalf if the insurer.

The self-insurance plan has no retention (deductible), and so covers the first dollar to $40 million of total liability. CalPERS set the price of the waiver for individual recourse under its self-insurance plan (which covers pension plan) at $25 in 2003 and $4 for the individual recourse under the third party plan (the one written by Euclid Vanguard).

Why the Self-Insurance Plan Is Illegal

There are numerous problems with the self-insurance plan:

Violates Government Code  1090 prohibitions against self-dealing. Specifically:

ARTICLE 4. Prohibitions Applicable to Specified Officers 1090. (a) Members of the Legislature, state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees shall not be financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are members. Nor shall state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees be purchasers at any sale or vendors at any purchase made by them in their official capacity.

(b) An individual shall not aid or abet a Member of the Legislature or a state, county, district, judicial district, or city officer or employee in violating subdivision (a).

(c) As used in this article, district means any agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries.

As one trustee put it, Board and staff buy waivers because of and only because of knowledge of financial interest.

Even if (a) is deemed not to include employees, section (b) would pick up those employees who were involved in or responsible for aiding the board members, who are also officers of the state government who aided and abetted them in entering into contracts that enriched them personally. That would at a minimum include Marcie Frost, Matt Jacobs, and the party that sent the memorandum offering coverage to board members and employees, which has in recent years been the Chief Financial Officer.

Moreover, from a document on the Attorney Generals website, Conflicts of Interest. First, from the checklist on the first text page:

Does a board member have a direct or indirect financial interest in a contract being made either by the board or by any agency under the boards jurisdiction? If so, and the contract is made, the member may be subject to criminal sanctions and the contract may be void and any private gain received by the official under the contract may have to be returned.

And the detail(emphasis ours)

Who is is the individual with the potential conflict of interest? Section 1090 applies to virtually all state and local officers, employees, and multi-member bodies, whether elected or appointed, at both the state and local level. It also applies to certain consultants and independent contractors A Contract Made in Violation of Section 1090 is Void and Unenforceable. Willful violations by officials are subject to fines and imprisonment. A willful violation of any of the provisions of section 1090 et seq. is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment in state prison. ( 1097.) For an official to act willfully, his or her actions concerning the contract must be purposeful and with knowledge of his or her financial interest in the contract. (People v. Honig (1996) 48 Cal.App.4th 289, 334- 339.) The statute of limitations for section 1090 prosecutions is three years after discovery of the violation. (Id. at p. 304, fn. 1; Penal Code,  801, 803, subd. (c).) Additionally, such an individual is forever disqualified from holding any office in this state. ( 1097.) When a state or local government agency is informed by affidavit that a board member or employee has violated section 1090, the agency may withhold payment of funds under the contract pending adjudication of the violation. ( 1096.)

The attorney generals paper includes this section:

Officials who rely upon advice from a government lawyer (such as a city attorney) that a proposed transaction does not violate section 1090, may not avoid prosecution based upon the defense of entrapment by estoppel.

Translation: Board members and employees cant get out of trouble by claiming Matt Jacobs said to was OK.1

Failure to take steps for this benefit to the board and employees to be considered to be insurance.. The PERL does not authorize CalPERS to self-insure for fiduciaries liability, but even if we take may purchase to include that, CalPERS in fact has not purchased insurance. As our insurance expert put it, You dont have an insurance plan. What you have here is an agreement.

We put in a Public Records Act request, #3786, which among other things, asked for records showing how CalPERS determined the price of its fiduciary insurance. For instance, the use of purchased in the PERL would seem to require that CalPERS that CalPERS would show a premium cost in its annual profit and loss statements, as well as have a reserve account in its balance sheet.

We asked in some detail about how CalPERS determined the price of its policy as well as for information provided to its accountants so that income statement and balance sheet impact of the fiduciary self-insurance was properly reflected in its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. We got nothing of the sort back.

We e-mailed CalPERS head of media relations, Brad Pacheco, pointing out that we had received no records in response to these sorts of questions and explained the implication. Unless and until CalPERS produces records that show otherwise, CalPERS cannot claim it has purchased the insurance pursuant to the PERL.

CalPERS has not set up reserves for the self-insurance policy. The self-insurance policy states that:

CalPERS total obligation to defend and pay under this Coverage Memorandum for all Loss because of claims first made against the Covered Parties during the Coverage Period shall not exceed $40 million.which amount shall be held as a separate line item in the Reserve Against Deficiencies Account.

Again, we asked in PRA ##3786 for records showing how CalPERS set its reserves and what information it had given to its accountant about them. We got nothing back. There is no item in CalPERS Comprehensive Annual Financial Report showing a Reserve Against Deficiencies or any other reserve for fiduciary self insurance. And its mystery bucket, Contingent Liabilities has a $58 million deficit!

The lack of a reserve has dire implications for the legality of any payments under this plan. It means if there were significant outlays, CalPERS would have to find the money from somewhere. Would it misappropriate funds from its annual budget? Raid the assets of pension funds? As an attorney put it:

Its also quite basic that self-insurance without lawful and adequate reserves is invalid. It would be a gift or theft of public funds to pay a claim for violation of fiduciary duty by a board member.

Lack of authority in the PERL for fiduciaries to buy only a waiver of recourse for fiduciary duty violations. If you read  7511 from the PERL above, (a) allows for a retirement system, meaning CalPERS, to buy a policy for its fiduciaries to cover liability for their acts and omissions if it provides for recourse to them for breaches of fiduciary obligation. (b) allows for an individual to purchase insurance for himself, by himself, to cover acts and omissions. If they buy that policy themselves, it is not required to allow for recourse in the case of a breach of fiduciary duty. The Government Code  1090 prohibition against conflicted self-dealing descried earlier is the reson the reason  7511(b) requires that insurance be obtained by a fiduciary board member from and for his or her own account.2

Individuals acting as fiduciaries for CalPERS buying only the personal recourse waiver for fiduciary duty breaches is not contemplated in (a) or (b) and therefore not legal under the PERL. 3

Self-insurance policy impermissibly covers employers and third party plan administrators. On page 1, under (2) Covered Parties:

(b) The following persons or organizations, while acting in connection with the Employee Benefit Plans:

(i) any sponsoring employer,

(ii) any plan administrator,

Wrong wrong wrong! Per the PERL, an employer or employee organization may purchase insurance. CalPERS cant give it to them. The employers need to pay CalPERS for it. Given that CalPERS doesnt have any records showing that it has the foggiest idea of what this policy ought to cost, and given that the PRA results I received indicated that no one outside CalPERS had been sent a copy of this policy, what do you think the odds are employers even know this plan exists?

Moreover, extending this coverage to employers willy-nilly the way CalPERS has done without underwriting the risk and collecting premiums exposes CalPERS to potentially huge losses. Imagine a large government employer in California that participates in CalPERS illegally excluded a large category of its employees who were supposed to be enrolled from CalPERS membership, and did so for decades. The potential loss that CalPERS would have insured against could potentially be in the billions of dollars. That one claim would exceed CalPERS policy limit, leaving no coverage for other claims. While the policy allows the board to increase the policy limits, it would take time for that to move though the approval process, particularly if proper underwriting were done.

Self-Dealing Already Taking Place: The Bargain Basement Recourse Waiver

We can already see that even before you get to the mess of handling a claim, that CalPERS is visibly self-dealing via the absurdly low price it has set on the personal recourse waiver, even assuming it were legal. As a regular insurance expert witness said:

As to the $25 waiver cost, it is obviously nominal and couldnt possibly fund the risk borne by CalPERS to provide first dollar protection.

Even employees know the pricing isnt kosher. As one said:

The short answer is every yearCalPERS staff receive the same email with the offer to purchase the insurance coverage for $25. Generally speaking the staff is largely ignorant of the terms of the insurance policy and the coverage it provides. Almost everyone I know pays the $25 without really understanding whyother than that it is a benefit provided by the organization and no one wants to be the only person without the insurance protection if/when a lawsuit is brought which claims certain CalPERS employees violated their fiduciary responsibilities to the fund/pensioners. To your point the $25 is a de minimis amount. And it would appear given the size of the policy and the protections it provides  the organization must be primarily shouldering the financial burden of making the policy available. It is unclear to me why the organization provides the benefit to its staff. Frankly if individuals have violated their fiduciary duties to the fund/pensioners it would seem logical that they should not be protected by the organization.

Going back to the insurance expert, he also said the fact that the price never changed was also a sign that the $25 was a token charge and not a bona fide price:

You are correct that the pricing of Fiduciary Liability coverage varies over the years, based upon loss experience, changes in laws and regulations and economic conditions. There have been tremendous changes in the environment for directors and officers policies over the years.

* * *

The CalPERS board and staff are naked, from an insurance perspective, when the CEO and staff are pushing the Board to take the biggest and most bone-headed risk in CalPERS history. The attorneys leading the case against three hedge fund managers in Kentucky over roughly $1.2 billion in total investments have included every bystander they could identify as defendants in the case, including employees, trustee, the fiduciary counsel, and even the firm that certified the Kentucky Retirement Systems annual reports. The lawyers expect to get a nine-figure judgement or settlement. One motivation for including these parties is to demonstrate the extent of negligence and corruption in handling of beneficiary funds.

If the CalPERS board doesnt recognize that handing over what will ultimately be on the order of $10 billion to an unprecedented structure with an untested team makes them a monster target for litigation if anything goes wrong, they are smoking something very strong. Recall that the Kentucky suit is over the three hedge fund misrepresenting their risks and returns and greatly undershooting the stock market, not for delivering big losses.

This is yet another demonstration of the incompetence of Matt Jacobs and Marcie Frost. We have long said Jacobs is not qualified to be the general counsel of CalPERS. He has neither been in a general counsels office in the private sector, nor has he been a government attorney as in working as a counsel on the business of a governmental body. Jacobs punted on doing an intellectual property audit, a basic step any incoming general counsel should take when joining a new organization. That lapse, and his failure to take any interest in obvious ongoing copyright abuses in the form of CalPERS maintaining a database of the full text of news articles for employee use without having obtained the rights to them, led to a massive copyright settlement.

Jacobs is also so inattentive to basic conflict of interest issues that he mis-advised board member Richard Gillihan over the very same  1090 issue we discuss in this post. Gillihan had been offered the Chief Financial Officer position but was concerned that he had been involved enough as a board member in setting the terms for the position that he might be deemed to have a conflict of interest. Jacobs brushed off the issue. Gillihan accepted the position and CalPERS even issued an announcement of his hiring. But another board member raised concerns about a possible  1090 abuse, leading CalPERS to seek an independent reading. Gillihan was advised he was exposed and he withdrew his acceptance. That didnt just result in a public black eye for CalPERS, and set up the hiring of the later-dismissed CFO Charles Asubonten. It also nearly caused Gillihan great personal distress. He had also said he was leaving his position as head of CalHR, and only by virtue of groveling to the governor was he reinstated. Gillihan would otherwise have been unemployed thanks to Jacobs cavalier attitude.

Jacobs is responsible for this self-insurance fiasco. It is his business to understand whether this self-insurance plan was legal. He cant pretend he didnt know about it. He would have been on the distribution list for sign-ups and almost certainly has purchased the non-recourse waiver.

Similarly, Frost is guilty, both legally and managerially. She is ultimately responsible for Jacobs as his boss. As we indicated above, under the law, she and Jacobs are liable for the  1090 abuses not just s direct participants, assuming they both purchased the non-resource waivers, but separately by aiding and abetting the board in doing so.

We warned Frost that Jacobs was a risk to CalPERS and her personally and she should fire him. Our words have been borne out. We also warned the board and public that Frost is a hazard to them by virtue of her history of self-serving misrepresentations going back to her time in Washington, as well as her record of poor performance, which we documented. But this board appears determined to go down with both of them.

_____

1 As part of the reform of the Penal Code, in 2014 the enforcement of Government Code  1090 was handed off to the Fair Political Practices Commission through the imposition of civil penalties, except in the case of willful violations. However, Misappropriation of Public Funds under Penal Code  424 is still on the books.

2 As an attorney elaborated:

Under subdivision (b) a board member can only insure themselves from his or her own account. CalPERS cant provide the insurance. Otherwise you set up the classic moral hazardproblem. The drafting in subdivision (c) is apparently being read with a nonexistent comma. An employer or an employee organization means that a board member who represents an employer organization or an employee organization on a board can have their own account insurance under subdivision (b) paid for by the organization that they represent. This does not mean that CalPERS can self-insure as an employer and then waive recourse, as they do not employ board members within the meaning of subdivision (c). It also means that a GC 7511 policy only covers fiduciary violations by board members, not wrongdoing by actual employees. Only board members act as fiduciaries. The reading under which the illegal purported self-insurance was created was evidently Fred Buenrostro getting cute with corruption on the board.

3 Most but not all of the experts consulted stated that . If you go through the PERL, it uses the word fiduciary to refer only to trustees, which excludes executives and employees. In keeping, the self-insurance policy invokes the California State Constitution, Article XVI, section 17, which discusses only the Board and says nothing about staff.

That does not necessarily preclude CalPERS from buying errors and omissions insurance for its officers and other staffers, but it cant do so through the ruse of a fiduciary policy covering both the board and employees. The minority view was that staff are fiduciaries per their employment arrangements.Entire cities evacuate as hellish wildfires whip through California Grist

Save the Climate, Eat Less Red Meat Bloomberg

What is the financialisation of food and why should we care? Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute

Using No-Till this Fall USDA (!).

Cobalts supply shock a painful warning to carmakers FT

Inside the Crazy Corruption Scandal That Ensnared Leonardo DiCaprio and the Hollywood Elite Daily Beast

7-Eleven accused of weaponizing ICE raids to shed troublesome franchisees Boing Boing

Social media growth is over in the U.S.  which is its most valuable market Recode

New study claims Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are linked to depression MarketWatch

The inside story of Quanttus, a failed health tech start-up whose alumns are now health leaders at Apple, Amazon, Alphabet and other giants CNBC. Failing upward?

Brexit

Syraqistan

China?

No Left Turn in Russia Carnegie Moscow Center

India

Trump Transition

On this World War I anniversary, lets not celebrate Woodrow Wilson WaPo. Id say Wilson exemplifies the Peter Principle for university administrators, except Wilson wasnt incompetent.

UPDATE I really should have thought to include this. Series finale:



The emotional final scene of Blackadder Goes Forth still gets us every time pic.twitter.com/lhRNxEM7MR  BBC Four (@BBCFOUR) November 11, 2018

Realignment and Legitimacy

Democrats ride monster fundraising to take the House, GOP successfully picks its Senate battles Open Secrets

Dear Democrats: Dont be corporate stooges too Nick Hanaeur, The Hill

Florida recounts begin as tensions escalate across state CNN

State elections observers have seen no evidence of criminal activity in Broward County Miami Herald

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

Class Warfare

L.A. Band Threatin Faked a Fanbase To Land a European Tour No One Attended Metal Sucks

Bug Bounty Hunter Ran ISP Doxing Service Krebs on Security

Specification gaming examples in AI  master list Vraikovna (more here). A robotic arm trained to slide a block to a target position on a table achieves the goal by moving the table itself. But arent these specs basically how evolution works?

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.NATO does not recognise the reported elections held on 11 November in the self-proclaimed and unrecognised Luhansk Peoples Republic and Donetsk Peoples Republic. They run contrary to the letter and spirit of the Minsk Agreements and undermine efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

NATO fully supports Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We continue to call on Russia to withdraw its forces and cease all support to militant groups in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. We call for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all sides, and support the efforts of the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group.NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is taking part in a ceremony of remembrance in Paris on Sunday (11 November 2018) for the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Mr. Stoltenberg joined other world leaders at the Arc de Triomphe to mark the exact moment that the guns fell silent, ending four terrible years of conflict. Speaking after the ceremony, Mr. Stoltenberg said, "today, we stand together in remembrance of all the lives lost in World War One, and we pay tribute to all those who serve. Let us never take peace and freedom for granted."

After the ceremony, the Secretary General attended the opening of the Paris Peace Forum, which aims to promote international cooperation to tackle global challenges. He deposited a copy of NATOs founding Washington Treaty at the Peace Library, stressing that the commemoration of one hundred years since the Armistice is a powerful reminder that the enduring bond between Europe & North America remains vital to secure peace."(Natural News) The founder of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, says that tech giants will need to be broken up in order to protect humanity. Because so many people depend on Facebook and Google for information, controlling the dissemination of that information has become top priority for governments, corporations, industries, advertisers, special interests, and political agendas.

Facebook has become so powerful; they now dictate the news and information that people can see through their Facebook news feeds. Using algorithms, status quo fact-checkers, and human interference, Facebook targets and blacklists certain keywords and topics that they consider spam or Russian bots. Wiping out hundreds of alternative media accounts and pages, Facebook has made it clear that they have ultimate control over the official narrative on important topics. Facebook justifies their censorship by saying they are protecting the public from hate speech, foreign meddling in elections and fake news. Ironically, Facebooks attempt to control information has allowed mainstream fake news a platform to appear legitimate. By censoring certain people with different viewpoints, Facebooks seething hate for the truth bleeds through. By limiting exposure to independent news channels, Facebook is financially assaulting grassroots organizations. Facebooks censorship over political concepts has made Facebook the greatest offender when it comes to meddling in American democracy and elections.

Google has become so powerful that they design algorithms that bury the search results that political and industry agendas dont want people to know about. Because Google is working with China to rollout new services that comply with Chinas censorship demands, they have unmasked their true intentions. Google is unfairly blacklisting independent sites and promoting search results that favor certain mainstream organizations and schools of thought.

Web founder believes the public will naturally abandon Big Tech

The inventor of the World Wide Web hopes that changes in taste will reduce big techs clout. A handful of technology companies have more financial and coercive influence than some dictatorships. Tim Berners-Lee expressed his disdain for the current state of the internet, bemoaning the loss of privacy and how data is used to track people, build psychological profiles on people, influence elections and coerce people into buying things.

What naturally happens is you end up with one company dominating the field so through history there is no alternative to really coming in and breaking things up, Berners-Lee, said in a pre-speech interview at the Mozilla Festival 2018 in London, England. There is a danger of concentration.

Berners-Lee said that before regulators try to break up the big tech companies, we should see whether they are not just disrupted by a small player beating them out of the market, but by the market shifting, by the interest going somewhere else, However, this does not excuse Facebook and Googles censorship actions, which will go unchecked, if nothing is done to stop them. Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft have $3.7 trillion in combined market capitalization. Even if there was a major shift in the market, Big Tech has made enough to do whatever they want for decades to come.

Berners-Lee, now a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Oxford, said he was disappointed when the news broke about Cambridge Analytica taking the personal data of 87 million Facebook users and using it for political gain. We have lost the feeling of individual empowerment and to a certain extent also I think the optimism has cracked, he said, expressing disappointment with the current state of the web. He remains optimistic, though, believing that people will get tired of propagating hate on social media and will strive for innovation in how they communicate online. For more on this topic, visit Censorship.News.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com(Natural News) The big news last week following the 2018 midterm elections wasnt about a migrant caravan heading through Mexico, the horrific shooting at a California bar, or even POTUS Donald Trumps fantastic economy.

It was about how Democrats, once again, launched efforts in at least two states and perhaps has many as four to steal victories away from Republican Senate candidates.

Though polls closed Tuesday evening in Florida, more than 40 hours later  past the legal time limit, per state election law  somehow election officials in two Democrat-heavy counties, Broward and Palm Beach, found tens of thousands of ballots that Leftie lawyers are now demanding be counted.

One of the election officials, supervisor Brenda Snipes, has been in legal trouble before regarding elections. As the Washington Examiner reports:

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was staving off a primary challenger Tim Canova when his campaign noticed certain irregularities in the way paper ballots were being counted. An ugly court battle and two years later, a judge ruled that the Broward elections supervisor had illegally destroyed ballots in the race.

The supervisors name? Brenda Snipes, who claimed that the trashing of the ballots was just a mistake.

Right. Just like it was a mistake that boatloads of ballots had gone missing only to be miraculously discovered outside of the turn-in deadline and after it became apparent that GOP gubernatorial candidate Rep. Ron DeSantis and Republican governor and Senate candidate Rick Scott both beat their Democratic challengers. And wouldnt you know it, now that counting those ballots has begun, their leads are being cut by the day. (Related: Report: Rick Scott ORDERS State Police to seize all Broward, Palm Beach ballots.)

Heres a prediction: The counting will stop once these corrupt officials find enough ballots to push Democrats to victory.

Meanwhile in Arizona, on election night GOP Senate contender and U.S. Rep. Martha McSally had bested her Democratic rival, U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema by a slim, but clear margin. By Friday, however, due to found ballots, Sinema had taken the lead while counting continued.

Democrats have a long-term goal: Destroy our system

The really tight races, Jim Hoft of The Gateway Pundit notes, always seem to go to Democrats and after ballots mysteriously appear out of thin air:

In one recent election, Philadelphia had more votes that electors in a district. In Detroit in 2016 some votes were so over stated in the inner city they could not be recounted which meant the original and fraudulent vote totals were used. God only knows what goes on in big cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis and more. These are the only strongholds for Democrats. Are they all fraudulent?

As soon as Democrats sent their best Election stealing lawyer, Marc Elias, to Broward County they miraculously started finding Democrat votes. Dont worry, Florida  I am sending much better lawyers to expose the FRAUD!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018

David Haranyi, senior editor at The Federalist, notes that Democrats are increasingly pushing for so-called direct democracy  that is, all candidates including those for federal offices and the presidency  should be elected by majorities, not via the constitutional electoral system our founders gave us. He writes:

Take Voxs Ezra Klein, a longtime champion of direct democracy: I dont think people are ready for the crisis that will follow if Democrats win the House popular vote but not the majority, he tweeted before the midterms. After Kavanaugh, Trump, Garland, Citizens United, Bush v. Gore, etc, the party is on the edge of losing faith in the system (and reasonably so).

If youve ever read the entire Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, you know the word democracy does not appear in either document. Thats because America is not a democracy, we live in a republic.

The only reason these folks who claim to want to save Constitution from Trump see crisis in the system is that it fails to deliver for them politically. Theyre not losing faith in the system. They just dont like the system, Harsanyi notes.

While Democrats work to undermine our faith in our election systems, they are simultaneously working to demolish it altogether and replace it with a system they can more easily manipulate.

Conservatives need to wake up and realize whats going on so they can stop it.

Read more about how the Left engages in vote fraud at VoteFraud.news.

Sources include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

RealClearPolitics.com

TheGatewayPundit.com

TheNationalSentinel.comAs thousands upon thousands of residents are forced from their homes in Paradise in Butte County, some reduced to smoking husks as the flames continue on, here are some ways to get help and to help:

AirBnb

AirBnb was looking for host homes to open their spaces for evacuees of the Woolsey and Hill Fires.

Airbnb's Open Homes Program aimed to connect evacuees, as well as emergency relief workers and volunteers, to AirBnB hosts.

The program was set to be running through Nov. 29.

Work Space

Chico Start is offering office space with phones and WiFi for businesses displaced by the fire needing a temporary space to work, said Butte County officials. Contact Tim at tim@chicostart.com or 530-924-5070.

Donations

Anyone who wants to help can text "CAWILDFIRES" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to support RedCross disaster efforts.

North Valley Community Foundation is accepting monetary donations as well as supplies.

Caring Choice, a nonprofit in Chico, is accepting donations to help offer relief to those affected by recent Northern California Fires. You can make a note in the memo whether you prefer your donation be used for, food, clothing, housing or other things.

Among supplies needed are paper products (toilet paper, forks, spoons, paper plates, tissues, paper towels), and women's undergarments, as well as warm clothes, including shoe and socks, county officials said.

Oroville Municipal Auditorium is taking supply donations at 1200 Meyers St., Oroville. Hours are Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Supply donations can be picked up at Hope Center (1950 Kitrick Ave A, Oroville, CA 95966).

The North Valley Animal Disaster Group is taking care of 729 animals as of Saturday morning and it's accepting donations. Call 530-899-3873 or visit https://www.nvadg.org/donate for more information.

University of California, Davis firefighters are also collecting supplies to be donated to the victims. Donations are accepted daily at UC Davis Fire Department from from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Wednesday, Nov. 14.

People & Animals Evacuations

The following shelters still have capacity to support Camp Fire evacuees:

Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City (442 Franklin)

The following shelters are full:

Nazarene Church in Oroville - FULL.

The Neighborhood Church in Chico - FULL.

The Chico Elks Lodge - FULL

Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley (199 E Hazel Street) - FULL

Glenn County Fairgrounds in Orland (221 E. Yolo Street) - FULL

Three shelters have been set up for animals, county officials said. Small animals evacuated due to the Camp Fire can be taken to:

The Old County Hospital at 2279 Del Oro and Mono, Suite E

The Chico Municipal Airport (150 Airpark Blvd, Chico, CA 95973)

Large animals evacuated due to the Camp Fire can be taken to the Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 E Hazel St, Gridley, CA 95948.

Volunteers

Those wishing to volunteer should fill out an application and wait for instructions. Notarized applications are required. Contact Caring Choices by calling 530-899-3873 or visiting them at 1398 Ridgewood in Chico.

AT&T was also waiving charges for those affected by the fires. See more information here.What to Know The Camp Fire in Butte County has resulted in at least 29 deaths, making it the third-deadliest wildfire on record in the state

The blaze has burned 173 square miles (111,000 acres) and is 25 percent contained as of Sunday

It has destroyed more than 6,700 buildings, nearly all of them homes

As relatives desperately searched shelters for missing loved ones, crews stepped up the search for bodies in the smoking ruins of Paradise on Sunday, loading the remains of at least one victim into a hearse. Wildfires continued to rage on both ends of the state.

The statewide death toll stood at 31, including 29 in Butte County, and appeared certain to rise. In Southern California, the badly burned bodies of two people were found inside a burned vehicle in a long driveway in Malibu.

More than 220 people were reported missing after the so-called Camp Fire ravaged a swath of Northern California.

At least five search teams were working in Paradise  a town of 27,000 that was largely incinerated on Thursday  and in surrounding communities. Authorities called in a mobile DNA lab and anthropologists to help identify victims of the most destructive wildfire in California history.

One victim's identity was confirmed by family late Sunday as 63-year-old former San Francisco resident Ernest Foss Jr. Foss, a musician who moved to Paradise about eight years ago. He was found outside his home. His 36-year-old stepson, who was his caretaker, was among the missing.

By early afternoon, one of the two black hearses stationed in Paradise had picked up another set of remains.

People looking for friends or relatives called evacuation centers, hospitals, police and the coroner's office.

Sol Bechtold drove from shelter to shelter looking for his mother, Joanne Caddy, a 75-year-old widow whose house burned down along with the rest of her neighborhood in Magalia, just north of Paradise. She lived alone and did not drive.

Bechtold posted a flyer on social media, pinned it to bulletin boards at shelters and showed her picture around to evacuees, asking if anyone recognized her. He ran across a few of Caddy's neighbors, but they hadn't seen her.

As he drove through the smoke and haze to yet another shelter, he said, "I'm also under a dark emotional cloud. Your mother's somewhere and you don't know where she's at. You don't know if she's safe."

He added: "I've got to stay positive. She's a strong, smart woman."

Officials and relatives held out hope that many of those unaccounted for were safe and simply had no cellphones or other ways to contact loved ones. The sheriff's office in the stricken northern county set up a missing-persons call center to help connect people.

Gov. Jerry Brown said California is requesting aid from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has blamed "poor" forest management for the fires. Brown told a press briefing that federal and state governments must do more forest management but said that's not the source of the problem.

"Managing all the forests in everywhere we can does not stop climate change," Brown said. "And those who deny that are definitely contributing to the tragedies that we're now witnessing, and will continue to witness in the coming years."

More than 8,000 firefighters in all battled three large wildfires burning across nearly 400 square miles (1,040 square kilometers) in Northern and Southern California, with out-of-state crews continuing to arrive and gusty, blowtorch winds starting up again.

The worst of the blazes was in Northern California, where the number of people killed in that fire alone, at least 29, made it the third-deadliest on record in the state. Two people were also found dead in a wildfire in Southern California, where flames tore through Malibu mansions and working-class Los Angeles suburbs alike.

The two severely burned bodies were discovered in a driveway in celebrity-studded Malibu, where residents forced from their homes included Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian West and Martin Sheen. Actor Gerard Butler said on Instagram that his Malibu home was "half-gone," and a publicist for Camille Grammer Meyer said the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star lost her home in the seaside enclave.

Flames also besieged Thousand Oaks, the Southern California city in mourning over the massacre of 12 people in a shooting rampage at a country music bar Wednesday night.

In Northern California, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the county consulted anthropologists from California State University at Chico because, in some cases, investigators have been able to recover only bones and bone fragments.

The devastation was so complete in some neighborhoods that "it's very difficult to determine whether or not there may be human remains there," Honea said.

Authorities were also bringing in a DNA lab and encouraged people with missing relatives to submit samples to aid in identifying the dead after the blaze destroyed more than 6,700 buildings, nearly all of them homes.

Firefighters gained modest ground overnight against the blaze, which grew slightly to 173 square miles (111,000 acres) from the day before but was 25 percent contained, up from 20 percent, according to the state fire agency, Cal Fire.

But Cal Fire spokesman Bill Murphy warned that gusty winds predicted into Monday morning could spark "explosive fire behavior."

About 300,000 people statewide were under evacuation orders, most of them in Southern California.

Fire officials said Sunday morning that the larger of that region's two fires, the one that hit Malibu, grew to 130 square miles (337 square kilometers) and was 10 percent contained. But the strong, dry Santa Ana winds that blow from the interior toward the coast returned after a one-day lull, fanning the flames.

The count of lost structures in both Southern California fires climbed to nearly 180, authorities said. The large mobile home community of Seminole Springs, in the rugged Santa Monica Mountains north of Malibu, appeared devastated.

Brown's request for a major-disaster declaration from Trump would make victims eligible for crisis counseling, housing and unemployment help, and legal aid.

Drought, warmer weather attributed to climate change, and the building of homes deeper into forests have led to longer and more destructive wildfire seasons in California. While California officially emerged from a five-year drought last year, much of the northern two-thirds of the state is abnormally dry.

"Things are not the way they were 10 years ago. ... The rate of spread is exponentially more than it used to be," said Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen, urging residents to evacuate rather than stay behind to try to defend their homes.

One of the Northern California fire's victims was an ailing woman whose body was found in bed in a burned-out house in Concow, near Paradise.

Ellen Walker, who was in her early 70s, was home alone when the fire struck on Thursday, according to Nancy Breeding, a family friend.

Breeding said Walker's husband was at work and called a neighbor to tell his wife to evacuate, but she was on medication and might not have been alert. Authorities confirmed her death late Friday.

"A fireman took him to the house to confirm," Breeding said. "This is a devastating thing, and it's happening to so many people."

Associated Press writers Janie Har, Daisy Nguyen, Don Thompson, Martha Mendoza, Christopher Webber, Andrew Dalton and John Antczak contributed to this story.Striking Marriott hotel workers have ratified an agreement to end their 37-day labor dispute, union leaders announced Friday on social media.

No details about the agreement with Unite Here Local 19 in San Jose were immediately available. Marriott workers in Oakland ratified their contract earlier this month, but hotel workers in San Francisco remain on strike.

"We congratulate our brothers and sisters in San Jose on a life-changing contract that makes one job enough for hotel workers," Anand Singh, president of Unite Here Local 2 in San Francisco, said in a statement.

"We've always known that Marriott has the means to settle this strike, and we're prepared to fight for as long it takes.

"It's past time for Marriott to get serious about fair wages, affordable health care, safe workloads and job security for the 2,500 San Francisco workers who are now in their sixth week on strike."

Marriott confirmed today that the contract with San Jose workers has been ratified.

#SF Supervisor @HillaryRonen on her invitation to Marriott CEO that was declined ahead of special session on workers strike: The least the CEO can do...after making millions and millions of $ in our city...is *show up* and speak from @Marriotts perspective. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/Dl2dgod4ym  Sam Brock (@SamNBCBayArea) November 2, 2018

At #SF City Hall right now, hundreds of striking hotel workers just arrived. Organizers say 700 or 800 of them, maybe 1,000, will cram into the hallways of the building ahead of #BOS special meeting. Stay tuned pic.twitter.com/lKz3s3WYxv  Sam Brock (@SamNBCBayArea) November 2, 2018

Hallways starting to fill up next to #SF Board of Supervisors chambers as @Marriott hotel employees prepare for special meeting at 12:30 to discuss ongoing, month-long contract dispute. So far very calm and orderly. pic.twitter.com/PTS5OrCZir  Sam Brock (@SamNBCBayArea) November 2, 2018

"We look forward to welcoming our associates back at work," a company spokesman said in a statement.

Workers at the hotels went on strike to demand higher pay, more job security and smaller workloads.What to Know Cal Fire said the fire had grown to 85,500 acres and was 15 percent contained by lines of cleared vegetation.

A total of 57,000 structures were threatened and 177 of structures were confirmed destroyed with hundreds more likely.

Two people were found dead inside a vehicle in a long driveway in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway, Deputy Aura Sierra said.

Despite the return of threatening Santa Ana winds, a combined force of firefighters battling the deadly Woolsey Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties was able to hold the blaze within containment lines Sunday, but officials warned that unburned areas in that footprint and to the south continued to pose danger.

Evacuation orders for Calabasas expanded to the whole city Sunday evening.

Later, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced residents would be allowed back into some areas of Agoura Hills and Westlake Village beginning at 9 p.m.

"The only areas in the impacted fire zone of Los Angeles County that we are able to safely repopulate at this time are the Agoura Hills and Westlake Village communities, between Chesebro Road and Westlake Boulevard and north of the 101 Freeway," according to a department statement. "No access will be available to neighborhoods south of the 101 Freeway. The Los Angeles County Public Works has closed Chesebro Road at the bridge located between Driver Avenue and Balkins Street due to the bridge being damaged during the fire."

They also announced the 101 Freeway would reopen, with some on and off-ramps remaining closed.

"At 9 p.m., the northbound lanes will be open from Valley Circle Boulevard, with the off-ramps at Chesebro Road, Kanan Road, Reyes Adobe Road, and Lindero Canyon re-opening. At 10 p.m., the southbound lanes of Interstate 101 Freeway will open, with the same off-ramps to southbound traffic."

Evacuations were also lifted for some areas of Newbury Park.

"The mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted within the perimeters of Lynn Road, north of Potrero Road, west of Westlake Blvd, and south of Highway 101. Gated communities south of Potrero Road are still under mandatory evacuations," according to a statement from the Thousand Oaks Police Department.

Several flare-ups in the Malibu and western San Fernando Valley were reported earlier Sunday as winds started to kick up.

Cal Fire officials said the fire had grown to 83,275 acres and was 10 percent contained by lines of cleared vegetation.

A total of 57,000 structures were threatened and 177 were destroyed, with hundreds more likely. The badly burned bodies of two people were found inside a vehicle in a long driveway in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway.

Three firefighters were injured battling the fire, but they were reported to be minor.

The fire -- which began Thursday afternoon -- has forced the evacuation of at least 75,000 homes and an estimated 265,000 people in both counties as it indiscriminately consumed multimillion-dollar mansions and mobile homes. The cause remained under investigation, Cal Fire said.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Curt Kaplan said Sunday that the winds will steadily increase to 50-60 mph in the mountains with gusts of up to 70 mph. A Red Flag Warning remained in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday.

Kaplan was optimistic the winds would be weaker than they were Thursday and Friday and will be strongest in the mornings and early afternoons through Tuesday, giving firefighters a nightly reprieve.

Mandatory evacuation orders remained in effect in the city of Malibu; the city of Calabasas; in Bell Canyon; Oak Park; Thousand Oaks Boulevard north to Sunset Hills; Oak Park west to Highway 23; West of Highway 23, south of E. Olsen Road, north of Pederson Road; south of Bard Lake, east of Highway 23; south of Highway 101, east of Reino Road, north of Potrero Road, east to the L.A./Ventura County line; Wood Ranch and Long Canyon.

Law enforcement and fire officials, as well as elected officials, urged people in the fire area to heed all evacuation orders.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Don Graham said the LAPD has been putting together a plan for road closures and evacuations in advance of Sunday's winds.

The expected return of the winds led to the re-imposition of the Red Flag Parking Restriction Program, which will go into effect starting at 8 a.m., Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said, warning that illegally parked vehicles will be towed.

Motorists should look for "No Parking" signs posted in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. For a map of those zones, go to www.lafd.org./news/woolsey-fire.

The Los Angeles City Fire Department sent more than 25 fire companies to battle the Woolsey Fire, Stewart said. The U.S. Forest Service has dispatched two crews numbering 32 people to assist, according to the department.

Orange County Fire Authority officials say they have sent 20 engines to assist with the fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and firefighters have come in from off time to ensure that every OCFA fire station is adequately staffed.

Crews from other agencies, including Arizona, were also assisting in battling the massive blaze, helping to evacuate residents and providing traffic control.

Los Angeles County fire strike teams and water dropping aircraft were working to contain the flames on or around the Pepperdine campus. No permanent structures have been lost, but video from the campus showed at least one vehicle and several bicycles scorched by flames.

Pepperdine University in Malibu, which lifted a shelter-in-place order that had been in effect Saturday, announced Sunday that the school's Malibu and Calabasas campuses would remain closed through Thanksgiving.

All Malibu schools in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District will remain closed until at least Thursday, the district announced.

The City of Malibu reported that all mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect and no one will be permitted to re-enter Malibu until further notice. Active fires were still burning in Malibu, and the city said there will likely be intermittent power outages due to weather and fire conditions.

Malibu also has established a website to update fire information at www.malibucity.org/woolsey.

The superintendent of the Las Virgenes Unified School District in Calabasas said district leaders would meet Sunday to assess air quality and overall safety issues before issuing a district-wide email to families about the school schedule for the rest of the week.

The fire started in Ventura County but raced into Los Angeles County, chewed its way through brush and into neighborhoods of Westlake Village and Malibu. The fire reportedly jumped Pacific Coast Highway Friday evening, moving toward Malibu Colony. Driven by 50- to 60-mph winds, the flames jumped south across the 101 Freeway in the Liberty Canyon area early Friday, sending it on a course through Malibu and its exclusive celebrity enclaves.

The following evacuation centers were open:

-- Canoga Park Senior High School at 6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park

-- Palisades High School, 15777 Bowdoin St., Pacific Palisades

-- Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley Street, Camarillo (accepting small animals)

-- Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park (accepting small animals)

-- Taft Charter High School, 5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills (at capacity)

-- Rancho Santa Susana Recreation Center, 5005 Unit C, Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley (no animals accepted)

-- Pierce College, 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills (Entrance off Desoto Avenue);

Evacuation centers for animals were opened Friday at Hansen Dam, 11770 Foothill Blvd. in Lake View Terrace, and Pierce College in Woodland Hills, but both reached capacity. A large animal evacuation center was established at the Zuma Beach parking lot in Malibu. Industry Hills Expo Center in the San Gabriel Valley was also offering shelter for horses from fire-affected areas. In Ventura County, Borchard Community Center at 190 Reino Rd. in Newbury Park was accepting dogs and cats.

The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Services was on site assisting as well.

Those who need assistance with large animals were advised to call (805) 388-4258.

Meanwhile, firefighters were reporting progress on the much smaller Hill Fire north of Malibu and south of Simi Valley. That wildfire was 70 percent contained and consumed 4,531 acres with two structures destroyed and no other structures threatened. No civilians or firefighters were killed or injured and full containment was expected Wednesday.

Gov. Jerry Brown, responding to the Southern California fires and the Camp Fire in Northern California that has burned more than 100,000 acres and killed at least 23 people, announced Sunday that he is requesting a "major disaster declaration'' from President Donald J. Trump, in addition to an earlier emergency declaration signed by Trump that will provide federal funds to help firefighters.On a dark, muddy, will-it-ever-stop-raining recent Friday, Roy and Sofia Martinez took shelter in the hoop house at Rae Lili Farm in Cooper with chef Matt McCallister and his team. They were taking a break for lunch -- a big bowl of posole -- after a stormy morning of planting a field of fall crops like rapini, romanesco, cauliflower and purple broccoli.

The Dallas Morning News reports the Martinezes have been organically growing vegetables for McCallister (of the former FT33 restaurant and upcoming Homewood restaurant) and other Dallas-area chefs for about six years. In addition to common veggies like tomatoes and beets, the couple enjoys discovering exotic varieties and seeing how they fare in the often-unforgiving soil and climate of North Texas.

On that rainy fall day, they harvested kuri squash, spaghetti squash, aji crystal peppers and Mexican sour gherkin cucumbers, which are perfect for pickling. Sofia, 45, loves poring over rare seed catalogs, especially those that include Italian heirloom varieties of peppers and tomatoes.

"We saw that everybody did the same old stuff, like crookneck squash and zucchini," Roy, 51, says. "We're drawn to things that are a little odd. It keeps things interesting for us."

Their relationship with McCallister is a symbiotic, organic one, where they "grow together," he says. He often makes requests and gives direction on quantity, like, "That's way too much squash." And sometimes, he even helps out on the farm since Roy and Sofia are a two-person operation.

"I like it when farmers are ambitious and are open to new ideas and willing to try growing things that are outside of the norm," McCallister says. "They take chances and try to grow new stuff and unique items. I'll bring them seeds and ask them to grow stuff and they always are willing to try them."

Right now, McCallister has asked them to grow espelette and urfa chiles, and last year they grew some pink plume celery. He says he's made countless dishes with their produce over the last six years.

"They have gone out of their way to go pick hachiya persimmons for me every year to make hoshigaki (Japanese-style dried persimmons) with," he adds.

The couple didn't grow up farming, but after job transitions and a burgeoning interest in their own health, they decided to give it a try on some land that Roy's family purchased decades ago "for the purpose of riding motorcycles," Roy says. They currently have 78 acres and farm on 7 acres.

"We tried a lot, lost a lot," Sofia says. "We learned a lot through trial and error."

The weather can be "torturous," Sofa says, and they've had their crops rot in the rain and eaten by cattle. It sets them back, but the couple seems to enjoy the hard work together. Sofia chooses the varieties they will grow and conducts the business end of things, while Roy does a lot of physical farm work.

"People like her more than they like me," Roy jokes.

Sofia has even gone back to school, and is now a junior at Texas A&M University-Commerce in the college of agricultural sciences. They grow their vegetables without chemicals and use sustainable practices on the farm such as cover crops of soybeans and wheat. And they've had to learn how to build and maintain healthy soil, which can be difficult to till and drain.

But they are dedicated soil farmers -- no hydroponics here -- and say there's a certain depth of flavor you get from food grown in soil. "Nature has its way of growing things, and we like to take the long route," Roy says.

Most of their produce goes to McCallister and other chefs, but of course they also eat what they grow, juicing when they have a surplus of celery, and making "a lot of Mexican food," Sofia says, like posole and vegetarian tamales.

The recent Chefs for Farmers food festival was co-founded in 2010 by McCallister and restaurateur and ex-wife Iris Midler. The goal of the festival is to help connect farmers with chefs and promote the value of locally and regionally sourced food. Both farmers and chefs receive a small stipend to help with food costs.

"It solidifies that you know what you're doing," Roy says.

And Roy and Sofia love working with chefs, especially ones like McCallister, whose enthusiasm for growing food is contagious.

"It's great working with chefs who know seasonality like Matt does," Roy says. "He sometimes knows what the weather is going to do before I do!"Two people were shot Saturday evening at the cross streets of McKenzie Street and Burchill Road in Fort Worth.

Further investigation revealed that this was a drug deal gone bad, according to police.

One of the parties involved attemped to rob the other. Both parties then got into their vehicles and started shooting at one another.

After causing several minor accidents while attempting to flee the scene, both party's vehicles crashed into two separate fences near the scene.

One juvenile suffered a gunshot wound to their stomach while another individual suffered a gunshot wound to their arm.

Both were taken to area hospitals in stable condition.

Another individual involved in this incident also robbed a passerby of their vehicle at gunpoint and fled the scene.

Police were able to recover several firearms from the six different crime scene locations. It is unclear which party started shooting first but police believe they have all of the individuals involved in custody at this time.Florida finds familiar territory with allegations of voter fraud and accusations of voter suppression dashing between Republicans and Democrats as the state prepares for an election recount.

Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner on Saturday ordered a machine recount, which includes three key races: Florida governor, Florida agriculture commissioner and U.S. Senate.

REPUBLICAN REACTION

"Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!" President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday after the recount was announced.

Trump on Friday said that Broward County "miraculously started finding Democrat votes" after Democrats sent Marc Elias  "their best Election stealing lawyer."

"Dont worry, Florida - I am sending much better lawyers to expose the FRAUD!" Trump wrote.

Ron DeSantis, the Republican candidate who in the first unofficial results was ahead of Andrew Gillum by a margin of 0.41 percent, released a video statement on Saturday in which he said he was preparing to serve as Florida's governor

DeSantis  described in the video as the "governor-elect"  said Florida voters chose him to lead, citing "clear and unambiguous" results.

"It is important that everyone involved in the election process strictly adhere to the rule of law, which is the foundation for our nation. Since the election a few days ago, we have begun our transition efforts to build an administration that can secure Florida's future," DeSantis said. "With the election behind us, it's now time to come together as a state as we prepare to serve all Floridians."

Rick Scott's campaign spokesman, Chris Hartline, released a statement in which he said Scott won a "close but decisive victory" with a 0.15 percent margin.

"Its time for Senator Nelson to accept reality and spare the state of ... Florida the time, expense and discord of a recount," Hartline wrote.

Instead of wasting time and resources by trying to steal an election, Bill Nelson and his liberal activists should face the facts," Hartline wrote in another statement.

Matt Caldwell, the Republican candidate for Florida agriculture commissioner, said he filed a lawsuit against Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes to "hold her accountable, follow Florida law and uphold the integrity of our elections."

Though Caldwell was initially leading on Election Day, Democratic candidate Nikki Fried surpassed Caldwell in the first unofficial results and holds a lead of 0.06 percent.

DEMOCRATIC REACTION

Despite accusations of wasting taxpayer dollars and voter fraud, Democrats are not backing down and are even suggesting or outright accusing Republicans of attempts to suppress votes.

"I am replacing my earlier concession with an unapologetic and uncompromised call to count every vote," Gillum said in a press conference.

"This process is about one thing: making sure every legal ballot is counted and protecting the right of every Floridian to participate in our democracy," Nelson wrote on Twitter.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., who endorsed and campaigned with Gillum, also called for every vote to be counted.

"No surprise. Law enforcement says Rick Scotts allegation of voter fraud was not based in reality. He and Trump are just trying to undermine the results if he loses," Sanders wrote on Twitter.

Soon after the first unofficial results were released, Fried said that her campaign was "confident that once the votes were counted we would win the Agriculture Commissioner race!"

"Now that the deadline has come & the votes have been processed, the peoples will is clear  Im honored to serve as Floridas next Commissioner of Agriculture," Fried wrote on Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, who serves in Florida's District 24, said that Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio "are making reckless and unfounded accusations about the midterm election in an attempt to prevent every vote from being counted. What are they afraid of?"

______________________________________________________

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it has not launched an investigation into alleged voter fraud. The Florida Divison of Elections, which is under the supervision of Scott, said observers in Broward County saw no evidence of criminal activity.Two members of Congress, a cabinet official, a presidential confidant and a frequent guest on Fox News are among those being considered by President Donald Trump to be the next attorney general, multiple sources tell NBC News.

One of those, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, was a close adviser to the president in his 2016 presidential campaign. He has been largely sidelined by the administration since then but resurfaced at the White House on Thursday for what White House officials said was for a previously scheduled meeting on prison reform.

Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, and retiring Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, have also joined the list of those in the running, the sources say.Bells will be rung at 11 a.m. today throughout Southern California and the rest of the nation to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I.

"Bells of Peace: A World War One Remembrance'' is a program of the World War One Centennial Commission to honor the American men and women who served during World War I.

Bells will be rung 21 times at 11 a.m. local time to mark the time the armistice ending hostilities went into effect. Bells will be tolled in places of worship, schools, city halls, public carillons and cemeteries.

A ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the armistice will be held at 10 a.m. at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood.

The event will include four Southern California World War II veterans receiving the Legion of Honor, France's highest honor, from Christophe Lemoine, consul general of France in Los Angeles.

The veterans to be honored with the National Order of The Legion of Honor in the rank of chevalier (knight) are:

-- Arcadia resident Edward J. Lopez, who was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He was born in Los Angeles in July 1923, flew over 30 combat missions as a P-47 pilot with the 365th Fighter Bomber Group during World War II and over 100 combat missions in the Korean War in liaison

aircraft.

Lopez's decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, 10 Air Medals, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four battle stars, the Belgian Croix de Guerre Fourragere, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal.

-- Bellflower resident Baron S. Tag-Von Stein, who was a corporal in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was born in Los Angeles in August 1923. He served as an aircraft warning plotter with the 82nd Fighter Control Squadron in six European campaigns during World War II.

Tag-Von Stein's significant decorations include the EAME Campaign Medal with six battle stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal.

-- Fullerton resident Ventura H. De La Torre, who was a private first class in the U.S. Army. He was born in Los Angeles in June 1924. He was a howitzer truck driver with the 317th Infantry Regiment of the 80th Infantry Division during World War II.

De La Torre's significant decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the EAME Campaign Medal with four battle stars and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

-- Hesperia resident Alfred E. Rocco, who was a private first class in the U.S. Army. He was born June 1922 in Casalvieri, Italy. He was a heavy machine gunner with the 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division in the Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland campaigns during World War II.

Rocco's significant decorations include the EAME Campaign Medal with three battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

In his Veterans Day proclamation, President Donald Trump declared, "As we mark the centennial of the armistice, we remember the countless sacrifices that our country's heroic veterans have made throughout our history to preserve our liberty and prosperity. Our veterans embody the values and

ideals of America and the timeless virtue of serving a greater cause.''The next time your teenager whines about school being too hard, remind him or her that there are hundreds of kids in South Florida who are excelling even though theyre still learning to speak English.

Jazmin Baez, for example. She goes to the School for Advanced Studies, a Miami-Dade public school in which all the students are dual-enrolled in college classes. They earn an AA degree at the same time theyre receiving their high school diplomas, so its an accomplishment to earn straight As. Jazmin is doing it after having moved to the U.S. in seventh grade, at age 12, speaking zero English.

Im proud of 12-year-old Jazmin, that she didnt give up, Jazmin said.

Giving up isnt in this girls DNA. Jazmin learned English and quickly jumped onto the academic success train, making sure to help her classmates get on board, too.

She acts in a way that helps others, like its never about herself, its always about giving her heart to others, said fellow senior Sofia de Paz.

Her motivation and passion for anything and everything she does is contagious, added classmate Bella Ortega.

Shes so kind-hearted, she does everything for others, never does things for herself, said Ashley Kail, echoing the thoughts of her classmates.

Jazmin designed a prosthetic hand for a science fair project, and that experience led her to volunteer at the Miami Veterans Administration Hospitals spinal cord injury rehab unit. Shes one of those kids hwo does everything and excels at everything.

She always wants to be better so even if she got, lets say a 90 on the exam, shell come out and say hey, can I improve on this? said history teacher Stephen Pereirra.

Jazmin says shell apply that work ethic to solving the riddles of cancer, fueled by a very personal motivation.

My worst moment was when my grandmother passed away, Jazmin said, explaining that breast cancer took her grandmother two years ago. It was the first time I experienced the death of someone and she always motivated me to work hard, shes like, Jazmin, youre in the United States, make us proud.

Now her mom is battling breast cancer, too, and Jazmin is fighting back by volunteering as a research assistant at the Sylvester Cancer

While I couldnt help my grandma, and I couldnt help my mom, but now shes doing a lot better, it will be my goal to help a bigger population, Jazmin said.

Jazmin is on her way. She has her sights set on the Ivy League, all of her peers are certain she will eventually be Doctor Baez, and theres no doubt, Jazmin is making her grandma proud every day.Ian Power was among the first to buy legal recreational marijuana in Canada but he has no plans to smoke it. He plans to frame it.

Canada became the largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace as sales began early Wednesday in Newfoundland. Power was first in line at a store in St. John's, Newfoundland.

"I am going to frame it and hang it on my wall. I'm not even going to smoke it. I'm just going to save it forever," Power said.

And there was more good news for pot aficionados: Hours before a handful of retail outlets opened in the country's easternmost province a federal official told The Associated Press that Canada will pardon all those with convictions for possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana, the now-legal threshold.

A formal announcement was planned for later Wednesday. The official, who was not authorized to speak public ahead of the announcement, said those who want to take advantage of the pardons will have to apply.

Canada has had legal medical marijuana since 2001 and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has spent two years working toward expanding that to include recreational marijuana. The goal is to better reflect society's changing opinion about marijuana and bring black market operators into a regulated system.

Uruguay was first was the first country to legalize marijuana.

In St. John's, Newfoundland, hundreds of customers were lined up around the block at the private store on Water Street, the main commercial drag in the provincial capital, by the time the clock struck midnight. A festive atmosphere broke out, with some customers lighting up on the sidewalk and motorists honking their horns in support as they drove by the crowd.

"Prohibition has ended right now. We just made history," said the 46-year-old Power, who bought a gram. "I can't believe we did it. All the years of activism paid off. Cannabis is legal in Canada and everyone should come to Canada and enjoy our cannabis."

Tom Clarke, an illegal pot dealer for three decades, was among the first to make a legal sale in Canada when his store opened at midnight local time in Portugal Cove, Newfoundland. He made the first sale to his dad. A crowd of 50 to 100 people waited outside and cheered him.

"This is awesome. I've been waiting my whole life for this," Clarke said. "I am so happy to be living in Canada right now instead of south of the border."

Clarke, whose middle name is Herb, has been called THC for years by his friends. His dad, Don, said he was thrilled he was among the first customers of legal pot.

"It's been a long time coming. We've only been discussing this for 50 years. It's better late than never," he said.

The Newfoundland stores are among at least 111 legal pot shops expected to open across the nation of 37 million people on Wednesday, with many more to come, according to an Associated Press survey of the provinces.

Canadians also can order marijuana products through websites run by provinces or private retailers and have it delivered to their homes by mail.

Alberta and Quebec have set the minimum age for purchase at 18, while others have made it 19.

No stores will open in Ontario, which includes Toronto. The most populous province is working on its regulations and doesn't expect stores until next spring.

Ryan Bose, 48, a Lyft driver in Toronto, said it's about time.

"Alcohol took my grandfather and it took his youngest son, and weed has taken no one from me ever," he said.

A patchwork of regulations has spread in Canada as each province takes its own approach within the framework set out by the federal government. Some are operating government-run stores, some are allowing private retailers, some both.

Canada's national approach has allowed for unfettered industry banking, inter-province shipments of cannabis and billions of dollars in investment  a sharp contrast with national prohibition in the United States.

Nine U.S. states have legalized recreational use of pot, and more than 30 have approved medical marijuana. California, the largest legal market in the U.S., earlier this month became the first state with a law mandating expungement of criminal convictions for marijuana-related offenses that no are longer illegal.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said it's time for the U.S. government to follow Canada's lead.

"Now that our neighbor to the north is opening its legal cannabis market, the longer we delay, the longer we miss out on potentially significant economic opportunities for Oregon and other states across the country," he said in a statement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection invited Canadian media to a conference call on Tuesday so officials could reiterate that marijuana remains illegal under U.S. federal law and that those who are caught at the border with pot are subject to arrest and prosecution.

As Canada welcomes legalization, supply shortages could develop, as happened in some U.S. states when legalization arrived.

Trevor Fencott, chief executive of Fire and Flower, said his company has 15 Alberta stores staffed and ready to sell marijuana, but the province has supplied only enough product to open three of them Wednesday.

"We're aware of some of the kinks or growing pains that come with creating an industry out of whole cloth in 24 months," Fencott said.

Brenda Tobin and her son Trevor plan to open their pot shop in Labrador City in Newfoundland and Labrador at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday  420 is slang for the consumption of cannabis. Tobin, a longtime convenience store owner, said they will be cutting a ribbon and cake.

"We are just ecstatic," she said.

She doesn't expect to make much money off the pot itself, noting Newfoundland's 8 percent cap on retail pot profits. She hopes to make money from pipes, bongs and marijuana paraphernalia.

"There's no money in the product itself," she said. "You got to sell $250,000 worth of product in order to make $20,000. That's not even paying someone's salary."What to Know Two Queens politicians have expressed "serious reservations" over Amazon's reported plan to split its HQ2 between Queens and Virginia

The New York Times reported that Amazon was "nearing a deal" to split the headquarters between Crystal City, Virginia and Long Island City

In a joint statement, Sen. Michael Gianaris and NYC Council member Jimmy Van Bramer said they were "not elected to serve as Amazon drones"

A pair of New York City politicians expressed serious reservations over Amazons reported plan to split its new headquarters between Crystal City in Virginia and Long Island City in Queens.

Last week, the New York Times reported that the e-commerce behemoth was nearing a deal to split the headquarters, known as HQ2, between the two cities, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo saying the state had a great incentive package to entice the company to New York.

In a joint statement on Sunday, however, Sen. Michael Gianaris and New York City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer, whose districts include Long Island City, maintained that [o]ffering massive corporate welfare from scarce public resources to one of the wealthiest corporations in the world at a time of great need in our state is just wrong.

The Times reported that New York had offered potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies to Amazon.

If public reports about this deal prove true, we cannot support a giveaway of this magnitude, a process that circumvents community review through the use of a GPP [General Project Plan] or the inevitable stress on the infrastructure of a community already stretched to its limits, Gianaris and Van Bramer said in their statement.

We were not elected to serve as Amazon drones, they added. The burden should not be on the 99 percent to prove we are worthy of the 1 percents presence in our communities, but rather on Amazon to prove it would be a responsible corporate neighbor.

NBC 4 New York has reached out to Amazon for comment.A rushing commuter bumped into an elderly couple in a subway station, knocking an 89-year-old man onto the tracks, police said.

The fall eventually led to Kurt Salzinger's death 12 days later, the NYPD confirmed. He had bleeding in the brain, then developed pneumonia.

His wife, 85-year-old Deanna Chitayat, told the New York Post she was also knocked down by the man who was running onto a train at the 34th Street-Penn Station on Oct. 27.

He died because of that guy, Chitayat told the outlet. I dont think he meant to kill him, but he killed him.

Other straphangers helped Salzinger, a psychology professor who fled Austria with his family during World War II.

Salzinger was a Professor Emeritus at Hofstra University who was the former Senior Scholar in Residence in the school's psychology department, the school said in a statement.

"In my early days at Hofstra, I remember Kurt having a calming, supportive, steady voice in the department," Dr. Craig Johnson, chair of the psychology department, said in a statement. "He was well-liked by his colleagues and a highly influential and respected scholar."

Police said they are investigating the incident as an accident.

No one has been arrested. Police asked anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.The owner of a Dunkin' franchise in Portland, Maine, has apologized to a woman who said she was banned from the store for speaking Somali with her family this week, NBC News reported.

Hamdia Ahmed, a 20-year-old refugee from Somalia and local college student, said she and her family were speaking in Somali while waiting in the drive-thru at the Dunkin' on Monday when the employee asked them to stop yelling, which she said they weren't doing.

"You're going to disrespect me cause I speak a different language than you. Is that what it is?" Ahmed said in a video she posted to Twitter.

The employee threatened to call the police, which she did after Ahmed went inside to resolve the issue. Officers gave her a notice barring her from the premises for a year.

But Ahmed said it was rescinded after the store's owner apologized.What to Know The Lehigh County seal features a cross in the center behind a county building surrounded by other symbols in a circle around it.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a complaint about the seal, saying the cross constitutes an endorsement of Christianity.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it will hold off its ruling pending a SCOTUS case regarding a cross-shaped memorial in Maryland.

A federal appeals court says the fate of a Pennsylvania county seal containing a cross symbol is on hold pending resolution of a similar case in Maryland.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in September on Lehigh County's appeal of a federal judge's order that the county remove the cross from its seal. The appeals court said Thursday it will hold off pending a U.S. Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of a cross-shaped war memorial outside the Prince George's County Courthouse in Bladensburg, Maryland, The (Allentown) Morning Call reported.

County attorney Eric Baxter said the delay isn't a surprise, given disagreement among courts across the country on how to determine whether religious symbols on public property constitute government endorsement of one religion over another. He said it could be June before the Supreme Court rules in the Maryland case.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation and four of its local members filed the original complaint about the county seal, saying the inclusion of the cross constitutes an endorsement of Christianity. Judge Edward Smith wrote in his September 2017 opinion that, while he didn't believe the symbol violates the Constitution, he was bound by precedent to side with the Wisconsin-based atheist group. Smith said the county could keep the symbol on older documents, but would have to change it on flags, cars or other property.

In its appeal, the county argued that a new precedent from the nation's highest court allows for religious symbols to be viewed in a historical context in some situations. Baxter, an attorney with the Becket Fund, a nonprofit that says its mission is to protect free expression of all religious faith, said the cross is one of a dozen symbols on the seal and was meant to represent the county's original settlers who were fleeing religious persecution.

The Lehigh County seal features a cross in the center behind a county building surrounded by other symbols in a circle around it, including a heart, a farmand a factory. Baxter said the seal had been the same for more than 70 years without drawing any complaints.

Foundation attorney Marcus Schneider responded that such a historical argument has no documentation. He said the cross is the flag's most prominent feature and its religious meaning is "ubiquitous across the country."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 teenage boy was wounded and a woman injured during a shooting in Paradise Hills on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Two men were shooting at each other around shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of Reo Drive near La Palapa Market, San Diego police Officer Robert Heims said.

During the shooting, a 15-year-old boy was hit in the thigh by a bullet and a 48-year-old woman was struck in the leg with shrapnel, he said.

Both were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers do not have a description of the suspects or which way they fled. Both suspects are on the loose, Heims said.

Detectives from the San Diego Police Southeastern Division are investigating. Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call SDPD or Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.The president of San Diego Comic-Con International died Saturday morning of complications from cancer, organizers of the annual event announced.

John Rogers had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. According to San Diego Comic-Con International, Roger was first elected as president of Comic-Con in 1986 and was re-elected every year since, making him the longest-serving president of the pop culture convention.

Over the decades, Rogers saw Comic-Con evolve in ways that no one thought were possible.

Johns tenure saw Comic-Con grow from a select gathering of fans to the largest and most prestigious convention of its kind in the world, Comic-Con said.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Rogers, President of Comic-Con.



John died on Saturday, November 10, 2018 as a result of complications from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. pic.twitter.com/qQnLsCvIjH  San Diego Comic-Con (@Comic_Con) November 10, 2018

Rogers is survived by his wife, sister and brother. Comic-Con said that in lieu of flowers, donations could be made in Rogers honor to The American Brain Tumor Association or the American Civil Liberties Union.

The news of Rogers death came a few hours after badges became available to fans for next years convention, which will take place at the San Diego Convention Center from July 18 to July 21, 2019. As in years past, those badges sold out very quickly.

Comic-Con was born in 1970 in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel in the heart of San Diego, California. Over the decades, the little event that could has grown into a behemoth, taking over the Convention Center, neighboring hotels and downtown San Diego for a long summer weekend every year.

Comic-Cons fervent fans typically attend the convention in elaborate costumes, transforming the city into a metropolis straight out of the pages of fantasy and science fiction. The event has also become famous for celebrity sightings.Mishaps, protests and litigation are overshadowing the vote recount in Florida's pivotal races for governor and Senate, reviving memories of the 2000 presidential fiasco in the premier political battleground state.

All 67 counties are facing a state-ordered deadline of Thursday to complete their recounts and half already have begun. Many other counties were expected to begin the work Monday after a weekend of recount drama in Broward and Palm Beach counties, home to large concentrations of Democratic voters.

But on Monday, recounting had yet to begin in Broward as ballots were still being sorted and ballot pages separated, elections officials said. There was no word as of Monday night when the recount would begin.

The developments added up to a tumultuous political day in Florida. More than half of Florida's 67 counties began a recount process that's unprecedented even in a state notorious for settling elections by razor-thin margins. State officials said they weren't aware of any other time a race for governor or U.S. Senate required a recount, let alone both in the same election.

In Broward County, the recount was delayed for hours Sunday because of a problem with one of the tabulation machines. The recount continued to be delayed on Monday.

The delays prompted the Republican Party to slam Broward's supervisor of elections, Brenda Snipes, for "incompetence and gross mismanagement."

Snipes said the recount was expected to begin Monday night, and said they would still make Thursday's recount deadline.

"I think the lawsuits as they are written certainly cast aspersions on my character and usually we build character over a period of time and character is always on display and I've worked here for about 15 years and I have to say this is the first time that this office or I have been under such attacks," Snipes told reporters Monday. "If we make mistakes, we own mistakes. If there's something that the public needs to know then we provide that information."

Broward officials faced further headaches after acknowledging the county mistakenly counted 22 absentee ballots that had been rejected. The problem seemed impossible to fix because dismissed ballots were mixed in with 205 legal ballots and Snipes said it would be unfair to throw out all the votes.

Gov. Rick Scott, the Republican candidate for Senate, filed suit against Snipes. He was seeking a court order for law enforcement agents to impound all voting machines, tallying devices and ballots "when not in use until such time as any recounts." The suit accused Snipes of repeatedly failing to account for the number of ballots left to be counted and failing to report results regularly as required by law.

An emergency hearing was being held Monday morning over Scott's suit before Circuit Chief Judge Jack Tuter. Tuter said he wouldn't issue an injunction as he's seen no evidence of wrongdoing in the vote-counting in Broward and urged all sides to "ramp down the rhetoric," adding that there is a need to reassure citizens that the integrity of the Florida recount is being protected.

To that point, he urged lawyers for Scott and others representing the Republican and Democratic parties and their candidates as well as the Broward County elections office to agree on some minor additions in security, including the addition of three more law enforcement officers to keep an eye on things.

And the judge says that if anyone any evidence of voter fraud or irregularities, they should report it to law enforcement.

Also on Monday, Sen. Bill Nelson, the Democratic incumbent, sued the Florida Department of State in an effort to count vote-by-mail ballots that were postmarked before Election Day but not delivered before polls closed.

Scott campaign spokesman Chris Hartline called the lawsuit "nothing short of a legal white flag of surrender."

The outcry from Democrats over's Scott's suit was immediate.

Juan Penalosa, executive director of the Florida Democratic Party, accused Scott of "using his position to consolidate power by cutting at the very core of our democracy."

"An honest vote count is no longer possible" in Florida, President Donald Trump declared Monday, without elaborating. He demanded that the election night results  which showed the Republicans leading based upon incomplete ballot counts  be used to determine the winner.

Trump went on to allege that "new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged" and that "ballots (are) massively infected." It was unclear what he was referring to.

Meanwhile, in Palm Beach County, the supervisor of elections said she didn't think her department could meet Thursday's deadline to complete that recount, throwing into question what would happen to votes there.

The recount in other major population centers, including Miami-Dade and Pinellas and Hillsborough counties in the Tampa Bay area, has been continuing without incident. Smaller counties were expected to begin reviews between Monday and Wednesday.

State officials said they weren't aware of any other time a race for governor or U.S. Senate required a recount, let alone both in the same election. The recount process in the two nationally watched midterm races is unprecedented even in a state notorious for settling elections by razor-thin margins.

Unofficial results showed Republican former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis led Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum by 0.41 percentage points in the governor's contest. In the Senate race, Scott's lead over Nelson was 0.14 percentage points.

State law requires a machine recount in races where the margin is less than 0.5 percentage points. Once completed, if the differences in any of the races are 0.25 percentage points or below, a hand recount will be ordered.

As the recount unfolded, Republicans urged their Democratic opponents to give up and let the state to move on.

Scott said Sunday that Nelson wants fraudulent ballots and those cast by noncitizens to count, pointing to a Nelson lawyer objecting to Palm Beach County's rejection of one provisional ballot because it was cast by a noncitizen.

"He is trying to commit fraud to win this election," Scott told Fox News. "Bill Nelson's a sore loser. He's been in politics way too long."

Nelson's campaign issued a statement later saying their lawyer wasn't authorized to object to the ballot's rejection as "Non-citizens cannot vote in US elections."

In Fort Lauderdale, Gillum appeared at a predominantly African-American church Sunday evening, warning against vote suppression and declaring voter disenfranchisement isn't just about being blocked from the polling booth. He said it also includes absentee ballots not being counted and ballots with mismatched signatures that "a volunteer may have the option of ... deciding that vote is null and void."

Gillum and Nelson have argued each vote should be counted and the process should take its course.

Both the state elections division, which Scott runs, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have said they have found no evidence of voter fraud.

That didn't stop protests outside Snipes' office, where a crowd of mostly Republicans gathered, holding signs, listening to country music and occasionally chanting "lock her up," referring to Snipes. A massive Trump 2020 flag flew over the parking lot and many members of a Bikers For Trump group wore matching shirts, mingling among a crowd that included a protester wearing a Hillary Clinton mask.

Registered independent Russell Liddick, a 38-year-old Pompano Beach retail worker, carried a sign reading, "I'm not here for Trump! I'm here for fair elections! Fire Snipes!" He said the office's problems "don't make me feel very much like my vote counted."

Florida is also conducting a recount in a third statewide race. Democrat Nikki Fried had a 0.07 percentage point lead over Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell for agriculture commissioner, one of Florida's three Cabinet seats.

For some, the recounts bring back memories of the 2000 presidential recount, when it took more than five weeks for Florida to declare George W. Bush the victor over Vice President Al Gore by 537 votes, thus giving Bush the presidency.

Much has changed since then.

In 2000, each county had its own voting system. Many used punch cards  voters poked out chads, leaving tiny holes in their ballots representing their candidates. Some voters, however, didn't fully punch out the presidential chad or gave it just a little push. Those hanging and dimpled chads had to be examined by the canvassing boards, a lengthy, tiresome and often subjective process that became fodder for late-night comedians.

Now the state requires all Florida counties to use ballots where voters use a pen to mark their candidate's name, much like a student taking a multiple-choice test. And how counts proceed is now clearly spelled out.

AP writers Tamara Lush and Brendan Farrington contributed to this report.Maryland police are investigating after dozens of fliers promoting the Ku Klux Klan were found in a neighborhood.

The Capital Gazette reports that a dog-walker first reported the 30 to 40 fliers on Saturday in people's front yards in Glen Burnie.

Anne Arundel County Police described the fliers as KKK propaganda.

Police spokesman Lt. Ryan Frashure said the flier's contents are highly offensive but may be covered under freedom of speech protections.

Still, police are examining surveillance video in an attempt to discover the source.

This isn't the first time such fliers have been reported in the D.C. area. Since January, a number of KKK fliers have been posted around Loudoun County, Virginia.A Burlington, Vermont, man is in custody after allegedly shooting another man twice in the abdomen after a drug dispute escalated into violence, police say.

The victim's identity was not released, but officials say the man is expected to survive the shooting.

The suspect is Ross Hanvey, 30, a convicted felon who has more than a dozen misdemeanor convictions, according to police.

An investigation revealed the shooting took place near the area of 64 N. Champlain St. around 1 a.m. Saturday.

Hanvey is being held at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. It's unclear if he has an attorney.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.A woman was killed after the car she was riding in crashed into a home in Holbrook, Massachusetts early Sunday morning.

"She was that type of person... everybody liked her. There's no hatred towards her," said someone who knew the victim.

Authorities say 20-year-old Nicole Ricci, of Stoughton, was one of two passengers in the car traveling westbound on Route 139 shortly before 5 a.m. when it crossed over the lane and struck a telephone pole. The car then went airborne and crashed into the roof of a home on Kingsley Street.

John Morahan says his friend was in the car.

"He's just a down to earth, funny... I mean we played baseball together. He's just a good guy to be around," he said of one of the victims.

Ricci's birthday was coming up next month. Instead of celebrating another year, her family will be grieving for the life they lost.

"I feel bad for the families. I can't even imagine," said a witness.

According to officials, the house sustained serious structural damage but was unoccupied at the time of the crash. The people who live in the home are now looking for another place to stay.

"I'm just kind of I would say maybe still a little bit in shock," Michelle Carter, the homeowner, said. "It looks like a tornado almost like ripped through the house. Just debris everywhere."

Her childhood home is torn to pieces, and she is trying to figure out what to do next. Carter says firefighters told her she is unable to stay in the home because of the extensive damage.

"It might have to be completely torn down," Carter said. "My entire attic is now in the middle of my dining room. My sliding door and all the walls are crushed in."

Investigators say the impact of the crash ripped off at least one tire, yanked off the bumper and even blasted out a window on the other side of the house.

"It was just a loud bang," neighbor Kim Lamonda said.

She says she ran outside after she heard the crash and started texting Carter.

"I'm sending her a picture saying 'I don't know what just happened, but everybody's here, and your window's out.'"

Carter, who lives in the home with her sister and daughter, told NBC 10 Boston no one was home at the time of the crash. Carter said she left her home to meet up with friends just before the crash occured.

"I really think like my parents, my guardian angels, were looking out for me. They're like, 'Go out. Have a night out,'" Carter said.

Carter's dog Molly was in the home but was not injured.

Police reportedly had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate Ricci. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was pronouced dead.

The two other occupants of the car, a 19-year-old man from Holbrook and a 21-year-old man from Holbrook, were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

According to Ricci's uncle, Ricci was in the car with her boyfriend Hector. It's unclear if he was the one driving the car.

He also said Ricci was headed home to her father's house in Holbrook when the crash happened.

The incident remains under investigation, but police believe speed played a factor.Parade and service details for this weekend

THATCHAM will commemorate the centenary of the First World War armistice with a special beacon lighting event and concert on Sunday, November 11.

Thatcham Town Council will join in the originated by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, who has been responsible for national celebrations such as the lighting of the Queens 90th Birthday Beacons in 2016.

The community is encouraged to line the streets on Armistice Day as members of the armed forces, the Royal British Legion, local dignitaries and youth groups parade from The Kingsland Centre car park, round the Broadway and up the High Street, where they will form up in the war memorial car park.

The A4 will be closed between Park Lane and the Catholic church from 10.30am until noon, with through traffic being diverted to the north of the town via Tull Way and Floral Way.

Access to the Crown Mead parade of shops will be maintained via Green Lane.

There will be a rolling road closure through the Broadway and High Street during the parade out and upon its return to St Marys Church, lasting for approximately 10 minutes each, and drivers are encouraged to use The Moors and Lower Way during those times.

In the evening, the community is invited to gather in St Marys churchyard at 6.45pm for the lighting of the gas beacon at 7pm, which will be simultaneous with hundreds of beacons being lit across the country.

St Marys Church bells will then ring out in jubilation as people take their seats inside the church for the celebratory concert.

The concert will feature poignant poems and readings, choral performances by St Marys Church choir and music from Cold Ash Brass, including a -commissioned piece written for and premiered on the evening.

Seats for the concert are limited due to the size of the church and those wishing to attend are urged to book their free ticket now.

Those attending the concert will receive a commemorative book researched by Dr Nick Young, funded by the Greenham Trust, containing details about all of Thatchams servicemen killed in the First World War.

Book a place at the concert at www.thatchamtc.eventbrite.co.uk, by calling Thatcham Town Council on (01635) 863592 or by visiting the town council offices in Brownsfield Road during office hours.

And a ceremony to commemorate Thatchams forgotten war dead will be held on Saturday.

Two new plaques will be unveiled on the town war memorial, commemorating the lives of nine serviceman not currently recognised on the monument.

The service will be held at 10.30am on Saturday, November 10, and will also commemorate the lives of those lost in the First World War.

Enquires can be sent to (01635) 868244 clerk@thatchammemorial.plus.comPhoto: insightforliving.ca

As both a veteran and a member of Parliament my thoughts this week have been on the value of remembrance.

Veterans Week provides us with the opportunity to pay tribute to the more than 113,000 Canadians who died in service to this nation during the First World War and in the wars, conflicts and military missions that followed.

This year in particular, we are marking the 100th anniversary of Canadas Hundred Days and the Armistice, the 65th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, the 10th anniversary of National Peacekeepers Day, and the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Sicily and the beginning of the Italian Campaign in the Second World War.

In stark contrast, we have also been called upon to remember a less honourable time in Canadian history.

On Nov. 7, the government of Canada apologized to the descendants of the passengers of the MS St. Louis, 900 German Jews, who, in the spring of 1939, sought refuge from a rising and brutal Nazi regime.

With motives rooted in anti-Semitism and nationalism, Canada turned its back to their plight and turned them away, guaranteeing that the men, women and children aboard would be among the many that died during the Holocaust.

It is a Canada we are hard pressed to recognize but an important chapter in our history we must not forget.

Remembering is of no value unless we act on what we have learned.

As painful as the past has been, and as difficult as times may seem today, we owe it to ourselves to walk the path of our veterans, to put others before self, to work for the greater good, and to reinforce the principles of tolerance, equality and compassion so their sacrifice was not in vain.

To commemorate the First World War Armistice and honour all those who have served, the Peace Tower bells in Ottawa will ring out today, as will those in Mons, Belgium, the final town liberated during the First World War by the Canadian Corps.

At nightfall, bells will also ring out in Canadian communities from coast to coast to coast as a way of remembering.

As we gather together at the cenotaphs in Kelowna-Lake Country today, let us see the value in remembrance and the power it has to preserve what we value most.

History cannot be changed but in remembering it, we lessen our chances that we are condemned to repeat it.The New Milford Youth Agency has announced a ski club for teens in grades seven to 12.

Ski groups will travel to Mohawk Mountain beginning in December and ending in March.Skyrocketing rents and dwindling affordable housing are driving seniors to the brink of homelessness.

The high rents are forcing seniors on fixed incomes to make the choice of paying their rent or eating  144,790 seniors in B.C. faced unaffordable housing costs in 2016, and 6,000 seniors are on the B.C. Housing list for subsidized housing, up 58 per cent in five years.

I am a senior, and I live in a condo in the Agassiz Road area, where B.C. Housing with the help of the City of Kelowna and John Howard Society are proposing to build another supportive housing complex for the homeless.

The first anyone in our neighborhood heard about this was through a flyer in our mailbox. While reading the information supplied, we all noticed these were studio apartments suitable for one person, not a family in need of help. Then we were invited to the Sandman Inn to learn more about this proposal.

They were prepared for us and ready with their generic answers to our questions. They did a lot of talking, but never directly answered our questions.

John Howard informed us they support those with mental illnesses, addictions, and people with developmental disabilities. It was much later that we found out this would be a wet facility," where illicit drugs are allowed to be used on site.

It doesn't take much thought to figure out where they are finding people to fill these places. Downtown Kelowna does need to be cleaned up.

Our area around Agassiz Road is mostly seniors, a majority are women. They are already fearful about going out as there are so many undesirables. We have been made to appear heartless when it comes to the homeless, but I can assure you we all have a great deal of compassion for them.

We keep being told to give it up, it's a done deal, but our mayor has assured us there will be two public hearings about rezoning prior to any decision being made. We keep hoping that council and B.C. Housing will listen to our concerns.

Agassiz Road is just not the right location. Change the plans to make it a facility for the working poor, low-income seniors, single moms and dads trying to stretch their paycheque to last the month and, yes, even women or men in an abusive relationship. Just don't put people with addictions in our quiet, little neighbourhood.

Jeri Truman, KelownaSorry!

This content is not available in your regionPhoto: CTV

Police say only one of two explosions that rocked a parkade east of Edmonton earlier this week was deliberate, and they say the suspect who died after the incident shot himself.

RCMP had already identified Kane Kosolowsky, 21, as the man who was discovered injured Tuesday evening in a vehicle at a complex in Sherwood Park that houses Strathcona County's civic offices, a library and a restaurant.

He died later in hospital.

Investigators now say the initial explosion was intentional, and that the suspect returned to his vehicle and then suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

They say the first explosion damaged a number of nearby vehicles, and that a second blast occurred when a gas tank in one of those vehicles caught fire.

Police say they still don't have a motive, and they continue to say they aren't seeking any other suspects.

"The RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit and Special Tactical Operations spent three days searching the buildings and surrounding area for additional threats to public safety. No additional threats were located," a police news release issued Saturday stated.

The second blast happened after police arrived, but no one else was injured in the explosions.

RCMP have said there's no indication Kosolowsky was connected with any group or ideology.

The man's family said in a statement Thursday that what happened was out of character for him and they are shocked and devastated.

Police said Saturday that the Kosolowsky family has cooperated fully with the investigation, and that their thoughts are with his loved ones as they also search for answers.

The release said forensic examiners are working to determine the type of explosive that was used for the first blast, but that investigation is expected to take several weeks.

An examination of the suspect's vehicle led to the seizure of multiple firearms, the release said, but no additional explosives were found in his vehicle or any other vehicles.

About 600 employees work out of the county building, but the county's mayor, Rod Frank, said most of them had gone for the day when the blasts occurred.

The library was open at the time and was safely evacuated.Photo: michaeldyck.ca/blog

Remember: to bring to mind or think again  Mirriam-Webster

You remember things for a reason. This ability isnt designed to torment you, it is a tool for survival.

Your memories allow you to:

recognize skills that helped you, so you can hone them.

identify problems to you can create solutions.

detect behaviours that no longer serve you, so you can let them go.

shape the action you will take tomorrow.

That seems straightforward, but things are often not what they seem.

When your day revolved around finding food and outsmarting other predators, your memories gave you the information you needed to increase your chance of survival: a

recall

learn

adjust

repeat.

Your memories serve the same purpose today as they did thousands of years ago, but the complexity of our modern world has changed their clear-cut usefulness.

Because learning from your past isnt required for survival the way it once was, you can skip this step and still live to see another day. However, if you dont learn you wont adjust either. This puts you into the possible cycle of recall, resent, repeat.

This changes the result of remembering from learning to feeling victimized.

When I was a Microsoft Office trainer, I used to thank my students when they made mistakes. You learn more from your mistakes than you ever will when everything works out without a hitch.

You are more likely to learn from your mistakes because they often come with heightened emotions. Tremendous highs and extreme lows stick in your memory more than things that happen when you are ticking along in a moderate emotion.

This is one of the reasons you remember events that are traumatic. The heightened emotions ensure the memories stay firmly planted.

I am fortunate to have lived a reasonably trauma-free life, but let me share one of my most challenging experiences.

When I was in my twenties, I went to Egypt. This was the first solo adventure I had ever taken to an exotic location. It was a bucket list destination that could not be missed.

I decided my best course of action would be to take a bus tour. I expected to join other tourists hungry to see the pyramids and tombs.

When I arrived in Cairo, I discovered I was the only person on my tour. I was as an extremely young-looking single woman in a very foreign land. It was the 1980s, so there were no cell phones or internet.

I was on my own in every sense of the word.

The thought of spending 10 days there all by myself was terrifying. All I wanted to do was go home, but I didnt have the money to buy another ticket.

It took every ounce of courage I could muster to leave my hotel room. To this day, it remains one of the most challenging periods of my life.

I got through it and returned to London unscathed.

The memories of my adventure are unlikely to ever fade because the experience had such a profound effect on me.

I had no control over the situation, although I kicked myself repeatedly at the time for not asking the travel agent how many people were booked on the tour. If I had known, I believed I would have made a different choice.

The point to this story is not that it happened, but what I did and continue to do with the memories.

I learned that I was much stronger and more resilient that I thought possible. For that reason I am thankful for the experience.

I dont blame the travel agent. Sure things could have turned out differently, but they didnt. There was no use me worrying about what might have happened or being afraid to travel in the future.

You may have memories that arise from deep trauma. When this happens, reach out to a professional for help. Dont think you need to find the learning by yourself. It can be very deeply buried.

Your life is yours to live. Choose whether you want to learn from your memories or turn them into the mud of victimization.

Victim: one that is injured, destroyed, or sacrificed

Student: an attentive and systematic observer  Mirriam-Webster

Stop lamenting your experiences. They are part of your life. Embrace them, be compassionate, and find the lessons.

Your story shaped you and turned you into the person you are today.

Remember that and honour the being you have become. Your past is here to help you, not to hurt you.New Delhi :

The first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections will see voting in 18 seats spread across eight Naxal-affected districts on November 12. As many as 190 candidates, including Chief Minister Raman Singh, will be in the fray in the first round of voting. Total 31,80,014 people are eligible to exercise their franchise Monday's elections. Of the total, 16,22,492 are women, while 15,57,435 are men.

The voting for the first phase of elections will be held on Dantewada, Bijapur, Konta, Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Keshkal and Chitrakot Assembly seats.

A day before the voting, massive security arrangements have been put in place amid threat of from Naxals. Authorities have deployed around one lakh security personnel, including central paramilitary force, to ensure peaceful elections across the eight districts, which are prone to Naxal attacks.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh Polls: Rahul Gandhi drops scam bombs at Raman Singh, questions Modis morality on corruption

The Naxals have given a call for boycott of the elections. In less than two weeks, they have carried out dozens of attacks including three major assaults in which eight security personnel and 5 civilians lost their lives.

Chhattisgarh's Special Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations) DM Awasthi said that they have recovered over 300 IED bombs from Bastar and Rajnandgaon districts in the last 10 days. Awasthi assured that they have taken all the necessary measures to foil any bid to disrupt the elections by Maoists.

A total of 650 companies, including those from paramilitary units like CRPF, BSF, ITBP and around 65,000 personnel from police forces of other states, have been sent by the Centre for the assembly polls, PTI quoted him as saying.

Awasthi further said that besides this, existing paramilitary personnel and 200 companies of state forces were engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh. Indian Air Force and BSF choppers were also being used to airlift polling booth parties to remote areas.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh Election: Ram or Babur? Yogi Adityanath seeks Congress response on Ram temple

"As of now, the challenge is to escort all the polling parties safely to their destination in Naxal-affected areas and later it will be to conduct polls and bring back them safely," the Special DG added.New Delhi:

With Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2018 just a few hours away, state Congress vice president Ghanaram Sahu on Sunday resigned from the membership of the Rahul Gandhi-led party. The first phase of voting will be held in 18 seats of the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly on Monday, November 12, 2018.

"Chhattisgarh: Ghanaram Sahu, state Congress vice president has resigned from the membership of the party today," the news agency ANI reported.

Chhattisgarh: Ghanaram Sahu, state Congress vice president has resigned from the membership of the party today. pic.twitter.com/fzRLAFBQzO  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

Read | Chhattisgarh Elections 2018: From Raman Singh to Ajit Jogi - a look at key candidates

It seems like Sahu stepped into the shoes of the partys state working president and tribal leader Ramdayal Uike, who last month resigned and was inducted into the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

However, it is not clear yet whether Sahu is joining hands with the BJP or not. In 2008 Assembly elections, Sahu contested from the Gunardehi constituency of the Naxal-affected state and was reportedly unhappy at not being fielded in the current Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh.

Polling to the remaining 72 constituencies, in the second and final phase, will be held on November 20, 2018. Counting of votes will be taken up on December 11, 2018. The polls are significant as Chief Minister Raman Singh aims a fourth straight term in the state with the Congress seeking to oust the Saffron Party after 15 long years.New Delhi:

Under the shadow of Maoist threat, the first phase of Chhattisgarh Elections in 18 assembly segments will take place on Monday, November 12, 2018. The constituencies which are going to polls on Monday, include Khairagarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta (ST). Of these 18 assembly seats, 12 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) while one is for Scheduled Caste (SC) category. As many as 4,336 polling booths have been set up for the first phase of polls in Chhattisgarh. There are 31,79,520 voters, including 16,21,839 males, 15,57,592 females and 89 of the third gender.

Voting for the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections is scheduled to take place between 7 am to 3 pm in some areas and 8 am to 5 pm in others. Ten out of the 18 Maoist-affected constituencies will vote from 7 am to 3 pm on Monday.

Read | Chhattisgarh Elections: No room for complacency in BJP camp

In the view of Sunday's Naxal strike in Koyali Beda area of Kanker, as many as one lakh security personnel, including paramilitary forces, have been deployed across eight Naxal-dominated districts in Chhattisgarh. Ahead of polls, Maoist attacks have become more frequent in the state, with several common men including a BSF jawan lost their lives Sunday. Furthermore, Maoists have also asked netizens to boycott the Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Therefore, security has been beefed up in highly sensitive regions with over 12 helicopters in use to reach polling booths in the poll-bound state. In over two dozen booths, people will be ferried via bikes, boats or on foot to avoid any untoward incident in the state.

Meanwhile, in a dramatic turn of event, Chhattisgarh Congress vice president Ghanaram Sahu has resigned from the membership of the Rahul Gandhi-led party on the eve of elections. In October, tribal leader and Congress state working president Ramdayal Uike also resigned from the party and joined the BJP. However, it is not yet clear whether Sahu will be inducted into the ruling BJP or not.

Read | Chhattisgarh Elections 2018: From Raman Singh to Ajit Jogi to Karuna Shukla - a look at key candidates



The second phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections for the remaining 72 constituencies will be held on November 20 and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 11, 2018. While Chief Minister Raman Singh will be eyeing a fourth straight term in his stronghold Chhattisgarh the Congress is seeking to return to power after 15 long years.Dubai:

Major oil producers meet in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to consider reverting to output cuts after a sharp slide in crude prices revived fears of a 2014-style crash.

Oil prices shed a fifth of their value in just one month after surging to a four-year high in early October, driven by a combination of factors centred on higher supply and fears of sluggish demand.

Brent crude dropped below $70 a barrel on Friday for the first time since April while the New Yorks West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sank below $60 a barrel, a nine-month low.

Also Read Fuel prices slashed yet again; petrol at Rs 77.73, diesel at 72.46 a litre in Delhi

The United States has upped production of shale oil, while Saudi Arabia, Russia and others have raised supplies of crude amid signs of slowing demand.

The slide also comes during signs of a softer-than-expected impact from US sanctions on Iran oil exports.

Prices have been falling amid a continued rise in crude supplies from big producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the US, more than compensating for lost Iranian barrels, Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada told AFP.

With the Iranian sanctions not being as severe as initially feared, officials from the OPEC and non-OPEC producers may discuss at the weekend the need to bring compliance back down towards the 100-percent level or risk another 2014-style slide in prices, he said.

Energy ministers of top producers Russia and Saudi Arabia will join other OPEC and non-OPEC officials for the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, which oversees production levels.

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The worlds second and third crude producersafter they were overtaken by the United States thanks to shale oilRussia and Saudi Arabia are the core of an alliance of producer nations that succeeded in solidifying oil prices after the 2014 crash.

Through large production cuts starting at the beginning of 2017, they managed to push up oil prices from below $30 a barrel to over $85 a barrel in October, strongly improving their revenues.

But the producer nations eased the output cuts in June after signs of a tight market and higher prices, allowing hundreds of thousands of extra barrels into the market.

Saudi Arabia raised its production from around 9.9 million barrels per day in May to around 10.7 million bpd in October, according to Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih.

Kuwait, Iraq, Russia and the United Arab Emirates also boosted their output.

Cailin Birch, analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit, said a slowing oil demand is beginning to appear in China, the worlds largest importer of crude oil.

The recent drop in oil prices reflects a combination of factors. For one, signs of slowing oil demand are beginning to appear; the rate of GDP growth in China is beginning to ease, Birch told AFP.

The meeting, which will also be attended by the oil ministers of Kuwait, Venezuela and host nation the UAE, is not due to make decisions but will most likely send signals.

The JMMC, a technical committee, is expected to make important recommendations on production cuts to a key ministerial meeting in Vienna next month for the OPEC and non-OPEC producers.

Commerzbank, Germanys second-largest lender, said on Friday oil producers must act to prevent a free fall of prices.

If they fail to signal any intention to reverse the latest increase in production, oil prices threaten to slide further, the bank said in a note.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

In yet another drunken driving case, a 38-year-old woman identified as Poonam Sardana was killed and her 13-year-old daughter Chetanya sustained serious injuries after their four-wheeler was hit by a speeding vehicle, which was allegedly driven by a 22-year-old heavily drunk woman, in west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh area.

The police said Chetanyas one eye was completely damaged in the accident took place on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Doctors, however, transplanted Poonam's cornea to replace the damaged one.

According to the police, the incident took place around 11pm when two brothers Sudhir Sardana and Vimal Sardana, along with their wives and children, were returning home after visiting a temple in Chhatarpur. Sudhir was driving Mahindra Quanto car towards their house in Adarsh Nagar when a vehicle bearing an Uttar Pradesh registration number lost control, jumped over the road divider and rammed their car.

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The police added the erring vehicle, S-Cross, was being driven by Shivani Malik. She was accompanied by three of her friends, who allegedly had alcoholic drinks at Connaught Place, and were driving towards Gurgaon.

"It is suspected that Shivani was driving at a high speed. She lost control of the vehicle, and hit the divider before crossing over to the other lane and hitting Sardana's car from the rear-end," the police said.

Locals and witnesses said that the speed of the car approaching from opposite direction, a Maruti S-Cross, was so high that it went up in the air after hitting the divider and after hitting the Quanto, it turned turtle on another car that was passing by. Passersby stopped and helped the occupants of the cars get out. A PCR (police control room) call was then made and the police as informed, said a police officer.

Also Read | Around 160 terrorists waiting across LoC to infiltrate, says Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh

Malik, a resident of Ghaziabad, was allegedly inebriated and was on her way to Gurugram Club along with friends, Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Monika Bhardwaj said.

The accused woman works in a salon in Noida. She was arrested and a case was registered against her, officials said.

Hindustan Times quoting the Delhi traffic police data reported that at least 33,000 people were caught driving in an inebriated state on the national capital roads this year, around 27% higher than last year. Data shows that an upward trend of drink-driving cases has been observed in the last few years.

(With PTI inputs)New Delhi:

Locket Chatterjee, BJPs West Bengal Mahila Morcha president, has triggered a controversy after she warned that those trying to stop the saffron party's scheduled 'rath yatra' in the state "will get crushed under the wheels of the chariot".

Chatterjee said the 'yatra' is being organised to restore democracy in the state.

"The main purpose of the rath yatra is to restore democracy in West Bengal. We have said this earlier too that the heads of those who try to stop the 'rath yatra' will get crushed under the wheels of the chariot," Chatterjee told reporters after attending a party meeting at Malda district on Saturday.

BJP president Amit Shah will launch three 'rath yatras', which will cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bengal, on December 5, 7 and 9.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to address a massive rally in Kolkata at the conclusion of the 'yatra'.

Condemning the actress-turned-politicians comment, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said BJP leaders are making provocative statements to disturb peace and stability of the state.

"The BJP's main aim is to push its communal agenda in Bengal. That is why they are making these provocative comments. But the people of Bengal will defeat the divisive politics of the BJP," Partha Chatterjee said.

While Amit Shah will begin his journey from Shaktipeeth Tarapith covering entire western parts of West Bengal from December 5, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will embark on a yatra from Cooch-Behars Madan Mohan temple on December 7 to cover entire north and central Bengal. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will start his campaign from Ganga Sagar covering southern parts from December 9, according to reports.

(With PTI inputs)New Delhi:

Aamir Khans recent release, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif, Thugs Of Hindostan released on November 8. However, despite the film being a star-studded thriller, failed to register its charm among the audiences and critics. TOH Day 2 collection saw a dip of around 50 per cent from Day 1. But having said so, Aamir being his Mr Perfectionist self, is now gearing up for his next project, one that has been in the air for some time now, his magnum opus, Mahabharat.

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Aamir is moving forward with the making of his next film and developments pertaining to it have started to hit the floors. According to the latest reports published by Pinkvilla, Aamir will be flying off to the USA to ideate and write the adaptation along with his core team. The voyage will be seven-week long and amid other media reports, it has also been confirmed that Aamir will be seen playing the character of Lord Krishna. Also, each of the seven parts will be catered by a different director.

The Mahabharat reports further suggest that the PK actor is looking for an all-new cast for the series. Now, looking at these reports and developments, Mahabharat will be worth a wait for both the audiences and the superstar himself.

Also Read | Isha Ambani-Anand Parimal nuptials invite is an overwhelming royalty

On Thugs Of Hindostan release day, the actor took to his Instagram handle to express his heartfelt gratitude towards each of his co-stars and crew members.

Thugs Of Hindostan, produced under the banner of Yash Raj Films, has earned Rs 29.25 crore on Day 2, taking the total box office collection to Rs 81.50 crore.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh, who was involved in the planning of the 2016 surgical strikes, admitted that terror infrastructure in Pakistan remains intact and around 160 terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into Indian territory.

Singh, who took over as the general officer commanding of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps -- commonly known as XVI Corps, said cross-border terrorism will stop only if Pakistan changes its policy and intentions. He, however, assured that the Indian Army was not letting up on "our preparedness and the counter-infiltration grid is strong enough to deal with infiltrators".

Also Read | Chhattisgarh Election 2018: From Raman Singh to Ajit Jogi - a look at key candidates

"140 to 160 terrorists at different locations in Pakistan are being pushed into the stateThe terror infrastructure is intact, and Pakistan's intentions have not changed. The Pakistan Army and the ISI's complicity in planning infiltration and terror attacks is evident and it continues," said Lt. Gen. Singh, who has served in all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking on ceasefire violations, Lt. Gen. Singh said India never initiates fire, but gives it back in adequate measure.

"For troops on the LoC, there is no ceasefire... though periodic unprovoked firing by the Pakistan Army and attempts to cause harm to forward posts continue. We do not initiate fire, but we give it back in adequate measure. There is no let up on preparedness and our counter-infiltration grid is strong to deal with infiltrators," he said.

He added that the Indian Army anticipates that Pakistani troops will make an attempt to push infiltrators through heavy snow-bound areas and non-traditional routes.

Also Read | After Thugs Of Hindostan, Aamir Khan gears up for his next magnum opus

"We have all contingency plans ready. We have coordinated with all security agencies, and plans are being implemented smoothly," said Lt Gen Singh, who commanded a special forces' battalion that participated in the surgical strikes after the attack on an Army brigade in Uri in 2016.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.Alanna Kelly

UPDATE: 2:35 p.M.

The community of Kelowna gathered together to remember and honour veterans.

Rev. Dick Fletcher said this year was the biggest attendance hes seen.

Today was absolutely terrific, said Fletcher. Turn out was larger this year than last year.

What impressed Fletcher the most was the number of youth at the ceremony.

Silence fell over the crowd of people as The Last Post was played.

While the sun shone down on those assembled around the National War Memorial under a brilliant blue sky, thoughts and memories of the War to End All Wars  which ended exactly 100 years earlier  hung heavy over the annual ceremony.

"We gather on this hallowed ground, on which is interred Canada's unknown soldiers, to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Maj.-Gen. Guy Chapdelaine, the military's most senior chaplain, intoned as the crowd stood silently.

Fletcher added today is all about commemoration and giving thanks.

Someone said to me happy Remembrance day, well yes you are happy because you are able to remember but it is also a sad situation that you have to bring out from the heart and the mind, he said.

After the ceremony people took their time to place their poppies beside the wreaths.

Alanna Kelly

ORIGINAL: 9:45 a.m.

Remembrance Day ceremonies will be held in communities across the Central Okanagan today honouring veterans.

Ceremonies will take place in downtown Kelowna, Rutland, West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country.

A moment of silence will take place on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 months. Castanet News will be streaming live from the ceremony at City Park Cenotaph in Kelowna.

Canada's Remembrance Day ceremonies mark 100 years since the signing of the armistice that ended the First World War today.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery will toll their bells 100 times as the sun sets on Sunday at about 4:20 p.m.

Everyone is encouraged to attend a ceremony in their area, or pause and reflect on the sacrifices made to preserve our freedom at 11 a.m.

The following is a list of ceremonies in the Central Okanagan:

Kelowna - City Park Cenotaph. Organized by the Royal Canadian Legion, Kelowna Branch #2

At approximately 10:30 a.m. a parade of participating organizations and the colour party will march from Stuart Park along Bernard Avenue to Abbott Street and to the Cenotaph in City Park for the ceremony.

Following the ceremony, participating youth groups are invited to the Legion Branch, 1380 Bertram St. for lunch. A period of social remembrance will be held at Parkinson Rec Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Rutland - Lions Park Cenotaph. Organized by the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit 376

The ceremony at the cenotaph in Lions Park will be preceded by a parade starting at 10:30 a.m. from the unit clubhouse parking lot at 270 Dougall Rd. North to Gray Road and into the park.

Following the ceremony and parade dismissal, an open house reception will be held at the clubhouse.

Lake Country - George Elliot Secondary School, 10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road. Organized by the Royal Canadian Legion, Oyama Branch #189

Please be seated inside George Elliot Secondary School by 10:30 a.m.

A sign language interpreter will be providing translation services during the ceremony. Following the ceremony a public open house will be held at the Legion, 15712 Oyama Rd.

Peachland - Peachland Community Centre, 4450 6th Street. Organized by the Royal Canadian Legion, Peachland Branch #69

Fall in at 10:20 a.m. at the Peachland Community Centre. Following the ceremony, adults and children are welcome at the Peachland Legion on 2nd Street, where refreshments will be served.

West Kelowna - Royal LePage Place, 2760 Cameron Road, West Kelowna. Organized by the Royal Canadian Legion, Westbank Branch #288

Please arrive by 10 a.m. as a parade involving participating organizations and the colour party precede the 11 a.m. ceremony. Following the ceremony, lunch will be served at the branch for members and invited guests.

West Kelowna - Westbank Lions Community Centre on Main Street. Organized by the Historic Westbank Association

A wreath laying ceremony will be held in the parking lot in front of the Westbank Lions Community Centre at 10:45 a.m. Free refreshments are available inside the community centre after the ceremony is over.New Delhi:

The director of Air India was on Sunday found positive in Breath Analyser (BA) prior to flying and declared "not fit to fly".

Air India senior pilot Arvind Kathpalia was today found positive in Breath Analyser (BA) and declared 'not fit to fly'. He was scheduled to fly AI's Delhi to London flight. According to the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, Arvind Kathpalia had failed BA on Jan 19, 2017 also.  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

According to an official, senior pilot Captain Arvind K Kathpalia was to fly the Air Indias AI-111 flight to London from New Delhi on Sunday afternoon.

We have grounded Captain A K Kathpalia as he failed twice in the breath analyser test. He was to operate the London flight from New Delhi, but he failed to clear the pre-flight alcohol test, the official said.

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He was given another chance, but the second test was also found the positive following which he was grounded, the official added.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), a representative body for the pilots of Indian Airlines Limited (AirIndia Ltd.), has also writes to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take action against Kathpalia.

Indian Commercial Pilots Association writes to Ministry of Civil Aviation to take action against Air India pilot Arvind Kathpalia, who was found positive in Breath Analyser (BA) Test and declared 'not fit to fly' today.  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

According to ICPA, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended Kathpalias license for three months in 2017 for allegedly skipping the breath analyser test before a flight. He was subsequently removed from the post of executive director of operations.

However, Kathpalia was later appointed to the post of director (operations) in Air India Ltd for a period of five years.

Read More | Pneumonia: Causes, symptoms and precautions

As per rule, it is mandatory to all pilots and cabin crews to examine pre-flight medical check-up prior to fly.

Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules (1937) prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink, 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him or her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight, the official said.

According to reports, over 150 pilots belonging to different airlines in India were caught drunk on duty in the past four years, putting the lives of thousands of air passengers at risk.

(With inputs from agencies)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Karnatakas mining baron and former BJP minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, who was arrested by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case, has been sent to the judicial custody till November 24 on Sunday. His close aide Ali Khan was also arrested earlier in the day.

Reddy was questioned for hours in an alleged bribery case in connection with a Ponzi scam on Saturday evening. Alok Kumar, Additional CP, Central Crime Branch, said that Reddy was arrested on the basis of credible evidence and witnesses statements and will be produced before the magistrate. He also said that the Crime Branch is going to recover the money and return them to the investors.

We have taken the decision to arrest him on the basis of credible evidence and witnesses statements. We will produce him before the magistrate. We are going to recover the money & give it to the investors: Alok Kumar, Additional CP, Central Crime Branch, #Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/0MvDauU8mO  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

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#Karnataka: Janardhan Reddy who has been arrested by Bengaluru Central Crime Branch, in connection with Ambident Group alleged bribery case, being taken for medical examination. pic.twitter.com/tQclusCO1q  ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

The CCB had stumbled on Reddys role while probing cheating cases filed against Ambident, a financial services company, for defrauding more than 15,000 people to the tune of more than Rs 600 crore through Ponzi schemes. The Bellary mining baron appeared for questioning at the Crime Branch office on Saturday evening after a three-day hunt by the police in Bengaluru. The former minister had spent three years in jail and was currently out on bail.

Reddy appeared before the police after releasing a video message from an unknown location, saying he would appear before it. Reddy claimed that there was a "political conspiracy" and added that he had faith in the police.

Reddy, who was a minister in the erstwhile BS Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka, had said on Saturday: "Now that the notice has been issued by the police, I have decided to appear before the Central Crime Branch today itself though the notice says I should appear on Sunday," Reddy said.

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"I decided to make this video to let people know the truth. I have faith in the police and believe that they would not succumb to any political pressure," he added.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Navies of India and Singapore on Saturday has kickstarted a 12-day maritime combat drills off the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal as part of their efforts to further solidify maritime security cooperation.

The 25th edition of the SIMBEX - Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, featured a number of frontline ships of the two countries in the mega exercise, a treat for the onlookers.

The exercise at sea this year will be unprecedented and largest in terms of the complexity and weapon firings, Navy Spokesperson Capt D K Sharma said.

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Started in 1994, the SIMBEX has graduated into a complex maritime combat drills featuring missile and torpedo firings as well as shore-based intensive professional exchanges, Capt Sharma said.

In sync with deepening defence cooperation between India and Singapore, the navies of the two countries have expanded their ties significantly in the last few years.

According to official report, the exercise will feature highest numbers of platforms being fielded by both sides.

Over the years the two navies have increased their interoperability to a level that could be matched by few other navies, said Capt Sharma.

The Indian naval ships which are participating in the exercise include Ranvijay, Satpura, Sahyadri, Shakti, Kirch, Kadmatt, Sumedha and Sukanya.

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While Singapore Navy has sent a number of its frontline ships including Formidable, Steadfast, Unity, Valiant and Vigour.

During the drills, according to official report, local Flotilla ships based at Port Blair would be ensuring seafront security including in the exercise areas towards smooth conduct of the exercise.

Maritime Patrol Aircraft of both countries - the versatile P8I of the Indian Navy and Fokker F50 from Singapore would also be part of the exercise, said Capt Sharma.

During the harbour phase, in addition to operational conferences towards preparation of the sea phase of the exercises in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, courtesy calls by both sides on the Senior Officers are also scheduled.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

With Assembly Elections 2018 knocking on the doors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived at Delhi BJP headquarters where he chaired the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting to formulate last minute poll strategies in five crucial states. Besides Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and other prominent leaders also took part in the CEC meeting.

Chhattisgarh will go to polls in two phases on November 12 and 20, while the Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram Assembly elections will take place simultaneously on November 28. Polling in Rajasthan and Telangana will be held on December 7. Counting of votes will be held across all the five states on December 11.

Here are the Highlights from the BJP CEC meeting in Delhi:

22:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves after BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting at BJP headquarters



Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves after BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting at BJP headquarters. pic.twitter.com/mjPBxTBbAQ

 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018



20:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting being held at BJP headquarters in Delhi



Visuals of BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting being held at BJP headquarters in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/EFNGmVEd4j

 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018



20:07 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting at BJP headquarters



Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting at BJP headquarters pic.twitter.com/tuEmk40EI4

 ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018



For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Indian Army solider Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir, 29, became the latest victim of sniping from across the border on Sunday. Somgir was killed by a Pakistani sniper along the Line of Control in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said. This was the third fatal casualty due to sniping from across the border in three days.

Somgir was manning a forward post in Kalal area of Noushera sector when was shot by the Pakistani sniper, they said. Somgir, belonged to village Sri Rampur of Nashik district of Maharashtra. He is survived by wife Yashoda Gosavi.

Naik Gosavi Keshav Somgir, an Army soldier lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera Sector, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/HwkpZ59epK a ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018

"Pakistan Army resorted to an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Noushera sector on the Line of Control at about 1445 hours resulting in critical injuries to Somgir due to fire from across the border and succumbed to gunshot wound injuries," the defence spokesman said in a statement.

He said Somgir had served in the Army for 10 years and his death would not "go in vain". "The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he said.

In a similar attack on Saturday, rifleman Varun Kattal, 21, was killed after he was hit by a sniper in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district. Kattal was a resident of Mawa-Rajpura area of Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident triggered an exchange of fire between the two sides which also left two BSF personnel injured.

A day earlier, an Army portar lost his life in a similar attack in Akhnoor sector.

On October 21, three soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry regiment and two heavily-armed infiltrators, believed to be members of the Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistani army, and terrorists, were killed in Sunderbani sector.

On November 6, a soldier was injured when he was hit by a sniper from across the border at Kalal in Noushera sector of Rajouri, while a BSF jawan was injured in a separate incident of firing by Pakistan along the LoC in the Manjakote area of the Rajouri-Poonch sector on Friday.

The number of ceasefire violations this year by Pakistan has been the highest in the past eight years. The first seven months of this year saw 52 deaths and 232 people getting injured in 1,435 ceasefire violations in the state, according to an RTI reply by the Home Ministry.

(With PTI inputs)

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute has been a watershed for Hindu-Muslim polarisation in India for decades. With political furore and controversies raking up with each passing day, National Commission for Minorities chief Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi on Sunday made an earnest appeal to build Ram temple at the earliest so that Muslims in Ayodhya can live with peace and respect. Rizvi also said that the dispute should be resolved soon in order to strengthen the deteriorating ties between the Hindu and Muslim communities.

"The National Minority Welfare Organisation and some other outfits have sent us reports that the Muslim community in the country is living in fear," Rizvi told PTI. He added that the community has "urged the commission to take an initiative to improve the current atmosphere".

Read | Congress embraces Yatra politics to blunt BJPs Save Sabarimala Yatra

Meanwhile, some Muslim organisations had sought the panel's intervention in the Ayodhya title suit case. Therefore, the National Commission for Minorities in its November 14 meeting will decide whether it will approach the Supreme Court for an early hearing on the matter or not.

"During the November 14 meeting, we will hold discussions on the matter. But, as it is sub-judice, we can only urge the apex court for an early hearing," Rizvi said, adding that the organisations wanted Muslims to help in the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site and make sure that no such controversy erupts in future again.

The minority panel chief also made it clear that there was no possibility of building mosques or offering namaz in Ayodhya.

Read | Ayodhya Dispute: BJP should bring ordinance for Ram Temple, says Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh

"Even I believe that in Ayodhya, neither mosques can be built, nor namaz can be offered. The place has a sentimental value for 100 crore Hindus," Rizvi said. Therefore, Hindus must be allowed to build a Ram temple there (Ayodhya) so that Muslims can live peacefully, respectfully and without any fear, while contributing to the development of the nation," he added.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi :

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday invited all the Opposition parties for a key meeting in the national capital on November 22 to chalk out strategy and build an organisational structure to create an anti-BJP platform for 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing the media after meeting senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot at his Amaravati residence, Naidu said, We want to create an anti-BJP platform. We want to have one meeting in Delhi. We'll discuss issues and then chalk out a programme. The meeting will be held on November 22.

Also Read | Raghuram Rajan says India's economic growth held back due to demonetisation, GST

The Andhra Pradesh CM said that the anti-BJP front, he is trying to form, is in the national interest to save the democracy and the constitutional institutions of the country.

This is in the interest of the nation. Save democracy, save the nation and save institutions  that is the national agenda, an utmost important agenda, Naidu said.

Referring to his partys tie-up with the Congress for upcoming Assembly elections in Telangana, the TDP chief said that although the alliance was a democratic compulsion, it was in national interests.

We tied up with Congress due to democratic compulsion in the interest of the nation. I am appealing to all parties: we should put aside our differences and join together for the broader cause, Naidu said.

Congress General Secretary Ashok Gehlot also spoke about the first ever alliance between the Grand Old Party and the TDP and termed it as the need of the hour to protect the nation.

Also Read | Two years after DeMo: Is government using demonetisation as a postdated cheque?

(It is) to protect the country. We will all come together on November 22 to finalise the future course of action, Gehlot said.

Speaking more about the proposed Opposition gig on November 22, Naidu said that a final meeting With Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee will be held on November 19 or 20.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi :

On the occasion of First World War (WWI) centenary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered Indian soldiers who fought for the cause of peace and sacrificed their lives despite Indias any direct involvement.

India remembers our brave soldiers who fought in WW-1 This was a war in which India was not directly involved yet our soldiers fought world over, just for the cause of peace, Modi wrote on Twitter.

In another Tweet, the prime minister reiterated Indias commitment towards the world peace and pledged to promote an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh: Naxals strike one day before polls, BSF jawan killed in IED blast

Today, as we mark one hundred years since the end of the horrific First World War, we reiterate our commitment towards world peace and pledge to work to further an atmosphere of harmony and brotherhood so that the trail of death and destruction caused by wars does not occur, Modi wrote.

Meanwhile, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu represented India at events commemorating the centenary of the signing of the armistice ending World War I in France.

Armistice Centenary activities begin in Paris



VP @MVenkaiahNaidu is received by Culture Minister @franckriester & Director @MuseeOrsay Laurence des Cars as he arrives at a reception hosted by President @EmmanuelMacron for world leaders participating at the commemoration ceremony pic.twitter.com/vimRm1lasX  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 10, 2018

Indian Army role in World War I

Despite having any direct involvement, India had played a significant role in the first world war. The Indian Army contributed a large number of divisions and independent brigades of over one million troops to the European, Mediterranean and the Middle East theatres of war.

Also Read | To create anti-BJP platform, Chandrababu Naidu calls key Opposition parties' meet on November 22

The Indian soldiers fought against the German Empire in German East Africa and on the Western Front. Some divisions were also sent to Egypt, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia. In World War I, more than 74,000 Indian soldiers gave their supreme sacrifice.





For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.New Delhi:

With anti-incumbency weighing heavy on its head, the Bharatiya Janata Party which has been in power in Chhattisgarh since 2003 is fighting with its back to the wall in the Assembly polls slated for November. In the last election in 2013, the BJP had bagged 49 seats, the Congress 39 and the Bahujan Samaj Party one.

Intrinsically, the dice is loaded in favour of the Congress with public disenchantment running high but the BJP can count on the penchant of the Congress to put its foot in the mouth and turn seeming victory into defeat.

In a major setback to the Congress, its state working president and MLA Ramdayal Uike last week joined the ruling BJP. Uike commands considerable support among the scheduled tribes in the state.

Also Read | Will Telangana elections see revival of Congress in the state it helped form?

Earlier, after secret parleys, the wily former chief minister Ajit Jogi who had defected from the Congress which he led to defeat in 2013 to form his own party the Janata Congress in 2016, tied up with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party for the elections in a surprise move which left the Congress looking vulnerable.

Mayawatis estrangement with the Congress was a reflection of the latters poor handling of alliances especially at the Central level. True, Mayawati was asking for the moon and the Congress was offering just five seats in a House of 90 but a via media could have been found.

Read | Supermodel Karlie Kloss just got married! Check out her wedding pics

That the Congress-BSP alliance in Madhya Pradesh too has fallen through is hardly surprising. In fact, this was to be expected in view of the developments in Chhattisgarh. The Congress continues to behave high and mighty and the party leadership is cocooned in complacency.

Evidently, with this background, the BSP-Congress alliance is unlikely to come through even in the Lok Sabha elections and a huge beneficiary of this would be the BJP. Whether the tax cases against Mayawati have anything to do with her estrangement with the Congress as a sop to the BJP to go slow on the cases is a moot point.

Also Read | The myth and reality of #MeToo movement against sexual exploitation

Under the Chhattisgarh arrangement, while the BSP will contest 35 seats, the Janata Congress would try its luck from the rest. Mayawati also announced that if the coalition comes to power, Jogi would become the chief minister.

Jogi, who once was one of Sonia Gandhis blue-eyed boys, is anathema to the Congress today and the Congress high command cannot but be angry with the Mayawati-Jogi flirtation.

Together the two parties will seek to capture the scheduled castes and tribes vote bank with both Mayawati and Jogi claiming to be the messiah of scheduled castes. Chhattisgarh has 10 seats reserved for SCs, out of which the BJP had won nine last time and the Congress just one. So, the alliance could well damage both the Congress and the BJP.

Apart from this, 29 seats are reserved for tribals and the SC population is over 10 per cent in the other seats. But Jogi also holds some sway over the Muslim and Christian population in over a dozen constituencies in the state. All this would help eat into the Congress vote bank.

In the event of the BJP falling short of a majority, there is a fair chance that the BSP-Janata Congress alliance may strike a deal with the BJP to upstage the Congress. Of late, Jogi has been soft towards Chief Minister Raman Singh and it is rumoured that they enjoy a good equation.

Also Read | Will Pakistan stand to gain from IMF bailout move?

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to make an impact on the voters after full-swing campaigning starts and Raman Singh fully exploiting the advantage of incumbency, the tide against the BJP could well turn in the coming days.

As compared to Raman Singh, Congress state chief Bhupesh Baghel is a relative lightweight. Yet, there is no room for complacency in the BJP camp. There is no doubt that there is a degree of exasperation against the BJP government which could translate into loss of votes.New Delhi:

It was only natural that the BJP and Sangh Parivar to have tapped into public anger against SC order allowing menstruating women entry into the sanctum sanctorum of Sabarimala, but what is a trifle surprising is that even the Congress has waded into the issue, lending its support to the protests raging in Kerala.



For sure, the BJP strategists view the Sabarimala temple controversy as potent a political weapon in South India as the Ram mandir issue was in North India. Worried that the BJP would actually benefit from the public outpouring against the apex court order, the Congress too has jumped in with competitive Yatra politics that has the state in a state of turmoil.



The Left Front government in Kerala has made it very clear that it will do everything to ensure the Apex court order is implemented in letter and spirit. Menstruating women, between the age group of 10 and 50 are barred from entry into the hilltop shrine of Lord Ayyappa, who is considered to be celibate.

Read More | Delhiites continue struggle to breathe as Air Quality Index drops to 423; know AQI of world's top 10 cities



Supreme Court has ruled that everyone has a right to enter the temple, sparking off an agitation across the state ever since the order was pronounced in September. The BJP was off the blocks first to cash in on the public anger and had all its frontal organisations and Sangh Parivar outfits. Now, its leaders are in the forefront of a Save Sabarimala Yatra cutting across the length of 11 districts in Kerala, covering some 400 km.



This Yatra, flagged off by leader of opposition in Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa and led by Kerala state BJP president PS Sridharan Pillai is an indication that the BJP was no longer shy of being seen as openly defying the apex court order on a matter of faith and traditions as its national chief Amit Shah declared. The Yatra will culminate on when the Supreme Court takes up a review petition challenging the earlier order allowing women entry into Sabarimala.



For the BJP, yatra has had been a legitimate political weapon through the years as it had effectively merged its political messaging through an emotional religious pitch with its demand for Ram mandir in Ayodhya. The party hopes to make immense gains in Kerala in the 2019 general elections.

Also Read | Fuel prices slashed yet again; petrol at Rs 77.73, diesel at 72.46 a litre in Delhi



Kerala for the BJP, remains a very tough nut to crack as the state continues to be a two-horse race between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPM led Left Front. The BJP is nowhere in the picture, as yet, but it hopes the Sabarimala issue will prop it up electorally.



The BJP continues to apply pressure on the Left Front government to challenge the SC order, but the state government refuses to play ball. This helps the BJP to keep the Sabarimala issue alive and simmering, giving it an acceptance that it did not find among the voters.



It is this worry that the Congress, which has been seen playing the soft Hindutva card for the past few years, registered its presence with the protesters. Although the national Congress leadership welcomed the SC order, the state unit is totally opposed to tampering with the age-old customs and traditions at this hill-top temple shrine.



So, it is trying to match the BJP, yatra to yatra.



The Congress too has got its campaign going, across the state, adding to the headache of the state government.



For both the two national parties, Sabarimala issue has come as a political jackpot and a stick to beat the Left Front government with. For sure, in the run-up to the general elections next year, the Sabarimala issue will be dominating the political space in Kerala and will have some impact in neighbouring South Indian states.Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump speaks during an American Commemoration Ceremony, Sunday Nov. 11, 2018, at Suresnes American Cemetery near Paris.

For President Donald Trump in Paris, America First meant largely America alone.

At a weekend commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1, the president who proudly declares himself a "nationalist" stood apart, even on a continent where his brand of populism is on the rise.

He began his visit with a tweet slamming the French president's call for a European defence force, arrived at events alone and spent much of his trip out of sight in the American ambassadors' residence in central Paris. On Sunday, he listened as he was lectured on the dangers of nationalist isolation, and then he headed home as the inaugural Paris Peace Summit was getting under way.

The visit made clear that, nearly two years after taking office, Trump has dramatically upended decades of American foreign policy posture, shaking allies. That includes French President Emmanuel Macron, who on Sunday warned the "ancient demons" that caused World War I and millions of deaths were once again making headway.

Macron, who has been urging a re-embrace of multinational organizations and co-operation that have been shunned by Trump, delivered a barely-veiled rebuke of Trumpism at the weekend's centerpiece event: A gathering of dozens of leaders at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe to mark the passage of a century since the guns fell silent in a global war that killed millions. Bells tolled across Europe's Western Front and fighter jets passed overhead to mark the exact moment the devastating war came to a close.

With Trump and other leaders looking on, Macron took on the rising tide of populism in the United States and Europe and urged leaders not to turn their backs by turning inward.

"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism: Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism," Macron said, adding that, when nations put their interests first and decide "who cares about the others" they "erase the most precious thing a nation can have... Its moral values."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who recently announced that she will not be seeking re-election, also made an impassioned plea for global co-operation at the peace forum, warning that a "lack of communication and unwillingness to compromise" can have deadly consequences.

Trump, who has made clear that he has limited patience for broad, multilateral agreements, sat mostly stone-faced as he listened to Macron, who sees himself as Europe's foil to the rising sentiment, which has taken hold in Hungary and Poland among other countries.

Trump did engage with his fellow leaders, attending a group welcome dinner hosted by Macron at the Musee d'Orsay on Saturday night and a lunch on Sunday. He also spent time with Macron on Saturday, when the two stressed their shared desire for more burden-sharing during a quick availability with reporters.

But the day's symbolism couldn't have been starker.

Trump was missing from one of the weekend's most powerful images: A line of world leaders, walking shoulder to-shoulder in a sombre, rain-soaked procession as the bells marking the exact moment that fighting ended  11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918  finished tolling.

The president and first lady Melania Trump had travelled to the commemoration separately  White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders cited security protocols  from the other dignitaries, who had travelled together by bus from the Elysee Palace.

As Trump's motorcade was making its solo trip down the grand Champs-Elysees, which was closed to traffic, at least one topless woman breached tight security, running into the street and shouting "fake peace maker" as the cars passed. She had slogans, including the words "Fake" and "Peace," written on her chest.

Police tackled the woman and the motorcade continued uninterrupted. The feminist activist group Femen later claimed responsibility.

Also travelling on his own was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who shook Trump's hand, flashed him a thumbs-up sign and patted Trump's arm as he arrived. Trump responded with a wide smile.

National Security Adviser John Bolton had said at one point that Putin and Trump would meet in Paris, but they will instead will hold a formal sit-down later this month at a world leaders' summit in Buenos Aires. A Kremlin official said later that U.S. and Russian officials decided to drop plans for the Paris meeting after French officials objected.New Delhi:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has asked the international space community to propose their scientific payloads to be carried along on its mid-2023-planned mission to Venus. ISRO, on its website, said proposals are solicited from the international scientific community for novel space-based experiments to study specific areas of science interest on Venus. This AO has a specific objective to identify important science experiments that strengthen/complements overall science from the suite of pre-selected proposals from India on ISROs Venus mission.



ALSO READ | Why is Arvind Kejriwal in Dubai? BJP questions CM's trip as Delhi chokes on pollution



India will be sending 12 scientific payloads aboard the satellite for the Venus mission, including a thermal camera, mass spectrometer, cloud monitoring camera, ultraviolet (UV) imaging spectroscopy telescope, Ionospheric electron temperature analyser, retarding potential analyser, advanced radar for topside ionosphere and subsurface sounding. The final spacecraft is likely to have a payload capacity of close to 100 kg, with 500W of power, according to the ISRO website.



This is the natural progression for ISRO. For years, Indias space missions focussed on its local and economic usability. If the organisation has to progress and compete with other major space programmes, it will have to look at pure exploratory missions like Chandryaan and Mangalyaan, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative at Observer Research Foundation was quoted by the Hindustan Times as saying.



This will establish ISROs image as a low-cost launcher and to address capacity deficit in ISROs for catering to the commercial needs, it will help to open up the space sector for collaborations with private players using tried and tested launch vehicles like the PSLV, she added.



ALSO READ | After 'Sarkar' movie row, Sara Ali Khan's 'Kedarnath' in trouble; BJP demands ban alleging 'love jihad'



Venus is considered to be Earths twin sister because of similarities in size, mass, density, composition and gravity. The mission will focus on studying the surface and the sub-surface of the planet, atmospheric chemistry, and the interactions with solar radiation or solar winds.



(With inputs from agencies)

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.London:

Posting too many selfies on social media may make you more narcissistic, a study has found published in The Open Psychology Journal, the study looked at personality changes of 74 individuals aged 18 to 34 over a four-month period.

Researchers from Swansea University in the UK and Milan University in Italy also assessed the participants' usage of social media - including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat - during that same period.



ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh: Naxals strike a day before polls, BSF jawan killed in IED blast

Narcissism is a personality characteristic that can involve grandiose exhibitionism, beliefs relating to entitlement, and exploiting others.

Those who used social media excessively, through visual postings, displayed an average 25 per cent increase in such narcissistic traits over the four months of the study.

This increase took many of these participants above the clinical cut-off for Narcissistic Personality Disorder, according to the measurement scale used.The study also found that those who primarily used social media for verbal postings, such as Twitter, did not show these effects.

However, for this group of people, their initial levels of narcissism predicted a growth in this form of social media usage over time. The more narcissistic they were to begin with, the more verbal postings they made later.

All but one of the people in the study used social media, and their average use was about three hours a day, excluding usage for work, but some reported using social media for as much as eight hours a day for non-work related purposes.

Facebook was used by 60 per cent of the sample, 25 per cent used Instagram, and 13 per cent used Twitter and Snapchat each. Over two thirds of the participants primarily used social media for posting images.

"There have been suggestions of links between narcissism and the use of visual postings on social media, such as Facebook, but, until this study, it was not known if narcissists use this form of social media more, or whether using such platforms is associated with the subsequent growth in narcissism," said Phil Reed from Swansea University, who led the study.



ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh Polls Phase-I: Eight districts, 18 Assembly seats, one lakh security personnel and shadow of Naxals

"The results of this study suggest that both occur, but show that posting selfies can increase narcissism," said Reed.

"Taking our sample as representative of the population, which there is no reason to doubt, this means that about 20 per cent of people may be at risk of developing such narcissistic traits associated with their excessive visual social media use," he said. "That the predominant usage of social media for the participants was visual, mainly through Facebook, suggests the growth of this personality problem could be seen increasingly more often, unless we recognise the dangers in this form of communication," Reed said.

"The use of visual social media may emphasise the perception of narcissistic individuals that they are the main focus of attention," said Roberto Truzoli from Milan University.

"The lack of immediate 'direct' social censure, may offer them the opportunity to inflict aspects of their narcissistic personality, present themselves in a grandiose manner, and realise fantasies of omnipotence," said Truzoli.

For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.With a Centrefold has adopted the Duisburg film week, from your many years of head: In the middle of the program booklet a two-page Black-and-White image of Werner Ruzicka. With the left shoulder to a pillar, a pair of sunglasses in the jacket pocket, leaning up, a cigarette, whose smoke obscured the face, literally.

James Dean on Times Square, but, of course, the hair!, a lot of Keith Richards: The Director of Festivals for artistic documentary film as a Pop icon, this is only possible in Duisburg, no, that was only in Duisburg, Germany, because with the end of the 42. Edition of the film week, the 34 is responsible for, has given Ruzicka this weekend, the line.

The Name of a successor has been circulating for months, but that he was not proclaimed until the end of this year's film week officially irritated. It should be, so hear, in the form of alien, the Treaty has not yet been signed. Since Ruzicka's farewell for about a year, would have been enough time for the formalities. The city of Duisburg risked about From this exceptional festival?

It would be a staggering Signal for the German-speaking documentary film, in television to the margins, if not, as in the case of Arte over into the abyss, was pushed. The film week is also the Waste of a great opportunity, however, is that because a new line could be used to explore what can be done with the unique concept of the festival still to do: A movie in a cinema, about six days together looking and in connection with the respective filmmakers and creators discussed in detail. It can remain so, it must remain so?

Duisburg rhetoric

artist's don't want to be praised or reprimanded, they want to be understood, cited Ruzicka Nietzsche in a just released interview tape "Duisburg gloomy castle". On understanding in the sense of d'accord, the filmmakers on Ruzicka's movie of the week could go - you do not need to hope to be described as such, since he ruled in the case of need for autocratic top - right. But on an absolute Seriously their perspectives, Favoribahis positions and their craft.

As spoken in Duisburg on Film, is in its accuracy as well as in their lustful Exaggeration to the verbal Ornament is still unique. Overwork was factored in, especially the audience. "I didn't understand everything, but it was great," describes Ruzicka in "Duisburg gloomy castle" as his desired reaction of an interested audience.

DISPLAY Matthias Dell, Simon Rothohler:

Werner Ruzicka in conversation

criminals; 280 pages; 22,00 Euro

A Problem with your reproductive had the Duisburg rhetoric never. Over several decades Ruzicka has found time and again, young people, you have practiced only in the selection Committee, then in the Moderation of film discussions. This year, it was amazing to see how certain characters Voice repeated: A presenter takes your thoughts to a particular setting. The filmmakers don't know what is required of him as a reaction and look helpless, then the presenter: "So the question of aesthetic responsibility." to formulate

questions as questions is a specialty of the city of Duisburg, is rhetoric. In it is likely to be due to, among other things, but the Problem is that this kind of speaking with the "Proliferation" (Ruzicka) In individual circles of friends, establish relationships and seminars, it has spread from the city of Duisburg, Dell place, the "industry" has ignored over the years, the right-wing populist elite criticism can be dissimilar, always brasiger.

the spirit is history in the making

The most important guarantee for the legacy of the Era Ruzicka should not be in this year therefore, the programme, the rather uninspired from the forum section of the Berlinale fed, but the already-mentioned interview tape. From film scholar Simon Roth oiler and the critic Matthias Dell, who also writes for SPIEGEL ONLINE, is in charge of, the small book is impressive, the benefits of Ruzicka's erkundendem, target unbound Speak.

40 years, the Duisburg film week in Cinematheque in the Ruhr area/ Paul Hofmann 40 years, the Duisburg film week: filmmaker in purgatory

the structure of The film talks mirroring provides Roth oil-not so much questions, but delivers extremely knowledge, sketches of the West rich German Left as the building blocks, on the Ruzicka is based. A mosaic of left-wing intellectuals ' biographies, the sensitivities and conflict lines, is as interesting and productive for the Federal Republican intellectual history, most recently "The long summer of the theory" by Philipp Felsch about the Merve-Verlag is created.

That Ruzicka in the shorter, fact-oriented questions from Dell - for example, to the marginalisation of women in Duisburg or the big festival competition from the East, Doc.Leipzig - Taciturnity and carefree attitude does, of course, is also significant. Here, it is clear, what remains of this Talk, and thus also conveys to the Festival is open.

put into perspective the performance of Ruzicka? Not critical, because how could as a Variation on his desired reaction of the audience to say: I do not agree with everything, but it was great.

Updated Date: 11 November 2018, 20:00But if you can take pleasure in those simple little things, sometimes you get enough shine to see you through the dark. With Barrons stellar and sometimes heartbreaking performance driving the show, BoHos production hits home when it needs to. In the process, it reminds us how much we all need a home where we can be both who we are, and who we wish to be.Most recently, a 24-year-old man was fatally shot in the Southwest Sides LeClaire Courts neighborhood about 7:10 p.m. Sunday, police said. The man was standing on the sidewalk in the 4600 block of South Lamon Avenue when someone came up to him and opened fire. The man was hit multiple times in the chest and abdomen, police said.Officers pressed Michael Yakubec further about his fathers injuries, which medical staff said were not consistent with a slip in the shower. The elderly man also was clothed and dry when he was located by paramedics in the shower, according to the affidavit.The president is certainly a factor, said Underwood, when asked if she would call her success a referendum on President Donald Trump. But in the Illinois 14th District, we had not been well represented. We had a congressman who was not caring for our voice, voted to take away health care, voted to raise our taxes, refused to act in the face of escalating gun violence in our country.On Tuesday night, Obama is set to appear at the United Center to talk about Becoming with Oprah Winfrey. The event was almost entirely sold out days after tickets went on sale. No tickets are currently available on the Ticketmaster website."Anytime you're a firefighter and your town burns down, there's a lot of feelings and a lot of guilt and a lot of concern about both what happened and what the future looks like," he said. "Every story that we've heard coming through has been that way, like 'I wish I could have done more, What's going to happen to our community, Where are my kids going to go to school?'"Third, a lot of Democratic voters could well start to get frustrated next year as it becomes clear how little effect winning the House has had. House committees will be investigating the administration, sure, but the president will still be saying and doing things that outrage Democrats on a daily basis. His people will still be running the federal government according to his policies. His judges will keep getting confirmed.If we as a society have determined that a person with serious psychological issues should not have possession of a firearm, then we cannot make a distinction or a different decision simply based on their employment. A police officer with mental health problems is no different than a civilian with a legal right to own and possess firearms with the same mental issues. As an NRA member, I believe in the Second Amendment, our right to keep and bear arms and to be a responsible gun owner, but I also believe that anyone with mental health issues serious enough to require hospitalization should not have possession of a firearm until such a time that they are cleared by a panel of qualified, independent doctors, regardless of whether they are a sworn law enforcement officer or not. Out of fear of permanently losing their right to keep and bear arms, many gun owners with mental issues or psychological problems do not seek the help they desperately need.An unintended consequence of this action has been that families often struggle with loved ones who are mentally ill but refuse to stay on their medications. When they become entirely unmanageable they often end up on the streets. Sometimes, as in the case of Adam Lanza in Newtown, Conn., or Ian David Long in Thousand Oaks, Calif., these individuals turn to violence. No amount of well-intentioned gun laws will prevent these types of tragedies. Both liberals and conservatives have been complicit in failing to provide for the most vulnerable among us. Until we are willing to address the needs of the mentally ill in a substantive fashion, society will continue to pay a high price for our negligence.Rather than promote political labels, it may be more productive to work toward consensus on issues. I want to help the poor. I hate inequality. And prejudice. I want to eliminate hunger in America and everywhere. I yearn for peace among nations. I want to improve education in America's poorest schools. Our country needs a strong economy where all will benefit. We need freedom of speech on campuses  and in politics. All sides should have a voice. America has a right to control its borders, but a fair and compassionate policy for admitting immigrants is needed. I love my family and want my grandchildren to grow up healthy, happy, safe, wise, educated and with a religious faith and to abide by the principles of faith, hope and charity. And you know what? I want that for your children and grandchildren too. So what am I: a Democrat or Republican?How does a team coming off its bye week look this flat yet again? How did the Chicago Bears offense fail to find any rhythm in the five drives rookie Justin Fields led before suffering injured ribs in the second half? Why is there always such inexcusable sloppiness for Matt Nagy's team?Four veterans enrolled at College of DuPage signed up for that 2016 inaugural program, a number that doubled in 2017 when Fermilab reached out to more schools. Those statistics paled in comparison to this year when 50 veterans applied and 12 signed on this summer. And because of this success, the lab is now reaching out to veterans organizations such as the VFW and American Legion in hopes of finding even more talent.In World War II, everyone wanted to join the Marines or the Air Force. They had to draft guys into the Army side because no one wanted to go into hand-to-hand battle. We also had to learn to use a bazooka gun, Hsi said.However, he said, We believe its all stemming from the incident in Highland Park a week ago. We believe we have (identified her), but were going to look at everything when we do our autopsy and do our confirmations.Spots where voters consistently vote Republican at the precinct level are located on the east side of Naperville between Chicago Avenue and Hobson Road and between South Washington Street and Plainfield-Naperville Road south of Oswego Road. Other pockets are located north of Book Road in the area near Naperville Presbyterian Church, in the south near Winding Creek Park, and in the area east of McDowell Grove Forest Preserve.Lempke offered deep gratitude for those who shared their personal stories. She said she hopes the projects method of preserving veterans stories in physical and digital form will enable their anecdotes to be preserved in the decades to come, according to the release.Police obtained a search warrant for the Yakubec residence in the 6100 block of Oregon Street, near 61st Avenue. Police recovered two rifles from Michael Yakubecs bedroom closet, police said, one of which was a Colt AR-style rifle. Police said blood was found in the bathroom.On Thursday, Hobart police were called to the hospital where John Yakubec was being treated for head injuries caused by a fall in the shower, emergency room staffers were told. Michael Yakubec told police and a hospital chaplain he left home at 8:30 a.m. and returned about 2:30 p.m. Thursday and found his father unconscious in the shower."There are so many," he replied. "I would start with the idea of Marbury v. Madison. That's probably a good place to start and the way it's looked at the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of constitutional issues. We'll 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."Visitors view a robot arm performing makeup tutorship at the Apparel, Accessories & Consumer Goods area of the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

At the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai, an eye-catching number -- US$40 trillion -- has stirred up waves in participants' discussions.

While addressing the CIIE's opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China's imported goods and services are estimated to exceed US$30 trillion and US$10 trillion, respectively, in the next 15 years.

As the number marks nearly half of the global GDP in 2017, sellers and buyers have seen a golden opportunity to share benefits from the CIIE's vision of global connectivity and common prosperity.

Opening inclusive market

More than 3,600 companies from 172 countries, regions and international organizations have showcased their achievements at the CIIE, looking for more chances of international cooperation.

The expo provides a display space of 300,000 square meters, accommodating around 400,000 merchants from China and abroad. Organizers say 200 of the Fortune 500 companies rented exhibition stands.

The fieriness tells a simple fact -- the world has recognized the huge consumption potential of the Chinese market.

Jose, a Brazilian coffee seller, told Xinhua that he predicted China will become the world's largest coffee consuming country in 10 years.

Usually, transporting coffee from Brazil to China has to go through a process of 10 links, according to Jose. But the CIIE has provided an excellent opportunity to greatly reduce the intermediate costs, he said with excitement.

Artificial Intelligence, flying cars, smart city plans ... The dazzling technologies on display here demonstrate that consumption upgrade and industrial upgrade are synchronized in China.

In addition to high quality products, the Chinese market is also yearning for good services. China's cumulative service imports are expected to exceed US$2.5 trillion in the next five years, a Ministry of Commerce (MOC) report showed Tuesday.

China's service imports will account for more than 10 percent of global service imports, contributing over 20 percent to total global growth in the coming five years, said the report.

Just as World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Roberto Azevedo commented here, the Chinese market will open to everyone, "not in a discriminatory fashion."

"It's up to every country to seize the opportunities," he told Xinhua here in an interview. "(What) we need today is not more borders but less borders."

"Every time the global economy grows, it is because that trade is booming. It is because the integration is there and the borders are open. When we begin to close borders, that kind of growth and development are going to suffer," he said.

Bridging development gaps

On China's endeavors to achieve common prosperity with opening up and reform measures, International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde metaphorically commented that China has been building three bridges.

In her speech at the CIIE, Lagarde said China constructed a "bridge to the world" by opening its economy and by kickstarting reforms 40 years ago.

Now, Lagarde said, China is building a "bridge to prosperity" by re-balancing its economy towards consumption-led growth, rather than export- and investment-led growth, and also a "bridge to the future" by harnessing the power of international cooperation, especially on trade.

The CIIE is a symbol of these efforts, she said.

As the world's biggest developing country, China has particularly attached great importance to connecting with developing countries as well as the least developed countries at the expo, seeking common development on a larger scale.

The CIIE has invited 35 out of more than 40 least developed countries (LDCs) listed by the UN, including Nepal, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Madagascar, offering preferential policies such as exemption of participation fees for them to promote their products like honey, peppers, hair oil and other organic products.

"This is a very great opportunity for Malawi to find an entrance into the Chinese market," said Clement Kumbemba, CEO of the Malawi Investment and Trade Center.

Kumbemba, who regarded the import expo as a quicker way to improve the Malawi people's livelihood, said "the best tool to address poverty is trade."

"When their products find themselves in the export market, more people in Malawi will have money in their pockets," he said.

Sharing world dreams

Just as President Xi put it, "the Chinese economy is not a pond, but an ocean."

Amid a global context of rising protectionism and unilateralism, China has opened its door to the world by hosting the import expo, reaffirming its commitments to safeguarding multilateralism and the free trade system.

The expo has received overwhelming responses from this year's participants. According to organizers, the 2019 CIIE enrollment has already started. U.S. companies, including Ford, Tesla, Microsoft, Dell, Qualcomm, General Electric, Mars and 3M, have already agreed to participate next year.

"The CIIE is a platform that goes beyond China," said Stephen Badger, chairman of the board of directors of confectionery maker Mars from Chicago, U.S. state of 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.

China has been persistent in opening up despite some domestic pains, said World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.

"By ensuring that all layers of the society gained from the opening up, China ensured the continued support for the reform program. This is the lesson for everyone," he said.

"We need to continue to support trade reforms that can deliver a greater shared prosperity," Kim stressed. "With trade, we don't have to choose between inclusiveness and economic growth."



China's southern island province of Hainan announced Saturday at a job fair in Beijing that more than 7,000 new jobs will be created to promote free trade zone (FTZ) construction.

A total of 7,471 jobs from 371 enterprises and public institutions will recruit talents in various fields, including biopharmaceutics, network technology, oceanography, tourism.

Shen Xiaoming, governor of Hainan province, said that with its unique location and as more well-known enterprises are coming to the island, Hainan has become a fertile soil for talents.

Meanwhile, with the construction of Hainan FTZ, Hainan will become a vital meeting point for people, logistics and capital flows and an essential node for global resource allocation. Trade and investment facilitation will bring about unprecedented opportunities for global talents, Shen said.

Shen believes that talents will inject powerful impetus into the Hainan FTZ.

China has rolled out a plan for building Hainan into a pilot free trade zone. By 2020, the plan aims to build Hainan into a high standard and high-quality FTZ that promotes trade and investment facilitation and provides a good environment.

Mo Guangcai, who works with the Hainan Province Transport Investment Holding Company Limited, said that the company plans to hire 58 employees this year, up about 300 percent year on year.

The job fair, jointly organized by the provincial government, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, has attracted government agencies, universities, financial institutions, private enterprises, foreign-funded enterprises and key state-owned enterprises in Hainan province.

Xu Zepeng, a senior majoring in automation at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, carried a pile of resumes and various job hunting materials to the fair. "I've been looking forward to working on the beautiful island for a long time. I was really excited when I heard about this job fair," Xu said.

The job fair was divided into on-site recruitment and online recruitment. Applicants who are not able to be on site can learn about Hainan's talent recruitment policies on the official website, via WeChat or by calling the hotline.











China's southern island province of Hainan launched a job fair in Beijing on Saturday to attract talents to aid the development of its China (Hainan) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ).



A total of 371 companies and public institutions took part, offering 7,471 posts in sectors such as finance, energy and IT technology.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Hainan becoming a province and special economic zone. In April, the Communist Party of China Central Committee decided to support Hainan in developing itself into a pilot FTZ, and gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics.

According to a plan published last month, Hainan should be positioned as a pilot zone for comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, a display of the countrys ecological civilization, an international tourism and consumption center and a zone offering services and support for the countrys major strategies.

Speaking at the fair, provincial governor Shen Xiaoming said the new positioning of Hainan would help turn the island into a hub of global resource allocation and an important gateway for foreign investment into China.

As renowned domestic and foreign companies, including Alibaba, Temasek and the Swiss Re Group, have been flocking to invest in Hainan, the island can offer a large number of quality job opportunities for young people, Shen said.

A representative of Pacific Construction Group told China.org.cn it could see great potential in Hainan's development thanks to the series of preferential policies introduced to attract businesses and talents.

A graduate surnamed Qin from Beijing Foreign Studies University said that pleasant natural environment and reasonable housing prices made Hainan appealing to her.

The job fair was jointly organized by the People's Government of Hainan Province, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.China's imports of solid waste slumped further in the first 10 months of 2018 as the government stepped up enforcement on a ban on solid waste imports.

Imports of plastic, paper and metal waste totaled 17.27 million tonnes in the January-October period, down 51.5 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs.

In October alone, solid waste imports were 1.64 million tonnes.

The country began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and for years has been the world's largest importer, despite its weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies illegally bring foreign waste into the country for profit, posing a threat to the environment and public health.

Given rising public awareness and China's green development drive, the government last year decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable.

The government banned imports of 24 types of solid waste, including plastics and paper, and has imposed tough quality restrictions on other recyclable materials.With the theme of "Creating a Digital World for Mutual Trust and Collective Governance  Toward a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace," the 2018 World Internet Conference (WIC) was held on November 7-9 in Wuzhen, a scenic water town with a long history, in east China's Zhejiang province.



The WIC, now in its fifth year and better known as the "Wuzhen Summit," is becoming an important platform linking China and the world, and bridging the gap between the developing and the developed countries in the sphere of information sharing.

This year's theme is specifically significant as global trade protectionism is gaining ground and the backlash against the growing globalization trend is bringing many challenges.

Over the past three days, the conference has been focusing on the development of the digital economy, as well as questions related to cyberspace governance. The 1,500-plus Internet celebrities, experts and scholars present have strongly advocated the significance of openness, sharing and interconnectedness in the virtual world of cyberspace.

There were 19 sub-forums for discussions on key topics such as artificial intelligence, network space governance, 5G technology, the digital divide, privacy in the age of big data, innovation in industrial Internet, countering cyber-terrorism, Internet of Things, cybersecurity, digital economy and more.

In addition, the conference provided a forum for concentrating on issues such as how to bridge the digital gulf between nations and international cyberspace management to further build a community of a shared future in cyberspace.

Undoubtedly, the WIC is a good platform for foreign companies to witness the development of Internet technology in China and promote cooperation in the industrial aspects of the web. This was highlighted on the sidelines by the "Light of the Internet Expo," where Chinese tech firms like Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent and large foreign entities showcased their latest high-tech products.

Amid the dramatic expansion of e-commerce around the world, since the inaugural WIC 2014, China has been increasing international cooperation in cyberspace governance.

It has managed to convince the world that its innovation-driven development strategy and the new opportunities are significant for humanity.

China's hosting of the WIC comes as no surprise. According to a report by the China Internet Network Center, the number of web users in China hit 802 million by the end of June this year, up 3.8 percent from six months earlier. This is equal to the total population of the European Union, with an internet penetration rate of 57.7 percent. Encouragingly, 26.3 percent of internet users are living in rural areas.

On November 8, the WIC released two blue books: "World Internet Development Report 2018" and "China Internet Development Report 2018," providing a view of the current situation and development trends of China's internet development in comparison to other countries.

As more than half of the world's population is online now, building a cyberspace community with a shared future is a pressing demand in this information-led world.

The Chinese government has long called for enhanced cybersecurity and the establishment of a rules-based order in cyberspace, and its first Cybersecurity Law with 79 articles came into effect on June 1, 2017 to combat cyber terrorism and hacking.

The China-initiated internet summit is important for every country and every organization throughout the globe as all have a shared responsibility to harness the enormous potential of innovation for the benefit of global society as a whole. It is hoped that the WIC will shape the future of our common cyberspace to be shared and governed by all for the healthy development of the internet.

The author is the cultural secretary of New Horizon Radio Listeners' Club, based in West Bengal, India.





Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash



Senior Chinese and U.S. officials on Friday said the two countries have vast room for cooperation and they should work jointly to enhance cooperation on trade, military, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism, among others.

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, co-chaired the second China-U.S. Diplomatic and Security Dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis.

Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe also participated in the dialogue.

The two sides held in-depth discussion about the preparations for the scheduled meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump during the G20 summit in Argentina, and had a thorough exchange on major international and regional issues of common concern.

The dialogue was candid, constructive and produced great results.

For his part, Yang said that Xi and Trump agreed during their telephone conversation on Nov. 1 to work for new progress based on healthy and stable development of relations, and to meet with each other during the upcoming G20 summit.

The two sides spoke highly of the strategic leading role of the two presidents' diplomacy in the bilateral relations, noting that under the current circumstances, their meeting carries great importance to the stability of bilateral ties.

The two sides agreed to strengthen communication, keep close coordination and conduct elaborate preparations to ensure that the important meeting will yield positive results.

In their talks, the Chinese and U.S. officials exchanged their views thoroughly on their own strategic intentions.

The Chinese side said that China will adhere to the socialist path with Chinese characteristics, stick to reform and opening-up and peaceful development, and work with other nations around the world to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

What China has done is to seek better life for its people, rather than challenge or replace any nations, the Chinese officials said.

China has, as always, been a builder of world peace, a contributor to the global development, and a guardian of the international order, they said.

They noted that China firmly sticks to defense-oriented national strategy, and its effort to develop its military in a moderate manner aims to safeguard its national security, not to engage in an arms race with anyone.

China respects the U.S. sovereignty, security and development interest, and the United States should give China reciprocal treatment, they said.

China has committed to working together with the United States for the goals of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, so as to make positive contributions to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region and the world at large, the Chinese officials said.

For its part, the U.S. side said that it welcomes China's economic development and success, and it has no intention to contain China.

The U.S. side hopes to develop a constructive and fruitful bilateral relationship based on respect and reciprocity.

The two sides agreed that maintaining the stable development of bilateral ties accords with the fundamental interests of the two peoples as well as those of the international society.

They also agreed to follow the direction and principles set by the two top leaders, manage and control differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, so as to push forward the China-U.S. relationship featuring coordination and cooperation.

Military

Chinese Defense Minister Wei said that China has developed the military-to-military relationship with the United States with the utmost sincerity.

The Chinese military will firmly defend China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, he said.

Wei expressed the hope that the two sides will respect each other's core interests and major concerns, enhance communication and strengthen mutual trust, so as to make the military-to-military ties a stabilizing factor for the overall bilateral ties.

During the dialogue, the two sides agreed to maintain military communications at various levels, and strengthen mechanism dialogue, in a bid to deepen communication and de-escalate risks.

The two sides will keep up communication to develop a Crisis Deconfliction and Communication Framework, and be committed to implementing the existing Confidence Building Measures.

Sovereignty-related issues

The Chinese officials highlighted the fact that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is the most important and sensitive issue between China and the United States.

Taiwan separatists and their actions are the biggest threat to the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese officials said.

China resolutely opposes the separatists and their actions in Taiwan, and will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, they said.

Noting that the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, Yang and Wei said that China hopes that the U.S. side will honor its commitment to the principle and abide by the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and handle the Taiwan-related issues in a cautious and proper manner.

In this regard, the two senior U.S. officials said that the U.S. government will honor its commitment to the one-China policy, and abide by the three joint communiques.

On the South China Sea issue, China has underlined its indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters.

While defending its sovereignty and maritime interests and rights, China has been committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes with other claimants through dialogue and consultation, so as to ensure peace and stability in the South China Sea, the senior Chinese officials said.

It is China's legitimate and lawful rights under international law to build civil and necessary defense facilities on its own soil, and such constructions have nothing to do with the so-called militarization, Yang and Wei noted.

They urged the U.S. side to recognize these facts and stop its actions that would undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, and play a constructive role in safeguarding the peace and stability in the South China Sea, and reduce security risks.

Regarding China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Chinese officials said during the dialogue that what happens inside Xinjiang is China's domestic affairs, and foreign nations have no rights to meddle.

China attaches great importance to the socio-economic development in Xinjiang, and has taken a host of measures to advance stability, prosperity, unity and people's wellbeing there, while cracking down on separatist, violent and terrorist activities in a lawful way to safeguard its national security and protect civilians' lives and property, Yang and Wei said.

These measures have achieved remarkable results, as the general social order in Xinjiang has remained stable, with robust economic growth and harmonious coexistence of various ethnic groups, they added.

China expects the U.S. side to respect these facts, view relevant issues in an objective manner and stop meddling in China's domestic affairs, the officials noted.

Trade

On trade, the senior Chinese and U.S. officials said that the two sides should earnestly implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state during their recent phone talks, support the two countries' economic teams to communicate and consult on issues of mutual concern, so as to reach an agreement that is acceptable for both sides.

Both sides said that there is vast room for them to cooperate, and they should promote their communication and collaboration in such areas as economy and trade, military, law enforcement, anti-terrorism, drug control, and people-to-people exchanges, in a bid to bring more practical benefits to the two peoples.

Korean Peninsula issue

On the Korean Peninsula issue, China reaffirmed its commitment to the denuclearization and peace and stability on the peninsula and adhered to its stance that a solution should be found via dialogue and consultation.

While supporting the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to engage in direct talks, China hopes that the two sides will step toward each other, accommodate each other's reasonable concerns, accumulate mutual trust, so as to facilitate the complete denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula at the same time.

The U.S. side expressed appreciation for China's important and constructive role on the issue.

Both sides believed that the consensus reached between top U.S. and DPRK leaders in their Singapore meeting in June should be implemented in a proactive manner.

As such, the United States and the DPRK should keep close and substantive contact, and relative UN resolutions should be implemented continuously, said the U.S. and Chinese officials.

China and the United States agreed to maintain their communication and consultation concerning the Korean Peninsula issue.

The two sides also compared notes on international and regional issues such as those concerning Afghanistan and the Middle East. They agreed to enhance communication and cooperation and play their positive roles in the proper settlement of these issues.

The two countries had their first Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in June 2017. Flash

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel clasped hands on Saturday during a solemn joint ceremony at a historic site, in a vow of peace and unity.



The two leaders made pilgrimage to Compiegne in eastern France, where the Allies and Germany signed an initial ceasefire accord which put an end to the First World War.

They laid a wreath and unveiled a plaque celebrating Franco-German reconciliation.

"On the centenary of the Nov. 11, 1918 armistice, Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and Mrs Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, here reaffirmed the value of Franco-German reconciliation in the service of Europe and peace," read the plaque.

Macron sent a tweet with a picture of the two leaders standing closely to each other in front of the plaque, with a single word "United" as its text.

"Our Europe has been at peace for 73 years ... It has been in peace because ... the French and the Germans wanted it," Macron told a group of young people on the sidelines of the ceremony.

"The message is not to yield to temptations of division. French and German youths must continue to lead common projects, to build the future together," he added.

They also signed the visitors' book in a replica of a famous railway carriage, known as the Compiegne Wagon, where as revenge, Adolf Hitler forced France to sign its capitulation in June 1940.

Since last week, Macron has visited a string of former battlefields of northern and eastern France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

On Sunday morning, he will light the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arch of Triumph to celebrate the Armistice alongside foreign leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.You are here: World

 Flash

Seven villagers were killed on Saturday night when landslides struck Nias Selatan district of Indonesia's North Sumatra province, head of provincial disaster management agency Riadil Ahir Lubis said on Sunday.

Heavy downpours triggered soils of a 100-meter high hill to slide down in Sukamaju village of Gomo sub-district, Lubis said.

The landslides hit a house where the seven villagers were staying, Lubis said.

"The landslides killed all the people in the house. One of them has been retrieved, still the rest are being evacuated," Lubis told Xinhua over phone.

To avoid further risks of landslides, Lubis said, the authorities have evacuated all those living in the slope of the hill as rains keep happening in the area.

Indonesia is frequently hit by landslides and floods during heavy rains. Flash



After 15 years of strategic partnership, China and the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) will soon unveil a blueprint for upgraded cooperation, synergizing their development plans in the coming decade and beyond.

The blueprint, known as the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, is expected to be released at the 21st China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in Singapore in mid-November.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the meeting as well as the 21st ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 13th East Asia Summit  all parallel events of the 33rd ASEAN Summit, following an official visit to Singapore that starts on Monday.



'Better coordination'

Briefing reporters about Premier Li's forthcoming tour to Singapore, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong said Thursday that Beijing looks forward to the release of the vision, which will outline the future of China-ASEAN ties and cooperation.

China is willing to promote close alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and ASEAN's development plans, aiming to achieve mutually beneficial results, Chen stressed, adding that Li will propose over 30 new initiatives on regional cooperation.

Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the BRI comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes.

Chinese companies are already actively involved in infrastructure construction in Southeast Asia. For example, China and Laos are working together to build a 414-km-long high-speed rail linking the two countries; Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei has helped Brunei build its first 3G and 4G mobile networks, providing services to more than 400,000 locals; In Cambodia, China Datang Corporation has invested and built a hydropower plant and a 230-kV power transmission project.

"The proposed China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 will lead to better coordination between the Belt and Road Initiative and ASEAN's development plans," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on the sidelines of the country's annual legislative session in March.

China is looking to upgrade its strategic partnership and build a closer community of shared future with ASEAN, according to Wang.

In a speech at a seminar to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership in April, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Huang Xilian suggested that the new vision can be a "bridge" connecting the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

"We shall enhance synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025," he added.

Partnership 'version 2.0'

Since China and ASEAN forged their strategic partnership in 2003, the two sides have been engaged in increasingly closer cooperation in various fields while seeking solutions to their differences through talks.

Two-way trade between China and ASEAN jumped from 55 billion US dollars in 2003 to 514 billion US dollars in 2017, nearly a ten-fold increase in a span of 15 years. China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years and ASEAN has been China's third largest trading partner for seven straight years. Two-way direct investment had totaled nearly 200 billion US dollars in aggregate terms by the end of last year.

"The establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area in 2010 has been a major boost to our trade relations," Huang noted.

Moreover, mutual visits between the two sides in 2017 reached 49 million, and the exchange of international students had exceeded 200,000, according to the ambassador.

On the other hand, China and ASEAN countries are making concerted efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and formulate regional rules despite some overlapping territorial and maritime claims among them.

In November 2002, China and ASEAN countries signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Last year, they approved the framework of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Earlier this year, China and the regional bloc arrived at a single negotiating text for the COC, which will serve as the basis of future COC negotiations.

Chinese and ASEAN naval forces took part in a joint maritime exercise off the coast of southern China's Guangdong Province in late October, for which a joint command post was set up.

"It manifests the enhanced mutual trust between our naval forces," said Peng Guliang, a Chinese naval commander participating in the drill.

Working on the basis of improved ties, China and ASEAN are ready to upgrade their cooperation framework from "2+7" to "3+X"  a significant change in the Vision 2030 put forward by Premier Li during last year's China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in the Philippine capital Manila.

The current 2+7 framework emphasizes a two-point political consensus of enhancing strategic trust and promoting economic cooperation and seven cooperation fields including trade facilitation, interconnectivity, security exchanges, among others.

The 3+X, using the letter X in math to represent the unknown, means China-ASEAN will touch many fields while focusing on three pillars  political security, economy and trade, and people-to-people exchange.

"If our partnership over the past 15 years is version 1.0, we expect version 2.0 of the next 15 years to be more substantive, forward-looking, carrying more significance both regionally and internationally," Ambassador Huang said in his speech in April.Diarrheal disease, a preventable and treatable illness, remains the second-leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 and a persistent public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers have now uncovered how surface water dynamics may increase the vulnerability of dependent populations to diarrheal disease and climate change.

Kathleen Alexander, professor of wildlife in Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources and Environment, in collaboration with Alexandra Heaney and Jeffrey Shaman, both of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, has been conducting research on the influence of flood pulse dynamics on diarrheal disease along the Chobe River flood plain system in northern Botswana.

The results of their study, funded by the National Science Foundation, were published in PLOS Medicine.

Alexander's research is focused on communities reliant on surface water in the Chobe River flood plain system. This river system, like others in Africa, experiences annual floods that are highly variable, both seasonally and from year to year.

Alexander and her team wanted to know if surface water dynamics were contributing to diarrheal disease outbreaks and how climate change, predicted to increase flooding and hydrological variability, might increase the vulnerability of local human populations to diarrheal disease.

Despite the presence of centralized water treatment infrastructure, outbreaks of diarrheal disease continue to occur in a quasi-regular pattern in the region.

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"It was a fundamental question for me," Alexander said. "These places are doing everything right, but local populations are still impacted by diarrheal disease. Why does the infrastructure fail to protect these communities, and what can we do to improve public health now and under future environmental conditions?"

In partnership with the government of Botswana, the researchers evaluated outbreak patterns across eight villages and towns along the Chobe River, utilizing decades of data from 10 government health facilities. They evaluated these data in conjunction with detailed hydrometeorological conditions, including bimonthly water quality studies that spanned nearly a decade.

They discovered that increases in diarrheal disease cases were closely tied to periods of rainfall, flood recession, and changes in surface water quality, with a 1 meter drop in river height in the dry season associated with a staggering 16.7 percent increase in diarrheal disease in children under 5.

A significant finding was that various age groups were affected differently by season, with children aged 1 to 4 experiencing more illnesses in the wet season with rainfall events, whereas older children and adults reported more diarrhea in the dry season during periods of flood recession. Diarrhea type also varied significantly by season.

"What this tells us is that environmental conditions drive diarrheal disease -- not just the number of diarrhea cases and timing of outbreaks but also who is affected and what type of diarrhea might occur," said Alexander, who is also affiliated with Virginia Tech's Fralin Life Science Institute.

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Adults and children were equally affected, suggesting that in high HIV burden populations such as those in northern Botswana, an expansion of diarrheal disease surveillance and intervention strategies may be needed to engage other at-risk sectors of the population beyond the under-5 age class.

While flooding of a region is often associated with disease outbreaks in other systems, it was the draining of water from the flood plains that was most closely tied to diarrheal disease and degraded water quality in this study.

"This research shows the complex relationships among people, wildlife, and the water cycle in regions with pronounced wet and dry seasons," said Richard Yuretich, a director of the National Science Foundation's Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems program, which funded the research. "The pattern of disease associated with changes in the volume and quality of water can help in designing water-treatment systems that are responsive to the natural ebb and flow of the environment."

The researchers hypothesize that extreme variability in surface water conditions associated with annual rainfall and flood dynamics may compromise water treatment facilities that require removal of sediments and solids to be effective.

"These highly variable surface water dynamics are difficult to manage in many water treatment plants, potentially increasing waterborne disease risk in dependent populations," Alexander said.

In southern Africa, climate change is predicted to intensify hydrological variability and the frequency of extreme events such as drought and floods, suggesting that dependent populations will be more vulnerable to waterborne disease.

"There is an urgent need to evaluate water infrastructure and ensure these systems are able to handle rapid shifts in surface water quality," Alexander said.

Alexander emphasized that the complex dynamics influencing diarrheal disease underscore the need for inclusion of research dimensions not usually considered in the field of public health.

"A single scale of study is often inadequate to understanding today's complex problems," she noted. "Public health research must look beyond the patient, engaging multiscale and multidisciplinary approaches that span the human-environmental interface."

Alexander, a wildlife veterinarian, disease ecologist, and co-founder of the Center for Conservation of African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land Use (CARACAL) in Botswana, directs her research program at exploring and understanding the factors that influence the emergence and persistence of novel and re-emerging diseases at the human-wildlife-environment interface.Amy Osborne / Special to The Chronicle

Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom is certainly getting a taste of what it means to have a raised profile, as evidenced by a family scare involving a stalker at his Marin County home just weeks before the election.

Nobodys talking on the record, but sources tell us a man claiming to be Newsoms uncle showed up outside the familys Kentfield home last month and started talking up one of the governor-elects young children. The man even managed to talk his way inside the house.Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle 2016

Former Mayor Willie Brown revealed another side of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein at her re-election victory party Tuesday night at the Presidio Officers Club: her role as match-maker.

Brown, who was emcee, disclosed that not only was Feinstein responsible for introducing former Secretary of State George Shultz to his wife, Charlotte Mailliard Schultz (San Franciscos longtime protocol chief) but that the senator also brought together Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Anne Gust.PARADISE, Butte County  The death toll in the Camp Fire raging in Butte County rose to 29 on Sunday, tying the inferno with the deadliest in Californias recorded history.

Officials said 228 people remain unaccounted for, even as many others who were reported missing turned up in area shelters.

The fire that began Thursday morning and devastated the town of Paradise now matches the 1933 Griffith Park Fire in Los Angeles as the states cruelest in human cost.

In one sign of hope, despite howling winds and fire-friendly weather, the Camp Fire grew only moderately Sunday, as firefighters were able to hold the line. Winds are forecast to lessen by Monday, although dry conditions will continue.

The Camp Fire holds another harsh record as the states most destructive in terms of property loss: It destroyed 6,453 homes and 260 commercial buildings, numbers that officials said are expected to increase significantly.

Gov. Jerry Brown called the wildfire truly a tragedy, and said Earths warming climate is threatening our whole way of life.

As his deputies updated statistics on the Camp Fire and two others raging in Southern California, the governor warned that it will take billions of dollars  probably hundreds of billions  to fight a growing number of firestorms in the decades to come.

This is not the new normal, Brown said. This is the new abnormal.

On Sunday, officials estimated that 52,000 people had evacuated the region, as the inferno grew to 111,000 acres, up from 105,000 Saturday. Containment is at 25 percent.

More than 4,500 firefighters are fighting the blaze with help from at least 500 engines, 79 bulldozers and 23 helicopters, officials said. Seven other states have sent in people and equipment to help.

In Paradise, a parking lot has been transformed into a grim staging area for hearses.

Among the dead is Ellen Walker, whose body was found in bed in a burned house in Concow, a remote area east of Paradise, authorities confirmed. She was in her 70s.

How to help Evacuees need warm clothes, shoes and socks, and donations are being accepted at the Hope Center in Oroville at 1950 Kitrick Ave. A. Monetary donations may be made to the North Valley Community Foundation through its website (bit.ly/CampFireHowToHelp), according to Butte County's website. Monetary donations may also be made to the American Red Cross. Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-733-2767 or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Source: Chronicle research See More Collapse

A family friend, Nancy Breeding, said Walker was sick and home alone when the fire began. She said Walkers husband was at work and called a neighbor to tell his wife to evacuate. Then, assuming his wife had escaped, he looked for her at rescue centers, to no avail.

They were married for 20-something years. Hes having a difficult time accepting, Breeding said. This is a devastating thing, and its happening to so many people.

The fire has hollowed out a community, ravaging Paradise landmarks, schools and businesses. Yet on Sunday, even as the conflagration raged, residents and community leaders looked toward the future with hope.

Paradise has always been a close-knit, strong community, Mayor Jody Jones said. We need to depend on that strength more than ever now. We have a long and arduous process in front of us, but we are committed to rebuilding and making our town Paradise again.

The Paradise City Council expects to move into a municipal building in Chico, about 14 miles to the west, to resume government functions, with the regular meeting happening as scheduled Tuesday.

Mike Greer, a trustee with the Paradise Unified School District whose own home burned down, said classes can resume when the area is safe. Yet many of the districts 4,000 or so students will have no home to return to, and its unclear how many students will be able to come back. Greer said he hopes many will find temporary housing in surrounding communities.

We are talking and discussing different ideas, he said. Do we rent a building in Chico for Paradise students? We have online learning.

He said that when Pacific Gas and Electric Co. notified school officials that power could be cut off because of the fire risk, the district held school anyway Thursday. Greer said he believes that decision saved lives, because several children and employees were together and not in homes that burned down. Teachers loaded students onto buses and into their own cars, then drove through the flames to safety.

We are very resilient in Paradise, Greer said.

Todd Trumbull

Dry air and strong winds from the northeast have created prime conditions for the blaze to spread southwest toward Oroville. In addition to Paradise, officials have issued evacuation orders to the communities of Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley, as well as nearby hot spots.

Winds that whipped up to 40 mph in the higher elevations over the weekend are expected to relax early in the week. But with humidity down into the teens, the area will remain bone dry.

In terms of the overall long-range (forecast), there is no significant precipitation or cooldown, Ryan Walbrun, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Sunday. The forecast remains dry and unseasonably warm through the rest of the week and through the weekend at this time.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection expanded a red-flag warning to vast portions of the state Sunday, indicating a high level of fire risk.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

On Sunday, Brown requested that President Trump declare a major disaster for California, indicating his judgment that the state cant provide an adequate response to the fires on its own. The step would authorize federal recovery programs beyond the essential assistance provided under a state of emergency, which Trump declared Friday.

Despite contentious tweets from Trump blaming poor forest management for the fires blazing in Butte County and Southern California, Brown struck a polite tone in his letter and thanked the president for Fridays emergency declaration.

The governor outlined the outsize effects the Camp Fire will have on Paradise and Butte County because many older, disabled and poor people live there.

There will be an extraordinary need for sheltering of the evacuees, particularly those who have fled Paradise and will be displaced for quite some time, Brown wrote.

The fires cause is under investigation, but PG&E officials Friday told state regulators that a high-voltage power line near the area where the blaze started experienced a problem just before the fire was reported.

Five emergency shelters were full Sunday: Butte County Fairgrounds, Glenn County Fairgrounds, Chico Elks Club, Oroville Nazarene Church and Neighborhood Church.

The Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds was the only shelter that had room.

Chronicle staff writer Evan Sernoffsky and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Ashley McBride, Melody Gutierrez and Nanette Asimov are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com, mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com, nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb, @MelodyGutierrez, @NanetteAsimovBUTTE CANYON, Butte County  When a volunteer firefighter told Robert Catalano there was nothing left of the celebrated Honey Run Covered Bridge near Chico, Catalano broke down.

A friend sent Catalano, 65, a photo of what was left of the bridge, nearly knocking the words out of him. Where once the historic 238-foot wooden bridge stood were charred wooden beams, rippled sheet metal, and red steel beams protruding from concrete amid orange clouds of smoke.

Only a plaque commemorating the bridge survived the Camp Fire.

Since it was built 132 years ago, the covered bridge  the only three-span truss bridge of its kind in the United States  had been cherished and protected. It was a monument to the Gold Rush era, a treasure that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It had its own association to look after it: the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association. Catalano was its president.

My voice cracked. I had tears in my eyes, Catalano said, recalling the moment on Friday when he learned that the Camp Fire had destroyed the bridge. It used to be a thing of pride in our neighborhood and now its gone.

Catalano has been president of the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association for three years, and lives roughly 3 miles upstream from the Butte County landmark in the Quail Run neighborhood.

We are mourning. Its like losing a child, said Catalano, who also lost his home in the fire. This is hard for everybody, not just for me.

The bridge stretched over the bubbling Butte Creek and connected Butte Creek Canyon and Paradise Ridge. Over the decades, the bridge has been the backdrop for weddings and celebration-of-life ceremonies, and even the setting for community movie nights. Residents of the Butte Canyon area strolled across the footbridge, people dipped their toes in the creek below on balmy summer days, and visitors lounged along the creek near the bridge, taking in the canyon.

But the canyon is barely discernible among the thick, choking smoke. The trees and brush are blackened or destroyed, the creek is muddied from debris, and the bridge is gone.

The bridge was constructed in 1886 for just $4,300 by the American Bridge and Building Co. of San Francisco after gold was discovered in Butte County, connecting the canyon and Paradise Ridge.

The bridge, originally reinforced in 1886 with steel cables and built to sustain about 1,500 pounds, opened on Jan. 3, 1887.

In 1965, a panel truck that lost control crashed into the bridge, forcing officials to rebuild it with Ponderosa pine beams and iron rods with Pratt-style trusses.

It had been one of only 11 covered bridges still standing in California.

Officials with the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association, which formed in 1965 to restore the bridge after the truck destroyed its eastern span and to preserve its historic value, posted a photo of the destroyed bridge on its website with a statement for residents affected by the blaze.

We as a community and association are devastated by the destruction of the Camp Fire in Butte Canyon and the surrounding areas, the statement read. We... hope you and your loved ones are safe through these difficult times.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

Dozens of people mourned the historic bridges destruction on social media, many sharing memories and photos of visits to the bridge.

Catalano said bridge association officials were planning on building a visitors center and office on the park land  which they privately own  where visitors would learn about the rich history of the bridge and the former mining community. They planned to sell T-shirts and other souvenirs.

Now everything on Honey Run Road is gone, Catalano said. Everything.

He said that he and about 40 other residents of the canyon met at a Chico bar on Friday night to make sense of the fire that ravaged their community. Some residents are planning on rebuilding, while others wont return  too heartbroken to start again.

We dont know what to do yet, but well go on, like people do, he said. Well be like phoenixes rising out of the ashes. We gotta keep living.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Kurtis Alexander contributed to this report.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavorSure, the voting is over and done, but that doesnt mean the talking has stopped:

Joseph Lillis overheard a customer in a Marin City CVS asking another, What are the TV stations going to do now that the dialysis ads have dried up? Until Black Friday, the other customer responded, theres always that My Pillow guy.

In some families, there was discourse over the effect of the just-past event, election day, on the future event, Thanksgiving. At the Tanforan food court, Oliver Hernando overheard one woman saying to another, Grandma disinvited my moms new boyfriend after last nights election.

Meanwhile, the big yes vote for Proposition E was much applauded by members of the San Francisco arts community who had endorsed the measure tying hotel tax receipts to the citys Grants for the Arts program. Arts insiders also had reason to rejoice in news, from the other side of the country, that John Killacky has been elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. Killacky received 79.2 percent of the vote in his Vermont district.

Killacky, well known in the San Francisco arts community, came here in 1996 to become head of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. In 2003, he left that post to become programming director of the San Francisco Foundation. And in 2010, he left the Bay Area for Vermont, where he presided over the Flynn Center for the Arts in Burlington. His job in the Vermont House is as a citizen legislator, in a body that meets according to what he called a farmers calendar, from January to May. He said on Thursday that a number of artists have been elected to this citizens legislature and I think the cultural agenda will move forward in Vermont.

As to the new San Francisco legislation, when he left, he told The Chronicle he was proud of the foundation working hand in hand with Grants for the Arts to help the citys cultural groups. Mondays vote was certainly in keeping with those goals.

Oh my gosh, he said Thursday, I was so excited when I heard about about the new proposition passing for arts funding. What used to be called the San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund has been visionary throughout its whole life, said Killacky. It has been the model for cities and regions all around the country, and this new iteration just shows again how San Francisco really nurtures, supports and embodies culture. He said hed told many arts administrators around the country that they should turn to the San Francisco setup as a model.

Kary Schulman, who has been administrator of whats now Grants for the Arts since its founding, is a visionary, said Killacky. Its extraordinary what shes done, and the grassroots participation in this ballot initiative was extraordinary ... and yay yay yay for San Francisco for passing it.

Some nearly local real estate offerings, thanks to the Wall Street Journal:

Sunset Point, a large waterfront property on the 17-mile drive in Pebble Beach, is said to be coming up for sale, with an asking price of $32.95 million. The property was owned by Charles de Guigne, who, when he died in 2017, left it to the Community Foundation for Monterey County to be sold to create a fund for local charities. The 9,700-square-foot house, says the Journal, is a potential teardown.

And a few weeks ago, the Journal reported that Green Gables, a 74-acre estate in Woodside owned by descendants of Mortimer Fleishhacker Sr., will go on the market. So far, no price has been given, but real estate agent Michael Dreyfus told the newspaper that the property will probably be the most expensive ever sold in the Bay Area.

Angie Thieriot, founder of Planetree, a nonprofit that promotes and educates about patient-centered health care, was honored in October at ceremonies for the 40th year of the organization. We are the patients, she said in accepting the accolades, not some abstract sector of society, but our parents, our spouses, our children.

Linda Kuhli reports that at the annual Oliver-Trudell Halloween party in Los Altos, a Judges Choice Award went to a woman in an elegant Egyptian dress. She said she was a Middle Eastern terrorist from the caravan invading America.

PUBLIC EAVESDROPPING

Ill just walk home.

Man on stilts to friends, overheard at Dia de los Muertos observance in Garfield Park by Diane Keaton

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, 415-777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchikThe holidays, which had been creeping up on us, have broken into a trot. Here at the journalistic elf shop, notices of all sorts of spending opportunities have started to arrive. For example:

The makers of California Dreamin, a low-dose cannabis drink, say that because Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and express gratitude for those in our lives, they want to get your Mom high this Thanksgiving.

Although the company must be aware that Baby Boomers have a kind of traditional affection for weed, the market they seem to be after is aging weed virgins. For Parents Appreciation Week, Sunday, Nov. 18, to Nov. 25, customers who bring parents to dispensaries and buy two bottles will receive a third for a penny, as well as an I got my Mom/Dad/Parents high T-shirt.

This come-on was in the mailbox of The Chronicles Michael Gray, who said his family usually uses Grandmas cannabis stuffing recipe. Really helps get us all through the holiday.

Meanwhile, Modern Fertility suggests that gift-givers empower your favorite female by giving the gift of personal health knowledge. With the Modern Fertility test, youll be giving the gift of information about fertility hormones, a personalized physician-reviewed report and education on how to make the most of her reproductive career.

Theres a 40 percent discount on the second of these if you buy two, which I guess is something like buying pregnancy tests for everyone on your gift list.

The Brooklyn Museum has sent word of its 10th annual latke festival, a fundraiser for the Sylvia Center, a New York nonprofit that teaches families about nutrition and cooking. A flyer for this event mentions awards for the best latkes, as prepared by local restaurants.

I tried to imagine my bubbes (grandmothers) reaction to the list of latkes presented last year:

Russet potato latke with smoked duck breast and Katchkie Farm hibiscus rhubarb jam; plantain, sweet potato and tortilla latke with ancho-braised chicken, pickled onion and crema; confit duck latke with chipotle sauce. Everything bagel latke with scallion aioli lobster salad; potato and parsnip latke with duck confit rillettes and cranberry gastrique; huitlacoche latke with queso blanco, chili arbol and avocado.

Apple raisin latke with bryndza quark and crispy heritage pork belly; falatke; pantain latke with shrimp ceviche and jalapeno cilantro crema; latke with bay scallop ceviche, chive oil and edible flower. And last, potato shiitake latke topped with roasted Brussels sprouts, micro greens, and yuzu dressing with pomegranate seeds and pine nuts.

Count me disappointed to learn that there were no chocolate latkes.

The concept of artist Maria Elena Gonzalezs Tree Talk is inspiring. As a press kit from the Mills College Art Museum, where Tree Talk will be from Jan. 23 to March 17, explains, the work is about unexpected visual parallels between the bark of birch trees and cylindrical player piano rolls. The artist made rubbings of the bark patterns from the trees, each of which was then used as a score, yielding unique compositions for the player piano. In conjunction with the exhibition, a live performance on Feb. 6 will feature works performed from those scores.

Each re-composition, says the description of the works to be performed, approaches the visual material in a variety of ways including strict graphical interpretations to different conceptions of growth-time as the ensembles traverse open and diverse notations. In other words, three composers inspired by those bark rubbings are going to mess around.

The documentary George Moscone: Legacy of Change, mentioned herein a few weeks ago, was shown on the Sacramento PBS affiliate KVIE on Nov. 5. It was so popular, says the University of the Pacific, which produced the film, that the station was the seventh-most-watched PBS station in the country that night. Itll be shown on KQED the night after Thanksgiving.

Impatient with the side effects of technological innovation, Linda Kuhli had always told friends that the way things are going, soon well need to put in a user name and password to use a public toilet, and be requested to take a survey on our way out. ... Sure enough, recently in the Singapore Airport, thats exactly what happened: a digital sign on the wall asking me to choose which happy or sad face fit my experience.

And Ill be back Monday, Nov. 19.

PUBLIC EAVESDROPPING

Mediterranean food? Do they have doughnuts?

Teenage tourist to his parents, overheard at Lands End by Adda Dada

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, 415-777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchikA growing number of organizers and donors say the midterm election results show Democrats that the formula for winning back the White House in 2020 is a two-part equation.

First, they need to organize voters year-round. And second, they must recruit the same type of coalition of people of color, women, Millennials and progressive whites that elected Barack Obama twice.

That message wasnt just evident in races that gave Democrats control of the House. It was clear even in red states like Texas and Georgia, where Democrats lost high-profile races by relatively narrow margins, according to a San Francisco political strategy and donor group called Way to Win that spent $22 million on the midterms.

Way to Win, started by three activists who created a network of 130 mostly wealthy donors with progressive worldviews, is one of several recently founded groups that operate differently from the Democratic Party to try to get people to the polls: They spend their money on local grassroots organizing instead of TV advertising, and concentrate on recruiting new voters instead of converting existing ones.

They want to support organizations that can work year-round to reach voters instead of just during election season. Thats in contrast to a typical political campaign that closes its doors shortly after the votes are counted.

Its a challenge to Democrats who say the key to winning back the White House is to appeal to working-class white voters who backed President Trump in 2016, many of whom voted for Obama twice. Way to Win leaders say that part of the Obama coalition will be harder to recruit again. It will be easier to find people who havent voted.

Our swing voter is not someone were trying to move from red to blue, said Jenifer Fernandez Ancona, a co-founder of Way to Win. Its nonvoter to voter.

Take Georgia. Four years ago, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate  former President Jimmy Carters grandson Jason Carter  lost by 200,000 votes. Over the past year, Way to Win funded grassroots organizations in Georgia that worked on increasing turnout among Democrats who dont usually vote in midterms, particularly African Americans.

The result: This year, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams is down by roughly 63,000 votes and could be headed for a recount. Plus, Democrats flipped one House seat and seven more in the state Legislature.

Same goes for Rep. Beto ORourkes loss to GOP Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas. Way to Win organizers point out that Hillary Clinton lost Texas by roughly 800,000 votes two years ago. ORourke lost by 200,000, and Democrats picked up two seats in the House and 14 in the state Legislature.

Way to Win also funded grassroots organizing among Latinos in Arizona, where Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema is locked in a too-close-to-call race for the U.S. Senate with GOP Rep. Martha McSally. In Florida, the group helped to pass Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to 1.5 million felons.

That is progress in the deep, Deep South, said Tory Gavito, president and co-founder of Way to Win.

But UC Hastings College of the Law Professor Joan Williams said Democrats dont need to choose between working-class white voters and the old Obama coalition. They have the money and grassroots energy to reach out to both in all parts of the country, she said.

Its a false choice, said Williams, author of White Working Class: Overcoming Class Cluelessness in America. These races are so close that Democrats need everybody.

When it funded candidates, Way to Win often bet on long shots like Gina Ortiz Jones. If she wins, Ortiz Jones would be the first openly lesbian, first Iraq War veteran and first Filipina ever elected to Congress from Texas. Few gave her a chance against Republican Rep. Will Hurd. Yet Ortiz Jones trailed by roughly one percentage point as ballots were still being counted.

We know that long-term, we win when people are excited and energized, and people are excited by Gina Ortiz Jones, said Way to Win co-founder Leah Hunt-Hendrix. Even if she doesnt win, shes driving more turnout statewide.

Over the past year, Way to Win has built a network of donors who range from some of the nations wealthiest liberal givers to others for whom $10,000 is a stretch, as one fundraiser for the group put it.

Ancona is familiar with deep-pocketed liberals through her other job as a vice president of the Womens Donor Network, a group of 220 progressive women. Gavito, who is based in Texas, is connected to wealthy liberals there through her other job as executive director of the Texas Future Project.

Hunt-Hendrix, granddaughter of Texas oil tycoon H.L. Hunt, is an author and organizer who co-founded Solidaire, a network of donors that funds liberal social movements on issues ranging from immigration to support for Muslim communities.

The organization tries to avoid the appearance that it consists of rich San Francisco liberals micromanaging campaigns in faraway red states. They do that by funding local organizations like Black Voters Matter and then staying out of the business of day-to-day strategizing.

A lot of those groups are the best political strategists in their communities, Ancona said. Its all about shifting who the political expert is.

NextGenAmerica, the San Francisco organization founded by billionaire Democratic activist and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, takes the same approach of partnering with locals. It spent $3.8 million in California and $33 million nationally to help local organizers persuade young people to vote.

NextGen worked with the Korean Resource Center to register voters in Orange County, where there were four competitive GOP-held House seats that Democrats were trying to flip. It hired Spanish-speaking organizers at community colleges and universities to work competitive races in the Central Valley and Southern California.

Nationally, turnout among voters between 18 and 35 years old was 31 percent, the highest in 25 years, according to the nonpartisan Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Two-thirds of those young voters supported Democrats, the center said. They almost certainly helped the Democratic Party take control of the House, the researchers said.

In California, vote totals rose near colleges where NextGen hired organizers. Turnout quadrupled at a precinct that includes California State University Stanislaus in Turlock (Stanislaus County), where NextGen registered more than 700 students. Its likely that those voters helped Democrat Josh Harder in his still-too-close-to-call race against Turlock GOP Rep. Jeff Denham.

And thats in Turlock. Turlock! Its wild, said Ben Wessel, NextGens deputy political director. The biggest takeaway is that we brought in a bunch of people off the sidelines. It gave us hope for 2020  and a bit of confirmation that our tactics werent completely crazy.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoliIf you feel like you can drive in any direction in the Bay Area right now and still be choked by smoke, here's the proof you're looking for.

NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System, which takes high-resolution satellite images of the planet, offers some staggering perspective on the scope of California's wildfire crisis. Their image of California snapped on Nov. 10 shows nearly the entire state covered in a thin brown layer of smoke.Nonprofit organizations and foundations across Northern California have established funds and donation centers to help the 52,000 people forced to evacuate their homes because of the deadly Camp Fire in Butte County.

Heres how to help by donating items:

The Hope Center in Oroville is still taking donations at its warehouse at 2850 Feather River Blvd., but it will no longer accept anything at its Kitrick Avenue A location. The Hope Center has asked for new items only, including backpacks, undergarments, non-perishable foods, paper products and bedding items.

Stephanie Hayden, a co-founder of The Oroville Hope Center, updated the list of needed items Tuesday to include chapstick, folding chairs, can openers and ice chests.

Starting Tuesday, the Oroville Municipal Auditorium  initially designated as a donation drop-off location  will serve only as a distribution center for evacuees to pick up items.

For animal relief, the Butte Humane Society at 2580 Fair St. in Chico is accepting pet supplies, such as wet and dry dog and cat food, litter boxes, kennels and carriers, leashes and toys. For those who dont live nearby, the Humane Society also set up an Amazon wish list to donate pet supplies online.

A makeshift shelter at Chicos East Ave Church has been housing about 200 evacuees and providing medical care. Many of the evacuees at East Ave Church, located at 1184 East Ave., are elderly or require medical attention, and the church is accepting donations to help offset costs for prescription medicines and other health care needs through its website.

Here are ways to help through monetary donations:

The Salvation Army is taking donations to support disaster relief and provide meals to first responders and evacuees. Donors can give online at the Salvation Armys Del Oro division website, or mail donations to The Salvation Army, PO Box 348000, Sacramento, CA 95834.

GoFundMe has also set up a page listing the crowdfunding campaigns for the Camp Fire.

The North Valley Community Foundation has two funds: The Camp Fire Evacuation Relief Fund and the Butte County Schools Fire Relief Fund. Donors can make an open gift to the school fund, or designate a specific use, like textbooks or school supplies. Donations are accepted through the foundations website.

Monetary donations may also be made to the American Red Cross. Visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The United Way of Northern California is taking donations for its NorCal Fire Relief Fund through its website and by text: send the message BUTTEFIRE to 91999.

Source: Chronicle researchThis article, Doctor Strange director shares photos of home destroyed in LA fire, originally appeared on CNET.com.

Scott Derrickson, who directed the 2016 Marvel superhero film Doctor Strange, lost his home in the Southern California wildfire known as the Woolsey Fire, sharing photos of the smoldering ruins on Twitter on Friday and Saturday.

"We lost our home, but we are all safe and that's the important thing," Derrickson wrote.

We lost our home, but we are all safe and thats the important thing. Gonna be offline for awhile.  Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) November 9, 2018

The director also thanks those who'd offered him love, support and a place to stay. Losing so many material possessions wasn't as hard for him as for his sons, he noted.

"But this loss and whipsaw change will become a source of growth for all of us," Derrickson wrote.Dear Abby: Im a 15-year-old girl and a sophomore in high school. Last year I went to school across the country. While I was there, I became best friends with this girl, Amelia. We did everything together, and Amelia even flew back here to visit my family when school ended and I had to go home.

It has now been a few months since Ive seen her, and so much has changed. She doesnt make time to text or call me hardly ever, and when she does, its always a quick conversation. Because of the time difference and our schedules, I get that its difficult, but shouldnt she make some time for her best friend?

Amelia and I were as close as sisters, and I cant stand the thought of losing her. I have already called her out a few times, and we are good for a few days, but then she goes right back to pretending like I dont exist. Id rather not call her out again. Any thoughts?

Faraway Friend in Maryland

Dear Friend: Rather than call her out, its time to lighten up. Stop trying to make Amelia feel guilty for not giving you the attention she was able to when you were geographically closer. If theres one thing I have learned about friendships, its that they tend to ebb and flow. Because you now live apart, concentrate on building other relationships with people close by. This doesnt mean you cant remain friendly with Amelia; it simply means you are expecting more from her than shes able to give you.

Dear Abby: The holidays are approaching, and with them a problem. I recently moved back to my hometown after being away for many years, and I was eagerly looking forward to spending the holidays with my daughter. She has just informed me that shes joining a religion that doesnt celebrate holidays, not even Thanksgiving or birthdays. I would never stand in the way of her chosen path, but Id still like to be able to include her in family get-togethers. I just dont know how. Any suggestions?

Missing Her Already

Dear Missing Her: Although you will no longer be able to celebrate the holidays with your daughter, you and the rest of the family can still see her and socialize. Talk to her about it and let her set the ground rules. As long as you are respectful, Im sure she will be glad to give you suggestions about what you CAN do together.

Dear Abby: Early this year my son was killed in an accident. A few weeks later I became ill and was hospitalized. My sons widow looked after me all those weeks. She was known at the hospital by her name and also as my daughter-in-law. One of my doctors, standing close to her and right next to my bed, asked for and was granted permission to ask her a personal question  What happened to your husband? Was it insensitive of him to ask that in my presence?

Unsure in Oklahoma

Dear Unsure: Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son. The doctor asked for permission to inquire about something personal and it was granted. That said, if the doctor was aware that you had lost your son a short time ago and your daughter-in-law was a widow, the question could have been asked privately because death is often a subject thats painful to discuss when a person is grieving.A man died Saturday afternoon when his sedan went off southbound U.S. Highway 101 at the Tamalpais Drive overcrossing and ran into a tree, the California Highway Patrol said.



The accident was reported about 2 p.m. Saturday when the southbound car driven by a man veered off the freeway, struck a guardrail and then a tree, said CHP Officer Andrew Barclay. No one else was in the car, he added.



Firefighters from the Central Marin and San Rafael fire departments had to cut the sedan open to remove the unidentified driver, who was taken to Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae, where he died before 5 p.m.



The cause of the accident remained unknown Saturday. "There don't appear to be any obvious causes, so we're hoping to speak with witnesses about what they may have seen," Barclay said. It is possible the driver may have suffered some sort of medical event, he added.







A magnitude 3.6 earthquake that struck around 11:56 a.m. near the Contra Costa County town of Crockett was followed by a 2.7 aftershock five minutes later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.



The shocks were centered about 1 mile north of Crockett at a depth of around 6 miles.



Residents of Contra Costa and Solano counties reported feeling the quake and aftershock. No damages were reported.







A "red flag" fire danger warning covering the North Bay and East Bay hills, the Santa Cruz mountains and other areas over 1,000 feet in elevation will be in effect through 4 p.m. today.



A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or are expected shortly. Those conditions include a combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures, conducive to extreme fire danger, the National Weather Service said.



The warning, which took effect at 10 p.m. Saturday, covers all three of the Bay Area's highest peaks - Mount Tamalpais, Mount Hamilton and Mount Diablo. Wind gusts on the highest peaks could hit 50 to 60 mph, and humidity during daylight of as low as 9 percent. Overnight temperatures are expected to be relatively low, in the



This is all forecast as the entire Bay Area is coated with smoke from the devastating Camp Fire in Butte County, which has made air quality unhealthy.



A precise map of the areas covered by this "red flag" warning can be seen by going to https://www.weather.gov/mtr/







The CalTrain station in downtown San Mateo was closed for about an hour Saturday after a suspicious package on board a train, according to authorities.



Traffic was blocked on South B Street from Baldwin to Tilton Avenue, according to the San Mateo Police Department, and Caltrain service was disrupted for about an hour before starting up again about 3:40 p.m. Saturday.







Petaluma police on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with an assault on the Lynch Creek Trail.



Todd Naus, 34, of Petaluma, was arrested on suspicion of battery, according to the Petaluma Police Department.



On Wednesday at 7:40 p.m., officers responded to a report by a woman that her boyfriend had been stabbed in the area of the Lynch Creek Trail near U.S. Highway 101. Responding officers located the woman and her boyfriend and determined that neither of them had been stabbed.



The victim reported he and his girlfriend had been walking on the trail when they were confronted by a man who became irate after the man shined a light toward him, police said. The suspect, later identified as Naus, began yelling and punched the victim in the face.



The victim's girlfriend fled the area, but the victim produced a knife, polices said.



Naus continued yelling at the victim and tried hitting him with a jacket.



Several other people then approached the scene, and the victim fled the area.



Officers located Naus, detained him and determined he had been involved in some sort of assault.



Naus admitted to punching the victim and said the victim cut his hand with a knife, police said.



Naus was treated at the scene and arrested. Police did not locate the other people who approached the scene during the altercation.







Three people were evacuated from a three-story building complex in San Mateo Friday when an apartment unit caught fire, according to that city's fire department.



The fire, which was reported around 12:37 p.m. at 215 Second Ave., was extinguished within 15 minutes, and one patient was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. The occupant of the unit was not at home at the time of the fire.



The cause of the fire is under investigation.







Striking Marriott hotel workers have ratified an agreement to end their 37-day labor dispute, union leaders announced Friday on social media.



No details about the agreement with Unite Here Local 19 in San Jose were immediately available. Marriott workers in Oakland ratified their contract earlier this month, but hotel workers in San Francisco remain on strike.



"We congratulate our brothers and sisters in San Jose on a life-changing contract that makes one job enough for hotel workers," Anand Singh, president of Unite Here Local 2 in San Francisco, said in a statement. "We've always known that Marriott has the means to settle this strike, and we're prepared to fight for as long it takes.



"It's past time for Marriott to get serious about fair wages, affordable health care, safe workloads and job security for the 2,500 San Francisco workers who are now in their sixth week on strike."



Marriott confirmed Saturday that the contract with San Jose workers has been ratified.



"We look forward to welcoming our associates back at work," a company spokesman said in a statement.



Workers at the hotels went on strike to demand higher pay, more job security and smaller workloads.









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.PALO ALTO (BCN)



A two-alarm fire is bring fought tonight at 3877 El Camino Real, the onetime Compadres Mexican Bar and Grill, firefighters said tonight on social media.



The fire was concentrated in the center of the building and the roof, firefighters said tonight via Twitter.



No injuries have been reported, but police caution to stay out of the area, as firefighting has snarled traffic on El Camino Real in the area.



The restaurant has been closed since 2008. In September 2017, a plan was approved to build on that parcel a mixed-use project including a three-story commercial building, condominiums and town houses. Those structures have not yet been built.





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.PALO ALTO (BCN)



At least one person was injured tonight in a fire that, at 8 p.m., was still burning at a former Mexican restaurant at 3877 El Camino Real, a Palo Alto Fire deputy chief said.



The person was found inside the onetime Compadres Mexican Bar and Grill, Deputy Chief Kevin McNally said tonight. The building has been deserted for years, he said, and the person found inside may be a squatter on the property. The person was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The search for others was delayed when the burning building became unstable and firefighters had to retreat, McNally said.



The fire, first reported about 5 p.m. today, has been concentrated in the center of the building and the roof, firefighters said tonight via Twitter.



Though the southbound lanes of El Camino Real were open until about 7:30 p.m., all lanes of this main arterial boulevard were then shut down, mostly so firefighters can access additional hydrants and get better water pressure, McNally said.



The restaurant has been closed since 2008. In September 2017, a plan was approved to build on that parcel a mixed-use project including a three-story commercial building, condominiums and town houses. Those structures have not yet been built.





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.SANAA, Yemen  Street battles raged Sunday in several areas of Yemens contested port city of Hodeida, where a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition is trying to drive out Iran-backed Shiite rebels, officials said.

Air strikes from warplanes and Apache attack helicopters shook residential neighborhoods throughout the day, while ground forces clashed around the university in the citys south, as well as al-Thawra and May 22 hospitals to the east.

Residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw smoke rising from both areas, with several military vehicles on fire near the university. Intense fighting around al-Thawra Hospital blocked access to it for hours, while rebels retook the May 22 hospital after it fell briefly to the coalition, they said. Photos of damaged hospital buildings have been circulating on social media.

Closer to the port facilities, the gateway for vital humanitarian aid, rebel gunmen occupied one the countrys largest flour mills and posted fighters on its rooftop, one official added. He said efforts were ongoing to evacuate workers inside the site he feared could now be targeted by air strikes.

Medical officials in the southern port city of Aden, a coalition stronghold, say some public hospitals there have reached capacity from a steady flow of war wounded from contested fronts across Yemen, and are refusing to accept new patients except for some civilians with critical wounds.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The conflict in Yemen, the Arab worlds poorest country, began with the 2014 takeover of the capital, Sanaa, by the rebels, known as Houthis, who toppled the internationally recognized government. A Saudi-led coalition allied with the government has been fighting the Houthis since 2015 in an attempt to restore the mostly exiled government to power.

The war has killed an estimated 10,000 people, and left around two thirds of Yemens population of 27 million relying on aid, with more than 8 million at risk of starvation.

Also Sunday, a minister who served in the rebel government before defecting to Saudi Arabia was struck by a shoe hurled by a Yemeni journalist at a news conference in Riyadh. Abdul-Salam Ali Gaber, who served as information minister, is the most senior member of the Houthi administration to defect. Throwing a shoe is a show of deep contempt in Arab culture.

Ahmed Al-Haj is an Associated Press writer.WASHINGTON  Turkey said Saturday that it had turned over audio recordings of the killing of a Saudi dissident to the United States and other Western countries, intensifying the pressure on President Trump to take stronger punitive steps against his allies in Saudi Arabia.

The disclosure, made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was his first public acknowledgment of the existence of recordings of the killing of the dissident, Jamal Khashoggi, in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last month. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that its operatives killed Khashoggi but denied that the attack was ordered at the top levels of the royal court.

We gave them the tapes, Erdogan said at a news conference in Ankara before flying to Paris to join Trump and other leaders at an international gathering. Theyve also listened to the conversations, they know it. There is no need to distort this.

The White House declined to say whether it had a copy of the recording. But if true, Erdogans claim puts Trump in a deeply awkward position, suggesting he possesses direct evidence of Khashoggis killing, even as he has resisted tough sanctions against the Saudis and declined to say exactly who he believes was responsible for the crime.

The Trump administration has taken modest steps against the Saudi government, suspending air-refueling flights for the Saudi military campaign in Yemen and preparing human rights sanctions against Saudis who have been linked to the killing of Khashoggi, a resident of Virginia who wrote columns for the Washington Post.

But the White House has declined to finger Saudi Arabias de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has developed close ties to Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and has become a linchpin of the administrations Middle East strategy. Analysts have said that any operation like the one that led to Khashoggis assassination almost certainly would have to be approved at the highest levels in Saudi Arabia.

The administrations limited actions against the Saudis seem calculated in part to head off a tougher response in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties have expressed outrage over the killing of a dissident inside a diplomatic facility and Saudi Arabias shifting explanations for it.

While Trump said he believes the Saudis tried to cover up the killing, he has steadfastly reserved judgment on who is to blame until the Saudi government provides a definitive public accounting of the killing, based on its own investigation. That is expected this week.

Ill have a much stronger opinion on that subject over the next week, Trump said at a news conference Tuesday. He referred to the killing as a very sad thing, very terrible thing.

Trump was likely to meet with Erdogan in Paris, where dozens of world leaders gathered at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Mark Landler and David D. Kirkpatrick are New York Times writers.We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites and ad networks. Such third party cookies may track your use on Sharedots sites for better rendering. Our partners use cookies to ensure we show you advertising that is relevant to you. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on Sharedots website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. Learn moreSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Annadale resident Lola Vosfieva said she was returning home from Florida in March and thought she had breathed her last when her head snapped against a seat and she lost consciousness inside a jetBlue plane during an aborted landing in Newark during a noreaster.

Im sure that we are dying, that the plane would crash, Vosfieva said, speaking with a heavy Russian accent during a recent telephone interview. I travel a lot by airplane. I never had anything like this.

Vosfieva, 48, was pushed back into her seat and hit her head as the plane briefly touched down then took back off during the harrowing March 2 incident at Newark Liberty International Airport, alleges a lawsuit she filed against jetBlue.

Vosfieva was rendered momentarily physically paralyzed (and)  endured a panic attack and reasonably believed that death was imminent, a civil complaint contends.

The plane, flight B6 128 from Orlando, experienced extreme turbulence when it attempted to land, said the complaint.

Vosfieva said her head snapped back violently against the seat as the plane steeply ascended after the landing was scuttled, rendering her unconscious.

Vosfieva, who was flying with her husband, Aleksandr Pigulevskiy, said shes uncertain how long she was knocked out.

But she was in a state of panic when she came to.

I was kind of paralyzed, she said. I couldnt move my lips. I couldnt move my hands.

The complaint contends JetBlue decided to fly into the noreaster storm despite warnings and in disregard of multiple other grounded flights.

Such conduct was grossly negligent, reckless, and in complete disregard to the passengers safety, alleges the complaint, prepared by Anna Boudakova, Vosfievas Manhattan-based lawyer.

JetBlues actions were in violation of the rules and procedures, and standards in the piloting industry, the complaint maintains.

According to Advance reports, the noreaster brought driving rains and howling winds to the metro area, with heavy snow farther north.

Nearly half of the flights out of LaGuardia Airport were cancelled, news reports said.

At one point, officials closed the upper level of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in both directions due to winds, after, according to social media accounts and emergency radio transmissions, two trucks overturned.

Fallen trees and branches were reported in Eltingville and Great Kills, and there were some power outages throughout the borough.

Flooding was also reported.

Vosfieva said she was returning home from business training. The flight departed from Orlando sometime after 8 p.m., she said.

As the aircraft approached the metropolitan area, it began making noises, apparently on hitting turbulence, she said.

I felt like the airplane was breaking apart, Vosfieva said, adding there were no warnings from the crew.

Vosfieva said she felt some relief as the plane descended and the wheels touched the ground. But instead of taxiing toward the terminal, the plane took off again, she said.

I was shocked, she said.

Vosfieva said he was forcefully thrown back against her seat and blacked out. When she awoke, she had pains in her head and back.

I thought I was bleeding inside, she said.

Vosfieva said she was so distressed her body stiffened and she held onto the arm rest in a death grip.

After the plane landed, emergency medical personnel had to unclench her fingers from the seat rest and lift her out of the seat, she said.

She was taken to a nearby hospital and kept overnight.

Vosfieva said she was diagnosed with having suffered a heavy panic attack.

The effects have lingered, she said.

Several days after the episode, she said she suffered another panic attack on an Express bus as it went through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel en route to Manhattan.

I thought, Oh, my God, Im going to pass out again, said Vosfieva. I closed my eyes and started praying.

Filed in state Supreme Court, St. George, the suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

In an e-mail jetBlue said the organization doesnt comment on pending litigation.Once upon a time on Staten Island you had to be a native, or something darn close to it, to get any respect on this rock  especially getting yourself elected to a political office.

Talk to anyone who crossed the Verrazzano for a life on Staten Island back in the 1900s and theyll tell you all about native Staten Islanders.

Political aspirations? You had to pay your dues to the party. That might have meant running for an office you had absolutely no chance of winning. Using a lot of your own cash to do it. Handing out flyers in shopping centers for someone who did have a chance. Or stuffing envelopes in party headquarters for weeks.

No more.

Diane Savino might have been the first to break that mold. She moved to Fort Wadsworth from Queens just three years before winning a State Senate seat in 2004.

Mike Grimm did it. And now, of course, Max Rose.

Max and Mike knocked off established Staten Islanders  Dan Donovan in Maxs case and Mike McMahon in Grimms. Both have deep roots in the borough, and in local politics.

Diane didnt. She won a Staten Island/Brooklyn Senate seat that 70-year-old Brooklynite Seymour Lachman was leaving. She defeated Staten Island Republican challenger Al Curtis, an African-American with close ties to Rudy Giuliani and political magician Guy Molinari. Al never held an elected office.

Diane ran a smart campaign, and for the record and for what its worth, it wasnt until five years later, in 2009, when Debi Rose took the North Shore City Council seat, that Staten Island elected an African-American to any office.

Dan Donovan was born on Staten Island, raised in Tompkinsville and was a Farrell man. Max Rose was not born on Staten Island, was not a Farrell man as so many of Staten Island elected males are, and attended Poly Prep Country Day School Brooklyn.

Max has been a North Shore Staten Islander just shy of three years and lived in Bay Ridge about a year before that.

Mike McMahon was born on Staten Island, grew up in Stapleton, and has the deepest political roots. A popular figure on the North Shore, a popular attorney and a very active civic leader, he also was a Farrell man who went on to serve the North Shore in the City Council. But before that, he worked for enormously popular Staten Island politicians  then-Assembly members Eric Vitaliano and Elizabeth Connelly, and City Councilman Jay ODonovan  all long-time Staten Islanders themselves.

Truth be told, Mike Grimm is still a bit of a mystery to a lot of us. We still hear he came out of nowhere.

He was born in Queens but found his way to Staten Island and Guy Molinaris office after detours through the Marines, Wall Street, the FBI and the restaurant business. To hear Mike tell it, he was living on Staten Island when he decided he wanted to be a congressman and asked around who would be the most important Republican in this town to get a meeting with.

Of course, that was Guy Molinari.

Guy  retired from politics  still loved the action, met with Grimm, found his credentials unbelievable, told him to come back to him with proof of his background, and when Grimm did, the rest became political history.

Does all this ancient history tell us anything? It does.

This isnt your grandfathers Staten Island anymore. In fact, its a good bet your grandfather wasnt born here. Or you.

Staten Islands demographics are changing. For the better. No longer can a Republican in an Island-wide race sit back, relax and count on the South Shore to carry an election.

Staten Island is more diverse, and the North Shore -- where diversity abounds -- has proven itself a player.

If you want to run for Congress around here, you better be way up on your game on national and international issues as well as local, local, local. Gone are the days when all Staten Island worried about was getting a storm sewer on the street or the road paved.

We care about our borders, we care about health care  and we care about traffic, traffic, traffic.

Staten Island wants energy. We want change. We got change with Donald Trump. And were getting energy with Max Rose. Plus change.

Max caught on to that real fast. He talked South Shore fast ferries and Roe v. Wade. He talked womens rights and safe injection sites. He talked climate change and the citys subway mess.

The Advance editorial board endorsed Dan Donovan for another term. We felt he ably represented Staten Island and did nothing to force himself out of the job. But Dan and his team ran a tired campaign.

Max Rose made a convincing argument and I met him four times -- when do you ever meet a politician that many times? Ada from Bulls Head told us the day after the election.

He did the ground work and the effort to actually come out and come to the other side of Staten Island and engage. I appreciated that."

Seems Ada doesnt care that Max showed up to the Staten Island party a few years ago. Nor did she buy into one of Dans anti-Rose campaign themes: Hes not one of us.

For anyone out there who did buy into it, especially on the South Shore, guess what.

He is one of us. And hell be representing every one of us in the United States Congress.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!Banker Phares is a John and Karen Mast Professor at SFA. He teaches financial planning and is board certified in estate planning and probate law."Robyn Denholm, the Telstra CFO, formerly of Tesla in Silicon Valley."

That was how the woman who is now arguably Australia's most prominent and powerful global executive was introduced at an accounting conference in Sydney on Thursday.

For a while now, media outlets (including this newspaper) have wondered how Denholm would be able to juggle one of the biggest jobs in corporate Australia - chief financial officer of Telstra, the most widely held retail stock in the country - with a board seat at Tesla, the $US60 billion ($83 billion) automaker led by Elon Musk, which has been through an utterly extraordinary few months.

Hard to tame: Billionaire Elon Musk got himself and Tesla into serious trouble with regulators after tweeting he had financing in place to take the company private. Credit:Bloomberg

The introduction at last week's event, from social commentator and demographer Bernald Salt, suggested this unusual situation had finally been resolved. But it was merely a slip of the tongue, and Denholm was quick to correct him. "I'm on the board of Tesla, even today," she said at the World Congress of Accountants event.Artist and model Frances Bean Cobain at the Moschino x H&M fashion show in New York. Credit:AP

This season has seen some of our favourite childhood cartoon characters make their way off-screen and into stores through a series of designer collaborations that has our inner five-year-old screaming.

To celebrate Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday in style, there have already been collections from Karen Walker, Lacoste, Rag & Bone, Opening Ceremony, Vans and Beats by Dre. Possibly our favourite though, is the collaboration between Moschino and fast-fashion chain H&M, which has just dropped online and in stores.

No stranger to clashing prints and left-of-centre designs, Moschinos creative director, Jeremy Scott, took the entire Looney Tunes rat pack and gave them a '90s street-style facelift.

H&Ms creative adviser, Ann-Sofie Johansson, says the collection fuses pop culture with contemporary streetwear, logos and glamour that Moschino is best known for.Greece had long been on my wife's and my bucket list but, due to other travel commitments of the mostly Mediterranean kind, we didn't get there until recently. And while we'd always imagined that Santorini, Corfu or Hydra would be our most likely island destinations after an obligatory stop in Athens, Kefalonia suddenly topped the list in spite of never having come up on our geographic radar.

Our spontaneous decision to head off to somewhere we'd barely heard of was down to an invitation from friends who were old Greece hands. They had rhapsodised about the country for years and had done a month-long house swap in a large villa on the island, behind a small village with an unlikely cinematic claim to fame.

Glorious Myrtos Beach, on Kefalonias north coast. Credit:Constantinos Iliopoulos / Alamy Stock Photo

After a picture-perfect trip on the rear deck of one of the ubiquitous blue and white inter-island car ferries from the mainland port of Kyllini to the very pretty Poros, on Kefalonia's east coast, it was off to the seaside town of Sami, where our friends awaited.

Then it was straight to the taverna for a total cultural and culinary immersion, sitting so close to the water that fishing boats could have tied up to the table leg. Inside was an eclectic group of men, ranging in appearance from gnarled, greybearded old mariners with the traditional fisherman's cap and guitar, to a stubbled young man playing an elaborately inlaid bouzouki, part of a rembetiko band. Thoroughly captivated, I wanted to be Greek.In the November sunshine to the mellow sounds of the Royal Australian Navy Band the crowds took their places on the two grassy banks either side of the Pool of Reflection at the recently reopened Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park.

The horrors of World War I and the Western Front where the guns fell silent 100 years ago on Sunday seemed rather distant in both miles and years.

Poppies floating in the new cascade at the Anzac Memorial on the centenary of the armistice. Credit:Peter Rae

But, as The Honourable David Hurley, governor of NSW, urged everyone: "They didn't die in vain. We cannot let them die in vain."

At 10.30 dignitaries arrived at the Remembrance Day service. Normally it would take place at the Cenotaph in Martins Place. That's where all the crowds assembled in November 1918 when news of the armistice and peace arrived in Sydney.They were remembered.

Remembered by the thousands who gathered at the Australian War Memorial, and by a city that paused on Sunday to honour their sacrifice to the nation.

At 11am, 100 years on from the signing of the treaty that ended World War I, Canberra fell silent in a moment's tribute to the Australian soldiers who have fought and died in overseas wars and peacekeeping missions.

On a clear and breathless spring morning, a crowd of about 12,000 attended the war memorial's Remembrance Day ceremony, filling the building's forecourt and spilling onto the footpaths along Anzac Parade.The night was for joy  for the joyous hailing of an event unparalleled. The greatest war was over. The last post would wail no more at the red burial of heroes. The engines of death would be put away. And over torn fields the ploughs would pass, and where the tide of battle had flowed and ebbed, there would the crops grow. Armistice signed, and round the world must now come ringing the grand phrases of the consoling hymn. The first news of Germanys acceptance of the Allies terms was conveyed in the official message from America. There were perhaps 100 people in front of The Age office when the cablegram was posted up. Men and women looked up at the board as though they could scarcely believe what they read. There was no immediate demonstration, but in some mysterious way the news travelled like lightning over the city, and its significance was quickly grasped. The corner of Collins and Swanston Streets, Armistice Day, 1918. Credit:State Library of Victoria People came hurrying towards Collins-street, spreading the news on the way. Doubts were expressed as to whether the message had been actually received, and all were intent upon seeing the wonderful words in black and white. Telephone bells began to ring, and soon the Exchange had to deal with a tremendous rush of calls. People clamoured for numbers that they might pass on the glad tidings to their friends. It was about 20 minutes past 7 when the cable came from the United States was posted. The little knot of people in front of The Age office soon swelled to thousands. From all streets men and women hastened, and then the first cheer rang out. It was a call to others, and the crowd continued to grow quickly. Figures in khaki and figures in blue, and then a sudden cry from an Anzac, Three cheers for the boys at the front! Hooray! responded the crowd, and Hooray! again and again. And more and more people came running.

It needed but one voice to cry out the first notes of Rule, Britannia. Proudly the old song of the British was sung. Britons never, never, never shall be slaves! The words came in a mighty roar, that resolved into cheering. Crowds gather in front of Parliament House for armistice celebrations, 1918. Credit:National Library of Australia Freedom was for the world, and the Kultur doctrine of the Prussian Junkers had been trampled under foot. White naval caps bobbed about in the crowd. They gave the cue to those who would sing and keep on singing. Sons of the Sea was the order, and lusty was the response. No, you cant beat the boys of the bulldog breed, who made old Englands name! And the men from Sydney, from Port Melbourne, had proved themselves of the bulldog breed. Perhaps visions of the battered Emden came to the people as they sang. Another song of the South African days was revived  Soldiers of the King. And naturally there were many songs of the present war to be chorused  Over There and Keep the Home Fires Burning, and then the cheery lilt of Pack Up Your Troubles. All these and others, and crowd returning ever and again to God Save the King. It was not long after the receipt of the news that the National Anthem was first sung. It was repeated a hundred times during the night, and with great assembly, the men standing with bare heads, voiced the words with fervour, and then poured out the cheers.

Collins Street, Armistice Day, 1918. Credit:Argus Collection, Fairfax Media It was wonderful to view the scene from above. At first the trams were able to make their way along Collins-street with much clangour of the impatient gongs. But soon the crowd was too thick to permit the passage between Elizabeth and Swanston streets, and so traffic was stopped. Right up the hill to Russell-street the crowd was dense, and the trams were put to a new use. Some irrepressible spirits, remembering the capers of Mafeking night, lifted the vehicles from their lines, and carried or wheeled them to unaccustomed places and used them as vantage points from which to view scenes in the streets. Loading Extraordinary pranks were played, for some exulting souls would not be denied the wildest expressions of their feelings. As the night advanced crackers snapped and banged, and curled up over the heads of the people, leaving little trails of sparks, and the timorous received many mild shocks. Packed densely in Collins-streets, between Elizabeth and Swanston-street intersections, the crowd was like some great moving mosaic, with splashes of colour  the hats of women and girls. And above the sea of heads floated hundreds of flags, some small, some large, the Union Jack and the ensign of Australia, with its symbol of the Southern Cross.

Shifting in groups and streams, the people moved. There were strange winding currents and cross eddies in that animated mosaic. Men in khaki and boys in blue were lifted shoulder high, and a cheer was given as the two of these approached one another, and khaki sleeve was extended to blue, and soldier and sailor shook hands. Swanston Street, Armistice Day, 1918. Credit:State Library of Australia Girls, too, were chaired, waitresses from the cafes ran from their places at the first sign of rejoicing, and the customers left their tables to follow quickly. Many of the cafes closed their doors for the night at an early hour. Processions were formed impromptu, and marched cheering and singing through the streets. Then with a rush they came back to Collins-street, and plunged into the dense crowd, the people falling back to make way as the irresistible human wedge was driven home. Banners appeared, and a drum and a cornet came from somewhere. Cheering and singing, and shouting. Ever the rising and falling waves of sound, so that the bells of St Patricks, loudly ringing, could not be heard in the heart of the city. There was a great demonstration when a string of flags went fluttering up to the pole at the top of The Age office. The colours of Australia were at the head, and then a string of signal flags, within in the international code spelt out the word Victory. Three cheers were roared out. The hoisting of the flags was spontaneously accepted as an act of some significance, although there were probably not many who could translate the message of the colours.

The news spread with extraordinary rapidity to the suburbs. Everyone was awaiting the signal, everyone expectant. And when the first cheer was given all realised that the moment of rejoicing had come. Bells began to peal, and tins were rattled, and the people assembled in the streets and sang songs. Fireworks were seen from all sides. Celebrations in front of City Hall, Ballarat. Credit:Museums Victoria People from every direction sought a way into the city, and trains and trams, motors and other vehicles, were crowded with those who were eager to join in the big demonstration. The tram traffic ended at the entrances to the main city arteries. At the Trades Hall many union meetings were in progress, but several of them at once broke up, and the unionists made towards the city. Before 10 oclock the inner suburbs were practically deserted. The celebrations in the city were continued until a late hour. When an intimation that the news had been confirmed by a message from London was posted, there was a further outburst of enthusiasm. A spirit of abandon marked the whole nights proceedings, and the exuberance sometimes led to wild doings. There was one man who exhibited somewhat anticipatory celebrations. With hands waving he plunged into the crowd. Hooray for the Bolsheviki! came a shout, and then a fist leapt out. A quick scuffle, and scatter of the crowd, and a policeman rescued the imprudent one and led him to a place of safety.A police operation seized 130 grams of cocaine in a series of drug busts across Sydney's eastern suburbs on Saturday, resulting in five men and one woman being charged, police say.

Police estimated the potential street value of the confiscated cocaine to be worth over $40,000.

Officers from the proactive crime unit of the Eastern Suburbs Local Area Command seized the drugs as well as more than $10,000 in cash in Double Bay, Paddington, Bondi, Randwick and Woolloomooloo.

The men, aged in their 20s and early 30s, and the 21-year-old woman were charged with drug supply and proceeds of crime offences.

Three of the men, one of whom was charged with breaching bail, remained in custody awaiting bail hearings on Sunday.Parents in Sydney's inner west are calling for a co-educational high school option for their kids, saying it "seems crazy" that they are surrounded by single-sex state schools.

The P&C at Summer Hill primary, where local students are zoned for single-sex high schools, conducted a survey of more than 600 parents in the wider region and found that 89 per cent would prefer a local co-ed school.

"A significant number of parents commented that they were considering moving or had already moved their children from public to private or Catholic schools, specifically to access co-education," the P&C's report said.

Families wanted to support the public system but regarded the lack of a mixed gender option as a barrier, said parent Lassity Martin, who has two sons. "All the primary schools in our area are flourishing because they are all co-ed, and at high school people are forced into these crazy choices," she said.A driver has died and his passenger has been taken to hospital after their car ran off the road and ended up in a creek bed in western Sydney.

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Police said it appeared the car failed to negotiate an intersection in Colyton, hit metal railings and rolled, coming to a stop in a creek bed.

Emergency workers were called to the intersection of Hewitt Street and Roper Road shortly after 5am on Sunday.

The driver died at the scene and a male passenger was taken to Westmead Hospital for observation but was not seriously injured.The man who violently attacked and sexually assaulted a woman in Sydney's west on Sunday night was captured on CCTV footage changing clothes shortly after the attack.

The woman, 51, was walking through Lighthorse Park in Liverpool about 11.55pm when she saw a man nearby watching her.

Police said that, as she approached the stairs to Newbridge Road, the man walked towards her and punched her in the face several times.

He continued to assault the woman physically, then sexually assaulted her.A 21-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a 19-year-old man with a metal vase, causing life-threatening head and facial injuries.

Police attended a Satinwood Street address in the suburb of Crestmead, south of Brisbane, on Sunday morning and arrested the man, who also allegedly assaulted a woman inside the house.

The 21-year-old was charged with numerous assault charges. Credit:File

Police allege the Waterford West man went to the home about 6.30am and attacked the man with the metal vase before assaulting the woman. He also allegedly damaged a car and mobile phone.

The injured 19-year-old was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical but stable condition.Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Queensland taxpayers have spent tens of thousands of dollars sending judges to a luxurious Italian hotel to attend a conference with mostly Australian speakers that was organised by a Brisbane-based company. Of the 12 speakers at the "Europe Asia Legal Conference" held at Praiano on Italy's Amalfi Coast between June 25 and July 2 last year, nine were from Australia. Of that nine, four hailed from Queensland. The conference at the Grand Hotel Tritone was held at the peak of the Amalfi coast's tourist season. Documents obtained by Brisbane Times show three members of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, a Queensland Land Court member, a former High Court judge, a law academic from the University of Queensland, a barrister, three lecturers from New South Wales, and a psychiatrist from Victoria travelled 16,000 kilometres to attend the conference, organised by New Farm-based Continuing Professional Education Pty Ltd. Analysis of the QIRCs latest annual report showed that, in addition to the speakers, deputy president Deirdre Swan, retired deputy president Les Kaufman and commissioner Minna Knight also billed taxpayers to attend the conference on the Amalfi Coast, known as a popular holiday destination for the rich and famous. A pre-retirement trip to Europe Three days after the Italian conference closed, Mr Kaufman travelled on to Paris for another CPE-run event, the eight-day Pan Europe Pacific Legal Conference, and was reimbursed $8435.09 from his set allowance.

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Mr Kaufman retired four months after the events on December 2, 2017, shortly after turning 70. When contacted by Brisbane Times to ask if he had approval to attend the overseas events so close to his retirement, Mr Kaufman said: I really dont think I need to comment about this. All my attendance at conferences was approved by the President and Ill say no more, goodbye. Like Queensland judges, industrial commissioners are tenured and are guaranteed their job until they are 70. Under state law, the only way to remove a judicial officer is for the Governor to order the removal after a vote of Parliament for mental or physical incapacity or misbehaviour. 'We wanted to go to Italy' The agenda paper for the Europe Asia Legal Conference shows other high-profile Queensland delegates, including former High Court Justice Ian Callinan, Queensland Land Court member Paul Smith and UQ law lecturer Vicky Comino, also attended. Despite being billed as an eight-day conference running from Sunday June 25 to Sunday July 2, 2017, delegates enjoyed four days free of formal activities.

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They were offered a day trip to Capri on Wednesday, another full networking day on Friday, no activities on arrival day except for welcome drinks, and the last day in the hotel was described simply as departure day with no events or sessions listed. New Farm-based CPE Conferences, run by migration law specialist Lorenzo Boccabella, organised the conference. According to the document, Mr Boccabella attended and delivered two sessions. His first evening session on Monday discussed the role and liability of the ringside doctor when a boxer dies of concussion. His second session on Thursday looked at aspects of medical law, with particular reference to the psychologists who designed the advanced interrogation techniques at Guantanamo Bay. None of the days with formal sessions listed began before lunchtime. Brisbane Times spoke to delegate Dr Comino, who insisted that the original conference title listed in the annual report, the Europe Asia Legal and Medical Conference, was correct.

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It was definitely medical legal because my husband is a doctor and he attended, Dr Comino said. He attended a number of sessions so, there was definitely medical stuff. [Mr Boccabella] does a lot of this stuff, he does cruises and all sorts of things so, and this conference just happened to be in, like we wanted to go to Italy and I thought 'Oh, this is great'. A paper introducing the work of CPE Conferences to potential delegates, provided to Brisbane Times by Dr Comino, confirmed a selling point was the build-in of two-three free days for networking activities into the program. Conference programs remain provisional up until the first day of the conference, CPE pledged, a sentiment echoed on its website which states: Unlike other conferences, our academic agenda remains fluid until the commencement of the conference. Calls to Mr Boccabellas New Farm offices to enquire about his overseas conference business model were not returned. Emails with detailed questions sent to the generic email address provided by his staff did not receive a response.

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Annual report shows travel to high-end destinations Figures provided by the QIRC revealed eight commissioners racked up a total of $238,366 on the public purse jetting to international conferences at other glitzy locations including Las Vegas, Cape Cod, Paris, London, Rome and Amsterdam. Four of the 10 overseas events they travelled to were organised by CPE Conferences. Analysis of the data revealed the QIRCs biggest spender on international conferences was vice president Dianne Linnane. Ms Linnane claimed allowances of $43,784.84 for 17 days in Europe - eight days in Paris attending the Pan Europe Pacific Legal Conference and nine days in Amsterdam attending the Europe Oceania Legal Conference. Both events were organised by CPE Conferences. According to the latest judicial salary and allowances table for Queenslands judicial officers, Ms Linnanes claim saw her exceed the yearly allowance limit set by the Queensland government by $13,000.

AdvertisementBrisbane man Barry Flowers grew up not knowing his grandfather was a war veteran. Then he discovered 80 letters the veteran had written to his own parents almost 100 years ago during his time at war.

As a child, Mr Flowers remembered watching his grandfather quietly enjoy listening to the radio and having a punt and a beer without a care in the world.

Little did he know at the time his dearest pop, Stanley Devine Hannaford, had experienced some gruesome sights while fighting as a machine gunner with the 49th Battalion for three years.

At 18 years of age, Mr Hannaford began serving on the western front line in 1915 and returned home to Stanthorpe, Queensland, in 1918 without injury.

He took up a soldier settlement block outside Stanthorpe near his parents property and named it St Omer, after a place that his Battalion visited during the war, and a name that stuck to this very day.Another is returning as prime minister after first losing government. But in the past hundred years only one person has become prime minister again after a stint in opposition: Robert Menzies. Possible, but youd bet against it.

That is the equation facing Scott Morrison. Doubt me? There are three ways he can get a longer stint. He could buy himself a few extra months by splitting next years elections into a Senate election in May and a House election later in the year, an option he pretty much ruled out this week . (Rightly so  it would have looked desperate and tricky.)

If you said get on a bus with your face on the side of it and do a bunch of FM radio interviews, then congratulations: youre thinking like a modern politician.

Right, Im making you prime minister for nine months. What do you want to do with it?

The final way is by winning the next election.

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I have said a thousand times that predictions in politics are a mugs game. But gee its hard to see the government getting back into this. Youd bet heavily against it. The first reason is that while Bill Shorten might not be very inspiring, he doesnt make a lot of mistakes. The second is that the Liberal Party, right now, is broken. The third is that Morrison doesnt have the chops.

Thats not entirely his fault. Hes been doing the job for less than three months. The truth is nobodys very good at it in their first year or two. We tend to forget it now, but John Howard had an awful start, lacking direction and losing half a dozen ministers. One minister at the time conceded to a journalist that it might have been the worst government Australia had ever had.

One of the great tragedies of the past decade is that we havent had the chance to see anyone mature into the job of prime minister. There is a vicious cycle at work. Our leaders know they have an axe hanging over their neck, from either voters or their party, so they act ultra-politically, out of a desperation to drive up their polling numbers. But then it turns out voters want their governments to actually govern, so the polling numbers slump, and soon enough we have another leader and the cycle begins again.Each attack brings memories of the others  there have been three in Melbournes CBD in 20 months. Those on Friday who witnessed the killing of that great ambassador of the citys hospitality, Sisto Malaspina, or saw those amazingly brave police officers shoot and subdue the knife-wielding Shire Ali, will now join those who cannot unsee the events of January 20, 2017 in Bourke Street, or December 21, 2017 in Flinders Street. On a pillar in our office near the circular news desk we call "the doughnut", weve pinned a poster with the title "Code Red", which lists all the jobs we need to do when theres a critical incident in this city. Members of the Vespa Club of Melbourne pay tribute to Pellegrinis Bar co-owner Sisto Malaspina, who was killed in the Bourke Street terror attack. Credit:Timna Jacks Weve used it too often.

On Friday afternoon when the news broke, we operated almost from muscle memory. As reporters and photographers were dispatched to the scene, the same blogger who helmed our January 20 blog started posting updates again. Our news editor started writing the story live as the calls flooded in. The same sub-editors and artists and online and print editors started their urgent work. We looked at each other across our laptops, aghast that we had all been there before. This all happened on the second day of the trial of James Gargasoulas in the Supreme Court, where the courtroom has been filled with the family and survivors of the terrible day that saw six people killed, dozens injured and hundreds traumatised. The wounds have been reopened in court, where many watching the awful footage or listening to testimony were ashen or in tears.

Saeed Noori, the man accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians in Flinders St at the other end of 2017, killing one man and injuring more than a dozen others, had a directions hearing on Wednesday. It will only be the coronial court that looks into last Fridays attack. There are so many questions, and not all of them can be answered by forensic or legal inquiry. Many have started to wonder if these attacks on the citys psyche could be infectious. Here in the newsroom, where we owe it to Melbourne to report these events thoroughly and soberly, we debate it often. Loading

By Saturday afternoon, the reporter we stationed on the scene reported that the citys busy intersection had returned to normal. The shoppers and tourists and city dwellers had returned, bolstered by the very visible presence of the police officers who are this citys brave face. As police command has acknowledged, their response to these threats has evolved with each challenge. It is now the terrible duty of every officer, such as the three-month rookie who took down Ali, to get between these vainglorious bastards and the rest of us. I was reminded of a friend in Paris who was all too close to the Charlie Hebdo attacks, talking about the repeated attacks that city has seen since, far worse than those Melburnians endure. You get used to it, he said. You hate it but you get used to it.The police officer who gunned down Bourke Street attacker Hassan Khalif Shire Ali with a single shot to the chest, bringing an end to Friday's deadly attack, has only been in the force for three months.

The rookie officer, who graduated from the academy three months ago and is from a police family, arrived at the scene with his partner within seconds.

The moment police shot Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali.

The two policemen became the target of Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, who repeatedly lunged at them with a knife.The terrorist who brutally stabbed a beloved cafe owner to death in the heart of Melbourne will have won a victory in death if his actions turn Australians against each other.

The circumstances that led Somali-born Hassan Khalif Shire Ali to drive a car loaded with gas canisters into Bourke Street mall are only now being investigated but it is already clear that he could have killed many more people than the tragically unlucky Sisto Malaspina, co-owner of Pellegrini's cafe.

If the death toll was not higher, the bravery of Victoria police and Australia's tough gun laws should take some of the credit.

Anyone who saw the smartphone videos of police trying to disarm the terrorist after he set his vehicle alight will be in awe of their professionalism in seeking to resolve the situation and only using weapons as a last resort.

Equally, Australians have been given another demonstration of the value of our gun laws that kept the weapons seen in mass shootings in the US out of Hassan Khalif Shire Ali's hands. Those laws must not be relaxed.Premier Daniel Andrews has conceded that it's impossible to make the city 100 per cent safe, but says "significant efforts" have been made to fortify areas identified as points of weakness.

Mr Andrews dismissed suggestions that he could ban trams or cars from the city centre after the third vehicle-based attack in Melbourne's CBD in two years.

Pellegrini's Espresso Bay part-owner Sisto Malaspina was killed on Friday when a terrorist set fire to his vehicle in Bourke Street, then stabbed innocent bystanders.

Tasmanian businessman Rodney Patterson, 58, and a 24-year-old security guard from Hampton Park were also injured. Their attacker, Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, died in hospital after being shot by police.But more than 12 months after the fraud was referred to police, and despite the ACT Policing investigation also trying to find the culprit through the federal police's international arm, the fraudster has not been located.

The fraud involved a still unknown culprit submitting a false invoice to the taskforce, for an estimated $190,000 payment that was meant to go to a construction contractor, but instead was deposited into what police have called an "illegitimate" bank account.

Public servants faced questions about the fraud during annual report hearings in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Friday, after it was revealed in The Canberra Times earlier this week.

ACT public servants have labelled a fraud committed on the territory's public housing taskforce "highly sophisticated" and confirmed the as-yet unidentified culprit almost secured $190,000 of taxpayer funds.

Opposition housing spokesman Mark Parton asked a series of questions about the fraud during the hearing, where planning director-general Ben Ponton said the scam appeared to have been executed by a "very sophisticated operator".

Mr Ponton said the scammer had used a recognised email address for a taskforce building contractor, including details such as the firm's own bank account and the authorised person's name, saying they had recently submitted an invoice, but asking to change their bank details.

He said the staff member had gone through the claim and it appeared legitimate, and so deposited the funds into the new bank account.

"Very soon fortunately after that, the actual person got in contact to ask where that payment was and we said we've made that payment and very quickly we were able to recover the monies and identified, as I recall, the bank account was at a bank in Melbourne airport," Mr Ponton said.

"The point is, it was quite sophisticated and whoever did this had the details of the directors of the company, they had their email addresses and were able to get an address that was essentially the same for all intents and purposes we were dealing with the identified the person."The new NSW Labor leader Michael Daley says he is a "man of the suburbs" who is not a career politician but was inspired to get involved by the former prime minister Paul Keating.

On his first day as Opposition leader after the spectacular downfall of Luke Foley, Mr Daley told the ABC's Insiders that the "whole parliamentary system has been dragged into disrepute".

"It's true to say there is a deep cynicism about politicians and politics across the nation and I want to press the reset button and be honest and forthright with the people of NSW," Mr Daley said.

Michael Daley's Maroubra seat is one with a track record of producing premiers - he hopes to be the next. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Mr Daley defeated Kogarah MP Chris Minns in the leadership vote 33 to 12 on Saturday after Mr Foley's shock resignation on Thursday amid harassment allegations.The Premier Gladys Berejiklian has made last-ditch appeals directly to preselectors, as her pick for the blue ribbon seat of North Shore, Felicity Wilson, faces defeat in a bitter preselection battle.

Ms Wilson, who won the seat in a byelection last year, is at risk of losing Liberal preselection to Tim James, a former electorate officer to John Howard and former chief of staff to Planning Minister Anthony Roberts.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Felicity Wilson in 2017. Credit:James Alcock

Sources close to Mr James say they have enough support to win the preselection, which will be held tonight at Norths Leagues Club in Cammeray, while Ms Wilson's backers say it is "too close to call".

Mr James, who has endorsements from former Opposition leader, Kerry Chikarovski, federal energy minister Angus Taylor and Crown prosector Margaret Cunneen, narrowly missed out on preselection last year.Shanghai: The Philippine government said Friday that it would charge a veteran journalist and her online news startup with tax evasion, a move the publication described as an attack against media in the country by the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The country's Department of Justice said it had grounds to indict the startup, Rappler, and its founder, Maria Ressa, for tax evasion and failure to file tax returns.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte last month. Credit:AP

Rappler denied the charges, calling the case a "clear form of continuing intimidation and harassment," and accused the government of trying to silence critical coverage. The penalties for tax evasion include a monetary fine as well as up to 10 years of imprisonment.

Speaking from Washington DC, where she received an award from the International Centre for Journalists on Thursday evening, Ressa said an indictment  which the government has said could come as soon as next week  would have a chilling effect on reporters in some of the most dangerous places around the world.Events to mark the end of the Great War have taken place around the world, with President Emmanuel Macron leading tributes in France, where more than 80 leaders and heads of state gathered at the Arc de Triomphe for a solemn event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his Remembrance Day speech in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday. Credit:AP

Macron used the occasion to sound a powerful and sobering warning about the fragility of peace, and the dangers of nationalism and of nations putting themselves above the collective good.

In Paris to highlight the need for global unity, German Cancellor Angela Merkel met with the head of the United Nations, an organisation born from the ashes of World War II, and the President of Serbia. It was a Serb teenager, Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated the Austro-Hungarian crown prince in Sarajevo in 1914 to set off events which led to the outbreak of war.Warsaw: Poland's bitter divisions were laid bare on Sunday as tens of thousands of people gathered in Warsaw to mark a century of the country's independence with police and the military forming a barrier between far-right groups and anti-government protesters.

The 'March of Independence' organised by far-right activists to celebrate 100 years of Poland's independence. Credit:AP

After an official commemoration by the President and Prime Minister, central boulevards in the capital were blocked and lined with security forces. People with red and white Polish flags and armbands, many from far-right groups, followed an official march.

Smoke from the near-constant pop of red firecrackers at one point covered the city centre. Police vans and vehicles with water cannons occupied some side streets.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he expected as many as 200,000 in Warsaw for the outpouring of patriotism, though the line between that and extremism has become blurred in Poland of late and opponents say the government is giving the far right a louder voice.Warsaw: Authorities in Poland stepped up security in the capital on Sunday ahead of a march planned by eurosceptic leaders and far-right groups to celebrate a century of national independence.

The march is a focus of debate about whether the conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) party of government tacitly encourages groups with roots in the fascist and anti-Semitic movements.

Last year's Polish independence day march saw extremist nationalist banners. Credit:AP

Last year, an annual march organised each November 11 by the far right for nearly a decade in Warsaw was dotted with racist banners such as "pure blood, clear mind" and "Europe will be white or uninhabited".

The slogans fuelled concern about the rise of xenophobia in Poland at a time when other European countries are also grappling with a resurgence of the far right.Minsk, Belarus: Residents of the eastern Ukraine regions controlled by Russia-backed separatist rebels voted on Sunday for local governments in elections denounced by Kiev and the West.

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during rebel elections in Donetsk, Ukraine. Credit:AP

The elections were to choose heads of government and legislature members in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, where separatists have fought Ukrainian forces since the spring of 2014 in a war that has killed more than 10,000 people.

Although a 2015 accord on ending the war calls for local elections in Donetsk and Luhansk, critics including Ukraine's president, the US and the European Union say the vote is illegitimate because it is conducted where Ukraine has no control.

But the separatists say the vote is a key step toward establishing full-fledged democracy in the regions.Bir-Lehlu, November 10, 2018 (SPS)  President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, has sent a message of congratulations to President of the Republic of Angola, His Excellency Joao Lourenco, on the occasion of the 43th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Angola.



On behalf of the Saharawi People and on my own behalf, I would like to extend to your Excellency my sincere congratulations on the 43th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Angola, said the President of the Republic.



I would not miss this opportunity to salute and extend my thanks to Your Excellency, the Government and the People of the Republic of Angola for the permanent position of Angola in defending the struggle of the Sahrawi People for their right to self-determination and independence, as reconfirmed in your last speech before the General Assembly of United Nations, which also illustrates your constant commitment towards eradication of all sort of colonization agenda and for strengthening the economical independency of our continent.



I strongly believe, Excellency, that the long standing excellent bilateral relations established between the people of Republic of Angola and the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic have stood the test of time and adversity and also has for sure enhanced the core role of the African Union to take its natural place in the International arenas, he added. (SPS)



062/SPSB etween June and October each year, East Africa experiences its dry season.

These tourist-heavy months are when visitors flock to the continent to catch a glimpse of the 'Big Five' - the rhino, lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo.

The dry season is often thought of as the best time to go on an African safari, as there are limited supplies of water causing animals to crowd around watering holes which can lead to some stunning sights.

This means the wet or 'green' season, between November and April, is often overlooked. Yet, with lush landscapes and cheaper travel, it could actually be the perfect time to book your safari.

According to SafariBookings.com, the wet season also means fewer tourists, an abundance of migratory birds arrive making it perfect for birdwatching and the short downpours of rain often make way for clear skies and intense cloud formations that can offer stunning sunsets.

Below are five of the best destinations to visit during Africa's wet season.

Kenya

A herd of elephants gather around a watering hole during the wet season / Mike Kenrick

In Kenya, there are two types of green season: the long rains and the short rains. The best time to visit is during the short rains which fall in November and December and offer an average of four to six hours of sunshine per day.

Stay in the Maasai Mara Nature Reserve where the rain transforms the dry grounds into a rich green landscape abundant with antelope, zebra and gazelle.

Kenya's wet seasons: March - June, November - December.

Where to stay: Best visited in January and February to avoid the heavy rains of November, Arijiju can only be booked exclusively so best to visit with your nearest and dearest. Located on the Borana Reserve in Laikipia, Kenya, you will have access to your own private reserve with large lion and elephant populations. On-site you'll find five double ensuite bedrooms, wellness facilities, a home cinema and yoga deck and the rates include five hours of spa or beauty treatments per day. While the camp can sleep 10 people, booking it out exclusively costs 7,000 per night for up to six guests and 615 extra per night for every additional adult.

Tanzania

A lion sits on the Serengeti plains / Mike Kenrick

Tanzania is similar to Kenya in that it experiences both the long and short rains. The short rains fall from October to December and the long rains fall from March to May. During the short rains, you can witness the wildebeest migration across the southern Serengeti - a stunning spectacle which will draw in smaller crowds during the wet season.

The wet season also means there will be a number of lodges open at discounted prices, where you can witness the same animals at a much lower cost.

Tanzania's wet seasons: March to May, October to December.

Where to stay: December is the best time to stay at &Beyond Kleins Camp in Tanzania which is situated on a 10,000 hectare concession that borders both the Serengeti and the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya. The luxury lodge offers panoramic views of both destinations which also play host to the Great Wildebeest Migration. Perched on the edge of the Kuka Hills, you'll be hard-pressed to find better views in East Africa- and the five-star lodge is the icing on top. Cottage rooms start from 647 per person, per night with meals, drinks and game drives included.

Zambia

The South Luangwa Valley during the green season / Mike Kenrick

In Zambia, visit the South Luangwa Valley during the green season to see the afternoon and nighttime rain transform the park into a vivid emerald oasis filled with rain-made lagoons where water birds play.

Watch out for storks and carmine bee-eaters. Wild dogs are also aplenty, as are adorable newborn lions, buffalos, elephants and leopards.

Zambia's wet season: November to April.

Where to stay: Mfuwe Lodge is an award-winning safari lodge set in the lush valley of South Luangwa. It is one of the only lodges in Zambia open year-round making it perfect to visit during the wet season. The lodge's 18 air-conditioned chalets are set beneath a canopy of mahogany trees and giraffe, hippos, buffalo, antelope, and crocodile are constant visitors to Mfuwe Lodge's lagoon. Price on request.

South Africa

A giraffe in Krugersdorp, South Africa / Unsplash

No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Kruger National Park. Here, you can tick the 'Big Five' off your bucket list and see plenty of incredible animal interactions. The rainy season usually begins in October which means November is the best time to visit to see newborn animals.

December and January are the height of the rainy season so best avoided if possible but after January the humidity makes way for cooler autumnal evenings.

South Africa's wet season: late October to early May.

Where to stay: The Outpost in Kruger National Park is a secluded architectural beauty that offers 12 luxury ensuite rooms perched on a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River. With two game drives per day, optional in-room luxury spa treatments and walking safaris available for the adventurous, staying here will create memories for a lifetime. Rooms from 785 per night.

Botswana

Wildebeest in Okavango Delta, Botswana / Unsplash

Botswana famously has 300 days of sun per year and the heaviest rains fall during January and February meaning March will offer a lush landscape for all your wildlife viewing.

Botswana is also home to the world's largest zebra migration from the Okavango Delta to Makgadikgadi Pans in December. The herds then make the return journey in late February when the rains begin to clear.

Botswana's wet season: November to March.A hundred years ago, one of the deadliest conflicts in human history came to an end after four horrifying years.

World War One was unlike any other war seen before or since and it would leave a lasting mark on society and warfare.

Families were torn apart, generations of people were slaughtered and towns and cities across Europe were destroyed.

This year marks the centenary of the end of this brutal conflict, and Remembrance Day will commemorate the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

So with Remembrance Sunday today, the Standard takes a look at the numbers behind "The Great War".

The ruins of the medieval Cloth Hall in Ypres, Belgium, at the end of the First World War. / PA Wire/PA Images

When did WW1 start and end?

WW1 lasted for four years, from July 28 1914 until the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918.

How many soldiers fought in WW1?

More than 70 million military personnel were reportedly mobilised to fight during the four years of WW1, including 60 million Europeans.

Around five million Brits served between 1914 and 1918, according to the BBC.

How many died in WW1?

British stretcher bearers (Daily Herald Archive / Science & Society Picture Library) / Daily Herald Archive / Science & Society Picture Library

The Encyclopaedia Britannica records that around 8.5 million soldiers are believed to have been killed in WW1.

Exact figures are hard to come by, and some estimates have put the total death toll of military personnel at anywhere up to 15 million.

The Triple Entente, consisting of the allied powers of France, Russia and Britain, is thought to have lost around six million troops.

Around four million troops were lost from the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. These numbers include both combat deaths and those missing in action.

How many soldiers were wounded in WW1?

A total of more than 21 million troops were wounded, and it is thought that around 1.5 million of these were British.

The total number of military and civilian casualties from WW1, including the wounded, is a mind-blowing 40 million people, that's more than half the number of all those who fought.

Disease is thought to have killed around two million troops.

Men from the Royal Irish Rifles in a communication trench on the first day of the Battle of the Somme / Alamy

The first day of the Battle of the Somme remains the worst day in British military history, with British forces suffering around 57,000 casualties in just one day of fighting.

During the Battle of Amiens in August 1918 there were 27,000 casualties, while the Gallipoli campaign saw nearly 400,000 casualties and Brusilov Offensive in 1916 resulted in more than two million casualties.

There were around 857,000 casualties during the Battle of Passchendaele from July 31 to November 10, 1917.

How many countries fought in WW1?

Around 32 countries fought across a number of different theatres of war.

The Allies, otherwise known as the Triple Entente, included Britain, France, Italy, Russia and the USA. They fought the Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.T he UK fell silent today as people united at services across the country to honour those who lost their lives in the First World War.

Prince Charles led the nations tributes on the centenary of Armistice Day as he laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Queen.

The event marked 100 years since the signing of the treaty which ended the battle on the Western Front at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Big Ben sounded 11 times when the clock struck 11am as the nation honoured the Armistice centenary and also remembered all those who have lost their lives in conflict.

Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial in London / Getty Images

Ten thousand people then took part in a moving "People's Procession" in central London as a "nation's thank you" to the fallen soldiers.

He led an address and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among those attending.

Testimonies written by soldiers on November 1918, as the ceasefire took hold, were read by high school students in French, English and German.

For the first time, a German leader laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier performing the duty on behalf of his nation in an historic act of reconciliation between the two countries.

A veteran comforts a girl at the National Memorial Arboretum / PA

Elsewhere, portraits of First World War soldiers were drawn onto breaches across the UK as part of a project organised by film director Danny Boyle.

The thinking behind the Pages of the Sea project is that people have a moment to say goodbye as the tide comes in and washes the portraits away.

Piper Louise Marshall plays Battle's O'er at the Forth Bridge in Scotland / PA

Up to 10,000 veterans, serving personnel and members of the public marked the 100th anniversary of the Armistice at the National Memorial Arboretum.

As the final notes of The Last Post drifted away, the only noise that could be heard above the silence was the wind in the trees.

Soldiers' faces were drawn in sand at beaches across the UK / Getty Images

The arboretum and its centrepiece white Portland stone Armed Forces Memorial, at Alrewas, Staffordshire, provided a backdrop for a service of sombre reflection on a poignant Remembrance Sunday.

One of the biggest acts of Remembrance in Northern Ireland took place at the cenotaph at Belfast City Hall.

The Centenary Field of Thanks at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas / PAW W1 was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, and it had a huge impact on the makeup of Europe.

There are thought to have been around 40 million casualties as a result of the four-year conflict.

The war also saw the collapse of the some of the great European powers as empires broke-up and smaller states began to establish themselves and expand.

The German, Ottoman, Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires collapsed and were replaced by states such as Poland, Estonia, Czechoslovakia and Hungary, with much of Europe redrawn along ethnic lines.

The battlefield at Verdun after the major battle there / AP

What is the Armistice and where was it signed?

After four years of fighting, the leaders of the Allied Powers forced a defeated Germany to sign the Armistice aboard French general Ferdinand Foch's private train in a railway siding in the forest of Compiegne, northern France.

Among the terms that Germany agreed to were the cessation of all hostilities and the withdrawal of troops to behind the Rhine.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles was signed after six months of negotiation on June 28, 1919, which ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers.

It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers but also contained a War Guilt Clause, which burdened Germany with massive reparative costs while stripping them of territory and requiring them to disarm, which some argue lead to the rise of nationalism.

German soldiers bring in Canadian wounded during the Battle of Vimy, France / AP

How did the WW1 end?

From the outset, Germany had tried to avoid fighting an extended, and costly, war on two fronts as both Russia and France were mobilising troops.

Their original plan of action was to knock France out of the war by focusing power on the Western Front, before heading eastwards to destroy Russia.

To do this Germany intended to rapidly push into Paris, a strategy which required the unconditional right of passage through Belgium.

But the Belgians resisted this advance, which led to British intervention and a declaration of war on August 4, 1914 following Germany's refusal to respect Belgium's decision of neutrality.

Germany was now fighting a fully-mobilised Russian army on the east as well as the combined might of Britain, France and Belgium on the Western Front.

US troops advance on a path near the Somme in France / AP

Despite capturing several defensive strongholds in France, Germany failed to secure a decisive victory in the west, leading to the German Crown Prince William saying: "We have lost the war. It will go on for a long time but lost it is already."

In 1917, Russia withdrew from the war after the new Bolshevik government signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, following the October Revolution.

Their withdrawal freed up German soldiers to fight on the Western Front, who soon launched a powerful offensive which pushed back the Allied powers.

But their advance was counteracted by the Hundred Days Offensive, which crippled the Central Powers on the Western Front and eventually ended the war.

In the Middle East, British, French and Russian forces, along with local allies, defeated the Ottoman Empire through a number of offensives and campaigns, culminating in the Battle of Megido in 1918.

Soldiers carry a stretcher through the mud in Belgium / AP

Soon the German, Ottoman and Austro-Hungrian Empires were all facing revolution, mutiny and unrest, and all signed separate treaties of surrender which divided their lands, erected new governments and imposed harsh punishments.

The defeated Central Powers were made to sign treaties which inflicted upon them similar, yet weaker, punishments, while the political landscape of Europe had become permanently changed.

The fractured Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and German empires broke up into a succession of smaller states, which allowed for better representation of ethnicities and groups.

While the newly-formed League of Nations served as a global platform of discussion and peacemaker, instead of the private meetings which powers took part in before.

After the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, most soldiers were allowed to return home and those who stayed were not at a significant risk of death.P oignant archive images have shown how Britain has marked Remembrance Day over the last 100 years.

The first two minute silence was held in the UK one year after the end of the First World War in 1918.

On November 11, 1919, King George asked members of the public to observe a silence at 11am, so the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.

The silence has since been observed each year at the end of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

First World War images colourised for Armistice centenary

And Britons have taken part in Remembrance events throughout the UK to honour those who lost their lives in the war.

In 1920, a permanent Cenotaph was unveiled in Whitehall, which became the focus for remembrance events in London.

November 11, 1928: The 10-year anniversary of the day that fighting ended in World War I at the Cenotaph / Getty Images

Large crowds would gather around the war memorial and observe the two minute silence.

Princess Elizabeth lays a wreath on the Cenotaph in 1947 / Getty Images

It took the place of a temporary structure that was erected for a peace parade following the end of WWI.

One archive image from 1928 shows people marking the tenth anniversary of the armistice at the memorial.

Another, from 1947 shows the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, laying a wreath at the memorial.

Following the end of WII, the poppy was adopted as a symbol of remembrance.

From 1921, poppies were sold to support the Earl Haig for ex-servicemen. The poppies at that time were made by former soldiers and helped keep them working.

November 10, 1980: From left to right, Liberal Party leader David Steel, former Labour leader James Callaghan and Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher during a Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph / Getty Images

Now the poppy appeal is the Royal British Legions biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, the period of Remembrance.

The images show poppies used in remembrance events throughout the last century, with the flowers featured in wreaths laid by politicians at the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph.

Crowds of visitors view the 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' installation in the moat of the Tower of London on November 9, 2014 / Getty Images

In 2014, crowds of visitors were pictured around the "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red" installation in the moat of the Tower of London.

After the Second World War, both wars were remembered during church services held on the closest Sunday to November 11.

The two minute silence was observed on the closest Sunday to November 11, now known as Remembrance Sunday.

However in 1995, following a campaign by the British Legion, the two minute silence was reintroduced on November 11 in addition to Remembrance Sunday.P rince Philip was absent from the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph for the first time in almost 20 years today.

The Queen watched the Whitehall service from the balcony of the nearby Foreign and Commonwealth Office with Camilla and the Duchess of Cambridge on Sunday.

It is one of the few times the Duke of Edinburgh has missed the occasion.

He was previously unable to attend in 1956, 1964, 1968 and 1999, a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said.

Prince Philip retired from official royal duties in May 2017 but did attend last year's service at Whitehall. He was seen riding his carriage in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother the Queen for the second year in a row while an equerry placed a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh

The event marked 100 years since the signing of the treaty which ended the battle on the Western Front of the First World War at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial 1 /98 Remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales lays the Sovereign's wreath at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial PA Veterans stand side by side during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Chelsea Pensioners pass The Cenotaph Getty Images Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images Theresa May and opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn are joined by other politicians as they arrive to attend a National Service of Remembrance Reuters Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, lays a wreath Getty Images A female veteran holds a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Britain's Princes William, Harry and Andrew attend a National Service of Remembrance Reuters Members of the Armed Forces march during the annual Remembrance Sunday Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attends the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) and former British Prime Ministers Gordon Brown (L) and Tony Blair attend the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair (L) and John Major attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images War veterans march past the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday EPA Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, lay wreaths at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Veterans make their way past the Cenotaph after the remembrance service in Whitehall PA Veterans make their way past the Cenotaph after the remembrance service in Whitehall PA Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales lays the Sovereign's wreath at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Military veterans parade along Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph Reuters Veterans take part in the Royal British Legion's Veterans' March AFP/Getty Images Thousands of people fill Whitehall Reuters Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Prime Minister Theresa May during the remembrance service PA The Prince of Wales during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Military veterans parade along Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images David Cameron, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Jeremy Hunt and Sir John Major during the remembrance service PA Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the remembrance service PA Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, lays a wreath Getty Images Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, lays a wreath PA Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AP Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, watch a National Service of Remembrance REUTERS A view of the Cenotaph during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on Getty Images Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend the annual Remembrance Sunday Getty Images Members of the Royal Navy attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, center, attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AP Gavin Williamson and Former British Prime Ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown sing a hymn as they stand behind Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable and Ian Blackford during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge during the remembrance service a PA The Duchess of Sussex during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph PA The Duke of Sussex during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph PA German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a National Service of Remembrance Reuters Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) attends the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London PA PA Ian Blackford, Gordon Brown, Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Blair and Theresa May attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images AP The Royal British Legion poppy wreath is laid during the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Cherie Blair and Norma Major during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Britain's Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn lays a wreath REUTERS Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L), Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stands in silence on Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in Westminster REUTERS The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge on a balcony during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremon AFP/Getty Images Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the remembrance service PA Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L), Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images British Prime Minister Theresa May, along with other political leaders and ex-Prime Ministers, stand in silence on Whitehall Reuters Army veterans stand near the Women of World War II memorial during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May lays a poppy wreath at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May lays a poppy wreath at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Britain's opposition Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn lays a poppy wreath AFP/Getty Images President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier lays a wreath during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA British Prime Minister Theresa May, along with other political leaders and ex-Prime Ministers, stand in silence on Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph REUTERS Prince William and Harry attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony PA Prince William and Harry attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images David Cameron, Ian Blackford, Gordon Brown, Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Blair and Prime Minister Theresa May during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Veterans attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AP Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vince Cable (L), Britain's opposition Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn (2nd L) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) carry poppy wreaths to the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Service personnel stand guard along Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph Reuters London Mayor Sadiq Kha PA The Prince of Wales during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Veterans attend the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London PA Veterans attend the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London PA Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie walk through Downing Street PA Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah walk through Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Sir Vince Cable PA Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis PA Sir John Major PA Royal Navy personnel march during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA A Royal Navy sailor lines the road as people wait for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AP Veterans attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London AP Veterans attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London AP The Royal Navy Submarine Service march during the annual Remembrance Getty Images Members of the Armed Forses take part in the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images The Royal Navy Submarine Service march during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Veteran soldiers wait on Horse Guards Parade before attending a National Service of Remembrance at The Centoph in Westminster Reuters Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn walks through Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (left) and former Prime Minister David Cameron walk through Downing Street on their way to the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Veterans attend the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Scottish Secretary David Mundell walks through Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA People gather ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Home Secretary Sajid Javid arrives in Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA People queue early morning in the rain to the annual Remembrance Sunday Getty Images Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (right) in Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, PA Justice Secretary David Gauke in Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, PA

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant with her first child with Prince Harry, was attending the Remembrance events as a member of the royal family for the first time.From 830am to 430pm - Danny Boyle's Six Beaches

Six Scottish beaches are taking part in filmmaker Danny Boyle's UK-wide event to mark the centenary.

St Ninian's Isle beach in Shetland, West Sands in St Andrews, Scapa beach in Orkney, Ayr beach, Burghead Bay beach on the Moray Firth and Cula Bay beach on the isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides will have a large-scale portrait of a casualty from the conflict drawn in the sand before it is washed away by the incoming tide.

10am - Emmanuel Macron to be joined by World leaders in France

Emmanuel Macron will pay tribute to those soldiers and their families in an address delivered at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe where an unknown soldier killed in the Great War is buried.

US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are among the dozens of monarchs, heads of state and government due to attend the ceremony, before lunch with Macron at the Elysee Palace.

1030am - National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

Prince Charles is due to lead the nation's tributes to all those who have lost their lives in conflict on the centenary of the Armistice and will lay a wreath on behalf of his mother the Queen who will watch from the balcony with other senior royals.

11am - Two minute silence

The two minute silence will be marked by the firing of guns from the Kings Troop on Horse Guards Parade. Big Ben will also sound 11 times despite the clock tower being covered in scaffolding for conservation works.

12.30pm - Big Ben leads international bell-ringing

A joint campaign organised by the British and German governments will see bells ring out across the globe in unison.

1.30pm - A Nation's Thank You, the People's Procession

Ten thousand people will march by the Cenotaph. The Armistice procession is made up of descendants, family members and members of the public who won a ticket to the event in a ballot.

6pm - National Service to mark the centenary of the Armistice, Westminster Abbey

The Queen will attend accompanied by senior royals.T en thousand people took part in a moving "People's Procession" in central London as a "nation's thank you" to World War One soldiers on the centenary of the Armistice.

The procession marks the centenary of the armistice and is made up of descendants, family members and members of the public who won a ticket to the event in a ballot.

Shortly after the conclusion of the Royal British Legions March Past the Cenotaph, participants gathered to walk from St James Park, down the Mall and past the Cenotaph.

Images from the event show members of the public laying wreaths at the monument in memory of those lost fighting for their country.

A person salutes as they make their way past the Cenotaph / PA

People wore poppies, medals and carried wreaths as they made their way along the 2km route. The procession set off after the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, which was attended by senior royals and politicians.

Remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial 1 /98 Remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales lays the Sovereign's wreath at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial PA Veterans stand side by side during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Chelsea Pensioners pass The Cenotaph Getty Images Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images Theresa May and opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn are joined by other politicians as they arrive to attend a National Service of Remembrance Reuters Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, lays a wreath Getty Images A female veteran holds a wreath during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Britain's Princes William, Harry and Andrew attend a National Service of Remembrance Reuters Members of the Armed Forces march during the annual Remembrance Sunday Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attends the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn (C) and former British Prime Ministers Gordon Brown (L) and Tony Blair attend the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair (L) and John Major attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images War veterans march past the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday EPA Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, lay wreaths at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Veterans make their way past the Cenotaph after the remembrance service in Whitehall PA Veterans make their way past the Cenotaph after the remembrance service in Whitehall PA Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales lays the Sovereign's wreath at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Military veterans parade along Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph Reuters Veterans take part in the Royal British Legion's Veterans' March AFP/Getty Images Thousands of people fill Whitehall Reuters Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Prime Minister Theresa May during the remembrance service PA The Prince of Wales during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Military veterans parade along Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images David Cameron, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Jeremy Hunt and Sir John Major during the remembrance service PA Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the remembrance service PA Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, lays a wreath Getty Images Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, lays a wreath PA Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AP Britain's Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, watch a National Service of Remembrance REUTERS A view of the Cenotaph during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial on Getty Images Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend the annual Remembrance Sunday Getty Images Members of the Royal Navy attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, center, attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AP Gavin Williamson and Former British Prime Ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown sing a hymn as they stand behind Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable and Ian Blackford during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge during the remembrance service a PA The Duchess of Sussex during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph PA The Duke of Sussex during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph PA German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a National Service of Remembrance Reuters Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (R) attends the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London PA PA Ian Blackford, Gordon Brown, Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Blair and Theresa May attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images AP The Royal British Legion poppy wreath is laid during the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Cherie Blair and Norma Major during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Britain's Leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn lays a wreath REUTERS Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L), Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images Britain's Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, stands in silence on Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in Westminster REUTERS The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge on a balcony during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremon AFP/Getty Images Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May lays a wreath during the remembrance service PA Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L), Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images British Prime Minister Theresa May, along with other political leaders and ex-Prime Ministers, stand in silence on Whitehall Reuters Army veterans stand near the Women of World War II memorial during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May lays a poppy wreath at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May lays a poppy wreath at the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Britain's opposition Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn lays a poppy wreath AFP/Getty Images President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier lays a wreath during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA British Prime Minister Theresa May, along with other political leaders and ex-Prime Ministers, stand in silence on Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph REUTERS Prince William and Harry attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony PA Prince William and Harry attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AFP/Getty Images David Cameron, Ian Blackford, Gordon Brown, Jeremy Corbyn, Tony Blair and Prime Minister Theresa May during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Veterans attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph AP Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vince Cable (L), Britain's opposition Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn (2nd L) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (R) carry poppy wreaths to the Cenotaph AFP/Getty Images Service personnel stand guard along Whitehall during a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph Reuters London Mayor Sadiq Kha PA The Prince of Wales during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Veterans attend the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London PA Veterans attend the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, central London PA Former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie walk through Downing Street PA Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah walk through Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Sir Vince Cable PA Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis PA Sir John Major PA Royal Navy personnel march during the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA A Royal Navy sailor lines the road as people wait for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony AP Veterans attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London AP Veterans attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in London AP The Royal Navy Submarine Service march during the annual Remembrance Getty Images Members of the Armed Forses take part in the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images The Royal Navy Submarine Service march during the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Veteran soldiers wait on Horse Guards Parade before attending a National Service of Remembrance at The Centoph in Westminster Reuters Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn walks through Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (left) and former Prime Minister David Cameron walk through Downing Street on their way to the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Veterans attend the annual Remembrance Sunday memorial Getty Images Veterans attend the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Scottish Secretary David Mundell walks through Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA People gather ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA Home Secretary Sajid Javid arrives in Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall PA People queue early morning in the rain to the annual Remembrance Sunday Getty Images Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (right) in Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, PA Justice Secretary David Gauke in Downing Street ahead of the remembrance service at the Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, PA

Private Donald Smith, 98, and Jeff Watkins, 97, are among the oldest taking part in the march. Mr Watkins travelled from the US to participate.

Members of the public march as part of the People's Procession / Rex Features

Marion Lewis and her sister Dorothy Heslop were marching for their grandfather, Private John Waters of the 23rd Battalion Middlesex regiment.

He received a serious head wound at the Somme in October 1916 which left him missing part of his skull.

Wreaths are laid on behalf of the public as they make their way past the Cenotaph / PA

Ms Heslop said: They did not expect him to survive so they left him outside the medical tent and we think its the cold that probably saved him.

While Jackie Sheridan is marching for her great great uncle Oliver Davies who died aged just 21 while serving near Jerusalem.

Prince of Wales leads Armistice centenary tributes at the Cenotaph

He was killed by a stray bullet while taking animals to water and his family still has the letter written from his captain informing his mother of his death.

Ms Sheridan said: Its a very proud moment to represent my family who are descendants.

Members of the public make their way down Whitehall in The People's Procession / PA

Its going to be emotional to see everybody here, knowing theres 10,000 of us.

Members of the public lined the barriers, calling out thank you as marchers went past while others applauded.

The People's Procession makes its way down Whitehall / Rex Features

The event claimed it aims to give thanks to those who served in World War One and secure the victory that helped shape the rights and privileges we enjoy today.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: This will be a fitting conclusion to the four year commemorations of the centenary of the First World War and will ensure the stories from this important period of our history are passed down to future generations.B etween 1914 and 1918, around 70 million people were mobilised to fight in World War One.

The conflict became a turning point for warfare as soldiers began to truly document the horror of life at the frontline.

Today, we take a look a five soldiers whose remarkable stories from the Great War hammer home the bravery of those who fought.

Flora Sandes: The only British woman to fight on the frontline in WW1

Flora Sandes became a national hero in Serbia

Born and raised in Yorkshire, Flora Sandes was the only British woman to serve on the frontline in WW1 - fighting for the Serbian army.

Sandes, who died in 1956, volunteered for the St John Ambulance when she was 38-years-old and travelled to Serbia, where she enrolled in their army.

The reported tomboy was promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Major but severely wounded by a grenade in 1916. She later received the King George Star by the Serbian government and is still a Serbian national hero.

John Parr: The first British soldier killed during WW1

John Parr is believed to be first British soldier killed in WW1

Private John Henry Parr is believed to be the first British soldier killed during the war.

Born in July 1897 in Finchley, he was just 17-years-old when he died but the circumstances of how he died and who shot him still remain a mystery.

It is believed that he was shot by a German cavalry patrol during a reconnaissance mission on the eve of the Battle of Mons in August, 1914.

George Ellison: The last British soldier to be killed in WW1

George Eillison died just six days before his son's birthday

Private George Edwin Ellison was the last British soldier to be killed in action in WW1.

Born in York and raised in Leeds, he was shot by a sniper aged 40 while on patrol in woods just outside Mons in Belgium.

He died 90 minutes before the Armistice came into effect at 11am on November 11, 1918 and just six days before his son James' six birthday.

Henry Gunther: The last soldier to die in WW1

Sergeant Henry Gunther was the last soldier killed in WW1. He died on November 11 at 10.59am - just one minute before the ceasefire.

The 23-year-old, from Baltimore, Maryland, charged at a German machine gun nest with his bayonet near Verdun in France.

Despite his friend Sergeant Ernest Powell ordering him to stop, and the German soldiers reportedly trying to wave him away, he continued running at the post and started shooting.

The Germans reportedly only fired back when he was within yards of the post.

Sidney Lewis: The youngest British soldier to fight in WW1

Sidney Lewis was the youngest British soldier to fight in WW1 after he enlisted in August 1915 aged just 12.

Lewis, who was only 13-years-old when he fought at the Somme, was a machine gunner on the Western Front.

A stocky boy standing at 6ft 2inches, he managed to fool commanding officers because of his size, until his mother sent his birth certificate to the War Office demanding he be sent home.

He re-enlisted in 1918 and died in 1969.

Khudadad Khan: The first Muslim soldier to receive the Victoria Cross

Khudadad Khan was the first Muslim to receive the Victoria Cross / UIG via Getty Images

Khudadad Khan was the first South Asian person and the first Muslim to receive the Victoria Cross after his small team of machine gunners stalled a German advance long enough to allow for British and German reinforcements to arrive in October 1914.

Two companies of Baluchis, outnumbered and outgunned, bore the brunt of a major German offensive in the First Battle of Ypres.

They kept on firing at the advancing Germans but before long only Khan and one gun remained. Despite suffering several wounds, Khan continued to man the machine gun until he was eventually overrun.

Feigning death the Germans left him and under the cover of darkness he crawled back to his company.

Noel Godfrey Chavasse: The only WW1 soldier to be awarded Victoria Cross twice

Noel Godfrey Chavasse received the Victoria Cross twice in WWI / PA

Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse is the only person to have been awarded the Victoria Cross twice in WW1, and is still one of only three people to have received it twice.

The Royal Army Medical Corps Captain received his first medal after attending to the wounded all day during the Battle of the Somme while under heavy fire.

His second he received posthumously after he continued to care for the wounded during the Battle of Passchendaele in August 1917, despite being severely injured by shellfire.

He died from his wounds at a Casualty Clearing Station two days later.

Henry Johnson: Soldier of the first ever African American unit of the US army

American soldier Henry Johnson was part of the first ever African American unit of the US Army to fight in the war.

Standing at just 5ft 6inches, the diminutive soldier became famous for single-handedly fighting off a German raid in hand-to-hand combat.

Johnson, who was on night watch with another soldier when the attack happened, was severely injured but managed to save his fellow soldier from the raid.D onald Trump joked about being "drenched" by rain as he gave a speech at an Armistice ceremony just a day after cancelling a visit to a cemetery because of poor weather.

Talking at the Suresnes American Cemetery in France, he spoke of the terrible cost of the allied forces victory in World War One.

Thanking six World War Two veterans in the crowd, he turned to one and said: You look so comfortable up there, under shelter, as were getting drenched. Youre very smart people.

After that he complimented the group for looking in very good shape and said: I hope I look like that one day.

President Trump shelters under an umbrella as he walks through the cemetery / EPA

On Saturday, President Trump faced criticism for cancelling a trip to a World War One memorial due to bad weather.

He was due to take part in a wreath-laying event and a minute's silence at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, which is about 55 miles away from Paris.

However, heavy rain stopped him from arriving there via helicopter.

It is not the first time he has bemoaned bad weather during a speech, having complained about a bad hair day when he spoke to reporters in the rain after a fatal shooting in Pittsburgh.

President Trump thanks military personnel and veterans in attendance / EPA

After this incident, which claimed 11 lives after a gunman attacked a synagogue, he said: I was standing under the wing of Air Force One, doing a news conference earlier this morning, a very unfortunate news conference and the wind was blowing and the rain, and I was soaking wet.

I said maybe I should cancel this arrangement because I have a bad hair day.

President Trump smiles Vladimir Putin arrives at an Armistice Day event in Paris / AFP/Getty Images

In his memorial speech on Sunday, he thanked a number of military personnel in attendance and a young American boy who had saved up money to attend.

He spoke of the armistice celebrations in 1918, when people took to the streets on hearing the news of war being over, though he said: Victory had come at a terrible cost.

Mr Trump also described it as a brutal war as he spoke of those who lost their lives.

Speaking of soldiers who fell in World War One, he said: Its our duty to preserve the civilisation they protected.

Earlier in the day, Mr Trump attended an event at the Arc de Triomph, for the centenary of the armistice being signed.

He was one of around 70 world leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and Germany's Angela Merkel, to attend the service hosted by French president Emmanuel Macron.T hese fascinating black and white photos show the momentous celebrations around the world following the end of World War One in 1918.

The Armistice was officially signed at 5am on November 11, 1918, with hostilities ending on the western front around 11am.

People raced to the street to commemorate the news, waving flags as they gathered, after the document was signed in Compiegne, France.

A century on, the armistice continues to be marked on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month each year.

Crowds on the Grand Boulevards in Paris / PA

Following the news, those in the trenches put down their weapons and gathered to celebrate with their comrades.

Some took off their helmets and lifted them in the air as they received the news in invaded areas such as France and Belgium.

First World War images colourised for Armistice centenary

Meanwhile, crowds were pictured at raucous celebrations across the UK, France and United States.

An army lorry in a London street on Armistice Day, carrying jubilant passengers / Getty Images

The images show people squeezed together outside sites such as Buckingham Palace and the White House.

In France, people swarmed to the Grand Boulevards in Paris and other areas of the city.

Around the world, people rode atop vehicles or hung from their windows as they weaved excitedly through the streets.

Soldiers and civilians linked arms as they commemorated the signing of the historical document, which meant German soldiers must evacuate France and Belgium, as terms of peace were discussed.

According to experts at the Imperial War Museum, rumours had been circulating in Britain ahead of the date: "In Britain, rumours of an Armistice had been growing over the previous week.

"At 11.00am a cacophony of maroons, sirens, factory hooters, train whistles and car horns erupted.

"The immediate lifting of many wartime restrictions was celebrated with rockets, bonfires, street parties and the ringing of church bells."

Shipworkers' trucks, overflowing with shipworkers celebrating the Armistice, parade up Lower Broadway in New York City / Getty Images

Since the date, the tradition of commemorating Remembrance has continued.

It was started by King George V in the UK and is linked widely with bright red poppies.

Remembrance Sunday is held on the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day, which in 2018 falls on the actual anniversary.

A National Service of Remembrance, attended by members of the Royal Family, the Government and representatives from the armed forces, is to be held at 11am at The Cenotaph in Whitehall.

The Royal Marine buglers signal the start of the silence by playing The Last Post and The Rouse, and it is ended by a gun salute by the Royal Horse Artillery.A former Gurkha soldier joined Armistice commemorations by planting a poppy tribute at the peak of a Himalayan mountain.

Nims Purja, 35, reached the peak of Ama Dablam in the eastern region of Nepal shortly before 11am on Sunday.

Mr Purja said he wanted to do something "very special" to mark the centenary of the Armistice.

"I feel very humble to be paying tribute to all those who gave their lives for our freedom today but I wanted to do something very special for this very special day marking the centenary of the end of the First World War," he said.

Mr Purja was born in the Dhaulagiri region of Nepal and joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in 2003 before joining the Royal Marines.

Next year he is planning his biggest challenge yet when he tries to raise over 1 million for mindfulness charities.

He is aiming to climb all 14 of the 8,000 metre-plus Himalayan peaks in a single seven month season.P eople in Melbourne have donated more than $50,000 (27,837) to a homeless man who used a shopping trolley to help fend off the Melbourne knife attacker.

Michael Rogers rammed the trolley into Hassan Khalif Shire Ali who was trying to attack police officers after stabbing three people, killing one on Friday.

The incident was caught on camera, with video footage of Mr Rogers going viral online.

He told Channel Seven news: I have seen the trolley to the side, so Ive picked it up and I ran and threw the trolley straight at him. Got him but didnt get him down.

EPA

I did that motion about  quite a number of times, but it wasnt just getting him down.

Donna Stolzenberg, the founder of registered charity Melbourne Homeless Collective, started a fundraising page on GoFundMe to help the homeless man.

Melbourne Stabbing - In pictures 1 /9 Melbourne Stabbing - In pictures A screenshot taken from a supplied video made available to AAP shows an incident n which a man armed with a knife attacked several people on Bourke Street in Melbourne, Australia EPA A screenshot taken from a supplied video made available to AAP shows an incident n which a man armed with a knife attacked several people on Bourke Street in Melbourne, Australia EPA A screenshot taken from a supplied video made available to AAP shows an incident n which a man armed with a knife attacked several people on Bourke Street in Melbourne, Australia EPA Emergency workers are seen on Bourke street in Melbourne EPA Police respond to an incident at the intersection of Bourke Street and Swanston Street in Melbourne EPA Policemen block members of the public from walking towards the Bourke Street mall in central Melbourne Reuters Policemen stop members of the public from walking towards the Bourke Street mall in central Melbourne Reuters A burning car is seen near the Bourke Street mall, in Melbourne Reuters A burning car is seen near the Bourke Street mall, in Melbourne Reuters

She said: As a person he just deserves it.

Ms Stolzenberg said that Michael would have support including with financial literacy to make sure that he isnt taken advantage of. She added that her organisation would help him try to find housing and organise trauma support to help him process what happened on Friday.

Tributes left at the scene of the attack / AFP/Getty Images

Michael is experiencing homelessness and probably hasnt had much experience with large sums of money, she added.

The attacker set fire to a truck laden with gas cylinders just outside Pellegrinis cafe on Bourke street before stabbing three people.

Sisto Malaspina,74, was killed in the attack / AFP/Getty Images

The victim was named locally as Sisto Malaspina, 74, who was co-owner of Pellegrinis cafe.

Many of the popular cafes customers including Russell Crowe paid tribute to Mr Malaspina who took over the restaurant with Nino Pangrazio in 1974.

The actor posted an image to social media of himself outside the cafe with Mr Malaspina / Russell Crowe

He said: Ive been going to Pellegrinis since 1987. Never been to Melbourne without dropping in on my man."

Crowe went on: "My sweet, loyal friend, stabbed in the street by a mad man."

Police shot Mr Shire Ali after he lunged at officers.

He died of his gunshot injuries in hospital. Police confirmed it was terror related and that the culprit was known to officers.

Police said Shire Alis Australian passport was cancelled in 2015 after an intelligence report that he planned to travel to Syria, but an assessment was made that while he had radical views, he posed no threat to national security.A topless protester tried to jump in the way of the US President Donald Trumps motorcade as he travelled to a commemoration ceremony on Armistice Day in France.

The woman who had the words fake peace scrawled across her chest and stomach was quickly detained by French police officers.

She was pictured with her arms raised in the air as one officer grabbed her by the arm and another grabbed her by the waist.

Three officers then removed her and placed her at the side of the road where she was pictured lying on the floor as they stood over her.

A protester leaps in between the cars of Donald Trump's motorcade / Reuters

The woman appeared to be a member of Femen, a radical feminist activist group that is based in Paris and frequently carries out shock protests against sexism, racism, homophobia and other social and political issues.

She came within a few metres of the motorcade, in an incident that is likely to raise questions about security at the event attended by some 70 world leaders.

Police officers detain a protester who ran towards Donald Trump's motorcade / REUTERS

In France, French President Emmanuel Macron was being joined by the world leaders for a ceremony at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, where an unknown soldier killed in the Great War is buried.V ladimir Putin appeared emotional as a cellist played at an Armistice Day event in Paris.

The Russian president appeared to wipe a tear from his eye and gulped as the cameras panned towards him when the music played at the Arc de Tripomphe in France on Sunday.

As light hit his face, a tear appeared to glisten in his eyelid as award-winning musician Yo-Yo Ma performed.

President Putin was sat near to Frances Emmanuel Macron and the US president Donald Trump.

President Putin was sat close to France's Emmanuel Macron / BBC

He was the last of around 70 world leaders to arrive at the service in Paris, having travelled alone for security reasons.

Vladimir Putin looks emotional as he listens to a cellist at the French Remembrance ceremony / BBC

Mr Putin and the other leaders were a few minutes behind schedule, missing the 11am moment which was the exact time the armistice was signed.

He and Mr Trump greeted each other and shook hands upon his arrival.

President Trump and Vladimir Putin shake hands upon his arrival / AFP/Getty Images

In what proved to be an emotive event, French president Mr Macron explained the importance of remembering the lessons of World War One.

He said: "The lessons of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten. It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential."

Fighter jets had passed overhead as the leaders walked, huddled under umbrellas, to the Arc De Triomphe.

After the event, some of the leaders were scheduled to take part in a peace forum pushed by host Mr Macron.

Mr Putin is expected to meet with Mr Macron for discussions.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and German chancellor Angela Merkel also attended the congregation in Paris.

Harking back to Mr Trump and Mr Putin's exchange, the pair are set to meet in the near future, according to Russian news agencies.

Mr Putin has reportedly said he could potentially meet with the US president at the G20 summit in Argentina.S tormzy has been tipped to headline Glastonbury Festival in 2019.

In an interview with Zoe Ball on Radio 2, Emily Eavis confirmed that the headliner on Friday is new and claimed they were one of the most exciting acts in British music.

She added that its a chance for him to become the massive name that they can be.

Festival site eFestivals claimed that they have had evidence that Stormzy is confirmed for the Friday night with either Childish Gambino or Liam Gallagher also set to perform that night.

It said that The Cure on Saturday and Paul McCartney on Sunday seem plausible.

Stormzy performed on the Other Stage during last years Glastonbury and drew a large crowd.

Earlier this year, he sparked rumours he would be headlining 2019s festival after he uploaded an Instagram story with a post copying Noel Gallaghers quote about Jay Z headlining the festival in 2008.

After the confirmation of Jay Z, Noel Gallagher said: If it aint broke dont fix it. If you start to break it then people arent going to go. Im sorry, but Jay Z? No Chance.

"I'm not having hip-hop at Glastonbury. It's wrong."

Paul McCartney isnt the only act to be tipped to headline.

Kendrick Lemar, Madonna and Bruce Springsteen are other names who have been tipped to potentially headline.

Emily Eavis denied that Fleetwood Mac would be performing and said that Kate Bush, Led Zeppelin and Tom Waits were on her wishlist for future festivals.Countries & Areas

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"On this day with a symbolic charge, we are honouring our heroes, who re-wrote Romania's history and put their personal sacrifice to the service of the nation's welfare. One hundred years ago, on 11 November 1918, at 11:00, the Armistice was being signed between the powers of the Entente and Germany, an act that ended World War I. The sacrifice of the Romanian soldiers made the Greater Union of 1 December 1918 possible, a national goal that has changed the history of our country. Soon we'll be celebrating the Greater Union Centennial. Our entire gratitude to the heroes who contributed to building Great Romania!," Viorica Dancila says in her message.

The PM also voices consideration to the veterans of WWII, who "defended with patriotism, strength and a lot of courage the national values and interests."

"Today we honour as well the Romanian servicemen present over the past years in the theatres of operations, under NATO, UN, OSCE or EU mandate. It is the new generation of winners. They also had an important role in keeping peace and security in conflict areas, acknowledged by the foreign partners, supported the local populations to take their fate into their own hands and have a better life, consolidated the allies' confidence in Romania and brought a huge prestige to our country - also, with sacrifice from them and their families. Our thought goes out today with compassion to the families who lost in missions sons, husbands, fathers or dear ones. Our homage to the 29 heroes who made the supreme sacrifice. To those injured in missions we wish good health and strength, and to those in the theatres of operations, to come back home safely!," Dancila said.

At the end of her message, the PM voices on her behalf and on behalf of the Government gratitude to the Romanian veterans. "On my behalf and on behalf of Romania's Government, I am voicing gratitude to the Romanian veterans! I am proud of being part of the people having such heroes! Many happy returns, Romania!," the Prime Minister's message says.

AGERPRES .President Klaus Iohannis was among the over 70 world leaders who attended on Sunday at the Arch of Triumph in Paris the ceremony of the Centennial of the Armistice that put an end to the WWI hostilities.

US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spain's King Felipe the 6th, European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker were among those who attended the ceremony. President Iohannis was accompanied by his wife Carmen.

After they were welcomed to the Elysee Palace by French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte, the world leaders arrive to the Arch of Triumph by buses. They walked the remaning hundreds meters on Champs Elysees to the Arch of Triumph.

The US President came straight to the ceremony. Before arriving to the Arch of Triumph, a Femen militant, topless, got close to Donald Trump's convoy. Russia's President also came straight to the ceremony of the Armistice Centennial.

In the beginning of the celebrations, an aircraft escadrille coloured the sky in the colours of France's flag. The Armistice Centennial ceremony included several moments among which military honours, the troops review, the performance of the national anthem of France - "La Marseillaise" by the Army choir, the performance of some pieces composed by Sebastian Bach and Maurice Ravel by cello player Yo Yo Ma and violin player Renaud Capucon, as well as some pieces such as "Blewu" by Angelique Kidjo and Ravel's Bolero by the European Union Youth Orchestra, some pupils reading some testimonies written on the day of the armistice in 2019, the speech delivered by President Macron and moments of silence.

The world leaders will also participate on Sunday in the lunch extended by France's President and in the Paris Peace Forum. This forum is an initiative of the French President designed to generate concrete projects in the spirit of multilateralism and contemporary cooperation in support of peace.

On Saturday, President Klaus Iohannis attended an event hosted by the Embassy of Romania in Paris dedicated to the Romanian contribution to the development of science and technology in the Centennial Year of Romania's Greater Union. Moreover, the Romanian President and his wife Carmen attended the events organised by the French Presidency at the Orsay Museum on Saturday and visited the 'Picasso Bleu et Rose' exhibition, and took part in a dinner extended by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in honour of the heads of state, government and international organisations.

One hundred years ago, on 11 November 1918, the cannons on all WWI fronts were silenced, after 5 years of bloody combat, at the coming into force of the Armistice signed by Germany and the Entente representatives in a train wagon in Compeigne, France.

The Armistice Day is commemorated each year on 11 November to celebrate the peace treaty signed between the Entente and the Central Powers in Compiegne, France, an event that marked the end of the hostilities on the West Front in WWI. Initially, this truce ceased after a 36-day period. The treaty on the definitive cessation of hostilities was formally signed in Versailles in 1919.

AGERPRES .President Klaus Iohannis and his wife Carmen were welcomed at the Elysee Palace on Sunday by French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside his wife Brigitte.

The international leaders attending on Sunday the ceremony at the Arch of Triumph devoted to the Centennial of the Armistice that ended the hostilities in WWI were welcomed at the Elysee Palace by France's President and his wife.

From the Elysee Palace, the over 70 world leaders will go to the Arch of Triumph. US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are among the participants.

The ceremony includes several moments - military honours, the troops review, the performance of France's national anthem - "La Marseillaise" by the Army's choir, as well as the performance of some pieces such as Ravel's Bolero, some French pupils reading some written testimonies of the Armistice day of 1918, President Macron's speech and moments of silence.

Also on Sunday, President Iohannis will attend the official lunch offered to heads of delegations Macron at Elysee Palace and the opening of the Paris Peace Forum. This forum is an initiative of the French President designed to generate concrete projects in the spirit of multilateralism and contemporary cooperation in support of peace.

On Saturday, President Klaus Iohannis attended an event hosted by the Embassy of Romania in Paris dedicated to the Romanian contribution to the development of science and technology in the Centennial Year of Romania's Greater Union. Moreover, the Romanian President and his wife Carmen attended the events organised by the French Presidency at the Orsay Museum on Saturday and visited the 'Picasso Bleu et Rose' exhibition, and took part in a dinner extended by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in honour of the heads of state, government and international organisations.

One hundred years ago, on 11 November 1918, the cannons on all WWI fronts were silenced, after 5 years of bloody combat, at the coming into force of the Armistice signed by Germany and the Entente representatives in a train wagon in Compeigne, France.

The Armistice Day is commemorated each year on 11 November to celebrate the peace treaty signed between the Entente and the Central Powers in Compiegne, France, an event that marked the end of the hostilities on the West Front in WWI. Initially, this truce ceased after a 36-day period. The treaty on the definitive cessation of hostilities was formally signed in Versailles in 1919.

AGERPRES .Ten European states have created a new defense coalition. It was launched on June 25 and held its first historic meeting in Paris on Nov.7 to start thrashing out details of how the force will operate and welcome Finland as the tenth participant. All founding nations are EU members, including Great Britain, which is to leave the bloc in March, 2019. Led by France, the European Initiative Intervention (EII) comprises the UK, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Finland to cooperate in the planning, analysis of new military and humanitarian crises, and possible joint activities in response to contingencies. It is planned to have a common budget.

In a nutshell, the EII members will maintain readiness to carry out missions together independently from the United States, the EU or NATO. A streamlined decision-making process will permit a quick reaction time while the smaller number of members will give more flexibility in comparison with the North Atlantic Alliance, where the process is based on consensus among 29 nations, or the EU, which has failed to deploy the four multinational military battle groups created as far back as 2007.

French President Macron said he wanted a real European army because We have to protect ourselves with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America. When I see President Trump announcing that hes quitting a major disarmament treaty which was formed after the 1980s Euromissile crisis that hit Europe, who is the main victim? Europe and its security, he told Europe 1 in his first radio interview since becoming president. Emmanuel Macron believes that Europe can ensure its own protection against Russia and even, under an unpredictable President Donald Trump. Thats how the US is viewed in Europe now. Not a defender but rather a threat.

The goal: that our armed forces learn get to know each other and act together, French Defense Minister Florence Parly tweeted on the occasion of launching the EII. Thanks to exchanges between staff and joint exercises, we will create a European strategic culture. We will be ready to anticipate crises and respond quickly and effectively, he commented on the final goal.

According to Stratfor, the EI2's membership reveals that France is willing to go beyond the European Union in its quest for partners (as the United Kingdom will leave the bloc in 2019) and also outside of NATO (as Finland is not a member of the Atlantic alliance).

The EU defense integration moves ahead at frustratingly slow pace. The 2017 Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) defense agreement brought together 25 of the 28 armed forces. The UK, Denmark and Malta have decided to opt out of the voluntary system. Focused mainly on industrial cooperation, PESCO is not a great thing in real terms. It only offers a relatively small special fund to finance operations. It does not provide the EU with real joint fighting forces but rather offers a gradual integration at slow pace. The agreement has no provision on defense expenditure hike. The EU budget does not allocate money for creation of European Army. Besides, there are deep divisions between EU members states with different groups formed inside the Union. What sounds good on paper, may have little relation to real life. New smaller alliances are gradually being formed inside NATO and the EU  the blocs facing the threat of partition.

This and US President Trump overturning the treaties and putting into question the invocation of Article 5 prompted the formation of the new European defense alliance that is supposed to have real teeth and operate outside the EIIs control. The French-led initiative uniting EU and non-EU countries is especially attractive for Great Britain, which seeks a potential vehicle for post-Brexit defense cooperation outside the EU framework.

An independent military bloc will weaken NATO and reduce the Europes dependence on the United States. From this point of view, it will benefit Europe because its interests often do not coincide with that of the US. For instance, America cares little about the immigration, which is a far-flung problem for Washington, but keeping new migrants waves away is a matter of make it or break it for EU. In their turn, Europeans have nothing to do in Iraq and Afghanistan and have sent forces there only to demonstrate the transatlantic solidarity.

As one can see, Finland has found the EII preferable to NATO. But having joined the officially inaugurated new military alliance, it wont be a neutral state anymore. It has become a member of the military organization, which openly says that Russia, its neighbor, is a threat to counter. This is a very significant change in the countrys foreign policy. Actually, the launching of the EII has attracted little media attention and undeservedly so, but the Finlands EII membership has not gone unnoticed in Russia. Last year, Finland along with Sweden joined the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). It has allowed to use NATO forces use its territory during exercises, such as Trident Juncture-2018  the largest NATO training event since the cold War.

The UK has always opposed the plans to create a European defense alliance, fearing it would be detrimental for NATO. Now it has done an about-face. It can continue to maintain special ties with US being a part of the new European defense alliance.

The formation of the EII shows how deep are the rifts dividing NATO and the EU into groups pursuing their own interests. These large organizations appear to have seen better days. They have become too large to be really united and strong. Like the empire of Alexander the Great, such large organizations have short lives. NATO and EU expansions were mistakes. It may never be said officially but the ten European nations have delivered a heavy blow against the US-led NATO. If the project does not gradually die away with all the ideas and initiatives swept under the rug being entangled in red tape, President Emmanuel Macron will go down in history as the architect of new large and powerful defense alliance to change the European security landscape.

The tensions and divisions between Europe and Russia are not forever and the EII and Russia dont have to be adversaries, looking at each other through crosshairs. After all, they face common security threats. Sooner or later, cooperation in the field of security will be back on the agenda.

New waves of asylum seekers from Libya are a potential danger for Europe. Russia has influence in that country- it can help to prevent it. Joining together to restore Syria is another potential area of cooperation. The deployment of intermediate range weapons in Europe could be prevented with the INF Treaty not in force anymore if certain agreements were reached at Russia-Europe level even without US participation. The military activities can be discussed to ease the tensions. While the United States is preoccupied with the promotion of America First concept, the EII and Russia can talk. They could use the OSCE framework for it.

In August, President Macron called for strategic partnership with Russia. According to him, I think that on matters like cybersecurity, defense, strategic relationships, we could envisage the outlines of a new relationship between Russia and the EU which is coherent with the direction Europe is headed in. No improvement in the Russia-EU, Russia-NATO relationships is looming but it could be different regarding the ties between the EII and Russia. The options are a dialog and confrontation. Which of them will prevail? You never know. President Macron has said he prefers the first.They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn;

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them.

 Laurence Binyon, World War I

When I was at school in Scotland, very many years ago, we learned about the First World War from a distinguished historian who enjoyed enlivening his instruction with little anecdotes. And one day he told us that during that war there had been a story about Russian soldiers who allegedly were seen on the way to the Western Front in France. Supposedly they had landed by troopship in northern Scotland and were being transported south by train and people knew they were Russians because they had snow on their boots.

We laughed, as we were meant to do, because this was impossible. Although of a tender age, we knew that even in frigid Scotland, the snow would have melted and they couldnt have had snow on the boots. Yes, said our teacher, that is so  but there were Russian soldiers in France, all the same, which was the point he wanted to make : that it was a truly World War, with representation from a very large number of countries. Indeed the effects of the war were global, in that it altered sovereignty and boundaries all over the world.

So we registered all this and went on to other historical studies, but it is regrettable that we and most of the world forgot about the engagement of Russian troops in battles on the Western Front, because this commitment was an important cameo in international affairs. Not only that  and more significantly  the suffering and sacrifice of Russian soldiers deserves to be remembered in the same vein as the misery, mutilation and death of millions of those of the many other nations involved.

As observed by Britains Imperial War Museum, Britains policy was to maintain a balance of power in Europe. Germanys growing strength and manifest pursuit of world power status persuaded Britain to align with its traditional rivals: France in 1904 and Russia in 1907. This connected Britain, France and Russia in the Triple Entente and led to a request by France in 1915 for Russia to send troops to fight alongside the French on the Western Front.

By that time, Russia had suffered several serious reverses on its own borders and, as recorded by Professor Paul Dukes of Aberdeen University, The Eastern Front in the First World War commands far less attention than the Western, even though it extended further, involved more soldiers and probably resulted in more losses. It saw four empires destroyed: Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany and Turkey. Russia lost at least as many men as any other combatant, yet its contribution has often been neglected, no doubt because Russia has often been considered apart from Europe, especially after the Revolution of 1917.

In 1916 Russia established four special brigades of which numbers 2 and 4 were sent to Macedonia and 1 and 3 to France. 1st Brigade was formed in January 2016 with a strength of 8,942 men and, commanded by General Nikolai Aleksandrovich Lokhvitsky, left Russia on February 3 and arrived in Marseille on April 16. 3rd Brigade was formed in Yekaterinburg under command of General Fyodor Fyodorovich Palitzin and arrived in France in September 1916 to complete the Russian Expeditionary Force of some 20,000 men, of whom over 5,000 were killed in action.

The Russian cemetery and memorial at Saint Hilaire le Grand. 915 soldiers are buried there and the chapel is dedicated to all Russian soldiers who died in France in the First World War

Both formations fought well, but being under direct command of the French Army they were committed to the Nivelle offensive of April-May 1917, which was a disaster. As summarised by one analyst, The huge offensive, involving 1.2 million men, was the plan of Robert Nivelle, Commander-in-Chief of the French Army. By the time the Offensive was over, tens of thousands of Allied troops had been killed or wounded; the French Army had been pushed to mutiny in over half its divisions and Nivelle had been sacked. The Russian brigades captured the town of Courcy and successfully defended it against German counter-attacks for three days but lost 700 soldiers killed and 3,000 wounded in what was the last operation the Expeditionary Force conducted as a formed body of troops.

The overthrow of the Tsar and the Revolution complicated affairs, and understandably there were violent disagreements among soldiers of the Expeditionary Force concerning their loyalties. The Force as such had to be disbanded, but the French government subsequently arranged formation of a Russian Legion of volunteers from the original contingents, and it served with great distinction as a brigade of the Moroccan Division, notably at the defence of Aisne in May 1918, against the German Spring Offensive, and the battle of Soissons in July.

Some Russians returned home after the war, but many stayed in France, which now has several memorials to those who served and died.

The Memorial in Paris to the Russian Expeditionary Force was sculpted by Vladimir Surovtsev and inaugurated on 21 June 2011 by President Putin and Prime Minister Francois Fillon. It is on the bank of the Seine, near the Grand Palais.

Lest we ForgetOnce more the American CIA proved itself spectacularly inept at managing spies in foreign countries. This example was recent revelations about how between 2009 and 2013 the CIA used a vulnerable (to enemy access) Internet-based communications system to supervise local agents in China and Iran. During that time a growing number of CIA tech staff and even field agents warned that the system was vulnerable and should be changed. That was done when it was obvious that the Internet-based messaging system was the reason that over 50 local agents in China (mostly) and Iran were rounded up. Most of these agents were executed after being interrogated (often with considerable violence, that being the custom in those nations). This incidence of fatally incompetent management was not unique for the CIA. Such fatal incompetence handling foreign spies is a bad habit going back decades and seemingly immune to change. It basically comes down to senior management becoming too complacent or unwilling to act lest it cause problems with elected superiors. Key allies like Britain, Israel, France and others, with much smaller, but less lethal (to their own agents) espionage agencies have learned not to share data on their field agents with the Americans. Meanwhile, it is incredibly difficult for CIA field agents to recruit useful spies in foreign nations. The reason for this, those who spy for the CIA tend to die.

One of the more spectacular revelations about how the CIA was more played than a player when it comes to HUMINT (information from people in the field) occurred in 2015 when the CIA admitted that it had been on the receiving end of an espionage XX (double cross) campaign during the Cold War. This XX term first became known to the public in the early 1970s when Britain revealed how during World War II they had successfully "turned" every intelligence agent that the Germans had managed to infiltrate into Great Britain. Thus for virtually the entire war, they were able to feed misleading information to the enemy. Britain called this the XX (double cross) System and it was accomplished with superior operatives and techniques.

The Cold War XX occurred mainly in Europe where the Russians set up efficient intelligence organizations in all the East European nations they took over (as satellite nations) after World War II. These mini-KGBs (the ruthless and efficient Soviet secret police) were there mainly to keep the local population under control. That meant it was a very hostile environment for foreign spies. The U.S. paid lip service to these formidable KGB capabilities if only because those who formed the CIA after World War II knew of the British XX System. But over the decades CIA leadership came to believe they were somehow immune to being victims of a Russian XX play. This illusion was painfully shattered after the Cold War ended when the extent of how the CIA got played by Russian XX efforts in East Europe slowly emerged. The Russians, like the British after World War II, kept a lot of their XX successes secret for as long as they could. The unexpected collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 set free a lot of KGB secrets. When the XX debacle became common knowledge in the government, CIA leaders shrugged it off. But not everyone in the CIA agreed that the XX disaster could just be ignored. A lot of people who worked for the CIA (Americans and foreigners) died because of the successful Soviet XX effort. The false information the Russians passed on hurt the United States and that mattered. The poor condition of American espionage capabilities mattered. Ignoring the threat in the future increases the risks of getting bit by an XX play again. That matters a lot, but is still ignored.

The revival of the Cold War with Russia in 2014 (as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine and American allies in East Europe) has had some interesting side effects. One is a growing rebellion within the CIA against the Cold War mentality that continues to tolerate superior Russian ability to plant and operate spies within the United States while frequently succeeding in turning (into double agents) spies the United States believes it has operating inside Russia. Many CIA officials believe the U.S. is already falling victim to another Russian XX campaign. This problem rarely gets much mention in the media. There are a few exceptions. In 2013 a CIA agent was expelled from Russia after getting caught while trying to carry out an embarrassingly amateur operation. The man (operating as a junior State Department employee at the U.S. embassy) had been arrested earlier while trying to recruit a senior Russian security official. That effort backfired and the CIA man did not detect a trap. Russia later revealed that this also happened a few months earlier but was kept quiet so as to maintain good relations with the U.S. But after the second incident the Russians saw an opportunity to use these sloppy CIA operations for domestic propaganda, to remind Russians that in one area at least they are better than the Americans. To add insult to injury, the Russians also showed their displeasure by revealing the name of the senior CIA official (the resident in spy-speak) in Russia. This fellow was forced to leave, which is what the Russians apparently wanted. They hold the CIA resident responsible for this sloppy and embarrassing use of espionage tradecraft. By mutual consent, Russia and the U.S. usually keep the names of their own and the other nations residents secret. That rule is only breached when you want to send an important message to the other side. Not mentioned was the fact that this sort of sloppiness is usually indicative that XX is in play.

Some say that 2013 incident triggered the increased pressure by active and retired CIA field operatives (the people who recruit and run spies in foreign countries) on CIA leadership, and key members of Congress (the ones who have oversight on intel operations) to put an end to the policy of tolerating this poor performance. The field agents point out that when operating against Islamic terrorist groups the old lackadaisical Cold War attitudes (because no one, Americans, got killed) is no longer justifiable. It turns out that this policy of sloppy spying and ignoring the effects is alive and well in the CIA and the U.S. government.

The real embarrassment is that, since the 1970s, U.S. spies have become rare and competent ones even more scarce. Normally this does not bother the CIA or the U.S. government which got used to a situation many in the intel profession are coming to regret more and more. But it is a problem when there is an emergency. So, since September 11, 2001, the U.S. has been forced to rely more on contractors, but even skilled freelancers are reluctant to take on the Russians, who have dominated the traditional spy business for most of the last century.

The decline of American espionage competence is an aftereffect of the Church Committee. This was an investigative operation sponsored by Congress in the late 1970s that sought to reform and punish the CIA. The reforms were mainly about eliminating CIA spying inside the United States, or doing stuff for the president that Congress did not approve of. There was also a desire to avoid any CIA connection with foreign unpleasantness (like using unsavory people as spies or informants, paying foreign politicians for information, or using contractors to run informant networks). This led to a growing list of restrictions on what the CIA could do overseas and at home. Congress was out to make sure no future president (the CIA works for the president) could use the CIA, as had been done during the Vietnam War and before.

The CIA interpreted all this as "no more James Bond stuff." After the 1970s, the CIA relied more on spy satellites and other electronic monitoring for their reports on what was going on in the world. But defecting Russians and those from other communist nations were welcome and, all too often, believed when they should not have been. The Church Committee insured that the CIA became a much less interesting place to work for practitioners of traditional (on the ground, up close and personal) espionage. A lot of the most capable people got out over the next two decades. Recruiting became difficult. But after September 11, 2001, the CIA was tossed a huge pile of money and told to staff up and get going and save us all from the Islamic terrorists. The Church Committee restrictions were largely, if not completely, ignored. But long lists of things-you-couldn't-do were still on the books. After a decade of doing whatever it took, the rules are being enforced again.

But now the CIA is back to where it was in 2001, scrambling to rebuild a Cold War era force of spies who knew how to operate in Russia. That capability was not damaged by the Church Committee as much as espionage in other parts of the world (especially Latin America, Africa and Asia) was. Unlike 2001, where experienced agents who had worked in Pakistan during the 1980s (to support operations against Russia in Afghanistan) could be recalled from retirement, most of the Russia veterans are largely too old to bring back.

This means the CIA will have to rely on an expedient used after 2001 and that was the use of contractors to run Pakistan intel operations. Things were not done by the book, but results were demanded, especially efforts to find Osama bin Laden. Everyone looked the other way while the deed was done. By 2011 it was official policy to consider Iraq operations over and Afghanistan winding down. At that point, Congress was again calling for investigations and rogue operators to punish. This sort of thing makes it very difficult to recruit and keep competent spies, even as contractors. It will not be easy to put together a useful espionage operation to deal with Russia.

But it's not just paper bullets intelligence operatives have to worry about these days. The post-9/11 world dramatically altered the way that national intelligence services do business. For one, the craft of espionage and military intelligence has become inherently more dangerous for case officers and agents in an age of terrorism and insurgency than it was during the Cold War.

This is a complete turnaround from the way business was done during the Cold War in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Many case officers on all sides, whether CIA, Mi6, or KGB, served out their entire 20 or 30 year careers as professional spies without ever having touched a firearm after their initial tradecraft courses. After all, getting into gun battles was not their job. Collecting information was. Furthermore, the case officers themselves, often operating under official diplomatic cover, didn't really have anything to fear if they were caught or their covers blown, except a ruined career and expulsion from whatever country they operated in. The ones in real danger were always the informants, or "assets", that the case officers recruited, who were liable to face execution if they were found out. Simply put, spying really wasn't that dangerous for the case officers.

After the War on Terrorism began, the Cold War rules began to rapidly disappear. For one thing, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq, along with most places that CIA officers operate today, are actual war zones with nothing "cold" about them. During traditional peacetime, case officers don't really have to worry about their own safety, just that of their informants. Once you get involved with terrorists or an actual shooting war starts, all of that changes, and intelligence officers (whether CIA or Army Intelligence) become major high-value targets for terrorist and insurgents. Since 2001, over a dozen (the exact number is classified) CIA officers have been killed in the line of duty. In short, the espionage business has gotten far more dangerous in a very short period of time.

This has necessitated a number of dramatic changes in the way the Americans, British, and other professional intelligence services do business where they are needed most (in war zones). For one, the spooks are getting strapped. Case officers working in places like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even Egypt routinely carry handguns everywhere they go to defend themselves should the need arise. During the Cold War this was unnecessary and generally considered a stupid liability since being caught with a weapon would probably get you booted out of the country you operated in. Not anymore.

Besides carrying guns, agencies and case officers are paying extra attention to things like counter-surveillance, disguises, and evasive driving. Carrying a sidearm is necessary for a case officer working in a city like Karachi or Kabul, the truth remains that getting into a gunfight is still the last resort and should be avoided at all costs. Case officers know that the most effective way to avoided being a terrorist target is to avoid following the same routines every day, varying routes to and from work/meetings, never sleeping in the same safe house for too long, and generally making one's life as varied and unpredictable as possible. Experienced spies know that if you can't be found, you can't be a target. The best game plan is to be as invisible as possible. Using contractors to run your informant networks is the best cover of all, unless Congress is looking for someone to prosecute.

Russia is different, as the Russians always had the best spies (because of superior recruiting, training, and management). A lot of those spies were cut loose after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, and some of them offered to talk (if the price was right). What these guys revealed was chilling for Western intel agencies, a decades long tale of successful old-school espionage operations. The KGB was so good that most of these ops were not even suspected, especially the XX ones. But the new information enabled the U.S. to roll up a number of well-placed Russian agents and moles and provide evidence supporting calls for a return to traditional espionage. Congress was still hostile to that and the September 11, 2001 attacks were one result. The current tragicomedy of errors in Russia, China and Iran is another. There will be more.Good Morning SunLive readers and welcome back to Sunday, also known today as Armistice Day. It is 100 years since the end of World War One.

Weather-wise for today, it is looking fine with the odd chance of a shower this morning. There is also some light winds about.

Looking into the weather for this week, tomorrow is fine spells with a few afternoon showers, with the same forecast going into Tuesday.

Your high for today is 19 degrees with an overnight low of 13 degrees.

Today, as you might be aware, is Armistice Day. There are lots of ceremonys happening around the city, so make sure you head along.

Tauranga citys official Armistice Day service will begin with a march, starting at 10.45am at Memorial Park.

Road closures for this event will be in place from 9am till 2pm.

Roads that are closed are, Fraser Street, between 11th and 13th Ave. 11th Ave between Fraser Street and Devonport Road, including the roundabout, will also be closed.

For more information, click here:

Today is the day that Papamoa gets their new cenotaph unveiled, with a dedication starting at 2pm.

For more information about how to get involved, click here:

The Te Puna QuarryFest is also on today. It is a fundraiser for the Quarry committee and is run by the Bethlehem Te Puna Lions Club.

A whole range of different stallholders will be there, with something for everyone to enjoy.

An entry of $4 per adult is too paid at the gate.

For more information, click here:

To check out what else is happing around the Bay, check out the Whats On listings below:

Sunday 11 November:

Armistice Service

10:50am. 100 year celebration of the end of WW1. Free meal at 53 Te Okuroa Drive Papamoa. Ph Julie 0274 205 375

Bayclay Exhibition 2018

Presented by Bethlehem Pottery Club. 10am-3pm. Baycourt Exhibition Hall, Durham St, Tauranga. Guest exhibitor, Petra Meyboden. www.facebook.com/bayclayexhibition

Bell Meditation

Peace is the peoples power. 11am. FB page maunganuimassmeditation. Ph Mataora 021 244 8288

Bible Seminar

1:45pm Greerton Senior Citizens Hall, Maitland St, Greerton. Title: Understanding the Sacrifice of Jesus. Interactive, Q&A. All welcome. Vic 543 0504

BOP Oodle Club

Playdates for dogs for socialising & fun! All dog breeds welcome. Meets monthly on first Sunday, 2-3pm, Fergusson Park. Free. www.oodlehq.co.nz

Corkers Toastmasters

Wow your audience Corkers Toastmasters meets 3rd Sunday of month at The Zone Cafe, Owens Place, Mt Maunganui at 2pm. Ph Chrissy 027 296 7939

Croquet

Tauranga Domain, Cameron Rd, 12:45 for 1pm start. Beginners welcome. Ph Peter 571 0633

International Travel, Home Hosting

Go to the friendshipforce.org & attend one of our Sunday or Thursday monthly meetings to learn more. Ph Barbara 574 5711, Jonathan 572 2091

Maketu Market

Maketu Market is held on 3rd & 5th Sundays of each month from 6am at Maketu Village Green. Ph Pat 021 447 420 or Carolyn 027 251 0388

Miscellany Orchestral Concert

BOP Symphonia with flute soloist Bridget Douglas in Mozart, Beethoven, Nielsen, Kodaly. Baycourt, 2:30pm. All tickets $10 (service fee applies).

Power of Prayer Employment

Seeking employment? Wanting a change from your current position? Your business needs growth/direction? Join us at Mount Baptist, Tui St & Ranch Rd 6:30pm

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sundays & Thursdays 1:30pm, in pond behind 24 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Tauranga Waldorf School Fair

10am-3pm at Tauranga Waldorf School. Prepare for a day of magic with fun, gourmet food, unique gifts. Something to delight all ages!

Tibetan Buddhist Teachings

Teachings by Geshela Jamyang Sherab held at the Papamoa Community Centre, alternate Sundays, 10am -12pm. Teachings Free, Dana appreciated. For dates ph Jaki on 021 216 1102

Walk 2 D'Feet MND

You are invited! Motor Neurone Disease Fundraiser at Fergusson Park, Matua, from 9:30am. Live music, silent auction, food, Dan the puppet man & more! www.mndwalk.org.nz

Wanganui Girls' College OGA

Tauranga Branch Christmas Function 4pm Tauranga Sport Fishing Club Sulphur Point Marina. Guest Speaker Angie Warren-Clark MP. For details ph Pauline 548 2110Bay of Plenty

Tired of lock down and want to get back too work? Are you looking to step up and become Supervisor? Well, my client might...



View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nzManuka, its known as liquid gold, but its also the subject of recent controversy with fake Manuka honey doing the rounds and Australians trying to claim it as their own.

Associate Professor Mike Clearwater from the University of Waikato explores the plant behind the honey at the next Cafe Scientifique in Tauranga on Monday November 19.

From reviled weed to treasured medicinal plant, our view of Manuka has always depended on its role in our lives. For many that view has been transformed by the discovery of the properties of its unusual honey, says Mike.

As the Manuka honey industry continues to expand rapidly, millions of seedlings are being planted, and landowners, bee keepers and exporters are competing fiercely for access to a limited resource.

What is it that makes this plant so different? Mike will examine the latest research on Manuka, from its genetics to the biology of nectar production. How does the plant make nectar, and why does the nectar contain its active ingredients? Is it really the same plant growing in Australia, and how does the nectar of its Australian cousins compare with the local varieties?

A plant biologist, Mike originally studied at the University of Auckland, before undertaking a PhD at the University of Edinburgh and post-doctoral work in the USA.

Upon returning to New Zealand, he joined Plant and Food Research in Te Puke as a research scientist, spending much of his time working on the biology of the Bay of Plentys kiwifruit and avocado crops.

Transferring to the University of Waikato in 2009, he is now leading a research project examining the biology of flowering and nectar production by Manuka. His research expertise includes plant physiology, vascular biology and the development of flowers and fruit.

Cafe Scientifique is a regular Tauranga-based seminar series where anyone can explore the latest scientific thinking and research from national and international speakers. Cafe Scientifique is organised by Saffron Consulting Ltd and supported by the University of Waikato.

There is a $5 cover charge.

Event: Cafe Scientifique, Tauranga.

Topic: Manuka: The plant behind the honey.

Presenter: Associate Professor Mike Clearwater, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato.

Time and Date: Monday, 19 November 2018. Doors open 6.30pm, presentation starts 7.00pm.

Location: Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive, Sulphur Point, Tauranga.

Register at: https://bit.ly/2PgjVgK

Contact: julia.banks@saffronconsulting.co.nzA Tauranga school is celebrating the archaeological heritage of Otumoetai Pa through art in a display which opens at the Childrens Section of Tauranga City Library today.

Entitled Otumoetai Pa through Childrens Eyes, the display was inspired by a recent trip to the Otumoetai Pa Historic Reserve, where Matua School students took part in a Mihi Whakatau [Welcome] as part of its Taha Maori Week.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the students to hear legends and some of the history of the Pa, as well as Mauao, Matakana and the harbour itself.

Matua School is located next to Otumoetai Pa, and the students feel very fortunate to have such a special place with great historical significance on its doorstep, says Rachel Darmody, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taongas Lower Northern Senior Archaeologist who is helping to coordinate the display.

The children were inspired by the place and the stories that they heard, and this is reflected in the artwork and text of the Year 2 students that will be on display, along with a number of archaeological artefacts relating to Otumoetai Pa.

Once a heavily fortified settlement, Otumoetai Pa came under fierce attack throughout the 1820s and 1830s by Northern tribes armed with muskets  but its strong defences held and it was never taken. It was also the site where local rangatira rejected the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Prior to the establishment of Tauranga, Otumoetai Pa was once known as the capital of the district and continued to play a significant role in the history of the area.

Otumoetai Pa through Childrens Eyes is a joint initiative between Tauranga City Council, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Matua School. The display opens on November 12 and runs through to November 23.SALINA, N.Y. -- A Salina man accused of breaking into a neighbor's apartment Friday resisted arrest Saturday and was tased by officers, according to New York State police.

Joshua T. Jackstadt, 31, of apartment 1 at 803 Buckley Road in Salina, was arrested for second-degree burglary, criminal obstruction of breathing, resisting arrest and menacing, police said.

On Friday, Jackstadt was accused of breaking into a neighbor's apartment and choking his neighbor, police said. Jackstadt left his neighbor's apartment before officers arrived, police said.

On Saturday, police responded to apartment 2 at 803 Buckley Road in Salina with an arrest warrant for Jackstadt, police said. Police told Jackstadt that he was under arrest and told him to put his hands behind his back, but Jackstadt refused all verbal commands, police said.

Offiers tried to arrest Jackstadt, but he resisted, police said. The officers then tased Jackstadt and he was arrested, police said.

Jackstadt was taken to the Onondaga County Justice Center, pending his arraignment.MATTYDALE, N.Y. -- A bullet fired through the floor of a Mattydale apartment nearly hit a teen in an apartment below Friday, according to New York State Police.

Steven A. Shelley, 28, and Keith A. Hartle, 27, both of apartment 7 at 107 Endres Drive in Mattydale, were arrested after the incident. Shelley faces charges of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said. Hartle was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having a metal knuckle knife and collapsible baton, police said.

On Friday at 9:15 p.m., police in North Syracuse responded to a shots fired complaint at 107 Endres Drive in Mattydale, police said. Two men began fighting in a hallway when one of the two men, later identified as Shelley, fired a round from a 9mm handgun, police siad.

The bullet traveled through the floor and landed next to a 14-year-old in a first-floor apartment, police said.

Hartle was released on an appearance ticket while Shelley was taken to the Onondaga County Justice Center for centralized arraignment, police said.WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- State police are asking for the public's help in finding the owner of a woman's wedding ring found at Victoria's Secret in Watertown.

Troopers have been looking for the owner of the ring since July, but haven't had any luck so they sent out a news release last week asking for the public's help.

Someone found the wedding band at the Victoria's Secret store in the Salmon Run Mall and gave it to mall officials, troopers said. State police were then contacted.

State police did not provide a description of the ring, except to say it belongs to a woman. They ask anyone with information or questions about the ring to call them at (315) 782-2112.SUNY Oswego College officials Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with a ceremony that included dedication of a monument.

The monument unveiling, led by college President Deborah F. Stanley, took place Sunday afternoon along Washington Boulevard between Sheldon Hall and the Park Hall lot.

The monument notes the college's role in World War I.

Twenty students from the college were killed in the war including Jesse Merle Hewitt; Hewitt Union was named in his honor. He died in France.

During war, the campus hosted an Army Training Corps, which graduated 400 soldiers. The training included drills and vocational classes taught by Oswego faculty.

On Nov. 11, 1918, the Allies and Germany signed an armistice at Compiegne, France ending hostilities. It took effect on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.

We don't think too much about the mechanics of voting until something goes wrong. That was the case on Election Day in New York City. The ballot was two pages long to accommodate all the candidates and propositions, causing scanners to break down. Many voters waited in long lines for the machines to be fixed. Some who couldn't wait just gave up.

A paper jam should never be allowed to disenfranchise voters. And it wouldn't, if New York had early voting like 37 other states and the District of Columbia. This is within reach, now that voters have put Democrats in charge of both houses of the state Legislature and the governor's office.

Making it easier for New Yorkers to vote should be among the first orders of business when lawmakers return to work in January.

Early voting would give people the option of casting a ballot when it is convenient for them, around their work, school and family obligations. Elderly and disabled people could arrange for transportation to the polls when it is most available. Bad weather on Election Day would not depress voter turnout as much. There would be shorter lines and less stress on poll workers and voting technology on Election Day.

Earlier this year, the Legislature missed a chance to bring early voting to New York. Gov. Andrew Cuomo added $7 million in his proposed state budget for each county to open one early voting polling place for every 50,000 in population. The proposal did not survive budget negotiations with the leadership of the Republican-controlled state Senate. Next year must be different.

While the Legislature is at it, they should remove other obstacles to voting in New York. Automatically register people to vote when they apply for a driver's license. Let people change their party affiliation closer to Election Day, rather than making them do it more than a year in advance, to increase voter participation in primaries. Allow New Yorkers to vote by absentee ballot without an excuse. Or simply allow voting by mail, as 22 states have done.

More than 6 million New Yorkers voted this time around, either in person or by absentee ballot, up from 3.9 million four years ago, according to the state Board of Elections. But there are more than 11 million active registered voters in the state. How many more people would vote if New York made it easier and more convenient? Let's find out.

Syracuse.com editorials

Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our

Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli.

To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to

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If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, atTuesday's midterm elections dominate the editorial cartoons this week.

Democrats won a majority in the House of at least 30 seats; once all the votes are counted, it could be a 38-seat margin. A record number of women ran, and won, seats in Congress, which was widely seen as a rebuke of President Donald Trump.

Republicans picked up at least three seats in the Senate, increasing their majority in the upper chamber.

Cartoonists commented on other news: the mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks, California, bar that left 12 dead, including a sheriff's deputy responding to the gunfire, and not including the gunman, who took his own life; the forced resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose recusal from the Russia election meddling probe led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller; and the president's tangles with the news media, including the banning of CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta.

Cartoons were drawn by Bill Bramhall, Chan Lowe, Dan Wasserman, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands and Joel Pett of Tribune Content Agency; Tim Campbell, Mike Lester, Signe Wilkinson and Jeff Danziger of the Washington Post Writers Group; and Tom Toles of Andrews McMeel Syndication.Why it matters: Earlier this week Amazon announced that they would be listing Apples iPads, iPhones and smartwatches through various authorized resellers. For most people, that just means another way to buy Apple products and possibly shorter shipping times. But for the hundreds, if not thousands of independent resellers on Amazon, that means a loss of business.

As part of the deal, Amazon isnt letting unauthorized resellers list Apple products, including second-hand and refurbished products. As the largest e-commerce platform by far, this decision spells doom for unauthorized Apple refurbishers that relied on Amazon's Marketplace.

To understand why that matters, lets take a look at John Bumstead. Johns an independent reseller who buys thousands of MacBooks and MacBook Pros every year, refurbishes them, and then sells them on Amazon and to other independent resellers who do the same. He primarily buys from small recyclers (large ones are required to shred Apple devices if they have a contract with Apple) who get their devices from large companies, government facilities and universities who replace their computers every 3-5 years.

Because Apple supports their old devices with software for so long, these devices usually run fine for light workloads and are pretty easy to refurbish. Not only is this good for the environment, the recyclers and independent resellers like John, but its also good for the many consumers who cant afford Apples high-end offerings.

For a lot of people, $100-$300 older MacBooks are more than adequate and have a smooth software experience compared to budget Windows devices. On Friday morning, John received an email from Amazon explaining why he wouldnt be able to operate his business anymore.

"As part of a new agreement with Apple, we are working with a select group of authorized resellers to offer an expanded selection of Apple and Beats products, including new releases, in Amazons stores. You are receiving this message because you are currently selling, or have previously sold, Apple or Beats products. Your existing offers for those products will soon be removed from Amazons online store in the United States. Please contact Apple if you would like to apply to become an authorized reseller on Amazon."

Despite a request for comment, Apple has declined to specify exactly what requirements there are to become an authorized reseller, but you can be sure its going to be pretty hard given the number of physical stores that are excluded.

John will be able to continue selling his products until January 4, at which point his listings will be taken down. Amazon will reimburse his return or disposal fees up until February 4. At that point, hes given three options.

The first is to attempt to join to join the Amazon Renewal program for refurbished products, which would be fine if he was selling non-Apple products. But to join the program and sell Apple products, your business must be purchasing over $2.5 million in Apple products every 90 days from national wireless carriers or retailers; such as Verizon or Target; or Apple themselves. These companies may not even have $2.5 million worth of second-hand products that need refurbishing if Johns business could afford that anyway.

The second option is for John to try and sell his products on a different platform, such as eBay or Craigslist. Unfortunately, refurbished products dont have such a good reputation on those websites, so potential customers are less likely to go looking on those sites. Compounding the issue is the fact that only Amazon offers centralized shipping services, meaning that he can send a hundred refurbished products to an Amazon warehouse and then let Amazon ship them individually, saving a lot of money. Lastly, his existing customer base is on Amazon, and even if migration to another platform was possible then it would take a long time to build his reputation back up.

Johns third option is to give up trying to sell refurbished MacBooks. Instead, he could try to sell refurbished Windows devices  though that probably wont work very well as Windows laptops tend to age a lot worse. Perhaps his best option is to apply for a job working for a large authorized reseller or Apple themselves as a repairperson.

The thing is, nearly all the devices John sells would have been destroyed or recycled anyway.

In Apple's world of controlled ecosystems, this is just another such strike, this time against the refurbished, second-hand and repair markets for Apple products. But is it right for them to be able to do this? The United States Supreme Court has ruled that if you legally own a product, then you can resell it notwithstanding the interest of the original seller. However this ruling only extends to being able to list the product at all, and it doesnt force a platform to list it for you. Thats got its advantages, but as Aaron Perzanowski, a law professor from Case Western Reserve University explains, its just big companies bullying small businesses.

This is a very troubling development, he said to Motherboard. Given Amazons dominance as an online retail marketplace, its decision to disregard the first sale rights of resellers will significantly limit consumer choice. The fact that this move was demanded by Apple makes it even more problematic. What we see here are the worlds two most valuable companies engaging in a coordinated assault on the lawful resale of consumer devices.

Amazon is leveraging its power over its marketplace to give Apple power that the courts and Congress never have and never would.

Kyle Weins, the CEO of iFixit, agrees. He says that iFixit has been engaged in a lengthy battle to keep their iPhone replacement parts on sale  parts that Apple wont even sell you.

The idea you have a retailer that if they can strike a deal with the most profitable company in the world and lockout independent resellers is concerning for the future of commerce, Wiens said. Its kind of mind-boggling to think that a brand would be able to restrict the sale of used products. This is exactly the kind of control Apple wants to exert over the marketplace.

The fact that Apple can end Johns business on a whim is disturbing to me. Yes, there are lots of dodgy resellers on Amazon who do take advantage of customers, particularly iPhone resellers, and this is perhaps the biggest justification for Apple's decision, but there are also a lot of good honest people out there, so perhaps this should have been handled differently.Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commissionAn incumbent school board member in southern Livingston Parish failed this week to win a second term in an election upset that shocked many in the region.

Former school principal Jim Richardson's loss to a little known candidate has some locals and experts pointing to party affiliation in the increasingly Republican Parish as a key factor.

While Richardson ran designated as "no party," his opponent, Frank Parrino, ran as a Republican. Parrino won the election with 54 percent of the vote, according to unofficial totals from the Louisiana Secretary of State.

"This is a quintessential example of the changing politics of Livingston Parish," said political consultant John Couvillon, of JMC Enterprises. "The politics of Livingston Parish is changing in that not only the Democratic Party label, any label but the Republican party has become toxic."

Parrino will represent Livingston Parish School Board District 8, which includes the schools in Frost, Maurepas, French Settlement and Springfield.

Parrino is a retired school superintendent in Illinois and Tangipahoa Parish. Parrino, who lives in Springfield, said he did not know what role party played in his election.

He said his name may have carried some recognition from his time in the neighboring parish, where he served as superintendent in the early 1980s, according to The Advocate's records.

"I was lucky to win," Parrino said in an interview. "I felt that this is an office for the school board, and if someone recognized my name, because I have been in education a long time, I would get their vote."

In Livingston Parish, term limits for parish government, school board races on ballots Selecting a new panel of school board members and limiting the tenure of parish presidents and council members are among the issues Livingston

Richardson, who lives outside French Settlement, did not respond to requests for an interview. In a text message, Richardson wrote that he will support the new board member.

"He was victorious in 11 of 14 precincts. He also won the absentee vote. In other words, it was an old fashion whuppin'," Richardson wrote. "I will be standing in support of our new board member, and I ask all of those who supported my campaign do the same."

During the lead-up to the election, neither candidate did much in the way of campaigning.

"Never seen a sign. Never got a phone call. Nothing, said Charlie Martin, a councilman and former mayor of Springfield. "My wife and I even talked about it."

But many people viewed Richardson as the favorite, since he was formerly the principal at French Settlement Elementary and Gray's Creek Elementary schools. He served on the Livingston Parish School Board since 2015.

During the past four years, he became known for being accessible, showing up at sporting events and implementing a distance-learning and media curriculum with the help of a $500,000 federal grant.

"I honestly thought he had it," said Toni Guitrau, mayor of French Settlement. "Because he's well known, and he's well known to be involved in education."

"As a board member, I was shocked," said Kellee Dickerson, the school board member who represents the Watson area. "I don't know of any tensions or anything like that in his area. That (party affiliation) is the only possible thing I could even imagine."

A similar party-affiliation dynamic could also have been at play in the Albany-area school board race.

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In the matchup for the School Board District 9 seat, Devin Gregoire, a Republican, beat Bryan Neal, no party, with 54 percent of the vote.

Tab Lobell, who represents the Springfield area on the Parish Council but lives in School Board District 9, said he expected Neal to win the race. He said Neal had more name recognition, did more campaigning and posted signs with a photo of him and his family.

But Lobell said he fielded calls from three residents right around the election who wanted his opinion on the race, saying they were simply going to pull the Republican lever without more information.

"They didn't know either one of the guys, so they were just planning on pulling the lever," Lobell said.

Voters in Livingston Parish chose Republicans in nearly every race on Tuesday. In Denham Springs, voters selected five Republicans and rejected the lone Democrat running for city council. In the Secretary of State's Race, 87 percent of votes were cast for Republicans.

Couvillon said Livingston Parish's reddening landscape can be attributed to two major factors: One, Louisiana has generally become more right-leaning. Two, new residents are rapidly moving into Livingston Parish from Baton Rouge and New Orleans, even to the more rural areas. These residents are unfamiliar with politicians' histories and community ties, so they vote on party lines, he said.

Moreover, the high-turnout election on Tuesday brought occasional voters, who wanted to cast a ballot for Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, and selected the other Republicans they saw on the ballot, Couvillon said.

"None of this would matter if you had a 10 percent turnout election, if old-timers were the only voters," he said.

He pointed as a recent parallel to the election of Shane Mack, a Republican, to represent the Albany area on the parish council three years ago. Mack, the brother of Republican state Rep. Sherman Mack, R-Albany, defeated Democratic incumbent Delos Blackwell with 54 percent of the vote.

The Republican Party label helped Shane Mack win that parish council seat, in addition to his hard work," Couvillon said.

Political strategist Bernie Pinsonat said some candidates want to run as "No Party," because they are telling voters that they are independent. But that is a risk now in many parts of Louisiana.

+2 Livingston school safety tax that'd put officers on campuses fails by big margin Voters in Livingston Parish on Tuesday rejected a permanent sales tax increase that would have paid for the placement of law enforcement offic

"If you're not telling people why they should reelect you, and you're not doing a lot of campaigning or mailers, being a Republican is even more important," Pinsonat said.

He said the party-line voting began as a feature on national elections but has trickled down to school board and parish-level races.

Parrino said he is looking forward to serving on the school board. He believes that certifying teachers and providing an education to all children is important.

But Abby Crosby, of Frost, who has a child in the school system and another one entering soon, said she is concerned about the change in leadership. Richardson helped implemented a distance-learning initiative that has brought Spanish language classes to Frost School, for example, and she fears those programs could get lost.

"It was a shocker to a lot of people. No one has ever heard of the gentleman," Crosby said. "I think there is cause for concern."In this Aug. 10, 2017, file photo, former Tulsa police officer Betty Shelby is sworn in as a reserve deputy for the Rogers County Sheriffs Department in Claremore, Okla., at the Rogers County Courthouse. Civil rights leaders are calling for a homicide detectives group to rescind its invitation to speak to Shelby, a white Oklahoma law officer acquitted in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man. (Jessie Wardarski/Tulsa World via AP, File)An Oklahoma officer who was acquitted in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man was planning to speak at an upcoming law enforcement conference in Baton Rouge until organizers rescinded her invitation Sunday following backlash from civil rights advocates and concerns from local leaders.

Betty Shelby resigned from the Tulsa Police Department after she was charged with manslaughter but later acquitted last year in the 2016 killing of Terence Crutcher. She has since been hired with the Roger's County Sheriff's Office in Oklahoma.

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund sent a letter on Friday to state its opposition to Shelby's planned speaking engagement in Baton Rouge, where she had been scheduled to discuss "Surviving the Aftermath of a Critical Incident" at the Southeastern Homicide Investigators Association 2018 training conference.

"Deputy Shelby is not a victim of Mr. Crutcher's homicide. The late Mr. Crutcher and his survivors are the victims," the letter says. "Deputy Shelby's subsequent acquittal on manslaughter charges is not an exoneration of her decision to kill an unarmed man."

Local law enforcement leaders also expressed concerns about ongoing efforts to mend tensions between police and the public after the traumatic events of summer 2016, including the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling and subsequent ambush on law enforcement that killed three officers and wounded three others in Baton Rouge.

NAACP: Ex-Tulsa officer acquitted in fatal shooting should not speak at Baton Rouge law enforcement conference TULSA, Okla. (AP)  Civil rights leaders are calling for a detectives group to rescind a speaking invitation to a white Oklahoma officer acqui

The association hosting the conference then issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying leaders had rescinded her invitation after "careful consideration of all perspectives of national, state and local leaders."

Association leadership said they wanted to present Crutcher's case so conference attendees could "decide what they might do in the same situation had they been the lead investigator.

"We realize now there are people around the country who do not understand why we would present this case," the statement says. "The fact is, every homicide investigator at our conference is one phone call away from one of these types of investigations. ... We want our members to talk about these cases and feel confident they can do what they are called to do: make the right decisions for the victims each and every time."

NAACP Legal Defense Fund leaders note in their letter that Shelby conducted a similar training in Tulsa a few months ago, "only days after Mr. Crutcher would have celebrated his 42nd birthday." Crutcher had his hands up when Shelby shot him during an encounter. The officer said she thought Crutcher was reaching into his SUV.

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The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office hosted that training and received criticism from local officials and faith leaders who argued that choosing such an instructor for the class was a step backward for race relations in the area, the Tulsa World reported in August. Critics described the decision as "tone deaf" while organizers claimed the course helps law enforcement officers understand the "potential aftermath ... following a critical incident."

Responding to the news that Shelby was no longer invited to the event in Baton Rouge, the NAACP's Louisiana branch in a news release thanked Baton Rouge residents and leaders  including Police Chief Murphy Paul and East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III  for "standing firm and speaking out."

Moore said Sunday night he had spoken at length with Paul and other state and local law enforcement and community leaders who agreed that "it isn't the right time and place to have this conversation now in Baton Rouge." He said their stance arose from shared concerns about the events of summer 2016 and their lasting impacts.

"The community is still recovering. We're building trust and relationships but we still have a long way to go," Moore said. "But that's not to discount the importance of having these conversations in due time. ... We welcome everyone's input in discussions about homicide  including officer-involved shootings  this just wasn't the right time for Baton Rouge."

Moore also credited Paul for his efforts to persuade the organization to rescind the invitation. Paul could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Conference organizers also acknowledged those concerns in their announcement Sunday.

"We understand this community has taken strides to heal its relationship with local police and we want to support those efforts," association leaders wrote. "We appreciate the opportunity to be here and we want to be respectful to every city our conference visits."

An estimated 350 investigators from across the southeast U.S. will attend the conference, which will be held Monday through Thursday at the Hilton in downtown Baton Rouge.

The Associated Press 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 problems. State Sen. Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans, is employed full-time at Southern University of New Orleans as a vice chancellor of academic affairs. His $85,000 a year salary is paid for by taxpayers.

According to a Fox 8 Lee Zurik investigation, Bishop claimed he was sick 122 days at his SUNO job over the past two years. According to Bishop's own time sheets, his many sick days included a string of 11 straight weeks this spring, including all of April and May. Bishop claimed to be sick 79 days at his SUNO job this year and 43 days last year.

But Zurik discovered during the 122 days Bishop claimed he was sick for his SUNO job, taxpayers were also paying him for his second job at the Legislature. He was clearly double-dipping at taxpayers expense.

Dan Fagan: Why each of us should demand the church expose and remove sexual predators My paternal grandmother was born in 1903 in Swinford, Ireland, into a family of 11. At 16, her parents, because of poverty, put her on a ship 

This is not an insignificant thing, Tulane law professor Joel Friedman told Zurik. This is theft, misappropriation of funds [by] saying you need money because youre home sick. "

Friedman says at a minimum, Bishop should return the money he was paid but did not earn.

Zurik uncovered evidence including roll calls, video and photos proving Bishop was not ill and instead was getting paid as a legislator during the 122 days he claimed paid sick leave from his SUNO taxpayer-funded job. His bogus sick leave pay at SUNO amounted to nearly $40,000. That's money Bishop should have never been paid.

"Its better than a third of the year, CPA Patrick Lynch said of the sick leave. Thats a problem, because Bishop was not sick. 

Bishop not only claimed sick pay at his SUNO job while working at the Legislature, he also took several educational trips at taxpayer expense. Documents show during those trips, Bishop claimed on his SUNO time sheets education as the reason for his paid leave. But he was attending legislative conferences that had nothing to do with his job at SUNO. All totaled, FOX 8 found four trips totaling 10 days where Bishop took education leave for a legislative conference. That means Bishop may have been paid an additional $1,600 he did not earn.

I mean, its being done by a state senator. How much worse can it get? asked Friedman. "Essentially, SUNO paid Bishop thousands he did not earn."

Bishop would not agree to an interview with Zurik, so the Fox 8 reporter went to his SUNO office hoping to find the senator. After 30 minutes of waiting in the hall, an employee brought the FOX 8 crew into a conference room. A short time later, Bishop opened the door.

Lee Zurik: How do you take time off when in the Legislature?

Bishop: Take leave.

Zurik: What kind?

Bishop: Earned leave.

Zurik: Sick leave?

Bishop: Earned sick leave.

Zurik: How can you justify taking sick leave?

Bishop told Zurik he did not want to answer in a 30-second sound bite and said he first wanted to see Zurik's documentation, telling the reporter after that, he would be happy to respond.

Bishop, as of this writing, has not agreed to do an interview with Zurik, but in an email wrote Fox 8: The leave requests that were submitted and approved for the periods in question were done so based upon Louisiana Attorney Generals Opinion 81-556 which allows for the use of earned accumulated leave during the legislative session by State Representative and/or State Senators.

But the 1981 legal opinion Bishop is using as an excuse only allows for using accrued annual leave, not sick leave. It clearly doesn't allow an employee to call in sick for 122 days and go to another job and still get paid for it. Friedman calls Bishops justification for getting sick pay ridiculous.

In addition, SUNO policy and state law governing public universities only allows employees to use sick leave "because of illness or injury that prevents performance of usual duties, or medical, dental or optical consultation or treatment."

"Whos working? Whos looking? Whos checking the accountability? asked Friedman.

Email Dan Fagan at faganshow@gmail.com. Twitter: @DanFaganShow.The thing about Louisiana politics is, once you think youve seen it all, well, you aint seen nothing yet.

Fall 2018 was supposed to produce unremarkable elections. All members of Congress seemed destined to cruise to reelection. The low-stimulus special election for secretary of state looked to end up a runoff by the candidate from each major party whose campaigning best-created name recognition. And the most prominent local election, for Shreveport mayor, appeared poised to set up a runoff between black Democrat incumbent Ollie Tyler and a white Republican challenger.

Contests with incumbent representatives held to form. However, Shreveport voters made history when they sent to the runoff as the frontrunner a 33-year-old political neophyte, Adrian Perkins, who has lived only a few months of his adult life in the city, has a homestead in Georgia, and never before had voted. With Perkins, a newly minted lawyer and military veteran, leading Tyler into the runoff, for the first time two black Democrats will vie in such a contest, with Tyler at a severe disadvantage to retain her post.

+2 Interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and Gwen Collins-Greenup headed to a run off The runoff to decide the next secretary of state will be between a Republican who spent about a quarter of a million dollars and a Democrat wh

Republican interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin did parlay his incumbent status into leading the field. Besides being one of the leading spenders in the contest, he successfully tested the maxim that any publicity is good publicity. He made news when he swore up and down he wouldnt run for the job, then qualified at the last minute. He faced scrutiny over a botched contracting process, and he caught flak over using the public information arm of his office in a way that could aid his campaign.

But close behind him was Democratic lawyer Gwen Collins-Greenup, who spent through the middle of October a whopping couple of thousand dollars on her campaign. She bested previous Secretary of State's Office executive Renee Free, a fellow Democrat, who through the same period spent 20 times more.

Results from recent statewide races suggested this contest would go to a Republican-Democrat runoff, leading ultimately to a GOP winner. Yet how did Collins-Greenup, who hardly campaigned, grab the runoff spot instead of Free? Thats because Collins-Greenup, who is black, won the sample ballot recommendations from a number of urban black political groups. As a result, Collins-Greenup won the parishes of Caddo and East Baton Rouge, while finishing second in Jefferson, Ouachita, Orleans, and Rapides, and third in Lafayette.

Yet the biggest shocker came from the one Republican considered an afterthought in the contest. While five GOP contenders raised and spent relatively large sums on their politicking, through mid-October Thomas Kennedy raised and spent nothing and did no campaigning. Despite that, he pulled nine percent of the vote, outpacing two big-spending Republicans and finishing not far behind two others who also spent lavishly by comparison.

Why he captured one out of every 11 votes even while others from the GOP spent so much to do about the same sends a disturbing message to Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards. Thomas Kennedy, heretofore unknown political rookie, shares his last name with Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, who likely will announce next month that he will challenge Edwards next year.

In all probability, Thomas Kennedy voters ignored all the other candidates advertising, saw his last name and Republican affiliation, and mistook him for John Kennedy. Having a significant portion of the electorate see the name Kennedy and reflexively vote that way cant be good news for Edwards, whom polling places several percentage points behind Kennedy in a hypothetical match-up.

If this years elections produced this kind of wackiness, who knows how unpredictable next years state elections will be?

Jeff Sadow is an associate professor of political science at Louisiana State University-Shreveport. He is author of a blog about Louisiana politics at www.between-lines.com and writes about Louisiana legislation at www.laleglog.com. Follow him on Twitter, @jsadowadvocate or email jeffsadowtheadvocate@yahoo.com. His views do not necessarily express those of his employer.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.Letters written in support of the construction of LSU's Memorial Tower are included in the Louisiana State Archives' World War I centennial exhibit. The tower was built in memory of Americans who lost their lives in the war.During his decadelong career in the military, Anthony Thibodeaux traveled the world. A so-called Seabee in the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, Thibodeaux was stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi, but went as far as Spain and Japan. He saw troubling things that he couldnt forget but also found hope in the humanity he experienced, and eventually, a new calling.

Now a pastor at Barataria Baptist Church, Thibodeaux shared those experiences with 16-year-old Caitlynn Bordelon, a student at Fisher Middle-High School who interviewed and then painted a portrait of the 41-year-old veteran as part of a new art exhibit.

"Gifts of Gratitude  Veterans Art Project" will be on display through Wednesday at the National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St., as the museum commemorates Veterans Day.

What struck Bordelon the most during her talks with Thibodeaux was how he was forced to miss so many milestones throughout his years of service, including the birth of one of his children.

I felt that was incredible, Bordelon said. Without them, we really couldnt live our day-to-day lives. A lot of us, I think, we take that for granted.

For his part, Thibodeaux said speaking with Bordelon and other students gave him a chance to break down some of the stereotypes associated with military service.

It was a great experience, being able to share what we went though, Thibodeaux said. Some of it good, some of it bad, but all of it, thats a part of the military experience. I told them I would do it again if I could. In many ways, it made me who I am today.

It took Bordelon several weeks to finish the mixed-media image of Thibodeaux, which included newspaper clippings from Desert Storm-era reports in the background and a painting of the pastor superimposed in the foreground.

Bordelons painting and roughly 200 others were unveiled Monday night, during a packed-house ceremony at the museums U.S. Freedom Pavilion in the Boeing Center.

The project, a partnership between the Jefferson Parish school systems Talented Visual Arts Program and the Brown Foundation, was envisioned help engage budding student-artists while educating them about their countrys history. The idea for the project was sparked earlier this year by lead program instructor Julie Quirk, who noticed a widening gap in her students relationships to military veterans.

I just saw a lack of connection with veterans and people who fought in wars  soldiers, military men and women  to high school students, and younger students at that, said Quirk. I think it made (the students) realize why (veterans) did what they did or do what they do.  I dont think they ever made that connection (before).

Funding was provided by the Brown Foundation, which helped the teachers with resources and arts supplies. Quirk also approached the museums student programs specialist, Adam Foreman, about a possible collaboration with the museum to coincide with Veterans Day.

Education is a huge part of our mission here at the museum, and this just fits in perfectly, said Foreman. It may have been (the students') first time ever thinking about veterans, thinking about what it means to be a veteran, about what it means to live through a conflict.

The project included work from students enrolled in 12 schools throughout Jefferson Parish, raging in age from second- to 12th-graders. The objective was to introduce the students to a veteran, and have them conduct an interview, take a photograph and then go about re-creating the image in the classroom.

Quirk arranged for a group of local veterans to visit with the students at the school, and also assisted with some of the interviews with a few of the older WWII veterans, where communication could be difficult.

Many students chose to interview relatives or close family friends, like Sophia Trang, a 16-year-old at John Ehret High School in Marrero, who interviewed her grandfather, Dinh Nguyen, a former military interrogator stationed in Vietnam during the 1960s.

Trang, who was raised in New Orleans, conducted the interviews over the phone with her 75-year-old grandfather, who now lives in Dallas.

It felt surreal, Trang said. Ive always had a passion for the military, and Ive always respected my grandfather, Trang said. But I didnt realize how much it meant to him to be able to share that.

For many of the veterans, the interviews were a chance to bridge the gap in understanding of what their military service meant to them and why they chose to serve.

Its just not talked about now as much as it used to be, said Lance Leblanc, who is stationed at the Naval Air Station in Belle Chasse. His goddaughter, Taylor Lefort, 12, used charcoal to portray Leblanc, which she said was complicated but worth it.

Just having someone like my godchild look up to me for this  it means so much, Leblanc said.It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that Louisiana just ended 138 years of Jim Crow, but state Sen. JP Morrell, D-New Orleans was entitled to feel elated when the election returns came in Tuesday night.

Morrell authored the legislation that called a referendum on a proposition to require unanimous jury verdicts for felony convictions as of the start of next year. Right now prosecutors need only 10 votes out of 12 to send a defendant to prison, even for life with no possibility of parole. Let nobody say the bleeding hearts went unheeded, however. Unanimity was still required for executions.

With passage of Morrell's constitutional amendment, which he initially regarded as a very long shot, Louisiana falls in line with every other state, save Oregon. Henceforth no accused will be sent to the Louisiana state pen unless all jurors are free of any reasonable doubt that he belongs there.

The majority-verdict provision was written into the constitution to make it easier for white jurors to convict  some would say railroad  a black defendant.

Louisiana voters scrap Jim Crow-era split jury law; unanimous verdicts to be required State voters jettisoned a 120-year-old mainstay of Louisiana justice Tuesday, overwhelmingly passing a constitutional amendment to require una

White folks did not blush to declare a belief in their racial superiority at the time, and constitutional convention delegates clearly intended to ensure that, whenever a couple of black men were impaneled, their votes would be nugatory.

That is so obviously at odds with modern concepts of justice that Tuesday's vote has been widely welcomed. It was not, in the end, much of a surprise and such champions of the status quo as state Attorney General Jeff Landry piped down when they saw which way the wind was blowing.

It is an article of faith that trial by jury is one of the bulwarks of freedom bequeathed from medieval England, although it has obviously been a less solid one in Louisiana. Indeed, the U.S. Supreme Court's repeated refusal to throw out our majority-verdict law is one of the most glaring blots on its escutcheon.

But, as we congratulate ourselves on our belated embrace of a stricter standard, we should also concede that the notion that unanimous juries advance the cause of justice is by no means universally accepted. Some commentators have no faith in the jury system, however many votes are needed for a guilty verdict.

Mark Twain frequently mocked the idea that, when 12 citizens convene to decide the fate of an alleged felon, a previously unsuspected sagacity seizes them.

According to Twain, The humorist who invented trial by jury played a colossal practical joke upon the world, but since we have the system we ought to try and respect it. A thing which is not thoroughly easy to do, when we reflect that by command of the law a criminal juror must be an intellectual vacuum, attached to a melting heart and perfectly macaronian bowels of compassion.

From ACLU to NRA: Campaign for unanimous juries targeted Louisiana voters across the spectrum The organized backers of Amendment 2, which will require future Louisiana juries to return unanimous verdicts in all criminal cases, were caut

Unanimous jury verdicts are integral to a justice system with its roots in medieval England, but they have not been insisted on over there for the last 50 years. Taking a similar stance to Twain's in our own time. prominent British journalist Simon Jenkins quoted a judge who dismissed a jury for its fundamental deficit in understanding. Jenkins opined that its time for juries to go the way of the ducking stool. The expense, casual time-wasting and procedural nonsense might have some purpose if it offered swift and certain justice, but, according to Jenkins, it doesn't.

The British government can deny defendants the right to a jury trial if it believes there is a threat of tampering. The law allowing that was not in force when Lord Devlin made his oft-quoted remark that jury trials are the lamp which shows that freedom lives.

In America, with its healthy distrust of government, that axiom still holds, and the Sixth Amendment guarantees all defendants a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury. A constitution designed to negate the votes of black jurors clearly fails the impartiality test, and we will be well rid of that provision come the New Year.

Email James Gill at Gill1407@bellsouth.net.One of the assets Carland brings to Child Genius is her natural rapport with the contestants. "I really like kids, I enjoy talking to kids," she enthuses, and on a show where the contestants could be forgiven for being a bundle of nerves, a warm and reassuring presence behind the questioner's table is crucial if the exercise is to remain a positive one for the kids involved. In fact, she says, her only regret from the show was that the filming schedule meant she didn't get to spend as much time with the children as she wanted to. "They're such great kids, they're all different, and quirky, funny, unique little people, and I really wanted to spend more time chatting with them."

When SBS came calling, asking if she'd be interested in auditioning to host new kiddie-quiz Child Genius, she says, "I couldn't even believe that they'd consider asking me. But I thought, why not?". Following her audition, however, she was pretty sure the game show business would remain a blank spot on her CV. "I thought it went really terribly," she recalls. "It was really short. I landed in Sydney, got in a taxi, did the audition, it was a couple of minutes, I was back in the taxi heading to the airport. I remember thinking, oh, it must've been terribleobviously it was just a very polite token interview."

Susan Carland with some of the contestants on Child Genius. Credit:SBS

Carland admits to being intimidated by the sheer intellectual wattage radiating from the youngsters. "I felt like a complete fool the whole time I was there, knowing that these kids could answer questions that I couldn't now, as an adult  it's profoundly intimidating." She gives an example regarding the spelling section of the quiz: "With a lot of the spelling words, I was practising for days beforehand just how to pronounce them."

One of the ways Child Genius differs from the average adult quiz show is, in fact, the time we the audience get to spend with the contestants. Between the question-and-answer sections, we see interviews with the kids and their parents, and footage of their lives at home. The idea is not simply to find "Australia's smartest child", but to gain some kind of insight into what it is to be an extraordinarily gifted child  and what it is to be the parent of an extraordinarily gifted child. One aspect that has Carland in awe is the children's capacity for self-motivation: "When you watch the back story, and you see some of the parents say we don't know where they get this from, we don't tell them to study, and you see them get up at six in the morning to study, and they just have laser-like focus. I don't know if I could do that now, let alone as a 10-year-old."

The parents provide many of the show's highlights. As a mother herself  she has two children with Project presenter, academic and author Waleed Aly  Carland empathised with the nerves and tension they felt as they saw their offspring step into the spotlight to put themselves to the test. "Before we started filming I turned around and said to the parents, I want you to know that I am here cheering for your kids  when they look at me they'll be seeing a friendly face."

You might expect these parents to be classic examples of the pushy stage parent, constantly driving their kids to higher achievement. And indeed, that type is present on the Child Genius set. "When you have such exceptional kids, you're going to have some morepersistent parents," says Carland. The possibility that the kids  or parents  might take the show a little too seriously was a potential concern  Carland discussed it with producers beforehand. She was reassured by the fact that potential contestants were tested not just academically, but on their temperament and genuine desire to compete.The best ways to use waste I will guess that Barbara Fraser's objection to waste to energy (Letters, 4/11) is based on opposition to today's main energy sources  fossil fuels and nuclear. Zero waste is an idealistic goal for the beyond foreseeable future. Today we have flammable waste that cannot be recycled either for technical reasons or because there is no or insufficient end-use for recycled products. We are stuck with waste and there are two choices. Today we dump it or bury it. Building a power station to burn it will return it to the atmosphere in the better form and, as a bonus, will make it easier to run a clean but erratic power supply from wind and sun. Don Hampshire, Sunbury Just give me the fair dinkum stuff

Fair dinkum, I wouldn't want to use electricity that was toffy or delivered by people who sip lattes. I want the real stuff. I definitely don't want power produced by tapping the sun, that fake little ball of pumped-up pompousness in the sky. Hell no, give me hardcore, nitty gritty electricity. And this wind nonsense? That's un-Australian. Don Bradman didn't need any wind to hit the ball to the boundary. Phar Lap could outrun the wind by a country mile. Please, just the fair dinkum stuff, the way we have always done it. David McRae, Kangaroo Flat FORUM

Farewell, Sisto For more than 45 years I've been a distant, "fringe dweller" member of the Pellegrini's community. Sisto was a young man when I was inducted to "Pelli's" at a similar age. Later, introducing my daughter to the wonders of the place, he always greeted us with a loud and sincere "Ciao bella, ciao bella". This iconic Melbourne institution known for the wonderful "little bit of Italy" atmosphere, the fabulous coffee, cake, spaghetti and salata must be grieving so badly and we feel your heartbreak. Sisto, you didn't know our names but you were always friendly, happy and efficient and, you were ever present behind that bench. Sadly no more. We will always miss you. Deb Hunt, Moonah, Tas

Feeling the grief A little piece of my Melbourne died with Sisto Malaspina. George King, Wheelers Hill Protect us It's about time our flaccid political leaders stopped masking this violence as generic, uninspired "terrorism", but rather demonstrate courage and common sense and call out these over-represented, violent, religious nutjobs for what they are and start protecting us, and the civil, libertarian and egalitarian values that we hold so dear.

Alastair McKenzie, Port Melbourne Devastated As an Ahmadi Muslim who lives by the motto "love for all, hatred for none", I'm devastated to hear about the terror attack in Melbourne and my heart goes out to the innocent victims. I pray that those who are still injured make a complete recovery and I would like to thank the police officers who responded so quickly. Foad Munir, Southport, Qld Attack condemned

I was shocked to see Bourke Street turned into a war zone. It goes without saying that such attacks are unreservedly condemnable and have absolutely no justification in any religion. Anyone trying to use such attacks to divide Australians or further their political agenda should remember that there is no war between Islam and the West. Khizar Rana, Walkerville, SA Another, good, story While an event of terrible danger and fear took place at one end of Melbourne involving the death of two men and serious injuries to two others, doctors were operating to separate the conjoined Bhutanese twins at the other end of Melbourne. In one snapshot of time in Melbourne we saw both the sadness and triumph of human endeavour, one from madness, the other from medical mastery. Nick Toovey, Beaumaris

Thankfully, no guns Just imagine how much worse the Bourke Street attack would have been if we had American gun laws. Tom Troup, Carrum Foreign roots Contrary to the neo-liberal view that terrorists "hate us for who we are", it is actually our alignment with US foreign policy and the illegal invasion of Iraq that has made us a target.

John Ashton, Healesville Wrong target It is regrettable that Cathy Humphreys ("Relaxing gun laws increases danger at home", The Sunday Age, 28/10) takes such a jaundiced and incorrect view on the position of Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia towards gun laws or its campaigns to bring about better government in this country. SIFA makes no apology about its campaigns to take political parties to task over issues that affect gun owners including current energy costs, skills and job shortages, transport costs and the level of crime. Humphreys draws the longest bow of all, somehow connecting US firearms laws with firearms laws here. SIFA does not and never has sought a relaxation of gun laws in Australia. We have put forward suggested technical improvements to the National Firearms Agreement to make laws easier to understand and enforce, not water them down.

Laura Patterson, Shooting Industry Foundation It's not that hard It seems that some heterosexual men are still confused/bemused about what is or isn't appropriate personal behaviour towards women. Possibly this "rule of thumb" may help them: if you wouldn't do it to a man, then don't do it to a woman. Cassandra Carland, Buninyong Clearing a path

Footpaths used to be where anyone could feel completely safe to walk without fear of being knocked over. It was why children were taught to stay on the footpath. Allowing bicycles to "share" footpaths destroys the underlying expectation in us that footpaths are safe. Motorists have to take responsibility for cyclists' safety no matter what a cyclist may do. The parallel should be that cyclists on footpaths have to take responsibility for pedestrians, including dismounting and walking their bicycle past if necessary to avoid hitting a pedestrian. If a cyclist hits a pedestrian it should in law be always deemed the cyclist's fault. David Sadedin, Briar Hill What's war good for ...

Remembering the sacrifices made by our soldiers is a good thing, but wouldn't it be lovely if "they gave a war and no one came", as the song says. Of course, our government would need to stop doing business with the armaments manufacturers. That would be wonderful? Rosemary Taylor, Castlemaine ... Absolutely nothing Remembrance Day and once again we are being bombarded with the misinformation that our men died or were wounded in their thousands in the First World War defending our country and our values. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Reg Murray, Glen Iris Civilian toll Given the strong emphasis on the military on recent Remembrance Days, what day of the year is set aside to remember the civilian casualties of war? Graeme Lindsay, Deloraine, Tas Praise from Bob

After having Scott Morrison give him a $234 million handout for his electorate, Bob Katter commented, "The cunning of what he has done is amazing" and "This bloke's a lot cleverer than I thought he was". Who would have believed that we have such a smart Prime Minister and even have it acknowledged by Bob Katter. High praise indeed. Eric Butcher, Eltham Liberal forfeit With the Liberal Party refusing to bother about the Richmond electorate, they forfeit the right to interfere with the safe injecting room if they are elected. Andrew Williams, Richmond

Truth and lies The White House has revoked the pass of a CNN journalist because they allege he touched a female journalist during a heated press conference. In fact the entire event was filmed and belies the accusation. But it's interesting that the very same White House is run by a man who bragged that "when you're a star you can do anything" to women. And for the purposes of this letter, let's just say he then said"you can grab them by the genitals", although that's not the word he used. And then he became the President. Rosie Elsass, Brighton Mal, be like Mary If Malcolm Turnbull is looking for a new career direction he could follow the excellent example of former Irish President Mary Robinson. She has dedicated herself to many global activities particularly human rights. Malcolm, be like Mary.

Di Donigi, Warragul Forgiveness needed Scott Morrison has said that he dropped to his knees and was in tears when he went to refugee camps. He not only stopped the boats, he stopped and put on hold so many lives on Nauru and Manus. They will never get that time back and never get their lives back. Yes, he should be on his knees and in tears. He should be begging their forgiveness. Greg Tuck, Warragul Delivery failureA man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly tried to run over a police officer at North Sydney on Sunday.

Police were attending a Remembrance Day ceremony at St Leonards Park at about 4.30pm when they heard a car revving loudly nearby.

One officer approached the Subaru Outback, which was parked on Ridge Street, and spoke to a man in the driver's seat.

It is alleged the man drove from the scene while the constable was speaking with him, which led to the officer's arm being hit by the door frame.

The car then turned around at the end of the street, police say, and began driving back towards the officer.Nina Wellington-Iser, Hawthorn East A visit from Adelaide to Pellegrini's From Adelaide, we first visited Pellegrini's on honeymoon in 1974. From then on a visit to Melbourne always warranted a visit to Sisto's famous cafe and delicious food. More recently in 2013-14, with our AFL team in the finals many a banter was had with his team Essendon and our team Port, but always with a huge smile on his friendly face. We will miss him forever and our thoughts go out to his family and friends. Corrado Tavella, Rosslyn Park, SA A customer since the '60s

I'm over 80 now and I've been getting my caffeine "fix" at Pellegrini's since the early 1960s. I was in there just a few days ago. Sisto announced to the whole bar "Look who it is. My oldest customer!" I wasn't sure if he was referring to my age, or my loyalty. I worked as a tourist guide for the Melbourne City Council for about 10 years after I retired from full-time work. I would always put Pellegrini's on our to-do list. Quite often I would have just one guest with me and they were ladies, more often than not . One day I went in on my own and Sisto had a question for me. "Every time you come here you are with a different lady. What is your secret with the women?" I owned up and told him the truth about it just being part of my volunteering work. He laughed, and I got a free coffee. Peter Dodds, Montmorency FORUM Love will conquer We have a wonderful, diverse, tolerant city of millions of good people who have come from so many places. And here except for a very minuscule few we get along just fine. Melbourne works. We live as one in a decent, caring, helping community. Don't ever let some unhinged person or extremist fanatic divide us. Melbourne stay strong, united and together. Our compassion, love, persistence and tenacity will see us through. And love and understanding will defeat hate. We must hug, talk and support each other now.

Steven Katsineris, Hurstbridge Contrary to all faith The horrific and evil events in Bourke Street have shaken our city. Grief, pain and anger are words that will readily come to mind. This incident will have far-reaching effects on many people. Friday's evil act was entirely contrary to the way of Jesus, contrary to all true religion, and contrary to human dignity. The way of Jesus Christ is to build bridges of mutual respect and civil friendship among people and communities. The way of aggression and violence is never the answer. Let us commit ourselves instead to the way of dialogue and reconciliation. Into the darkness of evil, may a light of goodness shine. Let us acknowledge and honour the lights of goodness that shone out on Friday afternoon:

The goodness of people who courageously sought to protect others. The goodness of those who defended innocent lives in the face of perilous harm. So, let us pray for the gentle repose of the soul of Sisto Malaspina; let us pray also for those who were harmed; for those who defended others; and for our police and emergency service providers  all of whom reveal to us the path of goodness and right action. May those affected by Friday's tragic events be healed, physically and emotionally, and may Jesus Christ accompany us all with solace and strength during the days ahead. Most Reverend Peter Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne

Unchangeable I first visited Pellegrini's as an 11-year-old with my father in 1957. Here I had my first taste of spaghetti saltati and an icy cold watermelon granita. At the time it was owned by the Pellegrini brothers who sold the business to Sisto in 1974. I have lost count of how many times I have frequented the place only to say that it has not changed one little bit. Unlike many of its modern-day counterparts that punch your order into a computerised machine, you never got a bill here, just tell them what you ate and you got a figure. It was so simple. Pellegrini's was the one constant from where all other coffee bars came. Sisto's slaying hopefully won't see its demise. The property needs to be classified by the National Trust because it is more then just an icon, it is Melbourne's kitchen. Ian Oshlack, Guildford A ready answer John Silvester's comment on Bourke Street terror attack concludes: "We know what happened. Why it happened will take more time to discover" ("Warning siren sounds in city for first time", The Age, 10/11). I beg to disagree. There are convincing reasons for this horror. I consider this to be a blowback from the war on terror unleashed on Iraq in 2001 by President Bush in cahoots with Tony Blair and John Howard premised on a lie that Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs. The war has spread to several Muslim nations in the Middle East and North Africa over the past 17 years and already killed more than 2 million people and created several million refugees. The Bourke Street terror attack, sadly, is not unique to Australia. The West, led by the US, cannot stop such terror attacks until the war on terror is called off and peace is established in Muslim countries.

When peace comes, our streets will be safe again and we can dismantle the bollards and the terror sirens. Bill Mathew, Parkville Not about faith Being an Australian Muslim, I am baffled that the Prime Minister is trying to link such heinous attacks with faith. There are hundreds of Muslim doctors who save lives every day in Australia, has anyone ever mentioned their faith? Australia is a secular state. Any violation of law, regardless of its motivation, must not be linked with faith or ethnicity. Malik Atif Mahmood Majoka, Pakenham

Many tentacles As a Australian Muslim, I agree with our Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Muslim leaders should take "special responsibility" for stamping out radicalism in their communities, but I wonder when western governments would stop supporting corrupt Muslim regimes in the Middle East. ISIS would not exist without the support of world superpowers. If we really want to end terrorism on Australian soils we need to establish peace in the Middle East. Usman Mahmood, South Bowenfels, NSW Mental illness Yes Prime Minister, call it for what it is: untreated mental illness and support better treatment pathways for everyone.

Dr Christine Healy, South Yarra Let them fly off The terror on Bourke Street has highlighted the terrible consequence of the ban prohibiting supporters of deviant ideologies from travelling abroad. Regardless of some supposed responsibility to other countries, we should let them go with the proviso that they can never, ever return to Australia. We need to keep Australia safe first. Sam Bando, St Kilda East Say malcontents

Can we stop calling lunatics who commit violent acts in public places and claim some allegiance to, say ISIS, terrorists? Terrorism is by definition "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims". What serious political aims do people like Man Haron Monis and Hassan Khalif Shire Ali really have? Their actions are clearly primarily driven by mental health issues. Describing them or their actions in terms of terrorism glamourises them and gives the real terrorists the appearance of more power than they really have. "Angry malcontents" might be a better term. Mark Grant, clinical psychologist, Kew ABC on its game

Whenever I read or hear criticism of ABC radio or television I think of the exemplary role that it plays at times like Remembrance Day. The special importance of this day was presented by the ABC in a brilliant manner. Nothing brings us together like the presentation of our history and culture in such a professionally researched manner, involving thousands of citizens from across the nation. What were the commercial stations showing at the time? Why would anyone try to undermine this important national organisation? Graham Hoult, Richmond Keating nails it Lest we forget an uncomfortable truth among all the suffering; as exemplified by Paul Keating's assertion: "The First World War was a war devoid of any virtue. It arose from the quagmire of European tribalism. A complex interplay of nation-state destinies overlaid by notions of cultural superiority peppered with racism." John Busselmaier, New Farm, Qld

Rain of fear I doubt that the American soldiers fighting in the trenches would have refused to fight because of the rain. Michael Higgins, Erica Hats off to PM The reason why Scott Morrison doesn't wear a wide-brimmed hat (Letters, 10/11) is simple. Unlike other politicians who regularly don an Akubra to show they relate to country folk, the PM wants to present himself as a bit daggy and a regular guy, that is, one of us and not someone who would knife a sitting Prime Minister in the back.

Tony Healy, Balwyn North Wrong aim I agree with Jacob Demopoulos (Letters, 10/11 ). Any attempt to thwart Australia's protections by SIFA must be repelled. However, the fact that SIFA is targeting Labor in Victoria seems to imply that they would be happy with a conservative election result. Does this mean that they have an agreement with the Liberal-National coalition or do they merely see them as sympathetic to their cause? Geoff McNamara, Newry

Consider the homeless Why in the list of Labor's 10 big promises (10/11) is there a complete failure to address the huge number of the homeless and the appalling lack of public housing? While billions of dollars are spent on a range of projects, a pledge to build 1000 public housing units is the government's pathetic offering to those in desperate need of social housing. Both major parties have abrogated the responsibility to house the disadvantaged in our community. Isabel Schofield, Mount Waverley For heaven's sake ... The Age's accountants must be delighted to read (Spectrum, 10/11) that not only was Heston Blumenthal drinking $120 a glass sake but that it tastes a bit rubbish if you drink it while thinking of someone you dislike. I'm usually a bit disappointed that Spectrum's lunch guests don't push the boat out a bit more (mineral water on Fairfax's tab!), but Heston rather showed the bizarre bubble that top chefs and their diners live in.

Nic Barnard, Fitzroy North ... Try the RSL I'm sure a discerning chef like Hester Blumenthal would have been just as impressed by the lightness and crispness of the batter on my fish and chips at our local RSL (bar special $7.99) and he could have popped the $826.41 difference into the box for needy veterans. Barbara Abell, Ringwood North AND ANOTHER THING

Trump Faye Knooze is alive and well, and living in the White House. Tim Durbridge, Brunswick And in appreciation for those who support him, Donald Trump is to establish an Institute for the Advancement of Ignorance. Henry Herzog, St Kilda East

I empathise with Donald Trump not attending the Armistice service in France. The rain would have wreaked havoc on his hair. Russell Newton, Black Rock Sisto Let Melbourne salute Sisto with a state funeral. Paul Custance,Highett

Sisto was Melbourne. Jon Aloni, McKinnon What about a statue on Pellegrini's corner as a memorial for this great Melburnian? Ian Maddison, Parkdale Mille grazi Sisto. Vale.

Barbara Bereznicki, Dingley Dear Sisto. You will live in our hearts. Ivan Gaal, Fitzroy North If there is to be a public funeral I will wear a cravat in memory of our much-loved friend. Lindsay Holland, Abbotsford

Furthermore It's a conundrum when an increasingly common pathway to political leadership is to be the innocent bystander. Joan Segrave, Healesville We remember "the real Scott Morrison" when he was Minister for Immigration. Joe Wilder, Caulfield North

Scott Morrison, praying for the refugees is as useless as praying for rain. Susan Munday, Bentleigh East It's good to know Scott Morrison's thoughts, prayers and tears are with the refugees on Nauru. Dale Crisp, Brighton How does cancelling the passports of aspiring foreign fighters make Australia safe?Sisto Malaspinas legacy for Melbournes cafe culture has been immortalised in his own words, in an interview given just a fortnight before his tragic death.

Mr Malaspina, 74, died after he was stabbed in the chest on Friday by 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali in a terror attack on Bourke Street. Tasmanian businessman Rodney Patterson, 58, and a 24-year-old security guard from Hampton Park were also injured in the attack.

Monash journalism student Nishant Kulkarni interviewed Mr Malaspina two weeks ago, delving into the trail-blazing role Pellegrini's Espresso Bar has played in paving the way for the city's enduring love affair with cafes and coffee.

Footage of the interview, filmed on October 27, reveals a restaurateur proud of the pivotal part the cafe he has co-owned since 1974 has played in the city for more than 60 years.The two police officers tried to stop and arrest him, as other officers flooded the scene. Shire Ali then produced a knife and lunged at the police officers. One bystander, now known as homeless man Michael Rogers, tried to assist police by ramming a shopping trolley between them and Shire Ali. Michael Rogers tried to ward off the attacker with a shopping trolley. Credit:Seven News Another bystander used a traffic cone, while a third man picked up a cafe chair to try to fend off the attacker.

Shire Ali was then shot by police in the chest and fell to the ground. The moment police shot Bourke Street terrorist Hassan Khalif Shire Ali. He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital under police guard in a critical condition, but died on the operating table. Police have said it was a lone-person terror attack, and that the threat has been mitigated. An hour after the attack, the block of Bourke Street between Russell and Swanston streets was evacuated and the city's warning system was used for the first time.

The streets remained closed until about 8am on Saturday. The perpetrator Police have spoken to Shire Ali's wife, parents and siblings. His family's home in Werribee and the property where he lived in a backyard bungalow were raided by police on Saturday and combed for evidence. The blazing vehicle on Bourke Street.

Shire Ali was known have radical views and was known to counter-terrorism agencies. "He's got family associations that are well known to us," Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said on Friday night. His passport was seized in 2015 when he made plans to travel to Syria. Shire Ali also had a criminal history for cannabis use, theft and driving offences, Mr Ashton said. He was originally from Somalia, and police said he arrived in Australia in the 1980s as a child.

The city this weekend There has been increased police presence in the CBD and at sporting events and gatherings over the weekend, including the racing at Flemington and Remembrance Sunday ceremonies. The Victorian state election campaign has been suspended until noon on Sunday. The police have been given the green light for the first time to use preventative detention, where they may detain terror suspects for four days without a court order. Police are still appealing for anyone with footage to come forward.In my head only people with incredible smarts and capacity and money could go on to higher education.

Completing high school, let alone higher education, seemed out of reach.

Brittany Witnish grew up in foster care but managed to finish her VCE, go to university and is now doing her masters in social work. Credit:Joe Armao

"There was a lot of conflict at home and I didnt have people supporting me or believing in me," she said.

When she was a girl, no one helped Brittany Witnish.

Care leavers are people who have spent time in care before they turned 18. This may have been foster care, kinship care or residential care. There are about 10,000 young people living in out-of-home care in Victoria, and 47,000 across Australia.

Nationally (state figures are not available) less than 1 per cent of care leavers pursue higher education, according to the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

There are many reasons for this: a culture of low expectations, a lack of day-to-day support, and a fear of taking on debt without a parental safety net.

But it could be different. Over the past two years, the program Raising Expectations has supported care leavers who enrol at La Trobe and Federation universities.

Two years ago there were only 43 care leavers enrolled at these universities, now there are more than 200. The program has a co-ordinator who liaises with universities, supports students and visits schools to promote the initiative.The Andrews government has released the memorandum of understanding it signed with China to join its multitrillion-dollar Belt and Road trade initiative.

Labor released the MOU on Sunday evening, following heavy criticism from the Coalition, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former PM John Howard, for signing the deal and keeping its contents secret.

Premier Daniel Andrews. Credit:AAP

The four-page document, signed by Premier Daniel Andrews and Lifeng He, chairman of Chinas National Development and Reform Commission, binds Victoria and China to no specific commitments.

It states that Victoria and China will agree to co-operate on facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial co-operation, people-to-people bond[s], and promote Digital Silkroad co-operation.A glossy brochure claiming that Labor is enforcing a school anti-bullying program that encourages young children to change their biological sex is being distributed to hundreds of thousands of Victorian homes.

Right-wing minor party Rise Up Australia has teamed up with a new anti-Safe Schools group called the Coalition Against Unsafe Sexual Education (CAUSE) to urge a vote for the Liberal-Nationals Coalition, which has vowed to cancel Safe Schools.

Right-wing minor party Rise Up Australia is targeting Labor and the Greens over Safe Schools.

The group said it was letterboxing about 500,000 homes in more than a dozen marginal seats, including Education Minister James Merlinos electorate of Monbulk.

CAUSE chairman Ed Sparrius said material was also being produced in several languages, including Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi and Greek, as well as English.London: British companies are planning to microchip their employees in order to boost security and stop staff from accessing sensitive areas of the business.

Self-described body hacker Jowan Osterlund from Biohax Sweden, holds a small microchip implant, similar to those implanted into workers in Sweden. Credit:AP

Biohax, a Swedish tech firm, has diclosed it is in talks with a number of UK legal and financial services firms to implant workers with human chip devices. One prospective client, which the company said could not be named, is believed to be a major global auditing firm with "hundreds of thousands of employees".

"These companies have sensitive documents they are dealing with," said Jowan Osterlund, the founder of Biohax and a former professional body piercer. "[The chips] would allow them to set restrictions for whoever."

The chips, about the size of a grain of rice, cost 150 each and are similar to those used for pets. As well as restricting access to controlled areas, microchips could be used to buy food from the canteen, enter the building or access printers.Saqqara, Egypt: Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered dozens of cat mummies and gilded statues of cats, including a bronze statue dedicated to the cat goddess Bastet.

The mummified cats were among artefacts found in seven tombs discovered over the past six months on the edge of the King Userkaf pyramid complex at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, south of Cairo.

A mummified cat inside a tomb at an ancient necropolis near Egypt's famed pyramids in Saqqara, Giza, Egypt. Credit:AP

The archeologists also unearthed a rare collection of mummified scarab beetles, as well as an apparently pristine Fifth Dynasty tomb that they plan to open in the coming weeks.

As they were preparing the site to present the latest discoveries, archaeologists found the door of another tomb that remains sealed, Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, told reporters.Lincoln Replaces Digital Beeps With Detroit Symphony Sounds

Unique chimes recorded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will provide musical alerts for drivers of the all-new Lincoln Aviator; the musicians recorded symphonic chimes for about 25 features in the Aviator

The six new chimes, selected from hundreds of musical combinations, are a blend of percussion, violin and viola; launching on the all-new Aviator, they will then expand across the Lincoln lineup

The all-new Lincoln Aviator production model makes its debut Nov. 28 at AutoMobility LA

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 5, 2018  The notes are precise, crystalline and rich with detail, recorded by heralded musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. And they can only be heard in the all-new Lincoln Aviator, which makes its debut Nov. 28 at AutoMobility LA.

Unique chimes, informing drivers of everything from an open fuel door to an unlatched seat belt, are now symphonic in the all-new Lincoln Aviator. Three levels of informational chimes  non-critical, soft-warning chimes and hard-warning chimes  will provide distinct musical alerts for about 25 features in the vehicle.

Aviator represents the true vision of the Lincoln brand, said David Woodhouse, design director, The Lincoln Motor Company. With a look this striking, we needed to have sounds that matched the beauty of this vehicle.

The three-row Lincoln Aviator introduces groundbreaking performance and intuitive technology. Lincolns vehicle harmony team ensured that an SUV of such distinction in its design and engineering receive equal treatment in terms of its audio evolution.

This is quite a departure for us  introducing music into the informational chime world, said Jennifer Prescott, supervisor, vehicle harmony, The Lincoln Motor Company. But were always thinking about luxury, and this was a way to take Lincoln to an even higher level.

After brainstorming unique sound options with her team, Prescott sent an email to the musicians at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. I truly thought theyd think I was crazy, she recalled, laughing. But we wanted to make sure every detail in this vehicle was perfect.

The opportunity to try something so markedly creative was irresistible, said Anne Parsons, president and CEO of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

As the hometown orchestra of the Motor City, we were definitely interested when Lincoln contacted us about work that brought together music, cars and technology, she said. The DSO has historically valued the use of technology to increase access to classical music, from radio to recordings to the internet, and we are very excited about this new project.

Finding the right sound

Through multiple sessions, musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra recorded several iterations of the alerts, exploring and experimenting with notes after Prescott and team explained how the sounds would be incorporated in an upcoming luxury vehicle. With Aviator not yet in production, Prescott had the musicians sit inside a Lincoln Continental to experience the ambiance.

We told them the flavor of the new vehicle and gave them scenarios of the alerts, she recalled. We told them, basically, to design their own soundscapes. Then they just went in and started playing. And it was phenomenal.

Selecting the right mix of sounds was not easy, she admits. The first time, more than 125 options were recorded. After a multitude of internal Lincoln listening clinics, those sounds were narrowed down to a single chime.

At that point, the vehicle harmony group returned to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with a request to build a suite of embellished chimes around that particular note, and about 100 recordings later, the Lincoln team conducted more listening clinics, striving for  and ultimately finding  the symphonic soundscape that brought the project to life.

A project like no other

The final selection is played by three renowned musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra: They are Adrienne Ronmark, violin; Eric Nowlin, principal viola; and Joseph Becker, principal percussion.

It was a very stimulating project; sounds and soundscapes are so much a part of our life that we often dont really notice them  and yet they can provide all these triggers that are so important, Ronmark said. As a musician, usually what my job entails is trying to bring to life a piece of music thats already been written. So to be a part of this process, to create sounds knowing their meaning first, and then create the sound second, was a really, really engaging way to process the sound.

For Nowlin, the creative freedom just added to the enjoyment.

It was very open-ended, which was great, he said. For us, it was an organic process. We were constantly changing something. We would change a rhythm, or how fast we were playing, or we would change the pitch. Through that process, we were really able to hone our ideas.

The experience of merging technology and music was amazing, agrees Becker, in that it opened up a world of possibilities.

One of the really interesting parts of this is were changing language into music, he said. Theres a list of words that they would like to convey, and we have a bunch of sounds, and we just have to experiment to have those two match up so that the experience is good for the driver.

The more natural sounds integrate the organic style that many consumers are leaning toward, Becker added.

I feel like we all have enough technology with our phones and our computers every day, he said. People want to get away from that sometimes, so its kind of nice to have actual instruments. I think the concept of incorporating it into the car in a different way is very cool.

About The Lincoln Motor Company The Lincoln Motor Company is the luxury automotive brand of Ford Motor Company, committed to creating compelling vehicles with an exceptional ownership experience to match. For more information about The Lincoln Motor Company, please visit media.lincoln.com or www.lincoln.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lincoln.Melania and Ivanka Trump. Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

It is rumored that Ivanka Trump and Melania Trump dont have the warmest relationship. A 2017 Vanity Fair profile of Melania described her relationship with Ivanka as fine. They have very different roles in the Trump administration: While Melania stays out of politics for the most part, and resides in the East Wing of the White House, Ivanka goes out campaigning with her father, and has her own office in the West Wing.

Theres never been a first daughter quite like Ivanka. She is directly involved with policy- making, and strives to be considered as one of her fathers advisers. Even though theres not much overlap between her and the first lady, her role in the White House is reportedly causing tension. According to the New York Times, her relationship with Melania is complicated.

Chief of Staff John Kelly reportedly has to act as mediator between Ivankas staff and Melanias staff when this sort of tension arises. Kelly has previously been quoted describing the Trump childrens involvement in their fathers administration as playing government. Apparently Kelly, a former Marine Corps general, had to intervene when both women posed for photo ops with black children within days of each other.

According to the Times, while Melania was in Ghana as part of her tour of Africa, she held a baby in Accra, and the photo was distributed to the press, and video of the meeting was posted to the first ladys Instagram.

Just two days later, in a video posted to Ivankas Instagram, she high-fived a young black girl in North Carolina, while she was visiting recovery sites following Hurricane Florence. The video was the closing scene of the video, where she talked with North Carolinians.

Apparently this caused tension. John Kelly was tasked with talking to the teams of both women about the  overlap of black children photographed in official White House press materials and Instagram posts?

Ivanka will also be making a trip to countries in Africa in January with Senator Lindsey Graham. She reportedly moved the dates of her trip so that it would not infringe on Melanias trip. According to the Times, Ivanka may also do a network special while she is traveling.Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne speaks at a news conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China Nov. 8, 2018. (Reuters/Thomas Peter/Pool)

China Shuns Rivalry in Pacific as Australia Says This Is Our Patch

BEIJING/SYDNEYBeijing and Canberra should be cooperating in the South Pacific and not be cast as strategic rivals, Chinas top diplomat said on Thursday, after Australia launched a multi-billion dollar fund to counter Chinas rising influence in the region.

Standing alongside Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi made the conciliatory remarks after a meeting in Beijing widely billed as a step toward re-setting bilateral ties after a lengthy diplomatic chill.

Wang said that he had agreed with Payne that the two countries could combine their respective strengths and embark on trilateral cooperation with Pacific island countries.

We are not rivals, and we can absolutely become cooperation partners, Wang told reporters, describing the meeting as important after the recent ups and downs in the relationship.

Payne said the discussions were valuable, full and candid.

Weve realistically acknowledged today that in a relationship as dynamic as ours  there will be from time to time differences, she said later at a separate news briefing.

But what is important about that is how we manage those and we are focused on managing them respectfully, mindful of the tremendous opportunities the relationship presents to both our nations.

Ties became strained late last year, when the previous Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, accused China of interfering in its domestic affairs. The two countries have also been vying for influence in sparsely populated Pacific island countries that control vast swathes of resource-rich ocean.

But even as his foreign minister visited Beijing, Prime Minister Scott Morrison characterized the Pacific as its domain while offering the region up to A$3 billion ($2.18 billion) in cheap infrastructure loans and grants.

This is our patch, this is our part of the world, Morrison said in his most detailed foreign policy speech since becoming prime minister in August.

Speaking in Queensland, Morrison said Australia would invest in telecommunications, energy, transport and water projects in the region.

He also said Australia would also expand its diplomatic presence in the Pacific, posting staff to Palau, the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia, Niue and the Cook Islands.

There are also plans to strengthen Australias defense and security ties with Pacific islands through joint exercises and training.

Morrison did not name China in the speech, but analysts said it was a clear response to Chinas spreading influence.

Australia is reacting to what China is doing. Australia needs more tools to engage with the Pacific, said Jonathan Pryke, a Pacific Islands foreign policy expert with the Lowy Institute, an Australian think-tank.

China has spent $1.3 billion on concessionary loans and gifts since 2011 to become the Pacifics second-largest donor after Australia, stoking concern in the West that several tiny nations could end up overburdened and in debt to Beijing.

On Wednesday, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Australia would oppose a A$13 billion buyout of APA Group, Australias biggest gas pipeline company, by Hong Kongs CK Group on grounds that it would be against the national interest.

While reiterating the governments stand on APA, Payne said Australia remained open to Chinese investment. Wang said Beijing welcomed that assurance.

Last December, Beijing took umbrage at Turnbulls comments and the subsequent introduction of legislation to counter foreign interference, which appeared to be directed in large part at China.

Prior to Paynes visit, China had unofficially suspended accepting visits by senior Australian ministers, and Chinese state media had carried numerous anti-Australian articles.

By Philip Wen and Colin Packham6 Shot, 2 Killed Near Memphis, Tennessee Over Gambling Feud

Two people were shot and killed four others were wounded in Tennessee on Nov. 10, according to local media reports.

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office said one victim died at the scene of the shooting and another died at a hospital, WREG reported.

2 dead, 4 injured in Tennessee shooting that apparently stemmed from argument over gambling https://t.co/8aYtT5QK2N pic.twitter.com/N6xTooGRRS  CBS News (@CBSNews) November 11, 2018

Sheriffs officials told the network that the conditions of those who were injured ranged from serious to critical.

No suspects are yet in custody. The two men who were killed were identified as 18-year-old Marcus Conway and 22-year-old Marquese Taylor, both from Memphis.

Officials believe it was an isolated incident, saying the suspect knew his victims. Their ages are 13 to 21.

Its believed that this incident occurred as a result of a feud while gambling, the Shelby County Sheriffs Office tweeted.

Investigators have interviewed several people on the scene and at the hospitals Investigators believe that this was an isolated incident and that the victims knew the suspects, the office wrote.

The shooting occurred around the 4300 block of Sun Ridge Drive outside the Memphis city limits, officials said.

Other details about the case are not clear.

The office is encouraging anyone with information about the case to call Crime Stoppers Memphis at (901) 528-CASH.

Four people were killed and two others were shot at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee. In the mass shooting, Travis Jeffrey Reinking was stopped by an unarmed customer.

Reinking was determined to have severe schizophrenia, and he was found incompetent to stand trial. He was later institutionalized in a mental hospital for treatment, according to reports.Arizona Girl Stops Would-Be Kidnapper by Asking for Code Word

Police said an 11-year-old Arizona girl prevented a possible kidnapping last week after she demanded a code word from a stranger who told her to get into his car.

Pinal County Sheriffs Office officials said in a statement that on Wednesday, Nov. 7, a Pinal County deputy responded to a home in the North Pecan Creek neighborhood near Gantzel and Ocotillo Roads for a report of an attempted luring.

According to the police, the unidentified 11-year-old girl and a friend were walking near a park in North Pecan Creek just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, when a man driving a white SUV pulled up next to them.

The man tried to persuade the girl to get inside the vehicle by telling her that her brothers had been in a serious accident.

The girl then asked the stranger for a code word.

The man was unable to provide an answer and drove off.

We came up with a code word, and this one time, it saved my daughters life, the girls mother, Brenda James, told FOX10 Phoenix. She told me that a guy tried to take her.

James said she never thought her daughter would have to resort to the code word tactic, but shes glad her daughter had the presence of mind to use it to challenge the would-be kidnapper.

I never thought it would be used, but Im proud of her for remembering that and knowing to use that, she said.

Police said eyewitnesses have reported the suspicious vehicle in the vicinity of the park on multiple occasions.

Children in the neighborhood say they have seen that SUV in the neighborhood, circling the park several times a day, Pinal County Sheriffs Office said.

The man covered most of his face with his hand while talking to the girl to conceal any identifying features, the PCSO added.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb praised the girls parents for teaching their children how to respond to luring attempts by strangers.

Kudos to the parents of this child for having a code word and talking about to their children about stranger danger, Lamb said in a statement. We hope by putting this out, it will encourage parents to have that conversation and create a plan with their children, so they know what to do if they are in that situation.

The man was described as an individual in his 40s with a short beard.

The SUV was described as possibly similar to a Ford Explorer, police said.Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison stands before delivering the National Apology to survivors of child sexual abuse in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Oct. 22, 2018. (AAP/Mick Tsikas/via Reuters)

Australia Independent Lawmaker to Back Minority Government: PM

SYDNEYAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Nov. 8 he has secured support for his minority government after striking a deal with an independent lawmaker.

Morrisons conservative government was reduced to a minority in parliament after voters in a wealthy Sydney constituency voted for an independent candidate in a by-election to replace former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who quit politics after he was ousted by his own party.

Morrison, who must call an election by May 2019, had to seek support from independents to prevent a no confidence vote that would trigger an early election.

On Nov. 8, the prime minister said he had struck a deal with Bob Katter, an independent MP from Queensland.

The agreement will support the continued stability of the government, and us getting on with the job, Morrison said in an emailed statement.

The government promised $234 million in federal funding for irrigation and dam projects in Queensland, where parts of the state have been hit by a devastating drought.

Reuters was not able to reach Katter for comment.

The agreement increases the chances of Morrison serving out his term in office.

Lagging behind the opposition Labour party in opinion polls, Morrison had moved to satisfy the demands of several independents by quietly evacuating child refugees from one of Australias remote Pacific detention centers.

Under Australias tough border control policy, asylum seekers arriving by boat are detained in two Pacific detention centers until they are accepted by another country or agree to return home.

By Colin PackhamCentral American Migrants Continue to March Towards US Border

QUERETARO, MexicoHundreds of Central American migrants resumed their march north through Mexico en route to the U.S. border. The caravan, made up mostly of Hondurans, started north again on the morning of Nov. 10 following a rest of four days in Mexico City.

They carried backpacks, blankets, food, many with children in tow, and took the metro and then walked to the town of Tepotzotlan. News reports and patrons of the metro have reported crowding and chaos as the migrants increased the number of riders.

There, the migrants were helped onto buses and trucks by authorities, who stopped traffic to ask motorists if they would take the migrants to the city of Queretaro, where a shelter was set up at a stadium.

Some of the migrants are set to arrive to the border city of Tijuana on Nov. 12, while others later in the week to Reynosa and other border towns, according to migrant shelters.

Plan to Limit Asylum-Seekers

Migrants who attempt to cross illegally into the United States from Mexico wont be eligible to claim asylum, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a new rule announced on Nov. 8. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation issuing the rule on Nov. 9.

The United States has a long and proud history of offering protection to aliens who are fleeing persecution and torture and who qualify under the standards articulated in our immigration laws, including through our asylum system and the Refugee Admissions Program. But our system is being overwhelmed by migration through our southern border, Trump said.

Failing to take immediate action to stem the mass migration the United States is currently experiencing and anticipating would only encourage additional mass unlawful migration and further overwhelming of the system.

Anyone who enters the United States from Mexico is ineligible for asylum, according to the interim rule (pdf).

By Hannah McKay. Zachary Stieber of NTD News contributed to this report.View Posts by Date November 2021 (21) October 2021 (31) September 2021 (30) August 2021 (31) July 2021 (31) June 2021 (30) May 2021 (31) April 2021 (30) March 2021 (31) February 2021 (28) January 2021 (31) December 2020 (31) November 2020 (30) October 2020 (32) September 2020 (30) August 2020 (31) July 2020 (31) June 2020 (30) May 2020 (31) April 2020 (30) March 2020 (31) February 2020 (29) January 2020 (30) December 2019 (31) November 2019 (30) October 2019 (31) September 2019 (30) August 2019 (31) July 2019 (31) June 2019 (30) May 2019 (31) April 2019 (30) March 2019 (32) February 2019 (28) January 2019 (31) December 2018 (31) November 2018 (30) October 2018 (31) September 2018 (30) August 2018 (31) July 2018 (31) June 2018 (30) May 2018 (31) April 2018 (30) March 2018 (31) February 2018 (27) January 2018 (31) December 2017 (31) November 2017 (30) October 2017 (31) September 2017 (30) August 2017 (32) July 2017 (31) June 2017 (30) May 2017 (31) April 2017 (30) March 2017 (31) February 2017 (28) January 2017 (31) December 2016 (31) November 2016 (30) October 2016 (31) September 2016 (28) August 2016 (31) July 2016 (31) June 2016 (30) May 2016 (31) April 2016 (30) March 2016 (31) February 2016 (29) January 2016 (31) December 2015 (31) November 2015 (30) October 2015 (31) September 2015 (30) August 2015 (31) July 2015 (31) June 2015 (29) May 2015 (30) April 2015 (30) March 2015 (31) February 2015 (28) January 2015 (31) December 2014 (31) November 2014 (30) October 2014 (31) September 2014 (30) August 2014 (32) July 2014 (32) June 2014 (30) May 2014 (31) April 2014 (30) March 2014 (31) February 2014 (28) January 2014 (31) December 2013 (31) November 2013 (30) October 2013 (31) September 2013 (30) August 2013 (33) July 2013 (31) June 2013 (30) May 2013 (32) April 2013 (30) March 2013 (31) February 2013 (28) January 2013 (31) December 2012 (33) November 2012 (30) October 2012 (31) September 2012 (30) August 2012 (31) July 2012 (31) June 2012 (30) May 2012 (31) April 2012 (30) March 2012 (33) February 2012 (29) January 2012 (33) December 2011 (33) November 2011 (32) October 2011 (31) September 2011 (31) August 2011 (31) July 2011 (31) June 2011 (30) May 2011 (31) April 2011 (31) March 2011 (31) February 2011 (29) January 2011 (31) December 2010 (35) November 2010 (30) October 2010 (32) September 2010 (30) August 2010 (32) July 2010 (31) June 2010 (30) May 2010 (33) April 2010 (32) March 2010 (33) February 2010 (31) January 2010 (40) December 2009 (35) November 2009 (34) October 2009 (32) September 2009 (30) August 2009 (32) July 2009 (34) June 2009 (30) May 2009 (31) April 2009 (31) March 2009 (34) February 2009 (29) January 2009 (32) December 2008 (41) November 2008 (46) October 2008 (41) September 2008 (31) August 2008 (32) July 2008 (31) June 2008 (30) May 2008 (32) April 2008 (30) March 2008 (33) February 2008 (37) January 2008 (33) December 2007 (23)An American Express sign is seen Oct. 5 in Austin, Texas. The card issuer has been approved to operate a payments network in China. (Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Express)

China Grants Payments License to American Express, in Venture with LianLian

AmEx unlikely to gain major market share in mobile-dominant Chinese payments sector

News Analysis

An affiliate of American Express Co. gained approval for a payments license from Beijing to begin building a payments network and settle card charges.

American Express (AmEx) is the first foreign company to obtain approval for such a license from the Peoples Bank of China.

Given the structure of the Chinese payments industry, the approval may, in fact, be little more than an empty gesture to gain political capital ahead of a planned meeting between Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump at the G20 summit later this month.

With the approval, Express (Hangzhou) Technology Services Co., a joint-venture between AmEx and Chinese fintech company LianLian, will operate a credit card-payment network that will allow AmEx-branded cards to be used, cleared, and settled domestically. AmEx will earn a fee on such charges, which will be accretive to revenue should the venture prove profitable.

The decision shows that China is bowing, at least nominally, to pressure by the Trump administration. Trump has been critical of Chinas financial services industry, which is largely closed to foreign competition.

Six years ago, the World Trade Organization ruled that China discriminated against foreign card issuers. But little progress had been made on opening the industry.

A subsidiary of California-based Visa Inc. also submitted an application for payments license last year, but hasnt yet obtained approval from the Chinese regime.

Big Potential, but Small Chance of Success

Allowing AmExand potentially Visato operate in China makes positive headlines, but neither company should be expected to become a major player in the Chinese payments space.

The Chinese credit-card sector is currently a monopoly dominated by state-owned China UnionPay, which controls more than 90 percent of the market. There is little incentive for most Chinese consumers to switch to another card issuer.

Another challenge facing new card entrants is its usage ratecharging purchases to a card isnt prevalent among Chinese consumers. Unlike in the United States, where plastic has been used since the 1970s, Chinese consumers have only recently graduated from using cash exclusively.

Most consumers have skipped adoption of credit cards in favor of mobile payments.

China has leapfrogged checks and cards  and gone straight from cash to mobile, said Neil Shah, a research director at Counterpoint Research in Mumbai, according to American Banker magazine.

Tencents WeChat Pay and Alibabas Alipay hold dominant positions in the mobile payments sectorwith a combined 90 percent market share during 2017. EMarketer forecasts that 525 million people in China will use mobile payments this year, or 45.2 percent of the population.

Mobile payment use has also been hastened by the widespread adoption of QR codes in China, which lower the cost barrier for merchants and make processing transactions dead simple for shoppers, said eMarketer senior analyst Rahul Chadha.

The QR code is a diagram unique to the individual and is linked to his or her mobile wallet. At checkout, the mobile phone will display the QR code for the merchant to scan.

The reverse also works. Merchants who dont have a modern point-of-sale system can simply print out its own QR code and stick it somewhere near the register. The customer will take out his or her mobile phone and snap a photo of the merchants QR code to make a payment to the merchant.

Security issues aside, its quick, simple, and low-cost for the merchant. The convenience of mobile payments makes credit card processingwhich is slow and costs merchants 2 and 3 percent of the transaction price in the United Statesan unattractive solution.

One area AmEx can establish a beachhead in is cross-border transactions. While a fair amount of merchants in major U.S. cities accept China UnionPay, most Chinese tourists elect to pay cash for purchases abroad.

Going forward, Chinese residents fond of shopping and traveling abroad can carry their AmEx-branded cards and conveniently and securely transact like a local. Millions of Chinese people travel abroad annually, spending an average of 7,300 yuan ($1,050) per trip, according to mainland China-based Travel Weekly China.

Even if AmEx and other U.S. card issuers can grab a portion of those charges, its only a small consolation prize.Dan Crenshaw Goes on SNL to Accept Pete Davidsons Apology and Roast Him

American Navy veteran Dan Crenshaw went on Saturday Night Live on Nov. 10 to accept an apology by Pete Davidson, who last week poked fun at the Republican politician who lost an eye serving in the military.

Davidson began the segment alone on stage, setting up his apology with a self-effacing set-up.

In what Im sure was a huge shock for people who know me, I made a poor choice last week, Davidson said, eliciting audience laughter. I made a joke about Lt. Commander Dan Crenshaw, Davidson continued, and on behalf of the show and myself, I apologize.

I mean this from the bottom of my heart, Davidson said. It was a poor choice of words. The man is a war hero and he deserves all the respect in the world.

He added, And if any good came of this, maybe it was that for one day the left and the right finally came together to agree on somethingthat Im a [expletive]!

Crenshaw then appeared on stage, looked at Davidson and asked You think?! as the audience broke out in cheers. The former Navy SEAL then added Apology accepted.

The segment saw Crenshaw go on to mock photos of Davidsonas the SNL cast member had mocked photos of him the week beforejoking that: He looks like if the meth from Breaking Bad was a person.

Davidson Sparks Controversy

Davidson caused controversy after mocking Crenshaw in a Nov. 3 segment of SNL.

Wearing a prison outfit, Davidson did a bit while a picture of Crenshaws photo was broadcast on the screen.

You may be surprised to hear hes a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie, Davidson added. Im sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever.

On NBC's Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson mocks GOP Congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw for losing his eye in war: You may be surprised to hear hes a Congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie. Im sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever. pic.twitter.com/krQwesqLAV  Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 4, 2018

The segment prompted laughter from the audience but a backlash from many others, including the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Dan Crenshaw served 10 years as a Navy SEAL. He received two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, said committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. NBC owes him an apology, we owe him our support on Tuesday.

The Navy vet lost the eye in a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan and only regained use of his other eye after several surgeries, according to his website.

Doesnt Need Apology

Crenshaw earlier responded to Davidsons comments in an interview with TMZ and said that he doesnt need an apology.

I want us to get away from this culture where we demand an apology every time someone misspeaks, Crenshaw said. I think that would be very healthy for our nation to go in that direction. We dont need to be outwardly outraged. I dont need to demand apologies from them. They can do whatever they want, you know. They are feeling the heat from around the country right now and thats fine.

On the SNL segment, Crenshaw called for a bridging of the political divide and respect for Americas war veterans.

But seriously, theres a lot of lessons to learn here, he said. Not just that the left and the right can still agree on some things, but also this: Americans can forgive one another. We can remember what brings us together as a country and still see the good in each other. This is Veterans Day weekend, which means that its a good time for every American to connect with a veteran.

He advised all Americans to say never forget to a veteran, implying that as an American, you are in it with them, not separated by some imaginary barrier between civilians and veterans, but connected together as grateful, fellow Americans.

And never forget those we lost on 9/11, heroes like Petes father, he added, paying tribute to Davidsons father, who died in the September 11th attacks. So Ill just say, Pete, never forget.Death Toll Rises to 25 in California Wildfire After 14 Bodies Found

PARADISE, Calif.The charred remains of fourteen more victims have been found in and around a Northern California town overrun by flames from a massive wildfire, officials said on Nov. 10, raising the death toll to 25, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The bodies were recovered in and around Paradise, California, a mountain community some 90 miles north of Sacramento left devastated by the Camp Fire, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Scott Maclean said.

Maclean said no details were immediately available about the circumstances of the deaths and that the bodies badly burned condition would make identification difficult.

The Camp Fire burned down more than 6,700 homes and businesses in Paradise, more structures than any other California wildfire on record.

Several of the victims discovered earlier this week were found in or near burned out cars, police have said. The flames descended on the mountain community so fast that many people were forced to abandon their vehicles and run for their lives down the sole road through the mountain town.

An additional 35 people had been reported missing and three firefighters had been injured.

As of the afternoon of Nov. 10, the Camp Fire had blackened more than 100,000 acres of forest land. Crews had cut containment lines around about 20 percent of the blaze.

About 500 miles to the south, the Woolsey Fire burning in the foothills above Malibu doubled in size overnight, threatening thousands of homes after triggering mandatory evacuation orders for a quarter million people in the oceanside city as well as other communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The fire has destroyed a lot of homes, with a full count still under way, and has now charred more than 70,000 acres, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said.

Our firefighters have been facing some extreme, tough fire conditions that they said that theyve never seen in their lives, Osby said at a news conference.

Two Bodies Found in Malibu

He said crews hoped to take advantage of a lull on Nov. 10 in the fierce Santa Ana winds driving the flames, but that gusts could return on Nov. 11.

All 13,000 residents of Malibu, which is 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, were told to get out on Nov. 9.

The bodies of two people were discovered in Malibu but it was too early to determine if they died from fire or another cause, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department officials said.

Firefighters have been unable to build any containment lines around the Woolsey Fire, but officials said they hoped to take advantage of a lull in winds on Nov. 10 to make progress.

The Woolsey Fire broke out on Nov. 8 in Ventura County near Los Angeles and quickly jumped the 101 Freeway, a major north-south artery, in several places.

On Nov. 9, it crossed the Santa Monica Mountains toward Malibu, where flames driven by wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour raced down hillsides and through canyons toward multi-million dollar homes.

Early on Nov. 8, flames approached Malibus Pepperdine University, a private residential college with 7,700 students, where many remained sheltered on the main campus.

School officials told the students that they have been assured by fire officials that the universitys buildings were built to withstand fire.

Among those forced to flee the Malibu area were celebrities including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian, who said on Twitter that flames had damaged the home she shares in nearby Calabasas with Kanye West.

In Ventura County, most of the town of Thousand Oaks was ordered evacuated, adding to the anguish days after a gunman killed 12 people in a shooting rampage at a bar.

President Donald Trump, weighing in on the emergency during a trip to France, said early on Nov. 10 that gross mismanagement of forests was to blame.

There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor, he wrote in a Twitter post.

Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments! he added.

Trump, a Republican, has previously blamed California officials for fires and threatened to withhold federal funding, saying that more should be done to remove rotten trees and other debris that fuel blazes.

By Stephen LamExtreme Devil Winds May Worsen Deadly California Fires

PARADISE, CaliforniaCrews faced hot dry devil winds as they battled two giant wildfires raging at opposite ends of California on Nov. 11, including a blaze in the north that is now one of the deadliest and most destructive in the states history.

At least 23 people have been killed by the Camp Fire that broke out on Thursday northeast of Sacramento and consumed much of the mountain town of Paradise. More than 100 were reported missing. Hundreds of miles to the south, at least two people died in the Woolsey conflagration threatening the wealthy beach community of Malibu, near Los Angeles.

The Camp Fire burned down more than 6,700 homes and businesses in Paradise, more structures than any other California wildfire on record, and the death toll, which could rise, also makes it one of the deadliest.

Only the Griffith Park Fire in 1933 and Tunnel Fire in 1991 have claimed more lives.

Several of the bodies discovered earlier this week were found in or near burned out cars, police have said. The flames descended on Paradise so fast that many people were forced to abandon their vehicles and run for their lives down the only road through the mountain town.

More than 110 people were reported missing in the fire-scorched area, said a spokeswoman for the Butte County Sheriffs office, who declined further comment.

As of Sunday, the Camp Fire had blackened more than 109,000 acres at the edge of the Plumas National Forest. Crews had cut containment lines around about 25 percent of the blaze.

Winds of up to 40 miles per hour were forecast to blow across the area on Sunday.

Gusts of up to 60 mph and 70 mph, the so-called Santa Ana devil wind, were expected in the Los Angeles area where crews are fighting the Woolsey Fire.

This is getting bad, said meteorologist Marc Chenard, with the National Weather Services Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. Its nothing but bad news.

The air-masses blowing across the western U.S. deserts including Death Valley toward the coast are expected to bring the sustained high winds at least through Tuesday, he said.

The Woolsey Fire doubled in size from Friday night into Sunday threatening thousands of homes after triggering mandatory evacuation orders for a quarter million people in the upscale beach city as well as other communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The fire has destroyed at least 177 homes and other structures with a full count still underway, and has charred more than 83,000 acres as of late Saturday, officials said.

Our firefighters have been facing some extreme, tough fire conditions that they said theyve never seen in their lives, said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby.

Governor Jerry Brown asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to bolster the emergency response and help residents recover.

Were putting everything weve got into the fight against these fires and this request ensures communities on the front lines get additional federal aid, Browns letter said.

Trump, on a trip to France, said in a Twitter post early Sunday, With proper Forest Management, we can stop the devastation constantly going on in California. Get Smart!

With proper Forest Management, we can stop the devastation constantly going on in California. Get Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2018

The president has previously blamed California officials for fires and threatened to withhold funding, saying the state should do more to remove rotten trees and other debris that fuel blazes.

By Stephen LamFlorida Recounting Senate, Governor Races Amid Fraud, Suppression Allegations

The results of two of the most closely watched midterm election races in Florida may take days to determine, after state officials announced a machine recount on Nov. 10.

If the races are forced into a manual recount, the official results would be certified on Nov. 20. But the fate of the races may ultimately rest with the courts, since both Democrats and Republicans have filed lawsuits questioning the integrity of the election.

Related Coverage Republican Candidate Scott Files Three More Election Lawsuits in Florida

A Florida state law triggers an automatic recount when victory margins in key elections are less than 0.5 percent. Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner ordered the tallying of more than 8.2 million votes to be finished within five days. If any race ends up with a margin under 0.25 percent, a manual recount will follow.

All of Floridas 67 counties were required to report their unofficial results to the state by noon on Nov. 10, with some ballots from overseas voters still to arrive by the Nov. 16 deadline.

Most counties submitted the bulk of their results by the day after the Nov. 6 election. Yet two heavily Democratic counties, Broward and Palm Beach, were still counting their mail-in and early voting ballots on Nov. 8, even though Florida state laws require these ballots to be counted and the figures released by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Republicans Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis claimed victories in the crucial races for the Senate and governorship, respectively.

But, as is common in Florida, the margins were tight. Democratic incumbent Sen. Bill Nelson refused to concede the race, predicting a recount. And as Broward and Palm Beach kept adding votes to their tallies, the winning margins have narrowed so much that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum withdrew his concession.

Late on election night, Scott, the governor of Florida, was ahead by about 75,000 votes. DeSantis, until recently a Florida congressman, had a 55,000 vote lead over Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee.

As of Nov. 10, Scotts lead had shrunk to fewer than 13,000 votes, while DeSantiss advantage narrowed to less than 34,000 votes.

Late Counting

Scott raised the suspicion of foul play, especially in Broward, which has a long history of election law violations.

Their goal is to keep mysteriously finding more votes until the election turns out the way they want, he said in a statement to media around midnight of Nov. 8. And when that fails, they will file a bunch of lawsuits in order to try to overturn the will of the voters.

Broward County alone added about 81,000 votes since the election nightmore than 11 percent of all votes cast in the county as of Nov. 10.

President Donald Trump weighed in with a series of tweets and comments to media, suggesting fraud occurred.

Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! he said in a Nov. 10 tweet. We are watching closely!

Scott called for an investigation, but didnt order one from his position as a governor. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement didnt open a probe on its own as it got no referral of criminal activity from the Florida Department of State, which oversees elections and had at least two election officials posted in Broward.

Palm Beach Lawsuit

Scott filed two lawsuits. One alleged that Susan Bucher, Palm Beach Supervisor of Elections (SOE), didnt allow Scotts campaign people to be close enough so they could monitor Buchers staff who were copying damaged absentee or mail-in ballots. While damaged ballots need to be copied to clear ballots, that process could open the door to fraud.

In 2016, Broward County SOE worker Chelsey Smith observed four other staffers filling in ballots about a week before the election. Her account spurred allegations of fraud.

Broward elections supervisor Brenda Snipes said the staffers were copying damaged ballots, but that doesnt appear to be what Smith observed. In a sworn affidavit, Smith said she saw the workers each with a stack of blank ballots on their right and they were filling them in and putting on piles to their left. Smith said she was fired without explanation the next morning, but she recognized one of the workers in a Facebook picture as Broward Voter Services Director Mary Hall.

Scotts lawsuit also alleged that Bucher allowed her staff to pass judgment on a portion of overvoted and undervoted absentee ballotsthose where people didnt properly mark their vote in all races, or marked more candidates than permissible.

State law allows only the canvassing boardcomposed of the elections supervisor, a county court judge, and the chair of the board of county commissionersto determine, with public access guaranteed, which votes are valid.

Broward Lawsuit

Scotts other lawsuit alleges that Snipes denied Scotts campaign requests to inspect all ballots that have not yet been canvassed. It demands that Snipes provide the numbers of ballots cast, counted, and those left to be counted.

Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips found Snipes in violation of Florida public records laws on Nov. 9. She ordered Snipes to turn over the ballot numbers broken down by absentee, early, and election day votes by 7 p.m. that day, Miami Herald reported. But Snipes didnt comply, prompting Scott to announce that hell ask the judge to find Snipes in contempt of court.

Republicans have blistered Snipes, pointing to at least 12 instances where she has been outright incompetent and possibly criminal, The Daily Caller reported. In 2016, for instance, Broward posted early voting results a half hour before polls closed, which is illegal. In May, a judge found that Snipes illegally destroyed ballots after the 2016 congressional primary between Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and then-Democratic rival Tim Canova.

Snipes said before the midterms that people were nitpicking her county and that other counties also have problems.

Caldwell Lawsuit

A third lawsuit was filed by Matt Caldwell, Republican candidate for the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Caldwell led his Democratic opponent, Nikki Fried, by about 21,000 votes on election night.

But the tide has since appeared to shift with the Broward and Palm Beach votes pouring in, resulting in Fried leading Caldwell by some 5,000 votes as of Nov. 10.

Citing Smiths 2016 affidavit and other Snipes transgressions, the suit questions whether all the mail-in and early votes Broward kept adding were received by the SOE by 7 p.m. on election day, as the law requireswith the exception of the overseas votes.

Since election night, Snipes office has repeatedly updated the number of ballots cast, from 634,000 to eventually nearly 715,000. During that process, Snipes repeatedly refused to specify how many ballots were still left to count.

Caldwell has asked the court to order all absentee ballots received by the SOE after the legal deadline be rendered void.

Nelson Lawsuit

The Democrats also have lawyered up. Nelson retained Mark Elias, a partner at Perkins Coie, to lead his recount efforts. Elias was the one who hired Fusion GPS in 2016 on behalf of the Democratic National Committee and the Clinton campaign to dig up dirt on Trump. Fusion GPS, in turn, hired former British spy Christopher Steele, who compiled the infamous dossier of unverified claims about Trump and Russia.

Elias appeared confident that Nelson will end up the winner. The outcome is currently unknown, but I would rather be Nelson than Scott, he said in a Nov. 9 tweet.

Nelson filed a lawsuit on Nov. 9, alleging suppression of votes.

Under Florida law, absentee and provisional ballots need to be signed by voters and the signatures need to match those authorities have on record. The suit demanded, however, that ballots with signatures not matching those on record be counted as valid, The Tampa Bay Times reported.

Elias argued the process of matching the signatures is inconsistent across counties, resulting in a disproportionate number of ballots cast by minority and young voters being discarded for mismatches.

Scott campaign manager Jackie Schutz Zeckman said Nelsons lawsuit is asking the federal courts to allow voter fraud.

On Nov. 9, the Broward canvassing board identified 22 illegal ballots with mismatched signatures and other violations, but Snipes included them by mistake with about 183 valid ones. She then decided the illegal ones couldnt be found and had the whole batch included in the Nov. 10 results, according to Miami Herald.

Undervote

There is another anomaly in Broward. About 25,000 voters who marked their gubernatorial candidate on the ballot didnt mark one for Senate. An undervote of that magnitude didnt occur in other counties.

Some have suggested that the discrepancy may have been caused by the ballot design in the county, where the Senate race was tucked in the left column under voter instructions. Elias dismissed this possibility and said the scanners that read the ballots may have misread some and the issue would be resolved when they are re-calibrated for a recount.

Snipes has said theres no calibration issue with the machines, The Tampa Bay Times reported.

Mysterious Truck

At about 8:30 p.m. on election night, Florida resident JoAnn Knox was leaving the Broward County polling site at Volunteer Park in Plantation, where she was to witness the closing and tabulation of the vote.

She saw a truck at the far end of the parking lot and a long line of cars lined up leading to the truck. One after another, the cars unloaded bags and boxes, which were then loaded to the truck. Among that cargo were blue bags that, according to Knox, were used at the polling station to store ballots. Some of the cars had only one person inside, making Knox worry that someone could have tampered with the ballots. She took a video of the events and posted it on her Facebook page together with a detailed account of her experience.

Knox also took a picture of two women carrying a box labeled provisional ballots. Similar boxes were also found in an elementary school in Miramar on Nov. 8, and at a community center in Tamarac on Nov. 10.

Caught On Video: Concerned citizen sees ballots being transported in private vehicles & transferred to rented truck on Election night. This violates all chain of custody requirements for paper ballots. Were the ballots destroyed & replaced by set of fake ballots? Investigate now! pic.twitter.com/GUPZnz7Gny  Tim Canova (@Tim_Canova) November 8, 2018

Snipes lawyer Eugene Pettis said those were supply boxes that also function as provisional ballot boxes. They come with ballots inside on election day, but those are taken out and stored in orange bags until they are sent to the elections office.

Pettis said the county sent out 577 of the crates to every precinct and trucks then collected them, Miami Herald reported.

Its not clear whether the explanation also applied to the blue bags seen in Knoxs video.

The offices of Snipes and Knox didnt respond to requests for comment.Florida Woman Falsely Accuses Sheriffs Deputy of Rape

Video shows Texas high-speed chase suspect fleeing officers with baby

A 23-year-old Florida woman accused of shoplifting falsely accused a Palm County Sheriffs Office deputy of rape, officials said Nov. 9.

Marley Barberian is now facing charges of a false report, perjury, and false report of a crime, CBS12 reported. She was in a county jail after being arrested at a Target for alleged shoplifting. She later told a nurse that the deputy sexually assaulted her while taking her to jail.

When a detective responded to the case, Barberian issued a sworn statement about the sexual assault on the side of a road, adding that the deputy also groped her during a patdown at the Target.

She described the deputy who patted her down as a white male, bald, and had green eyes.

But investigators found that a female deputy had patted her down, CBS2 reported.

Meanwhile, detectives found that the accused deputy only drove her to the Greenacres police station, while the female deputy drove her to the Palm Beach County jail. The woman claimed the male deputy raped her after leaving the Greenacres police department for the Palm Beach County jail.

There were also no stops from the time the accused deputy drove Barberian from the store to the Greenacres station. And video footage shows the female deputy escorting her to the jail.

Barberian was later arrested and was charged with making a false rape accusation. Other details about the incident arent clear.GOP Candidate Rick Scott: Sen. Nelson Clearly Trying to Commit Fraud

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Nov. 11 said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is attempting to commit voter fraud to win the election.

Sen. Nelson is clearly trying to commit fraud to win this election, thats all this is, Scott told Fox News. When he was asked to elaborate, Scott said, Well, its his team. Nelson, he said, has been a sore loser.

He added: His lawyers said that a noncitizen should vote, thats one. Two, hes gone to trial and said that fraudulent ballots should be counted, ballots have already been thrown out because they were not done properly. He said those should be counted.

Earlier in the week, Scott, who is running for Nelsons seat in the election, filed lawsuits against election officials in Broward County and Palm Beach County.

On Friday, Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips ruled there had been a violation of the Florida Constitution and Floridas public records acts after Broward officials didnt turn over the requested records.

We have very specific laws in the state to try to prevent fraud, Scott told Fox. We had to go to court to force the supervisor of elections in Palm Beach County and Broward County to comply with the law, which is there to prevent fraud.

Fox News reporter Chris Wallace said Nelson was asked to be on the show, but he declined.

Brenda Snipes, the Broward County supervisor of elections who has been accused of incompetence and mishandling in previous elections, was unwilling to disclose records revealing how many electors voted, how many ballots have been canvassed, and how many ballots remain to be canvassed, Scott said.

Scott added: They were not letting party officials review, when they were reviewing ballots. They didnt report on time.  We still dont understand how they went in these two counties and dramatically increased  another 93,000 votes were cast, or somehow they came up with 93,000 votes after election night.

The governor said state law enforcement officials are looking into the matter.

Nelson, through a spokesperson, dismissed Scotts legal actions.

The goal here is to see that all the votes in Florida are counted and counted accurately. Rick Scotts action appears to be politically motivated and borne out of desperation, the spokesperson said.

Last week, President Donald Trump, who wrote on Twitter that the whole world is watching Broward County, and that officials are trying to steal two big elections in Florida. He also thanked Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for helping to expose the potential corruption going on with respect to Election Theft in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. The WORLD is now watching closely!

Rick Scott was up by 50,000+ votes on Election Day, now they found many votes and he is only up 15,000 votes. The Broward Effect. How come they never find Republican votes? he also asked.

The U.S. Senate currently stands at 51 Republicans to 46 Democrats. Two other elections are up in the air, including Arizona, where Democrat Kyrsten Sinema leads Republican Martha McSally, and Mississippi, which is headed to a runoff this month.Illegal Immigrant Killed 3 People After Release From Jail Custody, ICE Says

An illegal immigrant is being accused of killing three people in Missouri, but he had been previously jailed and released in New Jersey on domestic violence charges, said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. ICE said he should have faced deportation proceedings instead of being released.

ICE had placed a detainer on Luis Rodrigo Perez, 23, a Mexican national, while he was in police custody in December 2017, said ICE acting Executive Director Corey Price. The request wasnt honored by Middlesex County officials and the agency wasnt notified when he was released.

Yet again, an ICE detainer was ignored and a dangerous criminal alien was released to the streets and is now charged with killing three people, Price said in a news release.

Had ICEs detainer request in December 2017 been honored by Middlesex County Jail, Luis Rodrigo Perez would have been placed in deportation proceedings and likely sent home to his country  and three innocent people might be alive today. It is past time that localities realize the perils of dangerous sanctuary policies and resume their primary goal of protecting their residents.

Last year, Middlesex County adopted a policy that honors detainer requests from ICE if the inmate has previously been convicted of a first- or second-degree offense or was the subject of a final order of deportation signed by a federal judge, according to AP.

Middlesex County officials told The Associated Press the detainer wasnt honored because it didnt meet the criteria.

This order would have authorized Middlesex County to turn over custody of Mr. Perez prior to, or upon completion of his sentence, officials wrote to AP. Instead ICE officials chose to do nothing, which places all responsibility of Mr. Perezs actions squarely upon ICE.

County officials said ICE didnt request an order to deport Perez.

Missouri officials say Perez and Aaron Anderson, 19, killed their former roommates Steven Marler, 38, and Aaron Hampton, 23, after they were both kicked out. Perez also allegedly killed 21-year-old Sabrina Starr the next day at her home.

Perezs girlfriend, Dalia Garcia, 23, was charged with tampering with evidence, AP reported.The new Apple iPhone XR is displayed during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California, on Sept.12, 2018. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Apple Supplier Pegatron Steps Up Plans to Move Production From China

Taiwan-based company cites U.S. trade war, rising labor costs

Another Apple supplier, the second in less than a month, has announced plans to relocate production out of China due to trade-war pains.

Pegatron, a Taiwan-based contract electronics manufacturer in charge of assembling two of the latest iPhones models, XR and XS Max, announced the relocation plans during a recent investor teleconference, according to a Nov. 9 article by Japanese media Nikkei.

We are going to do it with or without tariffs imposed under Section 301 [of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974], said Charles Lin, Pegatrons chief financial officer, during the teleconference. He added that the intensifying trade tension accelerates our decision to do it.

The U.S. administration has slapped tariffs on a total of $250 billion worth of Chinese goods, after a Section 301 investigation of Chinas trade practices by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) found that Beijing engaged in systematic theft of U.S. intellectual property and other unfair tactics, harming U.S. interests. The long list of targeted Chinese imports includes electronic parts and components that make up many electronic devices, including Apple products.

Chinas GoerTek, an acoustic component maker based in eastern Chinas Shandong Province that assembles Apples AirPods wireless headphones, announced in mid-October that it would relocate its production to Vietnam to avoid U.S. tariffs.

Lin didnt name a specific country that will host the companys new manufacturing plants. He did, however, say that up to three countries in Southeast Asia will be home to the new sitesgiven that not a single country apart from China can handle the logistical concerns involved with managing multiple sites during peak manufacturing season.

There is also a plan to move some of the current production in China to existing manufacturing sites in the Czech Republic and Mexico, Pegatron CEO S.J. Liao said during the same teleconference, according to Taiwans English-language newspaper Taipei Times.

Liao explained that building new manufacturing sites in Southeast China would be costly, and it would take two to three years before these sites could be operational.

Another reason trying to the company to decide to move production away from China are the rising wages and labor shortages in China during peak season, Nikkei reported, citing Lin, who said these problems have become more serious in the last three or four years.

Nevertheless, moving production outside of China doesnt really solve all the problems. According to Taipei Times, Lin explained that to avoid U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, a product exported to the U.S. market must have at least 30 to 35 percent of its components deriving from the local country.

This country-of-origin rule makes it hard for electronic assemblers like Pegatron, explained Lin, for the company relies on Chinas component supply chain.

Pegatrons announcement to move manufacturing away from China coincided with Apples announcement on Nov. 6 informing its suppliers to halt plans for additional production lines for the iPhone XR, according to Reuters. This drew speculation that Pegatrons decision was also due to weak demand for the iPhone XR.

Pegatron and another Taiwanese company, Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, have been major assemblers for iPhones in recent years. According to Taiwanese media, Pegatron was awarded about 50 to 60 percent of all iPhone XR orders from Apple, while Foxconn got about 30 percent. For the previous model iPhone X, Pegatron got about 5 to 10 percent of orders while Foxconn got 90 to 95 percent.

In an interview with Nikkei, Nicole Tu, an analyst at Taiwan-based Yuanta Investment Consulting, said the firm has lowered its forecast sales of iPhone XR from 39 million units to 32 million due to weaker-than-expected demand for XR.

Tu agreed with the need for electronic assemblers to move production outside of China to avoid trade war risks. She added that eventually manufacturers of electronic components that make electronic devicessuch as camera lens, phone screens, and plastic casingswill also follow suit and move their productions elsewhere in order to stay competitive amid the trade war.Man Who Got Within Feet of Old Faithful Is Banned From Yellowstone for 5 Years

Video shows rare eruption of Steamboat geyser

A man who was cited for walking too close to Yellowstones Old Faithful was banned from entering Yellowstone or Grand Teton national parks for five years, according to reports.

Gabriel Villalva, 27, of Colorado, entered a guilty plea of disorderly conduct and foot traffic on a thermal area in Yellowstone.

Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman sentenced him to five years of probation, and he cant enter the parks, Helenair.com reported.

Yellowstone visitor caught too close to hot springs Yellowstone Park rangers arrested this man on Friday for walking off the boardwalk and getting too close to some of the park's most notable and potentially deadly thermal features. The suspect remains under investigation: https://bit.ly/2PMLA4LVideo courtesy Kelly Kosciuk    ABC FOX Montana     

Videos showed Villalva standing several feet away from Old Faithful on Sept. 14. KDVR in Colorado reported that he was also accused of urinating into the geyser.

The man was later arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming, during a police chase. His vehicle caught on fire in the incident.

Police said that they used beanbag rounds to subdue Villalva in the chase, KTVB reported.

Old Faithful currently erupts around 20 times a day and can be predicted with a 90 percent confidence rate within a 10 minute variation, Yellowstone says on its website.

The water it shoots out is quite hot, and steam temperatures can get to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, the website says. If the geyser had erupted when Villalva was dangerously close to it, he likely could have been scalded with hot water and steam from the geyser.

Stay a safe distance from thermal features and never leave the boardwalk to walk on a geysers fragile crust, it adds. Old Faithful can vary in height from 100-180 feet with an average near 130-140 feet. This has been the historical range of its recorded height. Eruptions normally last between 1.5 to 5 minutes, the website reads.Mother-Daughter Murder-Suicide Was a Double-Murder Committed by Sister, Officials Say

It initially appeared that 23-year-old Helen Hargan may have murdered her 63-year-old mother, Pamela Hargan, before she killed herself, but police announced on Nov. 9 that Helens sister, 35-year-old Megan Hargan, was charged in both deaths.

We have arrested 35-year-old Megan Hargan for the murders of her sister Helen Hargan and mother Pamela Hargan in 2017, wrote police in Fairfax County, Virginia.

She was taken into custody this morning in West Virginia. Detectives are currently interviewing her, officials said.

The mother and daughter were found shot dead at Pamelas home on July 14, 2017. Officials believed it was a murder-suicide, but in a new development, officials realized the crime scene was staged.

Fairfax County Police Maj. Ed OCarroll said Hargan tried to get money from her mothers bank account via fraudulent means the same day they were found dead. She also attempted to obtain money on the previous day, CBS News reported.

Ive known that it was coming, and now its here. It was like it all blew up in your face, Tammy North, Pamela Hagans sister, was quoted by WUSA-9 as saying. Oh yeah, theres never been any question. I believed from day one that she did it, added North.

Woman arrested in murder of her sister and mother in their McLean home https://t.co/XKktKJMlbP pic.twitter.com/fKUXlXyOz3  WUSA9 (@wusa9) November 9, 2018

Money and jealousy are two motivating factors in the movie, North believes. Pamela had purchased a house for Helen before they were killed.

It was made to look one way, Major Ed OCaroll, commander of the departments major crimes bureau, told WTOP. He added: Our detectives are smart and we realized that that necessarily wasnt the case, and we followed up on every lead.

Police said the case is active, and more charges are could be pending, CBS reported.

I will say that detectives were open-minded from the minute they arrived on the scene till yesterday when we got word of the indictment being authorized, he said. Every lead was followed up on.

Reporters asked OCarroll why it was initially described as a murder-suicide.

OConnor said the police media relations team did their best to share the way it looked that day, he told WTOP. He said later: Weve got a lot of information that comes out from a breaking news event such as this tragedy in our community. We do the best we can to share with our community what we know at the time, what informations coming from the scene.

Officials recovered the gun that they believe was used in the killings, OCarroll added. Fairfax County police at Hargans home in West Virginia and are trying to find more evidence, he said.

Megan Hargan and her daughter, 6, were living in the home with her mother and sister during the killings. Megan and her daughter moved to Monongalia County, West Virginia to live with her husband after the incident, WUSA reported.

Video: Woman Flees Police in Chase, Crashes Car, Grabs Baby in Car SeatMS-13 Gang Member Gets 40 Years in Prison for Torture, Killing of 15-Year-Old Girl

A female MS-13 gang member was sentenced to 40 years in prison for her involvement in the slaying of a 15-year-old girl in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Venus Romero Iraheta, 18, was convicted of murder in January in the 2017 killing of Damaris Reyes Rivas. She pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree murder, abduction, and criminal street participation, Fox News reported.

Iraheta was among 10 MS-13 members and associates who met Reyas Rivas, a 15-year-old who was a student at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

According to a translator, Iraheta said she told Reyes Rivas: Youre going to remember me until the day we see each other in hell. Dont forget my name. And I told her my full name and I told her my nickname. And I told it to her and I told her to never forget who I was. I told her, Someday, we were going to see each other again, Fox reported.

An officer then asked her what happened next, and she replied: I killed her.

Iraheta confessed to stabbing Reyas Rivas 13 times and cutting off one of her tattoos. I remember that before stabbing her, Jose Torres told me to cut her tattoo off, she said, according to NBC Washington.

I want to say to this young lady that she destroyed my life, Maria Reyes, Reyes Rivas mother, told Iraheta, Fox reported. She destroyed the life of my daughter. She didnt owe anything to you. My daughter is not in hell, as she said. Shes in heaven. She has shown me that in my dreams.  Hell will be lived by you, not by her.

Iraheta said in court that she would give my life to bring her back. I am sorry, NBC Washington reported. She also cried in court.

Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Ray Morrogh, however, told NBC that her sobs were crocodile tears.

The Washington Post reported that Reyes Rivas was lured to Lake Accotink Park by members who wanted to smoke marijuana. She was then met by 10 gang members between the ages of 15 and 21.

Video footage shows the mob interrogating her before forcing her to stand naked in below-freezing temperatures. Another video shows her lying dead on leaves, the Washington Post reported. In that video, a gang member is seen jamming a stick into her neck.

All 10 MS-13 members have been convicted in the case.

MS-13 is also known as Mara Salvatrucha and is based in El Salvador. Many MS-13 gang members in the United States are illegal immigrants.

In a separate case, evidence showed a trial showing that branches or cliques of MS-13 operate throughout nearby Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, and Frederick County, Maryland, according to the DOJ.On Centenary in France, Trump Honors Americans Who Died in World War I

President Donald Trump visited the American Cemetery in Suresnes, outside Paris, on Nov. 11, to honor the fallen soldiers of World War I on the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Great War.

The signing of the armistice is commemorated in the United States on Nov. 11 as Veterans Day.

Trump was joined by U.S. military leaders in the visit to the cemetery, where 1,500 U.S. service members are buried. Among them are U.S. Marines who fought in the Battle of Belleau Wood, where they earned the nickname Devil Dogs as they fought against the German Spring Offensive of 1918.

More than 116,000 Americans lost their lives and more than 1 million were wounded in World War I. Trump described the final battle of the war as the single deadliest in U.S. history. More than 26,000 American soldiers perished in that battle and more than 95,000 were wounded.

Each of these marble crosses and Stars of David marks the life of an American warriorgreat, great warriors they arewho gave everything for family, country, God, and freedom, Trump said.

Through rain, hail, snow, mud, poisonous gas, bullets, and mortar, they held the line, and pushed onward to victory  never knowing if they would ever again see their families or ever again hold their loved ones.

The Great War killed 10 million soldiers and left millions of women widowed and children orphaned.

Earlier in the day, Trump attended an emotional ceremony in Paris led by French President Emmanuel Macron to pay tribute to the millions of soldiers killed in World War I.

The American and French patriots of World War I embody the timeless virtues of our two republics: honor and courage; strength and valor; love and loyalty; grace and glory, Trump said. It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago.

The president cited a letter written by Sgt. Paul Maynard days before the wars final battle. Maynard wrote to his mother that if he survived the battle, he would appreciate home more than ever before, because it will seem like heaven to me to be once more where there is peace and only peace.

Maynard died in the final hours of the fighting.

Among those present was 13-year-old Matthew Haske, who worked for two years to save money to make the trip to France from the United States.

He wanted to be here in person to honor the American heroes of World War I. Matthew, thank you. You make us very proud, Trump said. Youre way ahead of your time, Matthew.

11 a.m.

Macron led tributes to the millions of soldiers killed in World War I in Armistice Day ceremonies in Paris, attended by scores of world leaders.

Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and dozens of other leaders joined Macron to mark the moment the guns fell silent across Europe a century earlier.

Under gray skies and gently falling rain, many heads of state joined Macron in walking the last stretch of the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, where the ceremony was held.

In a 20-minute address delivered beside the tomb of the unknown soldier, Macron described the unimaginable hell of those who fought in the trenches.

The commemoration marked the centerpiece of tributes to honor those who died during the 19141918 war and to commemorate the signing of the armistice that brought the fighting to an end at exactly 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

The lesson of the Great War cannot be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten, Macron said, alluding to the millions of women widowed and children orphaned by the conflict, as well as the millions of soldiers killed. Around him, sorrow etched on their faces, former French soldiers stood rigidly at attention.

It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential, Macron said.

The 90-minute commemoration included the reading by children of letters written by German, French, and British soldiers during the war, a recital by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and a performance of Maurice Ravels Bolero.

The Nov. 11 events were the culmination for Macron of a week of commemorations of the war, one of the bloodiest in history and one that reshaped Europes politics and demographics.

Reuters contributed to this report.Secretive Chinese Military Hacker Group May Be Attacking India

A unit of the Chinese military that has been linked to cyberattacks against U.S. private companies for economic espionage may now be targeting Indias national defense infrastructure.

The secretive Unit 61398 of the Peoples Liberation Army in China may be involved in geolocation intelligence collection, tracking information sources in cyberspace, interception, and deciphering of digital communication in India, Indian news channel Zee News reported on Nov. 8, citing an unidentified Indian intelligence officer.

The Chinese hackers attack industrial and government organizations of foreign countries and this is a cause of concern for us, the officer said.

Chinese Military Unit

The unit is one of 22 known operations bureaus under the Third Department of the General Staff Department, also known as the warfighting branch of the Chinese military. The intelligence officer told Zee News that Unit 61398 is reportedly headquartered in the economic hub of Shanghai.

In February 2013, U.S. cybersecurity firm Mandiant released a report exposing Unit 61398 as the hackers behind a number of cyberoperations that targeted U.S. companies. The firm called the group APT 1, using industry parlance meaning advanced persistent threat, which is a cyberattack that seeks to not only gain access to a server of a system but to retain long-term, ongoing access.

In 2014, five hackers in the unit were indicted by U.S. federal authorities for computer hacking and economic espionage targeting U.S. nuclear- and solar-power companies.

In November 2017, U.S. prosecutors charged three Chinese nationals who were employees of Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company, a cybersecurity services firm with ties to Unit 61398, with computer hacking and theft of trade secrets. Siemens, Trimble, and Moodys Analytics were among the companies that were allegedly hacked between 2011 and May 2017.

According to cybersecurity firm FireEyes assessment, Unit 61398 has stolen hundreds of terabytes of data from at least 141 organizations around the world, targeting a wide range of industries such as aerospace, transportation, health care, and financial services sectors.

The group focuses on compromising organizations across a broad range of industries in English-speaking countries. The size of APT1s infrastructure implies a large organization with at least dozens, but potentially hundreds, of human operators, FireEye said.

Other Threats to India

FireEye had, in fact, issued a warning at the end of last year that Chinese state-backed hackers would likely shift their focus in 2018 to countries, such as India, that Beijing considers a threat to its growing influence in the global market.

Hacker groups will likely target Indian companies for espionage. For Indian enterprises, one of the most important security questions is, do you know who is targeting you and how they operate? The threat landscape looks very different depending on the nature of your business, the data you hold, your relationships, and more, said Shrikant Shitole, senior director and country head for India at FireEye, in an interview with Indo-Asian News Service, an Indian news agency.

As for national defense-related hacking, in April 2010, a Chinese hacker group called Shadow Network tapped into top-secret files at the Indian Defense Ministry, as well as embassies around the world. Among the compromised files were information relating to Indias weapons systems.Fewer people in Europe and the Americas are engaged in excessive drinking, according to a new World Health Organization report. (Little Visuals/Pexels)

Shifts in Culture Could Be Causing Drop in Excessive Drinking

Drunkenness falls as social media and new attitudes take hold

Fewer people in Europe and the Americas are engaging in excessive drinking and this could be linked to shifts in culture, an expert from the United Nations public health organization said.

According to the World Health Organizations (WHO) latest status report on alcohol and health, which examines the periods from 2010 to 2016, there was a drop in prevalence of people aged 15 and over who engaged in heavy episodic drinkingequivalent to roughly four 12-oz beers.

The Americas saw a downward trend of 10.8 percent in prevalence, while Europe saw a 14.5 percent fall. Similar trends were also observed in other regions around the world.

The report also found that three regionsAfrica, the Americas, and Europeobserved a drop in prevalence of more than 10 percent among adolescents aged from 15 to 19 who engaged in excessive drinking.

Dan Revke, senior technical officer from the WHO Management of Substance Abuse Unit and an executive editor of the report, said although there is still no concrete evidence to determine the exact causes for the fall, with further study, lessons can be learned from the positive change.

Online Culture

Revke said one possible reason for the drop could be a cultural shift in the publics perception of drunkenness, in particular on social media.

We think that somehow being drunk is not so popular in certain sub-groups anymore, he said.

For example, peoples alcohol consumption may be influenced by how they want to represent themselves on social media.

Another cultural change could also be the increased popularity of online gaming.

If you are gamer, alcohol affects your motoric abilities so being drunk is not the best thing when you are playing a sophisticated game, Revke said.

Nevertheless, excessive gaming is a problem, he said, and has already been classified a disease in WHOs International Classification of Diseases.

Current trends like young people opting for abstinence from alcohol as seen in the United Kingdom, and celebrities openly talking about their sobriety, could also be creating change, in Europe.

If you do a Google search, you often see that some celebrities have stopped drinking, and you have articles that its fashionable not to be drinking, and our data confirms that there seems to be  something in it, Revke said.

Data from the United Kingdom Office for National Statistics also shows a decrease in alcohol consumption between 2005 and 2017, likely fueled by an increase in teetotalingabstention from alcoholin people aged from 16 to 44.

Despite these positive trends in the decrease of excessive drinking, WHO said the overall burden of injuries and diseases caused by harmful use of alcohol is still unacceptably high.

In the recent report, the organization found that more than 3 million people were killed by alcohol-related injuries, disease, and health problems in 2016. Harmful use of alcohol includes the amount of alcohol drunk over time, how frequently alcohol is drunk to intoxication, the drinking context, and the quality of alcoholic beverages.A Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jet takes off during a test flight ahead of the Airshow China 2014 in Zhuhai, a city in southern China's Guangdong Province, on Nov. 10, 2014. (Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images)

Treason Case Highlights History of China Conducting Military Espionage Against Russia

China has long considered Russia its key ally. But the apparent friendship hasnt stopped Beijing from resorting to industrial espionage and theft operations against its northern neighbor.

Recently, a treason case involving fighter jets has highlighted Chinas long history of stealing Russian military technology.

Team29, a nonprofit association for lawyers and journalists based in St. Petersburg, published on its website an article detailing the case against Roman Dmitriev, an aviation technologist at a manufacturing plant run by Russian aircraft maker SC Sukhoi Co. in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a city in Russias Far East.

The plant, formerly an independent company called Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO) before consolidating with Sukhoi in 2013, is in charge of manufacturing different models of Sukhoi fighter jets, including the Su-27, Su-33, and Su-35, and Su-57, which is the latest available model on the market known for its stealth capability.

Dmitriev, 27, was convicted of treason and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison by a Russian court in Khabarovsk in October 2017. He had been arrested and detained since April 2016.

Dmitriev was found guilty for leaking classified information about Su fighter jets and other state secrets when he left comments on a Russian aviation online forum Airforce.ru. In one of his comments, he wrote about Russias deals to sell fighter jets, including the Su-35, to China between 2016 and 2020, as well as planned purchases of Su-35s by Indonesia and Pakistan.

Team29 didnt indicate who or which country might have benefited from the information that Dmitriev posted on the Internet.

China has purchased Su-35 fighter jets since at least 2014, when Beijing bought 24 for $2.5 billion, according to U.S. bimonthly magazine the National Interest. While China has so far received 14 jets from that initial order, Russian state-backed Sputnik News reported on Nov. 6 that the remaining aircraft will be delivered by 2020.

According to the Team29 article, Russian law stipulates that information about military-technical cooperation with other countriesin this case, the sale of jets to Chinais considered a state secret. Any disclosure before the official announcement, such as what Dmitriev was accused of, could harm Russias national security. If found guilty of treason, the maximum sentence is 20 years in prison.

The court also charged Dmitriev with handing over information about Russias development of the Su-57 to a person identified by the court as an Israeli intelligence agent.

Dmitriev began working at KnAAPO as a mechanic before being promoted to be a technologist in the manufacturing department. According to the Team29 article, Dmitriev didnt have the necessary clearance to be able to access the companys secret documents, but obtained them through a corporate network. Another employee put those documents on the network.

Team29 noted that two other users of the online forum were arrested for treason in 2018.

Chinese Military Espionage

While there is no indication that the latest treason case was directed by the Chinese regime, Beijing has a well-documented record of stealing military technology from Russia since the 1990s.

The most notable theft involved the Su-27, the production rights to which were sold by Russia to China in 1996. However, Russians have since claimed that Beijing violated the licensing agreement to produce knock-off, unlicensed versions by reverse engineering and modifying the original hardware. That includes Chinas J-11, the design of which is based on the Russian fighter jet, according to National Interest.

Recently, China was also accused of copying Russian civilian aircraft. The joint venture behind the CR929 passenger jet, a model built through joint Sino-Russia cooperation and unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in southern Chinas Guangdong Province on Nov. 7, was accused by Russian design company OKB Atom of plagiarism, according to Russian online newspaper Vzglyad. While Russias United Aircraft Corp. and Chinas state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. had established a Chinese venture for the project, OKB Atom claimed that the ventures CR929 design was stolen from its own plans, which had been submitted for another Chinese passenger plane project in 2016.

There have also been a few incidences of espionage uncovered by Russian authorities that benefited Beijing.

In June 2012, a court in St. Petersburg sentenced two professors, Svyatoslav Bobyshev and Yevgeny Afanasyev of Baltic State Technical University, to 12 and a half and 12 years, respectively, in prison, according to Russian news site Gazeta. Bobyshev was found guilty of committing high treason in the form of giving state secrets to China; Afanasyev was his co-conspirator.

The professors were accused of giving Chinese intelligence officials information about Russias Bulava ballistic missile system, which is used by Russian submarines, in exchange for $7,000. They transmitted the information while on trips to China to give lectures at Harbin Polytechnic University between 2007 and 2009, The university is located in northern Chinas Heilongjiang Province. They began giving lectures in Harbin in 2003, and were arrested in 2010.

In October 2011, Russias security service FSB revealed that it had arrested an alleged Chinese spy named Tun Sheniyun a year earlier, for posing as a translator in order to obtain information about Russias S-300 anti-aircraft missile system, according to The Guardian. Russia had sold and delivered 15 S-300 systems to China in 2010

Ruslan Pukhov, a defense analyst and director of the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told The Guardian that Tuns case was probably the result of Beijing having difficulty cloning S-300 and wanting to get its hands on more documents about the missile system.US Will Stop Refueling Aircraft of Saudi-Led Coalition in Yemen War

WASHINGTON/CAIROThe United States will stop refueling aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition that is fighting Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to an announcement by the coalition on Nov. 10.

Recently, the Kingdom and the Coalition increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refueling in Yemen. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the Coalition has requested the cessation of inflight refueling support for its operations in Yemen, the Saudi statement said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the U.S. government was consulted on the decision, and that Washington supported the move while continuing to work with the alliance to minimize civilian casualties and expand humanitarian efforts.

The U.S. and the Coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure their countrys borders, and contribute to counter Al Qaeda and ISIS efforts in Yemen and the region, he said in a statement.

Read More US Soldier Killed in Raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen

A halt to refueling could have little practical effect on the conflict, which is seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Only a fifth of coalition aircraft require in-air refueling from the United States, U.S. officials said.

In late October, the United States and Britain called for a ceasefire in Yemen to support U.N.-led efforts to end the nearly four-year-long war that has killed more than 10,000 people and triggered the worlds most urgent humanitarian crisis.

Read More US Defense Secretary Mattis Calls for Ceasefire in Yemen Within 30 Days

Battle in Hodeidah

The Sunni Muslim alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has recently stepped up military operations against the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement, including in the main port city of Hodeidah, which is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, called for an immediate end to the military escalation in Yemen.

Read More Why Yemen Is at War

The Saudi-led Coalition and pro-Hadi forces, the Houthi forcesand those who supply arms or other support to the parties to the conflictall have the power or the influence to stop the starvation and killing of civilians, to give some reprieve to the people of Yemen, Bachelet said in a statement on Nov. 10.

The statement also said there is concern over 900 detainees in the central prison in Hodeidah and six pre-trial detention facilities after it was hit on Nov. 5 by two mortar shells, injuring five and cutting off power and water to the prison.

Hodeidah has become a key battleground in the war in which the coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government that was ousted by the Houthis.

U.N. bodies warn that an all-out attack on the Red Sea port, an entry point for 80 percent of Yemens food imports and aid relief, could trigger a famine in the impoverished country.

Read More Yemen Conflict Could Push Millions More to Brink of Famine: UN

The World Food Programme said on Nov. 8 that it planned to double food assistance for Yemen, aiming to reach up to 14 million people to avert mass starvation.

Air strikes by the coalition, which relies on Western arms and intelligence, have often hit schools, hospitals, and markets, killing thousands of Yemeni civilians.

Read More South Korea Struggles With Surge of Yemeni Asylum-Seekers

Peace Talks

U.N. special envoy Martin Griffiths hopes to convene Yemens warring parties for peace talks by the end of the year.

The coalition expressed hope in its statement that his efforts would lead to a negotiated settlement, including an end to Houthi missile attacks that have targeted Saudi cities and vessels off the port of Hodeidah.

Mattis said all parties support Griffiths efforts.

The last round of peace talks in Geneva in September collapsed when the Houthis failed to show up, saying their delegation had been prevented from traveling. The Yemeni government blamed the group for trying to sabotage the talks.

By Phil Stewart and Nayera Abdallah Mahmoud

Additional reporting by Makini Brice and Tom PerryWorld Leaders Gather in Paris a Century After WWI Armistice

PARISCommemorations are underway around the world to mark the moment 100 years ago when the slaughter of World War I finally stopped.

France, the epicenter of the first global conflict, is hosting the main international commemoration on Nov. 11, pressing home the point that the world mustnt stumble into war again, as it did so quickly and catastrophically with World War II.

World leaders walked side by side to commemorate the end of World War I in a somber, rain-soaked line as bells finished tolling.

Arriving a few minutes late, they missed the exact moment to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I, signed in northeastern France at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.

Fighter jets passed overhead as the leaders walked to the Arc de Triomphe.

U.S. President Donald Trump headed separately to the memorial for security reasons, as did Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Putin, and dozens of monarchs, presidents and prime ministers from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and beyond joined French President Emmanuel Macron to mark the moment guns fell silent across Europe a century ago.

The commemoration is the centerpiece of global tributes to honor the 10 million soldiers who were killed during the 1914-18 war and the moment the armistice was signed into effect.

In a rare public display of emotion by the leaders of two world powers, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war.

The conflict was one of the bloodiest in history, reshaping Europes politics and demographics. Peace, however, was short-lived and two decades later Nazi Germany invaded its neighbors, sparking World War II.

On the other side of the globe, the first countries and territories to see the dawn kicked off the commemorations, pushing for peace with the simple act of recalling how the 1914-1918 war killed and wounded soldiers and civilians in unprecedented numbers and in gruesome new, mechanized ways.

Australia and New Zealand lost tens of thousands of people on foreign fields far away in Europe and, most memorably in the brutal 1915 battle of Gallipoli in Turkey. Both commemorated their dead Sunday.

Sundays ceremonies were intended to drive home the disaster that would befall the world should it stumble into another global war.

Reuters contributed to this report.While the total veteran population is predicted to decline, the percent of women veterans is increasing. They constitute the fastest growing veteran population in the United States, with about 10 percent of the 20 million veterans being women.

In 2016, the Department of Defense lifted all restrictions on the roles women can perform in the military and more women continue to enlist in all the same jobs as their male counterparts, including front-line combat posts. But exiting active duty, women veterans have unique needs.

Women leaving the military are more likely to be younger than men, caretakers of children, unmarried and unemployed after service. Since the Department of Veteran Affairs established gender-specific care for women in the 1990s, theyve worked to expand services and access to address women veterans needs, including providing reproductive care, aging care related to women and mental health care specific to womens struggles.

We know from talking to women veterans there are a number of barriers specific to women, West Haven VA Women Veterans Program Coordinator Lynette Adams said. Women are often caretakers for children and spouses. Being the primary caretaker means women are busy  theyre in school, working, a mother. Balancing all that is challenging when accessing care.

At any VA, there is a womens health center and gender-specific care for women where they offer primary care and mental health clinics designed to meet the needs of women vets as well as a military trauma expert and reproductive health experts. In a study by the VA that looked at barriers to VA health care among women, researchers found that 60 percent of women placed a greater importance on having a clinic for just women to receive care.

While not every woman makes use of the Womens Center, many female veterans said it was important women have that option in case they did have traumatizing experiences with men in the military.

The VA is still a male dominated place, said VA Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator Jason DeViva. For someone with a history of trauma, it can be hard to come to a place with that many men. DeViva said the VA has women only MST groups and a dedicated clinic and campaign to make it more welcoming for those women who served.

You definitely notice that youre one of the few females there, Kelleher said. You cant not notice that, but in the military, youre already used to that. It doesnt seem weird to me. It feels fairly normal. It didnt unsettle me, but Im someone who hasnt experienced MST, so to me it was in no way uncomfortable to be in that environment. I can imagine if you had experienced that you would want to access the womens center.

The other obstacle for women who have experienced sexual trauma is they have a hard time with crowds and trusting people, he said. Its a factual observation that American culture is definitely not as supportive as it could be of women who disclose sexual trauma, DeViva said.

Military sexual trauma disproportionately affects women vets, with one in four women saying it happened to them while in the military, Adams said. Because we know that, we created trauma informed care and one thats sensitive, she said.

In 1994, the VA first mandated that all centers have a women veterans coordinator to advocate for women and their service needs and a more progressive law was passed that expanded care for MST, eliminating the time requirement on eligibility and limit on length of treatment. They also expanded the law to include care for physical conditions that resulted from sexual trauma and extended eligibility to men.

Thats why its nice to have a womens clinic, to have a space where shes around other women who may have experienced something she has, Adams said. Its really welcoming and we want to create safety and privacy.

Even with the VA being male dominated, many women veterans said they never felt uncomfortable at there and generally received good care. One issue, though, was outside the womens clinic, the turnover rate of doctors and staff is so high, building a relationship is frustrating and difficult, former Navy gunner Brandy Parry said.

As soon as you start to get to know someone and build that trust, theyre gone, so you never feel like you can really open up, she said.

Retired Sgt. First Class Lisa Rodriguez, a JROTC at James Hillhouse High School, echoed her sentiment saying a large reason she prefers being seen in the womens clinic is the consistency of staff, which helps make her feel comfortable to open up if she had an issue.

In addition to the population of women veterans growing, Adams said theyre seeing more women come to the VA for care, and I think its indirect response to VA developing services and people like me going out to the community. However, getting information to women veterans about their benefits is a big challenge for the VA and a barrier for vets, she said.

When anyone leaves the military after service, they go through a program that explains how to transition to civilian life and access benefits. Its sometimes referred to as Transition Assistance Program or Transition Readiness Seminar. This is the Department of Defenses effort to educate veterans about their benefits before they leave. But depending on where someone served or what branch they served in, they might not get the same thoroughness of information.

I didnt know I could go to the VA until I got out and it was a much harder process to do anything with the VA once I was out than if I started claiming when I was in, said Beth Carlin, who served the US Army in Alaska.

Whereas Kathleen Lekko, a former Marine who was stationed in Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, started accessing her benefits while she was still on her base and got her benefits quickly and easily after she got out in 2017.

She and Carlin both use their G.I. Bill to attend Quinnipiac University.

In the National Guard, when members leave theyre required to go through post mobilization Yellow Ribbon Program in which providers come talk to members and its drilled into you what your benefits are, Alyssa Kelleher, director of Veteran Affairs and Programs at the University of Connecticut and a Major in the Connecticut Army National Guard.

The disparity among veterans who know what their benefits are can become a barrier to accessing them. Parry said the information she got was condensed and didnt tell her what she needed to know.

Youre just getting out and shipping your stuff back home, youre not thinking about your benefits, she said. Youre not thinking about all of this, and you dont think the paperwork is going to be that confusing, so really its veterans helping veterans is how people get their benefits most of the time.

Rodriguez also didnt know what she was eligible for when she got out in 2006 after 21 years and hear by word of mouth from other vets what to do, otherwise, she wouldnt know, she said. I think the biggest downfall to accessing veterans is getting us information, she said.

Veterans who dont have information about services become at greater risk for becoming homeless because theyre not in touch with health care and job assistance, said Anne James, a veterans service officer with Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs and former combat medic in the U.S. Army.

Getting them enrolled in VA health care and mental health counseling can go a long way because theyre getting counseling for issues that may lead to problems on the job or in their apartment, James said. The challenge to homelessness is not being connected with services and getting that good underpinning.

In addition to a lack of information, a challenge specific to female veterans accessing services such as health care is their positions as primary caregivers.

When were talking about women veterans who need housing assistance, a particular challenge they face is having small children, James said. According to a VA study, 42 percent of women who used VA health care reported that finding child care to attend medical appointments was somewhat hard or very hard. Women who arent married had even more difficulty.

The fact that theyre primary caregivers is the biggest hurdle facing female vets that are faced with homelessness, James said. Moreover, safe housing is scarce for female vets with children. One in Bridgeport, Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes, is Connecticuts first and only community-based transitional home exclusively for homeless female veterans and their young children. The Connecticut Veterans Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill is another transitional housing option for female vets.

The problem is, there are a lot of crisis intervention programs, but in long term, there are less supportive environments, James said.

Because women are the primary caregivers, women facing employment have to be concerned with child care issues, the expense, the timing of it, James said. These things associated with child care are extra challenges for a female veteran who is looking to improve her situation. The veterans who are not providing direct child care and supervision of children have a lot more liberty, work, types of employment that will lead to stable housing, that the women veterans who need to take into consideration everything that child care entails.

The VA doesnt provide child care benefits directly  though programs are being piloted in some states  but other supportive services would hopefully alleviate some of the difficulties of raising a child, James said. Whats problematic is the very thing that theyre needing help for is a barrier to getting the help, she said.

James said she was fortunate to have the support of her family and her husbands family when she got out in 1992 when she recently had a baby. They both used the G.I. Bill to go to school and got employment assistance. If we had to worry about being homeless it would be difficult to access those benefits, she said. Being able to transition in a supportive atmosphere is a predictor of success. For people who dont have that its nearly impossible.

James said the communication and outreach by the VA is getting better and networks of veterans are getting stronger. Theyre doing a good job but every system needs improve.

I want to continue to find ways to get the word out to women to know theyre welcome to come to the VA and we have services, Adams said. In finding new and creative ways to do that, Im looking to develop further ways to find them in the community.

While the VA continues to expand and improve its services for women veterans, outside of a military environment, some women dont feel theyre service gets recognized in the way mens does.

For females, were just often overlooked, Parry said. People will often look at men and ask about their military experience, but dont give the same consideration to women vets, she said. They just assume the woman is not. Its not the fact that they think we cant serve, it just passes them by. Its across all generations.

A common experience for women who are active in the military and those who have left is being mistaken for being someones spouse and not the veteran. Lekko, Carlin, Parry, Rodriguez and Kelleher all said they had experienced that.

I dont know how well ever get out of that, Rodriguez said.

Its frustrating, but I know what I did and know what my experience has been, Kelleher said. I didnt join for recognition and didnt deploy for recognition. In the end, what matters is the soldiers I served with and peers respect me. She said in her experience, women veterans otherwise get recognized.

In general, the more evolved as a society we are, we are saying men and women in uniform, and I dont feel were not recognized, James said. It may not be the first thing people think about me but I havent felt marginalized. But my experience might not be typical of every woman vet.

mdignan@hearstmediact.comDemonstration Outside Vatican Embassy While Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Meet in Baltimore

Over 25 Concerned Catholics, including victims of abuse, will be present



"Give us Cardinal Burke!" signs will be held, asking Pope Francis to Appoint Cardinal Raymond Burke as next Washington D.C. Archbishop



Contact: Missy Smith, 202-288-4984



BALTIMORE, Md., Nov. 11, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Monday through Wednesday (11/12 - 11/14), the USCCB (American Catholic Bishops) will be meeting in Baltimore MD.

Event Details:



Time: Monday, Nov 12, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.



Location: Apostolic Nunciature, 3339 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C.

The most onerous, and horrific "item" on the Bishop's agenda, is the recent wave of disclosures of pedophilia and homosexuality committed by Catholic Clergy.



Perhaps worse - for the victims and the Church - is the accommodation and COVER-UPS of these demonic perversions, sins, and CRIMES by American Priests and Bishops.



During their meeting, the Bishops will inevitably pay lip service to this evil behavior; they will issue a statement of "regret and reform," while in fact refusing to expose and purge their numbers of known collaborators and evildoers.



Missy Smith, Founder of W.A.K.E. U.P. States:

"While this farce is going on in Baltimore, we are calling upon Pope Francis to do two things:

Show HIS sorrow for allowing this evil within the Church to go unchecked, by removing ALL American bishops with connections to the "homosexual mafia" and pedophile enablers within the Church.

To appoint Cardinal Raymond Burke as the next Archbishop of Washington D.C.

"Pope Francis could and should show the world that he is truly grieved - and wants to make amends for the crimes committed during his Papacy - by taking these two simple steps.



"Moreover, appointing Cardinal Burke as the next Archbishop of Washington D.C. would show the faithful in America that he understands and respects our need for faithful Catholic leadership, especially in our nations Capitol, which has been rife with scandal."

The one thing entrepreneurs do better and at a higher frequency than anyone on Earth is disrupt. Whether their mission might be software and algorithmic creation, the streamlining of processes or the search for an easier and more convenient way to get from point A to point B in a crowded city, entrepreneurs lead the way.

Related: Skin and Bones: Oh, the Body Parts You Can Make With 3-D Bio-printers

And they have plenty to work with, because, today, there are many industries begging for disruption. These industries need a shakeup and entrepreneurs are the people to do it. In this regard, it's easy to go a dozen deep in naming industries, but here are the three industries which I find particularly well primed for entrepreneurs to radically change for the better

Digital health

The digital health sphere is exploding. From virtual diagnosis, to AI creating more effective drugs, the possibilities are exponential. Investors are taking notice. According to Digital Commerce 360, investment in digital and mobile healthcare set a record in the third quarter at $3.8 billion. That is only one quarter: For the year to date, it's been $6.8 billion compared to $5.7 for all of 2017.

Startups around the globe are already throwing their knowledge and disruptive hats into the ring. Startups like Kaia App in Munich (which has created an app which studies have shown can reduce lower back pain by 40 percent). uAris Health in Redwood City, Calif., created a surgical robot that performs endoscopic procedures. BenevolentAI in London can claim a data and technology-driven approach to drug development." And these are just a few of the companies making waves in this industry.

Regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine has the highest ceiling, as far as entrepreneurs having the ability to create and grow their revenue. People are living longer and want their quality of life to remain as high as possible and to extend their lives.

The Mayo Clinic recently received a $10 million grant, in part to study regeneration of the spine. But, where do entrepreneurs step in? Some already have, such as Prellis Biologics in San Francisco. It's created a holographic laser-printing technology that makes production of lab-grown human organs possible. Think about that: no more organ donations needed, ever! The benefit to the human race, and the money generated from production, could be astronomical.

The same could be said for the startup BlueRock, in Cambridge, Mass. That company's end goal is to replace dead cells with new ones that restore a human body's biological function back to what it was before the loss.

And it isn't just those seemingly huge ideas that entrepreneurs are coming up with. Look at Neuros in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. Its goal is electrical nerve block. Through this path, the company says it will be able to treat such categories of chronic pain as post-amputation pain, post-surgical pain and even migraines. Push a button (in the future), and pain will be diminished -- or gone.

Synthetic agriculture

Drought, famine, flooding, severe weather, earthquakes and any other kind of natural or political disaster can disrupt food production anywhere in the world. As typically happens when disaster strikes, destitute and economically challenged populations suffer the most. How do entrepreneurs solve this worldwide problem? The answer is, they solve it the way they always have, by thinking ahead of -- and around -- conventional processes and norms.

That's where "synthetic agriculture" comes, in, meaning the use of science to shape natural systems and even ceate new ones.

Lack of food and nutrition, of course, is the largest challenge confronting an affected population after a disaster. But, leave it to our most innovative entrepreneurs to create new systems to combat and conquer this issue. Some startups are thinking proactive innovation, instead of reactive attempts at course correction.

Related: 10 Technologies That Are Changing the World

Take Indigo, in Boston, to name one example. That company is focusing on creating seed treatments that optimize the health of a plant to increase its yield. The end goal is to bring naturally derived products to market that allow for crops to better withstand environmental stress.

This is similar to what Benson Hill Crop in St. Louis is doing. Its goal is to create a cognitive engine that provides decision support to accelerate crop improvement and enhance the sustainability of food, feed, fiber and fuel production. This in turn will empower the agricultural community through the use of tech to enhance viability, sustainability and potential advances for crops worldwide.

On the other side of the planet, in Gujarat, India, MyCrop Technologies is giving access to a collaborative platform that is using machine learning to provide real-time support for farmers. The company aims to use data, drones and other technology to help farmers make the decisions that will increase crop productivity.

So how do you, as an entrepreneur, capitalize?

First, you should start local. What are the areas of need in your community? Can you brainstorm solutions? Are there food deserts? If so, can you create a mobile grocery store supplying food and goods to those who lack easy access? Some 2.3 million Americans (2.2 percent of us) live more than a mile from a supermarket and don't have access to a vehicle. Add to that the fact that 12.3 percent of us live with food insecurity: Most entrepreneurs could see an opportunity here for innovation that creates positive social change while driving revenue.

Second, where do your expertise and passion intersect? Take the company Zipline in Silicon valley. This company puts the intersection of drones and health care on full display. Back in 2016 it launched an on-demand service with the government of Rwanda to deliver more than 50 different types of blood products (blood, plasma, and platelets) for immediate medical treatment.

Finally, follow the playbook. Ive mentioned here more than half a dozen startups that are innovating, creating positive social change and driving revenue for themselves. So, why not reach out to these and other startups and forge connections? Learn from them by studying their moves, speaking with them and possibly even asking to observe and shadow the for a period of time.

Related: The Organic Farming Industry in 2016 and its Future: What Lies Ahead for This Sector?

What are disruptive companies like these doing to create and innovate that you can draw from for your own startup? See if you can travel to see them. Be present in the wholly new environments they make, and your innovative mind will be expanded exponentially.

Related:

How Entrepreneurs Can Capitalize on 3 Industries Primed for Disruption

Artificial Intelligence Will Be the Greatest Jobs Engine the World Has Ever Seen

Why Entrepreneurs Today Should Think About Transformation, Not Disruption



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reservedSmall businesses are losing business and potentially harming their reputations because of SEO spam cyberattacks. These attacks are known as search engine poisoning (SEP) attacks. As the name implies, the desired outcome (i.e., action on objective) of this attack is to poison your website results on search engine result pages (SERP).

Related: Malware Hits Everyone From Small Businesses to Big Government. What Are You Doing About It?

To understand this attack, we have to step back to the basics with SEO. SEO stands for "search engine optimization." It is the work that goes into your website to help you rank higher when customers search for your business online. Search engines like Google and Bing use special software that quickly reviews or "crawls" the content on websites and then serves up the most relevant sites for a particular query. When your site's keywords are properly optimized, you'll get more visitors, which ultimately means more potential customers and more income.

There are all sorts of tricks and tips to improve your SEO ranking -- but that's another article for another time. These SEP attacks materialize in what is known as SEO spam. It's when an attacker injects your site with unwanted links and keywords. Hackers can insert links anywhere on your website, and depending on the tactics they employ, they can embed these links into the meta data or into your website's content. Hackers use basic HTML anchor elements to link to other pages. Some of the more common locations might be header and footer files because they load with each request, or in specific widgets or menus. But, we see them sprinkled in titles and content in the body as well.

Perhaps the most pervasive of SEP attacks is the injection of pharmaceutical ads, but these days you can see injections for things like casinos, fashion and a wide range of other industries -- including things like services to write your school papers. In all these instances, attackers find a way to inject spam keywords, often attributed to backlinks to their sites of choice.

Related: How to Protect Your Personal Brand's Website From a Cyber Attack

For example, if a local Seattle marketing consultant's website experienced SEO spam, it could soon stop showing up in relevant search queries, such as "Seattle marketing consultant" because search engines would instead pick up fraudulent or malicious keywords. In digital marketing, we call this "losing your ranking," or being knocked further down in the search results for a truly relevant query. Ultimately, this form of cyber attack can cost small-business owners and entrepreneurs business because customers are no longer finding them online.

This type of attack is so effective and interesting to attackers because it's often very difficult to detect (e.g., they are often injected in code that renders off screen) and built on an affiliate business that cares only about impressions, not conversions. What this means is that attackers make money based on the traffic (impressions) they generate for their customers. As long as they are generating traffic, they are happy. It's such an effective attack that in a recent study we conducted of 60,000-plus infected sites, we found over 73 percent of the infected sites were affected with this malware type.

Negative impact of SEO spam

SEO spam can also hurt a business's reputation and mislead potential customers about the content of the site. This is because negative and incorrect keywords could direct straight to the business's website, giving off an unprofessional or even fraudulent appearance. For example, a high-end salon could have the incorrect keywords "cheap sunglasses" associated with its website. If this happens, visitors may think the site is a scam, or misinterpret what the business actually is. One of the ways that Google will punish your site is flagging it as potentially compromised:

Related: 7 Surprising Places Hackers Hide

Here are a few tips that should help small business stay ahead of SEO Spam threats:

1. Register with Google's webmaster tools. It's easy, and it's free. Google is one of the largest search engines and its software is constantly crawling the web. If you register with their tools, it will alert you when it finds an issue -- a full 48 hours before it flags it to the public or begins changing how your site shows up in search results. This is a great preventative step that costs nothing to enact.

2. Proactively protect your website. Websites are under attack on a daily basis, whether you deploy something on the server, application or in the cloud; you must deploy some form of a protective solution. My recommendation is to go with a cloud-based firewall, as the name implies it is a wall that helps keep attackers at bay. It actively adapts to attacks and helps keep your site spam free.

3. Deploy a monitoring service. These types of services monitor your website proactively and identify red flags or warning signs, which you would never see or recognize on your own, including monitoring for SEO spam. This is complementary to Google's webmaster tools. Partnering with a security provider helps provide peace of mind to small-business owners knowing they have a team with expertise to help them in case anything should go wrong.

4. Monitor keywords: This is a great way to get cross-functional teams involved: Have your marketing teams actively monitor your traffic and keyword performance. They are often on the front lines and should be able to notice suspicious behavior like a spike in keywords in industries you don't participate.

Security is very nuanced and constantly evolving. The online threats and issues we were dealing with just a year ago are different today. While this form of cyber attack isn't discussed as much as phishing or malware attacks, it's absolutely something all website owners should be aware of. Consider following the simple steps above to ensure no SEO spam is living on your website. Also, remember the value of good SEO optimization to keep new relevant visitors coming to your site.

Related:

The Sneaky Way SEO Spam Is Costing You Business -- And How to Stop It

The Growing Menace of Cyber Attacks in the Asia-Pacific region

The Day the Polls Stand Still: An Unspoken Critical Infrastructure Threat to Election Security



Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved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.How in the world are they going to make a PG-13 biopic of the life of Freddie Mercury? That dude lived a life.

That was my first impression after hearing of the movies development. Early this year I saw the first trailer and knew it was about to become one of the front-running films for a lot of the attention during awards season.

Now that its here, Im swooning. Bohemian Rhapsody is not a great biopic, one of my very favorite genres, nor is it particularly good drama. Yet, the musical performance scenes that follow British rock band Queen from their inception through their legendary Live Aid show in 1985 are tremendous. Ive rarely seen better, in fact, and these sequences give casual viewers a great way to step inside what it was like for the band to become one of the best-selling stadium acts in history.

Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) is the focal point of the movie, just as he was for the band in real life, and thats appropriate. Few rockers have the fully developed stage presence of peak-era Mercury. He was a diva before that idea carried the same connotations that it does now. He strutted and jived like Mick Jagger. He shimmied and swayed like Steven Tyler. He could out-range Roger Daltrey and had a mustache that some might even think could rival Bandit hey-day era Burt Reynolds. And he really, really loved cats, apparently, which is just another nugget that I cherished from this flick.

But Bohemian Rhapsody is so much more than a look into the epic life of a bright-burning star of the middle 1970s. It excellently involves his bandmates into the story. Brian May (lead guitar, played by Gwilym Lee) and Roger Taylor (drums, Ben Hardy) are active producers on the movie and I feel like that gave us some great and true insight. Bassist John Deacon (Joe Mazzello) has been retired from touring since 1997. Each gets a swell depiction that, one must assume, is flattering and approaching reality.

The movie is named for their most unique hit, the six-minute-long operatic single full of Figaro and strong latter-day connections to the movie Waynes World. We Are the Champions and We Will Rock You are celebrated as groundbreaking hits, but for this viewer, nothing was quite as great as Another One Bites the Dust. Deacon breaks out the songs smooth central bass line during the height of a recording studio fight one day. The band is being petulant and childish until he starts strumming it out loud. Before you know it, the malaise is gone and theyre forgoing their arguments for a chance to share a great lyric with the world. Queen was amazing  I knew that even as a small child when their anthems were being played everywhere  and this movie cinches that memory for me.

Forming the central plotline of the movie is Freddies story. He was a pioneering gay rights figure during a time when everyone understood his homosexuality and no one talked about it, certainly not the man himself. Despite his long marriage to Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton), Mercury lived a closeted life, his queer nature overshadowed by his music and his ostentatious lifestyle.

Bohemian Rhapsody tries to paint the picture that Mercury and his band were at constant odds because of the meddlesome producers John Reid (Aiden Gillen) and Paul Prenter (Allen Leach), but all great artists have rifts that expose their humanity behind the genius. This is also where the movie is less inventive and  forgive me for using this word against this topic  dull. If you go to see Bohemian Rhapsody, youre going for a pinch of story to lead up to the reenactment of the Live Aid performance, all twenty minutes of it dutifully recreated for us and played as an uninterrupted set on the worlds biggest stage. And it is still spectacular!

Bohemian Rhapsody runs 134 minutes and is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, suggestive material, drug content, and language. I give this film three stars out of four.1 hour ago

Asian shares mixed after China warning on risks, stagflation

Stocks were mixed in Asia on Monday after ending the week mostly lower on Wall Street, despite the Nasdaq's first close above 16,000. A resurgence of coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S., Europe and some other regions is weighing on investor sentiment.

Read ArticleEric Schneiderman, the former state attorney general who resigned in May amid allegations of abuse, will not face criminal charges, prosecutors announced on Nov. 8.

Its just the latest development in the downfall of Schneiderman, who once was an advocate for womens causes. In his first campaign for attorney general, NOW-New York endorsed him, citing his history protecting women who are victims of domestic abuse. Since taking office he has been an outspoken supporter of womens rights, publishing a brochure to help victims of domestic assault and filing a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein.

But his public work occurred in tandem with private abuse that he himself allegedly perpetrated. Four women have accused Schneiderman of physical abuse in a blockbuster article in The New Yorker, including two who spoke on the record, activist Michelle Manning Barish and author Tanya Selvaratnam. Friends of the victims told the magazine that they recalled the woman recounting the incidents to them at the time. Some accusers had photos of the physical harm they say that they suffered at Schneidermans hands and one put her in doctor, who verified her injury, in touch with The New Yorker). Schneiderman resigned on Monday, three hours after the article was published. Here is a brief timeline of Schneidermans relationship with these women, juxtaposed against his statements and actions to advocate on behalf of women at the time.

March 3, 2010  Schneiderman, then a state senator, introduces the Strangulation Protection Act, making intentional strangulation and suffocation to unconsciousness a violent felony, and criminalizing less serious cases with an intent to impede breathing. (Now, Schneidermans accusers allege that he often choked them.)

Nov. 2, 2010  Schneiderman is elected attorney general of New York.

July 2013  Schneiderman and Manning Barish meet. About four weeks into their relationship Schneiderman grew violent, Manning Barish told The New Yorker. He allegedly slapped her so hard that her ear was damaged.

Nov. 2, 2013  The New York Posts Page Six gossip column reports that Schneiderman and Manning Barish are dating. It cites a source that says things got very intense, very quickly in the relationship, and It got so big, so fast, it got scary, and they both freaked out.

Sept. 13, 2014  Schneiderman releases a statement on the 20th anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing the Violence Against Women Act. Violence against women remains a prevalent and dangerous problem across our nation. Basic safety is not a privilege: It is a fundamental right, Schneiderman says.

Sept. 13, 2014  An ear, nose and throat specialist removes dried bloody crust from Manning Barishs ear, which she now says had been present for months due to the attorney general striking her.

January 2015  Manning Barish breaks up with Schneiderman after an on-and-off relationship. She told The New Yorker they had a few more romantic interactions, but have not been in touch often since 2016.

April 22, 2015  Page Six reports that Manning Barish and Schneiderman broke up because Eric is very much focused on his political career.

Summer 2016  Schneiderman and an unnamed lawyer went home together after a party, according to The New Yorker, and he became physically and psychologically abusive.

July 2016  Selvaratnam and Schneiderman meet and begin dating. Schneiderman allegedly became physically and psychologically abusive.

Oct. 7, 2016  Schneiderman issues a Know Your Rights brochure for victims of domestic violence. Our hope is that our enforcement actions, as well as our education and outreach efforts, will assist domestic violence victims to escape the violence they face at the hands of their abusers and assist them in building safe, productive lives, Schneiderman says. The brochure is reissued to address sexual harassment in the workplace in 2017.

Jan. 19, 2017  Schneiderman is rushed to the emergency room, and allegedly tells Selvaratnam that he had fallen after he had been drinking and cut himself. He later told staff that the injury occurred while running.

Fall 2017  Selvaratnam breaks up with Schneiderman. She retrieves her belongings from his apartment on Nov. 3, and soon afterward meets a former girlfriend of Schneidermans, who had similar experiences.

Feb. 11, 2018  Schneiderman files a lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein, the media mogul whose alleged serial sexual harassment and assault kickstarted the #MeToo movement.

March 19, 2018  Gov. Andrew Cuomos office orders Schneiderman to review the Manhattan District Attorneys office for the decision not to prosecute Weinstein in 2015.

April 16, 2018  Schneiderman tweets praise of the reporters who won the Pulitzer Prize for writing about the #MeToo movement, including Ronan Farrow. Farrow was one of the reporters who wrote the article revealing the allegations against Schneiderman a few weeks later.

May 7, 2018  The New Yorker publishes an article in which four women allege that Schneiderman physically assaulted them.

May 8, 2018  Schneiderman is officially out as state attorney general, following the announcement of his resignation the previous day.

Nov. 8, 2018  Prosecutors announce they will not pursue criminal charges against Schneiderman, bringing a six-month investigation to a close. Madeline Singas, the Nassau County district attorney tasked with leading the investigation, said in a statement that legal impediments, including statutes of limitations, preclude criminal prosecution.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the introduction date of the Strangulation Protection Act.Walking around the Puerto Rico Convention Center Friday afternoon, one could hear the same names peppered into conversations, both English and Spanish: Melissa. Blake. Jumaane.

The people with those names  former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Assemblyman Michael Blake and New York City Councilman Jumaane Williams  are three of the top candidates for New York City public advocate, and chatting about who has the best shot has become the most popular parlor game of the annual Somos conference.

Experienced attendees of the annual post-election political event in Puerto Rico say each year has a theme. Two years ago, it was all about President Donald Trump. In 2013, it was all about the race for New York City Council speaker (which Mark-Viverito, who is from Puerto Rico, went on to win). This year, its all about who will succeed New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, now that she has been elected as state attorney general.

Once James takes office on Jan. 1, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will have to call the first citywide special election in modern history, likely for late February. And though some lawmakers have been considering a bid since the moment James announced her candidacy for attorney general in May, the run-up to the race is much quicker than a typical election cycle, putting pressure on potential candidates to jump in early and make a splash.

The biggest splash so far was by Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams, who announced his candidacy more than two weeks ago and on Thursday rolled out endorsements from a dozen elected officials, including state Sens. Kevin Parker and James Sanders and New York City Councilman Antonio Reynoso, who had been rumored to be considering a run himself. Brooklyn Democratic leader Frank Seddio also gave Williams his support at a closed-door dinner Thursday night in San Juan, a number of Brooklyn political sources also confirmed to City & State. Seddios support could discourage other Brooklynites who are considering campaigning for the position, like Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, City Council members Rafael Espinal and Robert Cornegy, and Assembly members Jo Anne Simon and Latrice Walker. Support from a county organization that can drive turnout to the polls could be particularly important in a mid-winter special election thats unlikely to draw much enthusiasm from those outside the political world.

Williams, not long off his losing primary campaign against Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, is a hot topic in San Juan, but hes not here himself, since he has a fear of flying. Instead, his campaign chair, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, is doing the rounds as his surrogate.

Williams absence gave Assemblyman Michael Blake a chance to second guess his rival in an interview with City & State at the convention center on Friday. You cant ignore the fact that you have a whos who here for two-plus days, he said of the Somos conference. Being here sends a message if youre serious or not.

Accompanied by Bill Hyers, the political consultant who helped orchestrate de Blasios come-from-behind mayoral campaign in 2013, Blake laid out his path to victory, sometimes yelling to be heard over the live salsa band blaring upstairs. Hes an unequivocally pro-choice black man  while Williams, who now supports a womens right to an abortion, was far less clear in past statements, which proved to be a soft spot for opponents to target in the lieutenant governors race. Blake also said hes a strong advocate for New York City Housing Authority tenants and comes from a union household, which could help him as he makes his case to labor unions.

But Blakes strongest asset may be money. Blake is a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, with a reputation as a good fundraiser. He wouldnt confirm how much money he has raised so far, but projected confidence. I think when the filing comes out, people will see that were serious, he said.

Manhattan City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez was also gathering support at Somos, though he hasnt yet officially entered the race. He worked the room at Thursday nights welcome party at the Museo del Arte de Puerto Rico, and stayed on past midnight at the lobby bar at the El San Juan Hotel. A Rodriguez campaign would likely focus on his story as a Dominican immigrant who would represent all immigrants in the city, though he may have a tougher time earning Latino support if Mark-Viverito enters the race. Rodriguez also suggested he could be seen as more development-friendly than Williams, but a real estate source said neither were likely to get much financial help from the deep-pocketed industry, which would prefer somebody like Blake or former City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Mark-Viverito was also making the rounds on Thursday, though. The Puerto Rico native believes she has citywide name recognition from her four years as speaker and has been making calls and gunning hard to win support from labor unions who like her progressive politics and could turn out voters for the special election. Mark-Viverito is a former darling of the Working Families Party, but seems unlikely to get their support in this race against Williams, who the party backed for lieutenant governor. Still, Mark-Viveritos actions in Puerto Rico have left observers with no doubt that shes running. She smiled at me yesterday, a political player told City & State. She never smiles at me.

Other potential candidates were nowhere to be seen. Quinn, who is considering a run, told City & State she would have liked to be in Puerto Rico, but was attending a wedding upstate. City & State didnt see other declared candidates, like Manhattan Assemblyman Danny ODonnell or Columbia professor David Eisenbach.

Another declared candidate, progressive activist Nomiki Konst, told City & State she was making a statement by skipping out on Somos. If you actually want to solve the problems of Puerto Rico, its not going to be solved by a press junket sponsored by multinational corporations, some of which are responsible for the financial crisis on the island, she said in a phone interview. The Somos conference has dozens of sponsors, from drug companies like Merck and Pfizer, tech companies like Uber and Lyft, and unions like the New York State United Teachers.

For now, James remains public advocate, and was on hand in San Juan as a tangible reminder to her potential predecessors of how the post can be a springboard to higher office. De Blasio, for example, went from public advocate to mayor. James will soon be attorney general.

But first, James told a room full of conference attendees attending a panel on affordable housing, shell be coming out soon with her annual ranking of the New York City landlords with the most housing code violations. My last worst landlords list  before I lock them up! she said, as the room burst out in laughter.

Editors note: This post has been updated to include comments from Konst and a real estate source.South Dakota qualifies for FCS playoffs for first time since 2017FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIAWASHINGTONIf the midterm elections were supposed to wipe clear the uncertainty of tariffs, trade and other smudges on the window into Canada-U. S. affairs, well, have a look at the bizarro world of politics in the United States of America.

A Democratic majority in the House of Representatives was very close to complete victory for U.S. President Donald Trump. The election is both over and not over, thanks to vote-counting disputes in Florida, Georgia and Arizona. Theres a new trade deal, but the White House and Canada are still staring each other down over steel and aluminum.

So good luck getting odds on when, or if, the new Congress will ratify the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

We dont know yet, Ohio trade lawyer Dan Ujczo said of how new House members are likely to vote when Capitol Hill takes up USMCA, something that he fears could now be a year or more away.

Many definite Yes voters went down to defeat in the mid-terms, he said, including Texas congressional members John Culberson and Pete Sessions, Minnesotas Erik Paulsen and Iowas David Young, among others  introducing yet another element of uncertainty into a political dynamic that seems these days to know little else.

Uncertain doesnt mean No, said Ujczo, a partner with U.S. trade and customs firm Dickinson Wright.

Read more:

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Theyre freshmen  are they going to get pulled in the direction of their caucus, or do they reflect the views of their voters? he said. Theres going to be a lot of pressure on them to vote Yes, but it takes time  and it may be time that we dont have.

While the hard-won agreement that emerged at the eleventh hour six weeks ago after a 13-month marathon of difficult talks awaits a vote, the terms of the nearly 25-year-old deal it was meant to replace will remain in effect, federal officials in Ottawa say.

Powerful Republicans who oppose tariffs, such as Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are still around and wielding their influence, they note. So are prominent Democrats who prefer the new deal to the old one, like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown.

But those steel and aluminum tariffs are still around, too.

There have been some high-level discussions, but no direct negotiations, Canadas ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton said Friday of the plan to resume tariff talks with American trade czar Robert Lighthizer.

I saw Ambassador Lighthizer last week, and I said to him, When you guys are ready, lets sit down and talk. 

MacNaughton acknowledged that the mid-terms might have raised more questions than they answered. But theres little concern within Canadian circles that Congress will do anything but approve the deal, when it gets around to it.

There is a lack of clarity right now, he said. But as people begin to better understand the deal, I think youll be surprised at the degree of support there is.

Another paradox: one might think a weakened Republican caucus would undermine the Trump doctrine of using tariffs to extract more favourable trade terms. In fact, if those members who survived the mid-terms feel the need to be more closely aligned with the president, the opposite could be true.

The challenge is that the Trump administration, along with the American electorate, is creating a realignment in ideology of both parties, said Capri Cafaro, a former Ohio state legislator turned Washington political academic.

You have traditional free traders within the Republican party that think that tariffs are ridiculous ... then you have the Trump Republicans that really have embraced this more protectionist economic policy. Those two factions of the Republican party are not going to agree.

That may be part of the reason why, in a combative White House news conference Tuesday, the president seemed genuinely cheered by the results, even taking the time to read off a list of Republican casualties whod spurned his help on the campaign trail.

Those are some of the people that, you know, decided for their own reason not to embrace ... me or what we stand for. But what we stand for meant a lot to most people, he said. Im not sure that I should be happy or sad, but I feel just fine about it.

While its true that the Democrats won in a number of congressional districts where tariffs were an issue, such as in Ohio farm country, the margin of victory wasnt enough to suggest to Ujczo that the outcome should be seen as a repudiation of Trumps trade doctrine.

What we did not see on Tuesday was where these farmers, farm country thats losing half of its livelihood because of these tariff fights, move to the Democrat party. They didnt, he said.

I think it may be a stretch to say there is support for continuing this trade policy into perpetuity, but they are giving the president a long leash.

Read more about:Two months into the launch of her dance studio, Natalie Borch needed a loan.

The 34-year-old first-time business owner had opened the doors to The Pink Studio in February after she and her brother invested $40,000 of their own cash and took out a $100,000 loan from the Business Development Bank of Canada.

We just needed a small amount of money to expand our services for new teachers and classes, she said, from beginner Beyonce to Bollywood fusion.

Finding no help from the main banks, she found Lendified Inc., a fintech startup that offers loans to small businesses based on artificial intelligence-powered screening assessments.

After filling out a few online forms on cash flow and collateral, Borch received a $30,000 loan.

Borch is one of the latest beneficiaries of an Ai-driven overhaul in the financial sector as the big banks scramble to tap a vein that startups and credit unions have already started to mine.

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I didnt even go anywhere, she said from the mirrored, hot pink walls of her studio on Torontos Danforth Avenue. It was a lifesaver.

Small-business loans have often been viewed as risky, with high interest rates due to a dearth of operating and credit history, collateral or consistent cash flow. Machine learning and big data can expand the pool of criteria that lenders can draw on, beyond the traditional factors such as payment history or current debt that produce a beacon score or bankruptcy risk rating.

In the past, underwriting has often relied on a fairly narrow set of data, in some cases just credit score, said Andrew Graham, co-founder and chief executive of Borrowell.

The four-year-old fintech, which offers unsecured loans and free credit scores, draws on millions of data points from thousands of debtors to assess credit risk. Factors from income and home ownership to interest in financial education feed into its algorithms.

The real promise of machine learning in loan underwriting is that it means more people who will be good borrowers will ultimately get loans, Graham said.

Large financial institutions have often shied away from small-business borrowers, said Arun Kumar, head of small-business banking at the Bank of Montreal. A $50,000 loan and a $5-million loan require a similar investment of time and labour, but the former might only yield $2,000 in interest  less than the cost of assessing the applicant.

That prompted BMO to launch Business Xpress last month, an in-house lending platform that draws on oceans of data to assess a loan within minutes of the first click. Amounts range between $5,000 and $500,000.

Its like moving from analogue to digital, Kumar said.

Other banks are also following suit. Toronto-Dominion Bank acquired Layer 6 AI in January and Scotiabank teamed up with Kabbage in 2016 to allow customers to apply for small business loans using the fintech startups platform.

For credit unions, partnerships are a way leverage AI they could otherwise not afford.

It levels the playing field, said Ed Michielsen, head of business banking at Prospera Credit Union in British Columbia. The 75-year-old financial institution partnered with fintech startup ASAPP Online Solutions Inc. to offer internet lending last April.

ASAPP, like Lendified, licenses out its technology. Lendified does so for a monthly fee to credit unions including Vancity, on top of offering direct loans of up to $150,000.

Lendified chief executive Troy Wright sees a deep well of untapped lending potential shimmering below the surface. Small and medium businesses applied for about $34 billion in debt financing in 2014, but received only $28 billion as 18 per cent of applications were denied, according to Statistics Canada.

The reality of it is that banks and financial institutions generally will not provide capital to a business that is under a year old, said Wright, who ran Scotiabanks retail distribution network for five years.

In May, the Ontario government announced a pilot project with fintech startup Lending Loop, a peer-to-peer online platform for small-business loans, to provide $3 million in loans over the next two years. It also doled out a $1.75-million grant to encourage credit unions to buy into fintech software and increase loans to small businesses.

However, a shortage of high-tech labour in Canada threatens to hamper progress in the field, as does the issue of bias, which can embed itself in any system, according to Graham.

If you have a data set that only includes male customers or only includes customers who fit a certain demographic, it may lead to a similar bias in the results that comes out of it, Borrowells Graham said.

I think you have to be very careful and very deliberate about both what data you use and then how you set up the training.

Companies in this story: (TSX: BMO, TSX: TD, TSX: BNS)CALGARYOne hundred years after the guns of the Western Front fell silent, downtown Calgary echoed to the rumble of a 21-gun salute.

For roughly a half-hour after the customary moment of silence at 11 a.m., when the armistice marking the end of the First World War took effect on Nov. 11, 1918, the distant booms of three 105-millimetre howitzers carried over a hushed crowd of hundreds gathered outside the McDougall Centre in downtown Calgary.

We remember the more than 117,000 Canadians that have died in the service of our nation since Confederation, said Col. Eppo van Weelderen, commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, to the watching crowd.

He noted the words of an unnamed military chaplain that everyone dies three times: when their bodies stop functioning, when theyre buried and when their name is no longer spoken aloud. In the seven Books of Remembrance, he said, and at cenotaphs across the country, Canadians today can still go and read the names of those whove died in Canadas military.

These all give us the ability to not only remember them, but to speak their names one more time and thereby postpone that third and final death, van Weelderen said.

Roughly 300 members of 41 Canadian Brigade Group  a reserve unit of the Canadian Forces based in Calgary  took part in Sundays ceremony, along with sailors from H.M.C.S. Tecumseh and British Army Training Group Suffield. Several dignitaries, including United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney, watched from the crowd. Other ceremonies and services held across the city on Sunday gave Calgarians the chance to pay their respects.

If theres one day a year that you really need to stop, pause, think about, and reflect on the freedoms that we have today and the sacrifices that were made  today is the day, said Elizabeth Podjurny, an attendee at Sundays ceremony.

Sandra Jansen, Albertas minister of infrastructure, helped lay a wreath on behalf of the provincial government. Four other wreaths were also laid on the steps of the McDougall Centre by representatives from the federal government, Canadian Armed Forces, British Army Training Unit Suffield and Memorial Cross families.

This included the family of Cpl. Michael Starker, a Calgarian who served with the 15 Field Ambulance Regiment in Afghanistan. He was killed in action on May 6, 2007.

Randy Pevlin showed up at the ceremony wearing a handful of medals. He served for 28 1/2 years as a supply technician with the Canadian Forces and now works as a civilian with the 41 Canadian Brigade Groups headquarters. They helped organize the ceremony. Aside from remembering the fallen, he said he attended to show his support for those still in uniform.

Even though Im finished with my military time, I still want to show my support for my comrades, my friends, and my way of life at one time, Pevlin said.

The armistice that ended the First World War was signed in a railway car parked in the forest of Compiegne, France, on Nov. 11, 1918. It brought hostilities to a halt and would lead to the end what many at the time considered the war to end all wars. Just under 60,000 Canadians died during the war. Across the Atlantic, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in a joint ceremony to commemorate a century since their nations armies ceased firing.

This is unique, Pevlin said of Sundays ceremony. This is 100 years since the end of the war.

Read more about:SHERWOOD PARKPolice are still working to determine what substance or device was used in an explosion that was deliberately set underneath a half-tonne truck in a parkade at a Sherwood Park community centre on Tuesday.

At a Saturday media availability, Strathcona County RCMP Supt. Dave Kalist said the suspect, 21-year-old Kane Kosolowsky, intentionally set the initial explosion under a truck on a lower level parkade sometime before 6:30 p.m. The truck was parked in a row of nine other vehicles, all of which were damaged extensively.

The initial blast caused a secondary explosion after a vehicles gas tank ignited two stalls away at about 8:15 p.m.

This secondary explosion was not deliberately set, and no emergency personnel or bystanders were injured, Kalist said.

Police seized more than five firearms from Kosolowskys vehicle, including hunting rifles, a shotgun and handguns. All of the firearms were properly registered.

No additional explosives were found in Kosolowskys vehicle  Emergency personnel found Kosolowsky suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was evacuated to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, Kalist said.

Read more:

Man, 21, dead after unprecedented explosions in Sherwood Park parkade

The RCMPs Explosives Disposal Unit and Special Tactical Operations teams stayed on the scene for three days to ensure there were no additional threats, after blocking off the community centre and county hall. Elk Island Public Schools closed two nearby schools at the request of RCMP.

Police say forensic analysis of the debris at the scene could take weeks, and they will not speculate on the exact nature, mechanism or substance used to cause the explosion.

Kalist said police are confident Kosolowsky was the only perpetrator and that theres no further threat to the community.

He added that county and forensic investigators have completed an initial examination of the community centre and county hall and said theres no indication of any structural damage to the building, although they plan to carry out a more detailed examination.

Police have not found any motive for the explosion. Investigators have talked to friends, co-workers and family members and have also combed through Kosolowskys social media, which provided no answers.

It may be that we will never fully know what his motives were for this incident, Kalist said.

No shots were fired from police in the incident.

Kalist addressed community concerns that not enough information about the incident was released by police as the incident initially unfolded.

What Id really like the public to understand was that until yesterday, when the search of the site was completed, we still had an active incident that we were managing, he said.

We simply did not want to put out information that we could not confirm. We were dealing with an active incident, he added.

For safety reasons, police kept the area closed off because they didnt know if there were any other incendiary devices that were a threat to police or the public.

Police did not complete forensic examination of the explosion site didnt start until Friday afternoon because they werent sure if the county hall area was safe until that time.

RCMP returned control of the community hall parkade to Strathcona County on Friday evening at 10:45 p.m., although police remain on scene to provide help with security.

In a statement, Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank said the county is working to get the damaged vehicles back to their owners.

Before that happens, we must complete an indoor contamination assessment of the parkade and vehicles to properly understand any health risks as a result of the explosion, the statement said. We must also complete a more detailed structural assessment.

Most of the vehicles appear to be in good enough shape to still be driveable. The county has more than 100 vehicles to remove from the parkade.

Work is underway to repair any damage to the community centre. Councillors walked through the building yesterday and the mayor said he was relieved to see the damage was not more extensive.

The county is expecting results from environmental testing of the site on Tuesday.

Read more about:EDMONTONThere are many opportunities to honour veterans and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on Remembrance Day in Edmonton. Here is a list of some of the ceremonies happening in our city:

Remembrance Day Service at City Hall

City room, City Hall, 1 Sir Winston Churchill Sq. from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The city will be holding a Remembrance Day ceremony to honour the sacrifices of soldiers who served Canada in times of war and peace. The service will be led by the commanding officer of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. After the service, there will be an outdoor procession to the City Hall Cenotaph. Dignitaries, including Mayor Don Iveson, will lay wreaths. Seating begins at 9:45 a.m. and must be completed by 10:10 a.m. The service will commence at 10:15 a.m.

Armistice 100 Tribute at Alberta Legislature grounds

Capital Plaza, Alberta Legislature grounds (10800 97 Ave. NW), starting at 11 a.m.

Edmontonians can attend a tribute to mark the end of the First World War and the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice. A 21 gun salute will begin at 11 a.m., with an Armistice 100 tribute ceremony following at 1 p.m. There will be a Piling of the Drums tribute ceremony and honour guard, as well as an opportunity to leave a message at the John McCrae Poppy Labyrinth. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment and Lord Strathconas Horse Regiment will be in attendance. Events and tributes will continue from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Legislative Assembly Visitor Centre plaza and pavilion.

Remembrance Day Ceremony at University of Alberta Butterdome

Van Vliet Centre, Butterdome, University of Alberta (112 St. and 89 Ave.) starting at 10 a.m.

Albertas lieutenant-governor will lead a Remembrance Day ceremony where Albertans can join to pay their respects. Parking at the Butterdome will be free for those attending. Its Edmontons largest Remembrance Day event. Guests are asked to arrive and be seated by 10 a.m.

Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum

Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre (10440 108 Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum will be open to the public, with a brief Remembrance Day ceremony and minute of silence at 11 a.m. The museum will offer an opportunity to learn more about sacrifices made by soldiers and gain a greater understanding of the legacy of military service in Edmonton and northern Alberta.

Beverly Memorial Cenotaph Remembrance Day Service

Starts with a non-denominational service at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church (11905 47 St.) at 9:30 a.m., followed by a parade led by mounted troops to the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph Park (40 St. and 118 Ave.) commencing at 10:20 a.m. The cenotaph ceremonies will begin at 10:50 a.m. This is the oldest memorial cenotaph in Alberta, marking its 98th anniversary. Coffee and hot chocolate will be served afterwards at the Drake Hotel.

Alberta Aviation Museum Remembrance Day Service

Alberta Aviation Museum (11410 Kingsway) from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This annual service hosted by Air Force veterans and museum staff will pay tribute to all of those who served in the Air Force. The service starts at 10:30 a.m., led by Chaplain Ray Olsen, with a testimonial from Denny May, whose father, Wop May, was the final allied pilot to be pursued by Manfred von Richthofen (also known as the Red Baron) before the German ace was shot down.

West Edmonton Mall Remembrance Day Service

West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace (8882 170 St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Royal Canadian Legion Jasper Place Branch No. 255 will host their annual Remembrance Day service at the Mayfield Toyota Ice Palace. A moment of silence will be held at 11 a.m. to honour peacekeepers, veterans and those who lost their lives serving their country.

Griesbach Remembrance Day Ceremony

Princess Patricia Park (10440 108 Ave. NW) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry will host its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at Patricia Park (Griesbach Parade and Gault Boulevard), with the parade starting at 10:30 a.m. followed by a prayer and moment of silence at 11 a.m.

Read more about:Rob Cohen was always intrigued by the theory of intelligence. What makes someone smart?

I was watching all these game shows that tend to use trivia. But that kind of pure book smarts doesnt necessarily represent the smartest person in the room, says the Toronto television producer.

So he set out to write a documentary that ended up becoming a game show: CBCs Canadas Smartest Person.

The show is based on Harvard professor Howard Gardners concept of multiple intelligences: the idea that there are a range of abilities that make someone smart, such as having mathematical, visual and musical skills.

We are all smart in different ways, so I thought it would be the coolest theory to apply to a competition, says Cohen.

The first show aired as a special in 2012 and for three seasons from 2014 to 2016.

This year, Cohen has tweaked the formula with a much younger cast in Canadas Smartest Person Junior, which debuts Wednesday at 8 p.m. on CBC. Apart from the fresh-faced contestants, there is a new elimination format where the contestants face off against each other over six episodes instead of different contestants every week. Twelve kids, aged 9 to 12 from across Canada, take part in the competition.

That energy, along with new host Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Apa from Kims Convenience) seems to have given the show a new charge.

Hes Canadas dad, hes Apa, and the kids react so well to him, says Cohen. The great thing is that not only are the kids genuinely knock-your-socks-off smart, but they are nice toward each other even though they all want to win. They have a lot to teach the adults.

Adding children to the formula results in a more emotionally charged show; kids take it personally when they lose. They are also remarkably kind and encouraging to each other, even right down to the finals. They can also be kind of cocky.

Its OK, Ive got bigger dreams, says one of the contestants to be eliminated in the premiere.

The junior version of the show may well have an impact on the format of the original show as well, says Cohen.

We always look at the end of every season how we can make the show better and we see how the elimination format is really clicking so it really opens up the possibilities moving forward. I think it really works.

In a cultural market where Canadian series based on American franchises like The Amazing Race Canada and Big Brother Canada may dominate airwaves, Cohens show is an anomaly: an original local content show being sold internationally.

This year the show debuted in Finland. Other countries have included Turkey and Argentina and there are 12 other territories with deals yet to be announced.

We can and should be making Canadian formats, says Cohen. I think we are good at making some of the best TV in the world, but were not great about promoting it or talking about it.

Risk-averse Canadian broadcasters in many cases would rather take a proven product  say The Bachelor or Real Housewives franchises  and place a Canadian spin on it. Developing a concept from the ground up is much harder work.

Its the same old cultural conundrum. Being beside the U.S. market you are inundated with their shows and the more conservative choice is to use the big network formats than risk something new, says Cohen. But we are losing out on a huge market where we can make some international noise.

Its crucial that Canadians develop an export market for intellectual property where we get to tell our own stories instead of importing others. Its also important for the balance of trade. Thats why establishing any kind of beachhead is important.

Another Canadian reality show format that has had international success is Big Coat Medias Love It or List It, which has been franchised in more than a dozen countries. But successes have been few and far between.

Translating a concept can have its own issues. When Cohen sold the rights to Canadas Smartest Person to Turkeys public broadcaster, certain themes and challenges didnt fit with the culture.

One challenge, about social intelligence, included selling an idea or product like you would if you were a TV pitch person or on an infomercial.

That completely didnt make sense to them. They were telling us to go to the market in Istanbul to see how vendors pitch, its absolutely not like some slick, rehearsed person on TV.

Other ideas have been adapted from licensees. One challenge, called Cross Walk, was adapted from a concept developed in the Turkish program about crossing the street in Turkish traffic while identifying visuals.

When youre in a studio in Istanbul and youre seeing a carbon copy of what youve worked on from the designers and creative team its almost surreal, says Cohen. Here is something you developed in Canada thats having an impact across the globe.HALIFAXAs Wab Kinew said in his 2012 Soapbox video  Canada, if this thing is going to work, there are (some) things youre going to have to stop saying about my people.

Eight years later, and Canada is still saying and believing the same old myths.

We tend to find ourselves at this imaginary junction where we are both flush with cash from all our free government money and also dirty, poor and broke  presumably from the mishandling of our federal funds.

Im here to set the record straight on some of the top myths about Indigenous people in Canada.

Myth: Indigenous people dont pay taxes.

Fact: We pay a lot of taxes. Only federally recognized Status Indians who live and/or work on reserve dont pay income tax. With over half of Status Indians living off reserve, that number dwindles even more. When you add sky-high unemployment rates to the mix, the number of Indigenous people who arent paying taxes is relatively low. In 2016, the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs released an economic impact study that reported Indigenous households remitted a total $184.5 million in tax revenue. To once again borrow from Wab, I pay income tax, sales tax, and I even once paid a land transfer tax ... ironic.

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Myth: Indigenous people get free schooling.

Fact: Universities and colleges are not lining up to waive tuition for Indigenous students. Post-secondary funding comes out of a national funding strategy called Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy, which gives bands a certain amount of money, under very strict parameters, to fund a select few students who have to be Status Indians under the Indian Act. However, with an increase in Indigenous high school graduation rates, the pieces of that funding pie are getting smaller and smaller. Bands are having to set aside portions of their own budgets to fund their community members at the expense of other things. Many communities are left with the choice to either fund their kids in hopes of a brighter future, or address serious financial costs and problems that are affecting the community in the immediate future. What decision would you make?

Myth: The Drunken Indian

Fact: Fewer Indigenous people consume alcohol on a relative scale than the rest of the Canadian population. We drink less than the rest of the country. Period.

Myth: Indigenous people get free housing

Fact: No one is handing out free houses on reserves. There is market-based housing, where households pay the full cost associated with purchasing or renting; and non-profit social housing, where the cost is covered by a combination of government funding and private-sector loans  a situation not unique to Indigenous Peoples.

Myth: Indigenous People can hunt and fish whenever and wherever we want.

Fact: Though Indigenous Peoples rights to hunt and fish are protected in the constitution of Canada, there is no guarantee that we will be able to do so. There are many stipulations that come with those protected acts, such as Canadas right to ban hunting and fishing of certain species and the 1999 Supreme Court decision that ambiguously stated that Indigenous people can fish up to a moderate living with no definition as to what that actually means. Current best practices often lead to Indigenous people being charged with harvesting out of season, and then specifics are later clarified in court, leaving it up to the individual to decide if they have the time and financial resources to take it up in front of a judge.

Myth: Indigenous people are all the same.

Fact: With over 50 distinct languages and over 600 Indigenous communities across the country, Indigenous people are far from a homogenous entity. We have different perspectives, creation stories, cultures, dances and belief systems. There is generally a sense of solidarity that runs coast to coast to coast with Indigenous people given our shared history of colonialism. What brings us together is our resilience and determination to fight for recognition and respect.

Myth: You can only be an ally through a close personal relationship with an Indigenous person.

Fact: This last myth is a little tongue-in-cheek. Though nothing is better than first voice when trying to learn about perspective and experience, it isnt the only place to build your knowledge. As good allies, its important to recognize your own responsibility to educate yourselves on the Indigenous struggle in Canada. If you hear a long-standing belief similar to the ones above, look it up. Empathy and understanding takes practice. Unlike our housing and education, it doesnt cost a thing.

In this Indigenous in Halifax series, StarMetro will explore stories on a variety of Indigenous issues and people for the week of Nov. 12-16. Please share your feedback, or any ideas for future stories, on Twitter or Facebook using the hashtag #IndigenousHFX. You can also send an email to our editor at philip.croucher@metronews.ca.

Read more about:Ontario Premier Doug Ford encouraged Canadians to remember soldiers past and present Sunday as they reflected on the centennial anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Canadian heroes span every conflict and every generation, Ford told a crowd assembled in front of the Ontario Veterans Memorial at the provincial legislature.

Many made the ultimate sacrifice, and for that  for keeping our country safe, we will be forever grateful, he said. Because of their courage and sacrifice, most Canadians will never know the horrors of war.

The Remembrance Day ceremony saw as many as 500 troops march towards Queens Park while John McCraes poem In Flanders Fields was read aloud.

The Queens Park ceremony was one of many similar events held at legions, cenotaphs and churches across the province.

The ceremony also included a 21-gun salute, laying of wreaths and a quartet that sang Amazing Grace.

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Opinion | Star Editorial Board: On this Remembrance Day, its time to recognize the invisible wounds of war

Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell addressed the assembled crowd, saying that while immense progress has been made in the last century, we must not forget the lessons of the past.

Today we are living in strange and uncertain times  times when democracies around the world are fragile. We face significant change that all too often threatens to tear us apart, she said.

In many ways thats an age old story, she said. Historys many conflicts, the ones we remember today, must remind us of our mutual vulnerability and of the imperative to do our utmost to foster empathy and peace.

Richard Rohmer, honorary lieutenant-general for the Canadian Armed Forces and veteran of the Second World War, also spoke to the crowd and acknowledged the soldiers who served before him.

I am six years younger than the event today which turns 100, he noted, referencing the signing of the armistice that ended the fighting in 1918.

Ford said his government is forever grateful for the sacrifices soldiers have made, and listed some of his efforts to make veterans lives a little easier.

He said that includes planned legislation that would ease the burden on Ontarios Royal Canadian Legion halls by ensuring they pay no property tax.

Were doing what we can to show our gratitude to the heroes who still walk amongst us today, and ensure their sacrifices will never be forgotten, said Ford. Ontario will always stand with you. And we will always honour your legacy and service.

Read more about:For the last two years, Tanya Talaga has barely had a moment to catch her breath. Since the publication of her 2017 book, Seven Fallen Feathers, the Toronto Star reporter has been on a professional tear, winning numerous writing prizes, completing a public policy fellowship with the Atkinson Foundation, and making history as the first Indigenous woman to give the prestigious CBC Massey Lectures.

Talagas lecture series, All Our Relations, examines the legacy of cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples and has already been heard by sold-out crowds everywhere from Vancouver to Halifax. Starting Monday, it will be heard by the rest of the country, too, with the broadcast of her Massey lectures on the CBC radio show, Ideas.

Ahead of the first broadcast on Nov. 12, the Star spoke with Talaga about her Indigenous identity, her evolution as a journalist, and why she insisted on holding the first Massey lecture in the northern Ontario city that started it all: Thunder Bay.

Id like to start by talking about your personal history and identity. Youre Polish on your dads side and Anishinaabe on your moms side. What kind of relationship did you have with the Indigenous side of your identity as a young girl?

I grew up in Toronto and I would spend some summers in northern Ontario with my mother in Raith (an hour northwest of Thunder Bay). She would pack us up in the car and we would head out for the two-days drive north, and in Raith, we would stay with her grandparents, who were residential school survivors that raised her. That, to me, was very much my link with my family, with my Anishinaabe side, because we were in the bush.

Growing up in Toronto  its weird, especially in the time I grew up. I would tell people, My dads Polish, but my moms mom is Ojibwe, and they would look at me like I had six heads. Nobody really got that and from my appearance, everyone always thinks Im Italian or Greek.

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The health system in Canadas North is failing  but not by accident. It is designed to do what it is doing

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But when I was a girl up north, I felt like I belonged.

As you mentioned, your great grandparents were residential school survivors. What has been the legacy of that trauma in your own family?

It wasnt until I was in my early 20s that I found out I had a sister that was given up for adoption, and that my mother had three brothers that were put into the childrens aid system. So it was then that everything started coming together: Oh, right. Right! This is because of the residential school system. This is the fractured nature of my mothers family. Were all close and were all lucky because all the kids came back to us, except for one, and that was my uncle Alvie, who died. He spent most of his life as a carnival hand and he never reunited with my grandmother.

Its the same legacy that everyones had, and thats part of the reason why I write what I write. Its hard because all Indigenous families have so much to overcome because of history, because of colonization. It sounds ridiculous when you talk about intergenerational trauma but its not; its very real and it goes from generation to generation. And those stories are hard to bring forward sometimes and hard to talk about.

Your first foray into journalism was at the University of Torontos student newspaper, The Varsity, followed by an internship with the Toronto Star. When you were first starting out, was it your goal to write about Indigenous people and issues?

My first goal was to get a job, because I was pretty cognizant of the fact that I was the only person who didnt go to journalism school (in my internship year). And so I always felt like I had to work harder than everybody else.

I was a slave to the assignment desk, writing general city news, for years. And sometimes I would bring up story ideas concerning First Nations issues, specifically health issues, and there wasnt too much interest. I think you could ask any Indigenous journalist that and they would say the same thing; there was no appetite in the mainstream media because the mainstream media was run for a long time by a lot of British people.

Its getting better  but once Indigenous editors are making decisions about whats covered, and how its covered, thats when youre going to see changes too. Its the editors who are still in control and making decisions.

Nowadays, mainstream outlets are covering Indigenous issues more than ever before. When did you first notice a real shift underway in newsrooms in terms of their interest in these stories?

When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report came out, for sure. Once that came out (in 2015), once it hit the media, it was everywhere. You couldnt look away, right  6,000 dead children, 150,000 people went to residential school, all of these survivors that were interviewed. Those truths, once theyre exposed and out there, you cant put them back. The country had to hear them.

The report coming out, and the commission coming out, also coincided with the rise of social media, the rise of the Internet, and the rise of APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), which was out there broadcasting and becoming more and more popular. CBC Indigenous was formed and thats really helped add to the landscape. Those are just mainstream outlets, though; there was always an Indigenous media, it just wasnt really noticed.

Five years passed between your first reporting trip to Thunder Bay and your decision, at the urging of your editor at House of Anansi, to write your first book about the seven fallen feathers, the Indigenous kids who died in Thunder Bay. Why did so much time pass before you considered turning this story into a book?

To be honest with you, I was a single mom; I divorced in 2010. So, I was a working full-time journalist and I had two small kids. At the time, I couldnt mentally and physically devote what I knew I needed to without completely killing myself.

It wasnt just about the time; this book would also be occupying places in my mind and my heart, right? I always knew I would write about the seven kids, but I had to be in the right place and time. And Alvin Fiddler (Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation) said that to me: You werent meant to write the book before, but youre meant to do it now.

You did eventually get to a place where you could write this book. But youre still the mother of two children, albeit older now, who share your Indigenous heritage. What was it like to be a parent reporting these painful stories about Indigenous children dying of neglect, murder and suicide?

I write about resiliency and I write about love. All the stories of the kids, of the losses that have happened in our communities, also show an incredible love and honouring of the kids and the youth. Everyone has gone through so much and I try and tell my kids, You know, you come from strong stock. You come from many cultures; your father was Irish, Im Polish as well, and youre Indigenous. So you come from this incredible background, but on your Indigenous side, were still here. The effects of colonization and genocide didnt work.

And its going to be the youth that will carry us forward. I really believe that.

Its such difficult emotional territory to immerse yourself in, especially when you have a personal connection to the subject matter. What did you do to protect yourself emotionally and psychologically?

I am very lucky to speak almost daily with Sam Achneepineskum. He is an elder from Marten Falls First Nation; he was actually the elder for the families during the inquest for the seven fallen feathers, and hes become my elder. And I keep in touch with many families and leaders in northern communities frequently. I wouldnt be able to do this work without that strong sense of community thats behind me.

Last year, you were chosen for the 2017-2018 Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy to write about youth suicides in Indigenous communities; this work became the basis of your CBC Massey Lectures. What was your reaction when they asked you to do the lectures?

It was pretty shocking. I had no idea that was the reason why my editor and publisher wanted to see me. So I met them for dinner and they said, Youre going to be asked to be the CBC Massey lecturer and I went, What?! I just didnt really believe it. When I think of who has been asked to be a Massey lecturer in the past; its a lot of older people, people who are academics or very well-known in Canadian culture and politics and arts and letters. Names like Martin Luther King Jr., Willy Brandt  Nobel Prize laureates. Im like, really? I dont have much in common with these people.

But this is sort of one of those times in life where you have to buck up and do it, because this is a platform and an honour, and you can spread the message. You can get out there and tell the stories that need to be told. But Im not joking when I say that I honestly spent the next four days hiding under my bed, because I couldnt believe I said yes.

Were there any rules from the CBC around how you should approach the lectures, or were you given free rein?

Free rein. I worked with Philip Coulter, hes the producer of the Massey lectures for the CBC show Ideas. He carried a printer with him in his bag to all the cities we were in and he printed up my lecture right before I went on stage. So thats when he (would first see) it.

I think they were panicking a little bit with the first lecture thinking, Oh my God, I cant believe shes writing her lecture right up until the last minute. But then they realized, oh, thats how she works, and then everyone sort of settled into my rhythm of pushing it to the last minute.

There were five Massey lectures altogether, with the last one in Toronto. But tell me about the first one in Thunder Bay.

We agreed that if Im going to do the Massey lectures, I wanted to start in Thunder Bay, which has never had a Massey lecture before. For me, its where my moms family is from, its the city of the seven fallen feathers, its a place where children have come to die. Theres been heartache but also hard work at trying to make things better. This whole entire colonial project in Canada; its all here in Thunder Bay. Its almost a mirror of Canada, whats happening in the rest of the country.

I also told the CBC I wanted to indigenize the lectures. Im not going to just stand up at the lectern and lecture; thats not who I am. Im not an academic, Im a storyteller, and this is going to be told through an Indigenous lens and this is about community. That means I want my community up there and I want every single community that I go into represented on stage when I do these lectures.

So we had a push for that and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) stepped up right off the bat and helped us secure the largest theatre in Thunder Bay, which seats 1,500 people. They opened all the seating up for free, so they invited everybody from the Thunder Bay community to come see the Massey lectures, which means people didnt have to pay for tickets for $40 or $50  not only did we have every single seat filled, there were also 400 people standing.

Also, my grandmother Margaret was there, who is 93, her sister  family came in from Winnipeg, North Bay. My mom was there, my kids were there, and my mothers brother. Sitting in front of my family were some of my friends from Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Also in the front row were some of the families of the seven girls from Wapekeka and Poplar Hill First Nation who died by suicide.

It was so emotionally loaded and weighted. And, you know, this is the first time somebody like me had done the lectures and had done them in this way. I knew this was our opportunity to show Canada: This is how we do it. This is unity, this is resiliency. And honestly, I carry that night with me.Cheryll Case had barely graduated from Ryerson University last year when she made a splash as an urban planner with a project that laid a map of the citys zoning boundaries over census data.

Her peers are still hailing the work that shows how vast tracts of Toronto are effectively overhoused, squeezing younger, less affluent residents into smaller areas.

But rather than joining Torontos urban planning establishment, Cases after-graduation encore is a project called Housing in Focus, which challenges the status quo in her chosen field.

Using grants from the Laidlaw and McConnell foundations, Case, 23, organized a series of workshops, drawing about 140 participants from low-income areas  people she says have little say in how their neighbourhoods are developed  and asking for their ideas on how to make more affordable housing in vibrant, well-serviced communities.

My goal is to bring forward a conversation that communities have been wanting to have  the whole idea that the planning process should be serving those with the most needs. Its to see how the planning process can best suit their interests  ensuring the conversation is welcoming to those communities, she said.

The ideas Case collected ranged from a waterfront marketplace in Etobicoke to new rules that would allow residents to convert their garages into homes  something that might provide more affordable shelter since it doesnt involve buying more land.

As a planner trained to think a certain way, I have certain ideas of what good development looks like. Talking to these communities they had different ideas about really cool, neat ways to build complete neighbourhoods, she said.

Affordable housing was the jumping-off point for the discussions. But the participants talked about their desire to mix subsidized rentals with market-rate units, to build equity through co-ops and rent-to-own programs.

Theyre open to providing opportunity. They acknowledge that to have opportunity you need to have development, Case said. They see really holistically the way you can use development to build more affordable housing, to build more culture, more vibrancy in the neighbourhood.

Participants in six workshops were drawn from community groups and services in Etobicoke, Scarborough, Weston, Parkdale and the Danforth area. There were also five workshops dedicated to building youth engagement  developing their leadership and research skills.

The women, who meet at a weekly cafe at Womens Habitat in the Etobicoke Lakeshore area, are hungry for opportunities and believe they have a role to play in making their neighbourhood function better, said Jennifer Oliverrie, a transitional and housing support worker, who helped co-ordinate one of Cases workshops.

They want their neighbourhood to be safe. Women who use our services need rent geared to income housing, she said.

Oliverrie cited an example of a building in the area where some of the agencys clients live for which rent on a two-bedroom unit jumped from $750 a month plus hydro to $1,775 in less than two years.

Those women wanted to see more consideration given to shared accommodation  something similar to a program that connects seniors with students who exchange affordable rent for help around the home.

If seniors can do this why not other individuals? she said. Why not youth, why not people with families ... to help them not use their entire paycheck plus their child benefit to pay rent.

Gerry Dunn of the Danforth Village Community Association admits he was skeptical when Case approached him about helping organize a workshop.

She presented a document, an outline of her idea. At first I thought its a bit academic. Its like somebody looking for a thesis, he said.

He said he was leary right up until the event.

What she did was fairly spectacular. There were four tables of about 10 people each. Not a big crowd but they got going. They were engaged, Dunn said.

If he has any criticism of the project its that, so far, it was a one-off.

The question that is on everybodys lips is, Where do we go from here, whats next, he said.

Case says she is developing a report on the workshop ideas that will be released later this month and distributed to the city and as many planners and housing professionals as possible.

Although community consultations are part of virtually every development project in Toronto, Case thinks theres room for improvement.

These communities, when Im talking to them, theyre feeling theyre not included or theyre not being asked the right questions or theyre not being invited to the right spaces. Im trying to help both sides figure out what conversations do we need to have, what kind of spaces do we need to build to make sure everybody is included in the decision-making process so we can actually develop an adequate supply of affordable housing that meets all our needs, she said.

If it sounds like advocacy, Case insists she is a planner first.

As a planner, Im seeing a gap Im trying to fill  discussions with people who are underserved.He used to deliver the mail. Now hell be on it.

Albert Jackson, who fled to Canada on the Underground Railroad and overcame racial discrimination to become Torontos, and the countrys, first Black letter carrier will be honoured with a commemorative stamp in February coinciding with Black History Month.

Our chests are so far out, in terms of pride, says Jay Jackson, the great-grandson of Albert Jackson, who became the first Black postman in May 1882. Its something we were hoping would come together and its now at fruition. Were so very proud.

He credits the Toronto Local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), particularly Mark Brown, for lobbying Canada Post for several years to include Albert Jackson in its Black History series. Launched in 2009, the series has included trailblazers Viola Desmond, Lincoln Alexander, Kathleen Kay Livingstone and Mathieu Da Costa.

It has been a long fight and we are pleased that Albert Jackson will finally get the prominence he deserves, said Brown in a statement. This is great news.

The current issue of Details, a Canada Post magazine for collectors, reveals Jackson is the 2019 Black History Month stamp in a sneak peak of what to expect next year.

Born a slave in Delaware, around 1856, Albert Jackson was one of nine children. After two brothers were sold, and his father died, his mother Ann Maria Jackson fled in 1858 with her seven children to Philadelphia, where African-American abolitionist William Still ran a station of the Underground Railroad, helping fugitive slaves get to Canada.

The family settled in Toronto. In 1882, when many Black men worked as labourers or in the service industry, Jackson landed a government-appointed job as a letter carrier. But on his first day, white postmen refused to train him because he was Black, so he was reassigned to hall porter.

The incident sparked headlines in newspapers. On May 17, an article in The Evening Telegram described Jackson as the obnoxious coloured man, saying he elicited intense disgust of the existing post office staff. Two days later an editorial in that paper noted, Objection to the young man on account of his colour is indefensible  Taxes are not made a penny less to a man because he happens to have dark skin.

Controversy raged. In a May 22 letter published in The Globe, C.A. Johnson, a Black preacher from Hamilton, called on the government to step in, asking who really controlled the Toronto Post Office: a bunch of high-toned letter carriers or the government?

If ever a set of men did anything to make themselves appear ridiculous in the sight of the world it is these stupid letter carriers of Toronto, wrote Johnson, who was the editor of the British Lion, a monthly newspaper for freed men from the U.S. This damnable prejudice on account of colour must stop  We feel much ashamed of these postmen, and we believe that the Canadian public condemn them in their heathenish action towards Jackson.

The Black community mobilized and on May 30 a delegation met with prime minister John A. Macdonald, demanding Jackson be put back on the mail route. It was an election year, and The Evening Telegram noted, There is at least one time when the assurance is given that coloured people are just as good as people who are white. This is at election time.

Two days later, Jackson was delivering mail, and he disappeared from the headlines. He held that job for 36 years until his death in 1918.

Little was known of Jacksons legacy. But in 2012, a story about him in the Star drawing information from Karolyn Smardz Frosts book Ive Got a Home in Glory Land: A Lost Tale of the Underground Railroad, the journal Ontario History and Torontos First Post Office garnered public interest.

The following year, CUPW created a commemorative poster of Jackson and a laneway in Harbord Village where he lived and worked was named for him. In 2014, a play called The Postman was staged on the porches of Harbord Village. In 2017, a Heritage Toronto plaque celebrating Jackson was unveiled downtown at the former site of the Toronto General Post Office, which is where Jackson picked up mail for delivery.

With files from the Star Library

Read more about:Retiring Republican Senator Jeff Flake rejected a suggestion by an official of his own party that theres fraud in the too-close-to-call race in Arizona to succeed him.

Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, who trailed through much of election night, has pulled out to a 30,310-vote edge over Republican Representative Martha McSally out of 2.1 ballots million cast statewide, according to the Arizona Secretary of State.

Calvin Moore, a regional communications director for the National Republican Senate Committee, cited a Fox News story in a Saturday tweet suggesting that a county election official was destroying evidence to cook the books for Sinema.

Flake responded to Moores tweet with a Twitter posting of his own on Sunday, saying There is no evidence of election officials cooking the books in Arizona and that such careless language undermines confidence in our democratic institutions.

Asked about the comment, Republican Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado, who oversaw GOP election efforts in the Senate this cycle, didnt offer any example of destroying evidence. He said he was worried about differences in how Arizona counties validated ballots.

We just want to make sure that every vote counts and that every vote that was legally cast is counted and that you dont have different standards on signatures or verifications of those signatures that might not allow a vote to go forward in one part of the state that allows it to go forward in another part of the state, Gardner said on CNNs State of the Union.

Read more:

Mid-terms offer little clarity on fate of USMCA, tariff dispute

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One of the major reasons it takes time to count ballots is that there are hundreds of thousands of early ballots dropped off at the polls on Election Day, Secretary of State Michele Reagan said in a Nov. 8 statement. The counties are working to verify the signatures on each ballot before it can be tabulated, she said.

Everybody is working diligently to tabulate all of the election results in a manner that Arizonans can be proud of and, most importantly, trust the results, Reagan said.

The races for Senate and governor in Florida are also too close to call and headed to a recount, amid similar allegations  including by U.S. President Donald Trump on Twitter on Saturday  that calls by Democrats to count every vote mask efforts to steal the election from Republican candidates who hold narrowing leads.IRAPUATO, MEXICOLocal Mexican officials again helped thousands of Central American migrants find rides Sunday on the latest leg of their journey toward the U.S. border.

At a toll plaza to the west of the central Mexico City of Queretaro, where the group spent Saturday night, police prevented migrants from waylaying trucks on their own, but officers did help them find vehicles for rides.

The government of Queretaro said via Twitter that 6,531 migrants had moved through the state between Friday and Saturday. It said that 5,771 of those departed Sunday morning after staying in three shelters it had prepared, the largest of which was a soccer stadium in the state capital.

Those numbers appeared even higher than counts made by officials when the group was in Mexico City for several days, raising the possibility that other migrants had caught up to the main caravan.

Starting out before dawn, the migrants went on to Irapuato, an agricultural city about 62 miles (100 kilometres) to the west in neighbouring Guanajuato state, and set up camp around a local family centre and small sports complex.

As on other days, the migrants jumped at any opportunity to catch rides. They piled onto flatbed trucks, hung from car carrier trailers and even stacked themselves four levels high on a truck that usually carries pigs.

Read more:

Hundreds of migrants leave Mexico City headed to safer and better California border

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The story behind the photo of the little girl crying in the migrant caravan

Miguel Ortiz of Honduras reclined in the pig trailer with his wife and son. He said they were headed to U.S. for a better life where they could work for more than just putting food on the table.

Maria Isabel Reyes, 39, of Honduras travelled with her three daughters and a granddaughter.

I feel happy by the grace of God, she said. Because were advancing little by little, but all of us here are moving forward.

The migrants appear to be on a path toward Tijuana across the border from San Diego, which is still some 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometres) away.

The caravan became a campaign issue in U.S. midterm elections and U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of over 5,000 military troops to the border to fend off the migrants. Trump has insinuated without proof that there are criminals or even terrorists in the group.

Many migrants say they are fleeing rampant poverty, gang violence and political instability primarily in the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, and they have now been on the road for weeks.

Mexico has offered refuge, asylum or work visas to the migrants, and its 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.

But most vowed to continue to the United States.

We can earn more (in the U.S.) and give something to our family. But there (in Honduras) even when we want to give something to our children, we cant because the little we earn its just for food, to pay the house and the light, nothing else, said Nubia Morazan, 28, of Honduras as she prepared to set out Sunday with her husband and two children.

Read more about:WASHINGTONTop Saudi intelligence officials close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked a small group of businessmen last year about using private companies to assassinate Iranian enemies of the kingdom, according to three people familiar with the discussions.

The Saudis inquired at a time when Mohammed, then the deputy crown prince and defence minister, was consolidating power and directing his advisers to escalate military and intelligence operations outside the kingdom. Their discussions, more than a year before the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, indicate that top Saudi officials have considered assassinations since the beginning of Mohammeds ascent.

Saudi officials have portrayed Khashoggis death as a rogue killing ordered by an official who has since been fired. But that official, Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri, was present for a meeting in March 2017 in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where the businessmen pitched a $2 billion (U.S.) plan to use private intelligence operatives to try to sabotage the Iranian economy.

During the discussion, part of a series of meetings where the men tried to win Saudi funding for their plan, Assiris top aides inquired about killing Qasem Soleimani, the leader of the Quds force of Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps and a man considered a determined enemy of Saudi Arabia.

The interest in assassinations, covert operations and military campaigns like the war in Yemen  overseen by Mohammed  is a change for the kingdom, which historically has avoided an adventurous foreign policy that could create instability and imperil Saudi Arabias comfortable position as one of the worlds largest oil suppliers.

As for the businessmen, who had intelligence backgrounds, they saw their Iran plan both as a lucrative source of income and a way to cripple a country that both they and the Saudis considered a profound threat. George Nader, a Lebanese-American businessman, arranged the meeting. He had met previously with Mohammed, and had pitched the Iran plan to Trump White House officials. Another participant in the meetings was Joel Zamel, an Israeli with deep ties to his countrys intelligence and security agencies.

Read more:

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Both Nader and Zamel are witnesses in the investigation by Robert Mueller, the special counsel, and prosecutors have asked them about their discussions with American and Saudi officials about the Iran proposal. It is unclear how this line of inquiry fits into Muellers broader inquiry. In 2016, a company owned by Zamel, Psy-Group, had pitched the Trump campaign on a social media manipulation plan.

A spokesperson for the Saudi government declined to comment, as did lawyers for both Nader and Zamel.

During the March 2017 meeting about the plan to sabotage Irans economy, according to the three people familiar with the discussions, the Saudis asked the businessmen whether they also conducted kinetics  lethal operations  saying they were interested in killing senior Iranian officials. The businessmen hesitated, saying they would need to consult their lawyer.

The lawyer flatly rejected the plan, and the businessmen told the Saudis they would not take part in any assassinations. Nader told the Saudis about a London-based company run by former British special operations troops that might take on the contract. It is unclear which company he suggested.

Before he was ousted last month, Assiri was considered one of Mohammeds closest advisers, a man whose sharp ascent tracked the rise of the young crown prince. In 2016, he became the public face of Saudi Arabias campaign in Yemen, giving briefings about the state of the war. He travelled frequently to Washington, where Saudi-paid lobbyists brought him to think tanks to give optimistic assessments about the campaigns progress and he extolled the Saudi concern for the welfare of civilians.

By 2017, however, the Saudi campaign that Assiri oversaw in Yemen had ground into a military stalemate and, despite his assurances, a humanitarian catastrophe. But his patron, Mohammed, also consolidated his power over all of the kingdoms security apparatuses, and he promoted Assiri to the deputy head of the kingdoms spy agency, the General Intelligence Directorate.

Western analysts believe that Mohammed moved Assiri there in part to keep an eye on the spy chief, Khalid bin Ali bin Abdullah al-Humaidan, known as Abu Ali, who was close to Western intelligence agencies and suspected of harbouring loyalties to one of the crown princes royal rivals.

Assiri was dismissed last month when the Saudi government acknowledged Khashoggis killing and said he had organized the operation. On Saturday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said his government had handed over a recording of Khashoggis killing to the United States, Saudi Arabia, Britain and France, pressuring President Donald Trump to more harshly punish the Saudis over the murder.

Naders and Zamels plan dates to the beginning of 2016, when they started discussing an ambitious campaign of economic warfare against Iran similar to one waged by Israel and the United States during the past decade aimed at coercing Iran to end its nuclear program. They sketched out operations like revealing hidden global assets of the Quds force; creating fake social media accounts in Farsi to foment unrest in Iran; financing Iranian opposition groups; and publicizing accusations, real or fictitious, against senior Iranian officials to turn them against one another.

Nader is an adviser to the crown prince of the United Arab Emirates, a country that, along with Saudi Arabia and Israel, has identified Iran as the primary threat to stability in the Middle East.

Both he and Zamel believed that Hillary Clintons anticipated victory in the 2016 election meant a continuation of the Iran nuclear deal signed by President Barack Obama  and little appetite in Washington for a concerted campaign to cripple the Iranian economy. So, they decided to pitch the plan to Saudi and Emirati officials, even submitting a proposal to Assiri during a meeting in Belgium.

The election of Donald Trump changed their calculus, and shortly after, Nader and Zamel travelled to New York to sell both Trump transition officials and Saudi generals on their Iran plan.

Naders initiative to try to topple the Iranian economy was first reported in May by The New York Times. His discussions in New York with Assiri and other Saudi officials were reported last month by The Daily Beast.

Nader and Zamel enlisted Erik Prince, the former head of Blackwater and an adviser to the Trump transition team. They had already discussed elements of their plan with Erik Prince, in a meeting when they learned of his own paramilitary proposals that he planned to try to sell to the Saudis. A spokesman for Erik Prince declined to comment.

In a suite on one of the top floors of the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York, Zamel and Nader spoke to Assiri and his aides about their Iran plan. The Saudis were interested in the idea but said it was so provocative and potentially destabilizing that they wanted to get the approval of the incoming Trump administration before Saudi Arabia paid for the campaign.

After Trump was inaugurated in January 2017, Nader met frequently with White House officials to discuss the economic sabotage plan.

Assiris interest in assassinations was unsurprising but unrepresentative of official policy, said one Saudi loyal to Mohammed and familiar with the inquiry into the Khashoggi killing. The investigation had shown the general to be a grandiose and ambitious renegade who sought to impress the crown prince with unauthorized schemes for black operations, the person said.

But Assiris well-known closeness to the crown prince  the general often joined Mohammed for meetings in Riyadh with visiting U.S. officials  might make it difficult for the princes supporters to distance him from the proposals, just as the same connections have helped convince Western intelligence agencies that the prince must have known about the plot against Khashoggi.

Moreover, Assiri and his lieutenants were meeting with Nader around the same time that Nader was meeting with Mohammed himself, as Saudi officials have acknowledged. In emails to a business associate obtained by The Times, Nader sometimes referred to conversations he held with Mohammed  also known by his initials, MBS  about other projects he had discussed with Assiri.

Had a truly magnificent meeting with MBS, Nader wrote in early 2017, discussing possible Saudi contracts. The crown prince, he said, had advised him to review it and discuss it with General Ahmed.

Read more about:My grandfather, a gentle and soft-spoken bear of a man, was born in 1903  too young to fight in the First World War, too old for the Second. I can recall him in the years of my childhood trooping down to the Princes Gates annually for the Warriors Day Parade, rain or shine. He did not make a great show of it. In fact, I cannot recall him ever explaining why he felt such an abiding obligation to Canadas veterans. He did not have to.

Much has changed in the hundred years since the Armistice brought the end of hostilities in the Great War. It has been a long, long time since Canadian civilians have even had to imagine being called upon to fight abroad. And as citizens of the most geographically fortunate country on the planet  protected by vast oceans on three sides and a nuclear-armed superpower on the fourth  it is virtually inconceivable that we should ever have to bear arms in defence of the homeland. This essential truth about Canada, that we can simply take our security for granted, applies to almost no other nation on Earth.

Thus, it is perhaps not surprising that Remembrance Day in Canada  outside of base towns like Trenton, Ont.  has largely ceased to be an occasion of unbridled patriotism. Indeed, Remembrance Day has been politicized in Canada in recent decades, as it has elsewhere  the product not only of a powerful undercurrent of antiwar sentiment dating from the Cold War but also, more recently, of feuding over whether Canadas preeminent military legacy is that of the conservative warrior nation or, rather, the progressive altruism of the blue-helmeted peacekeepers. Confusion has followed. Polls show that even during Canadas recent war in Afghanistan (2001-11), Canadians were uncertain as to whether we were engaged in a shooting war or peacekeeping. (It was a shooting war, in which 158 Canadian soldiers were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded.)

War is always political  old people talking and young people dying, as the cliche goes. Whether we should fight here or there, or whether we should commit ourselves to this or that cause, or how much we should spend on military preparedness  these are always the questions of governments and citizens, and they produce intense debates, as well they should.

But this complex political reality should not obscure the fundamental truth known to my grandfather and the ill-fated cohorts called upon to fight two world wars in the space of a single generation. When our fellow citizens volunteer to place themselves in harms way on our behalf, they have done something truly extraordinary. This, and not our comparatively petty political squabbles, is what we should be thinking about on Remembrance Day.

Dr. Robert Wright teaches History at Trent University Durham GTA and has built his career by challenging the way we think about Canadian history, foreign policy and sovereignty issues. His books include Trudeaumania: The Rise to Power of Pierre Elliot Trudeau (2016) and Our Man in Tehran: Ken Taylor and the Iran Hostage Crisis (2011).

Read more about:Buildings, if they can avoid being torn down, can have many lives. Sometimes they can change so much theyre unrecognizable  and if theyve become landmarks, it can be a shock.

Such was the case when the green construction mesh was removed from the former Bright Pearl restaurant at 346 Spadina Ave., revealing a renovation that dramatically altered the look of the building.

Im really disappointed they just ripped out the Chinese architectural features, says author Arlene Chan. There were animal symbols on the eavestroughs. When it was first opened, the whole design was by Taiwanese restaurateur Yen Pin Chen, who brought in artisans and created a real landmark in Chinatown.

Chan has written seven books on the history and culture of the Chinese in Canada and often leads tours through Torontos Chinatown. Chens Yen Pin Place restaurant didnt fare well when it opened in the 1970s, and a series of different restaurants followed. Of late, the Bright Pearl was here the longest.

The building hasnt had any good luck, she says of this supposedly haunted structure. Theres been exorcisms, and feng shui masters (were) brought in to bring more luck. Currently, the only visual Chinatown elements that remains are one of the two guardian lions that was on Spadina, and a new mural depicting one of the lions out back. Chan says she hopes they return the other lion to the front as there are always supposed to be two.

When I lead my tours people ask me why Torontos Chinatown doesnt look like San Franciscos, with all of its architecture features, she says. I remind them that San Franciscos was rebuilt after the 1906 quake and done in a style that imagined what a Chinatown should look like, with exaggerated and unusual details. The Bright Pearl was one of the few buildings we had like that here.

Chan points out that after they were evicted from Torontos first Chinatown where the new city hall was built, the Chinese community didnt build from scratch, instead moving into existing buildings at Spadina and Dundas. Previous to this move, the Toronto Labour Lyceum was located in the building, a centre for both the labour movement and the citys Jewish community for years.

Its a place with many layers but the renovation has erased much of it, turning it into something that looks like a generic condominium podium.

Real estate brokerage firm Metropolitan Commercial is behind the renovations and intends to rent the four-storey building to a single office tenant. To launch the new space, the realtor partnered with former AGO curator David Moos and staged The Invitational, a four-day art exhibition in late October. While the renovation shocked and saddened some, this event angered many in the arts community.

The Invitational has branded itself as an international art exhibition but is in fact a poorly disguised real estate ad, reads an open letter signed by dozens of artists and arts organizations. The organizers say that this space is open to the public while its actually being claimed for the wealthy.

In an email, Ming Zee of Metropolitan Commercial lamented the bad press theyve received before the project is done and did not want to discuss it in detail until its complete.

The female lion was damaged beyond repair and basically fell to pieces while we were assessing the damage, he added. We have plans for two new Lions.

Zee said the lion mural on the back and a mural on the front facade is by artist Kwest, who will also be completing more exterior artwork.

Kwest, who has worked with Drake, also painted a mural around the entry to 310 Spadina Ave., a warehouse building recently renovated by Metropolitan Commercial in a similar black and white style.

The Invitational seems to have come and gone without much of a mark  even its Instagram account has been shut down  but the fear remains that the slickness of this renovation, and the excitement the realty company is trying to incite around it, will drive up area rents in what remains a relative-for-Toronto affordable area downtown.

Were in the early transition, says Chan of the process of Chinatown gentrification. Its bound to happen but so far isnt happening as fast as other communities.

Share your thoughts

She notes some of the many Chinese family associations in the area  organizations formed around people with common surnames  are feeling the pinch of rising costs. Shes largely hopeful though, noting there have been many older Chinese businesses in the area replaced by new ones owned by younger Chinese entrepreneurs.

I dont see them being changed over to non-Chinese, she says. I find that very promising. With all the new condos going in at end of Spadina its bringing in a whole new group of potential customers back into the city.

Correction  Nov. 12, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled the last name of former AGO curator David Moos.

Read more about:VANCOUVERThe majority of people in Metro Vancouver support allowing permanent residents the right to vote in local elections, reveals a new poll.

Completed by polling company Research Co., people across Metro Vancouver were asked if they would support allowing permanent residents  who are nontemporary immigrants to Canada but are not yet Canadian citizens  to vote in elections at various levels of government.

The majority supported this idea, with 60 per cent who said that they would support giving permanent residents the right to vote in municipal elections; 57 per cent would support it for provincial elections; and 54 per cent were in support of the idea for elections at the federal level.

Additionally, a majority of participants, or 60 per cent, agreed that allowing permanent residents to vote would strengthen democracy at the municipal level.

The data was collected from 829 adults through an online study conducted in September 2018, with a 3.5 per cent margin of error.

The idea to allow people with permanent residency status to vote isnt a new one  in April 2018, a motion was passed by Vancouver City Council that they would advocate to the provincial government to make the needed changes to allow permanent residents to vote in municipal elections. However, changes were not made in time for the most recent elections in October.

Mario Canseco, president of Research Co., said that the low voter turnout rates in local elections if could be increased if permanent residents were allowed to vote. In the 2018 municipal election, there was a 39 per cent voter turnout rate in Vancouver, down from over 42 per cent in the previous election.

Voter turnout level was pretty low in the last election ... I think it would help immensely, he said.

In 2016, there was a total of 38,071 people in B.C. who were admitted to permanent residency under various economic, family and humanitarian programs.

Canseco added that many people with permanent resident status are already active participants in local politics. Permanent residents pay taxes and are eligible for social services such as health care and education.

Many permanent residents are involved in politics, they knock on doors, they volunteer in campaigns ... Its not like youre talking about a group that have just arrived, he said.

Canseco, who immigrated to Canada from Mexico, said that when he was permanent resident he remembered being eager to learn about local elections but was unable to vote at that time. He said that he has encountered many people who are now in the same situation.

There is a sense of excitement with people who want to play a role in the process, and I think you will see a lot of residents who are very eager and interested.

Fresh Voices, an immigrant and refugee advocacy organization based in Vancouver, have now launched a campaign, #LostVotesYVR, calling on the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to amend the legislation to allow permanent residents to vote in the province through an online petition.

The campaign has garnered the support of city councillors.

This is an important next step in bringing new voices to the table and strengthening our democracy, city councillor Christine Boyle said in a statement.

As of Saturday afternoon, the petition was less than 15 signatures away from its goal of 600.

Read more about:VANCOUVERA recent violent incident in Surrey has sparked a debate between the newly elected mayor, Doug McCallum, and the provincial RCMP.

On Friday, police were called to the scene in the early hours of the morning after a man was found dead on the ground outside a home in Surreys Newton neighbourhood. According to a tweet from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, it is believed to be a targeted incident and associated to the ongoing lower mainland gang conflict.

An RCMP release also indicated that the man had been shot.

Soon after, McCallum released a statement indicating that the incident was further evidence that the city needed a local police force  an idea that he promoted heavily during his run for mayor.

This mornings tragic shooting outside of a home in Newton is yet another example of the ongoing trauma and fear that are being inflicted on the communities, residents and families of Surrey  This latest incident of deadly gun violence further emphasizes the need for the city of Surrey to have its own city police force, he said in the statement.

Earlier this week, McCallum filed a motion to establish a municipal police force while ending the contract with RCMP, which was passed by council unanimously.

Read more:

Surrey looks to replace RCMP with local police force

Surrey group urges city to address the root causes of crime

McCallum will face tough but necessary challenges during Surrey policing swap, experts say

But McCallum went on to express disappointment that there have been delays in the process.

While Surrey City Council is moving rapidly on this front, I am dismayed by the resistance that is being encountered at the Provincial level  I want to urge the premier to remove any road blocks at the provincial level and help us make this critical transition proceed in the most timely and smooth manner possible for the people of Surrey.

But soon after McCallums statement was released, the RCMP quickly shot back to defend its forces.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Brenda Butterworth-Carr released a statement condemning McCallums comments as possibly undermining their investigation and discouraging people from coming forward.

The fact that a 22-year-old man has been murdered is terrible  Right now, the Surrey RCMP and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) are focused on finding out who murdered this young man, she said, adding that police are seeking information from the public.

Butterworth-Carr then went on to describe how McCallums statements risk undermining public trust and confidence in policing.

Until Surrey RCMP is no longer the contracted police service, our employees must be allowed to and will continue to police safely and effectively. I will not allow public confidence in policing to be undermined or eroded.

Read more about:VANCOUVERAs Bill Newton looked on at the hundreds of Vancouverites gathered to observe Remembrance Day Sunday in Victory Square on the 100th anniversary of the World War I Armistice, he thought about how that war was promised to be the war that ends all wars.

It didnt end all wars, did it, eh? Newton said after the memorial. Weve had over 100,000 Canadians killed in all those wars over the past 100 years. So this ceremony is actually a memorial service to all of them.

Newton, a veteran of the Korean War who worked in emergency first aid on the battlefields, said gatherings like Sundays give heart to vets.

During the worst parts of the war I wondered What am I doing here? You know, Does anybody back home really care? he said. Well when you see all these people here today, it kind of makes it worthwhile.

Sundays service saw a parade of hundreds of veterans and serving military members, including individuals who served in the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

The parade marched onto Cambieand Hastings streets, and turned to face the Victory Square cenotaph during the service, which included a two-minute silence following the trumpeting of The Last Post and a 21-gun salute at Portside Park, a flypast to commemorate lost and dead airforce members, and sixth-grader Kristina Bedford reading a poem she wrote for Remembrance Day.

Over 80 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph at the end of the ceremony. Provincial Minister and East Vancouver MLA Melanie Mark laid a wreath on behalf of the provincial legislature, while Vancouver Granville MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, Canadas Attorney General, laid a wreath on behalf of the government of Canada.

Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Janet Austin also attended the service and laid a wreath for the first time since entering the role in April. Her entrance was met with a Vice Regal salute.

Attendees at the service spanned generations. Two centenarian veterans were recognized, while young cadets helped guard the cenotaph throughout the vigil.

One of the centenarians, Margaret MacDonald, called the day marvellous, especially because of the people young and old who had gathered to remember conflicts and express gratitude to be living in a time of peace.

Today has been a wonderful day in every way, even the weather, she said. Its very important that we have realized how lucky we are to be here in this country. Everything is not terror  its joy, especially when the weathers gorgeous like today.

MacDonald served as a trainer with the Commonwealth Air Training Plan during World War II. She is now 100 years old and grateful to have gone on to accomplish a lot, including obtaining university degrees, in her life. I hope to accomplish more, she said.

She said she wants people to leave the service with a feeling of hope. I hope they realize that we have a lot more good people than bad people, she said.

One of the young people in attendance was Markus McNeilly, whose grandfather Arthur Leggett served alongside Newton in the Korean War.

McNeilly said his mom has been attending the service since she was 9 years old. Now that his grandfather, Arthur, has died, McNeilly carries his picture with him to the vigil.

Its an honour to be able to be here, he said.

On the back of Arthurs picture is a note McNeillys grandfather wrote while he was alive.

It begins with the words I fought for freedom. I fought to make sure my kids lived with no fear.

Read more about:VANCOUVERCanada Posts rotating strike hit Vancouver for a second time Friday night, as workers at the postal services Pacific Processing centre walked off the job.

The strike returns to Vancouver as the ministry of labour mediators appointment nears its end. Last Wednesday, Minister of Labour Patty Hajdu extended the mediators appointment by four days, until Sunday.

There is no time limit for how long mediation can occur, so Hajdu could extend the mediators appointment again. If both CUPW and Canada Post agreed, the parties could opt for a binding arbitration process instead.

Members of the Vancouver local of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers working outside of the processing centre are not currently part of the rotating strike. They were included when the strike first hit Vancouver October 26.

A work disruption at the processing centre is a significant pain-point for Canada Post. About 1,600 workers are employed there, which represents more than half of all Canada post employees in the Vancouver CUPW local.

The processing centre is one of only three post offices that handle incoming international packages.

The Crown corporation published a statement on the return of the strike to Vancouver, calling the centre a key processing hub.

The unions rotating strike will therefore have a significant impact on our operations and cause further backlogs of trailers, part of the statement reads. Canada Post will make every effort to minimize the impact, but customers across the country will continue to see delays for parcel and mail delivery.

The rotating strike will have gone on for three weeks Monday.

Some locations have had strikes lasting 24 hours, while others have lasted longer. The last time the strike hit Vancouver, it lasted 39 hours.

As of Sunday afternoon, Pacific Processing plant workers were still on strike.

President of the Vancouver local of CUPW, Jennifer Savage, said striking workers are far from discouraged.

Theres a good strong presence on the line, people are very positive and hopeful, Savage said in an interview Sunday.

Savage said Vancouver members are encouraged that Hajdu extended the mediators appointment.

There was no reason why we shouldnt have been able to have a negotiated agreement, she said, we hope for a settlement soon.

Read more about:Earlier this year the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a fashion exhibition inspired by the Catholic faith titled Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and Catholic Imagination. With more than 1.6 million visitors, it was the most popular exhibit in the Mets history.

And now the de Young Museum of San Francisco has the first major exhibit devoted to the Islamic fashion scene. Contemporary Muslim Fashions displays 80 swoon-worthy ensemblesglamorous gowns, edgy streetwear, conceptual coutureloosely organized by region and emphasizing distinct textile traditions. This exhibit is a bold statement of cultural appreciation during a time of heightened anti-Muslim rhetoric.

In studying how Muslim women dress for over a decade, I realized a deeper understanding of Muslim womens clothing can challenge popular stereotypes about Islam. Here are three takeaways.

While there are scattered references to modest dress in the sacred written sources of Islam, these religious texts do not spend a lot of time discussing the ethics of Muslim attire. And once I started to pay attention to how Muslims dress, I quickly realized that modesty does not look the same everywhere.

I traveled to Iran, Indonesia and Turkey for my research on Muslim womens clothing. The Iranian penal code requires women to wear proper Islamic clothing in public, although what that entails is never defined. The morality police harass and arrest women who they think expose too much hair or skin. Yet even under these conditions of intense regulation and scrutiny, women wear a remarkable range of stylesfrom edgy ripped jeans and graphic tees to bohemian loose flowy separates.

Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation in the world, but Indonesian women did not wear head coverings or modest clothing until about 30 years ago. Today local styles integrate crystal and sequin embellishments. Popular fabric choices include everything from pastel chiffon to bright batik, which is promoted as the national textile.

When it comes to Turkey, for much of the last century authorities discouraged Muslim women from wearing pious fashion, claiming these styles were unmodern because they were not secular. That changed with the rise of the Islamic middle class, when Muslim women began to demand an education, to work outside the home and to wear modest clothing and a headscarf as they did so. Today local styles tend to be tailored closely to the body, with high necklines and low hemlines and complete coverage of the hair.

A stunning range of Muslim fashions are found here in the United States as well, reflecting the diversity of its approximately 3.45 million Muslims. Fifty-eight percent of Muslim adults in the U.S. are immigrants, coming from some 75 countries. And U.S.-born Muslims are diverse as well. For instance, more than half of Muslims whose families have been in the U.S. for at least three generations are black.

This diversity provides the opportunity for hybrid identities, which are displayed through clothing styles.

Many non-Muslims see Muslim womens clothing and headscarves as a sign of oppression. It is true that a Muslim womans clothing choices are shaped by her communitys ideas about what it means to be a good Muslim. But this situation is not unlike that for non-Muslim women, who likewise have to negotiate expectations concerning their behavior.

In my book, I introduce readers to a number of women who use their clothing to express their identity and assert their independence. Tari is an Indonesian college student who covers her head at her parents objections. Her parents worry that a headscarf will make it harder for Tari to get a job after graduation. But for Tari, whose friends all cover their hair, her clothing is the primary way she communicates her personal style and her Muslim identity.

Nur, who majored in communications at Istanbul Commerce University, dresses modestly but is highly critical of the pressure she sees the apparel industry putting on Muslim women to buy brand-name clothing. For her, Muslim style does not have to come with a high price tag.

Leila works for the Iranian government and considers her off-duty clothing choices a form of civil disobedience. Monday through Friday she wears dark colors and long baggy overcoats. But on the weekends she pushes the limits of acceptability with tight-fitting outfits and heavy makeup  sartorial choices that might get her in trouble with the morality police. She accepts the legal obligation to wear Islamic clothing in public, but asserts her right to decide what that entails.

Designers have also used clothing to protest issues affecting their communities. The de Young exhibit, for example, includes a scarf by designer Celine Semaan to protest against Trumps travel ban. The scarf features a NASA satellite image of several of the countries whose citizens are denied entry to the U.S , overlaid with the word Banned.

A 2017 Pew survey showed that 50 percent of Americans say Islam is not a part of mainstream society. But as Muslim models and Muslim designers are increasingly recognized by the fashion world, the misperception of Muslims as outsiders has the potential to change.

Muslim models are spokespersons for top cosmetic brands, walk the catwalk for high end designers and are featured in print ads for major labels.

Today clothing inspired by Islamic aesthetics is marketed to all consumers, not just Muslim ones. Take the most recent collection of British Muslim designer Hana Tajima for Uniqlo. In its promotional materials, the global casual wear retailer described the garments as culturally sensitive and extremely versatile, clothing for cosmopolitan women of all backgrounds.

To be hip today is to dress in culturally inclusive ways, and this includes modest styles created by Muslim designers and popularized by Muslim consumers. Fashion makes it clear that Muslims are not only part of mainstream society, they are contributors to it.

Liz Bucar, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Northeastern University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.A senior BJP leader Saturday demanded a ban on Kedarnath, an upcoming film set against the backdrop of a catastrophic deluge that hit the Himalayan shrine in 2013, alleging that it hurts the sentiments of Hindus and promotes love jihad.

Ajendra Ajay, who is part of the state BJP's media relations team, wrote to Central Board of Film Certification Chairman Prasoon Joshi that despite being set against the backdrop of one of the worst human tragedies, the film directed by Abhishek Kapoor makes fun of Hindu sentiments.

Taking exception to a kissing scene between lead pair Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan featured in the film's teaser and a tagline in its poster reading "love is a pilgrimage", the BJP leader alleged that it was an attack on the Hindu religion as Kedarnath represents the faith of crores of Hindus.

"By setting a romantic love story against the backdrop of a huge tragedy that occurred at Kedarnath, a centre of faith for crores of Hindus, the filmmakers have shown great disrespect to the followers of the religion," Ajay told PTI.

Objecting to the film depicting the love story of a Muslim porter and a Hindu pilgrim, Ajay asked why the makers of the film couldn't find a Hindu character for the lead. Accusing the film of promoting love jihad, the BJP leader said acute resentment prevailed among teertha purohits for projecting Kedarnath in such a flippant manner.

Warning of largescale protests in the state if the film was released, Ajay urged the CBFC chairman to impose a ban on the movie produced by Ronnie Screwwala and Pragya Kapoor.

The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite...A 21-year-old man was beaten to death by villagers in West Singhbhum district after he allegedly raped his 9-year-old niece, police said on Saturday.

Taluka Purty, the victim's paternal uncle, raped her in one room of the house on Friday night at Karlajori village under Muffassil police station area.

The girl's grand-mother was in another room when the incident happened, police said.

The villagers reached the spot on hearing the scream of the victim, caught hold of the accused and beat him up.

Purty was later taken to a hospital in Chaibasa where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon, police said.

The girl was sent for medical examination.After BJP and RSS leaders, former Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Amar Singh has batted for the construction of the Ayodhya Ram temple via legislative ordinance. The BJP has a majority and the government should bring an ordinance for the construction of Ram temple if the court does not deliver a verdict on time, the Rajya Sabha member told reporters at a programme in Udaipur, according to PTI.

Singh also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not respond to allegations and statements made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. He praised the RSS, saying the organisation has worked for the betterment of the mankind.

Ahead of the general elections, the clamour for a Ram temple at Ayodhya has hit a peak. The Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti convention, held recently, had echoed the RSS demands when it claimed that the government should take initiative to ensure that the temple construction commenced by December. Former BJP MP and Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas member Ram Vilas Vedanti said, according to The Indian Express, I pray to Ramlalla in Ayodhya to give sadbuddhi (wisdom) to all and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi so that construction of a grand temple of Ramlalla could be started in December. The Hindu seers also said a mosque could be built in Lucknow, and that they did not want to see any bloodshed in the country.

Vijay Goel became the first Union minister to call for an expedited legislative route for the construction of Ram temple, when he said, on Friday, that it should be done at the earliest through any meansconstitutional, legislative, judicial or community dialogue. He claimed that the building of the temple is a "matter of faith" for "crores of people" and ways should be found to "amicably resolve" the issue to pave the way for its construction. A campaign, Ek Diya, Ram ke Naam, launched on Saturday, sought to promote the bid for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya.

-Inputs from PTIThe road outside Thamel, Kathmandus happening tourist district, is so dusty that it could be mistaken for a dirt track in a village, were it not for the ceaseless traffic. It was dug up for a drinking water pipeline a few months ago, the patch-up job was slapdash. Locals say no amount of complaining to the authorities will make a difference. They need Modiji to visit the city. Overnight, the area will become first class, they say.

The trust deficit needs to be addressed. We need to be honest with each other, to be aware of our sensitivities. The UN treats all countries on par. We expect that treatment. - Madhav Nepal, former Nepal prime minister India should not get perturbed every time we have dealings with China. It is natural for us to want to prosper in Chinas growth story. It should not be seen as an either/or option. - Sujata Koirala, Nepali Congress leader

There is buzz in Kathmandu that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning another visit. This has the city agog, but not all in the same way. While some are excited, others are suspicious about the frequency of his visits (four so far). In this Himalayan capital, Modi is both knight-in-shining-armour and villain of the piece. He is the hero who brought in reciprocity in bilateral relations, being the first Indian prime minister in 17 years to visit Kathmandu. But he is also that fairy-tale ogre who snuffed out kitchen fires during the bleak winter of 2015, leaving children to starve in the cold.

Madhav Nepal, former prime minister and senior member of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), blames Modi for having first got the pulse of Nepalis, and then, hurting their sentiments. To deal with Nepal, you have to understand the Nepali mindset, and Modiji did that initially, when he visited in 2015 and said exactly what Nepalis wanted to hear. That we are a sovereign state, he says. Then, India did just the opposite when the issue of the constitution came up, and even blockaded supplies. There is bound to be trust deficit.

There is a funny paradox we see in Nepal. It aspires to style itself on the Indian templatefrom buying a Bollywood-style lehenga to coveting a job in a Bengaluru-based software firm. But India bashing is as stylish. For instance, some refuse to speak Hindi because Indians do not bother to learn Nepali. India is blamed for everything, from ending the monarchy to causing the rout of the Nepali Congress. Occasionally, an incident sparks off a bigger fire. Several decades ago, an ill-informed comment by actor Dharmendra resulted in his films being banned in Nepal. Old-timers recall coming to the other side of the border to watch Sholay.

Suspicion of the Indian state at present is so high that Nepalese are even wary of the recently launched South Asian satellite, which India gifted its neighbourhood. You want to spy on us, was the reaction one Indian educator got. The recent round of India bashing is more vitriolic, as it is thriving on a vicious circle of politicians and public pandering to each others sentiments. Furthermore, this time, the dragon has entered the storyline. Om Thapa, entrepreneur and CEO of Bizmandu, an online portal, says the blockade of 2015 was a watershed. Kathmandu realised how it could be choked by India. That was when we began scrambling for alternatives, and China is the only other option. Memories of those weeks will not go away soon, he says. But he knows China is only an alternative, not the mainstay.

Madhav Nepal

Even the angry Nepali is keenly aware that China sent less than a dozen oil tankers during the crisis, a drop in the ocean of need. China subsequently opened three ports to Nepal, offering more, if needed. But, Nepal knows its geography. The cost of docking cargo in a port 3,000km away, transporting it through harsh mountainous terrain and bringing it in through a seasonal road may be feasible, but neither cost effective nor viable. Deep Kumar Upadhyay, former Nepalese ambassador to India, says, We need supplies 365 days a year, we do not have storage capacities. The routes through China are prone to mountainslides.

Many Nepalese like to tell India that if they share boundaries of 22 districts with India, they also have a vast common boundary with China. Reality check: These districts are thinly populated, unlike the Terai. After the 2015 earthquake, China closed an entry to Nepal at Tatopani, blaming damage by the temblor. Insiders say China could have quickly repaired the damage but was looking for an excuse to close the gate as it suspected Tibetans of using it for entering India. Whatever the reason, the incident went unnoticed in Kathmandu; it had not affected life in any way. Compare that with what happened when the route from India closed, and you know the difference, says Bishnu Rijal, central committee member, NCP.

China is playing the friendlier neighbourhood card to the hilt. Everywhere there are advertisements for Mandarin courses; these come with lucrative scholarships, free classes and even all-expenses-paid tours to China. At any given time, there are delegations of mediapersons, bureaucrats, entrepreneurs or politicians in China on invitation. China Aid logos, and the Chinese flag, are prominent across several heritage sites where China is rebuilding. The Chinese envoy in Nepal, Yu Hong, is a visible face in Kathmandu, her public outreach always in the media eye.

Add to this certain political decisions of the Nepal government, and the China tilt is obvious. Though Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli did make Delhi his first port of call after being sworn in, he took his time, setting off talk about his intentions. A dash to China soon after did not go unnoticed. Oli, who came to power on an anti-India rhetoric, likes to highlight the balance of trade and slow progress of projects with India as speed breakers in the relationship. However, he is grappling with similar problems with China, too, which he does not openly articulate, says Upadhyay.

China walked out of two projects, West Seti and Budhi Gandaki hydropower projects, blaming Nepal. Oli handed back the latter to the same Chinese firm recently, and Nepali parliamentarians themselves are questioning why. The Bhairahawa airport, given to a Chinese firm in 2013 for upgrading, is not yet ready, neither is the Pokhara one, started in 2016.

Sujata Koirala

Olis visit to Beijing this summer resulted in the two agreeing to a railway link between Tibet and Kathmandu, calling it the most significant initiative in the history of their bilateral cooperation. The timeline for the train to Kathmandu is seven years. The railway will be a marvel of engineering, given that the elevation of Xigatse in Tibet is 4,500m above sea level and Kathmandu is much lower at 1,400m. Most of the 78km will be through tunnels in the seismically unstable mountainous area. While there are few doubts on Chinas ability to build, there are questions on financing and on the likely volume of traffic on the route. The Chinese are pucca vyaparis [typical businesspersons]. They will look at profits, says Upadhyay.

Ironically, in the last five years, India has done more for Nepals infrastructure than ever before. It made a commitment of $1.35 billion, which include roads (500km), housing, hydro projects and rail links. Two rail links are ready to be thrown open anytime nowJaynagar-Kurtha (35km) and Jogbani-Biratnagar (8km). Oli himself requested for a Raxaul-Kathmandu rail link recently, which is being planned. An integrated checkpost at Biratnagar, funded by India, will open next year; two more, Nepalganj and Bhairahawa, are being worked on.

Sources in the external affairs ministry say dollar to dollar comparisons with China are unwarranted, Indias outreach is unique, the work will speak for itself. Politics apart, we have developed expertise that we want to share with partners, and we are keen on timely delivery of our projects, said an official.

Nepals decision of not sending troops for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) military exercise is perceived as another defiance against India. Explanations for this are plenty. One story says Oli was caught by surprise when Modi announced the exercise without consulting him. Some say he withdrew because he was unsettled by the warm welcome former Nepal prime minister Prachanda received from Modi when he visited India. Some say Oli had not consulted parliament and was pressured to withdraw. The fact that three Nepal army officers were already in India to discuss the exercise shows the confusion within Nepal. We should not have been ambiguous in our response. Nepal has not done a regional exercise before, it is true. We should be clear on our foreign policy. In India, even the opposition is one when it comes to foreign policy, rues Madhav Nepal.

Misunderstandings between us are natural, [but] they will never last long, says Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala. India should not get perturbed every time we have dealings with China. It is natural for us to want to prosper in Chinas growth story. It should not be seen as an either/or option. Koirala adds that the so called Chinese influence has always existed in Nepal, without affecting ties with India. She remembers trekking in mountain districts as a young girl and spending nights with locals. They all had pictures of Mao Zedong on their walls, she says.

Rajan Bhattarai, member of Nepal India Eminent Persons Group, says, When India works at improving ties with China, it is fine. Why is there concern then when we do business with them? We are a sovereign nation, we can choose to have ties with any country. Rest assured, we will not let Nepal be used against another neighbour.

The trust deficit needs to be addressed, says Madhav Nepal. We need to be honest with each other, to be aware of our sensitivities. The United Nations treats all countries on par. We expect that treatment. He recalls the time when, after the monarchy was overthrown, there was talk of the United Nations sending a peacekeeping force to Nepal. I was against it, I am glad I prevailed. We had our problems, we sorted them ourselves. This is what the people of Nepal want.

The ordinary Nepali knows that learning Mandarin has limited scopecommunicating with Chinese tourists and businessmen. There are no jobs in China beckoning them. India, on the other hand, is that land where you can rise to top positions, Major General Gopal Gurung, a serving officer in the Indian Army, being the best example.(Eds: Updates with fresh incident involving AI pilot)

Mumbai, Nov 11 (PTI) Air India Sunday grounded its chief of operations Captain A K Kathpalia after he allegedly failed to clear pre-flight alcohol test, while another AI flight was delayed by over six hours after a pilot "forgot" to undergo the mandatory breath analyser test, airline sources said.

Kathpalia was to operate the airline's London-New Delhi flight on Sunday afternoon.

Air India had to call another pilot to replace him and operate the flight (AI-111), which departed after a delay of 55 minutes, causing inconvenience to passengers, an airline source said.

"We have grounded Capt A K Kathpalia as he failed twice in the breath analyser test. He was to operate the London flight from New Delhi, but he failed to clear the pre- flight alcohol test," the source said.

"He was given another chance, but the second test was also found positive following which he was grounded," he said.

Air India spokesperson was not available for comments, but the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed the government-run airline to take appropriate action in the matter.

The ministry, in a tweet, said Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has asked AI to take appropriate action in the matter.

Meanwhile, a Bangkok-bound AI flight from New Delhi with over 200 passengers on board was delayed by over six hours Sunday after one of its pilots "forgot" to undertake the mandatory breath analyser test and returned to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, another airline source said.

"The flight departed from New Delhi for Bangkok almost on time at around 0200 hours but soon the pilot announced that the aircraft is returning to Delhi due to a technical snag. "After landing, they refuelled the plane but for hours together there was no word from the airline about the flights departure," said a passenger.

The flight finally took off at around 0845 hours, the source added.

AI spokesperson could not be contacted for comments, but a senior Air India official said the pilot missed the test by "error".

"He (the co-pilot) missed it (breath analyser test) by error. He realised his mistake and returned," the official said.

The co-pilot involved in the incident has been grounded for three months as per the DGCA rules for skipping the pre-flight alcohol test, the source said.

Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules prohibits crew members from partaking any alcoholic drink 12 hours prior to the commencement of a flight, and it is mandatory for him/her to undergo an alcohol test both before and after operating a flight.

The prescribed punishment for such offences under the DGCA rules is suspension of flying licence for three months in case of first breach.

For violating the norms for a second time, the licence is suspended for three years and for a third time, the licence is permanently cancelled.

Earlier, Kathpalia's flying licence was suspended in 2017 for three months by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for allegedly skipping the breath analyser test before a flight. He was subsequently removed from the post of executive director, operations.

However, he was later appointed to the post of director (operations) in Air India Ltd for a period of five years.

A senior official at the DGCA said a decision on Kathpalia's flying licence is expected to be taken on Monday. PTI IAS GK RSY ABH

ABHNaveen urges industry captains to partake in Odisha's growth

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11 (PTI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen

Patnaik on Sunday asked industry captains to explore the

immense opportunities that the state has to offer as it takes

rapid strides to emerge as the manufacturing hub of the east.

Inaugurating the state's showpiece business summit -

'Make in Odisha - Conclave 2018', in the presence of a host of

dignitaries including Japanese Ambassador to India, Kenji

Hiramatsu and consul generals of several other countries,

besides representatives from industry body FICCI.

"Odisha is emerging as a manufacturing hub of the east

and we are incessantly working towards deveoping it as a

global hub for industries in certain focus sectors," Patnaik

said, urging the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce &

Industry (FICCI) to partner with the departments in successful

implementation of the state's 'Vision 2025' for industrial

development in six focus sectors.

The plennary session of the second edition of Make In

Odisha Conclave, scheduled to be held from Monday, would be

attended by a battery of top industrialists including Mukesh

Ambani, N Chandrasekaran, Kumar Mangalam Birla along with 800

other industry leaders.

Apart from Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group and

Tata Group, Vedanta Resources chief Anil Agarwal and industry

delegation from at least six countries -- South Korea, Japan,

Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- are expected to

attend the state's mega business meet here.

Chairman of Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra, chairman of

Jindal Steel and Power Ltd Naveen Jindal and Adani Group chief

Goutam Adani are also expected to be part of the conclave

which will conclude on November 15.

"Mukesh Ambani will be the star speaker at the

Business Leadership Summit to be organiased just after plenary

session of the conclave. The summit will provide leadership

perspective from industry captains to inspire next generation

leaders," Odisha Industries Minister Ananta Das had said

earlier.

In the run up to the mega event, Patnaik had met

ambassadors of different countries in New Delhi.

Japan is the partner country of the conclave this

year.

The expo will be showcasing manufacturing prowess of

the state through use of modern technologies by the companies

operating here.

Apart from seeking investment from the industries, the

prime objective of the conclave is to showcase the potential

of the state in different sectors, said industries secretary

Sanjeev Chopra.

The first edition of the conclave was held in 2016

where the state had received investment proposals worth Rs 2

lakh crore, he claimed. PTI AAM SKN

JM JMMumbai, Nov 11 (PTI) Kubbra Sait has come forward in support of her "Sacred Games" co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui, after former Miss India Niharika Singh called him out in her #MeToo account.

Niharika's story was shared on Twitter by Sandhya Menon, one of the journalists spearheading India campaign against sexual harassment.

Niharika worked in 2009's "Miss Lovely" opposite Nawazuddin.

In the post, the actor said she and Nawazuddin came close during the making of the film. Niharika said she developed a soft corner for him finding him "real, after all the superficial 'filmy' interactions I'd had in the past years".

She revealed one morning she invited the "Manto" actor to her home for breakfast and he grabbed her.

"I tried to push him away but he wouldn't let go. After a little coercion, I finally gave in. I wasn't sure what to make of this relationship," she added.

The two started dating but according to Niharika she decided to split with Nawazuddin because of his frequent lies. The former model also called Nawazuddin a "sexually repressed Indian man" in the post.

Kubbra said one must not confuse a relationship gone sour with a #MeToo story.

"A relationship gone sour, isn't #MeToo. Someone needs to recognise the toxic difference before we go picking sides. I stand by #NawazuddinSiddiqui or #Nowaz as a man.

"I stand by the fact that although Niharika Singh may have had a tough time in the industry, categorising her once personal relationship as a #MeToo statement is incorrectly placed. We as humans are flawed. That isn't gender specific," Kubbra wrote on Twitter Saturday.

Nawazuddin is yet to comment on Niharika's allegations.

Last year, Niharika, along with actor Sunita Rajwar, had called out Nawazuddin for "exploiting and disrespecting women" to sell his autobiography, which was later withdrawn by the publishers Penguin Random House. PTI RDS SHD

SHDIslamabad, Nov 11 (PTI) Pakistan police has arrested three suspects in connection with the assassination of top cleric Maulana Samiul Haq, who was also known as the 'godfather of Taliban', according to a media report.

Haq, the 82-year-old cleric was stabbed to death on November 2 by unidentified attackers at his residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Police have arrested three suspects involved in the murder of the chief of the hardline political party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S). The suspects have been shifted to a safe cell under strict security and are being grilled, The Express Tribune reported.

The suspects were taken into custody on Saturday with the help of Haq's mobile phone data and geo-fencing of the private housing society where he was stabbed to death, the report said.

Three different teams were set up for the investigations of the murder.

The teams are working under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Operations and City Police Officer Rawalpindi Abbas Ahsan.

Haq, a heart patient, was killed by unidentified attackers while he was resting in his room, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq said.

His personal guard had gone out to the market and when he came back he saw Haq lying "in a pool of blood" on the bed, Hamidul added.

Haq was also the chief of JUI-S religo-political party was an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Haq's assassination shocked the entire nation as political leaders and religious scholars strongly condemned the high-profile killing, demanding that the government bring the culprits to justice. PTI AMS AMS

AMSNew Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI): Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours



FGN17 WWI-CENTENARY-2NDLD LEADERS

World leaders mark WWI centenary in sombre Paris ceremony

Paris: US President Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and dozens of other world leaders joined France's Emmanuel Macron in commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I in a solemn ceremony in Paris on Sunday. (AFP)



FGN16 FRANCE-INDIANS-STATUE

New statue in France commemorates role of Indian soldiers in World War I

Paris: A new statue commemorating the role of Indian soldiers in World War I was unveiled in the town of Laventie in France on Sunday to mark Armistice Day when the war ended in 1918.



FGN5 PAK-OMAR

Pakistan must do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns: Omar Abdullah

London: Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan government must to do some soul searching on India's legitimate concerns to make way for a process of engagement on Kashmir, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said.By Aditi Khanna



FGN14 LANKA-RAJAPAKSA

Lanka crisis: Rajapaksa ends 50-year association with Sirisena's party, joins newly-formed SLPP

Colombo: Sri Lankan strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was appointed prime minister in a controversial move by President Maithripala Sirisena, on Sunday ended his five-decade-long association with the SLFP and joined the newly-formed Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP).



FGN11 BANGLA-POLLS-BNP

Bangladesh opposition BNP says will take part in polls

Dhaka: Bangladesh's main opposition BNP, led by imprisoned ex-premier Khaleda Zia, on Sunday said it would not boycott the general election next month, after it refused to participate in the 2014 polls that returned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League to power due to fears of rigging.By Anisur Rahman



FGN8 UNSC-INDIA

India slams UNSC Sanctions Committees for 'opacity', 'lack of accountability'

United Nations: India has slammed the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committees, saying they are opaque and lack accountability and never inform the reason for not acceding to requests for sanctioning terrorists, in an apparent reference to China repeatedly blocking New Delhi's bid to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. By Yoshita Singh



FGN1 SOMALIA-BLASTS-TOLL

Toll rises to 53 dead from bomb blasts in Somalia's capital

Nairobi: Somali hospital and police sources say the death toll from Friday's bombings outside a hotel in Mogadishu has risen to 53 with over 100 injured. (AP)

RUP

RUPParis, Nov 11 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday attended a solemn ceremony commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I along with other world leaders at the historic Arc De Triomphe in the French capital.

French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and dozens of other world leaders were also present at the World War I Armistice Day centenary.

The ceremony at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe war memorial on the Champs-Elysees marked the culmination of events for the 100th anniversary of the end of the four-year conflict from 1914-18 which claimed 18 million lives, including many Indian soldiers.

Earlier, Naidu was received by Macron at the Elysee Palace here.

Naidu is on a three-day visit to France.

On Saturday, Naidu had inaugurated the first India-built war memorial in northern France to pay tribute to thousands of Indian soldiers who died fighting in World War I.

Indian troops were on the Western Front by winter of 1914 and fought at the first Battle of Ypres. By the end of 1915, they had sustained many casualties along with casualties from sickness, the decision was taken to withdraw Indian Corps from front line duty at the end of 1915.

Some 800,000 Indian troops fought in all the theatres of the war with 1.5 million volunteering to fight.

They fought in most theatres of war including Gallipoli and North and East Africa. In all 47,746 were classed as killed or missing with 65,000 wounded, he said.

The Indian Corps won 13,000 medals for gallantry including 12 Victoria Crosses. Khudadad Khan won the Corps first Victoria Cross. Such was the cost of the war, that India's economy was pushed to near bankruptcy. PTI KUN

KUNParis, Nov 11 (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin says he didn't have a separate meeting with President Donald Trump at events in Paris marking the end of World War I, but says they will meet on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina later this month.

Putin said he and Trump decided "not to interrupt the schedule" of the World War I events with a separate meeting.

Putin spoke to RT's France network.

Putin also praised the idea of a European army because he said it could "strengthen the multipolar nature of the world."

Macron has pushed the idea of a European army. (AP)

RUP

RUPGhazni (Afghanistan), Nov 11 (AFP) The Taliban intensified attacks in a district heavily populated by minority Hazaras Sunday, as US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad returned to the region as part of efforts to convince the group to end the 17-year war.

In pre-dawn fighting in Jaghori district in the southeastern province of Ghazni, militants killed 15 civilians and 10 members of Afghanistan's elite special forces, provincial police spokesman Ahmad Khan Sirat told AFP.

Another six special forces and eight civilians were wounded, Sirat added.

The information could not be immediately verified by another source in the province where telecommunications are poor.

A spokesman for the Afghan defence ministry in Kabul would not answer his phone.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a WhatsApp message that 22 Afghan commandos had been killed and "a large number" wounded.

Fighting in the district has been ongoing since Wednesday, fanning fears that the violence could be rooted in ethnic or sectarian differences.

Kabul deployed special forces to the area on Thursday to reinforce local Hazara pro-government fighters, as the Taliban denied targeting "any specific race, ethnicity or sect".

Most Hazaras belong to the Shiite branch of Islam.

The Taliban, which are Sunni and largely ethnic Pashtuns, have been accused of committing human rights violations against the group during their oppressive 1996-2001 rule.

The flare up in violence coincided with the return of Khalilzad to Afghanistan as he seeks to coordinate regional efforts to bring about peace in the war-torn country.

Khalilzad met with President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday.

The former US ambassador to Kabul also will visit Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where the Taliban has a political office.

A Taliban delegation met with Khalilzad in Doha in October to discuss ending the Afghan conflict.

That was followed by a Russia-led international gathering in Moscow on Friday that included Taliban representatives.

The Afghan government boycotted the meeting, but the country's High Peace Council, which is responsible for reconciliation efforts with the militants, sent a delegation.

The flurry of diplomatic efforts to kickstart peace talks comes as the Taliban make gains on the battlefield and cause record-high casualties among security forces.

A recent US government watchdog report said Kabul's control of Afghanistan had slipped in recent months as local forces made little or no progress against the Taliban.

In a grim assessment of the war, the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) cited NATO's Resolute Support mission as saying this summer's casualty toll for Afghan forces had been worse than ever.(AFP)

RUP

RUPColombo, Nov 11 (PTI) Sri Lanka's president Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday defended his controversial sacking of parliament, saying the decision was taken to prevent violent clashes among rival legislators and horse-trading of MPs.

Sirisena in an address to the nation outlined his reasons for dissolving parliament well ahead of its scheduled closure. Sirisena's decision was criticised by some political parties and civil society groups as unconstitutional and illegal.

He said there were media reports that politicians would clash during a vote to decide between two men claiming the premiership.

On October 26, Sirisena abruptly sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister and replaced him with Mahinda Rajapaksa, after three-and-a-half years of an estranged relationship with him.

The island nation plunged into a constitutional crisis following the move. Sirisena had suspended parliamentary proceedings until November 16. Later, owing to domestic and international pressure, he issued a notice to reconvene parliament on November 14.

However, on Friday, Sirisena dissolved parliament and announced snap polls on January 5 next year after it became evident that he did not have enough support in the House to prove the premiership of Rajapaksa.

"If I allowed the parliament to meet on November 14, there would have been violence in the House and it could have spread to our villagers and towns," Sirisena said.

"It was sad that parliamentarians were being traded for rupees 100 to 150 million," Sirisena said, referring to statements made by some of the parliamentarians that they were offered huge money to switch sides.

Sirisena also blamed parliamentary Speaker Karu Jayasuriya for the current political situation.

"The other reason for my dissolution of parliament was the behaviour of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. He issued statements saying that he would not recognise the appointment of a new prime minister using my presidential powers."

He said Jayasuriya's insistence of having a floor test on the very first day of the parliamentary session was unacceptable. PTI Corr

NSA

NSAParis, Nov 11 (AFP) President Donald Trump paid tribute to the "great warriors" who died in World War I as he visited a US cemetery in France, a day after drawing fire for cancelling a similar trip due to bad weather.

Speaking at Suresnes cemetery in the western Paris suburbs Trump hailed the "great warriors who gave everything for family, country, God and freedom".

Trump, who is in Paris to attend ceremonies marking the centenary of the end of the war, also paid tribute to the French and other Allied troops killed in "one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history".

Hailing the "American and French patriots" who served in the war, he said: "It is our duty to preserve the civilisation they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago."

The US leader was heavily criticised for cancelling a trip to Belleau Wood battlefield in northern France on Saturday due to the rain, with some critics accusing him of disrespecting America's war dead.

On Sunday, he braved the continuing wet weather to remember those who braved "rain, hail, snow, mud, poisonous gas, bullets and mortar" fire in pursuit of a "great, great victory".

Speaking at an open-air podium, without an umbrella, he named World War II veterans present and thanked them each in turn.

Addressing one veteran, he joked: "You look so comfortable up there under shelter as we're getting drenched. You're very smart people!" Earlier, Trump joined dozens of other leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, for a solemn ceremony hosted by President Emmanuel Macron at the Arc de Triomphe war monument on the Champs-Elysees.

Trump said he and his wife Melania were "deeply honoured" to have been in attendance.

"It was very beautiful, so well done," he said.

Over 1,500 US soldiers who fought in World War I are buried at the hillside cemetery in Suresnes.

Some 2,289 others are buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery next to Belleau Wood. (AFP)

RUP

RUPHodeida, Nov 11 (AFP) At least 61 combatants have been killed in clashes in Yemen's flashpoint Hodeida, medics and a military source said Sunday, and dozens of wounded were taken to hospitals outside the city.

Medics in the Red Sea city reported 43 Huthi rebels and nine loyalists killed in clashes over the past 24 hours. Another nine loyalist fighters were reported killed by medics at a hospital in government-held Mokha, south of Hodeida. A government military source confirmed the toll.

Dozens of wounded rebels were transferred to hospitals in the provinces of Sanaa and Ibb, further inland, a source at the Hodeida military hospital said.(AFP) AMS

AMSMelbourne, Nov 11 (PTI) A Somali-origin man, who set a car on fire and stabbed three people, killing one of them, before being fatally shot in the Australian city of Melbourne, did not have a "definite link" to the dreaded Islamic State but was "inspired" by it, the government said on Sunday.

Hassan Khalif Shire Ali stabbed three members of the public and attacked police officers in the Bourke Street on Friday before he was shot and killed by the police.

The 31-year-old, who was driving a Ute, loaded with gas bottles, into the Bourke Street, allegedly set it alight and began stabbing members of the public.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said authorities did not believe Ali, who had his passport cancelled in 2015, was a member of the Islamic State and had not been known to be ready to act, The Australian reported.

"There was no evidence available to the police... that any attack was imminent or that he had been part of planning," he was quoted as saying by the report.

"In relation to his connections with ISIL (another name for IS) or with any terrorist group... there's not, as I'm advised, a membership of an organisation or a definite link to ISIL."

However, the terror group's propaganda outlet, Amaq, earlier said "The perpetrator of the operation... in Melbourne... was an Islamic State fighter and carried out the operation... to target nationals of the coalition" fighting the Islamic State.

"The working theory is at the moment a case where this person has been downloading information or receiving messages in his own mind about what he should be doing," Dutton said.

There was "no evidence" available to intelligence services that the terrorist behind the Bourke Street stabbings was preparing an imminent attack, Dutton added.

Acting Deputy Commissioner for national security Ian McCartney said that, "It's fair to say he was inspired."

Shire Ali's passport was cancelled in 2015 when the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation believed he was planning to travel to Syria, McCartney said.

More than a dozen terrorist attacks have been prevented in recent years in Australia, but several have taken place, including a cafe siege in Sydney in 2014 where several people, including an Indian techie, were taken hostages and two were killed. PTI AMS AMS

AMSJerusalem, Nov 12 (AFP) Israel's army said an exchange of fire erupted on Monday during an operation in the Gaza Strip, while Palestinian officials reported six people killed, including a local commander of Hamas's armed wing.

"During (Israeli military) operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved. More details to follow," an Israeli army statement said.

Palestinian security sources said the clash occurred east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Further details were not immediately available.

Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said six Palestinians were killed. One of the dead was a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, a local hospital reported.

After the clash erupted, sirens were reported in southern Israel, indicating possible rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said all Israeli soldiers involved had returned to Israel.

"IDF operated in the Gaza Strip, exchange of gunfire ensued," he wrote on Twitter, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

"All IDF soldiers back in Israel. Several alarms have sounded in southern Israel." A Hamas spokesman denounced a "cowardly Israeli attack." (AFP) AQS

AQSWashington, Nov 12 (AFP) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday that the US will hold accountable all involved in killing a dissident Saudi journalist.

"The Secretary emphasized that the United States will hold all of those involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi accountable, and that Saudi Arabia must do the same," spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

She said the two also discussed the conflict in Yemen, and that Pompeo "reiterated the United States' calls for a cessation of hostilities and for all parties to come to the table to negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict." (AFP) AQS

AQSOver 1.28 lakh tourists visit Statue of Unity in 11 days

(Eds: Updating with more details)

Vadodara, Nov 11 (PTI) Since opening for the public on

November 1, the 182-metre tall Statue of Unity in Narmada

district of Gujarat has attracted more than 1.28 lakh

tourists, officials said.

A huge rush of tourists was seen during the weekend,

with over 50,000 people visiting the world's tallest statue at

Kevadiya village on Saturday and Sunday alone (November 10-

11), they said.

"Since November 1, when the statue opened for the

public, we have recieved around 1.28 lakh tourists (till

Sunday)," Superintending Engineer of Sardar Sarovar Narmada

Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) R G Kanungo said.

Over 24,000 tourists visited the site Sunday and more

than 27,000 Saturday, he said.

The statue, dedicated to `Iron Man of India' Sardar

Vallabhbhai Patel, is situated on an islet near the Sardar

Sarovar Dam in Kevadiya. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi on October 31.

Talking to PTI, Principal Secretary (Tourism) S J

Haider said more than 10,000 tourists had visited the statue

on the very first day of its opening.

"The number of tourists kept on increasing since

November 1," he said.

Haider said the government is ready to welcome any

number of tourists at the site.

He said the new tourist attraction in Gujarat will

help increase the number of travellers visiting the state from

other parts of the country and also abroad.

"Gujarat has registered 17 per cent year-on growth in

tourism with a total 5.2 crore tourists visiting the state in

2017. The Statue of Unity will help in achieving considerable

growth in arrival of tourists to Gujarat," he said.

The towering structure, built at a cost of Rs 2,989

crore, is nearly twice the height of Statue of Liberty in

United States and also bigger than Spring Temple Buddha, China

(153 metres) and Ushika Daibustum Japan (120 metres).

Along with the Statue of Unity, Gujarat Tourism has

added many attractions nearby for sight-seeing. Two tent

cities have been created along the backwater lakes of the

Narmada dam reservoir for tourists who want to stay there.

Among the prime attractions at the site is a viewers

gallery inside the statue located at a height of 135 metres

with a capacity to accommodate 200 persons at a time.

High-speed lifts installed there are capable of taking

5,000 people per day to the viewing gallery, which offers a

panoramic glimpse of the surrounding areas.

The ambitious project was announced in 2010 and a

special purpose vehicle was set up by the state government for

its construction. PTI COR/KA BNM

RSY RSYPanaji, Nov 11 (PTI) Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar underwent a "routine check-up" at a state-run hospital near here Sunday, an official in the chief minister's office said.

Parrikar (62), has been recuperating at his private residence near Panaji since October 14 upon his return from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where he underwent treatment for a pancreatic ailment.

He was taken to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Sunday morning for a "routine check-up", Parrikar's personal secretary Rupesh Kamat said in a statement here.

A source said the chief minister was at the hospital for over an hour during which he underwent some tests.

The source, however, did not give any details of the check-ups done, saying they were "confidential".

"It was more like a routine check-up," he added.

Before being admitted to AIIMS, Parrikar had undergone treatment at a US hospital between March and August.

After his return to Goa, the chief minister had held a series of meetings with government officials and his Cabinet colleagues.

He had also chaired meetings of the state Cabinet and the State Investment Promotion Board.

All three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament from Goa-- Vinay Tendulkar (Rajya Sabha), Shripad Naik (North Goa), who is also a Union minister and Narendra Sawaikar (South Goa)-- had met Parrikar on Saturday at his residence to enquire about his health. PTI RPS GK RHLItanagar, Nov 11 (PTI) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday pitched for dialogues between India and China on various issues, saying differences between the two nations should not be allowed to become disputes.

Both India and China should respect each other and resolve issues through dialogues and join hands together for peace and prosperity, Sitharaman said.

There are various issues such as defence, border disputes, border trades and presence of Indian and Chinese defence forces in the Indian Ocean which can be resolved through continuous dialogues, the minister said.

"Competition is normal, but contest must not turn into conflict. Differences should not be allowed to become disputes, she said here.

"Solution lies in dialogue, solution lies in peaceful engagement. But for this, mutual trust should be there." However, she added, mutual recognition of sensitivity in each country should be respected and resolved through dialogues.

Sitharaman was delivering the seventh memorial lecture of former RSS activist from Arunachal Pradesh, Rutum Kamgo, on the theme: 'Towards Bridging the Indo-China Relationship for an Emerging Asia'.

On a proposal of Chief Minister Pema Khandu for opening up border trade with China through Bum La Pass, Sitharaman said trade was possible with the border villages of both the countries, like the current border haats at Nathu La in Sikkim and Moreh in Manipur.

However, she added, the balance of trade between the countries was in favour of China. "Trade between India and China is done in large scale amounting to USD 80-90 billion. But, sadly, we are purchasing from them in huge quantities. But, for our products, their market is not open."

"We have several products like telecommunication, vegetables, tea, soya, raw sugar, pharmaceuticals etc in which China evinces keen interest," the defence minister said, adding that there were certain areas where both the nations could cooperate, especially in containing terrorism and promoting sustainable development.

The minister termed India and China the growth engines for the entire world, saying that emergence of both the countries would pave the way for an emerging Asia. "Peace, security and development in Asia are possible when India and China are developed. Development of both the nations is possible only when there is mutual respect and understanding among the two countries."

She quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying that both the countries should follow the mantra of samman (respect), sambad (dialogue), sahyog (cooperation), shanti (peace) and samriddhi (prosperity) for development.

"There are many multi-lateral institutions in the world like (the) UN, IMF, World Bank etc where representations from country like us with more population and demands are negligible. India and China should raise the issue jointly for mutual benefits," she added. PTI UPL NN MM NN

HMBItanagar, Nov 11 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Sunday appealed to the Centre to take steps to get external funding for the state from agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB).

Getting funds from ADB and WB is not possible at present due to interference from China, Khandu said while addressing a function here in the presence of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"The Centre should start a comprehensive dialogue with neighbouring China for building a cordial relationship to overcome such issues," the chief minister said.

Khandu also said if the relation between India and China improved, Arunachal Pradesh will immensely benefit.

Lauding the Defence Ministry for undertaking infrastructure development in areas sharing border with China, Khandu said work on permanent infrastructure is going on in many forward areas of the state.

"After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, works on creating border infrastructure in border posts of the state for the Army and the CRPF have started.

"Land acquisition process for Army infrastructure which was stagnant for the last few decades, has started," the chief minister said.

Khandu also requested the defence minister to make efforts to start border trade with Tibet through Bumla in Tawang district and with Myanmar through Pangsau Pass in Changlang district of the state in line with Nathula in

Sikkim.

Reacting to Khandu's proposal for opening up border trade with China through Bumla, Sitharaman said trade is possible between the border villages of both the countries such as the current border haats at Nathula in Sikkim and Moreh in Manipur. PTI UPL SBN KJEC identifies 32 polling stations in Mizoram as 'critical'

Aizawl, Nov 11 (PTI) The Election Commission of India

(ECI) has identified 32 polling stations in Mizoram as

'critical' and 38 'vulnerable locations', the state's Joint

Chief Electoral Officer Zorammuana said Sunday.

The state will have a total of 1,164 polling stations

for the November 28 Assembly polls.

Along with the state armed police, 40 companies of

Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would also be deployed in

critical polling stations and also in those at vulnerable

locations, Zorammuana told PTI.

While the training for poll officials is on, the state

election machinery is preparing to conduct free, fair and

peaceful polls as was done in the past.

Meanwhile, poll campaign in the state is in full swing

with candidates including Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, former

chief minister and opposition MNF president Zoramthanga

campaigning not only in their respective constituencies but

also in other parts of the state.

Public meetings, joint platforms and door-to-door

canvassing were being held in almost all the places. PTI HCV

JM JMNew Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) National Commission for Minorities chief Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi Sunday said Ram temple must be built in Ayodhya so that Muslims can live peacefully and respectfully.

Rizvi also stressed that the dispute should be resolved soon to help strengthen ties between communities.

Some Muslim organisations had sought the panel's intervention in the Ayodhya title suit case, Rizvi said.

The commission in its November 14 meeting will decide whether to approach the Supreme Court for an early hearing on the matter or not, he added.

"The National Minority Welfare Organisation and some other outfits have sent us reports that the Muslim community in the country is living in fear," Rizvi told PTI.

"They have urged the commission to take an initiative to improve the current atmosphere," he added.

"During the November 14 meeting, we will hold discussions on the matter. But, as it is sub-judice, we can only urge the apex court for an early hearing," he said.

Rizvi further said that the organisations wanted Muslims to help in the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site and make sure that no such controversy erupts in future again.

The minority panel chief also made it clear that there was no possibility of building mosques or offering namaz in Ayodhya.

"Even I believe that in Ayodhya, neither mosques can be built, nor namaz can be offered. The place has a sentimental value for 100 crore Hindus," Rizvi said.

"Therefore, Hindus must be allowed to build a Ram temple there (Ayodhya) so that Muslims can live peacefully, respectfully and without any fear while contributing to the development of the nation," he added. PTI HAQ RHLJaipur, Nov 11 (PTI) Former Union minister Arun Shourie Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of creating an atmosphere of "intolerance" in the country.

"Modi and Shah have created an atmosphere of intolerance in the country. Media should think about its implications and should openly speak about this," Shourie said at a programme at Pink City Press Club here.

He said when leaders create such an atmosphere, local goons too follow them in acts like gagging media but the media should throw light on them.

In the age of internet, he said, journalists should find ways to reach out to maximum number of people, reveal truth and raise voice on matters of public good.

Targeting the Modi-led central government on demonetisation, Shourie, a former BJP leader, said the exercise to junk a bulk of currency in circulation in November 2016 was the "biggest money laundering scheme".

The government has defended the decision, saying it helped increase the tax base and formalised the Indian economy. PTI SDA ABH

ABHNew Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) Claiming that Narendra Modi was leading the country in the right direction, BJP leaders led by Union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore Sunday urged people to re-elect Modi as prime minister in 2019.

Addressing volunteers of the "Modi for PM" initiative, Rathore urged them to take success stories of government initiatives to the grassroots level.

He reminded them about the alleged scams that were reported about before 2014, and said the then prime minister projected a "weak picture" as authority seemed to be concentrated in "a handful of people".

He said Modi raised the issue of blackmoney and ensured that the benefits of government schemes and policies reached the last man in queue.

"India has got the direction (disha) under the visionary leader Modi and the condition (dasha) of India is already on its way to improvement," he said.

The minister spoke on initiatives taken by the government, including opening of 30 crore bank accounts, Mudra loans and ensuring electricity in every village.

Referring to several initiatives being run by the government, BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi urged the volunteers to take the message to every household in the country.

BJP's national vice president Shyam Jaju said Modi government runs on the idea of "vikasvaad" (development).

More than 400 volunteers from across the country attend the event.

According to Rohit Gangwal, national convener of the voluntary organisation, the idea behind the convention was to get all volunteers under one roof to strengthen the base for "Mission 2019".

'Modi for PM' is an independent organisation formed in 2010.

Devang Dave, national IT and social media in-charge of BJP youth wing, said more than 2014, India needs Modi as prime minister in 2019.

"Narendra Modi has successfully ousted the Congress. Now in the next term, he will wipe out institutionalised corruption," he said. PTI PLB SKC SKC ABH

ABHChandigarh, Nov 11 (PTI) The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing police firing incidents at Behbal Kalan on sacrilege issue, has summoned former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir Singh Badal and actor Akshay Kumar.

While Parkash has been asked to appear before the SIT of Punjab Police on November 16, Sukhbir has been summoned on November 19 and Akshay has been asked to come on November 21 to the Circuit House in Amritsar.

The summon orders have been issued separately for the three by SIT member

and IG rank officer Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, according to an official release issued here.

The SIT is probing police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in Faridkot in 2015 after a series of sacrilege incidents in the state. In police firing at Behbal Kalan, two persons were killed.

Notably, the actor's name was mentioned in Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report on sacrilege incidents.

According to the report, a meeting between former deputy chief minister Sukhbir and Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in connection with the release of latter's movie 'MSG' was held at Akshay's flat in Mumbai.

The meeting was held before the pardon given to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a blasphemy case. However, Akshay had denied all the claims.

Kunwar Singh said the summons relate to investigation of cases originating from the various incidents of sacrilege in the year 2015.

The summons have been issued under Section 160 of the CrPC, requiring attendance at investigation, relating to the Bargari sacrilege case and the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents, the release said.

The notice says the presence of the aforesaid person is necessary for the purpose of inquiry into the above-mentioned offence and the person summoned needed to give such information relating to the said alleged offence as he may possess.

The SIT had earlier examined ADGP Jitendra Jain, then IG Bathinda; IGP Paramraj Singh Umaranangal; then Commissioner Ludhiana; IGP Amar Singh Chahal, then DIG Ferozepur Range; MS Jaggi, then DC Faridkot; SS Mann, then SSP Faridkot; VK Syal then SDM Faridkot, besides Mantar Singh Brar, then Kotkapura MLA.

In addition, 50 private persons and more than 30 police officials of junior rank have also been examined.

The five-member SIT was set up by the state government in September this year, soon after issuance of the notification to withdraw investigation of sacrilege incidents of the Guru Granth Sahib from the CBI. PTI CHS VSD SNE

SNEBhopal, Nov 11 (PTI) The Congress's manifesto for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly polls, pledging a ban on holding RSS shakhas on government premises and stopping government staffers from attending those has raised the heckles of the ruling BJP in the poll-bound state.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra, vice-president Prabhat Jha and Madhya Pradesh unit chief Rakesh Singh hit out at the Congress Sunday, accusing it of being opposed to Lord Ram.

The Congress manifesto also talks about withdrawing a relaxation given to state government staffers to attend shakhas (class) conducted by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

"The Congress believes in mandir nahin banane denge, shakha nahin lagne denge (won't allow the temple, won't allow shakhas). These are the very people who had earlier said that Lord Ram did not exist, that he was a mythical character. That's why they were opposed to the construction of the Ram temple," Patra told reporters in a hurriedly-convened press meet here.

"Kapil Sibal (senior Congress leader and lawyer) had objected to the hearing of the Ram temple issue in the Supreme Court before 2019. The Congress's ideology appears to be mandir nahin banane denge, shakha nahin lagne denge.

"This is a consistent effort by (Congress chief) Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party to demean the efforts of the RSS," he claimed.

Hitting out at former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh, Patra said, "Digvijay Singh has also said that the RSS should be banned. He had referred to terrorist Osama bin Laden as Osamaji and also called Zakir Naik, on the run now, an apostle of peace."

Naik is a controversial Islamic preacher who has been living abroad to evade arrest in various cases related to hate speeches and money laundering in India.

"And post 26/11 (Mumbai terror attack), he (Digvijay) had said 26/11 was the RSS's conspiracy and tried to give a clean chit to Pakistan. The same Digvijay Singh calls for a ban on the RSS today," Patra said.

"This is nothing but the politics of appeasement followed by the Congress. It reminds us of the days of Emergency of (former prime minister) Indira Gandhi," he added.

"For Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, urban Naxals are the best-performing NGOs of India, while the RSS, which is known across the globe for its humanitarian approach, is being defamed," Patra said.

Jha told reporters in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh that former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi had banned the RSS, but their moves had boomeranged.

"Rather, the RSS then grew stronger and expanded manifold. No one can stop the RSS as it is a cultural organisation. It is the biggest cultural organisation in the world. The threat of the Congress against the RSS will boomerang and sink the party," he later told reporters here.

Singh too lashed out at the Congress, saying the opposition party's remarks against the RSS signalled its "beginning of the end".

"I challenge the Congress to impose a ban on the RSS if it has the strength," he said.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "The RSS, while it calls itself a cultural organisation, is busy pushing and aggressively promoting a political ideology and a political party."

In Indore, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram described the RSS as a political organisation and defended the Congress manifesto.

"They can deny it to whatever extent but the truth is that the Sangh is a political organisation. This organisation has a political agenda," he told reporters.

"After coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress will fulfil its election promise by banning the government staffers' tendency to participate in RSS shakhas," the former Union minister told reporters.

"The people of the state will welcome it, because government staffers should not get connected to a political organisation," he said.

The 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly will go to the polls on November 28 and the results will be announced on December 11. PTI LAL HWP BNM RCRaipur, Nov 11 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Sunday the Congress was the "biggest hurdle" in building a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Addressing a rally in Durg district of Chhattisgarh for the second phase of assembly polls scheduled for November 20, Adityanath also accused the Congress of glorifying Naxals as "revolutionaries".

"The Congress is the biggest hurdle in the construction of Ram temple and prestige of Hindus will not be protected until the Congress is there," he said.

He also termed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's temple visits a "hypocrisy".

On one hand Congress leader Kapil Sibal appealed in the Supreme Court to defer hearing on Ayodhya land dispute case till 2019 Lok Sabha polls to delay the construction of Ram temple, on the other, Gandhi was visiting temples for political gains, the chief minister alleged.

He also accused Gandhi of "insulting" people by labelling Hindus as "terrorists".

"When Rahul Gandhi goes on foreign tours, he describes Indian Hindus as terrorists. He met the American ambassador and told him he had threat from Indian Hindus, not from terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba," he alleged.

"Indian Hindus had laid the foundation of world brotherhood and labelling them as terrorists is an insult to 132 crore population of the country," he said.

Adityanath said, "What the Congress has given to the country after Independence is terrorism, separatism, naxalism, corruption and dynasty politics. It divided people on the basis of caste and region."

"The party has encouraged terrorism and insulted the martyrdom of jawans by calling Naxals as revolutionaries," he said. PTI TKP BNM ABH

ABHNew Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) The BJP Sunday announced its candidates for 131 of the 200 seats of the Rajasthan Assembly with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje being fielded from her traditional seat of Jhalrapatan.

The names were announced by senior party leader J P Nadda following a meeting of the BJP central election committee which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its president Amir Shah besides other top leaders.

Raje also attended the meeting.

The party has also fielded its Lok Sabha MP Sona Ram Choudhary in the assembly poll and given tickets to 12 women.

Party sources said about 25 sitting MLAs have been dropped and 85 incumbent legislators have been repeated.

"Party candidates for all the seats we're discussed in the meeting. Names of other nominees will be announced soon," Nadda told reporters.

The BJP is facing a strong challenge from a resurgent Congress in the state with the opposition party winning a number of by-polls in the last couple of years.

A number of opinion polls has also given an edge to the Congress but the BJP has insisted that it will be able to repulse the opposition's challenge.

The saffron party under Raje had won a whopping 163 of the 200 assembly seats in the state in 2013, giving the Congress its worst ever drubbing at its hands.

The state has for the last two decades has seen the incumbent party losing the assembly polls. PTI KR ABH

ABH

ABH(Eds: With changes in headline, intro and 2nd para)

Aizawl, Nov 11 (PTI) Several political parties in Mizoram have accused Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank of being anti-Mizo and "puncturing" the state's enviable record of holding peaceful polls for decades.

This the first time political parties have openly criticised the CEO, who is at the centre of a row over allegedly trying to facilitate Bru voters in Tripura relief camps to vote in the November 28 Mizoram Assembly elections from that state.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) Saturday announced its decision to replace Shashank following massive protests by civil society groups here, demanding his ouster over his alleged pro-Bru stance.

The All NGO (Coordination Committee), an umbrella body of major civil society groups and students bodies, has been demanding that the Bru people, who fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes and are residing in relief camps in Tripura, be allowed to cast their votes only in Mizoram.

Several major political parties in Mizoram have suggested that the 11,232 Bru voters in Tripura relief camps should return to their villages and cast their votes after enrolling themselves here.

"It was a very foolish thing on Shashank's part. It could have been avoided. He behaved like a fool. That is why the ECI has recalled him, and people are protesting against him," former chief minister Zoramthanga told PTI in an interview.

Let the "original" Bru people return to Mizoram and enrol themselves in the voters' list here, he said.

Shashank had also sought deployment of 40 companies of central armed police forces in the state. The move was opposed by the powerful NGO Coordination Committee and many political parties.

"Such a heavy deployment is not required here. In Mizoram, we do not need it. Normally, there are two-three policemen (at polling booths)," said Zoramthanga, the president of the main opposition party -- the Mizo National Front (MNF).

Asked if Shashank acted in favour of the BJP as the Brus are considered sympathetic to the saffron party, he said that he is "unaware" of the CEO's intention.

The ruling Congress accused Shashank of being anti-Mizo and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere "just ahead of polls to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly".

"Shashank is not the person who loves Mizoram. He does not work for Mizoram or for the interest of its people. That is why all NGOs, civil society and common people went against him for his action in the Chuaungo episode," a Congress spokesperson said.

The ECI had earlier removed Mizoram's Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo after Shashank complained to it that he was interfering in the poll process.

"We want the Brus to cast their votes in Mizoram by enrolling here. That's our stand," the Congress spokesperson said.

Mizoram is the most peaceful state in India and the people here are proud of it, he said.

"The electoral process has always been very peaceful here. There was no need to deploy 40 companies of central forces. He disturbed the poll process and turned it into an unpleasant affair," the Congress leader alleged.

The People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), a new entrant in the political arena of Mizoram, also favoured the Brus voting in Mizoram only.

"So many Mizos are there in Delhi, Guwahati and other places. They cannot vote from there. They come here to vote. Similarly, the Brus should also come and vote in Mizoram.

"If the Brus vote in Tripura, then the EC should set up booths in Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata and other places as well," Prism President Vanlalruata told PTI.

BJP Mizoram In-charge Pawan Sharma said, "In democracy, every person has the right to vote. Whatever the Election Commission decides, they (Brus) should vote accordingly. We feel that polling booths should be set up wherever the maximum voting takes place." PTI TR GVS

GVSJaipur, Nov 11 (PTI) Jat leader and independent MLA Hanuman Beniwal on Sunday said his Rastriya Loktantrik Party will contest all 200 assembly seats in the state.

He expressed confidence over leading a third front in the state. "I am in advance talks with other parties for a tie up and formation of a third front. We (RLP) will contest all 200 seats and the results will be quite different from the past results. The third front will be a crucial factor in deciding results this time," he said.

Beniwal said he has held discussions with the top brass of BSP, former BJP leader Ghanshyam Tiwari who has floated his Bharat Vahini Party and others for formation of the third front.

He said details on the alliance will be announced depending on the outcome of talks in the next few days.

"It will be a strong third front and thus both BJP and Congress are scared. The public is fed up with both parties as they have misled the people. They failed to fulfill promises made in their manifestos," he said.

Beniwal belongs to the Jat community, which is a prominent demographic in the state. He hopes to win at least 30 seats in the December 7 elections. Beniwal is banking on Jat votes in Shekhawati and Marwar region where he has held several rallies.

"I have been working on the ground and have received a positive response. BJP and Congress are corrupt parties and people want an alternative. This time the voters will have that," the MLA from Khinvsar (Nagaur) told PTI.

He said his party will declare the list of candidates in a couple of days, after the Congress and BJP announce their candidates.

He said loan waiver for farmers, jobs to youths, free electricity, anti-corruption will be the issues he will focus on before the elections.

Founder of Bharat Vahini Party Ghanshyam Tiwari said a third front will emerge in the state. "We (several parties) are in advance talks and a third front will be formed this time. We will declare our candidates after the lists of BJP and Congress (are released)," he said. PTI SDA INDNew Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) A man was allegedly shot dead by his friend while they were drinking in Samaypur Badli of Rohini district, police said Sunday.

The incident took place on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday, they added. The victim and the accused, who has not been arrested yet, are both around 30 years old, police said.

"The victim had gone to his friends rented flat at Samaypur Badli when the shooting took place. It is a suspected case of drunken brawl," police said.

Investigation is on to ascertain the exact cause that led to the shooting, police said, adding that the alleged weapon used in the crime has been recovered. PTI AMP IND\R Lucknow, Nov 11 (PTI) Ahead of Narendra Modi's visit to Varanasi on Monday, Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey said on Sunday the development of the holy city during the tenure of the prime minister was "unbelievable".

"This will be the 15th visit of (the) Prime Minister to Varanasi. In the four-and-half years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked significantly in the direction of fulfilling his promise of transforming Banaras to Kyoto. The repeated visits of Prime Minister to Varanasi proves that he is not only a Jan Nayak (people's hero) but also a sensitive person who is concerned about the people of his parliamentary constituency," Pandey said in a statement issued here.

"Modiji should be praised as the country for the first time has got a Prime Minister, who considers people of his parliamentary constituency as part of his families, and is involved in their development, welfare and upliftment with readiness," he added. PTI NAV

HMBJammu, Nov 11 (PTI) An Army soldier, who was killed in sniper fire by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, was cremated Sunday with full military honours in his home town, officials said Earlier in the day, a wreath-laying ceremony was held for Rifleman Varun Kattal at Akhnoor military station here where senior army officers and jawans paid floral tributes and laid wreath at his mortal remains, they said.

The 21-year-old soldier was killed while guarding the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district Saturday.

He was critically injured by a Pakistani sniper from across the border and later succumbed at a military hospital.

The body of the soldier was taken to his Mawa-Rajpura village, where hundreds of mourners joined his parents and other relatives to bid tearful adieu to him, the officials said.

Senior police and civil officers and politicians also joined the funeral procession to pay their tributes to the deceased.

The body of the deceased was consigned to flames with full military honours amid slogan shouting in praise for his sacrifice and the nation, they said. PTI TAS KJAmerica's mid-term elections have been seen as a score draw. There is a new majority for Democrats in the House of Representatives and a strengthening of the Republican hold on the Senate.

Much of the focus has been on the capacity of the House leadership to stir up trouble for President Trump by convening hearings on his tax affairs and other sins.

But amid the bitterly divided politics, one of the few areas where there is agreement is the need to tackle the omnipotence of the FAANGs: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google.

Alex Brummer say: 'In their own way the FAANGs, although much loved by younger technophiles, have much the same market power as Standard Oil when it controlled about 90 per cent of global energy production'

Trump is no 20th Century trustbuster Teddy Roosevelt. No one is expecting a full throated anti-trust pursuit as when the White House took on the power of John D Rockefeller and Standard Oil of New Jersey.

Yet in their own way the FAANGs, although much loved by younger technophiles, have much the same market power as Standard Oil when it controlled about 90 per cent of global energy production. Amazon, for instance, has to be held largely responsible for the devastation on the High Street.

Taming the Silicon Valley giants is a tricky business as we have learnt in Europe. Danish trust-buster Margrethe Vestager has made a fist of it with her 3.8 billion fine on Google and the contested 11.5 billion fine imposed on Apple for allegedly using Ireland as a tax shelter.

The EU also has drawn a line in the sand with the irritating, but necessary, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) designed to protect privacy. But Europe is struggling with the idea of a digital sales tax. Initial opposition from Ireland and Luxembourg, where prosperity partly rests on tax avoidance, has won support in recent days from Germany.

Brummer says so far only the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, is 'showing the backbone to take on the FAANGs, ignoring the fact they have become some of the biggest inward investors in the UK'

Since such a tax would require assent from all 28 EU members, this European wide levy doesn't look as if it will be happening any time soon.

So far only the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, is showing the backbone to take on the FAANGs, ignoring the fact they have become some of the biggest inward investors in the UK.

Hammond supports a temporary tax on turnover, to be introduced in the Spring, pending a more sophisticated user charge based around clicks.

Donald Trump may be a Twitter addict but in the mid-terms he was sharply critical of the power of Google, Amazon and Facebook. The new group of Democrats, taking control of the House and its powerful committees, also are committed to taking on big tech.

The first line of fire is likely to be political rather than economic. The use of private data during the 2016 presidential election campaign has made an American equivalent of the GDPR attractive.

It is increasingly likely that the US anti-trust authorities will get in on the act. But the bigger bazooka is held by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). Down the decades it has been responsible for the biggest anti-trust cases  forcing the break-up of AT&T creating a much more competitive dynamic in American telecoms and media.

The political tides are turning against big-tech both in Europe and the US. The direction of travel, from both a populist White House and frustrated Democrats, is clear.

The long honeymoon for the FAANGs is over.Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

P.D. writes: I have been a loyal Nationwide account holder for more than 40 years, with a Flex Plus account for more than 12 years. For a monthly fee, this offers benefits including family travel insurance covering dependent children in full-time education.

I booked a family holiday to the US and Canada to celebrate my 60th birthday but had to cancel after suffering a head injury. Our insurance claim has been rejected for my student son's share of the holiday costs as he was 22 when I booked.

The reader says he was forced to cancel his 60th birthday celebration holiday in the US and Canada for injury but Nationwide rejected his insurance claim

Given its size, Nationwide attracts fewer complaints in my mailbag than you might expect. Certainly, it attracts fewer complaints that claim it hides behind small print  yet that is exactly what has happened here.

The society was quick to point me towards a section of its website that includes a lengthy set of terms and conditions applying to your travel insurance policy.

The website says the policy covers 'all children...who at the start date of the journey have not reached the age of 19 or not reached the age of 22 if in full-time education'.

Nationwide added: 'The customer would have been sent or given the policy document at account opening and he would have signed to say that he agreed to the terms of the account.'

Pretty open and shut, you might think. But hang on. The document runs to 51 pages of small print and page 8 says: 'This policy wording confirms who is eligible for Nationwide's Flex Plus current account travel insurance.' The shortlist includes the 'current account holder's dependent children'.

There are no ifs, no buts, and nothing to tell you to look elsewhere in the 51 pages. The only mention of any kind of age limit on cover says: 'There is an upper age limit of 75.'

Yet, sure enough, page 14 of the same brochure does indeed say that dependent children are not covered by the policy once they have reached 22.

The problem is that there is nothing on page 8 to warn policyholders to flip six pages ahead, where they will find that not everyone listed on page 8 is eligible.

You have told me that you have now obtained a new version of the policy document, via a relative who is also a Nationwide customer. The new version clearly states the age limit instead of  as you put it  'hiding it'.

Nationwide has admitted that the policy brochure was indeed updated last year. This did not help you though, as your brochure was issued in 2016. This is not just a matter of claiming back your son's share of the travel costs.

Imagine what would have happened if your son had needed to claim for something more serious, only to find he was not insured after all.

Nationwide has told me it sympathises with you over your head injury and cancelled holiday, but insists that its policy terms are clear.

It explained: 'Each year we send a reminder to customers to check that insurances available under our Flex Plus account are still suitable for their needs.'

This is quite right. But the policy brochure itself was flawed. Why read on, once you have established that your family is covered?

I think you have a good case for lodging a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service. An assurance on an early page of a policy should not be contradicted or weakened by small print further on.

We're watching you A fraudster who ran an elaborate 7million share scam has been jailed for seven and a half years. Appearing at Bristol Crown Court last Monday, Adrian Eyre, 64, from Derby, was also ordered to hand over 1.9million to compensate his 339 victims. If the money is not paid within three months, he could face a further prison sentence. Eyre set up Oxford Renewable Fuel Limited in 2013, claiming he put 1.5million of his own money into a project backed by 40 scientists to develop biogas that would power a jet engine. He needed investors to complete the scheme and the business would then be floated or sold. Police were tipped off by a bank employee who became concerned when an 85-year-old customer tried to transfer hundreds of thousands of pounds to buy shares. Detectives from Avon and Somerset Police then found Eyre's claims were false. He was selling his own shares in the company without informing investors and drained 900,000 from the business, spending 136,000 on a Mercedes Gullwing sports car. Judge William Hart commended Detective Constable Adele Shallcross who worked single-handedly on much of the investigation. He told the court: 'Without her efforts, it is highly likely that the losers would not get back anything.' Eyre's business associate Robert Fucilla, 42, from Barnet in North London, also faced charges of fraud and money laundering but was acquitted. In 2010, I named Fucilla as one of those behind shady stockbroking firm Ascension Securities, which the then City regulator Financial Services Authority investigated for selling high-risk shares to low- risk customers. Fucilla had previously worked at corrupt brokers Pacific Continental Securities and Square Mile Securities. All three firms are now defunct. Eyre was a director of at least three companies whose shares were promoted by Ascension Securities.

WRITE ON: A.R. writes that Axa refuses to insure anyone not possessing an email address

A.R. writes: On renewing my home insurance with Axa, it emerged that it does not insure anyone without an email address. I feel this is discrimination. What are your views?

I would certainly be uneasy about any insurance company that rejected a customer for lack of an email address.

In particular, this would discriminate disproportionately against elderly householders, who are less likely than the young to use the internet.

But I am glad to say that the question does not arise, at least as far as Axa is concerned.

The insurance giant told me: 'As part of our efforts to make insurance as affordable as possible, we aim to communicate with customers electronically, issuing correspondence and policy information via email.'

But you are still welcome to go to any broker and buy the same Axa policy. Leave any correspondence  by email or carrier pigeon  up to that broker to handle.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.Titanium dioxide makes stuff white. It is in toothpaste, sun cream, moisturiser and make-up so most people come into contact with it every single day.

And it is a key ingredient for industry too, used in paint, paper, ink and a host of other products.

Across the world, the market for titanium dioxide is valued at almost 11 billion and growing by about 5 per cent annually.

Base Resources is a successful operator in the sector yet the shares, at 13p, are undervalued. This should change over the coming year, as new projects come on stream and the stock market recognises Bases long-term potential.

Bright prospect: Toothpaste uses minerals mine by Base Resources

Titanium dioxide is made from several different minerals and Base produces two of the most common, rutile and ilmenite. Operating from a mine in Kenya, Base also produces zircon, a mineral used in the production of ceramics, such as tiles.

The company was founded ten years ago by Tim Carstens, an Australian qualified accountant, who has spent his entire career in the mining business. In 2010, Carstens acquired the Kenyan site, based in Kwale, a small town near the coast.

At the time, Kwale was a work in progress but Carstens brought the mine into production on time and on budget and today it is one of the lowest cost operators in its field.

Last month, the company announced record quarterly production figures and said it would deliver about 90,000 tons of rutile, 430,000 tons of ilmenite and 35,000 tons of zircon in the year to June 2019.

Like most commodities, rutile, ilmenite and zircon are traded in dollars and Base works on an average price for the three of just over $350 (270) per ton.

The companys cost of production is around $100 per ton so it is highly profitable and expected to make almost $117 million in the current year, rising to $128 million in the year to June 2020.

Base benefits from a focus on community relations, as well. The Kwale site employs around 1,000 people, virtually all of them are Kenyan and Carsten invests heavily in training and development.

As a result, people are proud to work for Base and it has one of the best health and safety records in the industry.

Several wealth-enhancing schemes have been undertaken too, including a cotton project, which now involves 3,500 farmers, exporting cloth to Australia.

Carstens community focus has created goodwill both locally and with the Kenyan authorities. It has also stood Base in good stead with a new mining project, in Madagascar.

While Kwale is highly profitable, the mine is expected to run out of steam by the mid to late-2020s. The Madagascar site, acquired late last year, has a much longer shelf life. It is expected to deliver annual production up to 800,000 tons of ilmenite and 75,000 tons of rutile and zircon for several decades.

The site is not yet in production but plans are afoot to start mining by the end of 2021, using a combination of cash from Kwale and bank debt.

Midas verdict: Base Resources share price has suffered on three counts. Investors are worried that the Kwale mine has a limited life span. They are worried about how the Madagascar mine will be funded and they want to know more about how profitable it will be once it moves into production.

All these concerns are likely to be addressed in the next six months or so, when Base updates the market about Kwales life expectancy and the dynamics around the Madagascar project. The information is widely expected to be positive.

Most City analysts believe Base shares should be trading at more than 30p by the end of next year, more than double the current price, and big institutional investors are keen on the stock as well. The shares are a buy.

> Base Resources: Check the share price and company dataCocktail chain Dirty Martini is for sale

LAST ORDERS Cocktail chain Dirty Martini, which has bars in London, Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff, is for sale. Its owner, David Coffer, who holds the chain through his company CG Restaurants & Bars, could rake in a multi-million windfall.

FACTORY FEARS Confidence in the UK's manufacturing sector, which accounts for 8 per cent of jobs, has slumped to its lowest level since June 2017, says accountancy firm BDO. Firms are worried about a global trade downturn, and fear Brexit may weaken demand.

QUIDS IN Telephone-answering service Moneypenny has nabbed a 'significant' investment from private equity firm ECI, which formerly owned Evans Cycles. The investment values Moneypenny at more than 100 million.

CURRENCY FLOAT A business which allows customers to swap currencies, rather than having to go through an exchange bureau, is looking to join London's junior stock market AIM. WeSwap hopes to raise 15 million - 20 million, valuing it at around 45 million.

GOLD RUSH Miner Barrick Gold has signalled it could seek a listing on the London Stock Exchange after merging with Randgold Resources. Barrick is currently listed in Toronto and New York, and will be worth 14 billion when the Randgold deal completes.Sir Philip Green sold BHS for just 1 to Dominic Chappell's RAL Group

A group of MPs have ramped up pressure on regulators to punish the directors of companies which collapse after accounting irregularities.

Frank Field, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, is set to meet with the Insolvency Service which has announced it will not reopen its investigation into the downfall of BHS in 2016.

He wants its boss Sarah Albon to reveal more details of its probe, so he can assess why neither the Insolvency Service nor the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) were able to hold individual BHS directors to account for the catastrophe which left a 571 million pensions black hole.

Field said: 'It is difficult for the outside observer to understand why the Insolvency Service sees no reason for further action on what happened at BHS.

'The current system apparently cannot prevent, capture or punish the conduct that ran BHS into the ground and left its pensioners well short of their entitlement.'

It comes as Parliament's business select committee launched its own inquiry today into the future of audits, criticising the dominance of so-called Big Four accountants PwC, Deloitte, KPMG and Grant Thornton.

Rachel Reeves, chair of the committee, said: 'The audit market is broken. The Big Four's overwhelming market domination has failed to deliver audits which are fit-for-purpose. The lack of meaningful competition has bred conflicts of interest at every turn.'

Frank Field, chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, is set to meet with the Insolvency Service which has announced it will not reopen its investigation into the downfall of BHS

The Government has already launched an independent review of the FRC, led by Sir John Kingman and due at the end of the year.

The role of the auditors was a major element in the BHS collapse.

Just five days after major accountancy firm PwC rubber-stamped the 2014 accounts of BHS's then-parent company Taveta, owned by Sir Philip Green (pictured), the business tycoon sold the company for just 1 to Dominic Chappell's RAL Group.

Though PwC was fined a record 6.5 million for its shoddy work over the audit, no Taveta directors who actually prepared the accounts were held responsible.

The Insolvency Service originally brought charges against Chappell and two of his colleagues, but found insufficient evidence to disqualify Green or any other Taveta directors.

It considered reopening its investigation earlier this year, after the FRC handed over evidence from its own probe.

However, Albon decided there were no grounds for review.

Another investigation of the audit sector is being carried out by the Competition and Markets Authority.Fund manager Neil Woodford has dumped around 1.4billion worth of shares in the past six months to raise money as unhappy investors pull money from his underperforming funds.

Woodford has reduced his holdings in some companies including brickmaker Forterra and travel website Hostelworld.

A combination of investor redemptions and underperformance stemming from bad bets on some blue-chip firms, such as Provident Financial and the AA, has seen the assets under management across his three funds shrink from 17 billion to 11 billion.

Fund manager Neil Woodford has dumped an estimated 1.4bn worth of shares

The value of Woodfords flagship Equity Income fund has halved from a peak of 10.7bn in the summer of 2017 to 5.1billion.

How Woodford has stumbled

Woodford earned a reputation as one of Britain's best stock pickers during his 26-year tenure at Invesco before launching Woodford Investment Management.

Under his stewardship, the Invesco High Income fund was the best-performing fund in the equity income sector, turning a 10,000 investment into 230,000 over 25 years, according to Hargreaves Lansdown.

Woodford also won plaudits for his contrarian approach during the dotcom boom in the early where investors flooded into internet start ups in the hope that those companies would one day become profitable.

His approach was validated when the bubble burst in the early noughties.

But some investors feel Woodford has lost his way, given the lackluster start made by Woodford Investment Management resulting in paper losses for tens of thousands of investors who bought into two of his funds at launch.

Woodford's flagship Equity Income fund has underperformed against the benchmark FTSE All Share index and the average fund in the Investment Association's All Companies sector over four years

His Income Focus fund is down 8 per cent since March 2017, while the Patient Capital investment trust is down by almost 15 per cent since April 2015.

The Equity Income fund has fared better (up 15 per cent) but its performance is over a longer period (since June 2014) and still lags behind the FTSE All-Share Index (up 26 per cent).

It also trails behind the 26 per cent return generated by the average fund with a similar mandate in the Investment Association's All Companies sector.

Woodford admitted in last weeks Mail on Sunday the past two years have been his most difficult period.

Although the fund manager insists he does not want to portray himself as a victim, it is obvious he is feeling unloved: targeted by a hostile press, abandoned by many investors (and some financial advisers) writes Jeff Prestridge.

He adds Woodford also feels victimised by hedge fund managers who have shorted some of his funds' holdings  betting on them falling in price.

Click here to read the interview in full.

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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.Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland.

Read MoreLONDON, November 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fifteen super rare single malt whiskies and rums, from the world's most important and collectable distilleries, are to be auctioned by online spirits auctioneer, Whisky.Auction. A A A A (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/782346/Karuizawa.jpg )

A A A A (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/782345/Whisky_Auction.jpg )



The sensational line-up of 'one-of-one' bottles includes: Port Ellen 38 year old

Dalmore 45 year old

Bowmore 43 year old

Ardbeg 37 year Old

Balvenie 1973 Vintage Cask

Glenfarclas 1967

Brora 35 year Old Also in the specially curated selection is a one-off 50 year old whisky from the legendary, Karuizawa distillery - a liquid awarded extremely highly praised by whiskyfun.com, with 94 points. This bottle is expected to potentially set a record for the most expensive Japanese whisky ever sold. The sensational Scotch whiskies sit alongside special rums and bourbon as well as a rare Macallan 50 year old. The auction will take place online at www.whisky.auction live from 18th and finishes 27th November. Interested parties can register their interest: https://whisky.auction/charity/plasticoceans Profits from the auction will be used by our chosen charities to actively combat the ongoing plight of the world's oceans. For example US-based non-profit organization, Plastic Oceans will use their donation to expand global awareness initiatives, with a goal of reaching another billion people by 2020. The funds will be utilised to develop content that will target school children, policy awareness, and consumer behaviour - all with the goal of educating, inspiring, and fostering change. Isabel Graham-Yooll, auction director for Whisky.Auction, comments: "Every now and then an auction line-up comes along that has spirits collectors and connoisseurs on the edge of their seats with excitement. This is one of those auctions. These bottles are not merely rare, some of them are entirely unique; they have never been seen before and may never be seen again. The distilleries and bottlers who have kindly donated these lots fully support the work that these charities undertake and were committed to helping us raise as much money as possible. It is difficult to put into words just how remarkable these bottles are, and we're really hoping that is reflected in their final hammer prices." The selection of bottles were curated in partnership with The Whisky Exchange to mark the 10th edition of The Whisky Show in London and celebrate the show's move towards plastic-free. For further a full list of bottles to be auctioned, images or interviews and quotes, please contact Liz Lock, PR and Communications Manager, on +44(0)755-400-7707 or liz.lock@whisky.auctionAlbany

The mass shooting Thursday in California was a relatively minor news story. The country woke up to the tragedy, shook its head and went on with its day. By nightfall, the cable news networks had mostly moved on.

And why not? Mass shootings don't feel unusual anymore, so the paucity of attention makes a kind of grim sense. Events that happen routinely aren't as newsworthy. They don't shock us. We've seen worse, really.

The attention that was given to the massacre in Thousand Oaks, Calif., tended to focus on the heroism of police Sgt. Ron Helus, who died as he rushed to rescue others, and the fact that the killer  responsible for 12 deaths in a bar popular with college kids  is a military veteran who served in Afghanistan. He was a former Marine machine gunner who may have suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.

The killer was hardly the first veteran responsible for a mass killing in recent years. There have been eight since 2001, in fact, and it is tempting to assume that military service had something to do with what those men did. We figure they learned how to kill overseas, never recovered from the trauma of the experience, and that led them to kill again when they returned home.

But that's dumb, or at least simplistic. We've always had veterans, but never a problem like this. No, the problem isn't veterans. The problem is the country to which those veterans come home.

As the writer Sebastian Junger has detailed, soldiers at war experience a tribal closeness. They eat together and sleep together. They have a common mission and sense of purpose. They trust and rely on each other.

Then, when their service is over, they come home to a society marked by historically abnormal loneliness and alienation. To a country with sky-high rates of depression, addiction, anxiety and isolation, where neighbors are strangers and strangers aren't to be trusted. To communities where the bonds between people have grown weak and families, generally speaking, are in crisis.

The problem, Junger says, is that vets get an unusual perspective. They see us for who we really are. They know what we're missing, and that helps explains why they struggle  with PTSD, with depression, with suicide.

"Veterans have gone away and are coming back and seeing their own country with fresh eyes," Junger says in a TED Talk available on YouTube. "And they see what's going on. This is the country they fought for. No wonder they're depressed. No wonder they're scared."

Veterans have special concerns and needs, for sure, but the alienation Junger describes is common among mass shooters. Nearly all are relatively young men, lost victims of a great disconnect  from nature, place, family, community, spirituality. They know too little of the warmth of connection and humanity but are overly familiar with the meanness of the cold virtual world.

There's a special irony in all this for recent military veterans, though. When they were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan, they were given an imperialistic mission that included remaking those distant societies in our image. We spent trillions rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan but neglected the society here at home.

The idea, we were told, was to spread democracy, but I don't know anyone, liberal or conservative, who believes our own democracy is in great shape.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse

The idea, we were told, was to thwart terrorism, but we have own our terrorists to worry about. What was the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting if not terrorism?

The idea, we were told, was to spread peace. But what peace do we have?

Consider that some of the survivors in Thousand Oaks also lived through the mass shooting that killed 58 men and women in Las Vegas. Try convincing them that they live in anything better than a battlefield.

Or consider that 51 people have been shot in Albany in a year, including the 22-year-old shot Friday just blocks from the governor's mansion. That isn't peace.

How about this. How about we worry less about what's happening in the Middle East and more about the decay in our own neighborhoods. How about we stop pretending we have solutions for the world, when we are so obviously failing to solve our own problems.

And why don't we stop creating veterans in wars far from home until we've figured out what's making lost young men turn bars, schools, churches and movie theaters into war zones of their own making.

cchurchill@timesunion.com  518-454-5442  @chris_churchillAlbany Episcopal Diocese Bishop Rev. William H. Love issued an edict Saturday banning the marriage of same-sex couples in the diocese's churches, writing in a statement that the church has been "hijacked by the 'Gay Rights Agenda,'" and that "Satan is

having a heyday bringing division into the Church."

Love's eight-page statement that accompanied his new pastoral directive comes three weeks before a resolution goes into effect that will allow same-sex marriages to be performed in Episcopal churches nationwide. That day, Dec. 2, is also the first day of Advent, a time observed in many Christian churches in the weeks before Christmas.

Love in his statement recognized that relationships between those of the same sex have existed since before the time of Jesus Christ. But he cited portions of the Old and New Testaments to argue that God specifically designed marriage to be between a man and a woman, and said scripture directs that sexual relationships between same sex couples are "sinful and forbidden."

He went on to write that while he believes those who support gay and lesbian members of the church are well intentioned, "they have been deceived into believing a lie that has been planted in the Church by the 'great deceiver' - Satan."

The bishop wrote that the Episcopal Church's resolution "brings God's judgement and condemnation against The Episcopal Church."

"Recent statistics show that The Episcopal Church is spiraling downward," Love wrote. "I can't help but believe that God has removed His blessing from this Church. Unless something changes, The Episcopal Church is going to die."

Some local Episcopalians strongly disagreed with the Bishop's letter.

While the letter was being read at St. Andrew's in Albany Sunday, some parishioners gathered on the church steps to ceremonially burn the letter, according to pictures and information provided about the event from a St. Andrew's parishioner.

Richard Fay, an artist who lives in Brunswick and was raised Catholic, said he was initially drawn to the Episcopal Church because it kept the tradition of Mass but had more modern social views. He said the Bishop's views don't fit his own.

"It's the 21st century. We have different views and different values than in Biblical times. Yes, scripture is important, but you have to interpret it based on what's going on," Fay said. "I think it's also a social issue. I think it's an issue of equality. I also think that the main core of Christianity should be love: love thy neighbor as thyself."

Fay, who doesn't regularly attend a parish now, said he's seen this issue splitting the church in recent years - and it's making him rethink his involvement.

"It's not making me completely reject the Episcopal church but making me second-guess going to an Episcopal Church in the Albany Diocese," he said.

Rev. J. Nixon McMillan at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Albany declined to comment. Other local clergy could not be reached Sunday.

In July, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church issued Resolution B012, a directive that does not make same-sex marriage part of the official theology of the church, but allows clergy to conduct same-sex marriage even if a local bishop disapproves by inviting another bishop to oversee the service so congregants can marry in their parish home.

Love's pastoral directive Saturday says the trial rites authorized by Resolution B012 "shall not be used anywhere in the Diocese of Albany by diocesan clergy (canonically resident or licensed)."

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

"The fact that some in today's sexually confused society (to include 5 of the 9 U.S. Supreme Court Justices in 2015) may have broadened their understanding of marriage to be more inclusive, allowing for same-sex marriages, doesn't mean that God, 'the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth' (BCP 96) has changed His mind," Love wrote.

At the national meeting this past summer, Love voted against Resolution B012.

Episcopalian leadership had already passed the resolution on a trial basis in 2015. But out of 101 dioceses, only eight did not comply -- the dioceses of Albany, Dallas, Florida, central Florida, North Dakota, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Springfield, Ill. Since then, five bishops from the original eight dioceses ultimately accepted the compromise of the B012 resolution.

In September, more than 130 clergy members from the Albany Episcopal Diocese met in Greenwich to discuss their feelings about the resolution and what would happen next in the diocese.

"It is not out of mean-spiritedness, hatred, bigotry, judgmentalism, or homophobia that I say this  but rather out of love  love for God and His Word; love for The Episcopal Church and wider Anglican Communion; love for each of you my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, especially love for those who are struggling with same-sex attractions," Love wrote.

He also recognized that his stance has the potential to s0w division.

"There is no doubt The Episcopal Church and now the Diocese of Albany are in the midst of a huge storm that can rip us apart if we are not careful," Love wrote. "That is exactly what Satan wants. We don't have to play his game. If we focus on what divides us, we will be destroyed. If we focus on what unites us  our Lord Jesus Christ  He will get us through to the other side. I pray the Lord will help us to see one another as He sees us; to love one another as He loves us; to forgive one another as He forgives us."A 22-year-old man who was shot in the head Thursday has died, police said Sunday.

Police said Tyson Williams was shot in a parked car just blocks from the governor's mansion.ALBANY  At 2:45 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, the announcement of the armistice zipped across the telegraph to Capital Region newsrooms. By 3 a.m., church bells were pealing and train and factory whistles blowing to sound the news that World War I was over.

Thousands poured into the streets as spontaneous parades broke out that morning in Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Troy to celebrate the end of hostilities.

Germany Quits. Democracy Triumphant, Gordon P. Gleason of Mercer Street, Albany, wrote in his diary entry.

Great noise from whistles and bells and crowds downtown. No one worked but all joined in a Victory celebration and parade, one of the strangest sights I have ever witnessed, wrote Gleason, who worked as an aide at the office of the state engineer and surveyor.

On the day of the Armistice, November 11, 1918, the bell in the tower of the main home building of the Troy Orphan Asylum was tolled by relays of boys for a half-hour, according to the history of what is now Vanderheyden Hall.

Parades formed in Schenectady and the city's firetrucks rolled in each one. The whole day the city was celebrating," said Chris Leonard, Schenectady's city historian.

The tumultuous joy of Nov. 11, 1918, and the sacrifices and legacies of World War I aren't recalled as vividly compared to the Civil War and World War II. But its reminders are present every day, from bridges and streets named for those who served to current conflicts in the Middle East caused in part by disputes over boundaries the victors set after the war ended.

Schenectady County Historical Society

The massive celebrations that are now forgotten stopped every day life. The mail wasnt delivered. Factories and businesses closed. It was said only the telephone company and the newspapers printing armistice extra editions were on the job.

The armistice signed in Compiegne, France, took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. A minute before, at 10:59 a.m., Sgt. Henry Gunther, of Baltimore, became the last American soldier killed in action when he died charging a German outpost.

The end of the fighting didn't come soon enough for 56 New Yorkers, including seven with ties to the Capital Region, who were among the 320 Americans who died in the hours before the armistice.

Two Marines, Pvts. William Stephen Kelly, of Albany, and Gustav A. Pross, of Gloversville, were killed in action crossing the Meuse River. U.S. Army Pvt. Willard J. Boutin, of Albany, and Corp. Francis P. Bergen, who was born in Catskill, also died in action, according to a review of the World War I casualties list created by the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. Corp. Byron M. Chamberlain, of Schenectady, and Private Robert R. McNamara, of Albany, died of wounds while Percy T. Keator, a student private at the U.S. Army Training Section at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, died of the flu and pneumonia.

Times Union archive

There were 4,734,991 Americans in uniform for the war, including more than 500,000 New Yorkers. The nation saw 116,516 soldiers, sailors and Marines die. Of that number 53,402 died in battle and 63,114 from disease, such as the Spanish flu, and other causes. There were 204,000 wounded. In the war, 13,956 New Yorkers perished. In 1922, the state adjutant general reported that Albany County had 216 men die in the war; Rensselaer County, 204; Saratoga County, 70; and Schenectady County, 125.

When news of the armistice comes into New York, to Albany and then across the state, you immediately have an immense outpouring of joy and euphoria, said Aaron Noble, a senior historian at the New York State Museum.

RELATED STORIES:

 State's WWI records show impact on Capital Region residents

 'Die Deutschen' who disappeared: What happened to Albany's German-Americans?

In those immediate days, you have this immense sense of relief amongst both soldiers on the battlefield but also at home; people who had loved ones in military service are now joyous that their sons, husbands and brothers are safe, said Noble, co-author of A Spirit of Sacrifice: New York State in the First World War.

While its end sparked an eruption of joy a century ago, World War I is overlooked by most Americans, historians said. Squeezed in between the Civil War and World War II, it goes nearly unnoticed. Even Armistice Day, marking the war's end, lost its identity when it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

World War I is the only war without a memorial on the National Mall, said Kimberly J. Lamay Licursi, a professor of history at Siena College and author of Remembering World War I in America.

Visitors have to go off the Mall in Washington, D. C., to the nearby Pershing Park to find the planned location of the National World War I Memorial, which has yet to be built.

World War I veterans returning home from overseas were quick to put the war behind them. The general population did the same.

There was a pervasive apathy after the war. I dont know if people wanted to relive the horrors of World War I, Licursi said.

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest battle in American history, involving 1.2 million American soldiers fighting from Sept. 26, 1918, until the armistice took effect, Licursi said. But among the public, it does not get the attention that major Civil War and World War II battles do, Licursi explained.

While the war may go largely unrecalled, the soldiers who fought it are remembered, some privately by their families, others more publicly.

Corp. William E. McCarroll was born April 28, 1891, in Albany and moved to New York City. McCarrolls letters home from the front in France to his uncle Mainard Schill would be passed down through the family coming into the possession of his second cousin, John Odell of San Francisco.

Odell, a history buff, and his wife wrote an illustrated 29-page account of McCarrolls life drawing on his letters. McCarroll served with the 306th Regiment in the 77th Division, which had multiple nicknames, including the Metropolitan Division and Liberty Division. Drawn mostly from New York City, it reflected the citys diverse ethnic makeup.

Weve had the letters forever. We put it together as a commemoration for the centennial of his death, Odell said. McCarroll is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France.

McCarrolls family learned of his Oct. 3, 1918, death on Nov. 5, 1918, six days before the armistice. Odell found a description of his cousins death in the Argonne Forest given by Private Samuel Radist: He was sitting amongst a group of soldiers when a shell struck right near him and he was killed instantly. Corporal McCarroll was a gang leader which constituted 12 men. The company was then preparing to attack the enemy who were on an opposite hill. He was as leader, notifying each man of his duty before attacking. Our company was on a slope of a hill which gave us a little protection but they had evidently located our position and they opened a terrible fire on us.

Pvt. Parker F. Dunn, of Albany, was killed in action on Oct. 23, 1918, serving with the 312th Infantry Regiment of the 78th Division. Dunn was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for attempting to deliver a message under heavy fire. He was wounded crossing a field under artillery and machine gun fire, according to his citation. He rose, continued on his way and was wounded a second time. He kept trying to carry out his mission until he was finally killed.

The Dunn Memorial Bridge that links his hometown of Albany to Rensselaer across the Hudson River is named in his honor.

World War I soldiers also are recalled by veterans groups. The Rev. Francis A. Kelley Disabled American Veterans Chapter 38 of Troy is named after the Fighting Chaplain of the 27th Division, the New York Division, who received the Distinguished Service Cross. Maj. Gen. John F. ORyan, the division commander, wrote Albany Roman Catholic Bishop Edmund J. Gibbons on April 2, 1919, in a letter now in the diocesan archives about Kelley, saying, During battle his conduct was an inspiration to those about him. Chaplain Kelley received from both the British and American governments the award of medals in commendation of his exceptional service.

Immediately after the war, Kelley, a Cohoes native, was assigned to St. Marys Church in Troy. A commemorative Mass was celebrated in Washington Park, across the street from the church, to remember the soldiers from Troy who perished in the war, according to the Rensselaer County Historical Society.

Kelley was named the national chaplain of the American Legion in November 1919 at its convention in Minneapolis. And he was selected as the Legion's Catholic representative when an unknown World War I soldier was interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 11, 1921.

The Melvin Roads American Legion Post 1231 on Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush honors its namesake every year. Roads was a dispatch rider for the V Corps. He and Major Alfred K. King were killed in action on Nov. 10, 1918, by German shellfire while returning from a mission to ensure the 89th Division at the Meuse River was supplied with ammunition.

The post started in 1941. It was World War I guys who knew Melvin who started it, said George Basher, president of the post board of directors and a former director of the New York state Division of Veterans' Affairs.

We have a memorial service at his gravesite. Its a way of keeping his memory alive and connected to the community, said Basher. The ceremony was held Friday at Roads' grave behind the Greenbush Reformed Church at Columbia Turnpike and Hays Road.

About 88 veterans, mostly from Schenectady and Rotterdam, who served in the 105th Infantry in the 27th Division kept their comradery alive for a half-century by forming the 27th Division Last Mans Club, Leonard said. They purchased the most-expensive bottle of champagne they could afford in 1933 when the club was founded, Leonard said.

The first member to die was George Dion on Dec. 8, 1935. The Last Man was Edward A. Smith, who died Dec. 4, 1984. They were affiliated with American Legion Post 1092.

President Ronald Reagan wrote the post on March 20, 1984, saying, I am proud to join with the members and friends of American Legion Post 1092 in sending my best wishes for your 'Last Mans Dinner.' In honoring the last Capital District survivors of World War I, you pay tribute to some of the most valiant citizens of this land. I salute the special way you have chosen to recognize Americas freedom-fighters.

Despite such ringing tributes as World War I veterans died off  Corp. Frank Buckles was the last, dying at age 110 on Feb. 27, 2011, in Charles Town, W.Va.  the wars continuing impact is overlooked.

Paul Buckowski/Times Union

In Europe, the first world war is remembered. There is much more public consciousness of the war. People will say my grandfather fought in the war. Every single French male was inducted into the military, said Richard Fogarty, an associate professor of history at the University at Albany, who specializes in studying World War I.

In the United States, Americans dont realize how the first world war impacted the county then and to this day. Sgt. Henry Johnson, the Medal of Honor recipient from Albany, personifies how important figures during the war disappeared from American memory until forced back into the publics vision.

Henry Johnson, his life and what happened to him is a parable for the whole thing, Fogarty said.

Johnson fought with the 369th Infantry, nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters." The African-American unit, a part of the New York National Guard, was subject to racial discrimination and ended up fighting with the French Army. Johnson was awarded Frances highest military honor, the Croix de Guerre with gold palm, for killing at least four Germans and wounding 20 more when he and Nunnally Johnson were attacked on May 15, 1918, while on sentry duty in the Argonne. The 5-foot-4 Johnson suffered 21 wounds in the hourlong fight.

Nicknamed Black Death, Johnson was lionized in American newspapers as a hero. But after the war, he spoke out against discrimination, was quickly pushed out of the limelight and would die forgotten. Government recognition did not come until after the 369th Veterans Association in Albany and other advocates took on his cause.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton awarded Johnson a Purple Heart. Then in 2002, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. It was not until 2015 that President Barack Obama named Johnson a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Locally, Johnson is remembered with two statues in Albany, and a street in the city is named for him. One statue, in Washington Park, shows him in uniform wearing an overseas cap worn by American soldiers. The other is in Arbor Hill where he is depicted wearing a French helmet. The 369th soldiers wore French helmets in battle. They were only issued American helmets when they returned home and marched in a victory parade up New York's Fifth Avenue, a spectacle viewed by 2 million people, said Noble.

Locally, the war helped start the Albany Democratic machine rolling to power. Legendary party chairman Daniel P. OConnell returned from serving aboard the U.S.S. Prairie as a first class baker to campaign successfully for city assessor in his Navy uniform.

The ship arrived in Europe near Gibraltar on Nov. 9, 1918, according to service records. Dick Barrett, a former Albany parks and recreation commissioner and student of Albany politics, said OConnells experience led him to advise Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd to enlist in the Army as a private during World War II in order to win votes in future elections.

At the global level, Fogarty said, the war saw the spread of Spanish influenza, the then-largest mobilization of an American army and helped set the stage for future conflicts in the Middle East as the British and French decisions setting boundaries in that part of the world cascaded into 21st century geopolitics.

The wars important. If Americans have forgotten it, its not a good thing. In places like the Middle East its not forgotten, Fogarty said. The war has really shaped for 100 years the world we live in.The young man with deep-set eyes stares out of the photograph with a look of solemn purpose, shoulders square and back straight inside his belted uniform. The handwritten name on the reverse reads Burton J. Wellington. And with the photo is a note, typed in all capitals: "The first man from Troy to enlist in the Great War. The first to be killed in battle."

Several files farther on in the set of state World War I records, there's another photograph and another typed note: Arthur E. Wellington, "oldest man from Troy to enlist in the Great War." And in the photo, the same eyes, same ears, same cheekbones. Arthur was Burton's father.

In 1919 state historian James Sullivan was tasked by the Legislature with collecting materials about New York's role in the recently ended conflict. The result was to be a published history outlining the state's war work, including the activities of the government, the contributions of manufacturing sectors, and the service and sacrifices of ordinary New Yorkers. Sullivan reached out to towns and villages across the state and asked officials to send him records outlining their community's part in the war.

The planned publication was never completed. But the records that Sullivan collected  which include the photos of the Wellingtons  are preserved as part of the State Archives' extensive holdings on the Great War. And the entire series has been digitally scanned and is available online, free to New York state residents, via an agreement between the State Archives and the genealogical website Ancestry.com.

Separately, the records are a hodgepodge  fragments of memory loosely joined by time and geography. But taken together, they reflect the scope of the transformation, and the loss, that the Great War brought to the Capital Region, the state and the nation.

....

In response to Sullivan's request, some towns submitted just a service roster or their Liberty Loan subscription numbers. Others sent much more: interviews with local veterans or copies of letters sent home on YMCA stationery; tallies of the staggering numbers of socks and bandages made by church groups and women's auxiliaries. There are newspaper clippings, detailed manufacturing reports, and hundreds of photographs of local boys in uniform, their faces taut with youthful energy.

NYS Archives

Troy Malleable Iron Works sent a letter noting it had made 1 million hand grenades and parts for 6,000 freight cars. Nassau sent photos of the floats in its July 4, 1919, "welcome home parade." Cohoes let the state historian know it had assembled a photographic record of "the complete process of manufacturing government underwear"  from raw materials to shipping bales of finished drawers  at Tivoli Mills. Third- and fourth-graders in Altamont received a Christmastime letter from a soldier thanking them for the candy they sent.

During the 1917-18 school year, elementary-age students in Albany knitted 65 afghans and "nearly eight hundred wash cloths" while their teachers and the children in the upper grades sewed hundreds of hospital gowns, pajamas and other essentials for the Red Cross.

"I got a letter from Ma last night," wrote Ira A. Goewey of Nassau to his aunt and uncle in 1918. He told them a funny story she'd relayed about his young nephew Howard: "He heard Anna and Anson talking about killing the Kaiser, and he said he knew what he would do. He would give him a dose of Castor Oil whether he needed it or not. Then uncle Ezra & Ira could come home."

.......

Browse these records online The New York State Archives makes a variety of records available free online to New York state residents through a partnership with the Ancestry.com genealogy research website. Instructions for setting up a free account can be found at http://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/how-to-video-ancestry. Note that this free account allows access only to the record collections made available through the Ancestry-New York state partnership, not to Ancestry's whole database. On the website above, enter your New York zip code to be taken to Ancestry's landing page for the freely accessible state records. The records collected by state historian James Sullivan are available via the link titled "New York, World War I Veterans' Service Data, 1913-1919." See More Collapse

Though the Sullivan records give only glimpses of any one story, they're a springboard to further research. Census records and local newspapers flesh out, just a little, the story of the Wellingtons of Troy:

Burton Julian Wellington had been the oldest boy in the family, whose home was on Sixth Avenue in Troy. From the beginning of the European conflict he was "determined to enter the war on the side of liberty," a local paper wrote. Since the U.S. was not yet in the fight, he enlisted January 10, 1916, with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. On Sept. 9, 1916, Burton was serving as a patrol scout during the Battle of the Somme when a German bullet felled him.

Arthur, a salesman, enlisted after the death of his son. Newspapers wrote that the U.S. Army wouldn't have him on account of his age  according to census records, he would have been in his early 50s  so he too headed north and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Assigned to work out of Liverpool for the Atlantic transport system, Arthur Wellington made the rank of sergeant and came home at war's end to Troy.

.....

The memoirs and letters sent to the state historian reflect the surreal dichotomy of war  the boredom and the chaos, the horrors and discomfort pierced by moments of camaraderie.

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Goewey wrote of being moved by the vast beauty of the ocean. Thomas Hughes Bennett of West Albany, "just an ordinary 'Doughboy,'" remembered the small pleasures: the piano in the Red Cross hut, candy and cigars sent from home, meeting up in France with other "boys from Albany."

Men wrote of the cold and the rain and the mud. They wrote of being gassed and enduring shellfire, of "marching by day, digging little holes to lie in at night."

Others would not, or could not, speak of what they had seen.

"Like all of his division, Richard Decker saw the most horrible side of the war," reads an account written up by the Nassau historian. "He speaks of seeing many things impossible to mention  things which no one would believe if he could tell them."

NYS Archives

In a letter sent home to his mother in East Greenbush, Corporal Ralph Whitman described the morning of Armistice Day:

"Bullets were falling about us like rain. My sergeant had been wounded in the back. The dead & dying were all about me. We were holding our own when at 11:10 a.m. we were notified that the war was ended. Thirteen of my company were killed and many wounded."

Nineteen-year-old Whitman, whose account was reprinted in local papers, wrote that when the cease-fire was announced, "the Germans were just as joyous as any one, and celebrated that night by shooting rockets, singing, cheering and, when they could get it, drinking. In other words they were tickled to death, and were giving all kinds of souvenirs to us next day."

......

The proposed New York state war book was an ambitious project -- perhaps too ambitious. In 1920 Sullivan estimated it would take three volumes of 1,000 pages each to tell the story. That's likely one reason why the book was never completed.

Another is that after the war's end, the public's enthusiasm for the great effort in Europe rapidly faded.

Isolationism took hold once more, and the 20th century rolled on, with the onset of the Great Depression, followed by another, larger war  leaving for some future generation the important work of looking back.AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - College professor Jeff McClenahan hiked up a winding road Saturday toward a terrible unknown, expecting the worst.

The ferocious Woolsey Fire had come through Friday after leaping the freeway. McClenahan had grabbed his wife's computer and some documents and evacuated. That night, someone had posted a photo on social media of a nearby house consumed by the flames. He had stayed awake all night, thinking: "I'll never wear that cowboy hat again. I'll never wear that sweater again."

But fires can be capricious. Maybe he still had his home?

He arrived, and stared. A house that has succumbed to a wildfire is rarely just a little bit destroyed. The damage almost always looks as if the structure had been not merely been burned, but also bombed. A water pipe spurted halfheartedly over the ruins.

"On the one hand . . . it's stuff," McClenahan said, struggling to maintain his composure. "But it's a lot of history. Everything, our whole lives were in here."

"Oh, you get to start over," he said. Then he crumbled to his knees and sobbed.

The wildfires scorching California in the past few days have been vast, bringing their destruction and lethality to numerous communities across large swaths of the state, including this one in Los Angeles County and another gigantic burn along the northern mountains.

The Camp Fire, in the Sierra Nevada foothills north of Sacramento, is now the most-destructive individual wildfire in California's history. As of Saturday, it already had destroyed nearly 7,000 structures in and around the mountain town of Paradise and has been blamed for 25 deaths, though more could come. Sheriff's deputies are looking into 35 reports of missing people.

"This event was the worst-case scenario," Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said. "It's the event that we have feared for a long time."

The smoke, like orange fog, that enveloped Chico and surrounding towns Friday gave way to a low-lying haze that spread all the way up to Redding on Saturday, thanks to a shift in winds overnight.

Surgical nurse Nichole Jolly, who turned 34 on Friday, spent her birthday helping evacuate all the patients from Chico's only hospital. She didn't know if her home survived. After clearing the hospital, she tried to leave the area but was trapped by smoke and flames. Her car caught fire. A call from her husband, in a place where cellphone service is notoriously spotty, came through and "he told me to get out and run."

"I told him I wasn't sure I was going to make it out," she said. "I told him I loved him and told him to give the kids a kiss. He told me to get out of the car and run, that if you're going to die, die fighting."

A bulldozer picked her up and brought her back to Adventist Health Feather River hospital, where staff, trapped in place, started a triage area outside because "the whole place smelled like burned plastic."

Staff, patients and anyone who could hold a fire extinguisher watched for spot fires. She said there were about 10 nurses, two doctors and a respiratory therapist who spent the next five or six hours treating anyone who found their way to the hospital.

"People were making sure no one was left behind," she said. "Strangers helping strangers. We might be a divided country, but it didn't matter that day. Black, white, Democrat, Republican; none of that mattered. People just helped one another, and it was amazing to see."

Here in Southern California, investigators said two bodies were found, deaths that might be linked to the wildfire. Winds eased Saturday, but they are expected to ramp up again Sunday. The weather that is conducive to fires - dry air, not a drop of rain, high winds - is forecast to continue until late Tuesday.

About 200,000 people, enough to fill the Rose Bowl twice, were forced to evacuate from the Woolsey Fire, which sparked into existence midafternoon Thursday near Simi Valley even as fire departments were responding to a second wildfire, called the Hill Fire, just west of Thousand Oaks. The Woolsey Fire proved to be truly explosive, expanding within 24 hours to some 35,000 acres. It raced from the Conejo Valley to the Pacific Ocean, straight across Highway 101 and the Santa Monica mountains, at speeds that impressed veteran fire officials.

"It's spreading quicker than it used to," said Mark Lorenzen, chief of the Ventura County Fire Department.

They weren't surprised. They knew the wind was coming, and when there is wind here, there is fire, reliably. But David Richardson, deputy chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said everyone had expected a lull in the wind Friday afternoon, and it didn't materialize. The gusts stayed dangerous.

"This fire is very bad and monumental. It's a historic fire," Richardson said. "These fires come along every 30 years or so."

This was an unpredictable fire, one that burned some houses to the foundation, everything gone, nothing but charred ruins, while leaving the one next door untouched. That was the case in Oak Park, which abuts the rugged hills separating Conejo Valley from Simi Valley. People were still gradually returning to their neighborhoods Saturday, and what they found was a largely intact community pocked with destroyed houses.

"It's just nature. Nature makes its choices," said a man walking his dog, too busy on his cellphone to provide his name or any other information.

Californians have a relationship with fire. They read smoke signals. They will study the fire glow on a ridgeline and forecast their immediate future based on what they smell. They know what to pack. They know to turn their cars around in the driveway, aimed toward safety.

They are required by law to have "defensible space" around their homes, free of brush, a firebreak built into the building codes. They know how fire spreads: "We get this ember wash. It looks like a billion fireflies," Lorenzen said.

The embers were largely gone Saturday, but the smoke remained - inescapable, pooling in lower elevations. Spot fires remained, and the ground smoldered. Among the things consumed by flames was Paramount Ranch, a fake Western town used for HBO's "Westworld" and other shows dating back more than a half-century.

Sharon Woods, 48, who owns a winery, lives just a few yards from McClenahan in Malibou Lake, and she was horrified by the hellscape all around her. Her two-story wooden house somehow had been spared, with a trail of fire circumventing it as it heeded the property line. The only things she lost were a couple of garbage cans. She'd won the fire lottery.

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"I'm still completely dazed," she said. "I've been crying for 20 hours."

She surveyed the remnants of the neighborhood with Jeremy Sugarman, 39, a landscape architect whose home also survived.

"I'm very familiar with fire. This one, however, was exceptionally scary," Sugarman said. He recounted driving to Malibu to check on his mother's house: "We were seeing smoke tornadoes."

In Malibu, Pepperdine University's 3,600 undergraduates were ordered to shelter in place as the fire approached. That decision by university officials proved controversial, especially with parents, after the flames reached hillsides near campus. Overnight, debate had raged about whether the students were in the safest possible spot - or trapped and in danger.

It seems counterintuitive, said Connie Horton, Pepperdine's vice president for student affairs, but the Los Angeles County Fire Department supports the shelter-in-place plan as the safest course. "We have lived it a number of times over the years, practiced it, rehearsed it, trained on it," she said.

The flames had been extinguished near campus by early Saturday morning.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump made his first comments on the wildfires, blaming California's government for its management of the forests.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor," Trump tweeted Saturday morning. "Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"

A spokesman for Gov. Jerry Brown, D, responded by saying that more federal forest land has burned than state land, adding that the state has expanded its forestry budget while the Trump administration has cut its budget for forest services.

Back in Oak Park, Richard Gwynn, 75, and his wife, Lynda Gwynn, 70, surveyed the burned landscape. She became emotional, looking at a canyon where her children had once played, which was now blackened by fire.

"Winds are coming back tonight and they're going to blow all day Monday," Richard Gwynn said. "But there's nothing left to burn."

Nearby, a rabbit hopped over charred ground.

"There's one alive?" he said.

"We can't get rid of them no matter what," Lynda Gwynn said.

- - -

Williams reported from Paradise, California, and Wootson reported from Washington. The Washington Post's Susan Svrluga in Washington contributed to this report.Winter-like weather is settling in.

A wind advisory is in effect throughout the Capital Region until 10 p.m. Saturday, as winds reach speeds between 15 and 25 mph. Gusts up to 50 mph are also expected through the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Christina Speciale, a meteorologist with the NWS, said drivers should be alert for tree limbs and other debris that winds may have thrown onto roads.

While the wind chill may make for a cool Saturday night, Speciale said Capital Region residents shouldn't expect much snow accumulation this week, despite Friday's snowfall in the Adirondacks and Saratoga Springs.

Speciale said Tuesday will be a "wet day" and a wintry mix of rain and snow could fall early in the morning, but should turn to rain during the day.

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Snow accumulation is expected in higher elevations like the western Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks. Speciale said the closest snow accumulation to the immediate Capital Region could be in "extreme west Schenectady County."Bomb threat at Michael Forbes Grill KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A bomb threat was called in to the Michael Forbes Grill in Brookside Sunday morning shortly before the restaurant was set to open. Police say a caller reported the threat at 9:56 a.m. Restaurant staff was on hand preparing to open for the day at 11:00 a.m.

Brookside suffered a bomb scare today which marks the 2nd local threat in less than 24hours. The all clear was given recently after police searched the middle-class enclave eatery . . . Read more:Kawasaki has been busy ahead of MY19, and it hit the 2018 EICMA show in Milan with a handful of exciting new machines that are headed for our shores sooner rather than later.

Kawasaki Z400

Essentially, it's a naked version of a Ninja 400 with an affordable price that's targeted primarily toward the entry-level riders.

First up is the Z400 that, essentially, turns a Ninja 400 into a naked bike thats meant primarily for the entry-level riders because yeah, we dont use the tiered license system over here (much to our credit, says I) so a complete Newby MacNooberson can ride it. However, if you live in an area that does tax you with a tiered system, the Z400 meets A2 restrictions with its 45-pony mill coupled to the tranny through a slip-and-assist clutch that protects the integrity of the rear contact patch, and it comes with ABS as part of the stock package thats slated for a $4,799 MSRP.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+

The Versys 1000 hits the bricks this year with a repower, a facelift and gadgetry buff to give us the new SE LT+ variant.

Kawis globetrotting [Versys2738] 1000 hits the bricks this year with a repower, a facelift and gadgetry buff to give us the new SE LT+ variant. This new version rocks a total of 1,043 cc tucked away in the four-bore powerplant, and it produces a solid 75.2 pound-feet of torque at 7,500 rpm for your on/off-road adventures. To manage the mill, the factory has a brand new feature called Rideology The App that breaks the performance metrics down to a science through a wireless Bluetooth connection to your smartphone. A fresh face leads the way with cornering lights set in the fairing extensions that form the radiator cowl, and like the rest of the lighting, they use bright LED emitters to pierce the night.

The stems benefit from the new Kawasaki Electronic Control Suspension system that reads the road and tweaks the dampers in real time for a responsive ride vastly superior to a fixed system, no matter how many adjustment said system offers. Kawis Quick Shifter was on the receiving end of a buff as well, and it can now provide smooth, seamless shifts both up and down the range sans clutch action. My left hand is green with envy, I tell ya what.

Of course, all of the above is on top of a Cornering Management feature, cruise- and traction-control hardware and Kawis Intelligent Anti-lock Brake system that round out the safety gear quite nicely. The $17,999 sticker is about right for this level of fandanglery, and I expect this new ride to be comfortable around top-line ADV bikes such as what Ducati and Triumph brings to the table. Stay tuned for my upcoming full review on this new marvel.

Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+

Along with amazing self-healing paint, as far as electronics go, if you can name it, the SX SE+ probably has it.

Ninja fans rejoice, for thine is the power and the glory...or something like that. Kawasaki brought the Ninja H2 to Italy, and this one rocks the SX SE+ trim package that brings a new paint technique to the table. Thats right, Ive got one of the hottest items so far this show season, and Im gonna start with the paint. Remember that scene in Stephen Kings Christine where the car repaired itself? Well, this isnt quite there yet, but Kawis Highly Durable Paint paint has the ability to heal small scratches and absorb impacts through the magic of dual-density components in the topcoat that act as a sort of chemical spring that shrugs off impacts that would otherwise ding it.

Under that paint is a technological marvel with a supercharged liter engine as its beating heart. As far as electronics go, if you can name it, the SX SE+ probably has it. Launch control, traction control, corner management and an engine brake control are joined by a quick shifter thatll go up and down the range. Anti-locks come standard, as does the Ohlins electronic steering damper and suspension control. This ride keeps the bar high within the hypersport sector, and puts Kawi in an enviable position if you ask me. At $25,000, Im confident that youll get your moneys worth with this one.

Kawasaki W800 Cafe

The machine hits its target era of 'somewhere in the '60s' with Kawi's own W1 as its source of inspiration.

Last, but definitely not least, is the W800 Cafe that carries itself with a cafe-tastic panache that is right on point. Yeah, I love me some cafe style, and the W800 has it in spades with a cute little bullet fairing complete with bubble screen to lead the way around a classic round headlight. The bar is of the low-rise variety that pulls the rider forward into a racing posture, and unlike the original homemade bikes, these wont ding the tank.

A two-up seat uses a two-tone layout that visually detaches the pillion from the pilots seat to create a faux tail fairing. The rear fender and mudguard extension is also very classic, and overall, the machine hits its target era of somewhere in the 60s with Kawis own W1 as its source of inspiration.

The 773 cc plant is air-cooled, so theres no radiator to ugly it up, and the peashooter exhaust plays right into the retro look. We dont know when its going to hit U.S. showrooms, but we do know it will command a $9,799 sticker.

Ill be hitting all four of these bikes for a full review once the show brouhaha dies down a skosh.

.

Further Reading

Kawasaki Z400

See our review of the Kawasaki Z400.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+

See our review of the Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+.

Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+

See our review of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE+.

Kawasaki W800 Cafe

See our review of the Kawasaki W800 Cafe

Kawasaki

Read more Kawasaki news.HAMILTON  Supervising Animal Control Officer Todd Bencivengo, who recently called the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter a hostile work environment, had to answer tough questions Friday under oath.

Democratic Councilman Rick Tighe and Republican Councilwoman Ileana Schirmer grilled Bencivengo and other township officials Friday as part of their subcommittee investigation into the townships embattled animal shelter.

The shelter earlier this year was housing numerous bottles of expired medications and some drugs mysteriously went missing. How is that acceptable? Schirmer asked Bencivengo, a longtime township employee.

The expired drugs I guess sat in the animal shelter where they shouldnt have been, Bencivengo responded.

Which goes to show you or neither of your employees were doing their jobs. Is that a fair statement? Schirmer asked him.

I did not go over every inch of the animal shelter looking for medication, Bencivengo said.

Democratic Councilmen Tighe, Anthony Carabelli Jr. and Jeff Martin on June 20 announced they wanted to launch an all-out probe into the townships shelter.

Innocent animals are being killed each year due to the ineffective leadership of the mayor and her administration, Tighe said in the announcement. I believe there are ways we can improve the towns euthanasia rate while also reducing the burden on our taxpayers. I look forward to conducting a full investigation to fix this problem once and for all.

Bencivengo on June 28 filed a notice of claim with the Hamilton Township Municipal Clerks Office alleging a hostile work environment and what sounds like a defamation claim against Councilmen Carabelli, Martin and Tighe, according to Hamilton Townships legal correspondence obtained by The Trentonian via Open Public Records Act request.

In his claim, Bencivengo says the popularly elected Democrats on Hamilton Council accused myself and members of our staff of killing innocent animals and that he and other shelter staffers since June 23 showed up at work and were constantly being asked and accused about killing animals.

He said this has led to a hostile work environment and suggests Hamiltons Democratic councilmen have made false comments and statements regarding my professional judgment, adding he has consequently suffered damages in the form of mental stress.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Department of Health received complaints regarding the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter and therefore launched a raid-like inspection on the facility. The state found numerous deficiencies in its July 16 inspection, which came several days after the West Windsor Township Department of Health visited Hamiltons shelter for a July 11 inspection that reported satisfactory evaluation findings.

Under the Republican Mayor Kelly Yaede administration, Hamiltons animal shelter has undergone a $1.1 million expansion, the number of animal control maintenance workers has increased and animal control-related appropriations have grown 55.8 percent over the last four years.

The shelters renovation and expansion actually cost more than $1.1 million, although the Hamilton Council subcommittee is trying to assess how much, exactly, the township spent to make the facility what it is today: A troubled operation that does not have an isolation room to house dogs with signs of communicable disease.

Linda Frese and Dr. Colin Campbell of the New Jersey Department of Health conducted a three-hour re-inspection of the shelter on Oct. 18. They identified several deficiencies, including the following:

The stands that hold the food and water bowls used in the cat enclosures were rusting and need to be replaced. Inspectors were told that new holders have been ordered.

The facility does not have an isolation room to house dogs with signs of communicable disease. Cages will be installed in a new area that will be designated as the cat intake room and the current cat intake room will be used as the dog isolation room. Inspectors expressed concern over the lack of space that is anticipated for large dogs and were told that all large dogs with signs of a communicable disease will be housed at a veterinary establishment. It was reiterated that at least one cage shall be made available in this room that is suitable to house a large-sized dog.

The state did not find the shelter in satisfactory condition Oct. 18, but it was clear the shelter was in better shape then than it was when Frese and Campbell first inspected it in July. The initial inspection found two dozen deficiencies at the facility. Among the most egregious violations cited in July was how the shelter failed to wait seven days before euthanizing numerous animals at the facility. Underqualified shelter staff members, according to DOH, frequently performed euthanasia too soon.

The township has hired an independent consultant for an assessment of the Sylvan Avenue-based animal shelter, the Yaede administration announced last month. Humane Pennsylvania, which according to its website is the regions largest partnership of animal welfare organizations, will provide Hamilton Township with a private assessment of its shelter operations, focusing on key areas that officials hope to improve, the administration said in an Oct. 5 news release.

Dr. William J. Carter, former supervising veterinarian of the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter, resigned as the townships emergency vet this summer, saying he was resigning due to the misrepresentation of facts by the shelters leadership, along with the spin they have put on this situation.

Dr. Marian Boden has agreed to become the Hamilton Animal Shelters new supervising veterinarian, the township announced Oct. 29.

I have heard good things about Dr. Boden, Tighe said Friday at the subcommittee meeting. I am looking forward to meeting her. One of the things that I am interested in learning about is the training that Dr. Boden will be providing to our shelter staff and to our animal control officers.

We are asking her to train our ACOs in the euthanasia process as per her direction, even though we do not anticipate any euthanasia being done by our ACOs, Hamilton Health Department Director Jeff Plunkett said, referring to animal control officers, but it was asked to be done in the (state DOH) report, and you just never know when some type of emergency situation might occur, whether it is wildlife or something of that nature, and to be prepared for that we are asking for her to do that, and she has agreed to do that.

Tighe and Schirmer on Friday also grilled Yaedes newly appointed chief of staff Marty Flynn, who previously served as Hamiltons Health Department director back when the shelter was renovated and expanded in 2015.

When the state inspected the shelter in July, the facilitys isolation room where one kitten was housed was not adequately ventilated to provide for the health and comfort of this animal at the time of this inspection, according to the DOH inspection report. The subcommittee asked questions seeking to determine how long the shelter had been operating with poor ventilation in the isolation room.

The building was up to code and had no issues when the township hosted a grand opening of the newly expanded animal shelter on Oct. 14, 2015, according to Flynn.

Since the state released its initial inspection report in August, the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter has moved toward becoming a no-kill shelter. The shelter previously had a high euthanasia rate. There was a hoarder situation on May 22, 2017, in which the township seized 46 cats from a single household and euthanized them all upon determining they all had ringworm and upper respiratory infections, officials confirmed Friday at the subcommittee meeting.

The meeting was a meeting of denials, that seemed to be the tone of todays meeting, Schirmer said Friday evening in a statement. Even though its frustrating when it comes to receiving information from the administration, Councilman Rick Tighe and I will continue to do our job and move forward.

Township resident David Henderson, a major critic of the Yaede administration, livestreamed the subcommittees meeting on Facebook. Somebody should go to jail for the animal cruelty and malfeasance, Henderson said Saturday in an interview. I am hoping Rick and Ileana go back to full council and should do an audit on Hamiltons Department of Health, Recreation and Senior Services, which would encompass the expenditures on the shelter. They need to do a standalone forensic audit.

Under New Jersey state law, animal cruelty may constitute a third-degree crime, fourth-degree crime or disorderly persons offense if someone needlessly killed a living animal or creature. Township officials often remind the public that no charges of animal cruelty have been filed in connection with the Hamilton Township Animal Shelter.

Hamilton Council is proceeding with its subcommittee investigation into the troubled animal shelter with the legal assistance of Eric M. Bernstein and Associates LLC.vermaajay1968@gmail.com

SC Vasudeva

Q. My son was working in a factory as an engineer. He died a year ago. His wife and children are getting family pension from his EPF account. His wife is an employee and files her income-tax return every year. Kindly guide if the pension received by her from EPF account is exempt for income-tax purpose under Section 23AAB which reads as Any income fund set up by LIC of India or any other insurer under a pension scheme to which contribution is made by any person for the purpose of receiving pension from such fund is exempt from income-tax. I may also bring to your kind notice that insurance is also covered under this EPF account.

 Satinder Vir Singh

A. Section 23AAB quoted by you applies to the income of the fund and is therefore not applicable in the case cited by you. Instead, Section 10(11) of the Income-tax Act 1991 (The Act) which provides an exemption in respect of any payment from provident fund to which the provisions of the Provident Fund Act, 1925 or any other provident fund set up by the Central Government and notified by it in this behalf in the Official Gazette should be applicable.

The Provident Fund Act, 1925 has been repealed and a new Act namely the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is currently in operation. This Act contains the provisions with regard to the contribution of the employer and employee towards the Employees Provident Fund Insurance Scheme. It would be advisable to claim the exemption under the aforesaid section of the Act.

Q. My mother expired in Jan 2018. She completed 80 years of age in June 2017. She was getting self and family pension but no revision of pension was done. Now I have requested the bank to release my mothers revised pension. They have asked me to send my mothers matriculaton certificate as proof of date of birth. But the bank is refusing to release revised pension after she attained the age of 80. Can I file RTI application?

 Deepali Kapoor

A. You may file RTI application to obtain reasons why the amount of revised pension which your mother was entitled to during her life time, is not being released. Also, approach HC and file a writ petition for directing authorities to release the revised pension up to date of her death.

Q. I had to leave job with a private limited company at Gurgaon due to my dependent child. There is no hope to take up job again. My EPF accumulation through the concern with EPFO has over Rs 3 lakh as on 1.01.2018. Can I continue EPF accumulation with the EPFO till the age of superannuation i.e. 60 years? If so, what would be the procedure? Please advise.

 Kirti

A. Schedule IV to the Income-tax Act 1961 (The Act) which deals with the provisions relating to the recognised provident fund provides that the accumulated balance due and becoming payable to an employee participating in a recognised provident fund shall be excluded from the computation of his total income in case the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) if he has rendered continuous service with his employer for a period of five years or more, or

(ii) if, though he has not rendered such continuous service, the service has been terminated by reason of the employees ill-health, or by the contraction or discontinuance of the employers business or other cause beyond the control of the employee, or (iii) if, on the cessation of his employment, the employee obtains employment with any other employer, or

(iv) if the entire balance standing to the credit of the employee is transferred to his account under a pension scheme referred to in Section 80CCD.

It is presumed that you were contributing to a recognised provident fund and had served the organisation for a continuous period of five years or more. Accordingly, the accumulated balance shall be excluded from your total income. However, in case these conditions are not satisfied, the accumulated balance will be taxable in terms of paragraph 8 of the aforesaid schedule.editorial@tribune.com

Sanjay Bumbroo

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 10

The local police suspect the involvement of Jalandhar-based Seera gang in the woman journalists carjacking case.

The gang had allegedly robbed a Toyota Fortuner from a Sector 20 resident outside his housing society in August this year. The Jalandhar police had arrested three members of the gang, who are out on bail. The modus operandi in both the cases is same.

The Panchkula police showed pictures of some gangsters, who were involved in such crimes in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, to the woman journalist, Damini Goyal. Sources said she identified one of the accused. He resembles Jagsir Singh, the kingpin of the Seera gang.

The police have formed three teams, which have been sent to Moga, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala to nab the accused. Damini had told the police that she was driving home after her night shift when she was robbed near the Amartex chowk. Inspector Aman Kumar, incharge, crime branch, said the Jalandhar-based Seera gang, headed by Jagsir Singh, likely carried out the carjacking.Roopinder Singh

Roopinder Singh

Senior Associate Editor

Academics who venture into the religious territory have long had to face uncertainties that are bound to arise when the empirical clashes with belief. The clergy, transcending various religious denominations, has a certain view, often constrained by tradition, and it reacts mightily against all challengers. We accept this. Thus, those who work in this area are rightly advised about it. Few know it better than historians who negotiate their research with a perception of the past.

Complicating the equation is the role of the politicians, more so in this age of demagogues and revivalist movements. Has religion ever been divorced from politics? It would be hard to argue that it has. Most modern secular states try to maintain a safe distance between the church and the State, but the political influence of the religious institutions is widely recognised  as was evident in the resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Christian Church after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In the Sikh context, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has long served as the premier Sikh religious body. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which predates the SGPC, and had, in fact, led the movement that resulted in the creation of the SGPC, has a symbiotic relationship with the body that officially deals with the management of historical gurdwaras, but has evolved into much, much more.

There was a tradition of the SGPC and the SAD maintaining their distinct identities even as they worked together. This, however, has eroded in the past few decades, with the boundaries thinning, and eventually vanishing. This is unfortunate since the body that acts as the religious arbitrator for the Sikhs should provide leadership to the political class, and not the other way around.

The recent row over history textbooks in Punjab has a political agenda. And a respected scholar, Dr Kirpal Singh, who is known for a lifetime of work on Sikh history, is the collateral damage in this case. The scholar, who was rightly feted and honoured by the SGPC, has been editing Sri Gur Partap Suraj Granth, magnum opus of Bhai Santokh Singh, at the request of the SGPC since 2001. Till now, 21 volumes have been published and two are in print. But the work is far from over as the period of Guru Gobind Singh is yet to be covered.

The historian was honoured with the title of National Professor of Sikhism by the Akal Takht in 2014. But instead of getting appreciation for undertaking such an arduous task at an advanced age, he stands sacked as the director of the project. Not only this, the stellar work done by him has also been put under the scanner as it would be examined.

Academic researchers dig for fresh facts, present new interpretations, and thus, contribute to enlarging our knowledge base. In such cases, variations in history texts are to be expected. Sometimes such differences are sharp enough to attract the charge of distortion. This often comes when an opinion of an expert clashes with that of believers, who adhere to a particular point of view and are not ready to consider any other possibility.

Textbooks, in India, however, are seldom subjected to the kind of rigorous scrutiny that they ought to face. Indeed, mistakes and distortions in textbooks are pointed out from time to time, testifying a cavalier attitude of those who publish and prescribe these books meant to shape young minds. Besides shoddy scholarship, there are production issues with books, typographical errors, etc.

The first committee to examine the problems in textbooks was set up during the tenure of the Akali government, and a decision to make changes in the syllabi was made in January 2014. However, the work that was eventually done for the 2018-19 session on the basis of this syllabus had several problems of conceptual as well as factual nature, especially in the Punjabi and Hindi versions. This led to the withdrawal of books and a request to the oversight committee to write afresh and give it chapter-wise. In such a scenario, a mature response would have been to continue working in the joint committee comprising historians, SGPC representatives and government officials, and sort out issues for the future of the students.

The SAD's proclivity of falling back on the Panthic agenda when it is not in power is well known. It is leading the protest against the 'distortions' in history textbooks, and politicising the issue. It is not clear why it did not show its commitment to improving the quality of textbooks during the early phase of its 10-year tenure in the state when it could have accomplished much.

It is true that certain discrepancies regarding Sikh gurus have been found in the textbooks. The joint committee, set up by representatives of the SGPC and top Punjab historians, should have been given the time and support it needed and allowed to finish its work. That would, however, not have suited the political agenda of the SAD. The unholy haste shown by the Congress government in asking the committee to wrap up its findings has also been detrimental to quality control.

The SAD has sought to whip up popular sentiment by igniting this controversy, and thus, seeking to divert attention from other troubles that it is facing. Without digressing into details, it is suffice to say that this is a time-tested manoeuvre that has cost the state dear in the past. Now, too, it is difficult to see what gain will be made from such a move.

The loss, however, is clear. The SGPC showed undue haste in acting at the behest of the SAD. What should have been discussed, debated and resolved by the committee of scholars is now in the public domain. The SGPC should have allowed the committee to finish its work before attacking it. A respected historian and scholar has been censured, thereby sending a chilling message. Others on the committee will now hesitate to be involved with an endeavour that could turn political. The losers will be the students in whose name the whole exercise was started in the first place.

Political expediency has won, again. A pity.

roopinder@tribunemail.comVivek Katju

Vivek Katju

Ex-Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs

I first heard of the Kra canal in Kuala Lumpur 25 years ago where I was posted as the Deputy High Commissioner. A Malaysian geographer friend who was on a team conducting a quiet study on the projects feasibility told me that the physical construction of the canal which would link the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand traversing the Kra Isthmus was doable but its economics, domestic politics, and, even more, its geopolitics, were problematic. Clearly, the project was not pursued further by the interested party.

In giving up on the project, the party had followed the example of others who had considered it since it was first imagined in the 17th century by a Thai monarch. Now, however, the situation appears to be changing for a weight of opinion is developing in its favour. China is relentlessly pushing it and has worked hard to foster a strong lobby for it in Thailand. Reports indicate that Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who had earlier declared that it was not a Thai priority, has asked the countrys National Security Council and the National Economic and Social Development Board to examine it. No doubt the former body will look at its security implications while the latter will consider its economic aspects.

The Kra canal which is expected to take a decade to get completed, will reduce the distance for ships sailing currently via the busy and narrow Malacca Straits from the Persian Gulf to the east by at least 1,200 km. Merchant ships which wish presently to avoid the Malacca Straits have to go further south to the Sunda or the Lombok Straits considerably increasing the distance to the east. Thus, prima facie the Kra canal, which at present estimates will cost around $30 billion  this figure will surely go up  makes sense, but its economic and strategic viability have yet to be fully established. Its Thai proponents argue that its financial viability must take into account both the volume of traffic and the economic activity generated through the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that will be set up as part of the project.

China is willing to put in the money for the canal but will it be ready to subsidise it for its strategic purposes? That remains to be seen (and is perhaps unlikely because it will become a precedent for unviable BRI projects), despite the strategic advantages that it will bring. The Malacca choke makes China uneasy, for it is not only dependent on West Asian oil which passes through the straits, but also its general trade uses these waters. Hence, the canal alternative is strategically valid.

A principal historical Thai strategic inhibition is that it will notionally separate the countrys southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat from the rest of the country. Thailand is Buddhist and ethnically Tai but these provinces are Muslim and Malay. They are part of the Malay world but along with some other Malay territories were annexed by an expanding Thai kingdom around 1785. Under the Anglo-Thai treaty of 1909, Thailand relinquished its claims to some Malay territories which are now part of Malaysia and its sovereignty over these provinces was recognised. These provinces have always been restless but have witnessed an insurgency since 2004. Its current intensity is low but alienation is substantial and violent acts continue. More than 6,000 have died in the past 14 years. Thailand can create military installations to the canals south to ensure effective counter-terrorism but the way the strategic landscape by the Thai elite is imagined will need to change.

The Kra canals impact on ASEAN will go beyond the re-orientation of shipping, though that too will be substantial and adverse on Singapore and to an extent on Malaysian ports. Conversely, some ports in Vietnam may benefit. If the SEZs take off, they will attract investments that would have gone elsewhere. However, Singapores attractions as a financial centre and its ability to strengthen itself as a hi-tech base are great, even as it may have to lose its pivotal place as a shipping hub.

The US has not taken an official position on the project but is wary of enhanced Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean. The European states are not concerned with that aspect and look to gaining work for their companies in the project construction. Other countries will not be overly concerned. International civil society and concerned global organisations will look at the canals environmental impact more than anything else.

There is no doubt that the Kra canal is part of Chinas grand design in the waters that surround India and in the Indian Ocean. It is gaining access or acquiring ports or building bases Hambantota, Gwadar and the base in Djibouti  and has now signed an agreement to develop the Kyaukphyu port in Myanmars troubled Rakhine state. All this is impacting on Indian interests and so will the canal. It would be timely for Indian economic and strategic planners to examine the implications of the canal. Perhaps the process has already begun but it has to be pursued in a holistic and sustained manner.

Indian official agencies and business should engage Thailand on the Kra canal even while the Thai systems consideration is in the initial stages. While the canal will be built on Thai territory it will impact the interests of many countries, including India. Hence it will be in order to exchange views to make it a win-win, as far as possible, for all. One way to do so would be to ensure that except Thailand no other country is allowed to use it for the passage of its naval vessels. That will assuage strategic apprehensions of the region and beyond.vinaymishra188@gmail.com

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10

A woman, Poonam Sardana (38), was killed in an accident by another woman who was drunk at west Delhis Punjabi Bagh flyover on the Friday night, said police.

Accused Shivani Malik (22) driving with two other friends, who fled the spot after the accident was held by bystanders and is currently under custody, police said.

The accident took place around 11:54 pm when a car hit the divider, colliding with two other cars and killing Poonam. Sardana's family was returning home from the Chatarpur temple.

According to DCP Monika Bhardwaj, police control room received a call of accident at Punjabi Bagh flyover. When police reached the spot, two S-Cross and a Mahindra Quanto were found in accidental condition.

At Punjabi Bagh flyover, complainant Sudhir Sardana - a resident of Adarsh Nagar here and a businessman - noticed a UP registration number S-Cross car coming rashly from the opposite side of road. Suddenly, the car jumped the divider and hit his car at the back portion of the driver's side and got upturned over another S Cross car with Delhi registration number plate, the DCP said.

Injured were shifted to Fortis Hospital, where Poonam, wife of Vimal (Sudhir's brother) was declared brought dead. FIR has been registered in Punjabi Bagh Police Station.

The deceased's son, Chetanaya (13) got injured and is in the hospital. He had lost his eye in the accident. After consulting the family, the doctors have got him transplanted his mother's eye. He is said to be safe and healthy according to doctors, the DCP said.

According to the DCP, Shivani, who works in a salon in Noida and resident of Parsvnath Paradise, Mohan Nagar, Ghaziabad (UP), was found in inebriated condition. She was going along with her friend, Damini to a Gurugram club from Connaught Place. Shivani is in the police custody.pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Toronto, November 11

A Canadian Sikh farmer, who is the countrys biggest cranberry grower, has made history with his induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame.

The British Columbia-based Peter Dhillon is the first person of visible minority to join the company of great Canadians who have made their mark in agriculture and agro-food business.

Dhillon is also the current chairman of Ocean Spray  a marketing cooperative of cranberry farmers in the US and Canada. Ocean Spray sells its products in over 90 countries, with annual sales of over $2.5 billion.

At Ocean Spray also, Dhillon broke the glass ceiling to become its first non-white chairman in 2014.

Dhillon, whose full name is Peter Povitar Dhillon, runs his cranberry farming operations under the name of Richberry Group of Companies based in Richmond, British Columbia.

Unveiling his portrait at the annual Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Toronto, Dhillon said he was humbled to be inducted into the company of great Canadians.

It is a great honour for me and I feel humbled because there are so many others who deserve this honour, he said.

His father Rachpal Singh Dhillon came to Canada in 1950 from Pandori village in Hoshiarpur and became the first Indo-Canadian to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP (at the age of 19, rising to the rank of Deputy Sheriff.

In 1981-82, he took early retirement to get into cranberry farming full time.

Peter Dhillon joined the family business in 1993 after finishing his law degree from the UK.

Currently, he has over 2,000 acres, just behind the worlds biggest cranberry farmers in Massachusetts who own about 2,500 acres. His Richberry Group produced over 20 million pounds of cranberries last year.

We hope to hit the 30 million-mark soon in production, Peter Dhillon said.

As chairman of Ocean Spray, he said he has been to India to explore the possibilities of entering the Indian market.

There is a huge potential for cranberry juice and dried products in India as Indians are becoming increasingly health conscious. IANSvinaymishra188@gmail.com

THE Moscow round of talks, although the latest addition to a round-the-year shifting caravan of international conferences on Afghanistan, has had the most promising start of them all. Not a single invitee cried off. Nearly all of them were neighbours and so had a direct stake in a stable Afghanistan. Those that had reservations found ways to work around the limitations. The Afghan government found it difficult to attend because it insists that it should lead the talks with Taliban. Besides it had to be mindful of some rightwing American concerns. For India, the Taliban is a proscribed organisation and hence sitting at the same table posed a dilemma. Both instead opted for unofficial delegations but headed by heavyweights to convey the gravity they attach to the Moscow meet.

More than India and Afghanistan working their way around, the surprise is Russias return to the centre-stage nearly four decades after its military was driven out over the Pamirs. From Syria to Afghanistan, US President Donald Trumps capriciousness towards steady allies is forcing a hunt for alternatives. And Russia, goose-stepping with regional allies, has used the breach. The Moscow meet is also part of that piece. All invitees, bar two, are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. All of them with no exception share the existentialist fear of Afghanistan again becoming a breeding ground for pan-regional political Islamists.

The Moscow meet provides more than a glimmer of hope because Washington has not yet acted as a spoiler. Still there is a long distance to travel. The Taliban says this is not a formal dialogue for peace, even the hosts have the limited aim of creating conditions for direct talks and influential countries such as Saudi Arabia are still out of the mix. However, success will be assured only if external players resist the temptation of taking ownership of the process. Their end goal ought to be to ensure that the sense of ennui among Afghans does not turn the country into a bridgehead for the expansion of ISIS into South and Central Asia.harinder@tribunemail.com

Chandigarh, November 10

Special trains and buses had to be put in service on Saturday as over four lakh candidates appeared in a written examination of the Haryana Services Selection Commission (HSSC) for recruitment to Group D posts in 11 districts of the state.

For filling 18,216 vacancies of posts like peon, beldar, animal attendant, helper, mali, etc, 17.26 lakh candidates are to appear in the written test scheduled for today and November 17 and 18, according to Bharat Bhushan Bharti, chairman of HSSC.

On any given day of this schedule, over four lakh candidates will have to move out of their home districts.

The test centres have been set up in various schools in Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Panipat, Kaithal, Hisar, Faridabad, Gurugram and Palwal districts.

For the sake of secrecy and transparency in assigning centres, we have adopted an algorithm-based random allocation. No candidate will be appearing in the written examination in his or her home district, but the district to be allocated is generated without manual interference, said Isha Kamboj, Controller of Examination.

The examinations are being held in two shifts, with nearly two lakh candidates appearing in morning and evening shifts across the state. The written examination is of 90 marks while 10 marks have been allocated to the socio-economic status of the candidates. Multiple-choice questions are being given. There will no interview, Kamboj added.

Since 30,000 candidates are to appear in 72 centres in Panipat and Samalkha towns, the district authorities have banned the entry of 5,000-odd auto-rickshaws in the town on exam days. No candidates are being allowed in with earrings, rings, bracelets, rubber bands, etc.

In Rohtak, too, a heavy rush of aspirants was witnessed at the railway station and bus stand since Friday evening. The number of job aspirants was so large that they not only occupied the passenger compartments, but also the engine of the Chandigarh-bound Intercity Express last night. The train got delayed and the railways had to run a special train.

Traffic Manager Naveen Kumar said the buses scheduled to run on other routes were diverted to Panipat and Panchkula to ferry the candidates to test centres.  TNSeditorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Jind, November 11

Ahead of the Jind byelection, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala has announced that his party would introduce 10-point programme for the welfare of SCs and poor sections of society if it formed the government in Haryana next year.

The Congress will launch the atta-dal aur chini scheme for SC families in the state. All 15 lakh Dalit families will get 20-kg flour at the rate of Rs2 per kg, 2-kg pulses for Rs20 per kg and 1-kg sugar for Rs12, he said this while addressing the Garib Adhikar rally here on Sunday.

The Jind byelection has been necessitated because of the demise of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha. The bypoll is likely by January.

Surjewala further said the Congress, if voted to power, would waive all water bills under the Indira Gandhi Drinking Water Scheme, appoint one SC member each in the Haryana Public Services Commission (HPSC) and the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), fill 60,000 vacancies, abolish contract system for safai karmcharis, constitute an SC commission with a member each from Dhanak and Oadh communities, survey all SC localities for ensuring a toilet in each household and repair all SC chaupals.

The Kaithal MLA said the Congress government would provide Rs1,500 monthly scholarship to SC students pursuing graduation and post-graduation, Rs2,500 to SC engineering students, and Rs5,000 to those pursuing MBBS and studying in IITs and IIMs.

Surjewala hit out at the BJP for allegedly undermining constitutional provisions introduced by BR Ambedkar and other members of the Constituent Assembly to deprive SCs and the poor of their rights.

Promises, if voted to power

To waive all water bills under the Indira Gandhi Drinking Water Scheme

Appoint one SC member each in the Haryana Public Services Commission and Haryana Staff Selection Commission

Abolish contract system for safai karmcharis

Constitute an SC commission with a member each from Dhanak and Oadh communities

Survey of all SC localities for ensuring a toilet in each household

Chautalas fighting for property

On the family feud in the Chautala clan, Randeep Singh Surjewala said the infighting was only for property, which, he termed, as Ioot ka maal. Chacha (Abhay Chautala) and bhatijas (Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay) are playing into BJP hands. None of them is opposed to the BJP. INLD MPs, including Dushyant, and MLAs had voted for BJP candidate in presidential elections against Meera Kumar, he said.editorial@tribune.com

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11

The much-awaited meeting between Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala and his elder brother Ajay Singh Chautala was held on Sunday, though it was not immediately known whether the meeting was able to iron out differences between the two brothers.

The Tribune has learnt that the meeting between the two Chautala brothers was held at Ajay Singhs farmhouse in Delhi in the morning today.

Some close family members of the Chautala clan were also present at the meeting.

Sources, who had said that the family feud in the Chautala clan would be resolved soon, claimed that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.

However, Ajay Singh addressed a meeting at Rewari after the meeting and his wife Naina Singh Chautala addressed a womens rally Hari Chunri Ki Chaupal at Farmana in Sonepat and the tone and tenor of their speeches was no different from the past few days.

Sources said Ajay Singh was likely to come to Chandigarh tomorrow and Abhay Singh was also likely to reach the city by Tuesday.

The two brothers are also likely to meet former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal in two days.

Meanwhile, move has begun to shift the INLD office in Chandigarh from MLA flat number 17 in Sector 3 to flat number 109 allocated in the name of another INLD MLA.

Sources said the flat number 17 where the office is presently functioning is allotted on the name of Naina Singh Chautala.

Ajay raises questions

Rewari: INLD leader Ajay Singh Chautala on Sunday said how could his sons (Dushyant and Digvijay) be held guilty when the party leadership had already identified those who raised slogans in the Gohana rally last month. Why Dushyant and Digvijay have been given notice? What is their fault? On what basis they have being expelled from the party? You have already said that those who raised slogans in the Gohana rally have been identified and they are from the Congress and the BJP, said Ajay referring to his brother Abhay Chautala. He was addressing his supporters at the office of INLD leader Satish Yadav here. TNSamansharma@tribunemail.com

Chandigarh, November 11

A day after Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala and his brother brother Digvijay Chautala refused to accept their expulsions from the INLD amid a family feud, their mother and Dabwali MLA Naina Chautala on Sunday attacked their detractors, saying late Devi Lal nurtured the party but some "15-odd people" are eating it like termites.

"Tau Devi Lal planted the tree which became INLD, he nurtured it all his life, but some 15-odd people have infested it like termites and are eating it," she said addressing a gathering of women supporters.

She said both her sons Dushyant and Digvijay, who headed the now disbanded Indian National Students Organisation, were working hard to strengthen the party at grassroots, but some people in the party were not happy with their hard work and have been trying to sideline them.

"I was shocked and hurt that accusations of indiscipline were levelled against my children. They were victimised because some supporters raised slogans in their favour (in an INLD rally). If someone raises slogans in your favour, I don't think that amounts to indiscipline. Do you think Dushyant and Digvijay are undisciplined," asked Naina.

She said her husband Ajay Chatuala had given 40 years to the Indian National Lok Dal.

Naina Chautala appealed to workers to realise the dreams of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal and INLD president and former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala.

"We need to get united for the party to ensure that the INLD comes to power in the state," she said.

She appealed to the women workers to strengthen the party.

"You all must strengthen the party because all is not well in it these days. All is not well in the party for which Tau Devi Lal gave his life. You have to realise the dreams of Devi Lal. You have to strengthen the party for which Om Prakash Chautala ji and Ajay Singh ji made so much contribution," she said.

Meanwhile, Ajay Chautala and Dushyant Chautala met party workers in Rewari and Delhi, respectively, while Digvijay met supporters in Bhiwani on Sunday.

Talking to reporters in Bhiwani, Digvijay Chautala ruled out the possibility of any mediation by Akali Dal patriarch and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to arrest the feud within the INLD and Chautala family.

Digvijay made the remarks, when asked if Ajay Chautala was likely to meet Badal in coming days to seek his mediation to bridge the widening rift within the Chautala family.

"After Devi Lal ji, Badal Sahab is the most respected elder in our family. But the question of mediation does not arise..," Digvijay said.

Badals and Chautalas have shared close family ties over several decades.

On Saturday, Dushyant Chautala had refused to accept his expulsion and that of his brother Digvijay Chautala from the INLD, claiming that the party's national executive had not met and the sack order was not issued by party president Om Prakash Chautala.

Dushyant Chautala said only the INLD's national executive or a committee headed by the party president could take action against him.

On November 2, an INLD press release, quoting their grandfather Om Prakash Chautala had announced their expulsion following an inquiry which found them guilty of "indiscipline".

Both are the sons of Ajay Chautala, who is pitted against his younger brother Abhay Chautala in the power struggle.

The two leaders were suspended after their supporters allegedly shouted slogans at an INLD rally in Gohana, apparently targeting Abhay Chautala.

Om Prakash Chautala and son Ajay Chautala are serving a 10-year-sentence for a junior teachers' recruitment scam in Haryana.

Ajay Chautala is currently out on a two-week parole. - PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, November 11

High drama prevailed at Neemkhera village in Punhana Mewat late Friday night when a local resident along with 12 villagers approached the police, accusing the brother of local MLA and Haryana Waqf Board Chairman Raheesh Khan of allegedly abducting his wife at gunpoint.

Irfan Khan accused MLAs brother Mushtaq Khan of abducting his wife while they were on their way back from the health centre and trying to cover up the crime using his brothers influence. An immediate inquiry was marked to the local DSP and the woman was reportedly recovered from her home itself. The police dismissed the matter as political vendetta.

The man came to us with a complaint and we went looking for his wife. We recovered her from her home. She denied that she had been kidnapped and her husband switched off his mobile phone to evade the police. We have recorded her statement and found the complaint to be baseless, said Mewat SP Naazneen Bhasin.

Irfan in his complaint alleged that he along with his wife and little daughter was returning from the primary health centre when four men abducted her. They intercepted my motorcycle and four men carrying country-made pistols took her away, leaving me and my three-year-old daughter pleading for her release. I identified Mushtaq, brother of the local MLA. They held her captive for seven hours and let her off only when we promised them of not approaching the police, alleged Irfan.editorial@tribune.com

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, November 11

A whopping 88 per cent of the odd 2,896 flats built by the Municipal Corporation Faridabad (MCF) for the economically weaker section (EWS) or poor are lying vacant since they were declared ready for possession. While 928 dwelling units (DU) got ready for possession in 2011, another 1,968 units got ready in 2013. A total of only 351 DU have been allotted so far, it was revealed.

LN Parasher, a local advocate who conducted a visit to the site recently, alleged that the flats constructed at a cost of several crores had gone waste, as the building structure was already showing signs of crumble and had not been maintained since the time they were thrown open. Alleging corruption and serious irregularities in the project, that was launched at Bapu Nagar and Dabua colony here, he said almost 90 per cent of the flats were lying unused for the past seven to nine years. Claiming that only 202 flats had been allotted officially, he charged that as many as 150 other units had been occupied illegally by the property mafia, which had rented out many flats to labourers or poor people in an unauthorised manner. He also said that due to poor civic amenities, the residents here had no access to potable drinking water, resulting in diseases and even death of several residents in the past six years.

The MCF had come up with as many as 928 DUs in Bapu Nagar in 2011 while another 1,968 were built in 2013 in Dabua Colony of the NIT area. The budget of these projects was Rs 60.17 crore.

According to DR Bhaskar, Chief Engineer, MCF, 202 units of Dabua Colony were handed over in 2012, while 149 units of Bapu Nagar were handed over to allottees in 2014. He said in a recent meeting chaired by Commissioner Mohammed Shayin, the authorities had decided to allot the remaining units to the residents of jhuggi (slum) cluster located in NIT under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. He said encroachments will also be removed from these colonies.

Project a failureeditorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Karnal, November 11

As the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has extended till November 12 the ban on industries using coal and biomass, the All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) has approached Haryana Chief Secretary DS Dhesi to take up the matter with the CPCB.

Earlier, the ban was till November 10.

Extending the ban means that rice exporters will be unable to clear the international orders for rice. In this scenario, Pakistan, which is also producing basmati, will snatch the market from us. Once lost, it will be tough to regain the lost territory, AIREA president Vijay Setia told The Tribune.

Not taking the blame for severe pollution level in New Delhi, he further said the pollution level in Haryana, except Faridabad and Gurugram, was within limits. Industry and heavy vehicular traffic in New Delhi are to blame for severe pollution level there.

The AIREA has sent letters to the Chief Secretary, chairman of the Environment Pollution Control Authority and senior environment officials, requesting them not to extend the ban as the industry was already in bad shape.

The rice industry has installed equipment for pollution control, as advised by the CPCB. Last year, the rice industry was exempted from restrictions, Setia said, adding that because of the ban, basmati with high moisture content is lying in mandis and shellers, affecting the trade adversely.

He tried to impress upon the authorities by saying the rice-producing belt in the NCR paid a significant amount of tax to the government.harinder@tribunemail.com

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 10

The womens wing of the Sarva Jatiye Sarva Khap Mahapanchayat has come out with a strange plan to resolve petty disputes in villages, including cases of molestation of women, at the panchayat level without taking the matter to the police or the courts.

Santosh Dahiya, president of the wing, said, Lakhs of cases that can be sorted out at the village level are pending in courts. It is an attempt to reduce the burden of courts and restore brotherhood in villages. The panels will try to sort out petty and non-criminal issues, like personal and family disputes, encroachment and minor quarrels.

Each committee will comprise 11 men and women each, and will also make efforts to minimise crime against women in villages by holding meetings.

Some practising lawyers and retired judges have promised to provide guidance to resolve disputes, she claimed.

On whether crimes against women will also be dealt with by the panels, Dahiya replied in the affirmative and said this would help reduce the burden on courts. She, however, said no leniency would be observed in rape cases.

Reacting, Jagmati Sangwan, vice-president of the All India Democratic Association for Women (AIDWA), Haryana, said, These institutions have extra-constitutional frameworks and assert their rights to work as a parallel judicial system. The move started by the khaps is a matter of concern because these are patriarchal institutions. These institutions always work against women and the weaker sections. When cells for counselling of women and families are already provided for under the law, the intervention of khaps is unwarranted.

BJP leader and advocate Dhuman Singh said, When judiciary is there to deal with all cases, no panel can have any rights to decide any case. Such panels may set a wrong example and also create an anarchic situation. Every case must be reported to the police so that justice can be delivered by the court after a fair probe.vermaajay1968@gmail.com

To achieve higher returns, the bridge of higher risks needs to be crossed. Put differently, ceteris paribus, greater compensation may be needed to incentivise willingness to assume greater risk. Perceiving agriculture as an enterprise may well assist in diagnosis and suggesting the way ahead. Given the diversity and complexities characterising Indian agriculture, let us briefly examine the pulses scenario.

Production of pulses is currently at a record high and has breached the 25 million MT mark in 2017-18, as per the fourth advance estimates. Procurement by the government has been in force, in a bid to boost certainty in farmers' income. Prices have witnessed strong inverse correlation with production as seen by dramatic price increases on account of fall in production and vice versa. A vicious circle persists with the grower being at the receiving end. Procurement of total marketable surplus may be neither sustainable nor advisable, given logistical and budgetary constraints and retailing the procured stock. Loan waivers are certainly not healthy behaviourally as well as financially in the long run.

The way forward is to empower the farmer with tools to look after his own economic well-being. Through innovations like e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to create a unified agriculture market for agricultural commodities and e-Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs), better price discovery is ensured. Such innovative measures, by reducing the level of intermediation in the supply chain and concomitant cost cascade, benefit farmers as well as consumers who pay a reasonable price, resulting in a win-win situation for both. Convergence with MGNREGA may be strengthened by including construction of storage facilities under permissible works. These efforts will certainly empower farmers and minimise distress sales by enhancing holding capacity at micro level. The Centre is also relieved of stock liability and procurement.

A key concern here is to reap benefits in full potential of aforementioned innovations. Awareness and capacity building is central. Agriculture being a state subject, action needs to be initiated by the states and finding regional/local solutions is the key. To be successful, solutions need to transform into movements, which are impossible without community participation. There are a few dimensions here which may be explored. The relatively big farmers benefit from early adoption. Since they have the wherewithal as well as domain expertise, they may volunteer in handholding small and marginal farmers with the same. While the benefits to the latter are obvious, the former will be showered with immense goodwill. The state, with proactive role by Panchayati Raj Institutions, may have to step in for a mapping of sorts between the two, given spatial considerations. Another dimension that may be unlocked is that of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Much-needed funds and functionaries may be pooled in to strengthen this effort of building social capital. They can also play a leading role in leveraging financial innovations and instruments like derivatives (primarily with the objective of hedging), services of small finance banks and payment banks.

The role of these two players, i.e. large farmers and CSR can also be extended to revitalise agriculture extension activities. Agriculture extension has the twin advantage of local reach and creation of feedback loop, i.e. spread awareness among farmers and learning from success stories for dissemination. In our visit to Rajasthan, we learnt that exchange programmes are conducted for farmers to learn about best practices across the country. This can be scaled up. CSR funds may also find collaboration with agriculture universities for much-needed region-specific diagnosis and indigenous solutions. This should integrate elements of land use, water use, soil management along with recommending suitable cropping patterns. This is more so in case of water-intensive crops like paddy where concerns of water scarcity are looming large in face of depleting groundwater reserves at an alarming rate.

A realignment of cropping pattern to relatively less water-intensive crops like pulses in water-scarce areas will have myriad benefits of nutrition of both mankind and mother earth with a lesser recourse to power subsidies, a substantial burden on the state exchequer. As noted in the report on incentivising pulses production by Dr Arvind Subramanian, whilst setting MSP for pulses, returns, risks and externalities for crops that compete with pulses in specific areas may be compared. For this, competing crops need to be identified, as these vary across regions and across pulses. Thus, the farmer may be adequately rewarded by compensation of risks thereof (say with a bonus on MSP), for production of such crops that bestow positive externalities.

 The writers are officials at the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Views expressed are personaleditorial@tribune.com

Jammu, November 11

The terror infrastructure in Pakistan remains intact and around 160 terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into the Indian territory, a senior Army officer said on Sunday.

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh, who took over as General Officer Commanding of the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, commonly known as 16 Corps, also said that cross-border terrorism would stop only if Pakistan changed its policy and intentions.

The officer, involved in the planning of the 2016 surgical strikes on the terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, said the Army was not letting up on our preparedness and the counter-infiltration grid is strong enough to deal with infiltrators.

Lt General Singh, who has served in all three regions of J&K, said: As many as 140 to 160 terrorists at different locations in Pakistan are being pushed into the state. The terror infrastructure is intact, and Pakistans intentions have not changed. The Pakistan army and the ISIs complicity in planning infiltration and terror attacks is evident and it continues, said the GOC, who has a vast experience in high-altitude warfare.

To a question on the situation along the LoC, he said ceasefire violations had abated after the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks. For troops on the LoC, there is no ceasefire... periodic unprovoked firing by the Pakistan army and attempts to cause harm to forward posts continue. We do not initiate fire, but we give it back in adequate measure. There is no let-up on preparedness and our counter-infiltration grid is strong to deal with infiltrators, he said.

Talking about challenges during winter, the GOC said the Army anticipated that Pakistani troops would make an attempt to push infiltrators through heavy snow-bound areas and non-traditional routes.

We have all contingency plans ready. We have coordinated with all security agencies, and plans are being implemented smoothly, said Lt General Singh, who commanded a special forces battalion that participated in the surgical strikes after the attack on an Army brigade in Uri in 2016.

Referring to the recent incident of firing of 107-mm rocket on the Poonch brigade, he said: Despite the DGMO-level talks in May during which the two countries agreed to abide by the 2003 ceasefire agreement, Pakistani troops targeted these locations. In response, we conveyed that Pakistan must exercise caution before indulging in any misadventure, the General said.

Replying to another question about casualties suffered by Pakistani troops in retaliatory fire by the Indian Army, the officer said, Pakistan has never been open about its casualties unless the soldier is from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.  PTIharinder@tribunemail.com

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 10

A soldier was killed in sniper fire by Pakistan troops from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Jammu region on Saturday.

The soldier has been identified as Rifleman Varun Katal, 21, who belongs to Mawa village in Rajpura tehsil of Samba. He is survived by his father Anchal Singh and mother Pinki Rani.

This is the second fatal shooting of an Army man in sniper fire along the LoC in the past 24 hours. On Friday, an Army porter lost his life in a similar incident in Akhnoor sector of Jammu.

A defence spokesperson said: At 9:45 am, unprovoked ceasefire violation was initiated by Pakistan in which an Army jawan was shot by a sniper. He succumbed to injuries at 11:10 am.

A defence statement said: Rifleman Varun Katal was a brave soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.

On November 6, an Army jawan was injured in sniper fire from across the border in Kalal area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri. Till July, 52 persons were killed and 232 injured in 1,435 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir.editorial@tribune.com

Amit Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Mawa, November 11

Hundreds of villagers from the border belt of Samba district attended the last rites of Rifleman Varun Katal who was killed in sniper fire by Pakistani troops on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Sunderbani area of Rajouri district on Saturday.

Mourners paid a tearful adieu to Varun, a native of Mawa village on the International Border.

Rifleman Varun, 21, was the youngest son of Anchal Singh, who belongs to a family of Army men. His father and grandfather are retired Army personnel. Rifleman Varun had promised his father that he would come home and make all arrangements for his sisters wedding which is scheduled for January 21.

I spoke to him on Friday night. He promised me that he will come home soon for his sisters wedding and make all arrangements. But on Saturday afternoon, we got news of his martyrdom, said Anchal Singh while wiping his tears.

I feel proud of my sons martyrdom, but India should retaliate effectively so that Pakistan does not dare to kill another son of a father, he said. The slain soldier is survived by his father Anchal Singh, mother Pinki Rani, sister Shubh Lata and grandparents. As the soldiers body reached Mawa village after the wreath-laying ceremony at Akhnoor on Sunday morning, youth raised slogans against Pakistan. They also raised slogans in praise of the martyr. He is our hero. We will not forget his supreme sacrifice for the country and will not allow the government to forget him. We appeal to the Central government to take immediate action against Pakistan, said Suram Singh, Rifleman Varun Katals cousin. Youth of Mawa village are not afraid of martyrdom. Getting recruited in the Army is our first choice. We belong to a village which has a history of brave soldiers who have fought for the country, Suram said. Dozens of men from Mawa village are in the Army, paramilitary forces and the police. The soldier was cremated in his native village with full military honours.ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonass wedding is the talk of the town, not just in India but internationally too!

From Nick buying a new house to Priyankss Bridal shower, excitement is building up with each passing day. Now comes yet another interesting news. If reports are to be believed, the wedding pictures of Priyanka and Nick have been sold to an International magazine for a whopping 2.5 million dollars.

Although there is no official confirmation on these figures but sources suggest that the bid has been made and the pictures will now feature in the said magazine.Vee Walker

Vee Walker

The audience of several hundred waits expectantly. The conductor of the town band clears his throat and taps his music-stand. The first familiar sombre chords echo around the hall.

Tears rolling down my face, I think back over the past five years.

Around 2014, I translated a letter from the mayor of this little town to my grandfather, Tom Westmacott. It thanked him for having liberated Bavay, on the border between France and Belgium, on November 7, 1918. I telephoned the Town Hall and a few months later found myself here in person.

Tom Westmacott was born in Purnea in India and worked in Calcutta as a solicitor before the Great War. A widower with nothing to lose, he arrived in France as an Indian Army cavalry captain with the 38th King Georges Own Central India Horse, the regiment of the inspirational Sikh Granthi Risaldar, Major Amar Singh, who was his friend. Few remember today that the Indian cavalry fought on valiantly, long after the infantry had been despatched elsewhere, leaving France for Syria only in March 1918.

Tom, who by 1918 had become an assistant provost marshal (APM), a kind of military policeman, then faced an agonising choice. Should he continue with his old regiment to fight in Syria, or remain as the APM of the division and finish the job in France? Newly married to Evie, my grandmother, and knowing his future lay in England rather than India, he bid his comrades a sad farewell. Many Indian army officers opted to do the same, and so even though there was no official Indian army presence in France at the moment of the Armistice in 1918, some were still proudly serving here all the same.

In Bavay, my grandfather, the liberator of the town, is honoured as an Indian army officer. The battle to liberate Bavay was indiscriminately bloody. Shells thundered down like rain in a storm. Many young men who so nearly survived were killed. My grandfather found the bodies of six of them, still warm, lying in a heap where the shell had thrown them. I have stood at their graveside 100 years on.

I have also created an exhibition for the town about the history of the Indian cavalry on the Western Front. It has been viewed by hundreds over the past fortnight. It culminates in an account of Tom riding into Bavay to a joyful response as the inhabitants rush out into the streets, cheering and sobbing and lifting their babies for him to kiss.

So why am I weeping? On the 100th anniversary of its liberation, the town band did not begin by playing the Marseillaise, nor yet God Save the Queen. For the past year, the musicians have been learning Jana Gana Mana in Toms honour.

I lead the applause and shouts of approval as the last chords die away. Here, the Indian army will never be forgotten.amansharma@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, November 11

It appeared to be no less than a movie scene for over 160 passengers on board an aircraft when they saw customs officials entering the plane and carrying out an arrest and seizure operation of two alleged gold smugglers.

The accused, who hail from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, were travelling in a flight from Chandigarh to New Delhi, police said.

The officials arrested the two men for carrying little over 3 kg of smuggled gold worth nearly Rs 1 crore on Friday afternoon, sources said.

The customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here, who got last-minute input that the duo were carrying smuggled gold, rushed to Terminal 1 which is about a 15-minute drive from Terminal 3 of the international airport, the sources said.

Due to paucity of time and credibility of inputs, customs officials after reaching Terminal 1 decided not to wait for the passengers to disembark by the airline's bus and instead went directly inside the plane, they said.

The officials formed two teams and entered the plane from the front and rear sides.

After entering the plane, the customs officials asked all passengers to remain seated and support in the law and enforcement action being taken up by them, one of the passengers said.

"It all appeared to be a movie-like scene for me. The customs officials caught two passengers who were sitting on separate seats. We all were surprised to see the passengers were carrying the gold," he said, after coming out of the airport. The duo were later arrested and the gold was seized, customs officials said. - PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

After the induction of two types of foreign-origin artillery guns, the Indian Army will focus on the next lot of guns that are totally made in India and will expectedly form the bulk of long-range artillery firepower over the next three decades.

Such guns fire at targets that are 40 to 45 km away. To put it in perspective, the distance between Chandigarh and Ambala is about 45 km.

Top sources told The Tribune that the focus is now on the Dhanush that is made at Ordnance Factory Board and the Advance Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and manufactured by Tata and Bharat Forge. Both have been tested in all conditions and production orders will be given anytime now.

The idea is that even if the locally made 155 mm artillery gun meets 90 per cent of requirements, accept it and improve on it. For India, this is the first manufacture of 155 mm gun. At the first stage, the Indian-made gun cannot match the one produced in Sweden, France or US, hence the focus on accepting Dhanush and ATAGS and improving on them, said a senior functionary.

In case of Dhanush, a modified version of the Bofors gun purchased in the 1980s, user trials were completed on June 7 this year. Its being evaluated at the Army headquarters before a bulk production clearance (BPC) is okayed. Dhanush has a maximum effective range of 40 km, onboard computer, electronic suite to enable real-time as regards moving and static targets.

The MoD is also positive on the ATAGS and will very soon place an order for guns for the Army to start using it before suggesting any changes. The Army has given its go-ahead after seeing the performance of the weapon. Any additions or improvements to the gun can be incorporated in later versions. This will include auto-loading of ammunition and certain other specifics like reduction of the weight of this 155 mm, 52-calibre gun.

The MoD had sanctioned the ATAGS project in September 2012. A prototype was part of the Republic Day parade in 2017. Two types of foreign-origin guns were inducted at a ceremony at Deolali, Maharashtra, on November 9. These are the M777 ultra-light howitzer (145 guns) produced by the BAE systems in the US and the self-propelled tracked gun K9 Vajra-T made under a joint venture between Larsen and Tourbo and South Koreas Hanwha Techwin.uttara@tribuneindia.com

New Delhi, November 11

Candidates failing to put out advertisements listing their criminal records during electioneering could face contempt of court proceedings and those publishing wrong info about their rivals' criminal antecedents could end up paying penalty for indulging in corrupt practices, the Election Commission has said.

Following a Supreme Court direction, the poll panel had on October 10 made it compulsory for candidates contesting polls to advertise their criminal antecedents in TV channels and newspapers at least three times during electioneering.

The directive comes into force in the Assembly elections in five statesMadhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Telanganain November-December.

According to the directive, political parties too will have to publicise criminal records of their candidates.

In a set of 'frequently asked questions' issued for the five poll-bound states, the commission has made it clear that candidates who do not have criminal record or ongoing cases, need not issue advertisement.

It said the candidates and their parties would have to bear the cost of advertisements and it would form part of their election expenditure.

To the question what happens if such candidates or such political parties do not publicise in the manner prescribed, the commission said: Such failure may be a ground for post-election action like election petition or contempt of Hon'ble Supreme Court. Any candidate or voter of a constituency can file an election petition in the high court of that state challenging the election of the winning candidate.

On the issue of "someone publishing false information about criminal cases of another candidate", the EC said there are already provisions to deal with any case of publication of false statement in relation to a candidate, including Section 171G of the Indian Penal Code which deals with corrupt electoral practices and prescribes a fine for such offences. PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Chandigarh, November 10

Following the Centres move to downsize the Army by about 1.5 lakh troops to meet budgetary constraints, a section of ex-servicemen has suggested abolishing certain establishments and posts that have lost their operational or administrative relevance.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, NGO Saviours of Human Rights of the Armed Forces has suggested that organisations like Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) and Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) be done away with.

Taking cognisance of the letter, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) has forwarded it to the Ministry of Defence for appropriate action, according to a communique received by the NGO from the PMO.

The job of the DGR, which is concerned with post-retirement rehabilitation, should be entrusted to the sainik boards of state governments which are better placed and equipped for providing employment in the civilian set-up, the letter states.  TNSamansharma@tribunemail.com

Itanagar, November 11

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday pitched for dialogues between India and China on various issues, saying differences between the two nations should not be allowed to become disputes.

Both India and China should respect each other and resolve issues through dialogues and join hands together for peace and prosperity, Sitharaman said.

There are various issues such as defence, border disputes, border trades and presence of Indian and Chinese defence forces in the Indian Ocean which can be resolved through continuous dialogues, the minister said.

"Competition is normal, but contest must not turn into conflict. Differences should not be allowed to become disputes, she said here.

"Solution lies in dialogue, solution lies in peaceful engagement. But for this, mutual trust should be there." However, she added, mutual recognition of sensitivity in each country should be respected and resolved through dialogues.

Sitharaman was delivering the seventh memorial lecture of former RSS activist from Arunachal Pradesh, Rutum Kamgo, on the theme: 'Towards Bridging the Indo-China Relationship for an Emerging Asia'.

On a proposal of Chief Minister Pema Khandu for opening up border trade with China through Bum La Pass, Sitharaman said trade was possible with the border villages of both the countries, like the current border haats at Nathu La in Sikkim and Moreh in Manipur.

However, she added, the balance of trade between the countries was in favour of China. "Trade between India and China is done in large scale amounting to USD 80-90 billion. But, sadly, we are purchasing from them in huge quantities. But, for our products, their market is not open."

"We have several products like telecommunication, vegetables, tea, soya, raw sugar, pharmaceuticals etc in which China evinces keen interest," the defence minister said, adding that there were certain areas where both the nations could cooperate, especially in containing terrorism and promoting sustainable development.

The minister termed India and China the growth engines for the entire world, saying that emergence of both the countries would pave the way for an emerging Asia. "Peace, security and development in Asia are possible when India and China are developed. Development of both the nations is possible only when there is mutual respect and understanding among the two countries."

She quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as saying that both the countries should follow the mantra of samman (respect), sambad (dialogue), sahyog (cooperation), shanti (peace) and samriddhi (prosperity) for development.

"There are many multi-lateral institutions in the world like (the) UN, IMF, World Bank etc where representations from country like us with more population and demands are negligible. India and China should raise the issue jointly for mutual benefits," she added. - PTIuttara@tribuneindia.com

Bengaluru, November 11

Former Karnataka minister and mining baron G Janardhana Reddy was arrested Sunday after hours of intense questioning by police in connection with a Ponzi scam case, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar said.

Reddy, who appeared at the Central Crime Branch (CCB) office Saturday, was arrested after the questioning ended Sunday morning, Kumar said.

A local court later sent him to judicial custody till November 24.

The CCB also arrested Reddy's close aide, Ali Khan, in the case, he said.

Reddy, who was allegedly on the run, had appeared before police along with his advocates. He had claimed the allegations against him were part of a "political conspiracy".

The CCB police had been looking for him since Wednesday in connection with a transaction worth crores of rupees, allegedly linked to a ponzi scheme.

It was also on the lookout for Khan, who had allegedly struck a Rs 20-crore deal with Syed Ahmed Fareed of Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd, a company allegedly involved in the ponzi scheme, to bail him out of an Enforcement Directorate investigation. Agenciesharinder@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, November 10

A hijack scare on a Kandahar-bound flight sent security officials at the IGI airport here into a tizzy on Saturday after the pilot mistakenly pressed the hijack button when it was taxiing for take-off, officials said.

The Ariana Afghan Airlines plane, with nine crew members and 124 passengers and an infant, took off nearly two hours later after satisfactory security checks, they said.

NSG commandos and officials of other agencies swiftly surrounded the aircraft. After a two-hour operation that created panic among the passengers on board, the plane was cleared for take-off, they said.

Officials in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security said the plane, while taxiing for take-off, returned to the isolation bay presumably due to the pressing of the hijack button.

It was cleared for departure on confirmation that it was an error by the captain.  PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Saturday batted for an alternative model of society based on truth and universal responsibility at a time when the world is afflicted with debilitating challenges.

Speaking at a function organised by the National Institute of Panjab Studies in commemoration of yearlong celebrations of the upcoming 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Singh underlined that the ideals and teachings of the first Sikh guru were relevant today.

The institute is a non-government organisation devoted to promotion of language, literature and culture of Punjab and Singh is its incumbent president. Singh identified unchecked exploitation of natural resources, growing race for arms, continued exploitation of poor by the rich and environmental degradation as the challenges.

He stressed the need to pause and revisit the Sikh Gurus legacy and its relevance to present times, including inter-faith harmony and goodwill. The function included inauguration of an exhibition on the Gurus life and legacy titled Rahbar-E-Aalam, which was inaugurated by The Dalai Lama. A gallery of paintings related to anecdotes from the Gurus life and his spiritual odyssey was put on display. Also, a lecture series was launched relating to various aspects of the Gurus life.amansharma@tribunemail.com

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

CBI Director Alok Verma's fate hangs in balance as the Supreme Court is all set to examine on Monday the Central Vigilance Commission's report of inquiry into allegations of corruption against him.

A Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph - which had on October 26 asked the CVC to complete its inquiry supervised by former Supreme Court judge AK Patnaik in two weeks - would take up the matter for hearing in court no. 1.

The CVC is looking into allegations made in the August 24 note/letter of the Cabinet Secretary against Verma.

But even before the top court could peruse the CVC's report, a section of the media reported on Sunday that the probe against Verma yielded "nothing substantial".

The top court - which had restrained CBI interim director M Nageswara Rao from taking any policy or major decisions and asked him to perform only routine functions essential to keep the probe agency functional - will also examine all decisions taken by him which have to be placed before it in a sealed cover. The decisions included transfer of officials ordered since October 23.

Before passing any orders, the Bench would hear arguments from Verma; and the Centre, the CVC, Rao and CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana who were issued notices by the court.

Verma has contended that he was appointed for a two-year term with the approval of a selection panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the CJI.

The government could not have curtailed it, he said citing SC's 1997 Vineet Narain judgment and amendments in the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act under which CBI was set up.

On October 25, NGO Common Cause had moved the Supreme Court demanding a court-monitored probe by an SIT into allegations of corruption against the CBI officials. Verma has also challenged the government's order of asking Rao to take charge as acting CBI chief.

Asthana, who has been divested of his powers as special director and sent on leave, too, has challenged the government's decision.

At the root of the controversy is an intense infighting between Verma and Asthana, who have been at loggerheads for months. After Asthana wrote to the CVC against Verma, the CBI registered a corruption case against its special director who had to rush to the Delhi High Court for protection.editorial@tribune.com

Bengaluru, November 10

Protests by the BJP and right-wing outfits coupled with the absence of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and his deputy marked the Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in Karnataka on Saturday even as the event brought to the fore differences within the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition.

The celebrations to observe the birth anniversary of controversial 18th century Mysore kingdom ruler Tipu Sultan brought the state under a thick security blanket amid protests by the BJP and other organisations.

The main event in Bengaluru turned out to be lacklustre, attendees said, as Kumaraswamy skipped the main event at Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat, citing advice by doctors to take rest for three days till November 11.

Deputy CM G Parameshwara was reportedly in Singapore visiting an ailing senior politician from Karnataka.

As BJP and other right-wing outfits protested against the Jayanthi, Vidhana Soudha turned into a fortress with multi-layer security arrangement. The police ensured nobody could carry medicines, perfumes or even water bottles inside the venue.

Irrigation Minister DK Shivakumar, Minister for Minority Affairs BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan and MLAs Roshan Baig and NA Harris attended the main programme, where the BJP was accused of communalising the occasion.

Voices of disapproval started emerging from within the ruling coalition over the CM and Deputy CMs absence with a Congress MLA terming it an insult to Muslims. Sources say many Congress leaders are miffed with the CM and Deputy CM for skipping the event.  PTIuttara@tribuneindia.com

New Delhi, November 11

Former finance minister P.Chidambaram on Sunday asked the Centre what was its tearing hurry to fix the capital framework of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) when the ruling dispensation had just four months to complete the term.

In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader slammed the government for allegedly seeking funds from the RBI despite claiming that its (Centre) fiscal math was correct.

"The NDA government has competed 4 years and 6 months of its term. It has effectively 4 months left. What is the tearing hurry to 'fix' the capital framework of RBI?" he said.

Chidambaram said if the government did not need any more money this financial year, why was it "mounting pressure" on the central bank in the last four months of its tenure.

"Why did it keep silent for 4 years and 6 months?" he said.

The Congress leader said the government had claimed that its "fiscal math is correct" and "boasts" that it had given up Rs 70,000 crore of borrowing for 2018-19.

"If so, why does it need money from the reserves of RBI this year?" he said.

The central government had on Friday said it was discussing an "appropriate" size of capital reserves that the central bank must maintain, but denied seeking a massive capital transfer from the RBI.

The RBI has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore reserves and the government, if reports are to be believed, wants the central bank to part with a third of that fundan issue which along with easing of norms for weak banks and raising liquidity has brought the two at loggerheads in recent weeks.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg took to Twitter on Friday to clarify that the government was not in any dire need of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

"There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer (Rs) 3.6 or (Rs) 1 lakh crore, as speculated," he tweeted.

"Government's FD (fiscal deficit) in FY 2013-14 was 5.1%. From 2014-15 onwards, Government has succeeded in bringing it down substantially. We will end the FY 2018-19 with FD of 3.3%. Government has actually foregone (Rs) 70,000 crore of budgeted market borrowing this year," Garg said.

The official said the only proposal under discussion was to "fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI".

Economic capital framework refers to the risk capital required by the central bank while taking into account different risks. PTIeditorial@tribune.com

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 10

As campaigning for the first phase of Chhattisgarh elections drew to a close this evening, a ballistic Rahul Gandhi projected his party as truthful vis-a-vis the ruling BJP and said he will deliver what he has promised.

Referring to PM Narendra Modi as someone who lied to the people and betrayed his poll promises, Gandhi said from Kanker today, I have been in politics for 14 years. Tell me one instance where I have made a false promise to anyone or not delivered what I have said. Whether it was land acquisition Bill or concern of farmers or MNREGA or right to food, I have always done what I have said. Unlike Modi who has only made lofty promises, including jobs for 2 crore youth, but never kept any.

Addressing tribal belts of the state where 18 constituencies go to polls in the first phase on November 12, Gandhi asked the voters to call up anyone in Congress-ruled Punjab to find out how long the government there took to waive farmers loans.

We just took 10 days to grant a farm loan waiver in Punjab and also in Karnataka. You can call up anyone in Punjab to check. But while PM Narendra Modi can grant loan waivers to his rich friends, he has no time for farmers. We are not like him. We do what we say. So when I say we will waive farm loans when the Congress is elected to power in Chhattisgarh, we will do it in 10 days, Gandhi said.

Of the 18 constituencies that go to the polls a day after, 10 are Naxal-infested. Gandhi again accused PM Modi and the BJP of corruption. PM Modi speaks of anti-corruption wherever he goes but he does not tell you that his colleague and the CM of BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh is corrupt. In Pakistan, a former PM is sent to jail for being named in Panama Papers but in Chhattisgarh, no action is taken, Gandhi said.editorial@tribune.com

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11

Even as the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha has been protesting against the governments regularisation policy, more than 31 per cent of the Sarv Siksha Abhiyaan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyaan (RMSA) teachers, of the total 8,886, have taken up the job offer on a salary of Rs 15,300 per month for the first three years.

The three-year period will be counted retrospectively from April onwards. Education Department sources said the last date for signing the offer letter had been extended till November 12. The department expected a good number and was likely to extend the deadline further, they said.

Rejecting government claims, Devinder Singh Punia, Sanjha Morcha convener, said: If it is true, the government should give us the list of teachers who have joined on low salary. The authorities are just jumbling up figures by including 3,582 master cadre teachers recruited for borders areas.

As per government figures, approximately 1,750 teachers had accepted the offer till October 24. It had decided to extend the date and nearly 1,100 more had collected their job letters, the sources said, adding that there were signals of a decent number coming in tomorrow.

A senior officer said: We are not pressuring anyone. Those who are satisfied with the current salary of Rs 42,000 from the society can continue. Those who want a permanent job must take a decision now.

To make the offer lucrative, teachers taking up the jobs could continue at their place of posting, the sources said. Didar Singh Mudki, president, SSA-RMSA Teachers Union, said: Not more than 800 joined during the first 15 days. The government is pressuring teachers after its claim that 90% were willing to take the offer fell flat. Besides other tactics, the leave of SSA-RMSA teachers has been cancelled.vinaymishra188@gmail.com

Vikramdeep Johal

Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 11

Even as India joined nations from Europe and other continents in commemorating the centenary of the end of World War I, the countrys sword arm  Punjab  failed to rise to the occasion.

No official event was organised on Sunday to mark 100 years of the Armistice, not even at the Patiala State Forces Memorial, which commemorates the dead from the military units of the erstwhile princely state for both World Wars.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, grandfather of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, and other royals had contributed significantly to mobilising troops from undivided Punjab for World War I.

For the record, Remembrance Sunday was observed in several parts of India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Puducherry. The state government and the Punjab-based Army authorities should have hosted functions on November 11 to remember our long-forgotten heroes, said Kulveer Singh, a history researcher based in Muktsars Doda village, which sent 41 men to the war (of whom two died).

Capt Amarinder Singh, a noted military historian himself, had recently paid homage to Indian soldiers at the Helles Memorial in Gallipoli (Turkey) and the Haifa Memorial in Israel. In September, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal had visited the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore, where he had saluted the supreme sacrifice of about 5,000 Punjabi soldiers in World War II.

Talking to The Tribune, Lt Gen TS Shergill (retd), senior adviser to the CM, said, We will honour the families of WW-I soldiers during the upcoming Military Literature Festival. Moreover, a section dedicated to the conflict is nearing completion at the War Heroes Memorial-cum-Museum in Amritsar.

Punjab was also not in the thick of things when the WW-I centenary commemoration was launched in 2014, even as Capt Amarinder Singh has been attending memorial events organised jointly by the British Deputy High Commission and the Canadian Consulate General in Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, the CM tweeted on Sunday: As we complete 100 years of World War I, let us remember and salute the thousands of Indian soldiers who fought far from their land, and the millions of innocent lives lost in the senseless violence. And let us vow never to let the world plunge into such a war again.

Royal celebrations in 1918

The then princely state of Patiala had celebrated the signing of the Armistice on a grand scale, in stark contrast to Sundays no-show.

A 1923 publication, Patiala and the Great War, now digitised by the Panjab Digital Library, reads: "The Maharaja (Bhupinder Singh) ordered the firing of a salute of 101 guns The day was observed as a public holiday. In the morning, thanksgiving services were held in all places of worship. In the afternoon, the city polo ground was thronged by people to witness hastily-arranged sports. Food was distributed to the poor in the big quadrangle outside the fort, and sweetmeats were distributed to all schoolboys. In the evening, the city and cantonment, which had all day been decorated with buntings and flags, were brilliantly illuminated.

The rejoicing spread over to the following day, then there were further sports, a prize distribution, and the release of some 107 prisoners The programme on Armistice Day was brought to a close by a state banquet at the Maharaja's palace to which all European officers, civil and military, and the sirdars of His Highness' government were invited.amansharma@tribunemail.com

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 11

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents on sacrilege issue on Sunday summoned film star Akshay Kumar, former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and ex-deputy CM Sukhbir Badal on their role in the sequence of events leading to the firing.

IG Kunwar Vijay Pratap, member of the five-member SIT, issued the summons today. He has called actor Akshay Kumar to be present before the SIT in Amritsar on November 16. The Badal duo has been summoned on November 19 and 21, respectively, in Amritsar only.

The development comes within two days of questioning of former Kotkapura Akali MLA Mantar Singh Brar. He had reportedly told the SIT that he spoke to senior Badal on deteriorating situation at Kotkapura. He insisted in his statement that he the CM did not allow use of force.

The SIT is investigating who was responsible for opening firing on a mob protesting against series of sacrilege incidents in Punjab on October 14. Two persons were killed in the firing and several injured.

The Justice Ranjit Singh Commission into the sacrilege incidents had said Akshay Kumar was involved in mediation between the government and the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda over getting a pardon from the Akal Takht, supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, for dera head Ram Rahim for allegedly dressing like the 1oth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

Former CM Parkash Singh Badal had not appeared before the Commission saying his party had already rejected it. It remains to be seen if he will appear before the SIT. It is also interesting that the SIT will examine the former CM and Deputy CM before the then DGP Sumedh Singh Saini. The ex-DGP had also not appeared before the Commission. He chose to sent a written reply later after submission of the first report of the Commission.

The Commission said the then Chief Minister Badal seemed to have granted permission to use force on the protesters.

IG Singh said the summons relate to investigation of cases originating from the various incidents of sacrilege in the year 2015 {FIR No. 129, dated 07.08.2018 under Sections 307, 323, 341, 148, 149 IPC and 27 Arms Act PS City Kotkapura (District Faridkot)}. The summons has been issued under the Section 160 of CrPC, requiring attendance at investigation, relating to the Bargari sacrilege case and the Behbal Kalan & Kotkapura police firing incidents.

The summon notice says the presence of the aforesaid person is necessary for the purpose of inquiry into the above-mentioned offence and the person summoned needed to give such information relating to the said alleged offence as he may possess.

The SIT had earlier examined ADGP Jitendra Jain, then IG Bathinda; IGP Paramraj Singh Umaranangal; then Commissioner, Ludhiana; IGP Amar Singh Chahal, then DIG Ferozepur Range; MS Jaggi, then Faridkot DC; SS Mann, then Faridkot SSP; VK Syal then Faridkot SDM, besides Mantar Singh Brar, then Kotkapura MLA.

In addition, 50 private persons and more than 30 police officials of junior rank have also been examined.

The five-member SIT was set up by the Captain Amarinder Singh government in September this year, soon after issuance of the notification to withdraw investigation of sacrilege incidents of Sri Guru Granth Sahib from CBI.editorial@tribune.com

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 11

The BSP is apparently keen on being part of a third front in Punjab  an idea floated by AAP rebels led by former Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira, Panthic bodies, the Lok Insaaf Party and Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi.

Mayawati, the BSP chief, does not want a poll alliance with either the Congress or the SAD. Sources say top BSP leadership sees an opportunity to regain lost ground in the state with the people largely disappointed with the Congress government over unemployment as well as the Akalis over the Bargari police firing and other such incidents.

By participating in the Lok Sabha elections as a member of the third front, we will be able to resurrect our party in Punjab, BSP general secretary Lal Singh Sulhani, who attended a meeting with potential allies in Jalandhar on Friday, told The Tribune.

Others at the meeting were AAP rebel MLAs, the Bains brothers, United Akali Dal secretary general Gurdip Singh Bathinda, BSP state president Rashpal Singh Raju, BSP all-India general secretary Dr Megh Raj and BSPs Punjab observer Randhir Singh Benipal. A final decision will be taken by the high command within this month, Sulhani said.

Panthic forces spearheading the Bargari morcha, such as the SAD (Amritsar), SAD (1920) and the United Akali Dal, are reportedly in touch with Khaira and his associates. When contacted, Bhai Mohkam Singh, the United Akali Dal president, claimed that things were moving in the right direction.uttara@tribuneindia.com

DHAKA, November 11

A group of opposition parties in Bangladesh, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said on Sunday it plans to contest the December 23 general election, despite the ruling party last week rejecting a series of its demands.

The Jatiya Oikyafront, a 20-party alliance led by 81-year-old Dr Kamal Hossain, had in particular wanted a caretaker government to take over in the weeks heading into the polls. The BNP says a caretaker government is essential for free and fair elections, but the ruling Awami League says the demand is unconstitutional.

The BNP, which is in disarray following the jailing of its chief, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, on corruption charges, had also pressed for a caretaker government at the 2014 election and boycotted it after the demand was not met. The last election was marred by deadly violence and shunned by international observers as flawed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas government is seeking to be reelected for a third successive term.

With the aim of rescuing democracy and a continuation of the movement to sustain a democratic process, Jatiya Oikyafront decided to participate in the election," said Hossain in a statement, following days of deliberations with alliance members.

Hasinas government has won widespread global plaudits for letting in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar, but its critics have decried Hasinas increasingly authoritarian rule. In particular, they have attacked her for the governments heavy-handed handling of student protests this year and its crackdown on free speech.

While announcing the election date on Thursday, KM Nurul Huda, the head of Bangladeshs Election Commission, urged all parties to participate in the election "to make it meaningful.

Hasina and Khaleda, who between them have ruled Bangladesh for decades, are bitter rivals and the BNP says its leader has been jailed on trumped-up charges to keep her out of politics. Reuterspardeepdhull@gmail.com

Singapore, November 11

Asia-Pacific leaders will join the heads of Southeast Asian states this week in Singapore to renew calls for multilateralism and fresh pledges to resolve regional conflicts ranging from the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar to tensions in the South China Sea.

Notably absent when regional powers such as China, Japan and India seek to enlist support for a multilateral trading system will be US President Donald Trump, whose decision to skip the Asia summit has raised questions about his commitment to a regional strategy aimed at checking Chinas rise.

Vice-President Mike Pence will attend instead of Trump, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are among those expected to join leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Li is expected to rally support for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact now being negotiated, showcased to be the free trade deal that will encompass more than a third of the worlds GDP.

The pact includes 16 countries, including China, India, Japan and South Korea, but not the United States.

Trump has demanded trade agreements that are fair and enforceable and based on the principle of reciprocity. He has re-negotiated an existing pact with South Korea and the three-way deal with Mexico and Canada, and pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which involved four Southeast Asian states.

The United States is also in the midst of a bitter trade war with China which has undermined global markets.

China is pushing the RCEP deal - Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong told reporters on Thursday it will be of great significance for deepening regional cooperation, coping with unilateralism and protectionism, and promoting an open, inclusive and rules-based international trading system. However, Li is expected to appeal in Singapore for the need for the worlds two largest economies to work together to resolve trade disputes, reiterating commitment made by Beijings top leaders last week for market opening and lowering tariffs.

It was not clear if Li and Pence will hold separate talks on the sidelines of the Singapore meetings, which would be a prelude to a summit scheduled between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month in Buenos Aires.

The encounter, if it happens, would come on the heels of high-level talks in Washington where the two sides aired their main differences but appeared to attempt controlling the damage to relations that has worsened with tit-for-tat tariffs in recent months.

Many of the leaders in Singapore will also meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Papua New Guinea next weekend.

ASEAN, which will hold its own summit on Tuesday before being joined by other leaders, also faces the challenge of working through sharp differences over the handling of the Rohingya minority by Myanmar whose military has been accused of genocidal intent by the United Nations.

Leader Aung San Suu Kyi is due to attend the Singapore meetings this week while Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, attending his first multilateral summit since returning to power in May, has served notice he has lost faith in the Nobel peace laureate over the issue.

The Rohingya crisis is one of the biggest man-made disasters involving a member since ASEAN was founded in 1967, and it is one of the thorniest issues yet faced by a group that traditionally works by consensus.

Many diplomats and rights activists say ASEANs credibility is at risk if it fails to tackle the matter head-on.

At the meetings, ASEAN and China will try to make headway in negotiations for a code of conduct for the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety while ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts of the area. Taiwan is also a claimant.

But an agreement is unlikely to be announced.

Also, ASEAN members states may announce the successful conclusion of agreements with Russia and the United States on cooperating on cyber security. ReutersROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Donetsk, November 11

Voters in rebel-held eastern Ukraine on Sunday elected new leaders after the assassination of a top separatist as Kiev urged the West to slap new sanctions on Russia.

In the Donetsk and Lugansk Peoples Republics in Ukraines industrial east, voters headed to polling stations amid tightened security, with gun-toting, camouflage-clad soldiers deployed to ensure order.

Campaign posters around the Donetsk rebel stronghold called on people to vote with Russia in your heart. Washington and Brussels have asked Russia not to hold what they call illegal polls, saying will they further hamper efforts to end a conflict that has killed more than 10,000 people since 2014.

The US embassy in Ukraine said the sham elections will benefit only Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine, not the Ukrainian people.

But Moscow says the elections are necessary to fill a power vacuum after top rebel Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in a bombing at a Donetsk cafe in August.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told residents of eastern Ukraine to snub the vote. Do not participate in fake elections! he said late Saturday, claiming separatist leaders were Russian-controlled puppets.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry on Sunday urged the West to slap new sanctions against Moscow.  AFPvinaymishra188@gmail.com

As the guns fell silent in 1918, World War I victors all agreed on one thing: Germany must pay.

How much was a matter of debate but there was never any doubt that the post-war settlement enshrined in the Treaty of Versailles was going to be punitive.

Germany did pay, but it was not alone. A century on, the world lives with the consequences of a peace accord that, even at the time, was criticised as making another war inevitable in Europe, a continent which had dominated the world for centuries.

Economist JM Keynes, then a British Treasury official, resigned rather than be associated with a treaty he denounced as Carthaginian in its harshness. French Marshal Ferdinand Foch judged it not so much a peace as a 20-year armistice.

The war to end all wars turned out to be the opposite. By ensuring Germanys economic ruin and political humiliation, the post-war settlement provided fertile ground for the rise of Nazism and its horrors.

Beyond Germany, the slew of peace treaties redrew the map of Europe, carving up vanquished empires and creating as many future conflicts as new countries and borders from the Baltic States to Turkey, via Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Just as important, the war served as an incubator for the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Against a backdrop of desperate food shortages, military failure left the Tsarist state crippled and vulnerable to an assault by Lenins Bolsheviks, who then established the Soviet Union as an authoritarian Communist state. By the mid-1930s, conditions were in place for the post-World War II division of Europe.

That in turn produced the Cold War and its associated splitting of the rest of the planet into Western or Soviet spheres of influence, and an unstable global equilibrium that helped fuel countless conflicts across the developing world.

While the political prestige of the main victors Britain and France was at a height in 1919, it did not hide the blossoming on the international stage of the US, which would become the main economic, military and political power in the Western camp in the following decades.

World War I also left a lasting mark on the Middle East. By encouraging an Arab revolt, Britain helped precipitate the collapse of the Germany-allied Ottoman empire.

A secular Turkey emerged and Britain and France assumed post-war control of much of the Arab world.

By then Britain had also made clear, through the 1917 Balfour Declaration, its support for the principle of a Jewish state on land it had pledged to the Arabs.

Finally, the Ottoman Empires collapse also resulted in the killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians in what they steadfastly argue was a full-blown genocide.

Events in Russia cast a long shadow over the rest of Europe, generating a fear of upheaval that helped accelerate reforms while also inspiring other revolutionaries, including the nascent fascist movement that was soon to seize power in Italy.

Worker uprisings in Germany and Hungary immediately after the war were crushed or collapsed internally. But waves of militancy in other countries  in the Fiat factories of Turin, Italy, or the shipyards of Scotlands Red Clydeside  delivered major advances in terms of working conditions. More broadly, the aftermath of the war was a period of rapid social progress in much of the industrialised world. This was most notable in terms of womens right to vote.  AFP

From first shot to silence of peaceROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Dhaka, November 11

Bangladeshs main opposition BNP, led by imprisoned ex-premier Khaleda Zia, on Sunday said it would participate in the General Election next month, after it boycotted the 2014 polls that returned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League to power due to fears of rigging.

Opposition parties have expressed concern that the polls will not be democratic and have threatened protests.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is part of the newly-formed opposition alliance  National Unity Front (NUF) which has demanded that the December 23 polls be deferred by one month.

We have decided to participate in the polls as part of our movement, said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press conference with senior NUF and BNP leaders present.

Prime Minister Hasina immediately welcomed the opposition partys decision saying it will strengthen the democracy.... we will jointly contest the poll to reflect the verdict of the people.

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said the party would have no objection if the election commission (EC) deferred the election date. It is up to the election commission whether it will defer the schedule or not, all matters related to the schedule fall under the jurisdiction of the commission, he said.  PTIvinaymishra188@gmail.com

Paris, November 10

US President Donald Trump and Frances Emmanuel Macron agreed on Saturday on the need for more European defence spending, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that had described Macrons call for a European army as very insulting.

Seated on gilded chairs in the ornate presidential palace, Macron placed his hand on Trumps knee and referred to him as my friend, while Trump kept more distance, although he also talked up common ground on an issue that had caused friction. We want a strong Europe, its very important to us, and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want, said Trump.

Macron echoed those sentiments, saying he wanted Europe to bear a greater share of the defence costs within NATO, a point he has made repeatedly since taking office, alongside his ambitions for Europe to have its own military capability.

Trumps visit is aimed at bolstering the US-European alliance at a symbolic time, with the world marking the centenary of World War Ones armistice. But in a tweet prior to landing in Paris, Trump took a dim view of comments Macron made in a Europe 1 radio interview this week in which he appeared to cast the US as a threat. Discussing the growing dangers from cyber-hacking, meddling in electoral processes and the US decision to withdraw from a missile treaty, Macron said Europe needed to protect itself against China, Russia and even the US.

Trump, who has pushed NATO allies to pay more for common defence and not rely on the US, complained. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidises greatly, Trump said on Twitter.  ReutersROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Washington, November 11

Representative Dana Rohrabacher, whose quixotic foreign policy campaigns made him persona non grata in Pakistan and Afghanistan and who became a rare US defender of Vladimir Putin, has lost his seat after 30 years.

The 71-year-old Republican, whose exploits have included grabbing a gun to join Afghanistans anti-Soviet Mujahedin, was projected to have lost, four days after midterms in which Democrats seized the House.

Harley Rouda, a Democratic real estate developer, led Rohrabacher by four percentage points in Californias Orange County, a longtime conservative bastion that gave rise to Republicans Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan but where greater ethnic diversity has contributed to a shift toward Democrats.

After working as a speechwriter to Reagan, Rohrabacher was elected to Congress in 1988 on an aggressively anti-communist platform.

Yet his stern views belied a quintessentially Californian quirkiness as he relished surfing, playing guitar and, well before the issue was mainstream, supported legal marijuana. Rohrabachers joy in the limelight caused many colleagues to see him as a rabble-rouser, but his statements had diplomatic repercussions.

Pakistan lodged protests and street demonstrations broke out after Rohrabacher in 2012 proposed a resolution-non-binding and with little chance of congressional approval-calling for the independence of Baluchistan, scene of a long-running separatist insurgency. Rohrabacher was also refused entry to Afghanistan after infuriating then president Hamid Karzai by calling him corrupt.

Rohrabacher, whose office was decorated with memorabilia from briefly fighting alongside Afghan guerrillas, met in 2001 with the then Taliban foreign minister and later joined the left in opposing US troop increases, seeing Karzai's government as compromised.

More recently, Rohrabacher has been dubbed Putin's favourite congressman. The onetime Cold Warrior has argued that radical Islam, not Russia, has become the biggest global threat and that Putin was an ally.  PTIshriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com

Riyadh, November 11

Saudi King Salman hosted Abu Dhabis crown prince, state media said Sunday, as a military coalition led by the two Gulf allies pushes an offensive to seize the strategic Yemeni port city of Hodeida.

Abu Dhabis Prince Mohammed bin Zayed led a top-level delegation to Riyadh, the official Saudi press agency said in a brief statement, after the US halted a controversial refuelling arrangement for coalition air craft engaged in Yemen.

The two leaders reviewed current developments in the region and challenges and crises facing it, the UAEs state news agency WAM said, without elaborating.

The Saudi and UAE-led war in Yemen has caused growing international unease after high-profile coalition air strikes that have killed scores of civilians, many of them children.

Saudi Arabia in particular faces increased scrutiny following international outrage over journalist Jamal Khashoggis murder last month in its consulate in Istanbul.

Saudi rulers have sought to rally support from Arab allies following what is seen as the worst diplomatic crisis facing the kingdom since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

The United Arab Emirates has thrown its support behind Saudi Arabia, its main ally, over the Khashoggi affair.

Yemeni government forces backed by the coalition pressed further into Hodeida, seizing its main hospital in heavy fighting on Saturday, as they shrugged off an end to US refuelling support.

The intensified battle for Hodeida comes despite Pentagon chief James Mattis calling last month for a ceasefire and negotiations between Yemens warring parties within 30 days.

The United Nations has since pushed that deadline back to the end of the year.  AFPA POLICE Constable and a Coastguardsman shot and killed each other yesterday morning in Diego Martin during an alleged dispute over a woman.

Police said around 2.20 a.m., PC Jomo Gulston, 37, a soon-to-be father of Endeavour, Chaguanas had just dropped off an unidentified woman at the home of her boyfriend, Coast Guard officer Jabari Francois, 33, at Waterwheel Road, River Estate, Diego Martin.Ive noticed in recent times a series of letters with an anti-vaccination leaning from Kevin Baldeosingh culminating with one published on Saturday. Could Mr Baldeosinghs need to write in the public forum be the result of cognitive dissonance, where he is really trying to convince himself that what he is doing is correct?Re: Amawaterways - what happens if river levels are too low?

8. Re: Amawaterways - what happens if river levels are too low?

Yes they are one of the best river cruise companies and I hope folks will remember these resolved issues when they are tempted to just book based on lowest price.

You really do learn who cares about the guests when there are incidents like these.

Too bad about the coach transportation but glad you had another ship to join. Not all river cruise lines do.You don't want to stay in San Jose, especially for what you want to experience. There are numerous beach areas on the Pacific Coast that have places that would be perfect for you. Access would be easier from Liberia. Can you fly into either airport?

With as little time as you have, I'd suggest a private driver to take you directly to a place like Santa Teresa. Form either airport you can expect to travel at least an hour to reach a suitable spot.

If you can fly into Liberia, I'd recommend El Sabanero Lodge but there are many possibilities up and down the Pacific coast. Others can advise better or you can do a search on other forums.You asked when

>>the best viewing times would be

- In general I would say September

>>best weather,

- Also September

>>best time to see migrations etc

- Do you mean a river crossing or the massed herds? You can see the migration herds in any of the months you mention. For river crossings you probably want to look slightly earlier than September, July/August as mentioned above, though you will pay a premium for flights at this time.

This said, these are all varying shades of grey, you should have a great time during any of your chosen months, though May is the long rainy season so it can be pretty wet and many camps are closed, so not to everyone's tastes. I quite like May for that reason- not too crowded, lots of babies, lovely fat and happy looking antelopes.

You also ask about favorite places to go, favorite hotels, camps etc. Everyone on here has their own preferences, depending on where they've been and what they like about safari. Me, I hate crowds, love incredible guides and like the very rustic style of higher end camp. So my favourites would probably be in the kind of camps where you get amazing guides, excellent food, but still have a bucket shower (preferably outside) and no wi-fi and going to the Ruaha, Selous, Tarangire, and the Serengeti wherever the migration is not likely to be. Which hopefully illustrates the point that other people's favourites might well not be the best for you. What will help you get more useful recommendations is if you're able to share a bit more about your previous safari, what you liked and didn't like, what you want to experience on this safari, and approximately what your budget is as safari pricing varies HUGELY.

Alexandra- Extraordinary AfricaBest way to add Ninh Binh to my itinerary?

Best way to add Ninh Binh to my itinerary?

I am taking the advice of other travelers and revising my itinerary for December 1-10. At first I had 4 days around HCMC, but I have revised it to be as follows:

Day 1 - arrive HCMC

Day 2 - HCMC - Explore

Day 3 - HCMC - Chu Chi Tunnels (I am going to skip Mekong Delta this time around).

Day 4 - Hanoi

Day 5 - Hanoi

Day 6 - Hanoi

Day 7 - Hanoi

Day 8 - Halong Bay

Day 9 - Halong Bay/Hanoi

Day 10 - Hanoi evening flight to New York.

I am debating doing a day trip to Ninh Binh during my stay in Hanoi, but I am considering an overnight. I am trying not to feel too rushed going place to place so I was thinking of just doing a day trip on Day #6. Any insight would be wonderful.-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-

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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.Re: Tokyo - order of places to go [Question]

1. Re: Tokyo - order of places to go [Question]

<<Is this doable?>>

I think it's doable, but the tickets of Ghiburi Museum have to be purchased through website in advance, as follows.

<<Is there any good places to go / see near Ghibli?>>

Kichijoji is a next station to Mitaka where Ghibli exists and is a nice town to visit, or you can walk from Ghibli

<<I am not sure if it is better to spend the evening in Ginza or Odaiba>>

I personally think it's good to spend the evening and have a dinner at Odaiba.Hello everybody,

I am going to be booking some flights to Tokyo soon and found the cheapest flight from SG to Tokyo on SQ 630 that arrives at 1am in Haneda airport.

My big question is how much would a taxi cost to get to a hotel located at the Shinagawa station at this time of night.

I know that most transport will be closed at this time and imagine the taxi to be expensive.

Should I reconsider and book a flight that comes in earlier?

Thank you for your help!We are 5 people(3 adults and 2 17 year old boys) traveling to Japan arriving night of January 1 and leaving January 22.

Itinerary so far but need help with the rest.

January 1 train from KIX to Kyoto.

Have Airbnb till morning of January 8.

Heres where we need help.

Definitely want to visit Hiroshima-ken, and want to stay minimum of 2 nights there or another town nearby if thats a better idea.

We dont like moving one night then to another place for one night.

The only one night would be to treat ourselves to a Ryokan. Any ideas?

Other possibilities; a pottery town, like Bizen.

Beppu , Kyushu, Kagoshima

Central Japan-Nagano(some want to ski for a day maybe), Kanazawa,Takayama.

Plan to arrive in Tokyo on January 18 for 4 nights till the 22nd when departing. Any Tokyo neighborhood to recommend? (Not Shibuya-too busy I hear).

Sorry we are not that prepared yet. Thanks for any advice. We might get JR pass if its worth it of course. Its winter so its difficult to know what is recommended for our first trip, We dont want to keep moving every night though, Our main question is where to go with above choices from January 8-18(until we are in Tokyo), hope this isnt too confusing,"Is there anything anyone would suggest that I don't have on my list?" I would suggest getting a guidebook. They are chock full of useful information, and they're not dependent upon WiFi. Some excellent ones are:

DK Eyewitness

Lonely Planet

The Rough Guide

Fodor's

Frommer's

We don't know you, so it's difficult to make suggestions. Guides cover a wide range of interests.

"And would I be best to buy a metro pass to get around?"

You haven't told us how long you're staying, or how many are in your party, but here is some basic info.

A MetroCard is used on the subway, buses (although not express buses -- those are usually used by commuters) and Roosevelt Island Tram.

Option 1: You can get a week-long unlimited card for $33 ($1 for the MetroCard, $32 for the week-long fare). The break-even number for the week-long unlimited card is 13 rides. These cards cannot be shared with others. A great advantage to the unlimited cards is that you don't have to think about how much money is left on the card -- you just zip right through. If you are staying at least a week, it would be a good deal, probably; also, of course, if you're taking at least 13 rides.

Option 2: A "Pay-Per-Ride" MetroCard costs $1 for the card, and then you load however much $ you wish onto it. Each ride is $2.75. You can share this card with up to four people. So if you know you're going to ride the subway 12 times only or less during your stay, the Pay-Per-Ride card is better for you.Kyadondo East MP and musician Bobi Wine finally held his much-awaited Kyarenga Concert despite massive oppression from the Ugandan government.

The Kyarenga concert went down on Saturday, November 10, at the One Love Beach.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Bobi Wine's controversial concert blocked again after Uganda's football federation lodges complaint

READ ALSO: Ugandan MP Bobi Wine to hold major concert days after his troubles with government

As expected, Ugandans came out in large numbers to support the musician turned politician, who was among performers.

One Love beach front was filled to capacity with countless people missing comfortable spots from where to view the show.

READ ALSO: Bobi Wine's bodyguard goes missing after being picked up by security officers

The Kyarenga Concert finally happened after being pushed forward about three times due to oppression from Uganda police.

As reported by TUKO.co.ke earlier, the concert initially was set to take place at the Namboole Stadium on Saturday, October 20, but was postponed after Bobi Wine's team was denied necessary permits to use the facility.

READ ALSO: Bobi Wine rearrested shortly after Museveni drops charges against him

The same repeated severally, a move that pushed Bobi into taking to social media to condemn Museveni's government for oppression Ugandans.

In a long post seen by TUKO.co.ke, Bobi accused the police of being used to oppress him and his hustles but promised to work hard and see the concert through, which he did.

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.

Carolyne Nduti Untold Story: My Husband Left Me for My Cousin - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.ke- Sang was accused of using his radio talk show to incite violence and ethnic cleansing during 2007/2008

- He was named alongside UhuRuto and others as the masterminds of the 2007/2008 post-election violence

- Charges against them were dropped in 2016 due to insufficient evidence triggered by witnesses withdrawal

- Sang revealed he has made unsuccessful numerous attempts in the past to meet Uhuru

Ex-International Criminal Court (ICC) suspect Joshua Arap Sang has been forced to use the most unconventional way to attract attention of his former co-accused President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The one time radio journalist took to the president's Facebook page on Friday, November 9, and literally implored Uhuru to allow him book an appointment with him.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens.

READ ALSO: Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang reprieve at ICC ahead of crucial ruling

ICC suspects standing from left: Francis Mudhaura, Sang, Ruto, Uhuru, Kosgey and postman Ali. Photo: Uhuru Kenyatta/Facebook.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Here is the evidence which Bensouda wanted to use to jail Ruto and Sang

In a post seen by TUKO.co.ke, Sang revealed he has made numerous attempts in the past to meet the Head of State all of which did not bear any fruit prompting to opt for the social media platform.

"My president, I have tried all means to meet you in vain.Allow me to use this channel to request for an appointment," posted.

In 2010, Luis Moreno Ocampo named the the media personality alongside Uhuru, William Ruto now deputy president and politician Henry Kosgei as the masterminds of the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

Others were Francis Mudhaura and Hussein Ali.

READ ALSO: My supporters' prayers helped in the Friday ICC ruling- Ruto

Sang had been accused of using his radio talk show to incite violence and ethnic cleansing during the period intense political period.

Charges against him and the others at the court were dropped in 2016 due to insufficient evidence triggered by the withdrawal of several key witnesses.

The Hague-based court claimed the case had been terminated with due to witness tampering and political meddling.

The Jubilee regime had threatened to pull out of the ICC until the prosecutor agreed not to use previously recorded statements against Ruto and Sang.

The soft-spoken Sang unsuccessfully ran for Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat in 2017 on Jubilee ticket.

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.

Carolyne Nduti Untold Story: My Husband Left Me for My Cousin - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV

Source: Breaking News- A disagreement ensued after the man failed to account for KSh 8,000 which was part of funeral arrangement contrbutions

- The deceased was the acting accountant for the funeral committee of his colleague who passed on

- An irate mob descended on him with crude weapons inflicting fatal injuries

- He died while undergoing treatment at Penda hospital in the area

It was double tragedy for residents of Zimmerman, Nairobi after a group of angry men lynched a their counterpart for allegedly swindling KSh 8,000 they had raised to cater for funeral expenses.

The man was beaten by his comrades on Saturday, November 10 afternoon when a meeting meant to assess progress of plans to give their deceased colleague a befitting sendoff turned violent and tragic.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: DPP Noordin Haji says he's ready to deal with traffic offenders beginning Monday

READ ALSO: Bobi Wine finally holds controversial Kyarenga concert after 4 police bans, fills up beach to brim

In a report by NTV seen by TUKO.co.ke, the man found himself in trouble after his counterparts asked him to give the sum total of funds they had contributed in preparation for the funeral.

The man is reported to have failed to explain how he used or where KSh 8,000 out of the total amount which had been raised had gone prompting rage from the group members.

It was then that some of the group members began quarreling him and beat him him up until he lost consciousness leaving him for the dead.

The body of the deceaased was taken to City mortuary. Police have commenced a search for the gang members. Photo: UGC

Source: Depositphotos

READ ALSO: UhuRuto's former ICC co-accused Joshua Sang takes to Facebook seeking appointment with Uhuru

Efforts by other group members to reprimand the angered faction bore no fruits as their wailing fell on deaf ears.

The mob justice victim succumbed to injuries at Penda Medical Clinic in the area where he had been rushed and body taken to City mortuary.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident in search of the members who began scuffle and subsequently inflicted fatal injuries on the man.

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.

Carolyne Nduti Untold Story: My Husband Left Me for My Cousin - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV

Source: Tuko- Obado also took a swipe at his party boss Raila following his failed presidential bid in the 2017

- Ruto declared he will stop at nothing to work with the county boss and foster close working relationship

- ODM politicians have claimed Ruto is working with Obado to wrestle the region from Raila

Migori Governor Okoth Obado has denounced ODM party Raila Odinga for the Deputy President William Ruto ending months of intense speculations on their perceived closeness.

In a function attended by Ruto in Kuria East, Migori county on Saturday, November 10, the embattled Obado openly asked for permission from the area to officially switch camp.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens.

READ ALSO: Ruto reiterates nothing will stop him from working with troubled Migori Governor Obado

Migori Governor Okoth Obado officially ditches Raila for Ruto

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: DP Ruto warms up to embattled Migori governor to help him raid Raila's stronghold

The governor also took a swipe at his party boss Raila following his failed presidential bid in the 2017 General Election, mocking the opposition leader's analogy on 'crocodiles'.

"As your governor, I want you to allow me walk with Ruto everywhere he goes so that we can realise development. We don't want anything to do with the crocodiles," he said amid thunderous applause.

On his part, the deputy president declared he will stop at nothing to work with the county boss and foster close working relationship going forward.

READ ALSO: Ruto tells Nyanza politicians Raila's handshake effect is unstoppable

Is there a problem if I work with governor Obado? I will continue to work with him to deliver development to our people. I will not mind what is said of our closeness," he said.

There have been claims from a section of ODM legislators from Nyanza region that Ruto is using Obado to wrestle the region from Raila in preparation for 2022 election.

Raila has been using the crocodile analogy to explain why his biblical Canaan journey aborted in relation to the historical handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He has on several occasions claimed the journey to 'Canaan' could not go on as there were crocodiles in River Jordan and thus the need to build bridges to take Kenyans across.

In the Kenyan context, Canaan was supposed to be State House and Raila uses River Jordan to mean the election exercise and crocodiles implies bungled presidential results.

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.

Carolyne Nduti Untold Story: My Husband Left Me for My Cousin - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV

Source: Breaking News- Omollo said she had a greenhouse from where she harvested different farm produce

- Omollo's bank accounts were frozen over alleged suspicious transactions

- Assets Recovery Agency held the accused acquired her millions through illegal means

- Omollo's bank accounts allegedly received huge deposits between January 2016 and March 2018

- The ex-PS is facing economic crime charges in connection with loss of KSh 167 million at NYS

Former Youth and Gender Principal Secretary Lillian Omollo rubbished allegations that she acquired the millions of Kenya shillings stashed in her bank accounts by unlawful means during her tenure at the National Youth Service.

Omollo, who was accused of conspiracy to commit economic crime in connection with the loss of KSh 167 million at NYS, asserted she became a millionaire by selling produce from her profitable greenhouse farm in Bondo, Siaya County.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens

READ ALSO: Prosecution tightens the noose on former PS Lilian Omollo in NYS graft case

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: Public Service PS and NYS heist suspect Lilian Omollo rushed to hospital after fainting

TUKO.co.ke on Sunday, November 11, learnt the Assets Recovery Agency had flagged alleged suspicious transactions amounting to KSh 40 million linked to bank accounts belonging to the ex-PS and members of her family.

According to the Agency, the frozen bank accounts under Omollo and her company, identified as Lidi Estates Ltd, received huge deposits of cash believed to had been acquired unlawfully.

READ ALSO: High Court freezes 10 bank accounts belonging to former PS Lilian Omollo implicated in NYS 2 scandal

The Agency noted in court documents that the questionable millions, which the government intends to recover, were deposited between January 2016 and March 2018 when the accused was the Youth and Gender PS.

Omollo was appointed PS on December 18, 2015, and was sacked on July 13, 2018, following a major reshuffle by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Francis Otieno Owino was appointed the new Youth and Gender PS.

TUKO.co.ke understands the president relieved Omollo of her duties owing to the economic crime and other graft-related charges she was facing alongside 34 other suspects, including former NYS Director General Richard Ndubai.

READ ALSO: NYS suspect Lilian Omollo thrown back to police cells, detectives say she's in good health

When she was challenged to explain the sources the huge amounts of money deposited in her bank accounts, Omollo said she made money by selling tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers and other farm produce.

The revenue generated from the farm produce, she asserted, was wired to the bank accounts in Nairobi.

The accused, however, did not produce evidence to prove she and her family made millions by selling farm produce.

READ ALSO: Photos of lady who supplied air to NYS at KSh 59 million slaying AF with her baby

Omollo and 34 others are expected to take pleas afresh after the prosecution amended charges against them.

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.

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 accused persons allegedly facilitated payment of the said amount (KSh 167 million) to three companies identified as Ameritrade Limited, Firstling Limited, and Kunjiwa Enterprises.

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.

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.

Anne Ngirita at The Center of The NYS Scam Probe - On Tuko TV

Source: Tuko.co.keNeither Ukraine nor the world will recognize the results of the so-called elections, which Russia is illegally holding in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said.

According to a statement posted on the ministry's website on Sunday, November 11, Russia, which ignored the clear position by the international community, is solely responsible for the devastating consequences of these illegal elections in Donbas and their impact on the peace process.

"The current attempt by Russia to justify, organize and then legitimize a fake 'voting' process in the occupied Donbas represents a flagrant violation of norms and principles of international law and Ukrainian legislation and constitutes a blatant breach of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, Russia as a party to the armed conflict in Donbas and a signatory of the Minsk agreements again violated its commitments thereunder. We reaffirm that the results of these sham 'elections' will be null and void, have no legal consequences, and will not be recognized by either Ukraine or the international community. The only elections that can be legally held in Donbas are elections conducted in full compliance with Ukrainian legislation and OSCE standards under OSCE/ODIHR monitoring," reads the statement.

The Foreign Ministry thanked international partners for having reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

"It is abhorrent that Russia has chosen to ignore the clear condemnation of the international community and its call to cancel the fake 'elections.' Russia bears full responsibility for holding these illegal actions and for their devastating effect on the peace process," the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry called on the international community to respond by stepping up political and economic pressure on the Kremlin and imposing new sanctions on the occupying state and those individuals who were directly involved in organizing these sham "elections."Russia makes this step only to elect the next puppets already appointed by them," the head of state said.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has urged Ukrainians living in the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas, namely in the self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") and "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") not to participate in the so-called "elections" scheduled for Sunday, November 11.

"I would like to appeal to those Ukrainians who are now forced to live in the occupied territories. Do not give up your vote! Do not participate in fake elections!" the presidential press service quoted Poroshenko as saying on October 10.

Read alsoMogherini: EU considers 'elections' in Russian-occupied Donbas illegal, not to recognize them

"The Russian Federation does this in the traditional manner only to eliminate its previous puppets directly involved in murders, tortures and violations of law. Today, Russia makes this step only to elect the next puppets already appointed by them," the head of state said.

"Ukraine will strongly oppose this. Ukraine will take all measures to return the occupied Donbas and Crimea. The whole world is with us now, with Ukrainians," he said.

"I would like to emphasize that in the coming hours we are also waiting for the G7 meeting and the reaction of our European Union partners, partners from the United States, Canada and the rest of the world," he added.

As UNIAN reported earlier, sham elections of "DPR-LPR heads" and "members of parliament" are scheduled to be held in the temporarily occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on November 11.

The EU and U.S. warn that such "elections" in the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" violate the Minsk agreements.

In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the issue of who will lead the occupying administrations is of "extreme importance," also claiming that the "elections" do not contradict the Minsk accords.

Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin said that Russia and its "minions" would face tougher international sanctions after the so-called "elections" in the occupied territories of Donbas.Ukraine says full responsibility for holding the illegal voting lies with Russia.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) says that the results of the sham "elections" held in Russian-occupied Donbas on November 11 will be null and void.

"We reaffirm that the results of these sham 'elections' will be null and void, have no legal consequences, and will not be recognized by either Ukraine or the international community. The only elections that can be legally held in Donbas are elections conducted in full compliance with Ukrainian legislation and OSCE standards under OSCE/ODIHR monitoring," the ministry said in a statement.

It expresses its resolute protest over the illegitimate and unlawful actions by Russia in connection with sham "elections" held on November 11 in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

"The current attempt by Russia to justify, organize and then legitimize a fake 'voting' process in the occupied Donbas represents a flagrant violation of norms and principles of international law and Ukrainian legislation and constitutes a blatant breach of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, Russia as a party to the armed conflict in Donbas and a signatory of the Minsk agreements again violated its commitments thereunder," the statement said.

It is abhorrent that Russia has chosen to ignore the clear condemnation of the international community and its call to cancel the fake "elections." "Russia bears full responsibility for holding these illegal actions and for their devastating effect on the peace process," the ministry said.

The ministry thanked international partners for having reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

Read alsoMogherini: EU considers 'elections' in Russian-occupied Donbas illegal, not to recognize them

"We call on the international community to respond by stepping up political and economic pressure on the Kremlin and imposing new sanctions on the occupying state and those individuals, who were directly involved in organizing these sham 'elections,'" the statement said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the occupying authorities are holding "local elections" on November 11 to elect "DPR" and "LPR" heads, as well as "members of parliament." The international community and Ukraine condemn the "elections" and deem this voting unlawful and illegal. The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings over the November 11 "elections" in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.The ceremony ended with the march of the military in WW1 uniform.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna Poroshenko together with world leaders on November 11 took part in an event in Paris, France, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War (WW1).

The event started in the Elysee Palace in the morning and continued near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the presidential press service said.

The ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron with his wife, U.S. President Donald Trump with the First Lady, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, other G7 leaders, more than 70 heads of state and government, leaders of international organizations.

Memorial celebrations began with the military ceremony and the performance of the national anthem of France. During the solemn commemoration of WW1 victims, the Eternal Flame near the Arc de Triomphe was inflamed.

Read alsoReuters: World leaders gather in Paris to mark 100th anniversary of WW1 Armistice (Photos)

Young people from different countries read the memories of witnesses  famous writers who saw the horrors of that war with their own eyes.

The ceremony ended with the march of the military in WW1 uniform.

Poroshenko is also scheduled to take part in the opening of the Paris Peace Forum initiated by the President of France.

"The Forum's key task is to strengthen peace through improved global governance and support for actions that reduce international tension and facilitate cross-border cooperation between states. Following the example of the Paris Climate Conference, the Paris Peace Forum aims to become a platform for the exchange of experience and innovative solutions that will bring together all stakeholders in the global governance process: heads of state and government, representatives of local and national governing bodies, regional and international organizations, civil society," the presidential press service said.Poroshenko met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris on November 11.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says it is useless to negotiate peace in Donbas with the Russian Federation and only UN peacekeepers can force it into fulfilling its obligations and ensure the implementation of the security component of the Minsk agreements.

"We [with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel] have discussed progress as for Ukraine's proposal to deploy a peacekeeping mission to the occupied territory of Donbas and support of this position by our partners in the Normandy Four format  France and Germany," Poroshenko said after trilateral talks in Paris, France, on November 11. "Great Britain and the United States, and many other countries previously expressed their support."

According to Poroshenko, only peacekeepers are able to ensure the implementation of the security component of the Minsk agreements, namely, to stop shelling, and to force Russia into fulfilling its obligations. "As it is useless to negotiate with the country that does not fulfill even the obligations written on the paper signed by [its] president or a representative authorized by Russia. This is definitely unacceptable," he emphasized.

Read alsoCroatian peacekeeping model best for Donbas  Ukraine's ministry for occupied areas

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said on September 26 that Ukraine, the United States, Germany and France had long ago prepared a joint draft resolution of the UN Security Council on the deployment of peacekeeping forces to Donbas. According to him, the countries will submit this resolution for consideration by the UN Security Council. "We will submit the joint resolution. When are we going to do this? This will be a resolution on behalf of all of us. To make this, we need to continue putting pressure on Russia, because it is now trying to block any real peacekeeping operation in every way possible," Klimkin said.More than 40 meetings and discussions with world leaders have been held during Poroshenko's visit to France.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says he has had a brief meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Paris.

"Yesterday [November 10], a meeting with the President of the United States of America was held. As a result of this discussion, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin and his American counterpart  U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met today [November 11]," he said after a trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris on November 11, an UNIAN correspondent has reported.

Read alsoPoroshenko: Negotiating Donbas peace with Russia useless

According to Poroshenko, the result of the meetings was an agreement to hold the Ukraine-U.S. Strategic Partnership Commission at the level of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the two countries in Washington, D.C., on November 16 this year. The Commission was founded almost ten years ago, the president said.

"Today we've agreed to restore its work as a symbol of the fact that the partnership between Ukraine and the United States of America is strategic in nature," he added.

He also informed that a meeting of diplomatic adviser to the President of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yeliseyev with adviser to the President of the United States on national security John Bolton had taken place in Paris.

In total, more than 40 meetings and discussions with world leaders have been held during Poroshenko's visit to France to join events to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice on November 11.

Poroshenko said that the meetings in Paris with the heads of state and government of the world confirmed a clear and solid support for the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

"Active support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, support for us in the reform process is powerful and tangible on behalf of the world community. And this is extremely important," he added.Ukraine has opportunities for "maneuvering and beefing up" in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak says that Ukraine is ready to adequately respond to Russia's possible aggressive actions in the Black Sea.

Answering a question whether Ukraine anticipates and gets ready to respond to Russia's possible "hybrid" aggression in the Black Sea, the minister told TV Channel 5: "100% ready. Of course, we draw conclusions from what has been happening in the Sea of Azov. We have opportunities for maneuvering and beefing up there [in the Black Sea]."

"Russia is not the sole owner of the Black Sea, because there are Alliance member countries there, they have their interests there. And I think that even if we do not take into account that there are NATO countries there, our capabilities are much greater there [than in the Sea of Azov], and our ability to adequately respond is also much greater," Poltorak said.

Read alsoReconnaissance in force: Why Ukraine needs a law on expanding control in the Black Sea

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on October 12 enacted a National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) decree on urgent measures to protect national interests in the south and the east of Ukraine, in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and the Kerch Strait.

The NSDC decree emphasizes that, having considered threats to national security in the south and the east of Ukraine, in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas and the Kerch Strait, caused by aggressive actions of the Russian Federation, the Council revealed conditions that could critically destabilize the economic, social and political situation, and result in a naval blockade of the Ukraine coast.

The Cabinet was instructed to create an interdepartmental coordinating body that should generalize the legal position of the state on drafting an official, consolidated claim against Russia, demanding its international legal responsibility for armed aggression against Ukraine.Some 408 "polling stations" opened in "DPR"-controlled districts.

Fake local elections are under way in Russian-occupied Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

"Polling stations" there opened at 08:00 local time on November 11, 2018, media outlets controlled by the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") and "Luhansk People's Republic" ("LPR") have reported.

Read alsoPoroshenko urges residents of Russian-occupied Donbas not to participate in fake elections

In particular, there are 408 "polling stations" in "DPR"-controlled districts and 316 stations in "LPR"-controlled areas.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the occupying authorities are holding "local elections" on November 11 to elect "DPR" and "LPR" heads, as well as "members of parliament."

The international community and Ukraine condemn the "elections" and deem this voting unlawful and illegal. The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings over the November 11 "elections" in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to join them there.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed world leaders to the Elysee Palace on Sunday ahead of a commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that brought World War One to an end.

Standing in the courtyard of the Elysee under slow and steady rain, Macron and his wife Brigitte welcomed some 70 monarchs, heads of state and prime ministers, Reuters said.

All will travel together in buses to the Arc de Triomphe for the ceremony.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to join them there.

The commemoration is the centerpiece of global tributes to honor the 10 million soldiers killed during the 1914-18 war and mark the moment the Armistice, signed in northeastern France, came into effect at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.

World leaders, including Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be seated under a glass canopy at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, built by Emperor Napoleon in 1806, for the ceremony.

Macron is expected to speak and light a flame in honor of an unknown soldier who was killed in the war and whose remains are buried with others under the triumphal arch. Afterwards, Macron will host a lunch for the dignitaries at the Elysee.

Read alsoThe Washington Post: "Putin may not win"

The conflict was one of the bloodiest in history, reshaping Europe's politics and demographics. Peace, however, was short-lived and two decades later Nazi Germany invaded its neighbors.

On Sunday afternoon, Macron will host the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, which seeks to promote a multilateral approach to security and governance and ultimately avoid the errors that led to the outbreak of World War One.

Merkel said in a statement the forum showed that "today there is a will, and I say this on behalf of Germany with full conviction, to do everything to bring a more peaceful order to the world, even though we know we still have much work to do."

Trump, who champions a nationalist 'America first' policy, will not attend the forum.

The U.S. leader has said he will also not hold a bilateral meeting with Putin in Paris. Trump and Putin are expected to have formal talks later this month when both attend a G-20 summit in Buenos Aires.As many as 175 psychology and electrical engineering graduates of the Foundation University, Islamabad, were conferred on degrees here at a convocation on Sunday.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :As many as 175 psychology and electrical engineering graduates of the Foundation University, Islamabad , were conferred on degrees here at a convocation on Sunday

Five gold medals, five silver medals, 21 distinction certificates and 21 merit certificates were awarded to the position holder students.

Lt Gen (Retd) Abid Pervaiz, Chief Executive of Fauji Kabirwala Power Company Limited was the chief guest, whileMaj Gen (Retd) Changez Dil Khan, Rector Foundation University, was also present at the convocation, a university press release said.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Tribal elders, leaders of religious parties and political activists of Bajaur tribal district Saturday pledged their commitment to support administration and health department to eradicate polio disease from the region.

BAJAUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :Tribal elders, leaders of religious parties and political activists of Bajaur tribal district Saturday pledged their commitment to support administration and health department to eradicate polio disease from the region.

The pledge was made by the people during a consultative meeting held ahead of three day- anti-polio drive starting from Monday in the district.

The meeting was held at District Headquarters Hospital Khar.

Participants of the meeting concurred that polio disease was an issue that demands joint efforts of the civil society.

They assured support to administration and health department in upcoming anti-polio drive.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, the deputy commissioner said that local administration was committed to clear district of polio virus adding purpose of the meeting was to brief elders and clerics about upcoming campaign.

He said that health department had completed all the necessary arrangements for the success of upcoming anti-polio campaign.With the advent of winter season, hospitals in the twins cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are witnessing a great rush of patients complaining of asthma, seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, skin rashes, urticaria, angioedema, and other dermatological problems not related to allergies.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :With the advent of winter season, hospitals in the twins cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are witnessing a great rush of patients complaining of asthma, seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, skin rashes, urticaria, angioedema, and other dermatological problems not related to allergies.

Talking to a private news channel, senior pulmonologist of Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) Dr Rehana Kousar said the change of weather was the main cause of asthma, flu and dry cough, and the people should take preventive measures to avoid medical complications.

Fakhar Hayat, who works at Allergy Centre, National Institute of Health (NIH), said as pollen count was gradually increasing in the Federal capital, people, particularly asthma patients, should immediately start adopting precautionary measures, such as use of face mask and avoid oily meal.

He said the NIH was working to produce allergy vaccine immunotherapy in sufficient quantity to treat the patients suffering from nasal, respiratory tract, skin, gastrointestinal tract and food related allergy problems, who were visiting the centre in large number.

The patients with severe complications were referred to government hospitals, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), for medical care, he added.

Fakhar Hayat said allergy producing particles after entering the nose came into contact with its internal lining causing irritation, inflammation and swelling and as a result the people started sneezing, nasal itching, watery nasal dripping, watering of eyes and getting a sore throat.

He advised the people, especially asthma patients, to use face mask when going outdoor.Thousands of Kashmiri people participated in the funeral prayers of two youth, Liyaqat Ahmed and Wajid-ul-Islam, who were martyred by Indian troops in Pulwama district on Saturday.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :Thousands of Kashmiri people participated in the funeral prayers of two youth, Liyaqat Ahmed and Wajid-ul-Islam, who were martyred by Indian troops in Pulwama district on Saturday.

According to Kashmir Media Service, thousands of people assembled in the native Bellow and Babhar areas of Liyaqat Ahmed and Wajid-ul-Islam this afternoon after their dead bodies were handed over by Indian police to the families for final rites.

Emotional scenes were witnessed from the spot after the bodies of Liyaqat and Wajid were lifted towards their respective graveyards in Bellow and Babhara areas.

The bodies of the martyred youth were carried by mourners in processions amidst vociferous pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

Multiple rounds of funeral prayers were offered for the martyred youth due to the huge rush of people from Pulwama and other districts of south Kashmir.

Liyaqat Ahmed and Wajid-ul-Islam were martyred by Indian troops early this morning during a cordon and search operation in Tikken area of Pulwama district.(@FahadShabbir)

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Nov, 2018) The Emirates Red Crescent, ERC, has intensified its urgent relief aid efforts to the residents of the Red Sea Coast of Yemen since the start of October.

The ERC previously declared a comprehensive plan to rebuild the Red Sea Coast, at a cost of AED107.1 million, which includes the restoration of a 143-kilometre international coastal road, 43 schools and 13 clinics, as well as the local electricity network.

The ERC distributed the first food supplements to the residents of the Eastern Coast, which is the first in a series of aid packages totalling 200 tonnes.

The ERC also announced its intention to restore nine fishing marinas, establish a fish market, and launch 29 small-scale production projects to support the families of martyrs, and poor families, including assisting 24 bakeries, which will benefit 4.32 million people.

Its projects also includes the restoration of 50 farms, lighting major roads using solar energy, and donating ten vehicles to rehabilitation centres for people of determination, as well as organising two group weddings for 400 people.

The ERC has maintained its level of distribution of food and relief aid, and a plane arrived at Aden International Airport carrying 33 tonnes of food supplements from the organisation.

The UAE aid authority dispatched a relief aid convoy to the residents of the liberated areas of Yemens Red Sea Coast, which contained 5,000 food parcels that benefitted 35,000 people, including over 25,000 children and 5,000 women.

The ERC delivered 1,500 food parcel and 5 tonnes of food supplements to the residents of Al Azariq District, Dhala Governorate, and assisted 36 malnourished children with food parcels and cash. It also distributed 1,000 food parcels to some 7,000 people in Al Zahari, Ala Barah and Hassa Salem in Mocha District.

The ERC is continuing to launch rebuilding projects and improve the basic infrastructure of the Red Sea Coast. It inaugurated an artesian well project in Al Jadid, Mocha District, as part of a wider project to dig 23 solar-powered wells.DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Nov, 2018) His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attended the opening of the third Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forums (WEF) Global Future Councils which started today in Dubai. The event, which brings together nearly 700 top experts from 70 countries, features 38 councils each focused on a specific future issue.

The session was also attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of the board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation; H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future and Co-Chair of the Global Future Councils, and Borge Brende President and Member of the Managing Board of the World Economic Forum, WEF.

The purpose of the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils is to convene the worlds best network of experts to identify new ideas and models that can be applied to critical global challenges.

Mohammed Al Gergawi, said in his opening speech that the current edition of the Meeting will look at future global developments and develop likely scenarios for various future sectors.

He praised the partnership between the UAE and the World Economic Forum. "Inspired by its leaderships vision, the UAE has become a leader in futuristic sectors. The UAE government seeks to implement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to make the future a reality by visualising it, designing and executing it. The vision of His Highness constantly inspires us to imagine the future and to build it," Al Gergawi said.

Al Gergawi said that the youth are keen to work towards finding solutions for tomorrows challenges. They are looking for a conducive environment that will allow them to achieve their dreams. They need mentoring to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the economy of the future. He also said that technological breakthroughs will bring opportunities worth $70 trillion in just 10 years, according to estimates. Governments and individuals should be ready to take advantage of them.

"The future belongs to those who can imagine it, shape it and implement it. In todays world, governments cannot create the future on their own; it is important to involve everyone including the private sector, the youth, international partners and others in creating policies."

On the power of emerging technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to bring about a more inclusive and sustainable future, Al Gergawi said: "The collective mind facilitated by technology is much smarter than the individual mind. The wisdom of the crowd is a common saying; this wisdom is multiplied a thousand times with technology."

Al Gergawi highlighted four priorities the first of which is collective design to build the future. He said the government should work collaboratively to build the future and enable all players and partners to benefit from big data and artificial intelligence in order to ensure a better future; the second priority is the development of legislations through an organised and proactive approach.

He said that outdated legislations cost the world economy $4 trillion. He highlighted the worlds first legislative lab which aims to test future legislations on futuristic technologies such as those related to 3D, autonomous cars, genetics and other sciences.

The third priority, he said, is related to increasing efficiency and productivity of governments. Advanced technologies increase productivity of government services by a minimum of 20%. The UAE is a pioneer in this domain as it is considered the worlds most efficient country in financial spending and technology usage. The fourth priority, he said, is globalisation. Gergawi noted that some countries are resisting globalisation and becoming more protective and launching commercial wars.

He said the world has reached a point of no-return when it comes to globalisation, as we live in an era of globalised data, knowledge, talent and ideas. Thanks to globalisation, opportunities have increased. Digital transactions are expected to create $4 trillion over the next two decades. Supported by the forces of globalisation, companies such as Google, Amazon and Apple have changed the world, he added.

Al Gergawi concluded his speech by conveying a message from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to delegates. "The UAE will remain an important destination every year for you. It will remain a key platform for discussions and debate on the future of humanity. It will remain a model and an open lab for everything new in the world."

Borge Brende, President of the World Economic Forum, told participants: "Globalisation cannot be stopped, but it can be improved. It should be more inclusive, sustainable and job creating. We need to stop seeing trade as a weapon but instead see it as a strong, positive force for inclusive, poverty-eradicating growth."

"Globalisations future is no longer about physical trade. It is about knowledge, information and technology. Digital trade already accounts for 12% of international trade, and data flows are predicted to increase another fivefold by 2022. The result will inevitably be not less globalisation but more, different, globalisation," he continued.

The Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils brings together nearly 700 world-class experts from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. Comprising senior politicians and public figures, leaders from business, civil society, academia and the arts, their role at the meeting is to generate new ideas and creative solutions aimed at solving the most critical challenges. This year sees the introduction of a number of new councils, representing new areas of focus for the Forums activities throughout the year. These include the Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-economy, which aims to protect nature through innovative technology and business models; the Global Future Council on the New Social Contract, whose mandate is to rethink the future of work, education and gender parity; and the Global Future Council on Advanced Energy Technologies, which has been charged with developing ways to accelerate global energy transition.SHARJAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Nov, 2018) The NAMA Womens Advancement Establishment has launched the Girl Ambassadors for Peace programme, GA4P, in collaboration with the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, GNWP, in Bangladesh. The programme will help bring leadership skills to the nations local women and female Rohingya refugees, as per the directives of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA and wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.

The UAE womens advancement organisation launched the programme, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, SMC. Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah sports Council, Saed Mohammed Al-Muhairi, UAE Ambassador to Bangladesh, and Reem BinKaram, Director of NAMA, were also present during the GA4P launch.

The programme aims to train 400 young Bangladeshi women and girls, as well as Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh aged 16 years and above. According to a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report, UNHCR, females constitute 53 percent of the 900,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladeshi camps, and the majority of families that identified with at least one vulnerability in Coxs Bazar district are single mothers.

The first training session has been held in the Balukhali camp in Cox's Bazar district.

The delegation also met with the programmes participants, local leaders and representatives of socioeconomic organisations who highlighted the ways in which GA4P can unify efforts of local communities, civil society and international community organisations to empower women with professional skills, leadership qualities and other life skills, which will help them deal with crises, unemployment and growing violence and extremism in their local communities.

Regarding the programme, Reem BinKaram said, "NAMAs strong outreach at both local and international levels results from the unwavering support and guidance of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. Their continued support has extended our reach into new territories, where we have amplified womens voices and boosted their contributions to peacebuilding. Promoting GA4P is integral to the UAEs humanitarian efforts. Through these efforts, we take Sharjahs and the UAEs humanitarian message to the world."

The GA4P programme focuses on Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Indonesia, which hosts the largest number of people from this community who have suffered the worst modern-day exodus. The sufferings of Rohingya refugees are unprecedented and pose one of the largest challenges before UN organisations, as well as the international community.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Nov, 2018) Fourteen UAE-based volunteers joined forces with the local community in Basauti village in Nepal, which is still recovering from the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 2015, to change the lives of 150 out-of-school children by setting the foundation of a 3-classroom new Primary school.

Slated for completion in 2019, the school will have a profound impact on the educational journey of the children, as well as the larger community. The UAE-based volunteers representing 9 nationalities donated their invaluable time and energy to travel to Nepal, work alongside the community members and participate in the groundbreaking of the villages newest and much coveted school premises, which is funded by Amal Education Limited led by UAE businessman Ahmed bin Byat.

According to a 2016 UNICEF report, Nepal has 5.2 million children of primary and lower secondary school age (5- to 12-years). It is estimated that 23.2 percent of primary school-age children are out of school. Poverty is the greatest barrier to education, followed by caste discrimination, long distances to schools  particularly in the mountainous regions, migration of children and child labor. Furthermore, the horrific earthquake of 2015 has forced additional children out of school, due to damaged infrastructure or families sending their children to work, thus exacerbating these challenges.

Dubai Cares Volunteer Globally initiative underpins the organisations mandate to eradicate poverty through education in developing countries. The initiative is incredibly popular with members of the UAE community, who apply in large numbers to participate and dedicate their time and energy to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children and young people.

The volunteers were involved in the construction work and assisted across the various stages including digging, lifting, pumping water, mixing concrete, reinforcing steel bars, and making and laying bricks. They also participated in cultural education workshops that allowed them to embed and immerse themselves within the local community for a rewarding experience.

"Dubai Cares is grateful for the generosity of Amal Education Limited led by Ahmed bin Byat, which has funded the construction of the school. We would also like to thank the volunteers who continue to come forward for each edition, and dedicate their time and energy to ensure that out-of-school children in the in Nepal and the developing world are given a fair chance at leading fulfilling lives, by gifting them the opportunity to go to school and learn.

It is extremely humbling to watch the Volunteer Globally initiative grow and realize the vision of Dubai Cares by having a tremendous lifelong impact on the lives of schoolchildren around the world, as they embark on a learning journey that will allow them to pursue their dreams, as well as make significant contributions to their communities. We are energized by the response of the volunteers and their passion towards making a difference, but also proud of the opportunity the initiative extends to the UAEs community members to experience the impact of Dubai Cares programs around the world," said Abdulla Ahmed Al Shehhi, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Cares.

Natasha Vaz, a volunteer who joined Dubai Cares delegation in Nepal described her experience as memorable and emotional. "I am grateful to Dubai Cares for organising an excellent volunteering opportunity that allows us to participate in initiatives that have a greater purpose. Our experiences in Nepal, a country that is clearly still recovering from the 2015 earthquake, were extraordinary. It has been truly memorable to have worked side-by-side with the Nepalese community, who have incredibly welcomed us. Our greatest joy was seeing the sparkle in the childrens eyes when they realized they have a school of their own."

Mohammad Al Balooshi from the UAE said, "The impeccable reputation of Dubai Cares and the Volunteer Globally initiative makes it a philanthropic must-do. I am thankful for Dubai Cares for responding to increasing demand for volunteering initiatives among the UAE community. It was a privilege to have been chosen for this edition and I will forever cherish my time with the people from Basauti village, and the opportunity to join fellow UAE volunteers for a noble cause that will change the lives of the children and their community."

Prior to embarking on the school-building mission, the volunteers underwent a comprehensive briefing and sensitisation programme that introduced them to Nepal and the realities on the ground such as the socio-economic background of the communities they would interact with and an overview of the activities they would participate in as part of the school-building mission.

The first edition of Dubai Cares Volunteer Globally 2018 was hosted this year in Senegal, where 13 volunteers from the UAE joined hands with the community in Tasset Peul village to build a new community school. The school is expected to benefit 60 Senegalese school children.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

An accountability court on Saturday extended physical remand of opposition leader in National Assembly Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif till November 24 in Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scam.

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :An accountability court on Saturday extended physical remand of opposition leader in National Assembly Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif till November 24 in Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scam.

However, the court rejected National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) request for his physical remand in Ramzan Sugar Mills Case.

Earlier, NAB officials produced Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif before Accountability Court, Judge Syed Najamul Hassan amid strict security on expiry of his transit remand.

NAB prosecutor submitted an investigation report and stated that Shehbaz Sharif attended recent session of National Assembly, therefore, no significant progress could be made in investigations during the remand term.

He pleaded with the court to extend the remand for another 15 days.

He further submitted that shehbaz Sharif has also been arrested in connection with Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

He requested the court for granting 15-day remand in the case.

However, Shehbaz's counsel Amjad Pervaiz opposed the remand request saying that his client appeared before the NAB whenever he was summoned.

He claimed that Shehbaz completely cooperated with the bureau but it failed to provide any solid evidence against him despite remand.

He asked the court to send Shehbaz to jail on judicial remand.

He further opposed physical remand in Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

The law states that a man who has been arrested in one case will be considered arrested in other cases as well," he added.

The court after hearing arguments reserved its verdict on remand request for some time but, later extended the remand for another 14-day in Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scam.

However, the court rejected NAB request for physical remand in Ramzan Sugar Mills Case. The court ordered NAB authorities for producing Shehbaz on expiry of remand term.

Strict security arrangements were made inside and outside the court premises on the occasion. Hamza Shehbaz was also present in the court.

It is pertinent to mention here that NAB arrested Shehbaz Sharif on October 5, after he appeared before a NAB combined investigation team in the Saaf Pani corruption case at the accountability watchdog's Lahore office.

Shehbaz was allegedly involved in corruption of Rs 14 billion Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme and Rs 4 billion Punjab Saaf Pani Company scams.

He had previously appeared before NAB on a couple of occasions in both the cases and recorded his statement.

Senior bureaucrat Fawad Hassan Fawad and Lahore Development Authority (LDA) former director general Ahad Cheema and others had already been arrested in connection with the housing scam.

The NAB launched an investigation into the scam in November after receiving a number of complaints in this regard.ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :Following the directives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), government working for streamlining the system in various institutions, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company, had launched a crackdown against power pilferers.

Talking to a private news channel, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) Ch.Shahid Iqbal, said that strict action had been taken against those following illegal way to use electricity for domestic or commercial purposes.

He said the present government was committed and taking concrete measures to address the major issues including power theft activities being reported in some parts of the country.

The problem of loadshedding persists due to corruption in different institutions of the country, he said. He urged the people to pay outstanding bills to avoid action against them according to law.

He further stated that district administration and special committees constituted for combating power theft cases had asked the concerned to produce results besides taking action against the elements involved in this menace. He said that this illegal activity had created the problem of line losses and other issues in the power sector.

The CEO revealed that a number of FIRs had been registered against the persons involved in power pilferer activities.

He said that the concerned quarters had also recovered money from defaulters which he added was being deposited in national exchequer.

Appreciating the PTI government's commitment working under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said it was first time that the focus was being given to address real issues.

To a question, he said the issue of circular debt had emerged due to weak concerns of some elements.

Power theft was a burning issue in this country, he said adding that previous governments could not achieve success in resolving these important affairs of the state.

He said department was taking strict action against the power pilferers as a number of electric meters had been disconnected in various areas of the consumers.

The concerned department would restore the electricity after recovery of fine, he said.

He appealed all the people belonging to any segment of society, to complain against the power theft on thegiven number 118 or send message on 8118. He assured that the name of the identifiers or informer would be keptin secret.FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Nov, 2018 ) -:The Fauji Foundation (FF) will establish a state-of-the-art hospital on Millat road besides up-gradation of other four health and education related institutions to cater the needs of the city, said Fauji Foundation Managing Director Lt. General (R) Syed Tariq Nadeem Gillani.

Addressing the members of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here Thursday, he said that Fauji Foundation was created in 1952 under Endowment Act. Its mandate was to look after the ex-servicemen and their families.

He said that foundation was providing health and education facilities to 9 million ex-servicemen and their families which constituted 5 percent of total population of Pakistan.

Gillani said that foundation was established with only Rs 18 million and now it was managing 12 companies including six listed companies. It had invested in diversified portfolios including, fertilizer, cement, power and banks. It was also managing terminal at Karachi Port, he added.

He told that it was not getting any favor or incentive from the government and during 2017 it deposited Rs.

160 billion as taxes and duties.

He further said that FF was managing 104 schools and 100 health institutions including 11 major hospitals. Similarly, it had also established a foundation university in Islamabad which would be linked with 76 vocational and technical institutes across the country so that highly educated and technologically competent workforce could be created, he added.

He mentioned Sialkot and said that FF in collaboration with Sialkot Chamber had established an institute of technology while process to establish university campus was also in progress.

He offered FCCI similar facilities and said that it would help to provide skilled workforce to the local industrial units.

Earlier, President FCCI Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain told that Faisalabad was among top of the fast growing cities of Pakistan. He underlined the need to strengthen industry-academia linkages with the help of the government.

Later, shields were also presented to the guests.PESHAWAR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :With enlarging forest cover by billions trees afforestation project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, arrival's frequency of migratory birds has increased manifolds in the country besides providing a natural habitat to rare wildlife species.

"The arrival of Houbara Bustard, a precious migratory bird, has increased in Pakistan from Central Asian Republics (CARs) including Mongolia, Siberia due to availability of large variety of flora plants, insects and weeds in Khyber Pakthunkhwa," Syed Ishtaiq Urmar, Provincial Minister for Environment, Forests and Wildlife Department told APP here on Sunday.

Billion Trees Afforestation Project (BTAP), a flagship project of PTI government has immensely helped in increasing of the province forest covered area from 20.3 percent in 2013 to record 26.6 percent in 2017, broadening habitats for wildlife conservation and increasing ratio in arrival of the migratory birds in the country, he said.

" Houbara can't stay in severe coldness and Pakistan's climate is ideally suitable for them especially during winter season,' he said, adding all arid areas in Pakistan including DI Khan, D.G Khan, Rahimyar Khan are Houbara's winter habitats where sufficient flora, insects and weeds are now available for its breading.

Houbara is very sensitive and it does not use the route again if they sense any danger on their way during the first journey.

In case Houbra's looses its mate, the endangered specie takes three to five years to find a new one.

The population travels in groups having a chieftain and once they looses their chieftain, the deputy guides the group to reach its destination.

Ishtiq Urmar said government had adopted a comprehensive strategy to conserve and protect wildlife and migratory birds and under this plan five more national parks were being established at Kumrat, Anso Lake, Satara Nand in Manshera and Palas Kohistan.

Six national parks at Saiful Mulk Manshera, Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Lalusir and Chitral Gol were established with main focus on wildlife conservation, he added.

He said government had adopted zero tolerance against illegal hunting, poaching and trapping of wildlife animals and migratory birds including the endangered Asian Houbara and falcons.

"I have set free seven falcons at Pakistan Forests Institute after it were recovered from an alleged smuggler at Bacha Khan International Airport on Wednesday last besides imposition of Rs 3 lakh fine," he maintained.

He said a ban had been imposed on illegal hunting of wildlife animals and strict action would be taken against elements involved in their trade.

The Minister said new forest at Ghari Chandan at Peshawar had been raised that would help in protection and conservation of wildlife and migratory birds.

He said over 600,000 hectares of forests had been restored in KP during last five years.

The Minister said Peshawar Zoo was being strengthened and all precious animals like Zebra, Zarafa, tigers and loins were brought to the facility, saying efforts were afoot to bring elephants from a foreign country to the zoo.

He offered technical expertise to provinces including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan for planting of 10 billion saplings under "Plant for Pakistan" project during next five years in the country.

The Minister said BTAP were being extended to recently merged tribal districts to achieve target of planting additional one billion saplings in Khyber Pakthunkhwa under Plant for Pakistan.

He said 40-years old curriculum of Pakistan Forests Institute at Peshawar had been updated with modern requirements and two years extensive professional education training to trainee forest officers of all provinces and AJK were being provided at PFI.

The environmental tribunal has been established at Peshawar to take up cases of environmental and population related cases, saying operation against unlawful crushing machines, marble factories and brick kilns would commence soon.(@rukhshanmir)

Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao Saturday demanded of federal government to fulfill all pledges made to people of merged tribal areas.

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) : Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao Saturday demanded of Federal government to fulfill all pledges made to people of merged tribal areas.

He was speaking at a seminar titled "Fata Merger Current Situation and Way Forward" at Watan Kor.

Senior Journalists, Saleem Safi, Ismail Khan, Shams Mohmand, Ibrahim Shinwani, Wali Khan Afridi Advocate, retired bureaucrat Ali Begum, former acting Inspector General of Police Akhtar Ali Shah, former MNAs Shahabuddin Khan and Shajee Gul, Dr Sarfaraz of Area Student Centre, University of Peshawar, former President Sarhad Chamber of Commerce Zahid Shinwai, Said Alam Mehsud and others spoke on the occasion.

Aftab Sherpao demanded the government to convene the meeting of the National Finance Commission award to allocate funds for the merged Fata districts.

He said that the local government election and the election for the provincial assembly seats for Fata districts should be held forthwith to give representative to the tribal people.

The QWP leader said that quota should be allocated for the tribal districts in education institutions and government jobs for the time being.

He said that the local youth should be recruited to maintain security in the tribal districts.

He also demanded that the Levies personnel should be trained at the police academy in Hangu to enhance their capacities.

After the training of the Levies men, the regular courts should be set up in the tribal districts as per the decision of the Peshawar High Court to provide justice to the people.

He demanded that the Task Force on tribal areas' merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be abolished as it was using delaying tactics to implement the Fata reforms in letter and spirit.

Abolition of the Fata Secretariat, arguing that Fata had been merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so there was no need for it.

The government should install industries in the tribal districts to provide job opportunities to the people.

He also demanded that steps should be taken to get the tribal women involved in the political process.

He said the provincial government should appoint people from the tribal districts as advisors to expedite the merger process.

Aftab Sherpao said the federal government should immediately release Rs100 billion, it announced for the tribal areas for the next 10 years.

He said the prevailing situation in the wake of the Fata's merger with the province would take a turn for the worse if the grievances of the people werenot addressed.

He urged all the political parties to forge unity on a single platform to make sure that the merger process could be completed in the letter and spirit.ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam Khan Saturday said the intergovernmental panel of climate change (IPCC) report 2018 was an alarming bell tolling for the world to take steps for climate change mitigation within next two years as afterwards it would become difficult.

Speaking to a 'Pre-COP24 Climate Media Dialogue' organized by the Embassy of Poland and Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), the climate change adviser to prime minster said climate politics was lagging behind climate science in the contemporary environmental scenario. "When scientists have come up with such researches like IPCC report, Living Planet Report 2018 which states 60 percent animal species have been lost or extinct from the earth due to climate change then politics must respond," he added.

Amin Aslam said COP-24 in Katowice was very challenging due to the United States of America's stance over Paris Agreement and Brazilian election outcome whereas we have only the Paris Agreement in our hand.

He said Pakistan was at 136th number in the list of countries, contributing into climate change and number seven among the most vulnerable countries due to climate change. "Despite the fact that we are the least global environmental pollution contributors and have no mandate to do something for mitigating climate change risk still are doing much within our limited available resources," he added.

The event was held in order to promote informed media reporting ahead of the upcoming International Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP24) being held in Poland in December, as well as to foster dialogue between the media and stakeholders.

Among other participants and speakers included the Ambassadors of France, Morocco, European Union and Poland, the Chief Executive of CSCCC Aisha Khan as well as prominent members from civil society, media, and government.

The speakers discussed the importance of tackling climate change issues at all levels of government both locally and internationally, the need to promote the reporting of climate change issues in the media as well as fostering a deeper understanding of the subject in order to mainstream green growth and low-carbon practices in our day-to-day lives.

A demonstration of the Pakistan Climate Change Web Portal was delivered by Project Manager CSCCC. The Pakistan Climate Change Web Portal was a free online information tool developed by CSCCC containing consolidated sector-wise information on climate change in order to disseminate knowledge and information regarding the subject in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, chairman Water Resource Forum and one of the founding members of CSCCC Nisar A.Menon gave the vote thanks and said climate change was a global challenge which was severely affecting the country's 220 million people from the glaciers in the north through the plains to the coastal line in the south.

He said the incumbent government was taking amicable measures including environment, climate change, water and upcoming forest policies. He said in order to make climate change risk reduction measures a success in the country all such projects need to be made people-centric and media should play a key role for the purpose.

"The print media has come a long way whereas its time for electronic media to come to the front line for creating awareness on such serious issue of national security," he reiterated. He added that the electronic media should remember the updated PEMRA Ordinance 2002 Rule 20 provides for sovereignty, security and coverage upto 10 percent for public interest programs and it should be done to include climate change awareness packages and advertisements.(@rukhshanmir)

Leader of the House in Senate Syed Shibli Faraz Saturday said Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was the loudest voice against economic and political exploitation of the weak by the powerful.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :Leader of the House in Senate Syed Shibli Faraz Saturday said Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal was the loudest voice against economic and political exploitation of the weak by the powerful.

Speaking at a seminar organized by Majils-e-Amla Shehr-a-Iqbal Forum to mark 141st birthday of poet of the east Allama Muhammad Iqbal here, Senator Shibli Faraz said Iqbal was an immortal symbol of Muslim empowerment and human equality, said a press release issued here.

He appreciated the forum for taking the initiative to celebrate the very essence of Iqbal's philosophy which was praiseworthy in the present time where the Muslim world has drifted away from unity under a brotherhood.

Shibli Faraz said, "Hailing from an eastern values based background, he (Iqbal) soaked great knowledge in the fields of law and philosophy from around the world. He then coupled his knowledge and wisdom with his God-gifted talent of expression and moved a whole towards self-actualization and freedom." He said that it was not Allama Iqbal's majestic expression of emotions rather the potency of philosophy and ideas on revival of Islamic polity that inculcated the anti-imperialist sentiment against the unjust colonial power.

"This very philosophy laid the foundations of the 'Two Nation Theory', and of what we now call Pakistan," he added.

He emphasized that it was crucial to understand as Iqbal's philosophy on islam and Muslim empowerment was not distorted or mutated any way. "His thought provoking literature did not advocate any form of extremism and his ideas were not tarnished by personal interests or gains," he added.

Shibli Faraz said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had assumed power with a vision to revive Iqbal's works in the curriculum whereas his leader Prime Minister Imran Khan was highly inspired by Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

He said "We pray to Allah Almighty to bestow us with the power to fulfill our promises and inherit a country to our youth the next generation to form the country in the light of Iqbal's teachings." President of Shehr-a-Iqbal Forum, Dr Shoaib Suddle said Allama Iqbal was a thinker, philosopher, poet, politician and sage of the nation.

He, on behalf of the forum, urged the incumbent government to ensure the recitation of Allama's poem 'Lab pa ati ha dua ban k tamana Meri' in the schools across the country during the assembly.

Dr Shoaib said Iqbal was also the spiritual father of this nation. He also read out some verses of Iqbal's poems to pay tribute to the poet of east.

Intellectuals, students and members of the forum deliberated upon the multidimensional aspects of Allama Muhammad Iqbal's teachings, ideology and message for the nation.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :A total of 5,089,503 deserving families hailing from across the country are getting cash assistance grant under Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) programme from Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

According to details 44,463 beneficiary families hailing from Gilgit-Baltistan, 140,832 from Fata, 1,743,877 from Punjab, 97,593 from AJK, 1,083,579 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 202,216 from Balochistan, 1,768,896 from Sindh and 8,047 beneficiaries hailing from Federal capital are receiving cash assistance from BISP.

Likewise the government has paid a total of Rs 908 billion to BISP in last 11 years for helping the deserving to become self sufficient.

According to details, Rs 34 billion had been allocated in the financial year 2008-09 for BISP; Rs 70 billion in 2009-10; Rs 50 billion each in FY 2010-11 and 2011-12; Rs 70 billion in FY 2012-13; Rs 75 billion in 2013-14; Rs 97 billion in FY 2014-15;Rs 102 billionin FY 2015-16; Rs 115 billion in 2016-17; Rs 121 billion during2017-18 and Rs 124 billion has been allocated for BISP in FY 2018-19.KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :The Sindh cabinet has decided to impose ban on the use of polythene bags, said Adviser to Chief Minister Sindh for Information, Law and Anti-corruption Barrister Murtaza Wahab, here on Saturday.

The chief minister's adviser at a media briefing about the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, said the government has decided to implement Sindh Environmental Protection Act under which non-degradable polythene bags could not be purchased, used, manufactured or imported.

Murtaza Wahab said the ban on polythene bags would be imposed in phases with in time period of three months.

In the first phase Sukkur region has been selected, and in the next phase a complete ban on non-degradable polythene bags in Karachi and Hyderabad regions and rest of Sindh, will be implemented.

He informed that traders of polythene and plastic bags would also be engaged in this regard and added that the Federal government would also be approached to increase import duty on polythene bags to discourage its import.

The cabinet also approved the formation of a committee to review the draft of Sindh Police postings/transfer rules.

The cabinet also approved Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma Bill. It also approved the board of Sindh Child Protection Authority.

The cabinet also recommended the release of 12 severely ailing prisoners.

Murtaza Wahab added that the Sindh cabinet has imposed ban on the purchase of new vehicles for three years, adding that the Sindh government wanted to introduce a policy in which a 17-grade officer offered a vehicle on lease.

Officer should pay its installments and on the payment of instalments, the officer will be given ownership of the vehicle.

The officer would also be responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle.

Regarding Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Trauma Institute, he informed that the institute has been approved by the cabinet and added that it was now authorised to launch post-graduate programs like FSPS, MS, MD, PHD in Arthu Surgery, Traumalogy and in the field of emergency medicine.

He informed that it was also agreed to form a committee to review the Sindh Police (transfers and postings) draft comprised of Sindh Minister for Energy, Minister for Mines and Minerals, Provincial Law Adviser, Sindh Home Department Secretary and Inspector General of Sindh Police.

The adviser further informed that the cabinet also approved the constitution of the Board of Sindh Child Protection Authority and the directed Secretary Social Welfare Department to proposenames for the board.ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :With the advent of winter season, hospitals in the twins cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are witnessing a great rush of patients complaining of asthma, seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, skin rashes, urticaria, angioedema, and other dermatological problems not related to allergies.

Talking to a private news channel, senior pulmonologist of Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) Dr Rehana Kousar has said the change of weather was the main cause of asthma, flu and dry cough, and the people should take preventive measures to avoid medical complications.

Fakhar Hayat, who works at Allergy Centre, National Institute of Health (NIH), said as pollen count was gradually increasing in the Federal capital, people, particularly asthma patients, should immediately start adopting precautionary measures, such as use of face mask and avoid oily meal.

He said the NIH was working to produce allergy vaccine immunotherapy in sufficient quantity to treat the patients suffering from nasal, respiratory tract, skin, gastrointestinal tract and food related allergy problems, who were visiting the centre in large number.

The patients with severe complications were referred to government hospitals, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), for medical care, he added.

Fakhar Hayat said allergy producing particles after entering the nose came into contact with its internal lining causing irritation, inflammation and swelling and as a result the people started sneezing, nasal itching, watery nasal dripping, watering of eyes and getting a sore throat.

He advised the people, especially asthma patients, to use face mask when going outdoor.

/rpt(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, Nov 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) :Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan on Friday said that weak policies of the last governments of Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had damaged the economy of the country.

The empty bowl of national exchequer had forced the government of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf to go for loans from friendly countries like Saudi Arabia and China besides IMF, so that we could bring the country out of the present challenges in a proper manner, he stated while talking to a private news channel.

It was the policy of the PTI government to focus on streamlining the system so that all the institutions could produce results in a befitting manner, he added.

He said that improving the system of accountability would help pave the way for better results.

To a question, he said If we deliver well then the people would vote for PTI in the next election, the State Minister said.

As far as the cases of National Accountability Bureau were concerned, he said the PTI government had no involvement in any case of Asif Ali Zardari or Nawaz Sharif. He said that the leaders have been facing the court cases on corruption charges since long, adding that the present government had no role regarding the cases of Asif Ali Zardari or Nawaz Sharif.

To another question, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had to visit friendly countries for loan purpose so that the funds could be utilized for public welfare projects.

About Saudi Arabia's unconditional support, he said that the Kingdom has always provided help to Pakistan in every difficult hour due to its old and strong relations. He said that Pakistan had signed memorandum of understandings (MoUs), with China besides holding talks for implementing China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects.

In a query, he said the Prime Minister would attend assembly session in coming days and answer to all questions.

Ali Muhammad said that PTI's 100 day plan would set the direction for the government and streamline the system. The people would see changes in days to come because no government could show their performance in just two months of period, he expressed.

However, he said the PTI government under the enlightened vision of Imran Khan, would steer the country out of the present challenges. The people would have job opportunities and basic amenities of life at their door steps, he added.MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Russian space agency Roscosmos plans to make 240 launches of the Soyuz-5 carrier rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome within 40 years, according to a video posted by Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin on Twitter Sunday.

"The lifecycle of the [Baiterek space] complex will make 40 years, within which 240 carrier rocket launches will be conducted, with the total budget amounting to $14.4 billion," the video said.

Kazakhstan-based Baikonur cosmodrome, operating Russian and multinational space programs, is on lease to Russia until 2050. In 2004, Russia and Kazakhstan launched the Baiterek project, envisaging the creation of the infrastructure enabling the launch of eco-friendly rocket carriers from Baikonur.ABU DHABI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Algerian Energy Minister Mustapha Guitouni and Kuwaiti Oil Minister Bakheet Rashidi are not expected to attend the Sunday session of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC producers, held in Abu Dhabi, sources close to the talks told Sputnik.

Guitouni will skip the meeting in order to attend the 20th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Trinidad and Tobago, which will be held on November 14, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Kuwait's Rashidi is not attending due to the heavy flooding in Kuwait that caused authorities to declare the state of emergency in the country.

The JMMC is comprised of six members: co-chairs Saudi Arabia and Russia, Kuwait, Oman, Venezuela and Algeria plus the United Arab Emirates, this year's president of the OPEC Conference.

OPEC and several non-OPEC oil producers, including Russia, reached a deal in Vienna in 2016, agreeing to cut oil output by a total of 1.8 million barrels per day in an effort to stabilize global oil prices. Non-OPEC states pledged to jointly reduce oil output by 558,000 barrels per day. The agreement, which came into effect in 2017, has been extended twice since then and is expected to remain in force until the end of 2018.VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) A former colonel of Austrian Armed Forces has been detained by the Austrian authorities as he is facing accusations of spying in favor of Russia, local media reported on Saturday, citing Prosecutor Robert Holzleitner.

Holzleitner told the Kleine Zeitung newspapern that the suspect was detained on Saturday night, but the authorities are yet to decide whether he will be arrested. The decision on the suspect's arrest should be taken on Monday or Tuesday, the newspaper reported.

The suspect was arrested in the northern state of Upper Austria and may face up to 10 years in prison over the alleged disclosure of state secret, according to the newspaper.

On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz confirmed that a retired Austrian colonel was suspected of espionage for Moscow and demanded that the Russian side provided "transparent" information on the matter.

Moscow in response expressed protest to Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner over the accusations. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Vienna's steps were based on suspicions without evidence, adding that Austria's statements over the spy scandal had already complicated bilateral relations.DONETSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Elections of the leader and members of parliament of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) do not breach the Minsk peace agreements and are being held in compliance with European standards, Kostas Isihos, former Greek deputy defense minister, who acts as an international observer at the elections, told reporters on Sunday.

The leaders' and parliamentary elections in the DPR and neighboring Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) started earlier on Sunday, as the polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (05:00 GMT).

"Elections in the DPR do not contradict the Minsk [peace] process. The [election] process is in compliance with the democratic standards applied in the European countries," Isihos told reporters.

Observers from France have not registered any violations either.

"Everything is normal here, this is true democracy," Quintin Vercruysse, an observer from France, told Sputnik.

Acting DPR head Denis Pushilin, as well as acting LPR leader Leonid Pasechnik are the front-runners in their republics' elections.

The two parties competing for seats in the DPR parliament are Pushilin's Donetsk Republic and the Free Donbas party. Seats in the LRP parliament will be distributed between Pasechnik's Peace for Luhansk Region and the party of Luhansk Economic Union.

The preliminary results of the DPR elections will be announced on Monday midnight local time.

Kiev has already said that it would not recognize the results of the voting, while the Kremlin pointed out that the elections would not violate the Minsk agreements.DONETSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Elections of the leader and members of parliament of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) are being held without violations, and the voter turnout is high, Sergei Tsekov, Russian parliament's upper house lawmaker representing Crimea who is present as an observer, said at a press briefing on Sunday.

The elections in the DPR and the neighboring Luhansk People's Republic (LRR) started earlier on Sunday when polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (05:00 GMT).

"I have registered high activity. I see that people are in a good mood, I haven't seen any violations in the election process. I have talked to the voters. They understand how important the elections of the leader and the lawmakers of the republic are. In my opinion, the turnout is higher than in several Russian regions," Tsekov said.

Jan Penris, Belgian parliament's lower house lawmaker, who is an international observer at the DPR elections, praised the organization of the elections.

"This is my first visit to Donetsk, and I see that the elections have been organized perfectly. While voting in elections is compulsory in Belgium, here everything depends on a person's free will," Penris told reporters.

Kostas Isihos, former Greek deputy defense minister, who is also an international observer at the elections, stressed that the elections did not contravene the Minsk peace accords.

"European countries are focused on Donetsk and Luhansk today. This is very important for me. The way you are following a democratic path should be an example for the European countries. An election day is quite a dull event in Europe, as the election process is too bureaucratic. These elections will mark the republic's regeneration as a free state," Isihos said.

Acting DPR head Denis Pushilin as well as acting LPR leader Leonid Pasechnik are the front-runners in their republics' elections.

The two parties competing for seats in the DPR parliament are Pushilin's Donetsk Republic and the Free Donbas party. Seats in the LPR parliament will be distributed between Pasechnik's Peace for Luhansk Region and the Luhansk Economic Union.

The preliminary results of the DPR elections will be announced on Monday midnight local time.

Kiev has already said that it would not recognize the results of the voting, while the Kremlin pointed out that the elections would not violate the Minsk agreements.PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th November, 2018) A lot of people in Mali have been educated in Russia, the two countries' relationship is "very good," President of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keita told Sputnik on Sunday on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum.

"In terms of development, our relations with Russia are very good ...

a lot of our people were educated in Russia, our defense minister speaks Russian, for example," the Malian president said, when asked how Russia and other countries could help the situation in Mali, ravaged by conflicts between the government and insurgent groups.

Keita added that the country was receiving support from the international community under the UN Security Council mandate and as part of other initiatives.

The president of Mali, whose great-grandfather fought in the battle of Verdun, arrived in Paris to take part in the ceremonies marking the centenary of the WWI end.A search operation was underway to locate a 35-year-old German female tourist, who fell from the Worlds End, in Horton Plains, Nuwara Eliya, police said.

The Army is conducting search operations to locate the tourist, a senior official said.

Video by BuddhiMOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Russian Deputy Foreign Ministry Mikhail Bogdanov met with South Sudanese opposition leader and former Vice President Riek Machar to discuss the settlement of the crisis in South Sudan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

Bogdanov paid a visit to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on Saturday.

"During the conversation, prospects for a settlement of the domestic political conflict in South Sudan were substantively discussed on the basis of relevant agreements between the government and the opposition, reached through the mediation of the President of Sudan [Omar] Bashir," the Foreign Ministry said in statement on the results of the meeting.

At the same time, the Russian side expressed hope that the South Sudanese parties will strictly comply with all signed agreements, including those related to the return of leaders of the armed opposition to power.

"This would create the necessary conditions, including in the field of security, to promote mutually beneficial long-term cooperation between Russia and South Sudan," the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed.

South Sudan broke away from Sudan after a referendum in 2011. In 2013, a civil war erupted in the country, as South Sudan's President Salva Kiir of the Dinka tribe accused Machar, an ethnic Nuer, of planning a coup.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Jerusalem, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he was unaware of any corruption linked to a deal to buy German submarines, after police recommended charging his lawyer in the investigation.

"As you know, there are no claims as to my involvement," Netanyahu said late Saturday in his first comments on the issue since police issued their findings in the long-running investigation last week.

"Which is not a minute thing since people don't hesitate to blame me with the most absurd claims." Asked about the alleged offences committed by his relative and family lawyer David Shimron, Netanyahu said: "You know I didn't know." "Secondly, I suggest to wait until the end of the procedures and not rush to make a judgement," he said before boarding a plane for Paris, where he will join world leaders in marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

Police said Thursday there was evidence to charge Shimron and others with bribery in connection with negotiations for Israel's purchase of submarines and other vessels from German industrial giant ThyssenKrupp.

The investigation into the deals reportedly worth $2 billion is one of several cases that have put Netanyahu's long tenure in office under the spotlight.

Besides Shimron, police said the former chief of Netanyahu's office, David Sharan, is also suspected of bribery, as is the former head of the navy, Eliezer Marom.

Two other navy ex-generals were named as being suspected of similar offences, as was a former minister, Eliezer Zandberg.

Netanyahu was questioned as a witness and not a suspect in the case.

The police's findings will now be handed over to the attorney general, who will decide whether the suspects should be charged.

Israeli opposition politicians have questioned how Netanyahu could be unaware of the alleged corruption and called for a commission of inquiry.

In February, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted in two other graft probes, though the attorney general has yet to decide whether to do so.

Allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival.

Another case involves suspicions that the prime minister and his family received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favours.

Netanyahu denies all the allegations, calling them a bid by his political enemies to force him from office.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

The number of refugees fleeing violence in Cameroon and seeking shelter in Nigeria exceeded 30,000, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement on Friday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 09th November, 2018) The number of refugees fleeing violence in Cameroon and seeking shelter in Nigeria exceeded 30,000, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR ) said in a statement on Friday.

"The number of Cameroonian refugees fleeing violence and seeking refuge in Nigeria crossed the 30,000 mark this week. Refugees fleeing the South-West and North-West Regions of Cameroon have been arriving since September 2017. Almost 600 arrived in refugee settlements in the last two weeks," the statement read.

UNHCR stressed that an overwhelming majority of these refugees were women and children.

Rights groups registered almost 400 civilian deaths in Cameroon last year due to the escalation of the conflict between separatists and the government, the statement read.

According to UNHCR, the agency together with the Nigerian government monitor the situation at the border areas inside Nigeria.

Cameroon has been facing a separatism crisis in the country since last year. On October 1, 2017, activists from Cameroon's English-speaking regions proclaimed their independence from the country's French-speaking areas which resulted in violent protests. The declaration came on the anniversary of South Cameroon's independence from Britain in 1961.MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th November, 2018) The two-day 'Conference for Libya' is set to start on Monday, under the aegis of the Italian government and with close collaboration with the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in Palermo, Sicily, with aims to advance and contribute to ongoing efforts on Libya's stabilization ahead of the country's proposed general elections.

The goal of the conference, as outlined by the Italian government, is to provide a contribution to the peace settlement and political stabilization process in Libya, with the agreement of the main political actors in the country. The conference will also seek to make specific contributions on security and economic measures that can aid stability in the country, as well as provide a discussion on the hosting of general elections in Libya.

On Monday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will welcome the heads of delegations from the various countries attending the conference at the Villa Igiea, followed by a working lunch. On Tuesday heads of delegations will participate in a plenary session, which will be followed by a press briefing from Conte.

According to a press release published by the European Union, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini will attend the Conference for Libya.

Other confirmed attendees include the African Union Special Representative and Head of the African Union Liaison Office in Libya Ambassador Wahida Ayari and Head of UNSMIL and Special Representative for Libya Ghassan Salame.

The attendance of European leaders has yet to be confirmed. Although initially invited, various media outlets report that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend the conference, and will be represented by other members of their governments.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have officially been invited to attend the conference. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed in late October that Putin will likely be unable to attend the conference and that in his stead Russia will send another representative.

A member of the Libyan Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), Nadia Omran, told Sputnik that the LCDA had not been invited to Palermo. She stated that this was deliberate on the part of UNSMIL.

"The CDA did not receive an official invitation to take part in the conference in Palermo ... Constitutive work is one of the foundations in the path of a nation and its stability, and it seems, that this is a deliberate omission on the part of the UN Mission in Libya in relation to the CDA," Omran said.

The Italian government has placed an emphasis on the fact that the conference will gather a variety of Libyan political actors. Yet earlier today, sources at the Libyan National Army (LNA) told Sputnik that Commander of the LNA Khalifa Haftar will not attend the conference in Palermo. According to the Libyan Observer, Conte has arrived in Libya's Rajma to persuade Haftar to attend tomorrow's conference.

The conference in Palermo for Libya follows the Paris meeting on May 29 on the country's stabilization, which gathered Haftar, Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj and the leaders of rival parliamentary assemblies, Aguila Saleh and Khaled Mechri. The result of the Paris meeting was an agreement to hold UN-backed general elections in Libya on December 10, and to abide by the results.

Salame, ahead of the Conference for Libya, on Friday stated that general elections should be held in the country in the spring of next year, after the Libyan National Conference in the first weeks of 2019.

Risk Imad, a founder and general manager of the Lebanon-based Isticharia for Strategic and Communications Studies Institute, told Sputnik that the Palermo conference could provide more clarity on the upcoming elections by bringing together different Libyan political parties.

"I believe that first and foremost, this conference will focus on finding a common solution suitable for all warring parties through facilitating an inclusive political process ahead of possible elections," Imad said.

Omran stated that the Palermo conference must provide concrete steps on holding a referendum on Libya's constitution, or risk failing its ambitions concerning the country's upcoming elections.

"If the conference in Palermo does not confirm a referendum on the constitution and its establishment as the basis for holding presidential and parliamentary elections, without entering a new transitional phase, then it will be a failure, like the previous ones," Omran said.

Paolo Grimoldi, a secretary for the Lega party in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, told Sputnik that the conference can also iron out international disagreements over supporting rival Libyan factions.

"We should see ... Italy urging during this conference France and other involved countries to stop backing one side of the conflict hoping to get [access] to oil fields. This policy won't stop fighting and is causing migration to Europe," Grimoldi said.

Imad added that the European Union can also focus on a wide variety of other issues including the reform of the military and women's role in the political process.

"The EU should focus on the issue of youth and women and their involvement in the political and social life. They also should work on a mechanism to ensure the safe return of refugees. Besides, a reform of military institutions should be also on the agenda of the conference," Imad said.

Moscow has repeatedly called for Libyan political actors to join forces, ever since Libya has been torn apart by conflict after long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. Dual authority persists in the country, with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Sarraj, operating in the country's west and headquartered in Tripoli and authorities in the east cooperating with Haftar.(@rukhshanmir)

Russia said on Saturday that Austria's "unfounded accusations" in a spy scandal were unacceptable while Vienna expressed hope the affair would not hurt bilateral ties.

Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Nov, 2018 ) : Russia said on Saturday that Austria 's "unfounded accusations" in a spy scandal were unacceptable while Vienna expressed hope the affair would not hurt bilateral ties.

On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said his country had launched a probe into a colonel suspected of spying for Russia for several decades.

The spy row risks hurting Russia's ties with one of its rare European allies.

It is the latest in a string of cases where Moscow has been accused of espionage in EU states and elsewhere.

Moscow said that Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl called her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to explain her country's motives.

She "expressed hope that the steps will not affect the further development of bilateral cooperation," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Lavrov for his part reiterated Moscow's displeasure that Vienna chose to air its grievances in public.

He said the practice of voicing "unfounded accusations" publicly was unacceptable, the foreign ministry said.

"Any possible mutual concerns should be discussed through established channels of dialogue and be based on facts," the statement said.

In August, Kneissl sparked a row in Austria and beyond after she waltzed with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bowed to him at her wedding, with critics saying her behaviour hurt the country's image.

Austria suspects a 70-year-old army official of working with Russian intelligence for several decades and is investigating him for allegedly revealing state secrets.

Austria is not a member of NATO and sets great store by its status as a neutral country.

It was one of the few European countries not to expel Russian diplomats following the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Britain in March.(@FahadShabbir)

VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) The Russian Embassy in Austria refused to comment on local media reports claiming that a member of the Austrian counterintelligence service is suspected of espionage, allegedly in favor of Russia, which came just days after the spy scandal involving a retired Austrian colonel.

Earlier on Sunday, the Kronen Zeitung newspaper reported that a member of the Austrian counterintelligence service  the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism  is reportedly suspected of disclosing state secrets in favor of Russia. According to the outlet, Austrian prosecutors have been conducting an investigation into the intelligence officer for a year.

"No comments," the embassy's spokesman, Bulat Khaydarov, told Sputnik.

On Friday, the same news outlet reported that a former colonel of Austrian Armed Forces was suspected of having spied for Russia for 20 years. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz later confirmed the reports and demanded that the Russian side provided "transparent" information on the matter.

On the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that he was unpleasantly surprised by the situation. The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner and expressed protest over the espionage case.

In the wake of the colonel's detention, Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl canceled her upcoming visit to Russia and summoned the Russian charge d'affaires.SEOUL, Nov. 11 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Nov, 2018 ) :Samsung Electronics Co. ranked No 2 in this year's reputation ranking among global information technology (IT) firms carried out by the Boston-based Reputation Institute (RI), industry sources in Seoul said Sunday.

The South Korean tech giant got a score of 78.5 in the latest evaluation, trailing only global graphic processor manufacturer Nvidia Corp. that received 80.3 in the 2018 US Technology RepTrak list that checks the most reputable tech companies in the world.

It beat such big Names as Intel, Google, microsoft and Apple.

Samsung, moreover, has the distinction of consistently being in the top five in the past few years, while the rankings of many of its rivals have tended to fluctuate from year to year.

RI, the world's leading provider of reputation intelligence, compiles its ranking based on such factors as transparent communications, corporate innovation and transparent governance, work environment, leadership and popular support for products.

It surveyed some 23,000 people to compile this year's findings.

The latest report showed samsung as being the only company in the top 10 that does not have its headquarters in the United States, with Japan's Epson Corp., the world's largest manufacturer of computer printers, coming in at 18th place.

Besides Nvidia and Samsung, Garmin, a leading global positioning system technology company, made the top three, with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Google, Texas Instruments, Adobe, Salesforce.

com and Hewlett-Packard in the top 10.

Samsung placed first in the 2015 report but slid to second in the following years and dropped to fifth in 2017 in the aftermath of the Galaxy Note 7 battery fire debacle of the previous year, before shooting up three slots.

In contrast, major IT firms, such as IBM and Microsoft, finished in 17th and 24th places, respectively, this year, while Samsung's main competitor in the smartphone business, Apple Inc., stood at 38th place.

RI said Samsung was able to make a comeback because it swiftly apologized for the Note 7 incident to win over market trust. It said that while the company did not lead in terms of corporate governance, it scored high across the board, with the company getting high marks in transparent communications and quality of products and services.

The latest reading, meanwhile, contrasts with the negative perception held by South Koreans toward Samsung, where it trailed other big companies, such as Hyundai Motor, SK, LG, Lotte and POSCO in a similar poll released earlier in the year.

"Samsung has traditionally been better received abroad, while in South Korea people tend to think of it as a family-run company connected to all the bad images that brings up among people," an observer said.MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) At least 25 people were killed and 17 others injured in an attack that Taliban movement carried out in the eastern-central Afghan province of Ghazni, local media reported on Sunday, citing a source.

The 1TV channel reported that the attack was carried out in Ghazni's Jaghori district on the night into Sunday.

The fatalities include 10 representatives of the government forces.

The Afghan Defense Ministry had not confirmed the causalities, but said that investigation into the attack was underway.

The Afghan government has long been engaged in a conflict with the Taliban movement, along with other terrorist groups operating in the country, including the Islamic State (banned in Russia).(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that President Donald Trump has "disgraced" US prestige and would be the ultimate loser from renewing sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Tehran, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Nov, 2018 ) :Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that President Donald Trump has "disgraced" US prestige and would be the ultimate loser from renewing sanctions on the Islamic republic.

"This new US president... has disgraced the remnant of America's prestige and that of liberal democracy. America's hard power, that is to say their economic and military power, is declining too," he said on his Persian Twitter account, quoting a speech in Tehran.(@ChaudhryMAli88)

DONETSK/LUHANSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Elections of the leader and members of parliament of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) do not breach the Minsk peace agreements and are being held in compliance with European standards, Kostas Isihos, former Greek deputy defense minister, who acts as an international observer at the elections, told reporters on Sunday.

The leaders' and parliamentary elections in the DPR and neighboring Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) started earlier on Sunday, as the polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (05:00 GMT).

"Elections in the DPR do not contradict the Minsk [peace] process. The [election] process is in compliance with the democratic standards applied in the European countries," Isihos told reporters.

Observers from France have not registered any violations either.

"Everything is normal here, this is true democracy," Quintin Vercruysse, an observer from France, told Sputnik.

Belgian politician, member of a Flemish right-wing party Vlaams Belang, Frank Kreyelman, who is an observer at the LPR elections, praised the election process at a press conference, specifying that he had registered no violations.

"The elections that I have seen there are democratic in general, and are being held in a transparent manner ... The elections are being held the way they should be," Kreyelman told reporters.

Acting DPR head Denis Pushilin, as well as acting LPR leader Leonid Pasechnik are the front-runners in their republics' elections.

The two parties competing for seats in the DPR parliament are Pushilin's Donetsk Republic and the Free Donbas party. Seats in the LRP parliament will be distributed between Pasechnik's Peace for Luhansk Region and the party of Luhansk Economic Union.

The preliminary results of the DPR elections will be announced on Monday midnight local time.

Kiev has already said that it would not recognize the results of the voting, while the Kremlin pointed out that the elections would not violate the Minsk agreements.ast Friday President Maithripala Sirisena dissolved Parliament creating yet another twist in the unfolding political crisis. Despite the protests, a written request by a majority of members of Parliament and requests made by the Speaker to convene parliament, the President went ahead with a clearly undemocratic and unconstitutional move to dissolve Parliament and call for elections. According to critics the last two weeks witnessed repeated violations of the Constitution when Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed Prime Minister; when the Cabinet was said to be dissolved and a new cabinet appointed; and of late when Parliament was dissolved. The Daily Mirror spoke to some concerned parties in the legal field on their perspectives on the constitutionality of the move to dissolve the Parliament.

The unilateral act to dissolve parliament, without first receiving a request approved by two-thirds of the members of parliament, is unconstitutional. Article 33(2)(c) of the Constitution vests in the president the power to dissolve parliament. This general power is then subjected to certain conditions in Article 70, which explicitly states that the president shall not dissolve Parliament until the expiration of a period of not less than four years and six months from the date appointed for its first meeting.

"A democracy is not defined by elections alone. Even dictators occasionally hold elections. A democracy requires organs of government to remain accountable to the people even between elections"



The only exception to this condition is when two-thirds of the members of parliament request the president to dissolve parliament. This condition is very clear. The 19th Amendment to the Constitution also introduced Article 33A, which states: The President shall be responsible to Parliament for the due exercise, performance and discharge of his powers, duties and functions under the Constitution and any written law. So the Amendment clearly intended to make the president answerable to parliament when he exercises his powers, he said.

A democracy is not defined by elections alone. Even dictators occasionally hold elections. A democracy requires organs of government to remain accountable to the people even between elections. This accountability is ensured through the constitution. So any major violation of the constitution undermines democracy. For example, if an actor within the executive arm of government unilaterally terminates the legislative arm in violation of the constitution, democracy is fundamentally undermined - not upheld, he added.

Sarath N. Silva said the President has very clear powers under Article 33(2)(c) to dissolve Parliament and that if the process of dissolution emanates from Parliament it has to follow Article 70. We have inherited the Parliamentary system from the British. The Parliamentary system was introduced in England with a head of State who was the Queen. The head of state is the total repository of power with regard to dissolution of Parliament. Over the years there is a tradition that the head of State dissolves Parliament on the advise of the Prime Minister.



The head of State under our Constitution is the elected President, who is elected by all the people in the country. Under Article 30 of the Constitution the President is the head of State, head of Government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces. There is no one above him. Dissolution of Parliament has always been under the executive power of the President originally under Article 70. In 2002, when Ranil Wickremesinghe was Prime Minister, 19A was introduced. It sought to remove the executive powers of the President to dissolve Parliament. There was to be an amendment to Article 70 to the effect that the President shall exercise that power only upon a resolution passed by a simple majority of Parliament. The Supreme Court held that the power of dissolution is executive power, that it has to be exercised by the President and that it has to be exercised in trust for the people. On that basis it was held that the amendment to Article 70 was dangerous to the sovereignty of the people and that the bill required a referendum. Then the Bill was withdrawn.



The drafters of the current 19A were well aware of this determination of the Supreme Court in 2002. There is a presumption that laws are enacted on the basis of the recent decisions of the Supreme Court. In the current 19A Article 33 was amended. Article 33(2)(c) reads that in addition to the powers conferred by the Constitution or other law the President shall have the power to summon, dissolve and prorogue Parliament. This is really referable to the Supreme Court judgement. Otherwise the 19A would have required a referendum. Article 62 states that unless Parliament is sooner dissolved it will continue for five years. So sooner dissolved is also referable to Article 33(2)(c). Then Article 70 under the chapter on Parliamentary proceedings was amended. It says that the Parliament shall not be dissolved unless after four and a half years or a resolution by Parliament with two thirds. On the face of it, this is contrary to the judgement of the Supreme Court. This is why overriding power was given to the President to exercise that power.

Though the President has absolute discretion to summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament he should do so with good faith. In the present case, he has prorogued and dissolved parliament at his discretion and in the meantime he has switched Prime Ministers and appointed cabinet ministers from Mahinda Rajapaksas partyand deemed that Ranil Wickremesinghes cabinet members have ceased to function. He has also named a date for general elections. Has he acted in terms of the constitution. The dissolution was not made in good faith for several reasons. Firstly, the present President has a historical background in selecting Prime Ministers because he did not adhere to the proper methodology when appointing Ranil in the first time when D.M. Jayaratne was in office as Prime Minister. Secondly, he appointed MR as the Prime Minister when Ranil has not ceased office, has not resigned or died and continues to assert that he is the Prime Minister. Thirdly, the President prorogued Parliament without consulting the Parliamentarians as to whether they desired a change in the premiership. He selected MR without consulting Parliament. Then he dissolved Parliament which he had the right to do so, provided he acted in good faith. The above matters raises questions as to his good faith. Above acts show that he has acted contrary to the Constitution.



This whole wrongful exercise began with the 19A to the Constitution. Though it was brought by the good governance folk it took away the right of people to have a general election for four and a half years. (i.e it would take more than four and a half years because of the nomination and election period set out in the Constitution).

The President should have received a two thirds majority support in the Parliament to avoid the four and a half year absolute prohibition. This is unlikely because of the 5-year pension rule for Parliamentarians. He should have consulted the Supreme Court by obtaining guidance via a question posed to them. The public must have the right to have general elections to choose who should govern them. But the public is prohibited from having elections in terms of the 19A for four and a half years unless he obtains a two thirds majority in Parliament to have an election which is the peoples aspiration. The only way available to the President was the referendum process where he would have received an overwhelming yes vote.



More so under the present constitution the President is required to ensure that the Constitution is respected and upheld. In terms of the 19A, the President shall be responsible to Parliament for the due exercise, performance and discharge of his powers, duties and functions under the Constitution. Therefore if the Parliament was in session, it could have taken action against the President, instead of the UNP going to court, which is a slower process. There is an obvious lack of urgency on the part of the UNP and belatedness, and an unguided MR has lost the opportunity of the majority in Parliament because the people will now hold him responsible for the debacle in Parliament in being greedy for power. The nett result is we might have to face economic problems, lose face, be called a banana republic and become an economic liability to the people.

The President has a duty to find out as to whom the Parliamentarians consider most eminent to become the Prime Minister. He closed doors when he asked for a prorogation.

In the 19A case of Gomin Dayasri v State Counsel Dayasri raised the question as to if it was not possible to have general elections for four and a half years whether it diminishes the fundamental rights of the people. CJ Sripavan said neither a yes nor no and gave no reasons for either possibility and it let to a downgrading of democracy.



(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) The European Union refused to accept the key initiative of UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Brexit - creation of an independent mechanism to oversee the UK withdrawal from the customs union - local media reported on Sunday.

Last week, May's spokesman said that there was a "good progress" in the UK-EU talks on the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the bloc and 95 percent of the future Brexit agreement had already been settled.

According to The Sunday Times newspaper, May hoped to unite her cabinet by settling the differences with the European Union through the initiative on the independent mechanism.

However, the European Union insists that any arbitration can be carried out only via the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

The newspaper also reported that four ministers from May's cabinet, who are opposing the no-deal Brexit, were on the brink of resignation.

At the same time, the Labour Party vowed to mobilize all political parties to prevent May's government from withdrawing the country from the European Union without a deal.

The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016 and is expected to do so by late March 2019, while there are still certain stumbling blocks that impede talks, namely, the Irish border and the post-Brexit UK-EU economic relations, making a no-deal scenario of Brexit a possibility.MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) The Russian Embassy in the United States said it had sent a request to the US Department of State to get more information about the reported detention of Alexander Malkevich, editor-in-chief of the USA Really news agency.

According to the Russian Civic Chamber, Malkevich, who is also first deputy chairman of the Commission on Development of Information Community, Mass Media and Mass Communications of the chamber, was an observer in the November 6 elections in the US state of Maryland.

"Amid the media reports about detention of Russian journalist Alexander Malkevich at an airport in Washington, [we have] sent a request to the Department of State [asking] for the details of the incident," the Russian Embassy wrote on its Twitter page.

The embassy also issued recommendations for Russian citizens, who should demand from the US authorities an opportunity to communicate with the Russian Embassy in the United States if they are detained in the northern American country.

According to the Federal News Agency (FAN), which launched the USA Really project earlier this year, Malkevich was detained by FBI agents at the Washington airport on late Friday.

During the several hours of questioning, the FBI agents tried to find out whether Malkevich was engaged in the alleged Russian meddling in the US elections as well as whether he was an agent of Russian intelligence services.

After the questioning Malkevich was allowed to leave the United States.PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th November, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump have greeted each other shaking hands at the ceremony of end of World War I centenary commemorations currently underway on Champs Elysees in Paris, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Putin and Trump nodded at each other, and Putin tapped Trump on the shoulder showing him a thumbs up.

Trump and Putin both arrived late at the ceremony making all the other leaders wait.

Both presidents arrived in their own corteges, while all the other heads of state and governments have taken the buses from the French presidential palace.

Putin and Trump are expected to talk briefly during a working lunch later in the day.Houston, Texas (UroToday.com) Dr. Svatek, speaking as the 2018 David A. Swanson Distinguished Alumni lecturer for the Department of Urology, described being impressed as a resident by the effectiveness of BCG therapy in treating bladder carcinoma. He has since dedicated his career to furthering the understanding of BCGs mechanisms of efficacy in managing bladder cancer.Dr. Svatek discussed the fact that there are several BCG strains, having evolved from in vitro passaging over time in different laboratory conditions worldwide. BCG shortages in the United States have made treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer more challenging. Dr. Svatek notes that there remains only a single manufacturer of the TICE strain of BCG in the US at the present time. The different strains of BCG have been postulated to have different efficacies, and a meta-analysis by Boehm et al suggested that the Tokyo-172 strain may be the most effectiveThe S1602 SWOG Intergroup trial (NCT03091660) was borne partly out of this observation, along with studies that suggested that prior exposure to BCG antibodies may confer additional treatment benefit.The trial compares TICE BCG to Tokyo-172 BCG in a non-inferiority design, and as a second objective, randomizes patients to Tokyo-172 BCG with or without an intradermal vaccination of Tokyo-172 BCG prior to intravesical instillation.The mechanism of BCG therapy is not well understood. Both innate and adaptive immune cells play a role. In patients who were primed with BCG vaccination, Dr. Svateks group found that there was a significant increase in natural killer cells as well as  T cells. In murine studies, knockout of  T cells leads to loss of BCG efficacy. In contrast, regular T cells contribute partly to BCGs efficacy, but they are not indispensable, according to Dr. Svatek.The S1602 trial is currently accruing patients. A key benefit of BCG vaccination is its low cost (averaging $2.50), considerably lower than other novel immunotherapy agents also emerging in the bladder cancer treatment space.Presented by: Robert Svatek, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, UT Health Science Center, San Antonio, TexasReferences:1. Boehm BE, Cornell JE, Wang H, Mukherjee N, Oppenheimer JS, Svatek RS. Efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guerin Strains for Treatment of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: ASystematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. J Urol [Internet].2017 Sep;198(3):50310.2. Niwa N, Kikuchi E, Matsumoto K, Kosaka T, Mizuno R, Oya M. Purified Protein Derivative Skin test prior to bacillus Calmette-Guerin Therapy May have Therapeutic Impact in Patients with Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. J Urol [Internet]. 2018 Jun;199(6):144651. 3. Biot C, Rentsch CA, Gsponer JR, Birkhauser FD, Jusforgues-Saklani H, Lemaitre F, et al. Preexisting BCG-specific T cells improve intravesical immunotherapy for bladder cancer. Sci Transl Med [Internet]. 2012 Jun 6;4(137):137ra72.

Written by Dr. Vikram M. Narayan (@VikramNarayan), Urologic Oncology Fellow with Ashish M. Kamat, MD (@UroDocAsh), Professor, Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX at the 13th Update on the Management of Genitourinary Malignancies, The University of Texas (MDACC - MD Anderson Cancer Center) November 9-10, 2018, Dan L. Duncan Building, Houston, TXHouston, TX (UroToday.com) When Surgery Alone is Enough Dr. Neema Navai discussed the rationale for using systemic therapy in managing cT2N0 bladder cancer, noting that goals include downstaging of disease and eliminating the micrometastatic disease. Ideally, we would like to be able to select out which patients may be able to benefit from surgery alone without compromising oncologic outcomes, while potentially sparing them the toxicities associated with chemotherapy.Dr. Navai presented data from Stein et al, in which over 1000 patients, very few of whom underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, were followed over a median period of 10.2 years.This data demonstrated that without systemic therapy if the disease is organ confined, nearly 90% of patients enjoy long-term survival with surgery alone.The challenge is to accurately identify which patients are truly organ confined, and Dr. Navai notes that clinical understaging in the pT2 patient population is quite common.2 Culp et al published data from the MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrating features that can be considered high-risk; this includes patients with hydronephrosis, cT3b-T4a disease, and/or histological evidence of lymphovascular invasion, micropapillary or neuroendocrine features on transurethral resection.Dr. Navai concluded that while a risk adapted approach can spare many patients from chemotherapy while maintaining a high cure rate, considerations should be made to ensure that clinical staging is as accurate as possible. An adjuvant chemotherapy paradigm may also allow for selection of patients who are most likely to benefit, and there is no true one size fits all answer in the management of bladder cancer.When is Chemoradiation Appropriate?Todd Swanson, MD, PhDDr. Todd Swanson noted that use of radiation therapy for organ sparing cancer treatment is standard and established in a number of malignancies. In bladder cancer, among the contraindications to radiation therapy include the presence of positive nodes above the common iliac bifurcation, hydronephrosis due to tumor, diffuse involvement of the bladder mucosa, and clinical T4 disease with stromal inflammation. A history of pelvic inflammatory disease, symptomatic adhesions from prior pelvic surgery, inflammatory pelvic disease, and prior pelvic radiotherapy are also contraindications. Those caveats being noted, Dr. Swanson stated that in adequately selected cases, chemoradiation can provide high cure rates approaching that of surgery. There is, however, currently no level 1 evidence comparing trimodal therapy to cystectomy.Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Risk Adaptive ApproachMatthew T. Campbell, MDDr. Matthew Campbell reviewed the important role that neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) plays in managing muscle-invasive bladder cancer, citing the sentinel paper by Grossman et al. In this trial, patients with stage T2 to T4a bladder cancer were randomized to either cystectomy alone vs. M-VAC + cystectomy, with improved survival, demonstrated, particularly in patients who had a complete response (pT0). Dose-dense M-VAC is listed as the preferred regimen in the NCCN guidelines, which Dr. Campbell notes is in part due to the addition of additional growth factor support that was previously unavailable. M-VAC has historically associated with mortality related complications due to neutropenic deaths; Dr. Campbell notes that the ability to give growth factor support has reduced this mortality risk. Gemcitabine/cisplatin is also administered in many centers because many oncologists consider it easier to administer, although it is less effective than ddMVAC. Dr. Campbell proposes a risk-adapted approach to the administration of NAC.Presented by: Neema Navai, MD, Assistant Professor, Urology, Todd Swanson, MD, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology, and Matthew T. Campbell, MD Assistant Professor, Genitourinary Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TexasWritten by Dr. Vikram M. Narayan (@VikramNarayan), Urologic Oncology Fellow and Ashish M. Kamat, MD (@UroDocAsh), Professor, Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX at the 13th Update on the Management of Genitourinary Malignancies, The University of Texas (MDACC - MD Anderson Cancer Center) November 9-10, 2018, Dan L. Duncan Building, Houston, TXReferences:1. Stein JP, Lieskovsky G, Cote R, Groshen S, Feng AC, Boyd S, et al. Radical cystectomy in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer: long-term results in 1,054 patients. J Clin Oncol [Internet]. 2001 Feb 1;19(3):66675.

2. Shariat SF, Karakiewicz PI, Palapattu GS, Lotan Y, Rogers CG, Amiel GE, et al. Outcomes of radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a contemporary series from the Bladder Cancer Research Consortium. J Urol [Internet]. 2006 Dec;176(6 Pt 1):241422; discussion 2422.

3. Culp SH, Dickstein RJ, Grossman HB, Pretzsch SM, Porten S, Daneshmand S, et al. Refining patient selection for neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical cystectomy. J Urol [Internet]. 2014 Jan;191(1):407.Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has obtained the membership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), at his official residence, Wijerama road, Colombo, a short while ago.

Video by DamithFollowing a day of spiritual discernment and prayer, US Bishops will discuss and vote on concrete measures to respond to the abuse crisis, and approval of the Pastoral Letter Against Racism.

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) meets on 12-14 November for the Fall General Assembly in Baltimore, MD. Monday will be dedicated to addresses from USCCB President, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, and the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Christoph Pierre, along with spiritual discernment, prayer and the celebration of Mass in the evening. The next two days will be filled with discussions and voting.

Abuse crisis response

In the wake of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report, released on 14 August, and the subsequent high-profile case of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the Bishops will spend time discussing and voting on a series of concrete measures to respond to the abuse crisis. These include: a third-party reporting mechanism, standards of conduct for bishops, and protocols for bishops resigned or removed because of abuse, according to a USCCB press release dated 30 October.

Pastoral Letter on Racism

The Bishops will also be voting to approve the Pastoral Letter Against Racism. The last Pastoral Letter addressing this topic was released by the USCCB in 1979. Addressing the Spring General Assembly, Bishop Shelton Fabre, chairman of the bishop's Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, gave a preview of the current Letter. It will address concerns faced by Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos, in a society experiencing a rise in public displays of racism. The Bishops look to Micah 6:8 to provide inspiration in condemning racism, its impact on individuals, how it affects institutions and public policy, and how pastors, educators, families and ordinary individuals can confront it.

Listen to our report

Other agenda items

They will also vote on the 2019 USCCB budget, and new members of 7 USCCB positions and Committees. The Assembly will also be briefed regarding the recently concluded 15th Ordinary Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.

Cause for Canonization

Endorsing the opening the Cause for Canonization of Sr Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, will also be put to a voice vote. A Catholic convert from Methodism at the age of nine, Sr Thea became a national promoter of racial harmony. Many witnessed her beautiful voice, capable of singing the sweetest and most powerful Gospel strain. After battling cancer for 6 years, Sr Thea died at the age of 53, in 1990.

Media coverage

All of the public sessions, and part of the spiritual discernment day of the Fall General Assembly will be live streamed on the USCCB web site. Other material, such as news, voting tallies, and texts of presentations, can also be found there. Information can also be accessed through the USCCB Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, or through the hashtag #USCCB18.The 100th anniversary of the end of World War I is being remembered the world over on Sunday. A Military Bishop reflects on the role of military chaplains during peace time.

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

We can have these ideas that the [military chaplain] spends most of his life knee deep in blood on the front line. Its not like that at all, Bishop Paul Mason, Bishop of the Forces in Great Britain explained in an interview with Vatican News. Armistice Day and the remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One provides an occasion to understand the role of the military chaplain during peace time.

Ministering to families

Bishop Mason described the work of a military chaplain as quite similar to that of a parish priest. Military chaplains spend a lot of time ministering to the needs and challenges faced by service personnel and their families, he said. They provide support to officers, to families, and to young recruits. They are very busy.

Ministering to young recruits

In addition, they provide a crucial role in the lives of new recruits who find themselves perhaps for the first time away from home.

Theyre coming to the rather odd and challenging world of the military. They are asking questions. They want to know about things of faith. The number of confirmations or baptisms that our chaplains are doing working with young recruits who are finding themselves at a point in their life, a point of change when theyre asking questions which perhaps theyve never asked before. Perhaps theyve never in their life encountered the Church or a priest.

Ministering as a Military Bishop

Bishop Mason was appointed by Pope Francis to the Bishopric of the Forces in Great Britain in July this year. He said he is still getting used to the role. The priority he has set for himself is that of supporting the chaplains. His message to them is,

This is the work of the Church. It has prayer at its core. It has the Eucharist at its core. That is my practical role, as well as my symbolic place: to ensure that it stays as that evangelical side of what were doing  to bring the Gospel to people wherever we work.

Listen to our interview with Bishop Paul Mason, Bishop of the Forces in Great Britain

Visiting the garrison churches

He has made a commitment to visit the garrison churches. Although they seem to be like any other normal parish, he has to remind himself that each of those present is connected to the military. They need support and I try to visit and get down to as many of those churches as I can, he said.

Place of the Church in the military establishment

Bishop Mason has also begun to understand the importance of the presence of the Church in the hierarchical structure of the military establishment itself.

To have the physical presence of the Catholic Church, having the conversation at that level, representing the interests of the Catholic Faith at that level, is really important.

He, therefore, sees his own role as one of ensuring that the Catholic Church is present and fully engaged in order to promote the spread of the Gospel in the military environment.

Keeping the faith alive

Chaplains serving outside of normal parish settings can experience a struggle to keep the faith alive, Bishop Mason continued.

There are so many other pressures to reduce the spiritual input to effectively a type of social work. To ensure that the faith-based understanding of the Church within the military remains front and centre.

Openness to the Faith

On the whole, Bishop Mason has found an openness to matters of faith in the military.

Its wonderful. Youre not pushing at a closed door. Youre pushing very much at an open door. Because the experience on the ground is that the place of religious faith in military context at so many levels is that it provides support, it gives morale, it helps people in their journeys of faith, coming to terms with what they are doing.The first Central American Migrant Caravan has left Mexico City on foot, heading north to the US Mexican Border, which is still more than a thousand kilometers away. It`s going to be extra tough going as they currently have no transport.

By James Blears

The vast majority of the first caravan departed pre dawn Saturday, from the Jesus Martinez Pallido Stadium in Eastern Mexico City. They're aiming to reach Tijuana, still far more than a thousand kilometers to the North. And there they`ll encounter more than fifteen thousand US troops and National Guard, plus Border Patrol and hectares of razor wire.

58 year old Honduran Francisco Alvarado has spent more than 35 years in the United States, has a wife and three daughters there. Deported twice, he`s trying to return to his family. He`s appealing to President Trump to consider the plight of the caravans, who are escaping dire poverty and death threats from the street gangs plus organized crime.

"I like to go to United States. I wanna stay there with my family. I want to say to Mr Trump, 'Please let the people go there. All the people living in Honduras need a job there. People need work, need a job."

United Nations

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, says it`s not their responsibility to provide transportation and neither has the Mexican Government. So it appears to be a one thousand plus kilometers trek towards a hostile and reinforced bristling Border.

Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway launched its 18th season at a soft-opening on Thursday, November 8. The VIP/Media night welcomed out nearly 300 guests to celebrate another year of the award-winning holiday drive-thru light show (Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg).

Video: Glittering Lights 2018

[fbvideo link=https://www.facebook.com/LVMotorSpeedway/videos/304925466782070/ width=588 height=700 onlyvideo=1]

Video Courtesy of Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg

Guests included Human Nature, X Burlesque, the cast of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody, BMX rider Ricardo Laguna, comedy-magician Adam London, hypnotist Anthony Cools and Jhoanna Trias & Mitchell Langon from Discovery Channels Survival Series Men Women Wild.

Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg

Three time alumn to welcoming Glittering Lights, Human Nature returned to the headline Thursday nights event. They were joined by Nicole Unger and Luke Striffler of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody to launch the lights park by way of giant red button.

Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg

Zeniya Knight, a fifth year Future Dance Scholar, helped the band turn on the lights. Glittering Lights provides funding to Speedway Childrens Charities that helps support organizations like Nevada Ballet Theatre provide outreach programs for children like Zeniya. Nevada Ballet Theatres Education and Outreach programs touch the lives of more than 20,000 children in Clark County each year.

Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg

Red Carpet Arrivals by Ira Kuzma

Santa Claus made a magical arrival to the lights in a horse-drawn carriage.

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

We are so thankful to all of the lovers of lights that continue to return to Las Vegas Motor Speedway each year to celebrate such a beautiful season with us, said John Bentham, producer of Glittering Lights. This holiday light show is about community, giving and creating memories, some of the things that make Christmas so special.

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

Photo credit: Ira Kuzma / www.IraKuzmaPhotos.com

Continuing its 18-year tradition as southern Nevadas premiere drive-thru light show, during the 60 days that the holiday light park is open, the show hosts different initiatives to support local charities, churches and schools. When people drive through millions of twinkling lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the following community support includes:

Speedway Childrens Charities receives a portion of each ticket sold. In fact, Glittering Lights and the PJ5K make up more than half the donations the charity grants to more than 50 childrens charities in southern Nevada.

Goodwill of Southern Nevada collects clothing and household goods, transforming donated goods and monetary contributions into pathways to meaningful employment for Southern Nevadans in need.

When you purchase food and drink from concessions, area Boy Scout troops gain interpersonal, money management and leadership skills, along with earning money for camp and activities.

The award-winning, internationally acclaimed light park will be open every night from November 9 to January 6. Las Vegas Motor Speedway will house the holiday spectacular of 2.5 miles of over 3 million dazzling lights.President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) Michele DErcole

addresses the workshop in Rome on November 9 (Photo: VNA)



President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) Michele DErcole and ICHAM Executive Director Pham Hoang Hai informed local investors about Vietnams economy at present, including the positive economic growth and foreign investment attraction.

Participants were provided with concrete information about the fields Vietnam is prioritising while Italy holds strength in, along with cooperation prospects and investment chances once the EVFTA is ratified and comes into force. They were also given details of Vietnams investment attraction policies and procedures.

ICHAM President Michele DErcole told Vietnam News Agency that the Southeast Asian nation has enjoyed growth in both industrial products and foreign investment in recent years.

He noted compared to other ASEAN countries, Vietnam boasts many advantages to attract foreign direct investment, with political stability the biggest strength. While about 60 percent of its population is of working age, low labour cost is also a competitive edge of the country. Vietnam is stepping up training to improve its human resources quality to meet foreign investors demand. It is also promoting measures to enhance its competitiveness in different sectors like high technology and renewable energy.

Michele DErcole said Italy is very interested in the EVFTA, which will take effect in the near future. At that time, Italian firms will have a number of opportunities to cooperate with Vietnam in the fields they are strong at.

The reduction of tariffs to zero percent under this deal will facilitate bilateral trade. Italy can export numerous commodities to Vietnam such as machines, wood products, fabric and garment, and assist Vietnamese partners to manufacture many items like footwear, leather products, fabric and medical and chemical products. Italian companies can also make use of their scientific and technological strengths to help Vietnam develop some sectors, especially agriculture, he added.

Regarding measures to foster economic links, Trade Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy Nguyen Duc Thanh said the two countries set up the strategic partnership in 2013. They also established a joint economic committee to bolster bilateral cooperation and investment. Despite a continuous growth over the past year, their trade turnover has yet to fully reflect the potential of their businesses.

He suggested both sides increase mutual high-ranking visits to warm up the strategic partnership as well as relations between all-level authorities and sectors. They should also boost economic ties between their localities, for example the cooperation deal between Veneto region and Ba Ria  Vung Tau province or the one between some construction stone mining areas of Italy and Yen Bai province. Additionally, it is needed to tighten connections between the countries industries and businesses.

Italy is now the fourth biggest European economic partner of Vietnam. Bilateral trade approximated USD5 billion in 2017. With total capital of USD389 million, Italy ranks 31st among 126 countries and territories directly investing in the ASEAN nation./.or the most part of the last few weeks we have been in a suspended state of disbelief. Yes, the 2015 government had not lived up to its expectations, some people were plotting for the next election to teach them a lesson, and then lightning struck. The Prime Minister was removed in the stealth of the night replaced by the arch- rival that the President was elected to depose, Parliament was prorogued and then dissolved and a huge cabinet appointed. Neither the Prime Minister nor the cabinet have shown that they have the majority of Parliament behind them and this autocratic rule will continue until January 5, unless the Supreme Court decides otherwise.

Every day my friends and I text each other with information on who is crossing, what is happening here, what is happening there, so much so that we get lost in the weeds and miss the big picture. What is the big picture? We are today witnessing the gross abuse of executive power in ways that have been quite unimaginable even to the best of our cynics. It is power being wielded not only against the traditions and customs of a parliamentary tradition but in brazen disregard of the words and terms of the Constitution. When I meet people socially due to spin and confusion they say, Who cares - one set of crooks vs. another. This is not about the crooks; it is about institutions, democracy and the system of government you would like in place for your children.

"Pressure and intimidation aimed at the Speaker is disturbing"



The first institution under attack by this runaway executive is the institution of Parliament. It is true the public image of Parliament and parliamentarians is not very good but they do pass laws and do many other things that allow us to govern ourselves according to a set process. The procedure set for the removal of the Prime Minister is quite clear, Sinhala technicalities notwithstanding. But the most important point in a parliamentary democracy is that the prime minister must enjoy the confidence of a parliamentary majority. So even if the removal and appointment were legal, the next step would have been to go to Parliament and take a floor test as soon as possible to see who enjoys the confidence of the house. Instead Parliament was prorogued and dissolved leaving behind a Prime Minister and Cabinet that do not have the approval of Parliament. That is what is meant by autocratic rule. The fact that the SLPP is a willing partner in this even though it has a great deal of popularity in the country and would have probably won the next election is also disturbing.

"Prime Minister must enjoy the confidence of the parliamentary majority "



What was equally as disturbing as the attack on Parliament was the pressure and intimidation aimed at the Speaker. Parliament is supposed to be a co-equal arm of government, a check to a willful executive. Parliamentary staff are expected to take their instructions from the Speaker who heads this co-equal arm. Instead officials of Parliament defied the Speaker and decided to follow the President, an institution they were supposed to check and balance. Such behaviour is a serious threat to Parliamentary democracy and one can only congratulate the Speaker for standing his ground. Protecting the powers, privileges and immunities of the Speaker is a must, if we are to remain a parliamentary democracy.

"The public image of Parliament and parliamentarians is not very good"



The second tradition that is being attacked by the runaway executive are long settled rules of legal interpretation. The arguments for dissolution that the government presented and will be tested in the Supreme Court are a case in point. The Constitution gives the President a general power to dissolve, as one of his many powers. Then in a specific provision it states that the President can only dissolve Parliament after four and-a-half years. It is one of the longest settled rules of legal interpretation that the specific trumps the general;specific provisions qualify the general power. This perversion of legal interpretation in this case will perplex any lawyer and leads us to seriously question the motives of those who make such a crude, instrumental use of the law.



Another strange development is the President using his powers to change the leadership of a party other than his own. Whether the UNP needs a change of leadership is something to be discussed by the members of the party and the public. But removing proroguing, dissolving Parliament all because you do not like the leader of another party is quite extraordinary. The President in his first speech on the subject equated his relationship with the Prime Minister as a bad marriage. Surely the answer to a bad marriage is to seek the advice of a counsellor and not to burn the house down with the children in it. In politics and in life, one has to work with people one does not like. One can manoeuvre, discuss or position oneself in this situation but protecting institutions and their integrity must surely be more important than personality differences.

"The fact that the SLPP is a willing partner in this even though it has a great deal of popularity in the country and would have probably won the next election is also disturbing"



When the President prorogued Parliament to try and get a parliamentary majority, I was astounded but found that most people were equivocal. I was interested by the comment average people made. It was along the lines of It is a done deal they will buy them over. There was very little moral outrage in this reaction but a cynical acceptance of what politics was like in this day and age. The fact that my Member of Parliament can be bought over for any amount of money without any reaction made me realize the depth of despair in this country with regard to our politics.



Interestingly the people who received the least respect were the minority parties. Many people assured me that they would be bought over first. As a minority I found this a stunning rebuke to our self-respect. Is that what people think of minority political leaders that they can be bought and sold in an auction?

Speaking of minorities, the scenes at Rupavahini, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the release of the man supposedly responsible for the Digana anti-Muslim riots instead of re-remanding him as they did in the past, began to raise the threshold of fear - the fear of unruly mobs let lose by politicians. The fear has not gone away. One must commend the Army Commander and the armed services for staying away from this very political contest and one must acknowledge that whatever else he did, the President did not call out the military. Nevertheless there are ominous signs, pockets of violence, pockets of thuggery and an

uneasy peace.

"One young person told me that she watches the news but her instincts tell her it is all wrong. As a result everyone goes back to their social media bubble and perhaps the international press to discern what is happening"



In recent years we had become accustomed to a diversity of media voices. Today, even though pockets of diversity remain there seems to be a concerted effort to convey only one voice, one truth. Much of it is sheer spin. Foreign envoys, local political parties and other individuals would recount how they would meet the President on his request and they would speak their mind but the discussions were used as a photo opportunity to make out to the public that everyone was extending their support. There is so much spin that one does not know what is truth and what is reality. One young person told me that she watches the news but her instincts tell her it is all wrong. As a result everyone goes back to their social media bubble and perhaps the international press to discern what is happening. A country that loses touch with reality and the-truth, especially a small country such as ours, is on a spiral towards disaster nationally and internationally.



The international repercussions of what has happened will have huge implications especially in the near future. For the moment we are an internationally suspect country. Except for Burundi, I do not think anyone has recognized the new government and probably will not until January. I worked on the issue of the Rohingyas and Myanmar and understood the terrible consequences of being a cast out nation. Yes they survive but at what cost? Beating tribal drums, at war with the west while desiring their investment, and their people portrayed to the world as ugly and prejudiced. We became the number one destination of Lonely Planet, the most respected travel magazine, and like evil eye, within the week the constitutional crisis occurred. Now we are nowhere in the listings. When one was fighting a war, it must have been exhilarating to some to be fighting the imperialist west but in peacetime, the west, India and China are equally important as tourists, as buyers of our exports and as investors. Being a castaway nation even for a few months is just not worth the heated rhetoric.

"The Prime Minister was removed in the stealth of the night replaced by the arch-rival that the President was elected to depose, Parliament was prorogued and then dissolved and a huge cabinet appointed"



We are now experiencing a runaway executive, autocratic rule and promise of free elections under the rubric of that autocratic rule. One can hope the Supreme Court will stop the direction of this flow and that perhaps we can have general elections under a caretaker government. The first thing that any new government should do

is to do away with or severely limit the powers of the executive president. Time and time again this institution has destroyed the fabric of Sri Lankan life. Ven. Sobitha Thera gave his life in struggling for its abolition. In his memory, we must keep up the effort to ensure that any executive under our Constitution cannot act on whims and fancies, only according to democratic traditions and the rule of law.President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) Michele DErcole addresses the workshop in Rome on November 9 (Photo: VNA)

President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (ICHAM) Michele DErcole and ICHAM Executive Director Pham Hoang Hai informed local investors about Vietnams economy at present, including the positive economic growth and foreign investment attraction.

Participants were provided with concrete information about the fields Vietnam is prioritising while Italy holds strength in, along with cooperation prospects and investment chances once the EVFTA is ratified and comes into force. They were also given details of Vietnams investment attraction policies and procedures.

ICHAM President Michele DErcole told Vietnam News Agency that the Southeast Asian nation has enjoyed growth in both industrial products and foreign investment in recent years.

He noted compared to other ASEAN countries, Vietnam boasts many advantages to attract foreign direct investment, with political stability the biggest strength. While about 60 percent of its population are of working age, low labour cost is also a competitive edge of the country. Vietnam is stepping up training to improve its human resources quality to meet foreign investors demand. It is also promoting measures to enhance its competitiveness in different sectors like high technology and renewable energy.

Michele DErcole said Italy is very interested in the EVFTA, which will take effect in the near future. At that time, Italian firms will have a number of opportunities to cooperate with Vietnam in the fields they are strong at.

The reduction of tariffs to zero percent under this deal will facilitate bilateral trade. Italy can export numerous commodities to Vietnam such as machines, wood products, fabric and garment, and assist Vietnamese partners to manufacture many items like footwear, leather products, fabric and medical and chemical products. Italian companies can also make use of their scientific and technological strengths to help Vietnam develop some sectors, especially agriculture, he added.

Regarding measures to foster economic links, Trade Counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy Nguyen Duc Thanh said the two countries set up the strategic partnership in 2013. They also established a joint economic committee to bolster bilateral cooperation and investment. Despite a continuous growth over the past year, their trade turnover has yet to fully reflect the potential of their businesses.

He suggested both sides increase mutual high-ranking visits to warm up the strategic partnership as well as relations between all-level authorities and sectors. They should also boost economic ties between their localities, for example the cooperation deal between Veneto region and Ba Ria  Vung Tau province or the one between some construction stone mining areas of Italy and Yen Bai province. Additionally, it is needed to tighten connections between the countries industries and businesses.

Italy is now the fourth biggest European economic partner of Vietnam. Bilateral trade approximated 5 billion USD in 2017. With total capital of 389 million USD, Italy ranks 31st among 126 countries and territories directly investing in the ASEAN nation.General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Nguyen Phu Trong held talks yesterday with President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez.-VNA/VNS Photo Tri Dung

During the talks, the leaders briefed each other on the situation in their respective countries and discussed orientations and measures to deepen the special relationship between the two sides in an effective and pragmatic fashion. They also exchanged viewpoints on regional and international issues of shared concern. Party General Secretary and President Trong said the Cuban Presidents visit will generate momentum for the bilateral relationship. Congratulating the Cuban people on achievements they have recorded recently, the host noted his belief that Cubans, under the leadership of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Raul Castro, will gain even greater attainments in the future. He thanked the Cuban Government and people for their solidarity and valuable support for Vietnam.

"Vietnam wishes to deepen bilateral ties, meeting the aspirations and interests of people of both countries, while actively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world," he said. For his part, President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez applauded the reform achievements that the Vietnamese people have reaped over the past nearly three decades, saying that Cuba would also like to learn from Vietnams development experience. He also used this occasion to thank the Vietnamese State and people for their solidarity and valuable support for their Cuban counterparts, and affirmed Cubas resolve to enhance bilateral ties in order to effectively contribute to development in each country. The two leaders applauded the growth of their countries comprehensive cooperation, including increasingly trustworthy political ties through regular delegation exchanges and experience sharing. Cooperation mechanisms between the Vietnamese and Cuban Governments, ministries, and sectors have been maintained and become more and more effective. Relations between the two parties, parliaments, and peoples have also been enhanced, they noted. The two sides pledged to keep close and all-round cooperation during their journeys of national construction and development. They will make efforts to intensify their exemplary fraternity, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and faithful solidarity. At the talks, the leaders also discussed several measures to foster economic, trade, and investment partnerships in a result-oriented manner; strengthen ties in defence, security, external relations, agriculture, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, education, and science-technology, and boost people-to-people exchange. They applauded and emphasised the importance of the two Governments signing of a new trade agreement and a protocol on capital disbursement and financial management of the Viet Nam-Cuba project on cooperation in rice production development for 2019-2023. Party General Secretary and President Trong shared the Cuban Presidents view that the current bilateral trade total at US$240 million each year does not reflect the two countries trade potential, demand, and supply capacity. They agreed to give relevant direction to actively promote the implementation of the bilateral trade cooperation agreement, seek ways to facilitate businesses access to each others markets, and strive to raise trade to US$500 million by 2022. The leaders also expressed their delight at their countries growing coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation. Regarding international and regional situations of shared concern, both sides shared the view that sovereignty and territorial disputes need to be resolved by peaceful means with respect for international law. The Cuban President invited General Secretary and President Trong to pay an official visit to his country in the near future. Before the talks, on behalf of the Vietnamese State, Party General Secretary and President Trong bestowed the Ho Chi Minh Order upon the Cuban leader in recognition of the latters contributions to bilateral friendship and cooperation. The same day, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh and Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung, representing the Vietnamese Government, and Vice President of the Cuban Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, on behalf of the Cuban Government, signed the new trade agreement and the protocol on capital disbursement and financial management of the cooperation in rice production development for 2019-2023.Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets delegates at the great national unity festival in Noi Ninh village (Source: VNA)

The event was held in one of 49 ancient quan ho (love duet) villages recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the occasion of the 88th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) (November 18).

Addressing the event, PM Phuc lauded Bac Giang province, particularly the VFF-provincial chapter, for the effective implementation of a campaign related to new-style rural area building, as well as its socio-economic development achievements.

In the time ahead, Noi Ninh village and other localities in Bac Giang should focus on addressing shortcomings during the civilised residential area building and socio-economic development process such as environmental pollution and social crimes, especially drug-related crime, he suggested.

He asked local people to support each other as there are a lot of poor people and those living in difficult circumstances in Bac Giang.

The Government leader also took the occasion to require local authorities across the country to maintain close coordination with the VFF to speed up the implementation of patriotic emulation campaigns and movements and increase the efficiency of a sustainable poverty reduction movement and another on the building of new-style rural areas and civilised urban areas.

On this occasion, Phuc presented flowers and gifts to Noi Ninh residential area, and planted a tree at the village pagoda.Between 30,000 to 40,000 people packed into the city's Castello plaza, one of the largest in the capital of Piemont region, in the first large-scale demonstration in favour of the TAV Lyon-Turin railway. (AFP/Marco BERTORELLO)

Between 30,000 to 40,000 people packed the city's Castello plaza, one of the largest in the capital of Piemont region, in the first large-scale demonstration in favour of the TAV Lyon-Turin railway.

The protest came after Turin city authorities, lead by the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S), in September approved a motion demanding a halt the project. The Piemont regional government has ruled in favour of the TAV.

Italian and French transport ministers are expected to meet on Monday to discuss the project.

"Turin is closing itself off, this is why we thought we have to do something as citizens," Giovanna Giordano and Patrizia Ghiazza, two of the organisers, told reporters. "Turin has come out onto the streets to say yes many times."

Supporters see the train project as a pontential source of growth for the region and northern Italy.

Elected in 2016, Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino of the Five Star Movement said on Saturday that "the door is open and will remain open" in a blog posting showing a photo of her office door.

The Lyon-Turin project would involve construction of a 57.5-kilometre tunnel between Maurienne valley and Susa valley, to cut travel time between the two cities to two hours from current four hours.

Luigi Di Maio, political chief of the M5S, has called for complete renegotiation of the project, which he dismisses as a waste of public money.

France's Transport Minister Elisabeth Borne told the national assembly on Monday the government remains determined to complete the project.

The EU has attempted to push the two countries to advance. The total cost of the tunnel is estimated at 8.6 billion (US$9.7 billion), 40 per cent financed by the EU, 35 per cent by Italy and 25 per cent by France.U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told reporters North Korea hasn't progressed enough on the denuclearization front to warrant lifting sanctions.



She made the remarks prior to entering a closed-door U.N. Security Council session called by Russia to discuss the topic.



"If you look at the resolutions, and the way they were set up was they specifically dealt with the threat to peace and security by weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles," she added. "That threat is still there, they still have their facilities, they have still not allowed inspectors to go and inspect the nuclear facility or the ballistic missile facility. And as long as that's happening, we need to stay the course."



Haley said Washington had caught Moscow breaking North Korean sanctions and characterized the meeting as an attempt by Russia to strengthen ties with Pyongyang.

Margaret Besheer at the United Nations Contributed.Join Heather at :05 minutes past the hour and enjoy the latest Afrobeats & Afrohouse with Niniola's and Busiswa's "Magun" as Song of the Week. Ethiopian Afro rock with Jano, R&B by Mr Leo and Aya Nakamura pllus earthy sounds of rural Mali keep you fascinated with Africa's amazing music. We also stroll down memory lane with a 1971 tune from Zambia and "Mbube" by Miriam Makeba who passed away 10 years ago - November 9, 2008. There's more great music and then Heather's feature interview spotlights northern Ghanaian with reggae pioneer, Abu Sadiq. That's presented by reporter Samed Gaida and comes in at :50 min past the hour. Don't miss it!The URL has been copied to your clipboard

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A university in London is looking at new ways to use technology that displays fully three-dimensional images. They're hoping academics and experts can use the technology to deliver lectures in the classroom - remotely. VOA Correspondent Mariama Diallo reports.If my memory serves me right Sri Lankan politics and politicians have always used sensitive social topics and issues as tools to achieve their political agendas in order to outrun their political opponents. These manipulations were mostly used against stigmatized society to get that extra edge for political profit. Politics has always been a game of manipulation for personal gain. The greater majorities of politicians who target the underrepresented stigmatized section of the population do not understand, care or even empathize about the social injustice brought on this category of Sri Lankans. But they only focus on the bucks that flow into their already lined pockets, the greed for unlimited power politics brings, making somebody out of nobody by elevating politicians above civil society to misuse and abuse privileges as they please. This isnt anything new to the general public by now, as every successive government that has been in power in the last few decades has been an utter disappointment to the democratic minded citizens in the country.

"Politics has always been a game of manipulation for personal gain"



The current political crisis has left citizens confused and agitated about what is happening in the country with the two main political parties claiming to be the rightful owner of the position of prime minister of Sri Lanka. We have been in this game of party politics since Independence 70 years ago. The majority of citizens continue to blindly follow parties and or individuals due to their preconceived notions of one party being better than the other. We are so divided that this preconceived notion is present in all Layers of society. The confusion gets compounded as the experts of the Sri Lankan legal system too share split opinions about the legality of the political situation and also due to the loopholes within the Sri Lankan constitution that open up the constitution to different interpretations. As a non-political citizen regardless of the legality of the matter, Im of the opinion that the recent political turn that took place in Sri Lanka is undemocratic as it undermines and hinders the very concept of democracy; if a president is able to override the decisions of the elected government of the nation who happens to be the direct representatives of the general public.

"Politicos only focus on the bucks that flow into their already lined pockets"



The concept of democracy is structured on the principles of rule of law and majority rule (the choice of the populace), therefore the ability for the president to veto the very foundation of democracy portrays to be an undemocratic move to any reasonable person. Since we are already on the topic of majority rule the recent speech of President Sirisena at the Jana Mahimaya rally organized by the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has grown into a burning topic of today only because of the derogatory language used by the President to refer to his political opponents sexual orientation, which has nothing to do with politics. The interesting fact this speech highlights is, that president Sirisenas use of disrespectful, belittling language was not aimed to condemn his political opponents lack of political abilities or his political decisions, but was directed at his sexual orientation which has to be reiterated has nothing to do with his political stance. Rather it is used as a form of attack on an easy target to get political popularity evidently.

"Comments made by the highest office further escalate the stigma"



As the President made these comments the audience cheered, a very common sense of humour when insulting someones sexuality which is different from the social norm. In a country which has a sigma of high level towards the LGBTQ community such comments made by the countrys highest office only helps to escalate further the stigma that is already in existence in the country and multiplies the disconnect of this community from the mainstream. It also affirms that discrimination of any sort is acceptable within our society.

"Recent political turn that took place in Sri Lanka is undemocratic"



It should be noted that the principle of majority rule explicitly states the importance of majority rule without the infringement of the rights of the minority communities. The comment on someones sexuality which does not reflect the norm of the society is not only an attack on an individual rather a direct attack to the entire community of individuals whose sexuality is beyond their control, in fact, is a violation of their fundamental right to dignity and respect.

"The concept of democracy is structured on the principles of rule of law"



Another interesting component of the presidents speech was the explicit use of references regarding culture and tradition in order to convince the audience present at the meeting that his political opponent represented more of the western culture. Which points a finger at the very identity of Sri Lanka, and its culture, seeming to imply that the LGBTQ people reflect the culture of the west. The funny part about the concept of culture is that it represents the dominant opinion of the society which does not necessarily mean it is moral, ethical or right. It should be stated that traces of non-heterosexual behaviours could be identified throughout the history of Sri Lanka and it is the dominant ideologies of the colonial rulers that marked such individuals and activities as taboo. Ironically at present our past colonizes are legalizing and fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ communities while we are fixated on their outdated ideologies. Maybe it is time our leaders realize that the LGBTQ community and other sensitive social issues and topics should not be used as tools of political advancement any longer and it is time to restore the rights of these communities that they duly deserve.California firefighters are battling blazes at both ends of the massive state in what has been one of the worst years for wildfires.

The National Weather Service said there is little hope of containing the fires anytime soon.

"It just doesn't feel real that it's all gone," Arik Fultz, a resident of Southern California who lost just about everything in a California wildfire told the Associated Press. He was able to save his 52 horses, but he lost two houses, two barns, three trailers and decades of possessions.

Authorities found 14 more bodies Saturday after a wildfire tore through a Northern California community, raising to 23 the death toll from the Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise, the county sheriff said late Saturday.

Earlier, two people were found dead in a car in Malibu as a fire forced the evacuation of that city's entire population.

The announcement Saturday brings to 25 the number of people who have died in this current batch of wildfires: the Woolsey and smaller Hill Fire in southern California, and the Camp Fire in northern California.

Looting arrests



Two arrests were also made for looting in Ventura County.

L.A. County Sheriff's Department Chief John Benedict said at a news conference Saturday, "There is zero tolerance for any looting."

In Ventura County, Sergeant Eric Buschow announced the looting arrests Saturday. He said the two arrests were made in separate incidents and warned, "If you come here with the intent of taking advantage of the situation, we will arrest you and you will go to jail."

The Woolsey Fire is threatening about 75,000 homes in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles. The county is also the location of a mass shooting this week that killed 12 people.

Mass evacuations



The mayor of the city of Thousand Oaks, where the mass shooting took place, says that three-quarters of his city is under fire evacuation orders.

The entire upscale beach town of Malibu has been evacuated, and an historic movie site where Westerns were filmed has been destroyed. Celebrities who live in the area, such as reality star Kim Kardashian West and musician Lady Gaga have been tweeting their concern for their homes and neighbors. Actor Martin Sheen told a local news reporter that he and his wife would probably sleep in their car Friday night.

The Woolsey Fire and the Hill Fire erupted Thursday night, fueled by drought conditions and the Santa Ana winds.

Trump weighs in



U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted about the fires Saturday, blaming California officials. He said the fires are the result of "gross mismanagement of the forests" and threatened to withhold federal money. He did not mention California's drought conditions.

"There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!"

Scientist responds



LeRoy Westerling, a climate and fire scientist at University of California Merced, told the San Francisco Chronicle Trump's tweet on Saturday oversimplified the issue in California.

To have a president come out and say its all because of forest management is ridiculous. It completely ignores the dynamic of whats going on around us, he told the Chronicle. He said rising temperatures and longer spells of dry weather were behind an increase in not only the number of wildfires but their ferocity as well.

Most deadly in history



Officials said the Camp Fire has become the most destructive wildfire in state history, and the third deadliest.

Previously, the Tubbs Fire, which burned nearly 40,000 acres in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties in 2017, had been considered the most destructive wildfire in state history. The Tubbs Fire killed 22 pepole and destroyed more than 5,500 structures.

The Butte County Sheriff's office said the victims were mostly found dead inside or near their cars. The sudden evacuation led to highway gridlock, forcing some to flee on foot.

Officials said the fire has destroyed 6,453 homes and another 260 commercial structures and has grown to 404 square kilometers.

The blaze, which broke out Thursday along with the southern California fires, nearly quadrupled Thursday into Friday. Officials say the blaze is only 5 percent contained.



Dozens of people are reported missing.

State of emergency



Evacuations were ordered for the east side of the neighboring town of Chico, a city of about 93,000 people, as flames from the blaze were being driven by 56 kph winds.

California has declared a state of emergency in the northern part of the state to help facilitate rescue and recovery efforts in what has been one of the worst years for wildfires in the state.Wildfires raged at both ends of California on Sunday, with the deadly infernos barely contained and strong winds and dry conditions in the forecast.



The death toll stood at 31 and was likely to increase as rescue workers reached vast regions left in charred ruins. The Northern California sheriff also reported that 228 people are still unaccounted for in the massive wildfire.



Thousands of people have evacuated with what little of their life's possession they could escape with.

Authorities say one of the California wildfires is about 25 percent contained and the other only 10 percent.

More than 8,000 firefighters are battling the Woolsey Fire and the Hill Fire in southern California, and the Camp Fire, in the northern part of the state, that erupted Thursday fueled by drought conditions and wind.

Officials said the Camp Fire has become the most destructive wildfire in state history, and the third deadliest.

Previously, the Tubbs Fire, which burned nearly 16,000 hectares in Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties in 2017, had been considered the most destructive wildfire in state history. The Tubbs Fire killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,500 structures.

The Butte County Sheriff's office said the Camp Fire victims were mostly found dead inside or near their cars. The sudden evacuation led to highway gridlock, forcing some to flee on foot.

Officials said the fire has destroyed 6,453 homes and another 260 commercial structures and has grown to 404 square kilometers.

The blaze nearly quadrupled Thursday into Friday. Officials say the blaze is only five percent contained.



Evacuations were ordered for the east side of the neighboring town of Chico, a city of about 93,000 people, as flames from the blaze were being driven by 56 kph winds.

The Woolsey Fire is threatening about 75,000 homes in Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles.

Two arrests were made for looting in Ventura County.

L.A. County Sheriff's Department Chief John Benedict said Saturday, "There is zero tolerance for any looting."

Ventura county is also the location of a mass shooting this week that killed 12 people.

The mayor of the city of Thousand Oaks, where the mass shooting took place, says three-quarters of his city is under fire evacuation orders.

President weighs in

U.S. President Donald Trump, in France for the centenary remembrance of the end of World War I, continued to blame state forest managers for the devastation, but did not mention years of drought in the most populous U.S. state.

"With proper Forest Management, we can stop the devastation constantly going on in California. Get Smart!" Trump said on Twitter.

Earlier, he warned California residents that the "fires are expanding very, very quickly (in some cases 80-100 acres a minute). If people don't evacuate quickly, they risk being overtaken by the fire. Please listen to evacuation orders from State and local officials!"

He said 4,000 firefighters are battling the Camp and Woolsey fires that had burned nearly 70,000 hectares. "Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated," and the families of those who have been killed. "The destruction is catastrophic. God Bless them all."

But he contended, "There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!

But authorities in California disputed Trump's assessment.

Brian Rice, president of California Professional Firefighters, said, "...nearly 60 percent of California forests are under federal management ... It is the federal government that has chosen to divert resources away from forest management, not California ... At this desperate time, we would encourage the president to offer support in word and deed, instead of recrimination and blame."

On Sunday, Rice told CNN that Trump's statement was "stupid" and "callous" and did not take into account California's seven-year drought.

LeRoy Westerling, a climate and fire scientist at University of California Merced, told the San Francisco Chronicle Trump's tweets oversimplified the issue in California.

"To have a president come out and say it's all because of forest management is ridiculous. It completely ignores the dynamic of what's going on around us," he told the Chronicle. He said rising temperatures and longer spells of dry weather were behind an increase in not only the number of wildfires but their ferocity as well.An outbreak of Ebola in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 200 people. Almost 300 Ebola cases have been confirmed since the outbreak began in August, authorities say.

The health ministry said half of the cases were in Beni, a city of 800,000 people, in the North Kivu province.

The outbreak is in a conflict zone where dozens of armed groups operate. Aid agencies have been forced to suspend or slow down their work on several occasions since the outbreak.

Health Minister Oly Ilunga said his response teams "have faced threats, physical assaults, repeated destruction of their equipment and kidnapping."

"Two of our colleagues in the Rapid Response Medical Unit have even lost their lives in an attack," Ilunga said.

Ebola was detected in the DRC in 1976. The current outbreak is the tenth since it was first discovered.

The World Health Organization has warned the virus could spread to nearby countries, including Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Medical workers have lots of experience dealing with Ebola outbreaks in the DRC. Fortunately, they have new tools to fight the deadly virus. A new vaccine has shown it can protect people who've come into contact with Ebola victims, and more people have learned techniques to keep the virus from spreading.

However, old problems persist with every outbreak. Some people still refuse to believe Ebola exists and have hidden infected family members. Traditional burial practices also put people at risk.Key U.S. Democratic lawmakers vowed Sunday they would try to protect the investigation of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign's links to Russia from interference by his new acting attorney general, Matthew Whitaker, who often attacked the probe before Trump named him to oversee it.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would attempt to attach legislation to a must-pass government spending bill next month to keep the government from a partial shutdown to require that special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation be permitted to be completed unimpeded.

"There's no reason that legislation shouldn't pass," Schumer told news network CNN. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has opposed stand-alone legislation to protect Mueller, saying he has no reason to believe Trump will fire Mueller, even though the U.S. leader has often assailed the investigation as a "witch hunt," a view echoed by Whitaker.

Schumer added, "I believe there are enough Republicans who will support us" in adding the Mueller protection measure to the budget legislation. Schumer said the Mueller legislation was needed because "there is every reason to believe there will be interference" by Whitaker, whom he called an "extreme partisan."

Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler, set to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee when Democrats assume control of the House of Representatives in January, said the panel's first mission then would be to call Whitaker to testify at a hearing, via a subpoena if necessary, about his "expressed hostility to the investigation."

Nadler called Whitaker "a complete political lackey" and said Trump appointed a "totally unqualified hatchet man to destroy the investigation."

But Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway dismissed concerns about Whitaker's past comments about the Mueller probe, saying "there's no evidence to me" that he "knows anything about the ongoing Mueller investigation."

Her husband, lawyer George Conway, wrote in a newspaper column last week that Whitaker had been illegally named, claiming that Whitaker needed Senate confirmation as does the head of any Cabinet agency. But Kellyanne Conway brushed off her husband's contention, saying that "spouses disagree everyday." Trump accused George Conway of trying to get "publicity for himself."

The latest Democratic concerns about protecting Mueller arose last week when Trump fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, after criticizing him for more than a year for recusing himself from oversight of the Mueller probe. Trump then named Whitaker, Sessions's chief of staff, to replace him, at least for the moment, as the country's top law enforcement official.

Before joining the Justice Department last year, Whitaker said in commentary on CNN he could envision a scenario in which Trump might fire Sessions and replace him with a temporary attorney general, which is now what has happened. Whitaker, in the television remarks, suggested the replacement could then cut funding for Mueller's investigation and his "investigation grinds almost to a halt."

Whitaker suggested Mueller's probe amounted to a "fishing expedition."

But he has given no indication he plans to recuse himself from oversight of Mueller, saying he was "committed to leading a fair [Justice] Department with the highest ethical standards, that upholds the rule of law, and seeks justice for all Americans. Sessions had handed Mueller oversight to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, recusing himself because of his support for Trump in the 2016 election and contacts he had with Russia's then ambassador to Washington during the run-up to the voting two years ago.

Mueller has secured guilty pleas or convictions of several Trump campaign officials, but there is no deadline set for his conclusion of the investigation.Residents of the eastern Ukraine regions controlled by Russia-backed separatist rebels voted Sunday for local governments in elections denounced by Kyiv and the West.

The elections were to choose heads of government and legislature members in the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics, where separatists have fought Ukrainian forces since the spring of 2014 in a war that has killed more than 10,000 people.

Although a 2015 accord on ending the war calls for local elections in Donetsk and Luhansk, critics including Ukraine's president, the U.S. and the European Union say the vote is illegitimate because it is conducted where Ukraine has no control.

But the separatists say the vote is a key step toward establishing full-fledged democracy in the regions.

It's another exam for the civic position, political position for the whole Donetsk Republic, said Denis Pushilin, who became acting head of the Donetsk separatist regime since predecessor Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in a restaurant bombing in August.

His Luhansk counterpart, Leonid Pasechnik, said Sunday that we are a free republic, a free country and denied that the voting was being held contrary to the 2015 agreement signed in Minsk.

The leaders of Germany and France, which helped negotiate that accord, dismissed the illegal and illegitimate elections ... held today despite numerous appeals by the international community.

These are elections for entities that have no legitimacy under the Ukrainian constitution, Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine, said last week.

The people in eastern Ukraine will be better off within a unified Ukraine at peace rather than in a second-rate police state run by crooks and thugs, all subsidized by Russian taxpayers, he said Sunday on Twitter.

Both regions reported voter turnout of more than 70 percent as of two hours before the polls closed at 8 p.m. (1700 GMT).

Later Sunday, the spokesman for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he discussed the elections with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron amid ceremonies in Paris commemorating the end of World War I Sunday.

In a statement after the meeting, Merkel and Macron said that holding so-called elections undermines Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and urged all sides to respect the cease-fire and release political prisoners.

Germany, France and Ukraine are part of the so-called Normandy format countries seeking a resolution to the conflict. Russia is the fourth country in the format, which has not held talks in two years.

Andrei Yermolaev, an analyst at the New Ukraine think-tank in Kyiv, said conducting the elections despite the opinions of Kyiv and the West means that the Kremlin completely controls the situation in the region and intends to use this `frozen conflict' as a lever of pressure on the Ukrainian authorities.Washington is adjusting to an impending power shift after Democrats won control of the U.S. House of Representatives in last weeks elections. Democrats are promising to hold President Donald Trump accountable and protect the Justice Departments Russia probe, but are also stressing the need to deliver tangible results that address the American peoples everyday concerns.

The power shift will come in January, when House Democrats will have the majority they need to investigate the Trump administration. But Democrats slated to lead key committees, like Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland) of the House Oversight Committee, are promising judicious use of that power.

I am not going to be handing out subpoenas like somebody handing our candy on Halloween. We have got a lot to do, so I am laser-focused, laser-focused on those issues that even President Trump says he wants to work on, such as prescription drug prices, said Cummings, speaking on ABCs This Week program.

Even so, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-New York) of the House Judiciary Committee says more congressional scrutiny of the Trump administration is on the way.

We will hold the president accountable. He will learn that he is accountable, that he is not above the law, said Nadler, also speaking on ABCs This Week.

Trump says he is not worried about what House Democrats will do.

They can look at us, we can look at them. And it will go back and forth. All of this is a warlike posture, the president said.

Protection of Russia probe

Democrats are blasting Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department after the presidents firing of attorney general Jeff Sessions last week. Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker has repeatedly criticized Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russian election meddling and possible collusion by Trumps inner circle.

Nadler says that Whitakers appointment is simply part of an attack on the investigation by Robert Mueller, the special counsel. It is part of a pattern of interference by the president.

Senate Democrats and a few Republicans are renewing a push for legislation to make it harder for the White House to dismiss Mueller, insisting the probe must be completed. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) says the effort requires a bipartisan push.

Now more than ever, a functioning democracy requires Democrats and Republicans to come together, to take action next week to protect special counsel Muellers investigation. Because if we do not and Donald Trump is given license to shut down an investigation into his own potential wrongdoing, then our nation starts to devolve into a banana republic, Murphy said.

The Senates top Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) says Trump is no threat to Muellers work.

There has never been any indication that he (Trump) wants to dismiss Mueller or the investigation, McConnell said.

The White House, meanwhile, flatly denies that any collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice took place. Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, says the White House has been cooperating with the probe.

We have already been very compliant with the Mueller investigation  1.4 million pieces of paper produced, 33 and counting individuals who have been interviewed or asked to produce information, said Conway, who also spoke on ABCs This Week.

Progressive activists are pressing for impeachment of Trump. But top House Democrats insist such talk is premature and that any steps to sanction the president must be carefully weighed and supported by concrete evidence.The Democratic candidate for governor in the state of Florida has rescinded the concession he made Tuesday night after the Florida secretary of state announced the governor's race, as well as the race for a seat in the U.S. Senate, will be subject to a recount.

Andrew Gillum spoke to media Saturday shortly after the recount announcement. He said, "I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call that we count every single vote. I say this recognizing that my fate may or may not change."

Gillum said every Floridian who participated in the election deserves the comfort of knowing that every vote will be counted.

After Gillum's concession speech on Tuesday, DeSantis has proceeded as if he is the victor, appointing a transition team in preparation for taking office in January.

The recount decision was announced earlier Saturday after unofficial tallies were submitted. Florida state law requires a statewide machine recount when the margin of victory is less than 0.5 percent, and a manual recount if the margin is less than 0.25 percent.

The governor's race between Gillum, the Democratic mayor of Tallahassee, and Ron DeSantis, a Republican former congressman, showed DeSantis leading by 33,684 votes, or about 0.4 percent.

The contentious U.S. Senate race between Republican Governor Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson had Scott ahead by just 15,562 votes, a lead of 0.15 percent.

Unofficial vote counts from county canvassing boards were submitted by a midday Saturday deadline, enabling the Florida secretary of state and the Division of Elections to determine that the returns met the legal thresholds requiring recounts.

The uncertainty over the outcome of the races has deepened divisions in a state that is likely to play a key role in the 2020 presidential election. The recounts will determine if Nelson returns to Capitol Hill or if Republicans increase their lead in the Senate.

The fight for Nelson's seat has been particularly acrimonious, with both sides filing lawsuits. Scott, President Donald Trump and other Republicans have accused Nelson of trying to steal the election, while Nelson has alleged Scott is trying to stop officials from counting every ballot. Trump called the situation "a disgrace."

Scott had asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the election departments in South Florida's Democratic-leaning Broward and Palm Beach counties after his lead narrowed as ballots continued to be counted throughout the week. A state election spokeswoman said Friday, however, an investigation would not be launched because there was no evidence of fraud.

Judges ruled in favor of Scott late Friday, ordering election supervisors in the two counties to release information on the ballot-counting.Two Indian soldiers were killed when Pakistani soldiers fired along the highly militarized de facto frontier that divides the disputed region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan, the Indian army said Sunday.

Pakistani soldiers on Sunday targeted a forward post in Rajouri sector along the Line of Control dividing Kashmir between the two rivals, said Lt. Col. Devender Anand, an Indian army spokesman. He said a soldier was killed after getting hit by sniper fire.



On Saturday, another Indian soldier was killed when he was hit by a sniper in Sunderbani sector, Anand said.



Anand called the two incidents a "blatant violation" of the 2003 cease-fire accord between India and Pakistan.



In a statement late Sunday, India's military said its soldiers "retaliated strongly and effectively."



Pakistan did not immediately comment.



In the past, each side has accused the other of starting the hostilities along the along the rugged and mountainous Line of Control, as well as a lower-altitude 200-kilometer (125-mile) somewhat defined portion of boundary separating Indian-controlled Kashmir and the Pakistani province of Punjab.



The fighting has become a predictable cycle of violence as the region convulses with decades-old animosities over Kashmir, where rebel groups demand that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.The Central African Republic might seem like an unusual venue for Russias evolving strategy in Africa. The CAR doesnt boast Ethiopias booming economy or Angolas deep oil reserves. It lacks a developed mining industry like Zambia or a strategic location like Djibouti.

But the landlocked country of fewer than 5 million people, most of whom survive on subsistence farming, has something else of interest to Moscow: conflict.

Since 2013, the CAR has grappled with a protracted civil war. Mass displacements, political instability, and competing factions of rebels and militia groups have weakened the government and eroded peoples trust in its institutions.

In the ensuing volatility, Russia has found opportunities to project power far beyond its borders and rekindle strategic partnerships in Africa that have been dormant since the end of the Cold War.

Armed adventurism

Russia has stepped up its presence in the CAR in the past few years. But its strategies there, which rely on the use of private contractors and mercenary groups, have been employed since the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s and, later, in Ukraine and Syria.

We should think about mercenaries as an instrument which allows plausible deniability but also hard-power projection, which has multiple uses in contested areas, said Kiril Avramov, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Texas at Austins Intelligence Studies Project.

Avramov told VOAs Russian service that Moscow officially bans mercenaries and security companies, but ex-military or intelligence officers often organize them, providing close ties to the Kremlin. Their work, which Avramov called armed adventurism, has helped Russia rebound from isolation and advance its political objectives.

One company, Wagner Group, has come under increasing scrutiny. This summer, three journalists investigating Wagners operations in the CAR were ambushed and killed. Footage captured by the journalists suggests Wagner may have been assisting both the government and rebels.

Marie-Noelle Koyara, the CARs minister of defense, told VOAs French-to-Africa service that the Russian journalists had not secured appropriate media credentials from the Ministry of Communication.

All who arrive here to cover news, no matter what event, they are always welcome, but they have to respect the procedure, Koyara said.

She hopes authorities can piece together what happened to the slain journalists to take away lessons. We would really like to know the true cause of these assassinations, Koyara said.

Club of illiberals

For Russia, private military contractors complement a broader strategy focused on strengthening state sovereignty, Avramov said. The current Kremlin is trying to export counterrevolution, he added. Rather than destabilize regimes, Russia looks for countries already besieged, from the CAR to Syria.

These governments welcome help, Avramov said, and that provides Russia with multiple opportunities, from weapons deals to training programs.

In the CAR, Moscow has gone a step further, cementing deals for political consultations, joint foreign operations and security details for the president, Faustin-Archange Touadera. In the future, mineral mining might present opportunities to entrepreneurs and their little private armies, Avramov said, even if the sector is currently underdeveloped.

But the country may be getting more than it bargains for. Youre going to get what I call the club of illiberals. You buy insurance, and then you receive a package, Avramov said.

That package includes mercenary groups, such as Wagner, which often have ties to both oligarchs and political elites. You somehow start losing a grasp (on) where the private ends and the state begins, Avramov said.

Countries also can end up pawns in Russias geopolitical ambitions. In the CAR, Russia is playing in the backyard of France and trying to sow division with the neighbors, Avramov said.

And while Russia may not want the countries with which it aligns to plummet into chaos, quick resolutions to the battles it inserts itself into arent desirable, either. Drawn-out conflict means more time to sell arms, secure energy contracts and counterbalance China.

Despite outpacing Russia in political alliances and economic deals, Beijing faces real competition from Moscow, Avramov said. Compared to China, (Russia) is punching above its weight, and its doing it in a very spectacular manner, he added.

Logistics facility

Two thousand kilometers from the CAR, Moscow sees opportunities in another country dealing with the fallout of war. Eritrea, in East Africa, emerged this summer from decades of active conflict with Ethiopia, followed by 20 years of isolation.

In August, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed plans to build a logistics center at the Port of Assab, in southern Eritrea, during a meeting with a high-level Eritrean delegation, according to RIA, a Russian state-owned news agency.

Avramov said it makes sense for Russia to pursue the base, along with similar partnerships.

We will see those activities on the rise, he said, citing Russias desire for recognition as a world superpower and its need for diplomatic relationships.

Countries steeped in conflict give Moscow a chance to develop a longterm presence, Avramov added, despite limited resources. They also give the Kremlin a chance to send a message, both to China and the West.

Its a way of saying, If youre criticized for your human rights record, if youre criticized for any of the things the West clings on, here is always another option, Avramov said.The latest victim of a fatal shark attack in Australia was 33-year old Daniel Christidis. He was bitten by a shark November 5 at Cid Harbour, a large and popular anchorage in the Whitsunday Islands off eastern Australia. The victim was killed on the first day of a yachting vacation with friends. In September, a middle-aged woman and a school girl were attacked separately by sharks in the same area. 12-year-old Hannah Papps lost part of her leg.

Queensland government ministers have met with local tourism operators and marine experts, as well as members of the local council to look at ways to reduce the risk of a shark attack. Scientists have urged the authorities not to sanction a cull, believing that other measures are more effective. In Queensland only sharks identified as posing a threat to swimmers and surfers are killed.

Professor Colin Simpfendorfer is the director of the Center for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture at James Cook University. He says shark control strategies vary across the country.

Here in Queensland we have got the very, sort of, long term, well-established shark control program which removes large, dangerous sharks," he said. " (In) other parts of the country we are seeing non-lethal approaches, you know, sort of exclusion areas where things are netted, drones doing surveillance, you know, helicopters doing surveillance, people being educated, dangerous sharks being tagged so that we can track their movements and alert people when they are in areas that are close to public swimming beaches - all those sorts of things. The reality is, though, that none of these programs is 100 percent failsafe.

Earlier this week a surfer fought off a shark with his board, and has been treated in hospital to a deep cut on his leg.

In response to a series of shark attacks, the government in Western Australia under its catch and kill policy killed more than 170 sharks in 2014, including a 4.5 meter great white. On the other side of the country, authorities in New South Wales state favor non-lethal shark detection methods and early warning systems for beach users. Drones fitted with artificial intelligence software can now identity the shape of a predator at sea and instantly alert lifeguards on the beach.

Official figures show that so far in 2018 there have been 18 shark attacks in Australian waters, only one of them fatal. Many of Australias 25 million people live close to the coast, and given the nations love of the beach and water sports, the chances of a shark attack are still rare.

Swimmers are encouraged to avoid the water at dusk and dawn, and not to swim when conditions are murky.

Australia has about 170 types of shark, but only a small number - great white, tiger and bull sharks - are known to attack people.he Constitution of a country is supposed to be the bedrock of the rule of law in a given country. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, the constitution had been tinkered with on many an occasion. The Constitution of the country - the third since independence and the second Republican Constitution - has been tinkered with and trampled underfoot by the leaders of all governing political parties all of whom have vowed to protect and defend it.



During its brief 40-year life span commencing on September 7, 1978, the Constitution of our country has been tinkered with 19 times. What is sad, is that on most occasions the Amendments brought in were not to enhance the rule of law or to provide greater freedom to the people but rather to enhance the power of the rulers. For instance, just four years after the promulgation of the 1978 Constitution, the then ruling clique barelled the 4th Amendment (Extension of term of first Parliament) through parliament, using the then ruling partys 5/6th majority in the House, to ensure its continued majority in parliament. More recently we saw government using a variety of delaying tactics, again using selective readings from the Constitution to delay the holding of elections, this time Provincial Council elections.



As recently as April 28, 2015, in the aftermath of the presidential election, the new regime rushed in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to annul the 18th Amendment while replacing the defunct 17th Amendment to establish the Independent Commissions and remove the Executive Presidential powers and limit the term of office of the President to five years; while the President continues to function as the Head of State, Head of the Cabinet, and Head of Security Forces.

The amendment rushed in, obviously without much attention to detail, has spawned another crisis.



Since the sitting president, sacked his Prime Minister and appointed another in his stead, our parliamentarians have been on offer to be bought and sold allegedly for large sums of money or plum political office. Today they are busy misrepresenting and misquoting particular sections of the Constitution to suit different political agendas.

The wishes of the people who voted these parliamentarians from different political parties into power are given scant concern, as politicians rush hither and thither to see how they can better themselves.



Meanwhile the country is being drawn into yet another unnecessary crisis. The 4th Amendment to the Constitution - to arbitrarily extend the life of parliament without holding elections - gave birth to the JVP uprising, leading to a bloodbath which left thousands dead. Thousands more disappeared, society as a whole was brutalized and the economy left in a shambles.



Sri Lankans coming out of a brutal near-three-decade-long war were and are still war-weary. They saw the crushing of terrorism as a chance to reconcile with one another as well as a chance to rebuild the economy and provide better opportunities for future generations. But the political crisis, leading to the decision to dissolve parliament as questions were raised on the required numbers to show a majority in parliament, smacks of political opportunism.



The formation of a caretaker government, which opponents insist is unconstitutional, has the potential to engineer unrest if not much worse. The announcement of the date for the holding of elections, the dates for the closing of nominations and the summoning of the new parliament to meet on January 17 without reference to the Elections Commissioner does not bode well for the future.



Meanwhile, the economy of the country is struggling to cope with debt repayment and a burgeoning trade imbalance. Hopes that direct foreign investment would bring in sufficient capital to overcome some of these problems are rapidly fading. The incipient tourist industry which was expected to bring in invaluable foreign exchange could face problems.

If we, the people and our politicians do not get together and put country before self and political party needs, our country and economy will decline rapidly.The Syrian government has protested to the United Nations about an airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State which it said killed 26 civilians in Hajin in the eastern Deir el-Zour region, state media reported on Saturday.

Asked about reports of airstrikes in that area on Friday, the coalition's spokesman said it had "successfully struck and destroyed an ISIS (Islamic State) observation post and staging area in Hajin, void of civilians at the time."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 41 people, including 17 children, had been killed in two waves of coalition airstrikes on Friday in Hajin and the nearby village of al-Shafa on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

It said the casualties were mostly Iraqi and family members of Islamic State fighters.

The coalition is supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in an attempt to defeat Islamic State in the area it controls near the border with Iraq.

Syrian state media said the foreign ministry had written to the U.N. secretary general and the president of the security council about "the crime" in Hajin.

Colonel Sean Ryan, the coalition spokesman, said: "Our team looks into all strikes to determine the credibility of any civilian casualty claims they see in open media."French police arrested two topless female protesters Sunday on the Champs-Elysees where France was holding a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

One of the women was apprehended within just a few meters of the motorcade of U.S. President Donald Trump as it approached the site. She had the words "Fake Peacemaker" written across her chest.

Femen, the radical feminist activist group, based in Paris, appeared to take responsibility for the demonstration.

Femen leader Inna Shevchenko wrote on Twitter: "FEMEN activists 'welcomed' the cortege of @realDonaldTrump twice on his way to Arc de Triumph."

The incident is likely to raise questions about security lapses at the event.

Most of the world leaders attending the Armistice Day ceremony in Paris were transported to the site in buses.

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin chose not to ride on the buses. The White House says Trump's arrival was dictated by security protocols.The United States is observing Veterans Day on Sunday, the annual day it stops to remember the millions of men and women who have served in the country's armed forces, often at the sacrifice of their own lives.

President Donald Trump, in Paris, said on Twitter, "On this Veterans Day  the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI, we honor the brave HEROES who fought for America in the Great War, and every Veteran who has worn the uniform and kept our Nation Safe, Strong and FREE!"

In his Veterans Day message, former president Barack Obama tweeted, To all our veterans and your families: thank you. There's no tribute that can truly match the magnitude of your service and sacrifice.

But all of us can do our best to live up to the American values of service, responsibility, generosity, and citizenship that you helped defend, he added.

In the U.S., Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, to commemorate the end of World War I, but Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance. November 11 each year became a national holiday beginning in 1938, with this year's official observance on Monday since the actual date fell on a weekend this year.

WATCH: Trump's Visit to France Marked by ControversyCommemorations are underway around the world to mark the moment 100 years ago when the slaughter of World War I finally stopped.

France, the epicenter of the first global conflict, was hosting the main international commemoration, pressing home the point that the world mustn't stumble into war again, as it did so quickly and catastrophically with World War II



The more than 60 world leaders scheduled to gather at precisely 11 a.m., a century after the cease-fire, included those with the power to destroy humanity if it ever stumbled into the folly of a World War III.



The U.S. and Russian presidents were being joined by an array of leaders whose geographical spread showed how the "war to end all wars" left few corners of the globe untouched.Zimbabwes main opposition party said its leader, Nelson Chamisa, on Saturday survived what a party spokesman called an assassination attempt by suspected state security agents while returning from a rally about 80 kilometers east of Harare.

Jacob Mafume, spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change party, said the opposition was not surprised by what he called an attempted assassination of party leader Nelson Chamisa, who narrowly lost to President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the July general election.

Mafume said at least four vehicles have been tracking Chamisa recently. But on Saturday, as Chamisa was returning to Harare from a rally in Marondera  about 80 kilometers east of Harare  Mafume said the same vehicles blocked Chamisa's convoy.

The cars are the same which have been following him around. These cars were reported (to police) and nothing has been done to date. Today has been their first brazen attempt to actively block the motorcade and also to interfere with Chamisas movements. He is currently safe. The security managed to block them from taking him, Mafume said.

Charity Charamba, Zimbabwes police spokeswoman, was not reachable for comment. But an official confirmed that Chamisas party had reported the incident to the police.

In Marondera, the 40-year-old opposition leader said he was hopeful that President Mnangagwa would give in to calls for him to step down after stealing the elections in July and for failing to run Zimbabwe economy.The URL has been copied to your clipboard

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Malawi's government is considering a proposal to liberalize the country's abortion laws. Currently, abortion is allowed only when a woman's life is in danger. Many pregnant women turn to risky, unsafe procedures to end unwanted pregnancies. The draft law faces stiff opposition from religious leadersThe Zimbabwean government has dismissed as false and mischievous reports that state security agents attempted to abduct opposition leader Nelson Chamisa on Saturday on his way to Harare from a party rally in Marondera, 80 kilometers east of the capital city.

In a statement, Information Minister Nick Mangwana ruled out the involvement of the feared spy network, the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO), in the abduction attempt.

For the avoidance of any doubt the CIO was not involved in this reported incident which is now under police investigation. Lets us all give the police the support, cooperation and space they need to execute their constitutional mandate.

Mangwana said people caught in the alleged abduction were ordinary citizens who were, instead, brutalized by the Chamisa entourage.

"Government would like to assure the public, all opposition parties and their leadership that it acknowledges and supports the legal existence of the opposition parties as enshrined in our Constitution. Government is dismayed at the imputation that state security agents would attempt to abduct opposition leaders. That notion is not only false but also mischievous moreso taken in light of the efforts by government to harmonize all laws and practice with the Constitution."

He claimed that Chamisas bodyguards and MDC activists accompanying him in an convoy blocked the civilians, who were minding their own business.

Reports filed with police indicate that some people were coming from Marondera, driving behind what they later learnt to be Mr. Chamisas convoy. Suddenly the convoy stopped and blocked them from overtaking, they were aggressively confronted and manhandled by members of Mr. Chamisas entourage including Mr. Chamisa who lobbed himself at the back seat of their vehicle punching and scratching.

The victims (just ordinary citizens going about their own business until the attack) have reported this matter to the police who are carrying out further investigations; this would appear to be a road rage incident.

He said the government would like to categorically state that neither the Intelligence Services nor any Security Services or any arm of government owns the Toyota Harrier in that video. A quick check at the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) would show the media or any interested parties who the owner of the Toyota Harrier is. In any event, ZRP is seized with that.

But the MDC insists that state security agents attempted to abduct Chamisa, claiming that the MDC president was being followed by up to six registered and unregistered vehicles.

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said, The vehicles are the same that have been reported in the past to be following president Nelson Chamisa. The registration numbers are AET-8699, AES-6615, AES-0015, ADR-9409. Our security have reported these numbers at Avondale and Harare Central Police stations and nothing has been done to date.

Police were not reachable for comment.

Chamisa challenged results of the July 30 presidential election won by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the Constitutional Court but lost as judges agreed that his court action lacked merit.

He still maintains that he won the election and is the legitimate president of Zimbabwe.In less than two months, Democrats will take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is the favorite to assume the party's leadership role as Speaker of the House, has signaled her willingness to work with President Trump and Senate Republicans.An Alabama man who reported his roommate missing this month is now charged in the roommate's death. News outlets report 47-year-old James Darrell Tabor, also known as Kevin Kirby is charged with murder in the death of 39-year-old Michael Shane Osborn. Colbert County Sheriff Frank Williamson says Kirby was arrested following the discovery of Osborn's body.

According to a report, authorities say Kirby reported Osborn missing on Friday. Williamson says Osborn's body was found the next day in a wooden area near the men's shared home. Williamson says Osborn's body has been seen to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville for an autopsy. He says more information about the case will be released Tuesday morning.It's unclear if Kirby has a lawyer to contact for comment.Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today said the Executive Branch has seized the rights and usurped the powers of Members of Parliament who were elected to represent the people.

In a statement, he said the willful disregard demonstrated by the executive towards Parliament, the engine of Sri Lankas sovereignty, leaves the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens at grave risk of similar abuse.

Under these dire circumstances, I urge all public servants who have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution to revisit that oath. Ask why we are required to pledge fealty to this document and not to any one person or a single position of power. Our foremost duty is to the Constitution. I ask all public servants across the country to remember their obligations to this supreme law of our motherland, and to safeguard the independence of the public service, police and the judiciary. I call upon all public servants to refuse to execute any illegal orders they may receive, no matter from whom, he said.

He said every citizen who is entrusted with responsibilities under the Constitution should think first of the country and not of party politics or personal affiliations.

The full statement of Karu Jayasuriya:

The leaders of several political parties represented in Parliament have informed me that they will be challenging the purported dissolution of Parliament in the Supreme Court. Since the President has prevented Parliament from ruling on the legitimacy of the Presidents actions, it will be up to the Supreme Court to determine the legality of these actions.

As the custodian of Parliament, I have watched over the last two weeks as the executive Branch has seized the rights and usurped the powers of Members of Parliament who were elected to represent the people. The willful disregard demonstrated by the executive towards Parliament, the engine of Sri Lankas sovereignty, leaves the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens at grave risk of similar abuse.

Under these dire circumstances, I urge all public servants who have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution to revisit that oath. Ask why we are required to pledge fealty to this document and not to any one person or a single position of power. Our foremost duty is to the Constitution. I ask all public servants across the country to remember their obligations to this supreme law of our motherland, and to safeguard the independence of the public service, police and the judiciary. I call upon all public servants to refuse to execute any illegal orders they may receive, no matter from whom.

Every citizen who is entrusted with responsibilities under the Constitution should think first of the country and not of party politics or personal affiliations. We must all act with patriotism and independence to safeguard the future of democracy in our country.

I lament that the purported Foreign Minister, a highly regarded politician, has falsely alleged that I intended to prevent the President from delivering the Statement of Government Policy when Parliament was set to reconvene on 14th November. It is on this imaginary premise that the Minister suggests that Parliament had to be dissolved.

I wish that the purported minister had proposed a more honest and plausible excuse for the actions of his colleagues, that would have drawn less ridicule to our country on the world stage. Based on this fiction, several of his cohorts have openly threatened to send me to jail.

The actions of the Speaker and Parliament may not always be aligned with the wishes of the executive. This tradition of parliamentary independence dates to at least 1641, when Speaker William Lenthall of the House of Commons shielded members of that house from being arrested by King Charles I. He knelt before his king and said May it please your majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this house is pleased to direct me whose servant I am here; and humbly beg your majestys pardon that I cannot give any other answer than this is to what your majesty is pleased to demand of me.

A floor vote on the legitimacy of the government was requested by 124 Members of Parliament. 116 Members met me in person. Another eight thereafter contacted me and expressed their support of this motion. Just as Speakers of Parliaments have done for centuries before us, I ruled in favour of the rights of the majority of Members and political parties represented in Parliament and declared that I would allow a floor vote. No member made request that the Statement of Government Policy be prevented nor would I have entertained such a request.

As a former military officer, I have always been prepared to make whatever sacrifice that my country may require of me. It has been my privilege to stand up to the executive and defend the rights of Parliament, the supremacy of our Constitution and the sovereignty of the people.

For the record I am prepared to face any consequences for these actions without hesitation.You can tell her youre disappointed in her decision to keep adding this risk to her life knowing it could traumatize her kids, since thats your opinion and therefore about you. I would caution against this, though, as a poor use of your emotional capital: Given that shes (presumably) going to ignore you and skydive anyway, voicing your opinion would strain your relationship with her for zero practical gain.He refused to be carried on a stretcher, because he didnt want to expose comrades to enemy fire for no good reason. He walked to a medical evacuation, where he was put into a coma. He woke up in Germany a few days later, blind and swollen. The remains of his right eye had been surgically removed; eventually a copper wire would be pulled out of his left. Doctors said there was a chance he might see again, but, for Crenshaw, it was a certainty. Seeing again became his mission, and that sense of mission helped him endure the hallucinations, the surgeries, the weeks he had to spend  face down and sightless  while his eye healed, and the two years it took for a medical bureaucracy to get him to a place of relative comfort. He remembered how his mother, who died of cancer when he was 10, never complained during her five-year struggle with the illness. He held fast to his sense that life is about mission: You need one to live and to live productively.Several countries including US and UK have expressed their concerns over the decision taken by President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve Parliament on November 9, days before it was due to be reconvened.

President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to dissolve Parliament poses a vital threat to Sri Lanka's democratic institutions. There is much at state and such actions jeopardize Sri Lanka's economic progress and international reputation. We call on the President to respect his country's democratic tradition and the rule of law, and to fulfill the commitments to good governance and democracy upon which he and his government were elected, the United States said.

The European Union said that the decision of President Sirisena to dissolve the Sri Lankan Parliament ahead of its planned reconvening risks undermining public confidence in the countrys democratic institutions and processes and further deepens the political and economic crisis in the country.

A fully functioning Parliament is an essential pillar of democracy. As a longstanding supporter of a democratic Sri Lanka, the European Union expects a swift and peaceful resolution of the current crisis, in line with the Sri Lankan Constitution, the EU said.

Meanwhile, issuing a statement Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said Australia expressing its concern and disappointment with President Sirisenas decision to dissolve the Sri Lankan parliament on 9 November.

As a longstanding friend, we believe this action undermines Sri Lankas long democratic tradition and poses a risk to its stability and prosperity. We urge respect for the countrys democratic institutions and for all parties to continue to exercise restraint, she said.

The UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field also stated that he was concerned about the latest development in Sri Lanka.



As a friend of Sri Lanka, the UK calls on all parties to uphold the constitution and respect democratic institutions and processes, he said.

Issuing a statement, Norway also said that it is deeply concerned by President Sirisenas decision to dissolve the Sri Lankan parliament on November 9th, just days before it was due to be reconvened. As a longstanding friend, Norway believes this action undermines Sri Lankas long democratic tradition and poses a risk to stability, prosperity, reconciliation and accountability. Norway calls on all parties to respect democratic institutions and continue to exercise restraint, it added.

Switzerland also deplored the political crisis in Sri Lanka and the recent decision to dissolve Sri Lankas Parliament. It calls on all parties to follow democratic processes and to respect the rule of law.

Switzerland is deeply concerned by the increasing political crisis in Sri Lanka and the recent decision to dissolve Sri Lankas Parliament. Switzerland considers that this decision threatens the stability of Sri Lanka, may have adverse effects on its economic prosperity, its democratic future and the ongoing reconciliation process supported by Switzerland in the past years. Switzerland calls upon all parties to revert to the rule of law and to the principles of good governance. It requests all actors to exercise restraint and calls upon President Sirisena to settle the current crisis as quickly as possible while respecting the countrys democratic institutions and processes.It's hard to know how Ailes, who was ousted in 2016 in a sexual harassment scandal and who died in 2017, would have handled Trump and Hannity's bond. When he was alive, Ailes gave Trump a platform as a birther conspiracy theorist on "Fox & Friends" but didn't like Trump as a political candidate, former associates say. Ailes did not want a single individual in the GOP to dictate Fox News's coverage; he wanted to run the GOP. Some former Fox News executives see the network's alignment with Trump, as well as its inability to control Hannity, as a sign of how Ailes managed to keep major stars in line.Jealouss campaign manager, Travis Tazelaar, said he doubts that any Democrat could have beaten Hogan, even if the party establishment had rallied around the nominee as it did in 2014. The bigger factor, he said, was that Hogan raised millions for his reelection campaign over the past four years, and Jealous had no chance of catching up.The man was taken to a hospital and was in serious condition late Sunday, according to police. Jordan said police rendered aid after the man was wounded. No officers were injured, he said. The case remains under investigation.Todays Headlines

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By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy PolicyThe Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that defense attorney Douglas Ramseur argued before a Louisa County judge Thursday that his client should not be tried in the courtroom unless the painting is taken down. A motion over the portrait was filed in October. The trial is scheduled for May.In an editorial praising Dill, The Washington Post noted: In a real sense he had found a home here and was cherished among us. Yet it certainly entailed a great measure of generosity on the part of his countrymen to permit the body of one of their great military leaders to be enshrined at Arlington instead of in their own Westminster Abbey.The towering spread, climbing up cloth-covered altar steps at the front of the room, is meant to signify a years worth of food, given first to God, then made available for all to share, she said, as monks and families lifted candles before them. Thats what it looks like to me  offering a lot of love, Bijal Thaker said.But at the local level, the county is still solidly Republican, with only two Democrats on the eight-member Board of County Supervisors. Three of the eight school board members are affiliated with the GOP. An incumbent backed by the local Democratic Party was reelected chair of the school board last week, over a GOP-backed board member, in a contest marred by allegations of dirty tricks.California already has some of the nations strictest gun-control measures, and the ex-military members and police officers who line-danced to country tunes at Borderline are more likely to wish they had been armed inside the bar, equipped to take out the shooter before he could do as much damage as he did.Mom, I think this is you, Garcia says after some debate. She points to The Kangaroo, the type of person who does everything to protect the patient, often taking over all aspects of his or her life. But Wanda says she identifies more with The Dolphin, who is helping someone with an eating disorder by gently nudging them along.She was saying, I really need to talk to you  weve got deals on health insurance. I thought, God, what a crock,  Cave said. If its too good to be true, it probably is. Anything that comes in on the phone, Im going to be skeptical. Why would they offer me this deal? I already have great insurance. Its crazy.This means a new cancer drug that extends life by a few weeks  and costs tens of thousands of dollars more than the generic  must be covered. Current law prohibits Medicare from directly negotiating prices with drug manufacturers, even though more than 90 percent of Americans think it should. The FDAs recent shift to expedite drug approval by requiring fewer, smaller clinical trials and using short-term markers for success instead of hard clinical outcomes means that more drugs of marginal value and huge cost may come to market. It also means that patients and taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for them.Finally, it was left to the French president to sum up all of these images and to put them into words. In France, a country that is accustomed to thinking of itself as a great nation  it was Napoleon, the conqueror of much of Europe, who ordered the building of the Arc de Triomphe  there have historically been conflicting feelings about alliances. Emmanuel Macron sought to resolve them, using the occasion to draw a distinction that is too rarely made, between patriotism and nationalism: Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism . . . By saying our interests come first and the interests of others dont matter we erase what a nation has most precious, what enables it to live: its moral values. But although we have come to expect this argument from Macron  that it is possible to feel simultaneously loyal to ones country and to universal values  not everybody in France agrees, and the French president is unpopular. There is certainly no guarantee that his successor, whoever he or she may be, will argue the same.He said he saw lots of potential for impeaching Trump but that any move in that direction would be premature until the special counsel finished his investigation. Moreover, Nadler said, he wouldnt move forward until there was enough evidence that, when presented to the American people, a large fraction of people who voted for the president will grudgingly acknowledge to themselves and others that there was no choice but to impeach the president.Trump last week forced Jeff Sessions to resign as attorney general and chose Whitaker, who was then Sessionss chief of staff, to serve as his interim replacement. In the days since, Whitakers background and previous critical statements about the Russia investigation led by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III have come under intense scrutiny, with Democrats and some Republicans calling for him to recuse himself from oversight of the probe.If the margin in the Senate race holds, however, it would be slim enough to trigger a hand recount. In that scenario, officials would have three days to personally inspect ballots with overvotes or undervotes  ballots on which the voter selected no candidate or more than one candidate in the race  provided there are enough to change the outcome. That could spark disputes over whether the voter intended to mark it that way or not.Arizona is one of three U.S. Senate races that remain unresolved since Election Day. While Republicans are certain to control the Senate next year, the strength of their majority could be less than it appeared on Tuesday.Speaking in French, Macron emphasized that a global order based on liberal values is worth defending against those who have sought to disrupt that system. The millions of soldiers who died in the Great War fought to defend the universal values of France, he said, and to reject the selfishness of nations only looking after their own interests. Because patriotism is exactly the opposite of nationalism.Lawmakers from both parties have expressed mounting frustration with Saudi Arabia over its conduct of the war and, more recently, its role in the killing of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Pressure to curtail U.S. involvement in the war is expected to increase in the wake of last weeks midterm elections, which handed control of the House to Democrats critical of President Trumps Yemen policy.The technology that powered high-profile tech failure Unlockd has been acquired by Coles and Bunnings owner, Wesfarmers.

It means the collapse of Unlockd this year will not kill off the advertising and content business model which Google attempted to block from its platforms.

The search giant has been accused of crushing the loss-making Unlockd with its decision to block Unlockd's app from its platforms, and it still faces a lawsuit over the matter.

Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney. Credit:Photo: Bohdan Warchomij

Unlockd developed an app that offered consumers discounts on their phone bills by watching advertisements when they unlock their phone screen.Over a long career, Roy Bijkerk has boxed professionally, run a car rental chain, invested in property and, at one point, conspired to import cocaine.

He was someone who could both arrange a loan for gambler Edward Hayson and set up a meeting with broadcaster Alan Jones, his evidence in the Federal Court last week suggested.

Roy Bijkerk received millions of dollars in subcontracts from Guardian Youth Care. Credit:Facebook

But when asked for his occupation, Mr Bijkerk said I think Im unemployed.

His income vanished with the collapse of Guardian Youth Care, a childrens home care charity that subcontracted almost all its services to Mr Bijkerk's for-profit ventures.Since the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia has been caught in the crossfire. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is accused of ordering the murder. His cousin Prince Khalid, the Saudi ambassador to Germany, defends him.

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WELT AM SONNTAG: Your Royal Highness, you have just returned to Germany after a long absence. What was the reason for your return?

Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud: I returned on the instruction of King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. I was away for a year due to an unfortunate incident. But then I received a call from our Foreign Minister, who said hed had a very good conversation with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas. "The King and the Crown Prince want you to return to Berlin immediately. Everyone in Germany should know that we want an even closer relationship between our countries.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Now that the crisis has been overcome, what could Germany learn from it?

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Khalid: Essentially, what we are saying is, call us up and ask before you speak out in public. We felt that nobody wanted to hear our point of view. We Saudis cultivate open and honest relationships with our partners. We only have a problem if someone does not talk to us when they have a problem with us. I think both sides have now understood that.

Since my return, we have had very good talks with various representatives of the federal German government. It is simply very clear that we have to be partners. Saudi Arabia is currently changing very rapidly and Germany can benefit from this enormously. Germans and Saudis should invest together, found joint companies - in both countries. Germany can help us to become a stronger, ultra-modern economy. Saudis and Germans communicate differently. We have to overcome these barriers. I'm counting on the many young Saudis who study in Germany. They can bring both worlds together.

WELT AM SONNTAG: You yourself are familiar with different worlds. You are a member of the Saudi royal family, but you grew up in the United States, studied in England and are married to a British woman. Are you raising your children more Saudi or British?

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Khalid: Well, my two daughters are still very young, four and two and a half. My wife speaks to them in English, I speak to them in Arabic. The only time they didn't like it in Berlin was when I wasn't here. We didn't want to take them out of the German kindergarten right away. Before, if they didn't want something, they would scream Laa! in Arabic. Now they scream Nein! Which is actually great.

The values of my faith and my country are of utmost importance to my wife and I: being good people, doing the right thing, peace, tolerance, treating others fairly regardless of their background  we dont find those values to be so different to the values we have seen and felt here in Germany.

WELT AM SONNTAG: What is it like to grow up as a child of the royal family?

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Khalid: I am very fortunate to be part of a family that has achieved a lot in the past 300 years. There is a certain pressure on each of us to maintain this standard. My grandfather once said to me: You're only a prince if you act like one. And being a prince doesn't mean bossing other people around. Your job is to serve them.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Sorry, but there's one question I can't resist asking: your wife's uncle is the Duke of Northumberland, the owner of the castle that serves as the backdrop for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. What does it look like inside?

Khalid: (Laughs.) I'm a big Harry Potter fan myself. When I met my wife's mother, I almost asked her: whats it like living in Hogwarts? But then I didn't want to look like an idiot. The house is really great.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Your father is one of the most experienced Saudi diplomats. What advice has he given you during this difficult time for Saudi Arabia?

Khalid: He reminded me that I have two ears and one mouth. I should listen more than I talk. That was a good piece of advice. After all, it is also important to me to improve the understanding of Saudi Arabia in Germany.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Not an easy job right now. Your country is currently in the news mainly because of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. What happened to him?

Khalid: Our government is investigating the case very carefully. We have to wait for the results of the investigation. In the end, we will know who did what and when. We take this very seriously. Our authorities have already arrested 18 suspects in Saudi Arabia, there have been layoffs in the security apparatus.

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It is obvious that something went wrong. And we are very unhappy about it. The whole thing is a tragedy. For his family, but also for our country. I am very sad to see how much of our work has been destroyed as a result. We will ensure that those responsible are punished.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Why weren't the dismissed security officers arrested?

Khalid: As I said, I cannot comment on the details of the investigation. I am sorry about that. But you wouldnt comment on ongoing court cases in Germany either.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Do you have an explanation as to what might have led to the incident?

Khalid: Its simply impossible for me to put myself into the mind of a criminal. What I can say is: we dont do anything like that. We do not deal with dissidents and exiles in this way. They remain Saudi citizens and if they have problems, we take care of them. We always tell them that their homeland is there for them. It is beyond my imagination what could have moved someone to do something like this. It is not our policy, not our culture, not our nature. It contradicts everything we stand for.

WELT AM SONNTAG: What conclusions will the leadership draw?

Khalid: Thats up to the king to decide. But in our country no one is above the law. Not even members of the royal family.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Some suspect the Crown Prince himself of being behind Khashoggi's disappearance. Can you refute that?

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Khalid: Absolutely, one hundred percent. That is not the way he does things. He said he had nothing to do with it. And I have no reason to doubt it.

WELT AM SONNTAG: How can you be so sure? Here in the West, he is seen as particularly resolute and daring, always on the offensive, with a penchant for robust, unconventional methods.

Khalid: Many people have an opinion about him without knowing him. It is easy to find his policies bold, drastic, hurried. But remember, he took office at a very dangerous time. We were hurtling towards a wall. Due to the population boom of the past few decades, a whole generation of young Saudis were about to join an economy that was far from achieving the growth needed to employ and feed all these young people.

When Mohammed Bin Salman took office, it was clear: if we did not begin to turn our economy around immediately, we were going to hit this wall. And instability in our country, home to the holy sites of Makkah and Madina, would pose a risk not only to ourselves. The crown prince has finally addressed these problems. He has done things that young people here have been hoping for for years.

WELT AM SONNTAG: But all that doesnt mean your cousin could not have ordered an assassination.

Khalid: One only needs to talk to him to know that. I have seldom met someone who deals with every issue of importance with such seriousness, such reflection and such attention to detail. He is engaging in the way he listens and argues. Always constructive, always optimistic, but always very rational as well. And thats why he is also reflective and questioning.

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How should we provide for the next generation? Why do we waste so much energy? Why do we always do things this way and not in a completely different way? Why, why, why. Hes always asking why. And he finds good answers again and again. He is a very thoughtful person. I dont understand how you can accuse someone like that of making such a decision. But many people want nothing more than to see him fail, because hes ambitious.

WELT AM SONNTAG: If he is so thoughtful, shouldnt he rethink his approach in your neighbouring country Yemen? There, Saudi Arabia is leading an international coalition in a war against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The population is suffering horrendously  partly because the coalition is blocking the supply of food and medicine to the country.

Khalid: The situation in Yemen is very difficult. The Yemeni are our brothers. We supported them when they fought against the Marxists in their country. Is the situation in Yemen good today? Anyone who said so would be lying. But perhaps it will improve. Yes, there is a cholera epidemic in the country. But we are fighting the disease tirelessly. And we could do even more if the Houthis werent blocking the delivery of medicine. Our efforts should not be minimised or ignored. Were bringing large quantities of relief supplies into the country.

Yes, we have blockaded the port city of Hodeidah, but not continuously. We didnt choose this war. We intervened when the Houthis drove out the democratic government of Yemen. By the way, the fact that a monarchy is going to war to save an elected government is actually quite a punchy move. If someone helps us to end this war then we are ready. But if we simply stop fighting, the whole country will fall to the small, radical minority of Houthis. That would be neither democratic nor fair nor reasonable.

WELT AM SONNTAG: Mohammed Bin Salmans reform program Vision 2030 has been running for more than two and a half years now. What is working and what isnt?

Khalid: The most important success has been a change in our way of thinking. Traditionally, we Saudis are survivalists, we are a desert people. By nature we were something like communists. Not politically, of course. But we shared everything and if the individual only thought of himself, he would endanger the existence of all. There was that instinct that said: dont push ahead, advance persistently but with caution. This is changing dramatically.

And that is also because Vision 2030 brought so many women into business. Because that increased competition. Between the sexes and within them. There is more encouragement for everyone.

WELT AM SONNTAG: But sometimes you also take a step backwards when you want to make progress. For example, when on the one hand women are permitted to drive and then at almost the exact same time the very activists who fought for it are imprisoned.

Khalid: It was not only those seven women and the one man who campaigned for it but hundreds of people in recent years. Almost all of those arrested were released quickly. Unfortunately, there is a tiny number of campaigners who are accused of working with foreign agents to destabilise the country. They are still in detention. We are serious about change. But we are a country in a fragile region, at a precarious time.

Saddam Hussein used to be the undisputed regent in the Middle East. Where is he today? Bashar al-Assads rule over Syria was once considered absolutely unshakable. What is his country like today? We, unlike the others, have been around since 1932. For almost 90 years. This makes us one of the countries with the most stable political systems in the world. And bear in mind that oil wealth did not come until the 1970s. So we must have done something right.

WELT AM SONNTAG: The new US sanctions against Iran, which your country supports, have come into force in recent days. Europe takes a critical stance on this. What do you think Europeans have not understood?

Khalid: Thats what I would like to know, too. We see Iran as an existential threat to the region. Irans military activities extend as far as Lebanon, Yemen and Syria. The problem is not some Persian-Arab rivalry. It is precisely the current government of Iran. Before it came to power, we had no problems with each other. The countrys leadership is concerned with destabilisation and exerting influence, including in Europe.

WELT AM SONNTAG: In the course of this confrontation, some observers see closer relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. What could this mean for the Palestinians?

Khalid: Many people observe many things. Some things correspond to reality, others dont. We absolutely support the Palestinians. Whatever is right for them is right for us. Of course, Israel is a reality, like it or not. The state exists. Will we one day have diplomatic relations with that state? Thats up to the Palestinians alone to decide. If its not the right thing for them, its not the right thing for us.

Translation from German by Myfanwy Craigie and Laura KingParty General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and President

of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel (Source: VNA)



Right on the first day he arrived in Hanoi, the Cuba News Agency (ACN) and major news outlets such as Granma, Juventud Rebelde, Cubadebate and Prensa Latina ran articles highlighting the Cuban leaders activities and meetings.

Website Cubadebate cited his posts on his Twitter account as saying that he appreciated his meetings with Vietnams high-ranking leaders and affirmed both sides commitments to raise the level of economic relations to the level of political ties.

Much to learn from our Vietnamese brothers, winners of wars, embargos and consequences of underdevelopment, with exemplary work, creativity and discipline, Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on Twitter.

Vietnam is the fifth leg of the Cuba leaders tour to European and Asian nations. Earlier, he stopped over in France and paid official visits to Russia, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China. Laos will be the last leg of this tour./.Its about getting the Government to wake up or there wont be any farming families  Wexford IFA to attend protest march in DublinTheres a pause after uniformed soldiers troop in the military colours on Remembrance Day, at the Winnipeg convention centre and at every other gathering like it from coast to coast.

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This article was published 11/11/2018 (1106 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Theres a pause after uniformed soldiers troop in the military colours on Remembrance Day, at the Winnipeg convention centre and at every other gathering like it from coast to coast.

Its the stillness that precedes the other, more familiar rites: The Last Post, the moment of silence, the bagpipers lament and the reading of John McCraes poem, In Flanders Fields.

Its usually a brief moment, marked by the shuffling of boots as standard bearers find their spots on stage, hold their flags skyward and stand at attention.

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS An estimated 3,000 Winnipeggers turned out for the city's main Remembrance Day service to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

As the moment stretched out Sunday, one woman leaned in and asked if it was normal to take so long to start the speeches and lay the wreaths that mark Remembrance Day in Canada.

If that moment seemed to stretch out a little longer Sunday, it was perhaps an unconscious tribute. This Remembrance Day marked a singular occasion, a historic moment of peace.

Some 3,000 people gathered at the citys main Remembrance Day event. Hundreds more attended similar services at churches, parks, at least one cemetery, at the Minto and McGregor armouries and on Valour Road at Sargent Avenue.

As dusk fell, church bells rang out 100 times in parts of the city and across the country.

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Poppies are placed on wreaths at a cenotaph during a Remembrance Day service at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park in Winnipeg Sunday.

The armistice that ended the First World War, on the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th month, happened exactly 100 years ago on Sunday.

"A hundred years ago, the guns of August fell silent and the bells of November rang out for the first time in four years, even as they will ring out this morning from St. Johns, N.L. to Vancouver, B.C., four hours later," said Paul Johnson, the first Lutheran dean of an Anglican church in Canada, in his official address at the convention centre.

Drawing on information from dispatches, letters from soldiers and poetry and prose that later memorialized the First World War, Johnson spoke graphically about the conditions at the front a century ago, when the first modern weapons of warfare exacted destruction on a scale never seen before.

He talked about the trench warfare, the gas attacks, the carnage and the high hopes the armistice brought with it.

MIKE SUDOMA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Marcus Krahn and Cole Bealieu of the First Crestview Scout Group show their support during Sunday morning's Remembrance Day service in Bruce Park.

Some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war; one in 10  61,000  died and nearly three times that number were wounded.

Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon laid the first of approximately two dozen wreaths in honour of the war dead at the citys main ceremony. Dignitaries and federal and provincial politicians, including Premier Brian Pallister, attended and were piped in to the event and back out, led by military veterans and followed by serving Canadian Forces members.

"As it turned out, the war to end all wars wasnt," Johnson noted.

The decades to follow would see 100 million more lose their lives, Johnson said, directly in battle or indirectly, as the Second World War and countless other smaller, but no less devastating conflicts, were waged during the 20th century.

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS A poppy is placed on a memorial plaque at a cenotaph during a Remembrance Day service at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park in Winnipeg, Sunday, November 11, 2018.

In the audience, one family turned out three generations to remember a single grenadier whod made it back, despite everything.

"His name was Herb Millar. Millar with an A," said Tannis Wall, the daughter of a Winnipeg man who enlisted in the Winnipeg Grenadiers as the Second World War heated up. Her father, Herb ,was among the troops who fought the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941. Against all odds, he survived, only to endure years of torture and starvation as a Japanese prisoner of war. He made it back to become Tanniss father.

Next to Wall sat her grandson, Jacob Wall. He said he was 17 years old and found it hard to absorb the sacrifice teenagers his own age had made, serving alongside his great-grandfather.

"All I can think about is the age of the people who served their country and fell, they were between the ages of 17 and 20," he said. Next to him, Tanniss son and Jacobs father, Sean Wall, continued the service in peacetime that his grandfather had started in war. Sean Wall said he served in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles in the 80s and 90s.

The last Canadian veteran of the First World War dug ditches when he joined up at age 16 as the war entered its final stages. Proud of his status as the last Great War veteran, John (Jack) Babcock died on Feb. 19, 2010.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.caThe deluge of allegations about worker harassment, abuse and exploitation at Stella's shows no signs of slowing.

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This article was published 10/11/2018 (1107 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The deluge of allegations about worker harassment, abuse and exploitation at Stella's shows no signs of slowing.

Now, some of the women at the forefront of the #NotMyStellas movement are calling on Winnipeggers to support former and current workers, whose livelihoods may be at risk as allegations pile up and the public fallout mounts.

On Saturday afternoon, three former Stella's employees met the media to reiterate their five calls to action against what they describe as a toxic and often abusive culture that "permeated every level" of the local restaurant chain.

Those calls begin with two very clear requests: one, for a full acknowledgement from the company of the abuses and harassment reported by workers. Two, for a formal apology from company owners and top-level management.

"We remain open to a forward-moving dialogue that results in a positive outcome for the current employees, and creates a safe space where people can share their stories," said Amanda Murdock, a former general manager.

They are also asking for the "prompt removal" of vice-president of operations Grant Anderson and regional manager Brad Burrows, who feature heavily in many workers' reports of mistreatment, as well as the launch of a human resources department.

"I can honestly say I don't think the company can move forward positively with Grant and Brad in charge," said Kelsey Wade, 22, who worked at Stella's for nearly three years as a server and supervisor.

"They have a complete lack of empathy and respect for their employees," Wade said. "They're abusive, they're manipulative, there is the most unhealthy power dynamic within that company. And they're honestly very scary."

Finally, the movement also wants funding for past and present staff to access mental health services.

That's because the stress of their experience lingers, former workers say. For instance, despite leaving the company three years ago, Murdock said she "lived in fear" of sharing her story, before coming forward recently.

"The whole experience is terrifying," she said. "It's been difficult to even speak about that publicly, with that extended distance... it brings up a lot of trauma."

The company posted a lengthy statement to its Facebook account on Friday afternoon, signed by owners Tore Sohlberg and Lehla Abreder, acknowledging what it called critical "activity by a few individuals on social media."

In response to the allegations, Stella's said it has hired People First HR Consulants to review its workplace safety and harassment policies, and improve its training for management and staff to ensure "clarity in the organization."

The statement did not offer a direct apology to present or former staff who have spoken out. At the time the statement was posted, the @NotMyStellas Instagram account had posted over 100 reports of mistreatment.

By Saturday afternoon, that statement had garnered 375 comments on Facebook, the vast majority expressing disappointment and anger at the response. At the news conference, the three women echoed those thoughts.

"We do not accept their publicly issued statement because it lacks remorse, accountability, and fails to address our demands," Murdock said.

While soundly pinning responsiblity on Stella's upper management and ownership, the women also affirmed their solidarity with current front-line workers, whose income could be jeopardized by the burgeoning public outcry.

"We are not calling for a boycott of the company," Wade said.

Instead, she continued, patrons should call the Stella's head office to voice their concerns. They could also buy a small item, such as a coffee or baked goods, and tip workers in cash, as well as voicing support on social media.

Other employers open to hiring Stella's staff could also publicize that fact, she suggested.

Though reports of worker mistreatment at Stella's had circulated quietly for years, the dam broke last week when former server Christina Hajjar posted on Instagram about her own bad experiences, one year after she was fired.

As stories from other workers flooded in, she created the @notmystellas Instagram account to give them a platform. In just 48 hours, the movement posted around 180 stories, and received many more  a rush that has not stopped.

"We are still getting messages right now," Hajjar said, nodding at her phone.

To those critical of the movement's choice to take their experiences to social media, Hajjar had a clear response.

"I think people who belittle this strategy are not listening," Hajjar said.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.caOn a weekend to remember, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles unveiled a renewed tribute to the lives they will never forget.

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This article was published 10/11/2018 (1107 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On a weekend to remember, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles unveiled a renewed tribute to the lives they will never forget.

It was a moment over two years in the making. On Saturday, one day after the infantry regiment marked its 135th anniversary, past and current Rifles gathered at Vimy Ridge Park to reveal a newly renovated regimental memorial.

The original monument, erected in 1992, was showing its age. Now, it's been spruced up with a new raised plinth, and expanded by the addition of 300 black legacy stones, most honouring past Rifles and friends of the regiment.

The commemoration service and unveiling of the Legacy Stone Project starts at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park.

"It's a great day for the regiment," said retired major general Dennis Tabbernor, of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation.

"To unveil a brand-new memorial that will be here forever, and to recognize the soldiers who have served in the regiment, and those who will serve, it's a great day for the unit."

Despite a bitterly cold morning, nearly 300 people turned out to the park for the hour-long re-consecration ceremony. The crowd included cadets, veterans from across the military, family members and supporters.

The size of the crowd was a pleasant surprise considering the weather, Tabbernor said. But the fact that so many people turned out for the ceremony speaks to how much the monument means to soldiers new and old, he added.

The Legacy Stone Project at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park.

"Some people I haven't seen for 30 years were here today, so I'll be able to renew old acquaintances from years and years ago," he said. "So it was a great day."

Dignitaries from all three levels of government, including Lt. Gov. Janice Filmon, Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman, MP Robert Falcon-Ouellette and MLA Jon Reyes gave speeches in honour of the Rifles' long history in Winnipeg.

The reserve regiment, which is based out of Minto Armoury, also formally re-dedicated itself to Canada's service.

Renewing monuments such as the Vimy Ridge memorial are a key part of honouring the regiment's legacy of service, said commanding officer Lt. Gen. Dennis Desrochers, including those who died in both World Wars.

The 135th anniversary commemoration service and unveiling of the Legacy Stone Project commences.

"It's critically important, because it serves as a reminder," he said. "It also engages the next generation, the new soldiers in... ensuring remembrance is always first and foremost, and the sacrifice of all those who participated."

The renovation started over two years ago. About $86,000 in funding came from the Rifles' own foundation; the city and Veterans Affairs Canada each kicked in $50,000, and the Winnipeg Foundation added a $20,000 contribution.

Work started in the spring and finished just over a week ago, with the last of the legacy stones laid. There were some challenges along the way, Tabbernor said, but the Little Black Devils haven't backed from a challenge yet.

"We're good Riflemans, and we did what we're supposed to do," Tabbernor said, with a grin.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.caWhy did France give you a medal? No matter how often we three kids put that question to our father, he always answered by offhandedly saying something like, Because I could speak French, or I had a nice accent. Other than rousing renditions of Its a Long Way to Tipperary or Mademoiselle from Armentieres (Hinky Dinky Parley Voo) and a couple of brief anecdotes, he never talked about the Great War. He died in 1955, at age 64, having never answered our question. Why had he received the Croix du Guerre? How had he earned one of Frances highest military honours?

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 11/11/2018 (1106 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Why did France give you a medal?" No matter how often we three kids put that question to our father, he always answered by offhandedly saying something like, "Because I could speak French," or "I had a nice accent." Other than rousing renditions of Its a Long Way to Tipperary or Mademoiselle from Armentieres ("Hinky Dinky Parley Voo") and a couple of brief anecdotes, he never talked about the Great War. He died in 1955, at age 64, having never answered our question. Why had he received the Croix du Guerre? How had he earned one of Frances highest military honours?

Lawrence Arthur Masterman

In July, I was reading the local paper when an article caught my eye. It was reporting on celebrations to take place in Quebec City and France commemorating the Battle of Amiens on its centennial, Aug. 8. The offensive at Amiens was a surprise assault, and on that day the Canadians and their allies advanced 13 kilometres through the German defences, their most successful day in all combat on the Western Front. Gen. Erich Ludendorff described it as "the black day of the German army." Until that battle, Allied commanders had expected that the war would last into 1919 or even 1920. Because of the overwhelming success of the Battle of Amiens, the German army was broken and demoralized. It marked the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive that led to the end of the war in November.

Aug. 8, 1918 was also the day that my father had earned the Croix du Guerre. On the spur of the moment I decided I would travel to Quebec City to attend the commemorative service at the Citadelle. I contacted the organizer at Veterans Affairs, explaining my connection to the great battle. They arranged for VIP seats for one of my children and me to watch the program. I am not sure why I was so determined to go. Perhaps I thought I could find an answer to our question.

Library and Archives Canada Prisoners bring in the wounded at the Battle of Amiens in France in August 1918.

My father was born and grew up in Winnipeg in a large family dominated by his maternal grandfather, Andrew Broatch. A locomotive engineer, he had to leave Scotland as a result of his activities attempting to unionize railway workers. Perhaps hes why my father loved all things Scottish: haggis, Robert Burns poetry and "first footing it" on New Years Eve. He was less enthusiastic about his strict Presbyterian upbringing. He loved canoeing in the wilderness and being with family at the cottage on Lake Winnipeg.

Intelligent and hard-working, he went on to qualify as a barrister.

When he joined up on March 1, 1916, it was with the 179th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada. He was keen to fight for "King and Country," a popular sentiment at the time, while offering him a chance to don a kilt and revel in the sound of bagpipes. He and his best friend, Jack Verner, commissioned as lieutenants, sailed to England on board the RMS Saxonia. They arrived in England on Oct. 13, 1916, and were promptly transferred to France with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. We know he spent the next two years in the trenches and, at some point, he was promoted to captain. We know from records that he was wounded in the shoulder in June 1917 and after 10 days he returned to the front.

Lawrence Arthur Masterman looking dashing, arm-in-arm with a couple of long-forgotten men and women on the streets of Paris.

We dont know much more, though there is a photo-postcard of him looking dashing, arm-in-arm with a couple of long-forgotten men and women on the streets of Paris. Also there was one war story he did tell: a British ace took him up in his biplane and performed all kinds of rolls and dives. My father loved it so much he put in a request to be seconded to the RAF as an observer, and he was approved. But before he could transfer, the Battle of Amiens intervened. He was severely wounded in the back and thigh on Aug. 18 and sent to Britain to recuperate. Given the average lifespan of RAF airmen, that probably saved his life. The war ended soon after and he came home to Winnipeg. His best friend, Jack, did not come home.

I was born 11 years after the end of the Great War, but it had a continuing presence in his and our lives. As a lawyer, he worked as a pensions advocate for Veterans Affairs; his office was in Deer Lodge, which was the new veterans hospital in Winnipeg. It was his task to present a veterans case and to argue for fair compensation. He worked representing and supporting veterans of both wars for his entire 30-year career.

As I sat in the reviewing stand at the Citadelle that warm August evening, I wondered why my dad had never talked about his medal. Was he being modest? We were brought up to behave well, to not draw attention to ourselves. Or was he so traumatized by his wartime experience he couldnt talk about it? Or did he want to protect us from the horrific details of trench warfare? What was it like to know someone was trying to kill you? Or to have to kill someone? How do you deal with watching your best friend die? How do you leave that behind?

Library and Archives Canada A Canadian Field Ambulance in the forward area during the advance in the Battle of Amiens.

I wonder, too, what he would have thought of the event I was watching. There was a very good turnout of locals and tourists in flip-flops and T-shirts who had climbed to the Citadelle parade grounds to pay their respects. In addition, because there was a large gathering in town of NATO reserve officers, two dozen military types in a variety of uniforms attended, from gleaming American naval whites to rakish British khaki and improbably crisp Swedish greys. Also there were officers from Germany and Austria who had been the enemy so long ago.

My son and I watched with some amusement as the arriving brass jockeyed for front-row seats and quickly assessed the rank and status of their seatmates. The ceremony itself included a bugler playing The Last Post, several bagpipers, soldiers on parade representing every regiment in Canada, a moving presentation from Indigenous soldiers and, of course, a field gun pounding out the traditional booming salute. The whole event took place under the watchful eye of a youngish female general, who took the salute for the march past. I know my father would have found all that very interesting; much of it would have seemed pretty strange to him.

In preparation, I had read some official accounts of the days events back in 1918. Despite the usual understated reportage of military dispatches, I was struck by one particular account: a small Canadian contingent from my fathers company had, under very difficult conditions, protected the exposed Canadian southern flank until the French could advance some hours later. Once united, a handful of French and Canadian soldiers together managed, under withering fire, to overtake an enemy position, capturing 30 prisoners and silencing a dozen machine guns. Their heroism is noted in the reports, though no names are mentioned. Still, the accompanying maps and movement details all point to my father being in that exact locale at that time. I am confident but not certain that this is why Capt. Lawrence Arthur Masterman of the CEF received the Croix du Guerre for Gallantry and Distinguished Service in the Field in the first hours of Canadas Hundred Days.

I will never know the whole story. But as I sat at the Citadelle that day, I reflected on a man who took more pride in the unsung, quiet advocacy work he did on behalf of countless fellow veterans than he ever did for being decorated as a hero by a grateful foreign nation. And in that way at least, I feel I do know more about the young man with the crummy French accent who became my loving and complicated father.

Babs Church (nee Mary Masterman) is a retired television producer and director in Toronto.The following companies are subsidiares of Aramark: 1ST & Fresh LLC, AIL Servicos Alimenticios e Participacoes Ltda., AIM Services Co. Ltd., AMP Limited Partnership, ARA Catering and Vending Services Limited, ARA Coffee Club Limited, ARA Coffee System Limited, ARA Food Services Limited, ARA Marketing Services Limited, ARA Offshore Services Limited, ARAMONT Company Ltd., Active Industrial Unif, Alcatraz Hospitality, AmeriPride Services, American Snack & Beverage LLC, Aramark (BVI) Limited, Aramark Airport Services Limited, Aramark American Food Services LLC, Aramark Asia Management LLC, Aramark Aviation Services Limited Partnership, Aramark B.V., Aramark Beverages Limited, Aramark Business & Industry LLC, Aramark Business Center LLC, Aramark Business Dining Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Business Facilities LLC, Aramark CCT Trustees Limited, Aramark Campus LLC, Aramark Canada Ltd., Aramark Canadian Investments Inc., Aramark Capital Asset Services LLC, Aramark Catering Limited, Aramark China Dining Services (Shanghai) Limited, Aramark China Holdings Limited, Aramark Chugach Alaska Services LLC, Aramark Cleaning S.A., Aramark Cleanroom Services (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aramark Cleanroom Services LLC, Aramark Co. Ltd., Aramark Colombia SAS, Aramark Concessions Services Joint Venture, Aramark Confection LLC, Aramark Construction Services Inc., Aramark Construction and Energy Services LLC, Aramark Consumer Discount Company, Aramark Correctional Services LLC, Aramark Defence Services Limited, Aramark Denmark ApS, Aramark Distribution Services Inc., Aramark Educational Group LLC, Aramark Educational Services LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Vermont Inc., Aramark Entertainment LLC, Aramark Entertainment Services (Canada) Inc., Aramark Executive Management Services USA Inc., Aramark FHC Business Services LLC, Aramark FHC Campus Services LLC, Aramark FHC Correctional Services LLC, Aramark FHC Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Kansas Inc., Aramark FHC LLC, Aramark FHC Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark FHC School Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Services LLC, Aramark FHC Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark FSM LLC, Aramark Facility Services LLC, Aramark Food Service LLC, Aramark Food Service of Texas LLC, Aramark Food and Support Services Group Inc., Aramark Global Group S.a.r.l., Aramark Global Inc., Aramark GmbH, Aramark Gulf Limited, Aramark Gulf Limited Catering Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services of the Virgin Islands Inc., Aramark Healthcare Technologies LLC, Aramark Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aramark Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, Aramark Holdings Ltd., Aramark Industrial Services LLC, Aramark Intermediate HoldCo Corporation, Aramark International Finance S.a.r.l., Aramark International Holdings S.a.r.l., Aramark Inversiones Latinoamericanas Limitada, Aramark Investments Limited, Aramark Ireland Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan LLC, Aramark KSA LLC, Aramark Kazakhstan Ltd., Aramark Lakewood Associates, Aramark Limited, Aramark Management GmbH, Aramark Management LLC, Aramark Management Services Limited Partnership, Aramark Manning Services UK Limited, Aramark Mexico Group, Aramark Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Support S.A.de C.V., Aramark Norway SA, Aramark Organizational Services LLC, Aramark Partnership Limited, Aramark Personnel Services, Aramark Peru S.A.C., Aramark Peru Servicios de Intermediacion SRL, Aramark Processing LLC, Aramark Property Services Limited, Aramark Qualified Opportunity Fund, Aramark Quebec Inc., Aramark RBI Inc., Aramark Rail Services LLC, Aramark Receivables LLC, Aramark Refreshment Group, Aramark Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark Refreshment Services of Tampa LLC, Aramark Regional Treasury Europe DAC, Aramark Remote Workplace Services Ltd., Aramark Restaurations GmbH, Aramark S&E/QCF Joint Venture, Aramark S.A., Aramark S.A. de C.V., Aramark S.R.O., Aramark SARL, Aramark SCM Inc., Aramark SM Management Services Inc., Aramark SMMS LLC, Aramark SMMS Real Estate LLC, Aramark School Catering Facility Ltd., Aramark Schools Facilities LLC, Aramark Schools LLC, Aramark Senior Living Services LLC, Aramark Senior Notes Company LLC, Aramark Service Industries (China) Co. Ltd., Aramark Services Inc., Aramark Services SA, Aramark Services of Kansas Inc., Aramark Services of Puerto Rico Inc., Aramark Servicios Industriales S. de R.L. de C.V., Aramark Servicios Integrales S.A., Aramark Servicios Mineros y Remotos Limitada, Aramark Servicios SRL, Aramark Servicios de Catering S.L., Aramark Servicos Alimenticos e Participacoes Ltda., Aramark Sports Facilities LLC, Aramark Sports LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Group LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Sub Investments Limited, Aramark Technical Services North Carolina Inc., Aramark Togwotee LLC, Aramark Trademark Services, Aramark Trustees Limited, Aramark U.S. Offshore Services LLC, Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel Group Inc., Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel LLC, Aramark Uniform Holding de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Uniform Manufacturing Company, Aramark Uniform Services (Canada) Ltd., Aramark Uniform Services (Matchpoint) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Rochester) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Supply Chain), Aramark Uniform Services (Syracuse) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Texas) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (West Adams) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services Japan Corporation, Aramark Venue Services Inc., Aramark WTC LLC, Aramark Workplace Solutions (UK) Ltd., Aramark Workplace Solutions Yonetim Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi, Aramark Worldwide Investments Limited, Aramark-Clarksville Club, Aramark-FINCO of Texas LLC, Aramark-Gourmet DPS LLC, Aramark-KWAME of St. Louis LLC, Aramark-SFS Healthcare J.V. L.L.C., Aramark/Dasko Restaurant and Catering Services S.A., Aramark/GM Concessions Joint Venture, Aramark/Giacometti Joint Venture, Aramark/Globetrotters LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-1 LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-2 LLC, Aramark/HF Company, Aramark/HMS LLC, Aramark/Hart Lyman Entertainment LLC, Aramark/Martin's Stadium Concession Services OPACY Joint Venture, Aramark/QHC LLC, Aramark/SFS Joint Venture, Avendra, Avendra Canada Inc., Avendra Gaming, Avendra Replenishment, Avoca, Avoca Handweavers Designs Limited, Avoca Handweavers Limited, Avoca Handweavers NI Limited, Avoca Handweavers Shops Limited, Avoca Handweavers UK Limited, Beijing Golden Collar Dining Ltd., Boompjes Hotel BV, Brand Coffee Service Inc., BuyEfficient, CDR Mantenimiento Integral S.A., Campbell Catering (Belfast) Ltd., Campbell Catering (N.I.) Ltd., Campbell Catering Holdings Limited, Campbell Catering Limited, Campbell Catering Ltd., Campbell Catering Services, Canadian Linen and Uniform Service Co., Canyonlands Rafting Hospitality LLC, Catering Alliance Limited, Caterwise Food Services Limited, Central Multiservicios S.R.L., Central de Abastecimiento Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Multiservicios Limitada, Central de Restaurantes S.R.L., Centrapal S.R.L., Centro de Innovacion y Servicio S.A., Cliff House Hospitality, Comertel Educa SLU, Comertel Residencia SLU, Comertel SA, Complete Purchasing Services Inc., Corporate Coffee Systems LLC, Crater Lake Hospitality, D.G. Maren II Inc., Delicious on West Street LLC, Delsac VIII Inc., Distributor JV Limited, Dongguan Best Property Management Co., Doyon/Aramark Denali National Park Concessions Joint Venture, Effective Partnerships Limited, Filterfresh Coffee Service, Filterfresh Coffee Service LLC, Filterfresh Franchise Group LLC, Fine Host Holdings LLC, Food JV Limited, Freedom Ferry Services, GTB Gastro Team Bremen GmbH, Gestion de Alimentacion y Limpieza Colectivadades SLU, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Concessions LLC, Glen Canyon Rafting Hospitality, Glenrye Properties Services Limited, Golden Collar, Good Uncle Services, Gourmet Aramark Services LLC, Guaranty Energy Group 1981, HPSI Purchasing Services LLC, Harrison Conference Associates LLC, Harrison Conference Services of North Carolina LLC, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of New Jersey, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of Penn., Harry M. Stevens LLC, Hunters Catering Partnership Limited, Institutional Processing Services, Instituto ICS S.A., Inversiones Aramark Chile Limitada, Inversiones Centralcorp Limitada, Inversiones Palm Limitada, Inversiones en Aseo y Mantenimiento S.A, Irish Estates (Facilities Management) Limited, L&N Uniform Supply LLC, Lake Tahoe Cruises LLC, Landy Textile Rental Services LLC, Lifeworks Restaurant Group LLC, Lotus Facilities Management, MESA, Masterplan, Medical Equipment Solutions & Applications Sagl (MESA), Mill Mount Weavers Limited, Muir Woods Hospitality, MyAssistant Inc., New Aramark LLC, Nissho Linen, North Rim Hospitality, Old Time Coffee Co., Olympic Peninsula Hospitality LLC, Orange Support Services Limited, Overall Laundry Services Inc., Paradise Hornblower LLC, Pelican Procurement Services Limited, Philadelphia Ballpark Concessions Joint Venture, Prem Hospitality Limited, Premgroup Franchise Services Limited, Premier Management Company (Dublin) Limited, Premier Partnership (Catering) Limited, Quebec Linge Co., ReMedPar, Restaura Inc., Rocky Mountain Hospitality LLC, Rushmore Hospitality LLC, SeamlessWeb, Seguricorp Servicios S.A., South Rim Hospitality LLC, Spokesoft Technologies Limited, Stuart Cabeldu Catering Limited, Sun Office Service Inc., Tarrant County Concessions LLC, The Aramark Foundation, The Original Food Company Limited, Travel Systems LLC, Trinity Hospitality Services GmbH, Trinity Hospitality Services SARL, Trinity Purchasing N.V., Vector Environmental Services Limited, Vector Workplace and Facility Management Limited, Veris Plc, Veris Property Management Limited, Veris UK Limited, WearGuard, Wilderness River Adventures, and Yosemite Hospitality LLC.WellCare Health Plans, Inc. provides government-sponsored managed care services. The company operates in three segments: Medicaid Health Plans, Medicare Health Plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). The Medicaid Health Plans segment offers plans for beneficiaries of temporary assistance for needy families, supplemental security income, and aged blind and disabled residents; and other state-based programs, such as children's health insurance programs and long-term services and supports programs for qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. The Medicare Health Plans segment provides Medicare, a federal program that provides eligible persons aged 65 and over, as well as some disabled persons with a range of hospital, medical, and prescription drug benefits; Medicare Advantage, a Medicare's managed care alternative to the original Medicare program, which offers individuals standard Medicare benefits directly through Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and coordinated care plans that are administered through health maintenance organizations and require members to seek health care services and select a primary care physician from a network of health care providers. The Medicare PDPs segment provides Medicare part D PDP plans to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries. Its PDP plans offer national in-network prescription drug coverage, including a preferred pharmacy network. As of December 31, 2018, the company served approximately 5.5 million members in the United States. WellCare Health Plans, Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Read MoreAmerican Water Works Co., Inc. engages in the provision of complementary water and wastewater services. It operates through the following segments: Regulated Businesses; Market-Based Businesses; and Other. The Regulated Businesses segment provides water and wastewater services to customers. The Market-Based Businesses segment is responsible for Military Services Group, Contract Operations Group, Homeowner Services Group, and Keystone Operations. The Other segment includes corporate costs that are not allocated to the Company's operating segments, eliminations of inter-segment transactions, fair value adjustments and associated income and deductions related to the acquisitions that have not been allocated to the operating segments for evaluation of performance and allocation of resource purposes. The company was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Camden, NJ.

Read MoreMerck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $2.60 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 3.22%. Merck & Co., Inc. has been increasing its dividend for 10 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio of Merck & Co., Inc. is 91.87%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on earnings estimates, Merck & Co., Inc. will have a dividend payout ratio of 39.16% next year. This indicates that Merck & Co., Inc. will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.

View Merck & Co., Inc.'s dividend history.There is not enough analysis data for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust.

4.0 Community Rank

Outperform Votes BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has received 119 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.)

Underperform Votes BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has received 77 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.)

Community Sentiment BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has received 60.71% outperform votes from our community.

MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BBN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BBN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days.

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NextUnum Group is engaged in providing financial protection benefits. It operates through the following segments: Unum US, Unum International, Colonial Life, Closed Block and Corporate. The Unum US segment comprises of group long-term and short-term disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment products, and supplemental and voluntary lines of business. The Unum International segment engages in the operations of UK business, which includes insurance for group long-term disability, group life, and supplemental lines of business that include dental, individual disability, and critical illness products; Poland business primarily includes insurance for individual and group life with accident and health riders. The Colonial Life segment includes insurance for accident, sickness, disability products, life products, and cancer and critical illness products. The Closed Block segment consists of individual disability, group and individual long-term care, and other insurance products no longer actively marketed. The Corporate segment refers to investment income on corporate assets and other corporate income and expenses not allocated to a line of business; and interest

Read MoreA statewide academy focused on poverty in school districts has recruited two Delaware County educators as participants.

Southeast Delco School District Superintendent Stephen Butz and Delaware County Intermediate Unit Executive Director Maria Edelberg are among the 33 members of the Superintendent Academy created by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The academy invites superintendents and charter school leaders from around the state to take part in the two-year professional development endeavor that will pool together ideas on how to improve educational environments that are affected by poor socioeconomic conditions.

The program started on Nov. 8 to introduce the ideas that will be explored throughout the program.

The department announced the latest slate of academy participants in a press release outlining the academys goals.

Poverty creates conditions for learning that all school leaders must be cognizant of, said state Education Secretary Pedro Rivera in a prepared statement. In additional to ensuring students receive quality instruction, they often must respond to ancillary needs like access to food and nutrition programs, mental health resources and other support services.

The Superintendents Academy offers an intensive professional development opportunity focused on improving achievement of all students regardless of need, demographics and socioeconomic standing, while also establishing a professional learning community for exchanging best practices and ideas.

According to the state, superintendents and charter school leaders will meet in regional cohorts and online communities for the next two years. Two, two-day colloquiums will be hosted in Harrisburg as well.

The first academy cohort finished in May and the second cohort will complete the program in Oct. 2019. Butz and Edelbergs class is expected to finish in April 2020.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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.iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF's stock was trading at $38.50 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EFV stock has increased by 32.5% and is now trading at $51.02.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.Square, Inc. provides payment and point-of-sale solutions in the United States and internationally. The company's commerce ecosystem includes point-of-sale software and hardware that enables sellers to turn mobile and computing devices into payment and point-of-sale solutions. It offers hardware products, including Magstripe reader, which enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Contactless and chip reader that accepts EMV chip cards and Near Field Communication payments; Chip card reader, which accepts EMV chip cards and enables swiped transactions of magnetic stripe cards; Square Stand, which enables an iPad to be used as a payment terminal or full point of sale solution; and Square Register that combines its hardware, point-of-sale software, and payments technology, as well as managed payments solutions. The company also provides Square Point of Sale software; Cash App, which provides access to the financial system, allowing customers to electronically send, store, and spend money; Caviar, a food ordering platform for restaurants to offer food ordering, pickup and delivery, to their customers; and Square Capital that facilitates loans to sellers based on real-time payment and point-of-sale data. Square, Inc. was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Read MoreSuncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates in Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farm operations in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

Read MoreElringKlinger AG develops, manufactures, and distributes technical and chemical products for the automotive sector and the general manufacturing industry in Germany and internationally. It operates through four segments: Original Equipment, Aftermarket, Engineered Plastics, and Other. The Original Equipment segment is involved in the development, manufacture, and sale of products and assemblies, such as metal sealing systems and drive train components; thermoplastics for drivetrains, body, and underbody applications; hybrid technologies; thermal, acoustic, and aerodynamic shielding systems; cylinder-head and specialty gaskets; battery and fuel cell components and systems; electric drive units; and exhaust gas purification. This segment serves passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors. The Aftermarket segment offers a range of gaskets, gasket sets, and service parts for the repair of engines, transmissions, exhaust systems, and auxiliary units in cars and commercial vehicles under the Elring A- Das Original brand. This segment serves a network of wholesalers and purchasing organizations. The Engineered Plastics segment develops, manufactures, and markets customized products made from various plastics for the mechanical engineering sector, as well as in medical, chemical, energy, and vehicle industries. The Other segment operates engine test benches and measuring equipment for testing engines, transmissions, and exhaust systems for vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers; and offers logistics and catering services. The company was founded in 1879 and is headquartered in Dettingen an der Erms, Germany.

Read MoreFraport AG operates airports in Germany, rest of Europe, Asia, and the United States. The company primarily focuses on the operation of Frankfurt Main airport. It operates through four segments: Aviation, Retail & Real Estate, Ground Handling, and International Activities & Services. The Aviation segment operates landside and airside infrastructure, which covers the area of airport charges. The Retail & Real Estate segment engages in retail activities, including marketing of real estate properties and land. This segment also manages buildings and facilities, and parking and retail areas; and rents advertising space. The Ground Handling segment provides loading, baggage, and passenger services through airmail and luggage transport to freight handling. The International Activities & Services segment acquires, operates, maintains, develops, and expands airports and infrastructure facilities. This segment also offers integrated facility and corporate infrastructure management, airport expansion south, and information and telecommunication services. Fraport AG was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Harsco: 21st Century Environmental Management of NV LLC, 21st Century Environmental Management of RI LLC, AERC Acquisition Corporation, AES Asset Acquisition Corporation, Accelerated Remediation Kinetics LLC, Advanced Remediation & Disposal Technologies of Delaware LLC, Allied Environmental Group LLC, Allworth LLC, Altek, Altek Europe Holdings Ltd., Altek Europe Limited, Altek LLC, Altek Melting Solutions Limited, AluServ Middle East W.L.L., Alusalt Limited, Assessment & Remedial Design Technologies Inc, Ballagio S.a.r.l., Burlington Environmental LLC, CEHI Acquisition LLC, CEI Holding LLC, Calrissian Holdings LLC, Carteret Asphalt Corporation, Chemical Pollution Control of Florida LLC, Chemical Pollution Control of New York LLC, Chemical Reclamation Services LLC, Clean Earth Dredging Technologies LLC, Clean Earth Environmental Services Inc., Clean Earth Environmental Services Inc., Clean Earth Environmental Solutions Inc., Clean Earth Holdings LLC, Clean Earth Inc., Clean Earth LLC, Clean Earth Mobile Services LLC, Clean Earth Specialty Waste Solutions Inc., Clean Earth of Carteret LLC, Clean Earth of Georgia LLC, Clean Earth of Greater Washington LLC, Clean Earth of Maryland LLC, Clean Earth of Michigan LLC, Clean Earth of New Castle LLC, Clean Earth of North Jersey Inc., Clean Earth of Philadelphia LLC, Clean Earth of Puerto Rico LLC, Clean Earth of Southeast Pennsylvania LLC, Clean Earth of Southern Florida LLC, Clean Earth of West Virginia LLC, Clean Earth of Williamsport LLC, Clean Rock Properties Ltd, Czech Slag- Nova Hut s.r.o., ESOL TOPCO LLC, Environmental Soil Management Inc, Environmental Soil Management of New York LLC, Environmental Solutions (ESOL) Business, Excell Africa Holdings Ltd., Excell Americas Holdings Ltd S.a.r.L., Faber Prest Limited, Gardner Road Oil LLC, GasServ (Netherlands) VII B.V., General Environmental Management of Rancho Cordova LLC, HLWKH 517 Limited, Harsco (Australia) Pty. Limited, Harsco (Beijing) Fertiliser Co. Ltd, Harsco (Gibraltar) Holding Limited, Harsco (Mexico) Holdings B.V., Harsco (Peru) Holdings B.V., Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd, Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd. - GuYe Branch, Harsco (Tangshan) Metallurgical Materials Technology Co. Ltd. - Leting Branch, Harsco (Tangshan) Renewable Resources Development Co. Ltd, Harsco (U.K.) Limited, Harsco (UK) Group Ltd, Harsco (York Place) Limited, Harsco APAC Rail Machinery (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Harsco Americas Investments S.a.r.l., Harsco Belgium SRL, Harsco Brazil Investments SRL, Harsco Canada Corporation Societe Harsco Canada, Harsco Canada General Partner Limited, Harsco Canada Limited Partnership, Harsco Chile Investments SRL, Harsco China Holding Company Limited, Harsco Defense Holding LLC, Harsco Environmental S.R.L., Harsco Europa B.V., Harsco Fairways Partnership, Harsco Finance B.V., Harsco Financial Holdings Inc., Harsco France S.A.S., Harsco Holdings Inc., Harsco India Metals Private Limited, Harsco India Private Ltd., Harsco India Services Private Ltd., Harsco Industrial Grating China Holding Co. Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure B.V., Harsco Infrastructure CZ s.r.o, Harsco Infrastructure Construction Services B.V., Harsco Infrastructure Group Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure Holdings Inc., Harsco Infrastructure Hong Kong Ltd, Harsco Infrastructure Industrial Services B.V., Harsco Infrastructure Services Ltd., Harsco Infrastructure South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco International Finance S.a.r.l., Harsco Investment Ltd., Harsco Investments Europe B.V., Harsco Leatherhead Limited, Harsco Luxembourg S.a.r.l, Harsco Metals (Ningbo) Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals (Thailand) Company Ltd., Harsco Metals 373 Ltd, Harsco Metals 385 Ltd, Harsco Metals Argentina S.A., Harsco Metals Australia Holding Investment Co. Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Australia Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Belgium S.A., Harsco Metals CTS Prestacao de Servicos Tecnicos e Aluguer de Equipamentos LDA Unipessoal, Harsco Metals CZ s.r.o, Harsco Metals Chile S.A., Harsco Metals D.O.O. Smederevo, Harsco Metals Egypt L.L.C., Harsco Metals Emirates Partnership, Harsco Metals Germany GmbH, Harsco Metals Gesmafesa S.A., Harsco Metals Group Limited, Harsco Metals Guatemala S.A., Harsco Metals Holding LLC, Harsco Metals Holdings Limited, Harsco Metals Holland B.V., Harsco Metals Ilanga Pty. Ltd., Harsco Metals Intermetal LLC, Harsco Metals Investment LLC, Harsco Metals Limitada, Harsco Metals Luxembourg S.A., Harsco Metals Luxequip S.A., Harsco Metals Lycrete S.A., Harsco Metals Middle East FZE, Harsco Metals Norway A.S., Harsco Metals Oostelijk Staal International B.V., Harsco Metals Operations LLC, Harsco Metals Peru S.A., Harsco Metals Polska SP Z.O.O., Harsco Metals RSA Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals Reclamet S.A., Harsco Metals SRH Mill Services (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals SRI LLC, Harsco Metals Saudi Arabia Ltd., Harsco Metals Slovensko s.r.o., Harsco Metals South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals SteelServ (Pty.) Ltd., Harsco Metals Sweden A.B., Harsco Metals Transport B.V., Harsco Metals Turkey Celik Limited Sirkety, Harsco Metals VB LLC, Harsco Metals Zhejiang Co. Ltd., Harsco Metals and Minerals France S.A.S., Harsco Metals de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Harsco Metro Rail LLC, Harsco Mexico Holdings S.A. de C.V., Harsco Minerais Limitada, Harsco Minerali d.o.o., Harsco Minerals Arabia LLC (FZC), Harsco Minerals Deutschland GmbH, Harsco Minerals Europe B.V., Harsco Minerals Technologies LLC, Harsco Minnesota Finance Inc., Harsco Minnesota LLC, Harsco Mole Valley Limited, Harsco Nederland Slag B.V., Harsco Nova Scotia Holding Corporation, Harsco Rail Emirates Maatschap/Societe de Droit Commun, Harsco Rail Europe GmbH, Harsco Rail LLC, Harsco Rail Limited, Harsco Rail Ltda, Harsco Rail Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Harsco Rail Pty. Ltd., Harsco Rail Switzerland GMBH, Harsco Steel Mill Trading Arabia LLC, Harsco Sun Demiryolu Ekipmanlari Uretim Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Harsco Switzerland Holding GmbH, Harsco Technologies LLC, Harsco Technology China Co. Ltd., Harsco Track Machines and Services Private Limited, Heckett Bahna Co. For Industrial Operations S.A.E., Heckett Comercio de Rejeitos Industriais Importacao e Exportacao Ltda, Heckett MultiServ (FS) Pty Ltd, Heckett MultiServ Bahna S.A.E., Heckett MultiServ China B.V., Heckett MultiServ Far East B.V., Heckett Multiserv MV & MS CA, Hunnebeck Group GmbH, Iductelec Limited, Ilserv S.R.L., Luntz Acquisition (Delaware) LLC, MKC Acquisition Corporation, Mastclimbers Ltd, Metal Reclamation SPV (Pty.) Ltd., Minerval Metallurgic Additives B.V., MultiServ (Sweden) AB, MultiServ Finance B.V., MultiServ International B.V., MultiServ Limited, MultiServ Logistics Limited, MultiServ Oy, MultiServ Technologies (South Africa) Pty Ltd, Nortal Limited, Northland Environmental LLC, Nortru LLC, PSC Environmental Services LLC, PSC Recovery Systems LLC, Phillip Reclamation Services Houston LLC, Protran Technology LLC, Real Property Acquisition LLC, Republic Environmental Recycling (New Jersey) LLC, Republic Environmental Systems (PA) LLC, Republic Environmental Systems (Transportation Group) LLC, Rho-Chem LLC, SGB Holdings Limited, SGB Investments Ltd., SGB Scafform Limited, Shanxi TISCO-Harsco Technology Co. Ltd., Short Brothers (Plant) Ltd., Slag Processing Company Egypt (SLAR) S.A.E., Slag Reductie (Pacific) B.V., Slag Reductie Nederland B.V., Solvent Recovery LLC, Tosyali Harsco Geri Kazanim Teknolojileri Anonim Sirketi, and United Retek of Connecticut LLC.USG Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells building materials worldwide. The company's Gypsum division manufactures and markets gypsum and related products to construct walls and ceilings of residential, nonresidential, and institutional buildings; and agricultural and industrial customers. This segment offers gypsum wallboards and compound portfolios, as well as corner beads, joint tapes, and plasters under the USG Sheetrock brand; glass mat sheathing portfolios under the Securock brand; construction plaster products under the Red Top, Imperial, Diamond, and Supremo brands; and lightweight gypsum panels under the USG Sheetrock brand, as well as ultralight panels, USG Sheetrock brand ecosmart panels, and industrial gypsum. Its Performance Materials division manufactures and markets products for interior and exterior building applications of residential and nonresidential buildings, as well as industrial applications. This segment provides cement boards, backer boards, shower systems, performance floorings, air barrier systems, roof board portfolios, and structural panels under the USG Durock, Fiberock, Levelrock, Securock, ExoAir, Securock, and USG brands. The company's Ceilings division manufactures and markets ceiling tiles under the Radar, Eclipse, Mars, and Halcyon brands; ceiling grids under the Donn, DX, Fineline, Centricitee, and Identitee DXI brands; specialty ceilings under the Curvatura, Compasso, Radians, Illusions, Multiples, Runways, Barz, Planx, Mirra, Corniche, Wallforms, and Parti brands; and acoustical drywall ceilings under the Ensemble brand. Its USG Boral Building Products division manufactures, distributes, and sells building products, mines raw gypsum, and sells natural and synthetic gypsum under the USG Boral Sheetrock, USG Boral NextGen, Elephant, Jayaboard, Durock, and Donn DX brands. The company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Read MoreHertz Global's quiet period expires on Monday, December 20th. Hertz Global had issued 44,520,000 shares in its public offering on November 9th. The total size of the offering was $1,291,080,000 based on an initial share price of $29.00. During Hertz Global's quiet period, insiders and any underwriters that worked on the IPO are restricted from issuing any research reports for the company because of SEC regulations. Following the end of the company's quiet period, it's expected that the brokerages that served as underwriters on the stock will initiate research coverage on the company.Transformation based on science and technology

The world is entering the fourth industrial revolution (also known as Industry 4.0), with the power of innovation. Not to be out of the trend, many businesses in Ho Chi Minh City are trying to modernise technology that aims to increase competitiveness and improve product quality, and participate in global supply chains. Minh Nguyen Industrial Supporting Joint Stock Company (Minh Nguyen), at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP), is the first domestic supporting industry enterprise to directly participate in the supply chain of high quality components for Samsung. Chau Ba Long, General Director of Minh Nguyen, said: "To be selected by Samsung as the first-class supplier of supporting industrial products, Minh Nguyen has paid attention to the investment strategy of automation technology. It not only improves the quality of products but also provides a large number of orders of Samsung in particular and other units in general.

Minh Nguyen is currently negotiating with Samsung and other partners in European and North American markets. In order to gain results, Minh Nguyen has received a lot of support from the authorities of Ho Chi Minh City and SHTP, which created favorable conditions for the investment environment as well as preferential policies on tax and high quality human resources, General Director Ba Long added.

SHTP is a location to attract high-tech projects and is a centre for research, transfer and the replication of advanced science and technology products for the city in particular and the whole country in general. Currently, SHTP is implementing a project of building and developing Sai Gon Silicon Park. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoai Quoc, Head of SHTP Management Board, said that after commencing operations, Sai Gon Silicon will help Ho Chi Minh City to close the gap in the level of science and technology with the world and the region. The project aims that, by 2025, SHTP will strive to become the leading hi-tech centre in Southeast Asia, which will provide and nurture innovative science and technology opportunities, he added.

However, according to experts, although the science and technology foundation in Ho Chi Minh City has made remarkable changes in recent years, the results have not been as expected. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai, Vice President of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, said that it is necessary to strengthen policies to support technology innovation for enterprises.

Making breakthroughs from competitiveness

After nearly two years of implementing the programme on on-going innovation of the growth model, improvement of the quality of growth, labour productivity and competitiveness of the economy under Resolution No. 27 / NQ-CP dated February 21, 2017 of the Government, the economy of Ho Chi Minh City continues to maintain a high and stable growth rate. However, in order to meet the development requirements of the new era, the city should actively remove barriers to sustainable economic development. According to Doctor Huynh The Du, Lecturer of Fulbright University Vietnam, under the SHTP, the result analysis on competitiveness, based on domestic context and comparison with certain cities in the region, show that from the point of view of the economic and commercial centre, Ho Chi Minh City ranked at the top position. However, in order to develop towards a prosperous city with two criteria: competition and a decent living environment, the city needs to exert a lot of effort compared to other cities in Asia.

For the economic growth of Ho Chi Minh City, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai said that the GRDP scale of the city compared to the country has reached a very high threshold and has basically taken maximum advantage of the available inputs and infrastructure. However, technology, the business environment, and infrastructure have not met the metropolitan area of more than 10 million people; regional solutions, spatial expansion and existing spatial restructuring have not been resolutely implemented; and the administrative management mechanism is still complicated therefore productivity is not as good as expected, he added.

Ho Chi Minh City has a very important position and role in the southern key economic region, which is the nucleus to create motives for the socio-economic development of localities in the region. In contrast, the provinces in the region are also levers to promote socio-economic growth for the city. Therefore, strengthening the cooperation process in the links is essential to expand the development of the city. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Phu Tran Tinh, Faculty of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Law, commented: "The space for city development is not much and has almost been exploited. The lack of connection among localities, especially in the southern key economic region, is making it difficult to improve the competitiveness and quality of the city's growth in the future. ".

According to Dr. Luong Van Khoi, Deputy Director of for the National Centre for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast, for the main driving force for Ho Chi Minh's economic growth and development in the period from 2018 to 2020 with a vision to 2025 and beyond, it is necessary to continue to focus on three groups of factors: the private sector; institutional reform and business environment; science and technology and improving labour productivity. In addition, in the context of the fourth industrial revolution throughout the world, in order to improve the quality of growth and development of the city's economy, in the short term, Ho Chi Minh City should focus on the socio-economic development policies based on sharing economy and the fourth industrial revolution. Dr. Luong Van Khoi also added that the quality of growth and competitiveness of Ho Chi Minh City depends on the productivity of enterprises and sectors. Therefore, the city should have a strategy and policies to increase productivity for businesses, for the economic sectors of the city in a specific and highly practical manner.

Suggesting the policies of renewing the growth model, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trong Hoai proposed: "The city should approach the basic steps of the smart urban model, moving from the economic model to focus on inputs into a model of efficiency - innovation - creativity, towards long-term goals with three contents: Technology and infrastructure; people promote creativity and flexible institution, and promoting the business environment by applying technological advances..

Ho Chi Minh City should promote its pioneering role of leading the development and cooperation of the region, aiming to become a developed city with two criteria, including high competitiveness and decent living.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Imperial Oil Limited explores for, produces, and sells crude oil and natural gas in Canada. It operates through three segments: Upstream, Downstream, and Chemical. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil, natural gas, synthetic oil, and bitumen. As of December 31, 2020, this segment had 138 million oil-equivalent barrels of proved undeveloped reserves. The Downstream segment is involved in the transportation and refining of crude oil, as well as blending, distribution, and marketing of refined products. It also transports crude oil to refineries by contracted pipelines, common carrier pipelines, and rail; maintains a distribution system to move petroleum products to market by pipeline, tanker, rail, and road transport; and owns and operates fuel terminals, natural gas liquids, and products pipelines in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. In addition, this segment markets and supplies petroleum products to motoring public through approximately 2,400 Esso and Mobil-branded sites. Further, it sells petroleum products, including fuel, asphalt, and lubricants for industrial and transportation customers, independent marketers, and resellers, as well as other refiners serving the agriculture, residential heating, and commercial markets through branded fuel and lubricant resellers. The Chemical segment manufactures and markets various petrochemicals and polyethylene, such as benzene, aromatic, and aliphatic solvents; plasticizer intermediates; and polyethylene resins. The company was incorporation in 1880 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Imperial Oil Limited is a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Read MoreIngredion, Inc. manufactures and sells sweetener, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterial solutions derived from the wet milling and processing of corn and other starch based materials. Its activities include turning corn, tapioca, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits into value added ingredients and biomaterials for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing, and other industries. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The North America segment includes businesses in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The South America segment involves businesses in Brazil, the Southern Cone of South America (which includes Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay), Colombia, and Ecuador. The Asia-Pacific segment pertains businesses in South Korea, Thailand, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam. The EMEA segment focuses businesses in Pakistan, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Westchester, IL.

Read MoreiStar, Inc. is a real estate investment trust company, which engages in financing, investing, and development of real estate and related projects. It operates through the following business segments: Real Estate Finance, Net Lease, Operating Properties, Land and Development, and Corporate and Other. The Real Estate Finance segment includes all of the activities of the company related to senior and mezzanine real estate loans and real estate related securities. The Net Lease segment comprises activities of the company and operations related to the ownership of properties generally leased to single corporate tenants. The Operating Properties segment focuses in the activities and operations related to its commercial and residential properties. The Land and Development segment refers to the developable land portfolio of the company. The Corporate and Other segment represents all the corporate level and unallocated items, joint venture, and strategic investments, which are not included in the other reportable segments. The company was founded by Jay Sugarman in 1993 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH.iShares MSCI Frontier and Select EM ETF's stock was trading at $24.12 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, FM shares have increased by 46.1% and is now trading at $35.23.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF's stock was trading at $170.68 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IWO shares have increased by 83.2% and is now trading at $312.65.

View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.Oasis Petroleum Inc., an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources in the United States. It operates through Exploration and Production(E&P), and Midstream segments. The E&P segment engages in the acquisition and development of oil and gas properties. The Midstream segment offers midstream services, such as natural gas gathering, compression, processing and, gas lift supply; crude oil gathering, terminaling, and transportation; produced and flowback water gathering, and disposal; and water distribution. As of December 31, 2020, the company had 401,766 net leasehold acres in the Williston Basin; and 24,396 net leasehold acres in the Permian Basin, as well as approximately 152.2 million barrels of oil equivalent of estimated net proved reserves. The company sells its crude oil and natural gas to refiners, marketers, and other purchasers that have access to pipeline and rail facilities. Oasis Petroleum Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Read MoreDeutsche Telekom AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication services. The company operates through five segments: Germany, United States, Europe, Systems Solutions, and Group Development. It offers fixed-network services, including voice and data communication services based on fixed-network and broadband technology; and sells terminal equipment and other hardware products, as well as services to resellers. The company also provides mobile voice and data services to consumers and business customers; sells mobile devices and other hardware products; and sells mobile services to resellers and to companies that purchases and markets network services to third parties, such as mobile virtual network operators. In addition, it offers internet services; internet-based TV products and services; and information and communication technology systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions with an infrastructure of data centers and networks under the T-Systems brand, as well as call center services. The company has 242 million mobile customers and 22 million broadband customers, as well as 27 million fixed-network lines. Deutsche Telekom AG has a collaboration with VMware, Inc. on cloud-based open and intelligent virtual RAN platform to bring agility to radio access networks for existing LTE and future 5G networks; and partnership with Microsoft to deliver high-performance cloud computing experiences. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany.

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..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CAE Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and supplies simulation equipment and training solutions to defense and security markets, commercial airlines, business aircraft operators, helicopter operators, aircraft manufacturers, and healthcare education and service providers worldwide. The company's Civil Aviation Training Solutions segment provides training solutions for flight, cabin, maintenance, and ground personnel in commercial, business, and helicopter aviation; flight simulation training devices; and ab initio pilot training and crew sourcing services, as well as end to end digitally-enabled crew management, training operations solutions, and optimization software. Its Defence and Security segment offers training and mission support solutions for defense forces across multi-domain operations, and for government organizations responsible for public safety. The company's Healthcare segment provides integrated education and training solutions, including surgical and imaging simulations, curriculum, audiovisual and centre management platforms, and patient simulators to healthcare students and clinical professionals. The company was formerly known as CAE Industries Ltd. and changed its name to CAE Inc. in June 1993. CAE Inc. was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Canada.

Read MoreNevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea. It also holds exploration licenses and permits in Serbia and Macedonia, as well as in the Bisha mining district. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of January 7, 2019, Nevsun Resources Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of Iron Mountain: AB Archyvu Centras, AB Archyvu Sistemos, AB Archyvu Sistemos Estonia Branch, AKTATRADE Iratendezo Selejtezo es Megsemmisito Bt., AS Archivu Serviss, Accutrac Software Inc, Administradora de Informacion Ltda, ArchivesOne, Archyvu sistemos, Ausdoc Group Pty Limited, Ausdoc Holdings Pty Limited, Bonded Services Group, Box Butler, Britannia Data Management Limited, Connected Corporation, Cornerstone Records Management, Crozier Fine Arts, Crozier Philadelphia LLC, Custodia S.O.S. SA, Custodia de Documentos Limitada, Data Outsourcing Centre doo, Data Security Services Pty Limited, DigiGuard, Docu-File Cape Town Proprietary Limited, Docu-File Durban Proprietary Limited, Docu-File JHB Proprietary Limited, DocuTar Iratrendezo es Tarolo Szolgaltato Kft., DocuVault, Docufile (Pty) Ltd, Docufile Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Docufile Lesotho Proprietary Limited, Docufile Services Proprietary Limited, Docugroup Papir Szolgatato Kft., Document Holdings Sweden AB, Docuscan Cape Town Proprietary Limited, Docuscan Proprietary Limited, EAC Invest, Endless Document Storage Services LLC, EvoSwitch, File Express Limited, Fine Paper Recyclers Sydney Pty Ltd, Fontis International GmbH, Fontis International Inc., Fortrust, G4S Secure Data Solutions Colombia, Hays IMS, Horanross Limited, IBEX IM Limited, IBEX Information Management Limited, IG2 Data Security, IMSA Peru SRL, IO.com, Information Storage Consolidation Co, Interfile Participacoes S.A., Intradis SA, Iron Mountain (Deutschland) Service GmbH, Iron Mountain (Espana) Services S.L, Iron Mountain (Gibraltar) Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (Ireland) Services Limited, Iron Mountain (Nederland) Services BV, Iron Mountain (UK) EES Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) Limited, Iron Mountain (UK) Services Limited, Iron Mountain A/S, Iron Mountain Acquisition Holdings Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Argentina S.A., Iron Mountain Arsivleme Hizmetleri A.S., Iron Mountain Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Australia Group Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Group Services Pty. Ltd., Iron Mountain Australia Holdings Inc., Iron Mountain Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd, Iron Mountain Austria Archivierung Gmbh, Iron Mountain BPM International S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain BPM SPRL, Iron Mountain Belgium NV, Iron Mountain CIS LLC, Iron Mountain Canada Operations ULC, Iron Mountain Ceska Republika S.R.O., Iron Mountain Chile S.A., Iron Mountain Chile Servicios S.A., Iron Mountain Colombia S.A.S., Iron Mountain DIMS Limited, Iron Mountain Deutschland GmbH, Iron Mountain Do Brasil Ltda, Iron Mountain EES Holdings Ltd., Iron Mountain EES Sp. z.o.o., Iron Mountain Espana SA, Iron Mountain Europe (Group) Limited, Iron Mountain Europe PLC (fka Iron Mountain Europe Limited), Iron Mountain Finland OY, Iron Mountain France S.A.S., Iron Mountain Fulfillment Services Inc., Iron Mountain Global Holdings Inc., Iron Mountain Global LLC, Iron Mountain Global Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain Group (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Hellas SA, Iron Mountain Holdings (Europe) Limited, Iron Mountain Holdings (France) SNC, Iron Mountain Incorporated, Iron Mountain India Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Information Management LLC, Iron Mountain Information Management Services Canada Inc., Iron Mountain Information Management Services Inc., Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management Inc., Iron Mountain International (Holdings) Limited, Iron Mountain International Holdings BV, Iron Mountain International Information Management Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain Ireland Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Ireland Limited, Iron Mountain Latin America Holdings Sociedad Limitada, Iron Mountain Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain Luxembourg Services S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain Luxembourg Services S.a.r.l. Schaffhausen Branch, Iron Mountain MDM Limited, Iron Mountain Magyarorszag Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Kft., Iron Mountain Management Services GmbH, Iron Mountain Mayflower Limited, Iron Mountain Mexico Holding S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Iron Mountain Mexico Servicios S. de RL de CV, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance Holdings LLC, Iron Mountain Mortgage Finance I LLC, Iron Mountain Nederland B.V., Iron Mountain Nederland Holdings B.V., Iron Mountain New Zealand Limited (fka Recall New Zealand Ltd), Iron Mountain Norge AS, Iron Mountain Participations SA, Iron Mountain Peru S.A., Iron Mountain Poland Holdings Ltd, Iron Mountain Polska Services Sp z.o.o., Iron Mountain Polska Sp. z.o.o., Iron Mountain Receivables QRS LLC, Iron Mountain Receivables TRS LLC, Iron Mountain Records Management (Puerto Rico) Inc., Iron Mountain Records Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Iron Mountain SRL, Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Canada, Iron Mountain Secure Shredding Inc., Iron Mountain Services Private Ltd, Iron Mountain Services S.A.S., Iron Mountain Shanghai Co Ltd, Iron Mountain Slovakia s.r.o., Iron Mountain South America S.a.r.l., Iron Mountain Southeast Asia Holdings Limited, Iron Mountain Switzerland GmbH, Iron Mountain UK Services (Holdings) Limited, Iron Mountain US Holdings Inc., Iron Mountain Ukraine LLC, Iron Mountain Vietnam Company Limited, Iron Mountain d.o.o. Beograd, Jin Shan Limited, KDM Spectrumdata Pty Ltd, KH Data Capital Development Land LLC, Kestrel Data (Canada) Ltd, Kestrel Data Services Limited, Kestrel Information Management Pty. Ltd., Livevault, Marshgate Morangis S.a.r.l., Mimosa Systems, Mobilshred Inc., Navbharat Archive Xpress Private Limited, Nettlebed Acquisition Corp., Pipax Security S.A., Preferred Media Limited, Prism Integrated Sdn Bhd, Recall, Recall (London) Limited, Recall (Schweiz) AG, Recall (Shanghai) Ltd., Recall A/S, Recall AS, Recall Asia Pte Limited, Recall Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Recall Enterprises (Thailand) Limited, Recall Enterprises Sdn. Bhd., Recall Europe Finance Ltd. (fka Recall Europe Finance Plc), Recall Europe Limited, Recall Finance Limited, Recall Finland OY, Recall France SA, Recall France SA Belgium Branch, Recall France SAS, Recall GQ Limited, Recall Holdings, Recall Holdings Limited, Recall Holdings Sweden AB, Recall Hong Kong Ltd., Recall India Information Management Pvt. Ltd., Recall Information Services SRL, Recall International Pty Limited, Recall Italia SRL, Recall Limited, Recall Overseas Holdings Pty Limited, Recall Shredding Limited, Recall Sweden AB, Recall Taiwan Ltd., Recall Technology Pty. Ltd., Recall Total Information Management India Pvt. Ltd., Recall Total Information Mgt Pte Ltd, Recall do Brasil Ltda, Record Data Limited, Royal Seal S.R.O., Safehouse Information Management Solutions Private Limited, Secur Archiv SA, Secure Paper Services Pty Ltd, Shuttle SRL, Silver Sky Limited, Sispace AG, Startify, Storbox SA, The Coding Company Pty. Ltd., The Imaging Centre Pty Ltd, UAB Confidento, Upper Providence Venture I L.P., Venues Australia Pty Ltd, and Xepa Digital.Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.

Read MoreThe following companies are subsidiares of SAP: Abakus, Abakus Europe Limited, Abakus Ukraine Limited Liability Company, Adatfeldolgozasban Informatikai Kft., Altiscale, Ambin Properties Proprietary Limited, AppGyver, Ariba, Ariba Czech s.r.o., Ariba Inc. Palo Alto, Ariba India Private Limited, Ariba International, Ariba International Holdings, Ariba International Singapore Pte Ltd, Ariba Slovak Republic s.r.o., Ariba Software Technology Services (Shanghai) Co., Ariba Technologies India Private Limited, Ariba Technologies Netherlands B.V., Beijing Zhang Zhong Hu Dong Information Technology, Business Objects, Business Objects Holding B.V., Business Objects Option LLC, Business Objects Software Limited, CNQR Operations Mexico S. de. R.L. de. C.V., Callidus Software, CallidusCloud, Christie Partners Holding C.V., Clear Standards, ClearTrip Inc., ClearTrip Inc. (Mauritius), Cleartrip MEA FZ LLC, Cleartrip Private Limited, Coghead, ConTgo Consulting Limited, ConTgo Pty. Ltd., Concur (Austria) GmbH, Concur (Canada), Concur (France) SAS, Concur (Germany) GmbH, Concur (Japan) Ltd., Concur (New Zealand) Limited, Concur (Philippines) Inc., Concur (Switzerland) GmbH, Concur Czech (s.r.o.), Concur Holdings (France) SAS, Concur Holdings (Netherlands) B.V., Concur Technologies (Australia) Pty. Limited, Concur Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited, Concur Technologies (India) Private Limited, Concur Technologies (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Concur Technologies (UK) Limited, Concur Technologies Inc. Bellevue, Contextor, Coresystems, Crystal Decisions (Ireland) Limited, Crystal Decisions Holdings Limited, Crystal Decisions UK Limited, Emarsys, EssCubed Procurement Pty. Ltd., Extended Systems, Factory Logic, Fedem Technology AS, Fieldglass Europe Limited, Financial Fusion, FreeMarkets Ltda., Frictionless Commerce, Gigya, Gigya Australia Pty Ltd, Gigya Ltd., Gigya UK Ltd, GlobalExpense Limited, Highdeal, Hipmunk, Hybris (US) Corp., Hybris GmbH, Inxight Federal Systems Group, KXEN, Khimetrics, LLC "SAP Labs", LLC "SAP Ukraine", LLC SAP CIS, MaXware, Merlin Systems Oy, Multiposting Sp.z o.o., Nihon Ariba K.K., OpTier, OutlookSoft, OutlookSoft Deutschland GmbH, PLAT.ONE, PT SAP Indonesia, PT Sybase 365 Indonesia, Pilot Software Inc., Plat.One Inc., Plat.One Lab Srl, Plateau Systems LLC, Quadrem Africa Pty. Ltd., Quadrem Brazil Ltda., Quadrem Chile Ltda., Quadrem Colombia SAS, Quadrem International Ltd., Quadrem Netherlands B.V., Quadrem Overseas Cooperatief U.A., Quadrem Peru S.A.C., Qualtrics, Recast.AI, Right Hemisphere, Roambi, Ruan Lian Technologies (Beijing) Co., SAF, SAP (Beijing) Software System Co., SAP (Schweiz) AG, SAP (Schweiz) AG Biel, SAP (UK) Limited, SAP (UK) Limited Feltham, SAP AZ LLC, SAP America, SAP America Inc. Newtown Square, SAP Andina y del Caribe, SAP Argentina S.A., SAP Asia (Vietnam) Co., SAP Asia Pte Ltd, SAP Australia Pty Ltd, SAP Australia Pty Ltd. Sydney, SAP Belgium NV/SA, SAP Beteiligungs GmbH, SAP Brasil Ltda, SAP Brasil Ltda Sao Paulo, SAP Bulgaria EOOD, SAP Business Compliance Services GmbH, SAP Business Services Center Nederland B.V., SAP CR, SAP Canada, SAP Chile Limitada, SAP China Co., SAP China Co. Ltd. Shanghai, SAP China Holding Co., SAP Colombia S.A.S., SAP Commercial Services Ltd., SAP Concur, SAP Costa Rica, SAP Customer Experience, SAP Cyprus Limited, SAP Danmark A/S, SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KG, SAP Deutschland SE & Co. KG Walldorf, SAP Dritte Beteiligungs- und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, SAP EMEA Inside Sales S.L., SAP East Africa Limited, SAP Egypt LLC, SAP Erste Beteiligungs- und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, SAP Espana - Sistemas Informatica, SAP Estonia OU, SAP Fieldglass, SAP Financial, SAP Finland Oy, SAP Foreign Holdings GmbH, SAP France, SAP France Holding, SAP France Levallois Perret, SAP Global Marketing, SAP Hellas S.A., SAP Holdings (UK) Limited, SAP Hong Kong Co., SAP Hosting Beteiligungs GmbH, SAP Hungary Rendszerek, SAP India (Holding) Pte Ltd, SAP India Private Limited, SAP India Private Limited Bangalore, SAP Industries, SAP Industries Inc. Newtown Square, SAP International, SAP International Panama, SAP Investments, SAP Ireland Limited, SAP Ireland US - Financial Services Designated Activity Company, SAP Israel Ltd., SAP Italia Sistemi Applicazioni Prodotti in Data Processing S.p.A., SAP Italia Sistemi Applicazioni Prodotti in Data Processing S.p.A. Vimercate, SAP Japan Co., SAP Japan Co. Ltd. Tokyo, SAP Kazakhstan LLP, SAP Korea Ltd., SAP Labs, SAP Labs Bulgaria EOOD, SAP Labs Finland Oy, SAP Labs France SAS, SAP Labs India Private Limited, SAP Labs Israel Ltd., SAP Labs Korea, SAP Latvia SIA, SAP MENA FZ L.L.C., SAP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SAP Malta Investments Ltd., SAP Mxico S.A. de C.V., SAP National Security Services PA, SAP Nederland B.V., SAP Nederland B.V. s-Hertogenbosch, SAP Service and Support Centre (Ireland) Limited, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP d.o.o., SeeWhy, Signavio, SuccessFactors, SuccessFactors Inc. South San Francisco, Sybase, Syclo, TopTier Software, Triversity, Vimercate, Virsa Systems, Visiprise, Wicom Communications, and conTgo limited.SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme provides financial services in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and France. The company offers retail banking services, including deposits and loans, vehicles and asset management, corporate finance, insurance, payments, investment, and online brokerage and financial information services; Internet, mobile, telephone, and service platforms; and online banking to individual and professional customers, businesses, non-profit associations and local authorities under the Societe Generale, CrAdit du Nord, and Boursorama Banque brands. It also provides international retail banking and financial services, comprising of deposit and loan products; consumer finance and car finance; mortgage facilities; corporate and investment banking; infrastructure, renewable energies, and agribusiness financing; life, retirement savings, and personal protection insurance products; vehicle leasing and fleet management services; and vendor and equipment finance services to corporate and individual customers. In addition, the company offers capital market services, such as fixed income and currencies, equities, and securities services; mergers and acquisitions, advisory and other corporate finance advisory services, and corporate banking and investment banking, as well as capital raising solutions for debt or equity, financial engineering, and hedging for issuers; transaction and payment services, comprising of cash management, trade finance, cash clearing and correspondent banking, supply chain finance, and foreign exchange services; and export finance, aircraft finance, shipping finance, real estate finance, and structured solutions and leasing. Further, it provides financial engineering and wealth management solutions; structured products, hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity funds and real estate investment solutions; and asset management solutions. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Read MoreTelstra Corporation Limited provides telecommunications and information services to businesses, governments, and individuals in Australia and internationally. It operates in four segments: Telstra Consumer and Small Business, Telstra Enterprise, Networks and IT, and Telstra InfraCo. The company offers telecommunication products, services, and solutions across mobiles, fixed and mobile broadband, telephony and Pay TV/IPTV, and digital content; and online self-service capabilities, as well as operates inbound and outbound call centers, owned and licensed Telstra shops, and the Telstra dealership network. It also provides sales and contract management; and product management services for data and Internet protocol networks, mobility services, and network applications and services products, such as managed network, unified communications, cloud, industry solutions, and integrated services and monitoring. In addition, the company engages in the development of industry vertical solutions; planning, design, engineering architecture, and construction of Telstra networks, technology, and information technology solutions; and delivering network technologies. Further, it provides telecommunication products and services through its networks and related support systems to other carriers, carriage service providers, and Internet service providers; access to fixed network infrastructure assets; disconnection services; and network services under the Infrastructure Services Agreement and commercial contracts, as well as holds fixed network infrastructure, including data centers, non-mobiles related domestic fiber, copper, HFC cable, international subsea cables, exchanges, poles, ducts, and pipes. The company was formerly known as Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation Limited and changed its name to Telstra Corporation Limited in April 1993. Telstra Corporation Limited was founded in 1901 and is based in Melbourne, Australia.

Read MoreTalkTalk Telecom Group PLC provides telecommunications services to consumers and business to business customers in the United Kingdom. It offers fiber, broadband, landline, TV, and mobile services under the TalkTalk and TalkTalk Business brands. Its products include HomeSafe, a home filtering service for residential customers; WorkSafe that provides protection for internet devices to business customers; SuperSafe, which offers protection from viruses and malwares; CallSafe, a security feature that screens inbound calls; and TalkSafe, a way of identifying a customer when they call using their voice. TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC was founded in 2002 and is based in Salford, the United Kingdom.

Read MoreCoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Read MoreCSS Industries, Inc., a consumer products company, designs, manufactures, procures, distributes, and sells seasonal, gift, and craft products principally to mass market retailers in the United States and Canada. Its craft and gift consumer products include craft ribbons and bows, trims, buttons, sewing patterns, knitting needles, needle arts, kids' crafts, infant products, journals, gift card holders, all occasion boxed greeting cards, memory books, scrapbooks, stationery, stickers, and other gift and craft items, as well as floral accessories, including pot covers, foil, waxed tissue, shred, aisle runners, corsage bags, and other paper and film products. The company's seasonal consumer products comprise Christmas products, such as packaging ribbon and bows, boxed greeting cards, gift wraps, gift bags, gift boxes, gift tags, gift card holders, tissue papers, and decorations; Valentine products consisting of classroom exchange Valentine cards and other related Valentine products; Easter products, including Easter egg dyes and related Easter seasonal products; and back-to-school products, such as teachers' aids and other learning oriented products. CSS Industries, Inc. offers its products principally under the Paper Magic, Berwick, Offray, C.R. Gibson, McCall's, Butterick, Kwik Sew, Vogue Patterns, Markings, Stepping Stones, Tapestry, Seastone, Dudley's, Eureka, Stickerfitti, Favorite Findings, La Mode, Simplicity, Wrights, Boye, Dimensions, and Perler brand names. The company sells its products to mass market retailers, discount department stores, specialty chains, warehouse clubs, drug and food chains, dollar stores, office supply stores, and retail teachers' stores, as well as to independent card, gift, and floral shops through account sales managers, sales representatives, product specialists, and a network of independent manufacturers' representatives. The company was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

Read MoreORISKANY, NY  The village of Oriskany is honoring one of their hometown heroes this Veterans Day weekend.

Major General Peggy Combs, a 1981 graduate of Oriskany High School, will be retiring from active duty effective December 1st after 33 years of military service.

Among her many duties, she served as the commander of Fort Knox Kentucky and the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

Working with the young cadets, she says, inspired her greatly.

To see these young kids so dedicated to the values of this great country, inspired me every day. It motivated me every day. Leaving now, taking off my uniform, I still think each and every day, our future is in great hands.

Major General Combs is the first General with ties to the Oriskany area since General Nicholas Herkimer led his troops to victory at the Battle of Oriskany during the Revolutionary War.

She has received many medals and commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Defense and Army Meritorious Service Medals.TOWN OF OHIO- Officials with Herkimer County Dispatch have confirmed with NEWSChannel 2 that Route 365 is closed at the intersection of Route 8 in the town of Ohio due to an accident.

This happened around 9 p.m. Saturday night. Officials said a large truck went off the road, so crews decided to close the road way during clean up.

They said no one was injured.

We will let you know when that road reopens.TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  Charges have been filed against a Lafayette teen after he allegedly brought a handgun to school.

On Oct. 24 at around 1 p.m., police were called to investigate a complaint that a student, 16-year-old Justin Mullins, had brought a gun to The Crossing school in Lafayette.

Court documents say that Mullins' mother, Erin Layne, told officers that she had received a report the day before that her son had brought a gun to school and that she had seen the gun on that day.

Police met with Mullins after Layne allowed them to recover a gun from his backpack at the school. Police say Mullins explained that he had brought the weapon on the previous day.

A witness at the school also reported being shown the revolver by Mullins and another described seeing him with it in an adjacent alley.

Mullins has been charged with carrying a handgun without a license and possession of a firearm on school property.Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.The biggest and most profound victory in Michigan on Election Day was, for me at least (and LOLGOP chides me about mentioning this on the pod all the time) that Michigans Bigot-in-Chief, Bill Schuette is being replaced as Attorney General by lesbian attorney Dana Nessel. Dana is the amazing woman who helped bring marriage equality to the USA, something Schuette used OUR tax dollars to fight tooth and nail. Then he went on to get crushed by another incredible Democratic woman, Gretchen Whitmer. Having Jocelyn Benson as our new Secretary of State is icing on that very delicious cake. Early on, we said we wanted to have the next governor of Michigan on the pod and we did. Twice.

Two other very sweet victories (both women who have been on the pod) are those of Elissa Slotkin in MI-08 and Haley Stevens in MI-11.

Flipping the 8th Democratic and sending Mike Bishop, a bought-and-paid-for corporatist shill, into retirement as a pocket lint wrangler for Matty Moroun is a truly wonderful thing. The 8th hasnt had a Democratic member of Congress since Debbie Stabenow won in 1998.

Flipping the 11th Democratic after two years of it being held by foreclosure vulture David Trott is also a truly wonderful thing. Trott made all the government connections he needed to make and then retired to go back to preying on the most vulnerable people in Michigan. The 11th hasnt had a Democratic member of Congress since Raymond Clevenger won it in 1965 (aside from two months when David Curson was elected in 2012 to fill a two-month vacancy when weirdo Thad McCotter resigned after engaging in election fraud.)

The biggest loss for me was Sam Bagenstos, the incredible candidate for the State Supreme Court, who couldnt survive a wave year for women. Megan Cavanaghs victory is wonderful and that is a Democratic pick up for the Supreme Court. But we still have a Republican majority on the State Supreme Court now and, as Megan told a forum I recently moderated, without a majority, the best shell be able to do is craft beautifully-written dissents. The delightful and decisive passage of Proposal 18-2 (the screw gerrymandering proposal) and Proposal 18-3 (the easy AF voting in Michigan proposal) are both threatened by Sams loss because they will certainly be challenged in the courts and will end up at the State Supreme Court.

However, theres no denying that, in the state legislature at least, the Democratic electoral blue wave in Michigan crashed hard on the breakwall of incredibly effective Republican gerrymandering. In 2014, Democrats got around 30,000 more ballots than Republicans in the State House races, but Republicans maintained a 63-47 majority. In Congressional races that year, Dems got 50,000 more votes but only 5 of the 14 Congressional seats. In 2016, Republicans did a bit better by getting 3,000 more votes the Democrats but they still held onto that 63-47 majority. This year was no different:

In state House of Representatives races, 52 percent of Michigan voters voted for Democrats and 47 percent of Michiganders voted for Republicans. But Republicans kept a 58-52 majority. Likewise, Democrats picked up additional seats in the state Senate, but still found themselves on the minority end of a 22-16 split. Thats despite Democratic candidates besting Republicans 51 to 47 percent on the aggregate.

Theres no question that Proposal 2 will change this if it survives a court challenge. Even conservative water-carrier Ingrid Jacques basically admitted in a silly little essay that Democrats loved Proposal 2 because it levels the playing field and Republicans hate it for precisely the same reason.

But heres the bad news: that change wont happen until 2022, the first election cycle after that post-Census redrawing of the maps. Well have to wait four years before theres a level playing field with fair maps unless a court challenge thats underway and headed up by liberal attorney Mark Brewer is successful in the interim. Democrats won every statewide election. not just the top statewide races, but all eight of the education boards, and Democrats still could not even get a tie, let alone control of the Legislature, he told Bridge Magazine.

Yet in the face of effective gerrymandering, we still managed a Democratic wave election. Even at the federal level, Democrats did better in the U.S. Senate than anyone would have thought possible given how many seats they were defending. And 2020 looks a LOT better for Democrats there. We also retook the U.S. House of Representatives, of course, a key victory in stopping the most outrageous actions of Republicans and the first real chance to hold Donald Trump accountable for his immorality and ethical vacancy.

In 2008, my wife Anne and I helped run a GOTV operation in Milan that was exhilarating, exhausting, and impressive beyond words. We had hundreds of volunteers making calls and running canvass packs. Then in 2010, we did it again, this time out of an empty duplex unit with me sitting alone sending out canvass packs from a folding chair and card tables we loaned the campaign. It could not have been more depressing. We had only two people knocking doors that year: Anne and the boyfriend of my OFA Field Organizer at the time. I was a one-man phonebanker. The contrast was stark and the results put me on the couch getting drunk for two days and our country into a downward spiral that culminated in the election of Trump 6 years later.

This year, though. Damn. THIS felt like a presidential year. Our volunteers in Washtenaw County, both within the County Party itself and from people new to politics, was nothing short of phenomenal. To give you an idea of just how big the turnout of Democrats was this year (a midterm year), here are some historical results from Washtenaw:

2008: Barack Obama got 130,578 votes

2010: Virg Bernero got 59,829 votes (midterm)

2012: Barack Obama got 120,890 votes

2014: Mark Schauer got 68,275 votes (midterm)

2016: Hillary Clinton got 128,483 votes

2018: Gretchen Whitmer got 124,894 votes (midterm)

In Washtenaw County, without hyperbole, we crushed it. And this happened all over the state and all over the country.

This election was a necessary first step toward even more positive outcomes for Democrats in 2020. Republican gerrymandering will force us to work harder and smarter and to continue to elect high quality candidates. But we can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel now. And if Barack Obama taught us anything, he taught us that having hope is crucial in changing things for the better.If there is one painful lesson that we have learned in the 100 years since the end of World War I, it is that democracy's friends on both sides of the Atlantic must speak up when it is under assault. That is why we are today joining with a bipartisan group of more than 60 eminent American leaders to warn that the Hungarian government is about to hit another milestone in its move away from democracy -- by ejecting a leading university from its capital. And we are calling for a tough American response.

The Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, seems set on evicting from his country the renowned Central European University (CEU), a joint American and Hungarian institution of higher education. He has denied CEU the certification it needs to continue to operate and, unless the Hungarian government relents by December 1, CEU will be forced to relocate to Vienna. While chances of a deal are slim, Michael Ignatieff, the president and Rector of CEU said, "Even at this late hour, we are still seeking a solution that allows us to remain in Budapest..."

Continents and regions Eastern Europe Europe Hungary Democracy Education Education systems and institutions Forms of government Government and public administration Higher education North America Political Figures - Intl Politics The Americas United States Viktor Orban

CEU was founded after the end of the Cold War, when Europeans and Americans came up with the idea for an "international university that would help facilitate the transition from dictatorship to democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union," according to its website.

As a result, Central European University was established in 1991. CEU is based in both Budapest and in New York (at Bard College). From its inception, CEU served as an American-style university that helped us to build better bilateral ties based on shared values. It has granted degrees in history, philosophy, political science, business and law.

Nonetheless, Orban has lashed out at CEU for some time, launching a series of draconian measures that has finally culminated in the demand that the university leave the country. In April 2017, the Hungarian Parliament changed the Higher Education Law to drive CEU out. The law was dubbed "Lex CEU" by some because it was seen as a transparent effort to make CEU's operations illegal.

In September 2017, Hungary seemed to reach an agreement with New York State, where the university is registered, but after Orban's sweeping election victory the following spring, CEU was told not to expect a deal to be signed.

Orban claims to be fed up with CEU's liberal ideology. He has been outspoken about his determination to tear down liberal democracy. "The new state that we are building is an illiberal state, a non-liberal state," Orban said.

We acknowledge that vibrant and sometimes raucous debates take place between liberals and conservatives over matters such as curricula and faculty hires. Yet higher education institutions of all stripes are part of a foundation essential to democracy.

There's more, though. It seems clear that Orban has also been motivated by the fact that his foil, George Soros, helped to found CEU. In seeking re-election last spring, Orban needed an enemy, and so he used Soros as his bogeyman in a campaign redolent of anti-Semitism. And after Orban won, he vowed "moral, political and legal revenge."" against his enemies, with Soros, who he sneeringly called "Uncle George," and CEU prominent among them.

To its credit, the Trump administration has not gone along with this. It has followed its new policy of "principled engagement" by reaching out to Hungary as an ally, while signaling that CEU was an important priority. Ignatieff, in a press release, thanked the US Ambassador to Hungary David Cornstein as well as the Department of State, Congress, the Governor of New York, and the New York State Education Department for their vigorous efforts to secure an agreement certifying CEU for continued operation in Hungary. The #IStandWithCEU hashtag is even on the embassy website.

Still, despite the fact that this is a priority for the US and the bilateral relationship, Orban seems determined to deal the final blow on December 1. If and when Hungary kicks out CEU, it would be a black eye for the administration, and a bewildering rebuke for America from a key Central European ally.

That is why as co-chairs of the bipartisan Transatlantic Democracy Working Group, we are joining with a bipartisan group to take a stand for CEU, academic freedom and, in a broader sense, for democracy. In our statement, we call for consequences for the bilateral relationship because of the failure to act in good faith with the United States to protect our joint interest in the CEU.

We commend the stance our government has taken so far. For the US government understands, as do we, that this is not only another tear in Hungary's democratic fabric. With CEU, Orban is banishing an institution with roots in the United States.

We believe the State Department and White House should publicly state that they are downgrading the level of meetings below the current level of regular access with Hungarian officials. And Secretary of State Mike Pompeo should hold off on meeting again with his Hungarian counterpart, as he did in May, until Hungary demonstrates reciprocal principled engagement. The Trump administration must also publicly censure Hungary for its attack on academic freedom -- the latest in a series of assaults by the Orban government on Hungary's democratic culture.

We also urge Congress to stop the fawning public appearances with Orban, exert oversight in holding hearings, passing resolutions and appropriating increased assistance to independent civil society and media in Hungary.

We do not propose any of this lightly. Hungary is a NATO ally. We believe, however, that the software of the alliance is as important as the hardware, and that if NATO is to sustain itself, it must remain a club of not only shared interests, but also of common democratic values.

The US has so far stood with Hungary as an ally while pressing Orban to do the right thing on CEU. In shuttering the university, Orban is defying our goodwill. We fear the government of Hungary would be taking another serious step toward democratic bankruptcy as well.Blog Archive November (80) October (92) September (92) August (120) July (122) June (82) May (82) April (76) March (100) February (106) January (143) December (132) November (88) October (61) September (63) August (77) July (67) June (89) May (92) April (75) March (87) February (85) January (86) December (73) November (67) October (60) September (60) August (59) July (64) June (51) May (62) April (52) March (58) February (69) January (68) December (69) November (78) October (98) September (77) August (70) July (68) June (60) May (67) April (54) March (61) February (55) January (69) December (61) November (53) October (48) September (40) August (47) July (55) June (56) May (71) April (55) March (43) February (3) December (14) November (48) October (46) September (39) August (27) July (18) June (33) May (44) April (38) March (31) February (34) January (34) December (26) November (57) October (43) September (81) August (66) July (77) June (85) May (70) April (56) March (49) February (32) January (39) December (42) November (25) October (16) September (36) August (34) July (40) June (55) May (45) April (62) March (56) February (57) January (60) December (58) November (50) October (55) September (31) August (77) July (65) June (27) May (52) April (53) March (77) February (75) January (36) December (24) November (31) October (31) September (29) August (30) July (49) June (53) May (61) April (65) March (96) February (35) January (53) December (56) November (52) October (51) September (109) August (94) July (70) June (65) May (85) April (80) March (96) February (74) January (79) December (75) November (104) October (105) September (108) August (86) July (101) June (106) May (100) April (97) March (103) February (92) January (95) December (137) November (122) October (173) September (111) August (178) July (168) June (184) May (193) April (161) March (149) February (121) January (131) December (120) November (97) October (137) September (105) August (133) July (120) June (103) May (111) April (72) March (48) February (58) January (27)Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the statement while joining the residents in Ninh Son hamlet, Ninh Son commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, at the great national unity festival on November 10.

The festival is also an opportunity to strengthen unity in the community and encourage residents contributions to the development of their hamlets and villages, the Prime Minister stressed.

He briefed the participants on the countrys significant achievements in socio-economic development, defence, security, and external affairs, as well as the encouraging improvements in peoples living conditions.

Applauding the outcomes of the unity movements launched in Noi Ninh hamlet, he expressed his hope that the hamlets leaders will pay greater attention to addressing peoples concerns. He also called on locals to promote mutual support and solidarity in the community, while preserving and upholding their families good traditions.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue attended the great unity festival in Thanh Luong hamlet, Hien Son commune, Do Luong district, Nghe An province.Fifth Judicial District Court Judge Bobbi Overfield is congratulated by the Wyoming Supreme Court, including justices (l-r Kate M. Fox, Chief Justice Michael K. Davis, Keith G. Kautz and Kari Gray. Not pictured is Justice Lynn Boomgaarden.), after her swearing-in ceremony on Thursday in Thermopolis.

THERMOPOLIS  Wyoming Governor Matt Mead appointed Thermopolis attorney Bobbi Dean Overfield to be District Court Judge for the Fifth Judicial District in August, serving Big Horn, Hot Springs and Washakie counties. Overfield fills the vacancy occurring with the retirement of Judge Robert E. Skar, also of Thermopolis in October.

On Thursday, Governor Mead was in attendance in Thermopolis at...Void Bastards is a Game Name You Can't and Don't Want To Forget - PreviewFlorida heads to recount in razor-thin governor, senate races after counties submit unofficial results originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Florida has headed to a recount yet again  this time, in three statewide races.

With Florida's U.S. Senate, gubernatorial, and agriculture commissioner races all falling within the narrow margin that automatically triggers a recount, Secretary of State Ken Detzner ordered machine recounts in all three.

(MORE: Broward County at center of Florida recount debate as judge orders release of ballot count)

The state is no stranger to recounts and extended election travails. In 2000, its presidential recount was the focus of the Bush v. Gore lawsuit that decided the presidency, and now election officials will recount ballots yet again.

Florida's U.S. Senate and governor's races have been among the most closely watched in the nation. Both races had lower than 0.5 percentage-point margins, which, in Florida, automatically qualify for an electronic recount of votes.

PHOTO: People wait in line to vote at a polling station in Miami, late Nov. 6, 2018. (Rhona Wise/AFP/Getty Images)

In the Senate race, results show Republican Gov. Rick Scott leading incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson by 33,684 votes, a 0.15 percent margin.

In the race for governor between GOP Rep. Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum, current results show DeSantis leading by 33,684 votes, a 0.41 percent margin

On Saturday, Gillum tweeted before a news conference that he was walking back on his concession from the night of the election, saying, "I am replacing my earlier concession with an unapologetic and uncompromised call to count every vote."

I am replacing my earlier concession with an unapologetic and uncompromised call to count every vote.  Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) November 10, 2018

During the press conference, Gillum called out President Donald Trump, Gov. Scott, Sen. Marco Rubio for their opposition to the recount, saying he was unsure of their excuse but that it was "not democratic and... certainly if not the American way" to end the vote count simply because they don't like the direction in which the vote totality is going.

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He added that if the shoe was on his opponents' foot, "not one of them would seek a different outcome." He also noted that once the recount occurs, he's willing to accept whatever the outcome is.

PHOTO: Andrew Gillum, the Democrat candidate for governor, withdraws his concession in the race at a news conference on Nov. 10, 2018, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Steve Cannon/AP)

Gillum's attorney Barry Richard, who represented George. W. Bush during the 2000 recount, said that the two situations were "vastly different" but called both "unprecedented" in their own right.

"We've never had this type of machine recount before, and at some point, we may have to have courts tell us what the answer is," Richard said. "My immediate reaction is that it goes back to the premise that every vote should count."

PHOTO: A police officer guards the entrance of the Miami-Dade Election Department while a crowd protests to demand the vote recount outside this facility in Miami, Nov. 10, 2018. (Cristobal Herrera/EPA via Shutterstock)

In a video posted to YouTube on Saturday, DeSantis spoke about the governorship without mentioning recounts.

"At noon today, supervisors of election from across the state submitted their election returns to the secretary of state," he said. "Those results are clear and unambiguous just as they were on election night, and I'm honored by the trust that Floridians have placed in me to serve as your next governor."

Local officials will have until 3 p.m. on Nov. 15 to complete a machine recount of votes in those races, Detzner wrote in his official recount orders. In the case of the gubernatorial race, if results show there is still a margin lower than 0.25 percentage points, a manual recount will be triggered.

(MORE: Amid Broward County protests, here are the midterm races still up in the air)

Counties had faced a noon deadline to report their unofficial results to state election officials.

PHOTO: An elections worker feeds ballots into a tabulation machine at the Broward County Supervisor of Elections office on Nov. 10, 2018 in Lauderhill, Fla. (Joe Skipper/Getty Images)

In the last two days, attention had turned to vote counting in Broward and Palm Beach Counties  Democratic strongholds in South Florida where counting was still underway, and where Scott's campaign had filed lawsuits against county election officials.

Broward  and its election supervisor, Brenda Snipes  had drawn the most criticism from Republicans, after reports that rejected provisional ballots had been mingled with valid ones, complicating the counting process. Around midday on Saturday, Broward's website showed that its unofficial results were "completely reported."President Trump, first lady join world leaders to mark centennial anniversary of World War I originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined a host of world leaders at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Sunday to mark the centennial anniversary of the end of World War I.

The two traveled separately from most of the rest of the leaders attending the ceremony, who met up first at the Elysee Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron before making their way to the ceremony.

En route to the event, French police tackled two topless protesters who were sprinting toward the president's vehicle, "The Beast," but it was unclear whether the president and first lady were able to see them.

PHOTO: Cadets form the New York military academy wait near the Arc de Triomphe Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Paris. More than 60 heads of state and government are in France for the Armistice ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. (AP)

(MORE: 10,000-torch display in London marks 100th anniversary of World War I's conclusion)

As their motorcade pulled up to the Arc in the pouring rain, church bells chimed across the city, marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the time of the cessation of hostilities in World War I.

There was a series of readings and songs memorializing the end of the First World War, with more than 60 leaders from countries around the world standing together before departing for a lunch together at the Elysee Palace.

PHOTO: First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, Nov. 11, 2018. (rancois Mori/AFP/Getty Images)

During a speech in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe, Macron delivered a direct rebuke of nationalism, warning the leaders gathered that a "fascination for withdrawal, isolationism" contributed to the events that caused the Great War.

"Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism," Macron said. "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump, his wife Melania Trump, left, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend ceremonies at the Arc de Triomphe Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Paris. (AP)

(MORE: President Trump, French President Macron address angry Trump tweet in meeting)

Trump has recently brushed off criticism over identifying himself as a "nationalist," arguing that it's merely him advocating for putting "America first" in the actions he takes as president.

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"By saying, Our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values," Macron said.

PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as part of the commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Nov. 11, 1918 armistice, ending World War I, Nov. 11, 2018. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

During his first and only extensive public remarks during his two-day trip at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, President Trump did not respond to Macron's comments, instead stressing French and American unity during World War I.

"The American and French patriots of World War I embody the timeless virtues of our two republics: honor and courage, strength and valor love and loyalty, grace and glory," Trump said. "It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago."

Russian President Vladimir Putin was in attendance at the lunch following the Arc de Triomphe ceremony, and Trump had said that if the two meet during their time here it would likely be for just a brief interaction at the palace.

Upon arriving at the Arc de Triomphe, Putin made his way over to Trump and the first lady and shook both of their hands. He also delivered a thumbs up before taking his spot on the risers alongside the other leaders.

Military officer Garcia plays the original Armistice bugle from 1918 under the Arc de Triomphe Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Paris. More than 60 heads of state and government are in France for the Armistice ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in (The Associated Press)

Trump rankled some feathers in Paris on Friday when he decided to skip a memorial event at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. He cited the rain grounding his helicopter as the reason for canceling the visit.

PHOTO: Saint-Cyr cadets, center, pose with West Point cadets ahead of a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, as part of commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the Nov. 11, 1918, armistice, ending World War I, Nov. 11, 2018. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)

Former Secretary of State John Kerry ripped the president on Twitter, saying, "Those veterans the president didnt bother to honor fought in the rain, in the mud, in the snow - & many died in trenches for the cause of freedom. Rain didnt stop them & it shouldnt have stopped an American president."

During his speech at the Suresnes Cemetery, the president joked with several World War II veterans in attendance who were sitting under a shelter as he spoke during a light rain.

"You look so comfortable up there under cover while we are getting drenched," Trump joked. "You're very smart people."

Trump called the cemetery visit the "highlight" of his trip. He is scheduled to arrive back in Washington Sunday evening.Now that the election is over, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is officially the youngest woman ever and the first socialist in decades elected to the House of Representatives. And for someone from a working class background who was formerly working as a bartender, the move to D.C. can be daunting at times. In a recent lengthy interview, she told the New York Times that the transition to being in Congress and the move to D.C. was very unusual, because I cant really take a salary. I have three months without a salary before Im a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment? Those little things are very real.

Moving to one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. is hard even if you've got a salary and weren't working as a bartender before taking a hiatus to run for Congress. But the compassionate folks at Fox Newsever-obsessed with Ocasio-Cortez's comings and goingsthought that the comment was either a political ploy or a hilarious example of her being too dumb to budget. Per NBC News:

Fox News contributor Judy Miller called it "a brilliant political line" that will play well with her base, but also admitted that the cost of living in Washington, D.C., is expensive.

"I think what she's talking about is all of the money in Washington, all of the wealth in Washington, all of the power and a little, simple person like her from New York can't find a place to live, Miller said.

Fox News correspondent Ed Henry slammed Ocasio-Cortez on the panel, suggesting that she could have been saving her money rather than embracing her newfound celebrity.

"Some of those (photo) shoots she had during the campaign, she had these multi-thousand dollar outfits that could pay a month's rent in Washington, D.C.," he said.

Twitter users were quick to point out that, first of all, no one gets to keep the outfits they wear in a photo shoot, and, second of all, what the hell is so funny about how expensive rent is?

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But Ocasio-Cortez doesn't seem to need anyone to come to her defense, tweeting, "It is bizarre to see 1%-salaried anchors laugh at the US housing crisis." She added:

This isn't the first time Fox personalities have told on themselves while trying to tear down political opponents. Sometimes they get so invested in the attack, they may forget they have an audience beyond Donald Trump.Determining the cause of food poisoning can be deceptively tricky. Sure, something about that sandwich may have tasted suspicious, but the fact remains that most of us eat three meals a day, plus snacks, and some types of food poisoning can take days if not weeks before they present themselves. So though, yes, the obvious culprit might be the answer (Why did I eat that raw chicken I found in a dumpster?), other times, the cause can be tough to pinpoint.

But technology is hoping to help battle foodborne illness. Back in January, we saw how research from Columbia University demonstrated that Yelp could help track down unsafe restaurants. And now Google and Harvards T.H. Chan School of Public Health believe they have a computer model thats better at identifying the sources of food poisoning better than traditional methods.

The study, which was conducted in Chicago and Las Vegas, applied machine learning to a mix of anonymous search and location data from Google users to try to match words related to foodborne illnesses with restaurants those users had recently visited. For instance, searches for terms like stomach cramps would be matched with location data showing where people who were searching that term had been eating. Once correlations had been found, health inspectors were sent to these restaurants. Researchers then compared the inspections suggested by the computer model to those chosen based on the usual method of consumer complaints. The computer model won out: In Chicago, 52.1 percent of the 71 inspections prompted by the algorithm resulted in a restaurant being deemed unsafe versus 39.4 percent of inspections spawned by complaints.

Additionally, in both Chicago and Las Vegas, the computer model beat out routine inspections by a landslide. 52.3 percent of restaurants pinpointed by Google and Harvard had issues, whereas the usual method of routine inspections found just 22.7 percent of restaurants as being unsafe.

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But potentially the most revealing finding of the study was that, as insinuated in the opening, the computer model found that 38 percent of the time the potential cause of food poisoning wasnt the restaurant people had visited most recently, hammering home the point that the most obvious cause isnt always the correct one.

In this study, we have just scratched the surface of what is possible in the realm of machine-learned epidemiology, Evgeniy Gabrilovich, senior staff research scientist at Google and a co-author of the study, stated. 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.

Overall, researchers suggest that these sorts of models  which performed better in precision, scale, and turnaround time  could work not only to supplement existing inspection methods at health departments, but could also be used by restaurants to monitor their own food safety. That seems like a lot safer bet than Googling Why are all of my customers getting sick?Vladimir Putin has been pushing Russia to breed more super chickens, as Bloomberg dubbed the birds, to fend off a supposed national security risk. While its fun to imagine a cavalry of horse-sized chickens with laser eyes clucking aggressively as they invade Russias enemies, the reality is a bit more mundane.

When the Trump administration announced its proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, officials tried to garner support by framing the decisions as a national security issue: Whether accurate or not, the argument went that by being overly reliant on these metals from other countries, America risked not being able to fill its own demand if supplies were suddenly cut off. In Russia, Putins government is taking a similar approach to their development of these super chickens. According to Bloomberg, chicken is Russias main source of protein, but the vast majority of eggs and chicks that the country uses to produce all that meat comes from the US. Though America currently doesnt impose food sanctions on Russia, if we did, it could potentially become an immediate security risk by undermining the average Russians food supply.

So instead, the Russian government has been pushing development of its own breed of chickens. There are a lot of pressure points for anyone who seeks to destroy our economy, Andrei Klepach, chief economist at state development bank VEB, was quoted as saying. The recovery of breeding work is a priority. We need a sort of armored train on a sidetrack.

The chicken variety in question is the Smena, a type of chicken first bred in the 1970s that went by the wayside as Western competitors took over Russias market. What makes the bird super is that Russian scientists hope that it will be able to be as viable as the currently imported breeds for mass scale food production. In fact, Vladimir Fisinin, head of the Russian Poultry Union, is optimistic that Smena could cover 25 percent of Russias domestic chicken market by 2025. In 2016, Russias chicken supply was about 4 million metric tons of meat.

In Fisinins mind, with current global instability, the stakes of solidifying Russian chicken production are huge. Who the hell knows what fool will come next, like this Mr. Trump, Fisinin was quoted as saying, arguing for Russia to become more self-reliant with chicken.Here are some things to know about Matthew Whitaker, the current acting attorney general. According to remarks he gave at a forum in 2014, Whitaker thinks judges should be guided by the New Testament. That same year, he was a paid advisor to World Patent Marketing, a company that was shut down by a federal judge and fined almost $26 million for allegedly running an invention-promotion scam. In 2007, as U.S. Attorney, Whitaker was accused of a politically motivatedand ultimately unsuccessfulprosecution on extortion charges of Matt McCoy, Iowas first openly gay senator.

But that was then. Most importantly to our purposes now, the new AG has frequently disparaged the Mueller investigation. As The Editorial Board of The New York Times put it on Thursday: Mr. Whitakerwho has been called the eyes and ears of the White House inside the Justice Department by John Kelly, Mr. Trumps chief of staffhas expressed a Trumpian degree of hostility to the investigation he is now charged with overseeing. He has called it a witch hunt and, in its earliest months, wrote an opinion piece arguing that Mr. Mueller was coming dangerously close to crossing a red line by investigating the presidents finances.

Well there are red lines, but then again there are also blue waves. Barely had we recovered from election-returns watching, when news broke that the president had pressured Jeff Sessions into resigning and appointed this guy Whitaker in his place. His meteoric ascension was met by 900 street demonstrations across the country, organized under the rubric, Nobody Is Above the LawMueller Protection Rapid Response. By Friday morning, Trump was on the White House lawn saying he didnt really know Whitaker at all. Other sources beg to differ: On Vox, Murray Waas reported, Whitakers open sympathizing with Trumps frequent complaints about the Mueller investigation resulted in an unusually close relationship between a president and a staffer of his level. The president met with Whitaker in the White House, often in the Oval Office, at least 10 times, a former senior administration official told me.

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Asked directly by CNNs Abby Phillip whether he believed his new appointee would rein in Mueller, the president became apoplectic. What a stupid question. What a stupid question that is, he fulminated. This was of a piece with his continual demeaning of African-American women journaliststhis week, he also called April Ryan a loser and characterized a question from Yamiche Alcindor about nationalism as racist.

On election night, the president, quoting Ben Stein, tweeted about himself: Mr. Trump has magic about him. This guy has magic coming out of his ears. But the next morning, steam, not magic, was emanating from his presidential ears. At an insane press conference, he went off on CNNs Jim Acosta: 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, he sputtered when Acosta attempted to bring up immigration and the Russia probe. Later that day, Acosta arrived at the White House to find his press credentials had been yanked; that night, the administration released a video that many critics considered doctored, showing Acosta allegedly manhandling a young woman tasked with moving the microphone around to various members of the press. (To our knowledge, no one has asked this nameless intern for her account of the incident.)

In other news of the week, a federal judge has blocked construction of the Keystone pipeline, a blow to the president; Trump issued a proclamation denying asylum to migrants who he says enter illegally; and The Wall Street Journal reported that he was deeply involved in hush money payments to two former paramours, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

If the prez was in a grumpy mood when he left for Paris on Friday, he was in even worse sprits yesterday, with the announcement that three races in Floridaincluding contests for the senate and for governorhad joined the Arizona senate race and the Georgia gubernatorial in too-close-to-call territory, and were now subject to a recount. In a series of missives from the City of Light he offered, Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!

He had plenty of time to tweet. On Saturday, the commander in chief did not join other world leaders at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, where some 1,800 American soldiers were killed during World War I, because of what the White House called scheduling and logistical difficulties, caused by the weather. In other words, it was raining.

Despite the dark skies, he did bestir himself to attend the ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the armistice today at the Arc de Triomphe. Standing with hundreds of other dignitaries, Trump heard French President Emmanuel Macron warn, through a translator, Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism. By saying, Our interests first, who cares about the others, we erase what a nation holds dearest, what gives it life, what makes it great and what is essential: its moral values. I know there are old demons which are coming back to the surface. They are ready to wreak chaos and death. History sometimes threatens to take its sinister course once again.Associated Press

LeBron James was ejected from the Los Angeles Lakers-Detroit Pistons game after drawing blood on Isaiah Stewart's face when they were tangled up while boxing out for a rebound on Sunday night. James's left elbow and hand appeared to make contact with Stewart above the neck, sending him into a bloody rage. Detroit's center had to be held back more than once, keeping him separated from the NBA superstar.Alexandria Oh-CAH-see-oh Cortez. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who this week became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, called out Fox News for belittling her struggle to afford an apartment in Washington, D.C., during a Friday panel discussion on Americas Newsroom.

The Fox panelists snickered all the way through their chat on the topic, described in a chyron as: Self-proclaimed socialist says she cant afford DC rent.

Contributor Judy Miller laughed after host Bill Hemmer recalled that Ocasio-Cortez  whose name no one pronounced correctly on the show  was working in the service industry before she launched into her campaign to represent New Yorks 14th District.

It is bizarre to see 1%-salaried anchors laugh at the US housing crisis, Ocasio-Cortez, 29, tweeted in response.

There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed, she said in another tweet.

She added: As much as Fox News likes to mock the working class, the real scandal is that at the wealthiest point in our history, we are at one of our most unequal.

1. @FoxNews, why cant any of your anchors say my name correctly? Its been 5 months.



2. It is bizarre to see 1%-salaried anchors laugh at the US housing crisis.



3. Never purchased pricey clothes + always told my story. But repeating lies until they are believed is your thing. https://t.co/Py5aXFi3Z4  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 9, 2018

There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed.



Mocking lower incomes is exactly how those who benefit from + promote wealth inequality the most keep everyday people silent about 1 of the worst threats to American society: that the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer. https://t.co/aWaOzy7UJJ  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 9, 2018

40% of ALL Americans currently struggle to pay for one basic need like food or rent.



As much as @FoxNews likes to mock the working-class, the real scandal is that at the wealthiest point in our history, we are at one of our most unequal.



Most Americans are barely scraping by.  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 9, 2018

The future congresswoman revealed her cash-flow problem in an interview with The New York Times published Wednesday.

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I cant really take a salary, Ocasio-Cortez said of the period between her election and swearing in. I have three months without a salary before Im a member of Congress. So, how do I get an apartment? Those things are very real.

She explained that she saved a bit of money before leaving her restaurant job.

After the story came out, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted that her problem was indicative of a larger one: There are many little ways in which our electoral system isnt even designed (nor prepared) for working-class people to lead.

She added that her housing situation was being worked out. Ocasio-Cortezs congressional salary will be $174,000.

There are many little ways in which our electoral system isnt even designed (nor prepared) for working-class people to lead.



This is one of them (dont worry btw - were working it out!)

 https://t.co/PEQ5ccSDSO  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 8, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez also addressed comments Friday from Fox News chief national correspondent Ed Henry and Miller that accused her of misrepresenting her financial situation.

Miller called Ocasio-Cortezs rent problem a brilliant political line and suggested the future congresswoman had manufactured a ruse to paint herself as a little person... from New York.

Henry said the congresswoman-elect wore outfits that could pay a months rent in D.C.

After Ocasio-Cortez unexpectedly defeated 10-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) in the New York primary, she became an object of media fascination, once accepting a photo shoot with Interview magazine. She did not buy the expensive designer clothes she wore for the shoot  they were loaners from the magazine. But that has not stopped conservative pundits from attempting to label her a hypocrite.

Never bought the clothes and always told my story, Ocasio-Cortez said. But repeating lies until they are believed is your thing.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated a quote from Judy Miller. She called Ocasio-Cortezs housing situation as described in The New York Times a brilliant political line, not a political lie.

Related Coverage

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Went From Bartender To History-Maker In Just Months

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Slams Conservative Commentator: 'I Don't Owe' You A Response

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Wins, Becoming Youngest Woman Ever Elected To Congress

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP)  Tel Orfanos lived through the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history only to lose his life in another one less than 10 minutes from his home barely a year later, a tragic coincidence that has devastated his friends and family.

The 27-year-old Navy veteran was among at least several survivors of last year's Las Vegas massacre who were at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks when a gunman stormed in and killed 12 people late Wednesday. While the others became two-time survivors, Orfanos died.

"He survived Vegas, where a lot more people died than this. It's just unreal," his friend Aliza Thomas said Friday. "It's not fair."

Thomas, who has known Orfanos since they were in high school, said her friend didn't talk much about his experience in Vegas. Orfanos liked to focus on the positive.

"He was always such a happy person," she said.

Orfanos' mother, Susan Schmidt-Orfanos, was shaking with rage and grief when she spoke about how her son was unable to survive two mass killings.

"Here are my words: I want gun control," Schmidt-Orfanos told The Associated Press. "I don't want prayers. I don't want thoughts."

She said she wanted Congress "to pass gun control so no one else has a child that doesn't come home."

Dani Merrill, who survived both Vegas and Borderline, was among mourners at a packed theater Thursday honoring Orfanos and the others who lost their lives in the shooting at the bar.

"I'm super upset that it happened in our home, and I feel awful for the families that have to go through this," said Merrill, the exhaustion evident in her eyes.

"I didn't sleep," she explained. "It's hard to sleep after these kinds of things. You don't know how to feel."

Brendan Kelly, a 22-year-old Marine, also survived Vegas and was at the Borderline bar when Wednesday's shooting happened.

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"I already didn't wish it on anybody to begin with for the first time," Kelly said outside his home in Thousand Oaks. "The second time around doesn't get any easier."

Kelly said he was dancing with his friends when the bullets began flying.

"The chills go up your spine. You don't think it's real  again," he said.

He said he threw two of his friends to the floor and covered them with his body. Then he got a look at the shooter and the terror unfolding and decided they needed to escape.

Kelly said he dragged one woman out a back emergency exit and then, using his belt, T-shirt and Marine training, applied a tourniquet to his friend's bleeding arm. Two of his friends were killed in the shooting.

In Las Vegas and Thousand Oaks, country music fans were the victims. Borderline was having a weekly country night and the Vegas shooter targeted a crowd of country fans gathered for the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

Kelly, who has a large tattoo on his left arm memorializing the Las Vegas shooting, said that Borderline had become a safe haven for dozens of Vegas survivors and it was common for many of them to hang out there together.

"It is our home," he said.

A few weeks after the Vegas shooting, the bar held a benefit concert for five people from the area who were killed, and now-eerie social media posts show a number of survivors holding up a "Route 91" sign inside the bar at a six-month anniversary event.

Kelly said living through Vegas changed his life and doesn't know how a second mass shooting will affect him down the road.

"Everywhere I go, everything I do is affected," he said. "I don't sit in a room with my back to the door. You're always picking up on social cues. You're always overanalyzing people, trying to figure out if something were to go down, 'What would I do?'"

Kelly said he'll be looking to God for comfort in the coming weeks and months.

"I know that, being a religious person, that God is never going to give me anything more than I can handle," he said. "I'm here for a reason."

___

Myers reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writers Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, and Christopher Weber in Thousand Oaks contributed to this report.Paradise (United States) (AFP) - Smoldering debris, skeletons of cars with melted glass, a cat with a singed, soot-covered coat: ravaged by the most destructive fire to hit California, Paradise is now a ghost town.

"It's devastation, total devastation, it's pretty incredible something like this occurred," said firefighter Mark Nees, who arrived from neighboring Oregon to help his California colleagues.

"We've gone through lots of wildfire over the years, this is the worst I've seen personally," the team leader told AFP.

In the center of town as well as the suburbs, there is nothing left of many houses -- most of which are built of wood in California -- except charred debris and sometimes a brick chimney rising into the sky.

Some buildings are strangely spared, such as an almost intact garage surrounded by a white plastic fence that was melted from the heat.

Firefighters' red trucks and yellow suits, along with the blue pickups of electricity company workers, are the only splashes of color in the desolate, ashen grey landscape: the 27,000 inhabitants of Paradise were evacuated, some barely escaping the flames.

Others were not so lucky: rescue workers recovered bodies from burned residences in Paradise on Saturday as the death toll from the blaze mounts.

Inhabitants were prevented from returning to the area as a state of emergency requires, a police officer told AFP.

Despite the protests of residents who want to try to find a loved one, an animal or just to find out if their house is still standing, dozens of vehicles were forced to turn back.

- 'I don't know where else to look' -

Other evacuees wait in anguish near the police barricade, including Katie McCrary, an old lady without a cell phone who has no news of her two sons and grandchildren.

"I don't know if they are all right, if they got out, I've been to the shelters in Chico, they're not there," she said, referring to a neighboring city.

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"I don't know where else to look," McCrary said, with soot on her sweater, visibly exhausted after having spent two nights in her car on the side of the road.

Dozens of people were still missing on Saturday.

"Our neighbor and his daughter stayed, we haven't been able to get hold of them and they live right below us," said Jodie Colvard, who was not present when the evacuation took place.

She also waits, and worries about her dog.

"Our German shepherd is still in there, we left in the morning and we couldn't get back in, so she's still in there," Colvard said.

An electricity company employee took the address and promised to check on the dog.

"If the house is still there," she said.

The fire, which has already consumed over 150 square miles (390 square kilometers) of forest and brush, continued to rage on Saturday, and was only 20 percent contained.

What is left of Paradise is still not safe: "It is still very early, there is a wind event predicted tonight till Monday morning, red flag for fire again," said Nees, the firefighter.

There are "potential areas that have not burned that can possibly have new fire if embers are thrown," he said.

He and his men are working "so that things don't get any worse."

"Hopefully people will be able to come back," Nees said.Tripoli (AFP) - Queueing up outside banks in Tripoli, Libyans say they have little hope of an end to the political and economic turmoil shaking their country, on the eve of international crisis talks in Italy.

Accompanied by his five-year-old son, architect Mohamad Kredigh was hoping to get hold of a ticket to let him withdraw cash the next day.

"I've been waiting since six in the morning and, five hours later, I still haven't been able to get a number," he told AFP.

Withdrawals are rationed when cash becomes available at Libyan banks, prompting the long lines.

"There are hundreds of people like me," Kredigh added.

To try and manage the crowds, some branches organise different days for women and men.

In front of another bank in Hay al-Andalous, in the west of Tripoli, dozens of women await their turn, many gripping pieces of cardboard to shelter themselves from the sun.

"It's sad to see. It looks like this is a poor country," said onlooker Lotfi, observing the scene from a cafe opposite.

Oil-rich Libya has failed to overcome the chaos which swept across the country after the overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

It remains divided, with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) controlling western Libya from the capital Tripoli.

A rival administration operates in the east, where an elected parliament sits and strongman Khalifa Haftar leads his self-styled army.

"Libyan politicians haven't stopped their back and forth for four years... and they've spent millions of dollars without results," said Kredigh.

Most Libyans fail to benefit from oil output, with profits largely going to warlords in a country which has been pillaged by militias.

In September, the GNA announced economic reforms to tackle corruption and remedy chronic shortages.

But the measures received widespread criticism, with analysts doubting their effectiveness.

GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, however, said the queues forming outside banks shows that the reforms are working.

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"A few weeks ago we didn't see them. That demonstrates that there's money in the banks again," he told AFP on Thursday.

- Home-grown solutions -

But on the eve of an international meeting hosted by Italy to address the plethora of problems in Libya, residents remained sceptical that their daily struggles were nearing an end.

Waiting outside the bank, Kredigh predicted the summit's "total failure".

He saw little more than "international staging for Rome to appear before its European neighbours as sponsoring an initiative in Libya".

Some view the upcoming meeting as an international power play, with Italy wanting to host Libya's key players after France brought them to Paris in May.

Rivalries between both western and Arab governments are blamed for aggravating Libya's crisis.

Suad Maluq, a professor at the University of Tripoli, would rather Italy stayed out of her country's affairs.

Rome is not "an impartial mediator", she said, as it gives "support to some parties to the detriment of others".

Faten Mahmud, a 54-year-old pharmacist, said her earnings had fallen significantly owing to the plummeting value of the national currency.

"Us Libyan are still waiting for a solution to our problems to come from foreign countries, those same foreign countries that we never stop cursing and accusing of all the bad things we suffer," she said.

"Skhirat, Istanbul, Paris, Rome, Palermo... This is nothing but a tourist itinerary to me," she said, referring to cities which have hosted Libya talks in recent years.

"The solution must come from (Libyan cities) Tripoli, Benghazi, Sebha, Misrata and Zintan!"

For Tripoli resident Ramadan Nassif, the guest list was more of a problem than the location.

As well as Sarraj and Haftar, the top invitees are Aguila Salah, the eastern parliament's speaker, and Khaled al-Mechri, speaker of a Tripoli-based upper chamber.

But talks should first be held with the multitude of militias, 45-year-old Nassif said.

Until the armed groups put down their weapons "political dialogue won't succeed" the 45-year-old said.

"How can there be talks with a gun in hand?"Alibaba (BABA) just broke its own sales record on Singles Day.

The worlds largest shopping holiday on November 11, hit a new record of RMB 213.5 billion ($30.8 billion) in gross merchandise value (GMV). Despite the impressive record, in its tenth year, Singles Day is expanding at the slowest pace. Sales this year grew 27%, compared to 39% in 2017 and 32% in 2016.

Alibaba Singles Day sales record

Shoppers ordered over 1 billion packages within 24 hours from 180,000 brands on Alibabas retail platform, including online marketplace Tmall, Taobao and AliExpress. This shows robust consumer demand despite concerns about Chinas economic growth slowdown. Lazada, Alibabas subsidiary in Southeast Asia, participated Singles Day for the first time. Analysts at Deutsche Bank estimate the GMV growth rate could be at least three percentage points lower without Lazada-related sales.

Still, the sales results dwarfed holiday shopping spending in the U.S., where people spent $14.5 billion online during Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2017, according to software company Adobe. Online sales this year for the five-day holiday (include the weekend) is expected to be $23.4 billion.

A staff member rests next to a pile of packages at a logistics base of electrical appliance retailer Suning during Alibabas 11.11 Global Shopping Festival on November 11, 2018 in Nanjing, China. (Photo by VCG via Getty Images)

Digital savvy young consumers are fueling the growth of Singles Day. Forty-six percent of the shoppers are young millennials, known as the post-1990s generation in China (people born between 1990-1999). While the platform sees a deceleration in home appliance and cellphone sales, Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang said the demand for makeup and wellness products is surging, showing consumption upgrade trends.

The already whopping GMV number doesnt include any offline sales, one of Alibabas focus on its new retail strategy. Within Alibabas ecosystem, Easyhome, Chinas second-largest home-improvement supplies and furniture chain welcomed exciting shoppers lining up outside when it opened its doors at 12 am (shown in the video). Food delivery app Ele.me also saw orders increased by 114% in the first 9 hours of this years Singles Day.

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Chinese consumers wealth and enthusiasm for online shopping continue to advance, Jeff Towson, who teaches investment at Peking University, told Yahoo Finance. Chinas government has been making efforts to grow the second-largest economy in the world by stimulating domestic consumption. It just hosted the first International Import Expo last week, in an effort to lure foreign companies access to a growing middle class in China, about 500 million people.

Other online retailers in China have shared in Alibabas Singles Day profits, too. JD.com (JD), Chinas second-largest e-commerce platform, recorded RMB 159.8 billion ($22.9 billion) during its Singles Day sale from November 1 to 11.

The story has been updated with analysts comment.

Krystal Hu covers tech and economy at Yahoo Finance. Write to Krystal at krystalh@yahoofinance.com or follow her on Twitter.

Read more:

Why the $375 billion US-China trade deficit can be totally misleading

Foxconn executive: Make products in the U.S. and sell them to China

Why you wont feel much pain from Trumps tariffs this holiday seasonGaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - An exchange of fire erupted during an Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, leaving six Palestinians dead, officials said, while potentially dashing hopes that a recent agreement would restore calm.

As tensions rose following the clash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he would cut short his trip to Paris, where he had been attending World War I commemorations, and return home.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, denounced a "cowardly Israeli attack."

After the clash erupted, sirens were reported in southern Israel indicating possible rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Two launches from Gaza toward Israel were confirmed and both were intercepted by Israeli missile defences, the army said.

Details were still emerging of the incident that Palestinian officials said occurred east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Gaza's health ministry said six Palestinians were killed.

The dead included a local commander for Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the brigades said in a statement.

Israel's army had not provided details, but said all its soldiers had returned.

"During (Israeli military) operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved. More details to follow," an Israeli army statement said.

Israeli military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said on Twitter the army "operated in the Gaza Strip, exchange of gunfire ensued."

"All IDF soldiers back in Israel," he wrote, referring to Israel Defence Forces. "Several alarms have sounded in southern Israel."

Hamas's armed wing alleged in a statement that an Israeli special forces team infiltrated near Khan Yunis in a civilian car.

Israel's military had not confirmed those details nor described what type of operation it carried out.

A ground operation inside the Gaza Strip would be rare and likely signficantly boost tensions.

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- 'Protection money' -

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman held security consultations at military headquarters, his office said.

The clash comes after months of deadly unrest along the Gaza-Israel border had appeared to be calming.

Recent weeks have seen Israeli decisions to allow Qatar to provide the Gaza Strip with millions of dollars in aid for salaries as well as fuel to help ease an electricity crisis.

Netanyahu had earlier defended his decision to allow Qatar to transfer the cash to Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move, saying he wanted to avoid a war if it wasn't necessary.

"I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security establishment, to return quiet to the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis," Netanyahu said late Saturday, referring to Israeli towns near the Gaza border and deteriorating conditions in the enclave.

Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu's education minister and right-wing rival, compared the cash flow to "protection money" paid to criminals.

Lieberman said he had opposed "transferring the money to Hamas".

Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fought three wars since 2008, and recent months of unrest have raised fears of a fourth.

Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30.

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, since the demonstrations began, while others died in tank fire or air strikes.

One Israeli soldier has been killed along the Gaza border in that time.

On Friday, Palestinian civil servants began receiving payments after months of sporadic salary disbursements in cash-strapped Gaza, with $15 million delivered into the enclave through Israel in suitcases by Qatar.

A total of $90 million is to be distributed in six monthly instalments, Gaza authorities said, primarily to cover salaries of officials working for Hamas.

Qatar has also said it would hand out $100 to each of 50,000 poor families, as well as larger sums to Palestinians wounded in clashes along the Gaza-Israel border.

The Gulf emirate has also started buying additional fuel for Gaza's sole power station, allowing outages to be reduced to their lowest level in years.Hodeida (Yemen) (AFP) - Fighting for control of Yemen's rebel-held city of Hodeida reached residential streets on Sunday, as the Huthi insurgents mounted fierce resistance to government forces backed by Saudi Arabia, military sources said.

Fears for civilian safety have been rising since November 1, when the loyalist forces renewed an operation to take Hodeida. The Red Sea port city has been in the grip of Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels since 2014.

Mariam Aldogani, Save the Children's field coordinator in Yemen, said that the people in Hodeida are living in a "state of fear".

"There is a lot of fear among residents, and some fear keeping their (loved ones) in hospitals as battles intensify," she said by phone about a kilometre away from the port, as strikes were heard in the background.

Troops entered residential streets in eastern Hodeida Sunday with the aim of "purging them of insurgents", according to a pro-government military official.

Rebels entrenched in the streets and positioned on rooftops battled to keep loyalist fighters out of a neighbourhood located between two major landmarks in Hodeida, the city's main hospital and vegetable market, both essential to the daily lives of civilians.

Residents south of the site of Sunday's clashes said they could hear gunfire and shelling throughout the night.

"We had three people from our neighbourhood hospitalised over the weekend for shrapnel wounds," said Marwa, who asked that her name be changed.

"We're really tired. It's not safe. We have no money. This time no one is leaving. We can't afford it, and it's too dangerous."

Battles on Sunday intensified in the southwestern part of the city as pro-government forces advanced along the coast towards the port, military officials told AFP.

Yemenis across the city have reported seeing snipers stationed on rooftops and rebels with tanks firing artillery in Hodeida.

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- Fears for port -

Saudi Arabia and its allies first launched an offensive to take Hodeida in June, sparking an exodus from the densely populated city.

The operation was temporarily suspended amid UN efforts to hold peace talks, which failed to materialise. The United Nations is now pushing for talks by the end of the year.

Yemen's foreign minister said on Sunday that his government, which is recognised by the UN, still backed the peace talks.

"The government is committed to supporting the UN special envoy's efforts... to hold a round of talks by the end of this year," Khalid al-Yamani was quoted as saying by the state-run Saba news agency.

The city's docks, while under blockade, were not yet impacted by the fighting, according to Yahya Sharafeddine, deputy director of Hodeida port.

Hodeida is a vital lifeline for Yemenis across the war-torn country, as the majority of imports and humanitarian aid enter through its port.

The UN World Food Programme said its silos remain intact "despite having been targeted by more than 50 shells in recent days".

"We have apparently not lost any of our stock of more than 50,000 tonnes of wheat -- enough to feed more than 3.5 million people," WFP spokesman Herve Verhoosel said in a statement.

The silos are now under the control of the coalition, the agency said without detailing when it took over the facilities.

WFP aims to increase its operations to reach up to 14 million people at risk at famine, up from eight million Yemenis who currently receive food or food vouchers monthly.

Hodeida port has been blockaded by the Saudi-led alliance since November 2017 over what the coalition says is arms smuggling from Iran to the Huthis. Tehran denies the charge.

In the first defection from the capital Sanaa, where the rebels run a parallel government not recognised by the UN, Huthi minister Abdul Salam Ali Jaber on Sunday announced he had deserted the insurgency.

- Hundreds dead -

More than 400 combatants have been killed in 10 days of clashes in Hodeida.

Medics on Sunday said at least 61 fighters had been killed over the course of 24 hours, with dozens of wounded taken to hospitals outside the city.

In 2014, the Huthis overran Sanaa and swept though much of the rest of the country, triggering the Saudi-led intervention the following year.

The rebels have since been driven out of virtually all of the south and much of the Red Sea coast, with the exception of Hodeida.

Both parties in the Yemen conflict stand accused of acts that could amount to war crimes.

The Saudi-led coalition has been blacklisted by the United Nations for the maiming and killing of children, including an attack that killed at least 26 children south of Hodeida.

The United States on Saturday said it halted a controversial refuelling arrangement for coalition aircraft engaged in Yemen.

The World Health Organization estimates nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the war since 2015, while rights groups believe the toll may be five times as high.Leticia (Colombia) (AFP) - Colombian President Ivan Duque is stressing the need for international action to halt Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship" in Venezuela, which he blames for a "massive humanitarian crisis" and a migration wave.

"The real cause of this migration shock is the dictatorship," the right-wing leader told AFP. "We must use all the diplomatic mechanisms, all the multilateral mechanisms available to allow this dictatorship to end."

During an official visit to France from November 11-13, Duque, who has been in power since August 7, will take part in Sunday's Forum for Peace organized by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prior to his departure he urged the need for countries worldwide to fight drug trafficking, in a wide-ranging interview with AFP that also touched on peace talks with Colombia's last active guerrilla group and the election of an extreme-right leader in Brazil.

- 'Shared struggle' -

Duque accused Maduro -- leader of Venezuela, where economic woes began in 2014 with the crash in the price of crude -- of "clinging to power and exacerbating patriotic feelings in his favor."

Maduro's government has been slapped with a range of sanctions over its crackdown on the opposition and civil society critics.

The Colombian president said its neighbors "huge humanitarian crisis" is leaking over the border: "We have received nearly a million migrants in less than two years."

"Colombia is facing a difficult situation," he said, calling on the international community to help with "significant means to face this challenge."

He echoed the need for international cooperation on the issue of drug trafficking: "All countries of the world must strengthen their policies to prevent consumption," he said."

"The fight against drugs must be a shared struggle."

Illegal coca plantations in Colombia reached record levels last year following a 17 percent increase from 2016 to around 423,000 acres (171,000 hectares), according to the United Nations.

Story continues

- Threat of 'offensive' action -

Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is just emerging from over a half century of civil war waged by guerrillas, paramilitaries, armed forces and drug traffickers.

Asked about 2016's peace agreement between the ex-rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), now a political party, and the government, Duque emphasized that he "never campaigned saying that we are going to destroy the agreements."

Duque has vowed to fix "flaws" in the agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos.

He has in particular criticized the FARC deal as being too lenient in allowing former rebels accused of atrocities to serve as lawmakers.

Duque said the "most important issue is... to ensure that those holding political representation mandates, tried by transitional justice and whose human rights violations are upheld, receive proportionate sentences and leave political office."

Concerning Colombia's last active guerrilla rebels, the National Liberation Army (ELN), Duque reiterated his position that he is "ready to sit down and speak with them if, and only if, they release all the hostages" and halt all criminal activities."

"If that does not happen, we will have to act... firmly" he continued. "In a dissuasive and offensive way."

- Private development -

Peace talks have been suspended since the beginning of August when Santos admitted defeat in his bid to reach a conclusion before handing over power to Duque.

The ELN has insisted that they will not suspend their insurgency until Duque names a new team of peace negotiators to restart the Cuban-hosted talks.

Concerning Brazil's new far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, Duque said "my interest is to continue to strengthen relations with Brazil."

"Brazil is an important country for Colombia, not only because it shares a border, but for the market it represents; for its weight in regional geopolitics."

"If in Brazil, conditions are met for a government favorable to the development of the private sector, interregional trade, cross-border investments -- I think it will be a great success."

"I hope this will be President Bolsonaro's line of work."Washington (AFP) - Representative Dana Rohrabacher, whose quixotic foreign policy campaigns made him persona non grata in Pakistan and Afghanistan and who became a rare US defender of Vladimir Putin, has lost his seat after 30 years.

The 71-year-old Republican, whose exploits have included grabbing a gun to join Afghanistan's anti-Soviet mujahedin, was projected Saturday to have lost, four days after midterm elections in which Democrats seized the House of Representatives.

Harley Rouda, a Democratic real estate developer, led Rohrabacher by four percentage points in a district in southern California's Orange County, a longtime conservative bastion that gave rise to Republicans Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan but where greater ethnic diversity has contributed to a shift toward Democrats.

After working as a speechwriter to Reagan, Rohrabacher was elected to Congress in 1988 on an aggressively anti-communist platform.

Yet his stern views belied a quintessentially Californian quirkiness as he relished surfing, playing guitar and, well before the issue was mainstream, supported legal marijuana, saying he himself had done "everything but drink the bong water."

Rohrabacher's joy in the limelight caused many colleagues to see him as a rabble-rouser -- but his statements had diplomatic repercussions.

- Putin's favorite? -

Pakistan lodged protests and street demonstrations broke out after Rohrabacher in 2012 proposed a resolution -- non-binding and with little chance of congressional approval -- calling for the independence of Baluchistan, scene of a long-running separatist insurgency.

Rohrabacher was also refused entry to Afghanistan after infuriating then president Hamid Karzai by calling him corrupt.

Rohrabacher, whose office was decorated with memorabilia from briefly fighting alongside Afghan guerrillas, met in 2001 with the then Taliban foreign minister and later joined the left in opposing US troop increases, seeing Karzai's government as compromised.

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More recently, Rohrabacher has been dubbed Putin's favorite congressman. The onetime Cold Warrior has argued that radical Islam, not Russia, has become the biggest global threat and that Putin was an ally.

After Donald Trump's surprise election in 2016, speculation mounted that the new president -- who has also voiced respect for Putin -- would name Rohrabacher as US ambassador. However more traditional policymakers remain in charge.

Rohrabacher said he met Putin, then the deputy mayor of Saint Petersburg on a visit to Washington, in the 1990s and got into a drunken argument over who won the Cold War.

"So we decided to settle it like men do when they've had too much to drink in the pub," Rohrabacher recalled in a radio interview.

They arm-wrestled. And who won? "He put me down in a millisecond," Rohrabacher acknowledged.NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) is drawing flak for how the committee handled the midterms. (Photo: Bill Clark via Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  As more votes are counted and more seats flip from red to blue, its becoming undeniable that Democrats not only benefited from a wave election, they converted a modest advantage into impressive House gains.

Democrats could have done a lot worse with what will shake out to be about a 7-point nationwide advantage in the House popular vote, flipping somewhere between 35 and 40 seats when all the ballots are counted and recounted.

Or maybe its more that Republicans could have done a lot better.

While the GOP staved off its worst-case outcome of a flipped Senate and a Democratic House majority in the 240s or 250s, what will ultimately separate a not-that-bad kind of night for Republicans from Oh, wow, this is actually a lot worse for Republicans than we initially thought is a couple of points in a dozen races.

And while a couple points in any race isnt a given, Republicans seemed to hamper themselves through a number of bizarre campaign decisions. Those started at the very top of their political arm with the National Republican Campaign Committee and went all the way down to small but consequential decisions in individual races.

The decisions have baffled other Republican strategists, and set off a wave of finger-pointing at NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers and one of his top lieutenants, John Rogers.

Anyone who knows how party committees are supposed to be run would be incredibly disappointed with the committee this cycle, and especially Stivers, said one former top NRCC aide.

I dont know a single Republican group that thinks the NRCC did their job this cycle, said a GOP consultant with close ties to the White House.

Whats irking Republicans is a number of recruitment failures, strategic decisions and questionable spending moves  the most questionable of which was giving $5 million to doomed Republican Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia.

Hillary Clinton won Comstocks district by 10 points in 2016, and Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam improved on that margin in the 2017 governors race. The suburban, diverse, affluent, educated composition of the electorate was ripe for a Democratic pickup. Republicans knew that. And yet, it looks like the NRCC spent more on defending that seat than any other  a seat it ended up losing by 12 points.

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To put that $5 million decision in context, thats more money than what the NRCC spent on all the California Republicans in tough races combined  and there were almost a dozen close races in California.

Republicans may end up holding on to most of those seats, or about half of them, depending on how the late ballots come in. But we already know at least two members have lost in extraordinarily close fashion in California: Dana Rohrabacher and Steve Knight, with Jeff Denham, Mimi Walters and Young Kim also looking shaky.

At this point, youd be hard-pressed to find a GOP strategist who thinks putting $5 million into Comstocks race was a good idea when you could have put that money into California. But you would have also had difficulty finding many strategists outside of the NRCC who thought such a decision was good at basically any point during the cycle.

Corry Bliss, the head of the House GOPs super PAC, never put money into the race, seemingly believing it was a lost cause. Meanwhile, the NRCC communications director was on Fox News on Election Day touting the belief that Comstock could win.

The NRCC also spent lavishly on Colorado Rep. Mike Coffman, another Republican in a district that Clinton won by 10 points. Coffman ended up losing by 9 points. And the committee chased after a mirage seat in Florida, one that was represented by retiring Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. That district went for Clinton by an astounding 19 points, but the NRCC thought the Democrat vying for the open seat, Donna Shalala was weak, so it poured $1.5 million into the race only to lose by 8 points.

Democratic strategists think the money was an attempt to distract from districts slipping away from the GOP, a shiny golden ring it was never going to get.

It was a $1.5 million talking point, said Tyler Law, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees national press secretary.

In an adjacent district in Florida held by GOP Rep. Carlos Curbelo, the NRCC booked a large ad buy in July  campaign committees typically book airtime in expensive districts over the summer to get cheaper rates. It then canceled the buy in September, only to rebook it a day later. The switcheroo cost the campaign committee $600,000 because of the higher cost closer to the election.

You know who couldve used $600,000? Karen Handel and Mia Love, the former NRCC aide said, referring to two Republicans who were vastly outspent and narrowly lost their seats.

Still, the NRCC believes its efforts tamped down a blue wave.

We stand behind our decisions and are proud of our record fundraising and spending, NRCC communications director Matt Gorman told HuffPost. Our efforts were crucial at mitigating losses in a tough environment.

Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) delivers her concession speech after being defeated by state Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D) in Virginia's 10th District race. The NRCC spent $5 million on Comstock, confounding many Republican strategists. (Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Its true that it was a tough environment for Republicans. President Donald Trumps unpopularity was probably always going to lead to Democratic pickups. Democrats will win the popular vote for the House by about 7 points, and when everything shakes out, theyll hold between 53 and 54 percent of House seats, meaning theyll have converted their small electoral advantage incredibly efficiently, despite natural geographic disadvantages and gerrymandering.

Democrats did about as well as they could in converting their votes to seats.

Of course, Democrats also spent millions on a number of seats they didnt flip. The DCCC touts that it spent at least $100,000 on 80 seats, trying to build the largest battlefield possible, but that also means it gave to dozens of failed candidates.

The DCCC counters that its spending on losing candidates vastly paled in comparison to the amounts it gave to winning candidates, and that its spending was about putting Republicans on defense, not the other way around.

We have the best polling and analytics team in the country, and that allowed us to make efficient spending decisions, Law told HuffPost.

But Law and Meredith Kelly, the DCCCs communications director, touted much more than their spending successes and the NRCCs failures. As much flak as the DCCC took for playing in primaries, the committee ultimately thinks its endorsements and spending in the California primaries  where the jungle system can potentially lock out a Democrat if the candidate is not a top-two vote-getter  were crucial.

While the NRCC has a hard rule against endorsing and giving to candidates in primaries for open seats, Bliss group, the Congressional Leadership Fund, threatened to get into the California primaries and make trouble for Democrats. Instead, the group sat it out. The DCCC thought that was a misstep, pointing to how a small amount of money during the primary can pay dividends later with a stronger candidate.

In another primary, in New Jerseys Republican-leaning 2nd Congressional District, both Republican groups stayed out, allowing Republican Seth Grossman to defeat three other GOP contenders. Little did they know, the Democratic opposition research group American Bridge had footage from an April candidate forum where Grossman called diversity a bunch of crap and un-American.

Bridge quickly released the footage to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The next month, after Grossman repeatedly tried to clean up his comments  at one point, he listed off his favorite types of ethnic food  the NRCC revoked its election-night endorsement of the candidate.

In the end, Democrat Jeff Van Drew defeated Grossman by a 52 percent to 46 percent margin.

And the DCCC believes it won on messaging. The GOP strategy of localizing races became virtually impossible with Trump, and Democrats effectively and consistently ran on health care while neutralizing the tax issue.

Plain and simple, Democrats overperformed the national environment, Law said. That started with recruiting great candidates and playing in complex primaries, but we also made the right spending decisions and won the messaging war on health care and taxes. At every one of those steps, we were beating Republicans.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters prior to departing for Paris - REUTERS

Florida is once again at the centre of election controversy, but this year there are no hanging chads or butterfly ballots, like in 2000. And no angry mobs in suits - at least not yet.

The deeply purple state will learn on Saturday whether recounts will be held in the bitter, tight U.S. Senate race between Republican Gov. Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson; and in the governor's race between former Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis and the Democratic mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum.

The state's recount procedures have been revised since Florida held the country hostage for a month 18 years ago, when George W. Bush edged Al Gore for the presidency. Among other things, the infamous punch-card ballots are no longer.

Yet, Mr Scott and President Donald Trump on Friday alleged fraud without evidence, even as the often-laborious process of reviewing ballots in a close race continued ahead of the Saturday noon deadline. Both Mr Scott and Mr Nelson sought to get the courts to intervene.

Mr Scott said "unethical liberals" were trying to steal the election in Democratic strongholds of Broward and Palm Beach counties. He suggested something was awry because vote-counters were taking longer there than in other jurisdictions, and his thin lead has kept narrowing since election night. Late on Friday, he led by 0.18 percentage points, low enough to require a recount.

A recount is mandatory if the winning candidate's margin is less than 0.5 percentage points when the first unofficial count is verified on Saturday by Florida's secretary of state. If the margin is less than 0.25 percent, the recount must be done by hand.

In Washington, Mr Trump took Mr Scott's side, telling reporters that the federal government could get involved and adding: "All of the sudden, they are finding votes out of nowhere."

"What's going on in Florida is a disgrace," he said.

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Mr Scott asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate the counties' election departments. However, a spokeswoman for the agency said there were no credible allegations of fraud; therefore, no active investigation.

The governor, meanwhile, filed lawsuits in both counties seeking more information on how their ballots were being tallied. Mr Nelson filed his own federal lawsuit on Friday, seeking to postpone the Saturday deadline to submit unofficial election results.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rick Scott pauses as he addresses supporters Credit: Reuters

A judge on Friday sided with Mr Scott and ordered Broward County's election supervisor to release the voter information sought by the governor.

The ruling came as the Broward Canvassing Board met to review ballots that had been initially deemed ineligible. Lawyers from the campaigns, journalists and citizens crowded into a room to observe.

The county has not answered questions about its process and how many votes it has left to count.

Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio suggested that Brenda Snipes, the Broward supervisor of elections, should be removed from office once the dust settles on the race. Mr Rubio said Ms Snipes' failure to count all ballots in a more timely manner violates state law.

"She's certainly a candidate for removal. ... This is not one bad cycle, this is a pattern," Mr Rubio said in a conference call with reporters.

Mr Nelson issued barbs of his own.

"No one should stand in the way of the people of our state exercising their right to vote and to have their voice heard," the senator said in a statement. "Clearly, Rick Scott is trying to stop all the votes from being counted and he's impeding the democratic process."

Senator Bill Nelson speaks in West Palm Beach, Florida Credit: Reuters

In the undecided race for governor, DeSantis was leading by 0.43 percentage points late Friday. That margin, if it holds, would require a recount, but DeSantis has mostly stayed out of the fray, saying he was working on plans for taking office in January.

Gillum conceded on election night, but as the vote margin began to narrow, he said he wanted to see every vote counted, strongly indicating he would not stand in the way of a recount.

A third statewide race that could go to a recount - the agriculture commissioner race between Democrat Nikki Fried and Republican Matt Caldwell - is the tightest of all, with Fried holding a 3,120-vote lead - a margin of 0.039 percent.

In 2000, Broward and Palm Beach each played central roles in the Bush-Gore race.

At the time, both counties used punch card ballots - voters poked out chads, leaving tiny holes in their ballots representing their candidates. Some didn't press hard enough, leaving hanging or dimpled chads that had to be examined by hand, a long and tiresome process.

Palm Beach also was home to the infamous "butterfly ballot" that many Democrats believe cost Gore the election. An election official's attempt to make the candidate's names bigger and easier to read for senior citizens resulted in them being listed in two columns instead of one. Analysts later said the new redesign may have confused voters and probably cost Gore votes.

As for the angry mobs in suits: In late November 2000, Republican operatives in suits stormed the Miami-Dade canvassing board's meeting, causing the members to permanently stop their recount, even after police officers restored order. The melee became known as "The Brooks Brothers Riot."A new storm with rain, snow and travel disruptions will affect the midwestern and northeastern United States into Tuesday night.

The same storm pushing snow into Oklahoma and northern Texas at the start of the week will cause snow to streak across the lower Midwest states and into the interior Northeast during Monday night and Tuesday. The I-95 cities will once again face a soaking rain.

Snow is projected to sweep from St. Louis to Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo.

"Snowfall amounts will be just enough to cause some travel problems," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson. Between a coating to two inches of snow is expected in many of these areas.

The snow may initially melt on sidewalks and roads, but slippery conditions can eventually develop as the snow falls at night as temperatures drop below freezing.



Northeast snow map 11.12 AM

For those working on Veterans Day in St. Louis, it could be a slick drive home with flight delays on Monday evening.

"The timing of the snow could create a slippery Tuesday morning commute around Detroit and Buffalo," Thompson said.

The interior Northeast is anticipated to see the return of snow Monday night through Tuesday.

While there can be a period of slick conditions, the snow mixing with or changing to rain should prevent this storm from causing major issues from Pittsburgh to Binghamton and Albany, New York, and in Burlington, Vermont.

The most persistent snow and travel hazards await northern Maine and neighboring parts of Canada (including Quebec City), where 4-8 inches can fall.



New East storm Nov 11

Another rainstorm for the Northeast's I-95 corridor

The track of the storm is expected to bring another round of soaking rain from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, New York City and Boston Monday night into Tuesday.

"Rainfall in most areas will be between 0.75 of an inch and 1.25 inches, which can cause flooding of streets and poor drainage areas because of how hard the rain could come down for a time," Thompson said.

Story continues

Residents and property owners will want to ensure that leaves are not clogging storm drains prior to the rain.

Even in the absence of flooding, the downpours will reduce visibility for motorists and heighten the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds. Wet leaves can make roads and sidewalks slippery.



Flood risk 11.12 AM

"The heaviest rain will fall during the overnight hours of Monday from Philadelphia to New York City, which can lead to street flooding that impacts the Tuesday morning commute," Thompson said.

Commuters around Boston will also have to deal with increasingly heavy rain on Tuesday morning.

Airline passengers throughout the I-95 corridor in the Northeast may face delays on Tuesday due to the rain and/or low-hanging clouds.

"The fast-moving nature of this storm will limit any coastal flooding issues to a few hours on the front side of the storm," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

Download the free AccuWeather app to know how much rain or snow is headed to your community.

More cold to invade the entire Northeast

Much like recent storms, the I-95 corridor will escape snow but not the cold plunging in on the storm's backside.

Temperatures rising into the 50s from Washington, D.C., to Boston on Tuesday are expected to be replaced by highs in the 30s and lower 40s on Wednesday. Brisk winds will create even lower AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures.

As the cold air rushes in behind the storm, any rain can change back to snow showers over the Appalachian Mountains by the end of Tuesday.

Lake-effect snow will re-develop from west to east downwind of the Great Lakes.

Outside of the lake-effect snow, the rest of the Northeast will be dry on Wednesday. As has been the theme since the summer, the dry period will not last long.

Another storm with the potential for more substantial snow and ice is aiming for the eastern United States from later Wednesday to Friday of this week.



Forecaster Challenge News Story Banner

How much snow or rain do you think will fall? Click the image above to play Forecaster Challenge and test your weather prediction skills.Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the Arc de Triomphe during a commemoration ceremony for Armistice Day - REUTERS

Cold rain and grey skies mirrored the sombre mood of world leaders commemorating the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War in Paris on Sunday, in a reminder of the atrocious conditions endured by troops.

In a show of unity, more than 60 presidents, prime ministers and dignitaries, many of them holding black umbrellas, walked the last few yards to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, after arriving in a fleet of buses.

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said the grim weather was fitting for an occasion that was not a celebration of victory but a ceremony marking the end of four years of horrific bloodshed.

Donald Trump, the US president, who was criticised the previous day for cancelling a scheduled visit to a US military cemetery because of rain, arrived after the others in his armour-plated limousine, the Beast, because of security concerns. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, also arrived separately a few minutes later.

Mr Macron delivered a politically-charged speech warning of the dangers of rising nationalism and praising the European Union and the United Nations for their contribution to peace.

The signatories of the Armistice treaty pose outside the railway carriage where they ended the First World War on November 11, 1918 Credit: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Afterwards he said he was delighted that so many world leaders had attended, but questioned whether the occasion would be remembered as a symbol of lasting peace or the last moment of unity before world falls into disorder. That depends on us.

Warning the assembled leaders that re-emerging old demons were to threaten peace, he said: Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism.

Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism.

Mr Trump, who has proudly declared himself a nationalist, sat stony-faced, but smiled broadly as he exchanged a handshake with Mr Putin, who flashed him a thumbs-up sign.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Morocco's Prince Moulay Hassan, Moroccan King Mohammed VI, US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove attend a ceremony the Arc de Triomphe in Paris Credit: AFP POOL

The US presidents cordiality towards his Russian counterpart  despite alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US election  has alarmed western European leaders who see Russia as a growing threat.

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Feminist activists from the Femen group broke through the security cordon and staged a brief topless protest near Mr Trumps car before being dragged away by police.

Despite a plea by Mr Macron for a strong EU, Europes deep political divisions were underscored by an independence day celebration in Warsaw, in which the Polish president and prime minister marched with far-Right groups for the first time.

The Paris event produced some unlikely pairings. It was attended by the presidents of both Serbia and Kosovo, which are struggling to normalise relations nearly 20 years after a Nato bombing campaign ended the conflict in Kosovo and paved the way for its independence from Serbia.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the ceremony commemorating the end of the First World War Credit: BENOIT TESSIER/REUTERS

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, spoke to Mr Putin for the first time since a Russian plane was shot down in Syria during an Israeli air strike.

French commentators criticised the lack of high-level British representation in Paris. Franck Ferrand, an author and broadcaster, said it was regrettable that no British leader or member of the Royal Family has chosen to attend.

The UK was represented by David Lidington, the de facto deputy prime minister and Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Before Mr Macron spoke, teenagers read out letters written by First World War soldiers on the day the bloodshed ceased. One of them, from British officer Charles Neville of the Royal Horse Artillery, described streets packed with wildly cheering civilians, chucking flowers at us and carrying on only like a foreigner can.

After the ceremony and lunch at the Elysee Palace, dozens of leaders attended the inaugural meeting of the International Peace Forum, intended by Mr Macron to promote multilateral cooperation to resolve conflicts.

Mr Macron told the gathering that the allies had won the war, but not the peace, as they had failed to prevent the Second World War.

Mrs Merkel denounced the national vaingloriousness and military arrogance that led to the senseless bloodshed of two world wars.

Mr Trump did not attend the session, instead visiting a US military cemetery in Suresnes, western Paris, where he paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of French and American soldiers, before flying home.EU leaders have thrown Theresa Mays hopes of a Brexit deal this month into fresh jeopardy, after warning that crucial obstacles remain.

A meeting in Brussels was told there had been no significant progress on how to settle future disputes over the Irish border, with the two sides also still far apart on fishing rights.

The verdict, delivered at a briefing of EU27 ambassadors by the Brussels negotiating team, cast fresh doubt on the prime ministers hopes of agreeing an outline deal by the middle of next week.

If that deadline is missed, it is unlikely that an emergency summit to sign it off can be held in November  throwing back a final agreement until the middle of December.

That would leave the UK having to ramp off hugely expensive no-deal preparations and in danger of being unable to pass all necessary legislation before Brexit day next March.

An optimistic timetable, floated by Downing Street, imagined Dominic Raab, the Brexit secretary, and Michel Barnier, the EU negotiator, was presented with a legal text agreed by officials on Tuesday.

But the ambassadors meeting was told, by Mr Barniers deputy Sabine Weyand, that there was no agreement on a joint review mechanism to allow the UK to break free of the Irish border backstop.

Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, raised the stakes when he insisted that decision must be made alone by the sovereign British government, without EU involvement.

The fear of pro-Brexit Tories is that the UK will be locked indefinitely into the EU customs union  unable to sign its own trade deals  unless it can end the backstop unilaterally.

That is unacceptable to Brussels, which  according to one report  has also rejected Britains proposal of independent arbitration, to decide when technology is available to avoid border checks.

The EU is believed to have insisted it would be legally impossible for such a crucial decision to be made by a body other than the European Court of Justice  which is equally unacceptable to the UK.

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Britain has also demanded that the fishing sector be excluded, even as it seeks for the entire UK to stay in the customs territory if the backstop is required after the transition period, at the end of 2020.

EU member states with big fishing industries have protested they must still have access to British waters, in return for the UK enjoying tariff-free access to EU markets, where it exports 75 per cent of its total catch.

The backstop would also require the UK to retain Brussels competition, state aid and tax rules, effectively staying in the EU single market, say Brexiteers.

It was also reported that the ambassadors have told the European Commission they must scrutinise any deal reached before it is made public and a special summit called.

If the member states insist on several days to go through the text, that would appear to kill off a summit this month  25 November having been put forward as the last possible date.

The EU has said it requires close to a fortnight for its capitals to prepare, although Downing Street has suggested a week should be sufficient.SANAA, Yemen (AP)  Street battles raged on Sunday in several areas of Yemen's contested port city of Hodeida, where a U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition is trying to drive out Iran-backed Shiite rebels, officials said.

They say airstrikes from warplanes and Apache attack helicopters shook residential neighborhoods throughout the day, while ground forces clashed around the university in the city's south, as well as al-Thawra and May 22 hospitals to the east.

Residents said they heard heavy gunfire and saw smoke rising from both areas, with several military vehicles on fire near the university. Intense fighting around al-Thawra Hospital blocked access to it for hours, while rebels retook the May 22 hospital after it fell briefly to the coalition, they said. Photos of damaged hospital buildings have been circulating on social media.

Closer to the port facilities, the gateway for vital humanitarian aid, rebel gunmen occupied one the country's largest flour mills and posted fighters on its rooftop, one official added. He said efforts are ongoing to evacuate workers inside the site he feared could now be targeted by airstrikes.

Medical officials in the southern port city of Aden, a coalition stronghold, say some public hospitals there have reached capacity from a steady flow of war wounded from contested fronts across Yemen, and are refusing to accept new patients except for some civilians with critical wounds.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to brief reporters, while the residents did so for fear over their safety.

The conflict in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, began with the 2014 takeover of the capital, Sanaa, by the rebels, known as Houthis, who toppled the internationally recognized government. A Saudi-led coalition allied with the government has been fighting the Houthis since 2015 in an attempt to restore the mostly exiled government to power.

The war has killed an estimated 10,000 people, and left around two thirds of Yemen's population of 27 million relying on aid, with more than 8 million at risk of starvation.

Story continues

Doctors have reported several civilians including children killed since the latest offensive on Hodeida began on November 1, shortly after the U.S. called for a cease-fire by the end of the month.

___

Associated Press writer Maggie Michael contributed to this reportFiji's former military strongman Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is overwhelming favourite to win an election in the Pacific island nation this week, after transforming himself from coup leader to climate change campaigner.

While many, including rights group Amnesty International, question the nature of Fiji's democracy under Bainimarama, there is no denying the radical makeover his image has undergone in recent years.

The 64-year-old was denounced as a dictator by Australia and New Zealand after seizing power in a bloodless 2006 coup, resulting in sanctions and Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Fast forward 12 years and the naval officer is president of the UN's COP 23 efforts to mitigate climate change, with Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger hailing him for "kicking some serious butt" on the issue.

Canberra and Wellington now court the one-time pariah in a bid to limit China's growing influence in the Pacific and his approval rating is running at 68 percent as Fijians enjoy a period of sustained economic growth.

"He's done exceptionally well in terms of positioning Fiji internationally and changing perceptions," developmental historian Robbie Robertson of Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology told AFP.

"He refused to kowtow to Australia and New Zealand (after the coup) and when they threatened to cut his funding he said 'we'll go to China'.

"He's played the international scene exceedingly well."

The softening of Bainimarama's strongman persona has been a key element in his road to international acceptance, with credit partly going to Washington-based public relations firm Qorvis.

- 'Doesn't like criticism' -

Bainimarama hired the spin doctors in 2011 when his government was still facing international isolation and their website boasts of how they prepared him for the COP 23 role.

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Rather than the "finger pointing and blame laying" of previous climate talks, it says, Bainimarama promoted "a process of open, constructive and respectful dialogues" to promote global action.

Critics say Bainimarama does not extend the same consensus approach to domestic politics, where his FijiFirst party dominates with 32 representatives in the 50-seat parliament.

The largest of the five opposition parties running against Bainimarama is SODELPA, led by former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka -- a controversial choice who himself led two coups in the 1980s.

Rabuka has faced corruption charges in the lead up to the election, echoing charges laid against opposition figures ahead of the 2014 poll -- a pattern which has raised questions over judicial independence.

Opposition parties have also alleged during the campaign that FijiFirst is using government resources to try to win over voters.

"He has scant regard for other people's views and he doesn't like criticism," Robertson said.

"But he hasn't blown it, he's kept it together on the campaign trail."

A military man to his bootstraps, Bainimarama joined Fiji's navy as an ordinary seaman aged 21 and earned a commission after two years, receiving training in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Malaysia.

He served two stints as a UN peacekeeper in Sinai on his way to becoming commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in 1999.

At the time of the 2006 coup, he said the army was the only institution disciplined enough to usher in real reform, describing it as a long overdue "clean up".

It was Fiji's fourth coup since 1987 and Bainimarama insisted he was determined to stop instability and stamp out corruption.

- 'Rights under attack' -

Supporters say he achieved that and introduced a constitution in 2013 granting equal rights for Indian-Fijians, a sizable minority brought in to work on sugar plantations during British colonial rule.

They also point to improved living standards through policies such as cheap education and improved spending on rural roads.

He won a landslide victory in the first post-coup election in 2014 and is on track for similar success at Wednesday's poll, in which opposition parties appear divided and ineffective.

Amnesty said Bainimarama's government was yet to fully restore the freedoms which were suspended for several years after the coup.

"Since the last general elections in 2014, the human rights situation in Fiji has remained under attack," it said, pointing to police brutality, curbs on freedom of assembly and media, as well as persecution of rights advocates.

Robertson said an unexpectedly poor showing in the election could force Bainimarama to relax his grip on power and take heed of critics, but it appeared unlikely.

"I think even some supporters of FijiFirst would like to see a slightly more liberal interpretation of the constitution and for the government to be less autocratic in some of the ways it behaves," he said.

"But whether they will go that way, I don't know. I doubt it."Theres good evidence that fish oil supplements may lower the risk of second heart events  like a heart attack or stroke  in people with heart disease, but few rigorous studies have investigated whether the supplement can help people to lower their risk of having a heart event in the first place. And while some data suggests that people with lower levels of vitamin D tend to have higher rates of heart disease and cancer, the evidence isnt solid.

Now, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association offers more findings about the effects of these two supplements on heart disease and cancer. While they dont appear to do much overall in this study, fish oil seems to help specific groups of people and the researchers believe that vitamin D may simply take longer to have an effect on cancer rates and deaths.

The VITAL study (VITamin D and omegA-3 triaL) set out to provide some more answers on what, if any, effect the two nutrients have on health. It is the first large-scale, rigorous controlled study to investigate how omega-3 supplements may affect heart disease risk in a people without a history of heart problems.

More than 25,800 people were randomly assigned to one of four groups: one received 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day and a placebo, another took 1g of omega-3 fatty acids a day with a placebo, a third took both 2,000 IU of vitamin D and 1g of omega-3 a day, and the last group received two daily placebos. All volunteers took their assigned nutrients for approximately five years, and researchers logged everything from cancer diagnoses to major heart events including heart attack and stroke, as well as deaths from cancer and heart disease.

The researchers, led by Dr. JoAnn Manson, from the Brigham and Womens Hospital and professor of womens health at Harvard Medical School, combined the studies of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids because they are not known to interact with each other in significant ways that would affect health outcomes. VITAL allowed her group to study both nutrients in an efficient way for their effects on heart disease and cancer, two chronic diseases that affect a large proportion of the population.

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The people taking omega-3 fatty acids did not have a lower rate of heart events compared to the people taking placebo.

But the results dont necessarily suggest that fish oil can only help people with a history of heart problems. The researchers in VITAL looked at overall heart outcomes together, combining heart attack, stroke and heart-related deaths; taken together, they found no difference between people taking omega-3 supplements and placebo. When they pulled out individual heart events, however, they found some interesting patterns. People taking the omega-3 supplements showed a 28% lower risk of having a heart attack compared to people taking placebo. In addition, people who reported eating less fish seemed to show a greater benefit in lowering their risk of heart problems compared to people who ate more fish. Manson and her team also found that African-American volunteers in the omega-3 group lowered their risk of heart problems more than whites taking the fish oil supplements. That finding, she says, remained regardless of how much fish the African-American volunteers ate, which suggests some possible genetic reasons for why African-Americans may benefit more from omega-3 fatty acids.

We dont know if this is a chance finding, or if it may in fact point to an important way to reduce heart risk in African-Americans, says Manson.

When they looked at the effects of vitamin D, they also found little difference among those taking the nutrient and those taking placebo when it came to overall heart disease and cancer measures. But again, Manson says that doesnt mean vitamin D is not playing a role in cancer. Some studies suggest that the vitamin can inhibit the progression of tumors, so while it may not lower the rate of new cancers, it could reduce the risk of dying from cancer. And because cancer takes longer to develop, longer term studies would need to verify if thats indeed the case. If someone has a cancer that hasnt yet been diagnosed, but is already present, vitamin D may make that cancer less invasive and less likely to spread, she says. Manson is planning on doing more research to delve further into the question of whether vitamin D supplements have differing effects on cancer at various stages of the disease.

In about six months, she says she also plans on reporting additional outcomes from VITAL, including whether vitamin D and omega-3 supplements have any effect on diabetes, cognitive function, mood disorders like depression, infections and autoimmune diseases.Protesters outside the election supervisor's office in Broward County, Florida - Getty Images North America

Donald Trump accused Democrats of trying to "steal" a US senate seat and governorship in Florida after the state ordered recounts.

Florida announced it will hold a machine recount of votes in its neck-and-neck races for Senate and governor, which were both being narrowly led by Republican candidates.

Results will be due by 3pm on Thursday, its secretary of state said on Saturday.

Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: "Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!"

Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2018

The two contests, along with those for governor in Georgia and for the US Senate in Arizona, are the most high-profile races still undecided after Tuesday's midterm congressional elections.

In Florida's election for the Senate, Republican Governor Rick Scott had seen his lead narrow over incumbent Democratic US Senator Bill Nelson to about 12,500 votes, or 0.15 per cent, by Saturday afternoon.

Nelson said his campaign would continue taking action to ensure every vote is counted without interference or efforts to undermine the democratic process.

Bill Nelson and Rick Scott Credit: Reuters

"We believe when every legal ballot is counted we'll win this election," Nelson said in a statement.

Scott urged every sheriff in the state to watch for any violations during the recount process.

"We will not let unethical liberals steal this election!" Scott wrote on Twitter.

In the gubernatorial contest, unofficial results showed Republican Ron DeSantis' lead over Democrat Andrew Gillum had slimmed to about 33,700 votes, or 0.41 percent.

Accusations of fraud and lawsuits have emerged over the Florida contests in recent days, conjuring memories of the state's 2000 presidential vote recount.

In that election, the winner of the White House hung in the balance for weeks before the US Supreme Court stopped the counting and Republican George W. Bush triumphed over Democrat Al Gore.By Daniel Wallis (Reuters) - Florida will hold a machine recount of votes in its neck-and-neck races for the U.S. Senate and governor, officials said on Saturday, setting up a days-long wait for closure in two of the most closely-watched contests of the midterm elections. Results of the recount are due by 3 p.m. (2000 GMT) Thursday for the two races, which along with those for governor in Georgia and for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, are the most high-profile contests still undecided after Tuesday's vote. The drama echoed the 2000 presidential vote recount that took place in Florida, with both sides alleging foul play and sending teams of lawyers to the Sunshine State. In Florida's election for the U.S. Senate, Republican Governor Rick Scott had seen his lead narrow over incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Nelson to about 12,500 votes, or 0.15 percent, by Saturday evening. Scott urged every sheriff in the state to watch for any violations during the recount process and to take appropriate actions. "We will not let unethical liberals steal this election!" Scott wrote on Twitter. "It's time Senator Nelson accepts these results and allows the state of Florida to move forward to a better future." Nelson said his campaign would continue taking action to ensure every vote is counted without interference or efforts to undermine the democratic process. "We believe when every legal ballot is counted we'll win this election," Nelson said in a statement. In the gubernatorial contest, Republican Ron DeSantis' lead over Democrat Andrew Gillum winnowed to about 33,700 votes, or 0.41 percent. DeSantis said in a video statement that the results were "clear and unambiguous, just as they were on election night," and that he was honored by the trust Floridians placed in him. "It is important that everyone involved in the election process strictly adhere to the rule of law which is the foundation for our nation," DeSantis said. Gillum, who is trying become Florida's first African-American governor, told reporters his team has organized a cadre of hundreds of volunteers and lawyers to move across the state and fight against voter suppression and for a fair count. "Let me say clearly: I am replacing my words of concession with an uncompromised and unapologetic call that we count every vote," Gillum said at a news conference. ECHOES OF 2000 RECOUNT Accusations of fraud and lawsuits have emerged over the Florida contests in recent days, conjuring memories of the state's 2000 presidential vote recount. In that election, the winner of the White House hung in the balance for weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court stopped the counting and Republican George W. Bush triumphed over Democrat Al Gore. President Donald Trump has accused Democratic election officials in Florida's Broward and Palm Beach Counties of corruption, without providing any evidence. "Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!" Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday during a visit to France. Scott has filed lawsuits against Democratic election supervisors in the two counties, accusing them of violating election law and demanding access to their vote tallies. Nelson also filed a motion in federal court asking that provisional and absentee ballots not be rejected because election officials deem that the signatures do not match voters' signatures on file. Trump has noted the involvement of Nelson's lawyer, Marc Elias, a Washington-based Democrat who represented Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential race, describing him on Twitter as the Democrats' "best election stealing lawyer." Elias has had a role in many of the nation's most prominent recounts. After the machine recount results are delivered, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner will order manual recounts if two candidates are separated by 0.25 percent of the vote or less. The recounts and possible legal challenges mean it could be weeks until a winner is determined in either race. In Tuesday's elections, Democrats won a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives after eight years in the minority, while Republicans expanded their two-seat advantage in the Senate. In Arizona's ongoing Senate race, contested by two U.S. congresswomen, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema's lead over Republican Martha McSally had widened by Saturday evening to about 23,900 votes, or 1.17 percent. In Georgia's gubernatorial election, Republican Brian Kemp declared victory on Wednesday with a narrow lead. Campaign officials for his rival, Democrat Stacey Abrams, have vowed to pursue litigation to ensure all votes are counted. In a House race in California, Democrat Harley Rouda defeated the incumbent, 13-term Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher, with 51.8 percent of the vote. (Reporting by Daniel Wallis; Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Marguerita Choy)London (AFP) - President Frank-Walter Steinmeier became the first German leader to take part in Britain's national service of remembrance on Sunday, 100 years since the end of World War I.

He laid a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London alongside British Prime Minister Theresa May, who chose not to join other world leaders marking the centenary of the Armistice in Paris.

Across Britain, individuals and communities held two minutes of silence at 11am (1100 GMT) to remember the end of the four-year conflict which claimed around 18 million lives.

In London, the moment was marked by the chiming of Big Ben, which has been largely silent since renovation work began in August 2017 but which still sounds for important national events.

Prince Charles laid the first wreath of red poppies, Britain's emblem of remembrance, at the Cenotaph on behalf of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who watched from a nearby balcony.

Steinmeier followed with his wreath, in a unique and highly symbolic act marking the reconciliation between the once warring nations.

Senior royals, diplomats, military leaders and politicians also paid their respects at the memorial to all British and Commonwealth service personnel who have died in combat since 1914.

They were followed by the traditional march past by military veterans, their medals glinting in the sunshine, as a crowd of thousands looked on.

"It's really, really poignant being here," said Sarah Bligh, a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy who attended the commemorations.

"My great-grandfather served in the First World War along with his three brothers, so I've just been thinking about them a lot."

Toby Foster, a British army captain with 4th Battalion The Rifles, said he would also be thinking about his grandfather and great-grandfather, who were navigators in Lancaster Bombers in World War II.

"But (I) also pause to think about those guys who are still on operations today and just hoping that they're staying safe wherever they are," he told AFP.

The ceremony culminated with a procession by 10,000 people past the Cenotaph.

They were allocated spaces on "The Nation's Thank You" march through a public ballot, and many were direct descendants of those who served in the war.BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel should not have taken part in a ceremony in France on Sunday marking the centenary of the Armistice as it is an event for the "winners" of World War One, said the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Germany lost the war and Merkel's participation in a ceremony for the former allies amounted to an attempt to rewrite history, AfD co-leader Alexander Gauland said. "We can't put ourselves in a historical situation that clearly favours the winner and walk alongside Mr. Macron through the Arc de Triomphe," he said, referring to the famous Paris monument. Gauland's comments stood in marked contast to the themes of reconciliation and the need for vigilance against resurgent nationalism which characterised the official commemorations in London and Paris for the millions killed during World War One. With U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sitting just a few feet away, French President Emmanuel Macron denounced those who evoke nationalist sentiment to disadvantage others, calling it a betrayal of patriotism and moral values. [nL8N1XM0SN] In London, Britain's royal family was joined by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who become the first German leader to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph war memorial in an historic act of reconciliation. [nL8N1XM0OP] The anti-Islam AfD entered the German parliament for the first time last year, drawing support from a broad array of voters angry with Merkel's decision in 2015 to welcome almost a million, mainly Muslim asylum seekers. Its leaders have been rebuked for comments that appear to belittle the Nazi dictatorship or suggest that history books should be re-written to focus more on German victims. In a rare public display of emotion, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war, one of the bloodiest in history. (Reporting by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - Hundreds of villagers fled their homes in Nigeria's northeast late on Saturday after an attack by Islamist militants from the Boko Haram group, militia officials and witnesses said.

The raid highlighted fragile security in Nigeria's northeast, where the army is still battling to end a conflict that erupted in 2009.

"One disabled person was allegedly killed while 65 houses were burnt, 200 cows and 300 flock of sheep and goats were carted away," the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said.

"Injured victims have been provided with first aid and humanitarian needs assessment is being conducted to enable the mobilisation of immediate relief assistance," it said.

Militants arrived in trucks in Jimmi, five kilometres (three miles) from Maiduguri city, and opened fire, setting homes ablaze and also attacking an informal refugee camp.

"Boko Haram terrorists this evening attacked Jimmi village," militia leader in Maiduguri Musa Ari said. "They burnt homes in Jimmi and tents in the camp."

Military authorities scrambled reinforcements and fighter jets to repel the attack, said militia leader Ibrahim Liman.

Panicked villagers from the area fled to nearby Maiduguri, capital of Borno state which along with neighbouring Yobe state has been at the centre of the jihadist insurgency.

"We left our village to escape Boko Haram who attacked our neighbours in Jimmi," said Bale-Shuwa village resident Suleiman Balarabe.

He said villagers saw military jets flying overhead towards Jimmi.

"The sounds of guns coming from Jimmi terrified us and made us leave our homes because we were afraid they were going to attack our neighbourhood," said Sanda Gini, a resident of Jiddari-Polo area on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

In April, scores of Boko Haram fighters launched a gun and suicide attack on Jiddari-Polo when they advanced on Giwa barracks where hundreds of their militant comrades are being detained.

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Insurgents fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at troops before they were repelled with aerial support.

Despite government insistence Boko Haram jihadists are near defeat, in recent months the militant group has carried out major attacks on military targets, killing dozens.

Boko Haram's nine-year conflict has killed an estimated 27,000 people and displaced two million, creating a humanitarian crisis and spilling into Nigeria's northern neighboursPhotographer Karem Alzeriis photo of Buthaina Muhammad Mansour al-Raimi went viral after he posted it on Facebook on Aug. 29. (Photo: Karem Alzerii)

SANAA, Yemen  After a Saudi airstrike hit a residential apartment building in Sanaa in August 2017, 5-year old Buthaina Muhammad Mansour al-Raimi quickly became the public face of the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Yemen.

While at the hospital, pictures of her struggling to open her right eye, which was swollen shut from her injuries, went viral as social media users posted their own pictures imitating Buthaina. CNN covered her story, as did news outlets around the world.

The International Committee of the Red Cross condemned last years Aug. 25 attack that killed 16 people and injured 21 more as outrageous, and Saudi Arabia blamed the deadly strike, which killed Buthainas mother and father, all five of her siblings and an uncle, on a technical mistake.

While Buthainas case never attracted as much international coverage as that of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist who was murdered and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey, her image brought attention to the thousands of civilians who have died in the war. Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition involved in the Yemen conflict, says its goal is to dislodge the Houthi rebels who control large swaths of the country.

Now, over a year later, the Houthi government in Sanaa and members of Buthainas extended family are accusing Saudi authorities of kidnapping Buthaina in a bid to hide a powerful symbol of the war in Yemen, which has gone on for more than three years. While there is some dispute over who has legal guardianship of Buthaina, her family insists that no one agreed to send her to Saudi Arabia  which has led the military intervention in Yemen.

And her transfer to the Gulf kingdom appears to be anything but normal.

Buthainas journey to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, started in September 2017, less than a month after the airstrike. According to an account provided to Yahoo News by Buthainas family members, Fudaad al-Mansoori, the head of a local nonprofit, approached Ali al-Raimi, an uncle who was caring for Buthaina, and proposed filming a documentary about the war in Yemen with the young girl in a leading role.

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According to Waleed al-Raimi, Ali al-Raimis brother, they made the first shot on Sept. 20, 2017, in front of a now-demolished apartment building with Buthaina standing on the rubble along with other family members, and then went to the cemetery where Buthainas family members are buried.

The next day, they drove south to where similar bombings had taken place.

Buthaina Muhammad Mansour al-Raimi, believed to be 5, is carried from the site of the Saudi-led airstrike that killed eight of her family members in Sanaa, Yemen, on Aug. 25, 2017. (Photo: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)

When the filming was finished, al-Mansoori suggested dinner at a restaurant even farther south, in an area that was not under Houthi control. Al-Mansoori drove in one car, and Ali al-Raimi in another with his wife, their three children, and Buthaina. As they approached their destination, some 16 armored vehicles blocked the road, according to the familys account. Uniformed armed men surrounded the car and said they were from King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, a charity created by the Saudi government to work in Yemen.

The men then asked Ali al-Raimi to come with Buthaina and his family to Riyadh, where she would receive treatment from the charity. When Ali al-Raimi declined, he and his family were forced into the armored vehicles and taken to Aden, then airlifted to Riyadh. From Aden, Ali al-Raimi managed to call a friend in Sanaa, asking him to alert his family that they had been kidnapped. From there, word spread quickly in Sanaa that Buthaina had been taken to Saudi Arabia.

Whether Ali al-Raimi or his family had some initial agreement with Saudi Arabia is in dispute. Al-Mansoori, the man accused of luring the family to the south, denies that he had any role in Buthainas alleged abduction and says that Ali al-Raimi had coordinated with the Saudi-led coalition. He drove his car  some 500 km from Sanaa to Aden, al-Mansoori said. No sane person could imagine that someone lured a person through four provinces along with his wife and children, and his luggage, driving his own car and passing through Houthi-manned checkpoints and those manned by [Yemeni government] forces.

If Ali al-Raimi did have an agreement with Saudi forces  something the family disputes  it apparently fell apart quickly. In Riyadh, according to Waleed, Ali al-Raimi was assigned to a man who identified himself as Nasser al-Otaibi, a Saudi foreign ministry official. Ali al-Raimi requested permission from al-Otaibi to leave the hospital where Buthaina was staying for a few minutes to go for a walk in a nearby park. Once outside the hospital, Ali al-Raimi recorded a video saying the Saudi coalition had kidnapped him and his family, and posted it on his Facebook page.

I pleaded with the world to release my family, me and Buthaina and bring us back home immediately, he said. Buthainas case isnt a single-family issue but rather a national cause. Buthaina is after all one of the thousands of Yemenis who have lost parents, siblings and their homes. The Yemeni cause cant be waived. I didnt arrive in Riyadh of my own free will.

For Saudi authorities, Buthainas transfer to Riyadh quickly turned into a PR nightmare, with both the family and the Houthi government in Sanaa accusing Saudi Arabia of kidnapping her.

On Sept. 28, two days after Ali al-Raimi posted his video, Saudi Arabias state-controlled al-Arabiya television broadcast footage showing Buthaina at the King Salman Center in Riyadh and denied allegations that she had been abducted. The broadcast also accused the Houthi government in Sanaa of exploiting her case.

In spite of Ali al-Raimis public defiance, he told relatives back in Sanaa that the family was treated well for the first several months. Al-Otaibi offered him a job at Aramco, the Saudi state-owned oil company. In return, however, Ali al-Raimi told his brother, Waleed, that he was asked to sign a document relinquishing Buthainas rights to sue the kingdom for any damage or loss of lives as a result of the August strike. Ali al-Raimi said he refused.

Mourners carry coffins to a mosque for prayers during the funeral of eight family members killed by a Saudi-led airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 26, 2017. (Photo: Khaled Abdullah/Reuters)

Relations between Ali al-Raimi and Saudi authorities remained tense. Then, in July of this year, another of Buthainas uncles  the brother al-Raimis wife  showed up in Riyadh, willingly by all accounts. Shortly after, al-Otaibis aide asked Ali al-Raimi to attend a meeting, according to Waleed, who spoke with al-Raimis wife. Ali al-Raimi left for the meeting and never returned.

Nasser al-Otaibi did not respond to calls and texts seeking comment; an aide to al-Otaibi hung up the phone when contacted by a journalist, and did not respond to texts.

The next month, Buthaina and one of her cousins, Ali al-Raimis son, pleaded for their return to Yemen in a rare Facebook video posted by Ali al-Raimis wife. They asked for the release of al-Raimi and to bring the entire family back to Yemen. Since when have you turned people into slaves while they were born free, said Buthaina, quoting a well-known Arabic saying, with tears running down her face.

In early October, Saudi authorities, including female police, raided the apartment where Buthaina was staying with her aunt and cousins, and took them away. On Oct. 10, Ali al-Raimis wife made a brief call to a relative in Yemen and said they were now staying in a hotel with her brother, who had beaten her for not cooperating with the Saudi authorities.

In the meantime, Waleed al-Raimi searched for his brother, calling a dozen Saudi prisons. Finally, in a call to Al-Hayer, a prison where Saudi royals and businessmen were taken last year, he heard that al-Yamani  the Yemeni man  was being held there. On Oct. 26, Waleed pleaded with the prison administration to put his brother on the phone with their mother.

On Oct. 31, their mothers phone rang, and Ali al-Raimi was on the other end. He told his mother that he wasnt allowed to respond to any questions beyond confirming that he was fine. The phone call soon ended.

Buthaina, a potent symbol of the war in Yemen, remains in Riyadh with Ali al-Raimis wife and the recently arrived uncle, who is reportedly cooperating with Saudi authorities. If she was really receiving treatment, she should be back home a long time ago, said Khalid Muhammad Saad al-Raimi, another of Buthainas uncles.

While Buthainas initial case captured worldwide media coverage, her mysterious transfer to Saudi Arabia has thus far failed to garner much attention. Khalid said that he spoke with U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths earlier this year about the Saudi kidnapping of Buthaina in a meeting during his tour of Sanaa, and that Griffiths told him he would raise the issue at the United Nations.

We dont have any information about this case, Hanan Elbadawi, a U.N. spokeswoman, wrote to Yahoo News when asked about the meeting. Maybe they spoke to some other U.N. official.

In the meantime, there is no word on when, or even if, Buthaina will be returned to Yemen.

A spokesperson for the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C. was unable to provide comment by press time. But following the publication of this article, a Saudi official disputed the kidnapping charge, saying Ali al-Raimi had arrived willingly to Riyadh. The video referenced was produced to placate the Houthi militia who threatened them after their arrival [in Saudi Arabia] saying they were kidnapped, the official said. The family was coerced to comply by sending this message to the Houthis who then turned around and tried to capitalize and make money off of the forced fabricated claim in the video.

No member of the al-Raimi family backed up the Saudi claim about the Houthi threat, and the Saudi official offered no proof of threats. It is unclear how the Houthis would be able to threaten a family living in Saudi Arabia, or how they would make money from the video.

The official declined to comment on the record about Ali al-Raimis detention, other than to say it was over a personal domestic dispute. After Buthainas treatment, the official said, the family was given the choice of leaving while awaiting the release of Ali al-Raimi.

Buthaina and her family are currently in comfortable housing and they are still free and mobile without any scrutiny, the official said.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center did not respond to a request for comment.

Muhammad Mansour, Buthainas father, is pictured at right next to a photo of Buthaina Muhammad Mansour al-Raimi posing with her siblings in the last family photo taken before an airstrike hit their home, killing eight family members, including her mother and father and five siblings. (Photo: Courtesy of the Al Raimi family)

In an interview with Yahoo News, Fatma Muhammad Hussien, Ali al-Raimis mother  Buthainas grandmother  pointed to a picture of Buthainas father and siblings that hangs on the wall of her home. Everyone in the picture except Buthaina was killed in the airstrike.

I dont want money, she said, a reference to allegations that Buthainas case is being used to extract compensatory payments from the Saudis. She blames the Saudi coalition for a war that has killed thousands of Yemeni civilians and has driven large parts of the country to the brink of famine.

Im not relinquishing my granddaughter, regardless of what the Saudis offer, she says. This is a nations cause.

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in an undercover raid targeting a Hamas commander and air strikes that provided cover for the troops to escape back into Israel by car, Hamas said. The Israeli incursion and air attacks drew rocket fire from the Hamas-controlled enclave, with sirens sounding in Israeli communities along the border. The military said its defenses intercepted two of the launches. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage on the Israeli side of the frontier. The violence prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut short a visit to Paris, where he had been gathering with world leaders for a World War One commemoration. Hamas said the incident began when assailants in a passing car opened fire on a group of its armed men, killing one of its commanders. Hamas gunmen gave chase as the car sped back towards the border with Israel, Hamas said in a statement. During the pursuit, Israeli aircraft fired more than 40 missiles in the area, according to witnesses. Medics and Hamas officials said at least seven people were killed, four of them militants, including Hamas commander Nour Baraka. It was unclear if the other fatalities included gunmen. The Israeli military said in a brief statement that: "During IDF (Israel Defense Forces) operational activity in the Gaza Strip, an exchange of fire evolved." A return by Israel to a policy of targeting individual Hamas commanders - tactics largely abandoned in recent years - could significantly raise tensions along the border. Violence has flared frequently on the frontier since Palestinians began weekly protests on March 30. Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations have been trying to broker a long-term ceasefire. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Daniel Wallis)Paris (AFP) - President Paul Kagame insisted Sunday that Rwanda's courts will operate freely in the case of leading dissident politician Diane Rwigara, as prosecutors push for her to face 22 years in jail.

Rwigara went on trial in the capital Kigali on Wednesday for inciting insurrection and forgery.

The 37-year-old denies the charges as "politically motivated" after the electoral commission blocked her attempt to challenge Kagame in last year's elections.

"Our justice works freely, everybody should know that," Kagame told AFP on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum conference.

Rwigara has repeatedly denounced alleged human rights abuses in Rwanda and accused the government of inflating economic statistics to give a false impression of the country's performance.

Prosecutors also want her mother sentenced to 22 years for inciting insurrection and promoting sectarianism in a country still overshadowed by the 1994 genocide.

Kagame took aim at Michaelle Jean, outgoing head of the world organisation of French-speaking nations known as La Francophonie (OIF), who has raised concerns over the highly sensitive trial.

"This matter has nothing to do with La Francophonie," Kagame said.

Jean had urged people in a tweet this week to "follow the trial as closely as possible".

Jean, a Canadian, is set to be replaced shortly at the head of the OIF by Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo.

Kagame, who is credited with overseeing rapid economic development in Rwanda after the genocide, faces regular accusations from rights groups of muzzling the opposition.

He was re-elected for a new seven-year term in August 2017 with nearly 99 percent of the vote.

Constitutional reforms adopted by referendum in 2015 would potentially allow him to stay in power until 2034.

Rwanda's successful bid to lead the OIF sparked controversy, not least since the organisation's remit includes reinforcing democracy and as the country switched to English as the language of education in 2008.

Kagame on Sunday insisted: "French has never disappeared in Rwandan schools and it will continue."People watch as red paper poppies fall from the roof at the Menin Gate during an Armistice ceremony in - AP

Every evening at sunset, the Last Post has sounded under the Menin Gate, in Ypres, the epicentre of conflict in the First World War, today, on Armistice Day, legions of British families flocked to Ypres to pay their respects to the fallen.

Benoit Mottrie,chariman of the Last Post Association and the grandson of its founder Aime Gruwez said, "This is the busiest time I have ever witnessed.

"In the 1950s, 60s, 70s it was often just the two police stopping the traffic the buglers, and maybe a handful of people, sometimes no one when we played the Last Post. I don't think we will ever be alone again."

Gathered around the imposing 14.5 metre high memorial that bears the names of 54,395 British and Commonwealth soldiers of the 90,000 who died on Ypres Salient but were never found, the crowds bowed their head at one at 11am local time on the 11 November.

They fell silent, like the guns on November 11.

At least 300,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers were killed over the four years of war, five major battles around Ypres, including Passchendaele which cost half a million casualties for the gain of just a few miles.

Ypres, which was of major strategic importance, was constantly shelled by the surrounding German troops and the city reduced to rubble.

Scott Watson, 33, is a fireman with six years service in the Royal Navy.

His great great grandfather was killed in 1915 in France. His great grandad served in the Desert Rats and his Dad was in the navy for 32 years. He was among the packed crowds by the gate with his partner Catherine Shea, 34 and daughter Grace, 13.

This means everything to me and to my family. It is our responsibility to make sure future generations remember them and Grace must make sure her children remember as well. We will never forget, he said.

Gareth Richards is a former warrant officer with the Royal Engineers, who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

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Francesca Shaw, from Leeds, England, prepares to lay a poppy wreath during an Armistice ceremony at the Menin Gate Credit: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo

He travelled to Ypres with 25 veterans of the regiment from Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Royal Engineers fought on the salient, digging under German positions and planting explosives.

Gareth, who lives in Paisley, was here to pay tribute to his great grandfather, a private in the Welsh Fusiliers. Robert Evans was taken prisoner in the First Battle of Ypres in August 1914.

He later served in the Home Guard in World War Two.

Wearing his great grandfathers medals from the Boer war and First World War alongside his own, Gareth said, This is so important to mark history. There are going to be a lot of tears today.

The men marched out towards the front from Ypres, some along the route on which Reginald Blomfields triumphal arch has stood since 1927.

Max Dutton, 26, is assistant historian at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Max, who is from Harrogate, said, and I am honoured to do this job.

An HQ dugout near Ypres during the First World War, found in a scrapbook belonging to Captain Robert Harley Egerton Bennett Credit: A.C.H.Bennett / PA

His maternal great grandfather, Private William Alvin of the East York Regiment, served and survived on the Sommes and Ypres. He was gassed, said Max, my granny always used to say he coughed all his life.

Volunteers from every corner of Britain took part in the poppy parade on Sunday, holding baskets of poppies. They were tossed them from the top of the gate so they floated down from the top of the arch. Firefighters in full dress uniform, and other onlookers, bent down and gently stowed them away in pockets and wallets as souvenirs.

Eleanor Foulkes, 28, an actor, grew up in Montreal, Canada. The importance of remembering cannot be overstated, especially for my generation as the war gets further and further away and back into history, she said.

Nearby at St Georges Memorial Church the muffled bells rang out. For almost 90 years, there were no bells ringing from the English Church but today they rang four times.

The church was built in 1927 to give a place of worship to those who came to build the memorials to the fallen. Reginald Bromfield, the architect of the Menin Gate where thousands gathered to pay their respects just 10 minutes walk away , was the brains and heart behind it.

The Ypres and Surrey Pipes Marching Band march during an Armistice ceremony at the Menin Gate Credit: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo

The Menin Gate and the English Church were among a handful of new additions in Ypres, which was over the course of the war reduced to rubble and had to be painstakingly rebuilt.

But St Georges was never truly finished because until last year. Its brick tower, draped on Sunday with a cloak of 1,600 croctched poppies sent from around the world, had never hosted church bells. Funding ran out before they could ever be made.

That changed last year, thanks to readers of the Daily Telegraph who contributed to an appeal to finally finish the church.

Recognised in Belgian law as a Church of England parish on a foreign land, St Georges now has its remembrance bells, eight English change-ringing bells that fit the steeple perfectly.

They are engraved with the names of fallen bell-ringers on the Western Front, and by the names of schools whose boys went over the top to their doom. The heaviest, the tenor, weighs 672 pounds and each of the eight needs a ringer to sound them.

Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium during the Last Post ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Ypres Credit: NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/AFP

We all them our remembrance bells because they have the names of fallen soldiers engraved upon them. When you are ringing, you remember. But we must never forget, we never seem to learn, We are at war now, arent we? No one must ever forget, said Liz Millward, the tower captain of the bell ringers and the church warden.

Liz was inspired to take up bell-ringing again, after a 15-year gap. Her father, a former RAF serviceman, had been ringing since he was 13. She moved to Ypres 14 years ago and is now the proud grandmother to a Belgian-British girl. Her great grandfather was killed in France, aged 42 and leaving four children and a pregnant wife.

Alan Regin is the steward of the rolls of honour for the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers, and has been researching the lives of the fallen bell-ringers from the Great War for nearly 30 years.

The 59-year-old said, 1,500 bell-ringers fell in World War One. At Tyne Cot cemetery there are 35 names on the memorial to the missing and there are more than 50 on the Menin Gate in Ypres. It was them who brought me to Ypres and to St Georges Church. I saw the tower and I thought, lets get some bells in there.LOS ANGELES (AP)  The Latest on U.S. House races in California (all times local):

7 p.m.

Three U.S. House races in the one-time Republican stronghold of Orange County, California, remain too close to call.

Tens of thousands of votes remain uncounted in those districts, where the outcome remains in doubt three days after the election.

All the undecided contests Friday are in GOP-held districts targeted by Democrats.

In Orange County, Democrat Harley Rouda is holding a nearly 4-point edge over 15-term Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in the 48th District.

Republican Rep. Mimi Walters was clinging to a 1-point advantage in her race in the 45th District against Democrat Katie Porter, while Republican Young Kim was leading in the 39th District in her contest against Democrat Gil Cisneros.

Meanwhile, in the Central Valley's 10th District, Democrat Josh Harder was holding a slim edge over Rep. Jeff Denham.

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4:30 p.m.

Democrat Katie Hill has captured the last Republican-held U.S. House seat anchored in Los Angeles County.

Hill ousted Republican Rep. Steve Knight, who was seeking a third term in the 25th District that cuts through suburbs, horse ranches and high desert in northern Los Angeles County and a slice of Ventura County.

Knight conceded the race earlier this week. Hill maintained her election night lead after further vote counts were released Friday.

The victory will pad the Democratic advantage in the House next year.

A political newcomer, Hill has stressed her centrist politics. She's a gun owner and her Republican father is a police officer who had never voted for a Democrat before her primary. Her mother, a Democrat, is a nurse.BEIRUT (Reuters) - The leader of the Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah insisted that one of its Sunni allies be given a portfolio in a new Lebanese cabinet, and indicated it would be ready to go back to square one in negotiating a government if necessary. In a televised speech on Saturday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also warned Israel that his Iranian-backed group would respond to any attack on Lebanon and urged his country to withstand diplomatic pressure over its rocket arsenal. Hezbollah's demand for one of its Sunni allies be given a portfolio in the new Lebanese government is at the heart of a row that has obstructed a final agreement six months since a parliamentary election. The formation of a new government is necessary before any moves can be made towards fiscal reforms which the International Monetary Fund said in June are needed immediately to improve debt sustainability. Hezbollah says one of its Sunni allies must be represented in the government to reflect their election gains. But Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri, who is Lebanon's main Sunni politician and enjoys Western backing, has ruled out allocating any of his cabinet seats to them. Lebanon's political system requires government positions to be allotted along sectarian lines. Nasrallah said rejecting a Sunni ally from its "March 8" camp amounted to exclusion of a section of Lebanese. "We were sincere when we spoke of a national unity government. There is no national logic, or moral logic, or legal logic ... for anyone in Lebanon to come out and say 'it is forbidden for the March 8 Sunnis to be represented in the Lebanese government," Nasrallah said. "If it is forbidden, come let's talk again from the start," he said, adding: "We don't want conflict, or tension, or escalation." President Michel Aoun vowed earlier on Saturday to find a solution to the problem. Though a political ally of Hezbollah, Aoun has sided with Hariri in the row. Hezbollah, groups and individuals that support its possession of weapons won more than 70 of the 128 seats in the May 6 parliamentary election. Hezbollah is proscribed as a terrorist group by the United States. The group last fought a major conflict with Israel in 2006, since when it has grown militarily stronger as a major participant in the Syrian war. Nasrallah said Israel had recently tried to increase pressure over the group's rocket arsenal and to create "a state of intimidation and threat that if this matter is not dealt with, it (Israel) will deal with it". Israel had used "the Americans and even some European states" in this effort, he said. "I say to Lebanon that it must bear this level of diplomatic pressure," Nasrallah said. "Any attack on Lebanon, any air strikes on Lebanon or bombardment - we will certainly respond," he said (Reporting by Tom Perry and Laila Bassam;; editing by David Stamp)Migrants heading north through Mexico City, eventually intending to reach the US-Mexico border, filled the citys metro system on their way to Queretaro on November 10.

This video shows people carrying their belongings through Mexico Citys Chabacano station. News reports and patrons of the metro have reported crowding and chaos as the migrants increased the number of riders.

The migrants are reportedly headed north to the city of Queretaro in central Mexico. Credit: Alexander Domash via StoryfulMultiple fatalities were reported as flash floods swept parts of Jordan, according to the Minister of State for Media Affairs. Jordans state news agency Petra said at least three people were killed by floods in Daba.

Search and rescue efforts by the Jordanian Civil Defense were underway in Madaba, following reports of five missing people, according to officials.

Last month, flash flooding swept away a school bus near the Dead Sea, leading to 18 deaths, local news reported. Credit: Mena Weather Experts via StoryfulJerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended allowing Qatar to transfer millions of dollars to Hamas-run Gaza despite criticism from within his own government over the move aimed at restoring calm after months of unrest.

The Israeli-authorised money transfer appeared to be part of talks that would see Islamist movement Hamas end months of often violent protests along the border in exchange for Israel easing its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Border protests have been much calmer the past two Fridays, the day they usually peak.

Netanyahu's remarks late Saturday were his first on the issue since Israel allowed the money transfer to the enclave controlled by Hamas, which Israel, the United States and European Union consider a terrorist movement.

"I'm doing what I can, in coordination with the security establishment, to return quiet to the southern communities, but also to prevent a humanitarian crisis," Netanyahu said, referring to Israeli towns near the Gaza border and deteriorating conditions in the enclave.

Netanyahu said the Israeli security establishment supported the move and that ministers in his security cabinet approved it.

"We held serious discussions," he said ahead of his flight to Paris to join world leaders marking the centenary of the end of World War I.

"I think we're acting in a responsible and wise way," he said.

Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu's education minister and right-wing rival, compared the cash flow to "protection money" paid to criminals.

- Critics of Gaza cash -

On Friday, Palestinian civil servants began receiving payments after months of sporadic salary disbursements in cash-strapped Gaza, with $15 million delivered into the enclave through Israel in suitcases.

A total of $90 million is to be distributed in six monthly instalments, Gaza authorities said, primarily to cover salaries of officials working for Hamas.

Qatar has also said it would hand out $100 to each of 50,000 poor families, as well as larger sums to Palestinians wounded in clashes along the Gaza-Israel border.

Story continues

General elections in Israel are due in a year but could take place earlier, and Netanyahu is widely seen as wanting to avoid a conflict that holds unpredictable risks before then.

On Sunday, the premier said that he would steer clear of another Gaza war if possible.

"I do not shrink from a necessary war but I want to avoid it when it is not essential," Netanyahu said at a press conference for Israeli journalist accompanying him in Paris.

He said that his Hamas policy consisted of two phases.

"First of all calm and afterward to look at the possibility of an agreement. We're not there yet and I can't promise that we shall get there," he said Sunday.

But if the current lull in border violence was not maintained, he pledged to use "maximum force".

Deadly clashes have accompanied major protests along the Gaza-Israel border that began on March 30.

At least 221 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, since the protests began, while others died in tank fire or air strikes.

One Israeli soldier has been killed along the Gaza border in that time.

Netanyahu's political opponents on the right and left have criticised the Gaza cash deal.

"You might buy short-term quiet, but you accustom the other side to applying violence as a way of advancing its interests," Bennett, a member of the security cabinet, told public radio Sunday.

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he had opposed "transferring the money to Hamas".

It was also criticised by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, which saw it as undermining reconciliation efforts with rivals Hamas and its attempts to return to power in Gaza.

The cash transfer was the latest Qatari assistance to Gaza approved by Israel in recent weeks.

The Gulf emirate has also started buying additional fuel for Gaza's sole power station, allowing outages to be reduced to their lowest level in years.

Egypt and the United Nations have been brokering indirect negotiations for a long-term truce with Israel, against which Hamas has fought three wars since 2008.Abuja (AFP) - The presidential nominee of Nigeria's main opposition party alleged Sunday that he was "intimidated" by armed government agents who searched his private plane at the Abuja airport.

Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) who will challenge incumbent Muhammadu Buhari in February, said he was manhandled upon his arrival at the Nigerian capital from Dubai.

"@atiku I arrived to Abuja this morning, to a search by agents of the state, aimed at intimidating me and my staff," Abubakar said on his Twitter account.

The PDP issued a statement saying it "condemned in the strongest terms the unleashing of a special security squad of army, police and paramilitary agencies by the Muhammadu Buhari presidency to physically harass our presidential candidate."

It alleged that the "Gestapo-style attack" was carried out "on orders from above".

The statement said the agents "rushed our candidate... and attempted to physically manhandle him before invading his aircraft with dangerous weapons to conduct a violent search."

It said the search did not turn up "anything incriminating" but that the agents "tampered with" Abubakar's belongings including campaign documents.

The minister of aviation Hadi Sirika described the incident as "routine" and said the process applied "to all international arrivals", in a statement responding to the claims.

"While it is true that the Task Force on Currency at the airport did the routine action of checking the former Vice President's travel bag, he was accorded full respect as a senior citizen," he said.

Abubakar earlier voiced concern about tensions surrounding the presidential campaign, telling reporters his rival was "uncompromising" and "power drunk".

Buhari, a 75-year-old former military ruler, was the first opposition candidate to win a presidential vote in the West African country in 2015.A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these is legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked these out. Here are the real facts:

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NOT REAL NEWS: FLASHBACK: Obama kicks out reporter at press briefing

THE FACTS: Former President Barack Obama did not throw a reporter out of a press conference for asking a question in 2015, as a claim circulating widely online suggests. The false claim surfaced after a heated exchange Wednesday between President Donald Trump and CNN White House Correspondent Jim Acosta, whose White House press pass was suspended afterward. Some social media users then circulated a video they said showed Obama kicking a reporter out of press briefing. As reported by the AP, Obama was actually responding to a protester who was heckling him during a gay pride month reception at the White House in June 2015. "Shame on you, you shouldn't be doing this," Obama told the protester, adding he had the option of staying quiet or being removed. The protester was removed.

NOT REAL NEWS: CNN anchor shown laughing as American flag burns

THE FACTS: An image circulating online that shows CNN anchor Don Lemon laughing during an apparent segment about Democrats burning flags on Election Day was fabricated. A CNN spokeswoman told the AP on Tuesday that the image of Lemon, which was paired with a banner claiming "Dems celebrate 'blue wave' burning flags on Election Day," is false. The banner identified the show as "Reliable Sources," which Lemon does not host. He is the host of "CNN Tonight."

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NOT REAL NEWS: Voting machine rigged in Ohio precinct

THE FACTS: An Instagram video shared widely online Tuesday showed a voter selecting Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine on a touch screen, but then receiving a paper record reflecting a vote for Democratic candidate Richard Cordray. The video was circulated on social media as evidence that a machine was rigged. Aaron Sellers, a spokesman for the Franklin County Board of Elections, told the AP in an email that the machine in question had a paper jam that showed a previous voter's choice. Sellers says the voter who experienced the problem got a poll worker to cancel out the vote on the machine in question and then voted successfully on another machine.

Story continues

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This is part of The Associated Press' ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online, including work with Facebook to identify and reduce the circulation of false stories on the platform.

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Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck

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Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheckGaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Palestinian civil servants formed long queues in Gaza on Friday to receive millions of dollars in Qatari-funded salaries, as part of efforts to ease tensions in and around the impoverished territory.

For the second consecutive Friday, clashes along the Gaza-Israel border were less violent than in previous weeks, although one Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire and 37 others wounded by gunshots, the Gaza health ministry said.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at points along the frontier but most kept a distance from the separation barrier, correspondents said.

In Qatar's operation, a total of $90 million is to be distributed in six monthly instalments of $15 million, according to authorities, primarily to cover salaries of officials working for Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Palestinian enclave.

Some exited post offices, where the first instalment was being distributed, to show off hundred-dollar bills before the cameras, after several months of sporadic salary payments in cash-strapped Gaza.

The money was driven into the Palestinian enclave through Israel late Thursday by Qatar's envoy to Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, transporting suitcases packed with dollars, according to a Hamas source.

The Israeli-authorised money transfer appeared to be part of a deal that would see cash-strapped Hamas end months of often violent protests along the border in exchange for Israel easing its blockade of Gaza.

Qatar has also said it would hand out $100 to each of 50,000 poor families, as well as larger sums to Palestinians wounded in clashes along Gaza's border with Israel.

"I came to collect $400, my salary for July," Fadi Abu Safia, a 35-year-old government employee, said at a post office in Gaza City.

Mohamed Abed al-Hadi, 27, said he would be collecting 700 shekels ($190 dollars), "quite a sum considering the conditions we're living in", as compensation for an injury in the border clashes.

Story continues

- 'Capitulation to terrorism' -

Senior Palestine Liberation Organisation official Ahmed Majdalani expressed the discontent of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority (PA) over the deal.

Emadi had "smuggled the money" into Gaza in suitcases like a "gangster", the official said.

"The PLO did not agree to the deal facilitating the money to Hamas that way," Majdalani, who is close to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, told AFP.

Such a deal harmed Egyptian efforts to reconcile Hamas and the PA and would allow the Islamist movement to consolidate its control over Gaza, Majdalani said.

Hamas has controlled Gaza since ousting forces loyal to the internationally recognised PA in a near civil war in 2007.

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman criticised the Qatari money transfer to Gaza.

"This is capitulation to terrorism, and in effect Israel is buying short-term calm with money, while severely undermining long-term security," he said, quoted in Yediot Aharonot newspaper on Friday.

In another 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 years.

Egypt and the United Nations have been brokering indirect negotiations for a long-term truce with Israel, against which Hamas has fought three wars since 2008.

Deadly clashes have accompanied the major protests along the Gaza border with Israel that began on March 30, generating at times fears of a new war between the Jewish state and the strip's militant rulers.

At least 221 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, the majority shot during protests and clashes, while others have died in tank fire or air strikes.

One Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper.

Israel says its actions are necessary to defend the border and stop infiltrations and attacks, which it accuses Hamas of seeking to orchestrate.Washington (AFP) - Senior Republicans on Sunday doubled down on claims by Donald Trump that Democrats were attempting to steal the razor-thin senatorial race in Florida, accusing both the incumbent and election officials of fraud.

The intensifying feud comes 18 years after the Sunshine State found itself at the heart of a battle for the US presidency, when George W. Bush prevailed over Al Gore after recounts were halted by the Supreme Court.

Republican Rick Scott, the state's governor until January when his term expires, launched into his rival Bill Nelson in his most direct terms to date Sunday, accusing him of orchestrating "fraud to try to win this election" as county officials scrambled to complete a recount by a Thursday deadline.

The theme was echoed by prominent Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, escalating a campaign led by the president who said Saturday on Twitter: "Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!"

Democrats for their part have accused Republicans of attempting to prevent votes from being counted, and pointed to the fact law enforcement has not found any evidence to substantiate rigging claims.

Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to be the Speaker of the House when the new Congress begins its term in January, hit back.

"There's no election fraud," she told CBS News, adding: "My experience with the president is, any time he charges somebody with something, he's just projecting what he might have done himself."

Florida produced some of the nation's closest results in Tuesday's midterm voting, including apparently narrow victories by Scott over Nelson and, in a gubernatorial race, by Republican Ron DeSantis over Democrat Andrew Gillum.

But with late-counted ballots narrowing Scott's lead to some 12,000 of the just over eight million votes cast -- an edge of less than half a percent -- state law mandates a recount.

Story continues

The governor's race has also gone to a recount and Gillum -- in a move echoing Al Gore's withdrawal of his concession in 2000 amid electoral chaos in Florida -- withdrew his concession.

But analysts say DeSantis's lead of nearly 34,000 votes will be tough for Gillum to overcome.

- Rejected ballots -

Scott had earlier accused Democratic election officials in two large counties of "rampant fraud," but speaking on "Fox News Sunday," he accused his rival by name.

"Senator Nelson is clearly trying to commit fraud to try to win this election," he said. "That's all this is."

Scott added: "Somehow they came up with 93,000 votes after election night. We still don't know how they came up with that."

That number apparently included many mail-in and provisional ballots, typically among the last counted.

Speaking on CBS, Graham denied Republicans had launched a campaign to undermine the integrity of the election.

"I think what undermines election integrity is Broward County can't get their act together," he said.

- 'Incompetence and mischief'-

"The problem is not with President Trump's rhetoric, it is the incompetence and mischief of Broward County," he said.

Nelson's lawyers say local canvassing boards have wrongly rejected ballots when signatures did not precisely match those on record.

They said in a court filing that this led to the "disproportionate rejection of (mail-in) and provisional ballots cast by ethnic and racial minorities, as well as young, first-time voters."

Those groups tend to lean Democratic.

Scott has asked state law enforcement authorities to investigate.

Scott also accused Nelson's team of saying that a noncitizen should have the right to vote. But the single ballot in dispute was not counted, and Nelson's aides later said that was the correct decision.

In neighboring Georgia, Republican Brian Kemp, the secretary of state, holds a slim lead over Democrat Stacey Abrams. If late-arriving votes bring his total below 50 percent, a runoff will be held.

Counting meanwhile continues in Arizona in another tight US Senate race, with Democrat Kyrsten Sinema leading Republican Martha McSally by 1.3 percentage points but with thousands of votes remaining uncounted.

Trump on Friday tweeted: "Just out -- in Arizona, SIGNATURES DON'T MATCH. Electoral corruption - Call for a new Election? We must protect our Democracy!"

But outgoing senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, a fellow Republican but sometime Trump critic, tweeted, "There is no evidence of 'electoral corruption' in Arizona, Mr. President."

As things stand, Republicans have added a few seats to their 51-49 edge in the US Senate, while Democrats have taken clear control of the House of Representatives, picking up more than 30 seats.Havana (AFP) - In shorts and wearing shoes but no socks, Mauricio Garcia could pass for a tourist as he strolls around Old Havana. But he's as Cuban as a Cohiba cigar, and his return after 16 years abroad is part of the demographic behind Communist-run Cuba's emerging real estate market.

An estimated 40,000 Cubans like him have returned from abroad since 2013, lured home by government migration reform that made it easier for expat Cubans to come home and buy property.

Once derided as the lowest of low "worms" for having left Cuba, now -- flush with cash -- they are being welcomed home with open arms as "mariposas," or butterflies, by the cash-strapped government.

Garcia made the move home in 2016. "The decision was down to the fact that you are allowed to do business. And instead of mooching around the world, it's better to be here, in your own country," said the 41-year old, who owns a tourist restaurant near the port.

Garcia has been able to take advantage of another reform in 2011 which authorizes only Cubans to buy and sell real estate. Previously, they alone were allowed only to exchange property.

Real estate sales took off for a country of just 11 million with a state-led economy: 45,000 in 2012, 88,000 in 2013 and 100,000 in 2014, before falling back slightly in 2015, said planning official Carlos Garcia Pleyan, a Spaniard from Catalonia who has spent over half a century in Cuba.

The market remains "very active" however, according to property specialist Armando Portela, in an interview with Miami-based Cuban magazine Cuba Geografica despite having to "overcome many setbacks, such as weak access to technology, the lack of public information....financial tools, legislative delays."

- 'Another Cuba' -

Havana, with its colorful buildings and old world charm, will celebrate its Quincentenary in 2019, and the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel is trying to make up a shortfall of some 700,000 housing units in the city, by boosting construction from the current 20,000 to 50,000 units a year.

Story continues

It's a tall order when the obstacles against the government are not just financial.

Cuba's location in the Caribbean places it directly in the path of destructive weather patterns. Hurricane Irma destroyed 30,000 dwellings in one night in Sepember 2017.

Meanwhile, returning Cubans are buying and renovating old buildings to make restaurants or tourist apartments, and money, out of them.

It's exactly what 35-year-old translator Maykel Galindo did. After living in Belgium for 16 years, he used his European savings to buy a 150 square meter ruin in Havana's historic old quarter.

With his family's help, he renovated the building and divided it into rooms to let.

"I discovered that inside Cuba there exists another Cuba, which has been created to a certain extent by the private sector," said Galindo. "And I, as a Cuban, found that this side of Cuba was the one I wanted to be on."

He remembered that at the time he bought the house in 2015, "prices were ridiculously low" since when they have skyrocketed eightfold.

- 'Huge potential' -

Prices at the moment run from 5,000 dollars for small apartments on the edge of the city to a million dollars, in upmarket residential areas like Kholy, Miramar or Vedado.

The sellers are generally owners of big houses who want to downsize and need money, whether to leave Cuba or invest in a business.

The buyers are often returning Cubans or people with family living abroad, or others who want to start their own business. The law prevents foreigners from buying in Cuba, but people married to Cubans are able to circumvent the restrictions.

Real estate advertising goes through the internet, through small real estate agencies or directly on the street. The most sought-after houses are those built before the 1959 Revolution, presented by agents here as capitalist-built -- a guarantee of quality according to the sellers.

The real estate market however faces a rough patch ahead, with new government restrictions hitting the fledgling private sector in December.

And the US trade embargo under President Donald Trump has put a dent in toruism potential and investors' interest in the real estate market," said Garcia Pleyan.

"But, in the long run, the potential is huge and will go up again," he says, adding that Cuba's real estate sector could ultimately open up to foreign capital, even if that would risk fueling soaring prices.Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - At least 14 people have died in Brazil after a landslide struck their homes in the southeastern city of Niteroi in Rio de Janeiro state, officials said Sunday.

The tragedy struck in the early hours of Saturday after heavy rainfall caused a huge boulder to slide down a slope, hitting at least nine homes and a pizzeria.

Eleven people were rescued alive on Saturday, but four who remained missing were found dead in the early hours of Sunday, according to locals. Two people rescued remained in critical condition.

"It rained a lot over the past two days, Niteroi was in a state of attention and alert ... The community was advised of the situation, with the recommendation that they find safe places to stay," fire chief Roberto Robadey told Globo News.

Niteroi Mayor Rodrigo Neves told a press conference the area was not considered to be high risk.

But neighborhood association president Claudio dos Santos said one of the homes on the precarious slope had been vacated some time ago due to the risk of collapse.

Robadey said early information suggested not all the houses were occupied at the time of the landslide.

In 2010 nearly 50 people died in a landslide following heavy rains in Niteroi, which is connected to Rio de Janeiro city by a stretching bridge.New Delhi (AFP) - India, Australia and New Zealand paused Sunday on the centenary of the end of World War I to remember the more than 150,000 of their countrymen who died fighting on the other side of the world.

In sombre ceremonies from Wellington to New Delhi, huge crowds paid tribute to the servicemen and women who gave their lives in the Great War.

The leaders of these Commonwealth nations -- whose forces were deployed across the globe 100 years ago -- also sounded a message of peace and hope for the world in the new century.

"This was a war in which India was not directly involved yet our soldiers fought world over, just for the cause of peace," said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter on Sunday.

A Scottish piper performed at the Delhi War Cemetery where marigolds, a flower symbolic in India, intermingled with the poppies traditionally worn to remember the carnage in Europe and beyond.

The centenary comes as India, then a British colony, seeks greater recognition of its contribution of 1.3 million troops to the allied war effort -- and the 74,000 who never came home.

In Canberra, Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke of the ultimate sacrifice made by Australians on gruesome battlefields far away in places like Fromelles in northern France.

"For our tomorrows, they gave their today. In silence, we commit ourselves to standing by those who have returned home," he told thousands of people gathered at the national Remembrance Day ceremony.

Of the more than 400,000 of the young Australian federation's citizens who enlisted, more than 300,000 served overseas and almost 62,000 died in the trenches.

More than 10,000 servicemen from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) died during the abortive Gallipoli campaign on the Turkish peninsula -- a military failure that gave rise to the legacy of courage and close friendship between the two countries.

- 'Roaring chorus' -

The New Zealand commemoration followed two minutes of silence at 11:00 am on November 11, when the armistice took effect.

Story continues

There was a 100-gun salute on the Wellington waterfront, while nationally people cheered, church bells rang, emergency services sounded their sirens and ship and car horns blared.

"The carillon and roaring chorus has recaptured the wave of spontaneous jubilation and hope which swept New Zealand when news of the Armistice broke," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told a service at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

The June 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, ignited a conflict that was contemporaneously described as "the war to end all wars".

More than 70 million military personnel were mobilised and an estimated 10 million lost their lives.

More than 100,000 New Zealanders -- about 10 percent of the population at the time -- served overseas during the war, and 18,300 were killed.

"No family, no community in New Zealand went untouched by the effects of the war," Sarah Davies, the director of the World War I centenary programme, told AFP.

burs-cf-grk-np/rmaAbu Dhabi (AFP) - Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, said Sunday it will cut oil output from next month, as major producers held a key meeting to discuss shoring up sliding prices.

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih announced the kingdom was cutting its supplies by 500,000 barrels per day from December.

But Falih said ahead of the meeting of OPEC and non-OPEC key producers that there was not yet consensus on a broader output cut.

Oil prices have shed a fifth of their value in just one month after surging to a four-year high in early October, driven by a combination of factors centred on higher supply and fears of sluggish demand.

The meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee in Abu Dhabi will not take decisions, ministers said, but will propose recommendations for a crucial ministerial meeting in Vienna early in December.

Among those attending were Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Oman's Oil Minister Mohammed al-Rumhi and the energy minister of host UAE Suheil al-Mazroue.

Falih told reporters ahead of the meeting that Saudi Arabia's "crude exports for December will be 500,000 bpd lower than November".

The world's top oil exporter has been pumping 10.7 million bpd since October, he said.

The Saudi minister acknowledged that so far there was no fresh agreement on reducing production among OPEC and non-OPEC producers, who struck a deal in late 2016 to cut output by 1.8 million bpd to remedy an oversupply crisis.

"There is no consensus yet among oil producers about cutting production," Falih said at the gathering.

He insisted it was "premature to talk about a specific action", when asked about the possibility of an output cut.

"We have to study all the factors," Falih said.

- 'Surprised us' -

Brent crude dropped below $70 a barrel on Friday for the first time since April while the New York's West Texas Intermediate (WTI) sank below $60 a barrel, a nine-month low.

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In his speech at the start of the meeting Falih said the recent sharp drop in prices has "surprised us".

He said the market sentiment has shifted from one of fearing shortages to one worried about oversupply.

He also attributed the sharp drop in prices to "microeconomic uncertainties", and signs of a build-up in crude inventories.

The UAE's Mazrouei said that the goal of the OPEC and non-OPEC cooperation was to strike a balance in the market, adding that recommendations for possible action will be made to next month's ministerial conference.

The latest price slump comes as the United States has upped production of shale oil, while Saudi Arabia, Russia and others have raised supplies of crude amid signs of slowing demand.

There have also been signs of a softer-than-expected impact from US sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

"Prices have been falling amid a continued rise in crude supplies from big producers, such as Saudi Arabia, Russia and the US, more than compensating for lost Iranian barrels," Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada told AFP.

"With the Iranian sanctions not being as severe as initially feared, officials from the OPEC and non-OPEC producers may discuss at the weekend the need to bring compliance back down... or risk another 2014-style slide in prices."

Producers implemented large cuts starting at the beginning of 2017 and managed to push up oil prices from below $30 a barrel to over $85 in October, strongly improving their revenues.

But the producer nations eased the output cuts in June after signs of a tighter market and higher prices, allowing hundreds of thousands of extra barrels to hit the market.

Commerzbank, Germany's second-largest lender, said Friday oil producers must act to prevent a free fall of prices.

"If they fail to signal any intention to reverse the latest increase in production, oil prices threaten to slide further," the bank said in a note.Belgrade (AFP) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday accused Kosovo of "undermining regional cooperation and stability" by raising taxes on Serbian goods.

A dialogue between the two former foes is stalled for months and the latest Pristina move illustrates lasting tensions two decades since the Kosovo war.

The 1998-1999 conflict between Belgrade forces and pro-independence ethnic Albanians claimed more than 13,000 lives.

Kosovo's decision to raise taxes by 10 percent this week was "violating achieved agreements and undermining regional cooperation and stability," a statement from Vucic's office said.

It was issued after he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris on the sidelines of World War I commemoration services.

Pristina's move, a retaliation for Serbia's longtime diplomatic offensive to convince countries to revoke their recognition of Kosovo's independence, sparked criticisms also from the European Union.

Kosovo says its 2008 independence from Serbia is recognised by about 115 countries.

But Serbia claims it has managed to convince a dozen nations to revoke their decision.

Kosovo and Serbia are "miles from reaching an agreement," Vucic told Serbian reporters in Paris quoted by the state-run RTS television.

Vucic said he did not understand Pristina's decision to raise taxes.

With annual exports of 400 million euros ($454 million), Serbia is Kosovo's top regional trade partner

"When you are dealing with people who are doing this it is clear you should be afraid what they can do next.

"I'm horribly frightened for future since I don't know what these heads can do," Vucic said.

Another dispute between the two sides is Kosovo's decision to create its own army, which was confirmed to AFP by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who also said he met Merkel in France.

That decision has provoked anger from Kosovo's own ethnic Serb minority as well as from Serbia.

NATO, which leads a military force that ensures Kosovo's security, has also expressed serious reservations.

Serbia, and its main ally Russia, refuse to recognise independence of majority ethnic-Albanian Kosovo.President claims without evidence that key races in Arizona, Georgia and Florida are being rigged against Republicans

Residents of Broward county protest in support of Andrew Gillum, who remains narrowly behind his Republican opponent in the governors race. Photograph: Ian Witlen/Rex/Shutterstock

Donald Trump has been accused of undermining the legitimacy of US elections, after claiming without evidence that four key races are being rigged against his Republican party.

Four days after polls closed, two midterm elections in Florida, one in Arizona and one in Georgia remain on a knife edge amid a flurry of lawsuits, protests, partisan recriminations and demands for recounts.

On Saturday, Floridas secretary of state announced recounts in both the Senate race and the gubernatorial contest. Dispute around those races conjured memories of the infamous hanging chads in the states 2000 presidential recount, when the winner of the White House hung in the balance for weeks before the supreme court handed victory to Republican George W Bush over Democrat Al Gore.

Matthew Dowd, who worked on that Bush campaign, tweeted: Not counting all the votes in Florida in 2000 was a grave injustice and caused many to question the legitimacy of Bush election. Let us not repeat that injustice in FL and AZ this year. Count all the votes.

As his lead dwindled in the Florida Senate race, Governor Rick Scott filed lawsuits against Democratic election supervisors in two counties, accusing them of violating election law and demanding access to records of their vote tallies.

I will not sit idly by while unethical liberals try to steal this election, Scott told reporters.

Volunteers in Florida count absentee and mail-in ballots. Photograph: Ian Witlen/Rex/Shutterstock

But incumbent Democratic senator Bill Nelsons campaign also filed a motion in federal court over the validity of signatures on provisional and absentee ballots. The stand-off has infuriated Trump, whose declaration of victory in the midterms looks increasingly premature. He has abandoned all pretence of remaining above the fray.

He accused Democratic election officials in the two Florida counties of corruption and said he was sending lawyers to heavily Democratic Broward county, where protesters from both sides took to the streets on Friday.

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All of a sudden they are finding votes out of nowhere, he told reporters at the White House. On Twitter he wrote FRAUD! in capital letters, citing no evidence.

As of late Friday, Scott led Nelson by fewer than 15,000 votes, or 0.18%, while in the Florida governors race the Trump acolyte Ron DeSantiss lead over Democrat Andrew Gillum, who is African American, had shrunk to about 36,000 votes or 0.44%. That meant both races qualified to be recounted.

In Georgia, where Republican Brian Kemp declared victory in the governors contest on Wednesday with a narrow lead, Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is African American, has vowed to pursue litigation to ensure all votes are counted. Kemp was the states top election official.

Trump tweeted that Kemp ran a great race in Georgia  he won. It is time to move on! Abrams campaign said it discovered a minimum of 30,823 ballots not yet counted.

In Arizonas Senate race, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema has a slight lead over Republican Martha McSally. Trump tweeted: Just out  in Arizona, SIGNATURES DONT MATCH. Electoral corruption  Call for a new Election? We must protect our Democracy! Again there was no evidence.

Annie Karni, a White House reporter at the Politico website, wrote in response: Were getting a hint of what Trumps reaction would have looked like had he lost the election in 2016.

The Axios website added: The president is doing more than any top official in memory to cast doubt on the outcomes of elections.Paris (AFP) - President Donald Trump paid tribute to the "great warriors" who died in World War I as he visited a US cemetery in France, a day after drawing fire for cancelling a similar trip due to bad weather.

Speaking at Suresnes military cemetery in the western Paris suburbs, Trump hailed the "great warriors who gave everything for family, country, God and freedom".

Trump, who was in Paris to attend a ceremony marking 100 years since the end of the war, also praised the courage of the French and other Allied troops killed in "one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history".

Singling out the "American and French patriots" who served in the war, he said: "It is our duty to preserve the civilisation they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago."

Over 1,500 US soldiers who fought in World War I are buried at the hillside cemetery in Suresnes.

Trump's visit had been much anticipated after he called off a trip to the Belleau Wood battlefield in northern France on Saturday due to the rain, a decision for which he was widely criticised.

Some 2,289 others are buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery next to Belleau Wood.

On Sunday, Trump shrugged off the continuing wet weather to remember those who braved "rain, hail, snow, mud, poisonous gas, bullets and mortar" fire in pursuit of a "great, great" Allied victory.

Speaking on an open-air podium, without an umbrella, he named a group of World War II veterans present and thanked them each in turn.

Addressing one veteran, he joked: "You look so comfortable up there under shelter as we're getting drenched. You're very smart people!"

Earlier, Trump and his wife Melania joined dozens of other leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, in marking the centenary of the Armistice at the Arc de Triomphe war monument on the Champs-Elysees.

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"It was very beautiful, so well done," was Trump's verdict on the ceremony, at which his host, French President Emmanuel Macron, delivered a stinging indictment of nationalism.

While he was speaking in Suresnes, Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders attending a peace forum in Paris -- an event Trump snubbed -- again warned against attempts to undermine the rules-based post-war international order.

After the cemetery visit Trump left for Orly airport to fly back to Washington.President Erdogan met with Trump over dinner

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump chatted for a while on Saturday during a dinner hosted by the French leader.

Leaders from across the world gathered in Paris to mark Nov. 11 Armistice Day.

President Erdogan arrived in Paris on Saturday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to attend the Armistice Day commemorations.

The dinner was given by Macron in the honor of world leaders and their spouses who came to Paris to attend the event.

Erdogan and Trump were seated next to each other at dinner following an exhibition at the Musee d'Orsay. Erdogan and the first lady also chatted with Moldovan President Igor Dodon and his wife Galina Dodon.

Following his arrival in Paris, Erdogan also received UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The closed-door meeting lasted 45 minutes.

100 WORLD LEADERS

During his two-day visit, President Erdogan is expected to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, particularly with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump. Nov. 11 Armistice Day marks the 1918 end of World War between the Allies and their opponent, Germany, on land, sea, and air. This years ceremonies will also see the attendance of nearly 100 world leaders, including U.S. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.By Steve Holland and Luke Baker

PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and France's Emmanuel Macron agreed on Saturday on the need for more European defence spending, papering over an earlier Trump tweet that had described Macron's call for a European army as "very insulting".

Meeting for talks at the Elysee a day before commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Macron welcomed Trump under rainy Parisian skies with a firm handshake. But there appeared to be less immediate warmth in the greeting between the two than in the past.

Seated on gilded chairs in the ornate presidential palace, Macron placed his hand on Trump's knee and referred to him as "my friend", while Trump kept more distance, although he also talked up common ground on an issue that had caused friction.

"We want a strong Europe, it's very important to us, and whichever way we can do it the best and more efficient would be something we both want," said Trump.

"We want to help Europe but it has to be fair. Right now the burden sharing has been largely on the United States."

Macron echoed those sentiments, saying he wanted Europe to bear a greater share of the defence costs within NATO, a point he has made repeatedly since taking office, alongside his ambitions for Europe to have its own military capability.

"That's why I do believe my proposals for European defence are totally consistent with that," Macron said in English.

Fresh off U.S. congressional elections that saw his Republican Party's power eroded, Trump's visit is aimed at bolstering the U.S.-European alliance at a symbolic time, with the world marking the centenary of World War One's armistice.

But in a tweet prior to landing in Paris, Trump took a dim view of comments Macron made in a Europe 1 radio interview this week in which he appeared to cast the United States as a threat.

Discussing the growing dangers from cyber-hacking, meddling in electoral processes and the U.S. decision to withdraw from a missile treaty, Macron said Europe needed to protect itself against China, Russia "and even the United States".

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Later in the interview he spoke about the need for a European army, saying:

"Faced by Russia, which is on our borders and which has shown that it can be threatening... we need to have a Europe that can better defend itself by itself, without depending solely on the United States."

Trump, who has pushed NATO allies to pay more for common defence and not rely on the United States, complained.

"Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly," Trump said on Twitter.

The Elysee said the misunderstanding, which it said had been caused by "exaggerated" U.S. press reports, was cleared up during more than an hour of talks it described as "substantial" and "very constructive".

"We had a great discussion and we are aligned," the Elysee quoted Trump as saying during the meeting, which covered trade, defence, Syria and the fallout from the murder in Istanbul last month of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

SOLEMN COMMEMORATION

After a lunch with Macron and their wives, Melania and Brigitte, Trump was scheduled to visit an American cemetery at Belleau Wood, east of Paris. But he cancelled the trip due to the weather. White House chief of staff John Kelly, a retired four-star general, and General Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will attend the ceremony instead, the White House said.

On Sunday, after a solemn commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe to honour the armistice centenary, Trump is scheduled to visit an American cemetery at Suresnes, on the western outskirts of the capital, where he will make formal remarks.

His trip comes just days after congressional elections delivered results that will complicate his next two years. While Republicans slightly expanded their majority in the U.S. Senate, they lost control of the U.S. House of Representatives to Democrats who may use their newfound power to launch investigations into Trump and stymie his agenda.

While the talks with Trump covered trade and foreign policy, it was not clear if they touched on European concerns about Trump's plans to withdraw the United States from the 1980s Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Agreement.

Macron told Europe 1 radio that the "main victim" of the U.S. withdrawal from the INF accord was Europe and its security.

The French president, who tried but failed earlier this year to talk Trump out of withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, has also voiced worries about the impact of sanctions on European companies doing business with Iran.

On Sunday, Trump may also chat briefly with Russian President Vladimir Putin when both are among the 70 world leaders set to gather at the Arc de Triomphe. Trump and Putin are expected to have formal talks later this month when both attend a G-20 summit in Buenos Aires.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Luke Baker; Additional reporting by Michel Rose, Mathieu Rosemain and Richard Lough; Editing by Hugh Lawson)WASHINGTON (AP)  In a story Nov. 8 about Election Day turnout, The Associated Press misidentified the source of an analysis of youth voters. It is the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, not "Civil Learning."

A corrected version of the story is below:

Trump triggers massive midterm turnout

Not on the ballot, but Trump triggers massive midterm turnout

By STEVE PEOPLES and THOMAS BEAUMONT

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump has inspired outrage, love, fear and every emotion in between. He has also inspired record-breaking turnout at the ballot box.

With votes still being counted, an estimated 113 million Americans cast ballots in the first nationwide election of the Trump presidency, according to data compiled by The Associated Press. That's 30 million more people who participated in the 2014 midterms, representing the highest raw vote total for a non-presidential election in U.S. history and the highest overall voter participation rate in a midterm election in a half century.

Democrats' blue wave was real. But so was a corresponding surge in Republican enthusiasm that allowed the president's party to counter the Democrats' new House majority with big wins in top contests for the Senate and governorships this week.

"This election was about both Democrats and Republicans showing up," said Michael McDonald, a University of Florida political science professor who tracks voter turnout the United States Elections Project.

Indeed, voter participation rates approached presidential levels in some states as even the most optimistic voting experts and political operatives underestimated Trump's ability to drive voter turnout on both sides.

Democrats seized the House majority by flipping at least 28 seats nationwide. They could claim as many as 35 new seats once all the votes are counted, which could take weeks in some cases.

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Analyzing 417 House races that featured at least two candidates on the ballot, The AP has determined that Democrats earned more than 51.4 million votes in competitive House races nationwide, or 52 percent, compared to 47.2 million votes cast, or 48 percent, for Republicans.

But both parties exceeded turnout expectations.

Voting experts noted that turnout exploded in states with big-ticket elections such as Florida, which featured high-profile races for Senate and governor, and those states with lower-profile contests such as North Carolina, which featured only judicial races on the statewide ballot. Voter participation rates jumped by around 10 points in both states.

In battleground Ohio, voting was up 42 percent compared to the 2014 midterm election. In Hamilton County, which includes Cincinnati, turnout exceeded any midterm election over the last 30 years.

The trend was similar in battleground Florida, where voting increased 33 percent over 2014. And in Texas, where Democratic superstar Beto O'Rourke narrowly lost his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, voting was up an astounding 92 percent as roughly 8.2 million people voted in 2018 compared to 4.7 million four years earlier.

Even with the surge, Republicans won the highest-profile races in all three states. The losses in governors races in Ohio and Florida were particularly concerning to Democrats given those states' significance in presidential elections.

Still, both parties claimed partial victory.

"I thought It was very close to complete victory," Trump said in a testy press conference Wednesday, suggesting that losing the House would improve his political fate.

Democrats seized on their overall advantage in the popular vote, which showed their candidates across the nation earning millions more votes than the GOP.

"Bottom line, Donald Trump lost the popular vote by 2 points in 2016 and he's on track to lose it by 9 in 2018," said Jesse Ferguson, former executive director of the Democrats House campaign arm. "We saw an uptick in Democratic enthusiasm and turnout, an uptick in first-time voters, an uptick in new registrants, and this electorate was more diverse and a little younger than typical midterm elections."

Indeed, outside groups that pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into the midterm season to engage young people and minorities cited evidence that their strategy worked, even while admitting disappointment about losing big races  none bigger than the Florida governorship.

Youth turnout, as defined by voters between 18 and 29, surged to a number not seen in a midterm election in a quarter century. Overall, 31 percent of eligible young people cast ballots, according to an analysis by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University.

In 2014, only an estimated 21 percent of young voters turned out.

But because of a surge in turnout among other demographics, it's unclear whether young people had outsized impact.

Florida voters between the ages of 18 and 29 made up 12 percent of those who cast ballots, according to VoteCast, a wide-ranging survey of the electorate conducted by The Associated Press. Sixty percent of those young voters backed losing candidate Andrew Gillum, who would have been the state's first African American governor.

Young voters nationwide also made up 12 percent of the electorate, with 6 in 10 backing Democrats.

Tufts found evidence that young voters played a significant role in defeating Nevada Sen. Dean Heller and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, both Republicans.

The data left little doubt as to what caused the surge in enthusiasm. Nearly two-thirds of voters said Trump was a reason for their vote, according to VoteCast.

"Trump drove turnout on both sides," said Howard Wolfson, a chief aide to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who spent more than $110 million to help Democrats this year.

"There were Democrats who would have crawled over broken glass to vote against Republicans because of Trump," Wolfson added. "And in the last week, he certainly motivated some base Trump voters to come out enthusiastically themselves."

Turnout broke records for midterm elections in Midwestern battlegrounds such as Wisconsin and Iowa, though with conflicting results.

Roughly 2.7 million voted in Wisconsin, the state's highest midterm turnout on record, though short of the state's 3.1 million-voter turnout in the 2016 presidential election. Iowa also posted its highest-ever midterm turnout, with 1.3 million voters casting ballots, nearly matching its 1.5 million turnout in 2016.

"There were big disappointments clearly, but there were lots of great wins," said Page Gardner, founder and president of the Voter Participation Center, which works to boost turnout among underrepresented groups. "These people helped create finally a divided government  and a check on the president."* Washington says decision taken in consultation with U.S.

* Lawmakers threatened action in Congress next week on refuelling

* Saudi Arabia facing pressure over slain journalist

* Coalition steps up military operations in Yemen's Hodeidah

* U.N. says Yemen on brink of starvation (Adds Hezbollah leader comment)

By Phil Stewart and Nayera Abdallah Mahmoud

WASHINGTON/CAIRO, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and the United States have agreed to end U.S. refuelling of aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi insurgents in Yemen, halting a divisive aspect of U.S. support to a war that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

The move, announced by the coalition on Saturday and confirmed by Washington, comes at a time when Riyadh, already under scrutiny for civilian deaths in Yemen air strikes, is facing global furore and potential sanctions over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate on Oct. 2.

The United States and Britain late last month called for a ceasefire in Yemen to support U.N.-led efforts to end the nearly four-year long war that has killed more than 10,000 people and triggered the world's most urgent humanitarian crisis.

"Recently, the Kingdom and the Coalition increased its capability to independently conduct inflight refuelling in Yemen. As a result, in consultation with the United States, the Coalition has requested the cessation of inflight refuelling support for its operations in Yemen," it said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia has a fleet of 23 planes for refuelling operations, including six Airbus 330 MRTT used for Yemen, while the United Arab Emirates has six of the Airbus planes, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya al-Hadath channel reported on Saturday.

Riyadh also has nine KC-130 Hercules aircraft that can be used, it added.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the U.S. government was consulted on the decision and that Washington supported the move while continuing to work with the alliance to minimise civilian casualties and expand humanitarian efforts.

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Any co-ordinated decision by Washington and Riyadh could be an attempt to forestall action threatened in Congress next week by lawmakers over refuelling operations.

However, a halt to refuelling could have little practical effect on the conflict, seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Only a fifth of coalition aircraft require in-air refuelling from the United States, U.S. officials said.

BATTLE FOR HODEIDAH

The Sunni Muslim alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE has recently stepped up military operations against the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement, including in the main port city of Hodeidah, which is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis.

"The continued escalation of attacks ... by the U.S.-Saudi-Emirati coalition confirms that the American calls for a cease-fire are nothing but empty talk," Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the group's supreme revolutionary committee, wrote in a column published by the Washington Post on Friday.

He said the ceasefire call was an attempt "to save face after the humiliation" caused by the murder of Washington Post columnist Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi policy, that has strained Riyadh's relationship with the West.

The leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah group, which Saudi Arabia accuses of backing the Houthis, said calls from the United States, Europe and the U.N. for a ceasefire in Yemen "were good to hear" but could also be a trick aimed at timewasting.

"I say to our brothers there: Be patient, be steadfast  You are closer to victory than at any previous time," Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for an immediate end to the military escalation in Yemen.

"The Saudi-led Coalition and pro-Hadi forces, the Houthi forces  and those who supply arms or other support to the parties to the conflict  all have the power or the influence to stop the starvation and killing of civilians, to give some reprieve to the people of Yemen," Bachelet said in a statement on Saturday.

The statement also said there is concern over 900 detainees in the central prison in Hodeidah and six pre-trial detention facilities after it was hit on Monday by two mortar shells, injuring five and cutting off power and water to the prison.

Hodeidah has become a key battleground in the war in which the coalition intervened in 2015 to restore the internationally recognised government ousted by the Houthis.

U.N. bodies warn that an all-out attack on the Red Sea port, an entry point for 80 percent of Yemen's food imports and aid relief, could trigger a famine in the impoverished country.

The World Food Programme said on Thursday it planned to double food assistance for Yemen, aiming to reach up to 14 million people "to avert mass starvation".

Air strikes by the coalition, which relies on Western arms and intelligence, have often hit schools, hospitals and markets, killing thousands of Yemeni civilians.

U.N. special envoy Martin Griffiths hopes to convene Yemen's warring parties for peace talks by the end of the year.

The coalition expressed hope in its statement that his efforts would lead to a negotiated settlement, including an end to Houthi missile attacks that have targeted Saudi cities and vessels off the port of Hodeidah.

Mattis said all parties support Griffiths' efforts.

"The U.S. and the Coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure their country's borders, and contribute to counter Al Qaeda and ISIS efforts in Yemen and the region," he said in a statement.

The last round of peace talks in Geneva in September collapsed when the Houthis failed to show up, saying their delegation had been prevented from traveling. The Yemeni government blamed the group for trying to sabotage the talks. (Additional reporting by Makini Brice in Washington and Tom Perry in Beirut; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Neil Fullick)UK defence minister Tobias Ellwood has chastised US President Donald Trump for missing a military memorial event due to the rain.

The move follows widespread criticism of Mr Trump after he cancelled a visit to a US cemetery in Belleau, northern France, where American soldiers killed in the First World War are buried.

The White House said the no-show was due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather, which grounded the presidential helicopter due to fly him to the site about a two-hour drive east of Paris.

As a duel national Im sorry to read this, tweeted Mr Ellwood, who has responsibility for Britains veterans affairs.

The former soldier added: Rain was a regular feature on the Western Front. Thankfully it did not prevent our brave heroes from doing their job.

Conservative MP Sir Nicholas Soames, the grandson of wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill, was also scathing about Mr Trump.

He tweeted: They died with their face to the foe and that pathetic inadequate @DonaldTrump couldn't even defy the weather to pay his respects to The Fallen.

Mr Trump is in France to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War, and is expected to join world leaders for an Armistice Day commemorative event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris on Sunday.

Donald Trump meets French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris (Rex)

The US leader, who did meet French president Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, sent a delegation to Aisne-Marne cemetery that included his chief of staff John Kelly.

David Frum, the former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, said he thought it was incredible that the US president would travel all the way to France and not pay his respects to US soldiers.

Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser under President Barack Obama, said the White Houses excuse about logistical difficulties caused by the rain did not make sense.

I helped plan all of President Obamas trips for 8 years, he wrote on Twitter. There is always a rain option. Always.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Theresa May paid respects to the first and last British soldier killed in the First World War.Qamishli (Syria) (AFP) - A Kurdish-led force backed by a US-led anti-jihadist coalition said Sunday that it was resuming its offensive against the Islamic State group in eastern Syria.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an Arab-Kurdish alliance, had announced it was suspending its operation on October 31 after Turkey shelled Kurdish militia posts in northern Syria.

The SDF said the resumption followed "intensive contacts" with the international coalition and "strong diplomatic activity" to defuse the crisis.

"The leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces has decided to resume military operations against the Islamic State group, and work towards its definitive defeat," the force said in an online statement.

"While it remains determined to chase down terrorism, (the SDF) also confirms its determination to protect the northern border of Syria," it added.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the operation had not yet restarted, although SDF reinforcements had been sent to the area.

However it said the international coalition had continued to conduct air raids on the area, killing dozens of jihadists as well as civilians.

The Britain-based monitor, which relies on a network of contacts across Syria, has reported near-daily Turkish shelling in Kurdish areas since late October, which killed five Kurdish fighters.

But on Sunday it said coalition officials had assured Kurdish forces that Turkey would cease its shelling, adding that there had been no bombardment there since Friday.

Ankara views the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which forms the backbone of the SDF, as a "terrorist" group linked to Kurdish rebels who have waged a decades-long insurgency inside Turkey.

The Turkish government has long opposed the establishment of a de facto autonomous Kurdish area in northeastern Syria, fearing it could embolden separatists at home.

But its NATO ally Washington has backed the Kurdish fighters in the battle against IS.

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After the SDF announced it was halting its operation, Washington said it was in communication with both sides to push for de-escalation.

In an attempt to defuse tensions, Turkish and American troops launched joint patrols in the northern Syrian city of Manbij earlier this month.

They also carried out patrols in Kurdish territories shelled by Turkey.

Backed by the international coalition, the SDF launched its assault on the IS enclave around the Euphrates valley town of Hajin on September 10.

After making progress against the jihadists, it suffered a major setback last month when IS fighters launched a series of deadly counter-attacks using the cover of sand storms.Saudi Arabia said it had decided to request an end to US aerial refuelling for its operations in Yemen - AFP

The United States is halting refuelling of aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen, the United States and Saudi Arabia said on Friday, ending one of the most divisive aspects of US assistance to the Saudi war effort.

Saudi Arabia, in a statement released by its embassy in Washington, said it had decided to request an end to US aerial refuelling for its operations in Yemen because it could now handle it by itself.

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis backed the decision and said the US government was consulted.

The move comes at a time of international outrage over the murder of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and after Democratic and Republican lawmakers threatened to take action in Congress next week over the refuelling operations.

Critics of the Saudi campaign - including Democrats who won control of the House of Representatives in elections on Tuesday - have long questioned US involvement in the war, which has killed more than 10,000 people, displaced more than 2 million and led to widespread famine in Yemen since it began in 2015.

"I've been calling for this for over three years," said Representative Ted Lieu, a Democrat from California.

"We shouldn't be supporting coalition war crimes and I look forward to continuing to scrutinise the US's role in Yemen when were in the majority next Congress."

A man stands among the rubble of the Alsonidar Group's water pump and pipe factory after it was hit by Saudi-led airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen Credit: AP

Even as President Donald Trump's administration has condemned Mr Khashoggi's murder, the White House has sought to preserve its relationship with Saudi Arabia.

A coordinated decision by Washington and Riyadh to halt the refuelling could be an attempt by both countries to forestall further action by Congress.

Senators Todd Young, a Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, had warned the Trump administration was running out of time to act.

"If the administration does not take immediate steps... we are prepared to take additional action when the Senate comes back into session," Young and Shaheen said.

Story continues

Beyond refuelling, the United States provides limited intelligence support to the Saudi-led coalition and sells it weaponry used in Yemen's war.

A nurse weighs a malnourished girl at a treatment center in Sanaa, Yemen Credit: Reuters

Mr Mattis said the United States would play a continuing role to help the Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni forces minimise civilian casualties and expand humanitarian efforts.

He also suggested plans to build up Yemeni troops.

"The US and the Coalition are planning to collaborate on building up legitimate Yemeni forces to defend the Yemeni people, secure their countrys borders, and contribute to counter Al Qaeda and ISIS efforts in Yemen and the region," Mr Mattis said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Mr Mattis had defended US military support to Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen, when lawmakers weighed forcing the Pentagon to end Washington's involvement.

Mr Mattis argued that halting US military support could increase civilian casualties, since US refueling had given pilots more time to select their targets. He told them cutting off support could jeopardise cooperation on counter-terrorism and reduce American influence with Saudi Arabia.

Yemeni pro-government forces gather on the eastern outskirts of Hodeida Credit: AFP

Mr Mattis also argued it would embolden the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels, who have fired missiles at Saudi Arabia and targeted commercial and military vessels off Yemens coast.

Still, a halt to refueling could by itself have little practical effect on the war. US officials told Reuters only a fifth of Saudi-led coalition aircraft require in-air refuelling from the United States.

In recent weeks, Mr Mattis has appeared to voice a growing sense of urgency toward ending the conflict. At the end of October, Mr Mattis joined U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in calling for a ceasefire.

United Nations Yemen envoy Martin Griffiths is aiming to convene the country's warring parties for peace talks by the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia, in its statement, said its coalition was hopeful that U.N.-sponsored negotiations would lead to a negotiated settlement and "an end to the aggression by the Iranian backed Houthi militias' against the Yemeni people and countries in the region."The Department of Defense said US Marines helped US Customs and Border Protection agents to lay barbed wire along the US border with Mexico border in California, on November 9, ahead of the expected arrival of groups of migrants from Central America.

The wire was laid along the border near the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego. Troops arrived in California on Thursday, with roughly 1,300 soldiers assigned to support operations along the California-Mexico border, San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Credit: Department of Defense via StoryfulAnother day, another non-apology from a man.

Victoria's Secret issued a message on behalf of its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Ed Razek, clarifying statements that Razek made in Vogue about why the lingerie brand hasn't cast trans models in its tentpole fashion shows.

SEE ALSO: Victoria's Secret announced its list of 'What Is Sexy' and it's the worst

Razek originally stated that Victoria's Secret has not and should not cast trans models because they're not consistent with the "fantasy," as he called it, presented by the show. Now, Razek says that the company has never cast trans models because they simply didn't make the cut, not because of their gender. And that Victoria's Secret would "absolutely cast a transgender model."

If you're scratching your head at this circular logic, and wondering whether this statement really contradicts in any way the idea that trans models aren't part of the "fantasy" that Victoria's Secret tries to present  well folks, you're not alone!

Let's break it down.

Please read this important message from Ed Razek, Chief Marketing Officer, L Brands (parent company of Victorias Secret). pic.twitter.com/CW8BztmOaM  Victoria's Secret (@VictoriasSecret) November 10, 2018

70-year-old white male Ed Razek is one of the people who casts the extravagant objectification-palooza that is the Victoria's Secret fashion show. Featuring models like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner in angel wings and Scottish tartan-adorned underwear, Victoria's Secret broadcasts the show of tall, thin, near-naked women on ABC in December. A holiday spectacular!

Razek recently gave an interview to Vogue about the show, the brand, and its place in a lingerie market that now includes more inclusive and diverse brands, like Rihanna's Fenty. In the interview, Razek was clear: Victoria's Secret is not a brand for everybody, nor should it be. It will continue to promote and cater to a very specific Hadid-esque body type.

Story continues

"We market to who we sell to, and we dont market to the whole world," Razek said.

To that end, Victoria's Secret has considered putting plus-size and transgender models in its shows, but ultimately decided against it. That's because the company needs to stay true to its brand, to the "fantasy" it's selling  which, to be clear, is "physically fit" women, as Razek described them. And that fantasy does not include plus-size or transgender (transsexual, as Razek calls them) women:

It's rare these days to see such a bald-faced embrace of an obvious-if-unpopular truth. Why doesn't Victoria's Secret cast trans or plus-size models? Because it's not the thin-cis-tits-out-fantasy that they're selling. Duh!

So, naturally, Razek and Victoria's Secret had to walk back the comments. And to do so, the company issued a... very confusing statement!

Razek essentially says that he and his crew has not cast trans models because they "didn't make it"  that is, they weren't who the people charged with casting were looking for.

Oh, why is that you ask? Because Razek, who is, as he said, trying to promote the "fantasy" of the brand, says they didn't make it! The models did not fit Razek's idea of a Victoria's Secret model. Ergo, they are not Victoria's Secret models. Decoupling that truth from their gender is disingenuous and honestly, nonsensical.

Ed Razek specifically said trans models didnt make it in past shows because they werent a part of the fantasy that they were trying to sell. So yes, they did deny trans models opportunities in the past simply because of their gender. https://t.co/GiwGkNX7vD  Raquel Willis (@RaquelWillis_) November 10, 2018

Razek's statement was clear and honest. Victoria's Secret "absolutely would" cast a trans model if she made the cut. But, the unspoken implication based on the company's brand and past actions dictates that she would never make the cut, because it's people like Razek deciding what is sexy, what is part of the fantasy. And as Razek stated previously, that doesn't include trans women.

Here's the thing: let's not allow the opinions of men like Razek nor the business objectives of corporations decide what is sexy.

It would be a "statement"  perhaps even a victory  if Victoria's Secret cast a transgender model in its iconic runway show. It would say, yes, you are part of the "fantasy" of what we think is sexy, too. And that could mean a lot to a lot of people.

WHO  IS  THE  VICTORIA'S  SECRET  FASHION  SHOW  FOR 



because if it is to sell products, it should feature the full spectrum of folks who want to buy products. especially since thin, cis-gendered women aren't the only ones who wear fancy underwear. clearly!  Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) November 10, 2018

But perhaps that attitude sustains the power of Victoria's Secret, when what we really should be doing is continuing to deflate that authority  shrinking its power alongside its fast-falling sales. Courting Victoria Secret's acceptance of trans models implies that the company can, does, and should have the power to decide what is sexy. Why do we still allow them to have this power?

We know what Victoria's Secret stands for; people like Razek, and the dozens of near-identical bodies they put on their runways, make that very clear. That runway no longer gets to be an arbiter of what is sexy.

Who the hell needs Victoria's Secret's approval when we've got Rihanna?By Richard Lough and Luke Baker PARIS (Reuters) - President Emmanuel Macron led tributes to the millions of soldiers who died during World War One on Sunday, holding a solemn ceremony attended by dozens of world leaders in Paris to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice. U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and dozens of princes, monarchs, presidents and prime ministers joined Macron to mark the moment guns fell silent across Europe a century ago. Those who fought in the trenches of World War One lived through an unimaginable hell, Macron said in a 20-minute address, highlighting that as well as the deaths of 10 million troops, millions of women were widowed and children orphaned. "The lesson of the Great War can not be that of resentment between peoples, nor should the past be forgotten," said Macron, sorrow etched on the faces of former French soldiers standing to attention around him during the ceremony. "It is our deeply rooted obligation to think of the future, and to consider what is essential." The commemoration is the centerpiece of global tributes to honor those who perished during the 1914-18 war and to commemorate the signing of the Armistice that brought the fighting to an end at 11 a.m. on Nov 11, 1918. In a glass canopy at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe, built by Emperor Napoleon in 1806, Trump, Merkel, Macron, Putin and the other leaders listened through earpieces as the French president spoke. Putin, who was last to arrive at the ceremony, gave Trump a brief thumb's up as he greeted them. As Trump's convoy was making its way up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe, a bare-breasted protester from the Femen radical feminist group ran towards his motorcade, coming within a few meters, before being apprehended by police. Photographs of the incident appeared to show that she had the words "fake peacemaker" scrawled across her body. "OLD DEMONS REAWAKENING" In a rare public display of emotion by the leaders of two world powers, Macron and Merkel held hands on Saturday during a poignant ceremony in the Compiegne Forest, north of Paris, where French and German delegations signed the Armistice that ended the war. The conflict was one of the bloodiest in history, reshaping Europe's politics and demographics. Peace, however, was short-lived and two decades later Nazi Germany invaded its neighbors. Macron spent the week in the build up to Sunday's ceremony touring towns and former battlefields that laid along France's western front. During the tour, he warned of the dangers of the resurgence of nationalism in Europe, saying it posed a threat to the continent - a theme he touched on again in his speech. "Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is its betrayal," the French leader said. "Old demons are reawakening, ready to sow chaos and death," he said, warning of how ideology, religion and a disregard for facts could be exploited. "History sometimes threatens to repeat its tragic patterns, and undermine the legacy of peace we thought we had sealed with the blood of our ancestors." After the ceremony, leaders returned to the Elysee Palace for a lunch to be hosted by Macron and his wife Brigitte. On Sunday afternoon, Macron will host the inaugural Paris Peace Forum, which seeks to promote a multilateral approach to security and governance and ultimately avoid the errors that led to the outbreak of World War One. Merkel said in a statement the forum showed that "today there is a will, and I say this on behalf of Germany with full conviction, to do everything to bring a more peaceful order to the world, even though we know we still have much work to do." Trump, who champions a nationalist 'America first' policy, will not attend the forum but Putin is expected to do so. (Additional reporting by Laurence Frost and Luke Baker in Paris and Joseph Nasr in Berlin; Editing by Laurence Frost)YAKIMA, Wash. -- A few months ago, after completing a more than 20-year U.S. Marine Corps career, Jon Knight moved to the Yakima Valley, where some of his family lived.

Valley Vets Speak: A calling to develop community among female veterans When Desiree Dugan completed her four years of service with the U.S. Marine Corps in 2011, she never intended to become active in the veterans

But it was a chance meeting at a Fourth of July event in Sunnyside where Knight found community.

There, Knight met members of the Yakama Warriors Association. It wasnt long before he joined their ranks. Knight now spends most of his free time with the organization, at activities such as Veterans Day assemblies at Yakima Valley schools and funerals for Yakima Valley veterans, including those on the reservation.

Knight is 41, making him one of the youngest in the group and potentially someone who could help the organization connect to the next generation of veterans, said Vic Wood, head warrior for the Yakama Warriors Association, a nonprofit based in Toppenish.

Its a role that Knight embraces. He has plenty of ideas on how to reach younger veterans, like organizing music jam sessions or simply providing a safe space for veterans to socialize and share their stories.

Its being able to know nobody is going to judge you for where youve been, he said. A lot of the young ones feel they dont belong.

Its a shift from older generations of veterans who were accustomed to joining the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW. Now those same groups are trying to figure out how to attract younger veterans, including those who served in the years following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The more traditional veterans groups, like the American Legion and the VFW, are often seen as Vietnam-era groups, said Craig Bryan, executive director of the National Center for Veteran Studies at the University of Utah. The notion of going to a lodge, a post or a building is much less exciting or interesting to younger generations.

As a result, many young veterans in their 20s, 30s and 40s are looking for alternatives to those organizations or even opting out of them and focusing on the transition to civilian life  completing a college degree or raising a family.

Some simply feel uncomfortable about joining any social group.

I hear from veterans, What would I get out of this group? Bryan said. (They say), Im different; they wouldnt understand.

Best thing I ever did

Its a feeling thats not limited to todays generation of veterans. When Wood, of the Yakama Warriors Association, returned to the Yakima Valley in 1973 after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, he attended a few meetings of his local American Legion, but he never felt comfortable among the older World War II and Korean War veterans.

He decided to focus on his personal life. He ran a rodeo business with his father. It was through that business that, in 1994, he met members of the Yakama Warriors Association. The group formed a few years earlier to serve at veterans funerals on the Yakama Reservation.

Wood wasnt an enrolled Yakama member, but once the groups members learned he was a veteran, they encouraged him to join and get involved.

It was the best thing I ever did, he said.

At age 69, he jokes he is relatively on the younger side of the organizations 150 members. But his age shows when he participates in school assemblies. At one time, hed get lots of cheers when he mentioned he once trained at the Miramar Naval Air Station near San Diego, where the 1986 Tom Cruise movie Top Gun was set. That reference has far less punch now. When asking whether anyone has seen the movie, Half of them shook their head no, he said.

Its a reminder for Wood that there needs to be a new generation of veterans to continue the organizations work.

But Wood cant simply pass out membership forms. Its now about building those relationships.

The first thing you do is make them feel welcomed, he said. Approach them and be sincere. And listen. If they want to talk about something, just sit there and listen. Dont butt in with your experience.

Bryan said younger veterans are more likely to be drawn to authentic efforts to form a community, rather than joining a formal fraternal organization that is perceived to be for older men.

Young commander

Al Pineda, commander of the Yakima VFW Post 379, is proof that the organization isnt just for World War II veterans. Pineda is 38 and served in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Marine Corps before being discharged a decade ago.

He chose to be involved with the VFW because he liked interacting with veterans from different generations. But more important, he wanted to be involved in an organization that had a history of veteran advocacy.

Theyre huge advocates on a national level for veteran benefits, he said. Im very passionate about veterans receiving the benefits that they earn.

But he knows that many of his peers dont share his interest in traditional veterans organizations, and a hard sell to potential recruits would be ineffective. Instead, he encourages members to bring veteran friends and family to VFW events.

Pineda maintains an active Facebook page that lists VFW events ranging from Thursday night dinners to painting parties. The groups primary form of promotion is organizing activities in the community, such as todays Veterans Day parade.

Were not pounding our chests and saying, Look at us! Pineda said. You got to talk to these guys one-on-one.

An open door

There is a good reason that veteran organization leaders like Pineda may take a more low-key approach. For the past 15 years, veterans have been bombarded by pitches from organizations claiming to offer support and services.

But several of those organizations had financial scandals. In 2016, the Wounded Warriors Project, a nonprofit that aimed to offer support for veterans, fired executives after reports that they were improperly spending millions of dollars in donations.

The Better Business Bureau said the organization was in the clear a year later, but distrust for that group and others like it in general remains, said Bryan, the executive director of the National Center for Veteran Studies. Theres paranoia and suspicion, he said.

That distrust has kept Damien Patterson of Selah from becoming active with veteran organizations, though hes done some work with them in the past. Patterson, who is still in active service with the U.S. Army but returned from his last tour in Iraq more than a year ago, said he constantly questions whether an organization wants to help veterans or is there for political or financial gain.

Still, Patterson knows the importance of being around other veterans, especially when transitioning back into civilian life. When he returned from his first combat tour, he didnt have anyone to talk to or to guide him. As a result, he got into drugs.

I fell on my face, he said. I never had anyone help me.

He doesnt want younger veterans to feel the way he did, so he often seeks out recent veterans when hes out and about. He tries to listen and offer any help when he can.

Im the type of guy that goes under the bridge, he said, referring to efforts to reach out to others.

While Knight, the 41-year-old Yakama Warriors member, enjoys helping others, he takes comfort knowing there are several veterans in the organization he can connect with, especially when negative memories of his military service come back.

Its just being able to have that open door that allows you to get through whatever you got or whatever stuff you have going on, he said.

Knight said he wants to extend that same openness to younger veterans he meets.

Its about, You served, you honorably served, lets try to make it better and help you get through whatever youre going through.According to the initial information, the incident was an "accident" that occurred due to explosion of ammunition during shooting exercise in a military base, the ministry said in a written statement.

The injured soldiers have been taken to the hospital, and search activities continued for seven other missing, said the military.

An investigation has been launched on the incident.

The incident occurred in Ortaklar Sungu Tepe military base in Semdinli district of Hakkari province, which is located near the borders with Iran and Iraq, Hakkari provincial governor's office said in a statement.In November 2017, a Titan Krios cryo-electron microscope (cryo-EM) was inaugurated at the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, France. Data collected on this cryo-EM features in a Nature publication describing the activation cycle of a serotonin receptor, which is targeted by medication against chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced nausea.

This publication is a true reward for us: the first one in less than a year from inauguration and we hope this kind of rewards will grow in number, explains Isai Kandiah, ESRF scientist who runs the facility. It shows the revolution that cryo-EM is leading in structural biology, she adds. Thanks to cryo-EM, researchers can now freeze biomolecules, including membrane proteins of high medical importance, in several different conformations in action and visualise each of these to atomic resolution. Cryo-EM thus allows researchers to produce snapshots revealing the dynamics of proteins when they interact with other molecules, information that is crucial both for a basic understanding of lifes chemistry and for the development of pharmaceuticals. The user programme of the cryo-electron microscope at the ESRF is run jointly with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL).

The research in Nature is a result of an international collaboration of scientists from the Institute of Structural biology (IBS-mixed research unit CEA-CNRS-University Grenoble Alps), CEA, CNRS, the Institut Pasteur, the University of Lorraine (France), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Illinois (US) and the biotech company Theranyx. The focus of the paper, featuring data from the ESRF cryo-EM, is the activation cycle of the 5-HT3 receptor, belonging to the family of serotonin receptors. These receptors are well-known because they influence various biological and neurological processes such as anxiety, appetite, mood, nausea, sleep and thermoregulation, among others. Unlike the other serotonin receptors, which are G protein-coupled receptors, 5-HT3 is a neurotransmitter-gated ion channel and changes its conformation during activation. It is present in the brain, as well as in the enteric nervous system, the peripheral nervous system that drives the digestive tract.

A close-up view of the Cryo-EM at the ESRF. Credits: S. Cande.

5-HT3 is a target for drugs and pharmaceutical companies have studied it extensively, for example in anti-emetic medication. When patients undergo chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, they often suffer from nausea and vomiting as side effects. In fact, the chemicals used in cancer treatment trigger an elevation of serotonin signalling, which in turn activates 5-HT3 to open its ion channel, which then causes nausea.

The receptor has been widely studied due to its importance, but it hasnt been until recently, that we have accessed it at the atomic scale, thanks to cryo-electron microscopy, among other techniques, explains Hugues Nury, main author of the paper and CNRS scientist at the IBS.

The results published in Nature show the receptor 5-HT3 in four different conformations. Images of three of these were obtained at the Center for Cellular Imaging and Nano Analytics in Switzerland whilst the fourth, which finally allowed a full understanding of the activation mechanism of 5-HT3, was obtained at the ESRF. One of the conformations is inhibited thanks to the binding of anti-nausea and anti-vomiting drug widely used in chemotherapy. The images obtained of the receptor may therefore lead to the design of more efficient antinausea drugs for the treatment of patients undergoing therapy for cancers.

These results contribute to our knowledge on how 5-HT3 receptors behave. They provide a framework for the myriad of mutations described in the literature: we can now look where they are, what are the motions in these zones, and sometimes why the mutations altered the receptor function. Now we also see the binding pockets in unprecedented details, which can help the development of future drugs, explains Hugues Nury."All Those Medals Won't Even Get Me a Cup of Coffee.""I'd Go Back in Now if I Could."Speaking at a Knesset discussion several months ago, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot warned there is high probability for escalation in the West Bank. Shin Bet Director Nadav Argaman made a similar warning last week, saying the relative calm in the West Bank is "deceptive," as "Hamas is trying very hard to carry out terror attacks in and from Judea and Samaria."

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter



Eisenkot's warnings seemed a bit exaggerated, especially in light of the fact there has been a drop in terror attacks in the West Bank over the first six months of 2018, despite President Donald Trump's decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem and other events with the potential to cause a flare-up.

Commentators invested a lot of time and effort in explaining why Gaza is going up in flames, while the Palestinians in the West Bank are demonstrating indifference. Now the tables have turnedit appears Gaza is calming down, whereas the shooting and stabbing attacks in the West Bank are becoming more commonplace.

Clashes in Gaza in early November (Photo: AFP)

The reasons for the apparent lull in Gaza are obvious: Hamas is slowly achieving the economic benefits it desires, and is attributing those successes to the "March of Return" campaign and the intense kite and balloon terrorism.

The persistent Egyptian mediation and the possibility of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas are helping too, and last week the London-based Al Hayat reported that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had managed to convince Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to accept the ceasefire understandings reached between Hamas and Israel.

Abbas's approval means he will pay at least part of the government workers' salaries in Gaza, and mostly that he won't continue tightening the noose around Gazans' necks in an attempt to cause a Palestinian uprising against Hamas.

Gaza's residents, who were on the verge of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, did not rebel against Hamas, leading Abbas to understand his plan would not succeed anytime soon, and that he is no longer able to fend off the pressure from Egypt, Israel, and Europe.

Clashes in Gaza in early November (Photo: EPA)

It is impossible to know with the fickle Abbas, but at the moment it appears he will cooperate in the efforts to achieve calm in Gaza, maybe because he understands the volatile situation in the strip is spilling over into the West Bank.

Defense officials, who have been warning of possible escalation in the West Bank, estimate that the most dangerous option at the moment is mass rioting accompanied by shooting and stabbing attacks, which could erupt over a random incident.

Such mass rioting might lead to casualties and fatalities on both sides, and will require extensive military and intelligence efforts to restore calm. Hence, it is important to understand what is causing the current outburst of violence in the West Bank, 90 percent of which is not getting media coverage, while the other 10 percent are only the tip of the iceberg.

Despair, Khan al-Ahmar and Hamas incitement

The Shin Bet director told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that over the past year, security forces have thwarted 480 terror attacks, including 219 Hamas cells and 590 lone attackers.

The great majority of these efforts were done quietly, thanks to the monitoring of social media and classic thwarting efforts that prevented the lone attackers and the cells from getting to the point where they were on the verge of carrying out the attack. But the sheer number of them indicates the volcano in the West Bank is close to erupting.

The main reason for the unrest is probably despair and the lack of hope young people feel over the freeze in social, economic and diplomatic processes across the West Bank. The economic situation is of course much better than in the Gaza Strip, but the unemployment rate is still in the two digits range, while the diplomatic process is nonexistent due to the rift with the United States. The overall situation, which was not good to begin with, has gotten worse in light of the Trump administration's cuts in aid money to the Palestinian Authority and to UNRWA (the Palestinian refugee aid organization).

Clashes in the West Bank (file photo) (Photo: EPA)

Other reasons for unrest include the dead and wounded on the Gaza border, and mostly Hamas's incitement and the terror group's attempts to launch murderous attacks in the area, to make up for what it can't do in the Gaza Strip. Hamas is using all of the channels at its disposal from Gaza, Lebanon and Turkey to send money and instructions as well as encourage dissent on the ground in the West Bank. Most of the work is done by former Palestinian prisoners released in the Shalit deal.

All of this helps inflame passions and encourage popular terrorism in the West Bank, as do the events in Khan al-Ahmar, the anger over the sale of lands to Jews in Jerusalem, the death of the Palestinian woman whose car was allegedly hit with stones thrown by Jewish settlers, and the endless clashes over the olive harvest.

When these things don't cause bloodshed, they're not reported in the media. But the Palestinians in the West Bank and the settlers know all about these incidents, and this creates an accumulation of anger and hatred that is looking for a way out.

Recently, almost every month saw three stabbing attacks or attempted stabbing attacks that point to the link between the accumulating nationalistic anger and the personal motives that eventually lead to a drawn knife or a vehicular attack, not to mention the dozens of cases of stone- and Molotov cocktail-throwing. Abbas's inciting and provocative speeches against Israel, the US, Hamas and almost the entire world also create a bad climate.

Clashes in the West Bank (file photo) (Photo: AP)

Abbas is not very popular, and he has probably lost the trust of the young Palestinian generation long ago, but the bad climate he creates still seeps into the ranks of Fatah and into Palestinian politics, and from there onto the Palestinian street.

In addition, the terror attack at the Barkan industrial areain which Kim Levengrond Yehezkel and Ziv Hagbi were murderedserves as an inspiration and encouragement among young Palestinians. This attack is considered a success not just because of the murder of two Jews, but also in light of the fact the terrorist remains at large, armed with the weapon he used to murder the victims.

It's important to understand all of these reasons. There is no one reason that, if handled, can settle the unrest. There's an accumulation of reasons that cause rage and anger among the hopeless young Palestinians, who want to do something to vent their anger. At some point, the Shin Bet might miss a would-be assailant, who will then go out and commit a terror attack.

Shin Bet and Palestinian security forces curb violence

There are some elements that curb the violence on the Palestinian street: The Shin Bet's effective thwarting of attacks and the activity of the Palestinian security services. Without these two, we would've long been in the midst of a third and perhaps even a fourth intifada.

But just as important in curbing the violence is the understanding among the Palestinian publicas a result of lessons learned from the second intifadathat a large-scale escalation could exact a steep price from the Palestinians in both casualties and economic damages. Defense officials believe this is the main curbing factor that is not the result of active efforts to thwart attacks.

IDF forces operating in Hebron (file photo) (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)

It's important to note that the hostility and lack of trust toward Abbas on the Palestinian street also creates the feeling that there is no purpose to a popular rising the likes of which Abbas is pushing for.

And finally, the lack of a religious reason is important in curbing the violence, just as the introduction of a religious reason could be the spark that lights up the biggest escalation. But right now this hasn't happened. At least so far.

How to prevent escalation

The current unrest could lead people to go out and carry terror attacks, and so we can and should prevent this. Experience teaches us that the most important and effective measure is the reinforcement of IDF troops in the West Bank and their open presence on the ground, to allow them to quickly respond to every incident. It's important to make sure, however, that the reinforcement troops are well briefed and trained for clashes and are equipped with crowd dispersal measures.

In addition to the reinforcements, which in the current situation could be gradually deployed, the IDF must ensure the daily lives of the Palestinians who are not involved in terror activities are allowed to continue uninterrupted.

These two stepsreinforcing the troops while not disrupting the daily lives of the Palestinianshave proven to be the most effective measures of control and prevention of large-scale escalation.

Another important step that should be taken is curbing the Jewish outlaws. The Hilltop Youth harass the residents of the Palestinian villages on an almost daily basis, and thus raise the level of friction, tensions and anger on the ground. Curbing the Jewish outlaws by the Shin Bet and the police, and particularly by the settler leaders, is vitally important in preventing escalation.

Settler arrested by Border Police after throwing stones at Israeli forces (file photo)

The public, meanwhile, must remain alert and take precautions. Jewish parents picking up their children from after school activities and social activities in the West Bank must avoid doing so late at night. Every Jewish resident of the West Bank knows exactly what he must avoid and when.

Finally, launching diplomatic negotiations or any kind of discourse between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authorityover economic projects and investment in the territories, for examplewill undoubtedly contribute to calming the tensions as well. It won't bring to a solution, but it could contribute to calm, at least temporarily.

It's important to remember in this context that the Trump administration will presumably release its "deal of the century" peace plan in the coming months. It's unclear what this plan entails, but its very release has an explosive potential, and we must prepare for the possibility it will indeed lead to a flare-up.

The West Bank is like a minefield one must avoid entering. But if you're already inside, take every precaution to minimize the damage.Security forces were searching late Saturday for a driver who fled a roadblock at the Tapuach Junction in the West Bank after being asked by Border Police to submit for a search.

According to the Border Police, the driver endangered the troops while escaping, and one of them fired into the air.

None were hurt, and the Border Police said there was no suspicion of terror activity.The tensions were high at Berlin's Washingtonplatz, near the Central Bus Station's exit, ahead of a march organized by the nationalist group Wir fur Deutschland (We are for Germany), which was planned deliberately for November 9the date that marks the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a 1938 pogrom against the Jews of Germany, during which over 90 were murdered and their property was destroyed.

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The march, titled "A parade of sorrow in memory of the victims of politics," was allowed to take place by the Berlin Administrative Court, overturning the previous decision by the administration of internal affairs.

These far-right organizations have a system. They act without clear anti-Semitic symbols, without clear slogansthey light candles and walk around the government complex. But the timing of the march conveys the real message.

WfD march in Berlin on November 9 (Photo: EPA)

The truth is that not many of them actually showed up. In fact, the counter-protest against the WfD was much larger in scope. Thousands of Berliners who made the effort to attend the demonstrations at the tail end of a working week came to roar in unison"We are all fighting the fascists" and "Nazis out." Some of them held Israeli flags and banners with an immortal quote from Primo Levi: "It happened, therefore it can happen again."

There were no violent clashes between the two opposing group. The police kept them apart, allowing only journalists and photographers to cross the divide, and even they had a hard time. Christian, a local photographer, guided me through the march by translating the banners, identifying the leader of the WfD, warning me not to say my name in the presence of the leaders men, and also interpreting the situation.

From time to time, Christian would choke up and find it hard to speak. He recalled the night of the last parliamentary elections, saying that when he heard about the extraordinary achievement of the far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD), he simply burst into tears.

At a certain point, the WfD's crowd began to play hideously kitschy music designed to overcome the anti-fascist demonstrators. Nausea overwhelmed me. Christian and I kept goinghe took photographs and I stared at the adults and young people who wish to erase history, or even worseto be proud of it.

On our way back to the station, I told him that it was actually encouraging to see the contrast between the WfDs small crowd and the overwhelming number of people that showed up to support the counter protest.

"That's true," he replied, adding "but I also remember the times when the very existence of such a march was unimaginable.US President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan discussed how to respond to the killing last month of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a White House official said on Sunday.

The conversation took place during a Saturday dinner with heads of state gathered in Paris to mark the World War One Armistice centenary.Head of the Gaza Division Brig. Gen. Eliezer Toledano, toured Sunday Moshav Netiv HaAsara in the Gaza border region where a greenhouse was set on fire by a Palestinian man on Friday evening.

During the visit, Toledano told the residents that he understands their sense of insecurity, and that the military will draw conclusion from this grave incident."Minister of the Economy and Industry Eli Cohen received an invitation last week to participate at the Startup Nations Ministerial conference held in Gulf nation of Bahrain.

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Senior government officials from all over the world are due to attend the event in an effort to find a new policy tools that would increase joint technological initiatives between different countries.

Minister of the Economy and Industry Eli Cohen (Photo: Avi Moalem)

Cohens expected trip follows a number of visits made by high-profile Israeli politicians to the Gulf states in recent weeks, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus historic visit to Oman and Culture Minister Miri Regevs trip to Abu Dhabi to attend the Judo Grand Competition.

The annual conference is an initiative of the World Bank and the Global Entrepreneurship Network, and will be held for the fifth year in a row, having already been hosted by the cities of Milan, Istanbul, Johannesburg and Medellin in previous years.

During the conference, various ministers from around the world are expected to discuss ways to accelerate the creation of jobs and increase economic growth by encouraging entrepreneurship.

The purpose of the event this year is to explore how governments can prepare for integration of technology within existing regulatory frameworks.

Bahrain (Photo: Reuters)

Bahrain is a Middle Eastern country located between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and although the country has a Shiite majority, it is controlled by a Sunni regime. It has a population of 1.4 million peoplearound 50 percent of whom are foreign workersand is ruled by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

In 2005, after Bahrain signed a trade agreement with the United States, the country announced it will no longer participate in the Arab boycott of Israel.

In 2007, Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa claimed that Tzipi Livni, who was his Israeli counterpart at the time, had offered to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries but "the initiative was put on hold."Several topless protesters from the feminist activist group FEMEN disrupted US President Donald Trump's motorcade on its way to a ceremony commemorating 100 years to the end of World War I in Paris on Sunday.

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As Trump was arriving, at least one woman ran out toward the presidential motorcade with slogansincluding the word FAKEwritten on her chest. The woman was tackled by police and the motorcade continued uninterrupted.

FEMEN protesters

X

President Trump later joined French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and dozens of other world leaders to mark 100 years since the end of the global war.

More than 66 princes, monarchs, presidents and prime ministers gathered on a rainy day in Paris a century after guns fell silent in a global war that killed millions.





FEMEN protesters disrupt Trump's motorcade at WW1 event (Photo: AP)

Trump was accompanied by first lady Melania Trump at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe.

France was the epicenter of the first global conflict. Its role as host of the main international commemoration highlighted the point that the world mustn't stumble into war again, as it did so quickly and catastrophically with World War II.

World leaders gather in paris to mark 100 years since the end of World War I (Photo: EPA)

Trump later was attending a leaders' lunch hosted by Macron. Afterward, he planned to visit and deliver Veterans Day remarks at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial outside Paris where more than 1,500 Americans who died during the war are buried.

Trump had been scheduled to visit a different American cemetery outside of Paris Saturday, but rain grounded the helicopter Trump had planned to take, so he canceled the trip.The question whether Case 3000 will conclude in indictments is intriguing, but it's not the most significant thing about this affair. When it comes to suspicion of any kind of wrongdoing, the question justifiably is whether it has crossed the line and considered a criminal offense. This is naturally the bread and butter of police investigators and the prosecution. However, the issues raised by the submarine affair concern an entirely different matter, just as important: The method in which decisions of far-reaching security consequences were made.

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There are at least six issues at hand. The first concerns the question of whether the Germans were made aware that Israel was interested in acquiring an additional three submarines, for a total of nine, but that the decision was changed solely due to opposition by then-defense minister Moshe Ya'alon who decided that the three additional submarines would replace three older submarines.





PM Netanyahu (Photo: Amil Salman, Reuters)

Nine submarines are far beyond our need and ability to maintain. So how did such an intention come about?

The second issue is why should such a decision be made so early, years before the existing submarines become obsolete? How does the cabinet approve the army's multi-year plan, the Gideon program, and shortly thereafter come up with such a decision, above and beyond the framework of that plan.

The third issue concerns the defense minister's claim that the prime minister, without his knowledge, asked Germany to purchase two vessels with submarine detection capabilities. This is similar to the prime minister's request to purchase another F-15 squadron from the United States without the knowledge of the defense minister, the chief of staff and the commander of the air force.

Regarding all three of these issues, it is worth emphasizing that the purpose of a multi-year plan for the defense establishment is to obtain maximum security from a given budget. It is possible and necessary to argue about the optimal balance, but it is unreasonable to make sporadic decisions without understanding the full alternative price, and it is impossible to decide, and certainly not to convey this to another country, before conducting an in-depth internal discussion among the Israeli decision-makers.

The fourth issue is more troubling: the cancellation of the tender for the purchase of ships to protect Israel's naval economic zone and the unilateral decision to purchase these ships from Thyssenkrup, which, unlike for submarines, has no obvious advantage in this field.

Thyssenkrup shipyards (Photo: EPA)

It turns out that eventually , large (and more expensive) ships were purchased, more than initially required. True, there are situations in which it is better not to conduct a tender and to carry out a transaction between two states (the GTG transaction for example), but in such cases the other state also commits to purchasing equipment of similar value from Israel. That is not what happened here, and it is apparent that unusual pressure was applied, which led to the puzzling decision.

The fifth issue concerns the unusual request by the German company for the Histadrut Labor Union that the navy shipyards be privatized.Considering that the shipyard is the property of the IDF, it is highly unusual, to say the least, for property purchase negotiations to take place behind the landlord's back. Who was aware and who collaborated with this?

The sixth issue, and the most troubling of all, is the claim that an Israeli official told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Israel had no objection to Germany selling advanced submarines to Egypt without the knowledge of the defense minister.

There may in fact be no criminal aspect to any of these issues, but should these matters only be examined through the criminal prism? Does the police have the necessary data, experience and motivation to examine this?

These are issues relating to two completely different areas: foreign policy and security, and the way in which the Israeli government operates, including the boundaries of responsibility between the various parties.

Without underestimating the severity of the criminal suspicions, it seems that the more important are the issues reviewed in Case 3000  the matters of military-strategic procurement process and the manner in which decisions are made the less interest they raise.Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday Moscow wanted to restore a full-scale dialogue with the United States about the landmark Cold War-era missile treaty, Russian news agencies reported.

US President Donald Trump said last month Washington would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty because Russia was violating the pact, bringing a warning of retaliatory measures from Moscow.

Putin, speaking to Kremlin-backed RT France television, said he could meet Trump on the sidelines of a G-20 summit in Argentina, according to the agencies.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Sunday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the sidelines of the event commemorating 100 years to the end of World War I in Paris, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Pesko, as cited by IFAX news agencies.

This is Netanyahu and Putin's first meeting since the downing of a Russian plane by Syrian fire in an attempt to intercept an Israeli strike in September.

"The conversation with President Putin was good and businesslike. I would even describe it as very important," Netanyahu told reporters after the ceremony in Paris, adding that he also spoke there with US President Donald Trump.

He gave no other details about their conversations.As opposed to fuel and money, most of which reach Gaza's residents, the Qatari cash infusion , which was paid out to Palestinian civil servants in the strip on Friday, is a direct protection racket to Hamas, and those failing to understand this, are simply shutting their eyes to the reality in the coastal enclave.

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The purpose of the Qatari money is to well grease the terror organization's mechanisms in Gaza, and Hamas militants will be the first to benefit from it.

Palestinian civil servants receive salaries (Photo: AFP)

The little citizen in Gaza, whose suffering under Hamas's boot is genuine, will hardly get to enjoy this money at all.

Qatar does not hide its sympathy to Hamas's ideology. The money transfer is only one of the ways through which the gas-rich Gulf state supports radical Islamic elements in the Arab world, in which Hamas is one of the more prominent ones.

Neither Qatar, nor its money is a moderating factor as far as Gaza is concerned.

In addition, a protection racket to terror organizations has another flaw: it whets their appetite. What is currently enough for Hamas, will not necessarily suffice six months from now.

What will happen then? Do Israel and Egypt have a strategy to face Hamas's growing appetite? Will we face a more powerful Hamas several months down the road? Will Hamas be more prepared for a military confrontation with Israel? Will this temporary calm on the Gaza borderthat we are buying now instead of working to restore deterrencecome back at us like a boomerang?

A sober glance at the reality in Gaza indicates that the probability that Israel will be forced to confront Hamas is high, while a concern of such confrontation will only lead to a more severe encounter, to which the Jewish State will come from a better starting point.

Hadar Goldin; Oron Shaul; Avera Mengistu

The fact that Qatar's protection racket takes place under Israel's auspices should raise another question, which for some reason is not on the agendais Israel really receiving everything it should receive in return for that money?

IDF fallen soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin and Israeli citizens Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed are still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza. Israel is of course interested in returning them, but neglects to link between the efforts invested in reaching a ceasefire agreement and their return.

It is obvious to everyone that achieving calm in Gaza is a sheer Hamas interest. However, it is unclear why this interest is not used as a leverage to pressure the terror organization to release the POWs and MIAs.

Something about this chain of events is very peculiar, and the anger of the families is inevitable. Why is Hamas not required to give full return for the money it receives?Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy will be joining Israeli private intelligence firm Black Cube, which has been mired in international scandals.

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Halevy will sit on the company's board of directors, head its client screening committee, and serve as a senior adviser on operational and intelligence issues, a source told Yedioth Ahronoth.

Efraim Halevy (Photo: Gilad K.)

The source added that Halevy might even be selected as president of the company within a short time.

This is another significant recruitment for the company, which has a number of former senior members of Israel's security and intelligence services on its board of directors, including former Mossad chief Meir Dagan, former police commissioner Yohanan Danino and former national security advisor Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland.

Halevy, who was born in London in 1934, is a descendant of an illustrious family of rabbis. He worked in journalism for several years until he was recruited by the Mossad in 1961, where he held several positions, most of them in the Tevel division, which coordinates the clandestine foreign relations of the organization.

He was the Mossad attache in Washington; the head of the Bitzur branch, which deals with the protection of Jews in dangerous countries and with bringing them to Israel; the head of the aforementioned Tevel division; the deputy head of the Mossad and the Israeli ambassador to the European Union in Brussels.

Because of Halevy's good relations with Jordan's former King Hussein, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recruited his help in 1997 after Israel's failed an assassination attempt on Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Amman, which sparked a crisis with the Hashemite Kingdom. After Halevy was able to reach a deal with the Jordanians to resolve the crisis, securing the release of the Mossad agents who carried out the failed attempt, he was appointed to head the Mossad.

He served in the post until 2002, when he was appointed the head of the National Security Council, but resigned in 2003 after bitter disagreements with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Since then, Halevy has served in several positions in academia and as an advisor for several international organizations.

Since its establishment by Dan Zorella and Avi Yanus in 2011, Black Cube has become one of the world's most famous private intelligence and investigation companies. It is known to offer prosperous and powerful private sector companies assistance in resolving business disputes, but it has often been associated with problematic customers and international scandals.

Black Cube (Photo: Screenshot)

For example, the company helped disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein gather information about victims of his alleged sex crimes as well as the journalists who collected information about him.

Two of Black Cube's members were arrested in Romania on suspicion of carrying out illegal wire-tapping on a senior law enforcement official. The company is also facing allegations of impersonation in an attempt to influence a judge in Canada, and its members are accused of gathering information about former senior officials in the Obama administration, an operation of which the details and the identity of the client are not entirely yet clear.

A source involved in Halevy's recruitment said he will assist with operational and intelligence aspects of Black Cube's operations relating to its global goals. In addition, he will head the Onboarding Client Committee, which screens clients.

Retroactively, the company regretted accepting Weinstein as a client, the source said. The company categorizes its clients according to a three-color system: green for non-problematic clients; red for clients who they refuse to work with; and yellow for questionable clients.

Those clients categorized as questionable are to be reviewed by the committee that will now be headed by Halevy. The committee will decide whether Black Cube accepts or reject those clients.

Black Cube refused to comment on the details of Halevys hiring. Halevy confirmed in a phone call from London that he is joining Black Cube as a consultant, but said that "this is not a senior position."Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin at World War I commemorations on Sunday, their first meeting since the downing of a Russian plane during an Israeli air raid in Syria in September.

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"The conversation with President Putin was good and businesslike. I would even describe it as very important," Netanyahu told reporters after the ceremony in Paris, adding that he also spoke there with US President Donald Trump.

Moscow said last month it had delivered S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Syria, where Israel has struck Iranian targets.

The missile shipment came after Russia, a main backer of the Damascus government, accused Israel of indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military jet by Syrian air defaces following an Israeli air strike nearby.

Russia's Putin (L) and PM Netanyahu

Netanyahu stressed he had spoken with additional world leaders. "I think the manner in which we were received here is very important to the State of Israel and to its international interests.

"The interesting thing is that African leaders are speaking about the importance of cooperating with Israel and how it can benefit their countries. There is no dispute that Israel is a rising power, and the proof of that is Paris," the premier elaborated.

PM Netanyahu (L) and US President Donald Trump

The Israeli leader also said he favored reaching an "arrangement" that would avoid an all out war with Gaza and stave off a deepening humanitarian crisis.

"The Security Cabinet, following my recommendation, set a goal to restore the situation in Gaza to March 29, when Gaza was provided with electricity and salaries were paid. The lack of electricity and money is leading to a collapse in many areas, including the health system," he explained.

PM Netanyahu (Photo: EPA)

Netanyahu added that "the Qatari money transferred to Gaza must be supervised. I hope the supervision mechanism will improve with time. We are allowing the renewal of conditions in the strip before March 30.

"I'm not afraid of a necessary war, but seeking to avoid it if it's not necessary. We want to achieve calm, and if possible an agreement.

"this is what leaders should do: find the way to security, prevent humanitarian collapse and unnecessary wars. Will we succeed? It's too soon to tell.

Addressing Operation Protective Edge, the Israeli leader said that the 2014 military campaign in Gaza fended off a Hamas offensive. "Hamas's strategy was based on terror tunnels as well as on aerial, naval, and ground military plans, and we just beat them to it."

I think Hamas was wrong. Gaza's internal volatility, which we are able to prevent, is the one causing unrest, and not a change in the deterrence balance.

On Friday, Israel allowed $15 million of Qatari cash to enter the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the terror organization. Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations have been trying to broker a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.The Israeli Air force (IAF) struck several targets near the Gaza border on Sunday, according to Palestinian sources in Gaza.

The sources added that an assassination attempt was made against a senior official of the Hamas military wing.

Following the incident, Hamas has increased alertness.Six Hamas members, among them the east Khan Yunis brigade commander, were killed and seven were wounded during an Israeli Air Force (IAF) strike in southern Gaza on Sunday, according to Palestinian sources.

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Hamas's military wing said in an official a statement, "a special IDF force penetrated into Gaza at three kilometers depth with a civil vehicle near the Isma'il Abu Shanab mosque, east of Khan Yunis.

File Photo: IDF attack in Gaza. (Photo: Reuters)

"The force killed Nour el-Deen Baraka, Hamas's military wing brigade commander. After the IDF force was revealed, the IAF aircraft began firing to allow the soldiers to withdraw, which led to fatalities on the our side," Hamas's statement read.

"The incident is ongoing, and our forces are operating against the Zionist dangerous aggression," the statement concluded.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit asserted no IDF soldiers were abducted during the incident.

Nur Barakeh

Meanwhile, Gaza border communities' residents were instructed to remain close to bomb shelters.

Some of the residents said loud explosion noises were heard, and that "the house walls were shaking." Shortly thereafter, two Code Red Sirens were sounded in the Eshkol Regional Council, apparently due to several rockets exploding in open spaces, with the Iron Dome system being activated.

Following the fire exchanges, landing paths were altered at Ben Gurion Airport, and it was announced school would be canceled on Monday in the Gaza border communities.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman concluded a situation assessment at 11 pm at the Kirya headquarters with the attendance of Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, the Shin Bet Director Nadav Argaman and additional senior officials of the defense establishment.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently in Paris, is holding a security consultation and is in constant contact with the defense establishment heads. The premier will cut his trip short due to the security situation in southern Israel.

Hamas issued a statement, saying, "We welcome the brave resistance that is facing the cowardly Israeli attack. The resistance's activity is an act of heroism, which emphasizes it is alert, prepared, and is carrying out its national duty by defending our nation and forces the enemy to pay for its crimes."News

Detroit, Michigan - On Friday, November 2, a federal jury found a patient recruiter guilty for her role in a scheme involving approximately $1.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for home health care that were procured through the payment of kickbacks.

Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider of the Eastern District of Michigan, Special Agent in Charge Timothy Slater of the FBIs Detroit Division, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector Generals (HHS-OIG) Chicago Regional Office, and Special Agent in Charge Manny Muriel of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Detroit Office, made the announcement.

Sophia Eggleston, 56, of Detroit, Michigan, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to receive health care kickbacks and two counts of receipt of health care kickbacks following a three-day trial. Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 6, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman of the Eastern District of Michigan, who presided over the trial.

According to evidence presented at trial, from 2009 to 2012, Eggleston and her co-conspirators engaged in an illegal kickback scheme to defraud Medicare of approximately $1.1 million through fraudulent home health claims. The evidence showed that Eggleston solicited and received kickbacks in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries to serve as patients at a home health agency owned by her co-conspirators. Egglestons co-conspirators then submitted claims to Medicare for home health services that were purportedly provided to those beneficiaries.

The FBI, HHS-OIG and IRS-CI investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Stephen Cincotta and Howard Locker of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion.News

New York - Akayed Ullah, 28, of Brooklyn, New York, and a lawful permanent resident from Bangladesh, was convicted today on all six counts of the Indictment, which charged him with offenses related to the detonation and attempted detonation of a bomb in a subway station near the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City on Dec. 11, 2017.

Ullah, who faces a possible sentence of life in prison, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 5, 2019, by the Honorable Richard J. Sullivan, who presided over the one-week trial.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York made the announcement.

Less than a year ago, Ullah constructed a pipe bomb and detonated it in a mass transit hub in the heart of New York City to harm and terrorize as many people as possible, all on behalf of ISIS. His crime reminds us that the threat of radical Islamist terrorism remains real, said Assistant Attorney General Demers. This guilty verdict holds Ullah accountable, and he faces a potential life term in federal prison for his crimes. I want to thank all the agents and prosecutors whose outstanding work made this result possible.

Late last year, Akayed Ullah detonated a bomb during the bustle of morning rush hour under the Port Authority Bus Terminal, said U.S. Attorney Berman. Ullahs sinister purpose was to harm and terrorize as many innocent people in his path as possible, by using deadly violence to make a political statement. Ullahs conviction by a unanimous jury of New Yorkers falls on Election Day, which fittingly underscores the core principles of American democracy and spirit: Americans engage in the political process through votes, not violence. Today, Ullah stands convicted, he faces a potential life sentence, and his purpose failed. New York City remains a shining symbol of freedom and hope.

As set forth in the Complaint, Indictment, and the evidence presented at trial:

Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham

ISIS is a foreign terrorist organization based in the Middle East and Africa whose publicly stated purpose is the establishment of an Islamic state or caliphate based in the Middle East and Africa that encompasses all Muslims worldwide. ISIS has pursued the objective of an Islamic state through, among other things, killing and deliberate targeting of civilians, mass executions, persecution of individuals and communities on the basis of their religion, nationality, or ethnicity, kidnapping of civilians, forced displacement of Shia communities and minority groups, killing and maiming of children, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. ISIS has recruited thousands of foreign fighters from across the globe to assist with its efforts to expand its so-called caliphate in Iraq, Syria, and other locations in Africa and the Middle East, and has leveraged technology to spread its violent extremist ideology and for incitement to commit terrorist acts.

The Dec. 11, 2017 Attack

On Dec. 11, 2017, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Akayed Ullah detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) inside a subway terminal (the Subway Terminal) in or around the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal located at West 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue in New York, New York (the December 11 Attack). Shortly after the blast, members of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD) located Ullah lying on the ground in the vicinity of the explosion. Surveillance footage captured Ullah walking through the Subway Terminal and detonating his IED.

Ullah was taken into custody by law enforcement. During the course of Ullahs arrest, law enforcement officers located on his person and in the surrounding area what appeared to be the components of an exploded pipe bomb (the Pipe Bomb). Specifically, law enforcement located, among other items, (i) a nine-volt battery inside Ullahs pants pocket; (ii) wires connected to the battery and running underneath Ullahs jacket; (iii) two plastic zip ties underneath Ullahs jacket; (iv) several fragments of a metal pipe, including pieces of a metal end cap, on the ground; (v) the remnants of what appeared to be a Christmas tree lightbulb attached to wires; (vi) metal screws; and (vii) pieces of what appear to be plastic zip ties, among other items.

After Ullah was taken into custody, he was transferred to Bellevue Hospital, where he made statements to law enforcement officers after waiving his Miranda rights. During that interview, Ullah stated, among other things, the following:

Ullah constructed the Pipe Bomb and carried out the Dec. 11 Attack. Ullah was inspired by ISIS to carry out the Dec. 11 Attack, and stated, among other things, I did it for the Islamic State.

Ullah constructed the Pipe Bomb at his residence in Brooklyn (the Residence).

The Pipe Bomb was composed of a metal pipe, which Ullah filled with explosive material that he created. Ullah used Christmas tree lights, wires, and a nine-volt battery as a trigger to detonate the Pipe Bomb. Ullah filled the Pipe Bomb with metal screws, which he believed would cause maximum damage. Ullah used zip ties to secure the Pipe Bomb to his body.

Ullah carried out the Dec. 11 Attack in part because of the United States Governments policies in, among other places, the Middle East. One of Ullahs goals in carrying out the Dec. 11 Attack was to terrorize as many people as possible. He chose to carry out the attack on a work day because he believed that there would be more people present.

Ullahs radicalization began no later than approximately 2014. Ullah viewed pro-ISIS materials online, including a video instructing, in substance, that if supporters of ISIS were unable to travel overseas to join ISIS, they should carry out attacks in their homelands. He began researching how to build IEDs on the Internet approximately one year prior to the attack.

On the morning of Dec. 11, 2017, shortly before carrying out the attack, Ullah posted a statement on his Facebook account referring to the President of the United States, stating, in substance, Trump you failed to protect your nation. Ullah also posted a statement that he believed would be understood by members and supporters of ISIS to convey that Ullah carried out the attack in the name of ISIS.

Items Recovered from Ullahs Residence

On Dec. 11, 2017, law enforcement agents searched the Residence pursuant to a judicially authorized search warrant. Law enforcement agents recovered, among other items, (i) multiple pieces of metal pipes; (ii) pieces of wire and fragments of what appear to be Christmas tree lights; (iii) multiple screws consistent with the screws recovered at the scene of the Dec. 11 Attack; and (iv) a passport in Ullahs name with multiple handwritten notations, including: O AMERICA, DIE IN YOUR RAGE.

* * *

Ullah was convicted of one count of provision of material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of using and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of bombing and attempting to bomb a place of public use, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of destruction of property by means of fire or explosives, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and use of a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, namely, the use and attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, which carries a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of 30 years in prison and potential maximum of life, all in connection with Ullahs alleged detonation of an explosive device in New York City.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by Judge Sullivan.

Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative efforts of the FBI, the NYPD, the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the PAPD. Ullahs conviction is the result of the close cooperative efforts of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force  which consists of law enforcement officers of the FBI, NYPD, HSI, PAPD, and other agencies  and the U.S. Department of Justices National Security Division.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn G. Crowley, Rebekah Donaleski, and George D. Turner of the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jerome J. Teresinski of the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Departments National Security Division.News

Baltimore, Maryland - A former recruiter of U.S. military language interpreters was charged in an indictment filed Wednesday for his role in an alleged scheme to recruit unqualified language interpreters to be deployed with U.S. combat forces in Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division and Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John F. Sopko.

Abdul Aman, 34, of Fairfax, Virginia, was charged in the District of Maryland with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and one count of major fraud against the United States. Aman will be arraigned on the charges on November 8.

The indictment alleges that Aman, while working as a recruiter for a U.S. government contractor, circumvented procedures designed to ensure that candidates for jobs as language interpreters for the U.S. military met minimum proficiency standards, which resulted in unqualified language interpreters being hired and later deployed alongside U.S. combat forces in Afghanistan. Amans employer was a subcontractor on a multimillion-dollar Defense Department contract to supply qualified language interpreters to support U.S. military operations around the world. To carry out the fraud, the indictment alleges, Aman arranged for a close associate to take language tests for candidates who Aman knew did not meet minimum proficiency standards. Aman allegedly obtained financial bonuses from his employer based on the number of candidates whom his employer hired through his efforts.

This case was investigated by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Command. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Michael P. McCarthy of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section.News

Phoenix, Arizona - Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah, aka Ahmad Ibrahim Al-Ahmad, 41, of Syria, was sentenced Wednesday to life plus 30 years in prison. Alahmedalabdaloklah was found guilty by a federal jury on March 16, of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction, conspiring to maliciously damage or destroy U.S. Property by weans of an explosive, aiding and abetting other persons to possess a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiracy to possess a destructive device in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The announcement was made by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Strange for the District of Arizona and Special Agent in Charge Michael DeLeon of the FBIs Phoenix field office. The sentence was issued by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver.

Alahmedalabdaloklah sought to harm American soldiers by conspiring with others to construct and supply improvised explosive device (IED) parts for bombs that were used in Iraq. He will now serve the rest of his life in prison, said Assistant Attorney General Demers. The National Security Division will continue to bring to justice those who seek to harm American servicemen and women who bravely risk their lives in defense of our nation.

We owe a debt of gratitude to all American military personnel serving overseas. Protecting and ensuring justice for them is a priority that cannot be overstated, said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Strange. Ahmed Alahmedalabdaloklah used his specialized engineering expertise to target our service members using IEDs, and his life sentence reflects the gravity of that choice. The U.S. Attorneys Office is deeply committed to prosecuting terrorist offenses, wherever they may occur.

Todays sentencing underscores the dedication of the FBI and our partners within the Joint Terrorism Task Force in pursuing and disrupting anyone who plans to harm U.S. persons or interests, said Special Agent in Charge DeLeon. We want to thank the Department of Justice and the Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office, along with both local and foreign partners for their essential contributions to this case. The FBI sends our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families, and friends. The FBI's highest priority remains preventing terrorist attacks and combating terrorism here in the U.S. and around the world."

Between January 2005 and July 2010, Alahmedalabdaloklah designed, made and supplied components parts for IEDs for members and associates of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, an armed Iraqi insurgent group that opposed the U.S. military presence in Iraq. The component parts were intended to be used in IEDs against U.S. military personnel and property in Iraq.

On Aug. 30, 2006, U.S. military personnel discovered what, at that time, was one of the largest IED caches in Iraq at 50 Omar Street, Baghdad, Iraq (Omar Cache). The Omar Cache included numerous IED-related materials, including a completed IED triggering device that had three of Alahmedalabdaloklahs fingerprints on the tape wrapped around the device. The U.S. military also seized raw material, tools, test equipment, schematics, and other items related to IED construction, including components for various types of IEDs and bomb making training aids. One document, which had numerous latent prints belonging to Alahmedalabdaloklah, described how to employ remote technology to command a mobile phone, wireless device and landline phone to detonate explosives.

Alahmedalabdaloklah subsequently moved to China and continued to support the 1920 Revolution Brigades by providing component parts for IEDs. In May 2011, Alahmedalabdaloklah was detained in the Republic of Turkey while transiting from China. He was extradited to the United States in August 2014.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Pimsner, Melissa Karlen and Bill Solomon for the District of Arizona, and Trial Attorney Joseph Kaster of the National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section.News

Angola, Louisiana - Daniel Davis, 41, a former Major at Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) in Angola, Louisiana, was found guilty by a jury today in federal court for beating an inmate who was handcuffed, shackled, and not resisting. In a previous trial in January, Major Davis was convicted of conspiring with other officers to cover up the beating by devising a false cover story, submitting false reports documenting that cover story, tampering with witnesses, and lying under oath.

Four other officersformer Captains James Savoy, John Sanders, and Scotty Kennedy, and former Sergeant Willie Thomashave all previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the beating and cover up. At Daviss trial, Captains Sanders and Kennedy testified for the government and described the abuse and the extensive cover up.

After hearing testimony over the course of three days, the jury convicted Davis of willfully depriving the inmate of his right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. The evidence showed that Davis initiated the beating by yanking the inmates leg chains, causing the inmate to fall face-first onto the concrete breezeway. At that point, Davis and the other officers punched, kicked, and stomped on the inmate, leaving the inmate with a bloody gash under his eye, a dislocated shoulder, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung.

Mr. Davis abused the justice system by beating an inmate, writing false reports, and using his influence and power as a corrections officer to encourage others to lie, said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department will continue to prosecute correctional officers who violate federal criminal law.

Our office is committed to protecting the civil rights of all citizens and ensuring that government employees in positions of authority dont abuse that authority, said U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin. I want to thank the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the Louisiana Office of Inspector General for their work on this matter. 

"Charged with protecting the civil rights of others, to include those in custody, is a responsibility the FBI takes very seriously, said Eric J. Rommal, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge. Law enforcement officers and correctional officers acting under the color of law must ensure a person's civil rights are not violated. The jury's decision today reinforces the FBI's commitment that civil rights and color of law violations will not be tolerated.

Corrections officers are given great authority and power in our system because public safety depends on them doing their jobs well, said Louisiana Inspector General Stephen Street. When those corrections officers commit crimes by choosing to abuse their power, as defendant Davis did in this case, they must be held accountable, or public trust in the system suffers. The jurys guilty verdict should send a clear message that we have zero tolerance for it and will continue to aggressively pursue these cases whenever and wherever they may arise. I wish to thank the FBI, United States Attorney Brandon Fremin and the prosecutors from the DOJ Civil Rights Division for their outstanding work on this case.

No date has been set for Daviss sentencing. He faces a maximum penalty of five years of imprisonment on the conspiracy and perjury counts, 10 years of imprisonment on the excessive force count, and 20 years of imprisonment on each of the remaining obstruction counts.

This case was investigated by the FBIs Baton Rouge Resident Agency Office and the Louisiana Office of the State Inspector General. The case was tried by Trial Attorneys Christopher J. Perras and Zachary Dembo of the Civil Rights Divisions Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick A. Menner, Jr., of the Middle District of Louisiana.Today

A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. High 81F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.

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Overcast. Low 62F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.

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Cloudy. High near 80F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.1 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Premier Oil in the last twelve months. There are currently 1 hold rating for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" Premier Oil stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in PMO, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares.

View analyst ratings for Premier Oil or view top-rated stocks.- The former US First Lady, Michelle Obama has opened up on a miscarriage she experienced two decade ago

- This is despite the power couple having been famous for keeping the details of their personal life private

- According to Michelle, she went on to use in vitro fertilization to conceive their two daughters

- She made the revelations ahead of the release of her memoir, Becoming

- She further said the miscarriage left them feeling alone, failed and broken

Former United States of America (USA) first lady, Michelle Obama, has opened up on her difficult and painful journey while being ushered to motherhood.

Michelle, revealed that she used IVF treatment to conceive her two daughters Malia and Sasha two decades ago.

Mitchell Obama claimed she used IVF to conceive her two daughters because age was catching up with her.

READ ALSO: Dead Nevada pimp wins elections to state assembly in the US

In a deeply personal interview with ABCs Good Morning America, on Friday, November, 9 the former first lady said this was after she suffered a miscarriage.

I felt like I failed because I did not know how common miscarriages were because we dont talk about them, the former first lady said

The 54-year-old mother of two further revealed she had to undergo In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) to conceive her two daughters after the miscarriage.

She noted the decision to undergo the procedure was reached after she realised age was catching up with her.

READ ALSO: 29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez emerge youngest woman ever elected to congress

The 54-year-old mother of two had to undergo IVF to conceive her two daughters after a miscarriage.

I realized that as I was 34 and 35, we had to do IVF, she said

She explained it is her desire to help other women which motivates her openness on her past life experiences

I think it's the worst thing that we do to each other as women, not share the truth about our bodies and how they work, and how they don't work...we sit in our own pain, thinking that somehow we are broken, she said.

The revelations come ahead of Tuesday, November 13, release of her memoir Becoming, in which she writes openly about everything from growing up in Chicago to confronting racism.

READ ALSO: Prince Charles and wife Camila arrive in Ghana

The former occupants of the White House who have been married since 1992 have a union that has benefited from therapy.

In the memoir, Michelle also details the early days of her relationship with her husband, including their first kiss.

As soon as I allowed myself to feel anything for Barack, the feelings came rushing, a toppling blast of lust, gratitude, fulfillment and wonder. she writes in her book

The former occupants of the White House who have been married since 1992 have a union that has benefited from therapy.

Marriage counseling for us was one of those ways where we learned how to talk out our differences, Michelle Obama informed Roberts.

READ ALSO: Ethiopia continues to wow the world by appointing woman to senior state post

She further advices young couples who struggle and think that somehow there is something wrong with them to make use of the same therapy they used.

And I want them to know that Michelle and Barack Obama, who have a phenomenal marriage and who love each other, we work on our marriage. And we get help with our marriage when we need it, she writes.

The book also include heavy criticism for the current President Donald Trump where Michelle specifically rips him for his behavior toward women.

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Source: YenNebu, movie director and close friend of late Kumawood actor, Abass "Blinkz" Nurudeen, has said that the actor's murder was a planned thing by assailants who had targeted him for a very long time.

According to the friend of the late actor, Abass was reportedly part of a gang in which the murderer was part but he (Abass) decided to cut ties with them and make peace.

The late actor's friend indicated that Blinkz was well aware of the dangers of going to certain places alone and was sure to be in the company of others while he visited such places.

Late Kumawood star Abass Nurudeen. Credit: Supplied

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Meet the UCC graduate selling to make a living on the streets of Accra

However, Nebu added that the only time Abass did something alone was when he did not want people to know what he was doing.

Nebu also went on to give his own account leading to the death of the actor.

Abass, it was alleged, decided to speak against gangs and gang violence. This act reportedly did not sit well with people who were still members of the gang and it led to his death after he was stabbed multiple times.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that one of the suspects alleged to have stabbed Kumawood actor had been arrested.

The suspect, Sumaila Tijani, was arrested in his hideout at Atimatim in the Tafo-Pankrono Municipality and is currently in custody at the regional police command assisting in investigations.

Reports had been rife on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 7, that Abass died after being stabbed in a brawl.

READ ALSO: Moesha Boduong displays her backside in latest photo

The police in Kumasi later confirmed the death of the well-built actor who was popular for his roles as a 'thug' in many Kumawood movies revealing he died while trying to save his boss' wife.

Preliminary investigations led Manhyia Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kwaku Buah, to believe that the stabbing incident happened at about 10:30 am.

He added that the stabbing incident happened after he (Abass Nurudeen) visited his boss' house at Akorem, a suburb of Kumasi.

The deceased tried to intervene in an ongoing quarrel that turned into a brawl which later turned bloody.

Abass was reportedly stabbed in the ribs and there was another cut on his back which caused him to fall and collapse.

He was immediately rushed to the Manhyia Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Earlier, YEN.com.gh had published a viral photo of the people suspected to have committed the act.

READ ALSO: Court directs Asamoah Gyan to remove Gifty Gyan's maiden name out of application

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Source: Yen.com.ghNebu Ur Majesty, a close confidant and an associate of the late actor Abass Nurudeen, known widely as Blinkz has disclosed that it would not come as a surprise should the 'boys' of the actor revenge his death.

According to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Zionfelix.net, Nebu indicated that the aftermath of Abass' death might not be good since there would be some sentiments shared by some of his friends.

He added that the 'boys' of late Abass Nurudeen might take matters into their own hands and revenge the death of the popular actor.

Late Abass Nurudeen. Credit: Supplied

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Video: Friend of late Kumawood star Abass Nurudeen reveals secret plan leading to his death

Nebu Ur Majesty however stated that it was going to take the intervention of some leaders of these 'boys' to prevent the unfortunate from happening by calming the aggrieved party down.

The movie producer went on to state emphatically that Abass would not have endorsed a supported a revenge would he have been alive.

I can state that what may come after his death will not be good because of his guys who are still around. If the leaders in this guys are able to solve the problem, then they will be no problem but if Blinkz didnt die, I am very confident nothing would have happened. He would have agreed to any form of revenge Nebu Ur Majesty said.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Nebu Ur Majesty suggested that Abass' death was planned by some assailants who had targeted him for a long time.

READ ALSO: Gifty Gyan, children get new passports after Baffuor Gyan failed to return seized ones

According to him, late Abass had become a crusader against gangs and gang violence and the gesture did not go down well with some people.

It has however come to light that one of the suspects alleged to have stabbed Kumawood actor has been arrested.

The suspect, Sumaila Tijani, was arrested in his hideout at Atimatim in the Tafo-Pankrono Municipality and is currently in custody at the regional police command assisting in investigations.

Abass died after being stabbed in a brawl on Wednesday, November 7 when he tried to intervene in an argument.

READ ALSO: Visibly pregnant Ama McBrown sings praises to God in latest video

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Source: YenYEN.com.gh earlier published the report of a 17-year-old South Sudanese girl, Nyalong Ngong Deng Jalang, whose dowry was 500 cows, and 3 V8 cars.

These were offered by a business tycoon, Kok Alat, who was one of the many competitors who wanted to have her hand in marriage.

The wedding ceremony has been held, and from a photo sighted by YEN.com.gh, it appears the teenage bride was being forced to at least smile at her own wedding.

READ ALSO: Friend of late Kumawood star Abass Nurudeen reveals secret plan leading to his death

She looked unhappy, and her facial expression shows that she might not like the marriage, but had no option since such a huge dowry had already been paid.

In the photo, one lady standing behind her, suspected to be one of her family members, is seen holding on to the chin, the common gesture to make someone smile, but still, Nyalong wore a long face.

READ ALSO: Visibly pregnant Nana Ama McBrown sings praises to God in latest video

The photo was seen on the Facebook page of one user Mekelz Collection, and many other users have commented on it, with many describing her situation as sad because she was bought with money, not love.

For instance, Osak, wrote that it was a devilish agenda from both the parents of Nyalong and the husband to have treated her that way:

Still on the matter, Doreen wrote in plain terms that Nyalong has been sold by her family:

READ ALSO: Gifty Gyan, children get new passports after Baffuor Gyan failed to return seized ones

Bessong also termed the marriage as "trade by barter":

Yvonne argued that no reason for Nyalong to smile because she had been sold into slavery:

Wendy described the situation as "heartbreaking":

READ ALSO: Court directs Asamoah Gyan to remove Gifty Gyan's maiden name out of application

Meanwhile, reports have it that Nyalong Jalang, who is just a 17-year-old hailing from Awerial in Eastern Lakes State commonly called Yirol, had five men lined up in a fierce competition to marry her.

Among the suitors competing for Nyalongs heart were a deputy governor of eastern Lakes State, David Mayom Riak.

However, in his bid to beat the stiff competition the businessman, Kok Alat, who is now her husband, made that outrageous offer of 500 cows and 3 V8 cars even though the bride price in the area is typically 20 to 40 cows.

READ ALSO: Photo of pretty lady who sadly lost her life in the Madina-Adenta crash

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Source: Yen.com.gh- A sister and a friend of the dead WASS student, Mariam, have taken to social media, to express their sadness at her death

- Mariam lost her life on November 8, 2018, when he vehicle knocked her down

A sister and a close friend of 18-year-old Mariam, who lost her life on Thursday, November 8, 2018, have taken to social media to express their grief about her death.

Mariam, who was a first-year Home Economics student, was buried on Friday, November 9, 2018, in line with Islamic traditions,

She was killed by a speeding taxi on the Madina-Adentan (N4) Highway on as she crossed the highway in front of her school.

The late Mariam Source: peacefmonline.com

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Wild reactions from Ghanaians as Prophet Kobi declares NDC's flagbearer for the 2020 elections in a new video

Her friend, Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah, posted a message on social media, as she mourned Mariams death.

"The news of your death so shocking Mariam! I heard the sad news of the death of a student on the Adentan-Madina highway yesterday, but to be told this morning it was you gives me so much pain. I remember your late dad said to me "You are his gold".

He was a doting father who took you everywhere including your regular visits to the low-vision clinic at the Ghana Blind Union Eye Clinic and consulted me together with your mum on ways to take care of you.

Hmmm, I know if daddy were alive, he would have escorted you to school and back. You were a promising young lady. The albinism community will miss you. Rest in peace little sister.

We plead with you drivers to know that there are low-vision people including Persons with Albinism in our communities, so, the reckless driving must stop and we await the Ministry of Roads and Highways to fix the footbridges in a weeks time. No more life should be lost on this highway".

READ ALSO: Girl commits suicide after father catches her making love on his bed

Mawunyos twin, Ese Yakor-Hamidu, also wrote this about her late sister:

"My Mariam's beautiful life has been cut short by that reckless driver. You had a very fine skin which was spotless because mummy and daddy took very good care of you and gave you the needed support.

You were a sweet soft and intelligent girl. A daddy's pride. And before we knew it, you were gone, but we'll never forget you.

I was with mummy yesterday and when our uncle saw me, he said he thought you had returned. Is this a nightmare or maybe an illusion? Oh, this is really hard. May God rest you, Mariam".

YEN.com.gh understands that the road's uncompleted footbridges are unusable at the moment.

Mariams death sparked spontaneous riots by residents living along the Madina-Adentan Highway around her school.

They blocked the road with burning tyres, and the police and fire service personnel had to intervene to restore calm.

READ ALSO: Over 100 Ghanaian students in Italy stripped of their scholarship for visa

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Source: Yen.com.gh- President Akufo-Addo has revealed that the Wa and Navrongo campuses of the UDS will become autonomous universities

- According to him, the bill for gazetting the universities is currently before the Attorney-General

- He added that it will be sent to parliament for ratification once it is complete

Ghanas president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has disclosed that plans are advanced to establish two new universities in the northern part of the country.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the University for Development Studies (UDS) on Saturday, November 10, 2018, he stated that the bill for gazetting the universities is currently with the Attorney-General.

According to him, once the process is complete, the bill will be sent to parliament for ratification.

READ ALSO: Dead WASS student's sister and close friend release heartbreaking messages as she is laid to rest

With that done, the Wa campus of UDS will be referred to as the University of Business Integrated Development Studies.

The Navrongo campus, he added, will also be known as the University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Congratulating successive Governing Councils, Vice Chancellors, managements, teaching and non-teaching staff of UDS, the President noted that UDS is no longer the University of last resort, as may have been the case yesteryear, but is today one of the best tertiary institutions in the entire country.

READ ALSO: Majority of Ghanaians are foolish; prophet Kobi goes wild as he drops a prophecy for 2019

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Source: Yen Ghana- The minister of roads, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has reacted to calls for his resignation

- According to him, he has been working around the clock to ensure that he executes his tasks

- He however added that his continuous stay in office is at the discretion of the president who appointed him

The minister for roads and highways, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, has described as unfair, calls on him to resign from office.

Speaking on Adom FMs Dwaso Nsem on Friday, November 9, 2018, he stated that he has been working around the clock.

His comments came after presidential aspirant, Professor Joshua Alabi argued that the minister has been slow in his reaction to deaths on the Madina-Adentan highway.

A student lost her life when a driver knocked her down on Thursday, November 8, 2018 Source: Supplied

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Dead WASS student's sister and friend release heartbreaking messages on social media

Amoako-Atta however stated that such calls were borne out of malice.

Conceding that he could have done more, he indicated that the amounts of money owed the contractor was such that he needed time to mobilise.

This notwithstanding, Hon. Amoako- Atta said his fate is in the hands of President Akufo-Addo who appointed him.

I didnt appoint myself so if in the view of the president he thinks I should resign, he will decide, he stated.

As an immediate measure, the Roads Minister said the contract has been awarded to a different contractor to complete the footbridges on time.

Hon. Amoako-Atta appealed for calm, especially in Adenta and its environs as they work to fix the bridge.

READ ALSO: Majority of Ghanaians are foolish - Prophet Kobi goes wild as he drops his latest prophecy

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Source: YenA cross-section of Ghanaians have expressed their displeasure over an alleged description of former president John Mahamas government as corrupt.

The label was reportedly given by former president Jerry John Rawlings.

Rawlings is reported to have stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) inherited corruption at its worst from the Mahama administration.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Northern Region will soon have two universities - President Akufo-Addo

This description did not go down well with some Ghanaians, who have shared their views on the comment:

READ ALSO: Ghanaians go wild as Prophet Badu predicts NDC's flagbearer for 2020 elections

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Source: Yen.com.ghA 29-year-old Zimbabwean woman, Silindile Mangena from Harare, is reportedly suing her ex-boyfriend for causing her damage with his abnormally long penis.

The young woman claimed that the ex-boyfriends huge penis overstretched her vagina.

Silindile says she has to undergo reconstructive surgery to get her vagina back in shape, following her relationship with her ex, 37-year-old Mugove Kurima.

READ ALSO: Photo: 17-yr-old Nyalong whose dowry was 500 cows, 3 V8 cars, looking sad at her wedding

She is taking her ex to court in a bid to get him to pay for the GHC40,000 (8,000) medical procedure, according to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh in the Zimbabwe Mail.

Silindile reportedly told the Zimbabwe Mail that her private parts were "tight" before she met her ex in 2016.

She said she fell in love with him even though he was allegedly married at the time but ended the relationship in May this year after Kurima stretched her vagina causing her damage.

READ ALSO: Deborah Vanessa reveals real age difference with Medikal in lovey-dovey throwback video

The woman want the court to force Kurima to pay for her reconstructive surgery in South Africa.

The ex-boyfriend is yet to respond to the allegations, according to reports.

In a related development, a 17-year-old South Sudanese, Nyalong Jalang, has married a business tycoon, Kok Alat, who paid her dowry with 500 cows and 3 V8 cars.

READ ALSO: Dead WASS student killed at Adenta laid to rest

Kok Alat paid that outrageous dowry in a stiff competition with five others who had expressed interest in having the teenagers hand in marriage.

Their wedding photo, as sighted and published by YEN.com.gh, shows Nyalong looking sad and unhappy.

Comments gathered by YEN indicate that the young bride is not happy because she was sold into slavery by her parents for accepting that huge dowry.

READ ALSO: Friend of late Kumawood star Abass Nurudeen reveals secret plan leading to his death

Ghana News Today: Adenta on Fire as Angry Residents Protest Over Frequent Deaths| #Yencomgh

READ ALSO: The boys of late Abass will seek revenge  Movie producer predicts doom

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Source: Yen NewsFour persons who were occupants of a taxi are feared dead after they were invlved in an accident at Anoff in the Nsawam Adoagyri Municipality of the Eastern Region, YEN.com.gh has learnt.

According to a reported sighted on Citinewsroom.com, the four persons, all men, were onboard the taxi with registration number GR 7277- 09 when a tipper truck with registration number GN 7830-16 run over them.

Reports say the driver of the truck who was heading towards Nsawam, was engaged in a telephone conversation when he lost control of the steering wheel after moving from the heavy-duty vehicles weighing station around Anoff.

Credit: Citinewsroom.com

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: The boys of late Abass will seek revenge  Movie producer predicts doom

He veered into the lane of the taxi cab which was heading from Adeiso to Nsawam, crashing all passengers onboard to death in the process.

The four occupants of the taxi, including the driver, died on the spot due to the severity of the impact of the accident.

Credit: Citinewsroom.com

Source: UGC

The Nsawam Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Marian Adu- Osei who confirmed the incident to the media said one person had been arrested over the accident.

According to her the person who was in custody was assisting the police in investigations, particularly to arrest the driver of the truck who was currently on the run.

READ ALSO: Video: Two men show up to claim baby as woman gives birth at hospital

The taxi driver saw the tipper truck coming and thinking that the road is narrow for both to pass through, the taxi driver stopped for the truck to go, however, the tipper truck came all the way and veered to where the taxi driver had parked and just run over the four persons.

We arrested one person who we believe he was with the driver. He is currently in our custody assisting us to get the driver, Superintendent Marian Adu- Osei said.

Credit: Citinewsroom.com

Source: UGC

The body of the deceased persons has been deposited at the Nsawam government hospital for autopsy.

READ ALSO: Friend of late Kumawood star Abass Nurudeen reveals secret plan leading to his death

Watch: Ghana News Today: Adenta on Fire as Angry Residents Protest Over Frequent Deaths| #Yencomgh

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Source: Yen.com.ghThe Director General of Ghana Health Service Dr. Nsiah Asare has backed the reason behind the protest of the Adenta residents but condemned their decision to block the road.

According to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Starrfmonline.com, the GHS boss made the comments while speaking in Koforidua on Friday, November 9 at the opening ceremony of the Ghana Medical Association's 60th Anniversary.

Dr. Asare said: As a country we have to let the laws work if there is no Zebra crossing first you dare not cross. So if you cross you will be arrested and prosecuted. But here people cross the road anyhow.

Dr. Nsiah Asare. Credit: Starrfmonline.com

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Four die in gory accident in Nsawam involving tipper truck

And the second point is that even where there is zebra crossing sometimes the human beings will stop and wait for the vehicles it is also wrong immediately somebody steps on the zebra crossing as a vehicle you are supposed to stop and let the person pass but here they want you stop for them to pass. That one too is unlawful so the first thing we have to do is let our laws work.

According to Dr .Nsiah Asare, ideally, double lane roads like the Adenta-Madina road required footbridges thereby siding with sentiments of the residents but condemned their riot.

He said it is time the law enforcement agencies stopped increasing penchant of people to be lawless.

I believe that if these things are happening and somebody dies because the driver didnt stop and the person also used a wrong road , so what should happen is not for people to take the laws into their own hands that one too is becoming unbecoming in this country where people quickly will do anything because something has happened .lets go and burn tires ! lets go and do this! that one also should stop, he added

Residents of Adenta and its environs went on rampage Thursday, November 8 burning car tyres on the highway to register their displeasure over the rampant pedestrian fatalities and injuries on the highway due to lack of footbridges.

READ ALSO: Photo: 17-yr-old Nyalong whose dowry was 500 cows, 3 V8 cars, looking sad at her wedding

The rampage led to many injuries as police fired tear gas, warning shots and and rubber bullets.

A woman and her 14-year-old son were reportedly shot at by the police but the claims have been denied by the law enforcement wing.

The Ministry of Roads and Highways has announced that work on the uncompleted pedestrian bridges in Adenta will commence within a week.

The Ministry in collaboration with the Interior ministry, has requested the Ghana Police Service to deploy officers of the Motor Traffic Unit to prevent further deaths.

All street lights on that stretch too are now fully active.

READ ALSO: Video: Two men show up to claim baby as woman gives birth at hospital

Watch: Ghana News Today: Adenta on Fire as Angry Residents Protest Over Frequent Deaths| #Yencomgh

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Source: YenThe New York-based multinational will enter China's bank card clearing market through its joint venture in China, Express (Hangzhou) Technology Service Co.

Preparation for the new institution should be completed in a year, and then an application should be filed with the central bank for opening of business operation, according to a statement of the People's Bank of China (PBOC) Friday (November 9).

The approval comes as an important step in the opening of China's bank card market, the PBOC said, stressing it will facilitate diversified and differentiated services, foster a level playing field and improve services in the market.

The central bank said it will continue to push forward the entry of bank card clearing institutions into the Chinese market in an orderly manner.nametalkam at 11-11-2018 06:02 PM (3 years ago) (m)

In keeping with its promise to brief members of the public of what, why and how Chief Opeyemi Bademosi, aged 67 years was killed at his No.3B, Onikoyi Lane, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command hereby gives a brief of what transpired in the deceased home on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

In keeping with its promise to brief members of the public of what, why and how Chief Opeyemi Bademosi, aged 67 years was killed at his No.3B, Onikoyi Lane, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command hereby gives a brief of what transpired in the deceased home on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

The journey that eventually ended the life of one Opeyemi Bademosi, a business mogul and an Ondo state indigine, began in Ondo town, in the deceased home state, on 25/10/2018, when one Kofi Friday, 27, returned from Togo to Nigeria and called his compatriots including the murder suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani, aged 22 years to his house at Yaba area in Ondo town to deliver messages from home.



When the suspect came to take his message, the said Kofi Friday who happens to be his cousin, delivered the good news that he has secured him a job as a cook in a rich mans house in Ikoyi Lagos through one Agbeko Ayenahin, a male friend of his. The suspect was subsequently taken to the deceased house in Ondo state on Friday October 26, 2018. It is important to mention that deceased usually went home every last weekend of the month; so on Sunday, October 28, 2018, he brought the suspect, Sunday Adefonou, 22, to Lagos to start work as his cook.



Three days after, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, the suspect with the intention to rob the deceased, made his way to his room through the kitchen, to the lobby and then to the room which was the scene of crime, when he observed that the woman of the house, Mrs Ebunola Bademosi, left home for a transaction in a neighbourhood bank called Polaris Bank, Falomo branch.



According to the suspect, when he got to the deceased room and met him on the bed, he said Chief I am not here to kill you  the deceased asked him what do you want  and he replied money  The deceased said he had no money in the house. At this point, the suspect said he tied him up with a cloth and put him on the floor. He went further to say that the deceased while still on the floor kicked him causing the knife he tucked inside his pants to fall off. He added that the deceased crawled to pick the knife but he (suspect ) was faster; that he struggled with him and the knife accidentally pierced the deceased. He said that while exiting the room, the deceased took the knife to stab him so he kicked him and he fell down. He then took the knife and stabbed him twice on the chest which added to three knife stabs.







When he was done killing the man, he entered his bathroom and threw away his apron already stained with blood and the kitchen knife used as murder weapon. He thereafter heard a knock on the kitchen door, sensing it must be the deceased wife, he ran out of the room and exited from the sitting room door.



He was confronted by the guard at the gate, one Nura Mamudu, who asked him where he was hurrying to and he replied that madam sent me on an errand



Finding himself in the street, he came across men loading cement into a Dangote truck. He assisted them and they rewarded him with a lift to Ondo state and the sum of five hundred Naira (N500. 00) given to him by the truck driver in appreciation.



Investigation into the case revealed the following facts: that the incident occurred on 31/10/2018, at about 0810hrs;

That the suspect committed the offence when the deceaseds wife, Mrs Ebunola Bademosi went to Polaris Bank, Falomo branch, Lagos for a transaction;

That the suspect fled the crime scene when he heard knocks on the door of the kitchen door to Ondo state for refuge.,

That the deceaseds wife entered the crime scene through the sitting room after knocking several times on the kitchen door without response from the suspect.

That the deceaseds wife, Ebunola Bademosi reported the incident to police after she found her husband in a pool of blood on 31/10/2018;

That the deceased, some minutes before his death, called his wife, Ebunola Bademosi on phone, complaining that the suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani barged into his bedroom uninvited;

That the suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani, stabbed the deceased severally on the thoracic region (chest);

That the the scene of crime which is the deceased bedroom, was scattered and stained with blood;

That after killing the deceased, the suspect stole his Samsung phone and fled to Ondo state where he was later arrested on 02/11/2018;

That the stolen Samsung phone was recovered from the suspect upon his arrest in Ondo state;

That the kitchen knife used in killing the deceased was found inside the deceaseds toilet;

That the suspects apron found at the scene of crime was soaked with blood;

That the suspect broke down in tears and confessed to the act after he was confronted with evidence of the CCTV footage;

That the suspect led the investigation team to the crime scene demonstrating/reconstructing how he carried out the crime;

That, samples recovered from the scene of the incident have been handed over to Forensic and DNA Department of Ministry of Justice for examination and analysis;

That the autopsy report attributed the cause of death to (a) Bilateral Haemothorax (b) Laceration of the lung and intercostal vessels and (c) Multiple sharp force trauma to the chest;

That the suspects Kofi Friday, Agbeko Ayenahin, Salisu Hussein and Nura Mamudu are not linked to the crime.



In conclusion therefore, investigation has established a prima facie case of armed robbery/murder of one Opeyemi Bademosi, male, aged 67 years against Sunday Adefonou Anani, male, 22 years. It is evident that the suspect single handedly committed the crime by stabbing Mr Opeyemi Bademosi to death with a kitchen knife with intent to steal from him. To this end, the suspect will be arrainged in court while the other suspects who are not linked to the crime will be released to reliable sureties.



The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi has directed that the casefile be duplicated and forwarded to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for vetting and legal advice. He thanks Lagosians for keeping faith with the police and for their patience throughout the duration of the murder investigation which took the Command a record two days to unravel and apprehend the author of the crime, Sunday Adefonou Anani. He enthused that criminal investigation has gone beyond the era of rule of thumb to an era scientific and research based investigation in Lagos state Police Command.



CSP Chike Oti

Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State. The journey that eventually ended the life of one Opeyemi Bademosi, a business mogul and an Ondo state indigine, began in Ondo town, in the deceased home state, on 25/10/2018, when one Kofi Friday, 27, returned from Togo to Nigeria and called his compatriots including the murder suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani, aged 22 years to his house at Yaba area in Ondo town to deliver messages from home.When the suspect came to take his message, the said Kofi Friday who happens to be his cousin, delivered the good news that he has secured him a job as a cook in a rich mans house in Ikoyi Lagos through one Agbeko Ayenahin, a male friend of his. The suspect was subsequently taken to the deceased house in Ondo state on Friday October 26, 2018. It is important to mention that deceased usually went home every last weekend of the month; so on Sunday, October 28, 2018, he brought the suspect, Sunday Adefonou, 22, to Lagos to start work as his cook.Three days after, Wednesday, October 31, 2018, the suspect with the intention to rob the deceased, made his way to his room through the kitchen, to the lobby and then to the room which was the scene of crime, when he observed that the woman of the house, Mrs Ebunola Bademosi, left home for a transaction in a neighbourhood bank called Polaris Bank, Falomo branch.According to the suspect, when he got to the deceased room and met him on the bed, he said Chief I am not here to kill you  the deceased asked him what do you want  and he replied money  The deceased said he had no money in the house. At this point, the suspect said he tied him up with a cloth and put him on the floor. He went further to say that the deceased while still on the floor kicked him causing the knife he tucked inside his pants to fall off. He added that the deceased crawled to pick the knife but he (suspect ) was faster; that he struggled with him and the knife accidentally pierced the deceased. He said that while exiting the room, the deceased took the knife to stab him so he kicked him and he fell down. He then took the knife and stabbed him twice on the chest which added to three knife stabs.When he was done killing the man, he entered his bathroom and threw away his apron already stained with blood and the kitchen knife used as murder weapon. He thereafter heard a knock on the kitchen door, sensing it must be the deceased wife, he ran out of the room and exited from the sitting room door.He was confronted by the guard at the gate, one Nura Mamudu, who asked him where he was hurrying to and he replied that madam sent me on an errandFinding himself in the street, he came across men loading cement into a Dangote truck. He assisted them and they rewarded him with a lift to Ondo state and the sum of five hundred Naira (N500. 00) given to him by the truck driver in appreciation.Investigation into the case revealed the following facts: that the incident occurred on 31/10/2018, at about 0810hrs;That the suspect committed the offence when the deceaseds wife, Mrs Ebunola Bademosi went to Polaris Bank, Falomo branch, Lagos for a transaction;That the suspect fled the crime scene when he heard knocks on the door of the kitchen door to Ondo state for refuge.,That the deceaseds wife entered the crime scene through the sitting room after knocking several times on the kitchen door without response from the suspect.That the deceaseds wife, Ebunola Bademosi reported the incident to police after she found her husband in a pool of blood on 31/10/2018;That the deceased, some minutes before his death, called his wife, Ebunola Bademosi on phone, complaining that the suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani barged into his bedroom uninvited;That the suspect, Sunday Adefonou Anani, stabbed the deceased severally on the thoracic region (chest);That the the scene of crime which is the deceased bedroom, was scattered and stained with blood;That after killing the deceased, the suspect stole his Samsung phone and fled to Ondo state where he was later arrested on 02/11/2018;That the stolen Samsung phone was recovered from the suspect upon his arrest in Ondo state;That the kitchen knife used in killing the deceased was found inside the deceaseds toilet;That the suspects apron found at the scene of crime was soaked with blood;That the suspect broke down in tears and confessed to the act after he was confronted with evidence of the CCTV footage;That the suspect led the investigation team to the crime scene demonstrating/reconstructing how he carried out the crime;That, samples recovered from the scene of the incident have been handed over to Forensic and DNA Department of Ministry of Justice for examination and analysis;That the autopsy report attributed the cause of death to (a) Bilateral Haemothorax (b) Laceration of the lung and intercostal vessels and (c) Multiple sharp force trauma to the chest;That the suspects Kofi Friday, Agbeko Ayenahin, Salisu Hussein and Nura Mamudu are not linked to the crime.In conclusion therefore, investigation has established a prima facie case of armed robbery/murder of one Opeyemi Bademosi, male, aged 67 years against Sunday Adefonou Anani, male, 22 years. It is evident that the suspect single handedly committed the crime by stabbing Mr Opeyemi Bademosi to death with a kitchen knife with intent to steal from him. To this end, the suspect will be arrainged in court while the other suspects who are not linked to the crime will be released to reliable sureties.The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi has directed that the casefile be duplicated and forwarded to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for vetting and legal advice. He thanks Lagosians for keeping faith with the police and for their patience throughout the duration of the murder investigation which took the Command a record two days to unravel and apprehend the author of the crime, Sunday Adefonou Anani. He enthused that criminal investigation has gone beyond the era of rule of thumb to an era scientific and research based investigation in Lagos state Police Command.CSP Chike OtiPolice Public Relations Officer, Lagos State.

Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 11-11-2018 06:02 PM (3 years ago) | HeroRobert Kubica has hit back at a British media report that claimed he will definitely race for Williams in 2019.

The publication has since wound back its claim, but the British team and the Polish driver have admitted they were angry about the reporting.

"It is not the number of articles that shows whether the chances are bigger or smaller," Kubica told Eleven Sports.

Kubica, the 2018 Williams reserve, has reportedly been tossing up between the Williams race seat or a longer term offer to be a Ferrari test driver from 2019.

"The title of the (British) article has been changed, so it is not true that I have an offer to be a Williams race driver," he explained.

"It's not up to me to judge if I am at the top of the list. For me, the situation is quite comfortable. I respect my timing and we'll see if there is a chance," Kubica added.

He said he is expecting to make his final decision "in early November".

"We focus on two options, but it's not that simple. You can say something in the paddock, but it's also true that F1 is also beyond the paddock," Kubica insisted.

(GMM)Lewis Hamilton may be on pole, but a dispute about the wheels on his Mercedes continues to rage.

In Austin and again in Mexico, the reigning champion team voluntarily stopped using the controversial rims because Ferrari was threatening to protest.

And now Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said from Brazil that Mercedes may once again stop using the wheels that arguably feature 'aerodynamic' holes, for fear of Ferrari's protest.

"Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto told the FIA in Mexico that he considers the decision of the stewards to be wrong," the report said.

But the Italian team could still question that decision after the race in Brazil in the form of a protest.

That is despite Charlie Whiting declaring: "It would just be a repeat of what we have already seen in Mexico."

(GMM)The centenary of Egypts 1919 Revolution will see many recalling its events and historical outcomes. But 1918 was almost as crucial a year, as the memoirs of revolutionary leader Saad Zaghloul explain

Half a dozen historians and scholars sit around an oval-shaped table in one of Downtown Cairos office-turned flats to reflect on 100 years since the 1919 Revolution.

It is late September, and the dark tanned faces of half the speakers declare the end of the summer holidays and a return from Egypts Mediterranean Coast to the sweltering, congested and polluted capital.

Remembering a revolution that happened 99 years ago ahead of its centenary might be worth being in Cairo for, however, as the statements made over several hours are fascinating.

This revolution, one of the most important in Egypt, continued for 30 years at least as far as its achievements go, declared historian and former judge Tarek Al-Bishri, one of the speakers.

One or two generations, including mine, witnessed those 30 years. So, when we talk about 1919, we are in fact talking about the first 50 years of the 20th century until 1952 [when military officers staged a coup and declared Egypt a republic].

Al-Bishri, like other speakers, paused repeatedly to emphasise that 1919 did not happen overnight. It was not a singular event but was a part of a series of five revolutions that had preceded it since 1805 and followed until 2011.

The harbingers of the 1919 Revolution might have been brewing for years, but the timeline begins with the end of World War I.

Exactly two days after the 11 November 1918 armistice that ended the war, a delegation of Egyptian public figures including Saad Zaghloul, Abdel-Aziz Fahmi and Ali Shaarawi met with British high commissioner Reginald Wingate in his office on Wednesday 13 November 1918.

They informed him that Egypt wished to be represented at the Paris Peace Conference that was due to open on 18 January 1919 to make its case for self-determination and independence and requested permission to visit London to plead the case before the UK parliament.

A delegation was swiftly formed for this purpose, but Britain refused to allow them to travel. As support for the delegation and its mandate gained momentum across the nation, the British arrested Zaghloul and some of his associates on 8 March 1919 and deported them to Malta.

The arrests triggered massive protests, which continued until April with the participation across Egypt of all classes, including women and students. Labour strikes and a state of public disobedience exacerbated the situation.

By the summer of 1919, more than 800 Egyptians had been killed, as well as 31 Europeans and 29 British soldiers.

The British eventually gave in, releasing Zaghloul and his colleagues and allowing them to go to Paris on 7 April. While the conference itself was a disappointment for the Egyptians, the revolution and the negotiations that followed it over the next few years led to Britains recognition of Egypts partial independence in 1922.

Next Tuesday, 13 November, marks the centenary of the Egyptian delegations meeting with the British high commissioner, the trigger of the historic events that followed. With so much focus on the remarkable events and outcome of the 1919 uprising, the story of how and why this delegation was formed is often neglected

Saad Zaghlouls memoirs, published for the first time in 1987 and throughout the 1990s, stand out as one of the most reliable sources in the narrative. They reveal the mood of this statesman during one of the most important years of his life prior to and during the formation of his political movement that would inspire Egyptians to revolt against British rule.

Throughout 1918, Zaghloul, 59, then vice-president of the Legislative Assembly and a former minister, judge and lawyer and a prominent public figure and politician, sounds rather bored, if the evidence of his memoirs can be believed.

He makes no mention of the much-celebrated speech by US president Woodrow Wilson on 8 January in which he laid out his 14 Principles for the peace to end the war. His point on self-determination sparked hope in Egyptians reeling from British rule, and Al-Ahram, then privately owned and weary of the British-controlled censorship authority, translated and published the speech verbatim.

But Zaghloul writes about his gambling addiction and hates himself for it, especially when losing. He worries about his health and diabetes, busies himself with his land in the Nile Delta and cotton harvest, his reading, networking, socialisation and meetings with Egypts notables including the sultan and his travels in Egypt and overseas.

When Zaghloul finally mentions Egypts representation in the Paris Peace Conference, it appears in his 14 October entry, and it is rather cryptic.

He is in Alexandria, depositing money in the bank. Then, without introduction or context, he writes I talked about Egypt and her future, what her sons should do for her when the dawn of victory and the [Paris] Peace Conference is held. A few thoughts come to mind, but they all depend on the confidence people have in each other. And there is no such confidence and since that is the case, it is best to keep a low profile.

12 October 1918: Because Zaghloul wrote his memoirs in more than one notebook simultaneously, his 12 October entry, in a different notebook, is detailed and strikes a different mood.

He goes to Alexandria to attend a banquet hosted by prime minister Hussein Roshdi Pasha to celebrate the anniversary of Sultan Hussein Kamels accession to the throne.

He writes that he was tired because he was up playing cards, lost LE225, and slept, quite poorly, at 4am.

During the banquet, held in the Ras Al-Tin Palace in Alexandria, Zaghloul meets prince Omar Tousson, a prominent royal figure and intellectual who was passionate about independence and a grandson of Said Pasha who ruled Egypt from 1854 to 1863.

Im thinking that a group of Egyptians should demand their rights at the Peace Conference. I said: beautiful idea that has crossed some minds before and now is the time. He said: reflect on it, and look for those willing to help. Then we departed, Zaghlouls memoirs read.

He continues in the same entry to say that the following day he met with his close friend and former minister Ismail Sedki Pasha, discussed this matter with him and then played poker and lost. The day after he met with education minister Adli Yakan Pasha who also brought it up. Both decided to seek the mediation of the American consul.

Roshdi, the prime minister, met with former minister and newspaper editor Ahmed Lotfi Al-Sayed, and both agreed to proceed, Zaghloul writes. When Roshdi met the American consul, he was unhelpful and offered two ideas: either Turkey requested Egypts independence by saying it had relinquished its rights, or Egypt should appeal to the British government.

The following day, Zaghloul went with his friends to his farm where they spent a few days deliberating the matter before returning to Cairo to read about the armistice in the papers. Weve found no solution until now. It is better to remain silent and dismiss the matter, he wrote.

15 October: Entry entirely about bank deposits and financial dealings. Ten days later, Zaghloul resumes writing.

25 October: Zaghloul heads to Alexandria for a tea party hosted by British high commissioner Reginald Wingate, resumes poker at the club on the 23rd and 24th, loses a hefty LE526, and damns himself and travels.

On the way back to Cairo, he meets Tousson on the train who shares his thoughts on writing a memo arguing Egypts case for independence following the Paris Peace Conference without antagonising the sultan. He complains about British rule and the confiscation of his land in Alexandrias Abu Qir district.

The entry moves on to focus on an offer for a position at Cairo University and another to head a prestigious charity.

26 October: Zaghloul gets a position at Cairo University.

4 November: More on the university position, the future of the university itself and the charity.

The next entry is 11 days later, just two days after the 13 November meeting with Wingate, the British high commissioner. It is the longest in 1918 but glosses over the Wingate meeting, barely even mentioning it.

Friday, 15 November: Zaghloul writes that the previous Monday, 11 October, he received visitors including Tousson who engaged him in discussion of the idea to form a delegation to the Paris Peace Conference. He understands from Tousson that the sultan is not against the idea, so Zaghloul agrees to be part of it.

The group then gets into a heated discussion over who should be invited to a meeting at Toussons place on the matter. Then it crossed our minds to visit Wingate and inform him of our travel plans and ask him about his countrys intentions regarding Egypts fate. So, he gave us an appointment on Wednesday the 13th [of November.]

We then went to [prime minister] Roshdi Pasha, and we understood that there is no objection to [our] travel plans. He showed us a letter from him to the sultan requesting permission for him and [foreign minister] Adli Pasha to travel.

Despite Toussons assurances about the sultans approval of this plan, Zaghloul writes that he wanted to bring it up with the sultan directly, but when he did he was met with indignation. The sultan told him he only knew about it from the prime minister, not Tousson.

Later in the same entry, Zaghloul expresses doubts about some of the figures who were going to attend the meeting with Tousson. They would sway the others with arguments against independence whilst praising British protection, he thinks.

During the meeting itself, one pasha floated the idea of prince Tousson heading the Egyptian delegation to Paris, while offering to pour money into the project which required generous funding. Zaghloul writes that the audience did not approve of the idea as Toussons ties with the monarchy would give the wrong impression to Egyptians.

When the sultan was briefed on this, he refused to allow a member of the royal family to head the delegation, as that would be damaging to the sultan. He asked Roshdi to dissuade Tousson, who was in Turkey by now, of the idea.

Zaghloul then jumps to the most compelling aspect of the delegations endeavour: the tawkeelat  the signatures they would collect from Egyptian people endorsing the delegation, al-wafd (later the name of the political party formed by Zaghloul and his associates), to represent them at the Paris Conference.

The wording is casual, unaware, it seems, of the impact of the would-be signature campaign.

So, we thought of forming a delegation from among us, and getting signatures from people to represent the wafd to demand full independence on their behalf.

He then proceeds to write several pages more about efforts with Tousson, who gracefully concedes to their logic and steps back from wanting to head the Paris delegation.

This extended entry appears to have been written over several days, describing the many difficulties encountered by the movement at its onset.

He resumes on Saturday 16 November, under the 15 November entry on public figures requesting to join the delegation, Zaghlouls inquiries on the underwhelming donations received thus far, and unforeseen attempt by figures who had previously supported his endeavour to form a separate, rival delegation with the same mandate.

While Zaghloul is concerned about this, he writes instead about the success of the signature campaign despite efforts to undermine it by members of the National Party who were spreading rumours about the delegations ulterior motives to serve the government rather than seek Egypts independence.

The rumour mill targeted Tousson, claiming he was ejected from the movement because he refused to donate money. Zaghloul is enraged and discovers that the gossip has reached Toussons ears, who retorts by supporting the counter delegation.

After lengthy talks with the prince and the rival delegations members, Zaghloul makes peace with them after clarifying the falsehood of the rumours. The next stage is more challenging. Zaghloul is required to unify the two delegations and add, upon Toussons request, members from the same National Party that had circulated false rumours in the first place.

The entry describes the immense efforts made by Zaghloul to achieve this through elections, negotiations and a consensus that materialised with great difficulty within the delegation over the criteria for membership.

He goes back to the signature campaign, citing an event in which four young men demanded to see the wording of the document before signing it. When Zaghloul objected, the situation escalated quickly to a verbal altercation between the two sides when the men accused Zaghloul of conspiring with the government under the guise of the signature campaign.

Infuriated, Zaghloul screamed that he would not allow them to insult him in his own house. They left, but one of the men, Mohamed Zaki, remained and shouted back at Zaghloul, this is not your house, it is the house of the nation [beit al-umma].

The phrase, mentioned here in passing by an angry young man, would, in the months to come and as the revolution unfolds, become synonymous with Zaghlouls residence. It is still called beit al-umma today.

Zaghloul wraps up his 20-something page entry, which no longer specifies dates or days, by writing about the threats coming from the British advisor to the Interior Ministry to notables and public figures against signing the endorsement. By then the campaign was viewed by the Interior Ministry as a disruption of public order since Egypt was under martial law enforced by the British since 1914.

The threats were successful in slowing down the campaign, even prompting some figures to request un-signing the endorsement and donations dwindled.

Most of our visitors from the upper classes and the educated had questions revealing ill-intentions and lack of confidence, and none of them offered financial or moral assistance, he writes. The other classes meanwhile, have been more receptive and encouraging. Zaghloul describes the momentum as a renaissance.

He writes that he has found a flyer being circulated in schools urging students to follow efforts seeking Egypts independence, and prompting them to sign the endorsement.

This left a great impression, he writes.

Five months later the massive 1919 revolution -involving students, workers, officials, farmers and women- would break out.

A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: 1918: Before the storm in Saad Zaghlouls memoires

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Max Verstappen has become "very mature".

That is the view of FIA race director Charlie Whiting.

Earlier in 2018, the Red Bull driver struggled with a series of mistakes. But after that, Verstappen's form surged.

"True, after Monaco, things changed. I would say that the last 12 races have flowed very well," he told Globo in Brazil.

"I wanted to get results too much and in the wrong way, with a lot of anxiety," Verstappen admits.

"I had to stop, work, reflect, slow down, which made me fast and consistent. Before it was all or nothing and I took enormous risks.

"I'm still aggressive, but in a way to keep everything under control," he added.

Whiting says he has noticed that change, even though Verstappen will still not hold back his strong opinions when he is penalised.

"Max has given the sport new dimensions, searching for and seeking out his limits. In the emotion of the moment I understand his reaction when he or someone else gets punished," he told De Limburger.

"But I recently spoke with him on the plane after his victory in Mexico, and he has become very mature," Whiting added.

(GMM)Brazilian GP 2018

Saturday Press Conference

Vettel, Hamilton, Bottas, Brazilian GP 2018  RV Press

DRIVERS

1 - Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes)

2 - Sebastian VETTEL (Ferrari)

3 - Valtteri BOTTAS (Mercedes)

TRACK INTERVIEWS

(Conducted by Paul Di Resta)

Q: Lewis, another pole position, you 10th pole position of the year. What have you got to say?

Lewis HAMILTON: That was a tough qualifying session. Obviously the weather was going up and down and we didn't really know what to expect. Obviously Ferrari are incredibly quick this weekend a lot of work went on in the background with my engineers to make sure we got the car to be best place we could. I'm just really happy to be here in Brazil, you know, knowing I've got Senna's design on the back of my helmet, so I mean... I didn't know I had the pole, the last lap wasn't that great, if I'm honest, I had a bit of understeer in a few places but I was so grateful when I heard I got pole.

Q: This place means so much to you. You can see the tribute you do to Ayrton every year and the Brazilian fans love you as well?

Hamilton: I just appreciate so much the love that I get here. It's been a crazy journey with the Brazilian fans. Obviously the first year I came here I was fighting against Felipe and I was almost the enemy when I left but over the years it's really grown to I think adore each other. There's a huge amount of respect I have for them and I love the country so it works hand in hand.

Q: What can we expect tomorrow. Obviously Ferrari are doing a different tyres strategy. I think you guys were going to do it but the rain compromised Q2, can you still dominate this race?

Hamilton: I don't know, we'll see. You've seen how quick the Ferrari's are. I mean, they had a lot more blistering yesterday than we did on the supersoft tyre. I don't know if it's correct but we wanted to be on the soft and things kind of swung us the wrong way. Right or wrong we will see tomorrow but hopefully still, with the choice we have, I'll make the best of it.

Q: Enjoy tonight, at least you've got that four-metre head start tomorrow. Sebastian, coming very close there - P2. A different tyre strategy as we just discussed with Lewis. Are you happy with today?

Sebastian VETTEL: Yeah, I think it was good fun. In the end I had a tiny lock-up in Turn 8. I got a good start to the second attempt in Q3 and I thought I'd go for it, but it was a little bit too much, so I lost some time and didn't improve. It was very close, so it was a fun session.

Q: I don't know if you are aware but you have been called to the stewards for the scale incident. What do you have to say about that?

Vettel: I think it's better if I don't say anything... They shouldn't call us, because when the conditions are changing like that I think it's unfair if somebody gets called in and yeah, I wanted them to hurry up.

Q: How difficult is it for a driver and an engineer to read the conditions when it's coming like that. Is it more the driver's feel or do you have to stick to the weather systems on the computer?

Vettel: It's a difficult one. Inside the garage we don't really see much, you can't see out. You have to trust the laps you did before. You have to trust the communication you are having with the pit wall on the conditions, what you see other cars are doing. But when it's like this it can be anything, so I think in the end we all got lucky that we got more or less the same conditions for everyone, so as long as that's the case then it's fine.

Q: Well, I hope you put on a good show like you did in Mexico, show that fighting spirit. Valtteri, third today, not far away, but I guess you can't be happy with that?

Valtteri BOTTAS: Yeah, not far away but here the margins are small. I knew this weekend I did have the pace to be on pole. I think it was there for me to grab but I couldn't take it today. I was more than two tenths up in the second run but lost everything in the last corner on the back straight without any tow, so it was quite disappointing.

Q: When you see the rain falling what do you feel as a driver? Do you keep pushing or is there a bit of trepidation?

Bottas: Yeah, it really depends on the situation but once the rain really started to come down luckily we already had a good lap on the board, so there was no need to take risks. But sometimes you need to go for it and try.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Q: Lewis, that looked like an exciting session in tricky conditions. Just what were the conditions like?

Hamilton: Well, the track was actually really good. There's a lot of grip here and it's a fantastic circuit. They don't generally make circuits like this anymore. You've got the different... it's quite hilly, but it's a real challenge, even though it's quite short. It's very technical - but the grip felt quite good and obviously, the rain was popping in every now and then - but it was just spitting. It was difficult to really tell whether it was going to be slippery in the next corner or not - because when you're travelling at the speeds we go at, on your visor, because you're driving through all the rain, it looks like it's raining more than it is. So, that was definitely tricky - but I think everyone did quite a good job with it - and luckily it held off so we could push at the end when the track was good.

Q: You mentioned the speeds you're doing here at Interlagos. Valtteri's pole position last year was a new track record - you have taken more than a second off that time. Just how quick does it feel around here now?

Hamilton: With the new tyres, with the soft tyres, supersoft tyres and the updates that we have to our car... it's a smaller circuit, shorter circuit, so therefore the difference usually... for example our car is a lot quicker than it was last year at this point - but it doesn't show as much. At other circuits it's three seconds-plus. Around here a second is still quite a lot. So, it does feel great though, around here. Into Six and Seven it's a little lift through there basically and flat though... there's no other corners where you're flat out, or anything like that but you definitely do feel... the grip is what you feel, it's just amazing. It's better than ever.

Q: Sebastian, coming onto you, less than a tenth of a second behind pole position. How are you feeling after that session?

Vettel: Pretty good. I think it was fun. I think the track was good, as Lewis said, and obviously very close. I had a good start to my final attempt but yeah, tried a little bit too hard probably, going into Turn Eight in the middle sector and locked the front and then lost a little bit the rhythm. Tried something special in the last corner, didn't work so... yeah. All in all pretty happy. I think we got the car where it is happiest, and the balance was good in qualifying throughout, so we'll see. We'll start with a different tyre tomorrow. Maybe that can make a difference.

Q: Just to elaborate on that point about the tyres, do you think that'll be the crucial point in the race?

Vettel: Hmmm... might be. I mean, I think it's the tyre that probably most of us probably wanted to start on but then with the conditions it was a bit tricky. Yeah, in the end it wasn't really wet but there was some rain around the track, so yeah, happy that we got it done and now we start with a different tyre, so let's see.

Q: Valtteri, fastest in Q2, you're less than a tenth off pole position but starting third tomorrow. Just sum-up the session for us.

Bottas: I think the gap is a bit more than one-tenth but obviously, it's a bit disappointing one red car got in-between us and the pace I had this weekend so far felt like I could definitely fight for the pole position, and I think it was there for me to grab it. But in the second run I was more than two-tenths up on my best lap but somehow Turn 12, just lost a little bit and then I think I was the first car out in the last run so I had no tow on the back straight and just kept losing time on the uphill. And I saw that it was not going to be an improvement, so for sure that's disappointing but yeah, it was a strong qualifying for us as a team and another great pole for Lewis - but yeah, I think for tomorrow, we'll see how our decision to go with the supersoft is going to... what's going to happen.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Scott Mitchell - Autosport) Seb, could you just talk through the weighbridge incident please, just from your perspective - and are you now worried about getting a grid penalty for tomorrow's race?

Vettel: No, I don't want to talk through. I think it's pretty clear what happened, so. I think we do qualifying, we should talk about qualifying.

Q: (Christian Menath) Lewis, there was a situation between you and Sergey in Q2, I think. Can you talk us through that situation? It looked pretty scary from outside.

Hamilton: Yeah, basically everyone was on an 'out' lap - me, Sergey and everyone in front of me - and when you're on your 'out' lap, towards the end of the lap Valtteri was up ahead of me so he was backing off to get his gap so I had to make sure I kept a gap with him. As far as I was aware, no one behind was on a lap so I was making sure I had the gap but then all of a sudden, out of the last corner - sorry, out of turn 11 - I saw a car coming at high speed so I was like 'oh my God, is that someone on a lap?' so I went to move to the left and that's where he decided to go but he wasn't on a lap, so I don't really know what his thinking was really, with it, because respectfully, between all the drivers, we all do respect... you know, I could have easily tried to overtake Valtteri or Valtteri whoever was in front of him. We all know to keep our space by that point so it was generally quite a disrespectful move in the sense of where it was dangerous between us both because I was not expecting it to happen that way, and so I was actually trying to get out of his way but he ended up going inside but then he got to the corner and then slowed up to utilise the gap but then also I don't know whether to slow my lap up or not. It was kind of strange. It was completely unnecessary because we had a space behind, behind him there was a bit of a space so ultimately his lap and my lap weren't great from that so hopefully he can learn from it.

Q: (Scott Mitchell - Autosport) Valtteri, you talked about having a moment at turn 12, what happened on the lap? The car snap away or was it just not as quick?

Bottas: No, I didn't really have a moment, I just lost a few hundredths there, I think. I think at the beginning of the lap it was getting very good, then the middle of the lap was average and lost a tiny bit in the last corner, but the main time loss, I think it was more than a tenth, was just up the hill, just losing time on the straight. No drama, but definitely not a perfect lap but I think with a perfect lap pole would have been possible.

Q: (Michael Schmidt - Auto Motor und Sport) Seb, in Q2 you were almost as fast as the Mercedes on the soft tyre, so the harder tyre, have you been surprised that there wasn't a bigger gap with the supersoft?

Vettel: Yes, the lap felt really good, the tyre felt really good. You go into the weekend, you have an estimation of what's the difference between the tyres and then you do your Friday running and you might correct it but I was definitely surprised, the tyre felt really good. I don't think it was much slower. Yeah, but it didn't feel... usually we were expecting something like three or four tenths but it felt really good. I was surprised when I crossed the line in Q2 because I also kept some margin for the rain so could have gone faster on that tyre easily. So if it's that good tomorrow, then happy days!

Q: (Christian Menath) You're starting on different tyre compounds. Lewis has been quite outspoken in Austin, I think, when you started on the harder compound, that it was quite a disadvantage there. What do you expect just from starting on different tyre compounds?

Hamilton: I was told that there's not a huge difference, but there's always a difference of some sort. It will definitely be a little bit interesting. It's not a massive run down to turn one but Ferrari are very good at their starts in general normally. However, we are actually quite even in terms of the overall year performance with Ferrari. We're actually quite equal with them, so we've both had a similar amount of good starts so I'm excited to just have a battle, you know. But making that tyre last I think is going to be the interesting scenario but it is what it is. We'll give it all we can tomorrow.

Vettel: Again, we have an estimation of what the penalty might be with the harder compound at the start but it's a very short way to turn one so we'll see. I have quite good memories from P2, starting P2 here so we will see. I think it depends a lot more on the job that you do at the start, to get everything right then a little bit of difference on the tyres.

Q: Are there similar grip levels on both sides of the track?

Vettel: I think so. The last years it was pretty even so, yeah. Usually the right side or the odd side here is a bit cleaner but I'm sure that with the other races across the weekend it should be fine, there should be plenty of rubber.

Bottas: Nothing to add.The two-day meeting will discuss several future issues, including the world economic situation, trade, investment and evolving political and economic globalisation

The annual meeting of the World Future Councils in Dubai, organised by the government of Dubai, will take place Sunday in partnership with the World Economic Forum.

Under the auspices of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, the meeting is a multi-disciplinary network aimed at exploring how to create a sustainable and inclusive future.

It includes the participation of more than 61 countries represented by 700 members of Future Councils, along with more than 300 participants drawn from leaders and entrepreneurs.

There are 38 Future Councils, including the Future Council of Flexible Governance, which is working on drafting parameters of governance to fit the Fourth Industrial Revolution, empowering leaders to lay the foundation for flexible and modern management.

The two-day meeting, coordinated by Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future of the UAE Mohammed Al-Qarqawi, will discuss several future issues, including developments in the world economic situation, uncertainty regarding international trade, investment and the flexibility of Arab economies towards these developments, and the impact of evolving political and economic globalisation.

A study on data policies will be launched as well as a framework for dealing with information technologies at the level of governments and individuals.

The meeting will also discuss future trade wars and how to deal with them.

A report on regional risks to business will be released based on a survey of more than 12,000 business leaders.

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In 2015, a number of European countries, including the UK, introduced restrictions on flights to Sharm El-Sheikh after a Russian passenger jet crashed in Sinai, killing 224 people

British member of parliament Stephen Timms said Saturday that the Egyptian-British Parliamentary Friendship Association supports that a travel ban imposed on the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh be lifted.

The comments by Timms came during a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Tourism Rania El-Mashaat, who is currently in the UK attending a meeting of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which works to raise awareness of travel and tourism as one of the world's largest industries.

In 2015, a number of European countries, including the UK, introduced restrictions on flights to Sharm El-Sheikh over security concerns after a Russian passenger jet crashed in Sinai, killing 224 people, most of whom were holidaymakers.

Timms is the elected president of the Egyptian-British Parliamentary Friendship Association.

During his meeting with Mashaat in London, Timms highlighted the desire of British tourists to visit Egypt, especially Sharm El-Sheikh.

He said that the association is working inside the House of Commons and the House of Lords to pressure the British government to lift Sharm El-Sheikh travel ban.

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Egypts official gazette published on Sunday the names of 164 members of the hard-line Islamist movement Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya who were placed on a terrorism list by a Cairo criminal court on 28 October.

The court placed the group, which waged an armed insurgency in the 1990s but renounced violence more than a decade ago, on a "terrorist entities" list, and placed 164 of its members on the terrorism list for five years.

The list includes the group's leading members Assem Abdel-Maged, Mohamed El-Islambouly and Tarek El-Zomor.

The court also ordered that the funds of those added to the list be seized and managed by a special committee.

"These are judicial precautionary measures that seek to preserve, protect and [serve] the interest of the entire society," said the court.

The court's decision was based on a memo prepared by the High State Security Prosecution that says many leaders and members of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya "renounced their previous initiative to stop violence and declared their adherence to the ideology of the organisation that justifies violent acts," and regard the president as an infidel for failing to abide by Islamic Sharia law, the official gazette said.

Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya was implicated in the 1981 assassination of Egyptian President Anwar El-Sadat before they renounced violence more than a decade ago.

The group stepped out of the shadow after the 2011 revolution that overthrew longtime strongman Hosni Mubarak.

After he came in to office in 2012, Mubarak's successor Mohamed Morsi freed some members of the group who had been jailed during the groups armed insurrection against the state in the 1990s.

Morsi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood group who was removed from office after a one-year rule, is now serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted for involvement in the killing of protesters during demonstrations that culminated in his ouster, and a 25-year jail term over spying for Qatar.

Egyptian authorities banned the Brotherhood in 2013 and declared it a terrorist organisation.

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Egypt's foreign ministry said on Sunday that it is following up on investigations by Kuwaiti authorities into a physical assault on a female Egyptian national in the Gulf country.

Last week, an Egyptian woman named Fatma Aziz shared a near six-minute video that went viral online of her crying and pleading for support as she recounted the incident.

Appearing in the video with a bandaged hand, Aziz alleged that a group of five Kuwaiti women beat her, tore her hair and "stepped on [her] face with their shoes" as they pinned her to the ground. She said the row erupted after a girl hit her child with a bicycle.

She said the women threatened to have her deported from the country.

The foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday that it is "following up on the ongoing investigations into the incident with Kuwaiti authorities."

The ministry added that it has tasked the Egyptian consulate in Kuwait to contact the woman to "offer all necessary care and support."

This is the latest in a series of similar attacks on Egyptian expatriates in the Gulf country over the past few years.

In December 2017, Kuwaiti authorities arrested a Kuwaiti man after a video of him brutally assaulting an Egyptian man at a motorcycle shop went viral online.

In May 2016, another Kuwaiti national was arrested after footage of him verbally assaulting a naked Egyptian man and hitting him with a stick was shared online.

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As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content.

When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to.

After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code.

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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.Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print.

Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create.Barely two weeks later, Whittlesly would disappear off the SS Toloa on its way to Havana. He was presumed to have jumped overboard, leaving a note among his papers in his cabin that "I will not be back."

His friends believed that he had been overcome by his participation in the memorial.

"For the last two years there has scarcely been an hour when the grief and horror of war have not been brought vividly before him," his law partner Charles W. Little told reporters.

Whittlesly graduated from Pittsfield High School and Williams College, later earning a degree from Harvard Law School. He enlisted in May 1917 and by September was commissioned a major leading the 308th Infantry Regiment, part of the 77th Infantry Division. That October his unit was among the forces pushing back against the Germans in the Meuse-Argonne. The battalion advanced faster than the others and was cut off and surrounded for nearly five days until the advancing American units could catch up.

Pinned down by fire from both sides, and without food and supplies, more than half his force was killed or injured. Whittlesly refused to surrender, purportedly telling the Germans to "go to hell."

Runners failed to make it back to headquarters to report their position but their last surviving messenger pigeon, Cher Ami, did. She was shot and wounded as she took off but still flew nearly 30 miles in 25 minutes to deliver the message: "We are along the road paralell to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heavens sake stop it."

Whittlesly was presented the Medal of Honor at a ceremony at Boston Common and received the Croix de Guerre from France. (Cher Ami would also be awarded the Croix de Guerre and she is on display at the Smithsonian Institute.)

But Whittlesly was never able to return fully to civilian life or escape the war. His cenotaph is in Pittsfield Cemetery but his remains were never recovered.

Massachusetts honored her sons and daughters in 1933 with the dedication of the Mount Greylock War Memorial Tower on the state's highest peak in Adams. The 93-foot tall monument was recognized this year as one of 100 national monuments by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission.

Adams also filled the town with memorials to those sent off the war.

iBerkshires has rounded up some examples of the residents who went to war and some of what they did afterward.

Much of this material is thanks to the Adams Historical Society, North Adams Historical Society, Berkshire Historical Society, the Williamstown Historical Museum and the archives of the North Adams Library and Berkshire Athenaeum.An Egyptian criminal court sentenced on Sunday a policeman to three years in prison over the death of a young man who was killed shortly after he was arrested earlier this year.

The Cairo criminal court also handed a low-ranking policeman a six-month prison term over the incident, which took place in January.

The two men were convicted of beating Mohamed Abdel-Hakim to death and detaining him without legal grounds.

The 22-year-old Abdel-Hakim, known as Afroto, died in hospital shortly after being arrested on suspicion of drug dealing.

Following his death, 43 people were arrested during clashes with police forces that erupted outside the Mokattam police station where he had been briefly detained.

A post-mortem report said the death was caused by "severe laceration of the spleen and abdominal bleeding."

A number of policemen have been sentenced over abuses and violence over the past few years. The interior ministry denies accusations of widespread torture by police and says it investigates any violations and that such incidents are isolated cases.

Sunday's sentences can still be appealed.

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The UKs Premier Eurasia-Focused Mining Forum



The 7th MINEX Eurasia Mining and Investment Forum will take place on 23 November 2018 at Simmons & Simmons, CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9SS.



Organised in partnership with the UKs Department for International Trade, the conference will provide industry professionals a platform to discuss emerging trade, cooperation and investment opportunities in Eurasian mining. This year, the Forum will be focusing in particular on Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia.



Every year, MINEX Eurasia brings together key players from government, finance, senior and junior miners, trade associations, supply chain companies and NGOs.



Established in 2012, the MINEX Eurasia Conference is the UKs premier mining Forum on Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Caucuses and Mongolia. The conference is organised by Advantix Ltd, which has been running conferences in Central Asia, Russia, China and Continental Europe since 2005.



The 2017 MINEX Eurasia Forum brought together over 180 delegates from the UK and overseas. Mining companies operating in Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and Tajikistan took part in the event. General Managers, Operational Directors, Finance Directors and Heads of Procurement from gold, coal, copper, other metal and mineral mines, and processing plants were taking part in the conference and one-on-one meetings organised by the Department for International Trade.Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar revealed on Sunday, that he was searched by security agents in Abuja.

According for the former vice President, he arrived the FCT on Sunday morning, but was subjected to search, which was aimed at intimidating him.

The presidential candidate said this in a tweet on Sunday evening, adding that nothing can sway him from his commitment to get Nigeria working again.

He wrote:Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains have continued to reacted to report, its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar was searched at the airport in Abuja on Sunday.

On his part, Senator Ben Bruce, strong Atiku supporter described the search as a  reckless harassment. He stressed that, Nigeria is not a fascist state, and wouldnt return to the era of dictatorship. He added that the present government should drop all unconventional tactics and prepare themselves to face Atiku at the polls.

He wrote:

I totally condemn this reckless harassment of Abubakar Atiku the candidate of the PDP ss he landed in Abuja. Nigeria is not a fascist state. We will not return to a jackboot dictatorship. This government should face Atiku at the polls, not with force.

Femi Fani- Kayode, a former minister of Aviation, in his reaction stated that Atikus search was shameful. He said, the method is only being employed by the government of the day, because it has failed and his dying.

He wrote:

The attempt to intimidate Atiku with security agents at the airport after his arrival in Abuja this morning is utterly shameful and I totally condemn it. It is the desperate act of a vicious,cowardly, weak, paranoid, dying and failed government who know that their time is over.spain-320 x 215

Most  if not all  of these foreign insurers are subject to non-resident income tax under the regime for permanent establishments in Spain. Under that regime, without prejudice to what is established in the applicable tax treaty, they must pay corporate income tax on all of the income obtained through their permanent establishments (PEs) in Spain.

Until recently, the tax position of foreign insurers PEs went unchallenged, and tax managers, mostly working from head offices, didnt give a second thought to checking the box of their compliance duties with the support of local tax compliance services providers.

However, that peace of mind has gone since the Spanish tax agency  in particular, the Madrid branch, where most PEs are tax domiciled  started an audit campaign in relation to those PEs a couple of years ago, unexpectedly resulting in big headaches for tax managers.

It is known that the most relevant expense items on an insurers income statement are claims, technical provisions and (ceded) reinsurance premiums. As such, the Spanish tax agency is questioning the deductibility of all of those items.

The deductibility of large claims is now being challenged mostly on the basis of their allegedly incorrect and even unfair attribution to the PE. Using different arguments, the tax inspectors are saying that these claims do not pertain to the PE for tax purposes.

The deductibility of reinsurance premiums (usually paid to another group unit) is being rejected on the grounds that the relevant reinsurance agreements do not make sense from an entrepreneurial perspective (quota share agreements) or do not provide effective protection to the PE on standalone basis (XL agreements). Therefore, they must be disregarded for tax purposes regardless of whether these transactions have been priced at arms length.

Lastly, technical reserves and, in particular, claims provisions (i.e. outstanding and IBNR) are being considered excessive for tax purposes or even disproportionate or without technical justification at the level of the PE. In this case, tax inspectors are basing the assessments on a more than questionable interpretation and application of the Spanish tax provisions that deal with the tax treatment of technical provisions for corporate income tax purposes.

More specifically, when claims provisions are calculated by the insurer using its own statistical methods  and not the method provided as a safe harbour by Spanish regulatory provisions  inspectors are denying the deductibility of the provision on the ground that they are not reliable for tax purposes and consequently they are not a valid basis for calculating the tax debt. Alternatively, tax inspectors are using a residual methodology provided for in the regulatory legislation for those situations in which the insurer has not got enough information to accurately determine the amount of the reserve.

It is pretty difficult to predict how and when these controversies will end because, although there are strong arguments to oppose the tax agencys multimillion euro assessments, the litigation route could go on for years. This is because the wording of the law, i.e. the regulatory provisions dealing with the methods for calculating the reserves, is vague and gives leeway to different interpretations, and the Spanish courts, in particular the Supreme Court, have typically adopted very restrictive positions on this issue.

With this in mind, it is advisable to review a PEs tax position in view of the criteria adopted by the tax authorities and eventually evaluate whether it would be convenient to request a ruling from the Spanish Directorate-General of Taxes. However, it is necessary to take into consideration that the binding effects of this type of rulings only apply from the ruling date onwards and in the absence of contradictory case law or changes in the law.

Lets see what the future brings.

Jorge Moreira

Jorge Moreira (jorge.moreira@garrigues.com)

Garrigues, Taxand Spain

Tel: +34 915145200

Website: www.garrigues.com

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Share this articleHigher Education Commission HEC Islamabad Jobs 2018

Latest Higher Education Commission HEC Management Posts Islamabad 2021 Higher Education Commission HEC Government of Pakistan requires the services of highly qualified individuals for the posts of Operations Member, Planning Member, Monitoring Advisor, Evaluation Advisor, Managing Director, Director General in Islamabad Pakistan 2018.

How to Apply on Higher Education Commission HEC Job Advertisement

Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online.



Company Address: Assistant Director HRM Higher Education Commission HEC Sector H-9 Islamabad

Telephone: 051-90401424

Official Website: www.hec.gov.pk

Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted.Pakistan Air Force PAF Base Sukkur Sindh Jobs

Latest Pakistan Air Force PAF Medical Posts Sukkur 2021 Lady Doctor are required in Pakistan Air Force PAF Base Sukkur Sindh in Sukkur. Candidate must have MBBS Degree with valid PMDC Registration and should have experience.

How to Apply on Pakistan Air Force PAF Job Advertisement

Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online.



Official Website: www.paf.gov.pk

Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted.Egyptian member of parliament Ismail Nasr El-Din announced on Sunday that he intends to present a draft bill to the House of Representatives to remove religious identification from national IDs and official state documents.

Egypts national IDs, which every citizen must carry at all times, contain basic information about individuals including age, occupation, place of residence, marital status and religious affiliation.

The MP said that if Egyptians truly seek a civil state that upholds the values of citizenship, then they should start with official state documents, and that all Egyptians have the same rights and duties according to the constitution.

"Just as the 'divorced' field was removed from the national ID, we should remove the 'religion' field," he added in his statement.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi spoke in front of the whole world last week about freedom of belief and the right of every citizen to freedom of worship, Nasr El-Din said, referring to statements the president made at the World Youth Forum 2018 last week.

This is a clear message from the president of the nation and we, as a legislative body, must convert what the president said into facts on the ground, Nasr El-Din said.

The president had also stressed the importance of reforming religious discourse, and asserted that "we do not discriminate based on religion or whether a person is Muslim or Christian."

Nasr El-Din said "I will be keen to collect the signatures of every MP to endorse the draft bill."

This is not the first attempt to pass a draft law to remove religious identification from the national ID.

In June 2016, MP Alaa Abdel-Moneim presented a similar draft bill called dubbed Citizenship to the House of Representatives, but the draft bill failed to go forward.

According to Article 53 of Egypts 2014 constitution, citizens are equal before the law, possess equal rights and public duties, and may not be discriminated against on the basis of religion, belief, sex, origin, race, colour, language, disability, social class, political or geographical affiliation, or for any other reason.

The article states that discrimination and incitement to hate are crimes punishable by law.

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Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met in Manama with Bahraini King Hamad bin Essa, where the two agreed on the importance of combating any foreign or regional interference in the affairs of Arab countries, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read.

Shoukry and the Bahraini King affirmed the importance of strengthening joint mechanism between the two countries to unite Arabs to face challenges.

Shoukry expressed during the meeting his appreciation for the special and brotherly ties with Bahrain and his gratitude for the wise policies and stances undertaken by the Gulf State.

The Egyptian foreign minister is in Manama to chair the 10th session of the Joint Egyptian-Bahraini Commission at the level of the two countries foreign ministers.

Shoukry met with both his Bahraini counterpart and the prime minister, where he expressed hopes that the Joint Commission will yield concrete results that will add momentum to bilateral relations and serve common Arab goals.

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The zone, which is expected to attract as much as $7 billion in Russian investments, aims to act as a gateway for boosting Russian exports to Africa.

Egypts parliament approved on Sunday a landmark agreement on establishing and operating the Russian Industrial Zone in the Suez Canal Economic Area.

The agreement, signed between the two governments in Moscow in May 2018 (no.420/2018), is expected to attract $7 billion in Russian investments.

Ahmed Samir, the head of parliament's economic affairs committee, said the agreement reflects the growing political and economic relations between Egypt and Russia.

"There is cooperation between Egypt and Russia on all levels at the present time, covering military, political, and economic areas," Samir said, adding that "while Russia aims to build an industrial zone inside Suez Canal's economic area, it also helps Egypt set up four nuclear power stations at Dabaa, west of Alexandria."

Samir said the Russian industrial zones focuses will include electronics, electricity, construction, paper, wood, cars, and medical equipment.

"The zone will use high technology to produce competitive goods and boost the efficiency of the current industrial infrastructure in Egypt, and also aims to become a gateway for exporting Russian products to all of Africa," he said.

Samir explained that the Russian Industrial Zone is located to the east of the city of Port Said, and will be established on 2.25 million square metres.

"It expects to attract $7 billion in investments and generate as many as 35,000 job opportunities in the first stage," Samir said, adding that "90 percent of workers in the zone will be from Egypt."

However, some articles of the agreement faced criticism from some leftist MPs.

Abdel-Hamid Kamal, a deputy representing the city of Suez, said he is happy that Egypt is moving to restore its old strategic relations with Russia.

"In old times and when the Soviet Union was in power, Russia helped Egypt build the High Dam, and because the relations between Egypt and Russia have become excellent in the past four years, Russia will help Egypt build nuclear power stations and establish an industrial zone," Kamal said.

He added, however, that "I regret that Article 11 of the agreement states that some information on the zone will be made secret, and this is in violation of Egypt's constitution."

Haitham El-Hariri, another leftist MP, also lamented that "Article 8 states that the agreement will remain immune to change by any laws or executive regulations related to its implementation for 50 years."

"This article gives the Russian industrial zone a special privilege and does not help the principle of competition inside Suez Canal's Economic Area," El-Hariri said.

In response, Samir said "the agreement with Russia by no means deals an injustice to Egypt."

"This agreement, as I indicated, is expected to attract $7 billion in investments and this will be injected over a long period of time," Samir said, adding that "the economic feasibility study of this agreement also concluded that there should be a long period of time for Russian investments to be created inside Suez Canal."

Samir also insisted that the agreement does not have articles on "secret information."

"Article 11 deals with the secrecy of intellectual property rights, but the core of the agreement has nothing secret at all," Samir said.

Parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal argued that "the agreement was carefully scrutinised by parliament's legislative and constitutional affairs committee and so it became ripe for debate in a plenary session."

"The committee said the agreement is balanced and does not contravene the constitution, not to mention that it represents a progressive step in strategic cooperation with the state of Russia," Abdel-Aal said.

Abdel-Aal also argued that such economic agreements need a kind of "legislative stability."

"This is a giant and ambitious project and any dramatic legislative changes could push Russian investors to exit the Egyptian market and resort to international arbitration, "he said.

Omar Marawan, minister of state for parliamentary affairs, said that "it is true that the duration of the agreement stands at 50 years, but it is also true that Article 11 gives the two parties  Egypt and Russia  the right to change the agreement upon joint approval from the two governments."

"Not to mention that Article 13 also allows any of the two parties to terminate the agreement, with the stipulation that it informs the other party one year in advance," Marawan said.

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In "Beautiful Days," actress Lee Na-young, left, plays a North Korean defector who leads a tragic life in Seoul. / Courtesy of Contents Panda



By Park Jin-hai



Veteran actress Lee Na-young makes a welcome return to the big screen, playing a North Korean defector and mother who has lived a tragic life.



"Beautiful Days," which opened this year's Busan International Film Festival, features a young Korean-Chinese man, Zhen Chen, played by Jang Dong-yoon, who goes to South Korea in search of his mother.



His mother, played by actress Lee, escaped from North Korea and got married in China. But she ran away from their China home when her son was a child. Encountering his mother 14 years later, working at a bar and living with a hoodlum husband, Zhen Chen gets caught up in complex emotions of longing, hatred and resentment.



And after observing his mother's seemingly cold and composed demeanor, he returns to China brokenhearted. But on his way back home, he finds his mother's notebook detailing her tragic past.



Director Yun Jero, who has been telling stories of marginalized people since 2011, including his award-winning documentary 'Mrs. B. A North Korean Woman', questions the meaning of family through the mother's life. The film shows a defined mise-en-scene and the visuals communicate the characters' emotions more than words could.



"Words are sparse in my film. I would say it's a visual language. It allows audiences some leeway to understand the film on their own," said the director during a press conference in Seoul, Monday.

Actress Lee, who returns after six years following her 2012 film "Howling," appeared in the low-budget film with no payment.



"This film conveys a lot, yet its storytelling is simple and composed. Without any detailed explanations, I could understand with my heart the feeling and situations my character is faced with," said Lee.



The mother, whose identity was vague in order to distance herself from who she was in North Korea _ like many other defectors _ was not given a name in the film.



Lee plays the woman's life from her teens to her 30s, speaking various languages through the course of her life from dialects of Yanbian, an ethnic Korean-Chinese area near North Korea, to Chinese and to modern-day Korean.



"Portraying the mother in her 30s was the most challenging part for me, because I had to act out scenes of her reflecting on her life. I acted while trying to hold back the emotions in my heart," said the actress. Lee said, "This film tells us not to lose hope under any circumstances. By showing a woman who, despite having lived such a difficult life, keeps on living without giving up and even finding happiness in it, this film gives the message of hope."



The film will hit local theaters on Nov. 21.



Finance Minister nominee Hong Nam-ki, center, answers questions from reporters on his way to his temporary office at Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. in Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of Ministry of Economy and Finance



Hong vows better communication with market players, Cheong Wa Dae



By Park Hyong-ki



The Moon Jae-in administration's second economic team will focus on reinvigorating the economy for the lower and middle classes by pursuing three key policies of income growth, innovation and fair competition, said Finance Minister nominee Hong Nam-ki.



Hong iterated that he will play the role of "control tower" in mapping out and implementing economic policies by communicating with market players and Cheong Wa Dae.



"We must carry out the three key policies  income growth, innovation and fair competition  simultaneously," he told reporters on Nov. 9, noting they are equally important for economic revival.



He added the economy is unlikely to improve in 2019 as it faces mounting challenges ahead amid weak numbers in employment and investment, echoing former Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon's forecast.



To this end, the new finance minister will increase communication with private companies, whether small or big, in an effort to "find solutions" to structural problems and achieve positive results, given there will be limits to improving the economy just through fiscal expansionary policy.



"I will meet with private companies, if schedule permits, once every week, or at least once every two weeks to hear more from them for policy consideration," Hong said.



Hong said the pace and level of the minimum wage increase is expected to be adjusted, as President Moon Jae-in has already mentioned it would be hard to raise the minimum wage to 10,000 won per hour within his term.



He continued to point out that the government's income growth policy is not only about the wage hikes. It is focused on helping the unemployed find jobs, to boost consumption while the government expands the social protection system.



All these policy initiatives will be "handled, managed and led" by the finance ministry, Hong stressed, reiterating Cheong Wa Dae's words that the Ministry of Economy and Finance is and will be the "control tower" for the economy.









NongHyup Financial Group Chairman Kim Gwang-soo, right, and Agribank Chairman Trinh Ngoc Khanh, second from left, exchange opinions in a meeting at the group's headquarters in western Seoul, Nov. 9. Courtesy of NongHyup Financial GroupBy Kim Rahn



An online broadcaster has been caught airing her drunk driving live.



Officers at Gangnam Police Station said Sunday that they are investigating an independent broadcaster of online platform Popkon TV, surnamed Im, 26, for drunk driving charges. A man who was in the car with Im, identified as Yeom, 29, was also booked for aiding and abetting the crime.



Im allegedly drove a car under the influence for about 700 meters from a bar to a motel in southern Seoul at around 8 a.m. on Nov. 2.



Police received a report from a viewer that Im was airing her drunk driving in real time. The viewer told police that she had been drinking at a bar in Nonhyeon-dong and was driving toward Yeoksam-dong, passing Gangnam-gu Office Station, adding that he did not know the license number but that the vehicle was a blue mini coupe.



Officers confirmed Im was still broadcasting at a motel, and searched eight motels in the region before finding the blue mini coupe at one place in Nonhyeon-dong, catching Im and Yeom.



Im's blood alcohol level was 0.086 percent, subject to license suspension. She admitted to driving under the influence.



"It was during the period of the police's intensive crackdown on drunk driving, but she drove under the influence as if she was ridiculing the police, and broadcasted it online where thousands of people were watching," an officer said.



Besides Im's case, a growing number of independent broadcasters are producing increasingly sensational content, often involving crimes, because their income depends on viewers' attention while streaming their shows.



A YouTuber, surnamed Kim, 48, was arrested last week for making a disturbance at a police station and broadcasting the scene live.



According to the Sasang Police in Busan, Kim drunkenly grabbed police officers by their throats and cursed at them at a police station in the district at around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 23. He aired the scene live.



He had been booked earlier in August for a separate case, as he announced he would kill one of his viewers, with whom he'd had a scuffle over game content, and went to the viewer's home in a taxi. Some other viewers reported this to police, and the police caught him near the home. The entire process, from the scuffle and the announcement to the police nabbing, was broadcast.



According to the Korea Communications Standards Commission, 81 independent broadcasting shows received disciplinary actions, such as operation suspension or channel closure, in the first eight months of this year, a more than threefold increase from last year's 26.

This image captured from the 2009 documentary film "Inheritance of War" produced by James Parkinson and directed by Ashley Karras shows American prisoners of war (POWs) during World War II. Captured by the Japanese in the Philippines in 1942 when the United States surrendered the Bataan region to Japan, the U.S. POWs were sent to prison camps in Japan where they were enslaved, treated brutally and malnourished until the end of the war.



By Kang Hyun-kyung



SHARJAH, UAE _ World War II is long past. But for some people, the deadliest war in human history is still a source of pain as their traumatic wartime experiences continue to haunt them.



Like in Korea, in the United States there are some 20,000 slave labor victims who were forced to work for private Japanese companies during World War II. Many of the survivors passed away but for the remaining few, their unspeakable wartime suffering never goes away.



American prisoners of war (POWs) were captured by the Japanese in the Philippines' western province of Bataan in April 1942 when the United States surrendered the region to the Japanese.



From there to reach Camp O'Donnell in Capas, the American POWs were forced to march 110 kilometers for six days without water or food. Some 500 to 650 U.S. soldiers died during the Bataan Death March. Some were shot dead by the Japanese and some were beaten to death.



The remaining soldiers were sent to prison camps in Japan where another years-long ordeal awaited them.



Just like Korean slave labor victims, the American POWs were abused, beaten and starved all during three years while they worked for private Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi and Nippon Steel.



The Korean and U.S. slave labor victims, however, experienced very different post-war treatment after they returned home.



Korean wartime victims received compensation from their government and in late October they got the green light from Korea's Supreme Court that they can seek reparations from the Japanese corporations for their lost wages.



The American POWs, however, were forgotten by their government.



Some of the American POWs filed lawsuits against the Japanese companies operating in California in 1999 after the passage of a law that allowed World War II victims to seek reparation from Germany and its allies.





US lawyer James Parkinson / Korea TimesFriends of Yoon Chang-ho, a drunk driving victim, carry a portrait and coffin at his funeral service in Busan, Sunday. The friends have called for revision of the traffic law for stronger punishment of drunk drivers. / Yonhap



By Jung Hae-myoung



The funeral ceremony for Yoon Chang-ho, who was killed by a drunk driver, was held at the National Army Hospital in Busan, Sunday. Yoon, 22, died two days ago after being deemed brain dead since the accident in late September.



He had been serving with the Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army (KATUSA).



About 200 people  Yoon's family, friends and Korean and American soldiers including those at the Korean Service Corps Battalion  attended the funeral.



"My dear friend Chang-ho, I miss you already. Thank you and I love you," Kim Min-jin, a friend of Yoon, cried while reading her eulogy. Since the accident, Kim and other friends have urged the government and the National Assembly to introduce heavier punishment for drunk driving by establishing the "Yoon Chang-ho law."



"We'll move forward for your name to be used honorably," she said.



Bae Jun-beom, who was injured in the accident and is still in a wheelchair, also said he would press to have the Yoon Chang-ho law passed.



Yoon's father, 53, said, "I hope the Yoon Chang-ho law will be passed soon to stop these tragedies in the future, and so he did not die in vain."



Several politicians, including Rep. Ha Tae-kyung and Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu of the minor Bareunmirae Party, and Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don, joined the funeral.



Also attending was Rep. Lee Yong-ju of the minor Party for Democracy and Peace, who was caught drunk driving only days after he joined the submission for the Yoon Chang-ho law. After causing a stir with his own offense, he visited Yoon and his family to apologize.



"My wrongdoing cannot be forgotten. I'll actively join efforts to prevent drunk driving," Rep. Lee said.



Yoon, who dreamed of becoming a prosecutor, was in a car crash with a BMW driven by a man with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.134 percent on Sept. 25. Yoon was declared brain dead and died on Friday.



His friends cast light on this case in October by posting a petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website to urge stronger punishment for drunk drivers. This petition received more than 406,600 signatures.



Through the friends' efforts, Rep. Ha, with 104 other members of the National Assembly, proposed the Yoon Chang-ho law late last month to punish drunk drivers who cause death to the same extent as murderers. The Assembly plans to pass the law on Nov. 15.



Meanwhile, police detained the offender, 26, on Saturday, 46 days after the accident, as he has also been hospitalized since the accident.



At the police's request, the prosecution has also asked a local court to issue an arrest warrant, which the court issued on Sunday. The accused man told reporters he would spend the rest of his life trying to make amends for what he had done.



By Kim Yoo-chul



This year has seen a major breakthrough in diplomatic relations on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea dismantled one of its nuclear testing sites after its leader Kim Jong-un committed to denuclearization.



President Moon Jae-in held his in-person meeting with Kim three times this year alone, and the two agreed to seek permanent peace on the peninsula. A second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un is "near at hand" with the international community hoping to see "sufficient progress" on getting Pyongyang to completely and permanently abandon all of its nuclear programs.



While the North wants to receive a type of concession _ a partial lifting of economic sanctions _ from the United States and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in exchange for its initial steps toward denuclearization, Washington says the measures taken by the North are "insufficient."



Now, the hidden condition that will significantly help the talks see visible progress is Kim's decision to directly touch on human rights issues as human rights in North Korea remain dismal, according to political experts in Seoul.



"If Kim Jong-un addresses human rights-related issues such as announcing the closure of political prison camps, then that will be just very cool in terms of providing a huge impetus to advance the denuclearization talks," Moon Chung-in, a special presidential adviser on diplomatic- and unification-related issues, said in a recent interview.



Moon, who is also a seasoned political science professor from Seoul's Yonsei University, said any announcements by Kim Jong-un relating to human rights issues will significantly help Pyongyang gain more trust from the international community to appeal itself as a "normal state."



Human rights issues are the ones North Korea doesn't want to openly address as this is "very sensitive," said political analysts.



Data provided by Amnesty International showed that North Korea holds more than 130,000 political prisoners in camps, where forced labor and torture are practiced. Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, recently told reporters in Seoul that the "human rights situation at the moment has not changed on the ground in North Korea."



Also, a Human Rights Watch report claimed North Korean officials commit sexual violence against women with apparent impunity as part of "systemic oppression" and other abuses tolerated there.



According to Quintana, the U.N. would welcome the rapprochement between the two Koreas, but he cautioned that human rights should not be ignored comparing the North Korean situation to that of Myanmar, where he held a similar role from 2008 to 2014 as that Southeast Asian country saw a transition from dictatorship to fledgling democracy.



Cheong Wa Dae is taking a "low-key approach" in assessing human rights issues in North Korea as Seoul clearly hopes to keep the momentum of denuclearization talks alive without seeing a further impasse.



Simply, South Korea wants to avoid new confrontations with Kim over rights-related issues, instead hoping to persuade the North Korean leader to scrap his country's nuclear program.



"Seoul's stance toward human rights issues in North Korea is to provide various types of humanitarian assistance programs there for gradual improvements linked to the security of Kim's regime," a government official who asked not to be identified said by telephone.



KCNA, the North's state media, blasted moves by the U.N. General Assembly criticizing North Korea's human rights record calling it a "thinly veiled smear campaign" and saying the U.N.'s move was "designed to block the positive trend of the present situation toward dialogue and peace."



Regarding Quintana's recent request to help U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet visit Pyongyang, the government official declined to comment. Quintana hasn't been allowed to enter Pyongyang.



But there have been calls for advancements of this issue after Ha Tae-kyung of the Bareunmirae Party wrote on Facebook asking President Moon to address the human rights issues in the North to make the possible visit by Pope Francis to Pyongyang actually happen.



"Pope Francis has never visited China. That's because China has lots of issues relating to human rights. Human rights watchers will ask the pope not to visit North Korea unless Pyongyang announces new steps in addressing its very poor human rights situation, there. Now, it's time for President Moon to ask Kim to do something about this issue," the lawmaker from the minor opposition party said.



During a recent nine-day trip to European capitals including the Vatican, President Moon received a "conditional green-light" from the pope to an invitation he delivered from Kim to visit Pyongyang. But the pope didn't specify when and how.



The pope plans to travel to Japan and China in the first quarter of next year.







Fighting for control of Yemen's rebel-held city of Hodeida reached residential streets on Sunday, as the Houthi insurgents mounted fierce resistance to government troops backed by Saudi Arabia, military sources said.

Troops entered residential streets in eastern Hodeida with the aim of "purging them of insurgents," according to a pro-government military official.

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A400M Airbus transport aircraft



By Lee Min-hyung





Wang Jung-hong, head of DAPASouth Korean Army soldiers leave a guard post located in the inter-Korean border area, Friday. The two Koreas finished withdrawing firearms and troops from 11 guard posts on each side, Saturday. / Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense



By Lee Min-hyung



The two Koreas completed withdrawing firearms and soldiers from 11 guard posts respectively on each side as of Saturday, as part of joint efforts to disarm inter-Korean border area, the Ministry of National Defense said Sunday.



"Military authorities from the two Koreas finished withdrawing firearms, military equipment and troops at the guard posts to fulfill a joint military agreement signed on the sidelines of the inter-Korean summit in September," the ministry said in a statement.



The two Koreas plan to destroy 20 out of the 22 guard posts by the end of this month. They will maintain one post on each side, according to the ministry.



After destroying the posts, the Koreas will conduct a joint verification sometime in December to check whether the posts have been completely destroyed, the ministry said.



The latest achievement came a few weeks after the two Koreas finished disarming the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the border area last month, in a move to ease the military tension and remain consistent with the joint military agreement.





Yang Jin-ho, CEO of several IT companies, is taken to the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Station, Wednesday, after being detained on suspicion of assault on employees and drug use. / Korea Times photo by Im Myung-su



By Lee Suh-yoon



The recent case of employee abuse by Yang Jin-ho, head of online data storage platforms, shocked the nation. However, statistics and reports show workplace violence by superiors, although not as serious as Yang's, is not rare in Korean companies.



Between January and August this year, the Ministry of Employment and Labor received 515 cases of violence by workplace superiors  usually executives or those in managerial positions  according to Rep. Lee Yong-deuk of the Democratic Party of Korea, Sunday.



CEOs committed or were involved in more than 60 percent of the cases.



Reports of workplace violence by superiors are increasing in number, with 393 in 2014, 391 in 2015, 538 in 2016 and 649 in 2017. Repeated media exposure and growing public anger have led to less tolerance for workplace abuse, one of the reasons for the growing number, the ministry says.



However, few of the offenders are punished  the prosecution has indicted only 51 of 515 people accused this year.



"In line with the purpose of the Labor Standards Act and to protect workers, employee abuse cases have to be thoroughly investigated and punished," Rep. Lee said.



Even if not involving physical violence, other forms of abuse and bullying by workplace superiors have been a pervasive problem.



Koreans have a special term for hierarchy-based bullying, "gapjil," which literally translates as "actions of the powerful." In this work culture, executives, usually company owners, often violently lash out at employees who do not cater to their slightest wishes, expecting to be treated as kings of their economic empires.



Yang's case is only the latest in a long history of Korean executives' gapjil scandals. Just a few months ago, Cho Hyun-min, a Korean Air heiress, was accused of throwing water at PR officials from a subcontracted firm. She was later cleared of the charges because the officials did not want her to be punished.



Her sister Cho Hyun-ah is also infamous for the "nut rage" incident, in which she delayed departure of a plane because she was dissatisfied with the way an attendant served a packet of nuts.



Such executives usually step down from management when the media exposes their abusive behavior. But despite these public examples, many workers still accept and tolerate the imperious abuse by their superiors as a part of the job.



The attitude is most apparent in the widely circulated video where Yang repeatedly strikes his ex-employee's face and no one steps in to stop the abuse. Everyone remains frozen in their seats as the forceful slaps and Yang's swearing echo throughout the office.



"No one tried to stop Chairman Yang. The then-CEO interfered a bit after the third slap and everyone else just carried on with their work," the victim later told a local broadcaster. "I think it was just the office atmosphere  no one could go against the chairman's word."





By Kim Ae-ran



All Koreans have been anxiously awaiting the reconciliation of South and North Korea through long, arduous, and struggling steps after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice. So many people made sincere efforts and sacrifices for the painful dream of our country.



Pope Francis is well aware of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. So he has the greatest hope that the peace and reconciliation talks that started with the April 27 summit at the truce village of Panmunjeom will continue.



The two Koreas were able to march under the unification flag during the last Olympic games in PyeongChang, overcoming a history of trading insults and threatening war.



Little by little, our divided country is changing. The Church is not an exception. Christians are sincerely praying and working hard to prepare for the peaceful future of the country.



At the same time, the Church is reforming its own inward and outward structures constantly. Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign from his post in 600 years. He handed over the reforming spirit to the newly appointed Pope Francis who is doing his best to transform the world.



It is very appropriate that Archbishop Alfred Xuereb came to Korea as the Apostolic Nuncio, a papal representative. Msgr. Alfred Xuereb was born in 1958 in Victoria on the Maltese island of Gozo. He studied philosophy and theology, specializing in spirituality with a doctoral thesis on "The Easter mystery in Christian life". He was ordained a priest in 1984.



He served as the second private secretary of Pope Benedict XVI and became the first private secretary of Pope Francis in 2013. It is known that he sobbed when Pope Benedict XVI resigned. It is said that Benedict XVI regarded him as a son.



Then, Alfred Xuereb worked to reform of the economic-administrative structure of the Holy See in his role as the first Prelate Secretary of the Secretariat for the Economy. Instead of driving a car, he rode a bicycle to the office every day.



On Feb. 21, he was appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio for South Korea and Mongolia with the demanding task of creating smooth international relationships among Asian countries and the Vatican. At present, there are about 1,255 baptized Catholics to each local priest and a total of 7 parishes and 77 missionaries in Mongolia that accepted the Catholic Church in 1992.



Thus, Msgr. Xuereb chose the words "Ut Unum Sint," meaning "That they may be one," as his motto for his pastoral apostolate. "That they may be one," was said by Jesus in his prayer to the Holy Father at the Last Supper. Jesus prayed for unity because he strongly wished for his disciples to remain united in his mystic body, that is, the Church.

As a person with discretion and diligence, a respectful but intimate confidence and friendliness, Msgr. Alfred Xuereb said in an interview that "I tend to try to build bridges, also on a cultural level. I want to continue in the footsteps of my predecessors. I will do my small part to build bridges."



What a beautiful and meaningful idea it is for us to build bridges around the world! China is presenting the longest bridge-tunnel across the sea to connect mainland China and Hong Kong. All of us have the desire to connect and to be connected with one another whether in person or virtually. Let all our bridges bring peace and harmony to the poorest and the most alienated people living on the frontiers!





The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (Figlie di San Paolo) living and giving the Good News to the world by means of social communication. Learn more about the congregation at fsp.pauline.or.kr.

President to accelerate New Southern Policy



President Moon will be devoting this week to economic diplomacy at multilateral occasions involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).



The President will travel to Singapore on Tuesday to participate in the Korea-ASEAN summit. In Singapore, he will also attend regional trade talks  the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which involves ASEAN member nations as well as Korea, China, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand. After staying in Singapore until Nov. 16, the President will travel to Papua New Guinea for the APEC summit, which will be held with theme "Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future."



The visits coincide with the first-year anniversary of President Moon's New Southern Policy, which aims to expedite economic and cultural ties with ASEAN countries and India to diversify Korea's trade and diplomacy beyond its relations with traditional powers. Ultimately, the President wants to reduce economic dependence on the U.S. and China while cultivating economic ties with emerging economies in Southeast Asia, such as India. The President has shown a deep interest in India and recently sent first lady Kim Jung-sook on a solo tour of the country, which is very rare in Korean diplomacy.



Forging stronger economic ties with Southeast Asia is all the more important with the complex external factors impacting the Korean economy, particularly the U.S-China trade conflict and the rise of U.S. protectionism. Therefore, the President has wisely placed huge importance on ASEAN since the beginning of his presidency, saying he will visit all ASEAN members. He has already visited Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. In July, he visited Singapore shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un met in the country for a historic summit.



His upcoming visit to Singapore coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and ASEAN. Moon is expected to propose various measures to accelerate his New Southern Policy, such as hosting a special Korea-ASEAN summit in 2019 and the establishment of the Korea-Mekong summit involving Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.



A special committee on the New Southern Policy said last week it will spend 15 billion won ($13.3 million) to support Korean companies to do business in the region. "The New Southern Policy, along with the New Northern Policy, is the backbone of peace and prosperity that forms Korea's new economic map we are pursuing,"said Kim Hyun-chul, leader of the committee. The committee said it will push for presidential visits to ASEAN countries that Moon has not visited yet, such as Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. Visits to these countries should be at the forefront of his diplomatic agenda next year.



It should also be noted that Moon will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit. We hope it will be an occasion to expedite the New Northern Policy, which aims for more economic cooperation with Eurasian countries.



Gunsan port circa 1910-1920.



By Robert Neff



In the 1880s, they congregated in large numbers off the coast of Gunsan. Their nets were incessant, their crews were often violent and they were outsiders  they were the Chinese fishing fleets.



In early March 1885, Captain Ferdinand H. Morsel, a German in the employ of the Korean Customs Service, set sail aboard the government schooner Wong Ko Huan to inspect major ports on the west coast of the Korean Peninsula.



As they approached Gunsan, he noted that there were several fleets of fishing vessels and while most were Korean, a large number were Chinese. These Chinese vessels ranged in size "from one-masted boats of 5-10 tons, two, three and four-masted junks up to large five-masted junks." He noted about a dozen of the five-masted junks anchored nearby.



According to Morsel, the Chinese fishing fleet plied its trade for three or four months a year  especially during the herring season  and he wondered what impact this foreign fishing fleet had on the Korean fishing industry and how much revenue was lost through this poaching.



But poaching was not the only damage done to local fishermen and their families. The crew of a Chefoo junk went ashore and committed "violence of all sorts."



A Korean woman and two men made their way to the schooner and pleaded for help. According to the woman, "the Chinese had taken her husband and another villager prisoner [and] unmercifully beaten both and other natives as well; nearly smashed the whole house to pieces" and been involved in several other "unpleasant" acts.





A Chinese junk circa 1920.A lovely, quirky, and frankly a tad awkward fashion-obsessed high school girl several seasons ago. I photographed her when she was sewing her own hats and dresses by hand. I know she's been working, but haven't seen her in years. Now her length of bone has served her well, as she has lost about 25 pounds and gotten into an agency. She told me she walked at 11 shows this Fashion Week. All photos by Michael Hurt



By Michael Hurt



I just finished covering Seoul Fashion Week, and man now at Vietnam International Fashion Week to look at the fashion and Korean influence on it, which I have seen and been told is considerable.



Rather than extended prose description, I will allow the photos and captions from Instagram to speak for themselves.



Enjoy the pictures and I will leave you with the paraphrased words of ur-anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss: "Korean fashion is good to think [with]."



The point when Levi-Strauss wrote this was that the significance of animals on a totem pole was not that they tasted good and hence warranted being graven into wood for all to see in the same way we see happy cartoon pigs marching off their own slaughter on bright signboards for a sampgyeopsal restaurant in this culture, but rather that for the people who carved animal faces as totemic objects, they were actually good ways to think about things in life, almost like a life maxim made through an animal face.



An easy way to think about it would be "In business, be a fox. Think foxy," coupled with a picture of a fox as your company mascot. In a culture that produces totem poles, the way to understand the animals engraved there is as symbols with which to think about life.



In a similar way, when we look at fashion and fashioned objects in consumer societies such as in South Korea now, fashion is more than just an object of consumption. When read through the lens of culture, "Fashion is good to think."



So I have been doing a lot of thinking.



And by extension, as a way to think about Korean society, "Korean street fashion is good to think."





Squad!! The theme for this fashion squad was TECH WEAR. Basically, pro-level matching. Seen lots of fashion crews doing this the last few seasons. Gave me an S1Ws kind of vibe. I was feeling it.





Super on-trend. That long pleated skirt has been the thing for classy girls, along with that bloafer, the mule+slipper.





Cheetah print is in. It has always been a little in, but there has been an explosion from around this September. Hence you have a lot of earth tones like browns and things. But this young woman from Hong Kong did not go that way.





Baby SUPREME.





Taiwanese girls rocking the Nike Air Max 97s and Gucci Bees. Their matching asymmetrical dresses and leather rider jackets were Kool and the Gang, but the shoes . . .





Mothafkin' fabulous. Sorry, but you can KEEP your fancy foreign brands. Give me domestic Korean "wonderland" fashion ALL DAY. This Ewha Women's University Fashion Design major had just come out of the LANG&LU show rocking their stuff. I was so happy to capture this look because I NEVER get the femmey fashions because those girls never agree to pose. But she was at fashion week to see and be seen, so I was able to get THAT LOOK, which is so unequivocally Korean in its unapologetic hyperfemininity that is so WINKWINK over-the-top that it knows you know she knows you know this is damn near high Irony. There is nothing more Korean than this look, right down to the thick stockings with sandal heels. And the sartorial logic that posits that the aggressively demure outer top cancels out the fact she's wearing just a black bra visible through a sheer top. It violates all kinds of traditional fashion codes with both a sneer and a wink. This kind of sartorial code-smashing is ingenious  and it happens to be the very way K-POP videos sneered, slinked, and code-smashed themselves into a globe-conquering, pop culture juggernaut.By Jacco Zwetsloot





When my contract at Seoul City Hall expired in December 2004, my OECD Review team was dissolved and its members were dispersed to other departments. Seoul Global Center did not yet exist, and there was already another foreigner working in the area of international cooperation and exchange, so I was effectively redundant.



I applied for a few jobs and continued working with Jimin on subtitle translation and some other freelance writing and translating projects, but nothing interesting seemed to come up. Finally, in late January or early February of 2005, I decided I would go back to teaching English, but this time at a university. What helped me make that decision was that, even though it was close to the start of the spring semester, H University had placed a recruitment ad.



It was never acknowledged publicly why this university suddenly chose to dramatically expand its cadre of full-time English language instructors. In 2004 there had been no more than 20, and by the time they were finished with the second round of hiring for 2005, there were more than 70. Rumor among the instructors has it that the school was angling for more government funding, and that hiring English native speakers was a cost-effective way to meet the requirements that would enable the public purse to spew forth more shekels.



On the day of my interview, there was less than a month to go before the start of the semester. About 10 of us waited in the ante room for our chance to impress the interview committee within. We needn't have worried; every warm body was hired  even the teacher who didn't know what a gerund was, and the one whose luggage had been lost on the flight to Korea and came in the same clothes he'd been wearing the last couple of days.



Once we were hired, we were pretty much on our own. In the first year, as I recall, there was no active attempt at developing a joint curriculum. Each teacher was allowed to upload to the school's website their own lesson plan for each 17-week semester, with very little in the way of guidance or advice. As long as grades were submitted at the end, and students didn't complain too much, for the rest it was laissez-faire.



I'd never claim to be the best instructor ever, but I took the job seriously (as most of us did) and tried to impart my students with something. We all had to teach two units of compulsory freshman English using a textbook we were all given. This text was the one thing instructors had in common, but how it was used was up to us. To put it mildly, it wasn't the best educational tool for learning a foreign language  the texts were all over the place in terms of reading level and content difficulty, and there were errors to boot. We were also allotted three units of electives. These were portioned out partly on the basis of our stated personal preference, and partly by random chance.



There were so many of us that we couldn't all use the staff room at once. Teaching schedules varied widely, and individual offices were scattered all over campus; some colleagues you only saw once or twice a semester, or never at all. The variety of life experiences and personality types was fascinating. Although our contracts classified us in Korean as "full-time instructors," the English translation used the word "Professor," and the employees of the staff room used that title too, so some people insisted on referring to themselves as such, having business cards with the title on it, and even being addressed that way by students. This despite most of us not having a doctoral degree. I seem to recall one of our number being released from his contract when it was belatedly discovered that the Master's he had was from an uncredited "degree mill."



I understand from former colleagues that "things have changed now," but at the time the university teaching gig was a much-sought-after job, because of its low number of weekly class and compulsory office consultation hours, its high number of vacation weeks per year and the relative absence of management interference. That wasn't to say it was an excuse to slack off. Students evaluated instructors at the end of each semester, and this feedback was turned into a kind of grade. If an instructor's grade slipped too low, there was the threat of their contract not being renewed. Similarly, if sufficient students dropped out of a class within the first week or two, that whole class could be canceled, and the instructor's salary would be concomitantly lowered.



Unfortunately, however, with some notable exceptions, it was not really a job that had potential for advancement or professional development. Pay rises were basically no more than cost of living increases. Unless one has a great deal of ambition or drive to go further, or other interests to develop on the side, the danger of working as a university English instructor is that it can lead to complacency and the feeling of getting stuck in a rut. Had I been in my 20s and unmarried, I might have been content enough to stay in that job indefinitely. Of course, I can only speak for myself, but I was reminded by an analogy I once saw in this newspaper: the job to me was like a merry-go-round, in that the ride was pleasant enough and it felt like I was moving forward, but each time I came around and passed the same point. As a married man in my 30s, there was pressure to do more and try harder.





By Baek Byung-yeul







KT will build a smart community in Australia in cooperation with a local partner and Seoul National University using its information technology, Korea's No. 2 mobile carrier announced, Sunday.







The telecommunication firm said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul National University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Australia's Smart Community Consortium (SSC) at KT's headquarters in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Thursday.







A smart community is a concept similar to a smart city. It refers to an efficient and eco-friendly community based on information and communication technology and automation.







KT will utilize its ICT capabilities while Seoul National University will use its competency in agriculture and life sciences. SCC will also join the project using its capabilities in developing materials.







"The smart community will apply various kinds of latest technologies to energy, transport, environment, administration and medical care," a KT official said.







The Australian state had already announced its plan to transform itself into a smart community.







Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who joined the MOU ceremony, showed higher interest in the project and promised her support, according to KT. James Choi, Australia's ambassador to Korea, also promised the full support of the Australian government.







SCC is a consortium between Australia-based biotechnology company Bio And Gene and Queensland provincial government. Established in 2018, the consortium has been working on developing materials for biotechnology and new medicines.







Ku Hyeon-mo, head of KT's corporate planning group, said the company expected to expand its smart community business into other Australian regions.



"With the MOU, KT is planning to localize smart community services, [a movement] which is already recognized in Korea," Ku said in a statement.







Lee Suk-ha, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University, said the university "will continue to conduct joint research with KT to make the smart community business in Australia sustainable."

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun speaks at a panel discussion on a zero-emission society, which was held at Capella Singapore, Nov. 6, on the sidelines of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group



By Park Jae-hyuk



Hyundai Motor Group has named hydrogen energy as a key to global sustainable growth, the automotive group said Sunday.



During a panel discussion it hosted Nov. 6 with prominent figures from around the world, on the sidelines of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Hyundai talked about ways to create a zero-emission society.



The company said it held the debate to consolidate its leadership in fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) and to pave the road to a hydrogen economy.



According to the automaker, global leaders shared their insights about alternative energy sources during the debate.



"Recently, the United Nations released yet another report calling for quick action to reduce CO2 emissions. The report warns us that we must decrease global greenhouse gas emissions to 45 percent below 2010 levels by 2030, in order to avoid a catastrophe," Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun said in his greeting speech to 30 audience members, including scholars and heads of global enterprises.



"I sincerely believe, without any shadow of doubt, that hydrogen has a place as a central pillar in the transition to clean energy. Hyundai Motor's first target may be the transport sector. But our commitments go beyond transport, and we will make sure to send out the message that hydrogen can deliver economically viable, financially attractive and socially beneficial solutions."



The debate was moderated by Royal Economic Society President Nicholas Stern.



Hyundai's head of fuel-cell research Kim Sae-hoon, Macquarie Group Asia CEO Ben Way and FutureMap founder Parag Khanna participated in the panel discussion.



They talked about the outlook for futuristic energy sources, the necessity of a zero-emission society, ways to create a zero-emission society and the role of hydrogen in energy transition.



Way urged policymakers to come up with a consistent policy for an ongoing inflow of capital into the industries related to renewable energy, because investors had remained reluctant to spend money on traditional carbon-emitting industries.



Khanna called for more government investment in construction of eco-friendly infrastructure, saying he expected the development of a sharing economy and renewable energy would improve the productivity of cities.



Kim said hydrogen was the best renewable energy source in terms of storage and distribution.



The executive, who emphasized that hydrogen and electricity were the only two pollution-free power sources for vehicles, also said Hyundai Motor Group would develop relevant technologies.



Since it unveiled the NEXO fuel-cell electric SUV at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, Hyundai Motor Group has formed partnerships with global enterprises related to hydrogen energy. Those who have joined Hyundai for a hydrogen economy include Audi, H2Energy, Air Liquide and Engie.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan discussed how to respond to the killing last month of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi, a White House official said on Sunday.

The conversation took place during a Saturday dinner with heads of state gathered in Paris to mark the World War One Armistice centenary.

Khashoggi was murdered at the kingdoms Istanbul consulate by a team sent from Riyadh. Saudi authorities have acknowledged that the killing was premeditated, but his body has not been found.

Erdogan revealed on Saturday that audio recordings of the killing had been given to the U.S., French, German and British governments, adding that the operation had been ordered at the highest levels of the Saudi government.

Trump expects to form a much stronger opinion by next week on Khashoggis killing and Washingtons response, he said on Nov. 7 - adding that he was working with Congress, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to establish who bore responsibility.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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By Park Jae-hyuk







POSCO will spend 20 billion won ($17.6 million) for "co-prosperity" between conglomerates and smaller companies, the steelmaker said Sunday.







According to POSCO, the money will be used over the next five years for the "Industry Innovation Movement" and to build smart factories for co-prosperity.







The Industry Innovation Movement is an effort to improve the productivity of the nation's small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by raising funds for the Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large & Small Business, Rural Affairs.







The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry has jointly led the movement with the foundation.







The project of building smart factories for co-prosperity has been led by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.







If businesses raise funds for the project, the ministry distributes the money to SMEs that want smart factories for better competitiveness.







POSCO said it would cooperate with the Korea Federation of SMEs to select companies that will get support.

Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today.

Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe

THIS STORY IS PART OF HOW TO L.A., OUR ONGOING SERIES OF PRACTICAL GUIDES FOR DAY-TO-DAY LIVING IN LOS ANGELES.

By Melissa Leu and Tim Loc

Whenever Los Angeles is facing hot weather, strong winds and low humidity, you can bet there will be red flag parking restrictions.

But where exactly do these restrictions take place? And how do you know if you're in one?

It's pretty simple: just check for the sign.

City of #LosAngeles locations where #RedFlag Alert *Parking Restrictions* are now being enforced, will display this special sign. Learn more at https://t.co/JAa5TFBbzs pic.twitter.com/3mKHmYM5F8  #LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk) November 11, 2018

If you see a sign with a tow truck on it and text that says no parking on red flag days, don't park there.

The city is allowed to tow illegally parked cars in locations within "Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones," which is a fancy way of saying especially narrow streets that may be difficult to move traffic through if cars were parked on the street.

Essentially, authorities want to get rid of choke points that would make it hard for people to evacuate or fire trucks to get through during emergencies, according to LAFD's website.

Another way to check to see if your street falls under the restrictions: look up your address at neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org. Fill in your address, and check under "Red Flag Parking Zone." If it says yes, well then, you have your answer.

Another thing of note, the term "Red Flag" may be misleading because it's used by different agencies. Brian Humphrey, a spokesman with the Los Angeles Fire Department, told LAist last year that many people confuse the LAFD's Red Flag warning with those issued by the National Weather Service. To determine if an LAFD Fed Flag is in place, you can check lafd.org/redflag for the current status.

While the duration of each LAFD red flag lasts 24 hours, it may be renewed once that period is over, so you might want to check the website (or LAFD's Twitter) in the next couple days to see what's up.

UPDATES:

Oct. 10, 2019, 3:36 p.m.: The introduction of this story was updated to remove outdated information about red parking restrictions from November 2018.

This article was originally published Nov. 11, 2018.Ian Siegel, 45, is chief executive of Santa Monica-based ZipRecruiter, the company he co-founded in 2010 to disrupt the recruitment and hiring industry. Since then, more than 1.5 million businesses and more than 430 million job seekers have used the online employment marketplace, according to the company. ZipRecruiter has nearly 1,000 employees, a quarter of whom are engineers.

Business acumen

Studying sociology, psychology and English at Oberlin College wasnt the waste of time that Siegel feared it might be once he started a career in business.

If you think of psychology as the individual, sociology as society and social psychology as the study of small group dynamics, I was already identifying the opinion leader, the emotional leader, early on in my career. I was breaking down every group into the categories I studied while I was in college, and it actually was really helpful, Siegel said.

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The inspiration

The Los Angeles native held executive-level positions at six different companies over 15 years. In hindsight, he sees the connective tissue that inspired ZipRecruiter.

I had to do my own recruiting, Siegel said, posting positions to different job boards, each with a different mechanism. For years I was saying, This is crazy. Why isnt there a magic button I can push and send the same job to all the different job boards and bring all the candidates onto one list, just make it easy and efficient to hire somebody?

The lesson

Siegel was suffering massive guilt at one of those early jobs, managing a technology team on an interim basis for a West Hollywood firm called Citysearch from 1996 to 1998. He actually apologized to his team for being so unqualified, having studied only non-tech subjects in college.

They told me I was the best manager they ever had, because I listened, Siegel said. People didnt need me to be an engineer. They needed me to be clear about the problem I wanted solved, and they needed the autonomy and the resources to go do it the way they wanted to do it.

Leadership style

Listen more than you talk, Siegel said of his approach. Describe the problem were trying to solve, describe what success looks like, and then keep listening, because your job is not to do all the work, your job is not to figure out the optimal solution, your job is to create space for all the smart people that youve hired to go work on that problem.

Build the solution

I pulled together three friends. Two of them were engineers, one a designer, Siegel said. The four of us worked at my kitchen table at night and on weekends, and we built the first version of ZipRecruiter, and literally the day we launched it, it was like a rocket ship, like right out of the gate, product market fit.

Comfortable fit

Siegel had three co-founders who were essential to the start-up days, he said. Ward Poulos had worked with Siegel at three different companies. When I was mulling on this idea, he was the first person I talked to. Will Redd was an engineer that we had both worked with at companies in the past. Software wizard Joe Edmonds rounded out the group.

We were really aligned in terms of approach and personality, so it was very easy to work together, Siegel said. All three are still with the company.

Growing pains

ZipRecruiter found that fast growth creates its own problems, Siegel said. Its always difficult to scale fast, he said. Things always break. Theres this cliche saying that the person thats right for a 10-person company isnt right for a 100-person company, the person thats right for a 100-person company isnt right for a 1,000-person company, and its absolutely true.

Corporate raiders

As we grew, we literally cherry-picked the top 5% of talent that we had worked with across multiple businesses, Siegel said, and then we got all their No. 1 referenced friends as well. We have a development office in Israel staffed with some of the best data scientists in the world doing R&D for us. Its high-level algorithmic work. Were just applying it to the job category.

Embracing AI talent

Many companies are stumbling as they attempt to embrace artificial intelligence and harness it to their business models. Siegel said AI has given his company a built-in advantage by more quickly extracting data from resumes and more efficiently generating likely matches.

Were ZipRecruiter. We think were literally the easiest way to hire, so when we need to add all these bodies, all this expertise, we can eat our own dog food, because we have hired most of the people who work at ZipRecruiter, through ZipRecruiter, so that was probably our ace in the hole.

Personal

Siegel has been married to his wife, Rochelle, for 18 years. They have a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son. To clear his mind, Siegel prefers running to meditation, and he loves to read. Im fascinated by entrepreneurs telling their true truths, not the gilded PR-ready, we were awesome from the beginning stories. I love the stories from the trenches. The ugly way that soup got made. I just find it reassuring, and it reminds me that its not easy for anyone.Iraq's president on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran.

The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in U.S. dollars. Sanctions on Tehran's oil sector took effect on Nov 5.

"We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the U.S. sanctions on Iran," Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait.

Iraq wanted to maintain "balanced" relations with all its neighbours and the international community, he said.

"Iran is a neighbouring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran," he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties.

Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State.

Iraq central bank officials said in August that the country's economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

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The boutique Avanti Hotel is known for its poolside, dog-friendly rooms. Yet its website uses the valuable opening page not to highlight the Palm Springs inns amenities, but to explain, in stark black letters on a plain white background, that the Avanti violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Like thousands of other businesses in the United States, the 10-room hotel on East Stevens Road has been sued because it hasnt fully complied with the 1990 law that requires public places  hotels, restaurants and shops  to be accessible to people with disabilities.



For the record: This story incorrectly says that nearly 5,000 ADA lawsuits were filed in federal court for alleged website violations in the first six months of 2018 and that 10,000 were projected to be filed by years end, up 30% from 2017. Those numbers actually refer to all ADA lawsuits for disability discrimination involving public accommodation filed in that period. Of those suits, lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations totaled 1,053 in the first six months, a number that is projected to rise to 2,000 by years end, up 90% from 2017.

But Avanti isnt being accused of failing to build a wheelchair ramp or install handrails  common charges in the scores of ADA lawsuits in years past. Instead, the lawsuit contends that the hotels website cant be used by people who have problems seeing or hearing.

Avanti Hotel and others have been caught up in a recent wave of ADA lawsuits targeting websites across the country. The Trump administrations decision to stop drafting rules for website ADA compliance is widely seen as opening the floodgates to legal action.

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Nearly 5,000 ADA lawsuits were filed in federal court for alleged website violations in the first six months of 2018, according to an analysis by Seyfarth Shaw, a law firm that specializes in defending such cases. The firm predicted that the number of lawsuits will climb to nearly 10,000 by the end of the year, a 30% increase from 2017.

With online sales, reservations and job postings now a huge part of modern commerce, advocates for the disabled say websites need to be as accessible to everyone, just as brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants and schools are.

We have been dealing with website issues for a long time, said Jeff Thom, past president and government affairs director for the California Council of the Blind. We want compliance. It is a serious problem, no question about it.

For a website to be accessible to disabled people, the content must be coded so that screen-reading software can convert the words to an audio translation. Video that appears on a website must include descriptions for the deaf. Also, all interactive functions must be operable through keyboard commands for people who cant use a mouse.

No formal government standards exist for private businesses to follow to ensure their websites comply with the ADA, although a consortium of web innovators has created guidelines, known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, to make websites more accessible to disabled people. Government websites already follow those guidelines, but private business websites, which are typically loaded with images and video, tend to be more difficult to overhaul to meet the guidelines, experts say.

The cost of making sites accessible ranges from several thousand dollars to a few million dollars, depending on the complexity of the site, according to trade groups and business owners.

ADA lawsuits, filed in federal and state courts, have targeted the websites of retailers (including Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. supermarkets), restaurants (including Dominos Pizza Inc.) and universities (including Harvard and MIT).

Customer Matt Thomas sits at a table at a Hooters restaurant in Los Angeles as employee Keiana Martinez delivers a meal to another customer. The Hooters chain was sued because its website did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The Hooters restaurant chain was sued last year, even after the chain agreed to fix its website as part of a settlement of a previous lawsuit. A federal appeals court ruled that Hooters remained vulnerable to lawsuits until it fixed the website under the previous lawsuit settlement.

Earlier this month, the American Council of the Blind announced that it had reached a settlement with the streaming service Hulu to make Hulus website and software app more accessible to blind users.

Streaming service Hulu has settled a lawsuit with the American Council of the Blind to make Hulus website and software app more accessible to blind users. (Hulu.com)

The cost of defending such lawsuits can be burdensome for small businesses such as the Avanti Hotel.

Fixing the site would cost about $3,000, which hotel manager Jim Rutledge said he is willing to pay. But the lawsuit demands the hotel also pay damages to the plaintiff, and Rutledge said his lawyers advise him that he may have to settle for between $8,000 and $13,000.

I would really like to fight it, but it just comes down to finances, he said, estimating that he could be forced to pay up to $25,000 in damages, plus lawyer fees, if he fights the suit and loses. In the meantime, several pages of the hotels website have been replaced with plain type because no access is equal access for everyone, per the ADA requirements, the site notes.

Some trade groups say the lawyers and plaintiffs who file many of these lawsuits are only interested in using the law to pocket hefty court-imposed damages.

Simply put, for those who are abusing the system, its about money, not about expanding access, said Peter Clerkin, a spokesman for the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn., which is advising its members to make websites ADA-compliant and not wait to get sued.

Since it was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act has been cited thousands of times in lawsuits filed against hotels, restaurants and shops to remove physical barriers for disabled people.

As early as 2009, the act was cited in lawsuits that targeted the websites of businesses and universities, saying the online portals must be just as accessible to disabled people as the buildings that house businesses and schools.

In 2010, the Justice Department began to draft formal regulations for websites to meet ADA goals. But last December, the agency announced it was withdrawing its rulemaking process, at a time when the Trump administration was calling for a rollback of federal regulations.

The department said it was killing the regulations because it was evaluating whether promulgating regulations about the accessibility of web information and services is necessary and appropriate.

In a June 20 letter, 103 members of Congress  Republicans and Democrats  urged then-Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to adopt website regulations, saying the absence of such regulations only fuels the proliferations of these suits.

Lawyers who defend ADA lawsuits say the Justice Departments actions to pull the plug on adopting new regulations may have instigated the latest surge in lawsuits.

Business owners who are sued under the ADA complain that the law allows plaintiffs to demand huge payouts in damages without first giving the business owner the opportunity to fix the websites.

California leads other states by far in ADA lawsuits , according to the Seyfarth Shaw analysis. That may be because a California law sets a minimum dollar amount for damages of $4,000 plus attorneys fees for each ADA violation, a minimum not imposed in most other states. The minimum, according to lawyers who defend such lawsuits, makes suing in California more lucrative.

The lawsuit against Rutledges hotel was filed by Manning Law in Newport Beach. The plaintiff was Kayla Reed, who is described as a resident of Montana. Manning Law has filed 355 ADA cases, primarily in California, in the last 12 months, according to court records.

In an email, Joseph Manning, an attorney at Manning Law, declined to comment on the case against the Avanti Hotel, but rejected criticism that his lawsuits are intended to enrich him and his clients.

This case will not be resolved without addressing the accessibility concerns in the complaint, of that I can assure you, he said.

Reed, who is described in the Avanti lawsuit as visually impaired, is listed as a plaintiff on more than three dozen lawsuits in federal court and in state courts in Ventura and San Bernardino counties, court records show. The defendants in her lawsuits include Kmart, Hugo Boss, Davids Bridal and CVS Pharmacies.

The Los Angeles Times couldnt locate Reed, and Manning said she would not comment on her lawsuits. But he said that money is the least important issue for her in these cases, adding that private enforcement of these laws is also the means devised by Congress to enforce these laws without burdening the taxpayer.

Manning was listed as Reeds lawyer in a Ventura County Superior Court suit against CVS in 2017, according to court records. In the suit, she is described as a resident of Ventura County who was seeking $75,000 in damages, saying that the CVS website was not accessible to blind people.

The case was eventually transferred to U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The case was dismissed Dec. 8, 2017, when the court was notified that a settlement had been reached. The details of that settlement were not disclosed.

Manning declined to comment on the settlement.

Asked to comment, CVS issued a statement saying the company is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws and regulations related to assisting individuals with disabilities.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

Twitter: @hugomartinCheap, quick access to space has officially arrived  and in some serious style.

Late Sunday afternoon in New Zealand, Rocket Lab successfully launched its third rocket. Dozens of employees gathered at the companys Auckland mission control center clad in Rocket Labs black-and-red colors and let out a series of primordial screams as the rocket took off, flew into space and dropped its satellite payload into orbit.

Although issues had delayed this launch for months, Sundays event went off without a hitch. Rocket Lab  headquartered in Huntington Beach  has now established itself in the lead position of a frenetic, worldwide competition to change the economics and speed at which people can get things into space.

Its game on, said Peter Beck, the companys founder and chief executive, in an interview outside of Rocket Labs mission control in Auckland. This era has been coming and coming. Well, the small launch race is over. We have proven it can be done.

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The rocket dubbed Its Business Time  after a song by the New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Conchords  took off just before 5 p.m. local time from a spaceport in New Zealand.

It carried six satellites into low Earth orbit. Two of them belonged to the start-up Spire and will be used to track ships, planes and weather in remote parts of the world, while Tyvak Nano-Satellite System also put up a weather satellite. Another was built by students at six high schools in Irvine and will be used to gather data around the satellites performance and used as a teaching aid.

And, in a show of Down Under harmony, the Australian start-up Fleet Space Technologies sent up two satellites that will be used as the foundation for a new telecommunications network. Fleet has spent all year waiting to hitch rides on rockets from SpaceX and the Indian government, and has been plagued by delays.

About six weeks ago, it found out there was room on the Rocket Lab rocket. Typically, it takes months or years to get satellites ready, installed and certified for launch, but in this new era of cheap, fast space flight, Fleet got its hardware on board in record time.

I dont think anyone thought this was possible, said Flavia Tata Nardini, co-founder and CEO of Fleet. I cant believe we actually did it.

For decades, the main path to space has run through a handful of large, government-backed organizations that charged $150 million to $300 million per flight. Their massive rockets were lucky to fly once a month and typically carried bus-sized satellites.

Elon Musks SpaceX caused a massive upheaval in this market by showing that a private space company could launch large rockets at a fraction of the cost  $60 million per flight  and do so much more often.

Rocket Lab represents a second dramatic shift in the launch industry toward smaller, cheaper rockets that fly almost every day. It makes a 56-foot tall rocket (Electron) versus SpaceXs 230-foot tall rocket (Falcon 9) and charges $5.7 million per launch. SpaceX can take far more cargo to space, but Rocket Lab is pitching its nimbleness and low cost as ways to give new customers access to space and to do so on a more convenient schedule.

Dozens of satellite start-ups have appeared over the past two years, hoping to take advantage of these small rockets. Theyre making shoebox-sized satellites for imaging, science missions and communications.

Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder, with the Electron rocket. This era has been coming and coming. Well, the small launch race is over. We have proven it can be done. (Geoff Dale / Rocket Lab)

Sundays launch took place at Rocket Labs private spaceport located on a sheep farm in the Mahia Peninsula on the far eastern edge of New Zealands North Island.

Private spaceports are a rarity, and Rocket Labs is the only one that is seeing regular use. Its remote location should allow Rocket Lab to launch frequently  the company hopes to get to one launch a week and then to one every three days  as air and boat traffic are relatively low. This launch, however, did have to take the path of the Majestic Princess, one of the worlds biggest cruise ships, into account as it was scheduled to briefly pass by the launchpad.

Rocket Lab recently moved into a new facility in Auckland, where it has both mission control and a factory for producing rockets. The entry to the building has a futuristic feel with its minimal lighting, black walls and red glowing accents along the walls  all of which leads to the glass-enclosed mission control. Deep inside the factory, workers have a handful of rockets at various stages of assembly, awaiting their turn to be thrust into space.

To date, Rocket Lab has raised $148 million from investors betting that it could end up as the FedEx of space. Dozens of other companies around the world are scrambling to build small rockets of their own, including Firefly Aerospace, Virgin Orbit and Vector Launch Inc.

Rocket Lab, however, now has a clear edge in the race to cheap space with most of the other companies still in the prototyping and testing stage of their operations. Rocket Lab already has plans to conduct another launch in December and recently broke ground at a second launch site in the U.S. to support even more launches.

The companys first successful test launch took place in May 2017, and in January 2018, it sent a second rocket into space with a handful of customers satellites. Both of the flights were considered tests of Rocket Labs technology with this third flight being the moment when business would kick off in earnest.

Rocket Lab, though, faced two false starts trying to get its third rocket to launch. The biggest issue hampering the launches revolved around a motor controller with a flawed design that triggered errors ahead of liftoff. Rocket Labs engineers have since redesigned the part. Even though the company lost some momentum, the delay did give it time to regroup at the production facility and to line up more rockets for a quick succession of launches.

The company was started by Beck, a largely self-taught engineer, who had dreamed of building rockets since his childhood growing up on New Zealands South Island. Beck and a handful of engineers guided Rocket Lab through the first few years of the companys existence, building smaller prototype rockets.

Once the technology started to take shape, Beck was able to bring in outside investors to scale up the operation and also to help the New Zealand government create an aerospace industry out of thin air.

Its just an awesome accomplishment from the team and a textbook launch, Beck said.As first responders battled raging fires and 250,000 Southern Californians fled for safety  many watching their homes go up in flames overnight  celebrities and firefighter organizations condemned President Trump for his erroneous and heartless Twitter statements about the Camp and Woolsey fires that have devastated countless lives across the state.

There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor, Trump tweeted Saturday while in Paris. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!

Trumps tweet was met with a swift and vocal rebuke online.

Our National Embarrassment cant bring himself to show some empathy to Californians dealing with a horrific disaster, tweeted John Legend, who himself thanked our brave firefighters doing dangerous work.

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Our National Embarrassment can't bring himself to show some empathy to Californians dealing with a horrific disaster. https://t.co/WwLA7UTI8c  John Legend (@johnlegend) November 10, 2018

This is an absolutely heartless response, tweeted Katy Perry. There arent even politics involved. Just good American families losing their homes as you tweet, evacuating into shelters.

This man is demented. Never stop saying it, tweeted director Ava DuVernay.

Actor Zach Braff emphasized the tragic losses suffered by the families caught in the Woolsey fires unpredictable path of destruction, across Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Hidden Hills communities to the Malibu shoreline.

Honestly thought this one was from a parody account, tweeted Braff. The city is on fire and people and animals are dying.

As of late Friday night the fire had destroyed scores of homes and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

Saturday morning, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department confirmed at least two dead as firefighters continued battling blazes.

Former first lady of California Maria Shriver also chided Trump for his lack of compassion for fire victims and urged action: As fires burn, as families and lives are upended, the last thing we need is the president criticizing our state. Just get us the help we need. Do it now.

According to experts and firefighters, Trumps tweet about the fires was not just poorly timed, but erroneous.

Mr. President, with all due respect, you are wrong. The fires in So. Cal are urban interface fires and have NOTHING to do with forest management, tweeted the Pasadena Firefighters Assn. Come to SoCal and learn the facts & help the victims.

The presidents message attacking California and threatening to withhold aid to the victims of the cataclysmic fires is Ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines, California Professional Firefighter Assn. President Brian Rice said in a statement, calling Trumps tweet a shameful attack on California and an attack on all our courageous men and women on the front lines.

Following the backlash, Trump followed up his initial tweet. More than 4,000 are fighting the Camp and Woolsey Fires in California that have burned over 170,000 acres, he tweeted Saturday afternoon. Our hearts are with those fighting the fires, the 52,000 who have evacuated, and the families of the 11 who have died. The destruction is catastrophic. God Bless them all.

Several news organizations including The Times as well as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti report the number of evacuees as much higher, at 250,000 in the Woolsey fire alone.

jen.yamato@latimes.com

@jenyamatoCamp fire death toll rises to 86 after burn victim dies in hospital By Alene Tchekmedyian Californias deadliest blaze on record has claimed 86 lives. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) The death toll from the devastating Camp fire in Butte County, Calif., rose to 86 after an 80-year-old man died of his burn injuries, authorities said Tuesday. Larry Smith of Paradise was burned Nov. 8 while attempting to put out flames that engulfed his car, the Butte County Sheriffs Office said. He was flown to the UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center, where he died Nov. 25. Authorities also released the name of one other person who died in the blaze: Shirlee Teays, 90, of Paradise. Of the 86 people killed, 52 have been identified. Three people are still missing. Facebook

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Three more Camp fire victims identified A recovery team searches for human remains after the Camp fire. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) The Butte County Sheriffs Office on Monday released the names of three more victims who died in the Camp fire. Authorities identified the following people and have notified their families: Rafaela Andrade, 84, of Paradise Don Shores, 70, of Magalia Jean Forsman, 83, of Magalia Of the 85 people killed in Californias deadliest blaze on record, 50 have been identified. Three people remain missing.

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Woolsey fire victims identified as mother and son Firefighter Adan Rodriguez douses hot spots on Mulholland Drive last month. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles County coroners officials Monday identified a mother and son who died trying to escape flames in the destructive Woolsey fire. Shoushan Baklayan, 82, and her son Anthony Noubar Baklayan, 57, died in a car Nov. 9 in the 33100 block of Mulholland Highway in Malibu, coroners officials said. Authorities said that the younger Baklayan died of effects of thermal injuries; investigators have not determined a cause of death for his mother. The two were among three people who died in the blaze. The third victim has not been identified. The family released a statement through their spokesman, Brian Glicklich, in which they asked for privacy as they continue to grieve. The blaze, which erupted Nov. 8, ripped through nearly 97,000 acres in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, destroying 1,500 structures. Facebook

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Authorities identify the remains of 3 more killed in Camp fire By B.J. Terhune Firefighters move heavy debris while searching for human remains at a destroyed residence 19 days after the Camp fire in Paradise, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) The Butte County Sheriffs Office has released the names of three more people who died in the Camp fire. Sheriffs officials said Wednesday that the remains of the following people had been identified and their relatives had been notified: Sally Gamboa, 69, Paradise

Joy Porter, 72, Paradise

Dennis Clark, 49, Paradise Californias worst wildfire killed 85 people when it tore through Butte County on Nov. 8. Officials say 10 residents are still missing.

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Authorities identify remains of 10 more people who died in Camp fire By B.J. Terhune  Weeks after the Camp fire destroyed more than 18,000 structures in Californias Butte County, volunteers from search-and-rescue teams nationwide continue to look for human remains in the rubble. The names of 10 more victims of the Camp fire were released Monday by the Butte County Sheriffs Office, which has notified the next of kin. Helen Pace, 84, Paradise

Gary Hunter, 67, Magalia

Beverly Powers, 64, Paradise

Sheila Santos, 64, Paradise

Andrew Downer, 54, Paradise

Lou Herrera, 86, Paradise

TK Huff, 71, Concow

Gordon Dise, 66, Chico

James Garner, 63, Magalia

Robert Duvall, 76, Paradise Californias worst wildfire has killed 85 people, and 11 residents in the Northern California counties where the blaze tore through in early November are still missing.

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Camp fire death toll is revised to 85 Homes leveled by the Camp fire in Paradise, Calif. (Noah Berger / Associated Press) Authorities in Butte County revised the Camp fire death toll to 85 after investigators determined that, in three cases, human remains collected in multiple bags belonged to a single individual. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said investigators had identified 43 victims. For weeks, hundreds of searchers scoured 18,000 structures destroyed by the blaze looking for human remains, going over some areas more than once. Honea advised residents who head back to their neighborhoods in coming days to call the sheriffs office if they find bones or bone fragments. Investigators have accounted for all but 11 people reported missing in the wildfire. Crews have been working to clear tree hazards on public roads, but urged residents to be cautious because they have not assessed private properties. Facebook

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Strangers from Paradise support one another in hotel lobby far from home By Angel Jennings Over the last few weeks, some Paradise evacuees have made a Best Western hotel home. They didnt know each other before the fire, though they lived in the same small town for years and frequented the same haunts. They have formed a little community at the Corning hotel around the waffle maker during breakfast, passing one another in the elevator and lounging in the lobby, Around the table, they trade stories of dodging embers and feelings of guilt. Together, they try to make sense of the tragedy that unites them. They are among thousands of Paradise residents who fled their homes the day the fire started and have not been allowed to return since. There is growing frustration at the pace of getting people back to see what is left of their properties as well as longer-term shelter plans for those who lost their homes. Read More Facebook

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Rain brings new dangers in Northern California areas burned in recent fires By Hannah Fry As a series of rainstorms begins to move across the state, officials in areas recently scarred by wildfires are on high alert for potential mudslides and flash flooding. The National Weather Service issued a warning of possible flash flooding in three counties in Northern California in advance of a storm expected to arrive late Wednesday. Forecasters predict the second in a series of three storm systems this week could drop more than an inch of rain on the Camp fire burn area in Butte County; the Carr, Delta and Hirz fires burn areas in Shasta County; and the Mendocino Complex fire scar in Lake County. Read More Facebook

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Costs from Paradise fire will likely be in the billions, Zinke says U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke returned to Paradise, Calif., on Monday, saying the cost of Californias worst fires would probably be in the billions and that care would have to be taken in rebuilding the city. When we rebuild, having a frank discussion whether its appropriate to rebuild every place is an important part of the equation, he told the Associated Press in an interview. Facebook

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Some victims of Paradise fire may never be found, officials say By Rong-Gong Lin II Authorities are coming to terms with the possibility that the search for victims of the Camp fire might never be complete and that some human remains wont ever be recovered. Is it possible that there could be a circumstance where someone was completely consumed by fire and therefore we wouldnt have something that we could collect? I would say it is within the realm of possibility, unfortunately, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Monday. Theres nothing easy about this. This is just an unprecedented situation, he added. Read the latest here. Facebook

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New storms bring fresh anxiety in Paradise By Hannah Fry The first of three storm systems expected in wildfire-ravaged Butte County, Calif., dropped a smattering of rain Tuesday. Forecasters predicted about an inch of precipitation, saying the relatively weak system would sputter out by early Wednesday. But a stronger storm will roll in late Wednesday, bringing with it the potential for debris flows and up to 3 inches of rain through Thursday night. The Butte County Emergency Operations Center has prepared for the rain by clearing drainage culverts of debris, said Matt Gates, public information officer for the Paradise Police Department. The California Conservation Corps also has been working on erosion-control measures for mountain slopes filled with fire-damaged pine and chaparral. Ash doesnt absorb water, which complicates things, Gates said. A third storm could bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to the charred region from Friday through Sunday. Its the intensity that can cause debris flows, said Eric Kurth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. If the rain comes over time, theres some opportunity for it to absorb or gradually run off. When we have rapid runoff, thats when it can bring down entire hillsides. The soil in recently burned areas cannot absorb significant amounts of rainwater, so excessive precipitation can lead to fast-moving flows containing mud, debris and even trees and boulders. The devastation can be deadly and often comes without warning. The rain is also expected to complicate the already challenging search for human remains among the rubble of the Camp fire. Typically, crews scoop fire debris into a screen and sift it, looking for bone or bone fragments, but the ash and rain have mixed to form a clay-like substance, making the task nearly impossible. Officials have had to bring in water and gently wash away the clay to expose potential human remains in the charred mess. Facebook

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Mountain lion P-74 believed killed in Woolsey fire By Associated Press National Park Service officials say P-74, a young male mountain lion who lives in the area burned by the Woolsey fire, probably died. (National Park Service) Officials say a mountain lion tracked by researchers probably died in a wildfire that tore through Southern California communities and wilderness areas. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area tweeted Monday that theres been no signal from the GPS collar on the young mountain lion dubbed P-74 since Nov. 9. Thats the day the Woolsey fire swept into the central part of the Santa Monica Mountains northwest of Los Angeles. P-74 was a male born last year. Several other mountain lions and bobcats monitored by scientists in the area have been located. The huge fire charred a swath of national park land thats home to the big cats and popular among hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The blaze burned 1,600 structures in and around Malibu and left three people dead. Facebook

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88 dead and 203 still missing in Paradise fire zone By Rong-Gong Lin II The death toll from Californias worst fire jumped to 88 on Monday with 203 people still missing, officials said. Searchers have spent the last two weeks combing through the remains of Paradise, where much of the city was burned in the Camp fire. Officials said Monday that they had covered a good portion of the city. Its been a grim task, with most of the remains being found as just bones or bone fragments. The fire, which burned more than 14,000 homes in the Paradise region, was fully contained Sunday morning. A new rainstorm will move into the area in the coming days, and officials are worried that could make search efforts more difficult. Facebook

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Officials believe mountain lion P-74 died in the Woolsey fire By Associated Press Lion P-74. (Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area) Officials say a mountain lion tracked by researchers probably died in a wildfire that tore through Southern California communities and wilderness areas. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area tweeted Monday that theres been no signal from the GPS collar on the young mountain lion dubbed P-74 since Nov. 9. Thats the day the Woolsey fire swept into the central part of the Santa Monica Mountains northwest of Los Angeles. P-74 was a male born last year. Several other mountain lions and bobcats monitored by scientists in the area have been located. The huge fire charred a swath of national park land thats home to the big cats and popular among hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The blaze burned 1,600 structures in and around Malibu and left three people dead. Facebook

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296 still missing in Paradise fire zone; 85 dead As of Sunday night, the number of people missing stands at 296 in Californias worst wildfire on record. The Butte County Sheriffs Department said the death toll was at 85. Searchers spent the day looking for remains in the Paradise area, where 14,000 homes were lost in the Camp fire. The number of missing has been going down as officials connect with people whose names are on the list. As of last week, it topped 1,000. Facebook

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Searching for anything that looks human: Grim work in Paradise continues By Cindy Chang At the Ridgewood mobile home park for senior citizens in Paradise on Sunday, more than 100 search and rescue workers in white jumpsuits and gas masks combed through the rubble with shovels and rakes. The surrounding pine trees were singed, ringing a neighborhood where every home had been reduced to charred, twisted wreckage. Last week, searchers found the remains of two people there, said Sgt. Dave Thompson of the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office. On Sunday, the grim, painstaking task yielded some bones, including those of two small dogs. But none were human. The searchers, many of whom are volunteers, also found a safe full of coins as they combed through Ridgewood and Ponderosa Mobile Estates next door. Were going trailer by trailer, piece by piece, turning it over for anything that looks human, said Thompson, who led an operation that drew searchers from counties such as Marin, Contra Costa, Shasta and Kern, as well as the National Guard and California Conservation Corps. Facebook photos before the fire of the Ridgewood community at Pentz and Wagstaff roads, where residents were 55 years and older, showed tidy mobile homes with well-kept gardens. The fire came over the ridge very fast, and senior citizens with limited mobility could have had trouble fleeing, Thompson said. As teams wrapped up their work, Thompson dispatched them to other neighborhoods to continue searching for people who lost their lives in the fire. Facebook

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Disaster assistance operations are extended in Malibu and Agoura Hills Operations at disaster assistance centers in Malibu and Agoura Hills have been extended to keep helping residents affected by the Woolsey fire. The centers, located at the former Malibu Courthouse and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in Agoura Hills, are scheduled to be open through Dec. 8. Hours of operation are between 1 to 8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. At the centers, residents affected by the fire can get help filing insurance claims and applying for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They can also receive advice on how to clean up, repair and rebuild their properties. Facebook

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Woolsey fire destroyed 1,643 structures in destructive siege of Ventura County and Malibu Destruction from Woolsey fire. (Los Angeles Times) The Woolsey fire destroyed 1,643 structures as it swept through Oak Park and Ventura County and into Malibu, according to a final report released Sunday. That makes it one of the most destructive fires in Southern California history, though it pales in comparison to the 14,000 homes lost in the Camp fire in Butte County. Hundreds of evacuees from the Malibu, Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks areas spent the holiday weekend returning to their burned-out neighborhoods to survey their damaged or destroyed homes and to begin rebuilding their lives. Some were still debating whether to stay or leave. The Woolsey fire scorched more than 96,000 acres and left three people dead before it was fully contained on Thanksgiving Day, fire officials said. Pono Barnes, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said firefighters are working on encouraging residents to prepare for winter rainstorms that could move over the burn area. The whole landscape in the area has changed, Barnes said. The vegetation that was there to hold the ground together was burned off. Facebook

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Rain is helping firefighters battling Northern California fire, but a new storm could bring dangers By Ruben Vives Crews work in the wreckage of a structure destroyed in the Camp fire. (Associated Press) Light rains in the area have assisted firefighters in achieving 100% containment of Northern Californias devastating Camp fire, but most evacuations and road closures remain in effect. More than 1,000 firefighters remain on site, assisting with search and recovery efforts. Full containment came as a big relief for fire officials, who noted that the rain sped up the process. Full containment was originally projected for Nov. 30. We didnt get mudslides, so that was good, said Brigitte Foster, fire prevention officer for the Lassen National Forest and spokeswoman for fire officials regarding the Camp fire. We got enough to hamper down on the fire. The rains also gave officials the ability to reduce the number of fire personnel on duty and allow some to go home for the holiday weekend. We still have plenty of resources out there to work from the containment line and make sure there are no smoldering spots along the edge, Foster said. We still have search and rescue teams working in the area. And in preparation for residents being allowed to return to burn areas and assess property damage, crews were helping clear roadways and remove hazardous materials such as trees that could fall down. Its unknown when evacuees will be able to return. There are concerns about another storm approaching burn areas this week. Rain is expected to move into the Camp fire burn areas beginning Tuesday and continue through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service. Up to 3 inches could fall in some lower elevations, forecasters said. On Wednesday, the same system is expected to deliver a half-inch to 2 inches in burn areas in Southern California. Facebook

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Woman returns to see ruins of Malibu drug treatment center: This place saved my life By Emily Alpert Reyes Along Trancas Canyon Road on Saturday, a woman snapped photos of the blackened wreckage of what was once an alcohol and drug treatment center. A wedge of scorched wall stood at a tilt, like a listing ship, peering over the Pacific below. Someone had taped business cards to a wall bordering the site, advertising a restoration business, but it was hard to imagine what could be restored. The woman, who declined to give her name, said she had been sober nearly seven months. This place saved my life, she said. She stayed in Newbury Park after she was evacuated, and it was the first time she had gotten a moment to see what had become of Creative Care Inc. There were people she had gotten to know there who are now living out of state and wanted photos. Its sad, she said. But its just material. I have sobriety. I have life, she said. And theyll rebuild. Read more here. Facebook

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50,000 displaced by Northern California fire. Where will they go? By Anna M. Phillips Across Butte County  a primarily agricultural area known for its walnut, almond and rice farms  towns are struggling to absorb the roughly 50,000 people displaced by the Camp fire. Through no fault of their own, the evacuees arrival has worsened the states housing crisis and raised the possibility that they could be evicted from the region again, not by fire but by a scarcity of suitable dwellings. Hotels and motels from Sacramento to Redding are full. The vacancy rate in the rental market, which hovered around 3% before the fire, has fallen to near zero. Unable to find single-family homes in the area, evacuees have resorted to renting individual bedrooms, buying recreational vehicles and purchasing travel trailers. Others are simply leaving California for other Western states with a lower cost of living. Read more here. Facebook

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Northern California fire now 100% contained; 85 dead, 249 still missing Destruction from the Camp fire. (Los Angeles Times) The worst fire in California history reached full containment Sunday morning, a milestone for a catastrophic inferno that killed at least 85 people with nearly 250 people still missing weeks later. The Camp fire is now 100% contained, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Sunday, after burning nearly 14,000 homes and consuming 153,000 acres in and around Paradise in Butte County. Much of Paradise was lost in the fire, and search and rescue crews will continue looking through the ruins for more victims. At one point, there were more than 1,300 people listed as missing from the fire. But that number has been dropping in recent days. Over the weekend, it declined from more than 400 to 249 as officials were able to confirm more people on the list were actually alive. Several days of rain last week helped firefighters get a handle on the fire. Authorities expect the removal of ash and other toxic debris from the fire will be the largest such effort ever undertaken by state officials. The amount of debris is expected to dwarf the cleanup effort undertaken from last years Northern California fires. That effort led to more than 2 million tons of toxic debris removed from 6,000 properties in seven California counties: Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Butte, Yuba and Nevada, said Eric Lamoureux of the Governors Office of Emergency Services. County, state and federal governments jump start the process of removal of toxic ash and other debris, and can do so at no cost to the owner, Lamoureux said. Typically, about 80% of owners give the government permission to conduct the cleanup operations, with the rest opting to do it themselves. Read More Facebook

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Schools devastated by California fire struggle to get back to the business of educating students By Rong-Gong Lin II As this region still reels from the worst fire in California history, educators are faced with the challenging task of reopening schools even as the firefighters continue their work and searchers scour the area for more victims. They are working to identify replacement classroom space for schools that were burned to ashes during the fire. Paradise Unified School District was hardest hit, with multiple school buildings lost to the fires. Charter schools in the area also suffered. Read more here. Facebook

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Paradise fire search efforts pick up as firefighters increase containment The worst fire in California remained 95% contained Saturday morning. Rains helped put out the flames but also made it harder for firefighters to access some areas. The fireline that remains uncontained is located in steep and rugged terrain where it is unsafe for firefighters to access due to the heavy rains, CalFire said in a statement. With the rain passing, officials hope to intensify search and rescue efforts, with more than 400 still reported missing. The fire burned 153,336 acres and nearly 14,000 homes, with 84 dead. Facebook

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Some Malibu residents still under evacuation order By Sarah Parvini In Malibu, some residents who evacuated from the Woolsey fire were still waiting to return home as officials worked to restore utilities and road access. That fire, which charred 96,949 acres and destroyed 1,643 structures, is 100% contained. Three people were killed. There is still a lot of work to be done, said Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Pono Barnes. Strike teams are in the area helping residents repopulate. Firefighters biggest job Friday was working with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co., Barnes said. There was quite a bit of infrastructure damaged during the burn, he said. Edison is working to replace downed power lines and burned-out power poles. As many as 2,000 power poles have been replaced, he said. That is why we still have some evacuations in place, Barnes added. Facebook

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A wheelchair and gurney sit in rain amid devastation of Paradise medical complex By Gina Ferazzi The grim search for victims continued in Paradise on Saturday amid the rain. Times photographer Gina Ferazzi was struck by the image of an abandoned wheelchair and gurney in front of the destroyed Cypress Meadows post-acute medical facility. The rain is making the devastation in Paradise even more eerie and sad, she wrote. The rain is making the devastation in Paradise even more eerie and sad as abandoned wheelchairs and gurney still remain in front of the destroyed Cypress Meadows facility while search teams sift through ashes looking for human remains #CampFire pic.twitter.com/AyeD9io9FU  Gina Ferazzi (@GinaFerazzi) November 24, 2018 Firefighters hand out #Thanksgiving dinners to victims of #CampFireParadise at Chico St @WCKitchen while Saphira Swisher, 6, prays before turkey dinner w/her family at a church shelter pic.twitter.com/o9Drj3dDeX  Gina Ferazzi (@GinaFerazzi) November 22, 2018 Facebook

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Wildfire much worse because of climate change, new report finds By Tony Barboza Camp fires devastation. (Los Angeles Times) A new federal report found that climate change is taking an increasing toll on communities across the United States. It projects widespread and growing devastation as increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, worsening wildfires, more intense storms and other cascading effects harm our ecosystems, infrastructure and society. Among the findings: The area burned across the western U.S. from 1984 to 2015 was twice what it would have been if climate change had not occurred, according to analyses cited in the report. Earths climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities, the report says. But the severity of future impacts will depend largely on actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the changes that will occur. The report comes as California faces a series of devastating wildfires that have claimed scores of lives and burned thousands of homes. Read more on the report here. Facebook

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Hes giving $1 million to help the high school students of fire-ravaged Paradise By Morgan Cook With many of their homes damaged or destroyed in the states most devastating wildfire on record, the students of Paradise High School face an uncertain future. On Tuesday, a man they have never met from a city more than 500 miles away will give them a gift he hopes will provide at least a small measure of security, support and comfort in a dark hour. Rancho Santa Fe businessman Bob Wilson plans to personally deliver a $1,000 check to each of the schools 980 students and 105 employees in Chico at a venue that has yet to be determined. Thats a total of $1 million for the wildfire victims to use as they see fit, no strings attached. Read More Facebook

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Camp fire now 95% contained, with help from rain Firefighters battling Californias deadliest fire on record continued to make progress Friday, with containment growing to 95% and the number of homes burned at nearly 14,000. The Camp fire has scorched more than 153,000 acres and killed at least 84 people in Butte County, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials. But hundreds of residents are still missing, and thousands more have been displaced by the massive blaze. Read More Facebook

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Another Camp fire death recorded as rain lessens fire danger Rain falls Thursday on the site of a home destroyed by the Camp fire. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) Another day of searching, another grim finding. The death toll from the Camp fire rose by one Thursday to 84, on a day when rain seemed to halt further growth of the states deadliest blaze. By Thursday evening, the Jarbo Gap, where the fire probably started, had received just over an inch of rain in the preceding 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Rain totals varied across the region. The forecast calls for more. In the nearby town of Paradise, which was nearly obliterated by the fire, the forecast for Thursday night was more showers, heavy at times, with winds of 18 to 24 mph and gusts as high as 37 mph. Such winds would have fueled the fire just days ago, but instead they are harbingers of precipitation that is expected to drop three-quarters of an inch to 1 inch of rainfall Thursday night. Another 1 to 2 inches could fall Friday. The wet weather has helped bring containment of the fire to an estimated 95% as of Thursday evening. But it also brought damp, chilly discomfort to evacuees living in tents  thousands of residents have been displaced  and new worries about potentially deadly mudslides in burned areas. A flash-flood watch and wind advisory will remain in effect until 4 p.m. Friday. The rain also complicates the search for human remains, which could be washed away. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. Crews also are involved in another grim tally, figuring out exactly which homes and business burned. Officials have released a preliminary interactive map that shows the damage, house by house. Camp fire evacuees now have rain to contend with as they occupy tents in a Walmart parking lot in Chico, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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Malibu schools to reopen by early December; other schools aiming for Monday Air scrubbers at work in a Las Virgenes district school library. (Las Virgenes Unified School District) Schools in Malibu survived the Woolsey fire almost intact but they got very dirty, and cleanup efforts will keep campuses closed even as residents are allowed to return to their properties. The fire killed three people, burned 97,000 acres and destroyed 1,500 structures. Malibus four schools have been closed since Nov. 9, when they were included in the mandatory evacuation zones. The tentative date to reopen Webster Elementary is Nov. 28. Point Dume Marine Science School is scheduled to reopen Dec. 3. Juan Cabrillo Elementary School should be ready between Dec. 3 and Dec. 5, pending results of air testing inside and outside for traces of lead, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Malibu High will be back in business between Dec. 4 and Dec. 10 The district had planned a swifter reopening but slowed down out of an abundance of caution, spokeswoman Gail Pinsker said. We are hearing from parents that they want thorough cleaning and testing, which we plan, but the cleaning and testing and waiting for results take a day to more than a week, she said. Three other districts in the region also had closed campuses. Schools in Conejo Valley Unified, Oak Park Unified and Las Virgenes Unified are aiming to reopen Monday. Residents who had to evacuate included Las Virgenes Supt. Daniel Stepenosky, who estimated that about 90 families with district students lost their homes, as did two staff members. In a video update on social media, he said that everyone is eager for schools to reopen: Everyone wants to get back to a state of normalcy, to be honest with you. To that end, a crew of 200 has been working for several days, and the district had brought in 300 air scrubbers and 300 hydroxyl deodorizers. Playgrounds that are not ready by Monday will be cordoned off. Stepenosky said that a full-court press will continue because the schools are really boring when theyre empty. A worker scrubs down surfaces at a Las Virgenes district campus. (Las Virgenes Unified School District ) Facebook

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We can make ugly pretty again: The fighting spirit of Paradise residents By Laura Newberry Camp fire victims have a Thanksgiving dinner in Chico, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) Anna Longacre booked her flight home months ago. Back then, the 26-year-old Army sergeant imagined the comforts that awaited her Thanksgiving week, the things that never change no matter how far away from Paradise, Calif., the military takes her. The old cast-iron stove that warmed the entire house during winter. The small stone-fruit orchard that ran along the side and back. Her dads breakfast hash browns. Annas family had lived on their 3-acre lot in the Sierra Nevada foothills for 20 years. She moved away at 18 and has been stationed in Afghanistan, South Korea and Kansas. But her heart stayed in Paradise. Instead of being home Thanksgiving morning, she found herself in a cavernous auditorium at Cal State Chico, where turkey and fixings had been prepared for evacuees of Californias deadliest and most destructive wildfire. She dragged her dad, Bruce, with her. She wanted to get him out of her grandmas house in Chico, where theyd been staying with her mom and dogs. And she had heard celebrity chefs Guy Fieri and Jose Andres were making the food. It couldnt hurt to try and have a little fun, she thought, despite everything. The father and daughter were greeted by volunteers in plush turkey hats and handed sanitary wipes at the door. Read more here. Facebook

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Stories of thanks and gratitude amid the devastation in Paradise By Laura Newberry A young Camp fire evacuee waits in line to receive a free Thanksgiving meal Thursday in Chico, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) As of Thanksgiving Day, the devastation logged by the Camp fire in Northern California was nearly 14,000 homes, more than 150,000 acres and at least 83 lives. Some of the thousands displaced by the fire, mostly from the town of Paradise, said they nonetheless counted themselves among the lucky and found things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Times reporters on the ground in Butte County asked people about the meaning of this holiday. Here are their stories. Facebook

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Authorities warn of fraudulent GoFundMe websites, other scams related to Paradise fire By Rong-Gong Lin II Butte County Dist. Atty. Mike Ramsey warned that scam artists are targeting Paradise fire victims seeking to rent housing. We have seen people who have no right to a particular apartment that go and rent out that apartment and take peoples money. Be very careful. Red flag: If its too good to be true, it is, Ramsey said. Another scam already happening are fraudulent GoFundMe websites seeking contributions for fire victims, he said. We encourage folks to go to the Butte County website to take a look at areas where you can legitimately and safely give your charitable dollars to, he said. He also urged residents to beware of scammers seeking to collect personal information under the guise of pretending to be insurance agents or a sheriffs deputy seeking to cross names off the list of the missing. It will be obvious that these are scammers, he said. Be very, very careful of giving any sort of personal information that will be financially disastrous to you, he said. There have been 11 cases of looting, he said, with suspects mostly interested in vehicles, such as motor homes, left behind by fire victims that fled. Facebook

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Rapid DNA analysis is being used to identify dozens of California fire victims By Rong-Gong Lin II Rapid DNA analysis is being used to identify dozens of California fire victims burned beyond recognition. Of 83 victims, sheriffs officials have made tentative identifications on 58 of them, but they await DNA confirmation. Were working diligently to identify those individuals so that we can contact their next of kin and notify them, said Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea. It used to be that DNA analysis could take months before answers would firm up, but now DNA analysis can be done within a matter of hours, Jim Davis of Ande, a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in rapid DNA analysis, said at a press conference in Chico on Wednesday. Davis said his company has been asked by the sheriff to use its rapid DNA analysis method to help identify victims in a mass casualty incident the first time his company has been asked to do so for this purpose. Davis said hes working with the coroners office in Sacramento County to collect tissue samples from the autopsies of the deceased; 80% of the time, those samples are usable for DNA analysis. Butte County sheriff and California Department of Justice officials are coordinating the collection of DNA samples from living relatives. Facebook

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She lost her home and dogs in the Paradise fire. This Thanksgiving is difficult, but shes grateful to be alive By Laura Newberry Tamra Grays Facebook friends have started posting photos of their newly decorated Christmas trees. When she stumbles upon this display of normalcy, she can barely hold it together. Its hard to think about the holidays right now, she said as she sat at a table in the Chico Mall food court, where she and her husband were discussing their options with a home insurance company representative. I dont have a home to put a tree in right now. Gray and her husband, Scott, lived in their Paradise home on Oak Way for 20 years. What she will miss the most are the pine trees in her backyard and the cool shade they provided, a simple pleasure she could count on even when the mercury hit 100. At 10 a.m. on the day of the fire, Grays 19-year-old son, Dylan, came running down the street. He had gotten stuck in gridlock traffic on Wagstaff Road, and seeing the plumes of black smoke ahead of him, he ditched his car in the closest parking lot and darted home, the only one hes ever known. Theres a fire, we gotta get out, he shouted. They had not received an evacuation alert. Gray did not think the house would burn. They lived a block from a fire station. Before leaving, she touched a redwood keepsake box that contained her childrens first teeth. If I take this to a shelter, it could get stolen, she thought. She left it. The family also left three dogs behind, taking several others with them in separate cars. Grays thinking was this: if there was looting, the big dogs would protect the home. Gray found the animals remains when she returned to Paradise last week. She is consumed by guilt. Gray and her family -- four adults and two kids -- are staying in an RV as they search for a rental. Her 29-year-old daughter, Shannon, also lost her home in Magalia. I feel lost. I just feel so homesick and I cant seem to get past that yet, Gray said, tearing up. Its hard for me to think about where I want to be in the future. Just as she was being asked what she was grateful for on the eve of Thanksgiving, Grays teenage daughter, Victoria, bounded up to her in the food court with several shopping bags in her hand. I got you shoes, Victoria said, pulling out a pair of gray Champion slip-ons. They were on sale. Gray tugged off one of the brown Ugg boots she got at a shelter. She tried on a sneaker. Im grateful that my family made it out alive, Gray said, returning to the question. Its easy to answer that when its staring me right in the face. Its when Im alone that I go into a dark place. Facebook

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You could feel the heat from the flames: Paradise survivor describes horror, survival They called it their little green house in the forest. A two-bedroom mobile home with a birdbath out front on Skyway road where deer and bobcats roamed. It is likely gone, they think, because they have seen a map of the burn area  a cloud of red over where they lived for four years. Steve Weathington, 67, and his girlfriend, Irene Schwab, 65, now lay their heads on green cots in an exhibit hall at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds. Their possessions are few, but they made it out with their two trucks, two dogs and two cats. A fortune, they know, compared with what others escaped with. The morning the fire broke out, the couple had sat down to waffles and eggs when they noticed the sky was a smoky orange. Schwab went outside to settle a patio umbrella that was thrashing in the wind. A manager of their mobile home park had begun driving around, honking. Grabbing clothes, toiletries, medicine and the animals, Weathington hopped into his truck. Schwab followed behind in hers. It was burning on both sides of the road, Schwab recalled. You could feel the heat from the flames. It took them more than three hours to get to Chico, usually a 25-minute drive. They are grateful to be alive, to have had insurance on their home, to be capable and willing to start somewhere new. They may stay and find a place in Yuba City, a community theyve grown to appreciate. When they venture out of the shelter, an act of kindness is usually bestowed upon them. Waitresses have bought them dinner, a barber refused money for a haircut. They have picked out clothes for free and marveled over the donations that file in daily. We get a little teary-eyed because its really emotional, said Weathington, a retired commercial painter and U.S. Marines veteran, his eyes growing red. Still, the timing of everything is hard to take. The couple used to host Thanksgiving dinner for family with a spread of traditional fare, including pumpkin cheesecake and homemade biscuits. The holiday rings a bit hollow now, eliciting memories of what they once had. Facebook

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Number of homes lost in Paradise fire approaches 14,000 as containment increases Firefighters continued to make progress with Californias deadliest fire, with containment rising to 90% but with number of homes burned now at nearly 14,000. At least 83 people were killed when the fire swept into Paradise two weeks ago, and hundreds are still missing, Rain helped firefighters, but the weather has made the search for victims more difficult. Precipitation has minimized fire activity and all fire lines continue to hold. Firefighters and resources continue to be deployed throughout the fire area to patrol and remove hazards, Cal Fire said Thursday morning. Facebook

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Camp fire death toll increases to 83, while 563 still missing By Rong-Gong Lin II The remains of two more people were recovered in the Camp fire burn zone Wednesday, raising the death toll in the blaze to 83. One person was found in a structure in Paradise, while the other was located in a structure in Magalia, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea told reporters at a news conference. Were working diligently to identify those individuals so we can contact their next of kin and notify them, Honea said, adding that investigators have tentatively identified 58 of the dead. Authorities have identified six more people who died in the blaze. They are: Teresa Ammans, 82, of Paradise

Richard Brown, 74, of Concow

Marie Wehe, 78, of Concow

Kimber Wehr, 53, of Paradise

Joseph Rabetoy, 39, of Paradise

Joan Tracy, 80, of Paradise About 830 searchers will work on Thanksgiving to look for victims of the blaze, though the search could be suspended if rain triggers mudflows in the area.

The number of people unaccounted for dropped to 563. A total of 2,052 people have been crossed off the missing-persons list. Thats a dynamic list, Honea said. You may see it go up or down depending on the information we receive during the course of the day. The blaze has scorched more than 153,000 acres and destroyed more than 18,000 structures, including 13,500 single-family homes. It was 85% contained. The heavy rain has minimized fire activity. That fire activity is almost nothing,said Josh Bischof of the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection. Forecasters expect six inches of rain to fall across the burn area through Friday. Butte County Dist. Atty. Michael Ramsey said his office has put together a team to deal with price gouging. People are not allowed to jack up prices more than 10% of what they were before the fires, he said, adding that people can call (866) 323-6283 to report price gouging. Facebook

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Rain pours down on tent city of Paradise evacuees, causing new problems (Ruben Vives / Los Angeles Times) Rain began to pound on the tent city of Paradise evacuees Wednesday afternoon in Chico, causing more problems for people who have already been through so much. Two women walked around holding a blanket, offering it to anyone who needed it. Standing alone, wearing a red hooded rain poncho, John Owens shivered. I dont know how much longer people can hang on like this, he said. Owens lost his home and car in the fire. He said he was clinging on to what he had left: his wife, his dog and a part-time manufacturing job. I told my boss I cant hang here for too long, he said. If its going to be like this, I wont last long. Ill have to quit my job and go to the shelter. Owens said he said he hasnt left because transportation to his job is best from where he is now. He said he has to commute between Chico and Yuba City. This stinks, he said. Despite the cold, wet weather that is coming down on him and others, Owens said hes grateful to be alive. You only got a short period of time on this place, he said, referring to Earth. You gotta have a good time. Facebook

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California fires: Volunteers out in force to make a horrible Thanksgiving a little better In Chico, where thousands of evacuees have gathered, its going to be a Thanksgiving like no other. Some people who had been living in tents at a Walmart parking lot began to move on, some going to shelters. Volunteers have also been out in force to help. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico has been prepping a Thanksgiving meal that will feed about 2,000 people. The event is in conjunction with other groups who are putting together meals and it includes Cal State Chico and World Central Chicken. The meal will consist of turkey, pork, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy. The meals will be served in waves starting at 11 a.m., then at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Leslie Jessee, 33, tore sheets of foil and laid them in a stack as she prepped the turkey. She said she hopes the Thanksgiving meal will bring some sense of peace for the people affected by the fire. Nearby, Ken Grossman, the owner of the beer company, worked on making the gravy. On Thanksgiving I always make the turkey, the gravy and mashed potatoes for a big family, he said. This time, its a bigger family. Grossman said about 40 of his employees lost homes to the Camp fire. He also has friends who have lost so much. Hopefully family and friends will enjoy the meal, he said. Facebook

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California fires: Were just trying to get back to normal, whatever normal really is By Rong-Gong Lin II With the public still prohibited from entering the worst-hit areas of Paradise and Magalia, the towns were silent, save for the hum of generators. The gas station was shuttered. Ponderosa Elementary School abandoned. The blackened husks of cars were still visible across the town. At the site of a gym on Pentz Road, all that remained were the contorted remains of elliptical machines atop a pile of ash. Crews worked on repairing utility lines, forcing motorists to just one side of many roads, and continued the process of looking for any signs of human remains, despite the rain. Theyre looking for basically bone fragments. And theyre just systematically going from burned house to burned house, looking to see if theres anything, said Capt. Matt Bergstrand of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection station in Magalia. A day earlier, a hearse was spotted in Paradise, accompanied by the California Highway Patrol. At the fire station in Magalia, things are still pretty devastating, Bergstrand said. Were just trying to get back to normal, whatever normal really is. I dont know what normal is really going to entail. A pretty big chunk of our area has been consumed. #paradise on Thanksgiving Eve. Quiet and wet. The acrid odor of smoke is throat scratching, lingering in the air. Crews are repairing utility lines, still searching for victims. pic.twitter.com/MeAqIYq3Yr  Ron Lin (@ronlin) November 21, 2018 #paradise on Thanksgiving Eve. Quiet and wet. The acrid odor of smoke is throat scratching, lingering in the air. Crews are repairing utility lines, still searching for victims. pic.twitter.com/MeAqIYq3Yr  Ron Lin (@ronlin) November 21, 2018 Facebook

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Stanley the giraffe is safe after the Woolsey fire, but Jillian Michaels isnt satisfied By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde Nicole Padilla, 17, of Diamond Bar feeds Stanley the giraffe at the L.A. County Fair. ( (Francine Orr/ Los Angeles Times)) The saga of Stanley the giraffe continues as yet another celebrity has made the animals welfare her mission despite his keepers assurances. Fitness celebrity Jillian Michaels is demanding that Malibu Wine Safaris move Stanley to a better home. In a letter to founder Dakota Semler, Michaels said that despite the Woolsey fires passing, the giraffe remains in danger as long as it is in on their property. Celebrities and tourists have visited Saddlerock Ranchs safari attraction for years to drink wine and snap selfies with the lone giraffe. But after the Woolsey fire, they used their clout to draw attention to the animals safety as the Woolsey fire roared toward the property. They and hundreds of nearby residents, strangers and animal lovers believed Stanley had been abandoned when Malibu Wine Safaris staff evacuated. A photo of the exotic animal on an open field with flames in the distance circulated on social media. Despite multiple statements made by the company, some people remained dubious. Due to the short notice given to area residents, the animals were not evacuated; instead, they were placed in an open dirt field that did not have much fuel to burn. Stanley is doing fine, said Bob Dunn after the fire passed through. Dunn, a close family friend who has helped care for the giraffe since its birth, said Stanley was completely safe. Hes healthy. Although many have moved on, Michaels isnt satisfied. Like millions of others, I saw and cannot shake off the picture of Stanley that showed flames approaching behind him, and I urge you not to keep him in the same path of danger, Michaels wrote. But fire or no fire, he needs to be moved to a place where he can thrive and hes not just waiting for the monotony of his life to be broken when someone offers him a treat. Michaels is backed by the animal rights group PETA, which has been working to identify alternate homes for the animals, should the Semlers comply with Michaels request. Giraffes special needs simply cannot be met at a roadside zoo like this, Michaels said in the letter, and if he hasnt already, he will soon begin to exhibit neurotic behavior resulting from captivity-related stress, frustration, and privation. Rebecca Smudzinski, a wildlife specialist with PETA, said young male giraffes like Stanley often travel in bachelor herds and roam large savannas. One in captivity is likely to display signs of stress, such as repetitive licking and pacing. The Woolsey fire exposed Stanleys sad, lonely life in that barren enclosure, she said. Hes got nowhere to go and nothing to do, and so he just waits for people to feed him. Organizations housing exotic animals are required to have a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which follows minimal standards set by the Animal Welfare Act. The permit includes an annual inspection visit to ensure the animal is taken care of properly. But that isnt enough, Smudzinski maintained. PETA wants the animal to be moved somewhere accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries or the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which both require disaster plans to be reviewed and practiced regularly, she said. Michaels referenced Safari West in a Twitter post as an example of an organization that successfully saved exotic animals. Nancy Lang, co-owner of Safari West, said the organization was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The staff there meet annually with law enforcement, the Humane Society and others to discuss disaster plans and practice regular drills, and partner with organizations that offer their facilities in case of emergencies. When the Tubbs fire approached their property in 2017, they had little time to react, making an evacuation impossible. Lang said whether Malibu Wine Safaris did the right thing is impossible to say without knowing their circumstance. Some of Safari Wests animals were also placed in an open field with little fuel to burn. Its unclear what disaster plan Malibu Wine Safaris had in place, but its staff only had a couple of hours to act. Malibu Wine Safaris did not respond to multiple requests for comment. .@MalibuSafaris It's 100% possible to care for exotic animals in emergency situations. Read the attached @WhitneyCummings is spot on! And if you can't prepare properly for situations like this you have NO business keeping these types of animals. https://t.co/fB00qrtNzm  Jillian Michaels (@JillianMichaels) November 15, 2018 Facebook

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Homes burned in the Camp fire could contain dangerous materials including radiation and residents should stay away, health officials say An aerial view shows destruction from the Camp fire. Homes not reduced to rubble could have high levels of carcinogens, officials warn. (Los Angeles Times) Butte County health officials are urging residents not to try to move back into homes damaged by the Camp fire in Paradise. Some residents have been allowed back into Paradise to survey their homes and collect any valuables still left. There is evidence from recent fires in California that homes and property destroyed by fire contain high and concerning levels of heavy metals, lead, mercury, dioxin, arsenic, and other carcinogens. Some property may have the presence of radioactive materials, the county said in a statement. Exposure to hazardous substances may lead to acute and chronic health effects, and may cause long-term public health and environmental impacts. Facebook

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Assessing the risk of mudslides in Malibu after California fires By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde If the expected rainfall on the eve of Thanksgiving day is intense enough, areas where the Woolsey fire burned would be more susceptible to mud flows than areas affected by the Camp fire, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. USGS researchers created a map that shows the probability that different fire-affected areas will experience mud flows if theres a storm that produces 24 millimeters of rain per hour, or a quarter of an inch in 15 minutes. We have historical information about where debris flows occurred, how big they were and the rainfall associated with triggering those events, said Dennis Staley, a research geologist with the USGS. The model also considers slope steepness, topography and fire severity. The dark red portions of the map indicate between an 80 and 100% chance of debris flows if rain reaches the assigned threshold for the map. Most areas affected by the Camp fire are colored yellow, indicating a 20% chance or less of debris flow. The Woolsey fire area on the other hand is mostly colored orange and red. The reason for the higher probability, Staley said, is that areas affected by the Woolsey fire are steeper than where the Camp fire burned. However, weather experts say rainfall in Southern California likely wont be intense enough for dangerous mud flows. Rich Thomas, with the National Weather Service, said there will only be about quarter to three quarters of an inch of rainfall total. Theres only a 10 to 20% chance the rain will become heavy enough to create mudflows, he said. There could be some minor debris flows, but nothing significant, he said. Rocks over the roadway, stuff like that. Still, Thompson said people should be prepared and pay attention to local authorities for evacuation orders. To the west, the area affected by the Mendocino Complex fire appears to be at higher risk, Staley said. In August, the Mendocino Complex fire consumed more than 450,000 acres, becoming the largest wildfire in state history. The areas steep terrain made it a challenge to firefighters and also increases the likelihood of mud flows. Heavy rain is expected this Thanksgiving holiday and debris flows will be a particular threat in the areas affected by the Camp, Carr, Delta, Hirz and Mendocino Complex fires, the NWS said. Facebook

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After fires, risk of Malibu mudslides will be high through the winter By Tony Barboza (Los Angeles Times) The first rain to fall over the burn-scarred areas of the Woolsey fire is expected to start Wednesday night. Forecasters are predicting it will be a weak storm, not intense enough to trigger significant flows of mud and debris  although it could cause some minor rockslides and mudslides. But experts say stronger storms in the coming months have the potential to send life-threatening mudflows plowing through neighborhoods. That threat has authorities urging residents living on or below hillsides, in canyons and along stream channels to take steps to prepare their homes, keep an eye on the weather, quickly heed warnings and evacuation orders, and be ready to leave well before the rain arrives. If you can see burned hillsides from your house, you are threatened by debris flow, said National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Boldt, who works with emergency planners and other local officials to coordinate warnings. You dont want to be there when the rain starts. Theres just not enough time to wait and see what happens. Read more here. Facebook

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Dramatic NASA images show destruction of California fires from space Burn zone for the Woolsey fire (NASA) Burn zone for the Camp fire (NASA) Satellite image of the Camp fire (NASA) NASA has released dramatic satellite images of the destructive wildfires in California. The data show the progression of the fires and how they burned homes, as well as satellite images of what they look like from space. See more here. Facebook

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How fires can lead to deadly mudslides Mudslides after fires (Los Angeles Times) Rain is forecast this week in the burn zones of Paradise in Northern California and the Malibu/Ventura County area in Southern California. This has prompted concern about mudflows. Soil in a burned area can be repellent to water, creating a flood-like flow on the ground that picks up rock and debris. In an area that has not burned, soil can become saturated. Pressure builds up underground, and soil starts moving and begins picking up mud and debris as it starts flowing downhill. Heres how hillsides that have been burned by wildfire become prone to flash floods and dangerous mudslides during heavy rains. How mudflows occur. (Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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Remains found above Malibu are not those of a Woolsey fire victim, but from earlier death, officials say By Jeanette Marantos A broken skull and a few other bone fragments found in the scorched hills of Latigo Canyon on Saturday came from a human who died well before the Woolsey fire, Los Angeles County sheriffs investigators said Wednesday. A landowner spotted what appeared to be human bones Thursday as he was checking fire damage to his property off Latigo Canyon Road, about a mile north of Ocean View Road, near mile marker 6.92, Sgt. Marcelo Quintero said. The property didnt notify authorities about the bones until Saturday. Quintero said the skull was likely hidden by heavy brush in the area before the Woolsey fire, which scorched much of the land and several structures in the canyon above Malibu. Investigators believe the wildfire may have dislodged the remains from where they were stuck higher up the hilly terrain, and sent them tumbling down into the pathway where they were found, on property owned by the Ava and Cole Weintraub Family Park conservancy group. The skull was broken into pieces but we were able to piece it somewhat together, Quintero said. The anthropologists at the coroners office believe it definitely predated the fire. Coroners investigators believe the remains could been there between six months and 50 years, he said. They have some fire damage, he said, but no bite marks. We only have parts of a skull, parts of a jaw and possibly some cervical vertebra pieces, Quintero said. The Los Angeles County coroners Special Operations Response Team, or SORT, combed the area, hoping to find more remains. They did find additional bones, Quintero said, but they turned out to belong to animals. Were going to do our best to try to identify whoever this person was, he said. But its going to be a long shot, at best. Anyone with information should contact the sheriffs Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Facebook

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Woolsey fire expected to be fully contained today Firefighter battling Woolsey fire last week. (Los Angeles Times) Firefighters are hoping to have full containment of the Woolsey fire sometime today. The fire, which killed three people, destroyed more than 1,600 structures and burned over 96,000 acres from Oak Park to Malibu, was 98% contained as of Tuesday night. People continued to return to their homes, but officials warned of possible rain in the burn areas later this week. Facebook

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Storms could wash away remains of Camp fire victims, officials fear A pair of incoming storms are threatening to hamper recovery efforts in Paradise, Calif. In a worst-case scenario, the downpour could flood the ruins and wash away human remains, leaving authorities unable to find and identify every victim of Californias deadliest wildfire on record. Authorities fear bones could sink underwater, making them harder to spot and drowning any scent that cadaver dogs rely on to find them. Meteorologists say the Camp fire burn scar  which is larger than the city of San Jose  could see up to 6 inches of rain through Saturday, with the heaviest downpour expected overnight Thursday. The forecast has triggered a flash flood watch for possible rock slides and debris flows. Light showers were falling Wednesday morning with heavier rain expected later in the day. That rain is going to get in that ash, its going to turn into it a paste-like substance, said Monterey County sheriffs Cmdr. Joe Moses, who is helping in the recovery effort. Its going to stick to everything and slow things down. Read more here. First light showers hit Norcal this morning. Heavier precipitation is expected later this morning and afternoon. #cawx pic.twitter.com/UALB0iYUeX  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 21, 2018 Facebook

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Paradise narrowed its main road by two lanes despite warnings of gridlock during a major wildfire By Paige St. John Paradise narrowed its main road through town as well as two other streets in recent years, hoping to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. The changes came despite warnings that a major fire would cause crippling gridlock during evacuations, a scenario that became grim reality when Californias worst wildfire swept into Paradise this month. Read the full story here. Facebook

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Paradise narrowed its main road by two lanes despite warnings of gridlock during a major wildfire By Joseph Serna After a fast-moving fire swept into town a decade ago, burning more than 200 homes and trapping thousands of fleeing residents on gridlocked mountain roads, a grand jury called on officials to improve evacuation routes. But six years later, the city decided to narrow a portion of the main road through town from four lanes to two as part of an effort in the downtown area aimed at boosting commerce as well as traffic and pedestrian safety. Read More Facebook

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Number of people missing in Camp fire jumps to 870 The number of people unaccounted for in the destructive Camp fire rose to 870 on Tuesday after investigators were able to work through a backlog of voicemails, authorities said. The surge comes as the death toll increased to 81, with two bodies recovered inside structures in the Butte County town of Paradise. Of the 81, authorities said they had tentatively identified 56 people. By Tuesday evening, investigators had also been able to locate nearly 200 people reported missing, raising the number of people checked off the missing-persons list to 1,864. The blaze has chewed through more than 152,000 acres and destroyed more than 12,600 homes. It was 75% contained. Facebook

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Death toll from Camp fire rises to 81 as searchers continue their grim work A search-and-rescue team scans an area where there might be human remains. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) The death toll from Californias worst fire rose to 81 on Tuesday as the search continued for the missing. The fire has burned more than 12,000 structures, destroying most of the town of Paradise and other nearby communities. As of Monday night, there were nearly 700 people still missing. Rain is expected to hit the area tonight, complicating the search efforts. Joe Moses, a commander with the Monterey County Sheriffs Office who is assisting with search-and-rescue operations, said the rain is a concern for him and recovery crews. That rain is going to get in that ash [and] its going to turn it into a paste-like substance, Moses said. Its going to stick to everything and slow things down. In a worst-case scenario, if torrential downpours were to hit Paradise, the foundations could flood and wash human remains away, increasing the possibility that workers may be unable to locate and identify victims. This concern appears to be greatest in rural areas such as Concow. Authorities fear that bones may also lie underwater, making it harder for workers to spot them, and that the rain may wash away the scents that cadaver dogs seek out to find human remains. Facebook

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California fires: Anxiety and nightmares grip evacuees in Paradise fire zone Deborah Laughlin hasnt heard from her son in nearly two weeks. (Ruben Vives/Los Angeles Times) Inside the cafeteria of Bidwell Junior High School, 63-year-old Deborah Laughlin sipped on coffee and scooped up some apple pie. A lot was on her mind. Laughlin said she lost her home in Paradise. She had been living at Evergreen Mobile Home Park. Since the evacuations, she has been at the middle school, where the Red Cross operates a shelter. She said she registered with FEMA and hopes shell be able to get housing. I dont know what Im going to do, she said. I told the manager of the Red Cross: When you leave, Im going with you. Perhaps her greatest worry is her son, Shawn Evans, 40, whom she last heard from while he was evacuating from Magalia. She said he was driving on Imperial Way with his wife, who is eight months pregnant. I know where my husband is but I dont know here my son is, she said with teary eyes. Please dont tell me he died. Please. She said she is clinging to hope that her son is OK and that theyll be reunited soon. She said shes afraid about the storm that is approaching the region. Shes afraid because she knows theres still people who are missing, people who may have died in the fire. Im scared, she said. Im scared theyll be washed away and peoples remains will never be found. Sitting across was Anthony Salzarulo, 60, who had fought to save his home and five others in Concow. He said the fire was worse than any other blaze that had hit the region. Salzarulo lost his home to a fire 10 years ago. Sipping water, he said his home suffered some damage in the Camp fire, mostly to his solar panels and generator. He lost a bus and a car. When he was leaving the area, he saw animals that had died in the fire. A bobcat that had suffered burns walked near him. Hes had nightmares since. He heard about the storm approaching. He worries a mudslide may take out his home, and its made him anxious. He wants to go home. I hope I have a home after this storm because it sounds like its a pretty bad one, he said. He said the storm had added to his nightmares. I was dreaming that there was a tornado and all these things were sticking to me, he said. They were human bones. Facebook

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California fires: Heavy rains could wash away human remains in Paradise, searchers fear Devastation from the Camp fire. (Los Angeles Times) Four members of the Oakland Fire Departments Urban Search and Rescue Task Force removed a charred mattress spring and began combing through a mixture of ash, dirt, shredded wood and pieces of roofing tiles. Using their gloves to move around the blackened dirt, they looked for human remains. This is hard, one of the recovery workers said. But were trying. Let everyone know were trying. By Wednesday afternoon, the recovery work will get harder. Forecasters said thats when the rain will most likely start to come down over the Camp fire. Joe Moses, a commander with the Monterey County Sheriffs Office who is assisting with search-and-rescue operations, said the rain is a concern for him and recovery crews. That rain is going to get in that ash [and] its going to turn it into a paste-like substance, Moses said. Its going to stick to everything and slow things down. In a worst-case scenario, if torrential downpours were to hit Paradise, a town devastated by the fire, the foundations could flood and wash human remains away, increasing the possibility that workers may be unable to locate and identify victims of the fire. This concern appears to be more evident in rural areas such as Concow. Authorities fear bones could also lie underwater, making it harder to spot them and whatever scent cadaver dogs rely on to spot human remains could be drown out. But Moses doesnt believe the rain wont be too bad and they plan to see their mission through. The fire destroyed much of Paradise, burning more than 10,000 homes. Nearly 80 are confirmed dead, but nearly 700 remain missing in the worst fire in California history. Facebook

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Woolsey fire victims file lawsuit against Southern California Edison By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde Only the top few feet of a utility pole survived the Woolsey fire as it roared over Kanan Road in Malibu. ( (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)) Victims of the Woolsey fire have filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison alleging the utility was negligent in failing to shut off power before the wildfire started, attorneys announced Tuesday. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of 17 plaintiffs, alleges the company ignored warnings of extreme fire weather and only shut power off once the fire started. That delay contributed to the Woolsey fires destruction, plaintiffs say. The fire, which is currently 96% contained, killed three people and destroyed 1,500 structures, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Attorneys are seeking compensation for plaintiffs damaged property, lost wages and attorney fees. The lawsuit claims that once the electricity was shut off on Nov. 12  four days after the fire started  residents and firefighters lost water pressure, hampering efforts to battle the flames. That in turn heightened the safety risk for firefighters and homeowners who sheltered in place. R. Rex Parris, one of the attorneys on the case, references the utilitys preliminary report filed Nov. 12 with the California Public Utility Commission stating an electric substation experienced a disturbance two minutes before the fire, which started in the same area. The report is preliminary, said Edison spokesman Steve Conroy when the report was made public. We have no other information other than a line went out of service and we dont know why. In the report, the utility said a circuit in its Chatsworth substation near where the Woolsey fire started relayed two minutes before the fire broke out. This means an outage remains until it is safe to manually reenergize the circuit, Conroy said. This is not a Public Safety Power Shutoff; it is simply a safety feature to help mitigate wildfire risk. The lawsuit also blames Edison for potential damage to the environmental and public health caused by the burning of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory nuclear cleanup area, though some experts have said there was no damage. The state Department of Toxic Substances Control, which oversees the long-delayed cleanup of the former rocket engine testing and nuclear research facility, said fire officials believed the blaze did not present any risks other than those normally present in a wildfire situation. Edison said in an emailed statement that it cannot comment on lawsuits related to the Woolsey fire at this time and that it may take some time before an investigation into what caused the fire is completed. SCEs focus at this time is service restoration to customers still impacted in the Malibu area, and providing additional assistance to customers through the L.A. County local assistance centers, an Edison spokesman said. The utility said its offering support for customers looking to turn service on and off, waiving charges associated with extended bill payments and charges associated with relocating and starting new service. Parris said utility companies know of the dangers of high power lines running through fire zones, but that they do little to implement safeguards to prevent potential tragedies. When you have rules that are this important and you know people are violating them its inevitable that these catastrophic events happen, Parris said of Edison and other utility companies. Their view of safety is public relations. Victims of the Camp fire filed a lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. also on Friday, alleging that utility is responsible for the fire that killed at least 79 people. ------

2:05 p.m.: This article was updated with statements from R. Rex Parris. This article was originally published at 11:05 a.m. Facebook

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Here are the latest evacuations, road and school closures, animal shelters and victim services Mandatory evacuations Malibu, from the Ventura County line east to Anacapa View Drive.

Monte Nido West of Malibu Canyon Road.

Liberty Canyon West to Decker Canyon and south to PCH For all evacuation areas click here. Road closures Highway 101 offramps from Valley Circle Blvd to Liberty Canyon Road Highway 1 southbound (Pacific Coast Highway) closed at Las Posas Road Bell Canyon Road at Valley Circle Boulevard Borchard at Los Vientos Drive Lynn Road at Reino Road Potrero Road between Rancho Dos Vientos and South Lewis Road Kanan Road between Westlake Boulevard and Lindero Canyon Road Falling Star Avenue at Kanan Road Potrero Road at Wendy Drive State Route 118 eastbound between Topanga Canyon and Yosemite Avenue Mureau Road, Calabasas Boundary to 101 Freeway Cornell Road, Mulholland Hwy to Kanan Road Encinal Canyon Road, Malibu Boundary to Mulholland Hwy Click here to see a full list of closures. Evacuation centers (Los Angeles Times) Camarillo Community Center  1605 E. Burnley Street, Camarillo (accepting small animals) Borchard Community Center  190 Reino Road, Newbury Park (accepting small animals) Goebel Senior Adult Center (obscured on map) 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks (at capacity) Thousand Oaks Teen Center  1375 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks Community Center  2525 North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (closed) Rancho Santa Susana Recreation Center  5005 Unit C Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley (no animals accepted) Taft Charter High School  5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills Pierce College  7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills (Entrance off Desoto Avenue); Los Angeles County Animal Services (accepting large animals) Canoga Park High School  6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Canoga Park Palisades Charter High School (not displayed on map)  15777 Bowdoin St, Pacific Palisades School closures Cal State Channel Islands Cal Lutheran University (except for emergency personnel) Moorpark Community College Pepperdine University (Malibu and Calabasas campuses) For Ventura County school closures, please check the Ventura County Office of Education website https://www.vcoe.org/ Animal shelters Ventura County Fair Grounds  10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, (at capacity); Ventura County Animal Services (805) 388-4258 Ventura County Animal Shelter  600 Aviation Drive, Camarillo (accepting small animals) Simi Valley Animal Shelter  670 W Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, (805) 388-4341 (accepting small animals) Pierce College  7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills (entrance off Desoto Avenue) (at capacity); Los Angeles County Animal Services Hansen Dam Equestrian Center  11127 Orcas Ave., Lake View Terrace (at capacity); Los Angeles County Animal Services Earl Warren Show Grounds (not on map)  3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara (Check-in at Gate C off of Calle Real) (accepting large animals) Shelter Hope  193 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 (lodging for evacuees and volunteers available) If you need large animal assistance, please call (805) 388-4258

N95 Particulate filter mask availability (Los Angeles Times) Goebel Senior Adult Center (obscured on map) 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks Teen Center  1375 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks Rancho Santa Susana Recreation Center  5005 Unit C Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley Borchard Community Center  190 N Reino Road, Newbury Park Camarillo Community Center  1605 E Burnley St., Camarillo North Oxnard Public Health  2240 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard South Oxnard Public health  2500 S. C Street, Oxnard Channel Islands harbor master  3900 Pelican Way, Oxnard Las Posas Family Medical Group  3801 Las Posas, Suite 214, Camarillo Sierra Vista Family Medical Clinic  2700 E Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley Moorpark Family Medical Clinic  612 Spring Road, Building A, Moorpark Facebook

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Some Camp fire evacuations are lifted as firefighters continue working to contain the blaze By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde The valley behind it blanketed in a thick layer of smoke, a train sits stopped near Butte Valley along Highway 70. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Officials lifted evacuation orders for several communities near Lake Oroville on Tuesday. The news comes as firefighters make progress in the battling the Camp fire, which as of Tuesday morning was 70% contained. The fire has consumed more than 151,000 acres and killed at least 79 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials announced that residents of all Berry Creek zones can return home, except the areas northbound Encina Grande Road at Choc Taw Ridge Road, northbound French Creek Road at Stephens Ridge Road and northbound Highway 162 at Four Mile Ridge Road. Communities in the Cherokee Zone B zone can also return to the area, with the exception of areas northbound Red Tape Road at Condor Road, Rocky Top Road at Cherokee Road, Vinton Gulch at Cherokee Road, Crystal Pines Road at Cherokee Road and Highway 70 East of the West branch bridge. All residents of the Messilla Valley Zone B can return home. Facebook

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As California fire slowly is contained, air quality begins to improve in the north By Times Staff Latest smoke model indicates continued gradual improvement in air quality through Tuesday evening. Much better air quality is then expected by Wednesday when gusty winds and rain from a Pacific weather system clean the air. #CAwx #campfiresmoke pic.twitter.com/Vxd3cwZUQM  NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) November 20, 2018 The rain forecast for Northern California is expected to improve air quality in the region, which has experienced unhealthful air due to the Camp fire. Air quality improved somewhat Tuesday, but the smoke was supposed to dissipate more on Wednesday. The Camp fire burn zone could see up to 6 inches of rain through Saturday, which isnt unusual for that region, said Johnnie Powell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. In April, fire-ravaged Paradise, Calif., saw nearly 6 inches of rain in one day in what was its last significant storm. Strong inversions will allow wildfire smoke to continue to impact interior Norcal today although air quality is slowly getting better most areas. Rainfall spreading over Norcal on Wednesday should clear the air considerably. #cawx pic.twitter.com/LKa2b1d7uy  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 20, 2018 Facebook

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In Paradise, the grim search for bodies after California fire: Were finding remains in various states The search-and-rescue team took a break as it waited for an excavator to moved debris from a pair of charcoal gray vehicles sitting next to a burned home in Butte Creek Canyon in Chico. Nearby, a line of fire trucks and sheriffs vehicles drove past the group, their occupants waving. The sun was starting to dip. Monday was coming to an end. Since the Camp fire broke out on Nov. 8, authorities have been combing through crumbled homes and melted metal in an effort to locate and identify human remains. The fire has killed at least 79 people, and about 700 others are unaccounted for, a significant drop from a few days ago when the list was more than 26 pages and had more than 1,200 names, but still a daunting number. Now two storms are moving toward Northern California and are expected bring up to six inches of rain through Saturday, possibly hindering search operations. The pros and cons are that the weather will be in our favor to contain the fire, said Cal Fire spokesman Manuel Garcia. But the cons are that there will possibly be loose terrain, fallen trees, mudslides and downstream flows. The National Weather Service said the first of the storms will move into the region on Wednesday. The second storm will bring the heaviest rain on Thursday night through Friday morning. Forecasters said the soil in the burn area cannot absorb rainwater, which could lead to fast-moving flows of mud, debris and even trees and boulders up to several feet deep that can be deadly. Blocked roads caused by the storms as well as rivers of ash and debris could hinder search crews from conducting a massive search operation in a burn zone that is bigger in area than the city of San Jose. Tom Madigan of the Alameda County Sheriffs Department said that in some cases remains were so badly burned that they could not be recognized or just a few bones could be located. Were finding remains in various states, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said. I suspect there are some that will have been completely consumed. There is certainly the unfortunate possibility that even after weve searched an area, once people get back in there, its possible that human remains could be found. I know thats a very difficult thing to think about, but thats the difficult situation we find ourselves in today.  Recovery workers in white jumpsuits and boots, firefighters, coroner employees and police chaplains from across the state have been working around the clock searching neighborhoods destroyed by the fire, but as the storms approach, the possibility of perhaps not finding everyone is starting to set in. A neighborhood reduced to ashes in Paradise. (Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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Firefighters boost containment of deadly Camp fire to 70% as residents prepare for rain By Hannah Fry Ryan Spainhower hugs his wife after he recovers a coin that they made during their honeymoon from the debris of his home. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) The deadly Camp fire grew slightly overnight  to 151,373 acres  as firefighters continued their efforts to get the blaze under control. The fire, which has claimed at least 79 lives and destroyed more than 17,000 homes and commercial structures, is 70% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Tuesday. At the same time firefighters work to control the blaze, residents in the burn area now face the potential for mudslides as a series of storms begin to make their way into the region. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch through Friday morning where the fire raged through Butte County. While the rainfall will help with the firefight, neighborhoods that were destroyed, and those downstream of them, could see mudslides and debris flows, authorities said. The burn zone could see up to 6 inches of rain through Saturday, which isnt unusual for that region, said Johnnie Powell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. In April, Paradise saw nearly 6 inches of rain in one day in what was its last significant storm. Best-case scenario, itll rain on it and nothing will move. Worst-case scenario, the mud will start moving, Powell said. We just have to wait and see what happens. All we know for sure is, its going to rain really hard. Facebook

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California fire burned more than 10,000 homes, but trees remained standing. Why? By Joseph Serna One of the many striking, horrifying in images from Paradise is that trees still stand next to homes incinerated by fire. Here is why. Fires that spread from house to house generate a force of their own. Embers, broadcast by the wind, find dry leaves, igniting one structure then another, and the cycle is perpetuated block after block. Break that cycle and the fire quits, and destruction can be minimized. Paradise never had that chance. Defensible space and hardened structures could not have kept the firestorm, carried on gusts clocking in the low 50s and feeding on the homes and low-lying vegetation, from reducing the town to ash. Most telling were the trees. Most of the pines that sheltered this community still had their canopies intact. The needles, yellowed from the intense heat, were not burned  evidence that the winds that morning had pushed the fire along so fast it never had a chance to rise into the trees. But as a surface fire, it lit up the homes that lay in its path. Read more here. Facebook

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California fires interrupt TV production By David Ng Netflixs teen drama series 13 Reasons Why was in the midst of shooting its third season in Vallejo when the massive Camp fire and other blazes broke out in Northern California. The sets, which include a sound stage on Mare Island, werent touched by the conflagrations, but the pervasive smoke that has shrouded much of the Bay Area has forced the show to temporarily halt shooting. The Paramount-produced series is one of a number of TV and commercial shoots that have experienced disruptions because of the fires that have devastated California in recent weeks. Some prime shooting locations  including Paramount Ranch, which serves as a set for HBOs Westworld, and the Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills  have experienced extensive damage, rendering them inaccessible to crews. Large swaths of Malibu that are popular filming sites are also closed to production. Read more here. Facebook

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California fires: New disaster danger in Paradise is mud and ash flows The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch through Friday morning where the Camp fire raged through Butte County, Calif. While the rainfall will help with the firefight  the blaze is 70% contained and has burned 151,272 acres  neighborhoods that were destroyed, and those downstream of them, could see mudslides and debris flows. The Camp fire burn zone could see up to 6 inches of rain through Saturday, which isnt unusual for that region, said Johnnie Powell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. In April, Paradise saw nearly 6 inches of rain in one day in what was its last significant storm. Best-case scenario, itll rain on it and nothing will move. Worst-case scenario, the mud will start moving, Powell said. We just have to wait and see what happens. All we know for sure is, its going to rain really hard. The soil in recently burned areas cannot absorb rainwater. Enough rain can lead to fast-moving flows of mud, debris and even trees and boulders that can be deadly for those in their path. The devastation often comes without warning. Facebook

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Video shows pilots in dramatic Woolsey fire rescue of three people and two dogs The two pilots were dropping water on a flank of the destructive Woolsey fire the day after it broke out when they got a request to rescue people stuck nearby on Castro Peak in the hills above Malibu. Their fuel supply was dwindling and thick smoke filled the air around them. Eventually they found a flat spot to ground the helicopter, and one of the pilots hopped out. Moments later, he emerged with three people and two dogs. The dramatic mountain rescue, involving Los Angeles Fire Department pilots David Nordquist and Joel Smith, was captured in an 11-minute video the agency released Monday. Once the people and pets were in the plane, the pilots took off. Ah, that was close, one says after taking off Yeah, it was, the other replied. Thats enough excitement for me today. The other laughed. You and me both, brother. Facebook

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California fires: Paradise anxiously awaits rain and the dangers it might bring Calvin Daley, 66, sat listening to jazz on his battery-powered radio on the front porch of his two-story home in the charred hills of Chico. Tiny birds hopped from the burned branches of a pine tree to a bird feeder. Nearby, Pacific Gas and Electric crews repaired voltage lines, and other workers used an excavator to move aside hunks of melted metal that once were cars. Daley didnt evacuate. Instead, he hooked up three hoses, stationed them around his home and began dousing everything. Some people who stayed to fight for their homes died. He had at least three hours to work before the fire arrived with fury. He had no goggles, no mask, just jeans, a T-shirt and hoses. Sometimes, the water evaporated before hitting its target. His next-door neighbors home went up: My heart sank; I couldnt go over there and save it. Flames also claimed his wifes ski boat and his 1987 Dodge Ram. Also incinerated was the nearby Honey Run covered bridge. By 10:30 p.m. the fire had moved on. Exhausted, Daley woke himself every hour or so to check on hotspots. It was eerily quiet for three days, then the birds returned. Next door, the neighbors cats had survived. He began feeding them. As heavy rain approaches, hes worried contaminants will run into his well. He also worries for people who have lost homes, for people living in tents. He wishes it were summer. Facebook

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Legally blind and under evacuation: The unknown is the worst part At the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, the five Thompsons live at the end of a row of green cots. Hot meals are served, snacks and water are readily available, as are toiletries and American Red Cross volunteers. Were having to turn stuff away, said MCalifornia firefighters criticized President Trump for a tweet Saturday that incorrectly stated that this weeks devastating fires were the result of poor forest management.

There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments! Trump wrote.

It was not the first time Trump has blamed California for destructive wildfires with dubious claims.

California Professional Firefighters President Brian Rice said Trump was out of line.

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The presidents message attacking California and threatening to withhold aid to the victims of the cataclysmic fires is ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines, Rice said in a statement.

At this moment, thousands of our brother and sister firefighters are putting their lives on the line to protect the lives and property of thousands. Some of them are doing so even as their own homes lay in ruins. In my view, this shameful attack on California is an attack on all our courageous men and women on the front lines, he added.

Trump said poor forest management policies caused the fires plaguing the state, even though the massive Woolsey fire didnt occur in a forest.

The Woolsey fire started near Simi Valley in a hillside area next to the old Santa Susana Field Lab and quickly spread into nearby suburban communities.

Some firefighters took to social media to point out the distinction.

Mr. President, with all due respect, you are wrong. The fires in So. Cal are urban interface fires and have NOTHING to do with forest management. Come to SoCal and learn the facts & help the victims, the Pasadena Firefighters Assn. said on Twitter.

Experts have said forest management was not a factor in Californias two most destructive fires: the Camp, which has burned more than 6,000 structures this week in Paradise, and the Tubbs fire last year in wine country.

Forest thinning would not have stopped either fire. Fueled by dry grass growing amid scattered pine and oak trees, the Camp fire tore across land thinned by flames just 10 years ago. The Tubbs fire burned grassy oak woodlands, not timber land.

At a late-afternoon news conference Saturday on the Woolsey fire, state Sen. Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) urged Trump to support California rather than make political comments.

I would beg the president to pursue a major disaster declaration, and not make this a political incident, he said. We have many parties, many views out here. And this is really not about politics. Its about people.

Trump has threatened to cut off funding over fire policy before, but has never been specific. California officials have rejected his criticism and said hes playing politics.

Environmentalists believe Trump is trying to use fire prevention as an excuse to raid Californias forests.

In early August, Trump tweeted: California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which arent allowing massive amounts of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!

The tweet tied fires that had been ravaging Northern California at the time to complaints by members of the states Republican congressional delegation about environmental protections that have reduced water deliveries to San Joaquin Valley agriculture.

Trumps declaration was quickly disputed, with fire officials pointing out that that water is not used for firefighting and that there is no shortage of water available for firefighters. They also noted that water plays a relatively small role in wildland firefighting, which focuses primarily on fire breaks and fuel clearance.

Were having no problems as far as access to water supply, Scott McLean, deputy chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said in response to the presidents August tweet. The problem is changing climate leading to more severe and destructive fires.

In October, Trump once again leveled criticism at the states fire management strategy during a Cabinet meeting. The president again threatened to withhold unspecified funding from California.

I say to the governor, or whoever is going to be the governor of California, you better get your act together, Trump said. Were just not going to continue to pay the kind of money were paying because of fires that should never be to the extent.

The president added: Its a disgraceful thing. Old trees are sitting there, rotting and dry. And instead of cleaning it up, they dont touch them.

As with many things involving Trump, his attacks on California fire management sparked an intense Twitter debate Saturday.

This is an absolutely heartless response. There arent even politics involved. Just good American families losing their homes as you tweet, evacuating into shelters, wrote entertainer Katy Perry.

hector.becerra@latimes.comIn a closely watched legal battle, the state attorney generals office has filed notice that it will appeal an Orange County Superior Court judges ruling that the city of Huntington Beach is exempt from complying with a state law providing sanctuary protections for immigrants who are in the country illegally.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Jonathan Eisenbergs notice of appeal, filed Thursday, will move the case to the state 4th District Court of Appeal for review by a panel of three judges.

Senate Bill 54, formally known as the California Values Act and authored by state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), in many cases prohibits state and local police agencies from notifying federal officials about the impending release of immigrants in custody who may be deported.

In September, Superior Court Judge James Crandall sided with Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, who argued that the law is unconstitutional as it applies to charter cities such as Huntington, which are run by a charter adopted by local voters.

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The ruling made Huntington Beach the first city to successfully challenge the controversial law.

Though Crandalls ruling only mentioned Huntington Beach, Gates has said it makes all of Californias 121 charter cities exempt from SB 54.

After the ruling, state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said his office would fight to ensure laws such as the California Values Act were upheld throughout the state.

Preserving the safety and constitutional rights of all our people is a statewide imperative which cannot be undermined by contrary local rules, Becerra said.

Jennifer Molina, press secretary for the attorney generals office, could not be reached Friday for further comment.

On the other hand, Gates says hes ready to defend Huntington Beachs authority as a charter city. He said in a statement Thursday evening that hes confident the appeals court would uphold Crandalls ruling, which Gates described as detailed, well-reasoned and based upon good, strong legal authorities.

I am proud of the work my legal office has done in defending the citys constitutional rights, Gates said. We have to stand up for our city and the communitys rights, and we will hold Sacramento accountable for passing unconstitutional laws.

During a September hearing, Crandall said the operation of a police department and its jail is a city affair. For the state to say one size fits all for policing isnt going to fit everybody.

However, Eisenberg contended that municipalities can exercise other forms of autonomy and that there is an important need for a uniform public safety law.

Huntington Beach joined a wave of Orange County opposition to SB 54 that started in March when the City Council in Los Alamitos  another charter city  passed an ordinance to opt out of the law.

Since then, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has voted to join a federal lawsuit against the measure, the Costa Mesa City Council has adopted a resolution opposing the law and the city of Fountain Valley has signed on to a law groups brief supporting the federal case.

The Newport Beach City Council passed a resolution opposing SB 54 and authorized filing a legal brief supporting the federal lawsuit. Newport, also a charter city, hasnt yet filed such a brief.The burnt husk of a park service vehicle slumped at the entrance of Malibu Creek State Park, its glass windshield melted into a Dali-esque blob.

The steep craggy mountains and gorges below ordinarily attract groups of tourists, hikers and campers to the area, but on Saturday the ground here was still smoldering, charred into a black crumble.



For the record: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Joe Edmiston, the executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Wildfires decimated the historic park tucked inside the Santa Monica Mountains a day earlier  taking with it markers of its proud past as a backdrop for television shows and movies such as Planet of the Apes.

Flames consumed the set of the long-running TV series MASH. The same went for the Reagan Ranch, named after the former president and actor who used to own one of three parcels that comprise the 44-year-old parks footprint along with Bob Hope and 20th Century Fox.

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I was just showing a group of visitors from Russia Tarzans rock pool, said Tim Johnston, 83, a retired Los Angeles firefighter and park docent who was astonished by the damage he saw Saturday. People dont realize theyve been watching movies all their lives that took place here. Their moms been watching all her life. Even their grandma has been watching all her life.

All across the Santa Monica Mountains, the devastating Woolsey fire exacted both a psychic and physical toll on local history and connections to an unlikely stretch of wilderness that  through dogged conservation  persists despite the surrounding urban sprawl.

The Santa Monica Mountains, which stretch from Hollywood Hills to Point Mugu in Ventura County, have long offered Southern Californians a respite from the city below with the ranges array of hiking trails, waterfalls and rock pools. And its sprawling ranch land has given Hollywood real-world ties to the frontier life it exhaustively depicted on screen.

Its little wonder that properties with links to show business were among the worst hit by a wind-swept fire that has scorched 83,000 acres of mostly natural land as of late Sunday and was only 10% contained.

The sets at Malibu Creek State Park werent the only ones to be leveled. The nearby Paramount Ranch and its scenic Western Town, most recently used for HBOs hit series Westworld, were also ruined in the blaze. The site was a regular destination for day trippers who used the convincing background for family photos.

About two miles west saw the destruction of the Peter Strauss Ranch, named after an Emmy Award-winning actor. The ranch featured a swimming pool and amphitheater and was the site of art exhibits and performances by country stars Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. All that remained of the ranch house was a few stone walls and a chimney.

When Mother Nature wants to win, she always wins, said California State Parks Supt. Tyson Butzke, whos ordinarily based in the Channel Coast District in Ventura County but came down to assist during the Woolsey fire.

Los Angeles Countys proximity to nature means its always beholden to inherent risks such as fire. That danger is heightened each year as more homes encroach onto natural land.

So much of the Santa Monica Mountains modern story has centered on its tension between nature and development. Los Angeles is the only metropolis in the world split by a mountain range, and an untamed one at that in many parts. Mumbai, India, and L.A. are the only two cities that count big cats among their residents.

This is some of the most coveted real estate in the world, said Matt Jaffe, author of The Santa Monica Mountains: Range on the Edge. The fact that theres a huge amount of acreage set aside in an environment this expensive is a remarkable success story.

Jaffe and his wife had to evacuate their Calabasas home because of the Woolsey fire but were heartened to learn one of their favorite nearby walking destinations, the King Gillette Ranch, was undamaged. The couple regularly hit nearby hiking trails on a whim, even just for an hour of exercise.

One of the special things about living where we live is we have access to the mountains in a spontaneous way, Jaffe said. Its not the typical L.A. experience where you have to leave at a certain time to beat the traffic. That means a lot to us. To a whole community of people the mountains are central to who they feel they are as people and their connection to nature.

Public access to the mountain range has been hard fought. It was propelled with the establishment of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1980 by the state. Funded with bond measures and led by an ambitious executive director, Joe Edmiston, the agency has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land along the range.

The powerful group has also advocated against too much residential development. Last year, Edmiston called for the limiting of recovery funds for rebuilding homes in fire-prone areas. (Anyone who thinks its easy to build a new house in the mountains should consider the plight of U2 guitarist David Evans, a.k.a. the Edge, who has been trying since 2005 to erect his dream home on a barren vista called Seawater Mesa.)

Many of the residents in the mountains also own horses and other animals. For feed theyve come to rely on the West Valley Horse Center in Agoura Hills, which had been run for decades by sometime Hollywood stunt rider Buck Wicall, who died in June at 83.

The store is now operated by Wicalls daughter, Adrienne Manhan, and her husband, David Manhan. They still dont own a computer. All records are kept with ink and paper. Wall space is covered in framed photos of Wicalls friends: Ronald Reagan, Gene Autry and Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger.

When we evacuated the other night, we all did it together, said Adrienne Manhan, 60. Theres a small-town feeling to this place.

David Manhan, who is also a movie set designer, says the allure of the Santa Monica Mountains is unmistakable.

Its the mountains, its the oak trees, its nature, the 59-year-old native of the area said. You drive through the canyons, you see the rock formations, you hit [Pacific Coast Highway] and see the ocean. Its like no other place.

david.pierson@latimes.com

Twitter: @dhpiersonBanque Misr is seeking to borrow $550 million from foreign lenders before the years end to improve dollar liquidity, the vice chairman of Egypts second largest bank said on Sunday.

Citi Bank and Emirates NBD will be arranging the loan, Akef ElMaghraby told Reuters.

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Two major fires are raging in California, forcing evacuations and leaving a destructive path.

The Woolsey fire has ravaged parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Malibu, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Three deaths have been reported, and scores of residents have been evacuated.

The Camp fire in Northern Californias Butte County has left 79 people dead and destroyed more than 15,800 structures. Its the states deadliest and most destructive fire.

Here are the latest maps and key statistics on acreage, containment and damage. For live coverage from reporters on the ground, visit our liveblog.

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WOOLSEY FIRE

Los Angeles and Ventura counties

Size: 96,949 acres

Containment: 98%

Damage: Three people have died, and an estimated 1,500 structures have been destroyed.

Most areas have been repopulated. See the latest orders at CalFire.ca.gov.

Information current as of 9 p.m. Tuesday.

It will take 10 to 20 years before Santa Monica Mountains look like they did before Woolsey fire 

(Los Angeles Times Graphics)

CAMP FIRE

Butte County

Size: 152,250 acres

Containment: 75%

Evacuations: Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley. See the latest evacuation orders at CalFire.ca.gov.

Damage: At least 81 people have died and 870 remain missing. At least 17,148 structures have been destroyed; an additional 5,100 are threatened.

Information current as of 9 p.m. Tuesday.

1 / 37 Silence hangs over Paradise,Calif., after the explosive Camp fire burned through Butte County and claimed 23 lives. Residents have not been allowed back. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 37 President Donald Trump meets California Gov. Jerry Brown and Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom at Beale Air Force Base on Saturday. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) 3 / 37 US President Donald Trump views damage from wildfires with Paradise Mayor Jody Jones in Paradise, Calif. (SAUL LOEB / AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 37 President Donald Trump walks with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left and FEMA Administrator Brock Long, right, as he visits a neighborhood impacted by the wildfires in Paradise, Calif. (Evan Vucci / AP) 5 / 37 President Donald Trump tours the Woolsey Fire ravaged neighborhood on Dume Drive in Malibu on Saturday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 6 / 37 President Donald Trump, second from left, tours the Woolsey Fire ravaged neighborhood on Dume Drive in Malibu. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 7 / 37 From left, Johnny Hardin, 15, Madeline Hardin, 13, Donita Hardin and Erik Hardin, 15 months old, get ready to sleep in their car after getting displaced by the Camp fire, at the Walmart parking lot in Chico, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 37 Alexandria Wilson, 21, kisses her dog Harley, after they both escaped the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 37 Search and rescue teams inspect the grounds of a house burned by the Camp Fire along Boquest Boulevard in Oroville, Calif. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 37 Volunteers hand out supplies to fire evacuees near a Walmart in Chico, Calif. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 37 People go through donated clothes at a Walmart in Chico, Calif. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 37 A sign warns looters at the site of burned-down properties in Paradise, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 37 A search and rescue team combs through the debris for possible human remains Friday at Paradise Gardens, in Paradise, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 37 Alexandria Wilson, 21, consoles her boyfriend, Jacob Golden, 25, as they recount their harrowing escape from the Camp Fire at a relatives house in Applegate, Calif. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 37 A vanished neighborhood in Paradise. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 37 A forensic team investigates the site of a Paradise home where remains were found. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 37 Michael John Ramirez hugs his wife, Charlie Ramirez, after they found her keepsake bracelet while sifting through the remains of their home in Paradise. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 37 Religious figurines sit atop a burned vehicle in Paradise. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 37 Authorities recover the remains of a fire victim from an overturned car alongside Pearson Road in Paradise. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 37 David Neeley hugs his ex-wife, Jeanne Neely, and their daughter, Faith Neeley, 10, in a parking lot in Oroville, where they are staying amid the Camp fire. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 37 Megan Butler, 26, and her daughter Aurora, 2, are homeless after their house burned down in Concow in the Camp fire. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 37 Yolo County Animal Services Officer Stephanie Amato holds a chicken she helped rescue in Paradise. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 37 Smoke fills the sky as the Camp fire continues to burn along the North Fork of the Feather River. It has already burned more than 200,000 square miles. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 37 A sign in Paradise offers a warning for would-be looters. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 37 A man rests at a shelter at the Church of the Nazarene in Oroville, Calif. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 37 Outside of Pulga, Calif., on the North Fork of the Feather River, the Camp fire continues to burn. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 37 Outside of Pulga, Calif., on the North Fork of the Feather River, where the Camp fire may have started, helicopters do airdrops while ground crews try to keep the fire from spreading. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 37 Firefighter Brian Carter of Weed, Calif., keeps an eye on the flames along the North Fork of the Feather River. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 37 Many people dont want to stay in shelters because they cant take their dogs inside. This dog waits for his human companion in a parking lot in Oroville. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 37 Residents of Paradise, Calif., try to get through a roadblock to check on their home but are turned away. People havent been allowed to return to the town. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 37 The Camp fire burns along a ridgetop near Big Bend, Calif., on Saturday. (Noah Berger / AP) 32 / 37 Yuba County sheriffs officials carry a body away from a burned residence in Paradise. (Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images) 33 / 37 A crew from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection walks through the rubble of a home while putting out hot spots in Paradise, Calif. (Mason Trinca / For The Times) 34 / 37 Flames and embers, pushed by strong dry winds, set the town of Paradise, Calif., ablaze. Thousands of buildings were destroyed. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 37 Brad Weldon, 63, waits for help along Skyway in Paradise, Calif. Weldon was among the residents who stayed and battled the wildfire. (Mason Trinca / For The Times) 36 / 37 Fire crews put out hot spots in Paradise, Calif. (Mason Trinca / For The Times) 37 / 37 Firefighters walk through the rubble of a home in Paradise, Calif. (Mason Trinca / For The Times)

What started as a tiny brush fire became the states deadliest wildfire. Heres how Officials say a Florida trapper has captured a record-setting python as part of a program to remove the invasive species from the Everglades.

The South Florida Water Management District reported that Kyle Penniston captured a 17-foot, 5-inch female Burmese python while hunting on district lands in Miami-Dade County.

Officials say the snake weighed in at 120 pounds . Its the third one caught as part of the Python Elimination Program that measured more than 17 feet.

Python hunters have eliminated 1,859 of the snakes on district lands. Penniston ranks second among the hunters, having eliminated 235 snakes. Brian Hargrove has dispatched the most  257.

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Officials say invasive Burmese pythons have no natural predators in the Everglades ecosystem and have decimated native wildlife populations.On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after four years of unfathomable carnage. Never again, came the cry from Europes devastated people  and although the promise of the armistice was betrayed in 1939, since 1945 Europe has remained at peace.

Something has always been missing from our popular understanding of World War I, however. The armistice signed at Compiegne, France, on Nov. 11, 1918, may have put an end to hostilities between the Great Powers fighting on the Western Front, but it did nothing of the kind on the wars eastern fronts, where the fighting went on and in many areas intensified. In Western Europe, the post-armistice lesson was that nationalism, taken to its extreme, was deadly. In the East, 1918 brought instead the downfall of empires, the dissolution of borders, and a desperate scramble by fragile emergent nations to survive.

In Russia  where the Bolsheviks had come to power in 1917 and signed a separate peace with Germany  the western armistice helped clear the decks for a far bloodier civil war. In the contested lands between Russia and Germany, new nation states mobilized armies to seize territory from jealous neighbors, or defend what territory they had. In the Near East, a series of wars broke out as outside powers and local national groups  Arabs, Armenians, Greeks, Kurds, and, in response, Turks  staked claims on the disintegrating Ottoman empire.

There was a good reason for the wars vastly different outcomes. On the Western Front, the arrival of millions of American doughboys helped Britain and France win the war by convincing the overmatched Germans to sue for peace in October 1918. But there was no comparable victory for the Allies in Eastern Europe. In fact, German armies had been unambiguously victorious on the fronts from Romania and Hungary up through Poland and East Prussia. There were 1 million German troops occupying defeated Russia in 1918, including 600,000 just in Ukraine.

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Something has always been missing from our popular understanding of World War I.

The Compiegne armistice, in tacit recognition that the Allied victory was not quite complete, stipulated that the Germans were not to withdraw immediately from Ukraine or the Baltic region  areas the Allies still hoped to save from the spread of Bolshevism.

So desperate for manpower were the supposedly all-conquering Allies that later, while negotiating the peace treaty at Versailles, they offered the United States what had been Russias take in the divvying up of the Ottoman Empire if the Americans would just supply an occupying army. Congress declined. Britain and France instead invited Greek and Armenian troops to occupy Turkey and avenge the horrendous mistreatment of their brethren during the war, with predictably disastrous results.

Meanwhile, the fires of the Russian Civil War burned on for years after 1918, sucking in troops from Britain, France, the United States and Japan to fight over the carcass of czarist Russia even as the Reds sought to absorb or crush emergent would-be nations  Finns, Poles, Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians, Cossacks, Georgians, Armenians, Azeris. The peoples of the former Romanov empire saw more than 10 times as many people killed and wounded during the multitiered Russian Civil War (and the related Volga famine of 1921) as during the First World War.

Ukraine, in particular, suffered horribly. Control of Kiev changed hands 16 times between 1918 and 1921. Charts of mortality rates among Ukrainians show World War I as a period of relative calm; the human wages of war, famine, pestilence and anti-Semitic pogroms then soar upward in 1918-1922, with still greater horrors to come in 1930s and 1940s.

Though not as devastating as in Ukraine, small-scale wars also raged on in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Greece. The only countries that gained anything from the conflict were Poland, Romania and greater Serbia (that is, Yugoslavia), each of which exploited its luck in having joined the winning side to fatten greedily on neighboring territory. All this led to was the predictably terrible vengeance of their neighbors in World War II, and a Soviet occupation to follow.

The radically different experiences of Western and Eastern Europe in the years after 1918 explain much about the continents political landscape a century later. In the West, the First World War is well and truly over. Its lesson, even if fully absorbed only after 1945, was Robert Graves Goodbye to All That: No more nationalism or arms races. Down with borders, tariffs and currency controls. Hello, European Union.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

In the East, by contrast, the war of 1914-18 never really ended. In the former Ottoman Empire, Iraq and Syria (or what is left of them) remain war zones today. Ukraine is again a bitterly contested borderland, where the festering wounds of the 20th century have never healed. Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Baltic and Balkan states were invited to join the EU after the fall of communism, but it turns out that the ideal of borderlessness is far less appealing in countries abutting Russia or the conflict zones of the eastern Mediterranean than it is in Brussels.

The rise of national populism in Hungary, Poland and Austria  not to mention in Ukraine and Russia  is a reminder that, in Eastern Europe, history did not end in 1918, 1945 or 1989. In these countries, where memories of Holocaust and Holodomor, of devastating invasions, civil wars and foreign occupations remain fresh, firm national identities and secure frontiers are bulwarks against catastrophe. The dissolution of borders appears, to most Eastern Europeans, not a dream but a reminder of past nightmares.

The tragic, pessimistic view of the world propagated by Eastern European nationalists, and their thus-far less successful counterparts in Western Europe and the United States, may not be as inspiring as the goodbye to all that post-nationalist cosmopolitanism favored by elites in Brussels and Washington. It is, however, a worldview rooted in hard historical lessons that we would be wise to heed.

Sean McMeekin, a professor of European history at Bard College, is the author of The Russian Revolution: A New History and The Ottoman Endgame.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand FacebookThe Latin inscription that graces Leo M. Franks tombstone at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Queens, New York, declares: Semper Idem (Always the same).

The words link Franks lynching, just outside Atlanta in 1915, to the violent persecution of Jews in Europe and Russia during previous millenniums. The words also speak to the future: Always the same.

That future arrived at Pittsburghs Tree of Life Synagogue late last month, when a shooter mowed down 11 congregants with an AR-15. Upon his arrest, 46-year-old Robert Bowers told the police, All these Jews need to die.

For American Jews, the slaughter in Pittsburgh seemed to have come out of nowhere. Although the Anti-Defamation League had noted a 57% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the United States during 2017, such reports were largely dismissed. This was not the Old World.

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The sad truth, however, is that, as the Leo Frank case illustrates, the United States has never been quite the haven Jews assumed it to be.

Anti-Semitism typically flourishes when societies are in flux.

Not only did the lynching of Frank, a 31-year-old Jewish factory superintendent, jump-start the Anti-Defamation League (founded in 1913), but it was also a factor in the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. The hooded fraternity, which disbanded following Reconstruction, came back to life with a cross-burning atop Georgias Stone Mountain four months after Franks demise. Three members of the lynch party were said to have participated in the ceremony. In the realms of online hate frequented by Bowers, this is regarded as a red-letter day.

The events in Pittsburgh and those of the Frank case are in many respects different, of course. Where the worshipers at the Tree of Life were taken unawares, Franks lynching was the culmination of a two-year saga that began with his conviction for the murder of a child laborer, Mary Phagan, who toiled at the pencil factory he managed. As Franks verdict was appealed up to the Supreme Court, the affair became a cause celebre. A cadre of vigilantes abducted him from a state prison in rural Georgia and drove him through the night to the predetermined spot where he was hanged.

Nonetheless, the similarities between 1915 and 2018 are striking. For one, both incidents occurred at a moment when the times were out of joint. Just as the industrial age is today giving way to the information revolution, the agrarian era was then giving way to the industrial age. Anti-Semitism typically flourishes when societies are in flux. Jews are portrayed as the source of the anxieties that accompany change.

More important is this: A major precipitating factor in both cases was that each happened amidst concerted attacks on the press and objective truth. When facts are denigrated and consensus frays, doors to dark places open and malicious myth  and what is anti-Semitism but malicious myth  rears its head.

Just two days before the killings in Pittsburgh, President Trump tweeted: A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!

Trumps tweet could have been authored almost verbatim by the chief antagonist in the Frank case, a figure whose assaults on the New York Times, the Pulitzer newspapers and Hollywood  charter members of the mainstream media  undermined the foundation of civic life to such a degree that the men who lynched Frank, far from believing they were committing a crime, saw themselves as warriors in a just cause.

The Ur Donald Trump was Tom Watson, a lawyer, former Georgia congressman and publisher of a weekly tabloid, the Jeffersonian. A polemicist nonpareil, Watson lambasted the press in an attempt to discredit evidence that exonerated Frank. Adolph Ochs, he wrote in an early jibe at the owner of the New York Times, is a most useful servant of the Wall Street interests, who runs a Tory paper in New York whose chief end in life seems to be to uphold all the atrocities of special Privilege and all the monstrous demands of big money.

Over the next months, Watson took it upon himself not just to counter stories about Frank but also to subvert the very idea of independent news sources and threaten that if they kept running their articles, SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN. It was as if a fissure had opened up inside his brain from which malevolent lampoons, bigoted maunderings, special pleadings, and, to give him his due, the occasional stinging insight convulsively spouted. He was like Trump, except instead of transmitting from a hand-held device, he relied on a printing press. The circulation of the Jeffersonian tripled.

After Georgia Gov. John Slaton commuted Franks death sentence, Watson, rather than confine his critique of the decision to the merits, wrote: Lynch law is  better than no law at all.

In the wake of Pittsburgh, as debate about the presidents part in creating a climate of hate roiled Jews, Abraham Foxman, the former director of the Anti-Defamation League, asserted, Donald Trump is not an anti-Semite. The presidents strong support for the state of Israel will forever protect him from the accusation.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Strictly speaking, Watson was not an anti-Semite either. He defended Jewish clients and assailed automobile manufacturer Henry Ford for his role in disseminating The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a bogus, early 20th century text purporting to reveal a Jewish scheme for world domination.

Anti-Semitism, however, is not the gateway threat to American Jews. Further describing Trump, Foxman said: Hes a demagogue.

So, too, was Watson. Demagoguery is the bludgeon that defies decency and defiles discourse, allowing anti-Semitism to breathe and encouraging anti-Semites to act. The mainstream media, for all its failings, is the main bulwark against demagoguery.

Primarily as a reward for his anti-Frank campaign, Watson was elected to the United States Senate, where he died in office. At his funeral, the largest floral tribute was an enormous cross of red roses from the Klan.

As for Trump, the alt-right pays him tribute by retweeting his attacks on the American press.

Steve Oney is the author of And the Dead Shall Rise: The Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or FacebookMuch of the conventional wisdom about the 2018 midterm election says that suburban women were the key demographic responsible for Democrats taking back the House.

Republicans enjoyed a 10-point advantage among white women voters in 2016, according to exit polls. In the 2018 midterm, that margin was cut to zero, with white women showing equal support for Democrats and Republicans (49% each).

It follows, the logic goes, that tailoring future strategies and messages toward this demographic  white women  is the best path back to the promised land for the Democratic Party in 2020.

But this conclusion misses the mark. Pundits and analysts are ignoring the most significant factor: Its groups that bear the brunt of inequality who bring about political and social change in this country.

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Its groups that bear the brunt of inequality who bring about political and social change in this country.

If Democrats want to win back the White House, they need to focus their time, energy and resources on voters and leaders in the countrys communities of color  and especially on women of color.

Effective strategies have to be rooted in reality, and the reality of this moment is that the president of the United States is acting with unrelenting hostility toward efforts to foster equality and justice for people of color, women, brown-skinned immigrants, Muslims and a whole host of other groups that have historically been oppressed and discriminated against in this country.

His slogan, Make America Great Again, is a not-so-thinly-veiled battle cry to make America white again.

It is no accident that this president was elected immediately after the nations first African American president. Multiple academic studies have shown that the racial fears and anxieties of white voters were critical factors in support for President Trump.

Trumps policies have an indisputable impact: They are reducing the number of people of color in this country. His defense of white supremacists is correlated with an increase in hate crimes based on race, gender and religion.

This moment, in other words, is in many ways a resumption of the conflicts that unfolded during the civil rights movement.

In determining the appropriate path forward, Democrats would be wise to look to the example and heed the lessons of Rosa Parks. Reflecting on this moment through the prism of Parks and her allies will clarify what strategies are needed in order to prevail in 2020.

During the civil rights movement, there were white women who were concerned about the mistreatment of people of color, and who did speak up in opposition to the worst abuses.

The drivers of change, however, were people like Parks and the leaders of the Montgomery Improvement Assn., who launched the bus boycott, organized an alternative transportation system consisting of carpools and sustained the long effort to break the back of the segregationist public transportation system.

Throughout history and across the world, those who experience exclusion and discrimination every day are usually at the forefront of efforts to fight back. Such was the case in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955, and such is the case in the current political moment.

The ugliest expressions of racial discrimination in the United States have historically led to concern and calls for improvement from sympathetic whites. Even in slave days, a popular mantra was we treat our slaves well, so that slave owners could redress concerns about the treatment of human beings held in chattel slavery, if not the fact of that slavery.

But recoiling from the ugliest aspects of racism and sexism is different from organizing to eliminate racism and sexism. Its the difference between writing a letter to the editor to complain about segregation and organizing your neighbors to boycott the buses and break the back of the segregationist system.

Trumps behavior and policies are ugly. He is separating families at the border, trampling the norms of our democracy and showing outright contempt for others. As a result, he is alienating more voters, including suburban white women, many of whom have finally had enough.

It is not a coincidence that the movement to take back America from the man who bragged on tape about forcibly grabbing women by their private parts  and who placed on the Supreme Court a man credibly accused of sexual assault  is being led by women, people of color and, in particular, women of color.

Electoral success depends on securing support from multiple constituencies, and suburban women are absolutely part of the solution. The first part of the solution, however, is prioritizing, investing in and engaging voters of color.

This constituency is the foundation of Democratic success, as was demonstrated vividly in the election of Sen. Doug Jones in Alabama in 2017, when 96% of black voters  and 98% of black women voters  backed his bid.

In Tuesdays midterm election, black women were again the most dependable demographic for Democrats, with 92% voting Democratic.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

In at least 11 of the congressional districts flipped by Democrats, the population of people of color exceeded the national average.

The 116th Congress will be the most diverse ever. It will include many political descendants of Rosa Parks: people like Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, the first Muslim women elected to Congress; Xochitl Torres-Small, a Mexican American from New Mexico; and Lucy McBath, an African American mother who lost her son to gun violence.

These will be the new voices on Capitol Hill as the United States government debates a ban on Muslims, deportation of Mexican and other immigrants and the necessity of gun control.

Looking ahead to 2020, white suburban women have a role to play, as they did in lending support to Rosa Parks and her colleagues in Montgomery, Ala. But in order to win, Democrats must prioritize and elevate those who are most under attack.

Steve Phillips, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and the founder of Democracy in Color, is the author of Brown Is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or FacebookNov. 11, now called Veterans Day, was originally Armistice Day, a commemoration of the end of World War I, in 1918, the cessation of 50 months of shooting, shelling and killing that claimed the lives of 9 million combatants. It was the Great War, the war to end all wars, but today, 100 years after the armistice was signed, it may chiefly be remembered as the exact opposite of all that  a prelude to many conflicts still to come.

The causes and the operational and geographic details of this truly catastrophic global war have faded from our national memory; nonetheless, we live in a world still shaped by World War I. Geopolitically, it spelled the end of the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Germanys colonial empire and Imperial Russia. It terminated European monarchies and literally and disastrously redrew the map of the Middle East. It unleashed modern, industrialized warfare  total war  and it introduced the world to the full extent of the power of modern communications, in the form of the wars propaganda.

Of course World War I, which began in 1914, was not the first in which participants sought to publicize their aims, the rightness of their cause and the perfidy of their enemies. But it was the first in which mass communication techniques were controlled and deployed by governments for a wide variety of patriotic aims: to demonize their enemies, to attract soldiers, to bolster the morale of their citizens, and to fund the staggering costs of full militarization.

Large-scale public information campaigns were conducted by all the major participant nations and aimed at their own soldiers and civilians, at the enemy forces, and at other nations not yet involved in the war, most notably the United States, which didnt enter the war until April 1917. Propaganda media included mass-circulation newspapers, advertising, photography, popular cinema, cartoons, songs, magazines and books.

Pritzker Military Museum and Library

The medium that had lasting impact, and became most emblematic of the war, was vivid propaganda posters. Nearly all war nations produced them, but the most artful and memorable are those of Britain and the United States.

Influence and persuasion were the aims, and governments were not above employing deception, half-truth, distortion and outright falsehood to make their case. Early in the war, the British Parliament published the Bryce Report on Alleged German Outrages, full of unsubstantiated accounts of savage German military behavior in Belgium and France. It was soon widely discredited, but not before it was effectively exploited in propaganda distributed in Europe and the United States.

British posters such as Remember Belgium! interpreted (or spun, we would say now) alleged atrocities including civilian rapes and murders committed by the invading German armies. German soldiers were Huns, uncontrolled barbarians whose acts included torching libraries and cathedrals. The German Kaiser became The Beast of Berlin. The images were motivational, stoking hunger for justice and revenge and assuring audiences that this war was an existential conflict.

Pritzker Military Museum and Library

Britain had entered the conflict with a comparatively small volunteer army. Much of its early propaganda sought to promote voluntary enlistments with such slogans as Come Along Boys, Enlist Today, and Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War? After about two years of war, Britain turned to conscription, as had France, Russia and Germany years earlier; selective service began in the United States soon after it entered the war. American artist James Montgomery Flagg responded with one of the most durable pieces of U.S. propaganda ever produced, and one now considered not just a patriotic ad, but art: the iconic stern-faced, finger-pointing Uncle Sam: I Want YOU for the U.S. Army.

U.S. posters, like Britains, romanticized military service with such entreaties as A Wonderful Opportunity for You: United States Navy. As the war dragged on and costs skyrocketed, the emphasis in propaganda posters shifted to fundraising: BUY VICTORY BONDS (the U.S.); LEND YOUR FIVE SHILLINGS TO YOUR COUNTRY AND CRUSH THE GERMANS (Britain). Germany and France also sought to fund their war efforts by asking for civilian loans via poster appeals.

Pritzker Military Museum and Library

At the beginning of the war, the messages and imagery conveyed by the posters could be seen as sincere if emotionally manipulative attempts to attract citizens hearts and minds. Their lasting impact, however, owes less to sincerity and more to irony.

As the war dragged on, the horrific casualties mounted, privations on the home front grew and political unrest spread. Military units mutinied, and desertion rates increased. Weary civilians turned cynical. The posters optimism, glamorization, appeals to patriotic national symbols and depictions of soldiers heroism soured.

The posters are harbingers of the modern states ever more sophisticated attempts to sway us. And they are also harbingers of our doubts about those attempts. Britain, the U.S., Germany and France couldnt paper over the ghastliness and the costs of World War I. Propaganda, after all, is propaganda.

Michael W. Robbins wrote the historical text for the book Lest We Forget: The Great War  World War I Prints from the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion 

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookTo the editor: White House reporter Jim Acosta of CNN is not rude and he did not touch the intern in the manner claimed by Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. This is pure Orwellian manipulation of the truth.

What the White House is trying but failing to do is to make people question what is right before their eyes and believe something else. In George Orwells 1984, Big Brother used doublespeak as a way to manipulate the masses; what the Trump administration is trying to do can be described as doublesee.

Acosta is a hero and defender of free speech, not the enemy of the people.

David Milton, Laguna Beach

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..

To the editor: I watched Trumps news conference Wednesday, and I came away with a different take.

Acosta asked the president a question regarding the use of the word invaders to describe the migrant caravan. The president answered the question and then went further, saying that the two of them disagree. The president then called on another reporter.

Acosta wanted to argue and would not give up the microphone. If I had been the other reporter who wanted to ask a question, Id have had some harsh words for Acosta. What about my turn and my question?

Jeffrey Whitfield, Santa Ana

..

To the editor: A presidential attack on Acosta and CNN is an attack on your news outlet and your journalists as well, and ultimately an attack on all Americans.

It was unconscionable for the rest of the journalists at Wednesdays news conference to just watch the abuse of power and of our Constitution and remain in the room under the guise of someone must remain to report. This is akin to a herd watching a member get taken by a predator.

I would have preferred to see every single journalist with a shred of honor stand up and walk out. We cant complain that lawmakers do not have the guts to call out the president if reporters will not stand up to this threat to the 1st Amendment.

You have my support to stand up and walk out next time.

Daniel Elroi, Rancho Palos Verdes

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and FacebookCongressional Democrats warned President Trumps newly appointed acting attorney general Sunday that he will face legal consequences if he attempts to curtail special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs wide-ranging Russia investigation.

Matthew Whitaker, hastily installed when the President Trump ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions last week, has given no sign of bowing to demands that he recuse himself from overseeing the probe despite what Democrats say is clear bias.

Whitaker had repeatedly disparaged the Mueller investigation on TV and in print before Sessions named him his chief of staff last year. In one commentary, Whitaker suggested the probe could be strangled by curtailing funding for it  a power he now has.

Senate and House Democratic leaders sent a letter Sunday to the Justice Departments ethics office, asking it to review Whitakers past statements and issue a formal recommendation on whether he should recuse himself.

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Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), who is expected to lead the House Intelligence Committee in January, said if Whitaker did not step aside from supervising the investigation, lawmakers would scrutinize his role and hold him accountable.

We are going to find out whether he made commitments to the president about the probe, whether he is serving as a back channel to the president or his lawyers about the probe, whether hes doing anything to interfere with the probe, Schiff said on NBCs Meet the Press.

Whitaker, he said, needs to understand that he will be called to answer.

Similar warnings came from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the expected head of the House Judiciary Committee. He said Whitaker would be our very first witness in January, summoned if necessary by subpoena.

The questions we will ask him will be about his expressed hostility to the investigation, Nadler said on CNNs State of the Union. How he can possibly supervise it when hes expressed, when hes come out and said, that the investigation is invalid?

Nadler described Whitaker, an apparent Trump loyalist, as a complete political lackey.

Sessions incurred Trumps lasting enmity when he backed away, almost at the start of his tenure as attorney general, from supervising the Mueller probe. Sessions had played a senior role in the Trump campaign and initially misled fellow lawmakers about his dealings with Kremlin emissaries.

Democrats said Sunday they are considering what action to take if the White House resists congressional scrutiny not only of Whitaker, but on whether Trumps business dealings violate laws that bar federal officeholders from accepting gifts, payments or things of value from a foreign state or its representatives.

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), in line to lead the House Oversight Committee, said on ABCs This Week that hes not going to be handing out subpoenas like somebodys handing out candy on Halloween.

I would ask that the president not try to stand in our way of doing our job as members of the Congress, he added.

Cummings, Nadler and Schiff all signed the letter to the Justice Departments ethics office, along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York. So did the top Democrats on the Senates Judiciary and Intelligence committees, Dianne Feinstein of California and Mark R. Warner of Virginia.

There are serious ethical considerations that require Mr. Whitakers immediate recusal from any involvement with the Special Counsel investigation of the Russian governments efforts to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, the Democratic lawmakers wrote.

Trump surrogates argued that Whitakers past criticism has no bearing on his current responsibilities.

We are so far past the period where those comments were made by Matt Whitaker as a private citizen, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said on Fox News Sunday.

Conway also played down Trumps contradictory comments about whether he knew Whitaker before appointing him.

After previously hailing him as a great guy, Trump said Friday that he didnt know Whitaker before naming him the nations top lawman.

The president does know Matt Whitaker, Conway said. Its not like hes putting a friend in there that hes known his entire life, she added.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) dismissed Democratic concerns that Whitaker would try to undermine or quash the Mueller investigation.

Im confident that Mr. Mueller will be allowed to do his job without interference, Graham said on CBS Face the Nation. You dont recuse somebody because they have opinions different than the people theyre overseeing.

laura.king@latimes.com

@laurakingLATTraditional Crafts  the Heritage of Humanity and Egyptian Identity was the title of this years annual Festival of Traditional Crafts held for four days from 28 October at the Mahmoud Mokhtar Museum in Cairo to boost the manufacture of traditional Egyptian crafts that reflect Egyptian identity.

Traditional crafts reflect the high artistic sense of Egyptian craftsmen, and they are also a key attraction for tourists in Egypt.

Salwa Al-Sherbini, head of the Central Agency for Crafts Production, told Al-Ahram Weekly that traditional crafts had been affected by the decline of tourism seen after the 25 January Revolution, but that the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts Sector were making great efforts to preserve the industry and compensate for any decline in the number of tourists.

The Festival of Traditional Crafts has been held for the last 11 years and exhibits various hand-made crafts, including items in wood, copper, mother of pearl, leather, papyrus, glass and textiles.

The festival is a great opportunity for craftsmen to display their work as well as for customers to buy traditional crafts at reasonable prices. The latter are regulated by a committee set up before the festival, and this means that some prices outside the festival can be almost double, Al-Sherbini said.

I started to work in this industry years ago, said Atef Ali Sulliman, a craftsman displaying papyrus at the festival. Sharqiya governorate is now the only one that plants papyrus, and craftsmen typically paint Coptic, Islamic and Pharaonic designs on it.

Tourists prefer Pharaonic designs, though we also do custom-made designs, like writing names on papyrus. We use special patterns for each design, with gold being a standard colour, Sulliman said.

Besides displaying his work at the festival, Sulliman also markets his papyrus in bazaars in Luxor, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, as well as at Khan Al-Khalili in Cairo and at the Pyramids area.

However, the bazaars can sometimes charge high profit margins, he said. We as craftsmen would like to see the Ministry of Culture support us with more events that can help us to market our products, Sulliman added.

Al-Sherbini said that one main challenge craftsmen are facing is the increasing price of raw materials. On marketing, she highlighted the special outlet in Qobbet Al-Khouri in Cairo for craftsmen to display their artwork and crafts.

My designs focus on two traditional Egyptian designs, the Islamic and the Pharaonic. The raw materials are 100 per cent Egyptian, since Egypt is very rich in the raw materials that contribute to glass-making, said Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, who specialises in glass ornaments.

The manufacturing is a traditional process, and the craftsmen I work with are keen to use the same traditional manufacturing procedures that have been used for centuries. It is also important to note that the glassware we make is user-friendly. People sometimes think it is only for decoration, but all the products we make are made to be used. We make complete tableware sets, for example, as well as candle-holders for weddings, he said.

Abdel-Wahab said that traditional Egyptian crafts had a significant competitive advantage. It gives Egypt an edge that can easily attract international markets.

With our crafts, we can compete worldwide, especially as international customers often want Pharaonic designs, Abdel-Wahab said. He said that the main challenge the glass industry was facing was the increasing price of raw materials and fluctuating gas prices.

Khaled Sulliman, a craftsman specialising in wooden crafts, said that these go through a long process of manufacturing, starting from plaques to crafting attractive statues.

Wooden crafts are my passion. They have a unique appeal that is different from anything made by machine. Tourists very often buy these hand-made items as souvenirs. My designs are various, though camels tend to sell the best, he said.

Mother of pearl can also be used as an ornament in certain designs, Sulliman added.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 8 November, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Reviving the glory of traditional crafts

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Shortly after the horses crossed the finish line in the Breeders Cup Juvenile, Bovada, thats a betting company not a watch, put out its Kentucky Derby odds, with about seven months to go. Not a lot of surprises, but lets put together most of the 20-horse field.

The feature on Saturday was the $79,840 (remember, Del Mar likes to put in the added money rather than just rounding like everyone else) Let It Ride Stakes for 3-year-olds going a mile on the turf. And, it set up perfect for a longshot.

Its a nine-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. (Ive always wondered if I really need to put p.m., but, hey, Im a conventionalist.) at Del Mar. There are four turf races. But, there are two races with six horses and three with seven. Thats not up to Del Mars usual standards. And, dont forget Del Mar also has racing on Monday this week.

The feature is the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes for Cal-bred fillies and mares going seven furlongs. Now, Betty was not a Cal-bred. She was born in St. Louis. So, Im not sure why this works but maybe Im just too picky today. Anyway, the favorite is Just Graze Me, at 5-2, for trainer Phil DAmato and jockey Tyler Baze . She was unraced as 2-year-old and has won two of four and finished second the other two times. But, she has never run at the stakes level.

The second favorite is one of our personal favorites, Spiced Perfection, because one of his owners is Times horse racing contributor Mike Tierney . We used to be all over Brave Helios, partly owned by Eric (Manny) Sondheimer , but BH runs about as often as Halleys Comet.

Spiced is four of 12 lifetime but has been running many Cal-bred stakes. Now, heres whats interesting, Talamo, who is Spiceds regular jockey forever, is riding S Y Sky for DAmato in this race rather than her. Hmmm. But, the filly picks up some guy named Flavien Prat to ride.

High-priced maiden claimers going 1 1/16 miles on turf and the value might be with this sophomore colt trained by Keith Desormeaux. He has been second in four of five starts but had a nightmarish trip in his return at Santa Anita two weeks ago and gets a big rider upgrade today. He's a little slow on numbers but should fire a good shot in here.

This filly ran a respectable fifth from an inside post in last Golden State Million trial outing three weeks ago and returns to the maiden ranks. I liked her solid runnerup effort two outs ago vs. My Mystery Lover, who returned to beat allowance company last week. Fire And Fury, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, looks vulnerable based on average recent speed figures.

Always looking to add more subscribers to this newsletter. Cant beat the price. If you like it, tell someone. If you dont like it, then youre probably not reading this. Either way, send to a friend and just have them click here and sign up . Remember, its free, and all we need is your email, nothing more.

Del Mar Charts Results for Saturday, November 10. Copyright 2018 by Equibase Company. Reproduction prohibited. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California. All finishes confirmed by Plusmic USA. Official program numbers may not correspond with post position. 2nd day of a 16-day meet. Clear & Firm

FIRST RACE. 5 Furlongs Turf. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. 3 year olds and up. Time 22.25 44.84 56.55

Pgm Horse Wt PP St 3/16 3/8 Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Bahamian 122 6 3 5 11 11 11 Franco 2.50 7 Goldie's Hills 119 7 7 61 6 3hd 2 Payeras 17.70 3 Sir Eddie 122 3 6 7 5hd 21 31 T Baze 3.70 4 Seahawk Wave 117 4 1 2hd 31 41 43 Espinoza 4.60 2 Shanghai Billy 122 2 4 1hd 2hd 52 51 Bejarano 9.00 5 Anziyan Cat 124 5 5 41 41 6hd 6 Vergara, Jr. 109.70 1 Persuasive Cat 122 1 8 8 8 71 71 Van Dyke 6.30 9 Spanish Bay 122 8 2 3 7hd 8 8 Talamo 3.60

6 BAHAMIAN 7.00 4.60 3.20 7 GOLDIE'S HILLS 13.00 6.60 3 SIR EDDIE 3.00

$1 EXACTA (6-7) $37.50 $2 QUINELLA (6-7) $53.20 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-7-3-4) $33.14 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-7-3) $56.00

WinnerBahamian Ch.g.3 by Freedom Child out of Final Humor, by Distorted Humor. Bred by John D. Stuart (MD). Trainer: Vladimir Cerin. Owner: Wilson, Holly and David. Mutuel Pool $288,788 Exacta Pool $167,869 Quinella Pool $7,512 Superfecta Pool $74,604 Trifecta Pool $125,603. ScratchedFirst Stone.

BAHAMIAN chased between foes then inside into the turn, bid along the rail leaving the turn to gain the lead, came out in the stretch, inched away under some urging, drifted out from the whip in midstretch and held sway. GOLDIE'S HILLS hopped some at the break, stalked outside a rival, split horses on the turn, went outside a foe in deep stretch and outfinished that one for the place. SIR EDDIE saved ground stalking the pace throughout and was outfinished for second. SEAHAWK WAVE dueled between horses then outside a rival while being fanned out on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and was outfinished. SHANGHAI BILLY had good early speed and dueled inside, lugged out on the turn to be between horses nearing the quarter pole, came three deep into the stretch and weakened. ANZIYAN CAT pressed the pace three deep between horses, stalked between foes on the turn, came three wide into the stretch and also weakened. PERSUASIVE CAT broke a bit slowly, came out early, went outside a rival leaving the backstretch and three deep on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, had the rider lose the whip nearing midstretch and weakened in the drive. SPANISH BAY prompted the pace four wide, stalked outside on the turn, entered the stretch five wide and also weakened.

SECOND RACE. 5 Furlongs. Purse: $22,000. Claiming. Fillies. 3 year olds. Claiming Prices $12,500-$10,500. Time 22.42 46.49 59.44 1:05.96

Pgm Horse Wt PP St  3/8 Str Fin Jockey $1 1 Bragging Rights 118 1 6 7 7 52 11 Talamo 6.70 2 Easter Dream 120 2 7 61 62 31 2 Bejarano 5.70 5 Atrevida 115 5 2 4hd 31 2 3 Figueroa 11.50 4 We Will Re Joyce 119 4 1 21 1hd 11 4 Espinoza 1.20 7 Mongolian Rahy 120 7 3 56 52 4hd 512 Pereira 43.00 6 Ciao Luna 120 6 4 3hd 4hd 7 61 Franco 2.30 3 Queen Shelly Ann 118 3 5 1hd 21 61 7 T Baze 15.40

1 BRAGGING RIGHTS 15.40 8.00 6.00 2 EASTER DREAM 6.80 5.40 5 ATREVIDA 6.00

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-1) $81.20 $1 EXACTA (1-2) $37.90 $2 QUINELLA (1-2) $33.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (1-2-5-4) $61.35 50-CENT TRIFECTA (1-2-5) $112.60

WinnerBragging Rights B.f.3 by Street Boss out of Brag (IRE), by Mujadil. Bred by Don Gibb & Regan Wright (CA). Trainer: Gary Sherlock. Owner: Tom Mansor. Mutuel Pool $265,789 Daily Double Pool $62,198 Exacta Pool $132,105 Quinella Pool $5,739 Superfecta Pool $60,140 Trifecta Pool $103,856. ClaimedEaster Dream by Hess, Maria E., Lambert, Joe and Paradise Farms Corp. Trainer: Robert Hess, Jr. ClaimedWe Will Re Joyce by Donn Start. Trainer: Jorge Periban. ClaimedCiao Luna by Huston Racing Stable, Sonora, Steve and Stute, Gary. Trainer: Gary Stute. Scratchednone.

BRAGGING RIGHTS broke a bit slowly, settled inside, came out on the turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under urging to the lead in deep stretch and proved best. EASTER DREAM broke out, bumped a rival and steadied, settled outside a foe then a bit off the rail on the turn, bid inside past midstretch and edged rivals for the place. ATREVIDA pressed the pace between horses then stalked of the rail, came three wide into the stretch and was edged for second. WE WILL RE JOYCE had speed between horses then dueled outside a rival, took the lead nearing the stretch, drifted out some into the lane and was overtaken in deep stretch. MONGOLIAN RAHY pressed the pace five wide then stalked outside, came four wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. CIAO LUNA forced the pace between horses then stalked between foes, fell back off the rail into the stretch and weakened. QUEEN SHELLY ANN bumped at the start, was sent along to duel for the lead inside, fought back on the turn and weakened in the drive.

THIRD RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 23.47 48.55 1:12.93 1:25.21 1:36.94

Pgm Horse Wt PP St    Str Fin Jockey $1 7 Sedamar 120 7 5 7 7 6hd 21 1nk Fuentes 3.90 10 Apache Princess 120 9 1 3hd 41 3hd 1 24 Desormeaux 1.90 8 Gotta Be Lucky 120 8 3 5hd 5hd 5hd 5hd 31 Franco 12.50 4 Stylin Ocean 115 4 2 21 3hd 2hd 3 4 Espinoza 4.10 2 Don'tbeboisterous 120 2 7 61 61 72 62 51 Talamo 6.80 1 The Pet 120 1 4 11 1 1hd 41 61 Pereira 23.90 3 Boolicious 120 3 9 81 81 8hd 81 71 Van Dyke 11.10 6 Autumn Isabella 120 6 8 9 9 9 9 82 Linares 125.40 5 Twirling Diamond 120 5 6 41 21 41 7 9 Pedroza 7.20

7 SEDAMAR 9.80 4.60 3.80 10 APACHE PRINCESS 3.40 3.00 8 GOTTA BE LUCKY 6.00

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (1-7) $77.80 $1 EXACTA (7-10) $15.80 $2 QUINELLA (7-10) $12.80 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (7-10-8-4) $28.98 50-CENT TRIFECTA (7-10-8) $47.90 $2 CONSOLATION DOUBLE (1-9) $19.80

WinnerSedamar B.f.2 by Richard's Kid out of Win Allison Win, by Stormy Atlantic. Bred by Mick Ruis (CA). Trainer: Mick Ruis. Owner: Ruis Racing LLC. Mutuel Pool $388,356 Daily Double Pool $34,036 Exacta Pool $261,761 Quinella Pool $9,653 Superfecta Pool $121,007 Trifecta Pool $187,700. ScratchedAlystar. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-1-7) paid $109.65. Pick Three Pool $93,193. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (6-1-9) paid $15.85.

SEDAMAR three deep early, chased outside a rival then three deep into and on the second turn and five wide into the stretch, bid outside, gained a slim advantage past midstretch and gamely prevailed under some left handed urging. APACHE PRINCESS stalked three deep then outside a rival, bid four wide on the second turn and into the stretch to gain a short lead, fought back off the rail in the final furlong and went willingly to the wire. GOTTA BE LUCKY came out when in tight off heels into the first turn, stalked outside a rival then between foes into and on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and gained the show. STYLIN OCEAN pulled early, stalked off the rail then outside a rival, bid three deep between foes on the second turn, put a head in front into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. DON'TBEBOISTEROUS broke a bit slowly and was crowded some, saved ground chasing the pace, went around a rival in deep stretch and lacked the needed rally. THE PET sped to the early lead, set the pace inside, dueled along the rail leaving the backstretch and on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened in the final furlong. BOOLICIOUS pulled and steadied then came out off heels into the first turn, angled in and chased inside to the stretch and lacked a rally. AUTUMN ISABELLA broke a bit slowly, settled inside then outside a rival on the backstretch and second turn and did not rally. TWIRLING DIAMOND pulled between foes and steadied into the first turn, angled in some and stalked just off the rail, bid outside a rival on the backstretch and between horses on the second turn and weakened in the drive.

FOURTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $24,000. Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $16,000-$14,000. Time 22.60 45.83 58.09 1:11.09

Pgm Horse Wt PP St   Str Fin Jockey $1 6 Super Touch 120 5 2 31 2 21 1nk Franco 2.30 3 Stringent 120 3 1 2 1 1 23 Pereira 1.00 2 Fire to the Wire 122 2 4 1hd 3hd 44 32 T Baze 2.90 1 Tavasco Road 120 1 5 4 43 3hd 41 Hernandez 11.80 5 Aberdeen Island 113 4 3 5 5 5 5 Figueroa 16.60

6 SUPER TOUCH 6.60 2.80 2.10 3 STRINGENT 2.60 2.10 2 FIRE TO THE WIRE 2.10

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (7-6) $46.00 $1 EXACTA (6-3) $8.60 $2 QUINELLA (3-6) $7.40 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (6-3-2-1) $4.16 50-CENT TRIFECTA (6-3-2) $8.05 $2 CONSOLATION DOUBLE (7-7) $6.80

WinnerSuper Touch Dbb.g.5 by Super Saver out of Jack's Touch, by Touch Gold. Bred by Haymarket Farm LLC & WinStar Farm, LLC (KY). Trainer: Robertino Diodoro. Owner: Fourway Stables LLC and Williams, Sean. Mutuel Pool $323,354 Daily Double Pool $41,548 Exacta Pool $153,192 Quinella Pool $5,708 Superfecta Pool $51,361 Trifecta Pool $94,765. ClaimedFire to the Wire by Onorato, Troy and Onorato, Maritza. Trainer: John Martin. ScratchedLindante, London Legacy. 50-Cent Pick Three (1-7-6) paid $155.80. Pick Three Pool $40,760. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (1-7-7) paid $19.50. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (1-9-6) paid $14.15. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (1-9-7) paid $2.30.

SUPER TOUCH prompted the pace three deep, came four wide into the stretch, battled outside the runner-up through the final furlong, gained a slim advantage under urging in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. STRINGENT dueled between horses, took a short lead on the turn, came three deep into the stretch, fought back off the rail in the final furlong and continued willingly to the end. FIRE TO THE WIRE had good early speed and dueled a bit off the rail then inside on the turn and bested the others. TAVASCO ROAD stalked inside, went outside a rival leaving the turn and into the stretch and weakened. ABERDEEN ISLAND stalked between horses then off the rail leaving the backstretch, fell back some off the inside on the turn and also weakened.

FIFTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 23.12 47.36 1:11.46 1:23.26 1:35.38

Pgm Horse Wt PP St    Str Fin Jockey $1 9 Colonial Creed 120 9 7 11 1hd 11 12 11 Bejarano 1.40 1 My Sweet Baboo 120 1 1 61 4 21 23 22 Prat 2.90 3 Fashion Island 120 3 5 82 7hd 51 31 3 Van Dyke 11.60 6 Mercy Mercy 120 6 2 4 31 4hd 41 42 Smith 4.30 2 Truffalino 120 2 10 10 10 9 81 51 Talamo 16.40 8 After the Rose 120 8 4 51 51 6hd 61 6hd Franco 26.90 10 Hurley 120 10 8 21 21 31 51 71 Pereira 43.00 7 Flying Blue 120 7 9 7hd 85 81 96 81 T Baze 10.20 5 Bellazano 120 5 3 3hd 6hd 71 7hd 99 Fuentes 33.40 4 Grateful Praise 115 4 6 92 91 10 10 10 Figueroa 46.20

9 COLONIAL CREED 4.80 2.80 2.60 1 MY SWEET BABOO 3.60 3.00 3 FASHION ISLAND 5.20

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (6-9) $21.80 $1 EXACTA (9-1) $7.20 $2 QUINELLA (1-9) $9.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (9-1-3-6) $17.82 50-CENT TRIFECTA (9-1-3) $29.10

WinnerColonial Creed Ch.f.2 by Jimmy Creed out of Neverthesame, by Scat Daddy. Bred by Doug Branham & Felicia Branham (KY). Trainer: Richard Baltas. Owner: Branham, Doug, Baltas, Richard and McClanahan, Jerry. Mutuel Pool $443,810 Daily Double Pool $57,978 Exacta Pool $255,346 Quinella Pool $9,504 Superfecta Pool $114,974 Trifecta Pool $186,622. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (7-6-9) paid $38.65. Pick Three Pool $122,810. 50-Cent Consolation Pick Three (7-7-9) paid $7.50. 50-Cent Pick Four (1-7-6-9) 4 correct paid $417.85. Pick Four Pool $275,207. 50-Cent Pick Five (6-1-7-6-9) 5 correct paid $1,991.55. Pick Five Pool $684,959.

COLONIAL CREED had speed outside then angled in and set the pace inside, shook off the bid of a rival and inched clear again on the second turn, came off the rail into the stretch and held on gamely under some urging. MY SWEET BABOO saved ground chasing the pace, moved up on the second turn, came out a bit leaving that turn then angled back to the inside in upper stretch and continued willingly but could not catch the winner. FASHION ISLAND chased inside, split horses on the backstretch, continued along the rail on the second turn, came off the fence some in the stretch and held third. MERCY MERCY chased between horses then outside a rival leaving the backstretch, continued three deep leaving the second turn and into the stretch and was edged for the show. TRUFFALINO broke a bit slowly and steadied when tossing her head, settled inside, went outside a rival on the second turn and three wide into the stretch and lacked the needed rally. AFTER THE ROSE stalked three deep then outside a rival, went three wide again on the second turn and into the stretch and weakened. HURLEY four wide early, angled in and stalked outside a rival then a bit off the rail, bid outside the winner on the backstretch, tracked again on the second turn and into the stretch and also weakened. FLYING BLUE bobbled some in a bit of a slow start, chased three deep then outside a rival into and on the second turn and also weakened. BELLAZANO angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, continued inside on the second turn and did not rally. GRATEFUL PRAISE steadied off heels when trying to get out into the first turn, settled a bit off the rail, angled in on the backstretch and second turn, cut the corner a bit awkwardly into the stretch and gave way.

SIXTH RACE. 6 Furlongs. Purse: $18,000. Claiming. Fillies and Mares. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Prices $16,000-$14,000. Time 22.85 46.49 1:12.13 1:18.68

Pgm Horse Wt PP St   Str Fin Jockey $1 5 Carrie's Success 117 5 5 53 4 11 12 Figueroa 1.60 9 Cee Sam's Girl 120 9 7 91 81 3hd 21 Cruz 9.20 4 Swallows Inn Gal 120 4 6 6hd 6 42 3nk Roman 13.50 8 Jabber Now 117 8 1 2hd 1 21 4 Fuentes 13.10 7 Lucky Val 122 7 8 71 7hd 71 53 Pereira 3.20 3 Greater Glory 122 3 10 10 10 8 63 Ceballos 69.10 2 Sea Glass 120 2 2 42 2hd 5hd 7hd T Baze 8.30 10 Wicked Sunset 117 10 3 8 91 910 8 Payeras 55.90 1 Dressed in Prada 124 1 4 3hd 31 61 927 Donoe 12.60 6 Majestic Authority 122 6 9 1hd 52 10 10 Ochoa 7.10

5 CARRIE'S SUCCESS 5.20 3.80 3.00 9 CEE SAM'S GIRL 7.80 4.60 4 SWALLOWS INN GAL 7.00

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (9-5) $13.80 $1 EXACTA (5-9) $17.50 $2 QUINELLA (5-9) $24.60 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-9-4-8) $90.96 50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-9-4) $53.00

WinnerCarrie's Success Dbb.f.3 by Successful Appeal out of Carrie Rose, by Old Topper. Bred by Nick Alexander (CA). Trainer: William E. Morey. Owner: Nicholas B. Alexander. Mutuel Pool $352,820 Daily Double Pool $45,318 Exacta Pool $219,202 Quinella Pool $8,114 Superfecta Pool $92,887 Trifecta Pool $158,467. ClaimedSea Glass by Chris Fosselman. Trainer: Charles Treece. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (6-9-5) paid $20.05. Pick Three Pool $84,750.

CARRIE'S SUCCESS stalked off the rail, went outside a rival on the turn, bid four wide into the stretch to gain the lead, inched away and won clear under urging then steady handling late. CEE SAM'S GIRL chased a bit off the rail then briefly between foes, angled in on the turn, swung three deep into the stretch and gained the place. SWALLOWS INN GAL settled just off the inside chasing the pace, came out leaving the turn and four wide into the stretch and edged a rival late for the show./. JABBER NOW dueled three deep between horses then three wide on the turn, inched away nearing the stretch, fought back inside the winner in upper stretch and was edged late for third. LUCKY VAL chased outside then three deep, angled in off the rail nearing the stretch and lacked the needed rally. GREATER GLORY broke a bit slowly, settled inside, came off the rail in the stretch and improved position. SEA GLASS dueled between horses, stalked outside a rival leaving the turn and weakened in the drive. WICKED SUNSET chased outside then off the rail on the turn, came four wide into the stretch and did not rally. DRESSED IN PRADA went up inside to duel for the lead, battled along the rail on the turn and weakened in the stretch. MAJESTIC AUTHORITY pressed the pace four wide, dropped back and angled in on the turn, gave way and was eased in the drive.

SEVENTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $75,000. 'Let It Ride Stakes'. 3 year olds. Time 23.42 47.37 1:10.78 1:22.49 1:34.61

Pgm Horse Wt PP St    Str Fin Jockey $1 4 Risky Proposition 118 4 7 62 5 51 51 1 Talamo 22.50 3 Choo Choo 120 3 4 42 41 41 4 2hd Prat 14.00 7 Calexman 118 7 2 12 11 11 1 3hd Franco 5.10 2 Prince Earl 122 2 6 32 32 31 21 4 Van Dyke 0.90 6 Fight On 122 6 5 7 7 6hd 62 5 Bejarano 8.60 5 Extrordinary Jerry 118 5 1 5hd 61 7 7 6 Smith 14.20 1 Afleet Ascent 120 1 3 2hd 2hd 2hd 3hd 7 Desormeaux 3.20

4 RISKY PROPOSITION 47.00 17.80 6.40 3 CHOO CHOO 12.60 6.20 7 CALEXMAN 4.20

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-4) $145.80 $1 EXACTA (4-3) $235.60 $2 QUINELLA (3-4) $137.00 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (4-3-7-2) $395.37 50-CENT TRIFECTA (4-3-7) $562.85

WinnerRisky Proposition B.g.3 by Bodemeister out of Risk, by Wavering Monarch. Bred by Glencrest Farm LLC (KY). Trainer: William Spawr. Owner: Acker, Tom, Becker, Barry, Becker, Judith, Bloom, Michael, Lindo, Jon and Wafer, Jr., Thomas J.. Mutuel Pool $410,364 Daily Double Pool $44,600 Exacta Pool $204,180 Quinella Pool $7,445 Superfecta Pool $82,745 Trifecta Pool $131,571. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (9-5-4) paid $173.45. Pick Three Pool $72,276.

RISKY PROPOSITION angled in and chased inside, came out on the second turn and three wide into the stretch, rallied under left handed urging to gain the lead four wide in late stretch and gamely prevailed. CHOO CHOO three deep early, chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, continued inside into and on the second turn and into the stretch, bid along the fence in deep stretch and continued willingly. CALEXMAN had speed outside then inched away and angled in, set the pace along the rail, fought back off the inside in midstretch and between horses in deep stretch and held third. PRINCE EARL close up stalking the pace outside a rival, came three wide into the stretch, bid outside the pacesetter in midstretch and between foes in deep stretch and continued gamely but was edged for the show. FIGHT ON angled in and saved ground chasing the pace, came out in upper stretch and also continued willingly but was outfinished. EXTRORDINARY JERRY chased outside a rival then a bit off the rail, came out into the stretch and also was outfinished. AFLEET ASCENT stalked inside then a bit off the rail to the stretch and could not offer the necessary response in the final furlong.

EIGHTH RACE. 1 Mile. Purse: $56,000. Allowance Optional Claiming. 3 year olds and up. Claiming Price $62,500. Time 23.72 47.99 1:12.60 1:25.07 1:38.12

Pgm Horse Wt PP St    Str Fin Jockey $1 5 Shivermetimbers 118 5 2 42 42 5 3 1 Smith 0.90 7 Captain Scotty 120 7 1 11 1 11 11 2 Prat 2.60 4 Pepe Tono 118 4 4 63 51 610 4hd 3ns Delgadillo 7.80 1 Curlin Road 120 1 3 21 2 22 21 4ns Bejarano 9.90 2 Mongolian Groom 120 2 6 5 68 4hd 52 56 Pereira 30.00 3 Ike Walker 115 3 5 32 31 3hd 68 64 Espinoza 6.10 6 Engram 120 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 Pedroza 59.10

5 SHIVERMETIMBERS 3.80 2.40 2.20 7 CAPTAIN SCOTTY 3.20 3.00 4 PEPE TONO 3.40

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (4-5) $134.80 $1 EXACTA (5-7) $5.00 $2 QUINELLA (5-7) $5.60 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (5-7-4-1) $6.55 50-CENT TRIFECTA (5-7-4) $9.80

WinnerShivermetimbers Dbb.c.3 by Shanghai Bobby out of Sealaunch, by Unbridled's Song. Bred by Tim Thornton, Robert Watt & Doug Glass (KY). Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer. Owner: Mark DeDomenico LLC and West Point Thoroughbreds. Mutuel Pool $396,269 Daily Double Pool $55,626 Exacta Pool $182,821 Quinella Pool $7,206 Superfecta Pool $99,538 Trifecta Pool $140,606. Scratchednone. 50-Cent Pick Three (5-4-5) paid $112.90. Pick Three Pool $43,410.

SHIVERMETIMBERS chased outside a rival then off the rail, continued between foes leaving the second turn and four wide into the stretch, rallied under some left handed urging to the front in deep stretch and gamely prevailed. CAPTAIN SCOTTY had speed outside then angled in and set the pace inside, inched away again on the second turn and held on well but could not contain the winner late. PEPE TONO chased a bit off the rail then outside a rival, continued outside on the second turn and five wide into the stretch and finished willingly. CURLIN ROAD stalked inside then just off the rail, bid outside the pacesetter then between foes a half mile out, continued outside the pacesetter then a bit off the rail leaving the second turn and into the stretch, was in a bit tight nearing the wire and was outfinished. MONGOLIAN GROOM saved ground stalking the pace, came out into the stretch and continued willingly between horses in the final furlong. IKE WALKER stalked outside a rival then off the rail, bid three deep a half mile out, tracked again on the second turn and between foes into the stretch and weakened. ENGRAM broke a bit slowly, angled in and saved ground off the pace to the stretch and failed to menace.

NINTH RACE. 1 Mile Turf. Purse: $53,000. Maiden Special Weight. Fillies. 2 year olds. Time 23.68 49.60 1:14.42 1:25.84 1:37.47

Pgm Horse Wt PP St    Str Fin Jockey $1 10 Tapwater 120 10 7 21 21 21 1hd 1 Prat 2.40 6 Bizwhacks 120 6 2 1 1hd 11 22 2nk Roman 3.80 3 Giza Goddess 120 3 6 5 62 5hd 32 32 Blanc 26.70 1 Ask the Customer 120 1 4 10 10 8hd 6hd 4hd Stevens 6.20 2 Out of Balance 115 2 3 72 81 91 7 5 Espinoza 8.50 9 Encanta 120 9 5 41 3hd 3hd 4hd 6hd Van Dyke 2.50 8 Hyde Park Corner 120 8 8 61 5 61 5 7 Pereira 14.10 5 Samandah 120 5 9 8 7 7 9hd 8hd Desormeaux 29.60 7 Landon 120 7 10 9hd 9 10 10 94 T Baze 56.70 4 Reachreachreach 115 4 1 3 4 4hd 81 10 Figueroa 56.10

10 TAPWATER 6.80 4.00 3.60 6 BIZWHACKS 5.00 4.00 3 GIZA GODDESS 9.80

$2 DAILY DOUBLE (5-10) $14.20 $1 EXACTA (10-6) $15.60 $2 QUINELLA (6-10) $18.20 10-CENT SUPERFECTA (10-6-3-1) $94.31 $1 SUPER HIGH FIVE (10-6-3-1-2) $5,444.20 50-CENT TRIFECTA (10-6-3) $98.15

WinnerTapwater Grr.f.2 by Tapit out of Fiji Moon, by Indian Charlie. Bred by LNJ Foxwoods (KY). Trainer: Richard E. Mandella. Owner: LNJ Foxwoods. Mutuel Pool $495,733 Daily Double Pool $175,430 Exacta Pool $258,830 Quinella Pool $9,799 Superfecta Pool $137,787 Super High Five Pool $73,058 Trifecta Pool $189,805. Scratchednone. $2 Pick Six Jackpot (6-9-5-4-5-10) . Pick Six Jackpot Carryover $33,073. 50-Cent Pick Three (4-5-10) paid $110.45. Pick Three Pool $146,795. 50-Cent Pick Four (5-4-5-10) 4 correct paid $412.70. Pick Four Pool $600,080. 50-Cent Pick Five (9-5-4-5-10) 5 correct paid $892.65. Pick Five Pool $521,722. $2 Pick Six (6-9-5-4-5-10) 5 out of 6 paid $67.00. $2 Pick Six (6-9-5-4-5-10) 6 correct paid $9,646.20. Pick Six Pool $228,514. $1 Place Pick All 9 correct paid $24,889.00. Place Pick All Pool $32,613.

TAPWATER three deep early, pressed the pace outside a rival then stalked leaving the second turn, was fanned out a bit and re-bid alongside that rival into the stretch, took a short lead in midstretch and gamely prevailed under a crack of the whip and good handling. BIZWHACKS had speed between horses then set a pressured pace inside, inched away briefly leaving the second turn, came off the rail into the stretch, fought back inside the winner through the drive and could not quite match that one late. GIZA GODDESS stalked inside then between foes into and on the second turn, continued just off the rail in the stretch and finished well. ASK THE CUSTOMER chased inside then between horses on the backstretch and second turn, continued between foes in the stretch and was outfinished. OUT OF BALANCE saved ground stalking the pace, split horses in midstretch and also was outfinished. ENCANTA stalked off the rail then outside a rival, went three deep on the second turn and into the stretch and lacked a rally. HYDE PARK CORNER (IRE) chased outside a rival then three deep leaving the backstretch, went four wide on the second turn and into the stretch and could not offer the necessary response. SAMANDAH broke a bit slowly, chased just off the rail then between foes leaving the backstretch, went three deep on the second turn and four wide into the stretch and did not rally. LANDON also a bit slow to begin, settled three deep then outside a rival, went three wide leaving the backstretch and again into the stretch and lacked the needed response. REACHREACHREACH had speed inside then saved ground stalking the pace, continued inside into the stretch and weakened in the drive.Japan may have more theme parks per capita than any other country. Besides Disneyland, Legoland and Universal Studios, there are smaller parks featuring a miniature Spain, a miniature Holland and celebrations of Pokemon and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Then theres Meiji-mura in central Japan northeast of Nagoya. The open-air museum pays homage to Western-inspired architecture that appeared in Japan as it opened its borders to foreign trade after 200 years of isolation.

(Lou Spirito For The Times)

The 250-acre museum, open since 1965, is home to more than 60 structures from the Meiji era (1868-1912), including schools, police stations, bus terminals, administrative buildings, churches, private residences and even a regional prison.

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These arent reproductions or replicas like those found in Japanese parks devoted to samurai and ninjas. They are actual buildings, each procured, dismantled, moved and painstakingly rebuilt on site.

The prize of the park, for some visitors, is the original lobby and first floor of architect Frank Lloyd Wrights Imperial Hotel, opened in June 1923.

Its one of the few major structures to have withstood the 7.9-magnitude Great Kanto earthquake three months later, and later still, the World War II firebombing of Tokyo. Wrights masterwork was demolished in 1968, and the parks owners shipped the remnants of the lobby and reflecting pool to their then-new theme park.

I spent five happy hours last summer traipsing around the parks wide boulevards and narrow hillside trails, wondering at the Japanese workers houses relocated from Hawaii and Brazil and the Japanese houses of Christian workshop brought from Seattle and Kyoto, Japan.

Also lovingly re-created are a lighthouse, several bridges and homes once occupied by writers Lafcadio Hearn (Kwaidan) and Natsume Soseki (I Am a Cat). There are also factories that once produced beer and sake.

My favorite might have been the bathhouse, the butchers shop or the barber shop  all with period-correct equipment and implements  or the Foreigners House, its interior accurate down to the last 1887 detail.

If you go

Museum Meiji-mura is best reached by car or bus; its about an hours drive from Nagoya or about four hours from Tokyo. Train and bus service runs regularly from Nagoya and costs about $20 round trip.

Museum Meiji-mura, 1 Uchiyama, Inuyama, Japan;meijimura.com/english is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 4 p.m daily, depending on the season. Closed on national holidays and Sept. 3-7 and Jan.7-11. Tickets cost about $15.50 for adults, with discounts for students and seniors.

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelFor two centuries the Nakasendo Way was a major pedestrian route that connected a string of villages that provided lodging and sustenance for the shoguns, retainers and daimyo, or feudal lords, traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto.

The trail and its villages were largely abandoned in the late 1800s as the power of the shoguns faded and as travelers between the two capitals began making the trek by train or automobile.

But Tsugamo and several other villages along the route in the late 1960s began campaigns for rediscovery. Modern buildings were removed, and those left from the Edo period (1600-1868) were restored or reconstructed. Streets were repaved with period stone and closed to automobile traffic.

The Nakasendo (central mountain route) once again began offering period-correct food and shelter for long-distance walkers, who can now hike multiple sections of what remains of the original 332-mile footpath.

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My wife, Julie, and I had heard about the Nakasendo when we lived in Hiroshima for several years in the 1980s. Last summer, more than three decades after we left Japan, we returned to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and to explore some places we had missed.

We spent three weeks wandering around Japans main island of Honshu, including a few days along the Nakasendo, where we hoped to savor the old Japan.

Step back two centuries

A signpost along the Nakasendo Way points to twin waterfalls and other attractions. (Charles Fleming)

To begin our walk, we took a 40-minute train ride from Nagoya to the Kiso Valley town of Nagiso, then a short taxi ride to the historically preserved Edo period village of Tsumago.

We stepped out of the taxi and back two centuries.

Tsumagos cobblestoned main street is lined with wooden buildings, none more than two stories tall. Though the village is wired for electricity and internet, the wires were hidden. The stores, offering hot tea, hot meals, lodging and souvenirs, featured sliding wooden doors and colorful paper lanterns instead of neon signs.

It was warm and muggy, so we were glad to sit down for a cold drink and a midday meal.

Most menus offered a version of gohei mochi, a regional dish in which leftover rice is pounded into a paste, formed into cakes, toasted over an open flame and doused with a sauce of soy, sugar, salt and maple or chestnut syrup.

We also sampled the local ki-ri so-fu-to, the common name for soft-serve ice cream flavored with chestnut.

Later that afternoon we were welcomed at Fujioto, a 16th century-style ryokan, or country inn, complete with tatami mat rooms and wooden onsen, the public bath that was the inns only bathing facility.

We swapped our sweaty hiking clothes for the traditional cotton yukata (a bathrobe-like garment typically worn by guests staying at a ryokan), washed and had a soak in the onsen, made from fragrant local cypress, and rested up for dinner.

We needed our strength. The evening meal, served in a tatami dining room furnished with Western-style tables and chairs, was a massive affair with two dozen dishes.

First came grilled trout and sauteed chicken with steamed rice, pickled wasabi stems and edamame. A tempura course followed, with shiitake and maitake mushrooms, shishito leaf and local yam and pumpkin, and a sashimi course that featured fresh-water salmon.

Still to come were a hot pot of beef and local vegetables served atop a magnolia leaf, as well as an unusual sweet-and-sour dish we couldnt identify.

In Japanese, we call it baby wasps, the English-speaking waitress said, then added helpfully, Its made of baby wasps.

Dessert was gohei mochi and green tea pound cake.

We walked the broad paving stones of the silent, empty village  which appeared to be inhabited almost exclusively by the innkeepers, shopkeepers and their families  taking our evening stroll still dressed in our yukatas, as travelers customarily do in Japan. Our host led us to a field where fireflies were playing, then back to the inn, where we retreated to the welcome cool of our air-conditioned room.

A breakfast of steamed rice, broiled salmon, chilled omelet, and tofu with marinated spinach and green beans prepared us for the days walk. We took our bags a block to the tourist office, which for about $4.50 would ferry our suitcases to our next stop.

Picturesque hike

The day was again hot and humid. We walked very slowly, happy to stretch the 5 miles between Tsugamo and Magome into a long, slow stroll.

A street in the picturesque city of Magome. (Charles Fleming)

We passed low, wooden buildings and were soon in farmland, where terraced rice fields were bordered by bamboo groves and stands of cypress, cedar and chestnut trees.

We stayed mostly in shade as the paved trail rose gently into the mountains. As we gained elevation, we came upon bear bells. Plaques printed in Japanese and English urged us to ring them to warn the local black bears that we were headed into their woods. (We rang loudly and often, but we saw no bears.) We found public toilets at regular intervals too.

After 90 minutes or so we stopped for snacks and snapshots at the twin Otaki and Metaki male and female waterfalls, where we soaked our kerchiefs in the cold mountain water.

Half an hour later, we slid into the welcome shade of an ancient way station, where a silent man tending a smoky fire poured us tea, invited us to use his Wi-Fi and asked us to sign his visitors log.

We encountered walkers coming from the other direction, but we usually had the trail to ourselves. The temperature rose. At the crest of Magome Pass, we were happy to find a roadside store offering cold drinks, hot coffee and a lovely chestnut ice cream.

From there it was an easy downhill for the last mile or so into picturesque Magome, a popular jumping-off point for Nakasendo walkers.

It seemed livelier, with more shops selling crafts made from carved cedar and more restaurants serving everything from sushi to sashimi to udon and ramen  and, of course, more of the delicious gohei mochi.

A multiple-course Japanese meal at Tajimaya. (Charles Fleming)

After a late lunch, we checked into the Tajimaya and again enjoyed the comforts of modern air conditioning and the amenities of an ancient ryokan: the yukata, the onsen and another marvelous, multiple-course Japanese meal.

It was served in a tatami room with chairs  essential for me who, despite spending three years in Japan, cannot sit on the mat floor for an entire evening. The dinner consisted of more freshwater salmon served as sushi, grilled trout and chicken, and artful preparations of tempura, age dashi dofu and a different spin on gohei mochi.

The tourists and day trippers had fled. Dressed in the Tajimayas cotton robes and slippers, we walked the empty town to its limits and watched dusk fall and a rainstorm approach beside a rice paddy.

We knew we could get a bus the following morning from Magome to the railroad town of Nakatsugawa, and from there a quick train ride back to Nagoya. But we were tempted to stretch the trip by an extra day and walk back to Tsumago. Alas, the Fujioto had no rooms for the night.

If you go

(Lou Spirito For The Times)

THE BEST WAY TO TOKYO

From LAX, JAL, American, All Nippon, United and Singapore offer nonstop service to Tokyo, and JAL, United, Asiana, Korean, Hawaiian, American, EVA and Cathay Pacific offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip fares from $733.

We used a Japan Rail Pass for our three weeks of travel around Honshu. It must be purchased outside Japan and validated upon arrival. An individual ticket from Nagoya to Nagiso, round trip, would cost about $56.

WHERE TO STAY

We spent a night at Fujioto in Tsumago and a night at Tajimaya in Magome. At Fujioto, we paid about $190 for our room plus dinner and breakfast. At Tajimaya, we paid about $167 for our room and meals.

WHERE TO EAT

The narrow lanes of Tsumago and Magome are lined with Edo-era dining establishments. We did almost all our eating at the inns, but we also enjoyed lunch in Tsumago at Tawaraya, where we paid about $19.50 for a light meal of cold soba noodles and gohei mochi. Coffee and a ki-ri so-fu-to totaled $6.30.

TO LEARN MORE

Nakasendo Way

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelAs someone who has researched and written about Sherlock Holmes for decades, I was delighted to read Rosemary McClures excellent article [On the Holmes Case, Nov. 4].

However, I was mystified (and that is the appropriate word) at her omission of the late Jeremy Brett, an actor who many Sherlockians, including myself, feel was the most authentic Holmes. Brett hauntingly portrayed the great detective in all 41 episodes of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories in the BBCs Granada TV series, which spanned 1984 through 1994.

I first met Brett during one of his London stage performances as Holmes and we became friends. He once told me Sherlock Holmes was the only character he had ever played who threatened to take over his entire persona, but we finally met, shook hands and became friends, he confided one day.

Such are the combined powers of a character who never existed and a talented thespian who portrayed him so accurately.

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Richard Carleton Hacker  Sherman Oaks

Gift wrapping ideas, tree lightings and where to shop for the holidays 

Immigration checkpoints need to anticipate arrivals

Re: Skip the Line in VIP Style, by George Hobica, Oct. 14: Travelers deserve better than waiting in long lines at immigration.

With about 300 other passengers, we arrived in New York on Oct. 22 from London on a Virgin Atlantic flight.

After a long walk to the immigration checkpoint, we stood in line and waited 20 minutes for the kiosks to open.

There were about 20 kiosks, but immigration opened only two of them, and then a few minutes later a third. The line moved very slowly.

After a six-hour flight, passengers are tired. Certainly immigration officials are aware of flights arriving, and they must know how many passengers need to be cleared to enter the country.

It appears there is little immigration officials have no regard for the comfort of travelers. Arent they working for us?

They should have opened six to eight kiosks (or more) to accommodate weary travelers.

And they should have had those kiosks open and ready for passengers when we arrived.

There were families with small children, elderly passengers with canes.

Hobicas article about Skip the Lines was interesting. But most travelers dont have the funds to pay for a service that needs to become a real service for all passengers:

Open enough kiosks to accommodate all passengers and be available when passengers arrive. Sounds like basic, sensible service, doesnt it?

Carole Ozanian  Canoga Park

travel@latimes.com

@latimestravelA fresh wave of fighting erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, leaving at least six militants dead just as Israel and Hamas had appeared to be making progress toward ratcheting down months of border violence.

Although it was unclear what set off the burst of violence, Hamas said a security incident had left a number of dead and wounded, while the Israeli military said an exchange of fire took place during operational activity in Gaza. The Palestinian Health Ministry said six militants were killed and six others wounded, as air raid sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in southern Israel, near Gaza.

Sundays development shattered what appeared to be a turning point after months of bloodshed along the Israel-Gaza border, with weekly Hamas-led protests drawing thousands to the perimeter fence with Israel. Over 160 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the border protests in which Palestinians throw rocks, burning tires and grenades toward Israeli troops.

In response to the violence, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was cutting short his trip to Paris, where world leaders had gathered to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

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Last week, Israel allowed Qatar to deliver $15 million in aid to Gazas cash-strapped Hamas rulers. Hamas responded by lowering the intensity of Fridays border protest.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu defended his decision to allow the transfer of the Qatari money, rejecting criticism that the move had strengthened the Islamic militant group.

Netanyahu told reporters that it was the right step at the moment and that he was committed to restoring quiet along the Israel-Gaza frontier and preventing a humanitarian crisis in the coastal Palestinian territory.

Every action, without exception, has a price, he said. If you cant handle the price you cannot lead. And I can handle the price.

Israeli critics, including members of Netanyahus hard-line coalition, accused him of capitulating to violence and of granting relief to the embattled Hamas group.

The internationally backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose forces lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, angrily accused the U.S. and Israel of being involved in a conspiracy to permanently sever Gaza from the West Bank. He promised to take unspecified measures against his Hamas rivals in the coming days.

Hamas leaders in Gaza have described the arrival of the $15 million, delivered last week in three suitcases by a Qatari diplomat, as their first major gain after more than seven months of weekly protests along the perimeter fence.

Hamas has been leading the protests since March 30 in a bid to ease a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade that was imposed in 2007 in order to weaken the militant group. The blockade has led to over 50% unemployment and chronic power outages, and prevents most Gazans from being able to leave the tiny territory.

Israel says it is defending its border against militant infiltrations, but its army has come under international criticism because of the large number of unarmed protesters who have been shot.

With Hamas threatening to intensify the protests and international officials warning of a looming humanitarian crisis, Netanyahu on Thursday allowed the cash into Gaza. It is the first installment of $90 million that Qatar has pledged to cover the salaries of thousands of unpaid Hamas employees for six months.

Israeli opposition figures lambasted Netanyahu for appearing to cave in to violence. Army Radio played decade-old sound clips of Netanyahu, from when he was the opposition leader, threatening tough action against Hamas and criticizing his predecessor for being too soft.

Even his erstwhile allies attacked him for indirectly doing business with a militant group that has fought three wars against Israel and is sworn to Israels destruction.

Everyone knows where that money is going to go ultimately, said Netanyahus agriculture minister, Uri Ariel.

But in comments to reporters before traveling to Paris, Netanyahu said it was a question of alternatives. He said the step was coordinated with security officials to restore quiet for Israeli citizens living near the Gaza border and to avert a humanitarian crisis.

Later, at a news conference in Paris, when asked about his longer-term vision for Gaza, Netanyahu said there could be no political resolution as long as Hamas is in power.

You cant have a political resolution with those who are committed to your dissolution, to your destruction. Thats absurd, he said. The alternative is to do the minimal things necessary to maintain our security and to prevent the collapse of the humanitarian situation, he added.

The payment is part of what is expected to be a set of informal understandings between Israel and Hamas reached through Egyptian and U.N. mediation.

Hamas is demanding an expansion of the permissible fishing zone off the Israeli-controlled Gaza coast, uninterrupted flow of fuel to mitigate chronic power shortages and the lifting of Israeli restrictions on exports and imports. In return, Israel wants quiet and an end to the border protests.

For the second week in a row, the Palestinians kept Fridays protests carefully restrained, burning fewer tires and refraining from breaching the fence.

In the West Bank, Abbas angrily accused Israel and the U.S. of ganging up behind his back to entrench Hamas control over Gaza. He also accused Hamas of undermining his goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state that includes all of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Abbas fears that the U.S. is preparing to float a peace plan, called the deal of the century by President Trump, which would leave Hamas in control of Gaza and give him only limited autonomy in pieces of the West Bank.

We are going to take tough measures [against Hamas] in the coming days, Abbas said.

There is an American conspiracy, which is the deal of the century, and there is an Israeli conspiracy to implement the deal of the century, he said. To my dismay, there is another conspiracy from Hamas to foil the independent state.

Abbas, speaking at a ceremony marking the 14th anniversary of the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, did not elaborate on what steps he might take against Hamas.

Abbas has repeatedly limited financial aid to Gaza in order to pressure Hamas into returning control to him.

UPDATES:

3:41 p.m.: This article was updated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing he was returning early from Paris because of the violence at home.

This article was originally published at 2:40 p.m.Clark Freeport, PampangaThe strengthening of the 42,041 Barangay Health Station (BHS) care system, the expansion of PhilHealth coverage and a bigger appropriation for the health sector were among the top legislative agenda of the new party-list Anakalusugan in the coming midterm elections of 2019. Mike Defensor, one of the three nominees of the party list said that they want to focus on health to serve as the physician aide looking after the overall health need of the 110 million Filipinos. Defensor said that out of the total 42,041 villages in the country as of first quarter of 2018, only 50 percent have health stations. In 2015, 12 villages were added, ten from Ifugao and two from Oriental Mindoro bringing it to 42,041. During a media forum here, Defensor also introduced the other nominees of the party-list, former Philippines National Railways (PNR) General Manager Ower Andal and former Batangas Mayor League president Adorlito Ginete of Sta. Teresita. Ginete is the 1st nominee followed by Defensor and Andal. Defensor who is also the former housing czar said that Anakalusugan wants to bring its advocacy to Congress with the same zeal of excellence by pushing for health-focused legislation to better serve the health needs of the people specially the marginalized sectors. According to Defensor, they will strengthen every barangay health station by increasing their funding from the local government units from their internal revenue allotments (IRA). We will also see to it that these village health stations exist and are fully equipped to support the health needs of every resident in the locality, Defensor said. The multi-billion village health program had a serious problem and its continuation depends on the finding of Commission on Audit (COA) fraud audit. In a recent interview, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the project is good because it serves the need of the people in the far-flung areas in the country.But its continuation depends on the finding of the COA. The government agency found irregularities in the implementation of the BHS project alongside the misunderstanding between the health and education departments. Ginete, on the other hand, said they will also initiate the expansion of the Philhealth to cover medical checkup and maintenance medicine specially among the senior citizens which is one of their complaints because of limited financial capability. Let us include diagnostic coverage under the Philhealth even once a year only Ginete said. Defensor also said that Anakalusugan discovered that an average of 580,000 Filipinos have died of heart diseases, cancer and pneumonia for the past two years without being treated by doctors. The top killer diseases come from the National Capital Region, Southern Tagalog, and Central Luzon. So, we really have to strengthen the healthcare program of the country so that every Filipino would have the chance to undergo medical checkup and meet the requirements for a maintenance medicine supported by the government, he said. Instead of retrenchment, the party-list group will work for the bigger appropriation for the health sector in the yearly national allocation including public hospitals to better serve the needs of the people.For two very intense days on 23-24 October, Arab scholars and theatre practitioners gathered to share their reflections on the topic of the feminine Arab stage, contributing to a truly vital exchange that involved students and researchers of the academic arts scene in Bordeaux.

Organised by the incredibly successful trio Omar Fertat, Pierre Katuszewski and Wahid Chakib, the conference was a model of exploration, brainstorming and cooperation based on the fundamentals of friendship. With very limited funding it managed to bring together some of the most prominent artists of the Arab region, including the iconic Tunisian actor Jalila Baccar.

And while many festivals and conferences in the Arab region shy away from discussing the topic of discrimination against women whether at the social level or within the performing arts field, the University Montaigne Bordeaux offered the chance of a free and uncensored discussion covering the Arab region and performing arts practices over a broad scope of space and time.

Baccar inaugurated the conference with a talk on her life-long experience with the New Theatre troupe and her artistic partner and husband Fadel Al-Jaibi, with whom she founded it, connecting the experience of theatrical experimentation to the political conditions through which Tunisia was living, and demonstrating how the socialist, liberal context of their intellectual and aesthetic work was part of the countrys eventual revolt and transformation.

Baccar presented her theatrical experience as an organic part of a societal and cultural journey towards change. She positioned her work in the context of expressing citizenship, freedom of expression and critical thinking. Indeed sometimes she recalled Jean Vilars Theatre Citoyen (Theatre as a Citizen).

She also revived the concept of a theatre that fights for human rights while being in itself a human right. She reflected on the recent period of Muslim Brotherhood (Al-Nahda) rule following the Tunisian revolution and how theatre had to fight again for its existence and for overall public freedom.

The most evident example is the New Theatres masterpiece Violence, by far the only production in the Arab region to truly explore the aftermath of the Arab revolutions, analysing the emergence of the human beast out of a chaotic moment when conscience is crushed. Violence remains a philosophical essay analysing the depths of oppression and of revolt, and their impact on human psychology and behaviour.

Baccar also gave a separate, special talk on her artistic journey as a writer and actress. She insisted that her artistic identity is double, she writes with the consciousness of an actress and acts with the consciousness of a writer. She embodies her characters when she writes, then she speaks in their voices and identifies with each of them. Her writings are directly fit for the stage, and her theatrical attitudes are visible in her writing.

The conference also featured the prominent, Sweden-based Moroccan director Asmaa Houri and the France-based Moroccan choreographer-actress Salima Moumni. Houri had previously won the prize for best production at the annual competition of the Arab Theatre Institute, for her piece Autumn.

At a roundtable dedicated to the role of women in the Arab performing arts held at the National Theatre of Bordeaux, she spoke powerfully of the dangers of portraying the female Arab artist as a victim of her society, inviting everyone to consider discrimination against women as one of the universal issues humanity is facing. She drew attention to the possibility of celebrating the success of the female  and all  artists instead of focusing on the difficulties they confront.

Loubna Boufar, who is an active theatre director running her own theatre company in Bordeaux, spoke of her experience as a theatre director of Moroccan origin. She gave examples of how the bad reputation of female performers can follow them across the Mediterranean. Her experience is on one hand empowering and on the other wary of what one has to go through to confront social issues and norms all over the world.

The French-based Syrian artist Bissane Al-Charif spoke of how difficult it was for her to start her career as the first scenographer in Syria. She bravely addressed the obstacles that face women when they step into new careers and try to be pioneers in their field. She also spoke about the sexual violence women face, especially those of them who are in the film and video business.

One could easily ask why the #MeToo movement is far from Arab screens and stages  is this a sign that the acting business in the region has been healthier and fairer to women than in the West?

With a strong history of discrimination against females since childhood, including female genital mutilation and sexual harassment, the artistic representation and discussion of such issues is simply non-existent in Egyptian theatre.

I wonder why, I also wonder why male scholars, critics and artists hold a grudge against any cultural activity that aims to discuss those issues, and why some such events become heated with aggressive debates often resulting in an apology by the organisers for choosing the topic. Why does the Arab production system consider works aimed at discussing the womens oppression of lower artistic merit made by frustrated individuals who hate men?

The attempt to break the silence and the taboo regarding social issues on stage remain minimal, the exception within a clearly patriarchal system of knowledge and cultural production that would rather stagnate than enter the minefield in which its power structure and gender dynamics might have to be altered.

To witness the live discussion that took place in Bordeaux was refreshing, yet I would have preferred this discussion to take place within the region, in front of listeners who are in direct contact and negotiation with the power structures in question.

The special moments of celebrating the pioneering female figures in the Arab performing arts  especially present in the essay of the Syrian scholar Montajab Sakr  were brief, but they provoked the very legitimate questions of why we no longer have such pioneering artists?

Why do they all belong to the beginnings? And why is the Arab region so divided when it comes to reviewing issues that face the Arab artists in their respective societies? Is it possible to gather and discuss the conditions and the codes of conduct that rule the Arab stages and their production policies? And how far can those policies impact and restrict creativity within the work of art?

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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Civil rights groups and election officials fielded thousands of reports of voting irregularities across the country Tuesday, with voters complaining of broken machines, long lines and untrained poll workers improperly challenging Americans right to vote.

The loudest of those complaints came from Georgia, where issues of race, ballot access and election fairness have fueled an acrimonious governors contest between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp. Abrams, a former state lawmaker, would be the nations first black female governor, while Kemp, the secretary of state, who oversees elections, has faced accusations of trying to suppress the minority vote.

By Amy Gardner and

Beth Reinhard

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/broken-machines-rejected-ballots-and-long-lines-voting-problems-emerge-as-americans-go-to-the-polls/2018/11/06/ffd11e52-dfa8-11e8-b3f0-62607289efee_story.html?utm_term=.ad43c51283a6Education

Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.

Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.

Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:

International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.

EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.

Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale  an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s  will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets  June Homecoming: Participant  $18 per person; Sustainer  $25 per person; Benefactor  $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler  Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.

The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:

SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available  for information call 610-275-1960

Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)

SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.

Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.  4 p.m.  computers are available during those hours.

Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.

Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.

Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.

The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:

Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at

other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.

CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.

The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:

Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.

Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.

Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.

For Kids & Families

The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.

Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.

Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.

The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.

Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.

Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.

Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.

Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.

Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!

Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.

Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.

Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.

Community Events at the Ambler Y:

-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.

Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.

Health

Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.

The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.

The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.

Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.

Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.

Spring Aquatic Programs  UDHS Pool:

-Summer is just around the corner  Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.

 Shallow Water Aerobics  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.

 Adult Swim Instructions  Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR

-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.

-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday  Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.

-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.

-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.

Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.

SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.

Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.

Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:

FITNESS CLASSES

Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.

Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30  9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.

Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30  7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.

New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.  12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30  4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.

Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.

Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.

Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.

Librarytalk

Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744

www.upperdublinlibrary.org

APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:

Storytimes: Please register in the library.

o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.

o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.

o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.

APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:

North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee

APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:

NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.

One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register  contact info above.

Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.

o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.

Meetings:

Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.

Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.

Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.

For children and teens at Blue Bell:

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.

* May 14  Despicable Me

* June 11  Alpha and Omega

* Special Events

* April  watch for date of spring/Easter events

* April 14 at 4:30 p.m.  Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.

* April 14 at 7 p.m.  Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.

* April 16 at 1 p.m.  Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.

* April 16 at 1:30 p.m.  Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?

* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.

* April 30 through May 3  Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.

* May  sign up for Science in the Summer

* June  sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children

* June  sign up for Summer Reading, all ages

For adults at Blue Bell:

* Daytime Book Discussion Group  fourth Tuesday, Jan  April at 1:30 p.m.

* April 26  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Night-time Book Discussion Group  third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

o April 19  The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges

o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?

*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs

* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.

* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.

* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.

* Giant Book Sale, April 29  May 3

o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!

o Held during library hours.

o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.

o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.

* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series

o May 11 at 1 p.m.  Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society

* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.

* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.

* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.

* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.

*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.

* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours

* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours

* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!

Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.

* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.

* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.

* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.

* For adults:

* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.

* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net

* Special Events:

* April 14 at 1:30 p.m.  Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

* April 19 at 7 p.m.  Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.

* April 21 at 7 p.m.  Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.

*May 2 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

*May 10  Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*May 12 at 1:30p.m.  Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.

*May 17  Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.

*June 13 at 6:30 p.m.  Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.

Meetings and Lectures

The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.

The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.

The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.

LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.

Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.

Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)

-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.

The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.

For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.

Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.

Special Events

The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.

The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.

Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.

The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.

Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.

The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.

The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.

The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.

The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.

The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.

The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.

Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.

The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.

13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.

Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.

The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.

JPRN  Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them  Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.

Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.

Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.

Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.

Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.

Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m.

Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp  Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday  Friday from 9 a.m.  4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374

Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:

-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.

Music and Theater

The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.

Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.

Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.

The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org

Religious News

The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.

Reunions

St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.

Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.

Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.

Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net

Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net

The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.

Support

New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.

PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.

The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.

Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.

Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group  every other Wednesday, 7  8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support  second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner  Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers  Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.

CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7  8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,Pennsylvania Horticulture Societys Harvest program ends season with almost 19,000 pounds of produce donated and $30K raised to fight food insecurityBy Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel is unlikely to be present before a parliamentary panel on Monday, as he had sought postponement of the meeting for a few days, sources have said. The reasons for postponing the meeting are not confirmed.

However, sources claim that the ongoing standoff between the government and the RBI and the crucial November 19 board meeting could be among the reasons. Considering the heated exchanges between the Centre and the bank over the past few days, it was evident that the meeting would be under intense scrutiny. The RBI governor is naturally refraining from making any appearance ahead of the board meeting.

The RBI governor has expressed his inability to come on that date and has sought a few more days to appear before the panel, a member of the panel said.A message sent to the RBI spokesperson remained unanswered. The 31-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, headed by Veerappa Moily, has been deliberating on the issue for almost two years. This was for the third time Urjit Patel was scheduled to appear before the parliamentary panel to deliberate on the ramifications of the Modi governments decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

Apart from demonetisation, the other issues on the agenda of the meeting include the IL&FS issue, liquidity and the RBIs views on the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018.The parliamentary standing committee had already sought Patels views on steps taken by the regulator with regard to IL&FS, as to why it was allowed to develop into such a magnitude.The panel was to finalise the Bill and was waiting for the RBIs opinion before finalising its report on the Bill, which it is supposed to table during the upcoming winter session.By PTI

NEW DELHI: More than half of the 17 automobile firms selling passenger vehicles in a mass market segment in India posted a decline in sales in the first seven months of the fiscal, reflecting the continued struggles of global brands in trying to make their presence felt in the country.

According to latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), nine companies have posted a decline in the sales in April-October this fiscal with major brands like Volkswagen, Renault, Nissan and Skoda being among them.

During the period, Volkswagen India saw its domestic sales decline by 24.28 per cent at 21,367 units, while Renault India also witnessed a drop of 26.17 per cent at 47,064 units.

Similarly, Nissan Motors India's April-October sales stood at 22,905 units, down 26.81 per cent from the year-ago period and Skoda Auto India's sales, during the fiscal so far, stood at 9,919 units, down 1.48 per cent.

Likewise, Isuzu Motors India also witnessed a decline of 18 from 32 per cent in sales at 1,248 units with Fiat India Automobiles posting sales of just 481 units, down 69.9 per cent from the year-ago period.

Commenting on the trend, SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said, "This has been structurally there (in the past too).

With Passenger Vehicle sales being negative from past 3 months, this movement from a negative territory to a positive territory is a big change for the Automobile Industry & we hope the positive momentum will continue, says Mr Vishnu Mathur, Director General, SIAM #BTNR #SIAMData pic.twitter.com/tO2ZGPqFoR  SIAM India (@siamindia) November 9, 2018

There are companies which are now trying to address this through partnerships while increasing their exports from India.While Ford has joined hands with Mahindra, Toyota and Suzuki have also announced a partnership with an eye on strengthening their presence in the Indian market.

Last year, General Motors had stopped selling its vehicles in India as there was no turnaround in its fortunes here after struggling for over two decades to make a mark.

Among the domestic firms which saw a dip in sales, this fiscal are Force Motors at 1,246 units, down 16.88 per cent and Mahindra Electric Mobility at 333 units, down 32.04 per cent, as per SIAM data.

Hindustan Motors Finance Corporation that sells SUVs from Mitsubishi clocked 189 units, down 44.57 units, while on the other hand, market leader Maruti Suzuki India posted 9.1 per cent increase in its April-October sales at 10,44,749 units.

However, among the companies which showed growth was Hyundai Motor India at 3,26,178 units at 3.86 per cent while Mahindra & Mahindra registered sales of 1,45,462 units, marginally up by 0.45 per cent.

Tata Motors saw its sales jump by 25.65 per cent during the period at 138,732 units, while Honda Cars India also improved its sales by 2.98 per cent to 1,08,652 units. Toyota Kirloskar Motor clocked 14.69 per cent increase in its sales so far this fiscal at 92,169 units.

Similarly, Ford India's sales during the period stood at 58,082 units with a growth of 15.5 per cent while FCA India Automobiles also saw its sales rise by 28.99 per cent to 9,753 units during the period.By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has requested the Central government to find early resolution of the crisis involving Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) as many highway projects are stuck due to the mess.

According to sources in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), NHAI officials have flagged their concerns regarding six-to-seven major highway projects, which they fear may miss the deadline.

The NHAI last week had raised their concern, as till date, there is no clarity over the fate of the ongoing IL&FS projects. They have already expressed their interest in buying the incomplete projects, but now, more than a month have passed. Fearing more delay, they have requested an early resolution plan, since six-to-seven ongoing highway projects are stalled and are feared to miss deadlines, said a senior MCA official.

Last month, after superseding the Board of the debt-ridden IL&FS, the government had assured that all national highway projects being executed by the beleaguered company will be completed within specified timelines. However, sources in NHAI claim that six-to-seven projects are still stuck for want of clarity.

We cant let the infrastructure sector suffer because of this (IL&FS fiasco). It could lead to a pre-2014 situation, when around 400 important highway projects got stuck because the government of that time was not willing to come out with a solution, Roads and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had commented then.

IL&FS and its various associate companies and subsidiaries are undertaking several national highway projects worth at least Rs 15,000 crore. They include the 14.2 km Zojila tunnel project, deemed as the countrys longest road tunnel in Kashmir.

Equity purchase

Tripura government will soon start dialogue for purchase of 26% equity shares of the 726.6 MW gas-based Palatana gas thermal power project from IL&FS.By PTI

NEW DELHI: The RBI's board meeting on November 19 is expected to be a stormy affair in the backdrop of the ongoing tussle between the government and the central bank, sources said, adding that some members are likely to raise issues concerning capital framework, management of surplus and liquidity measures for MSMEs.

Tensions between the RBI and the government have recently escalated, with the Finance Ministry initiating discussion under the never-used-before Section 7 of the RBI Act which empowers the government to issue directions to the RBI Governor.

RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had in a speech last month talked about the independence of the central bank, arguing that any compromise could be "potentially catastrophic" for the economy.

According to sources, the board meetings are pre-decided and the agenda is also circulated much in advance.

However, board members can raise off-agenda items in the meeting.

Sources said the government nominee directors and a few independent directors could raise the issue of interim dividend along with the capital framework of RBI.

However, any change in the central bank's economic capital framework can be carried out only after making amendments to the RBI Act, 1934.

Other issues which could be raised include alignment of capital adequacy norms with those in advanced countries and some relaxation in the Prompt Corrective Action framework, sources said, adding more measures to enhance lending to MSMEs and NBFCs may also be discussed.

The RBI is following conservative capital adequacy norms which are stricter than those in advanced economies, leading to banks keeping more risk capital reserve against loans.

ALSO READ | Relaxing lending norms by RBI will benefit SEBI in long run, says SK Mohanty

The government is of the view that if the RBI aligns it with the global average, it would free up bank capital which can be used for increased lending to productive sectors, sources said.

Earlier this month, Reserve Bank Deputy Governor N S Vishwanathan dismissed calls for lowering capital adequacy norms for the lenders and matching them with global levels.

The capital requirements are high for domestic lenders because of higher defaults/bad loans, Vishwanathan explained, and warned that lowering capital norms merely for aligning them with global standards will create "make believe" strong banks.

With regard to capital framework, the government last Friday said it was discussing an "appropriate" size of capital reserves that the central bank must maintain as it denied seeking a massive capital transfer from the Reserve Bank.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore in reserves and the government reportedly wants the central bank to part with a third of that amount.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg had said that the government was not in any dire needs of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

The government, he said, is on track to meet the fiscal deficit target of 3.3 per cent of GDP for the financial year 2018-19.

ALSO READ | Government wants appropriate capital policy for RBI

"There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer (Rs) 3.6 or (Rs) 1 lakh crore, as speculated," he had tweeted.

"Government's FD (fiscal deficit) in FY 2013-14 was 5.1%. From 2014-15 onwards, Government has succeeded in bringing it down substantially. We will end the FY 2018-19 with FD of 3.3%.

The government has actually foregone (Rs) 70,000 crore of budgeted market borrowing this year.

" Garg further said the only proposal "under discussion is to fix an appropriate economic capital framework of RBI".

According to experts, the 'economic capital framework' includes transfer of surplus reserves to the exchequer.

ALSO READ | Indian banks' loans rose 14.6 percent in two weeks to October 26 - RBI

Former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian had in the Economic Survey 2016-17 said the RBI was already exceptionally highly capitalised and nearly Rs 4 lakh crore of its capital transfer to the government can be used for recapitalising the banks and/or recapitalising a Public Sector Asset Rehabilitation Agency.

However, this proposal never saw the light of the day.

Meanwhile, Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram Sunday asked the Centre what was its "tearing hurry" to "fix" the capital framework of the RBI when the ruling dispensation had just four months to complete its term.

"The NDA government has competed 4 years and 6 months of its term. It has effectively 4 months left. What is the tearing hurry to 'fix' the capital framework of RBI?" he tweeted.By PTI

NEW DELHI: Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram Sunday asked the Centre what was its "tearing hurry" to "fix" the capital framework of Reserve Bank of India when the ruling dispensation had just four months to complete the term.

In a series of tweets, the senior Congress leader slammed the government for allegedly seeking funds from the RBI despite claiming that its (Centre) fiscal math was correct.

ALSO READ | Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Modi government want Urjit Patel out of RBI, says P Chidambaram

"The NDA government has competed 4 years and 6 months of its term. It has effectively 4 months left. What is the tearing hurry to 'fix' the capital framework of RBI?" he said.

Chidambaram said if the government did not need any more money this financial year, why was it "mounting pressure" on the central bank in the last four months of its tenure.

"Why did it keep silent for 4 years and 6 months?" he said.

The Congress leader said the government had claimed that its "fiscal math is correct" and "boasts" that it had given up Rs 70,000 crore of borrowing for 2018-19.

"If so, why does it need money from the reserves of RBI this year?" he said.

The central government had on Friday said it was discussing an "appropriate" size of capital reserves that the central bank must maintain, but denied seeking a massive capital transfer from the RBI.

The RBI has a massive Rs 9.59 lakh crore reserves and the government, if reports are to be believed, wants the central bank to part with a third of that fund -- an issue which along with easing of norms for weak banks and raising liquidity has brought the two at loggerheads in recent weeks.

Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg took to Twitter on Friday to clarify that the government was not in any dire need of funds and that there was no proposal to ask the RBI to transfer Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

"There is no proposal to ask RBI to transfer (Rs) 3.6 or (Rs) 1 lakh crore, as speculated," he tweeted.

ALSO READ | Aircel-Maxis case: Delhi court extends protection from arrest to P Chidambaram, son till November 26

"Government's FD (fiscal deficit) in FY 2013-14 was 5.1%. From 2014-15 onwards, Government has succeeded in bringing it down substantially. We will end the FY 2018-19 with FD of 3.3%. The government has actually foregone (Rs) 70,000 crore of budgeted market borrowing this year," Garg said.

The official said the only proposal under discussion was to "fix appropriate economic capital framework of RBI".

Economic capital framework refers to the risk capital required by the central bank while taking into account different risks.By PTI

CHARAMA: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of waiving loans worth Rs 3.

5 lakh crore of 15 select industrialists and hit out at Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh over the issue of corruption.

On the second day of his campaigning in the state, where the first phase of polling would be held Monday, Gandhi targeted the Raman Singh government over the alleged chit fund scam, civil supplies scam and the chief minister's son Abhishek Singh, who is accused of holding offshore assets.

"In the last four-five years, Modiji gave Rs 3.5 lakh crore to the 15 richest people. While an amount of Rs 35,000 crore is needed yearly to run the MGNREGA scheme in the country, he waived loans worth 10 times that amount of 15 select industrialists," he alleged.

Gandhi said he wanted Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to become agriculture centres in five years and provide food, fruits and vegetables to the country.

"Modiji has given the keys to the treasury to 15 select people, but the Congress wants the keys to be given to farmers, youth, poor, women and tribals. Modiji trusts 15 people, but we trust crores of Indians," he said.

READ| If elected, Congress will waive off loans of Chhattisgarh farmers: Rahul Gandhi

Accusing Singh of indulging in corruption, Gandhi claimed that Rs 5,000 crore had vanished in the chit fund scam.

"Sixty people died, 310 FIRs were registered, but nobody went to jail because the chief minster did not want action to be taken," he alleged.

The Congress chief further charged that Rs 36,000 crore were stolen in the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam and claimed that there were documents to prove Singh's involvement in it.

"There was a diary found in which it was written that money was given to Doctor Sahab.

Who is this Doctor Sahab? "If the chief minister does not want to answer this, he should tell the people why no action has been taken against his son, whose name has been mentioned in the Panama Papers, when a country like Pakistan could jail its former prime minister (Nawaz Sharif) over (similar) corruption charges," he said.

The Panama Papers refer to 11.5 million leaked documents published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists with the details of the offshore entities set up by a Panamanian legal firm.

The papers had named several world leaders and celebrities as having stashed money abroad in offshore companies.

They also included the details of the entities set up by some Indian nationals.

In the past, Raman Singh's son Abhishek had claimed that the allegations against him with regards to the Panama Papers were "baseless and politically motivated".

Gandhi claimed that in the 15 years since Singh came to power in the state, 40 lakh young people had remained unemployed, there was no irrigation on 65 per cent land and 56,000 acres of land was snatched from tribals and given to the chief minister's friends.

Contrary to honouring its promise of providing employment to the youth, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was now indulging in "outsourcing", where young men and women from other states were getting employment in the Naxalism-hit state, he said.

"Once the Congress comes to power, outsourcing will be closed.

Also, we have written in our manifesto that every family that does not own land will be given land," Gandhi added.

He also alleged that the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's land acquisition bill, tribal rights bill, and Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act were not enacted by the Raman Singh government and added that his party would implement those once after coming to power in the state.

"We do not want the people to think that it is a Congress government, but that it is their own government.

We do not want to work for a particular caste, religion or district, but for the all-round development of Chhattisgarh," Gandhi said.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to the polls in two phases -- on November 12 and November 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11.By PTI

RAIPUR: A BSF personnel was killed when Naxals detonated an IED, while a Maoist was gunned down in an encounter with police in separate incidents in Chhattisgarh on Sunday, a day ahead of the first phase of Assembly polls in the state.

Inspector General of Police (Raipur range) Dipanshu Kabra told PTI that a team of the Border Security Force (BSF) was out on an area domination operation in view of the polls on Monday when Naxals blew up the improvised explosive device (IED) in a forest in Kanker district, around 200 km from the state capital Raipur.

BSF sub-inspector Mahendra Singh was seriously injured in the blast and he succumbed to injuries while being taken to a hospital, said Kabra, who is the nodal officer for election-related security in the state.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot, he said, adding that a search operation was still underway in the region.

This is the fourth IED blast triggered by Naxals in Chhattisgarh in the last 15 days.

In another incident, a Maoist, clad in 'uniform' was gunned down in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district, located around 450 km from here.

The exchange of fire took place at a forest in Bedre area when a team of the Special Task Force (STF) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a senior police official said.

The body of the rebel and a rifle were recovered from the spot, he said.

Naxalites have called for a boycott of polls in the state and have executed half a dozen attacks in the last 15 days, three of them major ones which left 13 people dead including a camera-person of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign.

On November 8, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when Naxals detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Dantewada district.

Besides, two BSF jawans were injured in an IED blast on November 2 in Kanker district.

On October 30, three police personnel, besides the DD cameraman, were killed in the Maoist attack in Dantewada district.

Before that on October 27, four CRPF personnel, belonging to 168th battalion were killed and two others injured after Maoists blew up their bullet proof bunker vehicle with an IED in Bijapur district.

Security has been heightened in the eight districts which go to polls in the first phase on Monday.

Around one lakh security personnel have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of elections.

Polling parties are being sent to their destination amid tight security, election authorities said.

Helicopters have been pressed into service for air-lifting EVMs, polling personnel and polling materials to polling stations in sensitive remote areas, a senior police official earlier said.

Chopper services will be used for around 200 polling booths, he added.

The 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly will go to polls in two phases -- on November 12 and 20 -- and the results will be announced on December 11.

The first phase of polls will cover 18 constituencies of eight Naxal-affected districts - Bastar, Kanker, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon.

In the last Assembly polls, the BJP had won 49 seats and the Congress 39, while one seat each was bagged by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and an Independent.By PTI

RAIPUR: Around 1 lakh security personnel have been deployed in Chhattisgarh for smooth conduct of the first phase of polling on November 12, a senior police official said Saturday.

The first phase of assembly polls will see voting in 18 seats spread over eight Naxal-affected districts in the state.

Naxal outfits have given calls for boycott of the election and have also carried out three major attacks in the last fortnight which have claimed the lives of 13 people, including eight security personnel.

The security personnel, including central paramilitary force, have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling in the first phase, Chhattisgarh's Special Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations) D M Awasthi told PTI.

In the last 10 days, over 300 IEDs were recovered from Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district by security forces, he said, adding that all necessary measures had been taken to thwart attempts by Maoists to disrupt the poll process.

A total of 650 companies, including those from paramilitary units like CRPF, BSF, ITBP and around 65,000 personnel from police forces of other states, have been sent by the Centre for the assembly polls, he said.

These units are apart from existing paramilitary personnel and 200 companies of state forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, the Special DG said.

He informed that around 650 polling booth parties were airlifted by helicopters Saturday to remote areas while other teams would be sent by road Sunday.

Indian Air Force and BSF choppers were pressed into service for the purpose, he said.

"As of now, the challenge is to escort all the polling parties safely to their destination in Naxal-affected areas and later it will be to conduct polls and bring back them safely," he said.

He said there are inputs of Naxals planning to plant improvised explosive devices to target security forces and, therefore, a hawk eye was being kept on roads in such areas.

He said forces that had arrived from other states have been advised to avoid using any road unless it had been sanitised by "road opening parties" (ROPs) or had been subject to a de-mining exercise to detect and clear IEDs.

These forces have also been asked to avoid patrolling on foot as Naxals are known to place iron spikes to inflict injuries, Awasthi said.

Police have been asked to maintain a strict vigil on the borders with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, he said.

Polling in 10 constituencies--Mohla-Manpur, Antagarh, Bhanupratappur, Kanker, Keshkal, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta--will start at 7 am and end at 3 pm.

In the other eight seats--Khairgarh, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Bastar, Jagdalpur and Chitrakot--the polling time will be 8 am to 5 pm.

On November 8, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when Naxals detonated a bus with an improvised explosive device in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

On October 30, three police personnel and a cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan were killed in a Maoist attack in Aranpur area of Dantewada.

On October 27, four CRPF personnel, belonging to 168th battalion were killed and two others injured after Maoists blew up their bullet proof bunker vehicle in Awapalli area of Bijapur district.Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Amidst boycott call by the rebels, 18 Assembly constituencies of 90 is going for the first phase of polls in Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh on Monday.

The conduct of free, fair and peaceful polling in these areas continue to be a big challenge for the Election Commission (EC) since out of the 18 seats, the Maoists have substantial presence in 13 segments where the polling time is scheduled from 7 am to 3 pm to enable the election staff to accomplish their work and return before sunset.

READ| Amid Maoist threat, 1 lakh security men deployed for first phase

In the remaining seats of Rajnandgaon, Khujji, Khairagarh, Dongargaon and Dongargarh the voters can cast their votes from 8 am to 5 pm. Interestingly there are more number of women voters (51percent) than men in the first phase.

The troopers have increased their movement with enhanced search operations besides the de-mining activities as the forces forage through and comb across the forested, difficult and hilly terrain. The forces have traced out over 300 improvised explosive devices and destroyed during the last couple of weeks.

To instil confidence in the wake of threat perception among the people, the forces had routinely registered their presence in and the remotely located inhabited localities of the Maoist affected areas. Over half-a-dozen choppers and even the drone cameras would be pressed into services during the polling in the hyper-sensitive areas.

READ| BSF personnel killed in Naxal attack, rebel gunned down ahead of Chhattisgarh polls

Around 900 polling staff would be ferried through choppers. The poll staff left with the electronic voting machines and related materials amid tight security to distantly located and sensitive polling stations. An Air ambulance has also been asked to remain stationed at Raipur for an emergency.

For the first time, during the election the BJP, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and Jogi's Janta Congress Chhattisgarh have raked-up the issue of Maoists targeting each other during the high-octane election campaign that ended on Saturday.

Around 20.4 lakh voters will decide the fate of the candidates contesting on 12 seats in the conflict-ridden Bastar zone and in Rajnandgaon district over 11 lakh electorates will exercise their franchise across the six seats. As many 190 candidates are in the fray for the first phase of Chhattisgarh polls. During the last 15-odd days there had been half-a-dozen naxal violence reported in different districts of Bastar.

However, with extensive security arrangements been put in place across the naxal-affected regions, the EC and the state hope that despite the poll boycott call given by the outlawed Maoist the voters turnout will appreciably remain high.

Bastar zoneBy Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Mizoram's chief electoral officer (CEO) SB Shashank might be replaced following massive protests by an NGO and activists of rights groups in Aizawl earlier this week, demanding his ouster.

READ| 208 candidates file nominations, Congress

Election Commission has decided to call for a panel of names from the chief secretary of Mizoram for a panel of names for the post of State chief electoral officer. An EC official said that further steps will only be taken after receiving a report of the visit by the deputy election commissioners team to the state. A further decision is likely on Monday.

State chief electoral officer S B Shashank had reportedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state and complained to the EC that the state's former principal secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo was interfering with the poll process. Chuaungo, a native of Mizoram, was relieved of his duties earlier this month.

The NGO Coordination Committee  a conglomerate of civil societies and student organisations  along with other political leaders, had been demanding Shashank's exit from the state since then.

The NGO 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.

Thousands of people from the Bru community had fled Mizoram in 1997 following ethnic clashes. They have since been sheltered in six relief camps in Tripura.

Election to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly will be held on November 28. As many as 211 contestants have filed nominations for the elections.Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: The hunt for the new chief electoral officer (CEO) in poll-bound Mizoram has begun after the incumbent, SB Shashank, who had courted a controversy by taking some alleged arbitrary decisions, fell from the grace.

Sources said as desired by the Election Commission (EC), the states Congress government suggested the names of three IAS officers  H Lalengmawia, K Lalthawmmawia and Lalhmingthanga  for the CEOs post.

ALSO READ: Mizoram polls: Political parties flay ex-chief electoral officer

SB Shashank was under fire from the Mizoram NGO Coordination Committee (MNCC), which is a conglomerate of some powerful Mizo civil society organisations, for his alleged pro-Bru stance. The NGOs had been demanding that the displaced Brus, some 32,000 of whom are lodged in relief camps in Tripura, should cast their votes in Mizoram and not in the neighbouring state. Shashank was allegedly making efforts to ensure that they could cast their votes at the relief camps which they did in the past few elections.

The MNCC was also enraged with him for lodging a complaint with the EC against the states principal secretary (home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo. Based on the complaint, the EC had relieved Chuaungo of all duties and transferred him to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. He is a Mizo IAS officer of Gujarat-cadre.

Shashank had accused Chuaungo of meddling in electoral rolls revision of the displaced Brus and in the process of security management of conduct of election.

ALSO READ: Election Commission assures protesting Mizoram NGOs on CEO SB Shashanks removal

Earlier, the MNCC had set a deadline of November 5 to Shashank to leave Mizoram. Two days later, he left the state for Delhi after being summoned by the EC.

A high-level delegation of the EC, which held a series of meetings with Mizo groups and organisations in Aizawl on Friday, had reportedly assured the MNCC that Shashanks replacement would be made in two days and that the displaced Brus would have to cast their votes in Mizoram.By PTI

AIZWAL: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has identified 32 polling stations in Mizoram as 'critical' and 38 'vulnerable locations', the state's Joint Chief Electoral Officer Zorammuana said Sunday.

The state will have a total of 1,164 polling stations for the November 28 Assembly polls.

Along with the state armed police, 40 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) would also be deployed in critical polling stations and also in those at vulnerable locations, Zorammuana told PTI.

While the training for poll officials is on, the state election machinery is preparing to conduct free, fair and peaceful polls as was done in the past.

Meanwhile, poll campaign in the state is in full swing with candidates including Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, former chief minister and opposition MNF president Zoramthanga campaigning not only in their respective constituencies but also in other parts of the state.

Public meetings, joint platforms and door-to-door canvassing were being held in almost all the places.By PTI

HYDERABAD: Stepping up its attack on the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi in Telangana ahead of the December seven Assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party Saturday released a "peoples charge sheet," highlighting the alleged failures of the ruling party.

BJP leader and Union Minister JP Nadda, in-charge of BJP affairs for the assembly elections in Telangana, and the partys state unit president K Laxman released the "charge sheet."

ALSO READ: Are police cars in use to cart illegal cash?

"This charge sheet is against their (TRS) cheating, betrayal. Not just one section, all sections of people were made to believe (their promises) and then (they were) betrayed. BJP is releasing this charge sheet against that. Now, people have to give their final verdict in the people's court of elections," Laxman told reporters.

The "charge sheet" mentions a slew of alleged failures and broken promises, including making a Dalit leader Chief Minister and providing three acres to Dalit families.

Meanwhile, Nadda, who addressed a public meeting organised by the party at Suryapet near Nalgonda, alleged that TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao was only interested in "keeping his family in power."

"KCR does not have any love for Telangana. K Chandrasekhar Rao has no interest in the development of people here. If he has interest, it is only in saving his family and the concern is to keep the family in power. There is no other concern," he said.

Rao, who is in politics vis--vis peoples agitations, was trying to "suppress agitations and to stop the voice of democracy," he alleged.

BJP is going it alone in the Assembly polls.

The party has been organizing assembly segment-level meetings as part of its campaign.CE Features By

Express News Service

South Indian Film Artistes Association (Nadigar Sangam) today issued a public statement urging actors and other artistes from the Tamil film industry not to work with producers who fail to pay them remuneration for featuring in their ventures.

The Nadigar Sangam, in particular, issued a red card to Nandagopal, the chairman of Madras Enterprises, the production house of the latest hit, 96. It is being said that Vijay Sethupathi was not paid a part of his salary for the project. However, the actor had put up with the inconvenience in order to ensure the smooth release of the film.

Also, Madras Enterprises had apparently failed to honour their remuneration commitments to actor Vishal for acting in Thupparivalan, and to Vikram Prabhu for starring in Veera Sivaji.

Members of the Nadigar Sangam have hence been directed to unconditionally boycott any production venture of Madras Enterprises henceforth.By UNI

JAMMU: Renowned Dogri and Hindi writer, broadcaster, ace translator and Sahitya Akademi Awardee, JP Saraf famous as Chhatrapal has been selected for the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disability, 2018 under the category 'Outstanding Creative Adult persons with disabilities.'

Instituted by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment the award carries a memento, citation and cash money, the award will be presented on December 3 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

A satire in Dogri, Mr Chhatrapal has ten books to his credit including translation of classic novels by Tagore and Kamleshwar.

He was awarded Sahity Akademi Award in 2016 and translation award in 2015.

He is also a founder president of Viklang Chhatra Trust, a voluntary organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of physically challenged and visually handicapped since 1980.Medha Dutta By

Express News Service

When Latika Abbott, CEO, BreadTalk India, says, Baking was never really my passion, you find it a tad difficult to believe. Pick up any product from the newly opened BreadTalk outlet in Select Citywalk, Saket, Delhi, and you would know why. The fresh aroma, the melt-in-the-mouth bakes, the perfect balance of sweet and savoury make this place a bread lovers paradise.

The average Indian is travelling more, which is resulting in their tastebuds evolving. Like in the West, people in India too have slowly become bakery-loving. Management consultant Technopak identifies cakes and bakery products as one of the fastest-growing food segments in India. According to them, it is growing at a rate of 20-25 per cent annually. Industry players put the size of the market at `850 crores in the organised HoReCa (hotels/ restaurants /catering) segment. Little wonder that established brands from abroad are eyeing the Indian market.

India is the 18th territory where BreadTalk has opened an outlet, joining the list of close to 900 existing outlets across key markets such as Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. Headquartered in Singapore, the brands wide variety of freshly-baked breads and cakes, coupled with its signature Floss bun, Japan Light Cheesecake, Messy bun, Hokkaido Roll, Chilli Pepper Dog, Pumpkin Loaf, Singapore Curry Chicken Bun, Salted Egg Lava Croissant, Tuna Bun, Raisin California Dry Cake and so on, are a big hit with the patrons in the Saket outlet, says Latika.

Immensely happy with the feedback the store has got in just the first couple of weeks, Latika is now mulling a second store in Gurgaon. Not just that, we have plans to open 15 stores next year. Also, we may start including gluten-free products in our menu, she adds. The fact that Delhi already has many good bakeries to boast ofin fact, there are a few in Select Citywalk itselfdid not deter Latika. What we are bringing into India is an excitement that will potentially redefine the bakery landscape. BreadTalk embodies a spirit of forging new trends, creativity and quality craftsmanship. All these values are what we strive to put into our products. Apart from familiar local flavours, we hope to give consumers in India accessibility to internationally trendy, innovative and original product offerings.

BreadTalk is possessive of its brand and that shows in the way it handholds the franchise. They are very particular about the ingredients; for example, Japanese-milled flour is imported for the products. The store does three bakes in a day. Also, the brand is extremely secretive of its trademark recipes, teaching only one person per franchisee. For example, only Latika knows how to whip up the supremely delicious egg cream recipe. The menu also goes by rotationso, what is available one day might not be there the next. Latika is also very particular about food waste. At the end of a days sale, all that is left over is sent to a blind school, or an NGO picks it up the next morning.

The bakerys open kitchen is not only an added attraction, but also ensures that customers can witness the delectable baked goods in the making and smell their alluring aroma. At the same time, it also reflects the confidence BreadTalk has in its stringent quality standards.

Five Must-Haves

Japanese Light Cheesecake: Light as air, soft as cotton this delicious treat is ideal for those who do not have a sweet tooth.

Floss Buns: It features smooth egg cream made from a secret recipe, and a generous layer of chicken floss, to form a fluffy and flavourful bun.

Cheese Tarts: Made of Italian Mascarpone cheese and New Zealand cream cheese, the allure of these little treats is simply irresistible.

Hokkaido Roll: A unique recipe, cream cheese is rolled with added fresh

Hokkaido milk and a light creamy filling for a thicker and richer feel.

Pumpkin Loaf: This delectable, spongy toast is made of pumpkin bread and seasoned with pumpkin seeds, which are rich in antioxidants.

Fact file

Where: F-74-75-76, 1st Floor, Select Citywalk, Saket, Delhi

Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/breadtalkindia/By Online Desk

The First World War was fought on a scale never experienced before --- hundreds of thousands of lives were lost in the four years of fighting and many more had to live with the trauma of facial injuries, but the new equipment and techniques that were invented, particularly in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, would end up saving thosands of lives.

November 11, 2018 marks the 100th year of the end of the Great War or as we know it, World War I. On November 11, 1918, Allied leaders and German officials signed the Armistice that brought an end to four and a half years of fighting on the Western Front, effectively bringing World War I to a close. The war had begun after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria by South Slav nationalist Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, and continued for four years. An estimated 37 million people lost their lives.

Until First World War, humans were unaware of the dangers of war, the injuries they could sustain and the fatalities caused by arms. World War I made use of heavy artillery, machine guns, poison gases, bombs filled with shrapnel which caused maximum damage to the face.

It has been reported that by the end of World War I, around 735,487 British troops were discharged following major injuries, mostly caused by shell blasts and shrapnel. They sustained facial injuries and burns which made it difficult for the victims to see, eat, drink and socialise, as well as looking gruesome.

The victims, both civilians and soldiers, feared family reactions after they lost either their jaw, teeth or eyes in the war. The images of the soldiers, which are on display across museums and galleries, are still frightening to the eye. The soldiers suffered form post-traumatic stress disorder, often as a result of their deformities.

The large scale of facial injuries prompted doctors and surgeons to take out alternative methods to help victims return to normal.

The British army gave the responsibility of 'fixing faces' to young ENT surgeon Dr Harold Gillies from New Zealand who was a part of the British Army Medical Corps. Soon the first specialised hospital was opened in Sidcup, London, treating 2000 patients. It is reported to be the worlds first ever hospital dedicated to the treatment of facial injuries.

He tried fixing faces destroyed by shrapnel bombs and called it 'a strange new art'. The process involved making of prosthetics, false coloured eyeballs, fake noses, etc. Plaster casts of an injured patients face were taken, from which a facial reconstruction was made. A mask was then made, fitted to the patient and painted a skin colour.

As facial wounds became complicated, leading to new ways of treating them, the development of anaesthesia also became more important during the war. The Sidcup team developed a method of passing a rubber tube from the nose to the trachea, as well as working on the endotracheal tube (mouth to trachea) which was made from commercial rubber tubing.

Today, Gillies is referred to as the 'father of plastic surgery'. Many of the techniques he developed during the war are still used in modern facial reconstructive surgeries and prosthetics.

The horrific war gave the world innovations and lessons in patient safety, survival and pain management, all of which have benefited us to this current day.Madhavi Irani By

Express News Service

Nuts are good for you. Period. As a crunchy midday snack and on your skin and hair. No wonder beauty experts everywhere are going nuts over natural nut oils. Heres our pick of the best nut oils you need to include in your regime asap.

ARGAN OIL

Why it is special: The worlds gone gaga for this wonder nut, a native to Morocco. Its beneficial properties have been well documented; its chockful of vitamin E, fatty acids and antioxidants, and traps moisture into hair shaft to keep frizz and split ends at bay. You can also use it for moisturisation. Its wonderfully light and instantly blends into the skin. How you can use it: Rub a few drops between your palms and apply on just shampooed, damp hair before blow-drying. For all over application, mix with your regular body lotion. For flaky elbows and knees, rub directly over chaffed areas.

MACADAMIA NUT OIL

Why it is special: Cold pressed from the nuts of trees in Hawaii, Australia and the Islands of Fiji, this creamy nut oil contains palmitoleic acid, a vital ingredient that delays premature aging. It also contains oleic acid touted to have regenerative and moisturising properties.

How you can use it: Macadamia nut oil smoothens fine lines and promotes collagen production. Just a little dab goes a long way and this non-greasy elixir quickly blends into skin. Rub directly on problem areas, scars and sunburn for instant soothing.

KUKUI NUT OIL

Why it is special: Also called candlenut, the kukui nut originated in Hawaii. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and is excellent for dry, chapped skin. Its haircare benefits are legendary.

How you can use it: Simply dab the oil on dry skin or stretch marks and massage gentle. The quick-absorb formula blends into skin without blocking pores. Using a kukui oil shampoo and conditioner is the best way to restore life and lustre to dull, fine hair.

SWEET ALMOND OIL

Why it is special: Indigenous to the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East, sweet almond oil is a powerhouse of monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, potassium, proteins, zinc, and a host of other vitamins and minerals. The oil has several skin and hair benefits.

How you can use it: A marvellous night repair treatment, sweet almond oil also fades dark circles. A natural sunscreen, the oil can be gently massaged onto dry patches and fine lines, including under-eyes. The quick-absorb, light oil seals in moisture without blocking pores, lightening and brightening the complexion over time. You can also use it on dry, chapped lips, or as a makeup remover. It can also strengthen hair, reduce dandruff and seal split ends. The author is Chief OfficerContent, Nykaa.comBy IANS

NEW DELHI: If you think coding or writing software is something reserved for men, you are wrong; women coders have lately come of age, breaking the glass ceiling across tech fields the world over.

India is no different, and sensing the need, leading enterprise software provider VMware, in partnership with the global non-profit Women Who Code, has announced it will train 15,000 women in India over the next two years in diverse technology areas -- for free.

The idea is novel because the programme is aimed at helping women with previous experience in IT -- who had to quit as they found it difficult to maintain a work-family balance -- upskill themselves in emerging digital technologies around Cloud and return to work.

Set to launch from December 1, the programme, titled "VMware VMinclusion Taara: Women Return to Work", has received support from several key enterprises like Bharti Airtel and Cognizant who will consider women certified in VMware solutions for relevant IT openings at their workplace.

"We are in a good position to help skilled women, who are currently home, come back, gain the right skill-sets and join the professional stream once again. We can make a difference. This is a journey and we feel learning never stops. This programme is a first such step," Duncan Hewett, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific and Japan, told IANS.

The VMware project will educate 15,000 women in the cutting-edge Cloud technologies like networking, virtualisation, data centre, storage and security.

The programme is designed to equip women with foundation-level training courses on digital business transformation; professional-level courses on virtualisation software for Hybrid Cloud and multi-Cloud platforms and infrastructure; and an advanced course on network virtualisation, data centre virtualisation, Cloud management and automation and digital workspace technologies.

Once completed, the women will get VMware certification.

"I am happy to see that in India, 42 per cent of women are part of the IT workforce as compared to the US where it is merely 30 per cent.

"Many women in India have an IT engineering diploma or background. But those who have left the workforce tend to have concerns that their knowledge and skills are outdated and have reservations about returning," said Regina Wallace-Jones who is on the Board of Directors at Women Who Code.

With a presence in 20 countries, including India, Women Who Code has executed more than 7,000 free events around the world and has a membership exceeding 137,000.

"The training under 'Project Taara' will refresh their understanding of the latest technologies and help qualify women for new jobs in India's data centre and Cloud-computing industries," she told IANS.

Wallace-Jones has earlier worked as Senior Director of Technology and Operations at Yahoo! and Head of Security Operations at Facebook.

According to Devaraj PR, Senior Vice President and Global IT Head, Cognizant, diversity and inclusion are seen as a crucial competitive advantage at the company.

"We are pleased to support this initiative and look forward to welcoming these highly skilled women into our workforce," Devaraj said.

Harmeen Mehta, Global CIO and Head of Digital, Airtel echoed his views: "As a woman technology leader, I can confirm that in today's dynamic environment, constant upskilling on new technologies is critical for the growth of our careers.

"This is a great initiative, as apart from bringing more women to the workforce, this programme also brings in new skills and talent for companies to build a digital foundation for innovation," she emphasised.

As part of "Project Taara," the women will have virtual meetings with industry experts on various aspacts of the New-Age technologies and get their queries answered as they attend online sessions.

According to Hewett, "by upskilling women who left their career, we are empowering them to prepare a foundation for a rapidly evolving technology industry".By IANS

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal on Saturday said the Amritsar train tragedy victims had been "cheated even in death" with the cheques given to them starting to bounce and the state government not registering a case against the organizers 20 days after the accident.

Lambasting Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur for the "fake concern" shown by them over the plight of the victims, senior SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha said on Saturday that the "measly cheques" issued to families of victims had started bouncing.

"We condemn the inhuman treatment being meted out to victim families who are now suffering the agony of bounced compensation cheques," Valtoha claimed in a statement here.

Demanding an enhanced compensation of Rs 1 crore and a government job to each victim family, Valtoha said the Congress government should not discriminate against the victims only because they were poor.

He said it was shocking that no case had been registered even over 20 days after the accident in which 60 people died when a speeding train crushed people standing on railway tracks near Joda Phatak in Amritsar as they watched burning of Ravan effigy during Dusshera on Oct 19.

"If the Congress government and the Sidhu couple are to be believed, there is no one to blame (for the train tragedy). But the truth is that powerful people have got away despite indulging in criminal negligence," Valtoha pointed out.

He said it was clear that the "Sidhu couple had misused their power to suppress the truth and also protect the organizers of the event of which they were an intrinsic part".By PTI

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Sunday appealed to the Centre to take steps to get external funding for the state from agencies such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB).

Getting funds from ADB and WB is not possible at present due to interference from China, Khandu said while addressing a function here in the presence of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"The Centre should start a comprehensive dialogue with neighbouring China for building a cordial relationship to overcome such issues," the chief minister said.

Khandu also said if the relation between India and China improved, Arunachal Pradesh will immensely benefit.

Lauding the Defence Ministry for undertaking infrastructure development in areas sharing border with China, Khandu said work on permanent infrastructure is going on in many forward areas of the state.

"After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power, works on creating border infrastructure in border posts of the state for the Army and the CRPF have started.

"Land acquisition process for Army infrastructure which was stagnant for the last few decades, has started," the chief minister said.

Khandu also requested the defence minister to make efforts to start border trade with Tibet through Bumla in Tawang district and with Myanmar through Pangsau Pass in Changlang district of the state in line with Nathula in Sikkim.

Reacting to Khandu's proposal for opening up border trade with China through Bumla, Sitharaman said trade is possible between the border villages of both the countries such as the current border haats at Nathula in Sikkim and Moreh in Manipur.Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Whether the Narendra Modi government will seek to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 or not is something which remains to be seen. However, the controversy arising out of it has already benefitted the Paresh Baruah faction of outlawed insurgent group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA-Independent).

The police said five youths, including a local leader of the All Assam Students Union (AASU), joined the rebel group in the past one month. The AASU leader, Pankaj Pratim Dutta, said he chose to embrace the gun to protect his motherland.

I have joined the ULFA as I strongly believe that only it can protect the existence of Assam and the Assamese people, Dutta said in a social media post.

READ | Citizenship Bill fallout: Suspected ULFA rebels gun down 5 Bengalis in Assam's Tinsukia

As the Centre seeks to pass the Citizenship Bill to legalise the stay of non-Muslim immigrants of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, there is a growing belief, especially among Assamese youths, that only the ULFA can protect Assam and its land, language, culture etc.

Recently, Anup Chetia, who is a leader of ULFAs pro-talks faction which is in peace mode and negotiating with the Central government, said a lot of youths from some districts of Lower Assam had joined Paresh Baruahs group in recent months.

The police are alive to the situation but virtually helpless. Most families do not speak up about their children joining the extremist group for the fear of being harassed by the police and security forces.

We have learnt from various sources about five youths joining the group. Some others in Tinsukia district were caught while they were heading to join the outfit (which operates out of Myanmar). A strong pro-ULFA opinion is building up on the social media. Youngsters are saying ULFA zindabad. However, the perception that a lot of youths joined the group is just a conjecture, he said.

Assams Director General of Police, Kuladhar Saikia, told The New Indian Express that they were probing it.

ALSO READ: ULFA says Paresh Baruah died three months prior, dismisses death claims

We have asked the officers in the districts and the special branch of the police to conduct an enquiry (to find out how many youths joined the outfit). Sometimes, families file missing reports with the police after their children go missing. This triggers a suspicion that they have joined the ULFA. However, sometimes it emerges that they had left the state in search of jobs, Saikia added.

The prevailing pro-ULFA mood in Assam is similar to that of the 1980s when a large number of Assamese youths had joined the ULFA to fight for Assams sovereignty in the wake of the historic six-year long Assam Agitation against the illegal immigrants.

For the past few months, Assam has been witnessing protests against the Citizenship Bill on a daily basis. The protests have united around 70 organisations. These organisations fear that the Assamese will be minorities and destroyed if the Centre passes the bill to dump lakhs of Hindu Bangladeshis (read Bengali Hindu immigrants) in Assam. They pointed out that the bills passage would render the ongoing updation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) meaningless.

As per the NRC, the immigrants, irrespective of faith who entered Assam after March 24, 1971, will be viewed as illegal immigrants and deported. The Citizenship Bill seeks to protect the non-Muslim immigrants who arrived till December 31, 2014.By Express News Service

BHOPAL: A political controversy has erupted in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh after opposition Congress promised that if voted to power in the state after 15 years, it will ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) shakhas in government premises and not permit state government employees to participate in Sangh shakhas.

While the Congress has justified its promise made in the Vachan-Patra (manifesto) for November 28 assembly poll, the ruling BJP has slammed the opposition party saying this reveals the Congress' ultimate objective, "Mandir nahi banane denge aur Shakha nahi chalne denge (neither will they allow construction of time nor will they allow running of shakhas).

In its manifesto released on Saturday, the Congress mentioned in the Administrative Reforms section that "RSS shakhas will not be allowed in the government premises and the government order allowing government officials and employees to attend the shakhas too will be scrapped.

The stand was repeated by three senior Congress leaders, former finance and home minister P Chidambaram in Indore, ex-CM Digvijaya Singh and national party spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi in Bhopal.

BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra slammed the Congress over the issue: "This has once again exposed Congress' real political objective of neither allowing the construction of temple nor allowing the running of shakhas. Sangh is not a political organization, but a purely social and cultural organization whose humanitarian works are for all to see everywhere, including the relief work done by RSS workers during the recent flood in Kerala."

"On the one hand Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh say the Naxalites are revolutionaries and Naxalism is a revolutionary process and on the other hand the same party treats RSS not as a social organization, but as a hated political outfit," said Patra.

He said that way back in 2008, Rahul Gandhi told the US Ambassador that the threat to national security doesn't arise from banned outfits like Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), but instead from the Hindu outfits. During overseas visits, Rahul Gandhi has also equated RSS with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned as a terror outfit in six countries.

Patra added: The other Congress leader Digvijaya Singh embraces controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as the apostle of peace and links the RSS to 26/11 terror attack, which also speaks volume about whose cause is he committed to. This latest promise in Congress' manifesto is only re-endorsement of what its leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh have been speaking in the past.

He also questioned, "What is the Congress stand on its national general secretary in-charge for the state, Deepak Babaria who a few weeks back had publicly told Congress workers and leaders to learn discipline from RSS."

In Bhopal, while justifying the promise of banning RSS shakhas in government premises and not allowing government employees to participate in Sangh shakhas, the Congress national spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi, said: "Nowhere in our manifesto have we said that the RSS will be banned, we've only mentioned about not allowing RSS shakhas in government premises and not allowing government servants in such shakhas. Our point is that a government employee is committed to country's constitution and not to a particular political thought or organisation."

"The relaxation on allowing government employees to participate in RSS shakhas was given here in 2006, but the centre still bans government employees from taking part in political activities. How can the RSS be called a cultural or social organization, can anyone give the registration number under which it has been registered as a cultural/social organization. Everyone knows even that when a minister is to be inducted in government here, the decision is not taken in Delhi or Bhopal, but instead decided from Nagpur (the RSS headquarters). This so-called cultural organization had promised Sardar Patel that it won't indulge in the political process, but is now making comments and statements on all political issues," said Chaturvedi.

State Congress' deputy media in-charge Bhupendra Gupta said: If the BJP is so concerned about RSS shakhas, it should first protest against Narendra Modi government in the centre, which still bans government employees from taking part in RSS shakhas. Go to tribal districts like Alirajpur and Jhabua and you'll find how the hostels for tribal children are closed for 15-20 days for holding RSS programmes and the teachers there are forced to work as cooks for such programmes."By PTI

SRINAGAR: A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist from Pakistan was killed in a shootout on Sunday after the ultras attacked a security forces party in Handwara area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

"In the afternoon hours, a group of terrorists while moving through Handwara was intercepted by a naka party near Chattipora which led to a brief exchange of gunfire," a police spokesman said.

He said in the gunfight, a militant was killed.

Some arms and ammunition and incriminating material were recovered from the slain terrorist who was identified as Ishtiyaaq from Pakistan, the spokesman said.

ALSO READ: Concerned by modernisation, induction of new equipment in neighbourhood: Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa

"Ishtiyaaq was affiliated with proscribed terror outfit JeM and was involved in a series of terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area," he said.

Police have registered a case and initiated investigation, the spokesman said.Ramananda Sengupta By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisenas decision to dissolve Parliament late on Friday and call general elections in the first week of January evoked howls of protest not just domestically, but across the world.

Ranil Wickremesinghes United National Party (UNP) said on Saturday it would challenge the decision in court, even as countries like the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia denounced the dissolution and called for stability.

Mangala Samaraweera, finance minister in Wickremesinghes sacked cabinet, told reporters that Sirisena had kicked the constitution in the teeth.

The US was among the countries that expressed deep concern. As a committed partner of Sri Lanka, we believe democratic institutions and processes need to be respected to ensure stability and prosperity.

New Delhi, however, chose to stay quiet, except for an earlier statement seeking a peaceful political solution, and respect for the constitutional process.

The island nation has been facing a political meltdown after Sirisena suddenly sacked Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister October 26, and replaced him with former President and strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Wickremesinghe refused to step down, and demanded a parliament session for a show of strength. He also refused to vacate his official residence, guarded by a wall of party supporters.

Following growing international pressure, Sirisena twice promised to lift the suspension of parliament, but then changed his mind.

On Friday, when it became apparent that Rajpaksa may not have the numbers to win a parliament showdown, he ordered the dissolution of parliament and called for elections on January 6.

Just before the dissolution, Sirisena also took over the police department by attaching it to his defence ministry.

A senior Indian diplomat who had served in Colombo said, All that the dissolution does is give Siresena and Rajapaksa time to buy supporters. As for money, it was Rajapaksa who initiated projects like the Hambantota port, which led to Sri Lanka falling into a Chinese debt trap. So we all know where his money is coming from. If he wins, PLA-N (Peoples Liberation Army - Navy) warships and submarines will be docking at that port once again.By PTI

JAMSHEDPUR: A 21-year-old man was beaten to death by villagers in West Singhbhum district after he allegedly raped his 9-year-old niece, police said on Saturday.

Taluka Purty, the victim's paternal uncle, raped her in one room of the house on Friday night at Karlajori village under Muffassil police station area.

The girl's grand-mother was in another room when the incident happened, police said.

The villagers reached the spot on hearing the scream of the victim, caught hold of the accused and beat him up.

Purty was later taken to a hospital in Chaibasa where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon, police said. The girl was sent for medical examination.By PTI

NEW DELHI: A Narendra Modi-Rahul Gandhi face-off, last-minute switching of camps, allegations, counter-allegations, and caste equations make for a heady election cocktail in five states, but poll results remain as unpredictable as the climax of a Hollywood thriller.

The first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly polls on Monday will kick off what is being seen as a semi-final before the general election that will decide how major political parties such as the BJP, Congress and BSP are positioned for alliances to fight the 2019 battle.

Political parties will battle it out in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana for 90, 230, 40, 200 and 119 seats respectively.

ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh women dont get due in poll tickets

If the Congress manages to upset its dominant rival in these assembly polls, then it will be a big boost to the opposition for the Lok Sabha polls, while a good show by the BJP will energise its cadres and give a fillip to its hopes of retaining the power at the Centre in 2019.

In 2013, the BJP had won 165, 163 and 49 seats in the Hindi heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh respectively, with the Congress securing 58, 21 and 39 seats.

In Telangana, the ruling K Chandrasekhar Rao-led Telangana Rashtra Samithi is seen to be going strong and will face contest from the Congress and the BJP.

After winning 63 seats in the 2014 assembly polls, the TRS' ranks swelled with members of rival parties joining it over the years.

However, anti-incumbency and advancing of polls by KCR may throw up surprises.

In Mizoram, the Congress has been in power since 2008, while in Chhattisgarh and MP, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been ruling for the last 15 years.

ALSO READ | Telangana elections: BJP alleges Congress of playing divisive, anti-secular politics

In the 2013 Chhattisgarh assembly polls though there was a difference of 10 seats between the BJP and the Congress, the difference between their vote share was just 0.75 per cent.

The contest in Chhattisgarh again promises to be a nail-biter as the ruling BJP is facing anti-incumbency, while the Congress is up against the challenge of the Ajit Jogi-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) tie-up.

Chhatisgarh's Chief Minister Raman Singh had said last week that Jogi's party, Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), would impact the Congress' electoral prospects more than that of the BJP.

On the other hand, state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel has said that the alliance would damage the BJP's prospects more as out of the 10 seats reserved for the Scheduled Caste category, the Congress had won just one in the 2013 Assembly polls, while the BJP had emerged victorious on nine.

Jogi-Mayawati's support base comprises mostly members of the SC community and if they get a few seats, it will be at the expense of the BJP, Baghel had said.

The BSP had won just one seat in the state last time, but had garnered a 4.27 per cent vote share, which if it sticks, could prove to be the decisive factor.

ALSO READ | Rajasthan elections: In battle of wits with Amit Shah, Vasundhara Raje proposes changing seats of MLAs

Another key factor is that of smaller regional coalitions such as the one between the Gondwana Gantantra Party and the Samajwadi Party which had secured 1.57 per cent and 0.29 per cent votes in the last polls.

The Congress-BJP battle has become even more bitter in the state after Congress' working president Ramdayal Uikey switched sides to the BJP.

Polling to the 90-member assembly will be held on November 12 and November 20, with the first phase covering 18 seats.

In Madhya Pradesh, the contest looks even more tighter as the anti-incumbency is a big factor in the state with the Congress consistently doing well in the by-elections held in the last year-and-a half.

The BJP had in 2013 secured a 44.88 per cent vote share to Congress's 36.38.

A key statistic again here is that the BSP had bagged 6.29 per cent vote share.

The BSP could prove to be a game-changer if it holds onto its clout.

Madhya Pradesh has also had its share of twists with several switching of camps by various leaders.

ALSO READ | Chhattisgarh elections: Former CM Ajit Jogi releases party manifesto on stamp paper

Among the notable switches, Sanjay Singh Masani, the brother-in-law of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and senior BJP leader Sartaj Singh joined the Congress, while Premchand Guddu, a Dalit leader, joined the BJP.

Rajasthan seems to be a different battleground from MP and Chhattisgarh as a key statistic here is that since 1998, the Congress and the BJP have won Vidhan Sabha elections alternately, neither able to retain power for consecutive terms.

In the 2013 Rajasthan assembly polls, the BJP had won 45.17 per cent votes, while the Congress had got 33.07 per cent.

However, voters here traditionally haven't elected the same party to power for two terms in a row and hence anti-incumbency is a major player here than other states.

ALSO READ | Mizoram polls: Political parties flay ex-chief electoral officer



The results are hard to predict as with the Lok Sabha elections looming large the dynamics of the state polls is different this time and the final stretch of campaigning would be important.

Prime Minister Modi and Congress chief Gandhi are expected to criss cross the five states in a campaign blitz that is expected to be a trailer of their face-off during the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Polls in MP and Mizoram will take place on November 28, while assembly elections in Rajasthan and Telangana will be held on December 7.By PTI

LUCKNOW: A disgruntled Om Prakash Rajbhar, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government and the chief of BJP ally SBSP, has mocked the saffron party over its renaming spree and suggested it to change the names of its three prominent Muslim leaders.

"The BJP says that the cities were named by Mughals. In the BJP, there is Shahnawaz Hussain, who is the national spokesperson; Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who is a Union Cabinet minister; and, in UP, there is Mohsin Raza, who is minister of state in the Yogi Adityanath government.

First, the names of these three persons should be changed," Rajbhar purportedly said in a video, which went viral on social media.

"The GT Road, which was built by a Muslim king, should be uprooted. After all, it was built by Sher Shah Suri. Why do you allow people to use that road? Similarly, the Red Fort in Delhi and Taj Mahal. Who built them?" asked Rajbhar, who heads the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party.

READ| Faizabad renaming: Many upset, say it will 'erase' city's identity, lead to confusion

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya.

He also proposed setting up of a new airport, named after Lord Ram, and a medical college in the name of King Dasharath, father of Ram, in the district.

Last month, the state Cabinet had adopted a proposal to rename the historic city of Allahabad as Prayagraj. When contacted by PTI on Sunday, Rajbhar said: "There is no point in renaming the districts of the state.

The work which was done by the Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Congress, the same is being repeated by the BJP.

There is nothing new in it.

" However, UP BJP spokesperson Manish Shukla said though Rajbhar was entitled to have his views as a minister, but should refrain from making such remarks.

"Faizabad and Allahabad were renamed as Ayodhya and Prayagraj respectively as per the sanctity of these places.

It was only a corrective action, as centuries ago invaders with polluted mentality had changed the names of these places," the spokesperson claimed.By PTI

NEW DELHI: A woman from Assam has alleged that a Sikh man 'hypnotised' her and made her pay nearly Rs 4,000 after warning that her mother would die within a fortnight if she did not give him the money in a south Delhi neighbourhood on Saturday, police said.

Barkha Hazarika alleged that the man took her to a nearby ATM kiosk where he made her withdraw the money and then dropped her home. In her complaint to police, Hazarika, who works with the media division of an NGO, said she was awakened when a Sikh man pressed the doorbell of her home when she was sleeping. When she looked out of the window, a Sikh man told her he was collecting money for Gurupurab celebration to be held at a gurudwara nearby, the woman said in the complaint.

"I opened the door and gave him a Rs 200 note and asked him to take Rs 50 and return the balance. He kept all the money and when the owner's maid came to clean the stairs, he came inside my room and sat there," Hazarika said. She said she got scared when he told her that her mother, who lives in Assam, would die in a fortnight.

"He said we will have to do a 'paath' (special prayer) for my mother's safety and asked me for a piece of paper," she said. Shortly after, Hazarika said, she went into a trance and did not realise what was happening. She said she started following his instructions. "I generally lost all my senses and I started following his instructions. He asked me whether I have money in the house. Initially, I declined but later I gave him around Rs 900 from my wallet," she said.

"He asked me for more money and I told him that I would give him in the evening but he said you are lying and subsequently, I ended up giving him more money," she added. The man then asked her to promise to god that she will give him all the money, the woman said, adding that she then took him to a nearby ATM kiosk, where she withdrew Rs 3,100 and gave it to him.

"The man dropped me near my home and I was so lost that I was going in a wrong direction but he directed me towards my house and told me to go upstairs and not turn back," Hazarika said. "I returned to my room and then realised what had happened. I ran to my balcony and found he had disappeared. I searched for him in the locality but there was no trace of him," she said.



The woman said when she contacted the nearby gurdwara, she learnt they had received similar complaints previously. Subsequently, she approached police and a case was registered at the Amar Colony police station in southeast Delhi. Police said they are checking the footage from CCTV cameras installed in the area and trying to identify the accusedAbhijit Mulye By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has raised questions over Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's proposed visit to Ayodhya later this month. The international president of VHP Justice (retired) Vishnu Kokaje, questioned the purpose and effect of Thackeray's visit to the holy town in connection with the cause of building the Ram temple.

Kokje, who was in Mumbai for a program, when asked by journalists regarding Thackeray's proposed visit, he said, "What is the purpose and the use of such a visit?" When asked to elaborate, Kokje said, "Unless someone has strength to move something, what is the use of such a visit? The Shiv Sena doesn't have any strength in Uttar Pradesh."

Kokje also advised Thackeray that he should concentrate more on building his father's memorial in Mumbai rather than thinking more regarding the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Though in power both at the centre as well as in the state and having the power of the municipal corporation in hand, the Shiv Sena had not been able to build the memorial of its founder Balasaheb Thackeray, who passed away in 2012.

The Shiv Sena has proposed to build the memorial in the premises of Mayor's Bungalow at Shivaji Park in Dadar. Technical issues in using the heritage structure for building the memorial took much of the time in getting permissions. Now that all the permissions in place, work on the memorial is expected to start soon.

Kokje referred to the issue while questioning purpose of Thackeray's proposed visit to Ayodhya on November 25. Thackeray had announced at the party's Dusserrah Rally that he should visit Ayodhya and hold a rally there to ask PM Modi some questions pertaining to Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.

Kokje had replaced Pravin Togadia as the international chief of VHP earlier this year in a bitter battle. And recently Togadia had praised Thackeray for raising the issue of Ram temple at Ayodhya and stated that his organization shall support Shiv Sena if they are committed to building Ram Temple at Ayodhya.By PTI

CHENNAI: Days after actor-politician Kamal Haasan offered to join hands with it if it snapped ties with the DMK, the Congress has said the Dravidian major will decide on the contours of the "secular" alliance in Tamil Nadu to oust the BJP from power in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

"There was absolutely no question of joining hands with any other party without the DMK, "a trusted and long-time ally," All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Sanjay Dutt told Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M K Stalin Saturday when he called on him, Congress sources told PTI.

The alliance in the southern state to strengthen the hands of Congress president Rahul Gandhi was being led by Stalin and only he might decide, in consultation with other friendly parties, on whether a particular party like Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) could be a part of it or not, Dutt was quoted as having said.

Dutt, the AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, met Stalin at the latter's residence here, in his second visit in recent times, as part of efforts to further firm up the ties between the two parties ahead of the formal start of negotiations for seat-sharing for next year's Lok Sabha election.

Haasan, who had met Gandhi in June, had recently indicated that he was open to an alliance with the Congress for the general election, while opposing both the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the DMK.

The MNM chief had also expressed the hope that the alliance between the DMK and the Congress might break.

"Let it break slowly," he had said last month, in a clear indication that he was willing to align with the Congress if it exited the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to it, senior DMK leader Duraimurugan had dubbed Haasan as "politically immature", though mentioning him as his good friend.

On Haasan's rider, a Congress leader said, "Preconditions do not help, nothing is permanent in politics. The common goal was to dislodge the "anti-people" Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre."

Besides the Congress, the Indian Union Muslim League and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) were among the parties that had contested the previous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls as part of the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.

A final picture is, however, yet to emerge for the next year's polls.

The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), led by Vaiko, which has pledged its support to the DMK over a year ago, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) are set to be part of the front in Tamil Nadu with top CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury slated to meet Stalin on November 13.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, as part of his mission to forge opposition unity against the BJP, met Stalin here Friday and held discussions.

Sans the AIADMK and the DMK, a six-party bloc -- the People's Welfare Front -- comprising the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), the MDMK, the CPI, the CPI(M), the VCK and the former Union minister G K Vaasan-led Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) had fought the 2016 Assembly polls, but failed to win a single of the 234 seats in Tamil Nadu.By PTI

NEW DELHI: Over 140 Pakistanis are visiting the tomb of Sufi saint Sheikh Ahmad Farooqui in Sirhind this year to pay their obeisance during the annual Urs, the Pakistan High Commission said Sunday.

The traditional 'chaddar' on behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan was offered at the shrine Sunday with Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood travelling to 'Sirhind Sharif' to take part in the chaddar-laying ceremony, along with the pilgrims from Pakistan.

This year, 144 Pakistani pilgrims are visiting Sirhind in connection with the annual Urs celebration and to pay obeisance at the shrine, the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement.

The Pakistani envoy held an interactive session with the Pakistani pilgrims, who shared their observations and suggestions.

The high commissioner highlighted the role of visits to religious shrines (under the 1974 Protocol) in the context of people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and India, the statement said.By PTI

PATNA/ NEW DELHI: Union minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha Sunday attacked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over reports that two legislators of his party could join the JD(U), and said he would apprise BJP chief Amit Shah of the "humiliation" he had suffered at the hands of Kumar.

Kushwaha said he would request Shah to clear the "confusion" over seat-sharing among National Democratic Alliance constituents in the state at the earliest.

He made a jibe at Kumar, saying the JD(U) president is adept at breaking parties but he will continue his fight.

Kushwaha's barb at Kumar on Twitter came after his party's MLA Sudhanshu Shekhar met JD(U) national vice-president Prashant Kishor, triggering speculation that he might switch sides.

Shekhar met Kishor at Kumar's official residence.

On Twitter, Kushwaha also shared media reports that speculated another MLA of his party, Lalan Paswan, might also switch sides. "Rein in your people Nitish Kumar ji. ! Nobody would believe that such a misdeed is taking place in your party without your consent," Kushwaha tweeted.

"You (Kumar) are adept at breaking parties," he said in another tweet and referred to past switchovers of RJD and Congress leaders to JD(U).

"Enticing members of a political party is a crime and highly immoral, just like giving or accepting dowry," he said. The RLSP had won two seats in the 2015 Bihar Assembly election. Its other MLA, Paswan, had sided with a dissident group headed by Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar. Shekhar has so far remained loyal to Kushwaha.

Before leaving for New Delhi, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief told reporters at Patna airport that he had sought an appointment with Shah.

Kushwaha said he had met Ram Vilas Paswan, the president of NDA constituent Lok Janshakti Party, earlier Sunday and Paswan concurred with his view that seat-sharing talks should be held at the earliest with all the coalition partners.

Kushwaha has been peeved since the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (United) decided to contest an equal number of seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Bihar, with the saffron party indicating that it cannot spare more than two seats for the RLSP. It had contested and won three seats in 2014.

The state sends 40 members to the Lok Sabha.

Kushwaha, a former JD(U) leader who quit the party in 2013 to float his own outfit, is unhappy with Kumar also because of his alleged "neech" statement.

The comment was made at a television programme a week ago when the JD(U) chief had refused to comment on reports the RLSP might end up getting fewer seats than it had fought in the 2014 Lok Sabha poll.

Kushwaha has alleged that the remark is tantamount to him being called a "lowly" person.

"During my meeting with Shah, I intend to raise both the issues - seat sharing as well as the humiliation by Nitish Kumar," Kushwaha said.

He has been maintaining that his party has a tie-up only with the BJP and not with the JD(U).

Ram Vilas Paswan's son and LJP parliamentary board chairman Chirag Paswan recently said his party would like to contest the same number of seats it fought on in 2014, but he had added that he was ready to make a "sacrifice" in the larger interest of the NDA.

Kushwaha, however, has pointed out that any demand for sacrifice by the RLSP was irrational as his party was the only NDA constituent which was denied a ministerial berth in Bihar.

He had joined the NDA at a time when Kumar had snapped ties with the BJP, and has been viewing the JD(U)'s return to the coalition last year with much anxiety.

The opposition Grand Alliance, comprising the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Congress and the Hindustani Awam Morcha, too has been trying to woo Kushwaha.

"If Kushwaha wanted to remain in the NDA, he should not have taken on Nitish Kumar in the manner he has done. It is very easy for a powerful chief minister to poach on legislators belonging to a small party like the RLSP," RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary said in a statement.T J S George By

Whats happening to our country? A huge and diverse land of 135 million people, 29 states and 22 scheduled languages, yet we are caught in a single obsessionreligion. All discussions, all decisions, all policies are shaped by religion. Sabarimala is on the edge of civil war. Hindus are losing their patience, a Union minister tells the Supreme Court after it postponed the Ayodhya case hearing. Uttar Pradesh changes Allahabad into Prayagraj. Soon Azamgarh will be Aryamgarh, Aligarh will be Harigarh, Muzaffarnagar will be Laxminagar, and Ahmedabad will be Karnavati. Will they become model cities as a result, all civic problems solved?

Its not that we dont have real issues bothering us. In fact we are immersed in issues that threaten us from multiple sides. The Reserve Bank is fighting the Finance Ministry. CBI, of all things, is sabotaging CBI. Breathing in the national capital has become more injurious to health than smoking. More and more youngsters are ending up jobless. Education has become a scandal. Not one Indian university is among the worlds top 100. Indians are committing unbelievable crimes, like raping a 100-year old woman. Our food has largely become unfit for human consumption. No party talks about these subjects. Religion alone counts.

Food, the everyday food we eat, has become a threat. Chemical farming is so widespread that hardly any vegetable escapes residual dangers. Pesticides that are banned globally are used in India. Even endosulfan was supported by ministers like Sharad Pawar despite the horrible deformations it caused in a generation of people. The American way of farming was introduced in Punjab in 1960s to usher in the Green Revolution. The result was the Cancer Train that left the farmers town of Bathinda every night for Bikaner, where treatment was more affordable. Overuse of pesticides turned the Green Revolution into a nightmare.

Did politicians do anything? Did people learn anything? Today farmers in several parts of Tamil Nadu use excessive pesticides on crops meant to go to neighbouring states, and less on portions meant for local consumptiona version of parochial patriotism. Fish is preserved in chemicals used to keep human corpses from decaying too fast. According to UN reports, India ranks among the top countries whose agri-food products are rejected in the US and the European Union. Indian exports are sent back because of the presence of microtoxins, microbial contamination, veterinary drug residue, heavy metals, unauthorised food additives, pesticides remnants and wrong product composition.

If our best is so often rejected by advanced countries, what would be the state of the food we keep for our own consumption? No wonder advanced countries export their worst to India. In 2008, as many as 35 large containers of hazardous American waste were found rotting in Tuticorin port for three years. Who allowed it to come there? Who kept it unattended for so long? How many made how much?

In 2003, Parliament went to the extent of banning Coca-Cola and Pepsi from its canteens because of too much toxic pesticides. But there was no ban outside Parliament. That means, what was bad for MPs was okay for ordinary folks. MPs themselves lifted the ban after a while. The Coca-Cola factory in Plachimada was closed because the waste fluids from it made neighbouring areas unfit for agriculture. But other factories in other cities continued. Before the power of lobbies, our policymakers bend their knees.

Colouring agents, among the most dangerous chemicals that go into food, are allowed free play. A look at Diwali halwas will show how colouring can even look unhealthy. Everybody knows that adulterants are used widelysaw dust (in chilli powder), coal tar (in tea), dyes (in turmeric, green chillies, apples). Most colour-enhancing dyes are highly carcinogenic. In responsibly governed countries these problems are contained. In Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, the authorities ensure that street food is not only clean but good enough to be a tourist attraction.

If others can do these things, why cant we? Because we are obsessed with religion and its politics. Nothing else matters. In Madhya Pradesh, five sadhus were appointed ministers of state. Union minister Giriraj Singh warned Muslims of consequences if they did not support the Ram Mandir. As the distinguished novelist Mukundan said: There are no humans in India any longer, only Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Dalits. We have turned religion, meant to be a positive force, into a destructive idea. We spread hatred, attack others, lynch people in the name of God. No God will forgive us.By PTI

AMRAVATI: The Chandrababu Naidu cabinet in Andhra Pradesh was Sunday expanded with the induction of veteran TDP leader N Md Farooq and political debutant Kidari Sravan Kumar as ministers, filling vacancies caused by the resignation of two BJP members in March.

Governor E S L Narasimhan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the two new ministers at a ceremony in the Grievance Hall at Undavalli here.

Farooq, an MLC, took the oath in Telugu while Kumar, son of slain MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, did it in English, as his mother, seated among the audience, was visibly overwhelmed.

READ| After Chandrababu Naidu meet, Stalin says parties should unite against anti-people BJP

Rao, who represented Araku valley, was shot dead by the outlawed CPI (Maoists) on September 23 along with a former legislator. After taking oath, Kumar touched Chief Minister's N Chandrababu Naidu's feet and took his blessings while the Governor congratulated the two new ministers.

The vacancies had arisen after the BJP quit the coalition government in the state following the Telugu Desam severing its ties with the NDA at the Centre.

Farooq, known as the Muslim face of the TDP in the Rayalaseema region, had served as a minister earlier in the cabinets of party founder N T Rama Rao and later Chandrababu Naidu.

He had also served as Deputy Speaker of the united Andhra Pradesh Assembly but lost all elections since 2004. He was nominated to the Legislative Council in July 2017 and made its Chairman in November.

Five days short of a year in office, Farooq resigned from the Council Chairman post-Saturday afternoon, ahead of his induction into the Cabinet.

28-year-old Kumar, an engineering graduate, is making his political debut and is not a member of either House of the Legislature, elections for which are just six months away.

Naidu has promised to field him from Araku Valley constituency in the 2019 election.

The Chandrababu Cabinet that was constituted on June 8, 2014, was first reconstituted on April 2, 2017 by dropping five ministers and inducting 11 new members, including the Chief Minister's son Lokesh and four members of the YSR Congress who defected to the TDP.

With the latest expansion, the cabinet strength stands at 26, the upper limit as per the Constitutional norm.By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has reiterated that his party will not allow bauxite mining if it comes to power in the State. Speaking to the media after welcoming former minister P Balaraju into the party here on Saturday, Kalyan said irrespective of the pressure on them, the Jana Sena will not allow bauxite mining if it forms government in AP. He said the party will soon come up with a responsible mining policy.

Recalling his recent visit to Vanthada mines in East Godavari district, the actor-turned-politician said natural resources of the State were being looted in broad daylight and the State government remained as a mute spectator. Taking exception to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidus efforts to divert the attention of people from illegal mining, he wondered why a person, who swears by the real time governance, fails to see the daylight robbery of natural resources of the State. Or is it intentional? he questioned.

Vanthada does not have proper water facilities as the pipelines are not allowed to be laid through reserve forests. However, wide roads were laid without permission to transport mined ores out of the forest in heavy vehicles. There is a need for efforts to protect the environment and forest rights of tribals, ensure their welfare and come out with a responsible mining policy, he said.

I wholeheartedly welcome Balaraju, who has been fighting against illegal bauxite mining and has vast experience in politics, to the Jana Sena, he said.

When asked about the ineffective implementation of SC, ST sub-plan, he said it was true that intended beneficiaries were not getting benefits despite availability of funds. He stressed the need for a study on the issue to correct the situation.

Earlier, Balaraju said he joined Jana Sena after being attracted by Pawan Kalyans ideology and thoughts for bringing a change in the society with a focus on improving the lives of downtrodden. Balaraju, who was the second former minister to join the Jana Sena, expressed hope that Kalyan will put an end the illegal mining and champion the rights of the tribals.

Not prepared for TS polls



With regard to Telangana elections, Kalyan said his party is unprepared for the early elections. We thought of contesting in at least 23 Assembly seats and three MP seats in Telangana. Our focus now is totally on Andhra Pradesh and we are not prepared for early elections in Telngana. Today, we are confused whether to contest or not. Meanwhile, some BC organisations have proposed to contest independently and sought our support. We will take a decision in 2-3 days, he explained.By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Amidst tight security, elected representatives being conspicuous by their absence and protests by BJP, Tipu Jayanti celebrations were held across the state on Saturday. While official celebrations of the state government were held at the Banquet Hall, Vidhana Soudha, both Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Deputy CM G Parameshwara and JD(S) leaders gave it a miss citing various reasons, making it a low-key, Congress-only affair.

After Kumaraswamy cited health reasons to skip the event, states official celebrations suffered another setback in the morning, as Parameshwara, who was scheduled to inaugurate it in the CMs absence, did not turn up. In their absence, Water Resources and Medical Education Minister D K Shivakumar inaugurated the celebrations.

According to the organisers, though Parameshwara was scheduled to attend the event, he did not do so due to miscommunication regarding the schedule of the event. B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, said that Parameshwara was in Singapore visiting the ailing former minister C Chennigappa.

Though Legislative Council pro-tem speaker and JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti was among the invitees, he also did not participate.In Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada, several protesters were detained by police and Rapid Action Force personnel.In Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts, several protesters were detained by police and Rapid Action Force personnel.

The Tipu Jayanti Virodhi Samiti, demonstrating against the celebrations, launched their protest by remembering Kuttappa, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad member who was killed in a riot at Madikeri during Tipu Jayanthi celebrations in 2015.

The protesters shouted slogans against the state government and Tipu Sultan in Madikeri. As many as 100 protesters were detained by Rapid Action Force personnel as a security measure. There was trouble during the official celebrations in Madikeri and Mangaluru. Ahead of the celebrations at Madikeri Fort auditorium, a few elected representatives were denied entry to the venue for not possessing invites.

Though they were allowed to enter eventually, BJP MLC Sunil Subramani caused an unrest by taking over the microphone. He was escorted out of the auditorium by the police and was later detained. In Mangaluru, where JD(S) MLCs BM Farooq and Bhojegowda skipped the event, BJP leader Franklin Monteiro, along with over 60 right-wing activists, were taken into preventive custody for trying to forcibly enter the venue.

In Shivamogga, prohibitory orders were clamped across the city and the Kuvempu Ranga Mandira turned into a fortress on Saturday. District Minister and JD(S) leader D C Thammanna, who was scheduled to inaugurate the event, skipped it.

BJP legislators were also absent. In Karwar and Yellapur as well, several people were taken into preventive custody for carrying out rallies and protests.In Kolar, Kalaburagi, Ballari and Hassan, the celebrations were held peacefully.By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday called for an uncompromising stand against attempts to drag the society backwards. After inaugurating the 82nd anniversary celebrations of the Temple Entry Proclamation by beating a drum, the Chief Minister said conservatives who try to block the natural progress of society have always found themselves brushed aside. Todays secular society has, in general, adopted a stance against regressive attitudes, he said.

Conservative elements have, at all times, revolted against reforms, he said. Recalling the episode of Panchami, the Dalit girl who was denied admission in school, Vijayan said that the people who opposed her entry are no longer remembered. Likewise, the orthodox who opposed the Temple Entry Proclamation also were dumped into the dustbins of history, he said.

ALSO READ: Regressive mindset should be relegated to historys back pages: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

It would be erroneous to view the Temple Entry Proclamation in isolation. Rather than a charity offered by the then rulers, it was in reality the direct consequence of enduring struggles and subaltern political movements, he said. The renaissance movement in the state was a comprehensive force that affected all sections of the society. It began with the fight against casteist oppression, subsequently evolving into something that transformed the entire society.

Even in times when temple entry was restricted to the upper class in Travancore, Sabarimala had been accessible to all, without exception. But now, attempts are being made to destroy that tradition, Vijayan said.

On the rationale of celebrating the 82nd anniversary when the 81st or 80th were not, the Chief Minister said the scenario in Kerala was different now from the times of the 80th and 81st anniversaries. It was high time that the relevance of the proclamation was once again widely discussed in the society. In a bid to take the message to the younger generation, the government planned to hold the exhibition in schools and colleges, he said.

READ: No going back on Sabarimala, says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

The four-day celebrations are organised by the departments of Information and Public Relations, Cultural Affairs, Archives and Archaeology. Cultural Affairs Minister A K Balan presided over the inaugural. Ministers E Chandrasekharan, A K Saseendran, Ramachandran Kadannapally and Kadakampally Surendran and A Sampath MP were present.By Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai on Saturday said the party would explore legal options against restrictions imposed by the state government on devotees in Sabarimala citing security reasons.

The government says Ayyappa devotees on vehicles should obtain pass from the police station. This amounts to declaring the devotees as criminals who need clean chit from the police. This is illegal and against their basic rights. We will explore legal options and move ahead, Pillai said.

The BJP president said the chief minister and Devaswom Ministers acts of suppressing Ayyappa devotees were worse than the excesses committed during the days of Emergency. He claimed the Sabarimala Protection Rath Yatra had received the peoples mandate and the party was firm on going ahead with it as a democratic form of protest against the governments suppressive acts.

Pillai accused the CPM and the Congress of joining hands to target BJP leaders, especially its state president, by foisting false cases against them. Both parties are trying to portray the BJP president as a villain before the people, he said.

Referring to the golden opportunity reference in his controversial speech, Pillai said the same term has been used by the CPM mouthpiece Peoples Democracy while referring to the Sabarimala issue.

However, that has not evoked any controversy, he added. Pillai said he, as an advocate, had offered legal assistance to both Congress and CPM on many crucial cases. However, both parties have forgotten such episodes, he added.

Many people believe that our agitation is against the court verdict. Let me clarify, our agitation is against the state government and atheists who are out to wreck the Sabarimala shrine, he added.Asked about the possibility of his arrest owing to a non-bailable case registered against him, Pillai said he was not afraid of it.Even if I am arrested, the yatra will reach its destination and fulfil its objective, he added. However, he parried queries on party leader M T Rameshs statement daring the police to arrest him in connection with the speech.By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The dissolution of Sri Lankan Parliament had its echo in Tamil Nadu with political parties condemning the move of President Maithripala Sirisena. All parties raised concern over the wellbeing of Tamils there. The leaders also urged the Central government to condemn the dissolution of Lankan Parliament and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Tamils there.

Expressing deep shock over the dissolution of Lankan Parliament, DMK president MK Stalin said Sirisena had created a big threat to the welfare of Tamils by creating this kind of constitutional crisis. Indian government cannot remain a mute spectator to the developments in neighbouring Lanka saying that it is another countrys affairs as it would cause serious problems to Tamils there. However, the government headed by Narendra Modi remains an onlooker to all these developments. It is indeed sad, he said.

Stalin also said just because the Indian government remained silent when Sirisena created a constitutional crisis by appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister, now it had ended up in dissolution of Parliament. Tamils across the globe, particularly those in India were shocked at the silence being maintained by India in this regard, he said.

Modi should understand that at least belatedly the Indian government had the duty and responsibility to ensure safety of Lankan Tamils. Without any delay, India should lodge its strong disapproval of dissolution of Parliament, he said.

In a statement here, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said Sirisena had murdered democracy by dissolving Parliament and India should condemn this strongly since the coming together of Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa again would pose a big threat to Tamils there.

According to the amended Article 19 of Lankan Constitution, only through a resolution adopted by one-third of the members, Parliament could be dissolved. Hence, the dissolution of Parliament by Sirisena was totally unconstitutional. He has taken this decision since Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had been appointed as Prime Minister by ousting Ranil Wickramasinghe, could not prove his majority in parliament on November 14.

Condemning the dissolution of Lankan Parliament, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said Maithripala Sirisena had enacted a conspiracy against Tamils to give the full powers of the island nation to Mahinda Rajapaksa who was responsible for ethnic massacre nine years ago.

Tracing the origins of Lankan Tamils issue, he said Tamils there would not get justice irrespective of any party coming to power. If Rajapakse comes to power again, he will try to erase the cultural identity of Lankan Tamils. So, Tamil Eelam alone is the only solution to the problems faced by Tamils there.

AMMK deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran said the news about dissolution of Lankan Parliament had come a rude shock to Tamils across the globe, and condemned the act of Sirisena.S Kumaresan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Like father, like son. The DMK functionaries are of late realising how untrue this ancient proverb could be. It has been four years since MK Stalin began enjoying virtually complete control over the Tamil Nadus main opposition party. For last three months, he has been officially the president of the party, since the demise of his father and late party supremo M Karunanidhi. Stalin might have stepped into his fathers shoes, but the path he is threading is making the 70-year-old party bear resemblance to that of Karunanidhis bitter rival J Jayalalithaas  or even MGRs  AIADMK.

The changes are mostly going unnoticed amidst other political dramas in the state. But political observers say they are significant as they hold important lessons on internal party democracy.

One of the important aspects of Karunanidhis style of administering the party was a certain amount of decentralisation of power.

True that he silenced or threw away people  like MDMK chief Vaiko  who had challenged his authority, but the second-rung leaders, mostly district secretaries, were allowed a sphere of influence, and it was respected by even the partys undisputed leader. The party functionaries, who had won the posts through internal elections, had a certain degree of guarantee for their position. Sudden removal of functionaries was extremely rare and in almost all cases, a due process was followed.

This is why it is said the DMK district secretaries often fancy themselves to be someone with as much influence as that of the district Collector.

A small anecdote is cited by the party insiders to explain this point. For the 1998 parliamentary polls, one TG Venkatraman had to wait at the office of K Ponmudi, secretary of the Villupuram district DMK unit, to get his nod for getting a seat for the Tindivanam parliament segment. The district secretary was the referring authority for the partys MP ticket in that district and their opinions were given much weight. In 2001, MDMK is said to have walked out of the alliance because a few district functionaries were not willing to concede the seats in their district to the alliance partner, and the supreme leader Karunanidhi respected their opinion, and let MDMK walk out of the alliance instead.

These incidents now look like a memory from a distant era. Just a few months after he was elevated as the working president of the party, in May and June this year, Stalin removed 13 district secretaries from their posts and some of this was done under the pretext of redrawing the territories of the district units of the party. Besides, 45 town panchayat and panchayat union-level functionaries were also removed from the post without any reason being cited.

The moves are considered as very daring within the party and something most have never seen in their lifetime. But the message Stalin intends to send across his party is clear: He is not going to follow his fathers path, but thread his own and set his own rules.

Little opposition

There were indeed a few protests, like the recent one by Ramanathapuram cadre against removal of the district secretary. But given the enormous clout Stalin has within and outside the party, there are none who can challenge his actions, beyond the murmurs and some meek registrations of protest.

The recent actions of Stalin are only a reaffirmation that his intentions are clearly to redraw the power structure within the party. He has been appointing new functionaries for specific roles that so far belonged to the domains of the district functionaries or lower-rung functionaries. He has appointed 12 MLAs to oversee the verification of electoral rolls across the state. All these MLAs belong to the youth wing of the party, which has been controlled by Stalin for the last 37 years. Similarly, he had recently appointed two functionaries as in-charges for each of the 40 MP constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. They have been given the task of preparing the party for the upcoming parliamentary polls. Most of these 80 members too are from the youth wing of the party or those who recently joined DMK from other parties.

Speaking to Express, a former district secretary said: Only three kinds of people are now dealing with crucial party affairs  those who served in the youth wing, those who supported Stalin during his tussle with Alagiri (Stalins elder brother dismissed from party in 2014) and those who recently joined from other parties on invitation of those close to Stalin.

He says Stalin does not want to encourage people who had served the party for long and have a deep attachment to the basic ideals for which the Dravidian movement stood for. For example, Mahesh Poyyamozhi, an MLA and president of Udhayanidhi Stalins fans welfare association, has been appointed as in-charge for Coimbatore MP constituency. V Karuppusamy Pandiyan, who joined the party recently, was put in charge of an MP constituency within a month of joining. These show that commitment to ideology of the party or experience no longer matters, he said.

Another former state-level functionary draws attention to how the appointments were made by unilateral announcements, while they were until recently, done after a discussion in formal inner-party meetings at appropriate levels. T R Baalu was made the principal secretary without any consultations with anyone. At least there should have been a meeting of the executive body on such decisions. But Stalin expects all cadre to accept his unilateral announcements just like Jayalalithaa did in AIADMK. This is not apt for DMK because this is a party of self-respect and has a system of internal democracy, he said.

However, one of the newcomers who has been elevated to such a position said he saw the post as a mark of recognition from the party and welcomed it.

Different views

Outside the party, there are divergent views on the matter. While some political observers are concerned about internal party democracy, others say such a restructuring is important for Stalin to deliver electoral successes, something which the party needs urgently. Azhi Senthilnathan, a political observer, said, DMK surely needs some electoral successes immediately. So Stalin may wish to revamp the party. But the manner in which it is being done is not correct. DMK has inner-party democracy and the party had been conducting elections for its functionaries. So Stalin can instead hold internal elections to revamp the party the way he wants.

Tharasu Shyam, a veteran journalist, explains Stalins approach as a method to bring down the average age of the partys functionaries. It is a 70-years-old party. Hence, the party has large numbers of cadre and functionaries above Stalins age. After observing the reshuffling of the functionaries, it appears that Stalin wants the average age of the functionaries to be below his own, he said. But he also warns that DMK is still a party committed to certain basic ideals and it is not good to fill it with people who have no commitment to the partys ideals. He can surely nurture the younger leaders for the next generation. But he must give space for the elders who are committed to the partys ideals, he said.

There are also a few who see Stalins actions are not going to help him much when it comes to electoral battles. Electoral victories largely depend on alliances and national and state-level factors. Stalin must instead focus on delivering electoral successes so that his credibility grows within the party, says Raveenthran Duraisamy, a political analyst, pointing that Stalin was not able to get electoral success for the party in the last four years.Aihik Sur By

HYDERABAD: November 3, 1988. It was a chilly morning in Patna with a foreboding of a long winter ahead when the-then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who was touring the city on official business, received a call from his PMO. Ronen Sen, then Joint Secretary of his PMO informed that the Ministry of External Affairs received an SOS from the Maldivian president asking Indias help to rescue him from an attempted coup.

On this day, 30 years back, India shot into global limelight when it intervened into the attempted coup of then Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayooms administration by the Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam.

On Sunday, security personnel who participated in the Operation Cactus mission highlighted how they secured the Maldivian president at a time when the 21st-century technology was considered sci-fi.

Group Captain Ashok K Chordia, Lieutenant General K Ramachandra Rao and Wing Commander Unni Kartha, who were all part of this bone-chilling mission, recounted their experiences in a meet organised by the NGO Social Cause in the city. Chordia said, It began at 6.30am when then Ministry of External Affairs joint secretary Kuldip Sahdev received an SOS from Maldives.

The Peoples Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam, backed by Maldivian businessman Abdulla Luthufi, mounted a coup in the Maldives in November 1988. The Maldivian president hid in Male from where the SOS was sent. Initially, the rebels thought Gayoom had left for India. That gave us a little bit of time.

The Prime Minister was in Patna at that time. As soon as he returned at 11.30am, his first question was: Should we do this? This can happen in our country someday and it is in our interest to protect them.

The challenges were myriad. The Army did not have proper intelligence. We did not know who controlled the airport at Hulhule. Hulhule is an island in Maldives.

After much deliberation, paratroopers deputed in Rajasthan and Lucknow, left from the Agra Air Force Station at 6pm. It was only when Chordia along with others were distributed ammunition and briefed about their plans after more than two hours into their journey that they realised they were going to Maldives, he said. The rebels were only able to make out our silhouette in the dark. They got scared and thought we were around 1,600. And we realised that their strength was just 80. They started escaping, and on their way they killed 19 people and took hostages.The Indian troops went from Hulhule to Male on a boat, secured the President inside the National Security Services building in the capital.Amit Agnihotri By

NEW DELHI: Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh has opened a new dimension to the leadership issue in Madhya Pradesh (MP) where the Congress is hopeful of coming back to power after 15 years.

In an exclusive interview with this paper, Singh remarked there are others also when asked whether he would back state unit chief Kamal Nath or campaign chief Jyotiraditya Scindia as the partys chief minister (CM) in case the Congress was voted to power.

Singh, Nath and Scindia have been the three most influential leaders in MP Congress for long. As Singh, a two-time chief minister has ruled himself out of the race for the CMs chair the party high command would have to choose between Nath or Scindia, said party sources. However, they acknowledged that Singh suggesting a new face might make that decision tougher for the central leadership. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi wanted Scindia to head the state unit but had to settle for veteran Kamal Nath to keep the flock together. Singh had then publicly supported Naths candidature as state unit chief over that of Scindia, who wanted the party to declare the CM face before the polls.

Political observer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay said Singhs remark showed he is a smart and clever politician who has kept the leadership issue open while not throwing his hat in the ring directly.

Having political ambition is not wrong. Digvijaya is a mass leader and has considerable sway over the organization, Mukhopadhyay said, adding that Singh may also prop up someone close to him as a CM probable.

The Congress will win the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections due to widespread anger against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), corruption at the grassroots in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government and the ticket distribution by his party, veteran leader Digvijaya Singh told Amit Agnihotri in an exclusive interview.

You are a two-term Madhya Pradesh chief minister, and there has been a lot of speculation that you may again be a contender for the top post if the Congress comes to power in the state.

There is no question of my being the chief minister. I am out of question, out of recognition. When I say something, I mean it.

In that case, who will get to wear the crown  Congress state unit chief Kamal Nath or campaign chief Jyotiraditya Scindia?

Well, there are others also. The preference will be with the elected representatives; I will not be a voter. The new MLAs will elect their leader. Within 24 hours of the results, we will have a chief minister.



The Congress seems to very bullish on the coming polls. How do you rate the partys prospects?

By and large, the way tickets have gone, I can tell you we are winning. Ticket distribution is good in rural areas but urban areas are not our stronghold. In the tribal areas, we are going to be much ahead of the BJP. The vote share difference in urban areas is too much, but we will give a good fight. In 2013, urban areas were a washout for us, but not this time. We will give them a good fight.



So what, in your opinion, is going in the Congress partys favour this time?

The fact is that anger against the BJP is helping us. Second, our campaign is more coordinated than the last time and that includes the workers. We just need to control the rebel candidates.

Is corruption a big issue in the November 28 polls?

Corruption is hitting the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government 100 per cent. There is a lot of corruption at the grassroots level. All District Collectors and Superintendents of Police have to pay a monthly sum to the leadership. The cash-for-jobs Vyapam scam, too, is a big issue. I have been raising it in the past in the state and in Delhi. Then, there is widespread farm crisis and issues affecting the small traders due to faulty GST.

But is the MP Congress fighting the BJP unitedly?

We are one.

How would you respond to recent reports related to heated exchanges between you and Scindia over ticket distribution?

That is absolutely rubbish. There was no argument with Scindia during the central election committee meeting. Around 10-20 per cent tickets do go wrong. We have no thermometer for that. I am totally satisfied with the candidates.

Over the past years, Congress has been battling a fund crunch during state polls. Is that still a problem?

We are not a party of big people but a party of weaker sections. But this is not something we cant handle.

Your religious Narmada Yatra created a lot of buzz. Is that helping the Congress?

I never treated it as a political gimmick. It was my personal commitment. But I can tell you one thing. During the Narmada Yatra, I covered around 104 Assembly constituencies, revived old contacts that I had lost over the past 15 years. Starting May-end till date, the coordination panel, headed by me, covered 43 of the 52 districts and 193 Assembly segments where I had one-on-one discussions with around 2,000 elected representatives. I also interacted with over 1.5 lakh workers who whispered in my ears what they want. I have the feel of people on the ground for which parties spend crores getting surveys done. Just mention an Assembly seat and I can tell you who is first, second and third there.

Any reflections on why the Congress could not win the past polls?

I was out of circulation in the 2008 and 2013 polls. This time, I am very much in. The point is, our preparation was not what it should have been in 2008 and 2013. At the same time, we are extremely weak on organisation as compared to the BJP, but strong on candidates. We have better candidates.

But what about Project Shakti started by Rahul Gandhi to boost booth-level teams?

It is a good effort. But see what has happened in the BJP. One can become a member through a missed call. Project Shakti has not been processed to check whether people calling are from the BJP or the Congress.

Would the MP polls have an impact on the 2019 elections?

I dont link the two; state and national polls are quite different. For instance, in 1998 the Congress lost in the Parliament polls. But six months later, we won many states. So, voters behave differently.Ramananda Sengupta By

Almost a century later, some of the 75,000 Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I will finally get their due recognition on Sunday.

As leaders from over 50 countries, including US President Donald Trump, participate in the centenary activities in Paris for the 100th Armistice Day, which marks the end of the war on November 11, 1918, a somber ceremony in Laventie, some 250 km north of the French capital, will honour these Indian braves with a statue and a memorial.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, in France on a state visit, inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Villers Guislain on Saturday and will attend the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, presided over by French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday.

Lt Col Deepak Dahiya (retd), the driving force behind the memorial in France to honour Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for Allied Powers in the First World War;

| USII

India was under British rule when the First World War was sparked off by the assassination of Austrias Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. Over a million Indian soldiers took part in the war, deployed in foreign lands which ranged from the cold trenches of Western Europe to Eastern Africa, Mesopotamia and even China, where 500 soldiers from the 36 Sikhs took part in the siege of the German port of Tsingtao.

Some 75,000 Indian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice while another 70,000 were grievously wounded. Buried in foreign lands, far from home, their graves scattered across the world. Yet, bar the All India War Memorial in New Delhi, now known as India Gate, there are no memorials erected in their memory anywhere. Many believe that part of the reason for this is that these men died fighting for the British instead of against as ruled India at that time was under Britains rule.

Right or wrong, at a subliminal level, perhaps there is some element of embarrassment, if not shame, attached in honouring these men who fought alongside soldiers who were part of the country that occupied their land, said Col (retd) H Rawat, a military historian.

But that is likely to change. On Sunday, when the world gathers to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the Interfaith Shaheedi Commemoration Association (IFSC), an NGO registered in France, will inaugurate the first of several miniature statues in 58 cemeteries across France in memory of unsung Indian heroes.

The first miniature version of the above-proposed statue at 1 Place du 8 Mai, 62840 Laventie, France on November 11 at 11:11:11... will mark the commencement of our project to establish 58 such statues near all the cemeteries where Indian soldiers lie buried in France, the IFSC said. The reason to do so was that all cemeteries in France, except the Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, have no mention of India or its soldiers, it added.

The 125 kg brass statue will have the Indian flag on a marble with Jai Hind inscribed above it and India below it. Laventie mayor Jean-Philippe Boonaert allocated space for the statue adjacent to a 12th century church of St. Vaast. The statue will be inaugurated by Lt General (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, who headed 15 Corps in Kashmir.

The driving force behind the IFSCs efforts is Lt Col Deepak Dahiya (Retd), the vice-president of the organisation and an army veteran of 23 years. Commissioned into the 16th Light Cavalry, Col Dahiya served in several command, staff and instructional posts.

In September 2016, remains of soldiers of the 39 Royal Garhwal Rifles were found in France. The human remains were buried at the Laventie Military Cemetery on November 11, 2017, the IFSC said.

According to the IFSC, while disposing the mortal remains of these martyrs, not enough attention was paid to the last rites as per Indian cultural and religious beliefs. Over 4,700 Indian soldiers have no known grave but are commemorated at Neuve Chapelle and Ypres, Belgium.

In August 2015, the IFSC established a commemorative plate at the site and organised an event attended by more than 1,300 Indians and over 300 French guests. Religious teachers of all faiths were brought from Paris to collectively offer prayers for the dead soldiers souls.

As Col Rawat put it, This will finally not only honour the brave Indians who died in foreign lands, but also record their contribution and immense sacrifices during the war for posterity. They deserve nothing less.Namita Bajpai By

LUCKNOW: Prime Minister Narendra Modi might meet RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Varanasi on Monday, November 12, when both leaders will be in the holy town.

While the PM will be in his parliamentary constituency to dedicate development projects worth Rs 2,400 crore apart from holding a public rally, Bhagwat will arrive on Sunday for a six-day Sangh workshop beginning on Monday.

If the meeting does take place, it will be the first such encounter between the two leaders since Modi assumed office in 2014, and comes at time when the RSS and allied outfits have stepped up their demand for the construction of a temple at Ayodhya.

A number of senior BJP leaders, including Union and state ministers who will be present in Varanasi on Monday, are also likely to meet Bhagwat.

The RSS is gearing up for a Janagrah rally in Ayodhya, Nagpur and Bengaluru on November 25 to muster support for the construction of proposed Ram temple. Apart from the seer community, the right wing outfits including the RSS and the VHP have been mounting pressure to facilitate temple construction in Ayodhya through a law. On Dussehra eve, Bhagwat had publicly demanded the Centre to take a legislative route to temple construction.

While over 5,000 seers are expected to attend the RSSs Janagrah rally, around 5-10 lakh people were expected to throng the temple town. The temple issue is connected with the faith of millions of people, said a senior RSS functionary.

The same day, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thakre will also visit the temple town to demand temple construction. The next edition of the rally will take place in New Delhi on December 9.

Janagrah rally

 Over 5,000 seers are expected to attend the RSSs Janagrah rally, while around 5-10 lakh people were expected to throng temple town of Ayodhya.Sana Shakil By

NEW DELHI: State and Central authorities are planning to introduce a psychometric test in the recruitment process of the countrys police and paramilitary forces, Union Home Ministry officials said.

The proposal was discussed recently in a meeting attended by representatives of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), police forces of several states, the Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) and Home ministry officials. It will be discussed again in December, officials in the know of the matter said.

According to the Union Home ministry, nearly 700 personnel of the paramilitary forces have committed suicide in the last six years. The number is roughly the same in state police personnel across the country. Last month, a personal security officer of a judge, who was a head constable with the Haryana police, shot and killed the judges wife and son for reasons that have not become clear so far.

By subjecting aspirants to the test, experts are hoping they would be able to ascertain mental capacity, behavioural patterns and hidden personality traits.

Currently, only the Special Protection Group (SPG) conducts the test before inducting personnel. The SPG provides security to the top echelon of the countrys leadership and other designated members.

A senior Home Ministry official said the proposal is based on the assessment that the traditional methods of recruitment, which lean more towards testing physical capability, are unable to meet the demands of forces.

The job requires physical fitness, mental toughness and working in isolated and stressful conditions. If the person does not have the aptitude, these conditions can severely affect his/her mental balance and that, in turn, can have dangerous ramifications... the official explained.

Sources said that the principle governing these tests makes it possible to quantify ones personality by asking questions about emotions, thoughts and behaviour in situations at and outside work. In India, only a few private companies are using the test.

We are also planning to identify institutions/universities that can assist us in designing reliable and non-discriminatory tests. The project will first be run on a pilot basis in one paramilitary organisation or police force... then it will be rolled out nationwide, said another official.By AFP

BEIRUT: Jihadists have killed at least eight Syrian government troops near a planned buffer zone around the country's last major rebel bastion, a monitor said on Saturday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attack took place late on Friday in the north of Hama province near the planned buffer zone around rebel-held territory in neighbouring Idlib.

The attack was led by fighters of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda branch which is the dominant force in Idlib, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

"An assault by HTS targeted a Syrian regime position on the outskirts of the de-militarised zone" and was followed by clashes in which eight regime forces were killed, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

Two jihadists also died.

The de-militarised zone was announced by rebel backer Ankara and Damascus ally Moscow in September to separate government troops from rebel fighters in Idlib and adjacent areas.

Under the deal, the rebels were supposed to have removed all heavy weapons from the buffer zone by October 10 but skirmishes have continued to pit regime forces against jihadists and other insurgents on the ground.

Rebel factions have said they withdrew their heavy weapons from the zone but HTS and other hardline groups have refused to pull out their fighters.

The deadly jihadist assault came hours after government troops killed 23 fighters of a formerly US-backed rebel group inside the planned buffer zone.

Idlib and some adjacent areas are the last major rebel bastion in Syria, where the Russian-backed government has in recent months retaken much of the territory it had lost since the civil war erupted.

It had threatened an assault on rebel territory around , which is home to some three million people, but the truce deal struck by Russia and Turkey averted it.

Aid organisations had warned that a fully-fledged offensive on Idlib could spark the worst humanitarian catastrophe of the civil war so far.

More than 360,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the conflict erupted with the brutal repression of anti-government protests in 2011.By UNI

ISLAMABAD: Fingerprints of three individuals, a bloodstained kurta besides several other evidences have been gathered by police from the scene of Maulana Samiul Haq's murder.

However, police were awaiting the forensic laboratory report to ascertain who hung the kurta in the restroom. It also believes that the fingerprints will help them figure out the number of individuals present in the room, Dawn reported.

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 on 3 November.

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, his son Maulana Hamidul Haq was quoted as saying by Geo News.

As of now no one has been accused in the FIR registered with Airport police.

More than 25 different samples collected from the scene of the murder have been sent to the laboratory.

According to sources, the police have also been questioning people who have been in touch with Haq through telephone.

Mobile phone calls made by Haq's secretary Ahmed Shah are also being probed.

There has been no formal interrogation of Mr Shah so far.

An investigating police officer said the complainant may nominate someone, as the investigation into murder cases is launched after the forensic laboratory's report.

Following the incident, there was a reshuffle with a few officers being shifted.

Dr Ghias Gul Khan, who was recently posted as senior superintendent of police (SSP) investigation Rawalpindi and was leading the investigation in Haq's murder, has been transferred and posted as principal of the Rawalpindi Police Training School.

Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi, currently posted as the SSP operations Gujranwala, has been shifted to Rawalpindi as the SSP investigation.

Saqib Sultan Al Mehmood, who was awaiting posting, has been posted as SSP operations Gujranwala.

However, a senior police officer said Dr Gul's transfer had nothing to do with the murder investigation, and Mr Abdullah would assume the job.By Online Desk

In an interview for the daily Sudwest Presse newspaper, Germany's Health minister Jens Spahn made a controversial statement saying that people without children should be paying more for the pension scheme, reported Deutsche Welle.

He appealed for a fundamental rethink of the system saying its a question of 'fairness'.

Labour minister Hubertus Heil dismissed the proposal, as a 'weird' idea aimed to punish childless people, especially since childlessness is not voluntary in many cases.

Labor minister Heil, on the other hand, said that the support for the families can come from elsewhere, liek for imstance, taxing the rich more.

Currently, childless people between the ages of 23 and 64 already pay 0.25 per cent more towards long-term care insurance than insured individuals with children.

Spahn supports it and hopes the amount could be more. "Parents raise future contributors and secure the system for the future", the minister wrote.

He also asked: "How (can) we remain a human society, how (can) we maintain our social institutions, if every third person in Germany is over 60 years old  and less than a fifth are younger than 20?"

Germany's ageing population and the retirement of post-war baby boomers (a person born in the years following the Second World War, when there was a temporary marked increase in the birth rate) has led to a mounting burden on health and social systems.By PTI

HOUSTON: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will lead a high-level trade and investment mission to India from November 12-18 to boost bilateral trade relations and joint investment initiatives in various sectors including energy, education, space and civil aviation.

The delegation is scheduled to meet with government and corporate representatives from the energy, life sciences, transportation, innovation, and space sectors to facilitate the exchange of information and promote partnerships between the US city of Houston and India.

The mission, whose first halt is New Delhi from November 12-14 and later to Mumbai on November 14-17 will focus on increasing trade and investment between the Houston region and Indian cities including Mumbai and Delhi.

Turner, who is visiting India for the first time since holding this position, is accompanied by Susan Davenport, Chief Economic Development Officer for the Greater Houston Partnership, William T Harris, CEO & president Johnson Space Center, Swapan Dhairyawan, president of the Indo American Chamber of commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH), Jagdip Ahluwalia, founder & executive director IACCGH, Sanjay Ramabhadran, Principal Houston Metro, and representatives from the city of Houston, including city council members and economic development, communication and international trade directors.

This trip is due to a combination of factors that make India an attractive partner for Houston in terms of culture, trade and investment exchange.

Besides the large Indian student presence at various educational institutions in Houston and the booming diaspora itself, Houston has a strong Indian economic presence as well.

Mahindra USA, Larsen and Toubro, Reliance and Welspun have their US operations headquartered in Houston.

Additionally, the city houses the US headquarters of India's three public sector companies - ONGC Videsh Ltd, Oil India Ltd and Gail Global USA.

IT majors Infosys, Wipro, TechMahindra, Tata Consulting Services and Cognizant also have tens of thousands of employees in the Greater Houston region.

"We share strong business, trade and cultural ties.

I see much potential for increased economic activity between Houston and India and look forward to helping make those connections," Turner told PTI.

"India is now a major LNG consumer & the fastest growing energy market of the world. Between 10 to 15 per cent of the world's oil consumption is in India. It is natural for the energy capital of the world to have connections with this market. Indians are major buyers of oil, LNG and petrochemicals.

"Indian companies are committed to lifting at least a billion dollars' worth of LNG per annum from the Sabine Pass terminal near Houston for the next decade.

The first shipment of petroleum from the US to India also sailed off from a Houston area port earlier this year.

"This flow is going to increase. We expect that Houston will become a hub for energy exports to India. Virtually all Houston-based oil majors are expanding their footprint in India. These include upstream, downstream, and midstream companies. Companies associated with the oil industry such as oilfield service and technology companies also have growing operations in India," he said.

"A key area of interest of the delegation is US crude oil trade between Houston ports and India. By June 2018, Houston ports exported 15 million barrels of oil to India, which was a significant increase from the 8 million barrels exports during all of 2017. Given the current international trade climate, it is possible that US crude oil shipment from Houston ports to India may be an area of discussion for the future", said Anupam Ray, Consul General of India.

In 2017, Houston-India trade was valued at approximately 4.9 billion USD.

Nearly 82,000 people living in the Greater Houston Metropolitan area were born in India.

During the first half of 2018, India advanced as one of Houston's top 10 export destinations.

Exports from Houston to India are up 61.5 per cent this year by dollar value.

The mayor's visit comes months after Texas Governor Greg Abbot toured India in January.By Associated Press

PARIS: US President Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to a cemetery for Americans killed in World War I, the White House said, citing bad weather that grounded his helicopter.

Trump had been scheduled to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence Saturday at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, located adjacent to Belleau Wood and about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Paris.

Instead, Trump spent much of the day following a meeting and lunch with French President Emmanuel Macron at the U.S. ambassador's residence, where he was staying during events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

ALSO READ: 70 world leaders including Trump, Putin mark 100 years since World War I Armistice in Paris

Attending in Trump's place were the White House chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly; the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Joe Dunford; and several members of the White House staff. The Battle of Belleau Wood was a critical conflict in the war and a pivotal encounter in Marine Corps history.

The Secret Service determines when it's safe to fly Marine One, the president's helicopter. Paris was covered in clouds with drizzling rain through most of Saturday.

Trump was scheduled to join dozens of world leaders Sunday at a ceremony in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe marking Armistice Day. He was to deliver remarks at the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, located five miles west of Paris, before returning to Washington.

The cancellation of Saturday's visit drew criticism from those who say the president should have found a way to travel to Aisne-Marne regardless of the weather.

Ben Rhodes, who was deputy national security adviser for President Barack Obama, accused Trump of "blowing off honoring American servicemen who died for us" and said the White House should have had a fallback option.By UNI

ISLAMABAD: The United States has donated one million dollars to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to address the health and protection needs of older Afghan refugees and host communities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The donation from the US Department of State's Bureau of Population and Refugees and Migration will fund WHO's protecting rights of older people with disabilities project, which focuses on people aged 60 or above with disabilities, chronic diseases, psychosocial disorders and trauma and who are survivors of gender-based violence among Afghan refugees and host populations in the country, Dawn reported.

This is the second time that the US Bureau of Population and Refugees and Migration has funded a WHO project in Pakistan.

ALSO READ: World Bank: 80% of Pakistan's poor live in rural areas

In 2010, WHO received four million dollars for the health cluster response to the internally displaced people crisis in KP.

The project will be implemented over 12 months and will target 4,771 beneficiaries in six districts.

It will also target 240 healthcare providers at public health sector facilities in refugee villages and camps, focusing on training and capacity-building activities to make primary healthcare services age-friendly and disability-sensitive.

The project also aims to create an enabling environment through community-based interventions and behavioural change communication campaigns, as well as establishing community-protection committees and self-help groups for older men and women with disabilities to strengthen social reintegration of target populations, refugees and host communities.

Furthermore, the project will look into the revitalisation of existing social and community health networks to establish robust referral mechanisms for target populations to multiple services, including healthcare, psychosocial support and protection services.

"This generous donation will enable WHO to directly and immediately address the unmet needs of older Afghan refugees in Pakistan," said Dr Nima Saeed Abid, acting WHO representative in Pakistan.

"It is essential to ensuring an integrated, multi-sectoral and comprehensive health and protection package to improve the health, social, and economic well-being of Afghan refugees and their host communities in Pakistan," he added.By AFP

SYDNEY: A woman has been arrested after a "complex" investigation into an Australian strawberry scare where needles were found stuck into the fruit, police said Sunday, in a crisis that sparked nationwide panic.

Queensland state authorities offered a large reward and the national government raised jail terms for such crimes after sewing needles were found in plastic boxes of the fruit sold in supermarkets in September.

Since the first case came to light when a man was taken to hospital with stomach pains after consuming strawberries, more than 100 alleged incidents of pins and needles found in fruit, mostly strawberries, were reported in September around the country.

ALSO READ | Australia supermarket chain Woolworths bans sewing needles amid strawberry crisis

One incident was also reported in neighbouring New Zealand.

Police said a 50-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday afternoon "following a complex... and extensive investigation" into the contamination case.

"The (Queensland Police Service) coordinated a national investigative response with multiple government, law enforcement and intelligence agencies," they added in a statement.

The woman was set to be charged Sunday evening and appear in court in Brisbane on Monday.

Police did not reveal any further details, including what the charges would be or the reasons and motives behind her alleged involvement.

The sabotage crisis led supermarkets to pull the fruit from the shelves and saw farmers dump tonnes of the unwanted berry. The government raised the maximum prison sentence for fruit tampering from 10 to 15 years.By ANI

COLOMBO: As the political crisis intensifies in Sri Lanka, wartime strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa has exited from President Maithripala Sirisena's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and joined the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on Sunday.

"Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today joined the #SriLanka Podujana Peramuna (@PodujanaParty)," he tweeted.

Rajapaksa's son Namal Rajapaksa joined SLPP on Saturday to contest in the January 5 snap elections while hinting at the former President's participation in the upcoming elections.

"I am joining the @PodujanaParty effective immediately. We will strive to create a broader coalition with many stakeholders under the leadership of @MaithripalaS & @PresRajapaksa to face the upcoming General Election and come out victorious," Namal tweeted.

I am joining the @PodujanaParty effective immediately.



We will strive to create a broader coalition with many stakeholders under the leadership of @MaithripalaS & @PresRajapaksa to face the upcoming General Election and come out victorious. pic.twitter.com/UHl4MKWpp9  Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) 10 November 2018

Along with the Rajapaksa father-son duo, former parliamentarians representing the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) also joined SLPP, according to Colombo Page.

Furthermore, several other Members of Parliament (MP) from SLFP crossed over to SLPP as well to fight under a broader coalition in next year's snap polls.

The January 5 polls were announced after Sirisena dissolved the Sri Lankan Parliament on November 9, prompting outcry from Ranil Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP).Copy Editor/Entertainment Editor

Frank Pieper is a copy editor and entertainment editor at The News-Gazette, and the author of Frank's Faves and Frank's Weekend Faves. His email is fpieper@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@frp308).Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 38F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 22F. Winds light and variable.Columnist

Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).Chief Executive Carrie Lam (third right) tours the "Great Tides Surge Along the Pearl River - 40 Years of Reform and Opening-up in Guangdong" exhibition.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today led a delegation of more than 160 people to visit Shenzhen to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening up of the country.



The delegation is made up of members of various sectors of the community, with Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Wang Zhimin as the advisor.



Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip, and Director of the Chief Executive's Office Chan Kwok-ki also joined the visit.



The delegation visited the Shenzhen Reform & Opening-up Exhibition Hall to learn about the rise of Shenzhen and the development of its surrounding areas as well as the history of Guangdong's reform and opening up.



At a lunch hosted by the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mrs Lam said in a speech that Hong Kong and Shenzhen have been in close co-operation in the past four decades.



She added that Hong Kong, which is still the largest source of external investment in Shenzhen and has close to 60,000 enterprises there, has been making significant contributions to Shenzhen's development.



She hoped the two cities will enhance collaboration in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the establishment of the international innovation and technology centre.



The delegation then visited the Qianhai Exhibition Hall where they learned about Qianhai's past development and future planning. They also toured the Qianhai Stone Park.



Mrs Lam and the delegation left Shenzhen in the afternoon and will start their Beijing visit tomorrow.Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung concluded his visit to Switzerland and returned to Hong Kong today.

Speaking to the media at Hong Kong airport, Mr Cheung said he attended a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Working Group during his visit.

At the meeting, he emphasised fundamental rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are all fully guaranteed by the Basic Law.

The working group has taken note of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments commitment and efforts to promote and protect human rights in Hong Kong, he said.

Mr Cheung added he met senior representatives of international organisations, including the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization and the International Social Security Association to foster mutual understanding and update them on developments in Hong Kong.THE Government has dismissed as false and mischievous, allegations of attempted abduction of MDC leader Mr Nelson Chamisa on his way from addressing a rally in Marondera on Saturday.



A video has been circulating on social media capturing skirmishes between Mr Chamisas security team and occupants of a Toyota Harrier which his party claims were State security agents trying to abduct their leader.



In a statement yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, said reports filed with police indicate that the incident could be a case of road rage as Mr Chamisas security details were involved in an altercation with private citizens.



Reports filed with the police indicate that some people were coming from Marondera, driving behind what they later learnt to be Mr Chamisas convoy. Suddenly the convoy stopped and blocked them from overtaking, they were aggressively confronted and manhandled by Mr Chamisas entourage including Mr Chamisa who lobbed himself in the back seat of their vehicle punching and scratching, she said.







The victims (just ordinary citizens going about their own business until the attack) have reported the matter to the police who are carrying out further investigations, this would appear to be a road rage incident.





Minister Mutsvangwa said neither the Intelligence services nor any security services or any arm of Government owns the Toyota Harrier in the captured video.





She said a quick check at the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) would show the media or any interested parties the true owners of the vehicle reiterating that the police are seized with the matter.





For the avoidance of any doubt, the CIO was not involved in this reported incident which is now under investigation. Let us all give the police the support, co-operation and space they need to execute their constitutional mandate, said Minister Mutsvangwa.





She said the Presidents Department is awake to the call by the New Dispensation to operate within the confines of the Constitution particularly Section 224(2).





Minister Mutsvangwa said the Department is also alert to the vision held by his Excellency the President of Zimbabwe to establish the institution of Opposition by having an Official Leader of the Opposition in Parliament whose office is funded by the State.





The Department subjects itself to the authority of the Constitution, the President and the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe and would not act contrary to that ethos, she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government acknowledges and supports the legal existence of opposition parties.





The Government has been made aware of the video that has been circulating on social media purporting to depict an attempted abduction of opposition leader Mr Nelson Chamisa. Government would like to assure the public, all opposition parties and their leadership that it acknowledges and supports the legal existence of the opposition Parties as enshrined in our Constitution, she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa however, said it was improper to abuse the support.





Government is dismayed at the imputation that State agents would attempt to abduct opposition leaders. That notion is not only false but also mischievous moreso taken in light of the efforts by Government to harmonise and practice with the Constitution.





In the run up to the July 30 elections, Mr Chamisa watched disinterestedly as his personal henchmen assaulted and then sprayed an as yet unidentified chemical into the eyes of one of the opposition coalitions National Assembly candidates for Gutu Central constituency.





Mr Crispa Musoni (MDC-T), one of two candidates the Alliance fielded in the constituency race, had tried to seek audience with Mr Chamisa in a bid to get clarity as to why the opposition leader had allowed two people from the same camp to contest the seat.





But instead of addressing the issue, Mr Chamisa allowed his goons to attack the 76-year-old man and spray a chemical in his eyes. HeraldThe story of tobacco is worse, with the country only able to process about two percent out of the more than 240 million kilogrammes it produced this last season. The rest goes out raw, with our tasty leaf being used as a blend for global brands.A FORM Two pupil at Collen Bawn High School in Gwanda has been arrested for stealing R1 600 from the schools secretary handbag which had been left in her office.



The 15-year-old juvenile who cannot be named for ethical reasons was convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate Miss Lerato Nyathi last week. He was warned, cautioned and discharged after the magistrate took into consideration that he was a school pupil. In passing sentence, Miss Nyathi urged the teenager to focus on his studies and desist from engaging in criminal activities.





Prosecuting, Mr Takunda Mafudze said the teenager went to Mrs Sizanobuhle Ncubes office who works as a secretary at the school and found that there was no one. Mr Mafudze said the teenager entered the office and searched Mrs Ncubes handbag and took R1 600 and went away unnoticed. He was nabbed after authorities looked at the CCTV and then followed him home. They found out that he had exchanged R1 400 for $100 but all the money was recovered. Sunday News(Newser)  Augustin Trebuchon is buried beneath a white lie. His tiny plot in Vrigne-Meuse, France is almost on the front line where the guns finally fell silent at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, after a four-year war that had already killed millions. A simple white cross says: "Died for France on Nov. 10, 1918." Not so. Like hundreds of others along the Western Front, Trebuchon was killed in combat on the morning of Nov. 11after the pre-dawn agreement between the Allies and Germany but before the armistice took effect six hours later. The 40-year-old shepherd's death at almost literally the eleventh hour only highlighted the folly of a war that had become ever more incomprehensible to many in nations drawn into the first global conflict, the AP reports.

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"Indeed, on the tombs it said 'Nov. 10, 1918,' to somewhat ease the mourning of families," says French military historian Nicolas Czubak. Trebuchon had been running to tell his comrades where they would have a meal after the armistice. Other nations also were not spared such casualties. With two minutes to go, 25-year-old Canadian Pvt. George Lawrence Price was slain by a German sniper. About 150 miles away in France, a 23-year-old American, Henry Gunther, was killed by German machine-gun fire one minute before the armistice. Historian Joseph Persico estimates that the total dead, wounded, and missing on all sides on the final day was 10,900, adding to a war toll of 14 million people, including 9 million soldiers, sailors, and airmen from 28 countries. (President Trump took heat for skipping a World War I cemetery ceremony.)(Newser)  Matthew Whitaker's role as acting attorney general may be short-lived, and that's not just Democrats talking. "I don't know Matt Whitaker," Trump said Friday before flying off to Francea noticeable change from his October statement on Fox News that Whitaker is "a great guy." At the same time, Sen. Mitch McConnell said "I think this will be a very interim AG" and Sen. Susan Collins expressed concern over Whitaker's past remarks, the AP reports. She also wants legislative limits on how special counsel Robert Mueller can be fired, including the stipulation that only a Justice Dept. official confirmed by the Senate can do it. Whitaker, of course, isn't Senate-confirmed. Why the fuss over Whitaker?



The scam: For one thing, Whitaker was a paid advisory-board member of a Florida company at a time when it allegedly scammed customers out of $26 million, the Wall Street Journal reports. World Patent Marketing Inc. charged people thousands to promote and patent their inventions, but did nothing for them, per the Federal Trade Commission. The FBI is investigating.

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Gay persecution? Iowa state Sen. Matt McCoy says Whitaker headed a politically motivated prosecution against him that was "devastating." As US attorney for Iowa's Southern District, Whitaker had McCoy investigated over what later appeared to be a $2,000 business matter, per CNN. McCoy, the state's first openly gay legislator, was found not guilty by a jury in 90 minuteswhich included their lunch time. Whitaker "was very much resentful of my lifestyle and I believe that played a factor in it," says McCoy.

Iowa state Sen. Matt McCoy says Whitaker headed a politically motivated prosecution against him that was "devastating." As US attorney for Iowa's Southern District, Whitaker had McCoy investigated over what later appeared to be a $2,000 business matter, per CNN. McCoy, the state's first openly gay legislator, was found not guilty by a jury in 90 minuteswhich included their lunch time. Whitaker "was very much resentful of my lifestyle and I believe that played a factor in it," says McCoy. Jews and atheists : Whitaker said in 2014 that judges lacking a "Biblical view of justice" shouldn't be on the federal bench, Newsweek recalls. Asked whether he meant "Levitical or New Testament"a way of separating Jews from Christianshe said, "I'm New Testament." Whitaker also cast doubt on judges with a "secular worldview," saying, "I'm going to be very concerned about how they judge." Whitaker was seeking Iowa's GOP Senate nomination at the time.

: Whitaker said in 2014 that judges lacking a "Biblical view of justice" shouldn't be on the federal bench, Newsweek recalls. Asked whether he meant "Levitical or New Testament"a way of separating Jews from Christianshe said, "I'm New Testament." Whitaker also cast doubt on judges with a "secular worldview," saying, "I'm going to be very concerned about how they judge." Whitaker was seeking Iowa's GOP Senate nomination at the time. The Dems : Whitaker's appointment "does violence to the constitution and the vision of our founders to appoint such a person in such a manner to be the chief legal officer in our country," says Rep. Nancy Pelosi, per the Guardian. "And that's bipartisan."

: Whitaker's appointment "does violence to the constitution and the vision of our founders to appoint such a person in such a manner to be the chief legal officer in our country," says Rep. Nancy Pelosi, per the Guardian. "And that's bipartisan." More Dems : Senate Democrats are mulling whether to sue Trump on the grounds that he named Whitaker unconstitutionallydisregarding the proper line of succession and denying senators their role to give advice and consent with certain appointments, Reuters reports.

: Senate Democrats are mulling whether to sue Trump on the grounds that he named Whitaker unconstitutionallydisregarding the proper line of succession and denying senators their role to give advice and consent with certain appointments, Reuters reports. Private tweets: Whitaker made his Twitter account private days after he was named acting AG, per Fortune. The Trump loyalist has tweeted that legislation to protect Mueller "would be a mistake" and re-tweeted an op-ed that referred to the "Mueller lynch mob."

Reacting to an op-ed against Whitaker, Trump asked about its co-author: "Who? You mean Mr. Kellyanne Conway?" (Read more attorney general stories.)(Newser)  President and Melania Trump are skipping a World War I ceremony in France Saturday, and critics pounced. "It's incredible that a president would travel to France for this significant anniversaryand then remain in his hotel room watching TV rather than pay in person his respects to the Americans who gave their lives in France for the victory gained 100 years ago tomorrow," tweeted David Frum, a former George W Bush speechwriter, per the Washington Post. Trump cited bad weather for not attending a remembrance of the Battle of Belleau Wood at a cemetery 50 miles outside the city. Two US divisions fought in the 1918 battle alongside the French and British, marking a key moment in US Marine Corps lore.

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"There is always a rain option. Always," tweeted Ben Rhodes, a former Obama advisor, while former government official Kelly Magsamen dubbed Trump "real low energy." Fox News notes that Nicholas Soames, UK Parliament member Winston Churchill grandson, joined the fray by calling Trump "pathetic [and] inadequate." John Kelly and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. will attend the ceremony in the Trumps' absence. The Post notes that Trump "appeared subdued, almost sullen" in meeting French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturdaya far cry from their handsy summit in April. Trump kicked things off Friday on a harsh note, tweeting that Macron's plan for a European army was "very insulting ... perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!" (Six were arrested in an apparent plot to assassinate Macron.)(Newser)  Florida has begun an unprecedented recountfor both the governor and Senate racesand Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum is taking his previous concession to Ron DeSantis off the table, reports Politico. I am replacing my words of concession in an unapologetic call that we count every vote, said Gillum. As of Saturday, DeSantis led by a scant .41% of the vote, or about 33,600 votes, a margin small enough to trigger an automatic machine recount. The Senate race is even closer, with Republican Rick Scott ahead of Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson by 0.15%, or about 12,500 votes.

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In fact, the Senate race is so close that the Washington Post expects it will result in a hand recount once the machine recount is completed later this week. President Trump has been among the most vocal critics of the vote counting in Florida, tweeting Saturday: "Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!" Gillum, though, said Republican critics were being hypocritical. "Every vote will be counted," he said. I have got to imagine that if the shoe were on the other foot of my opponents, not one of them would stop until the votes are counted. (Much of the focus is on Palm Beach and Broward counties.)(Newser)  A familiar name in Congress won't be returning. Republican Dana Rohrabacher has lost his seat in Orange County, California, to Democrat Harley Rouda after serving almost 30 years. The AP called the race Saturday, with Rouda at 52% and up by about 8,500 votes. The 71-year-old Rohrabacher is a former speechwriter for Ronald Reagan whose pro-Russian views in recent years have earned him the derisive nickname of "Putin's favorite congressman," notes Politico. (Rohrabacher said Putin once beat him in a drunken arm-wrestling contest.) Rohrabacher also has been one of the few Republicans pushing for legal marijuana, notes the Wall Street Journal. The victory by Rouda in a once traditionally red district (it was home to Richard Nixon) will help Democrats solidify their majority in the new Congress. (Read more Dana Rohrabacher stories.)(Newser)  Good news for those feverishly dreaming of shiplap since Chip and Joanna Gaines pulled the plug on Fixer Upper: The former HGTV dynamo and parents of five will return to television, they announced Friday on The Tonight Show. "We signed a non-disclosure and it said, quote/unquote, you can tell your mother but thats it," Chip Gaines said, looking into the camera. "So mom, I just wanted to make a quick announcement, we are coming back to television. ... We are excited to be back!"

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The Gaineses are in talks with Discovery, the parent company of HGTV, to launch their own network, reports People. Says a rep for Magnolia, the couple's company, "the details surrounding this opportunity remain a work in progress, but together, our hope is to build a different kind of platform for unique, inspiring and family-friendly content." (Read more about the couple's ultimate fixer-upper: Waco, Texas.)(Newser)  President Trump joined other world leaders Sunday in Paris at a ceremony honoring the millions of soldiers who died in World War I, but he may not have liked French President Emmanuel Macron's speech. "Patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism: Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism," said Macron, who also warned of "old demons coming back to wreak chaos and death," report the Washington Post and the AP. Trump, who recently embraced the term "nationalist" for himself, sat "mostly stone-faced" during the speech, per the AP. Also causing headlines: A topless woman broke through security and rushed Trump's motorcade as it drove down the Champs-Elysees in Paris before the ceremony.

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The woman had something along the lines of "Fake Peacemaker" written on her chest, and Reuters reports that she got fairly close to the cars before her arrest. The feminist activist group Femen claimed responsibility for the stunt. Trump and Vladimir Putin were the only two world leaders who arrived at the ceremony in their own motorcades and made separate entrances; the other leaders arrived together. A White House spokesperson said "security protocols" made the move necessary. Putin greeted Trump when he arrived, flashing a thumbs-up sign and shaking his hand. (Trump took flak for skipping a related ceremony on Saturday.)(Newser)  Canada seems to enjoy getting high, but officials there have a new worry: children and edible pot. Edibles aren't legal in Canada yetthat won't happen until at least 2019but more young people are being hospitalized for marijuana poisoning as officials grasp the appeal of cannabis-infused gummy bears and cookies for kids, per the Guardian. "We've seen a spike for sure," says Margaret Thompson, director of the Ontario Poison Centre. Indeed, Ontario and Alberta saw nearly 600 people under age 20 poisoned by marijuana in 2017, and 24 kids age three and under rushed to ERs from downing cannabis edibles. "Will we see a huge increase as they did in some of the United States?" she asks. "I can't say for sure."

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Several US states saw cannabis-related hospitalizations jump after marijuana was legalized. Colorado clamped down, saying edibles can't resemble fruit, people, or animals, and must have limited THC content. But in Canadajust three weeks into legalizationedibles are still sold illegally, so labels may not be accurate as marijuana gummy bears and brownies end up in family homes, per Global News. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that Canada is actually running out of legal weed. The nation's low supply is reviving the black market, which legalization was intended to curb. "Producers can add more people to try and meet demand," says a Quebecois cannabis official. "But that wont make the plants grow any faster." (One US state just approved, and another rejected, recreational pot.)U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed their Chinese counterparts on religious freedom, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and other issues Friday in a meeting aimed at setting up a summit between their nations presidents later this month.

While Pompeo noted the U.S.-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue in Washington was "productive," he highlighted China's repression of some religious groups.

"The United States and the international communities will continue to express our concerns with respect to China's repression of religious groups -- Christians, Buddhists, and 800,000 to possibly millions of Muslims -- that have been denied their freedoms," Pompeo said during a joint press briefing following Friday's talks.

When pressed by VOA during the briefing, Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi said those issues are "China's internal affairs" and that "foreign countries have no right to interfere."

Beijing has defended its internment camps in western Xinjiang that human rights groups say now house around 1 million Muslim men and women.

China says the "vocational education centers" are aimed at ensuring security. Activists say there is evidence of torture, widespread surveillance, and signs that those being held are being forced to renounce their faith.

Yang on Friday noted the Chinese government attaches great importance to social and economic development in Xinjiang and Tibet and has taken a host of measures to promote stability, "unity" and people's well-being there. Xinjiang is home to ethnic Uighurs, the region's Turkic-speaking minority, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims.Following predictions by some Christian and Muslim clerics that President Muhammadu Buhari will fail the 2019 elections, the National Coordinator of Buhari Presidential Support Committee, which was recently formed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yau Adamu dan Fulani, has dismissed the prediction of the clerics, calling them liars.According to Dan Fulani, only God can stop Buhari from winning next years elections.When asked about predictions from clerics, he revealed Leave those beggars, they are liars, they always tell lies to get money from wealthy politicians. They are not god, not even saint. It is true.I read the same story in one of the newspapers recently. The same clerics that predicted the failure of Buhari in 2015, but he eventually won with support of the majority of Nigerians.So, I think people should not allow such predictions to work on their consciousness. Its divine power of God, and He gives power to whom He wants and takes it from anybody He wants. This is my philosophy that I expect anybody to believe in and make his submission to.Buhari will win 2019 election by Gods willing, and those clerics will be disappointed. The issue of Muhammadu Buhari as a president is a destiny and nobody can alter someones destiny, so it is wrong to make predictions based on things that are beyond their powers.Tongcheng-Elong may list in HK by year-end

From:ChinaDaily | 2018-11-09 17:30

Tongcheng-Elong Holding Limited, the third-largest online travel agency in China by trading volume, has reached a profit of 845.36 million yuan ($122 million) in the first half of 2018, it said in a post-hearing information released Thursday.

Tongcheng-Elong's total profits in the first six months of 2018 have exceeded its profits for the entire year of 2017, which were 684 million yuan, according to the document released by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, as the company has already applied for a listing in Hong Kong.

Its revenue stood at 2.83 billion yuan in the first half of 2018, while its 2017 revenue was 5.23 billion yuan.

Tongcheng-Elong may go public before the end of this year, said an anonymous source familiar with the company, which was created by a merger between Tongcheng Network and Elong completed in March 2018.

Data from iResearch showed that Tongcheng-Elong ranked as the third-largest in China's online travel market in terms of 2017 trading volume, with the highest year-on-year growth from 2015 to 2017 in the number of online transportation ticketing and accommodation reservation transactions in China's OTA travel market.

Tencent Group is the largest shareholder of Tongcheng-Elong with 24.92 percent of the company's shares. It has designated Tongcheng-Elong as the sole operator for the "Rail and Flight" and "Hotel" portals in Weixin and Mobile QQ payment interfaces, offering access to hundreds of millions of Chinese Internet users on a daily basis.A political support group, the Buhari Youth Organization, BYO, weekend gave reasons why it is necessary for the electorate in the Igbo- speaking states to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election, arguing that it would be the quickest way for power to shift to the south in 2023.At a well attended meeting of the group in Awka, the Anambra State coordinator of BYC, Comrade Olisa Okanmelu said that voting for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would mean that power would stay in the north till 2027.According to him, if power came back to the south in 2023, South East would definitely be the next port of call, recalling that for eight years (1999-2007), power resided in the South West, while it resided in the South South for almost six years (2010 to 2015).He said: Naturally, it is incontestable that with APC, power will domicile with the South East come 2023. This challenges all Igbo to put hands on deck to ensure that Buhari retains his presidency so as to handover to an Igbo man in 2023. This will entrench the interest of the Igbo nation in Nigerias political agenda.He said that despite the unfounded and unsubstantiated criticism, antagonisms and parochial attacks from the opposition, President Buhari would convincingly win the 2019 presidential election based on his track record.He argued further: One can safely say that Buharis regime is modestly better than the regimes before it since 1999. It is therefore an illusion for the opponents to believe that they can muster enough electoral muzzles in terms of number to oust the incumbent President Buhari.Of all the criticisms leveled against Buhari, no critic is courageous enough to say that he is corrupt.Muhammdu Buhari could be anything to his critics, but has proven to be a clean and incorruptible leader. A former military governor; one-time federal Commissioner of Petroleum Resources, General Officer Commanding 3rd Mechanized Division, Jos, military head of state, chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund etc; yet he is not connected to illicit wealth like his contemporaries, predecessors, and successors in Nigerian military and civil politics. This remains a perpetual plus for him and that diminishes his so called opponents.Okanmelu also said President Buhari had improved infrastructure in the South-East, unlike what he called the situation in 16-years of PDP presidency, during which roads and other infrastructure were neglected in Igbo states.In less than four years of Buhari regime, Igbo states are being opened up to link other zones in Nigeria. Work is on-going in 2nd Niger Bridge, Enugu-Onitsha expressway is under rehabilitation. So also is Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, among others.Railway line is underway to link Igbo states to the North and other parts of the country. Putting all these into consideration, BYO, has decided that Buhari regime shall continue because he is a good leader, he is not deceitful; he is honest, transparent, exemplary and consistent, the BYO coordinator said.Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu Valley on Sunday have given the priority to a host of issues from political, economic and sociocultural issues. Province 1 Chief Minister Sher Dhan Rais medial trip to the United States has turned controversial and two major newspapers have published front page stories on the issue. Reports of some road accidents occurred during Tihar festival across the country have also been featured on the front pages.

Meanwhile, parents of Nirmala Pant, who was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur of farwestern Nepal around four months ago, have announced to begin an indefinite sit-in demanding action against the perpetrators and their announcement has also been reported on the front pages.

Important

Whats controversy about Rais US trip?

Kantipur and The Himalayan Times report that Sher Dhan Rai was said to have gone to Bangkok of Thailand for treatment of an ailment he was suffering from, but suddenly he was found to be visiting the United States.

Kantipur says diplomatic experts have criticised Rais move as he apparently lied to the central government.

Meanwhile, The Himalayan Times adds that the controversy surfaced after a journalist of Nepali origin was beaten, allegedly, by a loyalist of CM Rai in New York, for exposing the visit as not sanctioned by the central government.

Pants parents will begin indefinite protest today

Kantipur and Republica report that Yagya Raj and Durga Devi Pant, parents of Nirmala Pant, will begin their sit-in in front of Kanchanpur District Administration Office from Sunday morning after the government failed to name perpetrators of the crime against their daughter.

We will continue the sit-in till we get justice, Yagya Raj has been quoted in Kantipur. Meanwhile, Republica quotes the mother, My daughters soul will rest in peace only after her attackers are booked. My heat will never be at ease until justice is delivered.

Gachhadars nomination intensifies intra-party feud

The nomination of Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar as the vice-president of the party has added yet another dispute to inter-party differences in the Nepali Congress, reports Republica.

Interestingly, Shekhar Koirala, who also belongs to the rival faction has defended the move as a political decision though Ram Chandra Paudel, Prakash Man Sigh and Arjun Narsingha KC have objected to it, according to the report.

Ignored

Irregularities galore at Bir Hospital

The National Vigilance Centre has recommended that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the government launch a further investigation into reported irregularities at the Bir Hospital and take action against the guilty, reports Naya Patrika in its lead story.

Irregularities have been found in the purchase of equipment and recruitment of staff, according to the report.

Provinces reject centres decision on staff recruitment

According to a three column story in The Kathmandu Post, provincial governments have opposed the federal governments decision to recruit new civil staff for provincial and local governments through the federal Public Service Commission. The provinces have argued that the decision is unconstitutional and reflects centralised mentality.

They have demanded that the centre allow them to recruit new staff through provincnial PSCs.

Provincial minister injures four on Kailali road

The Himalayan Times reports in a snippet that a Scorpio jeep used by the Sudurpashchim Provincial Minister for Social Development, Dirgha Sodari, hit a motorbike at Badhaipur of Kailali district on Friday night.

Jeep driver Dhojendra Shah, his niece Ayushma Shahi, biker Surendra Chand and Bharat Bohora were injured. Chand is said to be critical.

Interesting

Women lawmakers have higher attendance rate than men

The lead story in Kantipur reports that women lawmakers are found to have better attendance rates in House meetings than their male counterparts on average.

Among 274 lawmakers, total 183 lawmakers were present in more than 75 per cent meetings. Among women lawmakers, 78 per cent recorded above 75 per cent attendance whereas the rate is 61 per cent among men.

Nepali handicrafts faring better in the international market

Nepali handicraft products are becoming more popular in the international market, Karobar reports in its lead story.

Quoting officials of business associations, the report informs that the export of Nepali handicrafts is increasing by 15 per cent every year. Nepal currently exports 42 handicraft items in more than 60 countries and the biggest buyers are the United States, Germany, China, India, Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada, according to the report.Kathmandu, November 11

An ambitious plan to assign a private firm to manage solid waste of all municipalities of Kathmandu Valley has been pushed into limbo thanks to the objection of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Earlier, the municipal governments had signed an preliminary agreement with Nep West Pvt Ltd for waste management. Following that, the Investment Board of Nepal on June 15 already signed a project development agreement with the company.

The June agreement mentions that the deal would be implemented within next three months. However, the company has failed to execute its commitment after the capitals local government put forth five new conditions after staffing and use of equipment.

In particular, the KMC says the private company should deposit the salary of 1,600 waste management personnel in advance, which the company has not agreed.

Problems are likely unless we properly manage our workforce. Either the Investment Board or the investing company should take care of the staff, says KMC Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya.Kanchanpur, November 11

Parents of Nirmala Pant, a 13-year-old girl who was raped and murdered around four months ago in Kanchanpur of farwestern Nepal, have begun an indefinite demonstration in the district headquarters on Sunday.

The couple accompanied by local activities will stage the sit-in in front of the District Administration Office in Mahendranagar today.

The Citizen Struggle Committee, which is hosting the demonstration, says the sit-in will continue till the guilty is booked and made public.

They had also staged a rally before beginning the sit-in.

Meanwhile, the Pant family says the couple will stage an indefinite hunger strike in the second phase if their demand was not met after the indefinite sit-in.Home  Just In  Will retire from politics if I was found involved in wide body irregularities: Adhikari

Kathmandu, November 11

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari has rejected reports about his involvement in irregularities in the purchase of two wide body aircraft for Nepal Airlines Corporation.

He says he is ready to retire from his political career if any authority proves his role in the suspected irregularities.

In an interview with Onlinekhabar, Minister Adhikari says, The purchase process began three years ago. Everything was decided before I came including all specifications of the aircraft and payment procedure.

I was not involved in the process. I just wanted to make sure that the aircraft should be brought here once we have already spent the money.

Adhikari claims agents, competitive businesses and media among others charged him with irregularities because they do not want to see the NAC improving its business.

The Minister, however, maintains that he will cooperate with investigations to be carried out regarding the purchase.

We are advocating for the investigation. But, I reassure you that I was not involved in the purchase, he says, If anybody finds my role in any irregularity, I will retire from my political life. I do not have any fear because I have not done anything wrong.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.She was 18. The prefect of her class. She was a first-year Home Economics student at the West Africa Senior High School (WASS) in Accra.



She was killed by a speeding taxi on the Madina-Adentan (N4) Highway on Thursday, 8 November 2018, as she crossed the highway in front of her school.



The road's uncompleted footbridges are unusable.



Mariams death sparked spontaneous riots by residents living along the Madina-Adentan Highway around her school. They blocked the road with burning tyres. The police and fire service personnel had to intervene to restore calm.



She was buried on Friday, in accordance with Islamic custom.



This is what a friend, Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah, wrote of the late student on Facebook:



"The news of your death so shocking Mariam! I heard the sad news of the death of a student on the Adentan-Madina highway yesterday, but to be told this morning it was you gives me so much pain. I remember your late dad said to me "You are his gold". He was a doting father who took you everywhere including your regular visits to the low-vision clinic at the Ghana Blind Union Eye Clinic and consulted me together with your mum on ways to take care of you. Hmmm, I know if daddy were alive, he would have escorted you to school and back. You were a promising young lady. The albinism community will miss you. Rest in peace little sister.



"We plead with you drivers to know that there are low-vision people including Persons with Albinism in our communities, so, the reckless driving must stop and we await the Ministry of Roads and Highways to fix the footbridges in a weeks time. No more life should be lost on this highway".



Mawunyos twin sister, Ese Yakor-Hamidu, also wrote this about her late sister:



"My Mariam's beautiful life has been cut short by that reckless driver. You had a very fine skin which was spotless because mummy and daddy took very good care of you and gave you the needed support. You were a sweet soft and intelligent girl. A daddy's pride. And before we knew it, you were gone, but we'll never forget you. I was with mummy yesterday and when our uncle saw me, he said he thought you had returned. Is this a nightmare or maybe an illusion? Oh, this is really hard. May God rest you, Mariam".

BURIED

MIRIAM'S BURIAL: The eighteen year old girl who's death in a vehicular knockdown on the Madina-Adenta highway sparked a spontaneous protest and a blockade of the highway has been buried at a brief ceremony at the Madina Social Welfare cemetery.

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Featured VideoDuring di 2016 elections, New Patriotic Party argue say "we have the men," one slogan which chaw Ghanaians follow take vote di party into power sake of dema claim say more intellectuals den experts dey di party inside.

But people start dey question where di men dey after another road accident for di Madina-Adenta highway top kill one senior high school student on di spot. Di female student die sake of no footbridge dey di road top which make di over speeding vehicle kill am.

According to Selorm Brantie, one of di leaders for Concerned Residents of Adenta, dem count up to 192 deaths for di road top so far.



Di concerns be say despite di chaw ministers, government appointees, presidential staffers den noise wey Madina den Adenta residents make over di footbridge matter, government no take action yet until say violent protests happen.

After di riots, government release joint inter-ministerial committee press statement which indicate say dem go start fix am next week. But dis no impress some Ghanaians who dey argue say e be after di demo happen before dem wan solve di problem.

People enter social media dey express dema disappointment on di poor response to citizen concerns until say dem resort to violence before leaders go react.

Source: bbc.com









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Featured VideoMr Prosper Bani, Former Chief of Staff has said Ghana has no effective institutions to control electoral chaos and crisis and therefore, needed to maintain its democracy to avoid such threatening circumstances.



He said: Ghana is not there yet and we should be mindful of the fact that we have no strong institutions that can control threats accumulated from electoral disputes.



He said this during the inaugural ceremony of the Ghana Political Science Association, by the Department of Political Science of the University of Ghana.



Mr Bani who was the guest speaker said, he had experienced real political crisis and how countries struggled to control them, adding that, electoral disputes could degenerate the progress and peace of a country, which could lead into crisis.



He noted that it was for this reason that the National Peace Council was established to maintain the peace in the country, however, he noted that the Council lacked resources, logistics and personnel to achieve its mandate.



Yet, in this country, we witness disputes, some leading into violence. We need to work towards protecting our democracy because, that is the only way to mobilise resources for national development, he added.



Mr Bani said election had always served as a key for the control of power and therefore, was not negotiable, a system he said called for the need to maintain democracy.



Speaking on the theme; Political Science Research and the Quest for Ghanas Democratic Development, Mr Bani urged political science students to conduct researches on the real plight of Ghanaians in different areas.

Source: GNA









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Featured VideoThe President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is confident of a better and brighter tomorrow for the Ghanaian people, as the programmes and policies being implemented by his government will bear fruit soon.



According to President Akufo-Addo, he came into office with the goal of improving the living standards of Ghanaians, and, in twenty-two months, the achievements of his government, even though modest, have been visible for all to see.



In this Church, at least, Rev. Osabutey can attest to the fact that the monthly electricity and water bills of the Church have reduced, as it has for everybody. I am also sure that we have parents here whose wards are beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School policy, he said.



The President continued, We have achieved a number of noteworthy successes, including restoring discipline in the management of our public finances, but I acknowledge that life is still not easy as it should be. One thing for which I am certain is that there is hope for a better and brighter tomorrow.



Comforted by the words of Holy Scripture in Jeremiah 12:2, he assured that the policies and programmes being implemented by my Government have taken root, they will grow and they will bear fruit.



President Akufo-Addo made this known on Sunday, 11th November, 2018, when he attended the 180th anniversary celebration of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, Ghana.



He assured the congregation that his vision of building a Ghana Beyond Aid, that is a Ghana that has discarded the mentality of dependence on aid, charity and handouts, remains constant.



We can, and we should be able to build a Ghana which looks to the use of her own resources and their proper management as the way to engineer social and economic growth in our country. With the help of the Church, I am confident that we can realise this vision, he stressed.



Uphold virtues of Methodism



From humble beginnings in Jamestown, in the days of John Ahumah Solomon, John Plange and Frederick France, the Accra Diocese has grown to having a membership of some one hundred and ten thousand, a ministerial staff strength of two hundred and fourteen (214), and establishing one hundred and three (103) educational institutions.



President Akufo-Addo noted that successive priests and congregations are to be applauded for these achievements, and for the many years of service and fellowship to country.



You have been a good example of what it means to love one another and give cheerfully to those in need, and I have no doubt that this legacy of ministry and compassion will long grace this Diocese, the President said.



Indeed, taking into account the distinguished personalities that own up to being Methodist in our country today, and those who have gone before us, we can say with considerable pride that Methodists have played constructive and crucial roles in the development of Ghana.



He urged members of the Accra Diocese of the Methodist Church, and all faithful disciples of Christ, to rise to their religious responsibilities, and stimulate the desired motivational spirit of renewal and transformation towards effective nation-building



My prayer is that this Church will continue, for the next one hundred and eighty years (125 years), to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, win souls, and serve the people of Ghana and Almighty God.



And, please, pray for me, the government and the people I have appointed to various positions, that we exercise our responsibilities with humility and integrity, and pray for Ghana, that she remains united and continues to strive for progress and prosperity, the President added.





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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says the rehabilitation of existing schools and the construction of new ones are continuing across the country, all with the purpose of strengthening the delivery of quality, basic education.



Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lawra Senior High School, on Saturday, 10th November, 2018, President Akufo-Addo noted that with ingenuity and innovation, his Government, through the Ghana Education Trust Fund, has secured a $1.5 billion facility to help develop infrastructure in schools in the country.



Once parliamentary approval is obtained, the first tranche of this facility will be used to build more classroom blocks and dormitories in our schools to give our schools appropriate facilities to meet the demands of the 21st century, the President said.



President Akufo-Addo assured that Government would continue to support Lawra SHS and all other senior high schools across the country, to deliver quality education.



Touching on the challenges of the school, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering of his directive to the Upper West Regional Security Council to liaise with the District Security Committee, the Lawra Traditional Council and the land owners to address the issue of the boundaries of Lawra SHS, paving the way for the completion of the schools wall.



On the occasion of the schools 50th Anniversary, I want to announce that I have set in motion procurement processes, under the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), for the construction of a new Assembly Hall Complex for Lawra Senior High School to mark this event, he added.



To Naa Puowele Karbo III, Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, the President indicated that Brifo Senior High School, which falls under his jurisdiction, is being converted into a Model School, with the construction of dormitories, a library, an administration block, a science laboratory and a dining hall.



Again, Lawra has been chosen as one of the twenty (20) locations for the establishment of state-of-the-art Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) centres in the country. And, finally, in fulfillment of my campaign pledge to complete projects initiated by the predecessor government, I am happy to announce that Government is in the process of completing the Boo-Dowine SHS block, he added.



Re-emphasizing the importance of education to the development of the nation, he indicated that against the odds and against the wishes of the naysayers and political Jeremiahs, Government introduced the Free Senior High School policy in September last year.



In 2017, the first year of its implementation, ninety thousand (90,000) more students gained access into Senior High School than in 2016. In 2018, one hundred and eighty thousand (180,000) more students have been admitted into Senior High School, the President said.

e continued, Let us pause for a moment to consider what would have happened to the two hundred and seventy thousand (270,000) more students, who have entered Senior High School between 2017 and 2018, without this policy in place.



Government, President Akufo-Addo noted, is aware of the teething challenges confronting the Free SHS policy, and has addressed substantially many of them.



If it has taken the introduction of Free SHS to encourage some of the media and other commentators, and, recently, members of the opposition, who were in power for most of this decade, to find and, at times, exaggerate the problems that bedevil our schools, I simply take it as one more reason to cheer the Free SHS, he added.

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KAMPALA  Taxi operators, under their umbrella body the Kampala Taxi Stages Association (KOTSA) have asked the government for a special arrangement to allow them pay taxes in installments.

The request was made during a meeting held at Old Kampala late this week.

Mr Yasin Sematimba, the KOTSA chairperson told PML Daily that the tax authorities should allow them pay in installments the monthly fees that were set by government.

In the same meeting, KOTSA Cabinet announced new park user fees for taxis and buses in the country that will be paid annually.

Local Government State Minster, Jennifer Namuyangu, said that taxis working within Kampala capital city will pay sh720, 000.

But for those operating between a local government and KCCA will have to pay sh840, 000.

In the new arrangement, KCCA will receive 60 percent and 40 percent of the taxi will going to local government.

Namuyangu says that taxis trading between two urban authorities will also pay sh840,000 annually with the origin receiving 60 percent and destination receiving 40 percent.

Another driver operating on Ntinda stage, Yassin Kassolo says that they should go back to the old system where they have been paying a monthly charge.

According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Uganda currently has 34,000 taxis operating in different parts of the country.

RelatedCrypto Market Sentiment Gets Better, FortFS Reports

Given the fact that crypto assets are relatively new, volatile, and promising, international experts have been increasingly interested in everything that's been going on in the international cryptocurrency market over the last few years. FortFS experts decided to dive deeper into the current market situation and evaluate last week's key events, which are also expected to influence the market in the near future.

The past trading week is said to have been interesting and positive for the entire cryptocurrency market. Slowly but surely, the crypto market is getting alive once again, with more investors joining in all over the world. On Tuesday, major cryptocurrencies showed moderate growth - up to 5 points. Even tough some of the coins managed to set new local highs, they eventually failed to consolidate at those levels and retraced a bit from those levels.

At the same time, the price chart or the last 4 weeks leads us to make interesting conclusions. At this point, November stays a positive trading month, with Bitcoin and Ethereum clearly trading in the green zone.

On the other hand, even though some of the major coins are currently stronger than weeks ago, the overall cryptocurrency market cap has gained a lot over the same reporting period. On the contrary, if to belive the figures taken for the last few weeks, the market cap has shrunk by several billion dollars. Yesterday, it was some 213 billion dollars, with Bitcoin making up for 111 billion dollars.

However, these are not the key points of interest for international experts. At this point they are trying to figure out how to treat the recent rally and the positive sentiment around it. Chances are, the reason is the info background around the crypto market. Over the last few weeks, the international community has been discussing the rumors about Bitcoin getting ready for its pre-Christmas rally.

Experts say that technically, we don't have a reason to expect a rally in the market of Bitcoin and Ethereum unless the price overcomes major levels of resistance located at 6700 USD/BTC and 220 USD/ETH respectively. Still, experts say that the current strengthening looks promising.

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Vallabhbhai Patel's great claim to fame originated from his steely leadership of a struggle against a repressive regime, a good three decades before the achievement of states unification, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

IMAGE: President Rajendra Prasad swears in Vallabhbhai Patel as a Cabinet minister as India becomes a Republic in 1950. Photograph: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Vallabhbhai Patel, whose birth anniversary we observe with much pomp and circumstance, rose to national prominence 90 years ago through his sterling leadership of a seminal event in India's independence struggle, the Bardoli Satyagraha.

Unfortunately, it is reduced to a mere footnote, largely due to its marginalisation in the official history of the Indian National Congress released in 1985.

Dr Chittaranjan Desai, son of Patel's contemporary and great friend Dadubhai Desai (a descendant of Patel's collateral maternal family branch) has extensively documented it in his immaculately researched India's Struggle for Freedom, Three Strategies (2007, reissued in 2017).

Recapitulating salient features of this epic occurrence would be perhaps as fitting a tribute to the great man as erecting a monumental statue of him.

Mahatma Gandhi had set up the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad in 1917. Patel, who came to know Gandhi the previous year, came to Ahmedabad in 1917, becoming secretary to the Gujarat Sabha of which Gandhiji was the president. He also became a municipal councillor.

Gandhiji launched the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918. He was mostly away in Champaran and Patel had to shoulder the responsibility since he hailed from Kheda. That activity fizzled out for lack of preparation and unclear focus.

Bardoli was a taluka town in Surat district in south Gujarat (now the headquarter of the Tapi district). It comprised 137 villages in the rich farm and pasturelands of the Tapi valley.

The Bombay presidency government surveyed the taluka to settle rates of revenue. Two committees concluded that the area and the farmers had prospered and recommended a 30 per cent rate increase (later reduced to 22 per cent).

The government hastily accepted this and announced the new rates to be effective from July 1927 in contravention of the practice of a year's waiting. Farmers were agitated and Dadubhai Desai, who led a seven-member group of legislative councillors, decided to start an agitation on their behalf.

For a start, the group resigned their seats.

Desai found support, but felt that the agitation needed a more forceful leader. He requested Patel to assume the mantle.

Patel was reluctant, since he had his hands full as the president of the Ahmedabad municipality. After much persuasion and coaxing from Gandhiji, he agreed in February 1918. Shortly thereafter, he shifted base to Bardoli.

Farmers -- mostly anavils, vanias, and some Muslims as well as Parsis -- stood as one in their resolve not only to not pay the additional revenue, but also the regular rates. Only one village demurred.

The government was in no mood to listen. It employed dire measures including confiscation of farmer assets and cattle. It also sent police reinforcements and even Pathan mercenaries.

The Bombay governor, Sir Leslie Wilson, had the army stand by. Reports of entire villages emptying out, all establishments downing shutters and excesses of the police and Pathans gained wide currency.

The matter went up to Lord Irwin, the Viceroy, and Lord Birkenhead, the secretary of state for India, who had no option but to support the presidency government.

All concerned were alarmed at how rapidly the situation was getting out of hand.

Fearing the worst, the Desai group proposed a face-saving-formula: Farmers would pay the normal rate, Ramchandra Bhatt, a wealthy Bombay leader, would pay the additional 22 per cent, and the government would set up an inquiry committee immediately thereafter.

With some effort, all parties accepted this compromise and the government issued the notification in July 1918. This was universally hailed as a great victory for the Satyagraha and Patel personally, whom Gandhiji named Sardar (leader), a title he has been revered by thereafter.

The victory remained pyrrhic though until a year later when the government rescinded the increase and released confiscated properties following the inquiry report.

The more important consequence was the emergence of Satyagraha as a most potent form of agitation. Lord Irwin likened it to a prairie fire and wrote to the king emperor in July 1928, 'I am afraid we are in for a difficult time which may bring quite serious trouble.'

Gandhiji's Salt March (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942) were clear offshoots of the Bardoli Satyagraha. But the All-India Congress Committee commissioned five-volume compilation, A Centenary History of the Indian National Congress (1886-1985), edited by B N Pande and released by Rajiv Gandhi, dismisses this in just a few lines in volume II without mentioning Patel.

Motilal Nehru extolled the Satyagraha in his Congress presidential address in 1928. For the presidentship in 1929, Gandhiji was nominated by 10 provincial committees, Patel by five and Jawaharlal Nehru, three.

Gandhiji withdrew and supported the younger Nehru, then just 40. Patel became the Congress president in 1931. These facts are notable in light of the belated claims of the Congress on the Patel legacy.

Unintentionally perhaps, Nehru and Patel were seen as rivals as early as 1929, with Gandhiji consistently favouring Nehru.

Most pertinent for us all in these fraught times is the fact that Sardar's great claim to fame originated from his steely leadership of a struggle against a repressive regime, a good three decades before the achievement of states unification.

Shreekant Sambrani is an economist.'A 2018 murder may lead to shifts in the geopolitical order and impact at least one monarchy,' says Devangshu Datta.

IMAGE: A protest outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered by Saudi agents. Photograph: Murad Sezer/Reuters

On June 28, 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo. The details of the incident are baroque. Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a former Turkish possession, which had been formally annexed by Austria in 1908. Many people in Serbia thought the map of the Balkans would look more aesthetic if Bosnia was part of Serbia instead.

Six members of a Serbian secret society, The Black Hand, were stationed along the VIP route to target the royal as he paraded around in an open car. One of them threw a grenade. The Archduke was unhurt but members of his entourage were injured. The man who had chucked the grenade swallowed a cyanide pill and jumped into the river. The pill didn't work and the river was less than a foot deep. So, he was fished out.

The death squad aborted its plans since the archduke cut short the parade. One conspirator, the 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip went to a cafe in a nearby alley to refresh himself with a cuppa. Meanwhile, the archduke wanted to visit the injured in hospital. His driver got lost and ended up in that alley.

As the car was reversing out of the alley, Princip walked up and shot the archduke and his wife Sophie. Then, he, too, tried to commit suicide. But his pill was also a fake. Interrogation suggested that Serbian intelligence, which ran The Black Hand, was involved in the plot.

Austria presented an ultimatum with many demands to Serbia. The Serbs asked Slavic big brother, Russia, for help. The Austrians formally declared war on July 28. Germany and Turkey were Austria's allies and committed to mobilisation once Austria was at war. The Russians were allied to the French and the British, who had similar treaty obligations.

The assassination was a catalyst triggering those contingency plans. About 40 million died in the war that followed. The Austro-Hungarian empire and the Turkish empire broke up and became rump republics; the Russian empire became a Communist State, and Germany too, ceased to be a monarchy.

A 2018 murder may lead to, admittedly less radical, shifts in the geopolitical order, and impact at least one monarchy.

Jamal Khashoggi's murder was not an 'assassination' by definition since he was not particularly famous. But the grotesque details of his butchery by a 15-member death squad have sparked revulsion in a way that thousands of deaths in Yemen had not.

It has, perhaps irrevocably, tarnished the Saudi crown prince's attempts to present himself as a liberal reformer.

Many businesspeople pulled out of the 'Davos in the Desert'. There is pressure on financial entities (such as SoftBank) to cease to accept money from the kingdom. Khashoggi had permanent US resident status and his children are Americans. The Trump administration is, therefore, under domestic pressure to be seen to do 'something' to punish a long-term ally.

This may have repercussions on both oil and financial markets. More broadly, it could reshape geopolitical alliances.

The rulers of Saudi Arabia have several levers. One is their ability to swing oil prices by pumping more, or less, oil. They can also influence the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cartel's production.

There is the related ability to deploy vast sums in favoured projects. Beyond that, there is status as the guardian of Islam's holy places, and a steadfast opposition to a Shia alliance led by Iran.

If the pecking order in the kingdom changes as a result of this murder, it could change Saudi foreign policy.

US arms have supported Saudi efforts in the Yemen proxy war versus Iran. If America does 'punish' the Saudis, will the kingdom switch its arms-shopping to Russia? That would definitely change geopolitical relationships.

Will Saudi Arabia pump more oil to force prices down? That would hurt the US, since American oil extraction is high cost. Or, will it cut production to force prices up and thus, punish the oil-deficient liberals of the European Union?

There is an OPEC conference due in December. The decisions taken there would affect the global economy and, one way or another, those would be influenced by the death of a commoner.IMAGE: AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with Congress leader Ashok Gehlot addressing media in Amravati on Saturday. Photograph: PTI Photo



All the non-National Democratic Alliance parties are likely to meet on November 22 to decide on future course of action under the slogan of 'save democracy and save the nation'.

As part of the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party campaign, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday met Congress party national general secretary and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot at his residence and discussed the future course of action.

Naidu said that efforts are on to bring together all non-BJP parties and that he had met Congress president Rahul Gandhi to discuss measures on protecting democracy.

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu said that the former is responsible for the present state of affairs in Central Bureau of Investigation and the Reserve Bank of India.

"The country's economy is in doldrums with the interfering of the central government on regulating authorities like CBI and RBI. RBI is a regulating authority and independently regulate the economy," he said while adding that the BJP government has been resorting to I-T raids on opposition leaders for political gains.

Referring to demonetisation, Naidu said that even after two years there is no result.

The BJP government claimed that demonetisation would help to bring the black money back but it turned as a futile exercise, he added.

"Country's economy is in the doldrums. There was a fall in rupee value, increase in prices of essential commodities, unemployment increased, intolerance among SC, STs and minorities, secular fabric damaged and unrest prevailed in the country.

"The central government is resorting to conduct raids on those questioning including media, politicians to frighten them," the chief minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Gehlot said that Naidu met Rahul Gandhi and discussed how to save democracy. He underlined that no one is happy with the Modi-led government including farmers, youth, women, poor and petty traders.

Gehlot said that the BJP government claimed to utilise demonetisation to end terrorism but failed.

"The Centre has been destroying Judiciary, CBI, Election Commission, I-T for the first time after independence.

"The present situation is an undeclared emergency in the country," Gehlot said.

"It is a time for an important role to play. We will gather all together on November 22 to finalise the future course of action. We will move forward with Rahul Gandhi's agenda," he added.

To establish anti-BJP platform, Naidu till date has met Congress party president Rahul Gandhi, National Congress chief Farooq Abdullah, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, veteran leader Sharad Yadav, former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, Samjadwati party leaders Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Yadav.

The chief minister said that it is time to take a decision on the country's future.

"I have no personal interest. We have to protect the country, democracy', constitutional rights should be protected. We are strong in technology, Youths are more.

"Narendra Modi's negative attitude and unilateral decisions along with Amit Shah leading to problems in the country. The Modi-Shah duo is destroying the systems in the country and giving priority to their own man," he said.'If I don't fulfil promises made in it, I can be sent to jail, he said.

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi on Saturday released his party's manifesto on stamp paper for the state assembly polls and challenged the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and the Congress to do the same.

Jogi said he had released the 14-point manifesto of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) on the stamp paper and therefore was committed to fulfilling the promises mentioned in it.

"If I don't fulfil promises made in it, I can be sent to jail," he said.

The state goes to polls in two phases on November 12 and November 20.

Jogi's party is in an alliance with Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party and the Communist Party of India. The JCC (J) will contest 55 seats, the BSP 33 and CPI two seats.

Jogi took a swipe at the Congress, his former party and the said its manifesto, titled 'Jan Ghoshna Patra', was a 'true copy' of the one he had released on June 6, 2016 when the JCC (J) was formed.

He said the Congress had promised farm loan waiver in Punjab and Karnataka within 10 days of coming to power, but had failed to do so even after ten months having passed.

Jogi's manifesto promises Rs 2,500 per quintal MSP for paddy, free power supply to agriculture pumps with a capacity of up to 5 horsepower, and complete waiver of farm loans among others.

He said local youth would be given cent per cent reservation in government jobs while 90 per cent of other jobs would be reserved for them.

Unemployed youngsters who had passed Class 12 would be given Rs 1,001 as allowance, while graduates and post graduates without jobs would be given Rs 1,501 and Rs 2,001 respectively.

The manifesto promised regularisation of non-permanent employees like shikshakarmis, panchayat secretaries, employment assistants, Anganwadi workers and the like.

Jogi said if elected to power, his government would go for a ban on liquor in all parts of the state except Scheduled areas.

The manifesto said the party would open a Rs 1 lakh joint account for every newborn girl child along with respective district collectors.

The girl will get this amount, along with interest, when she attains 18 years of age, it said.

His government will provide 45 kg rice, 10 kg wheat, 5 kg pulses, 5 kg salt, 2 kg sugar and 5 litres of edible oil to all ration card-holders, except income tax payees among them, Jogi said.

He also promised a cut in state GST and excise on fuel as well as health insurance of Rs 7 lakh and setting up of hospitals on the lines of Delhi's AIIMS in every district of the state.The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is eyeing a fourth straight term in the tribal-dominated state as the opposition Congress seeks to return to power after 15 years.

IMAGE: A total of 650 companies (roughly around 65,000 security personnel), including of paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force, the Border Security Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other state forces, have been sent by the Centre for poll duty. Photograph: ANI

The stage is set for the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly polls in 18 seats spread across eight Naxal-affected districts on Monday.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is eyeing a fourth straight term in the tribal-dominated state as the opposition Congress seeks to return to power after 15 years.

Chief Minister Raman Singh, two state cabinet ministers and an incumbent BJP MP are among the 190 candidates contesting in 18 constituencies of the 90-member assembly.

The constituencies of Khairagarh, Dongargarh (SC), Rajnandgaon, Dongargaon, Khujji, Mohla-Manpur (ST), Antagarh (ST), Bhanupratappur (ST), Kanker (ST), Keshkal (ST), Kondagaon (ST), Narayanpur (ST), Bastar (ST), Jagdalpur, Chitrakot (ST), Dantewada (ST), Bijapur (ST) and Konta (ST) will go to polls on Monday.

Of these, 12 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and one for Scheduled Caste category.

The stakes are very high for the saffron party on these 18 seats as it had lost 12 of them in the last polls held in 2013.

Nearly one lakh security personnel have been deployed for the polls.

On the eve of the polls, a sub-inspector of the Border Security Force lost his life when Naxals detonated an improvised explosive device in Kanker district while a Maoist was gunned down in an encounter in Bijapur district.

Naxal outfits have given calls for boycott of the election and executed over half-a-dozen attacks in the last 15 days, three of them major ones which left 13 people dead including a cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan who was covering the election campaign.

According to police, escorting polling parties to their destinations and bringing them back after the polls pose challenges to them in the Naxal hotbed.

"Around one lakh security personnel, including central paramilitary force, have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling in the first phase," Chhattisgarh's Special Director General (anti-Naxal operations) D M Awasthi said.

All counter measures have been taken to thwart attempts by Maoists to disrupt the poll process, he said.

IMAGE: Security men have also been asked to avoid patrolling on foot as Naxals are known to place iron spikes to inflict injuries. Photograph: ANI

A total of 650 companies (roughly around 65,000 security personnel), including of paramilitary forces like the Central Reserve Police Force, the Border Security Force, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and other state forces, have been sent by the Centre for poll duty, he said.

These units are apart from the paramilitary personnel and 200 companies of state forces already engaged in the anti- Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh, Awasthi said.

He said around 650 polling booth parties were airlifted by helicopters on Saturday to remote areas while other teams were being sent by road on Sunday.

Choppers of the Indian Air Force and the BSF were pressed into service for the purpose, he said.

"The challenge is to escort all polling parties safely to their destination in Naxal-affected areas and later to conduct polls and bring back them safely," Awasthi said.

He said there are inputs of Naxals planning to plant IEDs to target security men. "Therefore, a hawk eye was being kept on roads in such areas," the official said.

Awasthi said forces that have arrived from other states have been advised to avoid using any road unless it has been sanitised by "road opening parties" or subjected to a de-mining exercise to detect and clear IEDs.

Security men have also been asked to avoid patrolling on foot as Naxals are known to place iron spikes to inflict injuries, he said.

They have also been asked to maintain extra caution and sanitise polling booths and other premises in sensitive areas, he said.

In the last 10 days, over 300 IEDs were recovered from the Bastar region and Rajnandgaon district by security forces, he added.

IMAGE: Police have been asked to maintain a strict vigil on the borders with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Photograph: ANI

Eyeing his fourth consecutive term as chief minister, Singh is contesting from Rajnandgaon seat where his main rival is Congress' Karuna Shukla, the niece of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Singh had last time defeated Alka Mudliyar, wife of slain Congress leader Uday Mudliyar who was killed in the Jiram valley Naxal attack in 2013.

In Narayanpur segment, the Congress has renominated Chandan Kashyap against BJP minister Kedar Kahsyap.

Chandan had lost to Kedar last time.

The Congress has also given a second chance to Vikram Mandavi from Bijapur (ST) seat against state forest minister Mahesh Gagda. Mandavi had lost to Gagda in 2013.

Prominent BJP leader and Kanker Lok Sabha seat's incumbent MP Vikram Usendi is contesting from Antagarh (ST), where the Congress has fielded a fresh face, Anoop Nag.

Usendi had won Antagarh seat in 2013 polls. However, he resigned after he was elected as the Lok Sabha member from Kanker seat in 2014.

The ruling BJP has also fielded two sitting MLAs - Santosh Bafna (Jagdalpur) and Sarojani Banjar (Dongargarh).

IMAGE: Drones have been deployed in sensitive areas to track the movements of Naxals. Photograph: ANI

The Congress has renominated its nine sitting MLAs -- Manoj Singh Mandavi (Bhanupratappur), Mohan Lal Markam (Kondagaon), Lakheshwar Baghel (Bastar), Deepak Kumar Baij (Chitrakot), Devati Karma (Dantewada), Kawasi Lakhma (Konta), Girwar Janghel (Khairagarh), Santram Netam (Keshkal) and Daleshwar Sahu (Dongargaon).

Devati Karma, wife of Congress leader Mahendra Karma who was killed in the 2013 Jiram valley attack, had defeated Bhima Mandavi of the BJP.

The BJP has again fielded Mandavi from the seat.

It also nominated Dhani Ram Barse, who was defeated by senior Congress leader Kawasi Lakhma, from Konta seat.

As many as 4,336 polling booths have been set up for the first phase of the state polls. There are 31,79,520 voters, including 16,21,839 males, 15,57,592 females and 89 of the third gender.

During the campaign for the polls, BJP leaders highlighted how Naxalism, which was at its peak during the Congress rule in the state, was contained during the last 15 years and also the development works taken up by the government.

Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union minister Smriti Irani, campaigned for the saffron party and highlighted various achievements of the Raman Singh government.

On the other side, the Congress accused the BJP of "failing" to control the Naxal menace and referred to the chit fund and civil supply scams. It also targeted the chief minister's son Abhishek Singh over his alleged offshore assets.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had held five rallies and a road show while campaigning for the first phase of the assembly polls.But the regulator has dropped the proposal of asking flyers to maintain 30 seconds of silence.

Arindam Majumder reports.

Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com IMAGE: General Bipin Rawat, the chief of the army staff, pays homage to a soldier martyred in Kashmir.

'Dear passengers, we would like to announce with a sense of gratitude that we are carrying the mortal remains of a brave soldier.'

Don't be surprised if you hear this announcement on any of your future flights.

The government has made it compulsory for airlines to make an announcement whenever they are carrying the body of a soldier.

Also, the Airport Authority of India has been directed to build designated areas to offload the casket.

In a mail addressed to chief executive officers of airlines, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the pilot-in-command should make such an announcement before the take-off.

The aviation regulator has, however, dropped the proposal of asking flyers to maintain 30 seconds of silence as a mark of respect towards the martyr.

The DGCA has provided a template of the announcement in both English and Hindi. The announcement will also mention the name, designation and regiment of the soldier.

'He made the supreme sacrifice for the security and safety of the country. Jai Hind,' the pilot has to announce.

While private airlines are yet to put the directive into effect, State-owned Air India has asked its pilots to follow the process.

A senior DGCA official said the instructions had been issued on the demand of the defence ministry.

"Some military veterans have been demanding this for years now, so the government finally took this step and issued the instructions," the official said.

Such an announcement would sensitise passengers in the aircraft as many might wish to pay their homage by maintaining silence, the official said.

In the US, airlines like Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines have special programmes for honouring the martyrs.

In 2014, Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar had written to then Air India chairman Rohit Nandan, questioning why one of its crew refused to announce the presence of the mortal remains of an army officer on a flight carrying his body from Srinagar to Delhi.

On designated areas for off-loading the caskets, a senior official of the civil aviation ministry said, "While such facilities are available at major airports across the country, smaller airports lack (them). Airports have been asked to build a platform where the caskets can be lowered from the cargo hold of the aircraft and not be kept on the ground."

Airline executives say a diktat from the government wasn't necessary and it should have been made optional, pointing out that there should be coordination between the military and the airline so that the pilot knows the name, regiment, and cause of death of the soldier.

"The military should now coordinate with the airlines so that such details are available to the pilot to announce it," he said.

In recent years, the military has taken initiatives so that the bodies of armed forces personnel killed in action or accidents are transported in Indian Air Force aircraft.

In Delhi, the caskets land at the IAF Palam Technical Area, where the bodies are laid out for the ceremonial military honouring. However, there are instances when servicemen's bodies are transported by commercial airlines.Between January 1, 2017 and September 18, 2018, one manual scavenger died every five days.

He is no caped superhero, but Bezwada Wilson continues to fight the good fight for manual scavengers, says Manavi Kapur.

IMAGE: Bezwada Wilson, a campaigner for eradication of manual scavengering, was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2016. Photograph: PTI Photo

'To those who say that these things do not happen here, to those who want to claim a superior status for the Indian civilisation, I say that only those who have suffered this anguish know its sting,' Om Prakash Valmiki in the preface to Joothan, 1997.

Bezwada Wilson knew nothing of anguish in his early childhood years.

"My parents worked hard to give me an insulated life, filled with love," he recalls. Till he was five or six years old, he had no inkling of his place in the social order.

Born to parents who were manual scavengers, Wilson did not know that his older brother was one too. "It was only once I grew older that I realised I wasn't as 'normal' as my parents would have me believe."

There is little about Wilson's life that qualifies as "normal".

Born in 1966 in the Kolar Gold Fields region in Karnataka, Wilson understood the harsh reality of his social identity only once he became aware of his family's profession.

"It disturbed me to think that we are not equals, that no matter what my parents do at home, we will all be treated poorly in the world outside," he says.

At school -- Wilson briefly studied at a social welfare school in Andhra Pradesh -- he would often be conferred with derogatory monikers that he didn't yet understand. "I was staying in a hostel that housed a mix of caste groups. There was a sense of high-handed benevolence that made people say, 'I treat you as equal'."

But, for the first two decades of his life, this sense of injustice remained a dimly understood, passive reality.

It was when a 20-year-old Wilson was studying science at a college in Kolar and tutoring school children that he first encountered the familial impact of manual scavenging, where children dropped out of school because their parents couldn't pay the fees.

The Kolar area employed a large number of people to manually clean human excreta from dry latrines. The manual scavengers spent a sizeable portion of their incomes on alcohol, to numb the pain of their soul-crushing drudgery.

The first time Wilson witnessed a manual scavenger at work, he broke down in tears.

That day, he spoke to his parents about what he had seen. And was shocked by their reaction -- they told Wilson they had been manual scavengers all their life.

"What is striking is how this is a community that exists in total silence. Do you know that young men who get married don't even tell their wives they are manual scavengers? Most of these workers finish their work, come home, eat and sleep. The task of cleaning people's s*** every day leaves them unable to express their own disgust," he says.

Wilson never loses his cool or his smile, but he speaks with a fierce passion and empathy.

"Very, very abnormal things are normalised for this community. People complicate the manual scavenging debate by saying it is a layered issue," he says. "But it is simple-simple. As a society we like to make it look difficult so that we can escape responsibility."

Wilson speaks in English, using Hindi to emphasise some points, but employing no euphemisms that might dilute the force of his argument.

Over the years, he taught himself English, a language that also gave him access to the social and intellectual capital of the Dalit community, including the works of B R Ambedkar.

Between 1986 and 1993, Wilson travelled across the country to meet workers and fully understand the role manual scavengers played. But the final push came from women in these communities, he says.

"Looking at their agony, I was propelled to do something more concrete. It was this emotional flooding that gave shape to our movement," he says.

Wilson moved to Hyderabad in 1993 and met Dalit's rights activists Paul Diwakar and S R Sankaran. Together, they formed the Safai Karamchari Andolan, a community-driven movement to mobilise manual scavengers.

The year 1993 was also when the government made its first move to abolish manual scavenging with the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) or EMSCDL Act. But the Act was termed largely toothless by those working with cleaners, sweepers and sewage workers.

The next decade, between 1993 and 2003, was crucial.

"The administration, both central and state, is a big stumbling block for change. They resisted all overtures we made so that they could maintain the status quo," insists Wilson.

For instance, under the 1993 Act, most states would claim that since they had no dry latrines there was no question of demolishing them.

"Officers would deny data and refute facts. It was a constant, frustrating battle then and continues to be so today."

When the states began refuting deaths caused by sewage accidents and inhaling poisonous gases, Wilson enlisted volunteers to estimate the number of deaths and report them. "But this approach also meant that human life was merely being represented as data. It did not address how we could prevent these deaths," he says.

This prompted him to hop on to a train to New Delhi in 1993 with a general compartment ticket.

"I thought I would file a case in the Supreme Court. But, of course, reaching Delhi opened my eyes to how complicated it is to get just the paperwork done," he says. His gumption did not go unrewarded, though.

He met several like-minded people in Delhi, including lawyers willing to guide him. With advocacy groups, manual scavengers and activists, he filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court that year naming all states and government departments -- the Railways, Defence, the Judiciary and Education - as violators of the Manual Scavenging Prohibition Act. The case is still sub judice.

The law was replaced with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013, which was to have a wider scope and impose greater penalties than the 1993 law.

Activists like Wilson have repeatedly pointed out that the new Act is an update only in name. Without specifying a solid implementation mechanism, laws like this are just lip service, he believes.

Wilson has been relentless with his questions -- many seem obvious, such as why the Indian Railways continues to employ manual scavengers. His forthright questions are neither naive nor hostile, but they make one shift in one's seat.

"I will never forget the attitude of politicians and bureaucrats," he says. "They would sit with their arms crossed, with a bored expression, and ask me, 'Haan, toh kya karna chahiye humein? (So tell us, what should we be doing?)' Basically, what they are saying is that we cleaned their s*** for these many years and now we must find a way out of it. This is just another form of modern slavery."

His passionate work has not gone unnoticed, though.

After he was conferred the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2016, he was at the forefront of the India Sanitech Forum in 2017, a platform for tech innovators to showcase automation models for sewage cleaning.

Wilson also advises academics at leading institutes, such as the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, on designing sewage-cleaning machines that eliminate the need for exposure to deadly gases and infections.

In 2014, an IAS officer thought Wilson's work was done -- the prime minister had announced the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2. "He told me, 'Bezwada aap le lo (You should retire now, Bezwada)'," he laughs.

"Four years later, here we are. Nothing has changed."

Just between January 1, 2017 and September 18, 2018, one manual scavenger has died every five days.

"Do you see what's happening here? We are purposely missing the point," says Wilson. And yet, his gumption has not waned nor his resolve weakened.Bundelkhand is thought to be an area where Mayawati has some influence.

Both Amit Shah and Shivraj Chouhan believe every weapon in the arsenal must be used to ensure victory.

Aditi Phadnis reports.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Professor G D Agrawal has gone. India is the poorer for it.

A life-long supporter of the values of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a trained civil engineer and committed to a clean Ganga, Professor Agrawal starved himself to death -- he stopped drinking water in the last few days -- because he argued, how could he, when his beloved Ganga was so impure?

He attributed the impurity of the river to hydel power projects, sand mining and the release of industrial effluent.

Till 2017 when she was ousted in a Cabinet reshuffle, Sadhvi Uma Bharati was in charge of the Ganga cleaning ministry.

Chatter has it that Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Anilchandra Shah were for dropping her altogether because as minister she had done little -- but it was the Sangh that counselled (at a three day meeting with Shah at Vrindavan in September 2017) keeping her on.

And why?

For fear of alienating the Lodh community to which she belongs because the BJP had suffered a setback after it had taken action against Kalyan Singh, another Lodh leader and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

In ensuring she stayed in government -- though in the PM's judgment she had not done her job and the Ganga part of her portfolio was given to Roads Minister Nitin Gadkari late 2017 -- the Sangh opted to sacrifice another quieter but apparently dispensable volunteer.

At the time, she announced that if the plans to clean Ganga were not implemented by October 2018, she would undertake mahaupvaas se mahaprayan (fast unto death). Obviously, she is satisfied with the progress of implementation.

So who is Uma Bharati and what is the source of her power?

Actually, if you consider her career closely, she has been most effective when she has been out of power, looking in from the outside.

She was a Lok Sabha MP in 1991, 1996 and 1998, having contributed to the Ram Janambhoomi movement.

In the 2003 assembly polls, she led the BJP to a three fourths majority and became chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. She had to resign because of criminal charges against her relating to events in Karnataka.

It was her effort that won the election for the BJP and Babulal Gaur was the one who was made the chief minister. He remained in the position for only a year-and-a-half before Shivraj Singh Chouhan replaced him. Obviously Bharati was not happy.

Considered the most indiscreet -- and most outspoken -- woman member of the BJP, she found herself evicted from the party: In 2004 and then again in 2006.

In the presence of Lal Kishenchand Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she charged Arun Jaitley with planting stories against her behind her back, criticised Sushma Swaraj and tore into many members of the BJP national executive at a meeting thought to be private, until someone discovered the microphone that was supposed to have been switched off was relaying everything to the press gaggle outside.

She returned to the party when Nitin Gadkari became president, she claimed at the time, on her terms.

A cameo at Gadkari's residence office is unforgettable. She was waiting for him.

"Now don't you go writing I am meeting him because I want to beg him to take me back in the BJP," she said at the time, waggling her finger at reporters. "I'm here because I just love fat people..." and then an arch smile at Smriti Irani, also in the room: "that's why I am so fond of Smriti."

Smriti looked at her distantly, smiled lightly and said: "Arre didi, I thought you were going to say I've lost weight."

Gadkari shifted her to UP and she contested and won the Jhansi seat in 2014. Bharati announced earlier this year that she would not contest any more elections though she wouldn't say no to campaigning in the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections if invited.

She was taken up on her offer. She appeared at a public meeting in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh which accounts for 32 assembly seats.

The region is adjacent to UP. She was appearing on a public platform in the state of her birth for the first time in nearly eight years.

Bundelkhand is thought to be an area where Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has some influence. Both Amit Anilchandra Shah and the chief minister believe every weapon in the arsenal must be used to ensure victory in the assembly election.

Hence the invitation to Uma Bharati, though at the public meeting in her inimitable style she asked the crowd: 'I asked Shivrajji is there any point in my coming to MP? Will it make any difference? Only after he assured me it would, did I come to this meeting.'

That's Uma Bharati for you. Predictable... but also unpredictable.The IAF has paid French aerospace firms Dassault and Thales about Euro 350 million for 'performance-based logistics'.

This requires the vendors to ensure that 75 per cent of the Rafale fleet is combat-ready at all times, notes Ajai Shukla.

In a radical move, the US Navy is looking to commercial airlines for ideas and procedures to get more of its combat fighter aircraft off the ground.

US Navy aviation maintenance engineers have begun examining the maintenance and stocking practices of Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which routinely ensure significantly higher aircraft availability rates than the US military.

The US Navy's primary fighter -- the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet -- has an availability rate of just 53 per cent. The US Navy's reserve fighter -- the F-18C Hornet -- has an even lower availability rate: Just about 44 per cent.

Much like the Super Hornet, the Indian Air Force's frontline Sukhoi-30MKI fighter has an availability rate of about 55 per cent. That means, of the IAF's fleet of 240 Sukhoi-30MKIs, about 108 fighters -- the equivalent of five squadrons -- remain unavailable for combat at any given time.

To prevent this in the Rafale, the IAF has paid French aerospace firms Dassault and Thales about Euro 350 million for 'performance-based logistics'. This requires the vendors to ensure that 75 per cent of the Rafale fleet is combat-ready at all times.

The US Pentagon, however, is taking the path of improving its own procedures. US Secretary of Defense James Mattis ordered the US navy, marine corps and air force in writing to ensure a 'mission capable rate' of 80 per cent by end-2019.

That requires four out of five fighters -- including the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, F-16 and F-18 fleets -- to be ready to discharge combat missions at all times.

'Our aviation inventory and supporting infrastructure suffer from systemic underperformance, overcapitalization and unrealized capability,' wrote Mattis in a September 17 memo.

'[Implementing this] involves adopting commercial best practices to modernize maintenance depots and streamline supply chain management. By adopting these proven practices, we will rapidly attain the ability to sustain increased numbers of full mission capable aircraft and achieve [Mattis'] readiness vision,' said US naval air forces spokesperson Commander Ron Flanders.

'When you look at the F-18s, this is the same size of fleet as Southwest Airlines has. It's not a super-large fleet, they're all basically the same. So how do we put in place, you know, the support practices and the parts so that people aren't working as hard?' US Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told the trade journal Defense News.

An earlier Indian defence ministry analysis of why 45 per cent of the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet remained non-available, it was found that, at any given time, 20 per cent of the fleet was undergoing 'first line' and 'second line' maintenance, which is the IAF's responsibility.

Another 11 to 12 per cent was undergoing major repair or overhaul by Hindustan Aeronautics, and 13 to 14 per cent of the fleet was grounded, awaiting major systems or spares -- the technical terms is: 'Aircraft on the ground'.

HAL has repeatedly advised the IAF to stock more spares in its repair establishments, based on a study of consumption patterns over the years. That is a lesson commercial airlines learned long ago to reduce 'aircraft on ground' time.

However, aviation analysts point out that keeping commercial airliners flying is simpler, since they have less mission-critical avionics.

Fighter aircraft are not just flying machines but also fighting machines. If their airborne radar or weapon systems or radar jammer is non-functional, the fighter is unavailable for combat missions.Japan will on Monday see October numbers for producer prices, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In September, producer prices were up 0.3 percent on month and 3.0 percent on year.

Japan also will see September results for loans and discounts and preliminary October figures for machine tool orders. Loans were up 3.35 percent on year in August, while tool orders advanced an annual 2.9 percent in September.

New Zealand will release October numbers for credit card spending; in September, overall spending was up 1.3 percent and retail spending was up 1.1 percent.

Singapore will see September numbers for retail sales; in August, sales eased 0.4 percent on month and climbed 2.5 percent on year.

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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.Agricultural projects for wheat season launched in Jawf [11/November/2018] JAWF, Nov. 11 (Saba) - Governor of Jawf province Saleh Durman along with Executive Director of the Public Corporation for Cereal Development and Production, Eng. Ahmad Al-Khalid, inaugurated on Saturday a number of the corporation's projects in the province for the agricultural season, the wheat season 2018-2019.



The corporation's projects include agricultural activities, programs in the field of farmers' tillage and seed financing, solar irrigation system for the pumping of water from wells, agricultural fields with modern irrigation techniques, transport pipes , distribution of irrigation water and agricultural fields for wheat growing on terraces.



During the inauguration, the governor stressed the importance of agriculture as an important economic sector for the country, as well as an important tool to break the siege imposed by the US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition's states on Yemen.



He called on investors to take benefit of good investment's possibilities in Jawf province in various fields of the agricultural sector.





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SabaPresident meets Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Deputy [11/November/2018] SANAA, Nov. 11 (Saba) - President Mahdi al-Mashat met on Sunday with Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf and Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein al-Azi.



The meeting discussed the role of the Foreign Ministry in communicating with the international community and human rights organizations to break the diplomatic siege and international isolation that the US-backed Saudi-led coalition of aggression try to impose on Yemen to cover up its crimes and violations.



The meeting touched on the efforts exerted by the ministry to convey Yemen's grievance to the international community and the coordination aspects with the UN and humanitarian organizations in order to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, which is going through the worst humanitarian crisis in the world due to aggression and siege imposed by the coalition.





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SabaPresident meets with Parliament speaker and his deputy [11/November/2018] SANAA, Nov. 11 (Saba) - President Mahdi al-Mashat met on Sunday with Parliament Speaker Yahya Ali Al-Rai and his Deputy Abdul Salam Zabia.



During the meeting, they discussed developments in the national arena in light of the escalation of the US-backed Saudi-led aggression coalition and theirs crimes committed against the Yemeni people, which affected the various sectors.



The meeting touched upon the positions of the international community, humanitarian organizations, and repeated calls to stop the aggression and lift the siege imposed on Yemen and how to deal with it.



The meeting also tackled aspects of coordination between the legislative and executive authorities to overcome current challenges and alleviate the suffering of citizens.



The meeting reviewed the role of the Presidency of the parliament in communicating with parliaments and parliamentary associations, the most recent one was a video-conference session with the International Parliamentary Conference for Peace in Yemen to convey the grievance of the Yemeni people to the world.





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SabaYemen, UN discuss humanitarian situation in country [11/November/2018] SANAA, Nov. 11 (Saba)  Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf met on Sunday with Resident Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and discuss with him humanitarian situations in Yemen.



Duringthe meeting, they discussed the military escalation and war crimes of the Saudi-led coalition against the Yemen people and an infrastructure, especially in the western coast.



They discussed topics concerning an upcoming visit of the UN assistant secretary-general for human rights, Andrew Gilmour, to the country.





The minister said that the National Salvation Government have called on the UN human rights organizations to document the Saudi-led coalitions war crimes committed in Yemen.





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